Salsaville Dance Studios

Salsaville's epic two-week plus Music & Dance Tour of Cuba returns!
We have Havana, Viñales, and Varadero lined up for you ...

The plan is to first spend 9-10 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. This is all while taking several days of amazing dance classes.

Then, we take our own bus for a 2.5 hour ride (with some extended stops to explore along the way) to Viñales, a small-town in the middle of the famous tabacco producing region of Cuba, and surrounded by spectacular nature. At night, there are a couple of dance venues with great live bands and some dancing to check out, all within walking distance the places we will be staying.

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, and even still get to enjoy some impressive music & dance events.

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, along with some other attractions to experience.

Here are the details of our travel plans:

• Leave early Friday, Nov 29th 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 9th
• Bus to Varadero: Thursday, December 12th
• Leave Cuba: afternoon of Sunday, December 15th, 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 29th and return Sunday, December 15th

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, as is the case with many folks, we have two good alternate options:

Option #2. Havana only: Leave Friday, November 29th and return Sunday, December 8th

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 8th, and return Sunday, December 15th

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 6th, or Saturday Dec 7th! 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
Testimonials from Salsaville's 14th Music & Dance trip to Cuba - November 2022
Testimonials from Salsaville's 15th Music & Dance trip to Cuba - February 2023
Testimonials from Salsaville's 16th Music & Dance trip to Cuba - November 2023
Testimonials from Salsaville's 17th Music & Dance trip to Cuba - February 2024

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, and each member of the trip should receive some individual attention. In addition, we are staying in upscale accommodations, but as a home-stay or an independent apartment, not in hotels. 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.)
• Cuban medical insurance
• "Support for the Cuban People" license.
• Every night at a very nice B&B, 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 party at our Cuban dance school in Havana.
• Group dance lessons for 3 hours per day for 4 or 5 days. 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, so make sure you still have the energy to enjoy this extra one-on-one instruction.)
• 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 Maykel 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.)
• And more, including stuff we will spontaneously run into along the way ...

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 price, per person -- includes Cuban visa, but excludes roundtrip airfare:

• Full trip (Nov 29th - Dec 15th): $3,000 (double occupancy), $3,200 (single occupancy)
• Havana-only trip (Nov 29th - Dec 8th): $2,400 (double occupancy), $2,550 (single occupancy)
• Viñales & Varadero-only trip (Dec 8th - Dec 15th): $2,200 (double occupancy), $2,350 (single occupancy)

Cell phone service along with your very own Cuba phone line/number is now included in the cost of the travel package.

• This comes with a number of minutes for placing local calls, text messaging, and unlimited mobile data access so you can access the internet (email, Facebook, WhatsApp, browsing, etc.) from anywhere there is a good signal.
• This is includes the ability to hotspot over to any other devices you may bring (tablet, laptop, extra phone, etc.)
• If you have an iPhone 14 or higher (purchased in the USA), please let me know, as these phones don't come with a SIM card slot in order to insert a Cuban SIM card. Either you bring an alternate phone, rent a phone, or we get you a limited eSIM mobile data only service. Can explain in full detail via direct messaging.)

• 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 overnight hotel stays in Miami, Houston or elsewhere you might stay along the way to/from Cuba.
• However, included in your trip cost, is that we always personally pick you up and send you back to any Cuban airports.

• Roundtrip airfare, depending on the time of the year and the time of the day you fly, ranges from $350 to $1,200.
• Roundtrip airfare for our chosen dates is currently running at between only $590-$730 from Denver.
  • These are very good prices for the time of year we are flying.
  • In fact, starting the trip the day after Thanksgiving instead of the Friday before, enables us to take advantage of far better airfares.
• We can assist you in finding the best flight for you based on your personal preferences. Just ask.
• Airline tickets will be purchased by Salsaville on your behalf in a very timely matter after receiving your deposit. However, if you want to use your airline points (or for any other reason), you may purchase your own ticket in consultation with Salsaville. (Ticket should normally be purchased within one week of signing up for the trip.)

The only other expenses 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: $6 to $20. (We will usually go to fancier places, which will cost $10-$15 without drinks.)
• Drinks at restaurants and nightclubs, etc.
• Medical care if needed (However, likely any medical care needed will be covered by your included medical insurance.)
• Gifts and souvenirs
• Gratuities - leaving tips

. We have some options for deluxe rooms in Havana:

• Spectacular room in penthouse apartment with king-size bed with total ocean view and cityline view @ additional cost of $40 per night. (1 available total.)
• Spectacular room in penthouse apartment with king-size bed with total ocean view @ additional cost of $35 per night. (1 available total.)
• Deluxe room in penthouse apartment with city-line view @ additional cost of $20 per night. (1 available total.)
• Upscale independent one bedroom apartment with kitchen, living room, and enclosed balcony overlooking ocean @ additional cost of $35-$40 per night. (1 or 2 available.)
• Large comfy apartment, with your own large outdoor balcony with partial view of ocean & city @ additional cost of $20 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 be available as well.

We also have some options for some upgraded rooms in Viñales ($5-10 per night) and Varadero ($10-$15 per night.)

Payment schedule is as follows:

• $1,500 up front to reserve your spot on the trip and to have the funds to purchase your round-trip plane ticket. ($1,000 only if purchasing your own plane ticket.)
• The remainder of the total trip cost minus $500 is 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 if you are able to find a replacement traveler for the trip. (Your previously purchased plane ticket will likely become a full flight credit on the airline valid up to one year from the date of purchase.)

Why travel with Eric "El Cubanito" Freeman?
Eric has been traveling to Cuba since 1995. He has traveled there 32 times, and spent a total of over 33 months on the island. In addition, Eric has previously run a total of 18 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.

JOINING THE TRIP

The general process of joining the trip is:

     1. You submit the application just below.
     2. I read over it and likely accept it. (I will probably ring you up on the phone to have a brief conversation.)
     3. I send you standard liability wavier to read over and electronically sign.
     4. Submit your initial deposit. (Via Zelle or Venmo, but there are other ways to pay.)
     5. Purchase round-trip airline tickets to Cuba. (I can purchase the tickets for you, or you can purchase them yourself. Either way, we need to coordinate before making any purchase so that the flights times work well for you, and make sense logistically for the trip.)

     6. We set up a time that we can all make for a critical orientation meeting.
     7. As the trip approaches (starting around one-month before), I will send out information to help to fully prepare for the trip.
     8. We have an in-person or Zoom-based orientation meeting.

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/flights are you signing up for:
Option #1: Full Trip: November 29th - December 15th
Option #2: Havana Only: November 29th - December 8th
Option #3: Viñales & Varadero only: December 8th - December 15th

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.)

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. Please indicate your origin and return airports:

Do you generally prefer window or aisle seats? (This could always be changed later on.)

5. Your email address:

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

7. 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:

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

9. Your mailing address:

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

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

12. 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.

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

14. 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 assessed?

15. 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.)

16. Let me know if you have any particular expectations for this trip.

17. 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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