Cuban Salsa + Dance Retreat
The pulse of Havana permeates the air from the moment you hit the ground. The rhythms and the style of the culture is in every block, every face, every inch of this incredible land. Take a trip back in time to the land of salsa, classic cars, incredible architecture and timeless style to Cuba. Our retreat focus is on Cuban Salsa. Learn from the best with daily group or private classes and nights out on the town with your instructor dancing like a local under the stars. All levels are welcome on this incredible adventure. Legal travel to Cuba for US Citizens under US Department of the Treasury, Division of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Support for the Cuban People general license §515.574.
About
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The pulse of Havana permeates the air from the moment you hit the ground. The rhythms and the style of the culture is in every block, every face, every inch of this incredible land. Take a trip back in time to the land of salsa, classic cars, incredible architecture and timeless style to Cuba. Our retreat focus is on learning to dance Cuban Salsa. Instruction from the best on the island with daily group or private classes and nights out on the town with our instructors dancing like a local under the stars. All levels are welcome on this incredible adventure.
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.
Legal travel to Cuba for US Citizens under US Department of the Treasury, Division of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Support for the Cuban People general license §515.574. This license allows US citizens to travel with us as a group to Cuba and participate in a full schedule as outlined by the US government while we are in Cuba. You can read more in our Travel Tips Guide below about travel to Cuba.
Includes
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Cuban Salsa + Dance Retreat Includes :
– 6 nights accommodations in a Casa Particular
– Breakfasts daily
– 4 dinners together as a group at private restaurants or at home
– Daily Conscious Movement practice
– Private & Group Cuban dance classes daily as per itinerary
– Live Salsa Music & Rhythm Workshop
– Practical dancing instruction on the town as per itinerary
– Cuban Cocktail making workshop with local bartenders
– Beach day with clean up
– Cuban history tour with Cuban local guide
– Classic Car ride along the Malecon
– Old Havana exploration time
– Donation offerings for locals and artists
– Roundtrip airport transfers from Havana International Airport
What’s not included :
– Airfare, tourist visa, and health insurance
– Alcohol, bottled water
– Three lunches & 1 dinner on your own
– Travel insurance
– Extras
– Staff Gratuities (suggested between $35-50usd for the incredible staff)
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.
Pricing
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PRICING & ROOM DETAILS
PRIVATE ROOM #1 – MAIN HOUSE
Double Bed $2,215usd private; $1,875usd shared bed per person
Private bathroom located just outside the room.
PRIVATE ROOM #2 – GARDEN CASITA
King Bed $2,140usd private; $1,840usd shared bed per person
(Shared bathroom with private room #3)
PRIVATE ROOM #3 – GARDEN CASITA
Double Bed $2,065usd private; $1,805usd shared bed per person
(Shared bathroom with private room #2)
SHARED DOUBLE ROOM – MAIN HOUSE
Room #4 (1 double & 1 twin)
(this is the double bed in the shared room, twin bed not shown)
$1,915usd Double bed; $1,840usd Twin bed
Shared bathroom just outside room with room #5
SHARED DOUBLE ROOM – MAIN HOUSE
Room #5 (2 doubles)
$1,840usd Double bed per person
Shared bathroom just outside room with Room #4
SHARED Triple ROOM – MAIN HOUSE
Room #6 (3 twins)
(These photos are a representation of this option.Photos coming soon!)
$1,795usd Twin bed per person
Exclusive bathroom just outside room
All rooms are part of a beautiful 1940s home in the neighborhood called Miramar/Playa. Bathrooms are ample and shared amongst the rooms.
