Havana Jazz Festival 2023

Cuban Jazz, Music, And Cultural Tour Featuring Havana Jazz Plaza
January 22nd-29th, 2023 (Optional Trinidad Add-On – January 29th-Feb 1st, 2023)

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The Ultimate VIP tour of Havana Jazz Plaza Festival, the most important Music Festival in Cuba! The Havana Jazz Festival usually features some of the most popular and up n’ coming artists from Cuba and around the world. In the past, there have been performances from artists such as Chucho Valdés, Telmary, Joe Lovano, Snarky Puppy, Alain Pérez, Interactivo, Daymé, Los Van Van, Hector Quintana, Muñequitos de Matanzas, Pedrito Martinez, Cimafunk, Ruy López Nussa, Dave Weckl, Horacio Hernández (El Negro), Habana de Primera, Rumbatá, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and much more!

During our Havana Jazz Festival tour, you will be staying in a Casa Particular, (private home/apartment), or large group villa with your small group of no more than 12 people. Each morning, you will awake to an array of different fruits, Cuban coffee, eggs, bread, juices, and more. The days and nights will be filled with musical events, cultural immersion, performances, dance lessons, music education, and some free time!

This Festival Tour is definitely for the music lover. You will experience many different styles of music each day and see some of the best artists in all of Cuba in one diverse musical week. Together we will discover the new and younger artists rising within the Cuban and Latin American music scenes. With your VIP pass, we will attend some of the most popular music venues in Cuba, places like La Zorra y El Cuervo, Fábrica de Arte Cubano, Hotel Nacional, Teatro Nacional, and much more!

Expect to dive deeper into Cuban culture and history and their people’s connection through music and art. The Havana Jazz Plaza Festival Tour will feature art and history museums with local multi-lingual professional tour guides. You can discover and appreciate craft stores and paladares (private restaurants) that the Cuban people have worked so hard to create.

Did I mention we are musicians as well? You will have a VIP Music Tour with professional musicians who know the music of Cuba better than any other tour agency. That’s right.

We are a U.S.-based tour agency and this tour fulfills all of the legal OFAC travel rules for United States Citizens. You will be given a legal travel affidavit and a full-time itinerary to confirm your tour is legal under the OFAC guidelines.

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WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Your festival tour includes the following:

Accommodations: Casa Particular (BnB), Villa, or Private BnB
V.I.P. Music Pass to Jazz Plaza 2023 – Prime Theater Seating
Private VIP welcoming dinner with the festival and artists
Special opening festival performance for premium VIP guests
Unique and immersive studio listening experience with excellent musicians
Local private farm tour and lunch
Festival gift pack of souvenirs: Like T-Shirts, Passes, Poster, etc
A bilingual musician tour guide from the U.S.
Support for the Cuban people and local musicians
Detailed Itinerary
Breakfast everyday
Dinner every night except for one night at your leisure
Lunch/brunch on the first day and for the farm tour
Entry and reservation into each scheduled event, workshop, clinic, or museum
Casino de Salsa Dance lessons or Private Music Lessons (Limited availability – please contact us)
Airport transport to and from José Martí international airport
Transportation to all scheduled events
Flight concierge (flights are not included, but we help you book the best one).
Restaurant reservations and recommendations.
O.F.A.C. General Travel License. (U.S. Citizens)

Cuban Visas are to be purchased at your last airport before departing for Cuba. They are typically around $50-100. If you were born in Cuba, please contact us as you may have different Cuban visa requirements.

TRINIDAD ADD ON (4 DAYS/3 NIGHTS)

January 29th-February 1st, 2023

Group Villas/Casas Only – All guests will have a Private Room and Bathroom

Inclusions:

Private Roundtrip Transportation from Havana to Trinidad
Transportation (as needed to each included event. Trinidad is a very small town and cars are not allowed to drive much, if at all in the main area. At times we may just walk a few blocks to dinners, music, etc.)
Accommodations in your Casa Particular (Private guest house)
3 Breakfasts (Each morning)
1 Dinner
3 Lunches
Musician Tour Leader and Local Cuban Guides
Unique musical and cultural experiences
Historical day walking tours
Private music experience with Tonadas Trinitarias, one of the last Folkloric music groups left in Trinidad, Cuba

Highlights:

Music, art, and cultural tours
Dinner reservations at prime restaurants
Local tour guides and workshops
The best music events during tour dates
Unique musical experiences unlike any other tour
Included transportation
Detailed itinerary of events

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1 (Havana —> Trinidad)

Early morning breakfast, then check out from your Casa or Hotel in Havana
Private transfer with your tour leader to Trinidad (Apr 5-6 Hours)
Included Lunch
Check in to Casa Particular in Trinidad
Welcoming dinner (included)
Late night music in Trinidad, Cuba (Folklorica, Son, Salsa, and more)

Day 2 (Trinidad – Day tour and Folkloric Music Experience)

Fresh breakfast at your Casa (Eggs, Fruits, Juices, Coffee, Tea, Bread, Veggies and Meats)
Walking tour of Historic Trinidad with a local Cuban bilingual guide. Learn about the history, architecture and culture.
Included Lunch
Unique immersive experience with Tonadas Trinitarias. See why this group is so unique to Cuba, featuring spiritual group vocals and Afro-Cuban style percussion.
Free time to relax or explore on your own before dinner.
Dinner on your own. (We can help you make reservations)
Optional evening music event.

