Birding Tours of Cuba in 2025 with BirdsCaribbean

Cuban Tody—one of Cuba's most beloved endemic birds. (photo by Aslam Ibrahim) — Colorful and friendly, the Cuban Tody is one of Cuba’s most beloved endemic birds. (photo by Aslam Ibrahim)

Join BirdsCaribbean, the Caribbean Birding Trail, and expert Cuban bird guides, Ernesto Reyes Mourino and Tania Piñeiro, on the adventure of a lifetime! Choose from our January or March 2025 trips to explore Cuba’s spectacular landscapes, vibrant culture, and extraordinary birdlife. The tour is perfect for individuals, couples, and groups of friends looking for a truly unique experience!

With over 400 bird species recorded, including 29 unique endemics and 21 globally threatened species, Cuba is a birder’s paradise. Its expansive landscapes and prime Caribbean location make it a critical stopover and wintering site for over 180 Neotropical migratory species, creating rare opportunities to observe both endemic and migratory birds.

Our carefully crafted itinerary takes you to Cuba’s premier birding locations, where you’ll encounter the island’s diverse avifauna. Along the way, you’ll connect with Cuban ornithologists, guides, and community members; stay in welcoming casas particulares (Bed & Breakfast establishments); and dine in cozy paladars (private restaurants), giving you an authentic taste of Cuba’s rich culture, delicious food, and warm hospitality. Discover Cuba through its birds, landscapes, and people—join us for an unforgettable experience in 2025!

Explore, Enjoy, and Empower: Why you’ll Want to Book this Trip ASAP!

Your trip, led by outstanding and experienced certified Cuban guides Ernesto Reyes & Tania Piñeiro, and group leaders Lisa Sorenson (Executive Director, BirdsCaribbean, January trip) and Jeff Gerbracht (Checklist Working Group Co-Chair, BirdsCaribbean, March trip), combines expert guidance with local insights. Your adventure includes hassle-free Cuban visa arrangements, dedicated driver and first-class bus transportation, bilingual guides, accommodations, meals and non-alcoholic drinks (with tips at restaurants taken care of), and admission fees for all itinerary locations, ensuring a seamless experience.

Traveling with us not only lets you experience the beauty of Caribbean birds, it also directly supports their conservation. A portion of your trip proceeds goes towards our bird conservation programs and partners in Cuba and the Caribbean. Enjoy unforgettable sightings of some of the world’s most iconic birds, all while contributing to their welfare and supporting the dedicated people who study and protect them.

From Cuba’s majestic mogotes to lush tropical forests to vibrant swamps and wetlands, we explore a wide variety of spectacular habitats. For a glimpse of the incredible bird species you may encounter, take a look at our eBird trip reports:

Still not convinced? Check out the rave reviews at the bottom of this page and see what fellow birders are saying about their unforgettable experiences! See also photos from past trips in the gallery below.

Two exceptional tours to choose from in 2025: a 9-day trip in January and a 12-day trip in March

See detailed itineraries for our 2025 trips below!

Nine day trip: 23-31 January 2025

Boat ride in Santo Tomas, Zapata Swamp, Cuba to look for the endemic Zapata Wren and Zapata Sparrow. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)

DOWNLOAD THE ITINERARY (PDF)

SIGN UP HERE for the January trip and pay your deposit as soon as possible. NOTE: this trip has just filled. However, we sometimes we get cancellations. If you email us about your interest in the trip, we will add you to our waiting list and contact you immediately if a spot opens up. We will also give you the first chance to sign up for one of our 2026 tours. Email Lisa Sorenson (Lisa.Sorenson@BirdsCaribbean.org) and Alexia Morales (Alexia.Morales@BirdsCaribbean.org).

Fill out the Liability Release form

Contact Lisa Sorenson (Lisa.Sorenson@BirdsCaribbean.org) and Alexia Morales (Alexia.Morales@BirdsCaribbean.org) if you have questions. We look forward to traveling with you!

The total cost of the January tour is $3,695. Review the itinerary to see what this includes. Preferred forms of payment for the tour deposit ($500) and balance are check, ACH transfer, Zelle, and/or credit card. See more info in the itinerary and notify us about your preferred method for sending the deposit and final payment. You may also pay your deposit via our secure Buy Now link below.

The amazing sites of Old Havana (photo by Garry Donaldson)

DOWNLOAD THE ITINERARY (PDF)

SIGN UP HERE for the March trip and pay your deposit as soon as possible. NOTE: this trip has just filled. However, we sometimes we get cancellations. If you email us about your interest in the trip, we will add you to our waiting list and contact you immediately if a spot opens up. We will also give you the first chance to sign up for one of our 2026 tours. Email Lisa Sorenson (Lisa.Sorenson@BirdsCaribbean.org) and Alexia Morales (Alexia.Morales@BirdsCaribbean.org).

