JazzArts Charlotte Offers an Exclusive Trip to the Jazz Plaza Festival In Santiago, Cuba.
Roots, Rhythms, and Jazz in Eastern Cuba
January 24 – January 31, 2026
Santiago de Cuba → Baracoa → Santiago de Cuba
+ Optional Cultural Extension to Havana: January 31 – February 3
Journey to Cuba
SANTIAGO DE CUBA is Cuba’s soulful, spirited second city—nestled between the Sierra
Maestra mountains and the Caribbean Sea. With its’ colonial architecture and diverse
population, Santiago has a multi-layered and dramatic history that blends indigenous Taino and
Afro-Caribbean heritage with the story of the Spanish conquistadors, Christopher Columbus
and Diego Velazquez. Today, Santiago is known to most locals and visitors as the cradle of the
Cuban Revolution and birthplace of many of the island’s most iconic musical styles. Very
different from the country’s capital Havana, Santiago has a local hospitality and an atmosphere
unlike anywhere else in Cuba. From revolutionary landmarks to late-night jazz and a the roots of
son music, Santiago offers travelers a different immersive experience into Cuba’s musical,
political and cultural roots.
Day-by-Day Itinerary (subject to change!)
Day 1: Saturday, January 24 – Arrival in Santiago de Cuba
Arrive at Antonio Maceo International Airport and transfer to your hotel. In the early evening,
just as the sun sets, take a leisurely walking tour of Céspedes Park, a historic public square
that serves as a central gathering place for locals and visitors alike. Explore the House of Diego
Velázquez, known to the Spanish as Cuba’s first governor. His residence is one of the oldest
houses in Cuba. Stroll along Enramada Street, lined with vibrant shops, music, and locals
enjoying the balmy evening. Enjoy a welcome dinner at a local paladar, where Cuban
hospitality meets home-cooked flair. Attend an evening concert at Jazz Plaza 2026, where top
Cuban and international artists take the stage.
Meals Included: D
Day 2: Sunday, January 25 – History of Santiago
After breakfast, the day will start with a visit to the City Historian’s Office, where Omar
González offers insight into Santiago’s layered past. Continue to Antonio Maceo Square, the
monumental site honoring one of Cuba’s great independence heroes. Explore San Juan Hill,
site of the famed 1898 battle, and visit the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, resting place of Fidel
Castro and José Martí. Lunch included at a local restaurant. Later in the afternoon, discover a
different style of mosaic artistry with a visit to the Aguilera Family Workshop, followed by a tour
of famous artist Alberto Lescay’s City Studio, a hub for contemporary Afro-Caribbean
expression. Dinner on your own and optional events at Jazz Plaza.
Meals Included: B, L
Day 3: Monday, January 26 – Sierra Maestra, Tumba Francesa & Mojitos
Embark on a morning visit to Granjita Siboney, where Castro and his rebels prepared for the
Moncada assault. Then ascend into the Sierra Maestra Mountains to explore La Isabelica, a
coffee plantation museum that offers a deep dive into Afro-Haitian heritage amid lush
landscapes. After an included lunch, explore the whimsical Valley of Prehistory, an open-air
sculpture park filled with dinosaurs and legends. Enjoy a vibrant performance by Tumba
Francesa, a rare blend of French-Haitian and Afro-Cuban music and dance. Sip your way
through a mojito-making demonstration with local mixologist Eduardo Corona.
Dinner on your own this evening. Close the night with events at the Jazz Plaza or Iris Jazz Club,
Santiago’s premier venue.
Meals Included: B, L
BARACOA, Cuba’s oldest city and best-kept secret, is a lush, tropical haven tucked between
mountains and sea on the island’s remote eastern tip. Surrounded by rivers, rainforests, and
dramatic coastal cliffs, it offers a slower pace and a deep connection to Cuba’s indigenous
Taíno roots and Afro-Cuban traditions. Known for its cacao farms, unique cuisine, and warm,
welcoming people, Baracoa feels worlds away from the bustle of Havana. Travelers are drawn
here for the natural beauty, rich history, and the chance to experience a side of Cuba that
remains refreshingly untouched and deeply authentic.
Day 4: Tuesday, January 27 – Santiago > Guantánamo > Baracoa
After breakfast, depart Santiago for a scenic road trip to Baracoa, Cuba’s oldest city. Along the
way, stop in Guantánamo to explore Revolution Square, Martí Park, and the local Market
Square, offering a glimpse into everyday life. Get introduced to the Cuban Tres, a six string
guitar that was first used in several related Afro-Cuban musical genres: the nengón kiribá,
chanui and son. Enjoy lunch at a local eatery before a panoramic stop at Mirador La
Gobernadora, with sweeping views over Guantánamo Bay (yes, on a clear day, we can see the
base in the distance!). Arrive in Baracoa, a coastal gem nestled between mountains and the
sea. Check in to your hotel, then enjoy dinner on your own at one of the town’s charming
seaside restaurants.
