Below you will find details and prices of excursions that are available to book through your on-resort Thomas Cook Representative or your First Choice/Thomson Representative ~ you do not have to book through your own travel company representative so it is in your own interest to compare prices with each company and book with the relevant tour Rep.
***** PRICING CORRECT AS OF SEPTEMBER 09; all prices are in Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC) *****
THOMAS COOK EXCURSION PRICE LIST
DOLPHIN TOURS
The dolphin trips are well worth the money and a memorable experience ~ this is what the trip consists of:-
- A trip across the Bahia de Naranjo in a large speedboat to the Dolphinarium
- You are welcomed with a Cuban band playing and and a free drink
- You get to spend about 20 mins playing, kissing and cuddling with the dolphins (for extra Cuc’s you can be pushed across the water by water-skiing on the dolphins or you can be pulled around in the water by holding onto the dolphins).
- There is also opportunity to have your photograph taken with two dolphins kissing you - one on each cheek. (extra cuc's).
- You also get to see a sealion show and a spectacular show with the dolphins performing; (with some audience participation!)
You can have your swim with the dolphins and the 2 shows filmed and put onto DVD for you at extra cost ~ brilliant memories. The trip operates daily and costs $99 adults and $48 kids, if you only want to watch you can do so for $40 and $20. (Everbody is required to wear a life vest).
Swim With The Dolphins - A half day excursion; swim with the dolphins and enjoy a spectacular dolphin show. You will also fall in love with the sealions during their show or if you're lucky one may fall in love with you...cameras are a must for this! Trip operates daily. Adults $79 cuc Children $39 cuc
Dine With The Dolphins - Swim with the dolphins, kiss and cuddle these amazing creatures. Watch the spectacular dolphin show followed by a scrumptious lobster dinner whilst enjoying the sounds of the afro-cuban rhythms. Be amazed at the daring of the glass walkers as they perform their art. Trip operates Thurs & Sat. Adults $100 cuc Children $60 cuc
Suncruise - A fantastic combination; Let your hair down on a catamaran with open bar, sail to a coral reef for snorkelling time, a seafood lunch, then swim with the dolphins as a final touch to a perfect day. Trip operates Sunday. Adults $99 cuc Children $59 cuc
JEEP TOURS
The Grand Safari - See the real Cuba; this is an excursion that cannot be missed. Tour the countryside of Holguin province and take in the sights of local Cuban life, stop to take postcard view photos, snapshot reminders of unforgettable memories. Stops on route will include Biran Castro, the birthplace of Fidel Castro. Pinares and its picturesque waterfall. After lunch you will visit some small fruit/flower plantations and have the chance to sample traditional Cuban coffee. This truly is discovering Cuba. Trip operates Tues/Thurs/Sat. Adults $89 cuc Children $64 cuc.
The Great Adventure - A day of outdoor adventure packed with breath taking scenery and activities. By jeep you will explore the local countryside and visit the colonial fishing town of Gibara where you will be served lunch. You will also get to ride the waves on jet ski's. Trip operates Mon/Weds/Fri. Adults $74 cuc Children $49 cuc.
LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS
Holguin By Night - A cabaret show with music and dance afterwards Cuban style. Mix with the locals and enjoy the inclusive rum on this night to remember. Trip Operates Sunday. Adults $25cuc Kids N/A
Cuba Life - A different day out for you experience the everyday Cuba that moves around you at the caribbean pace. You will visit banana plantation, Canadon town and Sama fishing village. You will have free time in Guardalavaca and at the market; Lunch is included at a restaurant by the sea. Perfect time for you to take the whole picture of the area that surrounds you. Trip operatesTues &Thurs. Adults $34 cuc Children $24 cuc
Natural Farmer - (Guajiro natural) An excellent combination of horseback riding, line fishing, and a Cuban Rodeo in Rocazul Biopark. Lunch included and take home your own farmers hat. Trip Operates Mon/Wed/Thur/Sat Adults $39cuc Children $19cuc
CITY TOURS
Cuba Inside - A popular local tour strating with a ride on an old steam locomotive that dates from the last century through the countryside and sugar cane fields. Then into Holguin city to visit a cigar factory and see the worlds most famous cigars being hand made, Visit the Cathedral Square and spend some free time exploring the city centre streets. Trip operates Mon/Thur/Fri Adults $59 cuc Kids $36 cuc
Santiago by Day - fantastic opportunity to view this beautiful, cultural city filled with Cuban history. Where you will be part of the rhythm,warmth and history that had made Santiago a cornerstone of the Cuban Nationality. Full day with lunch in the city with 1 drink included. Trip operates Tues & Sat. Adults $62cuc Children $42cuc. *NB, This is a long day with approx 3 hrs travelling each way.
