Cuba Yoga + Art Retreat
Cuban Art Yoga Retreat
Looking for the best yoga retreat and way to explore Cuba? Join our Yoga + ART retreat in Havana with a fantastic balance of fun, photography, art, yoga, mojitos, amazing food (yes, you heard that right!). We have our finger on the pulse of this town and are thrilled to show you the moves. Don’t miss this incredible art experience in Cuba!
Historically when any policy changes have been made towards Cuba travel, the US government has honored travel by any American who has already made payments toward their trip as a way to ‘set the wheels of your Cuba trip in motion’. US Airlines are flying to the island daily both direct and with layovers. IF anything is different and travel is banned we will refund your deposit in full, but this should not be the case. Please be brave and join us for these epic adventures to Cuba to SUPPORT THE CUBAN PEOPLE! They need it now more than ever…
About
Learn More
Experience Cuba like a local on our Amazing Yoga + ART Retreat
in Havana and beyond!
Legal travel to Cuba for US Citizens on our amazing yoga retreats in Havana and beyond! Cuba has become one of the locations nearest and dearest to our hearts over the past several years. The newly opened privatization of the island has blessed Havana and beyond with a deep expression of the underlying creative pulse that defines Cuba. It is our deepest desire to support this expansion for the Cuban people and to do all we can to help them grow as a culture and gain independence as a community.
Our Yoga + Art Retreat is a new creative retreat collaboration taking place in Havana, Cuba with inspirational women who have been friends and travel companions around the globe.
Together we will step back to an era of luxurious mansions and colorful vintage automobiles, with the distinctive clave and timbale rhythms putting a swing in your every step. And yet, for all of its faded retro charm, Cuba has a decidedly youthful, modern face as well, with über hip art galleries and restaurants.
We invite you to join us in this fascinating island country, where we will open ourselves up to a simpler and more joyful way of life, one where self-expression and real connections are embraced, and WiFi hotspots are few and far between. We will stay in a beautifully restored Casa Particular to fully immerse ourselves in the local culture.
Most mornings begin with a yoga practice to wake up the body and start with a fresh mental canvas. You’ll need a fresh canvas because Havana will paint your soul, and all of your senses, with colors you’ve never imagined. Cuba is a photographer’s dream, and we will help you find the manual settings on your camera so you can capture its charm. We will sample the local salsa dance scene, visit a working artist’s atelier, explore art galleries and museums, and visit the paths taken by the famous writer, Ernest Hemingway during his stint in the country. A photography session is included, and a beach clean-up adventure will ensure that we leave behind only footprints and echoes of laughter.
For those of you looking to delve a bit deeper into the art world, we will guide you through galleries and museums featuring famous Cuban artists, some of whom we will have the pleasure of getting to know on our trip. This is the perfect way to find that special piece that speaks to you and have the experience and the story of sharing how you acquired a unique work of Cuban art.
No artistic experience is necessary, just a willingness to explore the world, unplug from the daily hustle, and open yourself up to the inspiration that can be found in nature, culture, and community. Don’t forget to bring your yoga mat and a sketchbook to record your memories of the week. There is also plenty of unscripted time for you to explore on your own, or with new friends.
Includes
Learn More
Cuba Yoga + Art Retreat Includes
6 nights accommodations in our own Casa Particular
Daily yoga classes
Breakfast daily and 4 dinners together as a group
Donation offerings for families and working artists
Photography session with local photographer
Museo de Bella Artes visit & local gallery tours
Graphic Arts workshop
Salsa Dancing class at local dance school
Beach day on a gorgeous deserted beach
Overnight in Viñales, lunch at a local farm, art workshop with a local artist, nature
Classic Car ride along the Malecon
Night out to the hippest gallery and performance space in town, Fabrica de Arte Cubano
Roundtrip airport transfers from Havana International Airport on scheduled retreat days
Direct flights into Havana are available from several airports in the USA as well as most hubs abroad. Health insurance and a tourist visa is required by Cuba to enter the country and is available with the airline directly. Please let us know if you have any questions about travel details.
