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.
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Tour Release Historical tour release — reviewed September 2026: This article documents our 2024 Havana RPM tour. The itinerary is now available as inspiration for a private custom Havana RPM music tour when festival dates and access allow. Explore the…
Tour Release Historical tour release — reviewed September 2026: This post announces our 2024 Santiago de Cuba departure. Santiago is now offered as a private custom music and cultural tour with dates by request. Today, as we honor Cuban Culture…
This article describes the 2023 Jazz Emprende program. For a new trip, see our current tours and current U.S. Cuba travel guide. Let’s Set the Scene Dates: September 13th-17th, 2023, featuring “Jazz Emprende” music event at Fábrica de Arte Cubano,…
Historical festival archive — reviewed September 2026: This article covers the 2023 edition of the Varadero Josone Music Festival. For a future visit, see our private custom Varadero Josone Music Festival tour, available when festival dates and access allow. What…
Cuba Travel Licenses for Americans Updated for the OFAC rule effective September 30, 2026. U.S. travel to Cuba for tourist activities is not permitted. OFAC continues to recognize 12 categories of authorized travel-related transactions, but the general licenses within some…
Updated for the OFAC rule effective September 30, 2026. Americans can still travel to Cuba when the travel-related transactions are authorized under the Cuban Assets Control Regulations. Ordinary tourist travel remains prohibited. A traveler does not apply to OFAC for…
Havana Jazz Festival Are you a jazz enthusiast looking to immerse yourself in the vibrant Cuban music scene? Look no further than the Havana Jazz Plaza Festival. This annual event brings together some of the world’s most talented jazz musicians…
Updated for the OFAC rule effective September 30, 2026. U.S. law continues to prohibit travel to Cuba for ordinary tourist activities, but travel-related transactions may be authorized when a traveler qualifies under an applicable OFAC category and follows that category’s…
How do Cubans celebrate New Year’s Eve? By Gelenny Cervantes (Cuban Musician and Business Development Specialist of Havana Music Tours and Musical Getaways) The great New Year celebration in Cuba is a very special party occasion for Cubans worldwide. It brings together entire families and…
Festival archive: January 2023. This article preserves the preview of that edition. For a new trip, see our 2027 Havana Jazz Festival tour, current tours and current U.S. Cuba travel guide. By Ismelys Quevedo (Cuban Music Teacher and Business Development…