Travel to Cuba
Havana, Cuba - Learn Spanish and Dance, Experience the Culture, and Volunteer. Travel with us and discover Cuba and life with the Cuban people.
15% DISCOUNT - Support the Cuban people
we will help you find the right program
Support the Cuban people and get 15% off
Support Cuba: Bring selected items from our list and receive a 15% discount on our four-week trip! We ensure that donations reach those in need and support the Cuban people in essential ways.
By traveling with us and bringing goods to Cuba, you make a significant difference. Contact Kira, our Cuba travel specialist, and she will guide you through the process. You are just a few steps away from helping us make a great impact in Cuba.
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Sale!
Original price was: $2,130.00.$1,810.00Current price is: $1,810.00.
Kira
Cuban Travel Specialist
Reach out to Kira, our dedicated Travel Specialist for Cuba.
She’s here to offer you top-notch tips and tricks, answer all your questions, and guide you smoothly through the booking process.
Kira has a profound connection with the Cuban people, spending several months each year on the ground to ensure donations are effectively distributed. She’s truly the heart and soul of Jakera and an integral part of our team.
Don’t miss the opportunity to get the latest, carefully curated list of goods to bring that will maximize your impact. Talking to Kira isn’t just helpful—it’s a crucial step in making your trip as meaningful as possible.
Send her a email or whats app message and she will get back to you withhin 24 hrs.
ALL OUR CUBA PROGRAMS 2024 - 2025
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$455.00
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$905.00
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Sale! Original price was: $2,130.00.$1,810.00Current price is: $1,810.00.
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$7,590.00 – $7,770.00
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$4,890.00 – $5,020.00
Our lessons feature Salsa, and depending on your progress, you may also be introduced to other dance styles such as Kizomba, Bachata, Reggaeton, Son, Rueda de Casino, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, and Rumba. You may even learn a few moves that you haven’t heard of yet!
We take you on adventures that will help you understand and enjoy the rich history of Cuba and Havana. You will quickly feel at home, gain knowledge and confidence to explore the city on your own, and make new friends among fellow travelers and Cubans alike
We take you on adventures that will help you understand and enjoy the rich history of Cuba and Havana. You will quickly feel at home, gain knowledge and confidence to explore the city on your own, and make new friends among fellow travelers and Cubans alike.
Our Cuba team supports three main community initiatives: The Arco and Barrio Vieja Community Centre, the El Gimnasio boxing gym, and the Escuela y Instituto de Música Cubana – all iconic centers that promote the well-being of families and children. We aim to rebuild these initiatives and continue supporting the community.
CASA JAKERA
"YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME"
The Casa Jakera, freshly renovated in 2021, offers shared rooms with air conditioning, separate shower and toilet facilities, dining rooms, and plenty of comfortable indoor and outdoor space, including a spacious roof terrace. You can hang out with new friends or relax on your own to enjoy the cool breezes and great views of the streets below. Located in the central area of Havana, this unique location allows you to soak up the city’s atmosphere.
During your stay, you will be accommodated in ‘Casa Jakera’, a licensed Casa Particulare, and share a dorm room with other guests. Alternatively, upon payment of a single room supplement, you have the option to stay in another nearby Casa with your own room, including a private bathroom
LOCATION
In the middle of the charmatic Havana Whether you want to relax and soak up the sun during the day, or enjoy some evening festivities, taking in the stunning view of Havana Vieja will give you the ultimate Cuban experience.
STAFF
Our team consists of full-blooded Cubaos y Cubanas who are simply the best of the best. They will teach you Spanish, show you around Havana, and take you to the best dancing locations for an unforgettable experience.
FOOD
Cuban cuisine is a fusion of Spanish and African influences, which is evident in the sauces and spices used to cook the delicious meals you will enjoy.
ROOMS
We offer a variety of shared rooms that can accommodate 2 to 6 people, each with its own individual bathroom. Private rooms are also available upon request, located just a few steps away from the main house.
- THE LOCATION
Havana is an exciting city with many interesting neighborhoods.
However, to truly experience the authentic Havana, you must stay in Habana Vieja. From here, you will have a comfortable walk to the best bars and nightlife, and during the daytime, you will live among the real Habaneros, who work in shops, bars, art galleries, and go about their daily lives in this atmospheric part of the city
- CASA JAKERA
We are one big family. Our home is your home, your home is our home. Respect and tidyness is the most important rule in living together.
The Casa Jakera is a spacious accommodation with plenty of room, especially on the rooftop, where you can find a quiet moment. Spanish classes and meals will all be held at Casa Jakera, and you will also have the opportunity to gather in the evenings and hang out during your free time. You will surely love this place!
