Havana Jazz Festival 2023

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

Havana-jazz-festival-Tour-banner-havana-music-tours

Our Havana Jazz Festival Tour is the ultimate VIP small group tour of the Havana Jazz Plaza Festival, curated by professional musicians and musicologists from Cuba and the United States. The best and most unique Cuba Tour for musicians and music lovers.

The Jazz Plaza Festival is the most important Music Event in Cuba and 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!

This Havana Jazz Festival Tour is definitely for the music lover! If you are looking for an immersive and unique music tour experience of Cuba, our Havana Jazz Festival tour is your way to go. We, as musicians, will offer you a different perspective on Cuban music, culture, and history. Let us show you this beautiful island through music.

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. With your VIP pass, we will attend some of the most popular music venues in Cuba, like La Zorra y El Cuervo, Fábrica de Arte Cubano, Hotel Nacional, Teatro Nacional, and much more! Together we will discover the new and younger artists rising within the Cuban and Latin American music scenes.

While traveling with us, you will have accommodation options like a Hotel or a Private/Group Villa Casa Particular (private home/apartment Bnb style). In the case of the Group Villa Casa, you will share the place with your small group of no more than 12 people per tour group. Each morning will be an array of different fruits, Cuban coffee, eggs, bread, juices, and more.

Expect to dive deeper into Cuban culture, history, and 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.

That’s right. Your days and nights in Cuba will be filled with musical events, cultural immersion, performances, dance lessons, music education, and some free time! You will enjoy a VIP music tour with professional musicians who know the music of Cuba better than any other tour agency.

Why should you travel with us?

If your goal is to enjoy a smooth, authentic, and musical travel experience to Cuba without missing any important bucket list detail we think our Havana Jazz Plaza Tour is your best option. More than the amazing accommodations and exceptional cultural experiences, we really believe that our most valuable thing is our people. We are very proud of our talented team of musicians (unique within the Cuba Travel industry) from Cuba and the United States, excellent professionals who graduated from prestigious music schools like Universidad de Las Artes de Cuba.

Our wonderful musician-only team will make sure that you are part of a very special Cuba Tour, without any awkward moments or unfulfilled expectations. We make it possible and easy for you to explore Cuba and its culture through the local community.

But, don’t take our word for it… We are grateful for the beautiful and motivating testimonials that our previous clients have shared with us through our Tripadvisor profile, like the following:

“The best thing about Havana Music Tours was the people. Chaz, Yamilka, their assistants Zack and Miguel, tour guides Alejandro and Ernesto, even the bus drivers — everyone was friendly, attentive, knowledgeable and really, really nice. As well, our fellow tourists turned out to be excellent company, with a variety of ages, backgrounds and musical interests.”

Also, we are a U.S.-based tour agency, and this tour fulfills all of the legal OFAC travel rules for United States Travelers. You will be given a legal travel affidavit and a full-time itinerary to confirm your tour is permitted under the OFAC guidelines. For more info about Cuba and your trip preparation, check out our Cuba Travel Checklist.

BOOK NOW

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

What to look forward to during this Havana Music Tour?

VIP access/tickets and reservations to music events during Jazz Plaza 2023.

Bilingual musicians tour guide from Cuba and the U.S (a tour from musicians for music lovers).

Real interactions with the Cuban people and professional musicians.

Dance or music lessons.

Authentic music and culturalexperiences almost every day of your tour.

Fresh breakfast and authentic Café Cubano each morning in a luxurious villa with our wonderful traveler friends.

Taste of the best Paladares around Havana, Cuba (Private restaurants).

Transportation from 11 am to 11 pm (which includes most evening music).

Free time to shop and explore.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

The Havana Jazz Festival Tour includes the following:

Accommodations: Casa Particular (Villa or Private BnB) or Hotel
V.I.P. Music Pass to Jazz Plaza Festival 2023 – Prime Theater Seating
Private VIP welcoming dinner with private band performance
Unique and immersive studio listening experience with excellent musicians
Afro-Cuban Religion and Roots Walking Tour (Learn how religion ties into Rumba music)
Local private farm tour and lunch
Festival gift pack of souvenirs: (Like Passes, Poster, etc)
A bilingual musician tour leader
Support for the Cuban people, local musicians, and small businesses
Detailed Itinerary that is US Traveler and OFAC compliant
Breakfast everyday
Dinner every night at a top-rated Paladar (except for one night at your leisure and a small tapas dinner)
Lunch/brunch on the first day and for the farm tour
Entry and reservation into each scheduled itinerary 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).
Concierge service for extras like restaurants, tours, and experiences reservations and recommendations.
O.F.A.C. General Travel Licensing. (U.S. Travelers)

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.

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
Deluxe Hotel Room + $1,795
Premium/Suite Hotel Room + $2,295

Hotels:

Havana: Grand Aston Hotel

Trinidad: Mystique Trinidad La Popa

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1

Early morning arrival in Havana and included transportation to your Casa/Villa.
Driving a 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, and art stores, talk with locals and 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 features 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 Sessions 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, feel free to stay late for more music and entertainment. Fábrica 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
Havana 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 8:30 am-10 am 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.

ACCOMMODATIONS: CASA/VILLA EXAMPLES

ACCOMMODATIONS: HOTEL EXAMPLES

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
A 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)