Santiago Overnight – Cubas former capital and most heroic city. This trip will take you to see the beautiful town of Bayamo and a stop at the Basillica El Cobre en route to Santiago. In Santiago visit the Moncada Garrison attacked in 1953 by Castro, The Revolution Square and admire the panoramic view of the bay from the Morro Fortress. Enjoy an evenings relaxation at the Tropicana show (extra 20cuc per person). Trip operates Sat Adults $159 Children $64 cuc (no children under 16 permitted to Tropicana).
Havana Overnight & Tropicana - A chance to see Havana and appreciate this vibrant city. The first day is spent in new Havana stepping back in time to the 1940's seeing old American cars driving by. Spend the second day in Old Havana a UNESCO World Heritage site,with free time around the Islands largest market. In the evening enjoy Cuba's most famous cabaret show Tropicana ($60cuc extra) - When the sun goes down the lights come on for the world famous spectacular Tropicana Show; see with your own eyes the 200 dancers and their elaborate costumes. Trip Operates - See Rep. Adults $265 cuc (+60 trop) Children $186 cuc (Tropicana = over 18's only).
Havana By Day - A full day in the cosmopolitan capital and one of the world's most famous cities. Visit old and New Havana with it's amazing architecture and sites that have witnessed the making of history, including Revolution Square, The Capitolio building, the Ernest Hemingway Trail plus much more. Trip Operates - See Rep. Adults $199cuc Children $137cuc
** Havana excursions ~ A fuel supplement of 30 cucs per person to be paid in cash is applied to all Havana excursions**
NAUTICAL TOURS
Island Paradise Catamaran - An unmissable day as you take to the sea and sail out to the Island of Cayo Saetia with a snorkelling stop. Whilst there you can be adventurous and hire a jeep to take you around the island to see the islands wildlife. For relaxation take time out on the beautiful beaches and indulge in some sunbathing. The day includes an all-inclusive bar on the boat and lunch on the island with one drink included. Trip operates Mon/Thurs/Sat. Adults $69 cuc Children $48 cuc.
Ocean Paradise Catamaran - Fun for everyone; A day aboard a luxury catamaran, including the essential 3 S’s of a holiday – swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling. Explore the coral reefs and cool off in the cristal clear waters. The day includes a mouth watering lobster meal and an all-inclusive bar onboard. Trip operates Weds/Fri/Sun. Adults $49 cuc Children $39 cuc.
Boat Adventure - Feel the adrenaline; drive your own speed boats down the Sama river bringing you to a lush countryside where you can quench your thirst with tropical fruits direct from the source, before taking off again at speed around the bay. Trip operates Mon/Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat; Adults $35 cuc Children $25 cuc.
Trolling Fishing ( Pesca a vara) – Try your hand at catching the big one! Charter your own boat and be Ernest Hemmingway for the day. Fish for Marlin, Tuna and snappers whilst enjoying the open bar. Trip operates daily. Adults & children $68 cuc's each.
** Prices are in Cuban Convertible Pesos. Childrens prices are for 2 years - 12 years. 24hrs notice is required for all cancellations if a full refund is to be given otherwise a charge of 25% will be deducted. Cubanacan will NOT authorise any refund on excursions by air should 24hrs notice not be given for cancellations. Havana excursions ~ A fuel supplement of 30 cucs per person to be paid in cash is applied to all Havana excursions.
Thomas Cook only act as an agent on behalf of the excursion provider. Your contract with the excursion provider will be subject to local laws and the excursion providers booking conditions. Bookings will not form part of your holiday package.If you miss an excursion due to illness a medical certificate must be shown before a refund is issued and this will be at the discretion of Cubanacan Agency. Contact details:430226 from 9am to 5pm. All excursions are operated and organised by Cubanacan.
