Havana Salsa Festival & Cultural Tour 2024
Cuban Salsa, Timba, And Son / VIP Music Tour Featuring Havana Salsa Festival
February 20th-26th, 2024
Our VIP Havana Salsa Festival Tour is probably one of the best options for those Salsa lovers who want to experience this music in its home country of Cuba. Although the Festival showcases different types of traditional Cuban music, Salsa is the specialty, better known on the Island as “son” or “timba” – one of the most modern and popular variants of Cuban son.
The Festival brings together the most relevant music orchestras from all over Cuba, including famous bands. For the 2023 edition, the Havana Salsa Festival has announced the following line-up, specifically picked by the audience through online vote: Alexander Abreu y Havana D´Primera, Pupy y los que Son Son, Adalberto Alvarez y Su Son, Elito Revé y su Charangón, Enrique Alvarez y su Charanga Latina, Lazarito Valdez y Bamboleo, Maikel Blanco y su Salsa Mayor, Manolito Simonet y su Trabuco, Alain Pérez, Isaac Delgado, El Niño y la Verdad, and Los Van Van orchestra.
You will be able to experience the Festival and more through our included VIP passes. We will be able to visit famous music cities like Havana and Trinidad, and even take a day trip to Viñales to explore the agriculture in the Cuban countryside.
Every night will be full of music around the magic city of Havana, including the festival concerts and a premium music schedule outside this event. As a team of musicians and musicologists working within the Cuban music scene for years, we will curate unique experiences within the Cuban musical realm.
Experiences like a live listening experience in the studio, or Casino de Salsa dance lessons in a small private studio in the heart of central Havana, or how about a front-row attendance to one of Trinidad’s last folkloric groups, Las Tonadas Trinitarias.
Our VIP Havana Salsa Fest Tour allows you to have other cultural experiences, including dance lessons, walking tours, and excellent Cuban food. The food on our tour is just as good as the music. We will eat at some of the top-rated restaurants around Havana, Viñales, and Trinidad. We include multiple meals at 5-Star Paladares such as La Guarida, El Del Frente, Atelier, La Tierra, and others. (A Paladar is a name given to private restaurants in Cuba.)
For more information about the Festival, you can check our special blog CUBA’S INTERNATIONAL SALSA FESTIVAL IN HAVANA, which includes more details of the event and a Spotify playlist with a selection of these bands’ music and other famous Cuban Son, Timba, and Salsa songs.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
What to look forward to during this Havana Music Tour?
VIP access/tickets and reservations to music events during Havana Salsa Festival 2023.
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 Café 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.
TOUR DATES & PRICES
February 20th-26th, 2024 – Featuring PREMIUM VIP entry to Havana’s Salsa Festival
- Casa Particular (Group Villa/BnB): $2,395 per person
- Deluxe Hotel Room: $3,835 per person
- Deluxe Ocean View: $4,585 per person
- Club Ocean View: $5,695 per person
- Junior Suite (Limited Availability): $7,355 per person
- Aston Suite (Limited Availability): $8,732 per person
Hotels:
Havana: Grand Aston Hotel
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 info here.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Your festival tour includes the following:
- Accommodations: Casa Particular (BnB), Villa, Private BnB or Hotel
- PREMIUM V.I.P. Music Pass to Havana Salsa Festival 2024
- 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 – please contact us)
- 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).
- Restaurant reservations and recommendations.
- O.F.A.C. General Travel License. (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.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1
- Early morning arrival in Havana and included transportation to your Casa/Villa or Hotel.
- Check-in to Casa/Villa
- Lunch (Group meeting/quick orientation)
- Relax or explore near your Casa
- Welcoming dinner at a famous Paladar like El Del Frente
- Evening Salsa Festival 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)
- Driving Tour of Havana with your local tour guide
- Walking Tour of Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
- Visit local craft shops, and art stores, talk with locals, and learn about Cuban culture
- Small lunch included (Tapas, Sandwiches, etc)
- Back to the Villa/Hotel to rest before dinner
- Group dinner at another fine Paladar in Havana (Atelier or similar)
- Evening Salsa Festival Festival events
- Optional Late night Jazz or more Salsa fest!
Day 3
- A wonderful Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa or hotel.
- Group Salsa Dance or Music Lessons
- Tours of the Cuban National Art and Revolutionary Museums
- Group dinner at a fine Paladar like El Del Frente.
- Evening Salsa Festival Festival events
Day 4
- A wonderful Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa or hotel.
- Afro-Cuban Religion Tour of Cayo Hueso
- Free afternoon to explore Havana
- Dinner on your own
- Havana Salsa Festival Performances
Day 5
- A wonderful Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa or hotel.
- Free afternoon to explore Havana
- Head back to the casa/villa to relax or go to see live music in Havana.
- Dinner at La Tierra and VIP entry to FAC
- Art tour at Fábrica de Arte Cubano, then feel free to stay late for more music and entertainment or return to Salsa Fest. Fabrica is one of the most dynamic art/music/nightclub facilities in Havana, Cuba
- Havana Salsa Festival Performances
Day 6
- A wonderful Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa or hotel.
- Free day in Havana or optional add-ons for Viñales or Matanzas/Varadero. (Ask us about it)
- Havana Salsa Festival Performances
Day 7
- A wonderful Breakfast with the group at the casa/villa or hotel.
- Transportation to the Airport
*Flights arriving on Day 1 of the itinerary must arrive between 11 am-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.
*All breakfasts are included. Other meals are on a per-day basis. We will include two lunches and five dinners. One night you will have the freedom 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.
ACCOMMODATIONS: CASA/VILLA EXAMPLES
ACCOMMODATIONS: HOTEL EXAMPLES
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