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The
havanA
trip
For the love of
MOJITOS
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VINTAGE CARS
SALSA
CUBAN CIGARS
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BAROQUE ARCHITECTURE
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DANCING
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CAFÉ CUBANO​
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OLD HAVANA​​
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CUBA
WHAT TO EXPECT
Our small group trip to Havana caters to travelers in their 20s and 30s searching for rich culture, excitement in the streets, and eye-popping architecture around every colorful corner.
​On this five-day Havana trip, you’ll discover the ins and outs of the Cuban capital, a city frozen in time and only recently opened back up to Americans. With ornate, baroque designs everywhere you look and a 16th-century fortress guarding the harbor, the history is impossible to ignore.
​So come along and enjoy the land of salsa, cigars, and enough rum to help even the most musically challenged belt out “Havana, ooh na-na.”
INcluded
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4 nights of accommodations in Havana, Cuba
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All accommodations in a shared room with one other person with the option to upgrade to a private room (limited availability)
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Meals: 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners
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Welcome drinks
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Walking tour of old Havana
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Private visit and salsa dance lesson with Havana Queens
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Evening dinner and dance show with the Havana Queens
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Vintage car ride down the coast
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Cuban cigar and rum tasting experience
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Private ecological farm visit and farm to table experience
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Visit to the world renowned Fabrica de Arte
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Local community and nonprofit experiences
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FTLO Trip Leader
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*All activities are weather dependent; in the unlikely event that we are unable to run an activity, we will have a suitable alternative in place.
not included
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Flights to and from Cuba
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Tourist visa (more information in the Trip Notes section)
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Mandatory trip insurance
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Meals not mentioned (budget around $200)
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Incidental expenses
Day by day
*Itinerary is indicative and is subject to change
Day 1 - Havana
Habana Vieja
Check into your hotel nestled in Old Havana and grab a drink with your travel crew.
In the afternoon, we’ll head out on a walking tour where you’ll get your first taste of architecture so significant it earned a spot on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Continue on and give a mojito a go—the local favorite and Cuban national drink has been a staple on these lively shores for centuries.
That night, we’ll all head out together to grab some dinner and check out local live music in one of the neighborhood's trendiest spots.
DISCOVER
Day 2 - Havana
old school cool
After an early breakfast and your first Cuban coffee at the hotel, we’re rolling with the top down—Cuba’s culture of preservation and ingenuity has turned this island into a haven for classic cars, and today, we’re taking full advantage.
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Cruise down the shore to explore a bit of the coast on the way to a behind-the-scenes rehearsal and salsa lesson with one of Cuba’s most acclaimed dance troupes.​
That evening, we’re off to a rum and cigar experience with a local expert, where we’ll learn about Cuba’s most famous exports. At that point, you’ll really be reaching peek old-school cool levels, so it makes a lot of sense that we’ll finish off our day with dinner and one incredible dance show.
cruise
Day 3 - Havana
locally grown
Today, we’re heading toward Havana’s agricultural outskirts for an authentic farm-to-table experience.
We’ll learn the ins and outs of island-style organic farming before we sit down for a bite, a bit of dancing and music, and some more of those spectacular Cuban cocktails.
We’ll head back to town and make a pit stop by the harbor for some more local vibes. Get lost in one of the city’s coolest outdoor markets, pick up some souvenirs from Havana’s arts community, and grab a beer before you make your way back to the hotel. ​
That night, we’re heading for rooftop cocktails and then to one of Cuba’s coolest modern arts and dance spaces for dinner and a night of bohemian good times.
dance
Day 4 - Havana
Culture Trip
Enjoy breakfast with friends at the hotel before we head out for a day of Cuban culture.
We'll get things started on foot, hunting down some of the city’s most famous monuments. Check out the massive stone mausoleums at the Cementerio de Cristóbal Colón and the impressive sites at the University of Havana. We’ll even see the oddly fascinating statues of John Lennon (Cubans loved his message of peace) and Don Quixote.
Find a black bean and fried plantain lunch like a local with some friends, and then the afternoon is yours to explore the city. We’ll all meet up that night for one final dinner together before we say our farewells.
ENJOY
Day 5 - Havana
HASTA PRONTO
Find breakfast with the group at the hotel before you wrap things up.
If you've got the time, we recommend booking for later in the day and extending your Havana vacation a few hours longer so you can head out for lunch with friends in search of ropa vieja—the Cuban national dish made of shredded beef mixed with veggies and spices.
Want more Caribbean sun? Check out nearby Belize for a beach break or book your next visit back to Cuba; after all, it's just an hour from Miami, and amazing deals on direct flights pop up all the time. Remember, the mojitos are always waiting.
“Cuba may be the only place in the world where you can be yourself and more than yourself at the same time.”
– Pedro Juan Gutierrez
FAST FACTS
JUST FOR FUN
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Legendary writer Ernest Hemingway made his second home just outside Havana in the small town of San Francisco de Paula.
Rumor has it, it takes more than 100 steps to produce a single Cuban cigar.
Cuba has one of the world’s largest collections of classic cars—it’s estimated that there are 60-70,000 vintage rides rolling these streets.
TRIP NOTES
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While we can’t guarantee private rooms when you visit Havana, you should book your trip earlier if you prefer one, as they usually fill up.
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Due to relations between the United States and the Cuban government, all trips must have a meaningful cultural aspect to them. We think this is a fantastic thing!
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FTLO travelers who hold a US passport will need to purchase a tourist visa with “Support for the Cuban People” as the general license category. This can be done through your airline and will cost between $50 and $100, depending on the processing fee. If you are not a US passport holder, please check your embassy’s website for further information. You can always contact us if you have additional questions or need assistance. For all other nationalities, please check here​​.
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One of our experiences is a bit smokey as it involves local cigars. If you’re sensitive to smoke or not a fan of cigars, don’t worry, you can head out and explore instead!
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Cuba is usually hot and sunny, so make sure you pack a hat and sunblock.
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More information regarding visa requirements and Covid restrictions can be found here.
about cuba
Although the nation became more isolated from the west after the Cuban Revolution and the rise of Fidel Castro, it has slowly opened up again and has recently undergone something of a modern renaissance in terms of arts and culture. While Cuban music has long been widely renowned, today, dance and theater troupes also thrive. Performers take center stage at the Gran Teatro de La Habana, yet increasingly local troupes are traveling abroad, often to great acclaim. Within Cuba, Havana remains, by and large, the nation’s cultural mecca and plays host to a diverse group of music halls, museums, and centers of arts.
GOOD TO KNOW
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The official Cuban currency is the Cuban peso.
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Cuba’s main island is the largest in the Caribbean and Latin America.
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Tipping is encouraged in Cuba. Consider giving 10% at bars and restaurants.
flights
Fly into Havana (HAV)
Arrive by 1pm on day 1 and grab a cab to the hotel. We do recommend flying in earlier to have some time to explore the city on your own!
Fly out of Havana (HAV)
Fly out of Havana at any time on the last day. We recommend an afternoon flight so you have more time to explore the city.
Want to check out flights for your trip?
Feel free to also set up flight alerts to Havana so you can grab the best deal!
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*FTLO is not responsible for any fees or costs related to flights. We strongly suggest that all travelers wait until they receive the official FTLO Greenlight Email to book flights. This will be sent 3-4 months prior to the start date of your trip.
alumni reviews
We know how much you'll love the Havana trip...
but don't take our word for it! Check out some of our alumni reviews.
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