4 independent reviews for Cuba cycling tour
Reviews for Cuba cycling tour
Anne Mograby review 13 Nov 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The countryside, being off the beaten track.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Gel saddle.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We stayed in local casa and hotels off the main tourist trail. Cycling must be environmentally friendly.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
ExcellentYumiko Hiraki review 26 Mar 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Although I cannot pick just one, the guide (leader) has played a huge role. It would have been a totally different trip had the guide been of somehow lower quality professional, even if we went through all the same activities and places. The two drivers who did much more than just being drivers were the best and nicest as well. Impressive. As of being a Japanese origin who has turned a Canadian years ago, I also sensed the internal power of UK as well by spending a good time with them in the group. Connecting with people outside my familiar box, to see and get to know the reality of Cuba, not by reading books or Internet but by myself cycling there lead by an excellent local guide was memorable and exciting.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
-Be an adventurer who tolerates some inconvenience such as not too clean washrooms or poor plumbing of the facilities. -Take brighter colour long-sleeve shirts with you, do not cycle with heavy backpack and put a pair of solid-sole shoes if not the cycling special ones. People who missed any one of those suffered more or less. (everybody brought padded pants which is an absolute necessity) -Just do it! It is not simply "all fun", but so profound that you shall come back home somehow changed.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not really, except the job-wise (guide, drivers, hotels, restaurants, retails and et cetera). For instance, Patagonia (California based outdoor activities outfit company) donate 1% of its profit to environmental organization every year. I found Cuba needs to clean up garbage for locals and tourism on top of pure environmental issue, to neuter street dogs and cats and to control the car exhaust for the better.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Eye and mind opening, six stars out of five!Read the operator's response here:
Dear Yumiko,
Firstly, thank you for your comments, we are delighted that overall you had a great trip.
We’d like to give you a little more information regarding your comments on question 3. While it is true that the local community generally benefit from our commerce we do take every step to ensure that the positive impact of our business is felt by as many as possible. Our decision to stay in ‘Casas Particulares’ ensures that local families benefit from our stay and our visits to local family run restaurants also ensure that the economic benefits of our stay are widely distributed.
Many of the sites visited also ensure a contribution to the preservation of Cuban heritage. Regarding reducing environmental impacts this is something that we are constantly working on. The availability of buses that are right for the group size is a bit of a challenge in Cuba as
minibuses are not currently widely available. Clearly, things are changing fast in Cuba however so we are continuing to push for vehicles that match the group size. Another initiative we are soon to introduce will be the inclusion of drinking water on all of our Cuba trips so we can reduce the use of plastic here and manage our environmental impacts better.
We also donate a percentage of our profits annually to worldwide community and environmental projects and initiatives.
These are wide ranging from providing sanitation and water to remote villages to installing solar cookers in mountain communities. Although we don’t have a project in Cuba at this
moment in time we are working on an initiative where we will be sending school children on an educational day out to introduce them to more of their own natural heritage and teach them re the value of such heritage. We believe that this investment in future generations is fundamental to ensuring the long-term conservation of delicate ecosystems.
We do hope that this explanation provides an adequate response to your review and offers you reassurance that we are continuously working on ensuring our trips are as responsible as possible. We hope to welcome you back to Cuba one day.
Debbie Chew review 2 Apr 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Break from the saddle!! Enjoying a walk in Sierra Maestra meeting the local farmer who welcomed us into his house.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
It's not a vacation to relax! But great fun. ??3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I felt the locals benefited.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fantastic, well organised and a great way to meet like minded people.Kirstin Carmouche review 24 Aug 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
When we went through the small towns seeing the excited children waving at us as we cycled passed.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
I would suggest that in the summer months at least this trip is harder than moderate level so make sure you are fit before you go.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely, it was nice that fruit was always bought from local stalls and we definitely stayed in Casas where possible.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I thought it was excellent, really well organised with the right balance of culture, history, cycling and relaxing.Holiday Reviews
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