Afro-Cuban Dance Showcase
Set to rhythms that go back to Africa, experience Afro Cuban dance like never before. As much a manifestation of tradition as it is an expression of emotion, Afro Cuban dance encompasses genres mostly developed during the colonial period in Cuba. Then, the rhythmic movements of the body had a meaning that went beyond spectacle. During Carnival, for instance, dance was a festive expression of closeness, as participants marched together in rhythm on the streets of towns and villages. Most dancing, however, was, and still is, linked to religion. Along with percussive music, dance is intended as a means of spiritual communication with the deities, known as Orishas.
Afro-Cuban Religious Experience
Drive to Havana’s Harbor and take the ferryboat to Regla – a municipality across the Bay of Havana. Regla is home to a shrine to Cuba’s iconic black virgin: Our Lady of Regla, known in the Afro-Cuban religion as Yemayá, ruler of the seas. After visiting the sanctuary, drive along the bay to Guanabacoa and visit its historic urban center. Guanabacoa is an epicenter for Afro-Cuban culture, and the first manifestations of a specifically Cuban Santeria took place there in the early 20th century, a history well documented and displayed in the city’s Museo Histórico. A final stop in this journey is at Callejon de Hamel, where our Afro-Cuban religion and culture expert will guide into their different manifestations (art, music, and dance) with practitioners who are ready to reveal their cultural secrets to you.
Arts and Crafts at Almacenes de San José Market
Havana’s historic harbor breathes new life, as old commercial buildings are being restored to their former glory. It is here that travelers may find Havana’s largest crafts market, in a 19th century shipping warehouse known as Almacenes de San José. At this market you may find original art, including oil paintings and sculptures, as well as handicrafts made by independent artisans, like jewelry, clothing, leather bags, ceramics, toys, musical instruments, and tobacco paraphernalia. Almacenes de San José is, however, more than a market. As a full-fledged cultural center, it hosts exhibits, performances and other events.
Expert Conversations on the Cuban Political System
Attend a panel discussion with experts on the Cuban political system, and learn about its institutional structure and system of governance. Ever since the fall of the Soviet Union, the million dollar question has been whether the Cuban Revolution would withstand an overwhelmingly capitalist world and how it could accommodate to a new world order. In this presentation, reputable scholars will explain the island’s contemporary situation and the policy options to connect political aims to economic needs in Cuba, within current international relations dynamics.
Cuban Salsa Dance Workshop
Learn to dance “casino” in this one-hour workshop. Casino is a popular circle dance that is thought to have originated in the social clubs, known as casinos, of West Havana, in the 1950s. The steps, similarly to those of contemporary salsa dancing, evolved from traditional son, with elements of danzón and chacha. The fact that casino is not a standard ballroom dance, designed for couples’ courtship, makes it a popular social activity in which many can participate and enjoy, regardless of gender, age, and skill.
Callejón de Hamel (Sunday’s Rumba)
Musicians, locals and tourists congregate at this mural-painted street every Sunday around noon. Situated in the popular district of Cayo Hueso, in Central Havana, the cul-de-sac has been the setting for music jams for almost a hundred years, when composers and players developed an American-influenced style of romantic music called “feeling.” In 1990, and at the request of a local artist, the alley became an outdoor art gallery and cultural hub for painters, sculptors and musicians. The project quickly grew, and every Sunday afternoon the percussive sounds and frenetic dancing of Afro-Cuban rumba reach a climax on the dance floor.
Callejón de Hamel (Non-Sunday Visit)
Visit this outdoor art gallery and cultural project and participate in a curated tour. The tour includes visits to the homes and studios of three visual artists, offering the unique opportunity to engage in conversations about art and place-making, as well as what it means to be an artist in Cuba today. PLEASE NOTE: If you are interested in any specific artist or type of art, please, let us know so we can curate our tour, according to your interests.
FIDEL, the Documentary Film: A Conversation with Estela Bravo
Join us for a viewing of Estela Bravo’s FIDEL. An absolute must-see, Bravo’s film covers forty years of the Cuban Revolution through the life of its foremost leader, and one of the most influential and controversial figures of our time. By way of original footage and original interviews with Castro and those who knew him, Director Estela Bravo is able to portray Fidel Castro under an intimate light.
Music & Art Experience at Fábrica de Arte
Located at a former oil factory, Fábrica de Arte is a contemporary art and performance space that is at once grungy and spectacular, art and performance space. A hipsters’ hangout, Fábrica de Arte represents the cosmopolitan character of Cuban culture, as locals and expatriates mingle there to enjoy cutting-edge art and design, as well as live shows by top bands from Cuba and beyond. That is not all, however. The brainchild of a very popular musician, X Alfonso, Fábrica de Arte is an artists’ managed space and a public-private partnership that represents the successful merging of socialism and capitalism in the new Cuba.
