SMALL-GROUP JAZZ PLAZA EXPERIENCE
Havana Jazz Festival Tour 2027
Led by musicians and musicologists, with a maximum of 10 guests.
January 26–February 1, 2027 · 7 days / 6 nights
January 26–February 1
2027 departure
7 Days / 6 Nights
Havana & Matanzas
Maximum 10 Guests
Small by design
$3,950 per person
Double occupancy
$650 single supplement
WHY THIS JOURNEY IS DIFFERENT
A week at Jazz Plaza with musicians as your guides
Join a maximum of 10 guests for a focused week at Havana’s Jazz Plaza Festival. The program is designed and led by musicians and musicologists with deep relationships in Cuba’s music community, combining major festival performances with smaller venues, cultural visits, direct conversations, and musical context.
Built for today’s Cuba
The itinerary is intentionally focused and flexible. We use pre-arranged private transportation, experienced guides from our team in Cuba, privately owned restaurants, and carefully selected private accommodations. We prioritize properties with solar, battery and/or generator backup whenever available; the setup varies by property. The schedule can adapt when festival times or local conditions change without losing the heart of the experience.
Why travelers trust Havana Music Tours
Guests consistently highlight the personal attention, musician access, local relationships, and adaptability of our team. Read verified feedback on our TripAdvisor page.
Tour Snapshot
- Group: Maximum 10 guests
- Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
- Locations: Havana & Matanzas
- Stay: Premium privately owned accommodation
- Meals: Six breakfasts, four lunches or light lunches, and five dinners
- Festival: Curated Jazz Plaza performances
For U.S. travelers
This itinerary is designed around Support for the Cuban People (31 CFR § 515.574), with direct engagement with independent Cuban musicians, artists, guides, entrepreneurs, and community projects.
Travel with purpose
Havana Music Tours contributes 5% of tour revenue to The CreatiVrole Project, supporting music-focused projects and direct community assistance.
A WEEK BUILT AROUND THE MUSIC
A Glimpse of Jazz Plaza
Hear Jazz Plaza alongside our daytime conversations, studio sessions, and work with independent Cuban musicians.
SEVEN DAYS, SIX NIGHTS
Sample Itinerary
Festival schedules can change. Our team adjusts each evening around the strongest confirmed performances.
Day 1 — Arrival & First Jazz Plaza Night
Tuesday, January 26
Arrival in Havana: Our team in Cuba meets the group at the airport and provides private transportation to your Premium Casa Particular.
Welcome dinner: Settle in, meet your tour leaders, and enjoy a relaxed group dinner at a privately owned Cuban restaurant.
First Jazz Plaza night: Begin with curated festival performances selected from the confirmed program.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 — Old Havana & Music Education
Wednesday, January 27
Old Havana walking tour: Explore historic plazas, architecture, daily life, and the settings that have shaped generations of Cuban musicians.
Music school or conservatory visit: Meet students, teachers, or working musicians and learn how Cuban music is taught and sustained.
Jazz Plaza evening: Regroup for another curated night of festival performances.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 3 — Musicology & Live Studio Experience
Thursday, January 28
Musicology & live studio experience: A Cuban musicologist introduces styles, rhythms and influences that run through the week’s listening. An intimate studio performance and conversation with musicians bring that context into focus, with time to ask questions and hear the ensemble in a setting smaller than a festival stage.
Old Havana: Continue through the historic center, connecting the city’s neighborhoods and cultural history to the music you are hearing.
Jazz Plaza evening: Return to selected performances by Cuban and international artists.
Meals: Breakfast, light lunch & dinner
Day 4 — Matanzas: Rumba & Music History
Friday, January 29
Day trip to Matanzas: Travel to one of Cuba’s most important centers of rumba and Afro-Cuban musical history.
Musicians & rumba traditions: Spend time with local artists and, when schedules allow, musicians connected with Los Muñequitos de Matanzas.
