Individual Salsa Dance Holiday Santiago de Cuba
Individual with Cuban salsa teacher. 8 days, can start every day of the year (Jan 1 - Dec 31)
Santiago de Cuba
Santiago de Cuba is the most exotic city of Cuba. It has lots of different etnic groups having settled themselves in this city. Santiago is the second biggest city, after Havana. Santiago de Cuba is a city full with history of the revolution, the fight against dictator Batista. That excellent site close by the Caribbean sea, with a backdrop of mountains and terrain which determined that none of the city's street would be absolutely level is the setting of one of the most beautiful and joyous of Cuba's cities, filled with a mixture of architectural styles which run from the baroque to the neoclassical. In total, about 500.000 people live here. Explore its narrow, winding streets, that are filled with both history and music streets bordered by large windows and crowded balconies overflowing with flowers. This is a place where you have to get within touching distance and where you won't feel let down if you follow the golden rule that every minute of a vacation should have a surprise, something to admire or a good place to explore. Add to this the tropical climate and you have a perfect cocktail for a holiday.
Santiago de Cuba with the best authentic Cuban salsa
The salsa holiday in Santiago de Cuba is the best of the best. Santiago de Cuba is the perfect place to learn Cuba’s national dance – Salsa. The programme includes a Santiago de Cuba city tour and several optional excursions to the beach, a castle, museums, and local beautiful spots.
The programme includes 8 days with 7 nights with accommodation. Our authentic Cuban style salsa classes are facilitated by top dance instructors. All of them are certified. Each participant is offered a local Cuban dance partner who will always be there to mentor each person’s progress and ensure a high quality of learning experience. You will dance the salsa on your own level, whether you are beginner, intermediate, advanced or master class.
This holiday can be booked by singles, as well as partners, or friends. Whether you are travelling by yourself or come with a partner – each person will get their personal Cuban dance partner for the whole course, making it a far more intensive and rewarding learning experience. It is our experience that you will improve your salsa dance level with 1-2 years of taking lessons once a week in your own country.
What us the difference between Santiago de Cuba and Havana?
Music is a vital element of people’s life in Santiago, even more than in Havana. This second city is not as big as Havana and as a result, all interesting spots are within walking distance. Houses and buildings are in a better condition. Salsa in Santiago de Cuba is a bit different from Salsa in Havanna. Santiago de Cuba, about 1000 km east of Havana in Oriente, is the cradle of the traditional Son. The teachers in Santiago are also carefully selected and professional, and their repertoire is interesting for beginners as well as for advanced dancers.
Stay in Hotel or casa particulares (Bed and Breakfast)?
You can stay in the ** Hotel. Hotel Libertad is nicely located in the center of the Santiago de Cuba. From the hotel, you can quickly get to Santiago de Cuba’s old and modern sections. All comfortable rooms of this ** star air conditioning, a bath, and satellite TV. The hotel has a nice bar and restaurant with an advisable kitchen. The hotel is at walking distance of the most important spots where you can dance. You can book a double or single room. The standard of hotel room might be different compared to what you are used to in your own country.
A "casa particulares" is a bed and breakfast in a private home in Cuba. Private citizens are allowed (meeting certain conditions and paying the required tax) to rent out rooms to tourists. They can offer both lodging and meals. The "casa particulares" offers a nice way to see Cuba and provide you a quality service while allowing you to get in close contact with the Cuban people. Most casas are English spoken. Most casas have air-conditioning, private bath/douche, and breakfast is included. We have several casa particulares with all very friendly people, were a perfect and fresh breakfast is served. One of them is casa particulares Sra Ana Romeo.
Flights and transfers to Santiago de Cuba
Flights to Cuba?
Our holiday package is flight-exclusive. This allows you to choose your flight when and with the company you prefer. There are several (charter) companies flying to Holguin or Santiago de Cuba. Also check out the offers of travel agents specialized in Cuba. When traveling to Santiago de Cuba, a flight to Holguin or Santiago de Cuba directly is recommended.
Holguin airport is an international airport serving Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. The airport is situated 3 hours drive from Santiago de Cuba. Santiago de Cuba airport handles not so many international flights and several national airlines serving domestic destinations. Antonio Maceo Airport is an national airport serving Santiago de Cuba. The airport is situated 7 km and about 15-20 minutes’ drive from Santiago de Cuba. It is a small airport located in Santiago de Cuba.
