Cultural Island Travel - Travel To Cuba Legally Opiniones 182

We recently returned from a trip to Cuba organized by Blue Note Travel. The trip was organized around music and interactions with many well-known and talented Cuban jazz musicians, including our host, the award-winning musician Jorge Luis Pacheco. It was an amazing trip and we can’t recommend highly enough Blue Note Travel for coordinating this incredible trip. We stayed at a privately owned boutique hotel with a very professional and friendly staff who insured our stay was enjoyable. We also attended numerous musical performances at some great venues and dined at restaurants serving delicious food and drinks. We also visited music schools and watched performances by very talented kids ranging from middle school to high school. Some of these kids will be the future stars of Cuba’s music scene. We did a walking tour through old Havana and also rode in a classic car around the city. Our guides were all local and extremely knowledgeable, always sharing interesting information about the people and culture. We wished the tour could have been longer. We don't usually go on group tours or use travel agencies when planning our trips as we're used to traveling on our own, but this experience opened up our eyes to how we might arrange some future trips. When new travel opportunities arise organized by Blue Note Travel, we will be sure to work with them again!

The Cuba trip with Blue Note and Cultural Island Travel exceeded any expectations we had before going.  We stayed at a beautiful hotel with first rate hospitality, ate at one wonderful restaurant after another and everyone we met was warm, welcoming and eager to share about their country. 

The trip was well organized, all guides were highly knowledgeable and friendly, always accommodating to our needs.  We asked to see a local synagogue and they made it happen and then others on the trip who wanted to go as well joined us. Everywhere we went we met open, friendly hosts and people who were excited to share about their lives. Art galleries, markets, street life, was all a wonderful experience 

The music was first rate with our host Jorge Pacheco , in different venues, from rooftops to clubs to music schools and the opera house. He brings a warmth and connection to people that added to the wonder of the trip. We still cannot believe how much we got to do in six days. Nothing rattled our tour guide, Ivette! She was fun to be with the entire time.  We felt welcomed, cared for, and well taken care of from start to finish.  We will go back with CIT and Blue Note Travel as soon as we can, maybe even next year!

I’m not sure what I can say that has not already been said about this amazing company and Cuba in general. My love for the country stretches back 46 years, when I lived in Miami during the Mariel boat lift. I met, worked with and befriended many Cuban people during that time. They are warm, gracious, resilient in the face of often challenging circumstances. I visited the country for the first time in the early 2000s. The year I was there, was also a tumultuous time for the relationship with the US government. Fast forward to March 2026, and here we are! Our trip was very well arranged by Cultural Island Travel (we plan to use them again for a couple of other trips we are considering). We stayed in a lovely casa particular, La Reserva. Our meals were taken in some wonderful paladares (Casa Mia, Cha Cha Cha etc), we toured an organic farm and then had a cooking lesson at Cafe Ajiaco, we visited the handicraft market, the antique shop. Did an hourlong ride in a beautiful pink convertible. Even though we only visited Havana during our trip (I had visited other parts of the country during my last trip there), I felt like we saw and did so much, we really gleaned a solid foundation for future travel there (yes, I want to return for sure). Our guide Laura was fantastic, as was our driver, Jordan. Despite the fact that there are currently serious challenges (lack of fuel being the main one), I’m happy that we decided to go, as everything we did while we were there provided direct support to the Cuban people. I hope I am able to return again.

The Cultural Island guides and staff are incredibly smart, helpful, and just very nice people. They made my recent trip to Cuba enjoyable and educational. In spite of the difficult political situation, and the difficulty concerning fuel and electricity, they worked through any issues and made us feel safe and welcome during the whole stay. I was very comfortable in my accommodations, and I learned a lot about Cuba and its art and music. I wholeheartedly recommend traveling with this group, which has many different destinations, not just Cuba.

This was my third trip with Irma and Cultural Island Travel . This was to Oaxaca Mexico . This is an adventure not to be missed . The area is so cultural rich between the food , art and culture . It’s like exploring another world it’s so colorful and vibrant it can’t be explained but must be witnessed to understand . The experiences were more than amazing . So many wonderful things like a mole tasting and lunch , mezcal tasting and visiting a mezcal distillery and many more adventures . I have traveled the world but I must say this is one of the top trips . I can’t say anything except it’s a fascinating place .
If you are a a shopper there is plenty of that to do also . DO NOT miss this experience . Every day will be better than the next .

Words cannot truly express how much we enjoyed our recent adventure in Cuba with Cuba Island Travel. The local guides were guides are friendly and knowledgable and our itinerary gave us amply opportunity to explore, learn, and enjoy the culture of the island. Our accommodations were first rate and all of our hosted meals and events were completely enjoyable. I encourage everyone to visit Cuba with this group so that they can fall in love with the people and the island. We will be back!

