APRIL Salsa & Rueda Cuba

From 17/04/2024 to 28/04/2024

Overview & Accommodation

Authentic experience. Sustainable Travel. Working directly with Cubans

Due to unprecedented demand for our Cuba holidays, we are releasing another new date! It is important to us to keep our groups at a nice number (average 20 people) where we can give the most incredible Cuban Dance & Cultural experience to every person that joins us. Our April holiday is no exception…We are taking you on another magical experience to the most unique and mesmerising Island in the world!

Where else in the world you can dance and party non-stop, never short of a dance partner, while being immersed in incredible culture and surrounded by the most talented and beautiful people – the answer is… Cuba!

A lo Cubano…you’ve heard the saying, and it really could not be truer for this holiday…The Cuban way is exactly what you will do, living authentically, in the heart of the country born to dance Salsa. Surrounded by locals, music, dance, and culture in the lively, bamboozling, and seductive streets of Havana!

Whether you are new to Salsa or an experienced dance teacher or performer… this holiday is for you! You will have daily workshops focusing on YOU and YOUR dance ability. Everyone will always have a dance partner as we ensure equal numbers of male and female Cuban teachers. 

Your in-depth workshops will teach you technicality, musicality and the fundamentals and roots of Salsa & Rueda in depth. You will also learn Rumba and Son, Cuban body movement and styling and of course no trip to Cuba is fulfilled without learning some Reggaeton! No Cuban style will go untaught on this holiday!

But, most importantly, this holiday will see your confidence levels soar as you are swept off your feet both in class and every night by our wonderful, talented team of dancers who will spend the holiday with us.

Your holiday will begin at the luscious paradise of Varadero where we will spend 3 nights at the tranquil All Inclusive Iberostar Tainos located on the white, powder sandy beach. Here you will meet some of our Cuban team who will join us from the very start. Gentle classes, lots of beach games and dancing and socialising will see you relaxed and accustomed to the time change. This is a fabulous way to get to know everyone in the group! 

When night falls in Varadero you will be dancing the night away and getting to prepare for what’s in store when we go to HAVANA!

Once we arrive in Havana the speed will quickly pick up. After your daily workshops there will be lots of options available to you, these will include things like a walking tour of the Old Town and a Classic Car Tour as well as ‘off the beaten track experiences’ that tourists do not get to see. 

There is usually a spontaneous party or bembe taking place at a moment’s notice too… if you really want to throw yourself into Cuban tradition, this is the way!

Each night you will be dancing until the soles of your shoes are bare at the best Salsa parties in town…Some nights you will be front stage dancing to famous bands such as Havana d’Primera, Los Van Van, Maykel Blanco amongst others as they perform on home soil! 

If you need a rest from the intensity of all that dancing or want to experie4nce something incredibly special, then you also have the option of a day visit to the spectacular UNESCO area of Viñales to experience the natural wonders of this area where the famous tobacco and coffee is grown. This is a place that frees the mind and body. 

This holiday will leave an imprint on your soul…as a Caribbean Island Cuba really must be the most unique place in the world. A land full of contradictions that plays with your senses. Its authentic, addictive, exhilarating and one thing is certain… this holiday & Cuba will fulfil your passion for dance and capture your heart.

YOUR DANCE WORKSHOPS

You will start with workshops in Varadero although these will become more intense once you arrive in Havana. Taking place in a large, air-conditioned studio a short walk from your hotel, we have a full team of professional Cuban Dancers and Teachers who will be working with you closely. Workshops will be intensive but incredibly genuine fun.

This holiday will focus on Salsa Suelta (Cuban Salsa) & Rueda which are the two main Cuban dance styles. You will also learn Son, Rumba, Orishas, body movement & styling and some Reggaeton!

It does not matter about your experience because workshops will be split into levels from Beginner to Advanced. Our teachers will work with you personally at your level. 

We have designed our workshops to ensure you get the most interactive learning while having incredible fun. Workshops are full of energy, and you will quickly realise your confidence is growing and your dancing progressing. 

We believe that a fun environment is the best way to learn and achieve results!

All levels are welcome. Levels will be split accordingly.

*Additional private workshops are available on request.

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS 

VARADERO: Hotel Iberostar Tainos, 4-star, All Inclusive

Your holiday begins in Varadero and everyone will stay together at the Tainos for the first 3 nights. 

The Iberostar Tainos is a lovely 4-star hotel situated on its own white powder sandy beach. The kind you see in photos! Built in a trypical Caribbean style with the main hotel building and bungalows which are situated around the grounds offering peace and tranquility. It has a lovely pool, plenty of chill out areas as well as more lively areas. Beach bar, BBQ area, main buffet restaurant and specialist restaurants too, gym, massage (extra cost) and beach activities and watersports free of charge. 

Rooms are well equiped and spacious with large balconies and fridge stocked with some drinks and coffee maker. 

All food and drinks are included here. 

