Cuba: From Havana to Santiago

We will meet at the accommodation of Havana around 7-8 PM to share our welcome dinner and, with a bit of luck, afterwards enjoy a concert that the capital might offer and start moving our hips after so many hours of flying 🙂 

Today we will have at the first hour our first class from dancing, and we'll start with Rumba.

Afterwards we will go to the Hamel Alley, A cultural meeting point, where every Sunday from midday onwards music groups and dancers perform folkloric music such as rumba or Afro-Cuban dances. Do you dare to go out and dance?

Afterwards, we'll stroll along the Malecón before going to eat, and in the afternoon we can stay in Old Havana and have a Daiquiri at the famous Floridita Bar or a Mojito at the Bodeguita del Medio, or even both!

In the evening, to put the finishing touch on the first day, we can go dancing at the emblematic 1830, Fancy it?

Today we will start the day with our DANCE CLASS to start the day on the move.

Then we have the option to do a Tour by the Old Havana with a local guide and give walk in vintage car through Havana, where we will pass by the Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro, Christ the King of Havana, or Revolution Square.

In the evening, will we go out dancing on our last night in Havana or will we stay in and rest?

Today we have a long journey towards Trinidad, declared a colonial city UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, thanks to its impressive, well-preserved colonial architecture and rich history.

Upon arrival, we have the option to do a guided tour through the city. Trinidad will seduce you with its picturesque cobbled streets, dotted with colourful buildings and the warm Cuban hospitality.

After the tour, we'll have a cocktail on a terrace where we can see the sunset while we listen Live music, before going out for dinner and dancing Salsa Corner. 

Today we have the option to spend the day in Catamaran to Cayo Blanco. We will make a stop for snorkelling and then we will have time to enjoy the beach for about 2 hours.

In the afternoon, on the way back to Trinidad we will have our DANCE CLASS, and in the evening we can go to the House of Music to listen to live music and if we have enough energy we can finish at the famous Ayala Disco, which is inside a Cave!

Today we travel to Camagüey, The city of labyrinthine alleyways, colonial squares and a wealth of culture. 

Upon arrival we will have lunch at a paladar and have a afrocuban class with live music with the Camagüey Folkloric Ensemble.

Afterwards, we will go for a walk through the historic centre, which has been declared a World Heritage, discovering its labyrinthine streets, squares and emblematic tinajones.

In the evening we will have dinner in a restaurant with a terrace and see what the Camagüey night has in store for us.

Today we will attend a Camagüey Folk Ensemble Essay and we will have our Afro-Cuban class with live music.

We will then continue with a bike taxi tour to get a broader view of the city accompanied by a local guide.

With a bit of luck, we will also try to see some yoruba drumming ceremony to understand the origin of the Afro-Cuban dances we dance today.

Today we are heading east, the so-called hot country. On the way, we will stop at Holguín, the country's 3rd largest city and also known as the “CITY OF PARKS”The city has a large number of squares and parks.

We'll eat at a traditional palate in the centre of Holguín, after which we'll head towards Guardalavaca, A, lThe most spectacular coastal area in the east, We will be staying at an all-inclusive resort for the next 2 days.

Today we will first do our DANCE CLASS, to then have the rest of the day to relax at the endless beaches of fine sand and crystal-clear water with extensive coral reefs and abundant marine species.

We will be able to choose between the Guardalavaca Beach (livelier) or Emerald Beach (quieter), or even both! 

Today is a day to enjoy the sun, the sea and relax or perhaps try some water sports. 

Today we will have the free day to do as we please, although a highly recommended option is to take a boat trip from Guardalavaca to do snorkel or diving for certificates or those who want to have a christening.

If you don't fancy it, you can simply enjoy the beaches or just stay at the resort relaxing from your last day in paradise.

We will finish the evening with our DANCE CLASS, before going out for dinner and enjoying the hotel's shows.

Today the transfer will pick us up early to travel to Baracoa, the first city founded in Cuba and one of the greenest and most authentic places. 

