MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: MAY 22 - 28, 2024
SUMMER KICKOFF: GIRLS TRIP 2024
HAVANA, CUBA
CUBA + YOU = A WHOLE VIBE
This trip will be everything you ever imagined and more.
Sway your hips to salsa through the night.
Kiss a Cuban stranger under the starry sky on the cobblestone streets of Havana.
Hold a robust cigar in one hand while holding a perfect rum cocktail in the other. Mojito your way through the days.
Soak yourself in sun (& rum) while your feet are buried in soft white sand.
When was the last time you had a proper Girls Night Out?
Too long, for sure.
Now ask yourself this: When was the last time you took the vibe of a Girls Night Out and combined it with the MOST epil adult sleepover ever??
WELL. Now is the time. Now is the time for an EPIC experience with a group of amazing female travelers, just like you.
#NOBOYSALLOWED
We’ve created a GORGEOUS itinerary that is sure to WOW. From the food to the accommodations to the immersive, authentic experiences, what we offer is unmatched in the industry. This 7 day/6-night program highlights the best of the Havana culture scene through a female-focused lens. And the best part?
#NOBOYSALLOwed
HIGHLIGHTS OF QUICK & DIRTY HAVANA: #NOBOYSALLOWED
THE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Welcome cocktails & welcome dinner upon arrival
- Salsa! You bring the hips and we will provide the music and the partners. Azucar! Enjoy one of the joys of visiting Cuba, a real expression of the culture and vibe of the Cuban people.
- Chop it up with artists in Havana’s up-and-coming art district
- Take in the far-flung parts of the city from the back seat of a convertible classic car
- Sip cocktails in the seat of history at the iconic Hotel Nacional.
- Shop ’til you drop at a private just-for-you shopping experience
- Master the art of the Cuban cigar at our private cigar & rum pairing experience
- Enjoy cocktails at sunset from your own private bar
- You’re invited! Break bread with the locals as you enjoy dinner in a Cuban home.
- Experience la comida Cubana by your own hands at a private seafood cooking class
- Discover the trilogy of Cuba: Coffee, rum & cigars and their place and importance in Cuban history
- Get kissed by the sun as you take in the sea air at a full-day rum-soaked beach party ~ fresh seaside lunch included
- Dress to impress at our signature all-white farewell dinner
YOUR Package includes:
- Welcome dinner prepared by our private chef
- Specially-curated classic car tour
- Sunset cocktails with our personal mixologist
- Our EXCLUSIVE cigar and rum pairing experience
- Dinner in a Cuban home
- Enjoy the trilogy of Cuban culture with a culinary insider
- Private seafood cooking class
- Half-day private shopping experience
- Salsa dancing with professional dancers
- Our EXCLUSIVE tour of Havana's Art District
- All-inclusive rum-soaked beach day
- Sumptuous farewell dinner at sunset
+
absolutely cuba’s Always INCLUSIONs:
- A one-of-a-kind, custom itinerary
- Round-trip airport transfers
- Breakfast daily
- Fully-staffed PREMIUM boutique casa accommodations, single occupancy, en suite bathrooms
- All meal reservations
- Tourist cards/visas
- Currency exchange
- English-speaking guides, casa staff and tour hosts
- At least three site visits
- Social media blueprint, marketing materials, photos & style guide to help you prepare for your trip
- Our in-destination management team, including your dedicated Absolutely Cuba concierge & photographer
- In-destination Destination Manager
accommodation details
Premium boutique accommodations
Absolutely Cuba is known for attention to detail and the lushness of the itineraries we create. Travel with us is an EXPERIENCE.
