Arts & Culture in Cuba: Start your New Year in Havana

January 2 - 8, 2023

 

On this family-friendly program to Havana, experience a variety of Cuban art, music, and dance with activities aimed at all ages. Visit the Cuban Arts Factory the street cultural center Callejón de Hammel and lunch at the famous Cuban painter and ceramist José Fuster's art studio. Meet with young Cubans and participate in optional private salsa classes and visit Hemingway’s favorite hang-out in Cojimar.  Dine at some of the most popular paladares, private restaurants run by Cuban entrepreneurs—often in family homes.

Learn about the nation’s history by visiting museums and meeting with specialists. Gain an understanding of the political and economic current situation, and discuss the reforms driving changes with both our tour leader and local guest speakers.

Explore the city, visit historical sites, enjoy Cuban art and music, and immerse yourself in the rich Cuban culture. Meet with community organizations and enjoy a day excursion to Las Terrazas, a rural sustainable development community and UNESCO biosphere reserve in the Sierra del Rosario mountain range.

In addition to scheduled activities, our programs provide you with multiple opportunities to meet and interact with Cuban people from all walks of life. Take advantage of the chance to exchange ideas and perspectives with your new Cuban friends. The highlight of your trip will be an invitation to a traditional New Year’s Eve dinner and celebration.

On November 19, 2022, the Board of Directors of the organization Veterans For Peace voted unanimously to support the voyage of the Golden Rule Peace Boat to Cuba, and to join in our Arts & Culture program, with some amendments in the itinerary. We decided to include in the program a visit to the Golden Rule Peace Boat in Hemingway Marina and to coordinate a press conference in Vedado. There will also be an opportunity to bring humanitarian aid to survivors of the recent impact of Hurricane Ian.

This trip is also designed for peace activists, academics and travelers who are interested in learning about the political, social and cultural current situation of Cuba - and much more!

 RESERVE YOUR SPOT

For questions and reserves via email contact rodrigo@proximitycuba.com

 Deadline to register:            November 25, 2022

 

Tentative itinerary SHOW+

ARTS AND CULTURE IN CUBA: START YOUR NEW YEAR IN HAVANA: JANUARY 2 - 8, 2023

Sunday, January 1

Optional early arrival for those travelers who would like extra rest before the program, or due to flight itinerary or better airfare. Airport transfer and accommodations can be arranged. Extra fee applies, please email us to request more information.

Monday, January 2

Arrival in Havana • Airport Transfer to the hotel • Orientation Meeting • Welcome dinner at a paladar (privately owned restaurant)

Tuesday, January 3

City tour – Drive tour in Vedado and Miramar districts • Visit to the street cultural project Callejón de Hamel and meet with cultural activist Elias Asset • Lunch and Walking tour in the historical center of the city: Old Havana

Wednesday, January 4

Visit the Literacy Campaign Museum and meet with professor and director Luisa Campos • Visit to the home and art studio of ceramist and painter José Fuster and learn about his art community project • Lunch at the art studio • Walk around the community and enjoy the art spread in Jaimanita community. Participate in the cannon firing Ceremony at 9 pm in La Cabaña Fortress

Thursday, January 5

Visit to the Museum of Fine Arts. Visit the fishing town of Cojimar where Ernest Hemingway was inspired to write the Old Man and the Sea and enjoy a walking time around the town • Lunch at Café Ajiaco, considered one of the most authentic paladares in Havana and known as the best creole food in town, socially responsible business committed to their workers and the community • Overview of the current political and economic situation in Cuba with an university professor 

Friday, January 6

Day excursion to Las Terrazas, a biosphere reserver and national park in the Sierra del Rosario in the province of Artemisa. Walk around the community of around 1000 inhabitants and meet with local artists. Learn about the history of this rural community funded in 1970 and the massive resforestation program implemented in the early 1970s. Lunch at a local restaurant with traditional food, enjoy the local coffee and visit the San Juan river.  During the evening in Havana, we will visit the Cuban Arts Factory (FAC)

