Havana International Jazz Festival 2021
Take in the heart & soul of this colorful & cultural island: 36th Havana International Jazz Festival
Style | Small Group Tour Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout | ||
Departures | Group Size | 16 travelers max | |
Themes | History & Culture | ||
What to Expect | This fast-paced, escorted program includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. |
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“To jazz, or not to jazz, there is no question!” exclaimed jazz legend Louis Armstrong – and we couldn’t agree more. Deep in the heart of Cuba, a cacophony of chords flows through the island like a heartbeat or the very lifeblood of its colorful communities. And it is something every music-lover has to experience to understand!
With an itinerary any jazz aficionado will adore, this expertly crafted tour includes passes to the 36th Havana International Jazz Festival, private performances at one of Havana’s hottest late-night jazz clubs La Zorra y el Cuervo, and more!
And of course, we’ve packed every day with Support for the Cuban People experiences that will leave you with an unforgettable trip and memories that last a lifetime. Stay six nights at the Melia Cohiba, a spectacular hotel, located in Vedado. You'll meet up-and-coming Cuban artists; learn how to roll cigars from the masters, and more.
Package includes
- Flights
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Non-stop round trip flights from Miami to Havana, including taxes & fees
- Health insurance in Cuba, included in the cost of your airfare
- U.S. Treasury Department, OFAC License Certification
- Cuban Tourist Visa
- All land transportation, transfers & porterage in Cuba
- 6 nights 5-star hotel accommodations in Havana
- 13 meals: 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 2 dinners, including a welcome and farewell dinner
- Comprehensive educational exchange program, including entrance fees
- Premium Festival Pass
- Friendly Planet Representative
- Professional, English-speaking local guide, who will facilitate the exchanges with Cubans
Optional add-ons
- Pre-Night stay in Miami
- Post-Night stay in Miami
Why you'll love it
- Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of the 36th Havana International Jazz Festival with an all access Premium Pass.
- Attend a private jazz concert in one of Cuba's top jazz venues, "La Zorra y el Cuervo".
- Meet young jazz artists and learn about life in Cuba as an aspiring musician.
- Explore Old Havana’s architectural treasure trove and learn about the restoration efforts and improvement of social services to the community.
- Cruise the streets of Havana in a privately-owned classic American car.
- Enjoy several meals at Cuban paladares: small, family-run restaurants.
Itinerary at a Glance
Detailed Itinerary
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 1 Tuesday, January 19, 2021 – Miami/Havana
- Arrive in Havana and transfer to your hotel
- Opening ceremony of the Jazz Festival
- Welcome Gala dinner and music event
Melía Cohiba or similarDinner
Day 2 Wednesday, January 20, 2021 – Havana
- Discussion on history of Cuban Jazz
- Privately guided walking tour through Old Havana
- Lunch at local paladar
- Experience Cuban rhythms with a dance lesson
- Jazz Festival
Melía Cohiba or similarBreakfast & lunch
Day 3 Thursday, January 21, 2021 – Havana, Guanabacoa, and Cojimar
- Visit elementary level music school
- Tour the fishing village of Cojimar and enjoy lunch at a local paladar
- Meet with Santa Amalia dancers in Bahia
- Take a ride in a classic American convertible to tour picturesque Havana in style
- Jazz Festival
Melía Cohiba or similarBreakfast & lunch
Day 4 Friday, January 22, 2021 - Las Terrazas
- Visit to Las Terrazas community
- Lunch at Casa Campesino
- Jazz Festival
Melía CohibaBreakfast & lunch
Day 5 Saturday, January 23, 2021 – Havana
- Learn about the artwork of Beatriz Santacana
- Enjoy lunch at a private home
- Private concert with Cuban Jazz artist Yasek Manzano
- Jazz Festival
Melía Cohiba or similarBreakfast & lunch
Day 6 Sunday, January 24, 2021 – Havana
- Meet members of the community project, Clave Sol
- Visit the community project, Okantomi to experience a lively Rumba session
- Lunch
- Visit a jazz club with a private jazz session
- Closing ceremony of the Jazz Festival
Melía Cohiba or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 7 Monday, January 25, 2021 – Havana/Miami
- Transfer to the airport and board your flight back to Miami
Breakfast
Note: Itinerary is subject to change based on local availability.
This itinerary provides a full time schedule of activities that will result in meaningful interactions between you and individuals in Cuba. U.S. law requires that all persons who participate in this program adhere to this full time schedule, and imposes on Friendly Planet the obligation to ensure such adherence.
Infrastructure in Cuba, including even the best hotels, may not always be up to U.S. standards. The hotels really do try to maintain quality accommodations, and in the properties we select for our tours, they generally do a good job. However, Cuba's resources and climate do sometimes impact a hotel's ability to keep up with maintenance and indoor air quality. For example, in Cuba's tropical climate, you might notice musty odors in some buildings, including hotels. We do our best to select the highest quality hotels, restaurants and paladars that Cuba has to offer, but we appreciate your flexibility and understanding when you encounter a minor imperfection. Cuba has a long way to go before its hotels, highways, public restrooms and other features reach U.S. levels, but all in all, you will not suffer any major difficulties in tolerating the small issues that may occur. If you have any medical or dietary concerns, however, please inform us when you make your reservation, so we can take whatever special precautions are required to assure your comfort and wellbeing.
Hotel
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
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Trip Details
- What should I know before I go?We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements?Travel visas are required for this package. Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip?Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions?To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 12 or older at time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance?Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print?Review the terms & conditions for this package.
What should I know about Cuba?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
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