Photo Tour
Landscape, People, Portraits, Cultural
Havana (HAV)
Havana (HAV)
January 17, 2024
January 30, 2024
4-10 Participants
Relaxed
WHY CUBA
Cuba is a country rich in culture and history, but it’s also one that time forgot. A nation of extraordinary diversity, a melting pot with an enticing mix, making it a fantastic destination for travel photography.
Cuba is a photographer’s dream. Think and imagine beyond old cars, rich in traditions, colorful streets, unique architecture, and a fantastic musical and art scene.
Cuba has endless photo opportunities, like nowhere else in the world.
This is your opportunity to join a group of like-minded people to embark on a creative journey as you have never experienced before.
OUR PHOTO TOUR TO CUBA
Cuba is fascinating, a country of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. This photographic journey will get you to find the gems beyond the obvious and learn and document life and culture in a nation where little has changed over the past fifty years.
This Cuba Photo Tour will take you beyond strolling the Malecon; in this photo trip, we’ll explore Havana, Cienfuegos, and the cobblestone streets of Trinidad.
We will interact with locals and discover off-the-beaten-path locations; this photography adventure isn’t just about classic cars!
Book your spot on our Cuba Photography Tour today!
U.S. Citizens welcome: Our photo tour of Cuba has been specifically designed to ensure we meet all imposed travel restrictions. We always travel to Cuba under the General License 31 CFR 515.574 – Support for the Cuban People.
When: Jan 17-30, 2024 & Jan 15-28, 2025
Who: Open to all skill levels, non-photographer spouses are welcome.
Group Size: Minimum 4 People, Maximum 10 People.
Where: This photo tour starts in Havana (HAV) and ends in Havana (HAV)
Fitness Level: Relaxed. Most photo opportunities are within one mile or so from where we leave the vehicle. You may need to be able to stand and walk for long periods of time. There is a chance that you can encounter steep terrain (e.g., cobblestones, city hills, stairs without handrails, an absence of elevators, and climbing aboard trains or coaches with big steps); and some longer walks to get to city centers where vehicles are prohibited.
The tour is open to all levels of photographic skills, from beginner to experienced. However, there will be no formal workshops or critiques. We will share knowledge and skills along the way, in the spirit of real adventurers.
Upon arrival at José Martí International Airport in Cuba. You will be picked up and driven to our local casa.
If you are traveling from Canada and you arrive in Varadero, we will also arrange transport for an extra fee.
There are no activities planned for this day other than arrivals. However, since most people arrive early, we have included this extra day as part of the package, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on activities.
Today we’ll start the day with a photo walk and introduction to Havana’s way of life. During this photo walk, we’ll visit different barrios and landmarks.
In the afternoon, we’ll head over to the malecón to photograph the locals and fishermen at sunset.
This morning, we will continue to explore Havana’s different neighborhoods and hidden gems.
After the lunch break, we’ll have a Classic Convertible Car demonstration, drive past old mansions, and head to El Morro for sunset.
Today we’ll hit the road early and head to Cienfuegos. We’ll see a lot of the Cuban countryside and with a stop at the Bay of Pigs. As we get closer to the Bay, you’ll see defensive positions and equipment at consecutive areas along the highway.
We’ll also make a stop to visit a special place where you can photograph hummingbirds.
We continue to Cienfuegos, arriving in time for lunch. We’ll photograph the Palacio del Valle and sunset from the Yacht Club.
This morning, we’ll get to know Cienfuegos and its people, including the Terry Theater, Marti Park, Arc de Triunfo, and Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción.
In the afternoon we’ll meet with local photographer, who will provide access to a fishing village and Castillo de Jagua
Today, we’ll travel to picturesque Trinidad. We will stop and check out activities in Finca La Vega, a dairy farm with milking, cheese making, roasting and coffee grinding.
We;ll arrive at our casa around noon and have lunch.
In the afternoon, we’ll have a first look at the fantastic streets of Trinidad. Photograph the sunset and had an introduction to Trinidad way of life.
We’ll explore this historic town and the surrounding area during the next three days.
Your tour leader and the local expert will determine the best activities for each day based on diverse factors, like the best time to photograph, special events, weather conditions, etc.
Among other activities, we will also visit an old sugar cane plantation, a fishing village, visit Sancti Spiritus, and a nearby beach.
We will photograph the locals, conduct sunrise sessions, and do sunset and night photography.