Return to Havana: The evening may include additional Jazz Plaza performances when the schedule and group energy make sense.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5 — Fusterlandia & Finca Tungasuk
Saturday, January 30
Fusterlandia: Visit José Fuster’s mosaic art project in Jaimanitas.
Finca Tungasuk: Explore Cuban agriculture and sustainable farming, followed by an included farm-to-table lunch.
Saturday at Jazz Plaza: Return to Havana, rest, and regroup for one of the festival’s biggest nights.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch; dinner is open
Day 6 — Rumba Sunday & Jazz Plaza Finale
Sunday, January 31
Rumba Sunday at Callejón de Hamel: Experience community rumba, percussion, dance, and the creative atmosphere of this Central Havana landmark.
Community jam session: Join a private session produced with independent Cuban musicians and a privately operated venue, creating paid opportunities for working and emerging artists.
Farewell dinner & finale: Celebrate with a final group meal and the strongest confirmed closing-night performances.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 7 — Departure Day
Monday, February 1
Breakfast & goodbyes: Enjoy a final breakfast and time with the group and our team in Cuba.
Airport transfers: Havana Music Tours coordinates departure transportation for travelers leaving today.
Meals: Breakfast
Before You Go
Arrival
Included group airport transportation is planned for flights arriving between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on January 26. Private transfers can be arranged for other arrival times.
Festival schedule
Jazz Plaza often confirms final performance times close to the festival. Exact nightly concerts may change as our team curates the strongest available program.
Built to adapt
The itinerary may shift when local operations, weather, or venue schedules require it. The experience is built around Havana’s music community, not a single venue.
WHAT YOUR TOUR COVERS
What’s Included
Small-group logistics, musician-led context, and thoughtful support from arrival through departure.
- Premium privately owned accommodations selected for location and guest support, with backup-power capability prioritized when available
- Maximum 10 guests
- Jazz Plaza access for the scheduled festival events in our program
- Airport transfers and private transportation for scheduled activities
- Six breakfasts, four lunches or light lunches, and five included dinners
- Musicology and live studio experience
- Private community jam session with independent Cuban musicians
- Music school or conservatory visit
- Guided Old Havana walking tour
- Matanzas rumba and music-history day
- Fusterlandia and Finca Tungasuk visits
- Bilingual musician and musicologist tour leadership
- Program documentation, current U.S. travel guidance, reservations, and support from our team in Cuba
Festival access is subject to confirmed schedules and review of the venue, organizer, and ticket or payment arrangements under applicable U.S. rules. We do not arrange prohibited direct or indirect transactions with Cuba Restricted List entities. If an event is unavailable or cannot be included lawfully, we will arrange a comparable independent music experience within the qualifying program.
YOUR STAY IN HAVANA
Carefully Selected Private Accommodations
Comfort, location, private bathrooms, and dependable local support matter after full days and late musical nights.
About these photos: These are representative examples of privately owned Casas Particulares and villas used or vetted by Havana Music Tours. Your confirmed property may differ based on group size and availability, but we select comparable quality in well-located areas. Because power interruptions can occur, we prioritize solar, battery, and/or generator backup whenever available.
THE EXPERIENCE
Music and cultural highlights
A festival journey shaped by context, access, and genuine human connection.
Curated Jazz Plaza nights
Our team reviews the confirmed festival program and selects strong performances each night.
Musicians as your guides
Travel with people who explain what you are hearing and connect it to Cuban history and culture.
Direct artist connection
Meet working musicians, students, teachers, and cultural specialists through scheduled experiences.
Rumba at its roots
Explore Matanzas and Callejón de Hamel with context from local artists and experts.
Art, food & community
Pair Fusterlandia with a sustainable farm visit and farm-to-table lunch.
Small-group ease
Private transportation, local support, included meals, and a maximum of 10 guests.
PRACTICAL ANSWERS
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear expectations make for a better week in Havana.
What is Jazz Plaza, and when does this tour run?