What’s not included :
– Airfare, tourist visa, and health insurance
– Alcohol
– Three lunches + 2 dinners
– Travel insurance
– Extras
– Staff Gratuities
Itinerary
Learn More
6 NIGHT YOGA + ART RETREAT IN CUBA ITINERARY*
DAY ONE :
Arrival Transportation from Havana International Airport
3:00pm Casa Particular arrival and check-in
6:30-8pm Welcome circle & opening stretch
8:30pm Dinner together as a group at our host house
DAY TWO :
8am Coffee, tea & fruit available
9-10:15am Group Yoga Practice
10:30am Breakfast
12pm Museum of Modern Art & out to the streets with a photographer & local guide in Old Havana
3pm Lunch (not included in pack)
5-7pm Gallery visits and walk about Old Havana
Dinner on your own
DAY THREE :
8am Coffee, tea & fruit available
9-10:15am Group Yoga Practice
10:30am Breakfast at Casa Particular
12-5pm Secluded beach day with lunch by local fishermen; beach clean-up
6:30-7:30pm Specialty workshop
Dinner on your own; optional night out Salsa Dancing
DAY FOUR :
8am Coffee, tea & Breakfast
9am Leave for overnight trip to Viñales to learn about local agriculture. Visit a local tobacco farm, roll and sample a real Cuban cigar, Lunch at an ecological farm with guided tour of local plants and growth time tables for production as well as discussions with Cuban farmers and produce sellers about cooperative farming and agricultural practices.
4:30pm Check into Viñales accommodations, relax
6:30-7:30pm Specialty workshop
Dinner on your own
DAY FIVE :
8am Coffee, tea & fruit available
8:30-9:30am Yoga Practice together
9:45am Breakfast
11am-1:30pm Craft workshop with local artist in Viñales
2pm Lunch on your own in town
3:30pm Nature adventure
5pm Head back to Havana
8:30pm Dinner together at home
10pm Optional night out at La Fabrica de Arte Cubano
DAY SIX :
8am Coffee, tea & fruit available
9-10:15am Group Yoga Practice
10:30am Breakfast
12:30-1:30pm Salsa Dancing workshop
2pm Lunch (not included in pack)
4:30-6pm Graphics Arts workshop
6pm Classic car rides down the Malecon
7:30pm Closing Circle & final stretch
9pm Dinner together at host house
DAY Seven :
8am Coffee, tea, fruit & breakfast available
Leave for Havana International Airport
*Please note that our Itinerary is subject to change as necessary according to circumstances and any unforeseen changes in our plans. Our intention is to keep as close to this schedule as possible but this is Cuba and at times we could find ourselves at the mercy of the powers that be. We will adjust and accommodate as best as possible if this occurs.
Stay
Learn More
Cuba Yoga + Art Retreat Accommodations
We have an amazing casa particular just for our retreat! Casa particulares are private homes that rent out a few rooms to travelers. Staying in a Cuban home is an incredible way to get a real taste of the culture and to experience this unique Caribbean lifestyle.
Our homes for the retreat are particularly charming and hosted by amazing families. Each house we choose is unique and we are sure you’ll love the experience of staying in a Cuban home!
We practice yoga surrounded by either gorgeous interiors from yesteryear or in the open air on the rooftop of Vedado. Evening practices offer spectacular sunsets and a cool island breeze.
This unique perspective on the neighborhood is such a special treat. Each evening the sun sets over the malecon but the views from our rooftop are phenomenal.
Havana has a charm like no other. Step back in time with us, support the Cuban people when they need it most, and find a new perspective on life that you didn’t think was possible. Cuba is a game changer.
Pricing
Learn More
Cuba Yoga + Art Retreat Pricing
PRIVATE ROOMS
Private rooms have one bed and an ensuite bathroom.
Double Bed $2,165usd private; $1,995usd shared bed* per person
*For shared bed options you must provide your own bedmate.
SHARED ROOMS
Some shared rooms are split-level and others have the beds on the same floor. All have ensuite bathrooms.
Double Bed $2,025usd + Twin Bed $1,955usd
All rooms are part of a beautiful Colonial style home in the neighborhood called Vedado which is close to a variety of restaurants, bars, nightlife, and art galleries.
Payments
Learn More
Cuba Yoga + Art Retreat Payments
MAKE YOUR DEPOSIT HERE :
Deposits* of $750usd are due to secure your space in the retreat. Please check availability with us for accommodations before making your deposit*
Roommates should book together. If you would like to share a room and do not have a roommate we will provide one for you if possible. In the case that there is no one to share a room we ask that you take a private economy room instead.
To make your deposit with a credit card, please click the link below. You will be directed to Paypal.com.
BALANCE PAYMENTS :
The balance of your retreat (minus your $750usd initial deposit*) is due 90 days prior to arrival. All details for this will be emailed to the group three months before the retreat.
