Cuba with the Birds Feb 15-25, 2025

Explore Cuban nature, support Cuban conservationists and discover Cuban endemic birds!

This 11-day adventure is designed for serious and curious birders, who want to interact meaningfully with a variety of Cuban conservationists and biologists, offer support to Cuban civil society, and deepen our understanding of Cuba and the Cuban people.

Cuban Parrot- photo by Adrián Cobas

We will work together in support of Cuba’s national campaign to protect the environment while visiting uniquely beautiful, natural, and protected areas. Emphasis will be on gaining an appreciation of birds, nature, conservation, creative eco-tourism, and the work that Cuban naturalists are doing to protect and nourish the environment in Cuba. We will track and monitor endemic and endangered species in protected areas with our Cuban friends who work in the private sector of conservation and avian research.

The delegation will visit the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site of Viñales Valley and National Park; Sierra del Rosario National Park and UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserves of Las Terrazas; the Ciénaga de Zapata, an immense swamp and nature habitat; the lovely Escambray Mountains; and, of course, Old Havana with its fascinating urban ecology.

Old Havana street

Scheduled Itinerary

Feb 15, Day 0: Find your way to Tampa. Check in to designated hotel (TBA). Briefing meeting before, during and after dinner with U.S. bird guide and tour leader, Jennie McNicoll.

Feb 16, Day 1: Early morning shuttle to airport for Southwest Airlines Flt # (TBA) leaving Tampa at (TBA), arriving Havana (TBA). Our Cuban bird guide, ornithologist Maikel Cañizares and Soledad Pagliuca, our tour leader, will meet us at the airport together with our Cuban driver Alcides, with a comfortable, medium-sized, air- conditioned bus. Check in to our apartments in La Habana Vieja, with great views of the fort, entrance to the bay, and the famous bay promenade, the Malecón. Dinner at Cinco Esquinas restaurant. Optional concert or ballet at the Alicia Alonso National Theatre.

Feb 16, Day 2: Breakfast at Cafe del Angel. Then, visit Kamyl Bullaudy’s art studio right next door.

Walking tour of Old Havana with historian and Martí scholar, Rubén Javier Pérez. Visit Plaza de Armas; Government House; San Geronimo University; Cathedral Plaza; visit Julio Larramendi art gallery; Plaza San Francisco; Plaza Nueva and more. Lunch at Lamparilla #361. Afternoon guided visit at The National Museum of Cuban Art. Optional concert or ballet at the Alicia Alonso National Theatre.

Kamyl Bullaudy in his home studio

Feb 17, Day 3: Check out and early departure for Viñales (2.5 hours) with birding stops along the way. Light lunch on the road. Search for the elusive Cuban Solitaire under the shadow of the famous Mogotes (Karst formations). Check into B&Bs. Dinner at a private restaurant and conversation with Nils Navarro, leading Cuban ornithologist, artist, and author of The Endemic Birds of Cuba. Evening, explore colorful downtown Viñales together or on your own. Great music awaits at Jardin del Arte Sano.

Viñales National Park – photo by James Hill

Feb. 18, Day 4: Early breakfast in your B&B then head for Las Terrazas (1.5 hours), part of the Sierra del Rosario UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Birding stops along the way to the Soroa Orquidarium. Depending on time, lunch at El Rocio private restaurant before or after visit to the Orchid Garden.

Fascinating stingless ground nesting bee hives on site and possibility of sighting several endemic birds. Check-in to the iconic Hotel Moka.

Sunset nature stroll and bird watching around the hotel. Dinner at El Romero vegetarian restaurant.

Checklist of day’s activities. After dinner we have an optional visit on foot to the studio of Henry Alomá, well-known watercolor artist who specializes in bizarre renditions of birds and animals. Music back at the hotel bar.

Feb. 19, Day 5: Early breakfast, and then multiple area stops looking for Cuban birds (especially endemics).

Lunch at Odalys Paladar. Late afternoon, return to the hotel.Checklist, then dinner at La Miseria restaurant and viewing crepuscular and nocturnal birds.

Henry Alomá and his fantastical birds

Our fearless Cuban guides: Maikel, Rosendo, Ronel, and Adrián

Feb 20, Day 6: Check-out early and drive to Ciénaga de Zapata National Park (366 km, 5 hours) where we will meet local Cuban bird expert, Adrián Cobas, who will accompany us for the Zapata part of the trip. In Playa Larga visit the Patio de Adrián in Ana’s backyard for unique photographic opportunities such as the endemic Zunzuncito (Bee Hummingbird). Check in to our individual B&Bs, (very near each other) with Cuban families. Dinner at Tiki restaurant with Rosendo Martínez, outstanding biologist, conservationist, and conversationalist who will give us an overview of the National Park System in Cuba.

