EC7, EC9 up to 7 and 9 hours El Nicho + Cienfuegos
Tour Overview
El Nicho Waterfalls is the most beautiful natural area in Cuba. There is a spectacular walking loop past dozens of waterfalls and natural pools including one with a large pool for swimming. The drive up to El Nicho can be challenging with sharp curves with beautiful vistas. If you would like to take this tour from Cienfuegos we would be using a modern car or van only and not a Classic old American car. This should be done early in the day for the best experience. There can be afternoon rains and possible traffic delays. Our EC7 or EC9 El Nicho + Cienfuegos Combo tours offers up to 7 hours or up to 9 hours touring El Nicho and Cienfuegos. We will have a guided trail walk around the waterfalls. We will spend about 5 hours going to/from El Nicho including driving and touring and lunch at a private restaurant (optional) close to the waterfall. After our El Nicho we will spend the rest of our 7 or 9 hours touring Cienfuegos' Punta Gorda area and Cienfuegos City Center.
Itinerary EC7 El Nicho + Cienfuegos
Drive to El Nicho (1 1/2 hours) We start our tour picking you and your party up at the cruise terminal or at your Casa Particular in our high quality vehicle. On our drive to El Nicho we will provide you with an introduction of Cienfuegos and El Nicho. We will have conversations regarding Cuba, Cuban culture, Cienfuegos, El Nicho and any topic you like. The drive up the mountain is very scenic.
El Nicho trail walk (60 to 90 minutes)
At El Nicho we will pay for the entrance fee (10 CUC for tourists - included) then head off to a spectacular walking hike past dozens of waterfalls and natural pools including one with a large pool for swimming. Please note that the trail can be muddy from afternoon rains. Mosquitoes can also be around so please use bug repellent if you are sensitive to bites.
Lunch / snack / beverage break (60 to 90 minutes) After the trail walk it is a good time for lunch. There are local restaurants at El Nicho but to be honest none of them are very good. We can drive a little or get back to Cienfuegos for a nice paladar.
Return Drive to Cienfuegos (11/2 hours) On our drive back to Cienfuegos we can continue our conversations regarding Cuba, Cuban Culture, Cienfuegos or you can just take a rest.
Cienfuegos' Punta Gorda and City Center tours (1 1/2 to 2 hours)
We will split the remaining ~11/2 to 2 hours of our 7 hours tour touring Cienfuegos' Punta Gorda and City Center. We can do a quick pace 1/2 hour panoramic tour of Punta Gorda. We will drive down Malecón, have photo stops at Palacio Azul / Club Cienfuegos, Parque de Las Escultura, then on to the end of the Paseo del Prado (Calle 37) stop and see the "Taj Mahal" of Cienfuegos: Palacio de Valle.
From Punta Gorda, we will drive back up Paseo del Prado (Calle 37) and start our tour of Cienfuegos City Center with our remaining time. Our driver will drop us off at the Statue of Benny Moré. We will have a short a few blocks walk across Ave. 54 (San Fernando) Cienfuegos' shopping street to the city's main square Parque Jose Marti. If time permits and if you have interest we can have a quick stop at the state owned Cigar store for authentic Cigars and the House of Rum. We will then head over to see the historical sights around the square: Tomás Terry Theater, Colegio San Lorenzo, Palacio de Gobierno, Casa Del Fundador, Arch de Triumph, Ferrer Palace. If time permits we can also stop at the 29th street craft vendors and /or go up to the La Union Hotel roof terrace for a panoramic view of the city. Alternatively you wish to do less walking our driver can drop us off at Parque Jose Marti and pick us up again to return to the ship.
See Destinations page for customization suggestions.
Tour Itinerary EC9 El Nicho + Cienfuegos
With our EC9 Tour we will have an extra 2 hours touring Cienfuegos instead of 7 hours with BC7. With the extra 2 hours we can do a longer tour in Punta Gorda e.g. have stops in Punta Gorda instead of just driving through. Go up to the roof terraces to see the amazing view of Cienfuegos Bay. Go inside the Taj Mahal of Cienfuegos Palacio de Valle. Have stops for beverage and music at the many musical venues in Cienfuegos (see Destinations page for a list). We can also just spend more time at the City Center stops e.g. at the 29th street crafts vendors. BTW, we will be happy to help you bargain for souvenirs. We can also drive around the local neighborhoods and have a scenic drive to the beautiful La Laguna del Cura beach.
Other Tour Details
Duration
EC7 up to 7 hours, EC9 up to 9 hours. We highly recommend 9 hours if your schedule allows.
Pricing
EC7 80 CUC per person (2 pax), 65 CUC per person (3 pax), 60 CUC per person (4 pax), 55 CUC (5 pax), 50 CUC per person (6 pax)
EC9 90 CUC per person (2 pax), 70 CUC per person (3 pax), 65 CUC per person (4 pax), 60 CUC (5 pax), 55 CUC per person (6 pax)
Inclusions
Entrance fee to El Nicho (10 CUC per person) Private English speaking local Cuban tour guide. High quality taxi transport licensed for tourists. Pick up and drop off at cruise terminal or Casa particular.
Exclusions
Lunch, water, snacks, museum entrance fees, museum photo fees - client pays.
OFAC Compliance
Our tours are fully OFAC compliant under "Support the Cuban People" category.
Our competitive advantages
20+ years well connected tourist industry professionals, Cienfuegos native local experts, highly educated Cuban guides, truly private tour, fully OFAC compliant (Support the Cuban category), high quality vehicles and safe drivers, fully custom tour options, honest pricing.
See Info page for additional information.
Sample Schedule EC7 El Nicho + Cienfuegos Combo
9:00 AM Pick up at the Cienfuegos cruise terminal / Casa Particular
Drive to El Nicho Waterfalls
10:30 AM El Nicho trail walk
12:00 PM Lunch / Beverage break / Light snack
1:00 PM Drive back to Cienfuegos
2:30 PM Punta Gorda panoramic tour
3:00 PM Cienfuegos City Center tour
4:00 PM Drop off at passenger terminal / Casa Particular