You may pay with a credit card via PayPal, a bank wire transfer, Zelle, or deposit a check into our bank account to settle your balance. We also accept Bitcoin. We understand how much fees blow…though some of these options do incur a fee that will be passed on to you. Please see the itemized list below.
PayPal = Pay using your credit card. 4% fee is applied to final balances
Bank Wire = Pay online with a wire. Please add $20usd to your total for wire fee.
Zelle or dropping a check into our Chase account = No charge to pay with this method. Daily limits apply with Zelle.
Bitcoin = Modern payment methods in cryptocurrency. Any transaction fees your wallet requires are applied.
Please let us know your preferred method of payment and we will send you the appropriate information right away.
POLICIES
CANCELLATION POLICY
Please note that with the ever-changing policies with travel to Cuba we will adjust our Support for the Cuban People trips as necessary to make it possible to carry out our retreats as planned. By making deposits towards your trip you accept the risk that alternative routes may become necessary in order to join. We will do all we can in order to assist you in your travel needs. Cancellations made within 90 days or less of arrival are 100% non refundable. All deposits are non-refundable.
CLIENT RESPONSIBILITY
The acceptance of a verbal or written confirmation from YOGA & ADVENTURES WORLDWIDE (Y&AWW) constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions listed herein. Participants are responsible to be adequately insured, therefore Traveler’s Insurance is strongly recommended*. Y&AWW and its staff assume no responsibility nor liability for any delay, loss, damage, injury or accident with regards to persons or property which may be caused by fault or negligence of any third party vendor. This includes hotels, transportation providers, and local operators participating in part for our services. Y&AWW shall be held harmless for any expense caused by injury or accident, to any participants as well as any loss or damage of personal items while on our tours. We reserve the right to make any changes to services and itineraries, with or without notice, which may become necessary.
Yoga & Adventures Worldwide, its affiliates, retreat facilitators, hotels, third party vendors, and tour providers, the ownership, or staff, of course, cannot be held responsible for events that are outside of our control. There are no refunds as per our cancellation policies. We highly recommend that all of our guests secure a quality travel insurance that will cover them for ANY event which may cause for a change of travel plans, or for ANY unfortunate event including but of course not limited to:
– Transportation delays, cancellations or changes due to strikes, labor disputes, or lockouts from airlines, boats, ferries or any type of transportation
– Any inconvenience or complication caused by bad weather, storms, and hurricanes : a direct hit, near miss, or significant threat of a hurricane strike
– Government/political actions, events or situations; threats or acts of terrorism, acts of war or declared war.
– Personal health issues or personal situations in general which may affect travel plans
– Any loss, theft or damage of personal items at any stage of your trip
– Any accident causing injury during any stage of your trip
AIG offers Travel Guard at affordable rates. Please let us know if you have chosen to purchase insurance or declined at final balance due.
By submitting payments toward your retreat you accept these Terms and Conditions.
If you have any questions regarding the details of this retreat please feel free to contact us to set up a Skype conversation or to receive further info via email.
Video
Learn More
Some of our ‘intermediate’ salsa dancers showing their moves after a retreat.
What started out as a little Cuba retreat video became a short film about our adventures there. We turned it over to the local artists in Havana to create this little gem and we LOVE it!
Travel Tips Guide
Learn More
What to expect on your cuban adventure
Travel to Cuba for US Citizens is legal with our yoga retreat programs. We operate under the US Department of the Treasury, Division of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Support for the Cuban People general license §515.574. This license allows us to travel as a group to Cuba and participate in a full schedule as outlined by the US government while we are in Cuba.
What exactly does ‘Support for the Cuban People’ mean? This is a category of license set up by the US gov’t that encourages connection between the people of Cuba and the people of the US (and beyond so don’t worry if you are from another place! It is really for everyone). This means we will only be directly supporting the Cuban people with our activities and plans while on the island.
Flights are available directly from the USA to Havana and are very affordable. We send you with all the legal documents you need to travel in and out of Cuba as required by US law.
Once travel plans have been made, regardless of any future changes in regulations you are still allowed to follow through with your original plans as they were when set in motion. That said, we do not anticipate any further setbacks in this area of the government.
You will travel to Havana with your own tourist visa just like any country. You purchase this on your own through your airline at the airport in the city in which you are flying into Havana from. Your airline can offer further guidance in this area. The visa costs between $30-50usd in addition to your flight (note that flying through Miami you’ll see a visa rate of $100usd so try to avoid that if at all possible). There is also a way to obtain your travel visa in advance online but shipping costs apply so it might not be cost effective to order in advance. Please contact your airline directly for options and pricing once you have your flights.