On arrival, we can take the opportunity to eat a lobster Cuban, either grilled, sautéed with garlic and butter, in creole sauce or even in coconut milk, very typical of the area.

In the afternoon, we will take a walk around Baracoa to contemplate the view of the bay with its mountain range around. We will also stroll along the Malecon and through the streets of the centre with its colourful houses, where we will rarely come across any tourists. We will also be able to see the Cruz de la Parra, which was left by Christopher Columbus on his first voyage to the island in 1492.

By night, we can enjoy live music at the Casa de la Trova.

If there is one thing that distinguishes Baracoa, apart from its incredible landscapes, it is its handmade chocolate. High quality cocoa is grown in this region, thanks to its tropical climate and fertile soils. The cocoa from Baracoa is 100% natural and is exported all over the world, mainly to Europe.

Today we have the option of visiting a farm where the family has been making cocoa for several generations. We will learn the complete process of cocoa production and we will be able to taste their handmade products.

We will then have the option to do hiking by some of the natural parks surrounding Baracoa, as well as swimming in some of the natural pools. We have several alternatives depending on the physical level or the time you want to spend, to be decided by the group: Yumurí River Canyon, Alejandro de Humboldt National Park or El Yunque.

On our way back to Baracoa, we will have our class dance, before going out for dinner and having our daily mojito.

Today a long journey awaits us from Baracoa to Santiago, the capital of the East and also known as the Cradle of Son.

In the afternoon we will have the option of taking a Free Tour of the historical centre or take a stroll at our own pace where we can't miss the Céspedes Park, the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, the Padre Pico Staircase and the Velázquez Balcony overlooking the sea.

Por la noche, terminaremos en la playa. Casa de la Trova, the birthplace of Son music, to listen to a live music group and have a dance

Today we will start the day with our son class, which cannot be missed in the city where this musical genre was born and which is still very present today.

Afterwards we delve into the revolutionary and patrimonial soul of Santiago de Cuba. We will visit places that marked the history of the country, where every stone holds a memory, every statue has a story to tell, and every corner beats with strength. Can we visit the majestic Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, the resting place of great figures such as Fidel Castro, José Martí and Compay Segundo, and the scene of the emotional changing of the guard. We can also visit the Moncada Barracks, epicentre of the assault led by Fidel Castro in 1953 or to do a brief stop at the imposing Revolution Square Antonio Maceo.

In the afternoon, we will let ourselves be conquered by the sea from the heights of the Morro Castle, The hotel is a World Heritage listed colonial fortress, with spectacular views of the bay ideal for sunset.

In the evening, tWe'll end up having dinner on a terrace all together and if we have enough energy left, we can go out and enjoy the Santiago night, to places like the Casa de la Trova or the House of Traditions, so that you can put into practice everything you have learned these days.

Today we will start the day with our Last dance class, what will become of Casino Wheel.

Next, we have the option of visiting some places around Santiago, such as:

• National Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre: It is the sanctuary dedicated to the patron saint of Cuba, which is equivalent in the Yoruba religion to Oshún, which is why it is a sanctuary much visited by devotees of both religions. It is the symbol of the union between the religious and the popular, a place charged with emotion and syncretism, where offerings, promises and devotion are mixed, as well as being located in a beautiful natural environment.
• The Big Stone: This is an impressive volcanic rock at an altitude of 1225m high in the Sierra Maestra. From there, one of the most spectacular views of the whole of eastern Cuba unfolds, but bear in mind that to get to the top you have to climb more than 400 steps.
• Siboney BeachA local beach, simple and full of authenticity. It can be a good time to relax, mojito in hand, with the Caribbean breeze caressing your body. 

The decision of where to go will depend on the group, depending on how they prefer to spend the last day of the trip.

On the way back we'll give ourselves one last walk through the Alameda Park, where our group photo awaits us in the letters of the CUBAA symbolic souvenir of this shared experience. 

It's time to say goodbye. We take with us memories, music and a lot of connection in our hearts. 

We hope you enjoyed the trip and we'll see you on the next adventure with Dance Travelling!