We do our best to make you feel home, you have fridges, hanging lines, stations to wash your sandy feets off, clean commun spaces and delicious food, a 24/7 staff that is always there to help.
You are invited to do your bit as well and will be participating in the kitchen duties of your group, will be asked to keep your rooms tidy and clean and empty your trashbins.
We are extremly awared of the environment and have recycling stations in our camp wheter we are avoiding single use plastics and asking our students to do the same.
Additionally, we ask our guests to be mindful of their water and electricity usage, as we rely on these resources of Havana. We encourage everyone to take shorter showers and turn off lights and fans when leaving their rooms.
At Jakera, we believe in sustainable and responsible tourism, and we strive to minimize our impact on the environment while providing a memorable and authentic experience for our guests.
NO LAUNDRY – but there is a Laundry Service close by
- STAFF
We are one big family. Our team on the ground consists of full-blooded Cubaos y Cubanas who are simply the best of the best. They will teach you Spanish, show you around Havana, and take you to the best dancing locations for an unforgettable experience.
- THE FOOD
Cuban cuisine is a fusion of Spanish and African influences, which is evident in the sauces and spices used to cook the delicious meals you will enjoy. We prioritize using local ingredients that are in season on the island, which diversifies our menu. While our menu is predominantly vegetarian, we also serve locally sourced meat and fish.
We provide drinking water, tea, coffee, and natural soft drinks with each meal. Although our menus feature local dishes, they are also tailored to accommodate western tastes, and we easily accommodate vegetarians with salads, simple soups, sweet plantains, and local favorites such as ropa vieja.
- ROOMS
We offer a variety of shared rooms that can accommodate 2 to 6 people, each with its own individual bathroom. Private rooms are also available upon request, located just a few steps away from the main house for an extra 35€ a night.
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR CUBA
Upon your arrival at Havana International Airport, you have the option to arrange a convenient pick-up and transfer to our camp in Jakera for a nominal fee of 35€. Simply let us know, and we will happily make the arrangements for you.
When booking your flight, consider arriving on a Sunday, allowing ample time to settle in before the Monday morning introduction. The overnight stay from Sunday to Monday at Casa Jakera is already included in the package.
CONTACT INFO
Email: jakera@jakera.com | or phone +506 8844 - 4717 / +506 2640-0801
ARRIVAL INFOS
All infos about getting to Cuba and Jakera
Packing List
Need a little guideline what to bring?
TRAVEL TO CUBA
So easy to travel to Cuba with Jakera!
- Jakera Cuba is 100% operating and ready more than ever to receive you
- Bring Cash to cuba as most places work with cash
- Visa is 90 days, easy to extend after 90 days giving you a total of 180 days without leaving the country (we will help you with this)
- AIRPORTS: A lot of Airlines flying direct to Cuba from Europe - no need to transit USA
- The Cuban tourist visa is provided by the airline at the departure gate for a fee of $20 to $100 ( depending where you leave from ).
- Casa Jakera has been fully renovated and looks better than ever.
- Our volunteer projects in Havana Vieja have been approved by the local government and they need our help now more than ever.
- Our Spanish and Dance Teachers are waiting to share their knowledge and the Jakera Family are ready receive your customers.
How do i get the Visa?
- The airline provides the Cuban tourist visa at the departure gate for a fee of 20 - 100$ (depending on where you fly from ). The standard Tourist Card is valid for 90 days.
- Standard Visa is valid for 90 days, easy to extend after 90 days giving you a total of 180 days without leaving the country (we will help you with this)
- If you inform customs of your intention to stay beyond 30 days, you can pay a small fee (approx. USD 25) to be allowed to stay up to 60 days.This can be arranged with Leo at Casa Jakera before your 30 days expire.
What about the Currency?
- Cuba has eliminated the tourist currency, CUC, which was 1/1 for the US $. Only the national CUP now exists. MasterCard and Visa are increasingly accepted, provided a US bank does not issue them.
- ATMs are more common and cash can be also be obtained in banks and Cadecas (Casas de Cambio) with non-US Visa credit and Visa debit cards.
- We suggest you bring some cash in €EUROS or UK POUNDS for better value and exchange rates and to avoid problems if your cards don't work.
- We dont recommend changing money at the airport, wait for our local host to give you advice on where to get a good exchange rate.
PASSPORT
Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the dates of your trip
IMMIGRATION
Hold on ready:
Reason to travel "Tourism"
Adress where you are staying:
Casa Jakera
311 Lamparilla
La Habana
Cuba
ARRIVAL TRANSPORT
Make sure you book the Airport Pick up extra so we will wait for you at the airport.
ARRIVAL PACKAGE OPTIONS
FROM OVERSEAS
We recommend the arrival transport for 35€. If you arriva a day early, simply book an extra night in Casa Jakera with us. Make sure you keep us in the loop of your flight details at least 2 weeks in advance.