Transfer from airport to Hotel/casa particulares v.v.
Airport pick-up and drop-off are available for an additional cost and should be reserved in advance.
- Holguin: pick-up Holguin airport or drop-off Holguin airport costs is €50 one way for 1 person, and €40 per person for two people or more.
- Santiago de Cuba: pick-up Santiago de Cuba airport or drop-off Santiago de Cuba airport costs is €10 one way for 1 person, and €8 per person (2 people or more).
Flights book service of Dance4two
To find a plane ticket, Dance4two can help you. We offer the “flight book service”. There are many airlines with flight to Santiago de Cuba, and Holguin. To find a cheap plane ticket, we'll discover 2-3 attractive plane travel solutions that will fits to your wishes. Our main goal is to help our visitors finding the lowest airfares possible.
How does it work?
You send us preferred day and place of departure and arrival. You send us your passport name and number. Based on the available airlines, we select 2-3 plane travel options. You make your choice and you pay the exact price of the ticket. We book the flight and send you the e-ticket. Cost for this service is €35. The cost of the flight ticket is not included.
Contact other travelers
Are you looking for other travelers accompanying you? You can put a message on our guestbook 
or facebook www.facebook.com/dance4two.
General Information Cuba holiday
The Cuban factor
When you think of Cuba, you probably imagine the passionate rhythms of old soneros and the big heavy Cadillac´s rushing through the streets of Havana´s old city. However, Cuba is not only about nostalgia, tobacco and rum. It is a fascinating country that also stands for passion, temperament, endless joie de vivre and sincere, warm hospitality. You easily get in contact with the Cuban people. They might ask you to have a drink or to pay diner for them. It is up to you whether or not you will do that. European people, both women and men, are very attractive to Cuban people. They like to dance closely and in a romantic way. Normally, this is a nice experience. In case you don´t like it, feel free to regret with a glance. The culture of Cuba is a complex mixture of different, often contrasting, factors. You easily make friends in Cuba, their hospitality is great. However, Cuba is the country where not everything goes according to plan. Go with the flow, and accept cultural differences. The programme might be different or changed because of the Cuban factor. In case of change, smile and think of the Cuban factor.
Passport and entry requirements
Citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months, a tourist card (tarjeta de turista) and an onward ticket. Tourist cards are valid for thirty days and although you can buy one from Cuban consulates you can also will get one from your tour operator or travel agent.
Money
Cuba's national unit of currency is the Cuban peso (CUP), or peso cubano in Spanish; it's referred to also as the national peso, and it's divided into 100 centavos. Banknotes are issued in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5, 3 and 1. Whilst Cuban citizens are paid in national pesos, the currency used by the vast majority of foreign visitors is the convertible peso (CUC), or in Spanish the peso convertible. Credit cards – Visa and MasterCard – are accepted at some places, especially around the large tourist resorts. In most small to medium-sized towns plastic is absolutely useless as a method of payment. You will also incur an extra 11% charge on top of your card issuer's charges. ATM machines in Havana don´t accept foreign credit and debit cards, very few take anything other than Visa, and none accept cards issued by American banks. The best way is to take cash money with you. The Banco Financiero Internacional is one of the most efficient and experienced at dealing with foreign currency transactions. Also generally reliable is the Banco de Crédito y Comercio, which has a larger number and wider spread of branches. Most of the larger hotels have cambios where you can exchange money, with more flexible hours than the banks. Commission for changing foreign cash to convertible pesos ranges from 2 to 4 percent. You can easily change money in Hotel Deauville.
Costs
What are the likely costs when I´m out there? The amount of money you'll actually spend on holiday, that you'll have to bring along with you, depends on your spending pattern. This can vary depending on taste and comfort. We suggest that at least you'll spend about €25 per person, per day for food, and drinks. In general, prices in restaurants are lower than in Europe. Taxis are a little bit cheaper and internet is expensive at 6CUC per hour. Museum entrance fees range from 2 - 5CUC.
How to tip people?
People will want tips for every small service, it is just the way it is in Cuba. People rely heavily upon tourists in order to gain access to the convertible peso as they are paid in moneda nacional and 24 = 1 CUC. Prepare to spend a few CUC´s a day in tips including at live music venues for the musicians.
