Havana Salsa Festival & Cultural Cuba Tour 2027

Cuban Salsa, Timba & Son Music / VIP Cuba Tour featuring the Havana Salsa Fest
February – March, 2027

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TOUR OVERVIEW

If youโ€™re a salsa lover, thereโ€™s no better place to experience the music than in its birthplaceโ€”Cuba. Our VIP Havana Salsa Festival Tour is one of the most immersive and exciting ways to connect with the rhythms of Cuban son, timba, and salsa at the source.

The Havana Salsa Festival celebrates the depth and diversity of Cuban music, with salsaโ€”locally known as son and timbaโ€”taking center stage. These are the most dynamic and danceable expressions of Cubaโ€™s rich musical heritage, and the Festival brings together some of the islandโ€™s most iconic bands for a week of unforgettable performances.

In past editions, the festival lineupโ€”selected by fan voteโ€”included legends like Alexander Abreu y Havana DยดPrimera, Pupy y Los Que Son Son, Adalberto รlvarez y Su Son, Elito Revรฉ y Su Charangรณn, Maikel Blanco y Su Salsa Mayor, Manolito Simonet y Su Trabuco, Alain Pรฉrez, Isaac Delgado, El Niรฑo y La Verdad, Los Van Van, and more.

With our VIP package, youโ€™ll enjoy priority access to festival concerts and an expertly curated schedule of exclusive music experiences throughout Havana. Every night is filled with rhythm, from open-air venues and late-night clubs to private performances arranged just for our group. As musicians and musicologists deeply rooted in Cubaโ€™s scene, our team will take you beyond the stage to explore the heart of Cuban music culture.

Beyond the music, our tour includes rich cultural experiences such as daily dance lessons with top Cuban instructors, guided cultural tours around Havana, and dining at some of the cityโ€™s best paladares (private restaurants), including El Del Frente, Atelier, El Cocinero, and others celebrated for their world-class cuisine and ambiance.

To learn more about the festival and get a taste of the music, weโ€™ve just updated our official Spotify playlist (December 2025). Itโ€™s a curated collection featuring the legendary artists youโ€™ll hear live and the latest sounds emerging from Havana. You can also check out our blog: [CUBAโ€™S INTERNATIONAL SALSA FESTIVAL IN HAVANA].

Group Size

Small Group Tours Up to 12 People

Tour Duration

6 Days / 5 Nights

Location

Havana

Legal Travel to Cuba

Detailed Itinerary (Compliant for OFAC general license Educational Activities: Group People to People โ€“ US Travelers)

Ticket Ticket

Dates & Prices

SAMPLE ITINERARY

  • Day 1: Arrival and Welcome Dinner in Havana

    After touching down in Havana, youโ€™ll be greeted and transported to your charming Casa, Villa, or Hotel. Take some time to unwind and soak in the local surroundings. In the evening, you and the group willย be picked upย for a sunset ride around Vedado, La Habana, which includes a special welcoming sunset ritual at Malecรณn de La Habana with a Cuban rum toast.ย This is a perfect chance to meet your fellow travelers. After that, weโ€™ll gather for a welcome dinner at the renowned Paladar El del Frente. Later, weโ€™ll experience the best music of the night in Havana.ย 

    MEALS: Dinner

  • Begin your day with breakfast at your Casa, Villa, or Hotel, featuring a variety of options, including vegan and vegetarian choices. Our adventure starts with a guided driving tour of Havana, offering a glimpse into the cityโ€™s history and culture. A light lunch of tapas and sandwiches will keep us energized. Following this, weโ€™ll take a walking tour of Habana Vieja (Old Havana), exploring its colonial charm and lively streets. After a brief rest, weโ€™ll head to another fine Cuban Paladar, such as Cafetalex, for dinner. The evening will be filled with excitement as we attend the first night of the Salsa Festival concerts, showcasing Cubaโ€™s best musical Son, Salsa, and Timba talents.

    MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Day 2: Exploring Havana and the Salsa Festival

  • Day 3: Cultural Immersion and Dance

    Enjoy another local breakfast with the group at your accommodation. Enjoy the morning at your own pace. After that, weโ€™ll enjoy a special home-prepared Cuban lunch and optional Casino de Salsa dance lessons or music lessons. Dinner at another Cuban Paladar will precede another thrilling night at the Salsa Festival. For those interested in different musical experiences, we offer optional alternative nighttime music with transportation drop-off.

    MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • After breakfast, the day is yours to explore Havana at your own pace. We offer optional day excursions to Viรฑales or Matanzas/Varadero for thoseย looking to exploreย beyond the city. Spend your afternoon discovering more of Havanaโ€™s unique attractions. Dinner and evening activities are on your ownย as well, with various music experiences available from our curated catalog to make your night special. Please let us know if youย would likeย to request one of our guided experiences for this day.ย 

    MEALS: Breakfast

    Day 4: Explore Havana at your own pace

  • Day 5: Rumba Party, Visit Almacenes San Josรฉ Artisansโ€™ Market, Salsa Festโ€™s Last Day

    Start your day with another fresh breakfast. On this last full day of the tour, weโ€™ll join an authentic Rumba Party at Callejon de Hamel, where the local community gathers to celebrate with music and dance. The afternoon is dedicated to a People-to-People Experience at Almacenes de San Josรฉ at the Havana Harbor, providing opportunities to shop and engage with local artisans. The evening features a farewell dinner at Paladar El Cocinero and, after that, the final performances of the Havana Salsa Festival, leaving you with unforgettable memories of Cuban music and culture.

    MEALS: Breakfast & Dinner

  • Our final day features a group breakfast and plenty of goodbye anecdotes, reflecting on the incredible experiences shared. Afterward, transportation willย be arrangedย toย take you to Josรฉ Martรญ International Airport for your departure, ensuring a smooth and timely end to your Cuban adventure.

    MEALS: Breakfast

    Day 6: Departure from Havana

Important info about this itinerary

*Flights arriving on Day 1 of the itinerary must arrive between 11 am and 12:30 pm EST to have included transportation. 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.

*We advise scheduling departure flights for late morning or early afternoon. The festival’s final day typically concludes in the late evening, and we wish to prevent any inconvenience or exhaustion during your return journey.

*All breakfasts are included. Other meals are on a per-day basis. We will include two lunches and four dinners. One night, you will be free to have dinner on your own.

*All music entries and reservations are also included.

*This is just a sample itinerary, you will receive a detailed itinerary with confirmed events closer to your trip departure.

WHATโ€™S INCLUDED

Your festival tour includes the following:

  • Accommodations: Casa Particular (BnB), Villa, Private BnB or Boutique Hotel
  • PREMIUM V.I.P. Music Pass to Havana Salsa Festival 2027
  • Welcoming dinner
  • A bilingual musician tour leader from the U.S.
  • Local musician tour guides
  • Support for the Cuban people, small businesses, and local musicians
  • Detailed Itinerary
  • Breakfast everyday
  • 4 Dinners (Primary paladars like Atelier, El Del Frente, and more)
  • 2 Lunches
  • Entry and reservation into each scheduled event, workshop, clinic, or museum
  • Casino de Salsa Dance lessons or Private Music Lessons (Limited availability โ€“ please get in touch with us)
  • Airport transport to and from Josรฉ Martรญ International Airportย 
  • 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. Travelers)

Whatโ€™s Not Included

International flights, Cuban visa, travel insurance, tips, personal purchases, and additional meals or activities during free time.

Cuban Visasย are to be purchased online in advance 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.

YOUR STAY IN HAVANA

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

What do you look forward to during this Havana Music Tour?

VIP access/tickets and reservations to music events during Havana Salsa Festival 2026.

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

Real interactions with the Cuban people and professional 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.

Taste of the best Paladares around Havana, Cuba (Private restaurants).

Transportation from 11 am to 11 pm (which includes most evening music).

Free time to shop and explore.

Traveler's Choice Tripadvisor (Medium Banner (US) (Landscape)

We spent six days in Cuba on a private tour with Havana Music Tours. This is a great personalized tour, specializing in authentic, non-touristy music experiences. Chaz Chambers, the owner, did a great job of putting together our itinerary, informing us what to expect and providing a wealth of information to prepare us for our trip. Read More

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 More

Absolutely fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime custom-built musical and cultural tour around Havana! Chaz and Yami took all of our requests and constraints into consideration while planning and customizing our tour, which included mouth-watering dining in paladares, musical experiences & concerts, and walking & driving city tours. Read More

First off, It’s very easy to recommend any tour with Chaz and Yami. Period. Honestly, I was a little skeptical about so many glowing TripAdvisor reviews. Here comes another glowing review, haha. I can say easily, without hyperbole, that the experience with Havana Music Tours was life-changing! The trip exceeded expectations. Read More

3 - Alexander Abreu y Havana de Primera - Havana Salsa Festival Photos - Havana Music Tours

UPCOMING CUBA TOURS

havana-jazz-festival-National Theater 1
HAVANA JAZZ FESTIVAL 2027

January 25th-February 1st, 2027

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