Hemingway Open-top Vintage Car Havana Experience
Travel back in time by touring the iconic sites that Hemingway experienced in the 1950s, the way he did: in a 1950s classic convertible automobile. Ride a 1956 Chevy to La Bodeguita del Medio, the Mojito’s birthplace. After savoring the delicious cocktail, made with white rum, sugar, mint, lime juice and soda water, walk over to the Ambos Mundos Hotel, and visit the room where Hemingway usually stayed, before heading out to Finca Vigía, where he wrote some of his most famous novels, like “The Old Man and the Sea.” Return to Old Havana for a daiquiri at the historic Floridita, and try it “regular” or Hemingway’s way: double.
Jazz Jam at La Zorra y El Cuervo
Spend your evening at the mythical, underground club where the diva Freddy used to sing boleros in the late 1950s, and today is devoted exclusively to jazz. Located in the central thoroughfare known as La Rampa, down the street from the Habana Libre Hotel, and within a couple of blocks from the Malecón, you may catch either one of Cuba’s most famous and established bands or a young-up-and-coming star, the sort you know will make it big.
Day Trip to Las Terrazas
Las Terrazas is a UNESCO award-winning community of a thousand people devoted to the conservation of natural resources through a sustainable development, mostly based on eco-tourism. Located in a mountainous region about 60 kilometers (40 miles) west of Havana, the enclave is part of a “biosphere reserve” that has only been opened to tourists since 1994. The area features natural spas as well as offers opportunities for bathing, hiking, tree-top zip-lining and bird watching. Our trip includes visits to a local clinic and school (if on a weekday), to local artists’ studios, and to a local family for a cafecito.
Visit to the Museum of the Revolution
Led by a University of Havana history professor, you will tour the lavish building. With its Carrara marble staircase and its Tiffany’s interior design, the Museum of the Revolution was once Cuba’s presidential palace. In 1959, it became the revolutionary government’s seat, until becoming a museum in 1974. Today, its exhibits detail of Cuban history since the colonial period, with special attention the process that led up to the 1959 Revolution, the Revolutionary period, and the post-Soviet years (1990-today), each occupying an entire floor. On display there is an extensive collection of military paraphernalia, including uniforms and weapons.
Visit to the National Museum of Fine Arts
Founded in 1912 as the National Museum of the Republic, the National Museum of Fine Arts was repurposed in the 1950s in a new building, located in Old Havana, as an art museum. Revamped at the turn of the millennium to allow for expanded exhibition space, today the National Museum of Fine Arts is a state-of-the-art facility that offers a comprehensive view of Cuban art –mostly painting– since the colonial period to the present day. Works by world famous artists like René Portocarrero and Wifredo Lam are in permanent display.
Conversations on the Cuban Economy with Professor Jorge Mario Sanchez
Dr. Jorge Mario Sánchez is a leading economist and a professor who has held visiting appointments at prestigious U.S. institutions like Columbia, Harvard universities, and the Brookings Institute. He specializes in international trade relations and their impact on Cuba’s economy. He is the author of numerous academic works. His most recent, “United States-Cuba Economic Relations: The Pending Normalization,” was featured in the volume Debating U.S.-Cuban Relations (2011), edited by Harvard’s professor of government Jorge I. Domínguez.
Strolling along the Malecón
Initially built under U.S. rule at the turn of the 20th century, Havana’s most famous promenade stretches along the ocean for about five miles, connecting the old city with the once middle-class suburb of Vedado to the West. Today, the seawall is a favorite hang-out spot for neighborhood residents along its central areas, particularly in the warmest summer nights. Guitar playing, people gazing, rum drinking, and just friendly conversation animate the popular sidewalk on the sea side, where you can get a feel for the cheerful Cuban sociability.
Diving and/or Snorkeling at Punta Perdiz
Located in the Bay of Pigs, southeast of Havana, Punta Perdiz’s coral reefs are one of Cuba’s best offshore diving spots. Barely 100 yards from shore, and in fairly shallow waters, you can easily swim out there, and then dive or just snorkel to explore the area formed by a tectonic fault. Underwater caves, black corals, a diversity of fish, including damselfish, parrotfish, butterfly fish, jaw fish, and even a sunken wreck, make for an unforgettable experience.
The Buena Vista Social Club Music Presentation
The international release of the 1997 Buena Vista Social Club album by a British label, followed by a Wim Wenders documentary, was in many ways earth shattering for Cuban music. The rags-to-riches stories of the featured musicians warmed the world’s hearts, and some of them have since passed. But Compay Segundo and his colleagues were not rarities in this musical country, and the bygone Buena Vista was not the only social club of its kind. At one of their local venues in Havana, you may attend a jam session where old, sultry boleros, chachas and sones are brought to life, any evening of the week.
Hiking in Topes de Collantes
Topes de Collantes is a natural reserve in the Escambray Mountains, 800 meters above sea level, and near the city of Trinidad in southern Cuba. With a micro-climate that is always temperate (15-25C, or 59-77F), the area’s lush forests include unique, endemic species of plants, as well as a great diversity of birds. After the revolutionary victory, bandits and dissidents took refuge in this intricate terrain. Caves and waterways make the hiking experience unforgettable.