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FIRST CHOICE EXCURSION PRICE LIST
First Choice/Signature Excursions from Holguin/Guardalavaca Resorts; (Sol Rio Luna y Mares, Playa Costa Verde, Paradisus Rio De Oro, Blau Costa Verde, Grand Playa Turquesa, Brisas Guardalavaca and Club Amigo)
***** PRICING CORRECT AS OF SEPTEMBER 09; all prices are in Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC) *****
ACTIVE
Green and Blue; operates Wed, Fri, Sat ..... Adults $79.00cuc; Children $57.00 cuc
Boat Adventure operates Daily....... Adults $35.00; Children $25.00
Scuba Diving Check days and price with Rep
RELAX
Sun Cruise operatesDaily ....... Adult $99.00; Children $59.00
Ocean Paradise operates Daily .... Adults $49.00; Children $39.00
Sunset Cruise operates Daily ..... Adults $52.00 Children $31.00
Island Paradise operates Daily ..... Adults $ 69.00 Children 48.00
Deep Sea Fishing Exclusive Confirm availability with Rep $275.00
(up to 6 People)
Deep Sea Fishing Position Confirm With Rep $68.00 ( x 4 People)
Mangrove Fishing operates Daily.... Adults 25.00; children $17.00
DISCOVER
Havana Overnight operates Thurs….. Adults $ 315.00; children $186.00
Havana One Day operates Sat … Adults $199.00; children $137.00
Holguin Combo Tour operates Tues & Thurs ….. Adults $ 59.00; Children $36.00
Fantastica operates Fri & Sun …. Adults $122.00; Children $85.00
Santiago De Cuba 1 Day operates Tues, Thurs & Sat …. Adults $60.00; Children $40.00
Santiago De Cuba Overnight operates Sat….. Adults $185.00; Children $105.00
FAMILY
Dolphin Swim operates Daily … Adults $79.00; Children $39.00
Dolphin Show Only operates Daily…. …. Adults $34.00; Children $17.00
NIGHTS OUT
Dining With The Dolphins operates Thurs….. Adults $100.00; Children $60.00
Salsa Night operates Sat. Adults $25.00; Children N/A
EXTRAS
Pre Booked Seats ~ see Rep ASAP…… Adults $ 19.00; Children $9.50
VIP Lounge ~ see Rep ASAP ….. Adults $25.00; Children $18.00
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Just a little note – It's a good idea to do a trip independently. Ask reception to arrange a taxi with good English speaking driver (or organise yourself). A taxi would normally collect you around 9/9.30am and will bring you back any when after 5/5.30 pm (or when you are ready). This way you get to see a lot more than the organised trips and can do things at your own pace, you also have the ability to stop whenever you want to at places that interest you along the way and can ‘skip’ things that don’t really interest you. A good taxi guide will know all the places of interest + others, so don’t be apprehensive. Taxi’s will take short cuts through the countryside and remote villages – routes that are not suitable for coaches – it is quite an eye opener, a real culture shock – it’s like travelling back in time – horses pulling water bowsers to replenish a families’ water supply, oxen pulling hand-made wooden ploughs to cultivate the land – people walking for miles or travelling by horse and trap. Chicken farms = 100’s of chickens grazing freely on a small piece of land (a far cry from modern day battery hen farming techniques) - amazing sights to be seen ~ independent travel is a must !
Do not do the dolphin trip independently...it will cost you a lot of money for your own transport and your timing has to be right to catch the Dolphin and sea Lion shows. You can not do the dolphin trip independently cheaper than the organised excursion.
If you have goodies to give away, take these out on your trip and ask the driver to stop in a little village so you can distribute your gifts. These gifts are far more truly appreciated by these people that genuinely have NOTHING, than the resort workers, who by comparison, have everything. (Stick to tipping in cuc at the resorts and save your gifts for villagers!) If you have school supplies, ask your driver to stop at a remote village school ~ you will be amazed at the welcoming you get by its dozen or so pupils !!! ……. Again, everybody distributes to schools around the resorts, so by doing this you are helping the schools that have a more genuine need!! Take exercise books, pencils, pencil sharpeners and erasers ~ these kids have to erase their work in their exercise books when they are full and re-use the books.
For a lovely day out: Holguin & Gibara – Ask your Hotel reception to organise a taxi with English speaking driver (he will be your guide for the trip) to take you to Holguin & Gibara. Ask your driver to stop at places of interest along the way for photo taking etc. Spend free time in Holguin visiting the cigar factory, museums etc., if that is what you want to do or just enjoy a leisurely stroll taking in the architecture or the hustle & bustle of the city, and then go sightseeing by cab – La Loma de Cruz etc and then on to Gibara (pronounced Hib-ar-a), it's a pretty little fishing village with beautiful harbour views and lovely colonial architecture. Gibara houses a few museums, cigar factory, colonial palace etc. There are restaurants and bars to eat at and La Concha has beautiful views across the bay. Ask the driver to suggest somewhere for a nice lunch in Gibara and explain whether you want a lite lunch or a more exquisite lunch (ie. lobster/shrimp meal); a lot of cab drivers will take you to a casa (private house) for lunch. Gibara has some lovely casas where you can eat the most fabulous home-made food. Lobster and seafood are their specialities (and it will probably cost approx 20/25 cuc each including drinks). Invite the driver to join you (as your guest, of course –!!!). When lunch is done, tour Gibara, a stroll along the promenade to walk off your lunch and a walk around the square etc ….. your driver will lead you!! The taxi for the whole trip should cost you around 100 CUC (£60)...... If you share with 2 others that is only £15 each ....much, much cheaper, far more interesting and informative and soooo much more rewarding and fun than any organised trip. Remember to set the price with the cab driver before you set off.
FYI – An organised trip to Holguin alone is 59CUC each (over £35 each)... so an independent trip by taxi is good value for your CUC's.