Feb 21, Day 7: Early morning drive to Bermejas for unique birding opportunities. Lunch at Finca Agroecologica Los Cocos. Afternoon visit in Soplillar and the Finca Agro- ecológica Rancho Los Pintines. Expedition to the swampy areas by horse and cart or on horseback (if you are an experienced rider). Visit the open-air museum site of the historical 1959 Christmas Eve dinner with Fidel. Afternoon bird monitoring stop Maikel’s neighborhood, Hondones.

Feb 22, Day 8: Early breakfast and then morning excursion to Santo Tomás to visit some of the Zapata Swamp’s exquisite tributaries by small pole boats and search for the elusive Zapata Wren and the Zapata Sparrow among other birds. Sunset visit to Las Salinas with Adrián who will help us spot long-legged waders, raptors (e.g., Cuban Black-Hawk), shorebirds, and maybe even a crocodile or two. Return to Playa Larga; late afternoon free to explore the town or take a swim. Final Checklist summary. Evening good-bye group dinner with our local Cuban friends.

Feb. 23, Day 9: Early breakfast check-out and on the bus to Quajimico near Trinidad. Overnight with multiple bird watching opportunities…Afternoon hike in the pleasant micro climate of the hills among rock formations, streams, falls, and natural pools, along with interesting vegetation. Overnight on site.

Feb 24, Day 10: Leave early for Havana (315 Km, 4.5 hours). Lunch on the way. Sunset cocktails at Hotel Nacional. Check in to our apartments in La Habana Vieja. Dinner at El Maximo restaurant. Optional jazz, music, ballet…

Feb 25, Day 11: Breakfast, check-out and transfer to airport. Southwest Airlines flight TBA departure TBA arriving Tampa TBA. ¡Hasta pronto!

Entrance to the Bay of Havana

Hiking trail in the Escambray mountains

Purpose and goals:

This delegation is in support of the Cuban people as permitted by the U.S. Treasury Department, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). We have an intense itinerary with a strong focus on meaningful interaction with our Cuban counterparts through formal and informal meetings. Each participant is obligated to keep records for possible review by the U.S. Treasury Dept.

Our goal is to help you understand more about conservation in Cuba, especially in regard to the environment, endangered species, birds, and nature in general, while offering support to Cuban civil society. Another goal is to assist our independent Cuban naturalist colleagues in their work. We will monitor important birds (especially endemics) make checklists and present our findings to international scientific study groups. The delegation will bring optics, feeders, books, and educational materials to Cuba.

Trip Leaders: Along with our encounters with impressive Cuban colleagues throughout the trip, you will be assisted every day by Soledad Pagliuca, cultural interlocutor, and bilingual tour leader from The Friendship Association, and bilingual ornithologist, Jennie McNicoll.

Payments, Cancellations, and Refunds (final payment by November 30, 2024)

LIMITED TO TEN DELEGATES PLUS GUIDES AND DRIVER.

Cost: $3,800 (per person, double occupancy) Add $650 for single supplement (if available).

• Included: membership in the Friendship Association; air transportation to and from Cuba from Tampa; medical insurance in Cuba; all transportation within Cuba; all hotels and bed and breakfasts; all group meals in Cuba; restaurant tips; entrance fees; and tour guides. Since people’s drinking habits vary greatly, to be fair, participants are responsible for all their own drinks, except bottled water.
• Not included: dinner and overnight in Tampa; Cuban visa; transportation within the U.S.; personal tips such as those for Cuban guides, drivers, housekeepers, and porters; drinks other than water; extra suitcases and overweight; travel insurance.

Payment schedule:

• $500 deposit due with application.
• $1,500 due October 01, 2024
• $1,800 (or $2,450 for single occupancy – if available) due November 30, 2024.

Also of importance:

• E-mail or snail mail a COLOR copy of your signed passport, application form, and release from bliability.
• Because Cuba is currently in the midst of socio-economic difficulties, all dates, activities, and even costs are subject to change.

Deposits can be sent by Zelle (904 808 2030), or send a check to:The Friendship Association 7265 A1A South, D1; St. Augustine, FL 32080

For more information about the birds and/or being part of the delegation, contact: Jennie McNicoll: jennifermcnicoll@gmail.com; 612 7202266

For trip logistics, contact:  Soledad Pagliuca: aimisoledad@gmail.com (anytime); 904 808-2030 (after September 4)

All cancellation notices must be received in writing and will become effective as of the date of the postmark. If you cancel before one month from departure, you will receive a refund of 50% of the payment you have made so far (excluding the non-refundable deposit of $500). If you cancel after the last payment date you will lose your entire amount. Leaving a delegation in progress, for any reason whatsoever, will not result in a refund, and no refunds can be made for any unused portions of the trip.

We reserve the right to cancel any delegation for good-faith concerns with respect to the safety, health, or welfare of the participants, major political shifts from either or both governments, or international health crises. If canceled prior to departure, you will be eligible for a full refund except for money already dispersed that may be non-refundable. The Friendship Association cannot be responsible for missed connections to and from Cuba for any reason.

Bare-legged Owls – photo by Adrián Cobas