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Havana Salsa Holiday

Join our Salsa Holiday in Havana, the busy bustling capital of the island of Cuba. Enjoy a heady cocktail of Cuban dance classes taught by Havana’s top professional dance teachers. Uniquely, every person on the holiday has their own Cuban dance partner to help learn authentic Cuban style dancing.  We cover not just Salsa but also Son, Merengue, Rumba, Chachacha and other Cuban and Caribbean rhythms.

Accompanied evenings out with our dance partners to dance the night away and a walking tour of Old Havana are also included, with time to relax and recharge your batteries. All in a unique and exciting Caribbean atmosphere. A holiday you will never forget, our one week Havana salsa holidays are the ideal way to improve your dancing!

This Havana salsa holiday is an authentic cultural experience that will help you to dance with confidence and joy in the company of like minded people.

  • Duration: 7 nights
  • Start dates:

    2024 dates: 26 Oct (fully booked); 17 Nov (5 places available)

    2025 dates: 02 Feb; 02 March; 30 March

  • Price: from £1230 (single room, homestay)

“Havana is such an amazing place to visit,  with its vibrancy, colour, street life, music, people – we cannot wait to go back!” LR

 Cuba Dance holiday highlights:  

The ideal trip for those travelling solo
The majority of people on our group dance holidays in Cuba are travelling solo. This means it is the perfect opportunity to socialise and build friendships with like-minded people from all over the world who share a love of dance. We also have friends, relatives and couples joining us – everyone is more than welcome!  Our programme  includes accompanied nights out and a guided walking tour but plenty of free time to relax too.

Small group size to keep the dynamic and experience as personal as possible
On our Havana salsa holiday we have small groups of up to maximum 15 people to keep the group dynamic as personal as possible. It helps people get to know each other better, both Cubans and dance holiday participants and makes arrangements more manageable from a practical point of view.

Dance lessons which are fun yet challenging, and carefully tailored to each person’s ability
You will have your own experienced Cuban dance partner for main group lessons. The contagious energy, talent and patience of our professional dance teachers will encourage you to progress throughout the week. We provide classes from beginner to advanced levels, and you will be allocated to a group according to your level for each style of dance to ensure you get the most from your lessons.

Accommodation right in the city centre with wonderful welcoming hosts
We offer accommodation in a small comfortable homestay, a larger 4* guesthouse or 4*-5* boutique hotels.  All are located in Old or Central Havana, very close to the dance school and are within walking distance of the dance studio.    The accommodation is of a high standard and each person has their own individual bedroom with air conditioning and private bathroom (you may share a twin/double room with someone else if you are travelling together).  As there are several guest rooms in each place, you will most likely be staying with other Havana dance holiday participants.

Our hosts will provide you with a delicious and nourishing breakfast each morning, using local produce. They can cater for special dietary requirements too.  Evening meals are not included but can be arranged direct with your hosts, or you can eat at any one of the many local restaurants in the area.

Please note that 7 nights accommodation is included in the cost of your holiday, so if you arrive on the Saturday before classes start, you will check out of your room the following Saturday. Similarly, if you arrive on the Sunday, you will leave the following Sunday. As long as you arrive in time to start the dance lessons on the Monday morning it does not matter whether you arrive on the Saturday or Sunday before, so just let us know when you are booking what your travel plans area and also if you require any additional nights of accommodation.

Havana, the ideal location for a dance holiday
Havana is the perfect location to immerse yourself  in Cuba, with its atmospheric streets and strong cultural vibe. The city breathes life and passion, and has a very strong culture of music and dance. Its compact historic city centre makes it really easy to walk everywhere – to the dance lessons, on nights out, to local bars, cafes and the main squares – and the warm and friendly character of the local Habaneros will make you feel right at home.

On this Havana salsa holiday, you really will learn how to dance Cuban style. Your lessons are taught by top professional dance teachers from Havana, each with their own individual style and passion for dance. Dance lessons focus mainly on Salsa and Son, but also include Merengue, Rumba, Chachacha, Bachata and other rhythms so you will have an opportunity to learn a variety of popular Cuban and Caribbean dances with individual tuition and plenty of attention to detail.

