SFJazz | Cuba: Spring 2024

Day-by-Day Itinerary (subject to change!)

Day 1 | Sunday, March 3 | Arrival in Havana

Arrive at Jose Marti International Airport. Your CCJ Cuba guide, Jesus Noguera, will meet you outside of baggage claim. After checking in to your hotel in Havana - and a brief rest break - you will have a group gathering including drinks and snacks in the lobby of hotel (TBD) at 9 pm.

Sleep: Havana
Meals: (D)

Day 2 | Monday, March 4 | Havana

Breakfast at your hotel, followed by a welcome and orientation meeting in your hotel lobby from 9:30 - 10:30 am. Morning/early afternoon visit to the Museum of Music. Music seminar by Isnay Rodriguez or Pablo Menendez pre or post Museum visit. Lunch in between or just after at one of Old Havana’s classic eateries accompanied by a musical performance. After lunch, we will depart for the Abdallah Recording Studio for a visit with a Cuban musician (TBD) or a private concert at Fabrica de Arte. Dinner at La Guarida with musical performance.

Sleep: Havana
Meals: (B/L/D)

Day 3 | Tuesday, March 5 | Visit to Matanzas

After breakfast, at 9 am, we depart for a day trip to Matanzas, the beautiful port city east of Havana, also known as the birthplace of the Rumba. After arrival in Matanzas, we stop at the local special music school for a visit, master class with SFJazz Collective member, and maybe a performance. This will be followed by lunch and a musical Rumba performance by some of the members of AfroCuba de Matanzas and the Muñequitos de Matanzas. Return to Havana. Dinner at Claxon Hotel and rooftop and music performance (artist TBD).

Sleep: Havana
Meals: (B/L/D)

Day 4 | Wednesday, March 6 | Havana

After breakfast, we have a morning visit to Amadeo Roldan School for a master class with SFJazz Collective member and student Jazz Band performance. Lunch at a local paladar. Tour of Old Havana with optional visit to artist studios and Belles Artes Museum. Late afternoon concert at San Francisco Basilica for concert by Aldo Lopez Gavilan, Daiana Garcia or Rodrigo Garcia. Dinner at Yarini including a musical performance.

Sleep: Havana
Meals: (B/L/D)

Day 5 | Thursday, March 7 | Havana

Breakfast at your hotel then a morning visit to L’ENA for a visit, master class with SFJazz Collective member, and student music performance. Lunch and tour of KCHO Studio. Return to L’ISA for tour and visit with students. Musical performance and dinner Dinner at Paseo 206/Eclectico.

Sleep: Havana
Meals: (B/L/D)

Day 6 | Friday, March 8 | Havana

After breakfast, we visit the Abdallah Recording Studio for a visit and performance with Cuban musician (TBD) or private concert at Fabrica de Arte. Afternoon free time to pack or revisit Old Havana and/or explore the vast artisan’s market. Farewell dinner at Atelier, followed by an exclusive Closing Party at H Bar.

Sleep: Havana
Meals: (B/L/D)

Day 7 | Saturday, March 9 | Departing Havana

Today, we bid Cuba farewell. Transfer to Jose Martí Airport for our flights back home.

Meals: (B)