Salsaville Dance Studios

Salsaville's epic two-week plus Music & Dance Tour of Cuba is back with new destinations!!
     Havana, Viñales, and Varadero!

The plan is to first spend 9 nights taking in the big city and salsa capital, Havana. We will explore the salsa scene in depth (parties, concerts, local dance clubs, and more), get to know several locals, and take in the architectural splendor that is Havana.

Then, we take our own bus for a 2.5 hour ride to Viñales, a small-town in the middle of the famous tabacco producing region of Cuba, and surrounded by spectacular nature.

Finally, we take another ride in our own bus, with a couple of short stops along the way, seeing gorgeous countryside and the coast, to arrive at the town of Varadero, which is lined for miles with one of the best beaches in the world. Here we will relax, slow down, but still enjoy going out dancing, and likely take a few dance lessons as well.

Each destination is very different and all provide unique and amazing experiences:

• Havana has numerous striking city sights, is packed full of cultural activities to experience, and has internationally famous salsa bands playing live every night.
• Viñales is its own small world, and provides us a chance to completely disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the cities, while relaxing & living in the middle of a variety of gorgeous nature areas.
• Varadero is Cuba's most famous beach town with a picture-perfect turquiose water and white sand beach. In addition, we will enjoy a small handful of music & dance activities while there.

Here are the details of our travel plans:

• Leave early Friday, Nov 24th and arrive that evening to Havana. Or, leave early-afternoon the same day, spend a leisurely night in an airport hotel, and arrive at noon the next day.
• Bus to Viñales: Monday, December 4th
• Bus to Varadero: Thursday, December 7th
• Leave Cuba: afternoon of Sunday, December 10th, and get home late that night, or spend the night in an airport hotel and arrive home around noon the next day.

There are three travel package options:

Option #1. Full trip: Leave Friday, November 24th and return Sunday, December 10th

I do recommend this first and longer option, as you will get to experience so much of what Cuba has to offer. Each place is so different, and seeing them all will provide a much more balanced & complete view of Cuba.

If your schedule simply does not allow you to be gone for over two weeks, we have two alternate options:

Option #2. Havana only: Leave Friday, November 24th and return Sunday, December 3rd

The main destination in a visit to Cuba is Havana, the capital of Cuba, which has the most access to music & dance events along with offering so many things to see & experience. You will leave with getting an extremely good view of the culture of Cuba.

Option #3. Outside of Havana: Viñales & Varadero only: Leave Sunday, December 3rd, and return Sunday, December 10th

Viñales & Varadero are such special places. Countryside & then some glorious beautiful beach. Recommended especially for those who strongly prefer smaller cities/towns with a laid-back experience, or perhaps for those who previously visited Havana but haven't yet explored other parts of the country.

Option #3 PLUS: If you want to get a quick peek at Havana as well, you could fly to Havana on Friday, Dec 1st, or Saturday Dec 2nd! We won't be leaving Havana (for Viñales) until Monday morning. (The package price for this option wouldn't be much more.)

Testimonials from Salsaville's 1st Music & Dance trip to Cuba - November 2015
Testimonials from Salsaville's 2nd Music & Dance trip to Cuba - January 2016
Testimonials from Salsaville's 3rd Music & Dance trip to Cuba - March 2016
Testimonials from Salsaville's 4th Music & Dance trip to Cuba - November 2016
Testimonials from Salsaville's 5th Music & Dance trip to Cuba - January 2017

And the trips just keep getting better and better each time. Here are some testimonials from more recent trips:

Testimonials from Salsaville's 11th Music & Dance trip to Cuba - January 2019
Testimonials from Salsaville's 12th Music & Dance trip to Cuba - November 2019

And here are the testimonials from now two completed trips since after the pandemic began:

Testimonials from Salsaville's 14th Music & Dance trip to Cuba - November 2022
Testimonials from Salsaville's 15th Music & Dance trip to Cuba - February 2023

Any questions or concerns? Please just email me, or call me directly at 720-336-1239.

Back to the Cuba Trip home page

Read on for many more details ...

The Application Form is at bottom of this page.

