Cuba Careo Tours

12/11/2024

Condé Nast Traveler has unveiled its list of the 25 best places to visit in 2025, featuring destinations that promise unforgettable adventures. Among them is Cuba, a captivating gem known for its Afro-Cuban culture, UNESCO-protected cities, and vibrant classic cars.

With travel returning post-pandemic, now is the perfect time to explore Cuba's prismatic treasures and experience the warmth of its quick-witted locals.

📍Cuba has long captivated visitors with its Afro-Cuban culture, UNESCO-protected cities, gelato-colored classic cars—and its loquacious, quick-witted locals. Post-pandemic, travelers can enjoy all of this once more.

Cuba’s new e-visas, launched in August 2024, pave the way, as does the return of several American tour companies that had paused travel to the island.

Starting in January 2025, Abercrombie & Kent’s tours will take travelers first to Camagüey, Cuba’s third-largest city—and a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with churches, figurative sculptures, and celebrated ballet performances at the City’s Teatro Principal—before traveling west to spellbinding Trinidad, with a beach stay in the sparkly new Meliá Trinidad Península.

Then travelers will go on to Cienfuegos, the city of columns, and Santa Clara, home to Che Guevara’s monumental mausoleum before landing in Havana.

That same month, GeoEx tees up a range of immersive experiences in Trinidad, plus a live performance in Cienfuegos by the Chamber Orchestra, with meals at authentic Cuban paladares (private restaurants) and private salsa lessons. (Guests will drop their bags at tropical hideaway Mansión Alameda, which opened in 2023.)

With Tauck, which returned to Havana in September 2024, there are opportunities to interact with fascinating locals: a baseball star, a to***co farmer from the lush Viñales Valley, and the members of a vintage car club.

ReRoot Travel’s brand-new program is similarly designed to take you off the beaten track and into the homes of artists, farmers, even Santeria priests.

If you want to time your visit to Havana’s dazzling festival calendar, join Project Por Amor with Cuban-born Adolfo Nodal, on new multiday trips anchored to the International Jazz Festival (January) and the Havana Biennial art fair (November through February).

A flurry of gorgeous boutique stays have opened in Havana in the last 18 months including La Distancia, in an elegantly revived mansion in the leafy neighborhood of El Vedado, and Estancia Bohemia, a luxurious stay in a reimagined 18th-century palace.

By the end of 2024, Havana’s third Kempinski property will open its doors in northern Old Havana: the 219-roomed Gran Hotel Metrópolis with a rooftop pool and panoramic views.

Skip sleep in favor of a night out at Mayko’s Lounge Bar, opening February 2025 in southern Old Havana. Owner Wilson Hernández is Havana’s best-known bartender, formerly of hip hideaway El del Frente, so you can expect heady cocktails, ’70s cult music, and all the vibes.

📝 —Claire Boobbyer

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https://www.cntraveler.com/story/best-places-to-go-in-2025

27/10/2024

🚢🛳️ Cruise lines score victory from appeals court reversal of illegal tourism lawsuit

⚖️ The US 11th Circuit Court of Appeals recently overturned a $439 million ruling against Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which had been held liable for using docks in Havana, Cuba, confiscated by the Cuban government in 1960.

⚖️ The court determined that Havana Docks' property interest had expired in 2004, meaning the cruise lines' actions did not constitute trafficking under U.S. law.

🔄 This decision follows a March 2022 ruling that found the cruise lines liable for violating U.S. law by engaging in prohibited tourism activities in Cuba.

📜 The appeals court's ruling sets aside previous judgments in favor of Havana Docks and remands the case for further proceedings regarding other claims against Carnival.

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https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/business/us-court-overturns-verdict-favoring-cruise-lines-havana-docks-case/3452631/?amp=1

17/10/2024

🏆 Two Cuban restaurants have been recognized at the fifth edition of the World Culinary Awards 2024 in Dubai.

🥇La Guarida, awarded as the Best Restaurant in Cuba, is an iconic establishment that opened its doors in 1996, blending the rich culinary tradition of Cuba with modern and creative touches and offering a unique dining experience.

🥇The Panoramic Restaurant San Cristóbal, located on the rooftop of the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski, won the title of Best Hotel Restaurant in Cuba. This restaurant stands out for its impressive culinary offerings and spectacular views of Havana. Specializing in Caribbean seafood, San Cristóbal provides its guests with an unparalleled culinary experience.

