Join us on our citizen diplomacy trip to Cuba during Spring Break 2025! San Diego Diplomacy Council specializes in building bridges across cultures and connecting with the local community. For those of you who have been around for a few years, you may recall that this is not our first trip to Cuba. However, since our last trip in February 2020, Cuba is a destination that has been in high demand for our members and community.
You asked – we listened! For our Spring 2025 citizen diplomacy outbound trip, we are delighted to bring you with us to Cuba. This trip will offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Cuban life, learn about the nation’s fascinating past, and engage with its inspiring people. From the bustling streets of Havana to the serene beauty of Viñales, this trip is designed to foster meaningful exchanges and provide an unforgettable cultural experience.
Why Cuba?
Cuba, an island nation with a complex and vibrant history, has long fascinated visitors from all around the globe with its blend of old-world charm and revolutionary spirit. As the largest Caribbean island, it is a melting pot of African, Spanish, and Indigenous cultures. Cuba’s capital, Havana, is known for its vibrant colonial architecture, lively music scene, classic cars, and unpolished edges. The rural town of Viñales offers a slower pace of life with breathtaking views and rich agricultural traditions.
Cuba remains our most highly requested citizen diplomacy outbound destination. We pride ourselves in offering immersive travel experiences that go beyond locations that you might traditionally think of for a family getaway. Thanks to our expert partners at CLE abroad, SDDC’s citizen diplomacy trips curate a personalized plan that doesn’t leave out a single detail – so that you can enjoy exploring the path less trodden.
Havana: A City Steeped in History and Culture
The Old Town – La Habana Vieja
Known for its vibrant colors, rhythmic sounds, and eclectic architecture, Cuba’s vibrant capital is a mix of old-world charm and modern energy. Founded in 1519 by the Spanish conquistador Diego Velázquez de Cuéllarit , Havana is one of the oldest colonial cities in the Americas and served as an essential port for Spain’s New World empire. Today, Havana is a city of nearly 2.1 million people, bustling with life, color, and music. Its most famous district, La Habana Vieja, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its stunning Spanish colonial architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and lively plazas. The city is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in Cuba, including El Capitolio, which bears a striking resemblance to the U.S. Capitol, and the legendary Malecón, a seaside esplanade stretching 8km long, where locals and tourists gather to enjoy the sunset.
Historical Context: The Revolution and Beyond
Cuba’s history is inseparable from its 1959 Revolution, which led to the establishment of a socialist government under Fidel Castro. The revolutionary spirit is palpable throughout Havana, especially at the Museum of the Revolution, housed in the former Presidential Palace. The museum provides in-depth insights into Cuba’s journey through colonialism, revolution, and its current socialist identity. In Havana, you’ll also encounter tributes to revolutionary leaders like Che Guevara and symbols of Cuba’s fierce independence and resilience. Everywhere you look in the city, Havana will show you the story of its fight for independence, and its ongoing efforts to maintain its unique political system.
Art and Culture in Havana
Havana frequently attracts artists, writers, and musicians from across the world, and creatives have been trying to capture its singular charm and essence for generations- from Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea” and “Dreaming in Cuban” by Cristina García to “Fresa y Chocolate” (1993) and “The Godfather Part II” (1974). It is a city where art and culture blend seamlessly into everyday life, and where where creativity thrives in both traditional and contemporary forms. Walking through the streets, you’re immediately struck by the vibrancy of its artistic legacy.
The grand neoclassical and baroque buildings of Old Havana, like the Capitolio and the Gran Teatro de La Habana, stand as iconic reminders of Cuba’s colonial past. Equally, in the quieter alleys and lesser known galleries, modern Havana’s artistic pulse really comes alive. One of the most striking examples is the Fábrica de Arte Cubano, a multi-disciplinary art space and former oil factory that showcases contemporary Cuban art, live music, film screenings, and performances.
Famed Cuban artist José Fuster is a prime example of Havana taking its color and art to the streets, when he transformed his neighborhood of Jaimanitas into an open-air art gallery. Classical concerts at the Grand Theater of Havana, ruba performances in **Callejón de Hamel** and so much more, make Havana come alive as a city that preserves its past, while constantly redefining its cultural identity.
