Cuba Music - Culture - Dance

CUBA

Music -  Culture - Dance 

Note: It is still illegal for U.S. citizens to visit Cuba for general tourism and/or recreational activities.  However, the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued 12 categories of legal travel to Cuba under a General License, one of which being “support for the Cuban people”.  ITAGLOBAL is able to offer a legal trip to Cuba under the General License of Support for the Cuban People.  Our itinerary provides a full-time schedule of activities designed to result in support of local businesses and individuals in Cuba.  United States law requires that all participants in our trip adhere to the full-time schedule of our itinerary. The experience will be unique, authentic and most important educational in all aspects.

Travel on this exquisite trip to one of the most beautiful Islands in the Caribbean, Cuba. For 6 days and 5 nights enjoy a wonderful colorful and rhythmic world of Cuba. Learn about the incredible history, arts, culture and cuisine.

Day 1: Welcome to Havana (D)

Arrive at the International Airport Jose Marti, after exiting customs and collecting all your bags our Cuban Tour Guide and expert will give you a brief introduction of Cuba and what to expect over the next 6 days. Your driver will take you on a fantastic visual tour of the city and visiting iconic places such as the Plaza de la Revolución which is the most important center for political talks and cultural celebrations. It is here at the Plaza de la Revolución where many iconic personalities of Cuban history delivered their monumental speeches. The monuments of Cuba's national hero Jose Marti, revolutionary heroes such as Camilo Cienfuegos and Che Guevara are also found. You will also learn about how Havana is organized, important Universities and historical buildings and iconic places such as Old Havana historic squares. You'll soon discover that Cuba is a time-capsule and your mind will be stimulated with music, colors, people and classic cars. Once dropped off at your hotel and settle your guide will take you to a local restaurant for your welcome dinner and give your palate an introduction to delicious Cuban cuisine. Make sure you ask your guide and driver about  their life in Cuba and local traditions.

Day 2: Walk the streets of Old Havana (B, L)

Get your cameras ready, put on your walking shoes and welcome to the colorful Cuba, where every street is filled with classic cars from the 30s, 40s, 50s, colonial buildings, colorful homes, and Afrocentric rhythms. UNESCO-Recognized “Habana Vieja”  as a historic center, learning about the history, architecture and traditions and stop at some local shops and art galleries. You will visit Plaza de Armas, Plaza San Francisco, Plaza Vieja and Plaza de la Catedral all iconic squares in Havana many date back to early 1500's. Don't miss the opportunity to meet local street artist, music bands and dancers who will be more than happy to share a bit of their history and passion of their Cuban culture. At lunch we will stop at one of the classic restaurant in Old Havana Doña Eutemia where you will be welcome by a happy staff, fantastic mojitos and exquisite food. Following lunch we will visit local art galleries, and crafts market to meet with local artists and learn about the techniques they use to make remarkable crafts. Soon you will return to your hotel for some rest. The evening will be celebrated by being part of the "CAÑONAZO DE LAS NUEVE" 9:00 pm Cannon Shot. During colonial times, the cannon was used to announce that opened and closed the doors of the walls , the historian Emilio Roig said , ” forming a huge belt of stone, surrounded and defended as impregnable fortresses of his time, the primitive , modest, simple , patriarchal and small town of San Cristobal de La Habana. 

Day 3:  Visit Pinar del Rio, Viñales (B, L)

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and head out to Pinar del Rio, known as the land that produces the best tobacco in the world and the landmark of fine cigars. Pinar del Rio offers a beautiful landscape of unusual and incomparable beauty, from the highest mountains to the sea floor. The region is characterized by its valleys, mountains, caves, rivers, cliffs and fertile soil. The Viñales Valley and the Biosphere Reserve of Peninsula of Guanahacabibes, declared as cultural landscape heritage sites by UNESCO for the rural life centered of its tobacco farming. Your guide will introduce you to local cigar makers, producers and farmers. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. You'll return to Havana so you can enjoy the night. 

