Varadero Josone Music Festival & Cultural Tour
August 16th-22nd 2022
Havana, Matanzas, and Varadero, Cuba
Tour and Festival Overview
Varadero Josone Music Festival: “Rumba, Jazz, Son” is a newer festival near the best beach in Cuba at Josone Park in Varadero, Cuba. The festival features some of the greatest and most famous Cuban performers, previously including artists such as Alexander Abreu y Havana D’ Primera, Isaac Delgado y su Orchesta, Alain Pérez y La Orchestra, Formell y Los Van Van, Yoruba Andabo, Eme Alfonso, and many more!
Our tour starts in Havana exploring the music scene, culture, food, and experience. Originally prepared Cuban breakfasts each day and famous private restaurants (called Paladares) in the evenings. We will eat at fine restaurants like El Del Frente, Atelier, and Café Laurent. After a couple of days in Havana, we will make our way only a couple of hours east to the stunning beach town of Varadero, Cuba.
“Rumba, Jazz, Son” is the international music event that Cuba deserves. The undisputed quality of jazz, made in Cuba, determines that the Island is one of the strongest places in both interpreters and audiences for the genre. The son, the rumba, the salsa, the timba, the Cuban music in general, are part of the imaginary about Cubanness. “Rumba, Jazz & Son” invites you to enjoy the sound of the Greater Antilles plagued with fusions and musical mixtures from all corners of the world, in an ideal location for the expansion of the sounds that vertebrate Cuban music.”
What’s Included?
- -Accommodations: Casa Particular – Group Luxury Villa, or Private Luxury Casa (Bed and Breakfast style)
- -VIP Entry into Varadero Josone Music Festival 2022
- -Bilingual musician tour guide from the U.S.
- -Support of the Cuban people
- -Detailed Itinerary (Culture, Music, Art, Food, Education, Free time, Beach time, etc)
- -Breakfast every day
- -5 dinners (one on your own) – The finest paladares in Cuba! (El Del Frente, Atelier, Cafe Laurent, and more)
- -3 lunches
- -Interactions with professional musicians and Cuban artists.
- -Walking tour of Old Havana
- -Vintage car tour of Havana
- -Entry to live music events in Havana
- -Rumba experience in Matanzas
- -Airport transport to and from Havana Airport. *For Canadians and others, You can potentially book a flight directly from Varadero. Contact us and we can help you make the best arrangements.
- -Private transportation to all scheduled events.
- -Flight concierge (flights are not included, but we can help you book the best one).
- -Restaurant reservations and recommendations.
- -O.F.A.C. General Travel License. (U.S. Citizens)
Cuban Visas 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.
Sample Itinerary
DAY 1 (HAVANA)
- Airport arrival in Havana
- Lunch or Brunch (Orientation during lunch)
- Check in to Casa/Villa/Hotel
- Relax or explore near your Casa with your guide
- Welcoming Dinner at one of the best Paladars in Havana
- Sunset, introduction to a ritual, cultural discussion
- The best late-night music event in the city(Places like FAC: Fabrica de Arte Cubano, La Zorra y El Cuervo, Jazz Cafe and more)
DAY 2 (HAVANA)
- Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa or hotel
- Vintage car tour of Havana
- Walking tour of Old Havana (History, Art, and more)
- Free time to visit craft shops, art stores, etc.
- Back to the casa or hotel to rest before dinner and music
- Group dinner at another fine Paladar in Havana
- The best late-night music event in the city(Places like FAC: Fabrica de Arte Cubano, La Zorra y El Cuervo, Jazz Cafe and more)
DAY 3 (TRAVEL TO VARADERO)
- Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa or hotel
- Early travel to Varadero, Cuba (Private car or Van)
- Lunch included
- Musicology workshop about Cuban music and history.
- Dinner with the group.
- The first night of the Josone Music Festival – Transportation is included from Dinner to the Festival, but you will need a taxi home. Everything is very close to the hotels and there are always official taxis outside the festival waiting.
DAY 4 (VARADERO, MATANZAS)
- Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa or hotel
- Day trip to Matanzas
- Authentic Rumba experience
- Lunch in Matanzas at a famous Paladar
- Return to Hotel or Casa/Villa
- Dinner with the group
- The second night of the Josone Music Festival – (Transportation is included from Dinner to the Festival. You will need a taxi home. Everything is very close to the hotels and there are always official taxis outside the festival waiting. We will help with everything, as you need.)
DAY 5 (VARADERO – FREE DAY)
- Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa or hotel
- Free time to explore Varadero or relax
- Dinner on your own
- The third night of the Josone Music Festival – Transportation is on your own this night.
DAY 6 (VARADERO – PARTIAL FREE DAY)
- Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa or hotel
- Free morning and afternoon to explore Varadero or relax
- Final group dinner… Cheers!
- Last night of Josone Music Festival
DAY 7 (VARADERO)
- Breakfast at the casa/villa or hotel
- Transportation to Airport in Varadero or Havana.
(*US Citizens/residents must arrive and leave from the Havana Airport Jose Martí. Canadians and others can fly home directly from Varadero. In either case, we include your transportation to the airport.)
Pricing
August 16th-22nd, 2022
Group Luxury Villa – $2,795 per person
Private Luxury Villa – $3,565 per person
If our dates do not work for you, keep in mind that we also do personalized tours with custom dates and group sizes. Contact us directly for assistance.
Contact us
[email protected]
Nancy P. –
“Read all the reviews on this Tripadvisor site, then add our names to the list of enthusiasts! The praise for Chaz and his Havana Music Tours is well deserved. Chaz knows his music, he knows Cuba and he knows how to put travelers at ease. For us, it began ahead of the trip as Chaz worked with us to tailor it to our needs. With his good suggestions, it included fabulous late-night jazz fusion, personal salsa instruction, sitting in on a rehearsal of a world-famous Rumba group, beach time and — bonus– a Cuban wedding. In addition we visited all the colorful, iconic Havana sites — in vintage cars, of course. We saw the old city, the Cuban Art Museum, El Morro fortress, the markets, the residential neighborhoods and more. We enjoyed experiences with Chaz we might never have found on our own. After 5 days, we felt like Chaz and his crew — special shout out to Rocia and Miguel — were family. They proved that in Cuba, warmth is more than the weather. Read no further — just sign up for a tour with Havana Music Tours now.” – From TripAdvisor
Suzanne S. –
My husband and I just returned from an absolutely amazing 4-day custom tour with Havana Music Tours. Chaz and his fiancée were the epitome of professionalism and warmth. They paid attention to every detail and introduced us to local partners who equaled them in every way. Though HMT we were offered unparalleled glimpses into Cuban life, history, music, and culture.
“We are very well traveled and generally do everything on our own. While choosing Cuba as a destination, however, and not speaking Spanish, we felt it would be best if we had a tour. We couldn’t be happier with our decision as it surpassed our expectations. We experienced the hippest restaurants and concerts, mingled with musicians, and took salsa lessons with a pro.
In all, it was an experience we could never have had without Havana Music Tours. We hope to book again with a group of friends!” – From TripAdvisor
Alex K –
“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, 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…” – From TripAdvisor