Havana’s Food Scene
Cuban cuisine is a reflection of the country’s diverse cultural influences, including Spanish, African, and Caribbean traditions. In Havana, you can experience Cuba’s culinary renaissance at paladares, privately-owned restaurants that offer a variety of authentic Cuban dishes. Some paladares feature fusion cuisine, blending traditional ingredients with modern culinary techniques. Make sure to try ropa vieja (shredded beef stew) and tostones (fried plantains). If you’re a fan of seafood, Havana’s coastal paladares offer fresh catches like lobster and shrimp paired with tropical flavors.
Viñales: Cuba’s Lush Agricultural Heartland
A Natural Paradise
After the excitement of Havana, we’ll journey to Viñales, located in the Pinar del Río province, known for its lush green valleys, unique limestone cliffs (called mogotes), and traditional tobacco farms. The region is celebrated for producing Cuba’s world-famous cigars, and you’ll have the chance to visit local tobacco farms to see firsthand how cigars are rolled and learn about Cuba’s centuries-old tobacco-growing techniques.
Nestled within the lush Sierra de los Órganos mountains, the Viñales Valley is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and agricultural heritage. With a population of around 27,000 people, the valley feels both intimate and sprawling, offering a glimpse into rural Cuban life. The valley’s unique microclimate, with its mild temperatures and ample rainfall, provides ideal conditions for growing a wide variety of crops, including fruits, vegetables, and particularly the tobacco for which the region is famous.
The Valley of Viñales: A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Valley of Viñales is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for its cultural landscape and traditional agricultural practices. The breathtaking scenery of rolling hills, caves, and palm trees makes it a perfect location for hiking, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities. A guided hike through the valley will provide opportunities to see indigenous flora and fauna and learn about Cuba’s agricultural history from local farmers. You’ll also have the chance to interact with these farmers, who often share stories of life in rural Cuba and their role in maintaining Cuba’s agricultural traditions.
Viñales is known as the epicenter of Cuba’s tobacco industry, with over 100 small tobacco farms scattered throughout the valley. These farms produce some of the finest tobacco in the world, used to make Cuba’s iconic cigars. Many of these farms are family-run operations, passed down through generations. Visitors to the region can often tour these farms to see the traditional methods of tobacco cultivation and drying that have remained unchanged for centuries.
In addition to tobacco, the valley’s fertile red soil is also home to fields of coffee, yucca, corn, and pineapples, which thrive under the region’s subtropical climate. The landscape itself is dotted with dramatic limestone mogotes—steep-sided hills that rise abruptly from the valley floor—adding to the area’s striking beauty.
The Pace of Life in Viñales
In contrast to the hustle and bustle of Havana, life in Viñales is relaxed and slow-paced. It’s the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the natural beauty of Cuba. Whether you’re sipping fresh sugarcane juice at a roadside stand or sitting on a porch chatting with locals, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for Cuban hospitality and resilience. Viñales offers a rare glimpse into the country’s rural life, which remains closely tied to the land and traditional farming methods. Whether you’re hiking through the valley, exploring the vast cave systems like Cueva del Indio, or visiting a local farm, Viñales offers an immersive, authentic experience of Cuba’s agricultural backbone, far removed from the bustling streets of Havana.
Why Join Us in Cuba?
This citizen diplomacy trip to Cuba offers participants a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Cuban culture, learn about the country’s fascinating history, and engage in meaningful cultural exchanges. Through our network and partnerships, this trip will include opportunities to meet with local professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, and community leaders.
As an organization committed to building peace and prosperity, we believe in the power of people-to-people diplomacy. This trip will provide countless opportunities to build relationships and gain a deeper understanding of Cuba’s unique place in the world.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience Cuba in a way that few travelers can. Secure your spot on our Spring Break 2025 trip to Havana and Viñales, and get ready for an unforgettable journey that will open your eyes to the beauty and complexity of this incredible country.
Ready to Sign Up?
While we are unable to offer digital registration to our Cuba Citizen Diplomacy Trip, the SDDC team is happy to provide support every step of the way as we get your participation confirmed.
Ready to learn about next steps? Contact Lulu Bonning Elamri on lulu@sandiegodiplomacy.org
We look forward to exploring Cuba with you!
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