Cuba Educational Tour: Music, Dance & Culture

Havana, Matanzas, and Varadero – A Cuba Educational & People to People Trip Based on Learning and Immersion

7 days/6 nights
Your Group Your Dates

cuba educational tour

Our Music and Culture – Cuba Educational Tour is based on our belief in immersion as a primary education tool. Whether your goal is learning to speak Spanish, playing an instrument, or even dancing “Casino de Salsa.” Our hybrid Cuba Educational Travel is the perfect opportunity to dig a little deeper into Cuba and its diversity. The music in Cuba is complex and features many unique rhythms.

This Cuba Educational Tour is for those who really want to learn more and get connected to this Caribbean Island and its excellent music scene. It can take many years to perfect a musical instrument, a genre, a dance, or even a language. This Cuba educational tour is a great first step to opening the door to more music opportunities.

Cuba is at the center of Latin and Caribbean music. Historically speaking, almost every music style in the Americas has its roots there. The Cuban fusion that happened between Africa, Spain, France, and indigenous peoples throughout the island is essential in connecting modern genres. New Orleans may not have had the same “Jazz” or “Blues” without the musical interchange between Cuba in the pre-revolutionary times.

The Island is known for its upbeat and syncopated rhythms. It is almost like every Cuban musician is a percussionist. (Well, maybe they are!) This is some of the educational content we will explore and learn during our Cuba Educational Travel.

Each day on this Cuba Educational Tour is filled with music and cultural education. We will have a diverse combination of daily workshops, classes, experiences, good Cuban food, and late-night music/dancing. Daily classes by Cuban musicians, musicologists, and dance pros.ย  We will learn the various styles and instruments in Cuban music. We will learn the various dances found in Cuba styles like Casino de Salsa and Rumba.

The tour participants will be able to select specific courses and instrument lessons. We will all stay in a largeย private villa/BnB with private rooms and bathrooms. We will eat freshly prepared and home-cooked meals in our home in a Cuban family style. We will still have the opportunity to go out to a couple of famous restaurants in Havana.

Although this tour is not yet accredited for colleges and universities. We are offering a 10% discount for any active students that want to attend this special educational tour.ย 

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What to look forward to during this Cuba Educational Travel?

Individualized Educational Courses and Studiesย in Havana, Cuba.

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

Music Education with Cuba’s Best Musicians.

Dance or music lessons.

Authentic music and cultural experiences almost every day of your tour.

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

Dine in a Cuban Family style.ย 

Free time to shop and explore.

You can choose to have your 2-hour specific course based on any of the following subjects:

  • General Cuban Music history and theory with professional Cuban musicians and musicologists graduated from Universidad de las Artes de Cuba.ย 
  • Percussion by drummers graduated from Universidad de las Artes de Cuba.ย 
  • Piano by classical or traditional Cuban music piano players graduated from prestigious music schools in Cuba.ย 
  • Vocals by professional singers and choir directors graduated from Universidad de las Artes de Cuba
  • Guitars (Bass, Electric, Tres, Acoustic, Classical, etc) by professional musicians who graduated from prestigious music schools in Cuba.ย 
  • Horns (Trumpet, Trombone, etc) by musicians who graduated from prestigious music schools in Cuba.ย 
  • Dance (Casino, Rumba, etc) by dancers who graduated from dance schools in Cuba.
  • Spanish by instructors graduated from Universidad de la Havana, Cuba.

Your Group Your Dates

  • Casa Particular (Group Villa up to 12 people): $2,495 per person
  • 10% off with active student ID: $2,245 per person

Pricing and Payments:

Prices are per person and vary based on your selection of a Group Casa, Private Casa, Hotel, etc. Each tour has its own options for accommodations listed on the webpage. Some tours are only Casas, and some could be only a Hotel. All options have a private room and private bathroom.

To reserve your spot, we require a $500 USD deposit (50% of the total price for private tours.) Final payments are due around 60 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 that travel with us, and everyone has a blast. If you have any special requests, please let us know. We will work with you to make sure you have the perfect space and feel comfortable during your stay.

If our dates do not work for you, keep in mind that we also do personalized tours with custom dates and group sizes. More infoย here.

