Culture, Arts and Reefs of Cuba! May 21-June 1, 2019

I’m extremely excited to offer a unique People to People Cultural Exchange program to Cuba.  I invite you to explore this vibrant and fascinating country, meet its people and revel in its natural beauty both above and below the water.
For our first four nights we’ll experience the history, arts and music of Havana and Trinidad followed by seven days snorkeling in the famed Gardens of the Queen (Jardines de La Reina). This underwater Eden is still like the Caribbean was 50 years ago. The stunning hard coral is flourishing and the marine life is abundant.  It’s obvious this area is protected due to the health and sheer volume of fish.

Highlights include:

• People to People Education and Cultural Program in accordance to OFAC Cuba Regulations – Legal Travel to Cuba for U.S. Citizens
• Three nights in Old Havana focusing on the local culture, arts and music.
• One night in Trinidad, a world heritage site with fine palaces and cobbled streets.
• Engage in meaningful interactions with the warm and welcoming people of Cuba.
•  Watch Flamenco, dance the Salsa! Guided walking Tours and visits to artists in their studios.
• Experience traditional Cuban cuisine in local restaurants.
• Spend a week exploring the Gardens of the Queen (Jardines de La Reina) by yacht and snorkel the stunning world-class coral gardens and mangroves.
• Expert tour guides in Havana and Trinidad and renowned Cuban marine biologists will guide us in the Gardens of the Queen.

May 21. Fly into Havana arriving by mid-day. Transfer to our hotel located in the heart of Old Havana.
This enchanting colonial city features cobbled streets, Spanish colonial buildings and plazas perfect for people watching. You’ll have time to settle in before enjoying an evening meal in a traditional Cuban restaurant.
May 21-24. During our time in Cuba we’ll be guided by our personable guide who will share his extensive knowledge of the culture and lifestyle of Cuba.
We’ll focus on interactions with people. You’ll find the resilient and creative Cubanos kind and welcoming.
Our explorations will include a guided walking tour of Havana, visits to artist workshops, markets, an architectural tour with a local expert, a Flamenco dance performance and an evening panoramic seaside cruise in classic American cars.
We’ll spend time visiting “Fusterlandia”, the amazing creation of master mosaic artist Jose Fuster. Fuster has turned his entire neighborhood into a fantastic art project.

Music is part of the soul of Cuban life; we’ll enjoy musical refrains in the streets and be serenaded in restaurants. For night owls you’ll have a chance to visit local night clubs.

May 24.  We’ll depart Havana in the morning and travel to Cienfuegos, about a 2 1/2 hour scenic drive from Havana.
In Cienfuegos we’ll enjoy the unique architecture of the city which was founded in 1819 as a sugar cane, tobacco and coffee trade center.
Our day will continue with a 1 1/2 hour drive to Trinidad.  The whole city, with its fine palaces, beautiful cobbled streets is a national monument and World Heritage Site. We’ll learn about Trinidad’s sugar industry history, enjoy a walking tour in this charming and colorful town before a leisurely dinner.

May 25. After a morning drive to Jucaro we’ll board the Avalon II, our home for the next seven nights! Cruising time from Jucaro to the Gardens of the Queen takes 5-6 hours.
The Gardens of the Queen National Park is the largest in the Caribbean and has been protected for decades.  Located 60 miles off the southern coast of Cuba, this archipelago is made up of 250 virgin coral and mangrove islands that extend along 75 miles.

I snorkeled in the Jardines de la Reina (Garden of the Queens) in August 2017. I couldn’t get over the health of the reef and the sheer volume and variety of fish that literally obscured the reefs.  The Jardines de la Reina was a declared Marine Park in 1996. Fish populations have increased 30 percent since the preserve was established, and shark populations are 10 times greater within the protected zone than in the waters outside. The reefs are some of the healthiest in the Caribbean. Beautiful, endangered corals that are rare elsewhere, are abundant in the Gardens.

The area hasn’t been over-fished or over-populated by tourism.  It is common see schools of snappers, trigger fish, angel fish, lots of lobsters, barracudas, a variety of rays, reef sharks and multiple species of big groupers.  Thankfully the reefs were not at all impacted by the recent hurricanes.

Each day we’ll explore another part of this remarkable eco-system including shallow coral reefs, mangroves and sea grass habitats. Our snorkels will be guided by experienced Cuban marine biologists who have pioneered our special snorkel itinerary.
In the evenings our marine experts will share their knowledge of this unique environment. We’ll hear lectures about the flora and the fauna of the area, current research projects and conservation efforts.

Our liveaboard is the Avalon II.  Built in 2014 the boat has 10 comfortable en-suite, air-conditioned cabins.
8 cabins on the upper deck feature panoramic windows, a lower double bed and an upper single bed.
2 cabins on the lower deck have a port hole and two lower double beds.
There is a sundeck with a jacuzzi and a restaurant/lounge.
The friendly Cuban crew of 9 will do everything possible to make our trip enjoyable.

June 1 Disembark the Avalon II in the morning and transfer to Camaguey or Santa Clara airports to continue your journey home. Camaguey is approx. 2 hours from the port of Jucaro and Santa Clara is approx. a 4 hour drive.
Transfers are included.

TRIP COST:
$6250.00 per person based on double occupancy
$9950.00 per person based on single occupancy
***SOLD OUT. CONTACT WENDY@SNORKELINGETC.COM TO WAITLIST***

Price includes:
-All transfers within Cuba.
-Three nights accommodations and touring in Havana.
-One night accommodation in Trinidad and touring.
-All meals while touring in Cuba and with the exception of one dinner in Havana.
-Welcome cocktail with dinners.
-Seven nights on board the Avalon II in the Gardens of the Queen including all meals and snorkel excursions.
Beverages include fruit juices, soft drinks, tea, coffee and a limited selection of local beer and wine.

Price Excludes:
-Airfare to/from Cuba
-Gratuities 
-Trip cancellation insurance (highly recommended).
-Meals and alcoholic beverages not outlined in the itinerary.
-Items of a personal nature.

Please contact me with any questions or for an application to join this educational and fascinating adventure.

 

 

 

Wendy Simon/CEO and Expedition Specialist
Snorkeling Etc. Inc.
831 254-5001
Wendy@SnorkelingEtc.com