HAVANA, TRINIDAD, VINALES
February 14th to the 22nd 2025
Travel from the 16th century port city of Havana to the town of Trinidad in the south with even older history. We will also travel to the west to Vinales, where the tobacco is grown in the mystical valleys.
The lush colors of Cuba will inspire you to create. The friendly locals and rich culture will embrace you with its kindness, music and art. We’ll travel the island from the busy city, to a private farm, all while being transported to the stone streets of the past. Have lunch with a notable Cuban artist in a working studio, stand in one of the most famous boxing gyms in the world, and capture that right hook. Photograph a blaze of colors of Spanish Dancers set against 16th century architecture. These are just a few moments of a trip that will capture your imagination.
Bruce Byers, Professional photographer
Will be with us on the streets, photographing people and the architecture of Cuba. This will be his 25th trip. Bruce makes sure the trips are designed to make sure you’ll never see, or photograph, the world quite the same way again. “I’m very excited about our upcoming trips, and I think you will be as well.”
Carlos Aguilera, Cuban Artist
Our Cuban Artist will also be with us to introduce us to the world of Cuban artist.
The timeless quality of Cuba has barely changed, but the fact is, Cuba will, for better and for worse, embrace the 21st century in the near future. That’s why it's so significant for us to document and share these fragile, Cuban anachronistic ways of life in this rare place while we still can. And we'd like to invite you to join us on this exciting adventure.
Havana to Trinidad Vinales Photographic Adventure
February 14th to the 22nd 2025
Workshop cost $5795 All inclusive
Looking for 4 or more to make the trip go.
Add 4% if using credit cards Venmo and transfers welcomed
Must have 4 plus to make trip go
Deposit $900 Early sign up $150 off by Nov 1st 2024
Accommodations DOUBLE OCCUPANCY in Casas (bed and breakfast) including breakfast. Singles is a $450 supplement.
Photography workshop starts in Havana, Cuba
Day 1: Feb 14th
Arrival at Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport. Private transfer from the airport for Havana.
Check into local casas
Walk the Malecon for sunset with camera and welcome rum
Welcome dinner in a local café with local music.
Havana has endless surprises around every corner. Bring many cards for your camera.
There are many evening music and club options that you can choose form.
Day 2: Feb 15th
Sunrise photo walk before the town wakes up.
Each morning there will be a sunrise photo walk for those who care to join.
8:30 am Breakfast served in Casas
Morning: Walk to the Capitol area of Havana.
This walk will introduce you to the colors of Havana. The city will be alive and the colorful old cars will be running. We will board a double decker bus to get an over all feel for the city and give you a glimpse into the past.
Lunch: The Art Pub
This Café was put together by a Cuban photographer. They serve cold beer and great Cubans.
Afternoon Photo Walk into the square of Old Havana
Dinner: will be in a local café with music
Dinner will be group dinners
There are many things that can be arranged for after dinner entertainment with music and dance.
Each night there will be a night time photo walk for those who care to join.
Day 3: Feb 16th
We head for the town of: Trinidad, a water front UNESCO city on Cuba’s south coast known for its beauty and an historical importance. Trinidad is one of the best-preserved cities in the Caribbean from the time when the sugar trade was the main industry in the region.
We will stop at a local farm to photograph local life.
Bruce will conduct a portrait workshop on site.
Lunch: On the road
Arrive Trinidad early afternoon to explore the streets
Rooftop for sunset and Rum tasting
Dinner: Local restaurant with music
Evening night walk and music in the square
Day 4: Feb 17th Trinidad
Breakfast: 7:30 in your casa
Walk the city visiting the town square and streets in between. We will take a short day trip to visit the countryside and sugar cane fields.
Visit local artist studios for lunch and art.
Dinner in main square with music
Night walks
Sunrise town walk
Breakfast: 8:30 at your casa
Explore the city
Visit local artist galleries
Lunch: Hill top restaurant (great view of the town)
Early afternoon, we will head back to Havana
Dinner: In Old havana
Day 5: Feb 18th
Lets go Boxing ( photographing the boxers )
Sunrise on The Malecon: of Havana always has an interesting turn of events with the fishermen, old ships and great light, if you up for it.
After breakfast and by 10:30 we will arrive at : Gimnasio de Boxeo Trejo, boxing gym. The best of Cuba will show off their skills and create photos with you.
Lunch at an Artist studio. Working studio with music and great art
Early afternoon:
Ride in the old cars to visit El Cristo de La Habana (The Havana’s statue of Christ) ending up at Moro Castle to photograph it's 15th to 18th century walls and canons.
Great skyline of Havana and the Malecon.
Return to the Malecon for sunset and music.
Dinner: at local cafe'
Night photo walks. (optional)
Day 6: Feb 19th
Sunrise travel to Vinales
Spend the day on the western end of Cuba.
