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November 9-16, 2024

Havana /Varadero • Trinidad

$3,300/person (single occupancy)

$2,400/person (double occupancy)

Optional Havana Extension
November 16-19, 2024
More Details Coming Soon!

Saturday, November 9th
Guests from the U.S. arrive to Havana while guests from Canada arrive to Varadero. We’ll be there to pick you up at the airport and take you to get settled in your private accommodations (U.S. guests in Havana and Canadian guests in Varadero). Early arrivals can opt to join an afternoon yoga class (with Barbara in Varadero and Michel in Havana) before a small group dinner at one the best restaurants in their respective cities.
Sunday, November 10th
Guests enjoy a hearty Cuban breakfast at their accommodation before departing their respective cities for Trinidad (an approximate 4 ½ hour trip) with one stop along the way (bathroom break, snacks, coffee). Get settled into your lovely boutique hotel in the heart of Trinidad before exploring the cobblestone streets of the city with Alejandro to learn about the town’s history. Enjoy a group yoga session in a beautiful outdoor space jointly led by Barbara and Michel, followed by a group welcome dinner at Trinidad’s best restaurant – La Botija – before settling in for the night.
Monday, November 11th
Opt in for an early morning yoga session followed by a hearty Cuban breakfast at your accommodation before exploring more of the city. Visit local museums, learn about the traditional pottery of the area, and taste Trinidad’s most famous cocktail – the Canchánchara.
The afternoon is free to do what you choose – explore the city more or rest and rejuvenate at your boutique hotel – before making our way through the city’s center to Casa Colonial El Patio. Built in 1745 and restored to preserve its original architecture, this historic home boasts a magical interior patio with an abundance of plant life. Enjoy a group yoga session and gong bath followed by a traditional Cuban dinner on the terrace overlooking this vibrant city and its surrounding majestic mountains while hearing from the home’s owner about the familial and architectural history of this historic place. It’s fascinating!
Tuesday, November 12th
Awake early for a quick coffee before being whisked away to explore the Escambray mountains surrounding Trinidad. Take in a morning yoga session on an outdoor terrace in the heart of this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where you’ll feel like you’re meditating in the clouds before we head to Bee Hole Farm – a tranquil private farm in the heart of Topes de Collantes – for the day.
Enjoy a hearty Cuban breakfast on the farm before embarking on a rigorous hike with the group to Vegas Grande waterfall to take in the incredible view and swim in its pristine water. A delicious farm-to-table lunch at Bee Hole Farm will follow. Then nap in hammocks, meditate at the tree house with a panoramic view, or explore nearby trails, all while interacting with locals. An afternoon yoga stretch is a must. Ample amounts of Cuban rum and cervezas (beer) are provided post-hike. We’ll head back to Trinidad at dusk and if you’re still hungry, enjoy dinner on your own. We can help make recommendations and reservations or arrange takeout options for you.
Wednesday, November 13th
After an early-morning yoga session, take a quick drive to the white sand beaches and crystal clear blue waters of Playa Ancón. Rest under a thatched cabana, soak up the sun, or snorkel in search of coral and sea life, all while interacting with locals.
Enjoy a group lunch and cocktails by the sea before ending the day with a sunset meditation on the beach with Michel. Head back to Trinidad to get cleaned up. Dinner is on your own if you’re still hungry. If you’re feeling energized, hit the streets to find some local music and dance the night away!
Thursday, November 14th
Enjoy morning yoga on a beautiful outdoor patio followed by a delicious breakfast at your accommodation. Spend the day exploring the outskirts of Trinidad as a group. We’ll visit Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills) and a traditional pottery collective. Enjoy a group lunch (not included) at a quaint restaurant nearby. Finish the day back in Trinidad with an extra-long evening yoga session that includes movement, live music, and a gong bath. Then decide whether to go out on the town or stay in (group dinner included).
Friday, November 15th
Fill up on an early breakfast before departing Trinidad. Those traveling to Canada will head back to Varadero and those headed to the U.S. will leave for Havana. Wave adios to the Escambray mountains as you make your way back for a relaxing afternoon of yoga and small group dinner (guests pay).
For those in Havana who want more, visit Fábrica de Arte to explore the city’s hip, electric nightlife.
In Varadero, take in a final beach walk at sunset. Get packed and ready for re-entry home.
Saturday, November 16th
Bid farewell to the island. We’ll transport you to the airport so you can head home to share your amazing experience with friends and family. If you’re staying in Cuba longer, we’ll transport you to your destination if it’s in the province of Havana.
If you want to spend time in Havana, we offer an add-on to this retreat for guests to explore Cuba’s capital for another four (4) days. Explore the section below for details and pricing for our Havana Extension package, which takes place November 16-19, 2024.
If you’re flying out of Varadero, it’s simple. Just join the group heading back to Havana from Trinidad and then we’ll transport you back to Varadero before your Tuesday flight.

