Arts in Cuba

An Off the Beaten Path Journey to the Pearl of the Antilles

Traveling off the beaten paths is an engaging way of going to places that are undiscovered, with a sense of exploration. It is finding stories of people as told by 'hidden gems', exploring them, and engaging with local Cubanos. This way you will discover the unconventional routes and stories that offer a more authentic or secluded experience.

Our Journey allows for learning about the vibrant richness of the arts in Cuba. As an art-focused program we promote the understanding of Cuban art, using an educational approach that integrates pre-travel informational emails (Cuba Info Bytes) about the arts in Cuba and venues to be visited. 

The Journey is a unique opportunity to learn about architectural restoration, community arts, dance, music, and  contemporary visual arts.

DATES AND COST UPON REQUEST

• Five nights accommodations at at Hostal Casavana
• Meals: All breakfasts
• Full-time ground transportation in AC bus 
• Health Insurance in Cuba (included with airfare)
• Certification of License to Travel to Cuba 
• Pre-departure readings and face-to-face orientation 
• Travel Guide to plan trip and buy air tickets and visa 
• Culturally sensitive - bilingual Cuban Journey Leader 
• Admission to all venues in the itineraryVenues 

1. Carmen Montilla Gallery 
2. Ceramic Museum 
3. Retazos Dance Company
4. Artist-Poet Eduardo Roca “Choco” Studio
5. Center for the Development of Visual Arts
6. Fototeca (Cuban Photography Gallery)
7. Portocarrero Serigraphy Workshop
8. Cuban Association of Artisans Gallery 
9. Lester Campa Art Studio at Las Terrazas Eco Village
10. Santacana Ceramics Studio and Workshop
11. Corral Falso Workshop
12. Cuban Art Factory

• Round trip airfare to Jose Martí Airport in Havana, Cuba
  • Air tickets will be individually booked as soon as the group is complete with a minimum of 10 participants; health       insurance while in Cuba is included in the airfare. 
• Cuban tourist visa
  • Travelers will be able to buy the Cuban visa online before departure or at the check-in counter at the airport on the day of departure
• Airport transportation to and from Hostal Casavana if you travel on your own
• 4 lunches and 5 dinners  - We will make all reservations at our      favorite privately-owned restaurants 
• Optional afternoon and evening venues
• Travel Insurance

Our Journeys require moderate physical activity combined with short travel time in bus (max 1.5 hours). Activities may include city-walking tours (sometimes on uneven surfaces), stopping along the way, standing in museums for a few hours and some stairs (some restaurants will require the use of stairs). 

Day 1 Welcome to Havana

The air is filled with the distant hum of Cuban music. You're about to step into a country where time seems to move at a different pace, where vintage cars roll through the streets, and where the echoes of history are everywhere. Your journey to Cuba begins in Havana, a city brimming with life and color. Once in Havana, we will be on our way to Casavana, our B&B, for check-in. You will have free time to relax before we gather for a demonstration on how to prepare a Mojito and dinner.

DAY 2 Arts in Old Havana 1

Our second day in Havana will start with breakfast (all breakfasts are included). In our first visit to Old Havana we will visit Carmen Montilla Gallery, the Ceramic Museum and Retazos Dance Company. The absolute vanguard, Retazos "Remnants" orients his choreography toward a singular scenic projection, represent a forceful chronicle of the Latin-American spirituality in an unpredictable reflexive dance. After lunch we will spend some time visiting public art sites in the Malecón area of Havana. 

DAY 3 Arts in Old Havana 2

In our first visit to Old Havana we will start with a visit to the Center for the Development of Visual Arts dedicated to the promotion and research of contemporary Cuban visual arts: Fototeca (Cuban Photography Gallery) the iconographic memory of more than 150 years of Cuban photography; the Portocarrero Serigraphy Workshop, a unique space where visitors have the rare opportunity to observe the creation process of artworks firsthand, and the Cuban Association of Artisans Gallery.  

DAY 4 Las Terrazas: The Story of an Eco Village 

Our journey will continue outside of Havana visiting Las Terrazas, a rural eco village managing a sustainable development project in the heart of Sierra del Rosario, declared a Reserve of the Biosphere by UNESCO. Here we will visit Lester Campa’s gallery and studio and the Buenavista Coffee Plantation in Las Terrazas to learn about slave coffee production established by the French two centuries ago. Buenavista is the only plantation built on the crest of a mountain. Our lunch at the Buenavista Restaurant is included. In the evening we will visit Old Plaza in Old Havana and have dinner at Mojito - Mojito with live Cuban music. Dancing is more than welcomed¡¡

DAY 5 Community Arts, Dance and Music

Our day will start with a guided visit to the Studio and Workshop of Tomas Nuñez, Coral Falso. As an Art Laboratory, Corral Falso is committed to providing its gallery space and supporting the path of pedagogy and artistic practices from a collaborative aesthetic.  Then we will have the options of visiting the Museum of Fine Arts Cuban Collection or Universal Collection. After lunch we will visit the studio gallery of Artist-Poet Eduardo Roca “Choco”.  This evening we will end our journey with dinner at Italian restaurant Eclectico, including Cuban jazz music. Then visit the Cuban Art Factory. This is an artistic project driven by the need to rescue, support and promote the work of artists from all branches of art: theater, music, dance, theater, visual arts, photography, fashion, graphic design and architecture. 

DAY 6  Hasta Luego Havana¡ - Departure 

As your journey through Cuba comes to an end, you reflect on the rich culture, history, and warmth of the Cuban people.. You leave with memories of vibrant music, classic cars, and the unmistakable spirit of Cuba—a spirit that stays with you long after you've returned home.

REGISTRATION

Please Contact Us and provide your contact information. As soon as we hear from you, we will email a registration packet with required forms and instructions.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

1ST PAYMENT 

90 days before departure - 50% of the Inclusion Package

2ND PAYMENT

60 days before departure - remaining 50% of the Inclusions Package 

PAYMENT OPTIONS
 

Check - payable to Marcos Carvajal

PAYMENT PLAN

This plan allows the payment of the cost of the Package of Inclusions in 4 monthly installments before the departure date, paying the total cost 45 days before the departure date. Contact Us to request the Monthly Payment Plan.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS
 

1. All cancellations must be submitted via email in writing and dated 
2. If we decide to cancel a program due to insufficient number of participants, all funds received will be 100% refunded. 
3. If we cancel the entire program for any reason, participants shall have no claim other than for a 100% refund. 
4. Refunds for airline tickets are based on individual airline policies. 
5. Cuban tourist visa costs are non-refundable.

IMPORTANT DATES                                    REFUND 

Less Than 45 Days Prior to departure.         0 % of total

60 to 45 Days Prior To Departure Date.       50 % of total

90 to 60 Days Prior To Departure Date.      100% of total

Certification of License to Travel to Cuba

Our Journeys to Cuba are designed to comply with the ‘People-to-People’ general license category as specified by US Treasury Department regulations. These regulations are part of the US Cuban embargo. As part of your travel documents, we will provide  a Certification of License to Travel to Cuba.
 

The U.S. government has the right to request receipts and records from your Journey to Cuba for up to 5 years after your return. It is your responsibility to safe all documentation related to your Journey to Cuba.  

Passport

• A passport is required for this trip. It must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

• Your passport must have 2 blank passport page(s) for entry/exit visas in this country.

Visa

• A travel tourist visa is required.

• The cost of this visa is not included in the cost of your trip.

• You are responsible for securing your Cuban tourist visa. The visa is easily purchased at the departure gate of your flight to Cuba.

• The cost varies by airline (up to $100 per person).

• A Cuban-born participant must contact us before registration