Excellent tour of Havana by highly knowledgeable guides. Blue Note curated wonderful jazz shows featuring host and artist Jorge Pacheco. Marvelous accommodations at Las Animas Y Virtudes boutique hotel. Tour guide Deriel was amazing and much loved by our group.

I just returned from Blue Note Travel to Havana, Cuba, organized by Cultural Island Travel and was very impressed with everything! First, the staff is amazing, really caring and on top of every detail. I had several flight cancellations due to weather conditions, and they kept in constant contact with me and had a car waiting for me upon my eventual arrival in Cuba. They run a very professional tour, top accommodations, the finest restaurants in Havana, comfortable transportation to all events, and a transfer back to the airport. We were treated like VIP's everywhere we went and the Cuban people could not be nicer. Pacheco is an outstanding musician and his private concerts were musical experiences that I will never forget, nor the trips to the music schools where young students performed for us. I would not hesitate to join another tour and am considering the upcoming Sicily tour. Book now!!!!

Cultural Island Travel was amazing. Every detail was covered. The team in place working very hard to insure the safety and quality of the tour. They worked really well as a team and took care of the program and any special requests.
The activities were thoughtful and meaningful. I would highly recommend them.

We just returned last night from an amazing 11 days in Cuba , guided by the incredible Irma! I couldn’t imagine a more thorough , thoughtful , positive, and knowledgeable guide! Our group was just nine people and a perfect size with their excellent driver, a very nice mini bus, and the requisite vintage cars. The balance of activity and downtime with a super variety of activities and cultural exposure was perfect.
Teresa, who did the planning prior was incredible with detail and was patient answering our multiple questions and concerns. The art, culture , and music tour was way beyond expectations. All of the venues were hyper local and the restaurants were exquisite. Our hotels were also top notch. All of the music and dance was world class ! Of course , there is serious hardship there now, but we felt good contributing to them with our donations and participation. I highly recommend CIT for this and surely any others that they so thoughtfully curate!

I am not a fan of group travel because most people seem like zombies. This was definitely an exception! I went to Cuba with Blue Note Jazz and was extremely impressed with not only the itinerary, but how well organized everything was. When I mentioned I had a mobility issue, they got me a walker so I could participate in the walking tour of Old Havana. No begging required, they just did it!
The jazz festival schedule was not available prior to departure, but we not only went to the jazz festival every night but they added many events that we weren't even expecting. Ivette, Dana, William (taxi) and bus driver were all exceptional. I am super impressed with their knowledge and warmth in sharing their personal experiences as well as the history. They were always on time and if an event ran long, they were in touch with me to let me know when they would arrive. I honestly can't give high enough praise! Even before the trip began, Teresa from Blue Note always responded quickly.

The trip to Cuba was all I expected and so much more. From the time we arrived in Havana until our departure we were well taken care of. Our guide Irma was spectacular she got us to excellent jazz shows and great restaurants

Irma Gonzalez customized an incredible experience to Michoacan and Mexico City for our very small group. She ensured we enjoyed sights, festivities, history and real craftspeople while touring Morelia, 4 Magic Towns and Mexico City. We cooked a traditional lunch with a certified, awarded cook, visit a Catrinas workshop, enjoyed Santa Claus village, joined a citywide Three Kings (Epiphany) festival in Morelia, trailed/hiked to a church partially buried in lava and visited an Orchidarium. Our dates were during tge Epiphany period and everywhere we went there were Christmas decorations and celebrations, which gave an even mire special flavor to our tour. The best experience was a visit to Monarch Butterflies Santuary up the Michoacan mountains. This can only be described as truly magical, a dream to treasure for life. Irma curated the nice hotels and restaurants we used on the trip, very special mention to Mansion Iturbe. She is a true professional that loves her work and is fast to pivot as needed. Our local guides were knowledgeable and personable. Kudos to our trusty driver Alejandra and tour assistant Amado.

I am happy to provide the highest recommendation for Cultural Island Travel and our personal tour guide Laura in Cuba, who was truly exceptional in every sense.

From the very beginning, Laura demonstrated deep knowledge of Cuban history, culture, and daily life—sharing insights that went far beyond scripted facts. Each explanation was thoughtful, balanced, and engaging, helping us understand not only what we were seeing, but why it mattered. Her ability to connect historical context with present-day realities made the experience both educational and meaningful.

What truly set Laura apart was her professionalism and care for the group. She was organized, punctual, adaptable, and attentive to everyone’s needs. Questions were welcomed and answered thoroughly, and the pace of the tour was adjusted thoughtfully to ensure comfort and understanding. Laura created an atmosphere that felt both safe and welcoming, which allowed for open dialogue and genuine cultural exchange.

