APRIL 28–MAY 3, 2027
Cuban Jazz & Rumba Tour
Six days from Havana’s contemporary jazz scene to the rumba traditions of Matanzas—guided by working musicians and musicologists.
April 28–May 3, 2027
One focused departure
Timed around International Jazz Day
6 days / 5 nights
Havana & Matanzas
Maximum 10 guests
$3,485 per person
Double occupancy
$550 single supplement
Hear the relationship between jazz and rumba
For six days, working musicians lead you through the music of Havana as they experience it themselves. Evenings follow the strongest contemporary Cuban jazz performances available that week—from intimate quartets and jam sessions to larger ensembles—while daytime conversations explain the history, rhythm and creative choices behind what you hear.
This departure includes April 30, International Jazz Day. The included daytime program features a private studio performance and artist Q&A, followed by Afro-Cuban cultural context. An evening performance from the local Jazz Day program may be available as an optional extra; we confirm availability and any additional cost before booking.
Guided by peers
Professional musicians add practical context, introduce you to players and help you listen more deeply.
Matanzas in context
Travel to the city closely tied to rumba’s history for a specialist-led exchange and workshop-performance, subject to artists’ schedules.
Inside the music
A private studio performance and Q&A let you hear arrangements and ensemble interplay at close range.
Sample itinerary
The exact venues, artists and performance times are finalized closer to departure. Our musician-guides select the scheduled performances from Havana’s confirmed live calendar.
Day 1 — Welcome to Havana
Meet your musician-guides after clearing customs and transfer by private group transport to your Casa Particular or villa. After an orientation, join the Havana Music Tours Malecón welcome ritual, dine together at a favorite Old Havana paladar such as El del Frente, and begin with a curated jazz performance.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 — Havana city tour and live jazz
Explore Old Havana’s plazas and side streets with a musician’s perspective, then pause before a driving tour that can include Fusterlandia, El Bosque and Revolution Square. Join the group for dinner and a selected jazz performance or jam session, with the order set around the confirmed performance time.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3 — Studio session and International Jazz Day
Spend time with leading Cuban musicians in a private studio performance and Q&A, with a light lunch provided. In Cayo Hueso, a local specialist connects Afro-Cuban religion, art and rhythm during a visit to Callejón de Hamel. Dinner is on your own. An optional evening performance may be available from the confirmed International Jazz Day program on April 30; ask us about availability and any additional cost.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 4 — Matanzas, cradle of rumba
Travel along the VÃa Blanca to Matanzas for a session with local music specialist Luis on the city’s role in rumba and other Cuban genres. A workshop-performance with Los Muñequitos de Matanzas is planned, subject to the artists’ schedule. Lunch is included before returning to Havana in the early evening.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 5 — Sunday rumba and farewell night
Use the morning flex time for a gallery, photo walk or record shopping, then join the neighborhood rumba gathering at Callejón de Hamel. After time to rest or explore, celebrate together at a reserved farewell dinner with live music selected by your guides.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 6 — Farewell and departure
Share a final breakfast, transfer privately to José Martà International Airport and say hasta pronto to your guides and fellow travelers.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s included
- Five nights in a premium private Casa Particular or group villa
- Bilingual musician tour guides and musicologists
- Daily breakfast
- Three hosted dinners and three authentic lunches
- Private studio performance and artist Q&A
- Jazz performances selected from the confirmed weekly schedule
- Old Havana walking tour and broader Havana driving tour
- Afro-Cuban cultural program in Cayo Hueso and Callejón de Hamel
- Matanzas day trip and rumba workshop-performance, subject to artist availability
- Airport transfers for qualifying arrival and departure times
- Private transportation to scheduled events
- Restaurant reservations and recommendations
- Flight-booking guidance; airfare is not included
- Program documentation and current pre-departure guidance for U.S. travelers
Not included
International flights, Cuba’s electronic visa, travel insurance, tips, personal purchases, and additional meals or activities during free time.
Arrival note: To use the included Day 1 transfer and join the program start, flights should arrive in Havana between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Eastern. Private transfers can be arranged for other arrival times. Extensions or departures from another Cuban city require separate transportation.
Private stays selected for comfort
This scheduled small-group tour uses carefully selected private Casas Particulares or a group villa with private bathrooms and reliable local support. Because power interruptions can occur in Cuba, we prioritize properties with backup capability such as solar power, battery storage and/or generators whenever available.
These are representative properties Havana Music Tours has used or vetted. The confirmed accommodation may differ by group size and availability but will be selected to a comparable standard and confirmed before departure.
For U.S. travelers
For U.S. travelers, this program is designed around Support for the Cuban People (31 CFR § 515.574). The confirmed itinerary must provide a full-time schedule of qualifying activities, meaningful interaction, and support for independent Cuban activity. Each guest must participate in that program, with breaks consistent with the full-time requirement. We provide the detailed itinerary and current pre-departure guidance; concert attendance alone is not a travel authorization.
Cuba’s electronic visa is linked to your passport and should be obtained before travel. Procedures and fees can change, and Cuban-born travelers may have additional passport or entry requirements; contact us if you were born in Cuba or have questions.
Good to know
How much live music will we see?
Hosted evening performances follow the sample itinerary. There is no scheduled evening performance after the Matanzas day. The April 30 evening option is subject to availability and may carry an additional cost; we will confirm the program, inclusions and any optional charges before you book.
Do I need to be a musician?
No. The tour is designed for curious music lovers as well as players. Guides explain enough context for any attentive listener while leaving room for deeper technical questions.
What is the studio experience like?
A private performance in a professional studio, with time to meet the musicians and ask questions. HMT’s studio listening format uses headphones to bring out details of the ensemble. The final itinerary confirms the setup and whether a digital mix will be available afterward.
Who might we meet in Matanzas?
Past Havana Music Tours programs have featured Los Muñequitos de Matanzas. The 2027 workshop-performance is subject to the artists’ schedule; if plans change, the team arranges the strongest available rumba-focused exchange.
Can I bring instruments or gear to donate?
Yes, but coordinate with Havana Music Tours before departure so the team can advise on needs, airline limits and an appropriate independent recipient.
Reservations and payments
Reserve your place
A $500 deposit is required. The remaining balance is due 90 days before departure. Bookings made within 90 days of departure require full payment when confirmed.
Payment methods
Published prices are in U.S. dollars and based on ACH or wire transfer. ACH payments have no added fee. Credit card payments add a 3.5% fee. Cash and checks are not accepted.
Community commitment
Havana Music Tours contributes 5% of tour revenue to The CreatiVrole Project; no separate traveler donation is required.
Is this your kind of music journey?
Six days combining Havana’s jazz scene with Afro-Cuban cultural exchanges and a day trip to Matanzas. No musical training is required. Tell us before booking about any concerns with walking, standing during performances, stairs or travel between cities so we can discuss the practical arrangements.
Join the Jazz & Rumba Tour
April 28–May 3, 2027. Maximum 10 guests.