VIP Jazz Plaza Festival Tour in Havana, Cuba
January 21st-29th, 2024
Optional Trinidad/Cienfuegos Add-On January 29th-February 3rd, 2024
The best and most unique Cuba Tour for musicians and music lovers.
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 2024 – 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)
- Cuban music history introduction
- Local private farm tour and lunch
- Festival gift pack of souvenirs: (Like Passes, Poster, Shirt, etc)
- A bilingual musician tour leaders
- Support for the Cuban people, local musicians, and small businesses
- Detailed Itinerary that is US Traveler and OFAC compliant
- Breakfast everyday
- 7 Dinners total, dinners almost every night at a top-rated Paladar (except for two nights at your leisure)
- 4 lunches total, one on the first day, two others during day tours, and another 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
- 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 Highlights
- Primary access/tickets and reservations to music events during Jazz Plaza 2024
- Eat a fresh breakfast in a luxurious villa with an authentic Café Cubano each morning.
- Taste of the best Paladares around Havana, Cuba (Private restaurants)
- Included dance lessons.
- Bilingual musician tour guide from the U.S.
- Real interactions with the Cuban people and professional musicians.
- Time off to shop and explore.
January 21st-29th, 2024 (9 days/8 nights) – EARLY BIRD PRICING UNTIL JUNE 15th, 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
- Deluxe Ocean View Hotel Room – $5,750 per person
- Club Ocean Hotel Room – $7,465 per person
- Junior Suite Hotel Room (Very Limited Availability) – $9,685 per person
- Aston Suite Hotel Room (Very Limited Availability) – $10,855 per person
Trinidad/Cienfuegos Add-On (Jan 29th-Feb 3rd, 2024 -6 days/5 nights)
- Casa/Villa only + $1,495
Hotels:
Havana: Grand Aston Hotel
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
- Arrival in Havana and included transportation to your Casa/Villa or Hotel (Included transport for flights between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm.
- Check-in to Casa/Villa or Hotel
- Lunch (Group meeting/quick orientation)
- Driving tour around Havana in a vintage convertible taxi – visit Plaza de la Revolucion and more
- Welcoming dinner and private party with our own Latin jazz band!
- Evening Jazz Festival events
Day 2
- A wonderful Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa or hotel. (Eggs, meats, bread, freshly squeezed juices, coffees, teas. We have Vegan and Vegetarian options as well)
- Tour of Habana Vieja (Old Havana) – Walk the 4 historical plazas and learn about Cuban history in the old town.
- Visit local craft shops, and art stores, talk with locals, and learn about Cuban culture
- Lunch is included at La Vitrola – Live traditional Cuban music too!
- Back to the Casa or Hotel to rest before dinner
- Group dinner at another fine Paladar in Havana (Atelier)
- Jazz Plaza Music Events (Concerts mostly at the National Theater or another theater/music clubs)
- Optional Late night music
Day 3
- A wonderful Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa or hotel
- Visit a local music school conservatory and donate musical gear while hearing a live performance and learning about Cuban education.
- Visit Fusterlandia – a unique ceramic art pueblo designed by artist Jose Fuster
- Transportation back to the Casa or Hotel
- Dinner at a famous Paladar
- Jazz Plaza Music Events
- Optional late-night Latin jazz music at La Casa de Cultura
Day 4
- A wonderful Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa or hotel
- Unique studio listening experience with excellent Cuban jazz musicians
- Dinner on your own (This is the night to have a romantic dinner for couples or as a family)
- Jazz Plaza Music Events
- 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 or hotel
- Private Afro-Cuban Religion Tour in Callejon de Hamel and the Cayo Hueso neighborhood in Centro Havana – Learn why religion in Cuba is important for Cuban music history
- Head back to the casa/villa or hotel to relax or explore Old Havana (Optional included transport drop off in Old Havana)
- Jazz Plaza Music Events
- VIP dinner (La Tierra), music, and 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 6
- A wonderful Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa or hotel
- Cuban Music history introduction
- Dance or music lessons with local musicians and dancers
- Authentic home-prepared lunch. La Comida Criolla!
- Free time to explore at your leisure or return to casa or hotel
- Dinner on your own
- Jazz Plaza Music Events
Day 7
- A wonderful Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa or hotel
- Free day (optional day tours to Viñales or Matanzas – As us about it!)
- Optional Jazz Plaza music events
Day 8
- A wonderful Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa or hotel
- Local farm tour of Finca Tungasuk with organic farm-to-table lunch included.
- Free time to explore Havana
- Final group dinner at a famous Paladar
- Final Jazz Plaza Events for the evening!
Day 9
- A wonderful Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa or hotel
- Havana Jazz Festival reflection and goodbyes.
- 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 11:30 am-12:30 pm EST to have included transportation. You are free to contact us and arrive early with some add-on packages we can create for your group. 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 are also included with your VIP festival pass.
*This is just a sample itinerary, you will receive a detailed itinerary with confirmed events closer to your trip departure. Keep in mind that the festival does not provide the final program until about 1 week before the first performance. So we try to have a preliminary itinerary a couple of 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 tour for the Havana Jazz Plaza Festival
Payments, Pricing, and Accommodations:
We will reach out to you to confirm your accommodations based on each tour option.
The above price is in US Dollars and based on an ACH bank transfer from our 3rd party merchant. If you wish to use a credit or debit card, a 2% fee will be added. We do not accept cash or checks.
Our travelers typically include both people traveling together and individual travelers. 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.
A $300 PER PERSON DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED TO RESERVE YOUR BOOKING. YOUR FULL INVOICE WILL BE SENT AFTER YOUR DEPOSIT AND BOOKING ARE CONFIRMED.
Read and sign full terms, conditions, and waivers here.
Contact us
[email protected]
John S. –
“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 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 . . . ?” – From TripAdvisor
Carmela –
“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 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.” – From TripAdvisor
Susan –
An in depth Cuban musical experience with fun and experienced guides
Traveling during a pandemic is not for the faint of heart, but Chaz and crew made us feel totally safe and cared for throughout our trip for the Havana JazzPlaza. Our family of four, including 2 young adults, all enjoyed it very much. We had a real opportunity to not only listen to but also interact with Cuban jazz musicians as well as to learn about Cuban Art and Culture.
Favorite experiences included a walking tour focused on Afro-Cuban religions with outstanding local guide Elias, trip to a local musical conservatory to see and hear the talented next-generation, and the fabulous paladars and local restaurants.
The Cuban People are currently undergoing severe economic hardship, and it is always important to be flexible as a traveler to minor inconveniences (occasional power outages, unavailable menu items). Chaz and the other guides Yami, Zach, Miguel, Ernesto and Alejandro, always made sure we were well taken care of, including arranging car pick-up when we wanted to eat out or visit a place independently. Their intimate knowledge of the Cuban people and the logistics of how to negotiate the trip in the midst of a pandemic were very appreciated.
If you want to experience Cuban music, culture, art, and food, we highly recommend Havana Music Tours
-Susan (TripAdvisor Review)
S. Badder –
Havana Music Tours – Jazz Festival, 2022
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 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.