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| Cuba Music and Dance highlights |
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Four dance lessons taught by Cuban professionals and a farewell dinner with your instructors |
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An exclusive evening of music and dance instruction by the famed Grupo Dulce María |
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Learn all about AfroCuban culture and attend an Afrocuban inspired rumba performance Callejón de Hamel |
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Visit Cuba's National Art School and meet with its dance and music students |
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Numerous evening venues where the best Cuban music is performed |
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Three days on the warm clean waters of the Caribbean sea at your hotel resort Guajimico |
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| Cities and provinces you'll visit |
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Havana City and Havana Province |
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Municipality of Regla, a vital hub of Afrocuban culture and region on the island |
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City and province of Cienfuegos |
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Trinidad in Santí Spiritus province |
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10 days and 9 nights in safe student-friendly vibrant Cuba! |
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Go to the island anytime with small or large student groups |
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This program is also available in 8 and 15 day versions |
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Teacher coordinators travel free (deservedly so, they work hard) |
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Itinerary is adaptable for universities and organizations |
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Travel for change. Cuba Education Tours adheres to the principles of Fair Trade and Ethical travel. When traveling with us, your tourist dollars go directly to island communities and organizations working for environmental stewardship, education, equality and global peace.
Educational and safe. Explore the island, meet your Cuban peers, and learn about their culture while in the conscientious care of a full-time multilingual Cuban guide and a professional bus driver. Every student and educator ranks our island programs as an experience-of-a-lifetime. Cuba is considered amongst the safest and friendliest countries in the world. No visas or vaccinations are necessary to visit.
How to launch this program for your school
Click here to request a free quotation for this tour. No obligation or commitment required. We are glad to help. If this tour is not precisely what you want, you can request modifications on the request form. |
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Hint Blue links below offer more details and pictures.
| Attention U.S. teachers It is not legal at this time for U.S. highschool students to visit Cuba. However it is possible for U.S. teachers to go to Cuba legally. |
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Historic Havana. |
Teachers and students Want to talk with a representive from Cuban about this tour? Contact us. We eager to meet you and assist. |
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Download presentation quality Cuba Music and Dance itineraries (certified safe files)
08 day, 07 night tour, 192 kb | 10 day, 09 night tour, 196 kb | 15 day, 14 night tour, 236 kb |
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| CHECK OUT EACH TOUR DAY :: 1 :: 2 :: 3 :: 4 :: 5 :: 6 :: 7 :: 8 :: 9 :: 10 :: |
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| GETTING TO KNOW THE CARIBBEAN'S LARGEST CAPITAL |
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Modern machete dance inspired by the working rhythm of sugar cane slaves.
AfroCuban dance based on the Santería religion. |
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Don't forget your dancing shoes! Bring several pairs for different steps. Hint You can leave them with your new Cuban friends.
Museum of the Revolution: old car not part of exhibit. One in ten autos are pre-1959! |
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1930s photo of a Cuban sugar cane cutters dance. Island music and movement has its origins in labor combined with the admixture of African and Spanish cultures known as syncretism. |
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Morning walking tour of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll visit four of the five historic plazas that make Havana unique in the western hemisphere.
Cathedral Square, the most beautiful and private 18th century colonial plaza on the island. Named after the masterpiece of Cuban baroque architecture: the Cathedral of Havana built by the Jesuit order.
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| Square of Arms, an ancient military parade ground for Spanish soldiers, surrounded by impressive buildings such as: |
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Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, former seat of colonial government. Today the building houses the Museum of the City. |
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Palacio del Segundo Cabo, seat of the second authority of the island. Today it houses important publishing concerns. |
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Museo de Artesania at Castillo de la Real Fuerza, the second oldest fortress built by the Spaniards in the West Indies. Today it displays treasures of artistic ceramics by the most prestigious Cuban artists from the middle of the last century to present. The institution is host to the Ceramic Biennial. |
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We continue onto San Francisco Square, one of the oldest plazas in the historical quarter.
And later onto Plaza Vieja, the only civic square of colonial times. Absent are churches and government buildings. We'll visit an important center for the visual arts.
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Cayo Hueso is home to the notorious Callejón de Hamel, an AfroCuban cultural space where all colors are greeted with arms wide opened. |
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We spend time in Rumba performance at Callejón de Hamel, an alley in which the façades of all the buildings display murals inspired by AfroCuban religions themes.
