Day 2: COLONIAL HAVANA - Overnight in Havana (B, L, D)

7:30 AM    Breakfast at the hotel

9:00 AM    Visit to Cigar Factory to learn about the art and history of this iconic industry from the procuring of the leaves to the process of hand rolling each premium cigar.   

10:30 AM  Interactive guided walking tour through Old Havana where restoration projects keep the traditional-styled buildings of this UNESCO World Heritage Site looking timeless. Interact with private artisans and small business owners, and learn about Cuba’s dual economy, in which private and government-owned businesses operate.

12:30 PM   Lunch at local private restaurant in Old Havana.

2:00 PM     After lunch, walk around the premises of Parque Central and Prado promenade. See the majestic Capitol building, the Centro Asturiano and the Grand Theater of Havana Alicia Alonso. Learn about these iconic buildings.

3:30 PM    Visit San Jose handcraft market, a 19th century storage house by the harbor turned into a huge indoor craft market. Explore and interact with various local artists.  

4:30 PM     Return to hotel.

6:30 PM    Meet private owners and taxi drivers of Classic American cars and learn about their daily challenges to keep these relics running as you cruise the streets of Havana in  pre-1959 Classic American cars. Pick up at the hotel, and drop off at restaurant.

7:30 PM   Dinner at local private restaurant.

Day 3: HAVANA - HISTORY AND MUSIC - Overnight in Havana (B, L)

7:30 AM   Breakfast at the hotel.

9:00 AM   This morning, we meet with local expert who will share with us his insight about the Cuban economy past and present, the US-Cuba relations and the impact of the longstanding US embargo upon the island nation. Hotel meeting room head table, microphone, and bottle of water for speaker.

10:00 AM  Depart for Hemingway Museum at Finca Vigia.

10:30 AM  Visit the museum which is supported by several non-governmental and independent organizations. Interact with local caretakers of Hemingway’s former home and learn about the life and work of the writer when he lived in Cuba.

11:30 AM  Depart for local private restaurant.

12:00 PM  Arrive at El Divino. Walk in the restaurant organic farm La Yoandra and learn about their community project with the kids and the elderly. Meet the restaurant staff. Enjoy a cooking lesson of “ropa vieja”, a popular Cuban dish and a “mojito” making and tasting experience (with ingredients from the farm) followed by lunch.

2:00 PM  Depart for Havana Compas Dance.

2:30 PM  Visit Havana Compas Dance project for a demonstration of Afro-Cuban and flamenco dance, music and art followed by an interaction with the dancers and instructors.

4:00 PM  Visit Angeles del Futuro Circus School – after school project that takes kids aged 6 to 15 on a delightful journey into the world of circus performance art! OR visit Vocal Clave de Sol, a musical community project aimed to develop vocal and instrumental skills and promote Cuban traditional music with children 5 to 19 years. Meet and interact musically with some of the students and teachers.

5:30 PM  Return to hotel.

7:00 PM  Dinner on your own (the guide will provide options).

9:00 PM  Option to attend the world-famous Tropicana Show, an old-world Vegas-style show in production since 1939.

12:00 AM  Return to the hotel.

None. See CDC for recommendations.

U.S. credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba. You should bring U.S. dollars or Euros to Cuba and exchange them for Cuban Pesos (CUP) at authorized banks, CADECA offices, airports or hotels. Travelers should confirm alternative payment options before traveling, as policies concerning the use of U.S. dollars in Cuba are subject to change. The Cuban government requires that travelers declare cash amounts over the equivalent of 5,000 USD.

When departing Cuba, we advise U.S. travelers to spend or exchange CUP to a foreign currency well before reaching airport security checkpoints. Currency exchange houses in the departure area at airports are currently closed and Cuban pesos are not internationally convertible outside of Cuba.. International airlines flying to the United States include departure fees and taxes in the price of airline tickets. U.S. dollars are not accepted for payment of any additional products purchased at the airport. Under Cuban law, travelers may export up to the equivalent of 5,000 USD out of the country. Anyone wishing to depart Cuba with more than this amount of cash must demonstrate evidence that the currency was acquired legitimately from a Cuban bank.

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