We’ll explore this historic town and the surrounding area during the next three days.
Your tour leader and the local expert will determine the best activities for each day based on diverse factors, like the best time to photograph, special events, weather conditions, etc.
Among other activities, we will also visit an old sugar cane plantation, a fishing village, visit Sancti Spiritus, and a nearby beach.
We will photograph the locals, conduct sunrise sessions, and do sunset and night photography.
We’ll explore this historic town and the surrounding area during the next three days.
Your tour leader and the local expert will determine the best activities for each day based on diverse factors, like the best time to photograph, special events, weather conditions, etc.
Among other activities, we will also visit an old sugar cane plantation, a fishing village, visit Sancti Spiritus, and a nearby beach.
We will photograph the locals, conduct sunrise sessions, and do sunset and night photography.
Today is a travel day as we retrace our steps back to Havana, but there is more to see and photograph in Matanzas before that.
Matanzas is a relatively small city on the northern shore of Cuba. Founded in 1693, there is plenty of local life to photograph here as the town is known for its poets, culture, and Afro-Cuban Folklore.
On the way, we’ll stop at San Miguel del los Baños, a once-opulent spa town remarkable for its now dilapidated neoclassical villas and gingerbread clapboard houses.
Today you’ll have the morning free; you can wander independently, do some image reviews with Darlene, or relax.
In the afternoon, we’ll focus on street photography and santería practices. Later in the afternoon, we’ll head to the Marina district, where we’ll hopefully get the chance to photograph a dynamic rumba session.
We will travel to Havana after breakfast, there are several stops along the way to photograph as we get close to the capital.
After checking in at our casa, we’ll head out for a photo-walk in Havana, and we’ll finish photographing the sunset from a rooftop overlooking the city,
This morning we’ll have a chance the Gran Teatro of Havana and have a photo-walk in a different area of the city.
In the afternoon, we will have a ballerina photo session.
We’ll have our farewell dinner and visit a traditional club with live music by locals.
It is time to say goodbye to Cuba. You’ll be transferred to the airport.
There is also an extension/workshop that you can attend if you desire to do so. If you attend the extension, this will be the first day of the extension program.
Join us in Havana for three extra days of photography learning and education.
Before heading to Viñales, we will have an extra day of activities in Havana.
Today, we will photograph the activities and boxers at a boxing gym.
Later on, we will head to a special place to photograph the sunset with a sax player as a model.
Today we are heading to Viñales, where we will spend the next two nights.
On the way, we’ll photograph an orchid garden, and a waterfall, among other activities.
We’ll finish the day with a visit to an organic farm, where we will have dinner.
Today we will spend the day around the valley of Viñales, known for the tobacco farms.
We will visit the farms and photograph the farmers, interact with the people of Viñales, and visit their homes.
We will also visit and photograph an underground cave.
We will return to Havana this morning.
Spend the afternoon leisurely by taking a last walk in Havana or doing image reviews with your tour leader.
Later on, we’ll have our farewell dinner.
It’s time to say goodbye to Cuba; You’ll be transferred to the airport for your return home.
Darlene Hildebrandt is a photographer with over 33 years of experience. She’s photographed everything from food, editorial, products, portraits, weddings, and events. Nowadays she prefers doing street and travel photography, but still considers herself a people photographer first and foremost, which is where her portrait lighting skills and experience come in handy.
She’s been sharing her skills and experiences with beginner and intermediate photographers since 2011 through articles on her website, Digital Photo Mentor, video tutorials on her YouTube channel, and photography workshops (in-person and virtual classes or webinars). She is also a skilled trainer for Lightroom Classic and Luminar Neo.
Cuba is an incredible country with rich stories and extraordinary people.
You’ll get to photograph one of the best countries in Central America, mingle with locals eager to share their culture and traditions, discover, document life and fantastic landscapes.
While several photography tours are offered to Cuba, none provide a similar experience and value for money. We have traveled and led photo tours to Cuba for several years. This itinerary is a photographer’s dream, and it was perfected to the dot during our several iterations and experiences there.
Cuba is generally a safe country to travel to, it is rare for travelers to experience safety issues in Cuba, although minor crimes like pickpockets and currency scams are not uncommon.
However, despite its relative safety, Cuba shares many of the same safety threats for travelers as other developing countries. By just using common sense and following our guidelines, you shouldn’t experience any issues traveling in Cuba.
