Impressions of Cuba after a GAP Adventure tour

Frankfurt, Germany
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Impressions of Cuba after a GAP Adventure tour
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This forum seems to be divided into 2 groups of travellers - the ones going to all-inclusive resorts, and the ones trying to experience and see as much of Cuba as they can.

I am considering myself to be part of the second, and as such I joined a GAP Adventure Tour. There is not too much info about this kind of holiday in this forum, and I had some requests of some kind of report about it, so here it is.

First of all, I was a bit "unlucky", since I was the only one on my tour (one participant cancelled ahead of the tour, one came to say he wouldn't join, and 2 got stuck in Mexico), but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise!

The tour works as follow, you are met by your "local leader", and the tour is explained. Usually I suppose that the members get to know each other and the interests and wishes are exchanged. The leader is there to accompany the group, whch usually is not greater than 15 people. The good part about it is, that with a small group, you do not end up in a large coach with a boring tour guide telling you uninspiring stories about the country, but you have a local, who you can interact and ask whatever you want. Also, I felt that you are so much closer to the "real" Cuba than in a resort or a large group! Cuba is such a complicated country, and the impressions I had about it would be enough to write a book. I am very grateful I did a GAP tour, as it is such a different approach to traveling.

Usually I am BIG on independant traveling, and this is the first time I joined a tour for a long time (I had some bad experiences with group tours, believe!), but GAP Adventures is different(like, I suppose Intrepid Travel, Exodus or Tucan etc.). It has most of the advantages of independant traveling, but having one local leader gives you the chance to really get to know the country, at least in the eyes of the leader and his/her "friends". It probably the closest I could have gotten to the "real Cuba" in such a short amount of time. We also stayed in Casa particulares, which were spotlessly clean and not so basic as one might have though. This gives you an insight of the Cuban Middle Class (yes there is such a thing, one of the many lessons learned with GAP). Regardless of GAP, the Casas would be the best way to get to know Cuba!

I would recommend GAP Adventures Tours for everybody with an appetite for a "mild" adventure who is willing to take an occasional cold shower or a mild culture shock in order to get an holiday experience like no other.

Feel free to ask me anything you like about it!

Sunshine Coast, BC
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1. Re: Impressions of Cuba after a GAP Adventure tour
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Thanks for your post, I am just preparing to book the GAP Colonial Cuba tour which is a 14 night tour that covers a good portion of Cuba. Can you tell me what the role of the tour leader was? Did he/she actually provide some guided tours or were you left to do your own thing? How much time did you actually have in each town? For example; the schedule would be to arrive in Baracoa on day 10 and then fly back to Havana on day 14. This is the longest stay in one town. Were there some activities / tours arranged as part of the group or did you have to find your own activities/tours?

Also in Havana what hotel did GAP use?

Thanks

Joan

Calgary, Canada
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2. Re: Impressions of Cuba after a GAP Adventure tour
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I'm always naturally cynical about tours, but it sounds like your experience was a good one. Thanks for posting.

Cheers,

Terry

Cuba
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3. Re: Impressions of Cuba after a GAP Adventure tour
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Ditto from me as well

I am a Casa Particular traveler in Cuba as well

Outside of living with a local in rural or suburban Cuba ... this will get you as close as you can with the people.

This should be a first timer choice for this type of travel for some as a good introduction ... follow up vacation can be done independently and much more freely

JMHO

Mardi

Frankfurt, Germany
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4. Re: Impressions of Cuba after a GAP Adventure tour
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Hi there, sorry for not responding earlier, but I am offline at my home. As for the local leader, s/he is the person introducing to the country and organizing things, e.g. s/he does all the paper work etc . and organized horseback riding. S/he is also acting as a very general guide by recommending you certain things etc. In my case, he acted loke a friend who shows you his country, introducing friends etc. As for the Casa particulares, you actually stay in these, which is a fabulous thing! The leader just calls ahead to see if her/his favorites are free. GAP was in no way your typical tour group, and you were left with a lot of options and spare time. I hate tour buses and the canned experiences that come with it, but I would recommend GAP any day!

Frankfurt, Germany
Destination Expert
for Garden Route
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2,432 posts
78 reviews
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5. Re: Impressions of Cuba after a GAP Adventure tour
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P.S. in Havana I stayed in Hotel Plaza. Fabulous location, great lobby, nice roof top restaurant, but run down rooms. Was okay, but not a great experience in itself.

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6. Re: Impressions of Cuba after a GAP Adventure tour
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I went on the GAP cycle tour of Cuba in 2008 and thought it was fantastic. Our tour guide David was really great and seeing Cuba on a bike is amazing. Highly recommended.

Canmore, Canada
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7. Re: Impressions of Cuba after a GAP Adventure tour
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I am considering booking the Gap Adventures Cycling tour. Is there anyone who could tell me more info about it? We usually stay in all inclusives and have been on some excursions, but nothing like this. What is the condition of their bikes? How safe are the places that you stay in? Are they mostly casa particulars or hotels and do we need to lock up our luggage? How is the food? What are the roads like? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Ottawa
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8. Re: Impressions of Cuba after a GAP Adventure tour
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I thought I would bump this post up!

Australia
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9. Re: Impressions of Cuba after a GAP Adventure tour
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Glad you did.

I have looked into doing a tour with GAP, Tucan or Intrepid.

I recently came across Cuban Adventures which seem to be half the price.

Futhermore, I read elsewhere that when booking a tour with GAP and the like you are actually using Cuban Adventures guides and services.

Can anyone add to this?

Ottawa
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10. Re: Impressions of Cuba after a GAP Adventure tour
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Bumpety bump! Just went on this site. The prices are much cheaper than GAP. I have read that one review. Anyone else care to chime in if they have used or know of this company? From what I gather they are from Australia.

Thanks for any input!

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