Top 6 Day Trips from Enchanting Havana

Boasting impressive architecture and a lively culture, Havana remains the top destination for visitors to Cuba. However, escaping the city’s hustle can rejuvenate you and offer deeper insights into authentic Cuban experiences.

Enjoy the refreshing sea breeze at Playas del Este or explore nature in Las Terrazas and Soroa. With numerous fantastic options under an hour away, Havana serves as the ideal hub for adventurous day trips.

Travel options from the capital differ based on whether you choose private or state-run services. For the Havana Bus Tour to Playas del Este and Viazul buses to Viñales, Matanzas, and Varadero, remember to pay with a non-US credit card.

Private taxis often prefer foreign cash (euros are recommended), so it’s wise to agree on the currency and fare before starting your trip.

Begin organizing your upcoming Cuban getaway today with six of our top day trip recommendations from Havana.

1. Discover the breathtaking scenery of Viñales

Travel duration: 2 hours and 45 minutes

Viñales Valley, adorned with unique pin-cushion hills, is stunning enough to deserve an extended visit if your schedule allows.

The town exudes charm with its ceramic roofs and cane rocking chairs on porches, complemented by the unmatched warmth of Cuban guajiros (countryfolk). Be sure to accept any invitation for horseback riding or hiking among the uniquely shaped limestone mogotes (hills).

From December to April, Viñales transforms into a hotspot for rock climbers. The A-frame structures draped in lush fronds are drying houses for some of the finest cigar tobacco in the world, cultivated throughout this area of Pinar del Río Province.

Los Jazmines offers the perfect vantage point for breathtaking panoramic photos over Viñales Valley, but if you prefer dining with a view of the mogotes, head to Balcón del Valle restaurant. For a lively atmosphere and freshly crafted cocktails, don’t miss Tres Jotas on Salvador Cisneros St, the main road in Viñales.

Getting to Viñales from Havana: Viñales is accessible via daily Viazul buses from Havana. Day trips can also be arranged through most hotels in Havana, typically including lunch and additional excursions, for about US$70 round trip. For more freedom, consider renting a car or hiring a taxi with a driver for the day.

2. Relax at Playas del Este

Travel time: 30 minutes

Just a short distance from the vibrant heart of Havana lies the palm-lined shores known as Playas del Este (eastern beaches). There are several beaches in this area, but Santa María del Mar stands out with its ample shade and the softest, cleanest sand.

Visit the beach town of Guanabo to mingle with locals. The area near Boca Ciega is a popular gathering spot for the LGBTIQ+ community. While many Cubans avoid the beach during the “cold” winter months from January to April, these shores become quite packed during the peak summer season.

Guanabo features a variety of paladares (private Cuban restaurants), from Italian-style pizzerias to family-friendly chicken spots.

Getting to Playas del Este from Havana: Take the T3 Habana Bus Tour, which travels from Centro Habana to Playas del Este, passing through Parque Histórico Militar Morro-Cabaña. The primary stop is at Parque Central across from the Hotel Inglaterra. An all-day ticket for the T3 costs about US$10, with services operating from 9am to 7pm. A typical private taxi ride costs around US$25 one way.

3. Connect with nature at Las Terrazas and Soroa

Travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes

A journey into the lush and rolling Sierra del Rosario range, Cuba’s first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, offers a perfect remedy for stress and fatigue. Las Terrazas, located just over an hour west of Havana, was once an artist colony and has transformed into an ecotourism hub featuring open studios, canopy walks, hiking, birdwatching, and swimming in cascading rivers.

Nearby, Soroa is renowned for its Orquideario, an orchid garden and research facility housing over 700 species that bloom from December to March.

Hidden away, Lago El Palmar features a ranchón (rustic open-sided restaurant) where you can enjoy drinks and snacks, with boat rentals available. Just under 2km (1 mile) away lies Cafetal Buenavista, a well-preserved remnant of Cuba’s oldest coffee plantation.