Starting from the boutique accommodations we choose for our clients, we aim to show you what is possible for travel to Cuba through every unique travel experience we create. Every property we secure for our clients is:
• Centrally-located in Old Havana, Centro Havana or Vedado
• Classically colonial while being beautifully restored to modern standards
• Beautifully situated with SINGLE OCCUPANCY rooms, queen & king beds and EN SUITE bathrooms
• Fully-staffed
• Cleaned daily
• Private for our guests alone
• LEGAL for Americans visiting the island
• Always instagrammable – you know you want to do it for the ‘gram
*Pictured: Typical accommodations for tours arranged and executed by Absolutely Cuba*
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This is easily the question we get asked most often…and the answer is a loud YES! Travel to Cuba is governed by 12 categories of travel established by OFAC. Travel by most travelers is covered by the category ‘Support of the Cuban People’ which mandates that itineraries of American travelers demonstrate a full-time schedule of meaningful engagement with the Cuban people. Every itinerary created by Absolutely Cuba is not only legally compliant, but we make sure that your time on the island is meaningful, engaging and entirely immersive and authentic.
Every person traveling to Cuba must purchase a tourist visa prior to arriving on the island. This visa can be purchased in advance of departure, via mail or at the airport. When you travel with Absolutely Cuba, we include your visa in your travel package.
Absolutely not! Several major carriers fly directly to Cuba from the United States. It’s never been easier to travel to this beautiful island.
In Havana, USD is accepted almost everywhere. More often than not, however, the change you get will be in CUP (Cuba’s national currency) at a rate decided by the location of purchase. Though you cannot exchange USD for CUP in the US prior to departure, once you arrive in Havana, Absolutely Cuba can arrange for our in destination concierge to help you exchange your USD at the best possible rate.
Credit cards issued by US-based banks cannot be used in Cuba.
Cuba is the safest island in the Caribbean and you can absolutely travel alone. However, as with any destination, exercising good travel sense and maintaining awareness of your surroundings is key to having a safe and enjoyable holiday.
Unfortunately, many parts of Cuba are not ADA friendly. Between the cobblestone streets and the ever-present disrepair, strolls when one has a mobility issue can be a challenge. Additionally, our tours do have a decent amount of walking and some of our accommodations require walking up stairs to enter. The best way to see if one of our trips is right for you is to email Absolutely Cuba at hola@absolutelycuba.com. We are more than happy to provide the information to help you decide if this trip is the right one for you.
Cuba is a year-round destination. It’s always a good time to travel to Cuba!
ABOUT OUR FOUNDER:
My name is Danielle Linares and I am the founder and owner of Absolutely Cuba, a travel concierge service for people traveling to the island of Cuba.
Over nearly a decade, through several short- and long-term visits to the island, I have immersed myself in all aspects of Cuban culture. At Absolutely Cuba we believe in imagining your itinerary through the lens of a local — not a tourist perspective.
We curate authentic, immersive, and memorable experiences that reflect the true essence of the island, through an Afro-Cuban lens.
The motivation behind my work is to inspire people to see beyond what’s possible for their lives, through lush travel experiences, like I had the first time I went to Cuba.
I have the travel pedigree and expertise to answer your questions and make sure that you have everything you need to make Cuba a profitable destination for your travel company. I use my insight, connections and insider knowledge about Cuba to show you the many travel possibilities for your clients looking to travel to the island.
additional information
All bookings are accepted by Absolutely Cuba as agent for the travel Suppliers on your itinerary. Separate Supplier terms and conditions will apply to your booking and purchase of travel-related goods and services that you select, and you understand and agree to abide by the terms and conditions of purchase imposed by any Supplier on an itinerary you have approved. As a condition of booking, you must provide information requested by Absolutely Cuba along with your initial payment. Absolutely Cuba reserves the right to cancel your booking and all services and retain all related cancellation fees if your information is incomplete or inaccurate. Travel and payments are governed by Absolutely Cuba’s Terms & Conditions.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
• AIRFARE
• TRAVEL INSURANCE
• COVID TESTS, AS REQUIRED, FOR ENTRY & EXIT
• PRE- AND POST-STAYS
• MEALS NOT INDICATED
• TRANSPORTATION NOT INDICATED
• OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
• ANY PERSONAL EXPENSES
BILLING:
Once your deposit has been made you can relax knowing that your future payments will be made automatically. We have set up a convenient payment plan that has evenly divided the cost of the trip over the next five months. Your initial deposit is due at the time of booking, and your future payments will be charged according to the schedule you see on your invoice. This is a service we provide for your convenience and at no extra cost to you.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
The unexpected is always a possibility. Losing money due to a cancelled vacation doesn’t have to be. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your travels. We cannot stress this enough.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Travel documents, itineraries and travel instructions will be sent via email 30 days or earlier prior to travel.