Havana has a wide range of live music and dance venues which offer different entertainment each night of the week. You will be able to practise what you have been learning each day on our organised nights out accompanied by your dance teachers.

Daily Cuban dance lessons are organised in small groups but each person has their own professional Cuban dance partner for all lessons. This means that you will have plenty of opportunity to improve your salsa dancing skills and to learn new moves and rhythms too. Classes are taught according to level and are suitable for absolute beginners to those with an advanced level.

Carefully selected accommodation provides you with delicious breakfasts using seasonal local produce and a chance to practise your Spanish in a home away from home with all the independence you need. Our homestay and guesthouse accommodation options are all located within easy walking distance of the city centre, the seafront Malecon promenade and just 5-10 minutes from the dance school.

Group dance holidays are subject to a minimum number of 6 participants.

If the dates below do not suit your travel plans, you might like to consider joining our small group dance trips based in the second city of the island, Santiago de Cuba. Full information on this link to the Cuba Salsa Holidays page.

Alternatively, we can organise a customised dance holiday for you at any other time of  the year.  Full details on this link to our Dance, Music and Spanish courses in Havana or Santiago de Cuba.


Upcoming Havana Salsa Holiday Scheduled Trips

2024:

Havana Salsa holiday, Sunday 26 October – Sunday 02 November 2024 FULLY BOOKED
This trip coincides with the Havana Ballet Festival, a wonderful celebration of this dance form which Cubans of all ages love.  There are performances in different areas of the city and we will coordinate these with the dance lessons and cultural activity schedule to let you make the most of your week in Havana.

Havana Salsa holiday, 17-24 November 2024 (5 spaces left)
Start the winter period with this joyous Cuban dance holiday – daily dance lessons with professional dancers and nights out to local music venues and friendly homestay accommodation.

2025:  Start dates: Sunday 02 Feb; 03 March; 30 March

To book your place on a Havana salsa holiday

Get in touch to let us know which dates you would like to book and we will send you our secure online booking form. A 30% deposit is required to book your place on the Cuba salsa holiday of your choice. Please note that the price does not include any flights, transfers or visas.

  • Sunday

    Arrive Havana by today and settle into your accommodation. Meet your local tour leader for our group briefing meeting in the evening. 

  • Monday

    Introduction to dance company and dance classes 10.00-13.00
    Guided walking tour of the city centre with a welcome cocktail afterwards

  • Tuesday

    Dance classes 10.00-13.00
    Free afternoon
    Organised night out with dancers

  • Wednesday

    Dance classes 10.00-13.00
    Free afternoon for optional cultural activity
    Free evening

  • Thursday

    Dance classes 10.00-13.00
    Free afternoon
    Organised night out with dancers

  • Friday

    Dance classes 10.00-13.00
    Free afternoon
    Free evening

  • Saturday

    Free day
    Final organised night out with dancers

  • Sunday

    Check out of homestay

    END OF TRIP

The cost of the Havana Salsa Holiday includes:

Homestay/ 4* guesthouse / 4* or 5* hotel accommodation:
Single room including breakfast x 7 nights. All rooms have air conditioning, ensuite private bathroom, access to a fridge and some have safety boxes. Twin/double rooms are available for two people travelling together.

Dance classes:
15 group Cuban dance lessons with your own professional dance partner(s) for all group tuition, 3 lessons per day Monday – Friday

Cultural Activities:
1 guided walking tour of Old Havana with a professional local guide

Nights out:
3 x accompanied nights out with dance partners to live music venues
(the price of the holiday does not include your kitty contribution for organised group nights out. The money collected for these nights out covers entries and drinks for you and your Cuban dance partner for the whole evening, and any local transport costs for clubs in other areas of the city. The amount will vary depending on which venue the group is going to that evening).

Tour leader:
English speaking Caledonia tour leader and local guide(s)

Cost of the Havana Salsa Holiday

with single room in homestay  £1230

with twin/double room in homestay £1140 pp

with single room in local hostal £1465

with twin/double room in local hostal £1275 pp

with single room in 4* boutique hotel  from £2180 (junior suite), £2640 (master suite)

with twin/double room in 4* boutique hotel from £1465 pp (junior suite), £1945 (master suite)

Other options are also available on request – just ask us for more details.