A night at the Tropicana
In the 1950s, the Tropicana was Havana’s most glamorous nightclub and casino, patronized by Hollywood stars like Marlon Brando and writers like Ernest Hemingway. Its nightly shows were lavish spectacles with dozens of showgirls, and a full-fledged orchestra. International singers like Josephine Baker and Nat King Cole appeared to full houses, while local voices like Celia Cruz and La Lupe cemented their fame there. While Tropicana’s casino days are long gone, the cabaret continues, showcasing the best performing talent that Cuba has to offer. Don’t leave Cuba without catching a show, any evening except Mondays, at 9pm.
Visit to the University of Havana Campus
Founded in 1721, the University of Havana is one of Americas’ oldest. It was established at its present location, a hill in Havana’s Vedado neighborhood, in 1902, and soon became a hotbed for student activism. Revolutionary leaders like Fidel Castro were forged in its classrooms, and much of the resistance against Batista coalesced there. Today, it enrolls the best and the brightest. In this tour, we may walk up the university’s spectacular staircase, stroll through the beautiful campus, and visit the solemn Aula Magna, a 1911 meeting room lavishly decorated with precious woods and artworks.
Varadero
A former spa for Havana’s elite, Varadero continues to be the most spectacular beach in Cuba, with over 13 miles of fine white sands, and transparent, shallow waters, along the edge of a narrow peninsula. The resort itself grew in the 1920s, as the Dupont family purchased half of the peninsula and built a mansion, known as Xanadú, and a 9-hole golf course. Wealthy families followed suit, and soon, hotels and casinos dotted its shores. In the 1990s, the area was open to international tourism, and new hotels were built. In Varadero, visitors fulfill their Caribbean dreams of sun, sand, and sea.
Viñales
Viñales Valley, located in a hilly region of Pinar del Rio province, in Western Cuba, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its inhabitants mostly work in small-scale agriculture, primarily tobacco. Tourism is now being developed in an environmentally sustainable fashion. Viñales’ intricate landscape and greenery, in addition to its rock, limestone formations have made the valley a popular destination for rock climbers, speleologists, and hikers. A village by the same name is a beautiful and well-preserved example of colonial architecture, and has become a home for artists and crafts-makers.
Walking Tour of Old Havana
Although founded in 1519, most of the old city dates back only about 200 years. As a colonial port, Havana grew defensively behind walls. Its prosperity was linked to the transatlantic sugar and tobacco commerce, and their associated slave trade. With a large free black population, civic life pivoted around five plazas, all of which we will visit, along with the Cathedral and various buildings. In 1982, Old Havana was designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Today, city government and independent entrepreneurs work together to preserve its identity while promoting a sustainable tourism.
Cienfuegos: Walking Tour
Strategically situated on a natural bay, in Cuba’s southern shore, Cienfuegos is known for its beauty, and often referred to as “The Southern Pearl.”Also a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, it was founded in 1819 by French Louisiana expatriates, fleeing from U.S. incorporation. The New Orleans influence can still be traced on its bay-front houses, as well as in its above-ground cemetery. Most of the city center, however, features sturdy, neoclassical buildings along a quadrangular grid, traversed by a busy thoroughfare with a central walkway. During your walk, you will also visit the historic castle of Our Lady of Angels of Jagua.
Sailing Around Cienfuegos Bay
See the city of Cienfuegos from a sailboat. The city’s harbor is a busy one, and cargo ships carrying sugar cane dot the passage to open waters. Yet the enclosed bay’s shallow, quiet waters are perfect for shrimp fishing, as well as for sailboats and other water sports like water skiing. Although the bay is only about two-miles wide, it contains 14 inlets and many small beaches. Its shores are mostly mangrove marshes, and there you will be able to gaze the big and white great egrets, typical from this region, in addition to many other birds.
Visit to the Partagas Cigar Factory
This old cigar factory is located in a beautiful colonial building that includes a courtyard, on Industria street No. 520, across the Capitol building, in Old Havana. Founded in the mid-19th century by a Catalonian immigrant, the brand eventually became the second in production volume on the island, before being nationalized in 1962. Today, the cigars are rolled elsewhere, but the original building remains a museum and it includes a store as well as a small bar.
Visit to Pinar del Rio: The Guayabita del Pinar Rum Factory and a Cigar Factory
Guayabita del Pinar is rum-based liquor made with indigenous fruits from the Pinar del Rio area. The drink was the brainchild of a Spanish immigrant, who first distilled it in 1982 after seeing local farmers introduce the fruit in schnapps bottles in order to boost its taste. The drink is popularly referred to as “Cuban cognac” and has a following of connoisseurs who meet periodically in the town to taste the latest productions. We will be touring the factory and tasting the liquor, and then going on to visit a local cigar factory.