Your Cuba Educational Tour includes the following:

  • Casa Particular: Group Villa/BnB
  • Bilingual Musician and Musicologist Tour Leaders
  • Daily Cuban music, culture, and dance workshops (Intro to Cuban music, Rhythms, Spanish, Cuban phrases)
  • 2 hours per day of specific music or dance classes (For example, Percussion or Guitar classes, or Casino de Salsa Dance instruction)
  • Support of the Cuban people and personalized interactions
  • Detailed Itinerary
  • The Best Music Events Happening in Cuba
  • An excellent Cuban breakfast every day (Cafe Cubano, eggs, fruits, and more)
  • Home-Cooked Dinner or restaurant every night except for one night at your leisure
  • Lunch every day and for the Matanzas Trip. (Except for the last free day)
  • Entry and reservation into each scheduled music event, etc
  • One Casino de Salsa dance lesson for everyone (Many more if your goal is to study dance)
  • Day tours: walking tours, music history, Cuban history and culture
  • Transportation and day tour to Matanzas and Varadero
  • Immersive Rumba Music Experience with Grammy-nominated Los Muรฑequitos de Matanzas
  • Free time to explore
  • Nightly music tours with pro musicians and musicologists
  • Airport transport to and from Josรฉ Martรญ international airport in Havana
  • Transportation to all scheduled events.
  • Flight concierge (flights are not included, but we help you book the best one).
  • Restaurant reservations and recommendations.
  • O.F.A.C. General Travel License (U.S. Citizens)

Cuban Visasย are to be purchased at your last airport before departing to Cuba. They are typically around $50-100. If you were born in Cuba, please contact us as you may have different Cuban visa requirements.

Day 1 (Sunday)

  • Arrival and Transportation to your Casa.
  • Group Lunch and Afternoon Exploration. (Quick Cuba Orientation)
  • Walking Tour around Havana.
  • Free Time
  • Welcoming Dinner and Party: Meet and Greet with Cuban musicians, maybe even a jam…

Day 2 (Monday)

  • Fresh Cuban Breakfast with the group
  • Introduction to Cuban Music Workshop
  • Beginner Casino de Salsa Dance Lesson
  • Lunch
  • 2 Hours of Specific Music Instrument or Dance Classes
  • Free time
  • Dinner in Villa/Casa
  • Late-Night Music (Timba/Salsa style at a place like Casa de La Musica Miramar)

Day 3 (Tuesday)

  • Fresh Cuban Breakfast with the group
  • Introduction to Cuban Son Music (Famous artists, variations, history, etc)
  • Introduction to Cuban Percussion (Group Class)
  • Lunch
  • 2 Hours of Specific Music Instrument or Dance Classes
  • Free Time
  • Dinner in Villa/Casa
  • Latin Jazz Session (Late night music at La Zorra y El Cuervo or Similar)

Day 4 (Wednesday)

  • Fresh Cuban Breakfast with the group
  • Introduction to Cuban Rumba Music (Famous artists, variations, history, etc)
  • 2 Hours of Specific Music Instrument or Dance Classes
  • Lunch
  • Free Time
  • Dinner in Villa/Casa
  • Latin Jazz Session (Late night music at La Zorra y El Cuervo or Similar)

Day 5 (Thursday)

  • Fresh Cuban Breakfast with the group
  • Introduction to Cuban Rumba Music (Famous artists, variations, history, etc)
  • Optional Spanish Class (Beginner/Elemental Level)
  • Lunch
  • 2 Hours of Specific Music Instrument or Dance Classes
  • Free Time
  • Dinner in Villa/Casa
  • Late night music at a famous music club, if you so desire.

Day 6 (Friday)

  • Fresh Cuban Breakfast with the group
  • Day Trip to Matanazas and Varadero
  • Explanation and history of Rumba Music during transportation to Matanzas
  • Immersive Rumba Music Experience with Grammy Nominated Los Muรฑequitos de Matanzas
  • Lunch
  • Free time at the beach in Varadero (Maybe a beach jam?)
  • Transport back to Havana
  • Free time
  • Dinner on your own
  • Modern music and art tour at a famous music place like โ€œFabrica de Arte Cubano.โ€

Day 7 (Saturday)

  • Fresh Cuban Breakfast with the group
  • Free time
  • Lunch on Your Own
  • Group Dinner at a Famous Paladar in Havana
  • Final Rooftop Party (Weather permitting), with a jam and cocktails!

Day 8 (Sunday)

  • Fresh Cuban Breakfast with the group
  • Transportation to Airport

(All breakfast and lunches and dinners mentioned above are included.)

This is a sample itinerary, actual music events may vary based on the best available performances the week of your tour…