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CUBA YOGA RETREAT

8 days / 7 nights

Featuring Barbara Leah Meyer

Barbara Leah Meyer
FEATURED YOGA TEACHER
E-500RYT

Barbara Leah Meyer is a devoted yogi, as well as a professional musician, recording artist and music educator. She has enjoyed a career as a renowned jazz vocalist and pianist, toured internationally and recorded six CDs. Barbara has entertained a variety of audiences across Canada and throughout Europe, Scandinavia, Japan and the Middle East; as a solo artist; and with jazz ensembles, big bands and symphony orchestras.

Barbara’s daily yoga practice has been her sacred place for more than 40 years, enabling her to stay balanced and focused during a busy music career and the raising of two beautiful children. She is a highly knowledgeable and experienced yoga teacher, has completed her E-500RYT level certification and is on a continual “deep dive” into the fascinating worlds of modern movement science and mindfulness.

Barbara’s classes are slow and mindful and suited to all levels of experience. She brings her love of teaching and wellness to the yoga mat with a focus on safety, stability, strength, mobility, balance, the breath, meditation, mental health, and yoga as a personal sanctuary. Barbara weaves music and singing, mudra, and mantra into her yoga teachings to deepen and personalize the experience.

Barbara resides in Alberta, Canada and has lived, played music, and taught yoga in many countries and settings around the world. She offers workshops and retreats worldwide, in fun and exotic settings.

Barbara’s specialties and certifications include:
E-500RYT (Yoga Alliance); Reiki Level 2; Advanced Anatomy; “The Movement Template”; Activated Asana Apprenticeship Academy; Adaptive Yoga; Yoga for Teens; 25 hr Ayurvedic Wellness Certification; Yoga Nidra/ Restorative Yoga; Science, History, Philosophy & Practice; Conscious Awakening; Trauma Informed Yoga; Diploma in Music Performance.

With Michel Uranga of Agata Yoga

Agata Yoga
FOUNDER & YOGA TEACHER
RYT 250/Kundalini 3HO/Thai Masseuse

Michel Uranga Briñas is a licensed physical therapist and long-time practitioner and instructor of Hatha and Kundalini yoga. He founded Agata Yoga, a health and wellness movement based in Havana, Cuba which offers a variety of products and services, such as Kundalini yoga classes and workshops, teacher trainings, holistic massages by trained therapists, and yoga retreats. Their mission is to provide tools for physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness, Thai massage and other holistic therapies, and Ayurvedic and nutritional counseling.

Over the past decade, he has built the Agata Yoga team, comprised of a dozen core instructors, holistic therapists, and Ayurvedic nutritionists. Together, they dedicate themselves to their work in a concerted effort to contribute to the betterment of humanity – ways of being that promote health, joy, spirituality, and stress-free living – and are committed to evoking positive change in Cuba from the ground up.

Michel’s studies in East Asian therapies were the precipice for a life-long dedication to the practice of Thai massage and holistic practices of oriental medicine. He served as an instructor and therapist at IRECA – the Research Institute for the Application of Cosmic Energy – for more than a decade. He is a licensed yoga instructor (Yoga Alliance RYT-250 and Kundalini 3HO) and masseuse (certified in both Thai and Shiatsu massage).

With Alejandro Berroa of Travel Cuba

Travel Cuba With Us
CO-FOUNDER & TOUR GUIDE
Translator & Interpreter

Alejandro is a certified translator/interpreter and oral historian. He was born in Cuba and lived there for 36 years before immigrating to the United States in 2020. Today he splits his time between Cuba and the U.S for family and work. He has more than 15 years of experience working as a Havana-based tour leader and has guided visitors from all over the world across the island. His specialties include tours on Cuban culture and heritage, architecture, history, religion, and ecotourism – with extensive experience guiding birdwatchers.

He holds a BA in Linguistics from the University of Havana with specializations in French and English language, and a minor in German. He spent many years studying and then working as a professor at the French Alliance based in Havana. He sits on the Board of Support the Cuban People, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose activities directly support individuals residing in Cuba through programming that spans humanitarian need, art and culture, and grant funds for established and emerging entrepreneurs.