Visit to Cayo Jutías
Cayo Jutías is an off-the-beaten-path mangrove-covered key, northwest of Viñales. Although accessible by car via a short causeway, it is a lot less crowded than its neighboring Levisa, due to its lack of accommodations. Its only facilities are a rustic seafood restaurant, and a small dive center that rents out kayaks and runs snorkeling, boat and diving excursions. The two-mile beach is good for hiking, as is the trail that links the island to a picturesque lighthouse.
Jewish Havana
Cuba’s Jewish presence can be traced to Columbus’s first ship. Cuba’s only woman governor during the colony, Doña Isabel de Bobadilla, was a converted Jew. The Inquisition’s threat, however, ensured that individual religious practices would be kept secret, and no self-proclaimed Jewish community rose until the 19th century, when Ashkenazi Jews moved to Havana from Key West, and, later in the 20th century, from Eastern Europe. After the 1959 Revolution many left for the United States, and many more have settled in Israel in later years. Today, there are about 15,000 Jews in Cuba, mostly in Havana, where three synagogues and several organizations serve the community.
Bird watching in Cayo Coco
Named, precisely, after a bird (the Coco bird, a white ibis), Cayo Coco is located off Cuba’s Northern coast. The key is linked to the mainland by a 17-mile causeway. Although mostly occupied by a tourist resort, there are undeveloped areas that are home to unique, endemic bird species that exist nowhere else, like the Bahama Mockingbird and the Thick-billed Vireo. Up to 200 additional species can be sighted there, including the Cuban Gnatcatcher, the Oriental Warbler, the Cuban Sparrow, and the Gundlach’s Hawk. The island has also a large population of flamingos.
Bird Watching in Cuchillas del Toa (Guantánamo)
Cuchillas del Toa is a natural reserve and an eco-tourism destination. Designated by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, it occupies the Toa River’s mouth, in Guantánamo province. It is a one of the most biodiverse regions on the island, with almost a thousand endemic, primitive species of flora and fauna reported. The area is home to endangered bird species, including the Cuban ivory-billed woodpecker, the Cuban kite, and the Cuban solenodon, thus offering an unforgettable experience to bird watching aficionados.
Bird watching in Najasa (Camagüey)
Located in the center of the island at about 300mts over sea level, near the city of Camagüey, this is a hilly region of fairly difficult access that includes interesting fossil forests. In the 19th century, anti-colonial guerrillas hid in this area of thick savannah-type vegetation. Today, its sloppy terrain continues to be unfavorable to agriculture, but good for hiking and bird watching. There are at least fifteen endemic species of birds, including the Giant Kingbird, the Cuban Parakeet and the endangered Plain Pigeon. In addition, this is the only place where the Cuban Palm Crow can be seen with relative ease.
Bird watching in Topes de Collantes
Topes de Collantes is a natural reserve in the Escambray Mountains, 800 meters above sea level, and near the city of Trinidad in southern Cuba. With a micro-climate that is always temperate (15-25C, or 59-77F), the area’s lush forests include unique, endemic species of plants, as well as a great diversity of birds. The Spotter Sandpiper, the Gray Kingbird, the Cuban Blackbird, the Tawny-shouldered Blackbird, and the Black-cowled Oriole are among the numerous species that can be spotted there.
Bird Watching in La Güira National Park (Pinar del Río Province)
Located in the scenic Sierra de los Organos, a mountainous region in Pinar del Río province about 4.5 hours east of Havana, this natural park is famous for its caves. Che Guevara himself spent time in one of them during the Bay of Pigs invasion, planning a counterattack. The area is a bird watchers’ paradise because of its great diversity and abundance of species, many endemic to the region. The Cuban Solitaire, the Olive-capped and the Yellow-headed Warbler, the Scally-naped Pigeon, the Giant Kingbird and the Gundlach’s Hawk can all be viewed there.
Bird Watching in the Zapata Swamp/Montemar Natural Park
Located in the Southern coast of Cuba, the Zapata Swamp encompasses the largest wetlands on the island. Its habitats include forests, savanna, mangroves, and swamps. Although the area is not very biodiverse in terms of flora and fish life, it does have the richest diversity of aquatic birds. In addition to about 100 endemic species, the Zapata Swamp annually receives thousands of migratory birds from North America. The swamp offers, simply, the best bird watching experience in Cuba.
Visit to Cuba’s National Art Schools, in Havana
In 1961, Fidel Castro commissioned the design of a national art school to three young, experimental architects: the Cuban Ricardo Porro and the Italian Vittorio Garatti and Roberto Gottardi. The educational complex, including spaces for visual arts, theater and dance, had to reflect its mission to free the imagination and form revolutionary artists. Completed in 1965, they were, however, abandoned shortly after, viewed as instances of bourgeois decadence, after a socialist realism turn. Today, the complex has been restored, and it houses the University of the Arts. The National Art Schools constitute the most innovative architectural accomplishment of the revolutionary period.