Tobacco farms
Artist
Landscapes
Day 7: Feb 2th
Early Morning
Flamenco Dancers in the Havana Cathedral Square. These great dancers will make it easy for you to create images with them with a once in a life time backdrops of 15th century buildings. This is always a lively shoot.
Breakfast in a local cafe'
We will be joined by one of the teachers from Old Havana Restoration School and Workshop to talk about the restoration of Old Havana and for those that want to can take a tour of the school that is putting Havana back together. We will be allowed to photograph the students and their work.
Visit Taller experimental de Grafica, a famous printmakers workshop to watch, photograph and talk with the Cuban artist as they create their work.
Lunch at local neighborhood Paladar El Reconejo
The Old Square has one of just 7 commercial Camera Obscura in the world. It is a great way to step inside a camera and see Havana live. After which we will photograph the other great square of old Havana. San Francisco has a great church tower for full city shots.
Other places to visit. We can put short trips together for those that want to go.
Optional Travel to Havana's Fusterlandia
Optional Travel to the Hemingway House
Sunset we will be at the Malecon.
Dinner: at the Art Factory, a great place for art, photograph, music and mixed media.
Day 8: Feb 21st
Sunrise either Malecon or streets
This is the day to revisit locations you loved
The group will get to choose where to revisit or explore
Explore neighborhoods outside Old Havana
Photograph in peoples homes
Photograph inside some of the old building being restored
Lunch with artist or Art Pub or other Cuban cafés
Walk the squares of Old Havana
Ride the local ferry to a fishing village. This village in on the other side of the harbor and will be gone soon as the harbor is being rebuilt.
Sunset on Malecon
Music and drinks at the Hotel National
Farewell dinner and music at La Guarida
Day 9: Feb 22nd Havana
Time to head home.
What's Included:
All meals.
All ground transport in Cuba
Accommodations DOUBLE OCCUPANCY in Casas (bed and breakfast) including breakfast. Singles is a $550 supplement.
Entrance fees to attractions listed on itinerary.
What's NOT included:
Flights to Havana, Cuba
Alcoholic beverages
Travel insurance
Internet or communications costs in Cuba
Tips for tour leaders, local guides, wait staff, and chambermaids
Luggage check in costs-please check with your particular airline for allowances
Note: Final schedule may deviate from plan due to conditions on the ground.
Please be flexible.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba
What do I need to bring with me?
You will need your passport and a visa (Camera Odysseys will take care of this) for entry into Cuba. Once there, shopping for essential items like toiletries is nearly impossible. You must bring anything you will need, including all medications. You will also need enough cash to last throughout your trip, since most American credit and debit cards are not accepted in Cuba, traveler’s checks are not accepted, and ATM cards issued by a U.S. bank cannot be used. I always say " You can always bring the USA cash home, you can't get more once there."
What should I leave at home?
Walkie talkies, satellite phones, and GPS devices are not allowed, and should be left at home. There is limited phone service for U.S. cell phones in Cuba. Plan to be without internet for the duration of your trip—it is available in some Cuban hotels for a fee, but it is slow and unreliable. We will have a Cuban phone with us if there is a need to call the USA.
What is Cuban food like?
Cuban cuisine varies widely depending on the season, location, and market prices—and is limited by what’s available to the Cuban people. Thus, it includes staples like rice, beans, chicken, fish, pork, plantains, and root vegetables. As seasonings are hard to come by, we invite you to bring packaged spices, for your own use and to give to locals as gifts.
What can I bring back from Cuba?
U.S. Customs rules surrounding Cuban souvenirs are similar to those for other countries. As of our last trip May 2022 we could not bring back Rum or Cigars. BUT this changes all the time.
Is Cuba safe?
Yes, American tourists are safe throughout Cuba, though we always recommend using common sense. Please see your Final Documents for more detailed information.
Quick Facts
PASSPORT VALIDITY:
Must be valid at time of entry. You need 6 months on the passport. USA requirement.
BLANK PASSPORT PAGES:
Two pages are required for entry/exit stamps
TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: Get at the airport or ask Camera Odysseys to get one for you.
Tourist travel to Cuba remains prohibited. You must obtain a license from the Department of Treasury or your travel must fall into one of 12 categories of authorized travel.
A. Traveling with Camera Odysseys we will travel under the License; Support of the Cuban People
B. Camera Odysseys will take care of this for you.
VACCINATIONS:
Your should have all your Covid Vaccinations
CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR ENTRY:
U.S. credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba. Bring cash to cover your stay. The Cuban government requires that travelers declare cash amounts over 5,000 USD. Travelers should note that the Government of Cuba charges a 10 percent fee for all U.S. dollar cash conversions; this does not apply to electronic transactions or cash conversions in other currencies.
Camera Odysseys will exchange money for you..