When we went to Cayo Guillermo in 2005 there were trips to Havana but it didn't appeal to us as they were 1. quite expensive (about $250 each) and 2. involved very early morning departures & a very, very long day not arriving back until the early hours of the following day.
Also, while we were there the plane flying back to the Cayos broke down in Havana so that a group who had travelled from the Iberostar Dacquiri were bussed back-they were on the coach for 11 hours!!!!
We decided to wait until we actually stayed in Varadero last year - a few hours on an air conditioned bus - much more civilised.

Hi Dave.

Cheers for the reply.Unfortunately, unless we go back to Cuba in the future and fly from down south which is unlikely with my local airport only 5 minutes away, this will probably be our only option.I wouldn't want to go all the way there and not see Havana even if it's only a little bit.
A few years ago we done the Sahara trip whilst staying in Tunisia and that was a long drawn out affair so I don't imagine this will be too different.
Thanks once again.

David

Found this may help

12 March 2010, 20:47

Hi

We stayed at the Cojimar the first week in February and the Havana trips were listed as:

Havana Highlights: Wednesday 130 CUC

Havana Overnight: Friday & Saturday 249 CUC

Havana Overnight + Tropicana 289 CUC

There is a fuel supplement of 30 CUC on top of these prices.

We were only in Cuba for a week and so we decided to go for the one day Havana trip. I'd read conflicting reports on these forums as to what the 1 day trip entailed. Someone said a 5-6 hour bus journey and only about 3 hours in Havana.

What we actually got was an 8.30 am flight of about an hour. Then a 1-2 hour guided mini-tour, then free time till 4.30 or 5 (can't remember), then transfer back to the airport and flight back to Cayo Coco.

We thought it was good value. Just a few points: Although listed as a Wednesday trip, we were told it was Tuesday or Thursday, and both were booked up for our week. However, our rep was able to get us on "the Canadian trip" (which seemed to be British and a few other Europeans!)

I don't know if it would be possible to book the tour in the UK before you go.

We were sorry we hadn't taken a map of Havana or a guide book with us,

to be able to make better use of the free time (we weren't expecting any free time!)

I agree it's a long way to go if you're only in Cuba for a week, but we like to travel to different places, and may never go to Cuba again, and we did want to see Havana, if only for a few hours.

We changed some money at Havana airport and got about 1.40 CUC to the Pound. The following day, we changed some more at the Cojimar and got about 1.30 to the Pound. The currency exchange at Cayo Coco airport is on the departure side.

Hope that helps. Have a good trip!
Reply

Can I add we did Havana from Guardalavaca last year overnight with Tropican do not miss this.
Wonderful city you MUST do overnight.

Hi snowyboy.

I know what you mean about wanting to see Havana just incase you don't go back.That's exactly how I feel.It seems that the Havana overnight (inc. Tropicana) plus the surcharge works out about £450 for a couple .Bang goes our spends for the two weeks! LOL Gives me food for thought tho'.
Many thanks & best wishes.

David