Escorted & Package Tours

Recommended Package & Escorted Tour Operators

From the U.S. --

There are over a hundred licensed travel service providers in the United States; almost all offer charter flights and packages. Some of the best and most reputable are:

ABC Charters (tel. 305/263-6829; www.abc-charters.com) is an excellent TSP and charter company based in Miami.

Marazul Tours (tel. 800/223-5334 or 201/319-3900; www.marazultours.com) is a major operator for East Coast-based Cuban-Americans and their family members.

Tico Travel (tel. 800/493-8426 in the U.S. or Canada, or 954/493-8426; www.destinationcuba.com) is a dependable company with operations throughout much of Latin America.

From Canada --

In addition to the agencies listed below, Canadian travelers, and others using Canada as a gateway, can check directly with Air Transat Holidays (tel. 866/322-6649 in the U.S. and Canada; www.airtransatholidays.com), the tour agency arm of one of the principal charter flight companies to Cuba.

Sol Meliá Cuba (tel. 416/533-8585; www.solmeliacuba.com) is the Canadian-based tour agency arm of the Sol Meliá company.

Signature Travel(tel. 866/324-2883; www.signaturevacations.com) is the largest tour and package operator in Canada, with offices in Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, and Vancouver.

From the U.K. --

Cuba Welcome (tel. 020/7731-6871; www.cubawelcome.com) is a good U.K.-based operator with a knowledgeable and dependable operation on the ground in Cuba.

Go Cuba Plus (www.gocubaplus.com) is a well-established Web-based operator, with offices and representation throughout Europe and the British Virgin Islands.

Regent Holidays (tel. 0870/499-1311; www.regent-cuba.com) is the specialized Cuba unit of this U.K. tour operator.

Journey Latin America (tel. 020/8747-3108; www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk) is a large U.K.-based operator for trips throughout the hemisphere, with often very good deals on airfare.

Thomas Cook (tel. 0870/750-5011; www.thomascook.com) is a major U.K.-based operator for trips around the world, with excellent operations in Cuba.

From Australia & New Zealand --

Caribbean Bound (tel. 02/9267-2555; www.caribbean.com.au) is a specialist in travel throughout the Caribbean.

Caribbean Destinations (tel. 03/9813-5258; www.caribbeanislands.com.au) is another Australian-based specialist in travel throughout the Caribbean.

Cuba-Based Agencies --

Cubalinda (tel. 7/204-5584; www.cubalinda.com) is an excellent agency that provides hands-on service, and is especially adept at helping non-licensed U.S. travelers understand and work with the various options open to them.

Cuba Welcome (tel. 020/7731-6871 in the U.K., or 7/863-3885 in Cuba; www.cubawelcome.com) is a U.K.-based operator that has an excellent operation on the ground in Cuba.

Special-Interest Vacations

There are plenty of options for a special-interest or theme vacation to Cuba. Popular themes include cigars, Ernest Hemingway, classic cars, bird-watching, and Latin dance. In addition to the agencies and operators listed below, most of the package and escort tour operators listed above offer a selection of themed specialty tours.

GAP Adventures (tel. 800/708-7761 in the U.S. and Canada, or 0870/999-0144 in the U.K.; www.gapadventures.com) is a major international adventure and educational tour operator with a full plate of theme tours to Cuba.

Global Exchange (tel. 415/255-7296; www.globalexchange.org) is a nonprofit organization working to increase international understanding by conducting small-scale tours that emphasize educational or social aid themes.

Paradiso (tel. 7/832-9538) is the tour agency arm of the Cuban arts and cultural organization ARTex. Paradiso organizes theme tours and escorted trips, including tours based around most of the major festivals and cultural events, as well as participatory learning trips with instruction in a variety of arts.