Saturday, January 7

Visit to the Arts and Crafts market  • Visit the Alba community theater and meet with two grassroots and independent projects: Espiral and Okan-Tomi. The community project Espiral is dedicated to environmental education and community empowerment, following the methodology of popular education, while Okan-Tomi is a cultural company that explores and reworks Afro-Cuban dances and music. They offer workshops for children and teenagers in their community. At the end you will enjoy a dance and music performance • Farewell dinner and cocktail party with Cuban guests

Sunday, January 8

Transfer to the airport and departure

 
* * This itinerary is subject to change

Costs SHOW+

$1,500 in double room occupancy / shared bathroom

$1,650 in single room occupancy / private bathroom

Program Cost Includes: 

• Accommodations at a private home in Vedado, Havana, Cuba for seven (6) nights; 
• Breakfast every day, six (5) lunches meals, a welcome and a farewell dinners; and a cocktail party with Cuban guests; 
• One (1) large bottle, or two (2) small bottles of water per participant upon arrival at the airport; 
• Ground transportation to and from the airport; 
• Ground transportation for all scheduled activities in Havana, Cuba; 
• Program coordination as it is indicated in the tentative itinerary;
• Entrance and program fees and expenses associated with scheduled activities; 
• Guided visits and cultural activities included in the program; 
• Fees/honoraria for professors, lecturers, and institutions including a donation to two community projects; 
• Expenses for activities in Cuba including providers (coordinator, guides, drivers and others); 
• Translations and expert guides

Program Cost does not include: 

• Domestic and/or International flights airfare and travel expenses to and from US to Havana; 
• Health Insurance (now it is included in the airfare); 
• Cuban Visa; 
• Meals and drinks not included in the program as indicated in the itinerary;
• Gratuities or Honoraria in addition to those included in the program cost;
• Personal items/expenses; or 
• Optional and/or unscheduled activities 

A NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT of $500 must be made on November 25, 2022 in order to secure your place in the program. The REMAINING BALANCE must be paid on December 9, 2022

To be part of this program you may reserve a spot right now or complete the ONLINE REGISTRATION

 

PAYMENTS

A non-refundable deposit of $500 will be due  NOVEMBER 25, 2022 and it is required in order to secure requested program dates. The remaining balance must be paid in full on DECEMBER 9, 2022. If you want you can pay the full amount at once.

Deposits and payments are non-refundable. After the final payment date all funds are non-refundable. Should there be warnings concerning a city or country to which participants are scheduled to travel due to heightened safety or terror alerts, ProximityCuba will refund all program fees with exception of the deposits and funds paid to third parties to hold reservations or provide services.

  • Check: Write it to International Outreach Educational Center (IOEC) 200 Saint Andrews Blvd. #3402, Winter Park, FL 32792
  • Bank transfer: You can make a deposit to the Wells Fargo Bank. Account: IOEC  # 7371472890, Routing for wire transfers # 121000248 and routing number for direct deposits and electronic payments: 063107513
  • Online: If you would like to pay with a credit card, you can do so using PayPal. Since PayPal charges us a fee, we’ll have to add a 5% service charge. Our email account is ioec@ioecenter.org

We suggest you to use the online way using PayPal to make more faster and easier your payment. 

IMPORTANT: Payment using PayPal must be sent to ioec@ioecenter.org and please DO NOT include the word CUBA since automatically banks will put a hold on the payment due to the U.S. blockade

 

 

To be part of this program you may reserve a spot right now or complete the ONLINE REGISTRATION

REGISTER NOW

*Please remember to always carefully review our TERMS AND CONDITIONS section before making any payment.

Want more information? You can check our Frequently Asked Questions FAQ section or CONTACT US, we will be more than happy to assist you.

REQUIRED PAPERWORK:

  1. OFAC Travel Affidavit, completed and signed (DOWNLOAD)
  2. Complete Registration Form (DOWNLOAD)
  3. Responsible and Ethical Travel To Cuba (RESPECT) Travel Affidavit (DOWNLOAD)
  4. Copy of your U.S. passport valid at least 4 months beyond the date of the trip’s return.

* If you are a citizen of another country, you must have a valid passport of that country along with U.S. residency permit or visa with multiple entry permitted, also valid at least 4 months beyond the date of the trip’s return

* If Cuban born, you must hold either a valid and stamped Cuban passport or if you left Cuba prior to January 1, 1971, a U.S. passport and a PE-11 entry permit.