🏵️ 🌎The World Culinary Awards is an international event that celebrates excellence in gastronomy, recognizing the best restaurants, chefs, and culinary products across various categories. Its aim is to highlight innovation and quality in the kitchen while promoting the culinary culture of different countries.

Winners of these awards are selected through a combination of public voting and evaluation by a panel of culinary experts.

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https://worldculinaryawards.com/winners/2024?

12/10/2024

🛫 New VIP lounges in Cuban airports: more comfort for those willing to pay in cash

📍 Cuba has inaugurated new VIP lounges at Varadero International Airport and others, designed to offer an exclusive experience to travelers who can pay in dollars or other foreign currencies.

According to a recent report, these areas aim to increase the flow of foreign currency into the country and enhance the passenger experience amid the ongoing economic crisis.

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https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article293738849.html

09/10/2024

🚀 The D'Viajeros platform is available and you can now complete your registration up to 7 days before your trip to Cuba, compared to the previous requirement of 48 hours in advance.

🌍 D'Viajeros' primary goal is to gather advance information about travelers to streamline all migration and customs procedures at the entry points, making your transit faster and more efficient.

📝 Request here your online form and get your QR code to provide advance information for entry into Cuba, a digital requirement by various institutions that allows access to the national territory.

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https://dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu/inicio?

04/10/2024

🇨🇺📍🇺🇸 One of the world's greatest living jazz artists, trumpeter, pianist and composer Cuban American Arturo Sandoval is set to become a 2024 Kennedy Center Honoree, the nation's pre-eminent performing arts award, in December.

🏆 The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient has such a remarkable story, it's been made into a movie, "For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story."

🎺🎼 As a young man, Sandoval was jailed in communist Cuba for listening to a Voice of America jazz program during mandatory military service. Sandoval's life changed when his hero, jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie, visited Cuba in 1977. It was while touring with Gillespie in 1989 that Sandoval defected to the U.S., and he credits the musical giant with helping secure his freedom.

"I was a hopeless kid in Cuba, and then music changed me and my life completely. Music saved my life," he said.

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https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/latino-10-hispanic-heritage-month-recognition-rcna170278

28/09/2024

🎨Experience the Vibrance of Cuban Art & Culture at the 15th Havana Biennial!🌟

Join us at Cuba Careo Tours for an unforgettable journey to Cuba 🇨🇺 from November 15, 2024 - February 28, 2025, where the 15th Havana Biennial will transform the city into a living gallery! 🎨✨

This prestigious art event showcases the best contemporary art from the , and beyond.

🏛️ Wander through colonial streets, discover hidden galleries, and interact with incredible artists from Cuba and around the world.

The Biennial isn't just an art exhibition—it’s a cultural experience that blends tradition, innovation, and the stunning backdrop of Havana.

From historic mansions to the iconic Malecón, art will spill out into every corner of the city.

🖌️ Highlights include:
- Art Installations and Performances in public spaces
- Workshops and Lectures led by world-renowned artists
- Private Visits to art studios, where you’ll meet Cuban artists shaping the global art scene.

🌟 With our exclusive tour packages, you'll also explore the rich history, cuisine and music of Havana.

✅ Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in one of the most influential art festivals in the world!

📅 Book your adventure today with us!




👉 Contact us for more details and make your travel dream a reality!

Obra de Kadir López.
Nombre: "Opuestos"
Segunda edición Detrás del Muro en 2015.

27/09/2024

🚂 Cuba’s Sugar Trains is a fascinating documentary available on Netflix, released in 2001, that delves into the rich history of Cuba's sugar industry and its iconic steam-powered trains.

🚊 The film offers a look at how these vintage trains once served as vital tools in transporting sugarcane across the island, a crop that significantly shaped Cuba’s economy and culture for centuries; providing a glimpse into Cuba's past and exploring the impact of the sugar trade on the island’s development.

🚆 Enjoy the stunning visuals and insightful storytelling.



Watch the trailer here
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https://youtu.be/NAxdDPIppWM

26/09/2024

✅ 🍽️🥗🥘 🥩🧄🥑🥬🍆
Join Our Authentic Cuban Cooking Class 📍Casa D' La Popa in

🌶️ Enjoy an immersive cooking experience and learn to prepare traditional Cuban dishes using fresh, local ingredients, guided by locals who will teach you the secrets of our island’s vibrant cuisine.

🥩 From flavorful ropa vieja to refreshing mojitos, this class is perfect for anyone looking to discover Cuba’s rich culinary heritage.

