Varadero Josone Music Festival — Private Custom Cuba Tour
Music & Cultural Cuba Tour – Havana, Matanzas, Varadero Private dates by request
Private/custom availability: We can build a private itinerary around this festival or music focus when dates and availability allow. If you prefer an open-signup 2027 small-group departure, see our Havana Jazz Festival Tour, Havana Music & Cultural Tour, or Cuban Jazz & Rumba Tour.
TOUR OVERVIEW
Use this route as a starting point for a private journey through Havana, Matanzas and Varadero, with Josone festival evenings when dates and availability allow. The daytime program, local partners, accommodation and transport still need to be developed for your group. Ask for a written proposal confirming the full program, included services and price before booking.
The Journey from Havana to Matanzas, Cuba
The sample route begins in Havana with cultural visits, live music and meals at privately owned restaurants, then continues through Matanzas to Varadero.
Next, prepare to be transported to the serene shores of Varadero. Known for its crystal-clear waters and soft sandy beaches, Varadero also boasts a lively music scene that’s the perfect setting for the festival. And so you know, Varadero Beach is considered one of the best beaches in the Caribbean and the world.
Varadero Josone Music Festival: Where Music and Culture Converge
Artists mentioned in earlier festival programs include Alain Pérez & La Orquesta, Haila María Mompié, and Alexander Abreu y Havana D’Primera. They are examples of past programming, not a confirmed lineup for a future tour.
The festival celebrates Cuban culture, highlighting genres from son and salsa to timba and beyond. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience Cuba’s rich musical heritage as traditional sounds blend seamlessly with global influences, creating a diverse and enriching musical landscape.
Group Size
Small Group Tours — Maximum 10 Guests
Tour Duration
Suggested route: 7 days / 6 nights. Final length confirmed in your private proposal.
Location
Havana, Matanzas & Varadero
For U.S. Travelers
The final itinerary must fit the authorization that applies to each traveler. A program using Support for the Cuban People (31 CFR § 515.574) requires a full-time schedule of qualifying activities, meaningful interaction and support for independent Cuban activity. This planning outline does not yet establish that schedule. Festival attendance, private accommodation and meals alone are insufficient. The proposed activities, participants, venues, lodging and direct or indirect payment arrangements need review before the trip is confirmed.
DATES & RESERVATIONS
Private dates by request
Premium group casa/villa: Contact us for private/custom pricing.
Private tour pricing depends on your dates, group size, route and available private accommodations. Your written proposal will identify the accommodation arrangements, including whether the property is shared with the group and the room and bathroom setup. Each proposed property must be reviewed against applicable U.S. accommodation restrictions before booking.
This festival itinerary can be arranged as a private custom tour. Contact us for current pricing, deposit details, and available dates.
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 about our private tour options here.
PRIVATE ROUTE PLANNING OUTLINE
The sequence below shows possible stops for a seven-day trip. The Varadero daytime program remains to be developed, and the outline does not establish a full-time qualifying program for U.S. travelers. Named artists, venues, meals and transport are proposed examples subject to availability and confirmation in your written proposal.
Day 1
(HAVANA: ART, FOOD & MUSIC)
Arrival in Havana at the time agreed in your proposal
A paladar lunch or brunch with orientation may fit an early arrival
Possible driving tour of Havana, with the route and stops chosen around your arrival time
Check in to your proposed Casa Particular or villa and allow time to settle in.
Proposed welcome dinner at a privately owned paladar, such as El Del Frente, subject to availability
A Malecón sunset visit and cultural orientation may be included
Possible evening live music, selected from the confirmed local calendar
Meals: Your proposal will confirm any arrival-day lunch and welcome dinner.
Day 2
(HAVANA: RELIGION TOUR & OLD TOWN)
Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa
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
Possible Old Havana history and art walk, with lunch arrangements confirmed in your proposal
Return to your accommodation for a break. The rest of the day and dinner arrangements will be developed as part of the complete private program.
Possible musician-led evening at a live-music venue, subject to the confirmed program
Meals: Breakfast and lunch are proposed; inclusions will be confirmed in writing.
Day 3
(ROAD TRIP: VARADERO/MATANZAS)
Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa
Travel through Matanzas to Varadero. Departure time, stops and realistic travel times will be confirmed for your route.
A proposed workshop on Matanzas music and history, subject to the local specialist’s availability.
A rumba encounter with Los Muñequitos de Matanzas may be arranged, subject to the artists’ availability.
Lunch arrangements to be confirmed in your proposal.
Check in to your proposed private accommodation in Varadero. Dinner arrangements will be confirmed in the proposal.
Possible Josone festival evening, subject to the selected edition, ticket availability and review of the venue, organizer and payment arrangements. Return transport and any late-night charges must be confirmed in the proposal.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch are proposed; inclusions will be confirmed in writing.
Day 4
(VARADERO, DRUM CIRCLE & JOSONE)
Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa
A drum-circle session with Cuban musicians may be included if suitable hosts and arrangements are confirmed.
Lunch at a privately owned paladar is one option; your proposal will state whether it is included or paid separately.
The afternoon program and dinner arrangements remain to be developed. They will need to fit the complete itinerary and the authorization used by each traveler.
Another festival evening may be included when the selected edition and access are confirmed. Your proposal will specify the ticket and return-transport arrangements.
Meals: Daily meal inclusions remain to be confirmed.
Day 5
(VARADERO & JOSONE)
Breakfast with the group at the private casa or villa
The daytime program and dinner arrangements have not yet been developed for a new private departure. These need to be established as part of the complete itinerary before booking.
