Through our Music Travel Blog, discover unique musical traditions, iconic festivals, and vibrant music scenes.

Welcome to our Music Travel Blog, where we explore the world through the universal language of music. This blog is dedicated to music lovers and travelers alike who seek to experience the rich tapestry of global musical traditions, iconic music festivals, and vibrant music scenes that define destinations around the globe.

Our posts uncover the stories and sounds that make each culture unique, from the energetic rhythms of Brazilian samba to the soulful melodies of American blues. Join us as we visit legendary venues, from the jazz clubs of New Orleans to the classical concert halls of Vienna, sharing insights into the music that shapes these cities’ identities.

Our adventures also take us to some of the world’s most renowned music festivals, where we experience the magic of live performances and the communal spirit of music fans from all walks of life. Whether it’s the electrifying atmosphere of Glastonbury or the traditional vibes of Morocco’s Gnawa Music Festival, our blog brings you front-row experiences from festivals that celebrate music’s diversity.

But it’s not just about the destinations but the journey. Our Music Travel Blog offers tips for traveling musicians, from packing the right gear to finding gigs abroad, and advice for music enthusiasts on creating a soundtrack for their travels. We also spotlight the musicians, artisans, and communities we meet along the way, whose stories and talents enrich our understanding of the world.

So, whether you’re planning your next musical getaway or simply dreaming of distant melodies, our Music Travel Blog is your guide to experiencing the world through music. Let’s set out together on a voyage of discovery, where every note opens the door to a new adventure.

What is the best way to travel to Cuba?

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Legal Travel to Cuba

(Updated February 2022)

By Chaz Chambers(Musician, Tour Guide Leader, and Director of Havana Music Tours and Musical Getaways)

There are many different ways to travel to Cuba. The “best way” is different for each person. This blog post will give you some insight into what I know about travel to Cuba. Including how traveling to Cuba differentiates from other international travel destinations.

The first thing that you should know is that travel to Cuba is legal for Americans. I know I am writing from a tour agency’s blog, but ultimately, I think you should travel to Cuba in any way that fits you best. For example, maybe you don’t like to be risky in a place that you don’t know…? Or perhaps you prefer the freedom to explore on your own versus being on tour.

This blog will break down the differences between the few and give some information to help you decide which travel option is the best for you. Traveling on your own time and exploring freely definitely has its benefits. You could stop at a specific store you want or spend more time inside a cafe or restaurant. Honestly, I like to do that too. This sort of freedom can give you a bit of space to discover something new when you arrived versus when you were initially making all of your reservations.

How can you travel to Cuba?

Despite any misinformation you may have heard, you can travel to Cuba on your own without a tour or cruise ship. However, there may be some significant benefits to traveling with time to Cuba (at least on your first visit). I will expand on that later in this article.

When traveling to Cuba on your own, especially as an American or someone living in or traveling from the United States, at the very least, you must follow the general guidelines of OFAC’s Cuba regulations. The only license that allows individual travel is “Support for the Cuban People.” A basic overview of the rules listed in this license: You must stay in a Casa Particular (AirBnB) or any privately owned home. No hotels as they are all partially owned by the government. It is hard to justify a license to Support the Cuban people if you aren’t supporting them.

You must have a full-time itinerary, obey the Cuba restricted list, and keep your receipts for at least five years. In addition, you must shop and eat at privately owned businesses and restaurants. In any case, you can take a tour and then wander on your own; many of our guests do it like that. You can start with a Tour, get the hang of Cuba, and then adventure independently. It is a perfect way!

I have been traveling to Cuba for over two years, and I am still learning things every day. Booking a tour is the easiest way because you can stay in a Casa Particular to fulfill your Support for the Cuban People License, again, the license you must use to travel as an individual to Cuba. Otherwise, I recommend at least a whole week in Havana to begin to grasp all of the different cultural experiences available.ย 

The honest case for a Cuba tour is that any Tour, especially ours, is not necessarily relaxing; they are very interactive, busy, and full of different experiences. We at Havana Music Tours allow free time to explore within your itinerary.ย 

Let’s go to Cuba!

The ultimate way to experience Cuba is withย a cultural tour like ours. Yes, we are biased, but it is true. From the many testimonials on TripAdvisor, you can read that our guests have a blast. Our tours allow you to “skip the line” and experience the best of Cuba in a short amount of time.