ONLY TRANSPORT
Are you spending an overnight in another hotel in Havana or you are in another City in Cuba? No problem, we can pick you up wherever you are, make sure you are in touch with us at least 1 week before.
ARRIVING BY YOURSELFS
No problem at all, you can get to our camp on the start date around 1 pm. Make sure you are letting us know that you will arrive by yourselfs.
FROM OVERSEAS
Arriving from overseas, it makes sense to book the arrival transport for 35€ which includes airport pick-up and transport to the Casa Jakera. We recommend arriving on Sundays for your flight.
Ones you get your lugguage, walk ouside of the airport looking for our driver holding a Sign with your Name or with the Logo of Jakera.
If you are arriving a day early, you can book the arrival transport as normal and book an extra night in Casa Jakera.
If you are staying in another hotel in Havana, no problem. We can arrange a pick-up from wherever you are, just get in touch with us at least 1 week ahead. Please note that prices will vary based on the distance.
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$35.00
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$35.00
ONLY TRANSPORT
If you are already in Cuba out of, or in in Havana, we can still arrange a pick-up from wherever you are. Just get in touch with us at least 1 week ahead. Please note that prices will vary based on the distance. Please arrange the transport at least 2 weeks ahead with us.
ARRIVING BY YOURSELFS
No problem at all, you can get to the Casa Jakera on the start date around 1 pm. Make sure you are letting us know that you will arrive by yourselfs.
GET IN TOUCH
jakera@jakera.com or phone +506 8844 - 4717 / +506 2640-0801
DONATE
After two years of lockdown and continued sanctions from the US, some basic commodities are non-existent or in very short supply in Cuba. In addition to personal items, you are encouraged to allocate a few kilograms of your luggage allowance to the following items, which will be donated to our partner organizations and form an important part of your volunteering commitment. These items are in short supply and would be gratefully received and distributed by your hosts:
- Antibiotics: Ciprofloxacin, Amoxicillin, Azithromycin
- Anti-inflammatory: Ibuprofen, Voltaren, Diclofenac
- Analgesic: Paracetamol, Tylenol
- Antihistamines: Diphenhydramine, Benadryl
Due to the sanctions imposed by Cuba’s nearest neighbor for over 50 years, many basics that we take for granted are in short supply. Together with our Cuban partners, we have created an innovative scheme to deliver practical assistance to the Cuban people.
We invite all our guests to bring a few kilograms of items from the list above. You can ask family, friends, and neighbors to contribute to this effort. We are not asking you to spend money buying these items new. In our experience, most households already have some of these items unused or underutilized, such as unwanted gifts. By using up some of your baggage allowance and asking around, you will make a huge difference to the lives of the people you will be living with during your time in Cuba. You will be amazed at how little waste there is here – recycling is not a lifestyle choice, it is a way of life.
When you arrive at your Casa, your host will sort these items into appropriate themes and explain the strategy for distributing them. Hopefully, it may be possible to accompany your host when making a delivery of themed items to our partner institutions. It is important to give thoughtfully and sensitively, and we have taken care to ensure that recipients need these items and appreciate our involvement
Arts & Crafts
- Pens, pencils, paints & brushes and other drawing materials
- Crafts – adhesive shapes, glitter & jewels, glue, felt
Kids Educational
- Boardgames – traditional (chess, chequers), new (Connect 4, Kerplunk)
- School supplies – calculators, stationery, school bags
- Books – picture and number books (Spanish & English), Spanish language reading (all ages)
Sports Equipment
- Baseball – balls, bats, gloves, clothes
- Sport Shoes & Clothes
- Boxing equipment
- Bicycle accessories and parts
General Play
- Girls – dolls, accessories, dressing up
- Balls, Lego, construction games & toy
Electronics
- old cell phones
- Lap tops, handheld devices
- Speakers and other consumer electronics
General Other
- Hygiene – soap, toothpaste & brushes, shampoo, feminine products. Home – cooking utensils, pots and pans. Outdoors – assorted camping, technical.
- Clothing – assorted in good condition please, towels, bed linen, footwear.
- Musical instruments – parts and supplies, e.g. reeds, valve oil, pads, guitar and bass strings, cables etc.
EXPLORE CUBA WITH US - COUNTRYWIDE!
You will have the opportunity to join trips to the beaches of Havana. If you wish to travel further during or after your stay at Jakera, your host will provide advice on the best transportation options, such as buses, trains, or taxis, to reach the following exciting destinations.
VIÑALES (mid South West)
Visit Cuba’s famous tobacco farms in Viñales. Surrounded by a unique karst valley, tobacco plantations and atmospheric caves. Viñales is a peaceful, charming town with some of Cuba’s most welcoming people.
