NEW! Cuba including Havana

Isolated from western countries for more than 50 years, Cuba is now a delightful and charming birdwatching destination. In fact, it is one of the most important and rewarding Caribbean birding destinations!

The island is over 1200km long, and with relatively low population density, is largely quiet and unspoilt. Handily placed for north/south American migration, Cuba also contains a fascinating range of breeding birds, many of which are endemic or near-endemic, and each day will offer new birds and exciting possibilities with 285 species occurring regularly. Around half of the c.26 endemics are endangered, and some of these will be memorable highlights of our tour, including the absolutely miniscule Bee Hummingbird, the rare Fernandina’s Flicker, and the striking Cuban Trogon, which, as you will soon learn ‘displays all the colours of our national flag’!

We visit as the northward movement of overwintering migrants is underway, though before it reaches its peak in April, meaning that many North American migrants are still on the island. The handful of migratory summer residents from South America will have arrived, so our holiday takes place at an excellent time for birding.

We have redesigned this tour for 2026 and our new itinerary gives an opportunity to see a wide range of birds at an easy pace, with walking mostly on flat terrain. We travel through a great variety of landscapes visiting all the major habitats, from lush forests to craggy hills and vast wetlands. There are a couple of long drives, on roads which are generally of good quality and very quiet, though we break to go birding and also sometimes for lunch en-route.

The holiday is focused upon birding, though incidental opportunities for photography are good, and the cultural aspects are well worth noting as we enjoy ourselves in this lovely country whose people, culture and customs blend to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. At the end of the trip, we have included some time to relax in the opulent surroundings of a palace hotel in the capital! These two nights in Havana include some birding and a brief sightseeing tour, though you will also enjoy some free time to explore this unique city at your leisure.

Your holiday will be led by Mike Coleman, an experienced Heatherlea leader in The Caribbean, but as jobs on the island are clearly defined, we will also travel with a local courier and a driver. Furthermore, in most destinations we will also be joined by a local birding guide, naturalist or National Park ranger who will be briefed so we can concentrate on the species we haven't yet covered. These experts often make the difference when searching for elusive and rare species, and the best guides are in great demand!

Day 1: Thurs 19 March 2026
After relaxing in our complimentary Airport Lounge, we fly from London to Havana International Airport, where local tour guide and driver will meet us, and remain with us for the duration of the trip. We transfer to Soroa in the Sierra del Rosario, a short drive west of the city, where we stay overnight.

Day 2: Fri 20 March
We may start near the botanical gardens where a number of endemic or near-endemic species are present, including Cuban Pygmy-Owl, Cuban Trogon (Cuba’s national bird), West Indian and Cuban Green Woodpeckers, Cuban Tody, Loggerhead Kingbird, Cuban Pewee, Cuban Bullfinch and Cuban and Tawny-shouldered Blackbirds, along with a variety of West Indian species, such as Western Spindalis (endemic green-backed subspecies, pretrei) and wintering North American warblers including possibly Louisiana Waterthrush. We’ll scrutinize the White-crowned Pigeons with special care, looking for the beautiful Scaly-naped Pigeon, a West Indian endemic. Gray Kingbirds and Black-whiskered Vireos, both summer breeders, will have arrived.

We may head west to Pinar del Rio province for Cueva de las Portales in the Sierra de los Organos of La Guira National Park, known as Che Guevara’s hideout during the October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Here in the trees among the limestone karst formations we’ll be looking particularly for the endemic Cuban Solitaire, and amongst the Cave Swallows we’ll look for our first Cuban Martin. The birding and scenery here is excellent and we have a good chance for Cuban Bullfinch and a decent chance for Gundlach’s Hawk, which seems to be always an elusive Cuban endemic to find. Tawny-shouldered and Cuban Blackbirds and Red-legged Honeycreepers should be numerous and we’ll search carefully for Olive-capped Warbler. After dinner we may go searching for the endemic Bare-legged Owl. Night in Soroa.

Day 3: Sat 21 March
We search for another distinctive Cuban endemic - Fernandina’s Flicker before going to Las Terrezas, a community established by the French fleeing Haiti in the late 18th century. We’ll be looking for anything we may have missed yesterday, notably Scaly-naped Pigeon. A nearby pig farm attracts many grassquits, mostly Yellow-faced but also a number of the attractive and endemic Cuban Grassquits. Recently, a pair of Stygian Owls (endemic siguapa subspecies) have been present in a pine plantation in town. After lunch at a hilltop restaurant in the old coffee plantation, we’ll retrace our steps past Havana and then turn south to the Zapata Peninsula, home to the largest wetland in the Caribbean. We’ll make a few stops at two inland reservoirs where we should see some lingering wintering ducks and perhaps a Snail Kite. Late in the afternoon we’ll arrive at Playa Larga near the Zapata Swamp and the site of the infamous April 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion. On our guesthouse grounds before sunset we might see Cuban Parrot or a Cuban Crow. Night at Playa Larga.