Laura's passion for her country and pride in her work were evident throughout the tour. It was clear that guiding is not just a job for her, but a calling she takes seriously. Because of Laura's expertise, warmth, and integrity, our experience in Cuba was significantly richer and more memorable.

I would recommend this guide and company without hesitation to individuals, educational groups, and organizations seeking an insightful, respectful, and high-quality experience in Cuba.

My 5 star experience started before the trip thanks to Teresa Sanchez, who curated an itinerary that was experiential and moving...Teresa was also extremely responsive with all my pre trip questions!
Once we landed in Havana, Teresa's pre trip care was handed over to our guide, Ivan Leon...a person whose pride and knowledge of Cuba was evident and shared freely. Ivan answered our endless questions, shared the beauty of Cuba, it's people and instilled in me a love for Cuba, its wonderful people and landscape. Don't hesitate to visit this special place just be sure to connect with Cultural Island Travel... be sure to ask for Teresa Sanchez and the person you want with you in Cuba is Ivan Leon! Thank you CIT, Ivan and Teresa

Our visit to Cuba was a wonderful experience with Cultural Island Travel!
Our hotels were great - solar power - we had the full experience of Cuban culture and energy!
Our guide Yvette and driver Darien made the whole experience a memorable trip!

just returned from cuba yesterday. fantastic, fantastic trip. our guide Ivan was amazing. all the restaurants were great. we did the art and music cultural itinerary and the people were friendly and marvelous. highly recommend entire trip and an extra day at melia peninsula near trinidad for snorkling, etc
teresa sanchez helped plan trip and answered every question and concern immediately 100% 5 stars

We were assigned a guide, Ivan for the week and a drive, Willy. The detailed itinerary was well planned and when changes needed to be made, there was a seamless 'plan B'. Ivan was accommodating and answered our endless questions!
We requested a snorkel half day in Trinidad, and it was excellent. There were beautiful fish and coral to view.
We were given lots of 'pre-trip' instructions that made the trip easy in terms of entry and exit the country.
Highly recommend.

Cultural Island Travel,
Thank you all, for planning the most wonderful trip for Amie and me!
Our visit to Havana, Cuba and the countryside was so special, everything was above and beyond what we thought it would be!

The personalized itinerary was absolutely perfect!
Every day was jam-packed with activities we loved, to experience the culture, history, music, dance, food, and the people of Cuba.

Laura was the most perfect tour leader, with all her knowledge, fun conversations, and accommodating to all our needs!
Laura made sure going from one activity to the next was fine-tuned - from the driver, to meet with Chelman for the history tour, and with art museum tour guide Glenda, etc.
Drivers Carlos and Jordan were also wonderful, from stopping on a whim for photos at the Malecon, to making sure our rides were always comfortable.

We totally enjoyed every restaurant we went to, for the ambiance and delicious food!
We loved where we stayed, with the charming accommodations, wonderful fresh breakfasts, and the most pleasant, helpful people.

I would highly recommend Cultural Island Travel to anyone wanting to immerse themselves with the culture, people, and all that Cuba has to offer.

We haven’t stopped thinking and talking about how perfect our trip was! Thank you thank you thank you!

itinerary - this was perfect, the order in which we did things, the way in which various activities were packed into the day but then we were given our rest time before dinner. Fusterlandia, Habana Compas, Art Museum, Las Terrazas, Cooking Lesson and Synagogue (added and arranged by Laura only when she learned we were Jewish and wondered would we like to visit) were all such exceptional experiences.

guides, Laura es un sol. We so enjoyed her company, knowledge, patience, affability and care. She is “into it“100% of the time. We loved Chelman’s tour of the city. Glenda was one of the most extraordinary, poised, honest, intelligent, eloquent people I have ever met (wish we could have spent more time here), add to that list the young Habana Compás dancer who introduced the show and Abel, the youth leader at the synagogue. Carlos and Jordan were incredibly kind, punctual, friendly and courteous, we had many fascinating conversations

meals, breakfasts were amazing at Portería with a different set of beautiful china each day, excellent coffee and loads of fresh fruit and vegetables. The paladares were all so wonderful Casa Mia and La Guarida were definitely my favorites, but each restaurant Laura took us to or kindly reserved for us was impeccable. Oh and I really loved the lunch at Las Terrazas, I wish I had been hungrier!

accommodations - Portería was so so special, the art, the furniture, the atmosphere and the rooms were the best. Alex was kind and welcoming and Luchenko was so so sweet and helpful and charming.