Fill out the Liability Release form

Contact Lisa Sorenson (Lisa.Sorenson@BirdsCaribbean.org) and Alexia Morales (Alexia.Morales@BirdsCaribbean.org) if you have questions. We look forward to traveling with you!

The total cost of the March tour is $4,395. Review the itinerary to see what this includes. Preferred forms of payment for the tour deposit ($500) and balance are check, ACH transfer, Zelle, and/or credit card. See more info in the itinerary and notify us about your preferred method for sending the deposit and final payment. You may also pay your deposit via our secure Buy Now link below.

Note: We are aware that Cuba is currently facing significant challenges with its electric grid, resulting in frequent blackouts due to aging infrastructure and limited government resources to secure fuel. We will continue to monitor the situation closely to determine if potential impacts on our trip would necessitate any changes or cancellations. We will notify you immediately if our plans change or if we need to cancel the trip, and will refund all tour fees less a $75 processing fee. Hopefully, conditions will improve to allow travel as planned. Income from visitors to Cuba, including birdwatchers, is crucial to sustaining local livelihoods, providing much-needed support to guides, bed and breakfast owners, chefs, restaurants, markets, and national parks.

Testimonials from Tour Participants:

Birding fun in Cayo Coco, Cuba. (photo by Garry Donaldson)

The trip was well-organized and every moment was memorable. We, of course, enjoyed the birds foremost. We enjoyed meeting Nils, walking the streets of Viñales, seeing local art and landscapes, eating local food. The customs and habits of the locals were fascinating to us. It was like a time warp to a time even prior to when we were born. We always felt safe. Walking after dark through Playa Larga and late at night around old Havana never made us uncomfortable. We enjoyed meeting and getting to know every fellow traveler. – Don and Dena McKee

Fabulous birding tour with most of the endemics seen in a very short time. The landscape was impressive, the people fascinating to see and talk to, and the food was delicious and abundant. Staying in the casas particulares was a good experience to be able to assist the local people in their economy. Excellently organized and well-rounded tour with fantastic guides of the highest standard. I will return to Cuba. – Coppelia Hayes

Our bird guides, Ernesto Reyes and Tania Peñeiro, were very kind and patient. They are both excellent birders with an amazing ear. It was wonderful to also meet the local experts, like Nils Navarro, Orlando Garrido, Rosendo Martinez and Lourdes Mugica. They were all personable, generous and added much to our experience. – Carrie Dortch

It was a pleasure to be on a trip where one was able to enjoy the cultural aspects of the country and learn something of its history and yet even though time was devoted to that, we didn’t miss out on birds, a variety of birding locations, and sightings of Cuban endemics and near endemics. We had great views of very special birds, like the Cuban Trogon, Bee Hummingbird, Cuban Oriole, Cuban Pygmy Owl and many more. Every day as well as overall seemed to be an excellent balance between birding and/or bird-associated activities and other cultural and historical pursuits. A very well-rounded trip with outstanding guides and many memorable experiences! – Philippa Randall

Nils Navarro, author of Endemic Birds of Cuba, at his home in Viñales, showing us his artwork from the book. Local bird guide, Tania Piñeiro, assists Nils. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)

I have been on a number of birding tours both in the US and in other countries. This tour ranks way up at the top of the list. The number of birds seen and the quality of the sightings was superior but our leaders’ in-depth knowledge of the country’s history, culture, geology, government, and people made it a first-class experience. – Barbara Males

BirdsCaribbean Birdwatching and Cultural Trip to Cuba is the perfect trip for birders seeking endemics and a window into the culture and history of an island that has been off limits to US citizens for 50 years. Birding takes you to the countryside and the sea. The leaders take you to the small cities, the places of interest that highlight modern Cuba’s agricultural aspects and they help interpret the history as well as Cuba’s hopes and aspirations. What tips the balance in making the trip special is that proceeds go to conservation in Cuba and other Caribbean Islands. – Anne Brooks

The experience in Cuba far exceeded my expectations in terms of wildlife, culture and an interesting and congenial group of participants and leaders. – Carl Gerhardt

The trip was superb. In addition to seeing the amazing Cuban endemic birds, we met some extraordinary environmentalists and ornithologists, and had the opportunity to see Cuba as it is now. The sensitivity and thoughtfulness behind the planning of this BirdsCaribbean trip made it a uniquely varied and rewarding experience. – Gale Page

We invite you to enjoy the photo gallery below. Hover over each photo to see the caption or click on a photo to see a slide show.