A festival evening may be included, subject to confirmed dates and access. Transport hours and any additional charges will be specified in your proposal.
Meals: Daily meal inclusions remain to be confirmed.
Day 6
(VARADERO & JOSONE)
Breakfast with the group at the private casa or villa
The daytime program remains to be planned for your group. Specific activities, hosts and timing need confirmation before this day can form part of a qualifying U.S. travel program.
A farewell dinner with Cuban musicians may be proposed, subject to artist availability. Your proposal will state whether it is included and identify any additional charge.
A final festival evening may be possible, depending on the selected dates. Ticket access and late-night return arrangements will be confirmed in writing.
Meals: Breakfast and a farewell dinner are proposed; inclusions will be confirmed in writing.
Day 7
(VARADERO, ADIOS CUBA)
Breakfast at the casa/villa
Departure transfer to the airport agreed in your written proposal. Confirm the airport and transfer time with us before purchasing flights.
Meals: Departure-day breakfast depends on your confirmed accommodation and flight arrangements.
Planning and booking details
Confirm the arrival and departure airports, flight-time windows and included transfers in your written proposal before buying flights. The route can affect which airport makes sense; no fixed arrival window or departure airport is promised by this outline.
Your proposal will list meal inclusions by day, ticketed events, named hosts, accommodation, transport hours and any optional charges. A meal or event mentioned in this outline is not automatically included in a quoted package.
Festival access depends on the selected edition, current availability and applicable restrictions. Late-night pick-ups, staffing and return arrangements must be agreed in writing; this outline does not promise a 2 a.m. shuttle or an escort after that time.
A complete private program must be developed before booking. Final festival performance times may become available later, but they do not replace the need to establish the daytime program and travel authorization.
WHAT YOUR PRIVATE PROPOSAL CAN INCLUDE
We will confirm the selected services and their cost in writing. The options below are subject to availability and the final itinerary.
- Arrival airport transfer, with airport and flight-time window confirmed in the proposal
- Accommodations: Proposed private Casa Particular or villa, with property, room and bathroom arrangements confirmed before booking
- Varadero Josone Music Festival access, subject to the selected edition, availability and applicable restrictions
- Bilingual musician guide, with guided hours and services specified
- Activities with independent Cuban musicians, artists and local businesses, once the hosts and program are established
- Private group arrangements for up to 10 guests, confirmed for your group
- Detailed itinerary: A complete program specifying activities, hosts, timing and planned breaks. The undeveloped Varadero daytime program must be resolved before booking.
- Breakfasts as itemized in the proposal
- Selected paladar dinners, with the number and venues confirmed
- A farewell dinner with Cuban musicians when available, with inclusion or additional cost stated clearly
- Lunches as itemized in the proposal
- Conversations and experiences with musicians and artists, subject to host availability
- Old Havana walking tour
- Havana driving tour, with route and stops agreed in the itinerary
- Access to the specific music events listed as included in your proposal
- Rumba experience in Matanzas, subject to artists and arrangements being confirmed
- Drum-circle experience with Cuban musicians, subject to suitable hosts and arrangements
- Departure airport transfer to the airport and at the time agreed in writing
- Private transportation for the agreed activities, including specified festival return arrangements and any additional charges
- Flight-planning guidance; international airfare is not included
- Restaurant reservations and recommendations within the agreed planning scope
- U.S. traveler planning: Review of the completed itinerary and applicable authorization. This planning outline does not establish eligibility for a particular traveler.
What’s Not Included
International flights, Cuban visa, travel insurance, tips, personal purchases, and additional meals or activities during free time.
Cuban eVisa: Cuba now uses an electronic visa linked to your passport. It should be obtained online in advance before departure. Visa procedures and fees can change, and Cuban-born travelers may have additional passport or entry requirements. We provide current instructions before travel; contact us if you were born in Cuba or have questions.
PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Casa Particular or Private Villa
These images illustrate accommodation styles. Your proposed property, location, room and bathroom arrangements will be confirmed for your dates and reviewed against applicable restrictions before booking.
UPCOMING CUBA TOURS
PRIVATE MUSIC TOUR OF CUBA — CUSTOM TOUR
Private dates by request
This Havana Music Tour was excellent from start to finish. The team of tour guides was knowledgeable, flexible, accommodating, and fun and treated all of us like family members. The itinerary was fantastic, and I enjoyed everything about this travel experience. Read TripAdvisor review
Melissa · Havana Salsa Festival Tour, March 2024 · TripAdvisor
My wife and I went on the Jazz Plaza 2024 tour. Really excellent. Chaz and Yami have put together a great team of Cuban guides and facilitators: Rocio, Ismelys… were all wonderful. They go out of their way to personalize the experience and provide any support that is needed. Jazz Plaza is an incredible experience, and Havana Music Tours did a great job curating the adventure. Read TripAdvisor review
Mark & Patty · Havana Jazz Plaza Festival Tour, January 2024 · TripAdvisor
We highly recommend Havana Music Tours with Chaz and his wife, Yami! They took care of every detail, and the experiences they arranged for us were so varied and interesting! … A few other highlights include dancing lessons, historical walks through the towns, sitting in on a recording studio, architecture tours, and percussion lessons from Los Muñequitos, Latin Grammy award-winning musicians… And of course riding in the 1950’s cars was so fun and all our drivers just wonderful.. Read TripAdvisor review
Joan · Private Cuba Tour, March 2023 · TripAdvisor
… 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 the local people of Cuba. Thank you, Havana Music Tours, for an amazing experience. I look forward to other awesome adventures with this team.. Read TripAdvisor review
Angel · Cuba Tour, January 2023 · TripAdvisor