HAVANA RPM MUSIC FESTIVAL — PRIVATE CUSTOM CUBA TOUR
A private custom Cuba music and cultural itinerary inspired by Havana RPM. Past tour archive • Private dates by request
Private/custom availability: We can build a private itinerary around this festival or music focus when dates and availability allow. If you prefer an open-signup 2027 small-group departure, see our Havana Jazz Festival Tour, Havana Music & Cultural Tour, or Cuban Jazz & Rumba Tour.
TOUR OVERVIEW
Cuban music through records and conversation
Explore Cuban music through records, listening and conversation. This private planning concept combines a Guampara music-history encounter, a dance or instrument lesson, Old Havana and selected live music.
Past Havana RPM editions brought together record collectors, artists and listeners around Cuban vinyl culture. If an edition is scheduled during your dates, we can discuss available talks, exhibitions and performances in your proposal. The event’s dates, artists and access must be confirmed before a festival-based trip is booked.
The sample below is a planning outline. We review the daytime activities, independent partners, pace and applicable travel authorization before confirming a new program.
Group Size
Small Group Tours — Maximum 10 Guests
Tour Duration
5 Days / 4 Nights
Location
Havana
Legal Travel to Cuba
Sample Private Itinerary — final travel documentation confirmed during planning
DATES & RESERVATIONS
Private dates by request
Tell us your preferred dates, group size, and music interests. We will propose a private itinerary and quote based on current availability.
Reservations and Payments:
We arrange vetted private accommodation with a private room and bathroom. Your options and total price are confirmed in your proposal.
This festival itinerary may be arranged as a private custom tour. Contact us for current pricing, deposit details, and available dates.
We will confirm your itinerary, price, deposit, and payment terms in writing before you reserve. No payment is collected on this page.
Traveling solo, with family, or with friends? Tell us what you would love to hear and see, and we will design a journey around your group.
Explore our private Cuba tours or contact us to discuss a Havana RPM-inspired itinerary.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1
Touch down in Havana and enjoy a smooth ride to your welcoming private Casa Particular/Villa.
Spend the afternoon at ease, exploring the local area or relaxing at your accommodation.
After settling in, embark on the first tour experience, a driving tour to get acquainted with Havana’s colorful streets and historic landmarks.
As the sun sets, join a thoughtful discussion about Cuba’s rich culture and history, followed by a welcoming dinner at one of Havana’s top Paladares.
The evening’s live music is selected from the confirmed calendar for your dates.
MEALS: Dinner
Day 2 — Records, rhythm and a Cuban lunch
After breakfast, the planned Guampara visit brings together a music-history and vinyl-listening session, a salsa or instrument lesson, and a home-prepared Afro-Caribbean-Cuban lunch. We confirm DJ Jigüe’s availability and the session arrangements for your dates.
Return to your accommodation for a break before an evening of art and music with your musician guide. Fábrica de Arte Cubano is considered only when its opening calendar fits; the final itinerary identifies the venue and return transport.
Sample meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Your proposal confirms the included meals.
Day 3
After a good breakfast at the Casa/Villa, we’ll kick off the day with a relaxed drive through Havana. This will allow you to see the city’s key spots and get a feel for its unique character before we start exploring on foot.
Next, we’ll head into Old Havana for a guided walk. You’ll wander through streets filled with history, stopping by local craft shops, art galleries, and cigar stores. It’s a chance to really connect with the city, taking in the details that make it special.
We’ll break for lunch in the middle of Old Havana, enjoying some local dishes that reflect the area’s flavors.
In the afternoon, we’ll return to the Villa. Whether you want to take a dip or just relax, the rest of the day is yours to unwind at your own pace.
For dinner, the choice is yours—whether you’re in the mood for an adventurous, romantic, or family-oriented meal, we’ll provide recommendations to suit your taste.
If a festival edition coincides with your dates, the proposal can include available talks, exhibitions or performances. Otherwise, we discuss music options from Havana’s current calendar.
MEALS: Breakfast and lunch; dinner at your own expense
Day 4 — Music interests and a farewell dinner
After breakfast, the daytime program is developed around your group’s interests and the activities available for your dates. If a Havana RPM edition is confirmed, selected afternoon talks, exhibitions or performances can be included in the proposal.
Gather for a farewell dinner before any evening music specified in the final schedule. Festival attendance and the daytime program must be confirmed before booking.
Sample meals: Breakfast and dinner. Your proposal confirms the included meals.
Day 5
Breakfast at your private casa/villa
With memories to cherish, catch your flight home – and remember, Havana is always here to welcome you back!
MEALS: Breakfast
Important info about this itinerary
*Flights arriving on Day 1 of the itinerary must arrive between 11am-1pm EST to have included transportation. You can contact us and arrive early with some add-on packages we can create for your group. It is better to arrive earlier than later, as our tour starts around 4 pm on the first tour day. We can arrange private airport transport at any time. 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.
*All music entries and reservations reflected in the itinerary are also included.
*This is just a sample itinerary; you will receive a detailed itinerary with confirmed events closer to your trip departure. We try to have a preliminary itinerary a few weeks before, but the final music schedule will not be until a few days before your trip. We use all of our musical knowledge as professional musicians and musicologists to curate the best music during the tour.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Your tour includes the following:
- Accommodations: Stay in a comfortable privately owned Casa Particular or group villa in Havana, with the specific property reviewed against current U.S. accommodation restrictions before booking.
- Bilingual Musician Tour Guides: Receive guidance and insights from bilingual musician tour guides, enhancing your cultural exploration.