The Cuban Kitchen: Learn to Cook Cuban-styled Black Beans and Roasted Chicken
Your hostess will welcome you with light appetizers, and she will explain to you the meal preparation process. Together, you will visit a nearby farmer’s market and a grocery store to obtain all ingredients. Back at her home, you will help with the cooking (including salad-making and side dish preparation), and learn how to make Cuban black beans and roasted chicken to perfection. As the food is being cooked, engage in conversation or watch a documentary on Cuba. When the time comes, share the meal as a family. Some after-table talk and a Cuban coffee will bring to an end this cultural and culinary experience.
Visit to the “Playa Girón” Museum
Located in the Zapata Swamp, where U.S. troops tried to invade the island in 1961, this small memorial and museum tells the story, known in the U.S. as the Bay of Pigs invasion, from the Cuban perspective. Its collection of about a thousand objects includes weaponry used by both U.S. and Cuban troops, documents, photos, and other miscellanea. To note, there is the bullet holed uniform of a Cuban soldier who wrote the word “Fidel” with his blood, right before exhaling, and a pair of women shoes, also with bullet holes.
Hiking and Bird watching in La Rivera Trail (Villa Clara)
This is a scenic hike of medium difficulty. A 25-minute boat ride will take you to the trail head. The 2-mile long trail is unpaved and takes about 40 minutes to complete. It concludes next to a small river, traversing both rain forest and agricultural areas. On the way, you will see arborescent ferns that are part of the originary forest, as well as many butterflies and birds, including the very Cuban tocororo. The return is also by boat.
City of Sancti Spiritus
Sancti Spíritus, in central Cuba, is one of the original “villas” or cities founded by the Spanish conquistadores in the 16th century. Today, it is home to about 100,000 inhabitants. Designated as historic monument, it still retains some of its colonial atmosphere, although most of the downtown is from the 19th century and after. Landmarks include the Colonial Art Museum, and various colonial-era buildings. Although often considered a springboard to surrounding areas, the slow pace of this charming provincial region will be worth your time.
Sancti Spiritus Province: Sugar Mills Valley and The Manacas-Iznaga Tower
The Valle de los Ingenios or Sugar Mills Valley is an archeological area, fascinating for its remains of several 18th- and 19th-century sugar mills and mansions that are being restored thanks to UNESCO funding, and can be visited. The Manacas-Iznaga bell tower was built in the 19th century next to a sugar mill. Legend has it that a love rivalry between two brothers resulted in one sibling building a 28-meter deep well, still in use, and the other the 45-meter high tower, both to impress their love interest. In actuality, the tower was used to survey slave labor.
Trinidad
Small and picturesque, Trinidad was founded in 1514 by Spanish conquistadores. The city has been exquisitely preserved, and enjoys UNESCO’s designation as a World Heritage Site. Winding cobblestone streets, small buildings and a central plaza can all be explored on foot. Located between mountains and the Caribbean coastline, the town offers many opportunities for exploring both. Of interest are the nearby Escambray mountain range, the Ancón Beach, and Zaza Reservoir, where you may go bass-fishing.
Cayo Coco
Located in Cuba’s Northern coast (Ciego de Avila province) and part of the Jardines del Rey archipelago, the key is linked to the mainland by a 17-mile causeway. Mostly occupied by a tourist resort, visitors can relax on the gorgeous beach, and also enjoy all kinds of water sports, including swimming, snorkeling and waterskiing. Several rustic restaurants serve fresh fish, as well as the usual Cuban fare. Most of Cayo Coco is covered with vegetation, and is home to more than 200 species of birds and a population of about 30,000 flamingos.
Cayo Levisa
Cayo Levisa is a small key in Pinar del Rio province, West of Havana. Connected to the mainland by a small ferryboat, it only has a rustic hotel and restaurant—most travelers opt for only one-day tours. Spending a night or two here, however, will allow you to enjoy all the island has to offer—white-sand beaches with crystal-clear water and unlimited sunshine. You may also sign up for snorkeling or diving excursions.
The Cienfuegos Botanical Gardens
Located outside Cienfuegos, the Soledad Botanical Garden was founded in 1899 by an American man, the New Englander Edward Atkins. A sugar plantation owner, Atkins collected rare plant species in his estate, eventually ceding his garden to Harvard University. Today, naturalist guides lead visitors through its trails, in organized half-hour and one-hour tours. There, you will see huge trees with epiphytes hanging from the branches, enormous bamboo clusters, and flowering cacti. The Soledad Botanical Garden has around 1,490 plant species—this includes 89 species of rubber trees, 400 species of cactus, and 245 species of palms.
Havana’s Bacardi Building
Constructed in the late 1920s in the Art Deco style, the 12-story high building is located at the edge of Old Havana. Its restoration was completed in 2003. The upper façade is decorated with glazed terracotta reliefs of geometric patterns, flowers and female nudes by Maxfield Parrish. Its sumptuous interior details include blue mirrors; stucco reliefs; brushed and polished brass; mural paintings; mahogany and cedar paneling; stained and acid-etched glass; gold leaf and rose-colored, pale green and black inlaid European marble. Furnishings are also examples of Art Deco style.