This trip will be run under a legal "Support for the Cuban People" license (31 CFR § 515.574)

The group size will be limited to 16 or so travelers.
Please note that this will be run as a "semi-boutique" tour, meaning that the group size will kept on the small side, each member of the trip will receive individual attention, and the tour can be somewhat customized to your desires & interests. In addition, we are staying in upscale accommodations, but as a home-stay, not in a hotel. The group will be able to move around more efficiently and do more than a larger group could. This way we can all achieve my goal of making sure that each person has an amazing experience.

Included in the package price is:

Basic Travel:

• All airport transfers in Cuba.
• Very comfortable bus transfer from Havana to Viñales, and then to Varadero, and then to the airport to exit the country.
• Cuban tourist visa (Currently costs $85 or $100 depending on the airline, but is included as part of the package price.)
• Departure tax
• Cuban medical insurance
• "Support for the Cuban People" license.
• Every night at a very nice B&B in all locations, each with a private room, AC, and en-suite bathroom.
• Chauffeur-driven cars available in all locations for the group every day & night to take us wherever we need to go.

Music & Dance Activities:

• Welcome dinner & dance parties at our Cuban dance schools in Havana.
• Group dance lessons for 3 hours per day for 5 or 6 days. And each student will have his/her own Cuban professional dance assistant/partner during each class.
• Two private one-hour dance lessons. (With options to take additional private lessons, time permitting, at only a nominal extra cost.) (This is a use it or lose it benefit, and it can sometimes be tricky to find the time to take these lessons.)
• 8 or 9 nights out dancing in authentic Cuban nightclubs. This includes going out to the best-known clubs of Havana to hear and dance to live famous international acts. In Havana, groups such as Maikel Blanco, Los Van Van, Havana De Primera, Pupy y Los Que Son Son, Manolito Simonet, Elito Revé, etc.
• For many of our nights out dancing, we will have along with us a group of our instructors and Cuban dance partners to dance and hang out with us all night long.
• Visit to rehearsal of a famous salsa band with a private performance and interactive lecture about Cuban music.
• Dance shows of the various genres of Cuban dance. (Rumba, Afro-Cuban, Son, Salsa (Casino), Rueda de Casino, Cha-cha-cha, Mambo, etc.)

Additional activities:

• Optional afternoon trip to "Playas del Este" -- a 30 minute drive to the most beautiful beaches in the Havana area. (If you are coming to Varadero, then it's no big deal to skip this.)
• Guided tour through Havana for two or more afternoons -- one with a professional English-speaking Cuban guide, and the others with Eric.
• Two guided tours through the region of Viñales. This includes visiting a tobacco farm, and a short hike through some caves, and open vistas.
• Wandering around the streets of Havana and encountering live son/salsa bands, and people to speak with.
• Visit to "El Morro" and other famous sites in Havana.
• Visit to a couple of Cubans' homes - on both sides of the economic spectrum - and hear them speak on life in Cuba today.
• If you have a special interest, such as seeing a Cuban school/university, baseball game, tobacco or coffee farm, etc., just ask and we will help to arrange this.
• Group dinners most nights, including at some of Havana's, Viñales, and Varadero's best restaurants. (Cost of meals to be paid on your own.)

Trip cost, which does not include airline travel from your home airport to Cuba & back:

• The base price for the trip is $2,900 (double occupancy), $3,100 (single occupancy).
• The base price for the Havana-only trip is $2,300 (double occupancy), $2,450 (single occupancy).
• The base price for the Viñales & Varadero-only trip is $2,100 (double occupancy), $2,250 (single occupancy).

The following is now included in the cost of the travel package:

• Cell phone service along with your very own Cuba phone line/number:
  • This comes with a number of minutes for placing local calls, text messaging, and several GB of mobile data access so you can access the internet (email, Facebook, WhatsApp, browsing, etc.) from anywhere there is a good signal. (Extra minutes, GB of mobile data, etc. only at a nominal cost.)
  • This cell phone service would work on one of the following phones:
    • Your own phone principal phone (must be carrier unlocked)
    • An alternate phone you bring (must be carrier unlocked)
    • A rental phone I provide you with. It would be a very good phone (Samsung Galaxy S10) that I can rent to you for the duration of the trip (at a cost of $60) that is already been proven to work very well in Cuba without significant issues. (Although whatever phone you bring should work as well in the end as well.)
• A handful of hours of internet access for your cell phone, tablet, laptop via pre-paid WiFi cards. (Extra hours only at a nominal cost.)

