The concept of U.S. travelers legally joining Cuba tours continues to produce a lot of buzz in the travel community, and for this week’s roundup of Latin America travel deals, I’ve found two Cuba travel opportunities that sound especially interesting. In addition, this week we’re highlighting a “fourth-night free” vacation deal at an upscale Costa Rica hotel, as well as discounts on stand-up paddle board retreats in Mexico. Read on for all the juicy details.
Don’t forget: You can get some of the best rates on Latin America flights, hotels, rental cars and cruises by using LatinFlyer’s own travel booking engine (it’s at the top right-hand side of this page if you’re using a computer or tablet, or at the bottom of each page if you’re on a cell phone), where it says “Save Big on Your Trip.” With one click, you can compare airfares and rates from more than 10 top travel sites, including Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity. No more wasting time when you travel!
Wow Cuba
Cuba
The Deal: 5% off Cuba cycling tours
What Makes It Cool: The Friends & Family Discount is currently available for seven Cuba bicycle tours operated by Canadian tour operator WoW Cuba/MacQueen’s Island Tours, for group cycle tour dates for the 2015 winter season. The discount applies to the first group of four to nine cyclists to register together, for cycling tours of Central Cuba that depart on March 8 and March 22 and Western Cuba on March 15, 2105. U.S. travelers currently travel to Cuba either legally with an OFAC license, or “illegally” via a third country.
Valid for Travel: Dates as listed above.
Info & Reservations: www.wowcuba.com
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DON’T MISS: How to Travel to Cuba, Legally: These Tour Operators Let You Go Right Now!
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HE Travel
Cuba
The Deal: Cuban Arts Exchange in Havana
What Makes It Cool: With support from donors including Dennis Beaver, curator of a Tennessee Williams exhibit in Key West, Nance Frank of Key West’s Gallery on Greene is co-curating an exhibit in Havana that celebrates the life and work of Tennessee Williams, in partnership with Maria Cristina Ruiz of Cuba’s National Museum of Fine Arts. It’s considered a symbol of the deep, long-standing ties between the arts communities of Key West and Havana. Prices for this Cuba tour, which is operated by the gay tour operator HE Travel, start at $4,500 with a shared room and $5,400 for a private room.
Valid for Travel: April 14-19, 2015
Info & Reservations: www.hetravel.com
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DON’T MISS: Why Gay Travel is Great for Straight People
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Villa Buena Onda
Costa Rica
The Deal: The 4 x 3 Winter Special Pay for 3, Get 4
What Makes It Cool: This seven-room Costa Rica hotel is offering a winter travel deal, for which you pay for three nights and get the fourth night free (for a minimum four-night stay, obviously). This upscale Costa Rica hotel is located in Costa Rica’s popular Guanacaste region. Rates start at $408 per room, per night, for two people, including three meals a day.
Valid for Travel: Through March 31, 2015.
Info & Reservations: www.villabuenaonda.com
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DON’T MISS: 7 Tips for Whitewater Rafting in Costa Rica (& How I Overcame Fear)
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CostaBaja Resort & Spa
Baja California, Mexico
The Deal: Stand-Up Paddleboard Retreats & Teacher Training
What Makes It Cool: Float to new levels of core strength and serenity as you soak up an idyllic tropical paradise at this Mexico beach hotel’s Spring Break Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga Retreat, which takes place April 6-10, 2015. Training for those seeking Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga Teacher Certification also will be offered April 4-8 at this 5-star, beachfront resort overlooking the crystal-clear Sea of Cortez. Costabaja’s Spring Break SUP Yoga Retreat includes five days and four nights of accommodations, daily SUP yoga, guided meditation, access to the private beach club, an all-inclusive dining plan that covers all meals and beverages (including open bars inside the hotel), and all taxes and service at the hotel’s restaurants. Pricing starts at $1,349 per person for double occupancy in an oceanview room with private balcony, or $1,699 to upgrade to single occupancy. An early-bird discount of $75 is available if the retreat is booked in full before February 28, 2015. Reduced rates for extra nights when booking the yoga retreat are available.
Valid for Travel: April 4-8 and April 6-10, 2015.
Info & Reservations: http://myretreatsunlimited.com