Days 4 - 5: Sun 22 - Mon 23 March
We’ll bird the vast mangrove swamps, thick scrubland, salt pans and coastlines of the Zapata Swamp for two days. On one morning we’ll visit Bermejas, where with excellent luck we could see four species of quail-dove, including two handsome endemics - Gray-fronted and Blue-headed. Key West Quail-Dove is sometimes present, and there is at least a chance of seeing Ruddy Quail-Dove too, although most encounters involve only brief flight views. Other endemic species here include Cuban Parakeet, Cuban Pygmy and Bare-legged Owls, Cuban Vireo, Yellow-headed Warbler, Cuban Oriole, and the diminutive Bee Hummingbird, the smallest bird in the world. We often find Great Lizard Cuckoo, Western Spindalis, and Shiny Cowbird along with a fine variety of North American wintering wood warblers. On some occasions a roosting Stygian Owl can be located, and elsewhere in the area we should find Limpkin and perhaps the endemic chrysocaulosus subspecies of Northern Flicker, which lacks the white rump. The endemic Red-shouldered Blackbird is also possible.

We will have one early morning (or a later night) to see if we can locate Cuban Nightjar near Playa Larga. Once it gets light, we’ll try to find what will probably be one of our most difficult Cuban endemics - the distinctive Zapata Wren. We also have a good chance of seeing the endemic Zapata Sparrow, and with a bit of luck a Spotted Rail. The endemic Zapata Rail is or was found here too, but it has reached near mythical status with essentially no confirmed records for many decades (the last specimen was in May of 1934 and it has never been photographed!). We’ll visit Salinas de Bides and its many American Flamingo along with numerous other waterbirds, sometimes including a few Wood Storks. Nights in Playa Larga.

Day 6: Tue 24 March
If we haven’t yet seen Zapata Wren, or any other key species, we’ll try again before heading to the old colonial city of Trinidad. Before reaching Trinidad we’ll stop and look for the endemic Cuban Gnatcatcher. Trinidad has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988 due to its historical importance as a centre of the sugar trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is considered one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Cuba, and we will take a short walk to Plaza Mayor, the main square in Trinidad where we might see Cuban Martin.  After dinner, we may well visit El Cubano Parque National along the Guaurabo River, a short distance from Trinidad. This is perhaps our best chance for Cuban Nightjar if we failed to connect with it at Playa Larga. Night in Trinidad.

Days 7: Wed 25 March
Wed drive to Cayo Coco, arriving at our hotel by lunchtime. We may see a considerable numbers of waders and wildfowl as we travel, and in the afternoon, we’ll look for Piping Plover and visit La Cueva del Jabalí. Although a famous night spot, the staff have set up feeders and water traps where we hope to see a variety of wintering American wood warblers, sometimes including Worm-eating and Ovenbird. Oriente Warbler, Cuban Gnatcatcher, Cuban Bullfinch, and Western Spindalis might also be present. Zenaida Doves should be present, and we’ll hope to see Key West Quail-Dove as well. Once in a while a Ruddy Quail-Dove appears too. Night on Cayo Coco.

Day 8: Thurs 26 March
This morning we may return to La Cueva del Jabalí before breakfast. After breakfast we’ll drive to Cayo Guillermo, where we’ll search for the scarce and localised Bahama Mockingbird. Waders are numerous here and Bahama Swallows are sometimes present. Back on Cayo Coco we’ll look for the scarce West Indian Whistling-Duck, and Mangrove Cuckoo is possible here or on Cayo Coco. We’ll return for lunch at our hotel and will bird the eastern portions of Cayo Coco in the afternoon. After dinner we may look for the endemic nominate subspecies of American Barn Owl, with its distinctive whitish wings. Night on Cayo Coco.

Days 9 – 11: Fri 27 March to Sun 29 March
We’ll look for any target species we have missed before the long drive to Havana. Lunch will be in the historic and interesting town of Remedios, and we will make several birding stops before we arrive in the capital.