We have rated this tour as Relaxed.
Relaxed; most photo opportunities are within one mile or so from where we leave the vehicle. You may need to be able to stand and walk for long periods of time. There is a chance that you can encounter steep terrain (e.g., cobblestones, city hills, stairs without handrails, an absence of elevators, and climbing aboard trains or coaches with big steps); and some longer walks to get to city centers where vehicles are prohibited.
At the time there is no requirements to enter Cuba. The country has dropped all entry restrictions related to Covid. However, you’ll need to present a health insurance certificate that covers Covid-19 before entering the country.
The best time to visit Cuba is during winter. Between November and April, temperatures are pleasant, and there is no rain.
All travelers arriving in Cuba must present a passport that is valid for at least six months from the time entering the country.
Americans traveling to Cuba need a Cuban Tourist Card (“Tarjeta del Turista”), which is often referred to as a “Cuban Visa”. The Tourist Card is valid for 30 days and can be extended for 30 additional days. These usually cost $50-$100.
It is required that all of our guests have their own travel insurance, which should include evacuation for medical reasons.
Unique properties, boutique casas particulares, run by locals.
Casas particulares are a form of accommodation in Cuba. They are extremely popular as you get to live in a local’s house in the heart of the destination.
Casas are completely legal as owners sign up to have the right to rent out a room in their home or a full house if they have one.
Many offer breakfast making them essentially a B&B.
Over the years we have selected the best casas and locations for our itinerary.
While authentic Cuban food is tasty and healthful, it’s not often described with superlatives.
Typical Cuban meals revolve around staples like pork, fish, and chicken, accompanied by a combination of rice, beans, and root vegetables. There generally isn’t much deviation from these basics, so while in Cuba, it’s likely you’ll have the chance to try traditional dishes such as ropa vieja (stewed shredded beef), ajiaco (rich stew made with meat and viandas) and tostones (plantain fritters) on more than one occasion.
for this trip, we use local paladares and casas, where the food is usually fresh and locally sourced;
Mobile coverage is generally great around Cuba’s cities and metropolitan areas; however, expect limited service in remote, desert, or mountainous areas.
Buy a SIM Card. To avoid roaming charges, buying a local SIM card in Cuba is possible. Using a VPN, Virtual Private Network, is also a good idea when traveling abroad.
Cuba uses both a 110 and a 220V supply voltage with a 60Hz frequency. Although most hotels in Cuba use 110V power, some of the newer casas use 220V. So bring your regular phone or camera charger, and charge them from a hotel or a casa particular wall socket. Because the infrastructure has improved in recent years, there is no need to be concerned about the availability of electricity in Cuba.
Cuba’s power plugs and sockets are of types A/B of North American Design. Type C plugs, which have twin round prongs and are common in Europe, are also common in Cuba, so you’ll most likely need a plug converter in this case.
You can also consider a combined power plug adapter/voltage converter.
1) Booking procedure:
We will send you an email shortly after confirming your booking. Do not book your flights at this time unless otherwise indicated by us. We will let you know once the minimum number of guests to run the tour has been reached.
2) Balance of Payments:
The final payment for the trip is 90 days before departure. Such payment shall be made via credit card or wire transfer. Failure to meet the payment schedule will result in cancelation and forfeit of deposit.
3) Cancelation and Refunds
If, for any reason, DAK Photography Inc. must cancel the trip, 100% of paid deposits will be fully refunded. We reserve the right to cancel any trip/tour/group due to insufficient registration at any time. In the event of such cancellation, those with reservations shall be notified as soon as possible, and a full refund of trip payment will be given.
If a guest needs to cancel, we must receive written notification, email is accepted.
The following cancelation fees apply:
In the event that you have to cancel, we will do our best to fill your spot. If we do so, we will refund 100% of the tour fee less an administrative fee of $ 150.-
Refunds will be not be made for any other costs you may have incurred as a result of your booking.
Travel and medical insurance that includes emergency evacuation coverage are mandatory. We recommend that you purchase this as soon as the trip is confirmed to protect your investment.
Price: $ 6,195 USD
Single Supplement: $ 995 USD
Deposit: $ 895 USD
Balance: 90 days before departure.
Extra Night Accomodation: $ 145 USD
Price: $ 1,895
Single Supplement: $ 245 USD
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