All flight-related fees to get to Cuba and back are not included:

• Airfare to Cuba and back.
• Transport (bus/taxi) from your home to your local airport and back.
• Any carry-on and/or checked bag fees flying to Cuba. (Believe it or not, there are no bag fees when returning from Cuba.)
• Any hotel stays in Miami, Houston or elsewhere you stop for the night along your way to/from Cuba.
• However, included in your trip cost, is that we always personally pick you up and bring you back to the Cuban airports (Havana and Varadero.)

Info about airfare:

• Roundtrip airfare, depending on the time of the year, the time of the day you fly, and many other factors, ranges from $300 to $1,000.
• At the moment, there are very affordably-prices airfares to and from Cuba! Actually, by leaving the day after Thanksgiving, instead of the Friday before, enables us to take advantage of far better airfares.
• We are seeing, roundtrip from Denver, with some flexibility on the traveler's part, airfare for as little as $295 roundtrip! Although it could also easily end up being as much as $670 (which is still very good.).
• We can assist you in finding the best flight for you based on your personal preferences (and we can give you all the flight info before deciding on your trip so you will know your total trip cost ahead of time.) Just ask.
• In addition, we can in fact purchase your flights for you on you behalf to get your flight secured right away.

The only other things that are not included in the package price and for which you should bring money to Cuba are:

• Meals:
  • Breakfasts: usually available in your casa/apartment. $5-$7 is usually the cost for a full breakfast. Can go out for breakfast as well for a similar price.
  • Lunches: $3 to $12.
  • Dinners: $4 to $20. (We will usually go to fancier places, which will cost $10-$15 without drinks. A couple of nights we can eat for just $5.)
  • All above mentioned prices are for Havana. For Santiago and Baracoa, prices are generally about one third less.
• Drinks at clubs: alcohol, etc.
• Medical care if needed (However, likely any medical care needed will be covered by your included medical insurance.)
• Gifts and souvenirs
• Laundry services (For $10 you can have a entire load of laundry done along with ironing of the clothes right from your casa.)
• Gratuities - leaving tips

• Spectacular room in penthouse apartment with king-size bed with total ocean view and cityline view @ additional cost of $35 per night. (1 available total.)
• Spectacular room in penthouse apartment with king-size bed with total ocean view @ additional cost of $30 per night. (1 available total.)
• Deluxe room in penthouse apartment with city-line view @ additional cost of $15 per night. (1 available total.)
• Extra-Deluxe room in penthouse apartment with city-line view @ additional cost of $25 per night. (1 available total.)
• Upscale independent one bedroom apartment with kitchen, living room, and enclosed balcony overlooking ocean @ additional cost of $40 per night. (1 available total.)
• Upgraded room, with your own spectacular outdoor balcony overlooking ocean and city @ additional cost of $15 per night. (1 available total.)
• These prices are per room, not per person. So if you are doing double occupancy, then the additional cost is only half that per person.
• It's first come, first serve with reserving these rooms. Additional upgrade options might become available later on.

Payment schedule is as follows:

• $1,000 up front to reserve your spot on the trip.
• Another $500 due on October 1st.
• The remainder of the total trip cost minus $500 due on November 1st.
• Final $500 due upon arrival in Cuba.
• Late fees are $50 per day for any late payment.

If you need to cancel for whatever reason, I'm afraid none of the payments are refundable, except for a partial refund if we can find a replacement traveler and transfer the plane tickets into their name.

Why travel with Eric "El Cubanito" Freeman?
Eric has been traveling to Cuba since 1995. He has traveled there 28 times, and spent a total of over 30 months on the island. In addition, Eric has previously run a total of 14 group trips there, and is well-versed in the ins and outs of navigating Cuba and providing an amazing experience for all who choose to go on a Salsaville trip to Cuba. He has studied dance there extensively and has developed numerous connections over the years. Join him to explore and experience the amazing things Cuba has to offer. The focus of the trip will be dancing and music, but the tour includes exploring Cuba's history, architecture, beaches, and their fascinating people.

