Havana Salsa Holiday

The cost of the Havana Salsa Holiday includes:

Homestay or 4* hostal accommodation:
Single room including breakfast x 7 nights. All rooms have air conditioning and ensuite private bathrooms.

Dance classes:
15 group Cuban dance lessons with your own professional dance partner(s) for all group tuition

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  £1025

with twin/double room in homestay £925 pp

with single room in 4* hostal £1425

with twin/double room in 4* hostal £1250 pp

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 rooms in a carefully selected homestay or our favourite 4* hostal accommodation 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.

What is homestay accommodation like?
Homestay accommodation provides a real insight into the everyday lives of Cubans, and offers a safe, friendly and welcoming place to stay. All our homestay accommodation is licensed by the Cuban state and guarantees a good standard of cleanliness and decent 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?
Both the homestay and the hostal 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.

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.

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.