You are required to hold onto this visa throughout the duration of your time in Cuba as they ask for it on your departure from the country. There are no departure taxes leaving Cuba.
Please feel free to contact us with any other specific questions or concerns you have regarding travel. We are here to set your mind at ease and help you in any way possible. We have been running retreats in Cuba for more than three years now with much consistency and have not had any problems thus far whatsoever and do not anticipate any to come.
DONATIONS AND WHAT TO BRING FOR OFFERINGS
Please plan to bring a duffle or suitcase full of items to be donated to children, women, men, and families in need in Havana. Plan to bring a variety of items of clothing (remember the climate is hot and hotter but chilly in winter so a hoodie and long pants also could serve especially this time of year), toys, books (in Spanish if you can find them or basic workbooks in English), hygiene products, underclothes, and any other items you feel appropriate or that you have to offer. Sizes can range from babies to teens, both boy and girl please as well as adult clothing and other items that you may have around. If you have items in your own closet that you can forego feel free to add those in. Think basics as those tend to be the most treasured. Items that are always cherished are fabric softener, warm light bulbs, and clothes hangers. It’s the little things…so if any of those are overflowing from your cabinets feel free to toss them into your bags!
We also will be supporting local artists with hard to get supplies so please drop by your local art store or your own studio and pick up oil paint tubes. A variety of brushes, palettes, and canvas rolls if you can fit them into your suitcase (you could roll up some canvas and fit it inside your yoga mat or fold up both when packing. They can iron out the creases later!) These are a few suggestions. We will separate them out on opening night and distribute them throughout our stay. We are very close with a leader in the Cuban art community who will accept our offerings and distribute them as needed throughout the city and beyond.
Thank you so much in advance for your generosity. Keeping in mind the recent hurricane that pummeled the island, Caritas Cubana the organization we work with on the ground distributes their accumulated donations across the island far and wide to reach those most in need. We will also be carrying a few items with us as we make our way around the island to personally deliver to those that cross our paths.
COMMUNICATION AND WHERE TO FIND YOU IN CUBA
Getting online in Cuba is tricky. If you need to check in there is a place you can do so a couple blocks away at a wifi park. You need to get a scratch off card from a guy on the corner (hopefully he is around) and enter it into your phone or computer. Bringing a laptop seems excessive so I think it’s best to embrace the idea that you are literally ‘offline’ and enjoy that. It’s kind of fabulous and freeing!
In case of any emergency have your people send an email to us with URGENT in the subject and we will get the message to you. Also we have a Cuban cell phone if you or your people need to reach me directly there. We will provide that in our group email the weeks leading up to the retreat.
MONEY : HOW MUCH AND WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING
Cuba operates on 2 currencies: CUC, the Cuban Convertible Peso which is for tourists and CUP, the Cuban Peso which is for national use only.
You should bring EUROS to spend in Cuba as they take 10% of US Dollars when exchanging to CUC. Most major US banks have Euros in stock or can be ordered with a little advance notice. Please heed this warning and bring Euros with you to spend in order to make your money last longer while on retreat. There is a currency exchange desk at the airport in Havana (one inside upstairs and one outside when you exit from customs). You will need your passport to make these transactions. Just let your driver know that you have arrived before your exchange and he will wait for you to do so! Please keep in mind that the items not included in your retreat are :
– Alcohol or any nightlife you’d like to enjoy and taxis getting to and from
– A few Lunches
— Bottled drinking water
– Any extras like souvenirs, cigars, art, or rum
– Staff Gratuities which is always much appreciated (and well deserved!)
We recommend that you start out exchanging the equivalent of $200usd and then if you need to exchange more there wil be opportunities in Old Havana to do so during the retreat.
For Americans, your bank card will not work in Cuba (and shouldn’t be used anyway) so you want to make sure to bring enough money with you. Cuba is not as inexpensive as you might think so plan to spend what you would in say Manhattan or San Francisco daily for food and other purchases. With that in mind you’ll have enough and likely go home with some cash.
We will be taking balances in Euro upon arrival at the daily rate IN CUBA for the Euro. Typically it is around 1cuc/usd : 0.869 Euro so around 85 cents to the Euro. We will email you the details of the rate with your balance due email a few weeks prior to the retreat. Rates don’t tend to fluctuate too much from day to day.
NAVIGATE THE CITY AND BEYOND OFFLINE :
Before you leave home please take the time to download maps.me for Havana so you can navigate the city in your free time!
