How to Attend the Havana Jazz Festival in 2027: A Practical Guide for Travelers
Planning Jazz Plaza in 2027? Learn how venues, transportation, money, communications and U.S. travel rules affect a Havana Jazz Festival trip.
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Stories about Cuban music, culture, travel and the people behind the traditions. Browse artist profiles, listening guides, historical reporting and practical trip-planning advice from the Havana Music Tours archive.
Looking for an upcoming trip? Explore current Cuba music tours.
Beyond Buena Vista Social Club: Where to Hear Live Music in Havana in 2026
Where to hear live music in Havana in 2026: jazz clubs, Saturday concerts, salsa and reparto dance spots, rumba and current tips from our local tour team.
What “Support for the Cuban People” Really Means on a Cuba Music Tour
What does Support for the Cuban People mean in practice? Learn the OFAC requirements and how HMT’s Cuba music tours involve local artists, guides, hosts and small businesses.
What It’s Really Like to Experience Jazz Plaza in Havana
What does Jazz Plaza actually feel like in Havana? A look at HMT’s 2026 experience, from concerts and musical context to the practical value of local support.
A Musical Route Across Cuba: How the Island’s Regions Shaped Its Sound
A listening route through Cuba’s regional traditions, from changüí and son in the east to rumba in Matanzas and Havana’s urban musical currents.
Cuban Music Quick Guide: Son Cubano, Rumba, Timba, Jazz and More
Cuban music has never been one single sound. It developed across different regions, communities and periods of Cuban history, producing traditions with distinct musical structures, instruments and social functions. Son cubano, rumba, danzón, mambo, cha-cha-chá, trova, bolero, Afro-Cuban jazz, songo…
Havana Jazz Festival 2027: Why Jazz Plaza Is One of the Best Times to Visit Cuba
Every January, Havana becomes one of the most important places in the world for Cuban jazz. The Havana Jazz Festival, also known as Jazz Plaza, brings together Cuban musicians, international artists, students, jazz lovers, travelers, and people who want to…
May 2026: Travel, Cultural Exchange, and Our Work in Cuba
Historical context — reviewed September 2026: This post reflects conditions and commentary at the time it was written. Travel rules, schedules, and conditions can change. For current planning, see our current U.S.–Cuba travel guide and September 2026 Cuba travel checklist.…
March 2026: Our Work and Travel News in Cuba
Historical context — reviewed September 2026: This post reflects conditions and commentary at the time it was written. Travel rules, schedules, and conditions can change. For current planning, see our current U.S.–Cuba travel guide and September 2026 Cuba travel checklist.…
The History of Jazz Plaza: A Celebration of Music, Culture, and Unity
Jazz Plaza is one of Cuba’s most important music events. Known internationally as the Havana Jazz Festival, it began in Havana in 1980 and has grown into a major meeting point for Cuban musicians, international artists, composers, students, critics, and…