Day 3 (Trinidad – Optional morning experiences, return to Havana)

Fresh breakfast at your Casa (Eggs, Fruits, Juices, Coffee, Tea, Bread, Veggies, and Meats)
Optional experiences: Hiking in Grand Parque Natural Topes, Horseback riding, massages, and more
Afternoon Transportation back to Havana (Quick driving tour of Cienfuegos)
Included Lunch
Evening on your own in Havana

Day 4 (Havana – Airport Transfers)

Fresh breakfast at your Casa (Eggs, Fruits, Juices, Coffee, Tea, Bread, Veggies and Meats)
Included Airport Transfer

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1

Early morning arrival in Havana and included transportation to your Casa/Villa.
Driving tour of Havana with your local tour guide
Check-in to Casa/Villa
Lunch (Group meeting/quick orientation)
Relax or explore near your Casa
Welcoming dinner and private party with our own band!
Evening Jazz Festival events

Day 2

A wonderful Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa. (Eggs, meats, bread, freshly squeezed juices, coffees, teas. We have Vegan and Vegetarian options as well)
Tour of Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Visit local craft shops, art stores, talk with locals, learn about Cuban culture
Lunch at your leisure
Back to the Villa to rest before dinner
Group dinner at another fine Paladar in Havana (Atelier)
Jazz Plaza Music Event
Optional Late night Afro Cuban Jazz Night typically featuring local group, “Interactivo”

Day 3

A wonderful Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa
Visit a local children’s music school to donate musical gear.
Free afternoon to explore Havana Vieja on your own
Transportation back to the Villa
Dinner at a famous Paladar like La Guarida
Jazz Plaza Music Event
Optional Latin Jazz Session at famous music clubs like “La Zorra y El Cuervo” or “Jazz Café”

Day 4

A wonderful Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa
Dance or music lessons with local musicians and dancers
Unique studio listening experience with excellent Cuban jazz musicians
Dinner on your own (This is the night to have a romantic dinner as a couple or as a family)
Jazz Plaza Music Event
Art tour at Fábrica de Arte Cubano, then feel free to stay late for more music and entertainment. Fabrica is one of the most dynamic art/music/nightclub facilities in Havana, Cuba

Day 5

A wonderful Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa
Tour of a local farm.
Eat a freshly prepared lunch at the farm
Head back to the casa/villa to relax or go to see live music in Havana.
Dinner on your own
Jazz Plaza Music Event

Day 6

A wonderful Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa
Group Salsa Dance or Music Lessons
Group dinner at a fine Paladar near the casa/villa. (Places like El Del Frente or La Tierra)
Jazz Plaza Music Event

Day 7

A wonderful Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa
Private Afro-Cuban Religion and Music Tour
Afternoon music or return to Casa/Hotel
Final dinner for our Havana Guests at another amazing Paladar (Del Mar or similar)

Day 8

A wonderful Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa
Jazz Festival reflection and good-byes
Transportation to the Airport
(Transportation to Trinidad for those who wish to do the Add-on)

*Flights arriving on Day 1 of the itinerary must arrive between 8:30am-10am EST to have included transportation. All flights arriving must come into Havana and depart from Havana. If you book a departing flight from another city and/or stay extra days the transportation will not be included.

*All breakfasts are included. Other meals are on a per-day basis. We will include two lunches and five dinners. One night you will have the freedom to have dinner on your own.

*All music entries and reservations are also included.

*This is just a sample itinerary, you will receive a detailed itinerary with confirmed events closer to your trip departure.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Primary access/tickets and reservations to music events during Jazz Plaza 2020
Eat a fresh breakfast in a luxurious villa with an authentic Café Cubano each morning.
Taste of the best Paladares around Havana, Cuba (Private restaurants)
Included dance lessons.
Bilingual musician tour guide from the U.S.
Real interactions with the Cuban people and professional musicians.
Time off to shop and explore.

ACCOMMODATIONS: CASA/VILLA EXAMPLES

ACCOMMODATIONS: HOTEL EXAMPLES

TOUR DATES & PRICES

January 22nd-29th, 2023

Casa Particular (Group Villa/Hostal) – $3,345 per person
Private Premium Casa Particular (All Yours!) – $3,950 per person
Deluxe Hotel Room – $4,850 per person
Premium/Suite Hotel Room – $5,745 per person

Trinidad Add-On (Jan 29th-Feb 1st)

Casa/Villa + $1,295

Hotel + $1,745

Hotels:

Havana: Grand Aston Hotel

Trinidad: Mystique Trinidad La Popa

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION

For the protection of other participants and residents of the destinations we travel to, each group tour participant must present us with proof of vaccination against Covid-19. You will upload this to our intake form at least 14 days before your tour departure date.

Our top priority is safety. Making sure everyone is fully vaccinated will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep our small group tours safe and filled with stress-free fun!

Acceptable vaccines based on information from the World Health Organization

Moderna (mRNA-1273)

Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2)

Janssen (Johnson & Johnson – Ad26.COV2.S)

Oxford/AstraZeneca (AZD1222)

Serum Institute of India Covishield (Oxford/AstraZeneca formulation)

Bharat Biotech (Covaxin)

Sinopharm (Beijing BBIBP-CoV – Vero Cells)

Sinovac – CoronaVac

EXCEPTIONS FOR PRIVATE TOURS:

If you aren’t vaccinated, we are able to create a private tour with your own group. We will need everyone to sign an additional waiver accepting the risks. We will also need a PCR test from each guest within 72 hours before departing for Cuba. Please contact us if you have any questions.