Santo Tomás Caves
Located in the Quemado Mountain Range, in Viñales Valley, the Santo Tomás Caves were only discovered in 1954, quickly becoming a favorite site for spelunkers. The water of the Santo Tomás river is responsible for terrific stalactites and stalagmites. The system is a labyrinth, with about 30 miles of galleries, and at least seven levels. Aboriginal remains were found inside one of the caves, and aboriginal markings can be found on the walls. In the 18th and 19th centuries, maroons hid inside. At times, the caves open on to actual holes in the mountains, where the originary vegetation can be appreciated.
City of Santiago de Cuba
Founded in the 16th century, Santiago de Cuba is Cuba’s most Caribbean city. Situated on the easternmost stretch of the island’s southern coast, the city opens to the Caribbean Sea along a deep and narrow channel. Closer to Kingston, Jamaica and Port-au-Prince, Haiti than to Cuba’s capital of Havana, Santiago is a center for Afro-Caribbean culture. Its Carnival and Caribbean Festival attract thousands annually. Santiago was also a birthplace of the 1959 Revolution, and several important landmarks of that historic uprising are open to visitors. The oldest colonial building in the Americas, Conquistador Diego Velázquez’s home, is also worth a visit, as is the 17th-century fortress that guards the bay.
Camagüey
Camagüey is Cuba’s third largest city. Its colonial center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city’s irregular urban grid includes many small plazas, connected by quaint cobblestone streets. Camagüey grew in the 19th and early 20th centuries as a center for cattle ranching and sugar production. The city features many art deco, Art Nouveau and neoclassical buildings. The surrounding savanna-like region is home to abundant wildlife, and beautiful beaches and inlets surround the city on both its northern and southern shores.
San Alejandro Visual Arts School (Havana)
San Alejandro is the second oldest educational institution in Cuba, after the University of Havana. Founded in 1818 by French painter Jean Baptiste Vermay, it is located in the municipality of Marianao, in Havana. Known for its rigorous, canonical curriculum, the school has graduated many of the top Cuban artists over the last 200 years, including Avant-garde painter Amelia Peláez, painter and cartoonist Eduardo Abela, and painter, sculptor and illustrator Roberto Fabelo. Cuba’s foremost intellectual and founding father José Martí also took courses there. Classrooms and studios can be visited, offering a glimpse at the next generation of Cuban artists.
Sailing around Cuba
Cuba as viewed from the ocean is a unique experience. It was once described by Christopher Columbus, upon approaching its northwest shore, as “the most beautiful land human eyes had ever seen.” Pristine beaches, mangroves, cliffs, rainforest, and marshes are home to hundreds of aquatic bird species. Off-shore, coral reefs allow for both great snorkeling and diving. Fishing is abundant, and you may be able to catch snappers, groupers, and even a barracuda. While Cuba is directly in the path of the Gulf Stream, the current is not strong—averaging less than half a knot. All designated marinas are easy to reach and properly buoyed.
Recital by the Cantores de Cienfuegos Choir.
The multiple award-winning Cantores de Cienfuegos is one of Cuba’s best regarded choirs. The 16-singer ensemble has toured the world numerous times, performing in top venues and participating in popular festivals on numerous occasions. It has shared the stage with world-famous ensembles like the Kremlin’s Cappella, from Moscow, and the University of Victoria choir, in Canada. Its repertoire is vast, including both classical pieces, as well as contemporary works from various traditions and styles. Their concerts usually include popular songs like Silvio Rodríguez’s “Oh Melancolía,” Joel Ferrer’s “Ave María,” and Antonio Loti’s “Miserere.”
Tour of Santa Clara
Santa Clara is in Cuba’s geographic center. With a population of about 250,000, it is rich in history and culture. Although it boasts a rich colonial past, it is best known for its revolutionary history, and for housing the remains of Ernesto Ché Guevara. But Santa Clara is also a trendy city. Its underground gay culture and drag performances eventually became legendary. Today, what started as a humble, under-the-radar meeting point known as El Mejunje, is a full-fledged LGTB cultural center. Santa Clara also hosts an annual hard rock festival, Ciudad Metal (Metal City) attended by bands foreign and domestic.
Hiking and Caving in Viñales
This is a 90-minute guided tour of Viñales’ famous caves, the second-largest cavern system in the Americas. There are over 46km of geological galleries on eight levels, with a 1km section accessible to visitors. There is no artificial lighting, and headlamps are provided. You will see beautiful stalactite and stalagmite structures that formed when the Karstic rocks dissolved over thousands of years of contact with rain and subterranean rivers. Other highlights include underground pools, bats, interesting rock formations, and a replica of an ancient native Indian mural.
Horseback Riding in Viñales
Horseback riding is a good way to sightsee around the picturesque Viñales Valley. This 4-hr excursion is relatively-slow paced, allowing visitors to admire the views, including the unique mogotes or limestone hills that dot the landscape, as well as its unique vegetation and animal life. As you ride through the valley accompanied by a guide, you may stop and visit caves, tobacco and other plantations, or just breathe the clean country air. You may also visit the homes of local farmers and their families.
