BAILA EN CUBA Festival: Learn, Dance, Compete & Explore Cuba – November 2025
Sat Nov 15, 2025 to Wed Nov 26, 2025
Timezone : Europe/Paris
Cuba
"Festival Baila en Cuba".
Join "Expats Travel Together" for a dance Immersion in the Heart of Cuba – During the Island’s Most Danceable Festival!
This will be an electrifying 12-day / 11-night dance journey perfectly timed to experience Cuba’s most iconic dance celebration—the Baila en Cuba Festival in Havana this November!
This unique edition places you at the center of the action—dancing alongside local maestros, absorbing Cuba’s authentic rhythms, and being part of one of the world’s most vibrant celebrations of music, movement, and cultural heritage.
Whether you’re a seasoned salsero or an enthusiastic beginner, this is your chance to dance where salsa was born, during the most festive time of the year.
Why This Trip is Special?
- Festival Access Included
Full Pass to "Baila en Cuba Festival". Including Cuban rhythm classes (Son, Rumba, Mambo, Chachachá, and others), taught by prestigious Cuban teachers and dancers. Specialized workshops: folkloric dances (Yoruba, Guaguancó, Columbia), body movement classes for men and women separately, and choreography.
Full Pass to "Baila en Cuba Festival". Including Cuban rhythm classes (Son, Rumba, Mambo, Chachachá, and others), taught by prestigious Cuban teachers and dancers. Specialized workshops: folkloric dances (Yoruba, Guaguancó, Columbia), body movement classes for men and women separately, and choreography.
Together, these workshops will help you improve and refine your salsa dancing while giving you a deeper appreciation of Cuba’s rich musical and cultural heritage.
- Live Concerts & Dance Shows
Nightly performances from Cuba’s top timba and salsa bands at legendary venues like Salón Rosado “Benny Moré”, plus exclusive themed parties and DJ sets.
Nightly performances from Cuba’s top timba and salsa bands at legendary venues like Salón Rosado “Benny Moré”, plus exclusive themed parties and DJ sets.
- Optional Competition Participation
Represent your country or dance school in the partner dance or rueda de casino categories. Coaching support available for interested participants.
Represent your country or dance school in the partner dance or rueda de casino categories. Coaching support available for interested participants.
- Beyond the Festival
After Havana’s high energy, we head to Trinidad, Cuba’s colonial treasure, for more dancing, beach time, and relaxed cultural exploration.
After Havana’s high energy, we head to Trinidad, Cuba’s colonial treasure, for more dancing, beach time, and relaxed cultural exploration.
- Who Is This Trip For?
This trip is perfect for dancers, music lovers, cultural explorers, and open-hearted adventurers.
No partner is required. All levels are welcome—from absolute beginners to advanced dancers.
No partner is required. All levels are welcome—from absolute beginners to advanced dancers.
- Baila en Cuba Competition Prizes
Participants can compete in two main categories:
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Partner Dance (dancing couples): Judged on technique and connection.
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Rueda de Casino: Teams of up to 5 couples; judged on technique and choreography.
- Awards & Prizes:
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"Bailar en casa del trompo" Trophy
Prestigious recognition awarded to the top winners in each category. -
Full Pass + Lodging (with breakfast) for 2026 Festival
Awarded to the best partner couple. -
Full Pass to Baila en Cuba 2026
Awarded to the best rueda de casino team.
All prizes are granted by a jury of expert Cuban dance professionals.
✨ Day-by-Day Itinerary
Salsa & Cultural Adventure in Cuba
Day 1 – Saturday, November 15: Welcome to Havana!
Arrive in vibrant Havana and check into your cozy casa particular (Cuban guesthouse). Meet our friendly local coordinator, who will provide all the essential information about the upcoming activities and your festival schedule. Take the evening to rest and recharge after your journey—your dance-filled adventure is about to begin!
✅ INCLUDED: Lodging
Day 2 – Sunday, November 16: Meet & Greet + Cuban Welcome Party
Meet your fellow dancers, receive your official Festival credential pass, and get ready for an unforgettable week of music and movement.
In the evening, enjoy a warm Cuban welcome party hosted by our local coordinator, together with his family and friends—an authentic night of food, rhythm, and connection.
In the evening, enjoy a warm Cuban welcome party hosted by our local coordinator, together with his family and friends—an authentic night of food, rhythm, and connection.
✅ INCLUDED: Lodging, breakfast
Days 3–7 – Monday to Friday, Nov 17–21: Baila en Cuba Festival – Dance Immersion
Morning:
- Cuban rhythm classes (Son, Rumba, Mambo, Chachachá, and others), taught by prestigious Cuban teachers and dancers.
- Specialized workshops: folkloric dances (Yoruba, Guaguancó, Columbia), body movement classes for men and women separately, and choreography.
Afternoon:
- Free time to explore Havana at your leisure. Optional excursions will be available.
- Special festival activities for competitors will be announced upon arrival. Competition schedule will be provided by the Festival Committee once the program is finalized.