MARIA LA GORDA (South West tip)
Renowned for its diving, idyllic beaches, untouched nature and laidback vibe, Maria la Gorda is the perfect spot to wile away some time under the Cuban sun.
BARACOA (Eastern tip)
Remote, unique and arguably one of the most beautiful places in Cuba, Baracoa has a wealth of natural gems to discover and swoon over.
SANTIAGO DE CUBA (South East tip)
Santiago de Cuba has a revolutionary history and an exciting mix of cultures, which results in a vibrancy in the air and an artistic flair in the streets.
CAMAGUEY (South East)
Built to stop ongoing raids by pirates, the maze-like streets of Camaguey are slightly confusing, but nevertheless an amazing place of colour, culture and discovery.
TRINIDAD (South mid)
Be immersed in the Afro-Cuban rhythms of Trinidad’s music scene. Colourful houses, cobblestone streets, wonderful people, great food and breathtaking vistas over cerulean seas make Trinidad a firm favorite among visitors.
CIENFUEGOS (South)
A delightful city referred to as the ‘Pearl of the South’, Cienfuegos was designed beautifully by the French but emits a definite Caribbean vibe.
SANTA CLARA
Villa Clara is a town with more than 300 hundred years history. Its warm untainted beaches, its endemic flora and fauna and its authentic Cuban flavor are some of the gifts this island gives to its visitors.
It was the 8th town founded by the Spanish colonizing power in the XVI century. Here you can discover the many stories of San Juan de los Remedios. Walking around this town or navigating the waters in the Hanabanilla lake reminds you vividly of what Che Guevara would have enjoyed there. In the Ernesto Che Guevara square you can visit where his remains where they have been resting for more than 50 years in this historical place.”
PLAYA GIRON
Playa Girón is in the south coast of the island and it also is an amazing destination. The famous battle where 1500 locals defeated an army of Cuban exiles sent from Miami in less than 72h took place here. In the town museum you can find lots of information related this and other historical landmarks. This south beach is beautiful. You can enjoy the flora and fauna and find local guides to walk you around wild sharing their extensive knowledge of the area. If you like
scuba diving, you can enjoy the coral reefs, fresh water cave systems, sunken ships and the variety of tropical fish.
VARADERO
Varadero is known by some people as the best beach in the world and it isn’t hard to see why. The shiny white sands, the fresh tropical breeze and the quiet waters of the Atlantic Ocean offer you the perfect landscape for rest and relaxation.
For those who are seeking for adventure, Varadero covers almost every water sport you are willing to practice. From scuba diving and snorkeling to sailing and swimming with dolphins.
You can also practice some golfing in the top-notch golf course from the Golf Club or go for a historical hike to Ambrosio Cave.
Considering this range of possibilities this is one of Cubas’ top destinations.
PACKING LIST
SMART TRAVELLER:
We recommend downloading a VPN beforehand if you want to browse all social media platforms without any issues.
VOLUNTEER PROJECTS IN CUBA
Our program aims to offer the possibility of interacting with the community and giving something back during your stay, through volunteer work. The opportunity to interact with various local characters is what makes for unforgettable moments, hand in hand with different cultures, motivating creativity from an early age.
MISSION
To contribute to the socio-cultural community development in conjunction with the different local projects, recognized by government institutions.
VISION
To support the community together with the local government for socio-cultural support, through our community projects.
MAIN OBJECTIVES
- Support for Community projects Instituted in the Capital.
- Cultural exchange
- Social prevention
- Promotion of public goods.
- Promotion of the National Heritage.
- Contribute to the Protection of the Environment.
PROJECT IMAGE 3
A project that is aimed at art in different spheres. Mixing imagination and creativity from a very early age. Giving the possibility of interacting hand in hand with different Cuban artists.
The unforgettable experiences between clients and cultural professionals in this magnificent project established over two decades ago. The works that have been carried out here in this space, it can be appreciated that different arts are indisputably mixed such as; paper mache, horigami, painting, sculpture, weaving, photography, engraving and others.
Tourists appreciate this type of project is without doubt very smart and love to contribute some way by making a donation.
HAVANA NEIGHBOORHOOD PROJECT
It is a project of social inclusion in different forms of manifestation of the community. It is developed in programs to serve the different spaces of the community in terms of sports, ecological and intergenerational matters. This local project links these programs with activities to rescue and maintain local traditions.
COMMUNITY PROJECT FOR NEIGHBOORHOOD
Jesús María
̈ Suspiro ̈
Its fundamental objective is aimed at the integrated transformation of the community and the improvement of the quality of life of its inhabitants, through a participatory planning process with the articulation and training of local actors that promote the coordination of actions.