Insurance
Since 2011, the government announced that all travellers to Cuba need to show a valid travel insurance policy which is valid in Cuba and covers them for medical expenses upon their arrival. You must purchase a policy in your own country and ensure that it covers the cost of repatriation back to your country in the unlikely event that it is necessary. Medical supplies are scarce in Cuba and hospital stays are expensive and although healthcare in Havana is good, evacuation by air may be necessary and the Cuban government will not allow you to enter the country without proof that you are covered for this. Ask your insurance company to provide you with an English document to show you authorities on arrival. It is your responsibility to provide adequate insurance to cover health so you must thoroughly check that Cuba is included and exactly what is covered.
Internet
Internet is available at most hotels and many principal Etecsa offices internet cafes, including hotel Deauville. Skype is not allowed, internet connections can be very slow and costs about 6 CUC per hour. You can buy cards at the reception.
Phone
You can use your mobile phone (dual band), however it can be expensive. SMS is much cheaper. Phonecards for both internal and external calls are readily available from shops and kiosks.
Vaccinations
By a journey to Cuba on less than 1 month recommend protection against the following infections: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A (infectious hepatitis), Tetanus, and Yellow fever – transit. Contact your local organization.
Electricity
Although the power supply in Cuba is mainly 110 volts, most of the modern hotels have dual voltage with all the sockets in the room being 220 volts. A flat 2 pin is used. You might need a converter to reduce the voltage down from 220 volts to 110 volts. Most computers and digital cameras chargers these days will work on both voltages. Check your charger and if it says: Input: AC 110V-240V~50Hz/60Hz it will be OK to plug into the 220 volt socket.
Clothes
In this sub-tropical climate, lightweight natural fabrics such as linen and cotton work well, although Jeans and T-shirts also work. In wintertime, the island is cooled by the trade winds so pack a lightweight jacket or shawl for the cooler evenings. For your own safety, leave your expensive jewelry at home.
Tipping
Tipping is very welcomed as salaries in the service industry are small. A 10% tip is appreciated in restaurants and by taxi drivers. Small amounts are appreciated by all service staff.
Safety
Cuba has the lowest crime rate in the area. You will be surprised by the visible police presence in Cuba. They are there specifically to protect and help tourists.
Foreign currency and/or convertible pesos (CUC) are vital to their economy, they bend over backwards to make sure everyone has a safe and pleasant stay.
Can a woman travel alone?
Yes, no problem. As everywhere, don't go down dark streets at night, the same streets you wouldn't go in in your own hometown. In general, all cities, even the bigger ones are safe at night for female travelers, you can just walk home.
Gifts
Cuban people will always appreciate gifts. There is shortages in Cuba of everything. Cubans are not embarrassed by gifts. They like things like shampoo, conditioner, cleansing creams, panadol, aspirin, toothpaste and toothbrushes. Children´s clothes are also appreciated.
Water
Drinking bottled water is recommended because unfamiliar bacteria can cause diarrhea and other stomach problems for travelers. Eating salads in restaurants and brushing your teeth at the sink does not normally present a health concern, but each person will need to decide how careful they should be based on their own sensitivity. You might consider taking ORS (Oral Rehydration Salt) or Immodium with you in case of diarrhea.
Language
Will anybody speak English? Most Cubans are very well educated and in the cities you will find many friendly and helpful English speaking people. In the more rural areas however there is less English spoken. We recommend taking a phrasebook. You can always fall back on universal body language too!
Embassy
If you are looking for detailed information about requesting a visa, how to extend your stay in Cuba, etc., please contact the Cuban embassy or consulate in your country or the official authorities in Cuba:
Weather
| Average climate in Cuba |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Average air temperature |
26 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
31 |
30 |
30 |
32 |
31 |
29 |
27 |
26 |
| Average water temperature |
25 |
24 |
24 |
26 |
27 |
27 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
27 |
27 |
Cuba generally has a hot and sunny tropical climate. While the average annual temperature is 24°C (75°F), temperatures can drop to 15° (59°F) or lower in January and February (considered winter), especially at night and in the mountains. These months fall in the dry season, which runs roughly from November to April. May to October is considered the wet season, when you can expect it to rain at least a couple of days during a two-week holiday. Downpours don't usually last long, however, and are quickly followed by sunshine. September and October are the most threatening months of the annual hurricane season that runs from June to November.
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