- Support for the Cuban People’s Interactions: Engage in meaningful interactions with the locals, supporting the Cuban people and gaining a deeper understanding of their lives.
- Festival access: Only the events expressly confirmed in your proposal are included, subject to a scheduled festival edition and availability.
- Access to Premier Music Events: Experience the best music events happening in Cuba, including exclusive performances and festivals.
- Detailed Itinerary: Follow a well-planned itinerary, ensuring you make the most of each day’s activities and experiences.
- Daily Cuban Breakfast: Start each day with an excellent Cuban breakfast, savoring local flavors and dishes.
- Dinners and Lunch: Enjoy dinner every night (except for one night at your leisure) and two lunches/brunch at some of Havana’s top Paladares, including homemade authentic Cuban meal.
- Entry and Reservations: You can gain entry and reservations to each scheduled event, museum, cultural site, and more.
- Music history and vinyl record listening session with DJ Jigüe in central Havana.
- Salsa Dance or Music Lesson: Participate in a salsa dance or music lesson and dive into Cuba’s vibrant artistic heritage.
- Airport Transportation: Enjoy hassle-free arrival and departure with airport transport to and from José Martí International Airport in Havana.
- Event Transportation: Receive transportation to all scheduled events, allowing you to travel comfortably and conveniently.
- Flight Concierge: While flights are not included, receive assistance in booking the best available flight options.
- Matanzas extension: A separate extension can be discussed during planning; it is not part of this five-day Havana sample.
- Restaurant Reservations and Recommendations: Enjoy curated restaurant reservations and recommendations, savoring the best of Cuban cuisine.
- U.S. Cuba travel compliance: For U.S. travelers, we design the itinerary around the applicable OFAC authorization, commonly Support for the Cuban People (31 CFR § 515.574) when the planned activities satisfy its requirements. A general license is a regulatory authorization, not a document issued by Havana Music Tours.
Cuban eVisa: Cuba now uses an electronic visa linked to your passport. It should be obtained online in advance before departure. Visa procedures and fees can change, and Cuban-born travelers may have additional passport or entry requirements. We provide current instructions before travel; contact us if you were born in Cuba or have questions.
YOUR STAY IN HAVANA
Private Casa Particular or Group Villa
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
What do you look forward to during this Havana Music Tour?
Live music: Performances are selected from the confirmed music calendar for your dates; named past artists are not a guaranteed future lineup.
Bilingual Musicians Tour Guide: Benefit from the insights of bilingual musicians. Tour guides from both Cuba and the U.S. offer a tour crafted by musicians for music lovers.
Real Interactions: Engage in genuine interactions with the Cuban people and professional musicians, fostering a deeper understanding of the local culture and music scene.
Dance or Music Lessons: Participate in dance or music lessons with excellent artists and instructors, immersing yourself in Cuba’s rhythmic traditions.
Music history and vinyl record listening session with DJ Jigüe in central Havana.
Authentic Experiences: Enjoy authentic music and cultural experiences almost every day of your tour, exploring Havana’s colorful streets, historic landmarks, and vibrant atmosphere.
Fresh Breakfast and Café Cubano: Start each morning with a fresh breakfast and authentic Café Cubano in a luxurious villa, sharing delightful moments with fellow traveler friends.
In-Depth Tour of Havana: Embark on the most interactive and in-depth tour of Havana in one weekend, uncovering the city’s unique charm and hidden gems.
Free Time to Explore: Enjoy some free time to shop, explore, or simply relax, making the most of your adventure in Havana.
Farewell Dinner: Gather for a farewell dinner at a renowned Paladar, celebrating the flavors of Cuban cuisine and reflecting on the unforgettable memories made.
+ Havana RPM Music Festival: Participate in the diverse activities of the Havana RPM Music Festival, including conferences, exhibitions, fairs, and DJ shows.
UPCOMING CUBA TOURS
HAVANA SALSA FESTIVAL — PRIVATE CUSTOM TOUR
Private dates by request
PRIVATE MUSIC TOUR OF CUBA — CUSTOM TOUR
Private dates by request
We spent six days in Cuba on a private tour with Havana Music Tours. This is a great personalized tour, specializing in authentic, non-touristy music experiences. Chaz Chambers, the owner, did a great job of putting together our itinerary, informing us what to expect and providing a wealth of information to prepare us for our trip. Read TripAdvisor review
Barry & Rena · Private Cuba Tour, March 2024 · TripAdvisor
My wife and I went on the Jazz Plaza 2024 tour. Really excellent. Chaz and Yami have put together a great team of Cuban guides and facilitators: Rocio, Ismelys… were all wonderful. They go out of their way to personalize the experience and provide any support that is needed. Jazz Plaza is an incredible experience, and Havana Music Tours did a great job curating the adventure. Read TripAdvisor review
Mark & Patty · Havana Jazz Plaza Festival Tour, January 2024 · TripAdvisor
Absolutely fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime custom-built musical and cultural tour around Havana! Chaz and Yami took all of our requests and constraints into consideration while planning and customizing our tour, which included mouth-watering dining in paladares, musical experiences & concerts, and walking & driving city tours. Read TripAdvisor review
Javier · Private Cuba Tour, July 2023 · TripAdvisor
First off, It’s very easy to recommend any tour with Chaz and Yami. Period. Honestly, I was a little skeptical about so many glowing TripAdvisor reviews. Here comes another glowing review, haha. I can say easily, without hyperbole, that the experience with Havana Music Tours was life-changing! The trip exceeded expectations. Read TripAdvisor review
Stefan · Havana Salsa Festival Tour, February 2023 · TripAdvisor