Cuba has four historically defining attributes that make it a wonderful country on which to build healthcare exchanges: community physicians, preventative health, innovative practices and research, and medical internationalism. Amidst significant resource constraints, Cuba was built upon a ‘prevention is cheaper than illness’ model. This, plus other factors, have contributed to Cuba creating and sustaining some of the best health outcomes in the world. For decades, Cuba has been considered the provider of providers for the world with global exchanges of medical professionals predominantly to Latin America, Africa, and Oceania.

 

Cross Cultural Journeys and The Human Value Institute invite you on a bridge building journey as we explore Cuba’s medical system, its history and culture. In January 2017, participate with up to 20 U.S. -based physicians and medical professionals in a course in innovative preventative healthcare and treatment with Cuba. Our intent is to connect providers with a uniting focus on prevention contrasted with community health concerns including diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.

 

Meet,  share, and learn with medical professional counterparts and other locals in the capital city of Havana and the nearby town of Las Terrazas. Dive deeper into this world renown nationalized medical system that has been off limits to most Americans for the past five decades.

 

The exchange will include providers that are deeply committed to a) immersion in learning about Cuba’s health practices, b) open, transparent, collaborative views of their health experiences and those generally in the U.S., and c) the prevention and management of disease in the United States and in Cuba with a long-term commitment to sustaining relationships and sharing experiences of new methods.

 

For visionary U.S.-based providers, we expect to learn about methods of prevention and management through health promotion and community health practices. For Cuba, this further validates models of prevention and provides access to insight from U.S. providers about the concerns associated with the effects of increasing Westernization on the Cuban diet and lifestyle.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 | Miami We will start our journey in Miami with late afternoon tour of Little Havana. Since the 1950s immigrants from Cuba have infused this neighborhood with their food, culture and language. Even today, walking through Little Havana you are wandering through a backdrop of pulsating Cuban and Afro-Cuban music, unique art galleries and typical restaurants. We will gather for a welcome dinner at a fantastic Cuban restaurant to whet your appetite for Cuban food, drink and traditions. Miami Hotel (D)

 

Day 2 | Miami/ Havana In the early morning we will meet at the Miami International Airport for the group checkin. Upon arrival in Havana, you will meet your Cuban guide and drive to your accommodation in Havana. On the way, your guide will show you the historical memorial to José Martí at Plaza de la Revolución, Revolution Square, and give you a short driving tour to see the general layout of this beautiful city including the Malecón, Havana’s famous waterfront. After checking into your accommodation, walk to lunch at local paladar, Paladar Jardin de los Milagros and absorb your first impressions of the tropical air, rhythm and color wafting out of the doorways as you pass — laughter and conversation bouncing amongst neighbors, easily meeting local people along the way. Dine this evening at paladar San Cristobal, featuring traditional Cuban food and music. Hotel Parque Central   (L/D)

 

Day 3 | Havana Begin your first full day in Cuba with a journey opening circle at the hotel. Then we will have a talk on the history of the city’s architectural past and contemporary demographics as told by an urban historian, Miguel Coyula. Then venture out into the streets on a walking tour of the four major plazas of Habana Vieja (Old Havana) to see the architecture and progress of the UNESCO restoration. Enjoy lunch on your own in Old Havana, your guide will be happy to make suggestions. In the afternoon we will visit Havana’s largest hospital and listen to a lecture on Cuba’s Health Care system. Dinner will be at the Paladar Idilio with an optional evening out to the jazz Club La Zorra y el Cuervo. Hotel Parque Central (B/D)

 

Day 4 | Havana After breakfast, we will explore a visit to a Maternity home, part of the Maternal/Infant Program of the Cuban Ministry of Public Health. During the visit we will have an exchange with the local doctors, including a discussion of the challenges faced and the success of the program as well as a question and answer section. Lunch will be at a local paladar, then we will take the local ferry to the island of Regla to visit Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Regla (Church of Our Lady of Regla) with the Black Madonna, their patron saint. Enjoy coffee with a local family and participation in a discussion of Cuban health and the family. Dinner will be at the hotel. Optional evening out. Hotel Parque Central (B/L/D)

 

Day 5 | Cienfuegos After breakfast we head south to visit the UNESCO city of Cienfuegos, known for its french influenced architecture. We will stop for lunch on the drive in a local restaurant. When we arrive in Cienfuegos we will participate in an exchange with the nurses and doctors at small medical clinic. Afterwards, we will enjoy a private performance by a local choir.  We will check into the hotel the early evening for before a reflection circle. Dinner is on your own. Hotel Cienfuegos (B/L)

 

Day 6 | Havana After an early breakfast we return on the road to Havava. Upon arrival in the capital, we will lunch at Paladar Meleb Club on their beautiful outdoor patio. In the afternoon we will visit at an eldercare facility and experience an exchange with residents and their caregivers ("circulo de ancianos”) Dinner is on your own with a optional dance night out at the Casa de la Trova. Hotel Parque Central (B/L)

 

Day 7 | Havana In the morning, visit Antonio Nuñes Jimenez Foundation for Man and Nature. See the pre-colonial indigenous sculpture exhibit and get a guided tour of center and learn about Nuñes Jimenes amazing exploration of the indigenous tribes of Latin America in a wooden log canoe. Learn about Center's work with conservation of the Cuban environment as well as cultural preservation. There will be an exchange with director of ANJF regarding current public health initiatives and their collaborations with US NGOs. Lunch at the famous El Ajibe, known for their delicious traditional Cuban cuisine, most notably their speciality chicken. This afternoon visit the Museo de la Revolución (Museum of the Revolution) housed in what was once the Presidential Palace of all former Cuban presidents from Marion Garcia Menocal to Bulgencio Batista. Then visit Havana’s National Museum of Fine Arts, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana, where a museum guide will share the history of Cuba through its impressive art history. Gather in the evening for a reflection circle before a dinner at Paladar La Guardia. Hotel Parque Central (B/L/D)

 

Day 8 | Havana After breakfast at the hotel, we will have a private visit with Roberto Salas, one of Fidel’s personal photographers and friend. Experience the amazing photographs he has taken in over 60 years of work. Lunch is on your own and your afternoon is free for last minute exploring and shopping. Gather together in the early evening for a farewell dinner at El Cocinero and then an outing to the Fabrica de Arte Cubana. Hotel Parque Central (B/D)

 

Day 9 | Havana/Miami Following breakfast, we bid Cuba farewell as we transfer to the airport for our flight to Miami then onward flights home. (B)

 

INCLUDED: Miami dinner; Miami program; all in-Cuba transportation per itinerary; hotels in Cuba; breakfast daily; most lunches and dinners (B/L/D per itinerary); English speaking Cuban guide; guest speakers and medical-based programs; all entrance fees on itinerary; preparation materials; bottled water on the bus; Cuba visa; Cuba medical insurance, CCJ and HVI course managers.

 

NOT INCLUDED: International Flights to Cuba, Cuban Visa and Medical insurance, Travel to Miami, hotel in Miami,  meals not on itinerary; alcoholic drinks; excursions not on the itinerary; tips for local guide and driver (optional, yet customary); travel cancellation and evacuation insurance (strongly recommended, info will be sent upon registration).

 

NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change to take advantage of the serendipity of the moment when we are in Cuba... to meet someone special, to engage in an activity that might occur unexpectedly, or to accommodate circumstances beyond our control. Restaurants or hotels may change in similar category.