A Conversation on the Cuban Economy with Economics Professor, Dr. Ricardo Torres
Dr. Ricardo Torres Pérez holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Havana, where he serves as an associate professor and research scholar. He has held visiting positions at Hitotsubashi University in Japan (2007-2009), as well as premier institutions of higher learning in the United States, including Harvard University (2011), Columbia University (2013), and American University (2015). He has published a wealth of academic articles, both in Cuba and abroad. His most recent English publication is No more free lunch. Reflections on the Cuban Economic Reform Process and Challenges for Transformation (New York: Springer, 2014).
A conversations on Architecture and Urbanism with Dr. Jorge Peña Díaz
One of the most interesting thinkers and scholars in architecture and urban design in Cuba today, Dr. Jorge Peña Díaz is a professor of Architecture at Havana’s Technological University (CUJAE), and a former dean of the school. He is currently directing various cutting-edge projects on sustainable urbanism for the city of Havana, including the sensible integration of the harbor into the city, and the development of transportation networks. He is working in partnership with well-known international architects and theorists from the United States, Venezuela, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
Leisure time at Santa Maria del Mar Beach, in Playas del Este
Peaceful, safe, and just a 20-minute drive east of Havana is one of Cuba’s nicest beach areas, with clean, white sands and pristine waters. The Playas del Este or Eastern Beaches are most popular with locals because of their accessibility. They include the municipality of Santa María del Mar, once a resort for the well-to-do, with beautiful mid-century houses. Restaurant, café, and bar concessions dot the beach, as well as facilities for water sport equipment rental. There are also a couple of convenience stores.
Santiago de Cuba City Tour
An expert local guide will take you to landmarks such as the Loma de San Juan (A Spanish-American war memorial), and the Moncada Barracks (famously assaulted by Fidel Castro on July 26, 1953 at the outset of the historic uprising). Our guide brings Santiago’s history to life by providing context and sharing stories from the city’s rich past. This tour also takes visitors through the sprawling and serene Cemetery Santa Ifigenia, and The Morro Castle (a 17th-century fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site). Free time is scheduled to stroll through Céspedes Park, a gathering spot for Santiagueros, young and old.
Visit to Fusterlandia (Jose Fuster’s art studio and community, in Havana)
Fuster’s unique mixed media style could be labeled as organic. Inspired by Catalonian architect Antoni Gaudí and others, he uses ceramics to create surreal forms and decorations. The artist set up shop over thirty years ago in Jaimanitas, a seaside community northwest of Havana. His art creations quickly transcended his studio on to the street. He founded a community art project, which he called Fusterlandia, which today encompasses about fifty houses and several blocks in the neighborhood. There, Fuster imprints his unique mosaic art in both façades and urban furniture. It is definitely worth a visit!
Dance Performance at Palenque de los Congos Reales (Trinidad)
Palenque de los Congos Reales is a cultural center in Trinidad, housing the Trinidad Folkloric Ballet. Historically, a palenque was a maroon (runaway slave) settlement, and congo was one of the dominant ethnic groups among the African captives. The Trinidad Folkloric Ballet was founded in 1963, modeled after the one in Havana. The ensemble’s repertoire focuses on African traditions and religious music and dance. Its goal is to preserve the musical traditions of the local African cabildos or brotherhoods, many of which were built by people of Congo ancestry.
Musical performances at Trinidad’s Casa de Cultura
The Casa de Cultura or Cultural House is a quintessential Cuban revolutionary institution. Every municipality has one, and their goal is to promote local cultural manifestations and vernacular forms, not just “high art.” In Trinidad, the Casa de Cultura offers many affordable shows for the community, including jam sessions and Afro-Cuban rumbas. The audience is typically actively engaged, and members might jump in and showcase their dance moves. Saturday nights at 11pm, it is the place to be!
Snorkeling and Sunbathing at Caleta Buena (Playa Girón, Matanzas Province)
Caleta Buena is located near Playa Girón, on Cuba’s central-southern shore. The area consists of a turquoise-colored natural pool or cenote with crystal clear waters and colorful tropical fish, surrounded by sand. The place is perfect for a day of rest, and also for snorkeling and diving. There are ten diving sites accessible from there. The complex also has a restaurant and bar. You may rent a beach chair, an umbrella, order a drink, and just sit back, admire the view, and relax.
Visit to the Alamar Organic Farm and Nursery
This organic farm was established as a cooperative in the 1990s in Alamar, a neighborhood of housing blocks East of Havana. After the Soviet Union collapsed, fuel became scarce and agricultural machinery fell into disrepair, bringing state farming to a near halt. Some people then turned to small-scale agriculture in urban and suburban plots, often by organic and artisanal means. Alamar grew out this need, quickly becoming a successful model for sustainable agriculture. Farmers experiment with innovative biopesticides to grow resistant crops, and sell produce, jams, and jellies to the public. They may also prepare a delicious lunch upon request.
