For lovers of Latin jazz, Afro-Cuban rumba, and fusion sounds, this 2026 tour joins Havanaโs own celebration of International Jazz Day, a worldwide moment of rhythm and exchange.
April 29th – May 4th, 2026
For six days, we want to show you the music of Havana as we experience it ourselves. We are working musicians here, and our plan is to take you where we go to listen, learn, and play.
Youโll spend evenings in the cityโs best clubs for contemporary Cuban jazz. The specific venues change nightly based on who is playing. We follow the scene closely to find the most interesting performances, whether itโs a tight quartet experimenting with new harmonies or a big band testing out material.
This 2026 edition also coincides with International Jazz Day on April 30 โ a UNESCO-recognized global celebration of jazz and cultural exchange. In Havana, the date brings special concerts, collaborations, and tributes across the city. Weโll build that night around an intimate performance or jam session that captures the spirit of the day: musicians from different generations and styles coming together to share the language of jazz.
To properly understand rumba, we will travel outside Havana to the city of Matanzas. It is a place deeply connected to the musicโs history. There, we will arrange a private session with members of Los Muรฑequitos de Matanzas. They are a legendary, multi-generational group and Grammy award winners. Engaging with them directly in their home city provides a rare look into the traditions of the form.
We also set aside an afternoon for a private listening session in a recording studio. The acoustics are precise. You can sit with the band and hear the articulation of every instrument without amplification. Itโs a unique way to study arrangements and the interplay between musicians.
Guided by Peers: Your guides are professional musicians active in the local scene. We can help you analyze the music youโre hearing, introduce you to other players, and give you a practical context for everything you see and hear.
A Handpicked Itinerary: We build the schedule each day around the cityโs live music calendar, with special attention to International Jazz Day 2026, when Havana becomes part of the worldwide celebration of jazz. We go where the most compelling music is happening, from our preferred spots in Havana to a dedicated exchange in Matanzas.
Practical Learning: The format is interactive. You can ask a bandleader about their writing process or have a percussionist from Los Muรฑequitos de Matanzas break down a specific tumbao pattern for you. The goal is for you to leave with a much deeper musical understanding.
Straightforward U.S. Travel: We manage all the logistics for American travelers. The tour is structured under a general license from OFAC, and we provide the compliant full-time itinerary and necessary affidavit. You can focus on the trip itself without concern for the paperwork.
Small Group Tours Up to 12 People
6 Days / 5 Nights
Havana & Matanzas City
Detailed Itinerary (Compliant for OFAC general license Educational Activities: Group People to People โ US Travelers)
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.ย 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.ย
Pricing and Payments
Prices are per person and vary depending on whether you select a Group Casa, Private Casa, Hotel, etc. Each tour has its own accommodation options listed on the webpage. Some tours are only Casas, and some could be only hotels. All options have a private room and private bathroom.
To reserve your spot, we require a $1000 USD non-refundable deposit (50% of the total price for private tours). Final payments are due around 90 days before tour departure. We have some options for multiple payment plans if needed. Just contact us and let us know.
The prices on our website are all in US Dollars and based on an ACH/Wire bank transfer from our 3rd party merchant or directly from your own bank. If you wish to use a credit or debit card, a 3.5% fee will be added. We do not accept cash or checks.
We have plenty of individuals, couples, groups, and families who travel with us, and everyone has a blast. If you have any special requests, please let us know. We will work with you to ensure you have the perfect space and feel comfortable during your stay.
If our dates do not work for you, remember that we also offer personalized tours with custom dates and group sizes. More info here.
International flights, Cuban visa, travel insurance, tips, personal purchases, and additional meals or activities during free time.
Cuban Visas are to be purchased online in advance 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.
Jazz nights in Havana, chosen by our musicianโguides, venues vary by schedule.
AfroโCuban culture & rumba context in Cayo Hueso with an art stop at Callejรณn de Hamel.
Live Music Studio Experience, top-notch Cuban musicians’ performance, and artist Q&A.
Day trip to Matanzas, often called the cradle of rumba, with a folkloric workshop or performance, subject to availability. (Past HMT programs have featured Los Muรฑequitos de Matanzas.)
Great meals included where it counts: welcome dinner, a second hosted dinner, and a farewell dinner with music.
Historic City Driving/Walking Tour of Havana (Visit Fusterlandia, Revolution Square, El Morro Castle, etc.)
How much live music will we see?
Every night includes curated shows chosen that week by our musicianโguides, except the night of the Matanzas Day Tour. The exact venues vary by schedule and availability.
Is this legal for U.S. travelers?
Yes. We operate within OFAC guidelines, and you receive an affidavit plus a compliant, fullโtime itinerary.
Where do we go for the AfroโCuban culture piece?
We explore Afro-Cuban culture in different places, but specifically at Cayo Hueso and Callejรณn de Hamel, guided by a local specialist with our team.
What is the studio experience like?
A private session in Old Havana where you listen on headphones in a controlled setting, meet the musicians, and later receive a digital mix depending on availability.
Who might we meet in Matanzas?
Programs commonly feature top folkloric rumba ensembles. Past HMT tours have worked with Los Muรฑequitos de Matanzas, subject to availability.
What is the group size?
Small group, up to 12 guests.
What meals are included on this tour?
Breakfast is included daily. We host a welcome dinner on Day 1, group lunch and dinner on Day 2, and a farewell dinner with live music on Day 5. A light lunch is provided during the studio session on Day 3, and lunch is included on the Matanzas day (Day 4). Final inclusions are confirmed in your preโdeparture packet.
I am not a musician. Is this tour still a good fit?
Yes. The tour is designed for music lovers of any background. You will learn context in plain language, meet artists, and enjoy curated shows without needing prior musical training.
Can I bring instruments or gear to donate?
Yes, with planning. We can connect you with appropriate partners and suggest items that are helpful and practical to transport. Please coordinate with us in advance so we can advise on current guidelines and logistics.
What is International Jazz Day, and how will we participate?
International Jazz Day is a UNESCO-designated day (April 30) celebrated globally to highlight jazz and its cultural role. Hancock Institute of Jazz+1 During our Cuba tour, weโll coordinate visits to concerts, jam sessions, workshops, or local tributes happening in Havana on that date. Youโll get a deeper view of how jazz lives in Cuban culture, connected to a wider international musical dialogue.
Is any part of the tour restricted or changed because of Jazz Day events?
We may adjust evening venues or start times to align with festival-type concerts or local programming. But we will always communicate changes in advance and make sure your experience is smooth.
11am-4pm (EST) Mon-Thurs.
Info@HavanaMusicTours.com
Havana Music Tours is a trade name of Musical Getaways LLC and are both based in Arvada, Colorado, 80002, United States of America.
