Havana International Jazz Festival Sample Itinerary*
Day 1: Bienvenidos a Havana!
Welcome to Havana! After clearing immigration and customs, your Cuban host will greet you and escort you to your hotel in the heart of Havana. Take some time to settle in, and spend the rest of the day at your leisure, soaking up the incredible sights and sounds of the city. Later that evening, celebrate your arrival with a welcome dinner at the hotel.
(Dinner included)
Day 2: Havana International Jazz Festival Kick-Off
Your first full day in Havana begins with a warm greeting from your Cuban host and breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a stroll through the streets of historic Habana Vieja, exploring the famous Cathedral Square, Plaza de Armas, the City Museum, and the Havana Club Rum Museum. The city has been restored to its historic splendor by UNESCO World Heritage; it exudes colonial charm at its finest and is a must-see for all travelers.
After lunch, visit the Callejón de Hammel (Hammel’s Alley) – a community project promoting art, music, and culture. You'll have the incredible opportunity to meet with several Afro-Cuban artists for an up-close and personal look at the thriving arts scene.
Tonight it’s all about Jazz! After a spectacular dinner with friends, you’ll spend the evening at the Teatro Mella for the Havana International Jazz Festival kick-off celebration with some of Cuba's finest jazz musicians including Pablo Menendez and his band Mezcla, Jorge Reyes and Robert Fonseca.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Day 3: Havana
Today you'll meet with staff and executives at Egrem, Cuba’s largest and most well-known record label, where you may even see an artist record live! As the sun hangs low, tour through the Vedado and Centro Habana neighborhoods before indulging in a sweet treat at Copellia Ice Cream Emporium, which was featured in the movie Fresa y Chocolate (Strawberries and Chocolate).
After lunch, you'll spend the afternoon in a percussion workshop with local musicians expressing your new found Afro-Cuban rhythms, which means you’re going to get up and dance! In the evening, you will join other jazz enthusiasts from around the world at venues throughout Havana for various Havana Jazz Festival events.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Day 4: Vedado and Casa de la Amistad
In the afternoon, visit the neighborhood of Vedado to meet with representatives of the Instituto Cubano de Amistad con los Pueblos (Cuban Institute of Friendship to the People), an international Cuban organization that promotes cultural relations between the U.S. and Cuba. You’ll then enjoy a tour of Casa de la Amistad (Friendship House), a historic mansion where you’ll have the opportunity to observe a forum regarding U.S. and Cuba relations. To round out your morning, enjoy a private jazz concert at Casa de la Amistad.
This evening, you’ll attend a local community block party, where people from all walks of life and every generation come together to discuss neighborhood issues, eat, drink, and form friendships. This evening of celebration and unity is often referred to as one of the most incredible experiences offered by Insight Cuba.
After dinner, you will meet up with fellow jazz enthusiasts at one of the many festival venues throughout Havana.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Day 5: Havana
Today, you’ll partake in a meet-and-greet with the professors and students of one of Havana's premiere music schools to discuss the influences of jazz in Cuba.
Enjoy lunch with some of the students and faculty while learning even more about their passion for music and its place in Cuban culture.
After lunch, you'll make your way back to Havana to participate in your own music and dance workshop, learning from actual Cuban musicians about the sensual and passionate rhythms of their music.
After dinner, you'll head to the Teatro Mella for the Havana Jazz Festival closing concert where you will be treated to performances by Frank Fernandez, Joaquin Betancourt Jazz Band, and other notable jazz musicians.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Day 6: Adios Cuba!
After breakfast, you’ll bid farewell to Cuba as you board your flight back home.
(Breakfast included)
*This sample program (itinerary) will provide insight into what a participant may experience while traveling on an Insight Cuba program. A significant portion of your in-country programming is customized for each group in order to maximize your cultural experience. Many of our visits are not tourist destinations and are not always available, therefore, this program should be considered as a sample only, and may not be the actual itinerary for your particular program.