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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By Laluly Romeri (Cuban musicologist and Business Development Specialist of Havana Music Tours and Musical Getaways) Joy grows among Cuban musicians and music lovers after the beautiful night they had yesterday during and after the Latin Grammys Awards 2022. Cuba and its musicians were awarded…
Current-rules note, October 18, 2026: This article title reflects its September 2026 review. OFAC rules changed effective September 30, 2026. For the latest U.S.-Cuba travel guidance, read our current OFAC rules guide and updated Cuba travel checklist. Yes, you can…
Mambo Music is back By Laluly Romeri (Cuban musicologist and Business Development Specialist of Havana Music Tours and Musical Getaways) ¿Tú no querías Mambo? (did you want Mambo?) It’s the question of the moment for the public that follows good Cuban music…
By Rocío de Lucía (Cuban Musicologist) One of the most iconic Cuban songs is undoubtedly “Chan Chan.” Many people can immediately identify that simple but delicious composition just by entering the four chords on which the song is based, authored by another…
Cuba Travel Updates Historical archive — reviewed September 2026: This article preserves a past travel update and should not be used as current entry or U.S. travel guidance. See our current U.S.–Cuba travel rules guide and September 2026 Cuba travel…
ByYami Cabrera (Cuban musicologist and Business Development Director of Havana Music Tours and Musical Getaways) Modernity in Cuban music continues to showcase excellent female artists, who make the culture grow on the island more and more. In the last 20 years, women…
ByYami Cabrera (Cuban musicologist and Business Development Director of Havana Music Tours and Musical Getaways) Cuban women are the inspiring soul of the great culture that Cuba preserves. Each sector of Cuban society and each bit of history contains the names of…
Cuban Dance 101 By Rocío de Lucía (Cuban Musicologist) We want to start by saying that perhaps contrary to what many expected, all Cubans do not dance like salsa professionals; not even all of them like to dance. For some,…
(Covid-19, Cuba tourism reopening, vaccinations, & more) Historical archive — reviewed September 2026: This article preserves a past travel update and should not be used as current entry or U.S. travel guidance. See our current U.S.–Cuba travel rules guide and…
This article previews the February 2023 salsa festival. For a new trip, see our current tours and current U.S. Cuba travel guide. The Cuban Salsa festival in Havana, Cuba is one of those events where you won’t stop dancing for…