Sunset in Trinidad, Cuba, a UNESCO World Heritage site. (photo by Garry Donaldson)

Ernesto sighting waterbirds at Las Salinas, Zapata Swamp (photo by Garry Donaldson)

Cuban Parrots in flight at dusk (photo by Ernesto Reyes)

The very cute and fast-moving Cuban Gnatcatcher, endemic, spotted on our March 2017 Cuba Bird Tour (photo by Max Schwenne).

Cuban Parakeets in flight (photo by Garry Donaldson)

BirdsCaribbean Cuba Tour Group March 2017.

Lunch at the paladar of our assistant guide in Zapata.

Early morning in Havana with schoolchildren and workers (photo by Garry Donaldson)

Our group birding at Cayo Coco beach (photo by Garry Donaldson)

BirdsCaribbean Cuba Bird Tour in January 2017 – co-led by Herb Raffaele, Lisa Sorenson and Ernesto Reyes.

The endemic Cuban Solitaire has a hauntingly beautiful call (photo by Max Schwenne)

Wintering Ruddy Turnstones and Sanderlings, Cayo Coco, Cuba (photo by Max Schwenne).

Orlando Garrido regales our group with stories of his Cuban adventures as a biologist and tennis pro! BirdsCaribean Cuba Bird Tour (photo by Lisa Sorenson)

Janis Raffaele tried a Cuban cigar in Viñales while Herb and Philippa look on. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)

West Indian Whistling-Ducks having a snooze on a wetland in Cayo Coco, Cuba. (Photo by Max Schwenne)

Cuban Grassquit (photo by Bill Hebner)

Nils Navarro showing us his paintings, with Tania Pinero, one of our guides (photo by Lisa Sorenson

Cuba Pygmy Owl (photo by Lisa Sorenson)

Landscape in Viñales with mogotes in the background (photo by Garry Donaldson)

Zapata Wren singing its heart out, Santo Tomas, Zapata Swamp (photo by Garry Donaldson)

Exploring Portalis area to look for Giant Kingbirds (photo by Lisa Sorenson).

Cuban Black Hawk, endemic to Cuba. (Photo by Garry Donaldson)

Giant Kingbird, endemic to Cuba (photo by Garry Donaldson)

Western Spindalis (by Garry Donaldson)

Early morning traffic in Viñales (photo by Lisa Sorenson)

Zapata Swamp waterbirds (photo by Lisa Sorenson)

Cuban Emerald, hummingbird endemic to The Bahamas and Cuba. (Photo by Garry Donaldson)

Lighthouse and fort in Old Havana (photo by Garry Donaldson)

Enjoying an old-fashioned car tour (photo by Lisa Sorenson)

Enjoying a great view of waterbirds at Las Salinas, Zapata Swamp (photo by Garry Donaldson)

Lisa Sorenson and Orlando Garrido – It’s always a delight to visit with Orlando, who is so vivacious and full of stories!

Man fishing in Havana (photo by Garry Donaldson)

Cuban Trogon, Cuba’s national bird (photo by Garry Donaldson)

A beautiful Cuban Green Woodpecker poses for our group (photo by Max Schwenne).

Bee Hummingbird, the smallest bird in the world. (photo by Garry Donaldson)

Mojitos are delicious! (photo by Lisa Sorenson)

BirdsCaribbean tour group January 2018

Early morning birding in Santo Tomas, Zapata Swamp (photo by Lisa Sorenson)

NOTE: The recent policy changes in the Cuban Assets Control Regulations do not affect BirdsCaribbean’s birding trips or the requirements of US citizens traveling with us. Our birding trips consist of group travel under the general license that authorizes travel transactions that provide “Support for the Cuban people.” The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) requires that: 1) travel be conducted under the auspices of an individual or organization (BirdsCaribbean) that promotes independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba, and 2) the tour must consist of “a full-time schedule of activities that: (i) enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba or promote the Cuban people’s independence from Cuban authorities; and (ii) result in meaningful interaction with individuals in Cuba.”

While you are on the trip, BirdsCaribbean will ensure that you have a full-time schedule of activities that engages with and provides support for private citizens (e.g., local guides, Cuban biologists, private business owners), and avoids transactions with the State Department’s List of Restricted Entities and Subentities Associated with Cuba (“the Cuba Restricted List”).

COVID-19: We want to do everything we can to reduce the risk to travelers, guides, and the communities we visit. Conduct a self-health assessment and carry out precautionary testing if needed. If you exhibit symptoms, please take the necessary precautions, like wearing a face mask, washing hands frequently, and ensure proper social distancing. If anything changes (e.g., COVID rates of infection unexpectedly increase) and we deem that it is not safe to travel to Cuba, tours will be canceled (or rescheduled) and all deposits and payments refunded (less a $75 processing fee).