Attend a concert or a jam session at Trinidad’s Casa de la Música
Like the Casas de Cultura or Culture Houses, the Casas de la Música are community centers. They may offer music classes, as well as space for jam sessions and concerts. The one in Trinidad is housed at a beautiful colonial building that includes a bar with stunning views of the city, the region, and the shoreline. The building also includes exhibit space with educational presentations about the history of Trinidad’s popular music, a restaurant, a patio, various salons for small musical performances, and a big amphitheater that doubles as a nightclub.
Day Trip to Viñales and the Tobacco Route
We will head west through Havana’s most upscale neighborhoods. Once in Pinar del Río province, we will visit a tobacco farm, learning about the entire process, from seed to smoke. A mojito cocktail will welcome you to Los Jazmines Hotel terrace, with magnificent panoramic views of Viñales Valley. A drive through the picturesque country town and into the countryside will take us to “mogotes,” or rock formations, and caves. After lunch, we will visit Cuba del Indio, involving only an easy walk and boat ride. Visitors will enjoy the return to Havana (2:30hrs) aboard a beautiful classic American car.
Coppelia: The Ultimate Ice Cream Experience
One of the most famous Cuban movie scenes is a dialogue between a revolutionary and a disaffected gay man over ice cream. Named after the ice cream in question, the film is Strawberry and Chocolate, the first from revolutionary Cuba to be nominated for an Oscar. The ice cream is Coppelia’s. Housed in a modernist complex on the populous corner of 23 and L, the parlor dating back to 1966. Cubans will line up for over an hour in order to savor the ice cream, often claiming it is the best in the world. What do you think?
Muraleando Community Project (Havana)
This community mural painting project in the Lawton neighborhood is the brainchild of two local artists who were teaching community classes. Soon, their teachings were spilling onto the streets. Since 2003, colorful murals have been decorating the neighborhood walls, and sculptures featuring recycled materials adorn the streets and parks. The two art teachers have built an entire community around these artistic expressions. They also organize Peña Comunitaria, or block party, every month and a half, taking over the streets. Food is served, and an open mic session features both local and outside performers. Visitors are invited to participate and mingle.
Visit to the “Horns to Havana” studio
This is a musical instrument repair workshop, sponsored by both Cuba’s Ministry of Culture and the Horns to Havana Project, a New York City-based nonprofit organization, dedicated to supporting young Cuban jazz musicians in a myriad of ways. Since 2010, the project has recruited volunteer instrument repair experts from the United States to offer workshops and oversee training in Cuba. As a result, a dozen local artisans have been trained in the craft of repair, and have fixed thousands of musical instruments. The Ministry of Culture has donated a building and hired permanent repair staff.
Visit to Cuban photographer Roberto Salas’ studio
Born in the Bronx in 1940, Roberto Salas is one of Cuba’s most famous photographers. After he documented the revolutionary uprising, he was able to enjoy privileged access to Fidel Castro, capturing some of the leader’s most iconic images. In the early 1960s, he co-founded Cuba’s press agency, Prensa Latina, as well as the Communist Party daily, Granma. He served as a war correspondent in Cambodia and Vietnam, spending a year behind the Vietcong lines. The recipient of over a hundred awards, he has exhibited his work worldwide, and published several books of photographs, including “Fidel’s Cuba: A Revolution in Pictures.”
Visit to Cuba’s Photo Library and Museum
The Fototeca is a center ascribed to the Ministry of Culture that archives the country’s largest collection of photographs, as well as documents related to the history of photography. The center publishes a journal and organizes the annual “Photographic November” exposition in collaboration with art galleries and museums throughout the city. There, they display and promote photography as an art form. Located in Old Havana’s Plaza Vieja, the building includes two small galleries with revolving exhibitions by both senior and up-and-coming photographers from Cuba and elsewhere.
Cannon Shooting Ceremony, in Havana
Every day of the week without exception, at 9pm sharp, the cannon fire can be heard all over Havana. The ceremony is performed at the San Carlos de la Cabaña fortress that the Spanish colonial government built to protect Havana’s harbor in 1774. Back then, the blast announced the closing of the city walls for the night, as a protection against pirate attacks. The tradition has continued to this day, and is considered “Cultural Patrimony of the Cuban Nation.” The colorful historical reenactment, conducted by soldiers in 18th-century outfits, is a spectacle worth attending.
Scuba Diving in the Bay of Pigs
About 2.5 hours south of Havana lays Cuba’s famous Bay of Pigs. In addition to its colorful history, the Bay boasts at least a dozen diving sites, all with excellent visibility at 20-40 meters, and a warm water temperature all year round. The main allure of this area is the so-called wall diving, which can be initiated directly from shore. Marine life in the area is intense. Beautiful coral reefs and sponges are home to many small, colorful, fish, as well as to some grouper and barracuda. There is also a boat that was sunk in 1994, and that is fun to explore.
