Discover Cuba: Cultural & Environmental Adventure
A 14-Day Immersive Journey with The Friendship Association
Celebrating 25 years of meaningful cultural exchange and sustainable projects
An Unforgettable Journey Awaits
Join us for a unique travel experience that combines cultural immersion, environmental conservation, and meaningful people-to-people connections. This adventure takes you beyond tourist destinations to engage directly with Cuban historians, naturalists, artists, and community leaders.
Dates & Cost
- November 5-18, 2025 (with optional week-long extension for wildlife monitoring)
- Cost: $3,500 per person (double occupancy)
- Single supplement: $400 (if available)
Space is limited to ensure authentic experiences and meaningful interactions.
What Makes This Journey Special
The Friendship Association is celebrating 25 years of support for worthwhile projects in Baracoa and emergency aid during natural disasters. Our travel program operates under OFAC guidelines for “Support for the Cuban People” (general license).
This isn’t a typical tour—it’s an immersive experience designed for meaningful engagement with Cuban counterparts through formal and informal meetings and collaborative projects. You’ll gain deep appreciation for the work Cuban historians and naturalists are doing to protect historic sites, cultural traditions, and preserve Cuba’s unique environment.
Experience Highlights
Cultural Exchange
Environmental Conservation
Community Projects
Historical Exploration
Culinary Adventures
Meet with environmentalists, archaeologists, historians, artists and artisans. Participate in community projects like beach cleanups and garden planting. Visit the TOART community art project and experience Cuba’s growing independent culinary scene.
What’s Included
- Cuban visa and flight from Miami to Santiago de Cuba
- All in-country transportation
- Lodging in B&Bs and hotels
- All entrance fees to sites and events
- All meals with the group (except alcoholic beverages)
- Bottled water and tips at meals
- Medical insurance while in Cuba
- Membership in the Friendship Association
Not Included
- Miami hotels and dinners
- Souvenirs and alcoholic beverages
- Additional tips (musicians, housekeeping, driver, etc.)
- Travel insurance (though health insurance in Cuba is included)
Important: All participants must keep records of their activities for possible review by the US Treasury Department. Your passport must be valid through April 2026 (six months after entry).
Detailed Itinerary
Day 0: Tuesday, November 4 – Miami Orientation
Meet in Miami for overnight stay. Evening briefing to get acquainted and discuss the journey ahead.
Day 1: Wednesday, November 5 – Arrival in Santiago de Cuba
Fly to Santiago de Cuba, the cultural capital known for colonial architecture and revolutionary history. Meet our guide Maikel Cañizares and driver Ronel Gamboa. Check into B&Bs. Visit Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca (UNESCO World Heritage site). Cultural exchanges with leading Santiago artists. Dinner at Ste Pauli followed by traditional music at Jazz Club or Casa de la Trova.
Day 2: Thursday, November 6 – Journey to Baracoa
Breakfast and departure for Guantánamo. Walk through historic center and visit UNEAC art center. Lunch with Cuban friends before continuing to Baracoa over the famous Farola mountain pass. Check into B&Bs and meet historian Elexis Fernández at La Colina restaurant for dinner.
El Yunque
Day 3: Friday, November 7 – Exploring Baracoa and surrounding nature
Guided walk with art historian Rosendo Romero around Baracoa, visiting studios of leading artists. Afternoon lunch at a criollo restaurant overlooking the ocean. Visit Yumurí Canyon with row boat ride. Late afternoon visit to cocoa plantation. Evening dinner and cultural event.
Day 4: Saturday, November 8 – Environmental Projects
Visit Alejandro de Humboldt National Park (UNESCO site) for beach cleanup with local children. Meet Caridad and her “Save the Mangos” family cooperative. Lunch at Park welcome center. Visit San German to see our solar energy project recipients. Return to town for dinner and cultural event.
Day 5: Sunday, November 9 – Community Engagement
Visit unique Paraiso Cave Museum. Meet with “Vegetables on Our Patio” community project and distribute seeds. Coordinate with Noe’s Simple Soup initiative. Lunch at La Colonial. Visit Matachin Museum followed by poetry recital with Cuban writers and poets (delegates are invited to share their favorite poems).
Day 6: Monday, November 10 – Wildlife Sanctuary & Solar Projects
Visit Baracoa Zoo, working with biologists to transform it into a wildlife sanctuary and education center. Visit remote community recipients of our solar panels. Free afternoon. Evening buffet dinner to say goodbye to our hosts and friends.
Day 7: Tuesday, November 11 – Departure or Extension
Some participants depart for Santiago. Others begin wildlife monitoring extension in Maisí. Visit lighthouse where Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea meet.
Days 8-13: November 12-17 – Wildlife Monitoring Extension
For those on the extension: bird monitoring at Pozo Azul with naturalist Alexis Prado, hiking Los Cayuelos trail for endemic birds, exploring Taino cave sites.
Depart for La Gran Piedra with wildlife monitoring stops at Baitiquirí and Cabrerito. Visit La Isabelica museum and La Idalia botanical garden.
Day 14: Tuesday, November 18 – Departure
Return flight from Santiago de Cuba to Miami.
Payment Details
- $500 non-refundable deposit due with application
- $1,500 due September 1, 2025
- $1,500 due October 1, 2025 ($2,000 for single occupancy if available)
How to Apply
Email the following documents to aimisoledad@gmail.com:
- Color copy of your signed passport (photo and signature pages)
- Application form
- Release from liability form
Send your deposit via Zelle (see below).
Cancellation Policy
All cancellation notices must be received in writing. If you cancel:
- Before one month from departure: 50% refund of payments made (excluding $500 deposit)
- After final payment date: no refund
- No refunds for unused portions of the trip
The Friendship Association reserves the right to cancel for safety, health, political, or international health crisis reasons. If canceled prior to departure, you’ll receive a full refund except for non-refundable disbursements.
Contact Information
For more information about this adventure, contact:
Soledad Pagliuca
The Friendship Association
Email: aimisoledad@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +904 8082030
Join us for an unforgettable journey of cultural discovery and meaningful connection in beautiful Cuba!
