Reviews and Testimonials
We booked a 5-night tour with Chaz and Havana Music Tours this past summer – and it was amazing. Among the many reasons to visit Cuba, and Havana in particular,... read more is the music. I’m no musician, but I know what I like, and I love the Cuban sounds, from son to salsa to Rumba, afro-jazz and more. Chaz, who is a professional musician besides a tour operator, knows all these and more. Finding the great music spots in Havana on your own is challenging. If you don’t know the music scene its likely that you’ll miss the best choices and wind up in a few overpriced tourist shows – not bad, but not the real thing. Going music-bar hopping with Chaz and Yamilka was like hanging out with knowledgeable friends for a few nights of music and great fun. Chaz took care of all the details – hotels, restaurants, classic cars – and all on our schedule. We had a really wonderful, hassle-free, music-rich and thoroughly delightful time, and made new friends of Chaz and Yamilka in the bargain. Grab the opportunity. Call Chaz and go

August 1, 2019
This tour started out with a bang when we were greeted at the airport by the tour leader, Cuban interpreter and our own private taxi in his 1955 Chevy,... read more turquoise and white with red leather interior. We had asked for a vintage car ride thinking...More


March 30, 2018
Two things: 1) Go to Cuba while you can and 2) Go with Havana Music Tours. You'll have a wonderful time with Chaz (and Cuban crew) who is hooked into... read more the best of Havana--the best accommodations, music, food and affinity for this fascinating place.


November 17, 2018
We booked a 6-day tour with Havana Music Tours to attend the Havana Jazz Festival in January 2020. The group went out to listen to music every evening and... read more sometimes pretty late into the night for the festival. Chaz's arrangements for transportation, seating, accommodations and meals were excellent. During the day we did several walking tours, went to a music conservatory where the students played for us, took a salsa ("casino") dance lesson and went to an organic farm where we had a delicious lunch. As a musician himself, Chaz was great in helping us understand more about the music and the Havana music scene, about which he is very knowledgeable. There were only 7 people and it was great to have a small flexible group. And Cuba is a fascinating place for many reasons. I didn't know what to expect, but this was a wonderful experience even more than I had anticipated and I recommend it highly. …

January 1, 2020
I had just returned from Cuba and the Havana Jazz Festival when the snows began. What better opportunity to reflect on a truly fabulous trip. Not only did Chaz and... read more Jami select an intriguing and diverse range of performances for us to attend, but we luxuriated in our classy casa particular and indulged in excellent meals in unique paladars, rooftops and restaurants. In between we were treated to numerous instances of Cuban positivity, resilience and creativity. Consider the mosaic wonder that is Fusterlandia; an exposition of Afro Cuban religions at the Callejón de Hamel; agriturismo at an ecological farm; and of course, wandering Vieja Habana and ducking waves on the Malecón. Perhaps, the highest peaks of these mountain top experiences, though, were the amazing, private concert by the HS jazz band of Conservatorio Amedeo Roldan and the morning spent in a recording studio with another group of musicians. Wow! No detail was left to chance, not transportation, umbrellas, nor even the red tape of travel in time of Covid. I cannot imagine a better way to travel. Pack now.

January 1, 2022
Our visit to the 2022 Havana Jazz Festival with Havana Music Tours was a wonderful experience. Tour director Chaz Chambers and his Cuban wife, Yamilka, looked after all arrangements in... read more a professional and proactive way. They curated an outstanding selection of concerts, informal performances, and visits to musical institutions. Before and after the festival, when no performances were scheduled, they arranged private performances by musicians of their acquaintance, for example an afternoon tour of the "Afro-Cuban Religious Experience" through shrines scattered around Central Havana and a visit to a recording studio to hear a local band rehearse.
Because US government rules do not allow Americans to stay in Cuban hotels, Chaz found housing for us in a series private homes, essentially BnBs, all of them clean and comfortable with ample breakfasts. Most of our other meals were included in the tour: they turned into festive occasions at some of Havana's best restaurants. We traveled around Havana and the nearby countryside in comfortable buses with tourism guides provided by a Cuban government agency.
Chaz and Yami also looked after airport arrivals and departures, Covid testing, money exchange, and record keeping for the US government. Almost everything went smoothly, and when inevitable problems arose (e.g. a delay in Covid testing at the airport), Chaz and Yamilka dealt with them quickly and successfully.
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.
We look forward to the next Havana Jazz Festival.

February 3, 2022
I took the music tour from December 15-22 and must say every day every minute of the day was filled with totally unique and mind blowing experiences. Chaz has... read more his finger on the pulse of any type of music that’s happening in Havana. Things came up spontaneously and he make sure we took advantage of those. He and his tour guides are so attentive and knowledgeable and caring! I’ve traveled all around the world, and this is the most memorable experience I’ve had.


January 7, 2023
Our 19 year old son went solo for a week with Havana Music Tours. It was an amazing experience for him. First, Chaz connected our son with drum lessons- and... read more he and the teacher really bonded. As well, Chaz's wife, Yami provided lot of musical and historical information that has brought on some great new thinking. Cuba is not an easy place to travel within, and this tour made it possible. They arranged events specifically for our sons interest, and also created a scenario where he could roam a bit on his own. He now wants to travel more, and return to Cuba. A rare and wonderful time was had.