HAVANA ACCOMMODATION: 

Hotel Telégrafo, 4-star accommodation with Breakfast 

Situated in the extremely privileged position on Parque Central and the Prado, this hotel has the perfect position to walk everywhere! It is elegant in its design with spacious, well-appointed rooms. The hotel recently underwent a huge renovation. It now has a wellness area with a small gym and boasts a roof top pool, bar and relaxation area with the best views over the city!

It is the first hotel to exist in Cuba and the first hotel to now be LGBTQ friendly.

HAVANA: CASA OPTIONS from £25 – £45 per night

If you would prefer an authentic Cuban experience, staying in a Casa Particular is a fabulous option, not only are Casa’s a very safe and affordable way to experience Cuba but your Casa host will always be available for anything you need. This is a fabulous way to intergrate into local Cuban life. Hosts will offer the option of an amazing breakfast and often home cooked dinners too – you only need to ask – nothing is too much trouble. 

With Casas you have the choice of taking one soley for yourself, living with a Cuban family or sharing a larger casa with other members from the group where you each have a private ensuite room. The cost is then divided between each person that stays there. This last option is also a nice way for our single travellers to get to know each other better.

Casas come at a very reasonable set price which can then be divided into the number of guests so it’s a very affordable option.

If you would like to explore the casa option we have a number of Casas that we use which are a short walk from everything! 

What's Included

• 3 nights 4-star hotel Varadero, All Inclusive
• 8 nights 4-str hotel Havana B&B
• Private, luxury coach transfers from Varadero Airport.
• 15 hours intensive dance workshops 
• 1-1 professional Cuban dance teachers (equal Cuban teachers to guests)
• Nightly Salsa Clubs
• Transport to and from evening venues where required.
• Our Cuban teachers with us each night at all events
• Cuban Teachers to accompany us to Varadero
• Private Walking Tour of Old Havana
• Opportunity to see the best Live Cuban Bands when in town!

• Classic 1950’s American car tour*
• Bicitaxi ride to San Jose Market*
• Private percussion workshops available on request*
• Private dance classes available on request*
• Viñales experience day:  horse ride, tobacco plantation, caves, rum distillery, lunch*
• Bi-lingual Eagle Salsa Tours UK representatives with you throughout your holiday.

*Some options have a small additional cost. They haven’t been included into the holiday price to allow you the choice to take part. Often it is a small cost of shared transport for example. 

If other options become available, we will always suggest these for you to decide if you want to experience them.

WHATS NOT INCLUDED

Flight: Please refer to this information booklet for more options on flights to Cuba.

Casa: If you choose the Casa option this will be added to your base price when you have decided which Casa to take.

Tourist Visa: This is a requirement to enter Cuba and costs £30 on average. You can easily purchase this along with your flight.

Club Entrance: Most clubs will either be free entry or a small fee of approximately £1.50. If a famous band is performing, the entrance will be £8-10. 

Food: Breakfast will be included with hotel options. Generally eating out in Cuba is still exceptionally excellent value with a 2-course meal and drinks costing under £10 if you choose authentic Cuban restaurants. Hotels and tourist restaurants will be more expensive.

Destination

ABOUT HAVANA

When you wander around Havana you can be forgiven for thinking you have stepped into a film-set! Original 1950s American cars grace the streets with colour and vivacity while domino enthusiasts play on street corners creating a commotion, children ride up and down the streets on scooters made from bits of wood – that is just an average street in Havana! 

Walk along the Obispo and your ears will be spoilt for choice as Salsa spills out of street cafés and musicians strum classic Cuban tunes on old guitars as they wander, serenading passers-by – There is no mistaking Havana!

The magnificent yet crumbling buildings that frame the UNESCO old town (Habana Vieja) still hold clues to their extravagant past while oozing a dreamy charm. As you walk down the elegant Prado which splits Habana Vieja and Habana Centro, you will be greeted by the sea and the eight-mile stretch of Malecon – the local place to gather; where kids swim, lovers meet, fishermen wait patiently, musicians’ strum and others debate Cuba’s woes – the Malecon is the hub of activity and the perfect place to sip rum and watch the sun go down.

To appreciate Havana, you simply have to experience it first hand!

Getting There

SUGGESTED FLIGHT – TUI (MANCHESTER – VARADERO) 17th – 28th April

We no longer include flights with our Cuba holidays. Since Covid there have been numerous changes meaning it is now more cost effective for you to book your own flight. 

We recommend using the TUI flight from Manchester which is the only direct flight available from the UK to Cuba with a flight time of approximately 8.5 hours. Meals and entertainment are included. 

Once you arrive at Varadero Airport we will be waiting with a private transfer to take you to our hotel.

To book your flight go to:  https://www.tui.co.uk/flight/  

We highly recommend booking your flight as soon as possible. Demand will be high as it is the only direct flight to Cuba, and it is better value than taking an indirect flight. 

INDIRECT FLIGHT OPERATORS INCLUDE: 

AIRFRANCE . AIREUROPA . IBERIA . CONDOR . SWISSAIR. 

These operators offer connecting flights into Havana but allow the option of flying from London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester, or other European cities, you can also easily extend your stay if you choose to book one of these flight options.