Later, we'll meet alley artist Salvador Gonzales and visit his studio.
 Tonight we have a Cuban band playing for us. You'll learn how to perform and dance to Salsa, Son, Rumba, Mambo and other popular Cuban rhythms from the band members of Grupo Dulce María. |
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| MODERN AND CENTRAL HAVANA | SHAKE YOUR BOOTY! |
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North American students learn music and dance from their Cuban peers. |
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Cuban dad walks his peewee baseball son along Havana's Malecón seawall – next to your hotel. |
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A high school student learns techniques from her Cuban partner. |
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 The Institute of Superior Arts. Its facilities are considered amongst the most unique and best examples of modern architecture globally. |
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This morning we begin our dance lessons featuring some of Cuba's most popular rhythms such as Son, Salsa, Cha Cha Cha and Rumba – and more. You'll learn from some of Havana's noted professionals!
Afterwards we'll meet with music and dance students at Escuela Nacional de Arte, Cuba's National Art School at the high school level, for an exchange with students and their teachers on arts curriculum in Cuba. ENA, also known as ISA (Institute of Superior Arts), is a center for advanced studies in the fields of theatre, dance, music, visual arts and communication art.
Followed by an air-conditioned luxury coach tour of the most important sites of Modern Havana such as the Capitol building, the Grand Theatre, Central Park, Prado promenade, the Revolution Square, University of Havana, Cemetery Colon, Malecón seawall, and the Miramar, Central Havana and Vedado neighborhoods.
Tonight we'll enjoy the best Cuban jazz in the city at La Zorra y el Cuervo [The Fox and the Raven] (optional, not included in cost). |
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Spontaneous outbreak of music and dance on the Malecón. |
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Alicia Alonzo's Cuban National Ballet troupe members practice in Havana's Gran Teatro. |
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In Cuba, dance is a conduit for friendship and community. |
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| HAVANA – MUSIC AND DANCE EDUCATION |
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Limbo dance complete with flaming torches. |
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Traditional Afrocuban dance. |
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This morning we'll resume dance lessons featuring some of the island's most popular rhythms taught by Havana's best instructors.
Light lunch in Pan.com Cafeteria.
Your afternoon will include a discussion on the origin and evolution of Cuban music with Cuban teachers and students.
Optional evening visit to Casa de Amistad to hear live Cuban music by Peña del Chan Chan, a traditional septeto band.
Casa de La Amistad, a cultural institution, has hosted thousands of world visitors and celebrities since 1959. |
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Here is what your dance lessons might look like. |
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A modern dance practice at the Gran Teatro, which you will visit. |
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| HAVANA ARTS EXPLORATION |
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Fantasy garden and studio of acclaimed artist José Fúster. |
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This morning we'll resume dance lessons featuring some of the island's most popular rhythms taught by Havana's best instructors.
Lunch hosted by José Fúster, one of Cuba's most important ceramists and painters at his whimsical studio in Jaimanitas, just outside of Havana.
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Music abounds. |
Afternoon visit with other local artists at the studios to discuss ideas and their work. This is a great opportunity to purchase gifts of art.
Evening is free to explore the city with your classmates, faculty and new Cuban friends. Or you might visit a discoteca! |
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| AFROCUBAN CULTURE AND RELIGION |
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Ballet practice. |
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Cuban youth snake dance in the island's annual Festival – a Latin America tradition. |
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This morning we'll resume dance lessons featuring some of the island's most popular rhythms taught by Havana's best instructors.
Followed by a ferryboat ride across Havana harbor to the municipality of Regla. This Afrocuban community has a long, rich and still active tradition of African-inspired religions.
We'll visit Regla's church dedicated to the black "Virgen de Regla" Yemayá, the African goddess of the sea in the Yoruba religion and the patron saint of sailors.
Tour of Regla's municipal museum to learn the origins of this unique community and its Afrocuban cultures.
And, meet a babalao (highest priest in the Santería religion) in his home.
We'll visit home studio of painter, master printmaker and designer Antonio Canet.