Finally, we have plenty of time to explore the delights of the country’s capital, including Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most unique destinations in the Caribbean. Havana is loaded with interesting historic sites, museums, art galleries, and now several excellent restaurants. Due to a half century of relative economic isolation, Havana avoided rapid development and the loss of scores of historic residential and commercial properties during the last half of the 20th century. Many buildings have been recently refurbished, some dating back to the 17th century. The harbour in Old Havana is presided over by Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana, which is among the largest and best-preserved Spanish Colonial fortresses in the world. The Malecon, Havana’s historic and scenic ocean drive, winds several miles along the coast from the harbour in Old Havana to the mouth of the Almendares River, defining the northern limits of this once opulent and attractive city. There is a new-found energy, excitement, and sense of hope for a positive future among Cubans living here following historic improvements in U.S. and Cuban relations in 2015, which continue to result in increased economic opportunities for many Cuban citizens, despite recent political posturing. If Cuba is to change radically in the coming years, most changes will be evident in Havana.

We will include time with Orlando Garrido, Cuba’s most prolific living naturalist. Orlando is Cuba’s most distinguished and accomplished former curator of ornithology and co-founder the National Museum of Natural History, and a city tour, including a walking tour of historic Old Havana. Two nights at the Hotel Palacio de Correodres in Havana.

Depending on the time of our evening flight to London, there is likely to be some free time to explore the city. You might like to enjoy the colonial architecture and 'local colour' of the streets, the 50s American cars, the promenade along the seafront where you can do some birding, or shop in the markets and squares. Cigars and Rum are always popular purchases! We then transfer to Jose Marti International Airport before our flight back to the UK.

Day 12: Mon 30 March
Arrive back in the UK.

What's included in your holiday price:

• return scheduled flight from London – Havana - London, airport taxes, transfers from and to airports (where appropriate).
• Tourist Card for UK and EU travellers. A tourist card is compulsory for entry to Cuba. 
• Departure Tax. Cuba used to charge a $25 departure tax per tourist, however the cost is now included in air fares out of the country, and is therefore included your holiday price.
• full-board accommodation at hotels and lodges, picnic lunches.
• ground transportation, National Park entry fees
• incidental tips including mealtimes, and the services of your leaders.
• The Heatherlea Pre-Flight Service offers everything you need at the airport, including hotel & lounge. Car parking, regional flights, and upgrades can be arranged at cost price and added to your holiday booking. Let Heatherlea take the strain! Pre-flight airport hotel and lounge included subject to terms and conditions. Read more....

FREE! ‘Birds of Cuba’ by Orlando Garrido and Arturo Kirkconnell, Helm is included in your holiday price.                                                 

What's not included in your holiday price:

• holiday insurance
• optional tips to local guides/other staff
• drinks with meals
• other personal expenses.

More holiday information:

Accommodation is in comfortable hotels, lodges and guesthouses. All accommodation is en-suite. Please note that although Cuban hospitality is excellent, standard of accommodation can vary, and is often considered basic by modern western standards. Therefore, we may use several nearby guesthouses for the group to ensure a greater level of comfort for the group rather than staying together in a more basic establishment. At these times, meals would still be taken together, and the guesthouses would be within walking distance of each other.
Food: many regional specialities exist in Cuba. Caribbean and Spanish dishes have been blended into a cuisine which prominently features fish and fruit. Three courses are typical. Cuban rum is famous, and cocktails are expertly mixed and relatively inexpensive!
Walking: is classed as generally light - moderate. An average level of fitness is required to get the most out of your tour.
Weather: will be mostly hot, dry and sunny, though it is sometimes overcast, and humid after showers. Temperatures will be between 15C and 25C. In mid-afternoon, temperatures are pleasant and ideal for birding.
Insects: Chiggers, mosquitoes, and ticks can be a problem in some areas. A good insect repellent is recommended.
Group size: is restricted to 12 clients maximum.
Flights: are by scheduled airline from London. We may be able to offer flight arrangements from another airport and/or or quote without flights so you can make your own arrangements.
Bird Photography: Opportunities are good, as are general landscape and urban photography opportunities.

Your leaders

Mike Coleman
Mike originally joined Heatherlea in 2002, although he began leading wildlife tours and undertaking invertebrate, mammal and bird surveys as a teenager before forging a career in language and education which enabled him to broaden his travels in search of wildlife experiences. As well as living and working above the Arctic Circle and in Japan, Mike has led ornithological trips across Europe, Asia, Africa, Central America and the Caribbean, and is delighted be leading this tour for us!

Local guides: we will be accompanied throughout by a courier and a driver, and in most locations will also have the services of an expert local birding guide. The ratio of 'guides' to 'clients' will be very favourable!