Dates and Cost:
-
November 5-18, 2025, including week-long extension for monitoring wildlife
- Cost $3,500
The Friendship Association is celebrating 25 years of support for a number of worthwhile projects in Baracoa as well as emergency aid during times of natural disasters.
We will have a full schedule of travel under the categories of support for the Cuban people, and humanitarian projects according to The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) guidelines for a general license. An intense itinerary will include a strong focus on meaningful interaction with our Cuban counterparts through formal and informal meetings and projects. Each participant is obligated to keep records for possible review by the US Treasury Dept.
Emphasis is on gaining an appreciation of the work that Cuban historians and naturalists are doing to protect historic sites, cultural traditions, and to nourish and preserve the environment in Cuba. We will meet with outstanding Cuban environmentalists, archaeologists, historians, artists and artisans, visit our ongoing community projects and listen to classical and modern Cuban music. There will be a beach cleanup with the local school children, garden planting and a visit to TOART community art and environment project. We will also sample the new trends in creole and international cuisine with Cuba’s growing independent businesses.
This adventure includes your Cuban visa, flight from Miami, in country transportation,lodging, entrance fees, all meals together with the group, water, tips at meals.
Not included: Miami hotels and dinners, souvenirs, alcoholic beverages, other tips (musicians, housekeeping, driver, etc.).
An overnight in Miami the night before our flight is necessary as the flight leaves early in the morning. This will allow us to get to know one another and answer any questions before the flight.
We will be traveling on American Airlines as they are currently the only carrier to Santiago de Cuba. Your passport must be valid for six months after you enter the country, i.e., valid through April, 2026.
Itinerary:
Day 0, Tues. Nov. 4: Meet in Miami for overnight in hotel there. Evening briefing meeting.
Day 1, Wed. Nov. 5: Depart for Santiago de Cuba, the capital of Cuba’s southeastern Province, facing the bay on the Caribbean Sea. Founded by the Spanish in 1515, it is known for its colonial architecture and revolutionary history.
Meet our fearless Cuban guide, Maikel Cañizares and our driver, Ronel Gamboa. Check in to our B&Bs in the center of town.Overnight in the city with visits to Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca, a UNESCO world heritage site.
Cultural exchanges with leading Santiago artists: Israel Tamayo, Carlos Rene Aguilar, Lawrence Zuñiga, the Ceramics Cooperative and others, walking tour of the historic center, the Government House and Bacardí Museum. Evening, dinner at Ste Pauli, then traditional music at the Jazz Club or the Casa de la Trova.
Day 3, Fri. Nov. 7: Breakfast, then guided walk with Rosendo Romero, art historian and author, around Baracoa with visits to studios of leading artists living in this famous/infamous artists’ colony.
Afternoon lunch at a charming criollo restaurant on the ocean side, then visit the Yumurí Canyon, an exquisite natural canyon, with a short row boat ride along the river. Late afternoon visit with Deisy at the Cocoa plantation. Evening dinner and cultural event in town.
Day 4, Sat. Nov. 8: Morning drive to Alejandro de Humboldt National Park to participate in a Taco Bay beach cleanup effort with the children of the communities in the Humboldt Park (UNESCO world heritage site). Meet with Caridad and her family cooperative “Save the Mangos“. Lunch at the Park welcome center. Afternoon visit to San German, site of recipients of our Solar energy project. Back to town for dinner and cultural event.
Day 5, Sun. Nov. 9: Early visit to the unique Paraiso Cave Museum, then meeting with members of the “Vegetables on Our Patio“ community project. Distribution of seeds and visit locations. Meeting with coordinators of Noe’s Simple Soup initiative. Lunch at La Colonial.
Afternoon: Visit Matachin municipal museum followed by Poetry recital including Spanish and English poems. You are invited to participate with a poem of your own or your favorite poem.
Day 6, Mon. Nov. 10: Visit to the Baracoa Zoo where we are working with local biologists, veterinarians and naturalists to transform the area into a sanctuary for wounded wildlife and center for environmental education. Visit to remote community recipient of our solar panels.
Afternoon open. Evening with friends and buffet dinner to say goodbye.
Day 7, Tues. Nov. 11: Some depart Baracoa for Santiago. The rest of the group leave for Maisí for monitoring wildlife. Hotel in Maisí. Visit the lighthouse and the point where the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea meet.
Day 8, Wed. Nov. 12: Excursion to Pozo Azul: sight migratory birds with Alexis Prado (naturalist, marine archaeologist).
Day 9, Thurs. Nov. 13: Hike Los Cayuelos trail for endemic birds and explore Taino cave sites.
Day 10, Fri. Nov. 14: Leave for Baracoa. Overnight in Baracoa.
Day 11, Sat. Nov. 15: Early departure for La Gran Piedra. Stops along the way (Baitiquirí, Cabrerito and others) for wildlife monitoring.
Day 12, Sun. Nov. 16: Grand Piedra: La Isabelica open air museum and La Idalia botanical garden.
Day 13, Mon. Nov. 17: Early departure for Siboney with visit to Jardin de los Helechos on the way to overnight in Santiago.
Day 14, Tues. Nov. 18: departure from Santiago. Details to follow.
Payments, Cancellations, and Refunds
Cost: $3,500 (per person, double occupancy). Add $400 for single supplement (if available).
Payment schedule
$500 non-refundable deposit due with application.
$1,500 due September 1, 2025.
$1,500 due October 1, 2025 (Or $2,000 for single occupancy if available)
Included: membership in the Friendship Association; transportation to and from Cuba from Miami, Florida; medical insurance in Cuba; all transportation within Cuba; all hotels and bed and breakfasts; all group meals in Cuba; entrance fees; and tour guides. Since people’s drinking habits vary greatly, to be fair, participants are responsible for their own drinks, except bottled water.
Not included: hotels, food & transportation within the U.S.; personal tips to Cuban guides, drivers, housekeepers and porters; drinks other than water; extra suitcases and overweight; travel insurance (remember, health insurance IN Cuba is included).
Your passport must be valid for six months after you enter the country, i.e., valid through April, 2026.
Email to: aimisoledad@gmail.com:
Don’t forget to ZELLE your deposit check to: 904 808 2030 or aimisoledad@gmail.com.
All cancellation notices must be received in writing and will become effective as of the date of the postmark. If you cancel before one month from departure, you will receive a refund of 50% of the payment you have made so far (excluding the non-refundable deposit of $500). If you cancel after the last payment date you will lose your entire amount. Leaving a delegation in progress, for any reason whatsoever, will not result in a refund, and no refunds can be made for any unused portions of the trip. The Friendship Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, so you can deduct your payments as donations to our work.
We reserve the right to cancel any delegation for good-faith concerns with respect to the safety, health, or welfare of the participants, major political shifts from either or both governments, or international health crises. If canceled prior to departure, you will be eligible for a full refund except for money already dispersed that may be non-refundable. The Friendship Association cannot be responsible for missed connections to and from Cuba for any reason. Because of the current socio-political situation, there may be unexpected changes in dates. Please be patient.
For more information about this adventure, contact:
Soledad Pagliuca
The Friendship Association
aimisoledad@gmail.com; or
WhatsApp at +904 8082030