August 15, 2022
I felt taken care of, totally, in all aspects of this tour (Jazz Plaza 2022). Chaz and Yami are wonderful "hosts". The evening jazz performances, incredible restaurants, salsa lessons, visit... read more to a music school, really nice accommodations and fantastic transportation.
A big shout out to the local tour guides. Would love to go again.!

January 27, 2022
Thanks to Chaz and his terrific team, the Havana Jazz Festival was a wonderful experience. The music happens in theaters and clubs all over the city, and... read more having attended 5 years ago on our own, we know how hard it is to navigate the experience. Havana Music Tours makes it easy. They know the music and the musicians, and we enjoyed great music everyday without any hassle. The accommodations were 1st class and the food was amazing. My wife and I could not have been happier with every aspect of the trip.

January 1, 2022
Not just hype, this is truly a transcendant experience. Havana is a city like no other, and this will give you a glimpse of it’s inner soul beneath the weathered... read more beauty. The local musical culture is, in its own unique way, as incredible and high level as New York City, but there is no way anyone would find half of this on their own without the expert guidance of Chaz Chambers, an accomplished professional drummer, who is an insider in this vibrant thriving scene, and friends with a number of the world class musicians who live and work there. I went to Havana with very high expectations, and these were totally exceeded.
And you will experience this in total comfort - even by American tourist standards— enjoying excellent accommodations and meals, while seeing many of the historical sites, the arts, attending a cuban style rooftop party, with Chaz and some of the very informative local guides he works with. A downside of being an American visiting Cuba is that you are pretty much required to sign up with some licensed sanctioned tour— something i was quite reluctant to do—but in this instance, it becomes an advantage— there is no tour like this one. Highly recommended.

January 7, 2019
We booked a 5-night tour with Chaz and Havana Music Tours this past summer – and it was amazing. Among the many reasons to visit Cuba, and Havana in particular,... read more is the music. I’m no musician, but I know what I like, and I love the Cuban sounds, from son to salsa to Rumba, afro-jazz and more. Chaz, who is a professional musician besides a tour operator, knows all these and more. Finding the great music spots in Havana on your own is challenging. If you don’t know the music scene its likely that you’ll miss the best choices and wind up in a few overpriced tourist shows – not bad, but not the real thing. Going music-bar hopping with Chaz and Yamilka was like hanging out with knowledgeable friends for a few nights of music and great fun. Chaz took care of all the details – hotels, restaurants, classic cars – and all on our schedule. We had a really wonderful, hassle-free, music-rich and thoroughly delightful time, and made new friends of Chaz and Yamilka in the bargain. Grab the opportunity. Call Chaz and go… …

November 1, 2019
A delightful, well paced trip. Lots of music at varying levels and venues, but well balanced with delicious meals and diverse cultural experiences. We were cared for by thoughtful... read more leadership and guides, all immersed in music themselves. I continue to learn more and more about the rich tapestry that is Cuba. GO!

January 1, 2022
We are so very glad we decided to go with Chaz on such an amazing adventure! My husband had been wanting to go to Cuba for as long as I... read more can remember. I was a bit nervous at first but Chaz made me feel very...More


May 1, 2018
My wife and I attended the 2020 Havana Jazz Festival with Chaz Chambers, who operates Havana Music Tours. It was a wonderful experience in every respect. Chaz made arrangements for... read more accommodations and meals, as well as a few touristic activities (walking tour of old Havana, visit to the music conservatory, etc). There were activities from midday until late at night, but tour participants could choose to come along, retreat to their hotel or pension, or set out on adventures of our own choosing. Chaz had anticipated just about every eventuality and all arrangements went off very smoothly. The tour included passes to hear music afternoons and evenings at a variety of venues in central Havana. Chaz, who himself is a professional drummer, curated the selection of concerts and provided transportation for our group of 7 to and from all the events. The performances, which included both Cuban and foreign musicians were all good and most were excellent. The musical level in Cuba is extraordinarily high. We hear some of these performers on tour in the US and on recordings. But to hear so many of them playing together in a single place in a single week is a privilege. At present it's much easier than most people imagine for Americans to visit Cuba. You can fly from several US cities to Havana, and you buy a visa at the airport. The US government places restrictions on where you can stay and what you can buy, but these restrictions are easy to work with. Best of all Havana Music Tours looked after all the paperwork, so we never had to give the matter a second thought. What are you waiting for . . . ? …

February 1, 2020
Best Tour Ever! - My wife and I recently spent 7 days in Havana Cuba with the Havana Music Tours. This tour has more than exceeded any and all of my expectations. From the... read more moment we first arrived, and each day following, we were treated to great food at some of Havana’s top restaurants. We toured some of of Cuba’s historical sites, and we were treated to some of the best live concerts from some of Cuba’s top Afro Cuban Jazz musicians. But, what made this trip very special for us was being immersed in the lives of the local people of Cuba. We arrived as strangers to this amazing island and left with new friends from the tour group and from the local people of Cuba. Thank you Havana Music Tours for an amazing experience. I look forward to other awesome adventures with this team.


February 3, 2023