A lover of photography, languages, history, and peoples’ stories, he prioritizes the facilitation of collaborative agreements, as well as the apolitical exchange of information and culture, between the United States and Cuba, and is committed to being a part of creating economic opportunity in Cuba from the ground up.

He enjoys practicing yoga, especially Kundalini, and loves how the practice calms the mind and stimulates energy in the body.

FAQs

- A comprehensive informational handbook that helps guide you every step of the way.
- A stamped and certified document that verifies you are traveling to Cuba under the OFAC general license Support for the Cuban People (SCP) 515.574 under the guidance of Travel Cuba With Us.
- Daily yoga classes, which include a blend of vinyasa, activated asana, and kundalini yoga; meditations; sound/gong baths; and more
- All guide fees with Travel Cuba With Us, which includes all tours outlined in the itinerary in Havana/Varadero and Trinidad
- All museum and Biosphere Reserve entrance fees
- Airport Transportation to/from the international airports in Havana/Varadero
- Clean and comfortable daily accommodations in Havana or Varadero and Trinidad
  - All rooms have a private bathroom, air conditioning, and safe for valuables
- Local group transportation
- Safe and comfortable transportation to and from Havana/Varadero-Trinidad
- Seven (7) group breakfasts
  - A hearty Cuban breakfast each day of your stay. Any allergies or preferences can be accommodated with advance notice.
- Two (2) group lunches
  - Lunch at Bee Hole Farm in Topes de Collantes & in Playa Ancón
- Four (4) group dinners
  - Dinner the night of arrival, at La Botija in Trinidad, and at El Patio in Trinidad
- Group cell phone with internet access for emergencies
- Unlimited filtered water
- Flight to/from Havana or Varadero
  - You are responsible for booking your flight to and from Havana. Cuba requires you carry health insurance, which is typically included in the purchase of your flight. Confirm with your carrier.
- Cuban Tourist Visa
  - Your airline may require the purchase of a Cuban tourist visa. The cost is typically $100 unless otherwise included in the cost of your ticket (common with Canadian airlines). In the U.S. you can purchase this at the airport on the day of departure or ahead of time and have it mailed to your home. Check with your individual airline for details.
- Yoga Mats and Props
  - You are welcome to bring your own, but we provide quality mats, mat straps, towels, blocks, 6’ straps, eye pillows, and essential oil spray to clean your mat.
- Other Lunches (x 5)
  - Some snacks will be provided. For guests desiring more sustenance, meals can be purchased at local restaurants. Recommendations and reservations provided at no cost.
- Other Dinners (x 3)
  - Explore on your own. We’re happy to make recommendations of great local restaurants where we can make reservations for you or arrange takeout.
- Local Transportation
  - We provide all necessary transportation to/from all destinations and local transportation for tours included on the itinerary, but if you want to explore on your own, please do. We'll help you find local transport and negotiate fare. You'll be responsible for payment.
- Tips
  - All guide fees are included. It’s not necessary, but if you have exceptional service, you are welcome to tip tour guides or those assisting at our accommodations.
- Travel Insurance
  - As a company, we carry personal liability insurance. We HIGHLY recommend you purchase travel insurance. No refunds for last-minute cancellations.
Yes! Travel to Cuba is legal for U.S. citizens if the purpose of the travel falls within one of the 12 categories listed under the general license by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Our tour packages are designed to meet the general license requirements for the Support for the Cuban People (SCP) category (515.574). This is the ideal category for visitors taking tours or traveling independently in Cuba.
See our company’s FAQ page or email us for more details.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you can only travel to Cuba if you meet OFAC’s general license requirements. It is illegal for U.S. Citizens to travel to Cuba for tourism.
The Cuban government requires a visa from all U.S. citizens prior to entry into the country. The standard visa for U.S. citizens visiting the island under the OFAC general license “Support for the Cuban People” is a Cuban tourist visa.
We know, it’s confusing!
From the U.S. perspective, if you travel with us, you are traveling to Cuba because you meet OFAC’s general license requirements for the Support for the Cuban People (SCP) category (515.574). Use this as your reason for traveling to Cuba for all U.S. paperwork.
From the Cuban perspective, if you travel with us, you enter Cuba as a tourist with a pre-purchased Cuban Tourist Visa.
Bottomline: Don’t worry! If you travel with us, we make sure you comply with all regulations for both countries.
D’Viajeros is a Cuban website designed for you to complete your health declaration and Customs (Aduana) form prior to boarding your flight in the U.S. to Cuba. This makes for a more streamlined process.
You can fill out the form 48 hours prior to your departure at: https://dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu/inicio
