Come Dance in Cuba with us! 

Join us for an exciting two-week dance workshop in Havana and Trinidad Cuba. This trip is rich with culture and infused with joy! 

Trinidad is a town in central Cuba, known for its colonial old town and cobblestone streets. Its neo-baroque main square, Plaza Mayor, is surrounded by grand colonial buildings. Museo Romántico, in the restored Palacio Brunet mansion, and Museo de Arquitectura Colonial display relics from the town’s sugar-producing era. 

There are two important dance cultural centers in the territory: The council of the Royal Congós of San Antonio is about 65 years old, its congas dances are exclusive in the national territory, hence its cultural significance, they perform ritual or non-ritual drumming.

The Afro-Cuban Folkloric group, is an artistic institution of amateurs with a wide repertoire of African roots, so they have rescued through their artistic show some dances, congas, dance the stick, the makuta, the yuba, the scribble, the navel, the congas, the wimpio.

Study with some of the most respected teachers in all of Cuba: 

We will have three invigorating hours of classes including Folkloric (Afro-Cuban, Yoruba, Afro-Haitian) and Popular styles (Salsa, Son, Rueda de Casino, Rumba, Danzon) 

5 days each week. 

Folkloric classes will feature live drumming; for Salsa classes, each student will have a Cuban partner. All levels of dancers - from beginner to advanced - are welcome to join.

Stay local air B &B. All centrally located, and all rooms have air-conditioning and private bathrooms.  Based on double occupancy, if you would prefer a single room, it is $250 extra. 

We will be treated to delicious home-cooked meals by private chefs in our homes. Breakfast will be in our individual casas, and dinners will be together at one central location. 

One of the most special aspects of this trip is that you will get to know your Cuban hosts and teachers, and have the opportunity to share in their rich cultural traditions. We will be hosted to private parties at the homes of our Cuban teachers in both Havana and Trinidad. We will dance, explore, and experience life with our Cuban friends, making this an experience to remember.  

We will spend 6 days in Havana, and 5 days in Trinidad. We will take walking tours, visit museums and cultural sites, and take advantage of the exciting nightlife. In addition, we offer excursions to some of Havana's most spectacular sights.

TRAVEL: 

Make your reservations as soon as you register!! We will meet at the Miami International Airport, in the morning of July 6th.  Your return flight from Cuba the night of the 17th, so you should make your return reservation out of MIA as late as possible to allow for delays, customs, etc. We will provide you with all the necessary visas, paperwork, etc. prior to travel. Let's get packing!

We will hold an informational meeting before the trip to answer any additional questions you may have. In the meantime, feel free to call with any questions: 510-220-0629 

General Itinerary: (subject to change)

July 6- Arrive in Havana 

July 7- Tour of Havana

July 8- Dance workshop + Explore Havana 

July 9- Dance Workshop + Explore Havana 

July 10- Depart for Trinidad Cuba  

July 11- Dance Workshop + Excursion Parque El Cubano 

July 12- Dance Workshop + Excursion Playa De Boca 

July 13- Dance Workshop + Excursion Topes Collantes/ Salo del Caburni by horseback 

July 14- Dance Workshop + Excursion Valle de Los Ingenios  

July 15- Leave for Havana + Music Event 

July 16- Dance Workshop  + Tour of Havana 

July 17- Leave for Airport 

We provide a balance between structured and unstructured activities so you can participate in group activities as you choose. Optional activities could include trips to the beach, City tours, visits to some of the many Cultural and Arts Museums, Folkloric Dance performances, visits to Art studios/schools, Farms, and more. 

This program has been qualified for legal entry to Cuba.  We will supply all the necessary visas. 

Trip costs: $2,200 with a non-refundable deposit of $800 Due May 23rd.  

Advance registration is required and enrollment is limited to 15 people. A non-refundable deposit of $800 is required to register, book flights and visa arrangements. 

Travelers who wish to travel on dates other than those specified for the group may do so for a $100 administrative fee. Please discuss this with us before making your arrangements.

For further details or questions, please contact: dancewithramon@gmail.com

510-220-0629

- CASH ONLY!! US Credit cards are not accepted yet, and there are no ATM's. It is useful to bring money in larger denominations ($100’s are preferred.) 

- In Cuba there are two currencies; we will be using CUC, (pronounced “kook” or “say-oo-says”) which is for tourists, while Cubans use Cuban pesos.

- The official rate is 87 CUC/dollar. (ie. $100 USD = 87 CUC). Please bring $500 to change upon arrival. After that, you can change money as needed.

- How much to bring? The suggested amount is $1500 for two weeks. If you plan to purchase art or other more expensive items, you’ll need to bring more. You’ll want to budget what you bring carefully since there is no easy way to get more!!

- What will you need money for? Lunches, water, taxis/buses, going out at night to clubs or concerts, private lessons, gifts, rum! Please also bring enough money to tip your hosts in the casas and the wonderful dance teachers who will be making your trip so special. We will be dancing with two separate companies, one in Havana and one in Trinidad, and you will likely want to tip them both. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

- There is now fairly accessible internet in Cuba, although it will be slow. In Havana, all the hotels will have internet. Hotel Parque Central, about 3 blocks from our casas, has a comfortable business center that usually has open computers. 

- You will need to purchase an internet card for $3- $6 for one hour of computer time. You can purchase from the hotel. We will also have some internet cards available for purchase. 

- You can now find “hot spots” around the city, and will see people on their phones in the parks.

- You can use your phone in Cuba, but it is VERY expensive

- To call the US from Cuba, it is a good idea to have an international calling plan in place that includes Cuba. You can also purchase a pre-paid phone card for about $2/minute for use in public pay phones.

- Outlets are the same as in the USA so you can use electric devices.

- Bring extra batteries if you might need replacements.

- It will be hot! Bring summery dresses, shorts, sandals, etc. You will want to wear as little as possible! 

- Bring workout/dancewear for classes. Shorts and lightweight clothing is best. If you have a folkloric skirt you might want to bring it. In some classes you will want to be barefoot, and in others you will want dance sneakers.

- Comfortable shoes for walking are a must.

- Cubans like to dress up for going out at night (especially in Havana) so bring a few fun evening outfits. Most of the time, however, it is fine to go out dressed casually, in jeans or shorts and sneakers or flats. 

- You will need a sweater for air-conditioned venues and for the bus ride. What you wear on the plane should be enough.

 - A copy of your passport to bring with you when you go out at night (Photo on phone is OK)

- A folkloric skirt if you have one. (If not, you can purchase one there for $20)

- A small towel to bring to class (we will be sweating!) 

- Sunscreen / bug spray

- Prescription medicines, plus a personal supply of Advil, Immodium, Neosporin, band-aids, Pedialyte, seasalt, EmergancE, etc.

- Extra sunglasses, prescription glasses

- Wet wipes, hand sanitizer

- toilet paper or tissues 

- Feminine products - you will be able to find there, but not high quality

- Ear plugs (it could get loud in the city!)

- Snacks: protein bars, nuts, jerky, etc.

- bathing suit

- small umbrella

- Cuba is generally very safe. But, as in most large cities, it is a good idea when walking around to be aware of your surroundings, don’t carry too much money, and travel with a friend.

- Your things will be safe in your room in the casas; someone will be there at all times. Lock your money, passport and return ticket in your suitcase.

- Hot!! There may be occasional rain, so a small umbrella could be useful.