APPLICATION FORM:

Please copy & paste the below text into an email, fill in, and send to eric@salsaville.com.
(Please avoid printing out this form and writing in answers by hand.)

1. Which dates are you signing up for:
Option #1: Full Trip: November 24th - December 10th
Option #2: Havana Only: November 24th - December 3rd
Option #3: Viñales & Varadero only: December 3rd - December 10th (or departing and day or two earlier to check out Havana a little bit?)

2. Would you like single or double occupancy?
If double occupancy, tell me the number of beds needed and the name of the person you are sharing a room with.
(Or, although tricky, let me know if you would like me to attempt to match you with another traveler to share a room with.)

Note: All rooms have AC and en-suite bathrooms (i.e. the bathroom is directly connected to your bedroom.)

3. Do you want any room upgrades? (This is on a space-available basis only.)

Havana: We have some options for room upgrades, which include ocean-views, and/or deluxe apartments. Prices will be from $10-$40 per night extra. Please indicate if you're interested, and if looking for a lower or higher-end upgrade. (Or you can copy & paste which room you'd like from the list that appears about 7 paragraphs above.)

Viñales: Upgraded rooms @ additional cost of $5-10 per night. (Please indicate if you're interested, and if looking for a lower or higher-end upgrade.)

Varadero: Upgraded rooms @ additional cost of $10-$15 per night. Please indicate if you're interested, and if looking for a lower or higher-end upgrade.

(These prices are per room, not per person. So if you are doing double occupancy, then the additional cost is only half that per person.)

4. Your email address:

5. Your cell phone number with the ability to receive text messages:

6. Fill in the info below as it appears on your passport:
First name:
Middle name:
Last Name:
Date of Birth:
Gender:
Passport #:
Passport date of expiration:

7. Contact info for any emergency:
Name of person:
Relationship:
Phone number:

8. Your mailing address:

9. Attach a good quality scan of your passport. (Taking a photo with a smartphone camera works fine.)

10. Do you have any physical and/or psychological issues that could impede your ability to successfully participate in this trip?

11. This tour will involve walking a total of 1-3 miles per day. Are you able to do this while maintaining an average moderate pace? (If not, it does not mean you cannot come on the trip. I would just need to know this ahead of time in order to possibly make some adjustments.)

In addition, on several days, we will be doing 2 to 3 hours a day of dance lessons in well-ventilated, but non-airconditioned rooms. Some evenings we will be going out dancing for 2-3 hours. All activities are optional. If you are tired at any point, you can always opt-out and go back to your room to relax, rest, etc.

12. You will need to sign a fairly standard liability waiver to sign which will be delivered to you upon accepting of your application.

13. From time to time you will be asked for your input on some aspect of planning the trip. You will sometimes be asked to respond in as little as 24 hours. (Examples include RSVP'ing to a proposed group orientation meeting time, and getting your go-ahead in purchasing specific airline flights.) I will need your response in a timely manner in order to help effectively plan the trip. Do you agree to do your best to respond in a timely manner and understand that a pattern of not responding within the time requested may result in monetary penalties being accessed?

14. Now that Cuba has a functional mobile cell network with decent mobile data access, we will be using WhatsApp as the primary means of communciation (both before and during the trip) to plan/accounce various details about each days' events when we are not all together as a group. Do you agree to making sure you are comfortable using WhatsApp, and agree to bring or rent a carrier-unlocked phone in order to have appropriate access to WhatsApp?

(Unlocking your phone should be easy, but needs to done ahead of time.) (You can use your U.S.-carrier based service while in Cuba if you like, but it is not recommended as it would be normally very expensive to do so.)

15. What are your expectations for participating in this trip? (Two sentence minimum here please.)

16. Please list any dietary restrictions that could be relevant to this trip - like if you don't eat red meat, poultry, fish, dairy, etc.



Eric "El Cubanito" Freeman
Owner, Salsaville Dance Studios
www.Salsaville.com
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