Cuban Dance/Salsa Holidays in Santiago de Cuba
Join us in Santiago de Cuba, the undisputed home of traditional Cuban music, for a heady cocktail of dance classes with one of Cuba’s most famous national dance and music companies, Ballet Folklorico Cutumba, nights out to top live bands in Santiago, group excursions and plenty of time to relax and recharge your batteries too, all in a relaxed and tropical Caribbean atmosphere.
Our 2 week dance holidays have been taking place since 1998 in Santiago de Cuba, and is the ideal place to hear and dance to live music. The city has a wide range of live music clubs and dance venues which offer different entertainment every night of the week, from the world famous Casa de la Trova in the city centre to small local clubs in outlying neighbourhoods.
Daily dance lessons in small groups – each person with their own professional Cuban dance partner – mean that you will have plenty of opportunity to improve your dancing skills and to learn new moves.
Accommodation in carefully selected homestays which will provide you with a real insight into Cuban life, fantastic home cooked meals, a chance to practise your Spanish and a home away from home with all the independence you need. All in all, a cultural holiday you will never forget!
All in all, a dance holiday you will never forget!
Our group dance holidays take place 4 times per year in March, July, September and December - click on the following links:
'Thoroughly enjoyed the holiday. The dance instruction was superb and the tutors listened to what I wanted to achieve. The escorted evenings out all went very well with plenty of different venues visited, and the Cuban dancers were always keen for a dance. The Pepe Sanchez festival was an added bonus and we got to see some special bands. My landlady at the homestay was great. All in all an excellent dance holiday with plenty of variety. I will remember it and all of the Cuban dancers and other guests for a long time to come. Happy days.' KB, Cyprus - Cuba dance holiday, March 2013
Dance lessons - It was the first time I danced Son. I love this dance and I love the music – looking forward to continue learning this. Salsa was great too. The highlight for me was the Afro-Cuban Rumba and Orishas. I loved the group format we practiced it with, the improvisation element and the free style – it was awesome!’ AS,London, Cuba dance holiday, March 2013
‘I loved all of the dance classes but especially Son and Rumba which were totally new to me. There is great energy in those dances in Santiago. My partners were so kind, gentle and warm people and also very professional. Timetable (for lessons) and overall organisation were great!’ EA, Istanbul, Cuba dance holiday, March 2013
'Homestay - My room was delightfully decorated and even had my own dressing table. Sheets and towels were changed regularly – very clean. There was always lovely hot showers. Meals were excellent especially the breakfast. Although I could not speak Spanish, my landlady and landlord made me feel so at home. Invited me to join them in Christmas and New Year celebrations. Dance classes - best part of my holiday, I really looked forward to them, did not want to miss a minute. The lessons were at a very high level. Everyone was very friendly, I felt we were one big happy family. Excursions - it was nice to take time out to learn about the history of Cuba. I loved the nights out with the dancers. Each dancer making sure we all got up, and it was nice to dance free style with them and to get to dance with everyone. Christmas Day was organised very well. It was so refreshing to take a swim in the sea, then dance while waiting for dinner. Brilliant atmosphere and lots of fun’. LM, London - Cuba dance holiday, December 2012
‘I have been in Santiago once before – I liked it the first time but liked it even more the 2nd time and would love to return again. I like the fact there are less tourists in Santiago. Homestay - location and meals excellent, hosts lovely and very helpful, room excellent especially bathroom. Dance classes – outstanding. Loved the classes and learnt a lot particularly in Son – there was a good balance between enjoying the dancing and feeling encouraged that I could do it, and being helped to improve. The best thing for me was having a Cuban dance partner throughout the lessons – dancing with [them] made me very happy! I could not have asked for better partners. Nights out - I REALLY liked the nights out with the dancers and the fact that they dance with you a lot – this (and the lessons) made the holiday. Santiago was much better than Havana for getting dances with local Cubans. Also loved the Christmas party and the New Years Eve celebration, especially because they included dancing! Most memorable part of the trip? There was no one particular thing but the 2 best aspects were 1. The dancing (both lessons and nights out) and 2. The group – I really liked having a small group to share the experience with.’ RA, Oxford – Cuba dance holiday, December 2012
'I love Cuba, loved Santiago, loved staying with my host and her family and loved by dance partners! the lessons all went well and were on time, and we worked on little things that needed attention which was very helpful' AM, London - Cuba dance holiday, July 2012
'Santiago de Cuba is hugely atmospheric and has a strong cultural vibe. The Festival del Caribe gave the city a strong Afro-Cuban mood which was interesting to experience firsthand. Lots of son and salsa as well! My hosts were brilliant and could not have been more welcoming (2nd time I have stayed with them). The room and private bathroom were spacious, bright and clean. Food was excellent and plentiful. Both my lead dance partners were brilliant. They were unfailingly patient, and went over steps to correct my technique and also taught me new things. Introducing the rumba class was a great idea - I loved it' CN, Edinburgh - Cuba dance holiday, July 2012
'Everything was absolutely fantastic and I am already trying to figure out when I can go back. All the people I met - homestay, teachers, guide - were really wonderful and made sure that we enjoyed ourselves to the fullest. The dance classes were great and the teachers really went out of the their way to make us feel welcome. My trip to Havana was very pleasant but Santiago really takes the biscuit!' RN, Brussels - Cuba dance holiday, March 2012
If you have any questions or would like discuss plans for your trip, please contact us on 0131 621 7721 or send us your enquiry using our online enquiry form.
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