Private Havana: Afro-Cuban Religion Tour
Havana, Cuba
Office phone number: +53 5338 7373
Private Havana: Afro-Cuban Religion Tour
Havana, Cuba
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Have a religious experience on this Havana tour that hooks you up with local customs, folklore, and beliefs. Learn about the Afro-Cuban religions from a local insider - there are similarities to voodoo so expect this to be one colourful, eclectic, unconventional religious tour!
This tour is priced for a minimum group size of two travellers. A solo traveller may still book this private experience but will be charged the base rate for two travellers.
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Highlights
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Visit three community projects in Havana to learn how art is used to combat social problems
- See amazing neighborhood art in the outskirts of Havana, such as a Gaudi inspired mosaic neighborhood
- Hear the stories of people who live in these communities
- Enjoy a special live music performance and traditional meal in the Muraleando mural and found art community
Local Impact: How you will help the local community by joining this tour:
- On this tour you will learn about the various syncretic Afro-Cuban religions practiced widely in Cuba, which supports the preservation of local cultural heritage.
- Your tour also visits the home of a local artist, where part of your tour fee goes toward supporting him and his work.
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Schedule details
- Duration: 2 hours
- Meeting point:
La Gargola Guesthouse, 82 Calle Cuba (between Cuarteles and Chacon streets).
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 9.30 AM
- Ending point:
La Gargola Guesthouse, 82 Calle Cuba (between Cuarteles and Chacon streets).
Language: English
Inclusions: Local, English-speaking guide, transportation to all included activities, lunch and special drink.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide, transportation to/from meeting point/end point
The barber´s alley: From the meeting point we walk to Barber’s Alley which is combination of street art with pubs and restaurants on an alleyway where we’ll tell the story of Papito, the founder of the community project, who was barber focused on at risk youth in his neighborhood wanting to give them the means to make a living and stay out of trouble. He gave the opportunity to become barbers and hairdressers. He created the school for the community with his own efforts and his experience as a barber by family tradition. We visit his house which is still a barber shop and at the same time, a museum with an exhibition of the most traditional ways to offer those services. He also turned around “the ugliest street in Havana” by getting neighbors involved in decoration of the street and opening local private businesses as a way to get some profit for the whole neighborhood. The alleyway was decorated by a very popular young local artist with graffiti: Yulier P. and has lots of artwork inspired by hairdressers.
Next we get into a taxi or private bus (depending on group size) to go to Fusterlandia in Jaimanitas neighbourhood, a Community Project by the successful local artist Jose Fuster who began decorating houses in his neighbourhood using pieces of ceramic tiles. A project started by the 90´s during our serious economic crisis. Fuster got inspired by Gaudi, the Spanish muralist and he is considered the “Cuban Picasso”. Here they will hear Fuster’s story and visit his intricately designed mosaic house and art gallery and may meet a member of his family.
Last we drive to Muraleando, in Lawton neighbourhood: a whole cultural program promoted by a group of local artist directed by Manuel Mario Diaz Baldrich with different workshops and activities for children, teenagers and elderly including music, dancing, theater, painting, ceramics and sculpture work out of recycled materials. Here there are wall murals around the neighborhood from locals and visiting artists, even Peanuts creator Charles Schulz. After touring the community with one of the residents, we enjoy music with a presentation of a local band and a traditional Cuban lunch with a special local drink offered there “El Tanque”.
(If you’d prefer to travel as part of a regular group experience, please book our Afro-Cuban Religion Tour)
This tour is priced for a minimum group size of two travellers. A solo traveller may still book this private experience but will be charged the base rate for two travellers.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local, English-speaking guide, transportation to all included activities, lunch and special drink.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide, transportation to/from meeting point/end point
Dress standard: Please bring water and proper sun protection. If you would like to donate art supplies (paint, brushes, crayons, markers, pencils, etc).
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Additional Information: Cubans love being photographed – however asking permission first is appreciated. Tipping is customary in Cuba. In some circumstances you may find the guide is already waiting for you at the entrance to the building (street level). In the case of poor weather, the guide will be inside “La Gargola” guesthouse. Please make your way up to the first floor (up the stairs, blue door) and meet your guide inside
Closure of sites: It is possible that the Jose Fuster house may be closed, in which case we will explain to the pax the reason and explore the neighborhood and the house from the outside. This is rare but has happened in the past. Due to Covid-19, some services and stops on the tour may change based on local government regulations.
Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us at the time of booking if you’ll be bringing a child under the age of 6. You can do so in the special request box on the checkout page.
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Dietary Notes
We can accommodate vegetarians and other dietary restrictions. Please notify us in advance if you have any dietary requests. You can do so in the ‘Additional information’ box at checkout, or by emailing us at info@havanaurbanadventures.com
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Local contact
Office phone number: +53 5338 7373
Email address: info@havanaurbanadventures.com
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