Evening: Farewell dinner and party with your dance instructors. |
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You'll meet master artist Antonio Canet. |
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Regla's church honors a black goddess who protects fishers and sailors. |
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Ferryboat traversing Havana harbor to the municipality of Regla. |
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Farewell dinner and party with your dance instructors. |
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| CIENFUEGOS – FRENCH INSPIRED PEARL OF THE SOUTH |
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| Right White sand beach of your Resort Guajimico, comprised of over four-dozen bungalows and a club (discoteca). |
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Former sugar baron's opulent mansion. His wealth was generated by slaves.
Cienfuego's seaside Malecón. |
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Historic edifice in Cienfuegos city center.
Iguana suns itself on Guajimico beach. They are not poisonous or mean. |
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Morning departure to Cienfuegos, otherwise known as The Pearl of the South, for its wealth of 19th and early 20th century buildings.
City tour of Cienfuegos: Your guide will explain the origins of this beautiful cosmopolitan city. We'll explore Cienfuegos' Plaza Martí where the ceremony of foundation of the city took place, and where you'll find a reproduction of the Parisian Arc de Triomphe.
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Turn-of-the-century Cienfuegos landmark modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Below Guajimico has 51 private bungalows (one is reserved for you and your roomie). |
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We'll visit neoclassical buildings such as the Cathedral, built with donations from wealthy slave-owning families like the Lebrancs, the Albis, the Terrys. Inside are reproductions of the Twelve Apostles in stained glass imported from Paris. The original machinery of the clock tower – still in place and working – was manufactured in France. We also visit the Tomas Terry Theatre, constructed at the end of the 19th century, which still displays original decorative elements including wood and iron works, frescos, etc.
Afterwards we will move on to your Hotel Guajimico, a beach-front resort nestled in a lagoon on the warm waters of the Caribbean sea. Located between Cienfuegos and Trinidad, it's a dream-come-true for nature lovers, snorkelers, scuba divers and sun worshippers. |
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| EXTENDING A HAND OF FRIENDSHIP |
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North American students help out Cuban high school students for several hours before engaging in cultural activities with their new friends. Here they are cleaning up a Caribbean beach. |
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Then they learn new dance steps from peer instructors … |
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… and practice baseball and other sports. |
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Full day work and cultural exchange with high school students in the Cienfuegos countryside. This is one of the most exciting components of any Cuba tour. North American students help out their Cuban conterparts for several hours in the fields or with school building and ground maintenance. This is followed by friendly games and cultural activities. Many students become lasting friends.
Lunch is served in the high school cafeteria or at a local eatery.
Late afternoon return to our hotel.
Your evening is free to enjoy the amenities of your resort hotel.
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Cuban high school students perform impromptu concert. |
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Volunteerism is an island way a life dating back centuries.
Many Cuban youth pick careers as health professionals, social workers, legal advocates, educators, scientists and technicians. |
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Cubans learn social skills via civic engagement.
A good day's work is followed by great music and good food – let's party!
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| HISTORIC TRINIDAD: A FOUNDING SETTLEMENT |
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| Right Trinidad's main plaza featuring buildings that are hundreds of years old, yet the neighborhood bustles with vitality. |
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Trinidad's Iznaga tower was built to keep watch over cane-field slaves. |
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Sixth generation member of the Santander family spins decorative pots at centuries-old workshop. |
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Morning departure to Trinidad. Today we explore on foot one of the oldest cities founded by the Spaniards in the West Indies, Trinidad, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
We visit its Plaza Mayor, Museum of Architecture, Museum of Romance, the main parish and other amazing sites, some dating back centuries.
We will also stop at a mirador (lookout) over the Sugar Mill Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the sugar barons had their countryside mansions and mills.
Trinidad is well known for its pottery makers. We meet with a family that has been passing the tradition for generations: the Santanders.
Free time to wander the city's historic streets or enjoy the beach.
Return to Guajamico. Your evening is free to enjoy the amenities of your resort hotel.
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Sunset on Trinidad's Playa Ancón. |
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Cubans come in all colors and are proud of it! |
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Young person staffs a farmers market. |
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Hip hopping. |
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| RETURN TO HAVANA FOR DEPARTURE |
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We'll miss you and hope you return soon! |
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Hop onto your bus for Havana's José Martí International Airport for flight home.
Keep in touch with your new Cuban friends – exchange email addresses! Bring some "calling cards" to pass out on the island. Take pictures and keep a journal. Upon your return, we'll post them on this website for all to see and enjoy. |
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Old Cuban saying, "a true friend remembers the song in your heart when you have forgotten the lyrics." |
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