About Us

What makes our tours unique?

We offer travel experiences with a difference.  We’ll take you on gentle hikes in beautiful biosphere reserves; stay in colonial towns and on quiet beaches.  Feel the pulse of Havana, ride on the Hershey Train, visit famous battlegrounds and sites, and marvel at the apparent past wealth that is still evident artefacts and architecture. 

Then we step it up a notch and show you what really sets us apart.  You will meet Cubans in all walks of life where they work and live. Depending on the tour you choose you may visit a ranch, an organic farm, a school of music, have a Q & A session with a lawyer, or visit a boxing school where the coach proudly points to photos of Olympic champions who trained there.  See how one man changed his backyard into an incredible community cultural centre, and another transformed his neighbourhood into a burst of colour covering buildings and fences with mosaics.  We’ll show a Cuba that you could never have imagined!

DIVERSITY – We carefully design itineraries balancing local culture, history and nature - staying in cities, rural areas, on quiet beaches and in national parks.  We visit the “must see” tourist attractions, and then take you off the regular tourist beat to see lesser known sites and meet with the local people.  Over the years friends and contacts have enabled us to enrich our tours in ways not possible for larger companies.

FLEXIBILITY – While our tours are planned, they are also very flexible.  If there is something interesting happening along the way we often stop to check it out.  Free time is built into every tour so you will have the opportunity to relax or explore further on your own. We’ve had many people who had never been on an escorted tour before who were pleasantly surprised at the casual atmosphere created.

VALUE – Our tours are leisurely but comprehensive.  Unlike other companies we don’t just take you to an area and “suggest” what you should see or do there.  We won’t be handed a list of “optional” tours you need to consider to fill out the tour – we’ve already included many interesting and quirky stops.   Dollar for dollar, we offer incredible value.

RELAXED PACE - We slow it down often staying 2 or 3 nights in each location so you can unpack and get a true sense of the area.   Start times are reasonable and we finish the day’s activities so that you have time to relax or strike out on your own.  A 2 night stop at small ocean side resort is included in every two week tour.

OUT GUIDES AND TOUR DIRECTORS ADD A PERSONAL TOUCH - The difference between a good and a great tour are the people leading it.  Our local guides are not only knowledgeable experts that can provide you with a personal look at their country, but they also have warm personalities, a sense of humour and enjoy spending time with the group during “down times”.   A Canadian Tour Leader also accompanies our 2 week tours and together they help to make your vacation extraordinary!        

SMALL GROUP SIZE (maximum 21) – Travelling in a small group has numerous benefits.  You get to know your fellow travellers, dine in smaller restaurants, stay in more intimate accommodation, and use smaller motor coaches to get into those lesser travelled areas.  You feel less intrusive and more like a traveller than a tourist. 

Who Joins Us?  Anyone who have a desire to see and learn about a country beyond the usual tourist areas, experience the culture, meet the people, and are adaptable to different customs. 

Fitness Level - All tours include moderate physical activities such as short treks, lots of stairs, uneven surfaces, getting on and off boats, trains, etc. To enjoy our tours you must be in reasonably good physical condition.  We would be happy to discuss this with you before you book. 

Accommodation – Comfortable hotels and resorts are chosen for their character, history and/or location opting for smaller ones when possible.   All are moderate (3 star) or better quality with private bath.

Professional travel counsellors will be looking after your travel plans from the time you first contact us until you return home.   You will receive a comprehensive information package regarding the country, suggested packing, currency, etc. We are here to answer any questions you might have. 

Transportation: We use mid-sized, modern, air conditioned motor coaches driven by professional drivers.   Some tours have “feature” transportation opportunities that may include short rides on a train, boat, truck or jeep.

Meals:  Many, but not all, meals are included in order to provide some personal flexibility to order from a menu or strike off on your own.    

Custom Group Tours and Individual Travel:  If you have your own group we can prepare a customized itinerary to meet your interests such as cycling, birding, or a general interest tour.  We also arrange individual travel that is as structured or as flexible as you like.

Who are we?  Cuba Discovery Tours is a Canadian corporation (3426760 Manitoba Ltd.) and a full service licensed travel agency operating as McPhail Travel since 1980.  We are members of IATA (International Air Transport Assoc.) and ACTA (Assoc. of Canadian Travel Agencies). 

 

Cuba Discovery Tours is a division of 3426760 Manitoba Ltd. and is a member of ACTA (Association of Canadian Travel Agents) and IATA (International Air Transport Association)