Maya Exploration Center: Education Through Exploration
TOUR
Cultural Diversity in Cuba - An Educational Travel Tour
Led by Dr. Heather Teague

This one week journey to Cuba is a special opportunity to visit the country legally from the USA. As global politics are changing quickly, this might be the last tour MEC can lead there. In Havana the group will meet Cuba's new generation of entrepreneurs and learn about Orisha (also called Santeria), the island's most popular religion. A journey in the middle of the week to Trinidad will allow participants to meet Cubans living outside of the capital and stay in local homes called casas particulares. Over the two days in the Trinidad area the group will visit artisans, enjoy local music and venture out into the old sugar plantations, now a region of Cuba's independent farmer community. On the way back to Havana the group will stop into the Bay of Pigs to explore the local museum and swim in its amazing blue waters. The last two days will focus on Havana's art studios, a visit to Hemmingway's home, and a show at the world famous Tropicana Club.

Cultural Diversity in Cuba - An Educational Travel Tour to Havana and Trinidad
Price $3400 per participant (based on double lodging)
($500 extra for single lodging)
$500 deposit due upon registration
Half the balance due January 11th
Remaining balance due February 11th
Date March 11-19, 2017
REGISTER FOR THIS TOUR LINK TO PAYMENT PAGE


March 11, Saturday: Miami Overnight
Flights to Miami, evening arrival
Shuttle to the hotel
Overnight: Best Western Miami Airport
 
March 12, Sunday: Arrival to Havana
9-12pm: Check in at Havana Air
1pm: Arrival to Havana
2-3pm: Transport and hotel check in
6-8pm: Orientation meeting and lecture on Pre-Revolution Cuban History
10:30pm: Dance and Music Show in the hotel rooftop club
Overnight: the Hotel Habana Libre
 
March 13, Monday: Tour of Havana
9-10am: Classic convertibles tour
10-11am: Lecture - Practicing Orisha
11-12pm: Santeria Museum
12-2pm: Lunch in Havana Vieja
2-5pm: Historical tour of Havana Vieja
Evening: Free time
Overnight: Hotel Habana Libre
 
March 14, Tuesday: Trinidad
7-8am: Breakfast and hotel check out
8-12pm: Transport to Cienfuegos
12-1pm: Lunch at Finca del Mar
1-2pm: Tour of Palacio del Valle
2-4pm: Transport to Trinidad
4-5pm: Settle into casas particulares
6-7pm: Exploring Trinidad
Evening: Dinner on your own
Overnight: Trinidad in Casas Particulares
 
March 15, Wednesday: Valle de los Ingenios
7-9am: Breakfast at homes, meet in plaza
9-12pm: Antique train and tour of Valle de los Ingenios - Sugar cane plantations, now UNESCO heritage zone
12-2pm: Restuarante Ingenio Abajo
2-3pm: Return to Trinidad
Evening: Free time in Trinidad
Overnight: Trinidad Casas Particulares
 
March 16, Thursday: Bay of Pigs
7-8am: Breakfasts at homes
8-11am: Transport to Bay of Pigs
11-12pm: Bay of Pigs Museum
12-1pm: Lunch at Cueva de Los Peces
1-2pm: Swimming in Bay of Pigs
2-6pm: Transport to Havana
Evening: Free time
Overnight: Hotel Habana Libre
 
March 17, Friday: Cigars and Art
7-9am: Breakfast at hotel
9-11am: La Corona Cigar Factory
11-1pm: Lunch break
1-3pm: Fusterlandia mosaics
Evening: Dinner on your own
9-12am: Tropicana Show
Overnight: Hotel Habana Libre
 
March 18, Saturday: Hemmingway
7-9am: Breakfast at hotel
9-11am: Hemmingway's Home
11-12pm: Donate equipment to little league baseball team (Hemmingway's front yard field)
12-2pm: Lunch break
Afternoon: Free time
Sunset: Drinks at Hotel Nacional
7-9pm: Final Dinner
Overnight: Hotel Habana Libre
 
March 19, Sunday: Departure
6am: Transport to Airport
9am: Flight to Miami
End of Tour
 


LODGING
Havana: Hotel Habana Libre
Hotel services include cable TV, phones, internet, pool, and 4 on-site restaurants.

Trinidad: Casas Particulares
Cubans are now allowed to rent out their homes to foreign visitors. The group will stay in a cluster of local homes. The houses will be a good quality, with air conditioning, kitchens and private bathrooms.

PRICE INCLUDES
- Lodging
- Private ground transportation
- Charter flight to and from Havana from Miami
- Cuban visa
- Cuban Health Insurance for the duration
- MEC private guide
- Local guides
- Three evening lectures
- All entry fees
- Water bottles during day trips
- Breakfasts and lunches
- The final dinner


PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Airfare to/from Miami
- Luggage fees
- Dinners
- Cuba exit fee ($25usd) - Tips for Service Providers (drivers, maids, guides etc..)

Proceeds from MEC Travel courses and tours are the center's primary source of research funding. As such, a portion of the tour costs are tax deductible. MEC will provide participants with receipts and proper documentation regarding the center's 501(c)(3) non-profit status for your records.

Other Tours
» March 2024 - Olmec Tour

» July 2024 - Oaxaca Tour

» September 2024 - Machu Picchu Tour

» October 2024 - Peten Maya Tour

» Build Your Own


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