Havana Jazz Festival Photo Tour 2027

The Tour: Photographing Jazz Plaza in Havana

This tour is joined by Gretel Garlobo, the festival’s general producer, who opens the week with a welcome talk on Cuba’s jazz scene today and joins the group for visits to some of the festival’s most significant concerts. Participants also meet the festival’s founder and celebrated jazz musician Bobby Carcassés, along with other prominent musicians, and, subject to festival scheduling, attend rehearsal sessions. The tour also includes visits to ballet schools, street photography walks through Havana, a trip to Playa Baracoa, a picturesque fishing village near the city, and Cojímar, the village that inspired writer Ernest Hemingway, along with visits to the historic center restored by the Office of the Historian. An optional Cuban cigar and rum tasting rounds out the cultural program. On the final evening, participants hand over a personal selection of their week’s images, which are compiled into a closing video presentation — followed by a farewell dinner.

Havana Photo Tour is an independent tour operator and is not the organizer of the Jazz Plaza festival. Festival programming, venues and artists are set by the official organizers and may change.

Before You Join This Tour

All participants are expected to have a genuine interest in photography and to work with a camera (DSLR, mirrorless, or equivalent). This tour goes beyond mobile phone photography — all participants will be photographers sharing a common purpose and rhythm.

Havana is a welcoming city for photographers. Throughout the entire week, you will be guided by local professional photographers who know the city intimately and work daily in the same neighborhoods where we photograph. You will never be left alone, and assistance and translation are provided at all times.

The experience involves daily walking at a comfortable pace, with frequent stops to photograph, observe, and discuss images. A reasonable level of mobility and physical condition is required, as walking is an essential part of exploring Havana visually and authentically.

As the tour takes place during the Havana Jazz Plaza Festival, several evenings will naturally be dedicated to photographing live music, concerts, and the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the city — always integrated into the overall rhythm of the week and balanced with daytime activities.

This tour is limited to a small group of photographers, allowing for personalized guidance, constructive feedback, and meaningful photographic interaction. The focus is on slowing down, observing carefully, and building a coherent visual narrative rather than rushing from place to place.

By joining this photo tour, you agree to approach the experience with curiosity, respect for local culture, and a collaborative spirit with fellow photographers and guides.

Rooms, Companions and Pricing

Every photographer has a private room. The participant price is USD 3,800, with no single supplement.

If you’re traveling with a non-photographer companion, they’re welcome to join for USD 3,200 and share your room, with access to most of the week’s activities — school and dance company visits, architects’ studios, artist talks, and exhibitions. Companions have VIP access to the festival concerts, enjoying the performances from the audience seating area, while photographers work during the concerts. During dedicated street photography walks, companions follow an independent guided itinerary, rejoining the group afterward. Companions join the group for the closing evening and presentation, though their images are not included in the closing video, and photography instruction, technical support, and image reviews are reserved for participants. Companions are registered under their participant’s booking.

If both travelers are photographers, each registers as a participant at the full participant rate and has a private room, with the same access, guided sessions and image reviews, and both are included in the closing video. Two photographers traveling together who prefer to share a room may do so by requesting it at registration.

Fitness & Skill Level

Open to all photography levels. Expect long, active days on your feet with moderate walking through the city, theaters, and rehearsal spaces. Havana’s heat and humidity call for a reasonable level of physical comfort with walking and standing for extended periods.

Camera Gear

Bring no more than two camera bodies. The week combines street photography with theater and stage photography during concerts, so come prepared for fast, low-light shooting — flash and tripods are not permitted during performances and rehearsals. Bring your own laptop and any editing software you normally work with. Internet access in Cuba is limited, and a VPN may be necessary for some services — it’s best to prepare for this in advance rather than count on a reliable connection during the trip.

What to Pack

January in Havana is our winter season — cooler and more comfortable than summer, though the sun can still be strong during the day. Lightweight, breathable clothing works best for daily shooting, with a light layer for the evenings. Cold fronts are common this time of year, so pack something warmer for those occasions. Don’t forget any personal medication, a flashlight, and extra camera batteries and chargers.

Travel Requirements

This tour operates under the “Support for the Cuban People” OFAC-authorized travel category for U.S. citizens. All travelers to Cuba are currently required to obtain a Cuban e-Visa before arrival — we recommend confirming the current application process close to your travel dates, as entry requirements have changed in recent years. Travel medical insurance valid in Cuba is also mandatory for entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Havana Jazz Festival Photo Tour?

January 23–30, 2027, in Havana, Cuba (7 nights), during the Jazz Plaza festival week.

How much does it cost?

USD 3,800 per participant (photographer), with a private room. A non-photographer companion is USD 3,200 and shares the participant’s room. To register, a USD 400 deposit is required; the remaining balance is due before the tour.

Is there a single supplement?

No. Each photographer has a private room. Two photographers traveling together may share a room if they request it at registration.

What does VIP access include?

VIP access to the Havana Jazz Festival is included. Photographers work during the concerts, shooting alongside their guides; companions enjoy the concerts from the audience seating area.

How big is the group?

A maximum of 7 photographers, plus any non-photographer companions they bring.

Which meals are included?

Breakfast at your accommodation and the welcome and farewell dinners. All other meals are at your own expense.

Do I need a visa and insurance?

Yes. A Cuban e-Visa and travel medical insurance valid in Cuba are required, and neither is included. See Travel Requirements above.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

It is open to all photography levels, but you should work with a camera (DSLR, mirrorless, or equivalent), not just a mobile phone.

Is Havana Photo Tour the festival organizer?

No. Havana Photo Tour is an independent tour operator. Festival programming, venues and artists are set by the official organizers and may change.