Please note the following are not included in the Havana Salsa Holiday:

  • Flights
  • Tourist card (the required visa)*
  • Airport transfers*
  • Travel insurance
  • Lunches and evening meals
  • Entries, drinks and travel expenses on nights out

These can be arranged by us on request. However, if you are travelling from the US, please note that you will have to apply to a US travel company or airline for the required visa

Travel

Are flights included in the cost of the dance holiday?
No, flights are not included in the cost of the trip.  You should book your flights independently and just tell us when and where you are arriving so that we can book your transfers, if required.

Transfers

For those arriving at Havana airport or the Viazul bus station in Havana, we can arrange local transfers.

For those arriving at other locations in Cuba, we can arrange domestic travel and advise best routes. Please get in touch with us directly for more details.

Accommodation

What type of accommodation is included in the trip?
Single or double/twin rooms in carefully selected homestays, our favourite 4* hostals and an excellent boutique hotel are included in the cost. For those travelling with a friend, partner or family member, we can arrange double/twin room accommodation as required.  Please note that shared rooms are only available for two people travelling together. If you would rather stay in a larger hotel just let us know and we can provide a quote for you.

What is homestay accommodation like?
Homestay accommodation provides an insight into the everyday lives of Cubans, and offers a safe, friendly and welcoming place to stay. It is also the most cost effective type of accommodation.  All our homestay accommodation is licensed by the Cuban state and guarantees a good standard of cleanliness and facilities as well as daily contact with truly wonderful welcoming hosts. Your room will have air conditioning and an ensuite toilet facilities with a shower. You will also have access to a fridge.

Where is the accommodation located?
Our homestay houses and boutique hostals/hotels are located in Old Havana, right in the city centre and very close to the venue for dance lessons and all of the venues on the nights out. It is just a 10 minute walk to Parque Central and the El Prado pedestrianised promenade.  A hostal in Cuba is not a budget youth hostel but more of an upmarket guesthouse, kind of halfway between a homestay and a hotel.

Are meals included?
Breakfast is included for 7 nights, providing good home cooking using delicious local, seasonal produce. You don’t eat breakfast with your hosts although they will be present if you want to have a chat. Breakfast usually consists of coffee/tea, freshly made fruit juice, bread, eggs, fresh fruit, homemade jam/honey.  You can arrange dinner with your hosts and pay them direct, or you can go to any one of the many local restaurants in the area.

I have a dietary requirement, can this be catered for?
Yes, often guests have special dietary requirements and your host will be happy to cater to your needs as much as possible.

Havana

What is the city like?
Havana is a big, bustling city and is considered to be the jewel in the Caribbean crown.  It is full of life, yet simultaneously has a laid back Caribbean atmosphere. It is the biggest city in Cuba with 2.3 million inhabitants, but has a compact centre, making it very easy to get around Old  Havana on foot. This is the historic part of the city, with atmospheric squares which are lit up at night, a wide range of bars, cafes and restaurants and some very hip venues for late night revels!

The Dance Holiday – General questions

How many participants are there on the dance holiday?
We have small groups of minimum 6 and up to a maximum of 12 people to keep the group dynamic personal and friendly – it also helps people get to know each other better, both Cubans and participants. It also makes things more manageable from an organising point of view. Going out at night with 12 visitors + 12 Cubans is already quite a big group, and we really do try to integrate into the local cultural scene rather than dominate with our presence.

Dance classes

Will I have a dance partner?
Yes, each participant will have their own professional Cuban dance partner/tutor for all group lessons.

Visas

Is a visa required to enter Cuba?
Yes, all persons visiting Cuba must have a valid tourist card to enter the country. The tourist card is valid for up to 90 days from the date of your arrival in Cuba, and is the required visa for those travelling for tourism purposes. Càlédöñiâ is authorised by the Cuban Consulate in London to issue tourist cards, so please contact us if you require one. Some countries require their citizens to apply direct to a Cuban Consulate for a visa (such as Indian passport holders) and anyone flying direct from the US to Cuba will also have to apply for a visa direct from a US registered travel company.

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