- Special festival activities for competitors will be announced upon arrival. Competition schedule will be provided by the Festival Committee once the program is finalized.
Evening: Live concerts and themed salsa parties at Salón Rosado “Benny Moré.”
Presentaciones de las parejas y ruedas de casino que participan en las competencias.
✅ INCLUDED: Breakfast, festival pass (workshops & concerts), lodgingDay 8 – Saturday, November 22: From Havana to Trinidad
Say goodbye to Havana and head to the colorful, colonial town of Trinidad.
Spend the afternoon exploring cobblestone streets, plazas, and music-filled corners.
✅ INCLUDED: Breakfast, transport to Trinidad, lodging
Spend the afternoon exploring cobblestone streets, plazas, and music-filled corners.
✅ INCLUDED: Breakfast, transport to Trinidad, lodging
Day 9 – Sunday, November 23: Valleys, Villages & Coastal Moves
Discover Valle de los Ingenios and Trinidad’s charming colonial streets. Optional afternoon at Playa Ancón.
Evening: Dance to live music in the bars of Trinidad or at the local salsa club.
✅ INCLUDED: Breakfast, guided tour with transport if needed, lodging
Evening: Dance to live music in the bars of Trinidad or at the local salsa club.
✅ INCLUDED: Breakfast, guided tour with transport if needed, lodging
Day 10 – Monday, November 24: Topes de Collantes & Tropical Rhythms
Nature adventure to Topes de Collantes—hiking through forests and waterfalls.
Evening: Your last full salsa night in Trinidad.
✅ INCLUDED: Breakfast, guided tour with transport, lodging
Evening: Your last full salsa night in Trinidad.
✅ INCLUDED: Breakfast, guided tour with transport, lodging
Day 11 – Tuesday, November 25: Return to Havana – Farewell Fiesta
Travel back to Havana.
In the evening, join a Farewell “Fiesta Cubana” to celebrate all you’ve learned and experienced!
✅ INCLUDED: Breakfast, transportation to Havana, lodging
In the evening, join a Farewell “Fiesta Cubana” to celebrate all you’ve learned and experienced!
✅ INCLUDED: Breakfast, transportation to Havana, lodging
Day 12 – Wednesday, November 26: Adiós, La Habana!
Enjoy a relaxed morning before departing with new friends, incredible memories, and powerful dance skills.
✨ Adiós, bailadores—keep the music in your heart and the dance in your soul.
✨ Adiós, bailadores—keep the music in your heart and the dance in your soul.
✅ What's Included
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Full "Baila en Cuba Festival Pass" (workshops + concerts credential)
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11 nights’ accommodation in charming casas particulares
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Daily breakfast
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All scheduled guided tours with transport if needed
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Trip coordinator and local guides throughout
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Google Maps list with key locations (downloadable & offline-compatible)
❌ What’s Not Included
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Flights to/from Cuba
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Travel insurance (required)
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Airport transfers (€30–40, can be arranged & shared between attendees)
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Meals (Budget €10–€20 per meal, arranged with families and private restaurants)
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In-city transportation to lessons & concerts (~€10-20/ride, can be shared between attendees) Cheaper options in shared public taxis available as well
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Entry fees to Topes de Collantes and Valle de los Ingenios (less than €20 total)
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Contributions to Cuban family parties (€10–€20 or drinks + snacks)
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Optional SIM card, internet package (€5–10)
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Mandatory customs form (fill out 48h before arrival): https://dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu/inicio
Trip Details
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Open to: Individuals, friends, or couples (18+)
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Group size: 4–20 participants
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Solo travelers welcome! Many come alone—expect a warm welcome from our Cuban team and fellow travelers.
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Our guides are here to create a friendly, interactive atmosphere so you feel like family.
CHECK OUT THE REVIEWS ABOUT THE ORGANIZER,
DALIDA T. PUPO BARRIOS, Founder of:
Cubanisms (USA, 2016 to present) https://maps.app.goo.gl/F7rJLRYBUqvyxuhS8
La Langue Musicale (France, 2024 to present) https://maps.app.goo.gl/GEjUZPbPyd946icB7
Dalida T. Pupo Barrios is a proud Cuban-born cultural ambassador who now divides her time between France, Cuba, and the USA. Her deep-rooted passion for connecting people through culture, music, dance and travel inspired her to start organizing immersive cultural trips to Cuba in 2016 with her USA-based Cultural Project, Cubanisms.
Since relocating to France, she has continued her mission through her Cultural Association La Langue Musicale, bringing people from all over the world together through the universal language of music and dance. With nearly 30 successful group trips to Cuba, Dalida has made it her life's work to create unforgettable cross-cultural experiences—fueled by the vibrant energy of salsa, Cuban rhythms, and language exchange.
As a proud Cuban and passionate salsa dancer, she has personally crafted this special itinerary for salsa lovers worldwide—a journey designed to help you immerse yourself in the heart of Cuban salsa, learning from the very source of its rhythm. Her goal? To spread the joy, tradition, and pure exhilaration of this beautiful and dynamic dance.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dance our way through Cuba—together!