Getting to Las Terrazas and Soroa from Havana: You can book a day tour to Las Terrazas and Soroa at a Cubatur desk in any hotel lobby, or take a colectivo (shared taxi mainly used by tourists) from the Viazul station, getting off at Rancho Curujey, near Las Terrazas. Be sure to confirm your stop with the driver.

4. Dive into the crystal-clear waters of Varadero

Travel time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Cuba’s premier beach destination, the 20km-long (12.4-mile) Varadero peninsula boasts soft sand, warm Caribbean waters, and all-inclusive resorts, offering everything needed for an exciting day trip. Make the 140km (87 miles) journey east from central Havana, and you'll be relaxing under a palm umbrella by 10am.

Enjoy a swim in the Caribbean or sip cocktails in the shade before savoring a late lunch at one of Varadero’s renowned restaurants. For exceptional service and fresh seafood, Varadero 60 comes highly recommended. After lunch, unwind with a drink at the mahogany-wood Casa Blanca Panoramic Bar atop Mansión Xanadú, where the views of the sunlit peninsula are unbeatable.

How to reach Varadero from Havana: Reserve an air-conditioned Viazul bus at Terminal de Ómnibus (around US$9; travel time is three to four hours). When demand is high for Viazul buses, you can also opt for colectivos (shared taxis), which offer a faster journey.

You can easily book a ticket at any hotel reception, through your casa particular (private homestay), or simply by waiting at the bus station. A standard taxi ride from Havana will cost roughly US$100–150 one way.

5. Discover Cojímar, Hemingway’s beloved fishing village

Travel time: 20 minutes

Nestled just east of Havana's historic district, Cojímar is a quaint fishing village renowned for being the backdrop of Ernest Hemingway's nautical exploits during the 1940s and '50s. Tourist buses often make a stop at Restaurante La Terraza for refreshing daiquiris on the terrace, but for more substantial meals and excellent mojitos, Ajiaco Café is the place to be.

This laid-back town offers a genuine Cuban experience, allowing visitors to connect with locals. Stroll along the malecón, a smaller version of Havana’s famous promenade, to soak in the natural beauty that once captivated Hemingway.

For stunning views of the coastal village, visit the Torreón de Cojímar, a ruined Spanish fort from the 17th century that was the first to fall to British forces during their attack on Havana in 1762.

Getting to Cojímar from Havana: Yellow cabs from Parque Central or anywhere in Old Havana typically charge about US$10 for a ride to Cojímar. While classic American cars may cost more, the picturesque journey is worthwhile. If you plan to stay longer than a few hours, agree on a one-way fare; otherwise, ask for a round-trip price for a quick visit to the sights.

6. Discover music and culture in the revitalized Matanzas

Travel time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Once overshadowed by Varadero, Matanzas—a formerly thriving cultural center located 100km (62 miles) east of Havana—is experiencing a renaissance.

A government-led renovation initiative launched in 2018 to commemorate the city’s 325th anniversary ignited this revival. The subsequent hosting of the Biennial—the largest art festival in Cuba—further elevated the city’s profile the following year.

The most notable enhancements are seen in the revitalized art and architecture along Calle Narváez. Once part of a rundown warehouse area next to the San Juan River, this charming waterfront promenade has transformed into the city’s vibrant core, featuring free galleries, public sculptures, and a bustling array of bars and restaurants, including the cafe-art-collective, Artys.

In other areas, be sure to catch matinee shows at the restored Teatro Sauto and explore the fascinating pharmaceutical museum. If you visit on a Friday afternoon, you might be treated to live street rumba (Afro-Cuban music and dance) in the historic Plaza de la Vigía. How to get to Matanzas from Havana: You can reach the city via daily Viazul buses (approximately US$7; two hours). Taxis can take you there in about one hour and 45 minutes, but they are pricier, costing around US$80 and up.