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.”
upcoming dates
Nov 20 - 24, 2024
2 spots left
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Nov 27 - Dec 1, 2024
Thanksgiving Trip
1 Gal spot + 4 Guy spots left​
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Dec 28 - Jan 1, 2025
New Year's Eve Trip
1 Gal spot + 1 single room left
5 days/4 nights
starting at $2,099 USD
​Limited single room upgrades starting from $529 are available and can be added during booking, subject to availability.
Payment can be broken down into a $500 deposit + 3 additional installments.
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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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Guided Tour of Vedado
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Visit Local Artist's Studio
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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
Trip itineraries are subject to change. For more information, check out our FAQs [LINK].
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
Discover the magic of havana
Experience Havana in style with a classic 1950s convertible ride. Cruise past iconic sights, including Revolution Square, and soak in stunning views of the city and bay.
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Dive into Havana’s vibrant dance scene with a visit to a local dance rehearsal. Enjoy a salsa lesson with professional dancers and learn about their craft from their Swiss manager.
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Relax with a delightful lunch by Marina Hemingway, where you can also take a refreshing dip in the Caribbean Sea. On the way back, we’ll visit an artistic neighborhood brimming with colorful tiles and local flair.
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Return to your hotel for some free time before an evening of entertainment. Enjoy a dinner show featuring dynamic Cuban dance performances and savor a blend of Cuban and international cuisine.
cruise
Day 3 - Havana
Immersive cuban experiences
Today, venture to a lush organic farm on the outskirts of Havana. Explore the farm, learn about sustainable agriculture, and savor a Creole lunch with fresh, locally grown ingredients, accompanied by live music.
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Back in Havana, indulge in a cigar and rum tasting experience with a local expert. Discover the art of cigar rolling and rum production while enjoying a glass of aged Cuban rum.
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Dine on a rooftop with panoramic city views before heading to one of Havana’s top contemporary art venues. Experience a fusion of art, music, and local culture.
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.
FAST FACTS
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.
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.
flight information
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.
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.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Interested in learning more about our Havana trip?
Have a question? We're here to help! Whether you're curious about accommodations, accessibility, group vibe, or dietary needs, fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you ASAP.