Vaccinations for Covid-19 are not mandatory for entry into Cuba but if you’re not vaccinated, you may have to show a negative PCR result from a test taken within 72 hours of your departure from the U.S.
Money in Cuba is always complicated, but we will help you navigate any currency exchange complexities every step of the way. We will ensure you are aware of your options before traveling to Cuba.
Absolutely not!
This is a cultural tour of Cuba that includes yoga. All levels of experience are welcome (including no experience). Our yoga instructors can offer modifications for those who want to take it slow and ways to ramp it up for those who want a more vigorous practice.
You can learn more about our yoga instructors by reading their bios. Broadly, there will be a mix of vinyasa, Kundalini, yin, meditation, yoga nidra, and sound baths.
Instructors always meet you on your mat! If you don’t feel like participating in yoga classes at any time, that's ok too.
Yes you can!
Agata Yoga, our partner based in Havana, has built a community of yoga instructors, Ayurvedic nutritionalists, and holistic therapists that are available daily for guests.
Therapists are available each day of your stay and services include massage (Thai, Swedish, and Deep Tissue) and gentle chiropractic manipulation, among others. Prices start at $55 USD/hr.
We have ten (10) rooms available for this tour. All ten (10) of these rooms are available for single occupancy ($3,300 per room) and five (5) of these rooms can accommodate double occupancy ($4,800 per room), which is the base room fee of $3,300 plus a $1,500 supplement for double occupancy – or $2,400 per person for a shared room).
We cannot guarantee to find a roommate for you, but we will definitely try!
All rooms have 1-2 beds and a private bathroom, along with air conditioning and in-room safes.
Fill out the form below and/or email us. We’ll walk you through the process. We require a $500 non-refundable deposit upon signing of our contract. The remaining payment will be due on a specified date(s).
We accept cash, check, wire transfer, and Zelle at no additional charge. You can also pay with a credit card or via PayPal but there will be a 3.5% fee added to your payment.
Yes it can!
Please do your own research if you plan to travel to Cuba from Europe as a EU citizen to make sure any future legal entry into the United States wiIl not be impacted. In 2017, the United States government placed Cuba on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list (section1754(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act, and section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961).
If you plan to travel to the United States in the near future using ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), the United States immigration may deny you or revoke a previously-approved status, requiring you to apply for a specific visa directly from a U.S. embassy in your country in order visit the United States. Please email us for more details.
Per the U.S. Department of State:
“The Cuban government requires U.S.-Cuban dual citizens who departed Cuba on or after January 1, 1971 to enter and depart Cuba using a Cuban passport. Using a Cuban passport for this purpose does not jeopardize one’s U.S. citizenship; however, such persons must use their U.S. passports to enter and depart the United States. Cuban-Americans who departed Cuba before January 1, 1971 may travel to Cuba on their U.S. passport but must apply for an HE-11 visa from the Cuban Embassy. Cuban authorities do not always notify the U.S. Embassy of the arrest of dual nationals and may deny U.S. consular officers access to them.”
What's not special about this retreat? It's a perfect time to visit Cuba! Tourism on the island is slowly bouncing back - explore and experience without the crowds. Enjoy delicious food, pristine nature, and a deep dive into Cuban culture while exploring Havana/Varadero, Trinidad, Topes de Collantes, and Playa Ancón. Daily yoga classes of Vinyasa and Kundalini yoga meet you on your mat (with mojitos if you want!).
It's the people who will guide you on this journey that really make the difference. The tour leaders and yoga instructors hail from the U.S., Canada, and Cuba and they know Cuba inside and out. Our expert yoga instructors are from a variety of yogic backgrounds. Four guides and yoga instructors are with you every step of the way. Explore their bios on our website to learn more.
This retreat is equally a cultural immersion as it is an offering of yoga. How you spend your time is up to you. We offer multiple choices - daily - that allow you to choose what's best for you depending on your mood.
We also have a cadre of Cuban holistic therapists available to book treatments such as massage (Thai, Swedish, Deep Tissue), acupuncture, and chiropractic - daily.
We keep our groups small because it allows for flexibility and, we think, a better experience than what you typically find with larger tours. We are committed to supporting private businesses in Cuba and comply with the U.S. Department of State’s OFAC regulations under the general license category Support for the Cuban People (SCP) 515.574. We also give back to the Cuban people by donating a portion of our profits each year to the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization – Support the Cuban People.
Expect adventure, a profound learning of Cuba and its history and culture, and new growth. We promise you the experience of a lifetime.