Jazz Plaza is Havana’s international jazz festival. Our small-group tour runs January 26–February 1, 2027, concentrating on the strongest festival days while adding music and cultural experiences in Havana and Matanzas.
Why join the tour instead of attending independently?
You gain musician-led context, curated festival planning, small-group logistics, private transportation, and direct cultural access that are difficult to organize independently.
How does festival access work?
The tour includes access for the Jazz Plaza events scheduled in our program when available. Final times and venues may be confirmed close to the festival, so our team adapts nightly plans around the strongest confirmed options.
What accommodations are used?
We use carefully selected Premium Casas Particulares or boutique-style private stays. We prioritize private bathrooms, convenient locations, strong guest support, and backup-power capability such as solar, battery storage, and/or generators.
What should U.S. travelers know?
For U.S. travelers, the program is designed around Support for the Cuban People (31 CFR § 515.574). Each traveler must participate in a full-time schedule of qualifying activities with meaningful interaction and support for independent Cuban activity. Concert attendance or a charitable contribution alone does not satisfy those requirements. We provide the detailed itinerary and pre-departure guidance; reasonable breaks must remain consistent with the full-time program.
What is the group size?
Each departure is limited to a maximum of 10 guests for personal attention, easier movement, and access to smaller music and cultural spaces.
Are meals included?
The program includes six breakfasts, four lunches or light lunches, and five group dinners. Saturday dinner is at your own expense, following the farm-to-table lunch at Finca Tungasuk.
Can dietary needs be accommodated?
We strive to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences. Please tell us as early as possible so our team can plan with private restaurants and accommodations.
How physically demanding is the trip?
The tour involves moderate walking and standing during performances. Tell us about mobility or accessibility needs before booking so we can discuss realistic accommodations.
What is the payment and cancellation policy?
A $500 non-refundable deposit reserves your place. The remaining balance is due 90 days before departure. Bookings made within 90 days of departure require full payment when confirmed. Prices are in U.S. dollars. ACH payments have no added fee; credit card payments add 3.5%. Wire transfers are also accepted; cash and checks are not accepted. Detailed cancellation terms and traveler responsibilities are provided during booking.
Is travel insurance included?
Travel insurance is not included and is strongly recommended for unforeseen circumstances.
What happens if a venue or performance changes?
We adjust the program around confirmed festival information and local conditions. When needed, we substitute a comparable independent music session or cultural experience.
VERIFIED GUEST PERSPECTIVE
What Travelers Say
The music is extraordinary. The personal care and local relationships are what guests remember.
My wife and I went on the Jazz Plaza tour. Really excellent. Chaz and Yami put together a great team of Cuban guides and facilitators who went out of their way to personalize the experience.
Mark & Patty · Havana Jazz Festival
Our very small group experience was the best ever—from our casa and farm-to-table lunch to so much music, local musicians, young students, and the history that put everything in context.
Katherine · Havana Jazz Festival
We had attended the festival before, but Havana Music Tours blew that experience out of the water—with extraordinary performances and real connection to musicians.
Christopher & Family · Jazz Festival Tour
PAST FESTIVAL MOMENTS
Havana Jazz Festival Gallery
A glimpse of the stages, artists, and city that shape the week.
LISTEN, LEARN, PREPARE
From the Jazz Plaza Journal
Build context before you arrive and keep exploring after the final set.
Can Americans Travel to Cuba?
A clear introduction to the current travel framework.
Music & Travel Journal
Festival stories, listening guides, and cultural context from our team.
Plan for the festival rhythm
This is a music-focused week with full days, evening concerts, walking and time on your feet. Before booking, ask us about likely late finishes, seating, steps at your accommodation and transport between venues. We can also discuss the backup-power arrangements at the proposed property.
BEGIN THE CONVERSATION
Join the Havana Jazz Festival tour
Tell us about your travel plans, questions, and room preferences. We’ll help you decide whether this small-group departure is the right fit.