Yoga & Culture in Cuba

During the trip you will be staying at Hotel Nacional. The Hotel Nacional de Cuba is a historic luxury hotel located on the Malec in the middle of Vedado, Havana, Cuba. The Hotel Nacional de Cuba is considered a symbol of history, culture and Cuban identity. The guns that made up the old Santa Clara Battery are on exhibition at the garden, they were declared part of the World Heritage Site. The Hotel Nacional de Cuba was declared a National Monument and it was inscribed in the World Memory Register. With its privileged location in the middle of Vedado, the center of Havana, it stands on a hill just a few meters from the sea, and offers a great view of the Havana Harbor, the seawall and the city. The Hotel stands out due to its refined elegance and its ancient splendor, which since 1930 has attracted a large number of personalities from the arts, science and politics, such as British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, artists Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, Johnny Weissmuller, Maria Felix, Jorge Negrete, and scientist Alexander Flemming.

Driving and transport in Cuba is a whole different equation than in the US. All of your transportation has been coordinated for you during your trip, outside of time for personal exploration however, there are a few good things to know in advance. First, there are no traffic signs almost, anywhere! The conditions can be hectic and the roads can go from smooth pavement to deteriorating chunks of asphalt and unexpected railroad crossings at any given moment. While motorized traffic can be refreshingly light, bicycles, pedestrians, oxcarts, horse carriages and livestock should be expected. 

Flights to Cuba are currently in flux. We are keeping a close eye on these and will be in advising once it is time to book. 

Phone and internet connections in Cuba are extremely unreliable. Be sure to let your friends and family know that communication will be extremely limited as the infrastructure for this cannot be relied upon. State-run telecommunications company Etecsa has a monopoly as Cuba's Internet service provider. It is common practice to have to purchase an internet access card to gain connectivity. As a general rule, most three- to five-star hotels (and all resort hotels) will have their own Internet terminals. Usually the terminals in these places are less busy and more reliable than Etecsa (public access internet cafes), although the fees are often higher (sometimes as much as CUC$12 per hour). Wi-fi is slowly catching on in Cuba's better hotels but again it may be best to plan to be unplugged for the week!

Gratuities of approx. $100 per person are included in the trip price for our group restaurant meals.

Other tips are not included. Note that the customary tip is very important in supplementing the average Cuban's income, so we encourage travelers to feel good about leaving gratuities for the Cuban people who work to make your experience so memorable. The exact amount is at your discretion but the recommendation is at least $50/person to your guide and $25/person to your driver (these are one-time tips at the end of the trip), and $2/day to your hotel attendant.

Tips at any meals or activities that are not included in your itinerary are your responsibility and 10% is the norm in Cuba.

The cost of your Cuban visa is included in the price of your trip. Upon registration we will supply you with the necessary paperwork which we will have approved through our on the ground operator, Cuban Guru. Before departure you will be issued your visa as well as a packet of paperwork you will be required to carry with you throughout your trip. 

The weather in Cuba is hot and humid. Average temperatures for May and June range in the upper 80's during the day and low 70's at night.  There is always a chance of rain so you may bring a light rain jacket or umbrella.

There are no required vaccinations for travel to Cuba However, there are some recommended (suggested) vaccinations given by the CDC. To see the complete list of what is recommended please visit the CDC Website and consult with your primary care physician to make a decision on what is best for you.

Attendance varies from trip to trip, but 12-25 attendees is a general average.

We get hundreds of travelers each year who go on retreat alone. If you are traveling without a friend or partner, but prefer to share your room, we will do our best to match you with another traveler of the same gender. If for some reason, we are not able to match you with a roommate, a single supplement will apply.

If you prefer to have your own private room, a single supplement will apply.