Cuba Holiday Excursion: Colourful Cuba Tour

If you're staying on the islands of Cayo Coco or Cayo Guillermo you won't see the real Cuba as Cubans aren't allowed on to those islands unless they're working. I'd say its absolutely crucial to get off and and on to the mainland - one of the best ways to do that is to go on the Colourful Cuba Tour.

I was a bit ill before we went but actually thoroughly enjoyed it, although some of it was a bit surreal.

We left at around 9:30 and made our way down to the causeway which goes one for miles and miles. It hooks Cayo Coco up with the mainland. The journey isn't long so don't worry about getting comfortable. Don't fall asleep as the view from the coach as you go over is pretty stunning.

At the end of the causeway there's a checkpoint - to make sure the locals don't go on. This may be your first opportunity to see one of those old cars that you see on TV. They're pretty cute and its amazing they're still running.

Just a few short minutes you'll find yourself at Lake Redondo where you'll go on a half-hour trip through the mangroves - this was an awesome journey as you learn about the flora and fauna of the island mixed in with a bit of an adrenaline rush.

Here's a video of it (p.s. I didn't think about having it the right way up!!)



You're not rushed, but then you get back on the coach and head to one of the most surreal parts of the holiday. You'll find yourself at a disused sugar cane factory where you can have a look around - yeh I know. But for many I'm sure it was interested. They are novices to the tourist industry - but they do a good job.

You'll see a re-creation of the slaves getting wiped into grinding the cane - many of us were aghast. We all thought you'd never see this in the UK. After that they did a dance for us and then we boarded the steam train out into the countryside.

On the train you'll see the real Cuba, how real Cubans live and it was heart-impacting. Let's hope the tourist industry can help them along a bit.

It was an interesting journey through the sugar plantations and onto lunch. There was roast pork, veg etc. And you'd share your time with a collection of animals, including chickens and rabbits.

But it was the crocodiles at the next stop that you should watch out for. You could get your pic taken holding a baby crocodile and then walk over and see the big ones get fed! This was interesting, but slightly shocking. As they were like my ex-girlfriend on a Sunday morning!!

You could then walk around and see flamingos, pelicans and turtles - that was all very nice.

And then you're back on the coach to be taken to one another surreal adventure. The whole group was dropped off at the outskirts of the city of Morón. You're put on a horse and cart and ridden into town. This was another interesting part of the tour and not to be missed (in fact, I'm not sure if you have a choice). Ah you must do as you meet at the coach and you get off and have a chance to walk around the city for half an hour.

Morón is a very strange city. You can see its gone down hill since the embargoes were set up. It looks very poor and relies on a bit of tourist trade that passes through. I definitely recommend walking around and seeing what you find, although, some did go to a bar and sample some of the local drinks.

Then you get back on the coach (not the one in the pic) and head off to a local bar to sample some of the delights and some local music. Then you're back off home, just in time for a quick dip to cool down.

All in all it was a fantastic trip as you get to see the real Cuba, you see the sights, smell the aromas and touch what makes Cuba - Cuba. Sat by the pool or walking along the beach on the Cayos you won't see this.

And the price? Well I think it was around £25 - bargain!