Economic & Political Changes in Cuba
January 4 - 11, 2025
Join the women-led organization CODEPINK and ProximityCuba's 8-days and 7-nights trip to Cuba!!
Cuba has proven its hospitality to foreign visitors for decades. If you have never visited Cuba, this is a very unique opportunity to do so. If you have traveled to Cuba before, this is the right moment to continue supporting the Cuban people and getting an update on the recent economic and political transformations.
This educational trip will focus on the current implementation of economic reforms and the complex political climate in the Island. We will meet with Cubans from all walks of life to get a better understanding of the reforms and how they understand socialism today. We will see first-hand, how the United States six-decades long financial, economic and commercial warfare against Cuba, is impacting the daily life of families and communities. Cuba is also known as the only country in Latin America that was able to produce 5 very effective vaccines against Covid-19, containing the pandemic with a very low morbidity and mortality; all this has been happening under Trump's 243 sanctions designed to strangle the economy.
You will experience first-hand the daily life in Cuba and learn how people are coping with expansion of the private and cooperative business sector. We will participate in debates with entrepreneurs about the challenges that they are facing and meet with people who have a critical view of the changes. We will explore and get to know local social development projects, as well as private and local government initiatives. We will visit a farmer's market and an organic garden. We will travel overnight to the ecological and arts community Las Terrazas in the rural province of Artemisa. We will also visit an agricultural cooperative to learn about food production. We will enjoy Cuban food in privately, cooperatively and state owned restaurants, while engaging alongside Cubans in various cultural activities. It will also be an opportunity to enjoy the vibrant culture and traditions of Cuba. This trip is designed for socially responsible travelers, peace activists, professionals, students, academics, small business entrepreneurs, cultural advocates and people who are just interested in learning about the political, social and cultural life of Cuba - and much more!
This Cuba program is legally designed for U.S. citizens to support the Cuban people and promote people-to-people exchange.
Cost starting at $1,395 • Deadline to register November 29, 2024
For questions and reserves via email contact rodrigo@proximitycuba.com
Deadline to register: November 29, 2024
Itinerary SHOW+
Friday, January 3
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 hotel accommodations arrangements. An extra $100 fee applies, please email us to request more information. We highly recommend it based on the airfare available for that season.
Saturday, January 4
Arrival in Havana • Airport Transfer to the hotel • Orientation Meeting • Welcome dinner
Sunday, January 5
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 in Old Havana •
Walking tour in Old Havana. Overview of the current situation in Cuba with ProximityCuba resident director Rodrigo Huaimachi.
Monday, January 6
Visit the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) to learn about non-governmental organizations in Cuba and the people-to-people programs and meet with specialists on U.S.-Cuba relations • Visit to the Museum of the Revolution • Lunch •
How is the government implementing the economic reforms in Cuba? Conference on the economic transformations with an university professor • Participate in the cannon firing Ceremony at 9 pm in La Cabaña Fortress
Tuesday, January 7
Visit to a local development project in Havana • Visit a private business and meet with its owners and employees • 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 • What is the political climate in Cuba today? Conference with an university professor • Optional guided visit to the Fidel Castro Ruz Center
Wednesday, January 8
Visit an organic urban garden cooperative in the Eastern district of Alamar • 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 village • Lunch at the paladar 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 •
Visit a health clinic and meeting with officials at the Ministry of Public Health to learn about how the economic crisis and the U.S. blockade are impacting health indicators and how the government is responding.
What socialism means for Cubans today? Panel with a private business entrepreneur, a social media activists, an university professor, an university student, and with LGTBI activist. The panel will be also attended by Cubans interested in sharing their opinions.
Thursday, January 9
COSTS SHOW+
$1,395 sharing room and bathroom and $1,575 for a single room occupancy/private bathroom
Cost per traveler based on 10 minimal fully paid participants, with smaller enrollment a $100 fee increase will apply.
Program Cost Includes:
• Accommodations in a 3-stars hotel in Havana and in Las Terrazas, Cuba for seven (7) nights;
• Breakfast every day and seven (7) additional meals (6 lunches and 1 dinner) and a cocktail party with Cuban guests;
• One (1) small water bottle 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 29, 2024 in order to secure your place in the program. The REMAINING BALANCE must be paid on December 13, 2024.
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 29, 2024 and it is required in order to secure requested program dates. The remaining balance must be paid in full on DECEMBER 13, 2024. 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
*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.