Birding Days Cuba — 11-Day Private Birding Tour
A private Cuba birding circuit from the western hills to Zapata, Najasa and the northern cays, with eleven days of travel and field time and ten nights in casas particulares.
About this tour
Birding Days Cuba is an eleven-day private circuit linking the western hills, Zapata’s wetlands and the northern cays. Starting and ending in Havana, the journey moves through San Diego de los Baños and Las Terrazas before crossing central Cuba via Camagüey and Najasa. Morón provides the mainland base for birding on Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo.
The first field days concentrate on western Cuban specialties. Around San Diego and the Sierra del Rosario, the guides search for birds such as Cuban Solitaire, Olive-capped Warbler and Cuban Grassquit. At Zapata, the emphasis shifts to marsh birds, palm country and woodland. La Turba, the Bee Hummingbird’s House refuge and Soplillar offer contrasting opportunities, followed by a day at Bermeja for Cuban Tody, Cuban Trogon, parakeets and owls. These are species to seek rather than guaranteed sightings.
A morning birding session precedes the move to Camagüey. Najasa adds opportunities for Cuban Parrot, Palm Crow and Plain Pigeon before the route reaches Morón. The final field section explores the northern keys: Cayo Coco’s forest and lagoons, then the mangroves and sandy coastal vegetation of Cayo Guillermo. Cuban Gnatcatcher, Oriente Warbler and a local form of Zapata Sparrow are among the specialties, alongside flamingos and shorebirds.
This private tour begins with two guests and uses air-conditioned transport for your party. Ten nights are spent in casas particulares, with private bathrooms, air conditioning and hot water; hotel upgrades can be quoted. Local English-speaking guiding, scheduled entrance fees, daily breakfast and lunch are included. Dinners and international flights are separate. Prices depend on party size, room sharing and the selected travel dates, with a single-room supplement charged once for the journey. The return to Havana includes further birding stops before the final airport transfer.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Cuba.
Birds you can spot
Phoenicopterus ruber
target
Mimus gundlachii
target
Margarobyas lawrencii
target
Mellisuga helenae
target
Rallus crepitans
target
Melopyrrha nigra
target
Polioptila lembeyei
target
Phonipara canora
target
Antrostomus cubanensis
target
Psittacara euops
target
Glaucidium siju
target
Myadestes elisabeth
target
Todus multicolor
target
Priotelus temnurus
target
Colaptes fernandinae
target
Astur gundlachi
target
Coccyzus minor
target
Setophaga pityophila
target
Teretistris fornsi
target
Patagioenas inornata
target
Agelaius assimilis
target
Asio stygius
target
Vireo crassirostris
target
Dendrocygna arborea
target
Spindalis zena
target
Torreornis inexpectata
target
Ferminia cerverai
target
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Havana
Meet the Cuba 360 team at Havana airport and travel to your accommodation. The arrival transfer brings you into the capital before the birding circuit begins.
Day 2
San Diego de los Baños
Leave Havana after breakfast for San Diego de los Baños in Pinar del Río, allowing for birding stops during the journey. The surrounding western country offers opportunities for Cuban Solitaire, Olive-capped Warbler, Cuban Grassquit and other island specialties, with owls and Gundlach’s Hawk also on the search list.
Day 3
Las Terrazas to Zapata
Visit Las Terrazas in the Sierra del Rosario before continuing to the Zapata wetlands. Search around the community and reserve for Cuban Grassquit, Fernandina’s Flicker and Cuban Pygmy Owl; the move to Zapata brings a different set of marsh and woodland habitats into the route.
Day 4
La Turba and Soplillar
Explore the marshes at La Turba and visit the privately run Bee Hummingbird’s House refuge for a chance to observe this tiny endemic. A walk at Soplillar adds opportunities for Cuban Nightjar, Bare-legged Owl, Fernandina’s Flicker and Stygian Owl; Zapata Wren, Zapata Sparrow and Red-shouldered Blackbird are among the wider day’s targets.
Day 5
Bermeja birding
Spend the day around Bermeja, north of Playa Girón, where palms, scrub and open vegetation support a varied selection of Cuban birds. Look for the Cuban Tody and Cuban Trogon as well as Cuban Parakeet, Bee Hummingbird, Fernandina’s Flicker and the two endemic owls.
Day 6
Morning birding and Camagüey
Use the morning for further birdwatching before the afternoon journey to Camagüey. The route now leaves the Zapata area and moves toward the birding sites of central Cuba.
Day 7
Najasa reserve to Morón
Explore Najasa for Plain Pigeon, Palm Crow, Cuban Parrot and possible Gundlach’s Hawk. After lunch, continue to Morón, the mainland base for the coming excursions to Cuba’s northern cays.
Day 8
Cayo Coco
Bird Cayo Coco’s forest, mangrove edges, coastal scrub and lagoons. Cuban Gnatcatcher, Oriente Warbler and the local form of Zapata Sparrow are among the specialties sought here, alongside Western Spindalis, Cuban Bullfinch, shorebirds and American Flamingo.
Day 9
Cayo Guillermo
Work the mangroves and sandy coastal vegetation of Cayo Guillermo. Search for Thick-billed Vireo, Cuban Gnatcatcher, Mangrove Cuckoo, Clapper Rail and West Indian Whistling Duck; Bahama Mockingbird is a rarer possibility.
Day 10
Return to Havana
Travel back to Havana, keeping time for birding stops along the road. This is the circuit’s return journey rather than another full day at the cays.
Day 11
Havana departure
Transfer to Havana International Airport for your departure. The eleven-day journey finishes in the same city where it began.
Locations & map
- Havana - Cuba
- San Diego de los Baños - Cuba
- Las Terrazas - Cuba
- Zapata Swamp - Cuba
- Camagüey - Cuba
- Najasa - Cuba
- Morón - Cuba
- Cayo Coco - Cuba
- Cayo Guillermo - Cuba
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request
Transport & stays
- Air-conditioned vehicle Private transport for your party.
Accommodations
- Casas particulares
Policies & FAQ
How is the private-tour price calculated?
Rates are per person and depend on party size, travel dates and accommodation. The single-room supplement is charged once for the whole journey, rather than nightly. The final quote confirms room allocation and inclusions.
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.