Description
This unique Music and Dance in Cuba Tour features classes and excursions that explore communities, and their dances and rhythms, including Salsa, Son, Rueda, and Afro-Cuban folkloric styles. The trip includes classes, presentations, and cultural exchanges with individual artists from internationally acclaimed groups, Raíces Profundas, Ban Rarrá and Tierra Kaliente.
Dance
You will interact with Cuba’s top dance professionals and learn about how dance is an integral part of Cuban society. Develop your skills with 3-4 hours a day of dance classes focusing on Afro-Cuban Folklore and Salsa. In the popular classes, participants work with professional Cuban dance partners and focus on Cuban Salsa, Reggaetón, Son and Rueda de Casino. Folklore classes will include Yoruba, Rumba and Cuban Haitian styles with live musicians in all classes. Our teachers are top professionals from from internationally acclaimed groups, Raíces Profundas, Ban Rará and Tierra Kaliente. These master dance teachers break down the movements and examine the influence of folkloric styles on Popular Cuban dances. All dance classes are separated into smaller groups by level for maximum learning. We will attend ceremonies and learn directly from the people about the culture and how dance fits into it.
Learn more about our Dance in Cuba Tour here
Music
Explore the roots of Cuban music with hands on instrument classes at Havana’s National School of Music (La ENA). The program also includes rhythm workshops, ensemble playing, and classes on history of Cuban music with top instructors and students from the school. Percussionists will earn about the historical and cultural significance of Afro-Cuban drumming and and examine rhythms for Congas, Bongó and/or Batá. You will learn about Popular and Afro-Cuban fokloric drumming, attend ceremonies, and have a lot of opportunities to engage with the people.
Learn more about our Music in Havana Tour here
In addition to interacting with Cuban musicians and dancers, you’ll attend insider concerts and parties, meet visual artists, and get to know more about the architecture of Havana!
PlazaCUBA is the leading expert in Cuban cultural travel, with more than 20 years of experience and intimate connections with the most influential artists and performers in Cuba today. Our team is comprised of seasoned professionals who coordinate events and assist you on your journey. We’re dedicated to connecting you with Cuban artists and giving you an insider’s perspective on this magical country through the eyes of the people.
Tour Prices and Discounts
REGISTRATION DEADLINE FEBRUARY 12, 2024
This tour will fill up so pay your $500 deposit now to hold your space
(The deposit is non-refundable but can be transferred to any 2024/2025 tour)
Music and Dance in Cuba
April 27 – May 4, 2024
Double Room
On or Before November 2
$2,545
After November 2
$2,645
Single Room Supplement $300
Repeat Customers: $100 off
Music and Dance in Cuba Tour Includes
- Legal travel to Cuba in the Support for the Cuban People category.
- Airport transfer to accommodations upon arrival to Cuba (for arrivals on the program start date only.)
- Seven nights single or double occupancy accommodations, with breakfast daily.
- Activities on the itinerary, including classes, private performances, lectures with renowned experts, and excursions focused on music, dance and culture that support for the Cuban people.
- All in-country ground transportation for group activities listed on the itinerary.
- Access to information about what is happening in Havana minute by minute through our professional connections and onsite Cuban staff. We’ll see and meet members of Ban Rarrá, Raíces Profundas, and Tierra Kaliente, Pupy Pedroso, Habana de Primera, Rumbatá, El Niño, Timbalaye, Osain del Monte, and more!
- One special group meal with all the Cubans working in the program.
- English-speaking guide for programmed activities. Translator for all classes and group presentations.
- Expert staff of Cuban coordinators and PlazaCUBA representatives for on-site assistance.
Not Included: Airfare, Cuban entry visa, airport transfer after the program, meals not listed on the schedule
Watch a video from a past Music and Dance Tour!
See all of Our Cuba Tours
Danielle Lundgren –
If you REALLY want to dance in Cuba, a trip with Plaza Cuba is the only way to go! Learn from the best dancers in Cuba, go out every night with fabulous Cuban dance partners and get swept away by live Cuban music. Plaza Cuba is connected with the top dance companies and musicians so that you experience the best. I have gone 5 times and I will go again because it would not be the same experience on my own. I am addicted!
Taryn M –
First time in Havana and it was so magical and colorful. Thank you so much Donald and Alisa and the staff Margarita, Mela, Gillian. It was one of the best magical travel experience rich in culture and music. The staff and the location and accommodation were perfect. The sad part was going home, made so many good friends and memories. Highly recommend to book this trip now.
Cassandra Shore –
Plaza Cuba courses in Havana are an exceptionally great way to dig deep into the Afro-Cuban culture of the island. They arrange classes with the top professionals in their fields, who are excellent instructors, and even in a week, one can get a good understanding of the music and dance arts! I loved every minute!
Court Crawford –
I have been a dedicated student of Salsa music for several years, and of afro-cuban folkloric music for several years prior to that. I’m pleased to say that even if I had high exceptions for the program, they would have been blown out of the water.
After years of oral tradition, picking up tidbits from other musicians who may have heard it from other musicians, it was astounding to get direct instruction from the faculty of the cuban national college for music. The instruction was clear, direct, and authoritative. The ensemble work was satisfying. The translator was impeccable. The tour guides were lifesavers. Plazacuba is legit. You should go, and you should prepare to learn something authentic!
Thalia Farshchian –
PlazaCuba’s trip was seamless even when plans had to be altered last minute. They did a great job of curating classes/events that allowed us to truly connect with Cuban people. We were surrounded by extremely inspiring and talented individuals. I’d highly recommend this trip to anyone with a curiosity for the richness of Cuban culture.
Patrick Velasquez –
It was very inspirational just being at the school and listening to the students practicing their instruments all over the school. Likewise the teachers were excellent, incredible sources of important knowledge that I could never access here in the states. I also really enjoyed speaking with Donald. He was very supportive and contributed a lot to my learning. Both he and the other staff displayed an admirable frankness and empathy for the situation in which the Cuban people find themselves economically.
Thank you all for everything. The program was extremely well organized, a difficult accomplishment since I know that things in Cuba happen at their own pace.
Kristin Bowman –
I came back feeling better than I have felt in years!
Erica Fox –
PlazaCUBA did a wonderful job providing an authentic experience for the students that never felt overly “touristy” or cheesy. I felt like you went above and beyond to think about how our activities could be as memorable and as “real” as possible while ensuring the various Cuban people we worked with were incorporated into the plazaCUBA family. PlazaCUBA stands apart in the way in which it respects Cuban culture, supports the people we work with and provides attending students with the most authentic experience possible. It was a dream come true to be able to travel to a country I have also wanted to visit while pursuing my passion for dance all in one!
Leslie Leitner –
I’ve traveled to many out of the way places for many years but never with a group – so I was a bit skeptical about this trip and only signed on because of the unknown legality of independent travel in Cuba. This turned out to be one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had! It was clear that the leaders – Alisa and Donald – had true love and respect for the country and its people and had genuinely close and authentic relationships with the Cubans who were part of this experience. Those relationships clearly went beyond “transactional” and that vibe permeated every aspect of the trip – from the classes to the many varied excursions. I cannot recommend travel with Plaza Cuba highly enough!!!