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Cuba

Cuba Banner Custom 2018
Welcome to CGEE in Cuba! Situated about 100 miles off the coast of Florida, Cuba is a long and narrow island filled with natural beauty:  from the sugar white beaches and bright turquoise waters to high mountains, rolling hills and lowland plains.  The capital, Havana, is a vibrant city lined with pastel houses, 1950s-era cars and Spanish-colonial architecture in the 16th-century core, Old Havana.   Music seems to fill the streets as salsa and jazz bands play in plazas, cafes, and dance clubs throughout the city and across the country.
 
The people of Cuba are friendly and hospitable. A mixture of native, African, and European influences in Cuba give this island a lively culture that is known around the world. For many years, US citizens were prohibited from experiencing Cuban culture because of travel restrictions and an economic embargo imposed on Cuba by the US Government. Although there are still travel restrictions, university and high school groups are still allowed to travel to Cuba on credit-bearing educational programs such as those provided by CGEE
 
Augsburg CGEE began offering educational trips to Cuba in 1999, partnering with the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Center (MLKC) in Havana, an organization committed to strengthening communities throughout Cuba through popular education, social justice work, and citizen engagement.
 
When you plan a credit-bearing program to Cuba with CGEE, you will embark on a fascinating journey, experience an amazing country, learn from local people, and tour guides who are eager to show you their beautiful and diverse country. Take a moment to review our sample programs. Once you have selected one or two that you are interested in, contact CGEE staff and we will work with you to develop your unique educational program to Cuba!

Need to ask us some questions first? Submit an inquiry.
Ready to start customizing? Begin your application now!
Popular themes in Cuba include (but are not limited to):

* Afro-Cuban History and Culture
* Arts, Culture, and Music
* Church-State Relations
* Environmental Sustainability
* Government and Politics
* Popular Education
* Religion & Faith
* U.S.-Cuban Relations
* Women’s/Gender Issues

Cienaga de Zapata: Located 150 kilometers east of Havana on the southern end of the province of Matanzas near the Bay of Pigs, this municipality is home to Santiago de Cubaa UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.  Groups stay in the town of Caletón in private homes (casas particulares) licensed to receive foreigners right on the beach.  

Las Terrazas:  Day trip to an eco-tourism complex in the Rosario Biosphere Reserve.  Picnic and swimming in the river.

Matanzas: The capital of the province of the same name is located 90 kilometers east of Havana.  Matanzas is a part city to which slaves were brought form West Africa. It has a significant Afro-Cuban population that continues to practice African religious traditions and Santeria.  Known for its poets and theater, it is often referred to as the “Venice of Cuba” or “Athens of Cuba.” There are numerous art galleries and workshops. Groups stay in the dormitories of the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Cuba.

Santa Clara: Located 275 kilometers from Havana in the central part of the island, Santa Clara is the capital of the province of Villa Clara.  Cuba’s fifth largest city by population, it was a provincial university and hospitals with various specializations. Site of the battle that led to the downfall of Cuba’s dictator Batista in Varadero Cuba1958 and the Che Guevara Museum and Mausoleum.  Groups stay in private homes (casas particulares) licensed to receive foreigners or a modest hotel near the main plaza (Parque Vidal).

Varadero: Located 140 kilometers east of Havana in the province of Matanzas, Varadero is Cuba’s largest beach resort, built on a peninsula.  Groups stay in modest guesthouses run by the local Presbyterian Church or a social service organization.
Need some ideas of what you can do in Cuba? View our sample programs that show possibilities in different themes! Use a sample program as a building block and then customize* from there to fit your organization's needs.

Sample Programs:
Arts Music and Culture in Cuba
Cuban Culture and the Love of Baseball
Religious Diversity in Cuba
Sustainability, Organic Agriculture and Environmental Issues

*Please note that the level of customization available for Cuba programs is limited, but we will work one on one with your organization to accommodate as many requests as possible. 

Costs will be unique to the programming activities you choose for your program, the number of participants, the length of the program, etc.
 
The prices below represent the typical per person cost for an 8-day/7-night program in Cuba. Price can decrease when costs can be shared among a larger group of participants. These prices include one free leader, and do not include the cost of airfare.

Simple Guesthouse pricing
10 Participants 12 Participants 15 Participants 18 Participants
$2,986 $2,720 $2,450 $2,280

Casas Particulares (Rooms in People’s Homes) pricing
10 Participants 12 Participants 15 Participants 18 Participants
$3,890 $3,680 $3,465 $3,320

 
 
 
 
 
This estimate is only an approximation based on other Cuba programming we have done.  After you have submitted your application and we have worked out an itinerary specific to you, the program cost and payment instructions will be sent. Group scholarships are also available on a limited basis. 
Questions about Cuba custom programming? Contact Peggy Johnson at:

Peggy Staff Photo

Email: johnsop2@augsburg.edu
Phone: 612-330-1118


Ready to start customizing with CGEE in Cuba? Start an application today!