Day 4: Visit Hicacos Peninsula, Varadero (B, L, D)

Enjoy breakfast at your leisure, your guide will pick you up at take you to the Peninsula of Hicacos about 140 km east of Havana, in the province of Matanzas. The peninsula is home to the natures reserve, virgin forests and home to 31 species of birds and 24 species of reptiles. On your way to the resort we will stop and visit Las Cuevas de Bella Mar and a city tour of the city of Matanzas.

Day 5: Visit Hicacos Peninsula, Varadero  (B, L, D)

Enjoy breakfast at your leisure at your hotel and take advantage of one of the most beautiful beaches in Cuba. Here you'll find a variety of activities such as kayaking, snorkling, catamaran or simply laying on your chair and enjoying the tropical sun. 

Day 6: Until Next Time Cuba (B)

Enjoy your breakfast at the resort and say goodbye to Varardero. The shuttle will pick you up and take you back to Havana. Depending on your departure time you'll be able to stop and do some last minute stops when you get into the city. 

INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM 

Cuban Visa Services

Local Tour director

Cuban Driver & Transportation

Cuban Bilingual Guide

Activities as indicated in your itinerary

Meals as indicated in your itinerary

Meals as indicated in the itinerary

3 nights accommodations in Havana hotel

3 nights accommodations in Varadero hotel 

Break (B) Lunch (L) Dinner (D) as indicated in your itinerary

NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

Tips for housekeeping personnel

Tips for Tour director, guide or drivers

Travel insurance

Dinner not included unless specified in your itinerary

Arrival and departure times outside of the group flight and departures

Extra luggage fees

Not responsible for any missing, lost or stolen items

CUBAN VISIT

NOTE: Cuba requires that all arriving travelers have a Tourist Card or Visa to enter the country. This visa is to be purchased for all non-Cuban born travelers that are traveling under one of the 12 permitted categories. There are two documents you must have to travel to Cuba, a passport and the tourist card. The traveler must fill it out with black ink and no mistakes. In case a mistake occurs the traveler needs to purchase a new visa. The Tourist Card is perforated in two sections, the immigration representative will keep one perforated portion and the second section will be turned in upon departure. *Please do not detach the two separate sides. Customs in Cuba is responsible for this.

MONEY EXCHANGE
In Cuba, cash is king, and for spending money, you will need to bring cash to exchange, as your debit and credit cards will not work. There are 2 official
currencies in Cuba:

• Cuban Peso Convertible (CUC) Value: CUC1 = US$1.00
• Cuban Peso (CUP or Moneda Nacional M.N) Value: CUP24 = CUC1

The exchange rates of these currencies are fixed by the Cuban Government, and can change at any time. The ‘local’ Cuban Peso has very limited use, especially for travelers, and is mostly used for transactions between locals. What’s confusing for
travelers is that the Cubans call both currencies ‘pesos’, so make sure they are giving you the price in CUC (“coo"), also called “convertibles”

ATMs // At present, the only cities with ATMs are Havana, Camaguey, Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba.
While U.S. financial institutions are now permitted to process credit card and debit card transactions in Cuba related to authorized travel expenses, currently most U.S. financial institutions and Cuban vendors are not set-up to process such transactions.
ATMs can be quite temperamental in Cuba, so funds may not be accessible electronically.

More information

Unless you have a Credit Card from another country other than the USA you can’t use Cards or ATM from the United States.

You must exchange your US dollars once you get to Hotel Ibero Star in Havana, you can exchange money as you go. Exchange rate is 0.87 CUC for $1 US

Travelers Insurance

Must obtain Medical Health Insure before arriving to Cuba. American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, include Travelers Insurance within the airfare. Please check specifically if your airline is providing travelers insurance.

• * AIR AMBULANCE PROFESSIONALS
• * EUROP ASSISTANCE INTERNATIONAL (LOS ANGELES)
• * MEDEX
• * MERCURY INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE
• * MONDIAL ASSISTANCE
• * WORLD NET
  

Contact information: 

Email: Travel@itaglobal.com | 213-293-6422 | www.ITAGLOBAL.COM | INSTAGRAM

ITASA, Tour Operator - 198 Colonia Los Robles, Managua, Nicaragua