I want to quote one of our guests, Fred, “Even if you speak Spanish fluently (unlike me) or are good at ferreting out obscure events in strange places (which I generally can), there is still no way you will find half of what Mr. Chaz Chambers can introduce you to.” Especially if you are a Cuban music lover, you can’t afford to miss what we have found for you.

Join us for an unforgettable tour of Cuba. Book your CubaTour Now!

Also, check out ourย Ultimate Cuba Travel Checklist (Updated January 2022)

Havana Music Tours featured on a episode of “Car Pooling with Ben”

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Join “Car Pooling with Ben” as Chaz tells Ben about the situation of traveling to Cuba and the growing interest in people wanting to explore Cuban culture and specifically its music with Havana Music Tours.

Join us for an unforgettable tour of Cuba.ย Book your CubaTour Now!

Also, check out ourย Ultimate Cuba Travel Checklist (Updated January 2022)

“My first Cuba Tour.” What to expect when traveling to this Caribbean Island

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ย First Trip to Cuba

You’ve probably heard about the vintage cars and delicious cuisine, but as cool as those things are, my favorite part of myย  Cuba Tour was the culture. Don’t get me wrong, eating fresh mango and riding in a car from the 50s is impressive, but there’s something truly unique about their culture.

Cuban Culture

The city squares teemed with life every morning and evening. The people were very kind and incredibly excited to hear I was from the US. I sat with locals and watched a Cuba vs. USA baseball game, and though my Spanish is terrible, we still laughed, cheered, and hazed each other when our teams did well. I’m a nerd, so of course, I hung out and watched the locals play chess in the square. One evening, I even had a local English-speaking professor come up and tell me about the history of their revolution. There’s a sense of community there that I hadn’t experienced back in the states.

I consider myself an astute musician, art appreciator, and lover of random historical knowledge, and this Caribbean island appealed to each of these aspects of my character. From beautiful cathedrals to statues of Don Quixote, from vibrant pastel buildings to streetside musicians improving rumba music, my mind was enamored! I will be taking another trip back to this timeless paradise!

Cuba Tours

If you’ve always wanted to do a Cuba Tour but you’re worried about the travel bans and regulations, some great articles in the blog cover these topics. The new rules were announced 2-3 weeks before I flew down, so I had the same concerns: Can Americans still travel to Cuba? What do I have to do to go to Cuba? Etc. There very well may come a time when we will have limited access to that beautiful country, but that time isn’t now! Enjoy it while you can!

 

Join us for an unforgettable tour of Cuba.ย Book your Cuba Tour Now!

Also, check out ourย Ultimate Cuba Travel Checklist (Updated January 2022)

What is El Malecรณn, La Habana, Cuba

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Why El Malecรณn is a special place in Havana, Cuba?

Byย Chaz Chambers (Musician, Tour Guide Leader, and Director ofย Havana Music Toursย andย Musical Getaways)

The famous El Malecรณn stretches five miles along the coast in Havana, Cuba. It is where the sea meets the city and all the priceless fun occurs with the Cuban people and the distant tourists. There, you can really experience the excitement and free spirit of Cuban culture. People are walking around playing traditional Cuban music (Afro-Cuban rumba, bolero, guaguancรณ, and more.) You will find diverse groups of people dancing, singing, drinking some Havana Club, or maybe even enjoying a Bucanero Cerveza (Cuban beer).

Malecรณn was originally designed as a protection of the city from the water. (Who would have guessed that it would become one of the coolest nighttimeย hangout spots in the whole city.) Construction of the wall that lines the sea began around 1901 and some parts wereย even developed upย until the early 1920s. The final parts were constructed in the late 1940s and early 50s, before the famous Cuban Revolution.

Your tour leader will make sure that each itinerary has a nighttime visit to El Malecรณn around sunset. There are a series of small restaurants and bars to grab food and drinks. Sometimes there are even pop-up tents selling street food, water, sodas, and beer. You will see plenty of vintage cars driving by as you observe the classic architecture, unlike any other city. It is not only blissful, but it will bring you back to an era that emulates the 1950s. Each area you walk along has something fun and inspiring happening.

Havana Music Tours has a selection of tour dates that are very flexible for anyone’s schedule. We also have some of the most unique itineraries in comparison to any other tour operator. We are simply a music-loving company that has a passion for international travel. The music in Cuba has famously influenced jazz musicians in America, Latin America, and the rest of the world for decades.

Find out why everyone loves Cuba and its culture so much, book your tour now.ย 

 

Also, check out ourย Ultimate Cuba Travel Checklist (Updated January 2022)