🍮 Afterward, enjoy the picturesque surroundings of this charming colonial city.

📍✒️ Book now and savor the flavors of Cuba!

24/09/2024

🩰 Cuba Careo Tours is pleased to invite you to one of the most prestigious events in the world of dance: the 28th Havana Ballet Festival “Alicia Alonso,” taking place from October 28 to November 10, 2024.

This international festival brings together the best of classical and contemporary ballet, featuring renowned companies and world-class dancers, to pay tribute to the legendary Alicia Alonso, one of the greatest figures in ballet history.

We invite you to immerse yourself in an unforgettable experience featuring dazzling performances, complemented by our exclusive activities, including cultural tours, special dinners, and private encounters with renowned artists and ballet experts.

Cuba Careo Tours has designed personalized travel packages that will make your visit a memorable experience, combining the best of Cuban art, culture, and hospitality.

For more information about our travel packages, festival tickets, and reservations, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We look forward to sharing this unique event with you in the cultural heart of Cuba!

23/09/2024

📉Between January and August 2024, Cuba received 1,608,078 international tourists, a 3.5% decrease compared to the same period last year.

📊Despite the overall decline, there was a notable increase in the number of Russian tourists, driven by bilateral agreements.

📉 In contrast, traditional source countries like Spain 🇪🇸 and the United States 🇺🇸 saw a drop in visitors to the island.

Canada 🇨🇦 remains the main source of tourists, with 665,871 visitors, followed by Russia 🇷🇺 with 132,935 and the United States 🇺🇸 with 104,352.

However, most tourist markets experienced year-on-year declines, including visits from Cuban 🇨🇺 residents living abroad, which fell by 15.7%.

This prolonged decline makes it difficult for the Cuban government to reach its adjusted target of 2.7 million tourists for 2024, down from the original goal of 3.2 million.

Tourism is a key sector for Cuba's economy, contributing significantly to its GDP and foreign currency income. However, the country remains far from pre-pandemic figures of 2018 and 2019, when it surpassed 4 million tourists. Meanwhile, other Caribbean destinations, such as Punta Cana and Cancún, are reaching historic highs in visitor numbers, reflecting a faster recovery after the pandemic.






















https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/cuba-recibe-hasta-agosto-1%2C6-millones-de-turistas%2C-un-3%2C5-%25-interanual-menos/87588618

10/09/2024

🇨🇺 🕺🇰🇷 In Havana, Cuba, K-pop has begun to gain a significant following despite the island's rich salsa tradition.

🎸 South Korean pop music, known for its catchy beats and intricate choreography, has spread globally, and Cuba is now catching on.

📲 With the rise of internet access, young Cubans are streaming K-pop and engaging with the genre through dance.

🏆 Cuban K-pop fans look up to local groups like Limitless and LTX, who have competed in international K-pop events in South Korea.

Popular all over the world, South Korean bands have gained dedicated fan clubs even on the socialist island, thanks to greater access to the internet.

08/09/2024

Las industrias creativas en Cuba tienen un gran potencial, pero enfrentan retos desalentadores como la falta de inversión y políticas restrictivas. Con más apoyo, podrían impulsar la economía y la cultura. 🚀🎨🎶

Políticas y normas cubanas restringen el despliegue de los diversos emprendimientos relacionados con las industrias culturales y creativas.

02/09/2024

Despite Cuba's ongoing crises, Havana's creative community is thriving.

Artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders are innovating to sustain their work and reshape the city's cultural landscape.

These changemakers are proving that creativity and community can endure even under the toughest conditions.

Read more in "Surviving and Thriving: Meet the Havana Changemakers Forging a Future in Crisis Cuba" by Claire Boobbyer.

https://adventure.com/havana-creative-community-cuba/?

Cuba may be in crisis, but a new wave of entrepreneurs, restaurateurs and other creatives are innovating in Havana like never before.

01/09/2024

🇨🇺📲✈️ Cuba has launched the electronic "eVisa" system, replacing the traditional paper tourist card/visa.

⏳The eVisa is processed by a Cuban consulate and delivered via email within 72 business hours.

🗓️ Travelers can apply for a single-entry visa, valid for 90 days and extendable for another 90 days while in Cuba.

🗓️ The paper visa system will remain in effect until the end of 2024, but the eVisa will be mandatory starting January 1, 2025.

🇺🇸 For U.S. travelers, the eVisa will replace the "pink" tourist card and will cost $50.00 💵

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https://evisacuba.cu/en/inicio