Meals Included: B, L
Day 5: Wednesday, January 28 – Exploring Baracoa
In the morning, meet city historian Alejandro Hartman, followed by a walk through Baracoa’s
rich colonial and indigenous history, including Fort Matachín, the Malecón, the Cathedral, and
the sacred Cruz de la Parra, said to have been left by Columbus. Savor a Taíno-inspired lunch,
featuring ingredients and cooking techniques rooted in the island’s original cultures.
In the afternoon, journey to the rural community of El Güirito for a stirring performance of
Nengón Kiribá, a blend of music, dance, and oral storytelling. Conclude the day with a visit to a
cacao farm for an immersive tasting of locally grown chocolate.
Evening at leisure to explore the music, dance and nightlife of Baracoa.
Meals Included: B, L
Day 6: Thursday, January 29 – Return to Santiago
After breakfast, return to Santiago de Cuba. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own
pace—visit museums, chat with local artisans, or rest at a café. Recommendations for good
restaurants will be given by your guide. Take in another unforgettable concert at Jazz Plaza.
Meals Included: B
Day 7: Friday, January 30 – Alberto Lescay’s Residence
After breakfast, spend the day in the tranquil countryside at the private home of renowned
artist Alberto Lescay, surrounded by lush gardens and open-air studios. Savor a traditional
Cuban BBQ lunch, mingle with local artists, and enjoy a private concert by troubadours under
the shade of mango trees. Later, return to Santiago for a farewell dinner to reflect on your
journey and celebrate new friendships.
Meals included: B, L, D
Day 8: Saturday, January 31 – Departure or Havana Extension
After breakfast, guests concluding the main tour will transfer to the airport for their flights
home. Those continuing to Havana will take a domestic flight to the capital (included in the
extension package).
Meals Included: B
Optional Extension: Havana (January 31–February 3)
Designed for first-time travelers eager to explore the capital’s music, art, &
cultural dynamism
Day 8: Saturday, January 31 – Welcome to Havana
Arrive in Havana and settle into your hotel or in the heart of Havana. In the afternoon, enjoy a
guided walking tour through the city’s iconic colonial plazas—Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja,
Plaza de la Catedral, and Obispo Street. Visit the Taller Experimental de la Gráfica, a workshop
showcasing Cuba’s finest printmakers. Dinner at a private paladar in a beautifully restored
colonial home, followed by live music at the eclectic Fábrica de Arte Cubano or the legendary
La Zorra y el Cuervo jazz club.
Meals Included: B, D
Day 9: Sunday, February 1 – Afro-Cuban Architecture, Dance & Jazz Fest Closing
Ceremony
After breakfast, begin the day with an architectural tour of Vedado and Miramar, neighborhoods
shaped by Art Deco, modernist, and neoclassical designs.
Visit the National Museum of Fine Arts, home to an impressive collection of Cuban visual art.
In the afternoon, we will visit a local music conservatory student rehearsals or performances.
Then cross the bay to Regla or Guanabacoa for a private Afro-Cuban spiritual music and dance
experience, exploring the intersections of music, religion, and resistance.
Dinner on your own. Closing events at the Jazz Plaza.
Meals Included: B, L
Day 10: Monday, February 2 – Hemingway, Contemporary Artists & Jazz Finale
In the morning, visit Finca Vigía, Ernest Hemingway’s preserved home, followed by a stop in
Cojímar, the coastal village that inspired The Old Man and the Sea.
Spend the afternoon meeting contemporary Cuban artists in their private home studios—past
visits have included Kcho, Roberto Diago, and Mabel Poblet. Celebrate the journey with a
farewell rooftop dinner overlooking Havana’s twinkling skyline.
Meals Included: B, D
Day 11: Tuesday, February 3 – Departure from Havana
After breakfast, transfer to José Martí International Airport for return flights home, carrying with
you unforgettable memories of Cuba’s cultural heartbeat.
Meals Included: B
Trip Cost – Main Tour (9 Days)
Double occupancy (per person): $2,945
Single occupancy: $3,345
Havana Extension
Double occupancy (per person): $1,250
Single occupancy: $1,550
Included: Airport transfers, in-country transportation as per itinerary, accommodations in double occupancy in 3-4 star hotel, meals (daily breakfast at the hotel, 5 dinners and 3 lunches), site visits and cultural activities per itinerary.
Not included: Airfare to and from Santiago, Cuba Entry Card/Visa (information how to obtain entry visa will be sent upon registration), alcoholic beverages, tips to Cuban guide and driver (optional, yet customary – tipping suggestions included in CCJ Cuba Destination Guide), tips for meals (optional, yet customary), events and visit to venues not on the itinerary, meals not on itinerary, travel protection insurance (recommended: information will be sent upon registration.