CHANGE OF INFORMATION
Every guest is responsible for notifying Absolutely Cuba of any changes to their information, including but not limited to phone number, address and/or email address. Absolutely Cuba will not be held liable for client’s failure to receive information or notification due to faulty or missing information.
You MUST purchase your own flight to Jose Marti International Airport in Havana. The airport code for Havana is HAV. Our accommodations are 30 minutes from the airport.
Once your flight has been purchased, ENTER YOUR FLIGHT INFORMATION HERE. This will ensure a smooth transfer from the airport to your casa accommodations.
ARRIVAL TO CUBA
Please be mindful of your arrival time to Jose Marti International Airport in Havana. Those arriving prior to 4 p.m. will be entitled to pick-up and transfer from the airport.
MISCELLANEOUS
Not all parts of Cuba will afford you the familiar standards of Western culture, i.e., air conditioning, wifi or cultural norms. Especially in Cuba, a country like no other, this is part of the experience.
There will be parts of your trip where you will be “unplugged” and without access to technology. This is not a “lay on the beach” trip, but you will have the opportunity for leisure, allowing you to immerse yourself in the culture of Cuba, as it comes to you.
ENTRY TO CUBA
Beginning November 15, 2021, REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS, the testing mandate has been removed. Effective April 6 2022, the vaccine mandate to enter has been removed. You may still be given a PCR test on arrival in Cuba.
All travelers are required to complete a Health Declaration (Declaracíon Jurada de Sanidad) online before travel.
From December 1, 2020, all air tickets will have a sanitary fee of $30 included to cover the cost of various provisions associated with health and safety on the island.
Every traveler traveling with Absolutely Cuba is required to purchase Cuban health insurance. Cuban health insurance is not included in your package. Cost: approximately $30USD.
SCREENING AND QUARANTINE
At the discretion of the Cuban government, arriving tourists may be given a PCR test on arrival and may be subject to quarantine. Any costs related to additional testing and/or quarantine will be paid at the traveler’s expense.
If you are selected for testing and your first PCR test is positive, you will be transported to a state-run hospital or medical center. Arrangements will be made by the Ministry of Public Health.
Once discharged, the costs of the hospital or clinic stay are paid by you in cash. The cost of a hospital stay is roughly estimated at $300USD per day.
CUBA: FOR YOUR INFORMATION
OFAC COMPLIANCE
All itineraries created and executed by Destination by Danielle d/b/a Absolutely Cuba (“Absolutely Cuba”) are compliant with OFAC regulations. Our itineraries provide a a full-time schedule of experiences focused on meaningful engagement with the Cuban people.All U.S. Citizens must travel under one of 12 authorized categories. Your trip falls under the category “Support of the Cuban People”. PLEASE NOTE: By law, you are required to keep your itinerary on file for five (5) years.
PASSPORT VALIDITY
Your passport must be valid for at least SIX (6) months after your departure date from Cuba. Please be sure to verify your passport’s validity. Refunds will not be issued due to inability to travel.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Some electrical items with heavy power consumption may be confiscated on entry to Cuba. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are also subject to import requirements and may be confiscated. Confiscated items are normally returned on departure.Mobile telephones, tablets and laptops can be taken to Cuba, but any inbuilt GPS should be disconnected or disabled. For more information on Cuban customs regulations, including a list of prohibited and regulated items, visit the Cuban Customs Administration website.Cuban regulations allow a maximum of two pieces of checked in luggage per person, each to a maximum weight of 32kgs. Passengers should confirm their luggage allowance, which may be more restrictive than this, and excess baggage charges with their airline.
RELEVANT LINKS:
ABSOLUTELY CUBA TERMS & CONDITIONS