Two or four week full cultural immersion based in Old Havana. Spanish classes are supplemented with dance classes, cultural tours, excursions and trips out of town.
Based in Casa Jakera in Old Havana, Spanish language lessons take place Monday to Friday in the mornings, and in the afternoons you will receive dance classes and cultural excursions. Weekend trips feature the beach and a two-night weekend road trip to Viñales (four week program only).
You will be staying in ‘Casa Jakera’, a licensed Casa Particulare, sharing a dorm room with other student clients OR upon payment single room supplement you have the option to stay in another nearby Casa with your own room and en suite bathroom. Either way breakfast and lunch are served at Casa Jakera and this will be the hub of program activities, as this is also where Spanish lessons are taken as well as group discussions, planning meetings and impromptu social gatherings.
This is a busy program and offers the possibility of a full immersion into Cuban life – past and present – and the opportunity to really understand what makes this amazing country so special.
Upon arrival Havana International Airport you will be picked up for a transfer to your Casa Particulares or hostel. This will be your home in Havana. Casa Jakera was opened at the end of 2015 and features shared bedrooms, separate shower and toilet facilities, dining rooms and lots of comfortable indoor and outdoor space (including spacious roof terrace). Here you can enjoy hanging out with new friends or chilling on your own to enjoy the cool breezes and great views of the streets below. As with most of Havana you will enjoy taking in the atmosphere in this central location which is truly unique.
Monday to Friday’s intensive Spanish lessons will take place shortly after breakfast. Tuition is delivered by an accredited and licensed Cuban teacher and on day one you will receive a short test to establish your level and objectives. Lessons will take the format of 3 x 45 minute lessons each morning, with 15 minute breaks to refresh, making approximately 3 hours of Spanish lessons each day – 15 hours per week. Lessons are held from 09:00 sharp, Monday to Friday at Casa Jakera.
* The Cultural Immersion content will feature additional Spanish language tuition, oral comprehension and dialogue (approx. 4 hours per week).
There are 2 dance classes per week, usually Tuesday and Thursday from 14:00-15:00. You will be taken through your paces – lessons will feature Salsa but depending your progress you may also be introduced to Son, Rueda de Casino, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, and Rumba and perhaps a few moves you haven’t heard of. The lessons are delivered in ‘Casa Del Son’ – a professional dance school a short walk from Casa Jakera – by a licensed dance instructor, and in the evenings there are MANY free live music venues where you can do your homework!
In its day Havana was one of the most important and wealthy cities on the planet. The source of this wealth is undoubtedly controversial and Cuba’s more recent history is testament to this controversy. The faded patina of Havana’s gorgeous neo classical architecture, rumble of classic American cars and curious soviet era high rise buildings force you to question – what is Cuba?
We would like to help you answer this question through a series of cultural excursions and encounters with Cuban people. These will comprise three ‘sessions’ per week, usually Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 14:00. The four week program includes a schedule of 11 different cultural excursions and the two week program includes 6 cultural excursions. The format is varied, for example, a guided tour of a museum, or a weekend excursion down ‘Paseo del Prado’ to see the free open air art classes and discussion groups, or a sporting event such as baseball or basketball game or other ‘event’ where there is a big social gathering.
These cultural experiences and excursions are with our trained local guides who will show you how to buy (and spend!) local peso’s, take local transport and generally make you feel at home and comfortable with your new surroundings.
During the 4 week program you will have three weekends, and we have included activities for each of these. For two weekends you will be accompanied on a daytrip to a beach directly east of Havana. Journey time is 30 minutes by bus and you will enjoy the exhilarating rollers that break on these pristine sandy beaches.
The second weekend will feature a two-night trip to Viñales, a three hour drive to the central western region of Cuba.
Viñales is a UNESCO World Heritage destination owing to the outstanding landscape, traditional architecture and agricultural techniques still used.
The trip will include a horseride into the valley to drying houses where you can learn about the art of curing tobacco and rolling cigars, and an early morning hike to view a spectacular sunrise.
| Timetable | Mon | Tues | Wed | Thurs | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07:30-08:30 | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | free | free |
| 09:00-11:45 | Spanish | Spanish | Spanish | Spanish | Spanish | Brunch | Brunch |
| 12:00-13:00 | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Paseo del Prado | Beach |
| 14:00-17:00 | ‘Discover Cuba’ | Dance Lesson | ‘Discover Cuba’ | Dance Lesson | ‘Discover Cuba’ |
Cost of 2 week program USD 800 / EURO 725
Cost of 4 week program USD 1,580 / EURO 1,420
Weekly price includes accommodation (14 nights / 28 nights in two and four week programs), breakfast & lunch, 15 hours intensive Spanish lessons (30 hours / 60 hours in two and four week programs), twice weekly dance lessons, three times weekly cultural excursions/activities, two escorted trips to the beach and a weekend in Viñales Valley (2 weekers’ are welcome to come to Viñales if time permits, on payment of a supplement!).
Cost of extra night – accommodation & breakfast USD 30 / EURO 25
Cost of airport transfer – each way USD 35 / EURO 30
Program Start Dates 2018: Aug-05 & Aug-19, Sep-02 & Sep-16, Sep-30 & Oct-14, Nov-04 & Nov-18, Dec-02 & Dec-16 Start Dates 2019: 06-Jan, 20-Jan, 03-Feb, 17-Feb, 03-Mar, 17-Mar, 07-Apr, 21-Apr, 05-May, 19-May, 02-Jun, 16-Jun, 07-Jul, 21-Jul, 04-Aug, 18-Aug, 01-Sep, 15-Sep, 06-Oct, 20-Oct, 03-Nov, 17-Nov, 01-Dec, 15-Dec
NOTE : though program start date is Sunday you are welcome to arrive early and pay for extra nights bed & breakfast. We are open 365 days a year!
To book now or learn more about this program, please send us a message today. We will usually get back to you within 24 hours.
We have fixed start dates but you are welcome to arrive a day or so early, or extend after program ends, if this helps to optimise your travel plans. We look forward to hearing from you!