Havana Salsa Festival & Cultural Cuba Tour 2025

Cuban Salsa, Timba & Son Music / VIP Cuba Tour featuring the Havana Salsa Fest
February 19th – 24th, 2025

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Our VIP Havana Salsa Festival Tour is probably one of the best options for salsa lovers who want to experience this music in Cuba, its home country. 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 combines 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. 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.

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. We include multiple meals at 5-Star Paladares such as El Del Frente, Atelier, El Cocinero and more. (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.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival and Welcome Dinner in Havana
After touching down in Havana, you’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 will be picked up for a sunset ride around Vedado, La Habana, which includes a special welcoming sunset ritual at Malecón de La Habana with a Cuban rum toast. This is a perfect chance to meet your fellow travelers. After that, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner at the renowned Paladar Atelier. Later, we’ll experience an unforgettable night with the modern-day Buena Vista Social Club and Afro Cuban All Stars at El Guajirito, kicking off our musical journey with style.

MEALS: Dinner
Day 2: Exploring Havana and the Salsa Festival
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 city’s history and culture. A light lunch of tapas and sandwiches will keep us energized. Following this, we’ll take a walking tour of Habana Vieja (Old Havana), exploring its colonial charm and lively streets. After a brief rest, we’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 Cuba’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. This day’s highlight is our Afro-Cuban Religion Experience in Cayo Hueso, Central Havana, and Callejon de Hamel, led by the knowledgeable Elías Aseff. This tour provides deep insights into the spiritual traditions of Cuba. After that, we’ll enjoy a special home-prepared Cuban lunch and optional Casino de Salsa dance lessons or music lessons. Dinner at Café Laurent will precede another thrilling night at the Salsa Festival. For those interested in different musical experiences, we offer optional alternative night-time music with transportation drop-off.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Free Day and Optional Guided Excursions
After breakfast, the day is yours to explore Havana at your own pace. We offer optional day excursions to Viñales or Matanzas/Varadero for those looking to explore beyond the city. Spend your afternoon discovering more of Havana’s unique attractions. Dinner and evening activities are on your own as well, with various music experiences available from our curated catalog to make your night special. Please let us know if you would like to request one of our guided experiences for this day.

MEALS: Breakfast

Day 4: Free Day and Optional Guided Excursions
Day 5: Rumba Party, Visit Almacenes San José Artisans’ Market, Salsa Fest’s Last Day
Start your day with another fresh breakfast. On this last full day of the tour, we’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 José at the Havana Harbor, providing opportunities to shop and engage with local artisans. The evening features a farewell dinner at Paladar El del Frente and, after that, the final performances of the Havana Salsa Festival, leaving you with unforgettable memories of Cuban music and culture.

MEALS: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 6: Departure from Havana
Our final day features a group breakfast and plenty of goodbyes anecdotes, reflecting on the incredible experiences shared. Afterward, transportation will be arranged to take you to José Martí 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.

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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 19th-24th, 2025 – Featuring PREMIUM VIP entry to Havana’s Salsa Festival

Casa Particular (Group Villa/BnB): $2,395 per person
Deluxe Hotel Room: $3,335 per person ($395 single supplement)
Deluxe Ocean View: $4,085 per person ($495 single supplement)
Club Ocean View: $5,195 per person ($595 single supplement)
Junior Suite (Limited Availability): $6,655 per person ($695 single supplement)
Aston Suite (Limited Availability): $7,732 per person ($995 single supplement)

Hotels:

Havana: Grand Aston Hotel

Pricing and Payments:

Prices are per person and vary depending on whether you select a Group Casa, Private Casa, Hotel, etc. Each tour has its own accommodation options listed on the webpage. Some tours are only Casas, and some could be only hotels. 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 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 is 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.

ACCOMMODATIONS: CASA/VILLA EXAMPLES

ACCOMMODATIONS: HOTEL EXAMPLES

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Havana Salsa Festival & Cultural Cuba Tour 2025

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival and Welcome Dinner in Havana

Day 2: Exploring Havana and the Salsa Festival

Day 2: Exploring Havana and the Salsa Festival

Day 3: Cultural Immersion and Dance

Day 4: Free Day and Optional Guided Excursions

Day 4: Free Day and Optional Guided Excursions

Day 5: Rumba Party, Visit Almacenes San José Artisans’ Market, Salsa Fest’s Last Day

Day 6: Departure from Havana

Day 6: Departure from Havana