Hotels in your tour:

Day 1: USA, Havana

Upon arrival at Jose Marti International Airport you be welcomed by our VIP Service that include special assistance, VIP lounge to enjoy a welcome cocktail, expedited baggage delivery, Immigration and customs control.  Then meet with the tour guide who will transfer you to your hotel in Havana. The rest of the day is at leisure. In the evening you’ll have dinner at a private restaurant followed by live jazz at the renowned “La Zorra y el Cuervo” Jazz Club. Return transportation by taxi is at your own cost and is both safe and easily arranged at the show’s entrance. Return to the hotel for overnight. [D]

Day 2: Havana

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel or B&B before joining a walking tour through Old Havana and its five main plazas, with stops at the residence of the colonial era palace of the island’s Captain General, the Havana Cathedral, Obispo Street, the Capitol building, and more.  Most of our guests in Cuba start their cultural exchanges with a walking tour of Old Havana.  This event is directed by one of our professional English-speaking guides, and gives you a taste of the island in a very interesting activity that feels like stepping into a time machine.  Old Havana has buildings and streets that are some of the oldest in the Americas, with some buildings dating to the 17th century.  Though the buildings are hundreds of years old, they are still used to house a significant number of Havana’s inhabitants.  Old Havana features the first church built on the island, a street paved with wooden bricks, palatial residences, and much more!  Old Havana is one of the largest, oldest, most authentic colonial areas in Latin America, and houses a significant number of Havana’s population. Stop for a little relaxation and lunch at private restaurant. In the afternoon participate in a Salsa and Rumba dance workshop and class. Learn about the history of some of Cuba’s most popular dances and, then, receive expert dance instructions.  Music plays a large part in the lives of most Cubans, and Cuban music has influenced many musical styles around the world. This workshop covers some of the history of both Salsa and Rumba music styles.  Cuban music has been strongly influenced by Spanish, African, and Middle Eastern musical styles, and this melding of styles gives Cuban music its unique sound.  A professional presentation on the history of Cuban music will be followed by a demonstration of both Salsa and Rumba, and personalized dance instructions for guests. In the evening have dinner at a private restaurant and, after, visit “La Fabrica de Arte Cubano,” for an art exhibit and live music. Return transportation by taxi is at your own cost and is both safe and easily arranged at the show’s entrance. Return to the hotel for overnight. [B/L/D]

Day 3: Havana, Viñales, Havana

Early breakfast before today’s full-day tour to discover the UNESCO protected “Valle de Viñales,” and its unique rock formations. Tour includes the “Mirador de los Jazmines”, the “Cueva del Indio” (the cave of the Indian), - that includes a boat ride through its interior.  Visit to a Tobacco Farm  and the “Casa del Veguero,” - the cigar maker’s home. Lunch at a local restaurant before concluding your tour with a visit to the Prehistoric Painting Mural, which illustrates the evolution of life in the “Sierra de los Organos”. Return to Havana arriving in time for dinner at your hotel. [B/L/D]

Day 4: Havana, Varadero

Pack your bags, have breakfast at your hotel or B&B and join the Afro-Cuban religion workshop that gives a brief overview of the Afro-Cuban religion Santeria covering the syncretism of Catholicism and African religions, and the role and significance of drums in the religion. Santeria has been present on the island of Cuba since colonial times, and is currently practiced by more Cuban’s than at any time in history.  This workshop covers the main deities of the religion, their origin myths, the colors and vestments associated with them, and their roles in human life.  Guests are usually amazed after attending this workshop that the colorful decorations worn by many Cubans are associated with the religion. Taste a typical Cuban lunch, served immediately following the workshop, including roast pork, rice, beans, “yuca” or “malanga,” dessert, and two drinks. Then, drive East towards the Province of Matanzas to arrive at you next hotel in Varadero. Dinner and overnight at your hotel. [B/L/ D]

Day 5: Varadero

Enjoy breakfast and take a rural organic farm tour visiting the Coincidencias Project, Vive Kubé, Correa´s Family that includes:

• Organic lunch with local farmers - try "moringa" soup and tea. 90% of what you'll eat comes from the farm
• Meet staff and organic farmers and enjoy a personal farm visit and guided tour that includes their unique “garden of tribute and inspiration”
• Identify and collect fruits, including the largest mangoes you'll ever see
• Participate in a “Honey and Bee” workshop to learn about peculiar bees born without stingers and drink honey directly from a living beehive
• End you special tour with a typical Cuban Lunch

Return to your hotel. The afternoon is at your Leisure. Dinner and overnight. [B/L/D]

Day 6: Varadero

Start the day with breakfast followed by an exploration tour with guided visits of Bellamar and Saturno caves, located some 30 miles from your hotel or B&B, and are among the deepest and longest caves in the world with almost 2 miles containing 28 rooms, some of them sites of indigenous paintings. About half mile has been opened to the public since the 1860’s and, today, is one of oldest tourist attractions in Cuba. You’ll be impressed by the magnificent stalactites and stalagmites accompanied by other limestone formations that create crystalized domes above underground fountains and streams. The visit will be followed by a typical Cuban lunch. The afternoon is free for you to discover the area and dinner at your hotel. Overnight at your hotel. [B/L/ D]

Day 7: Varadero, Havana, USA

Breakfast at your hotel or B&B and time to pack your bags and be ready for your transfer to Jose Marti International Airport at least 6 hours before return flight’s departure time. [B]

Note: We will make our best efforts to follow the above itinerary, however we reserve the right to substitute and/or make changes to certain elements of the itinerary including but not limited to routing, restaurants, hotels and activities in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Please note that activity times shown are for reference only and that actual times may differ significantly – everything runs on “Cuban time” and is part of the cultural exchange experience.

[D] = Dinner | [B] = Breakfast | [B/L] = Breakfast and Lunch | [B/D] = breakfast and Dinner | [B/L/D] = Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Group prices:

Prices are per person and may change without notice

Prices are valid up to January 2018

Tour Code: CU03HAV17FFV

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