Itinerary
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CUBAN SALSA DANCING RETREAT ITINERARY*
DAY ONE :
Arrival Transportation from Havana International Airport
3:00pm Casa Particular arrival and check-in
6:30-8pm Welcome circle & happy hour with live music
8pm Dinner together as a group at our host house
DAY TWO :
7am Coffee & tea available
8:30-9:30am Yoga Power Hour
9:45am Breakfast at Casa Particular
11:30-1pm Salsa Dancing & Music workshop at local dance school
1:30-3pm Lunch at private resto in Old Havana (not included in pack)
3-5pm Old Havana exploration
5pm Classic Car rides back along the Malecon
7:30pm Dinner together at home
10pm Optional Night out dancing with instructors
DAY THREE :
7am Coffee & tea available
8:30-9:30am Yoga Power Hour
9:45am Breakfast at Casa Particular
11:30-1pm Salsa Dancing & Music workshop at local dance school
2-6pm Beach Clean-up day & lunch included
Rest and relax at the house
8pm Cocktails & bites
9:30pm Dinner & gallery visit at La Fabrica de Arte Cubano
DAY FOUR :
7am Coffee & tea available
8:30-9:30am Yoga Power Hour
9:45am Breakfast at Casa Particular
11:30-1pm Salsa Dancing & Music workshop at local dance school
1:30-3pm Lunch at private resto in Old Havana (not included in pack)
4-6pm Guided Mafia Tour around the city
8pm Dinner together at host house
10pm Optional Night out dancing with instructors
DAY FIVE :
7am Coffee & tea available
8:30-9:30am Yoga Power Hour
9:45am Breakfast at Casa Particular
11:30-1pm Salsa Dancing & Music workshop at local dance school
1:30-3pm Lunch (not included in the package)
3-5pm Cocktail making workshop and happy hour
7:30pm Dinner together at host house
9pm Night out dancing on the Malecon with instructors
DAY SIX :
8am Coffee, tea, fruit & breakfast available Leave for HAVANA 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. Havana operates on a later schedule which is why our days are running later than our typical retreat schedules.
Stay
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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 Caribbean lifestyle. Our homes for the retreat are particularly charming and hosted by some amazing families. Our newest accommodations are in a charming 1940s style home surrounded by green and located in he neighborhood called Miramar/Playa just far enough away from the hustle of the city but close enough to enjoy tons of amazing restaurants and nightlife nearby.
Payments
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Payments :
Deposits* of $500usd are due to secure your space in the retreat.
The balance of your retreat (minus your $500usd initial deposit*) is due 60 days prior to arrival. All details for this will be emailed to the group two months before the retreat.
You may pay with a credit card via PayPal or you may choose a bank wire transfer or deposit to settle your balance. We also accept Bitcoin.
MAKE YOUR DEPOSIT HERE :
Please check availability with us for accommodations before making your $500usd 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, please click the link below. You will be directed to Paypal.com
POLICIES
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations made within 60 days or less of arrival are 100% non refundable.
All initial deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Please note that with the ever-changing policies with travel to Cuba we will adjust our Humanitarian 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. All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferrable in these cases. Thank you for your understanding.
CLIENT RESPONSIBILITY
The acceptance of a verbal or written confirmation from YOGA ADVENTURES WORLDWIDE (YAWW) constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions listed herein. Participants are responsible to be adequately insured, therefore Traveler’s Insurance is strongly recommended*. YAWW 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. YAWW 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. YAWW are not to be held responsible for changes in itinerary beyond our control, this includes bad weather or hurricanes; any inconvenience or complication caused by a hurricane’s direct hit, near miss, or significant threat of a hurricane strike. There are no refunds due to flight cancellations or changes, strikes, labor disputes, lockouts, threats or acts of terrorism, acts of war or declared war.
We highly recommend that you purchase trip insurance to protect your investment. AIG offers Travel Guard at affordable rates. You will be asked 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
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Our unique People to People Yoga Retreat in Cuba as captured by Anna Fishkin and edited by Reed Rickert of
Modern Maya : Nomadic Media Collective
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Some of our ‘intermediate’ salsa dancers showing their moves after a retreat.
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An adorable short film about our adventures in Havana and beyond as created by our friends and local artists.
Travel Tips Guide
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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.
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!
