Exceptional experiences in Cuba that physically, spiritually, and culturally engage you – on and off the mat.

Chelsea Brooks – Featured Yoga Teacher • © Chelsea Brooks

The Gong • Photo by Alberto Morales • © Cuba Yoga Retreats

Shanti-Shanti Suite at Elvira mi Amor boutique hotel in Habana Vieja • © Elvira mi Amor

Mandala Suite at Elvira mi Amor boutique hotel in Habana Vieja • © Elvira mi Amor

CUBA YOGA RETREAT

9 days / 8 nights

December 5-13, 2025

Old Havana • Trinidad • Vedado

Day Trips to Soroa • Topes de Collantes • Playa Ancón

Suite Packages
$3,850 USD per person (single occupancy)
$2,425 USD per person (double occupancy)

$1,000 supplement for shared room / 4 rooms available

Standard Packages
$3,350 USD per person (single occupancy)
$2,175 USD per person (double occupancy)

$1,000 supplement for shared room / 5 rooms available

Friday, December 5th
Guests arrive to Havana. Get settled at Elvira mi Amor, your posh luxury boutique hotel in Habana Vieja. Late afternoon yoga/meditation offered for early arrivals. Group welcome dinner on multiple terraces accompanied by local Cuban musicians. Meet your Cuba-U.S. team for an orientation of the city and specifics of the tour. Then enjoy your beautiful room and get some rest for the days ahead.
Saturday, December 6th
Start your day with yoga followed by a delicious and hearty Cuban breakfast. Join the group for an exploration of Old Havana. We’ll visit the city's four squares to learn about Cuba's complex history and the island's multi-century fight for independence. Explore local museums, galleries, and Hemingway’s classic haunts before embarking on a 90 minute classic car ride around the entirety of the city of Havana.
Not ready to tour the city? Relax at our boutique hotel, interact with Cuban locals, or book a massage or other on-site holistic treatment with a Cuban therapist.
Enjoy a group dinner at one of Old Havana’s best restaurants adjacent to Fábrica de Arte – a former oil factory turned into Havana’s most happening nightclub. Head home or tour the club after dinner for a night of music and art. Just remember the next day starts early!
Sunday, December 7th
Start the day early with a hearty Cuban breakfast before departing for Soroa – a quick 1 ½ hour drive west of Havana. Begin by taking a guided tour of Soroa’s orquideario, a lush botanical hillside garden that’s home to a plethora of endemic plants and more than 600 species of orchids. Then visit with the town’s local herbalist and Cimarrón culture preservationist while enjoying a traditional lunch.
From there, we’ll drive high up into the Sierra del Rosario mountains to the Bocourt farm where you’ll meet a family of traditional coffee farmers. Learn how they farm their land, grow their coffee, and manage day-to-day rural life.
Head back to Havana to enjoy dinner on your own. We can help make recommendations and reservations, or arrange takeout.
Monday, December 8th
Explore more or settle in. After a morning yoga session enjoy a hearty Cuban breakfast. Then take advantage of our guided tours or go your own way. There are beaches to the east that are easily accessible by local taxi for an additional cost. Guides are available to accompany you. Or explore other areas of interest nearby in the city.
You can also utilize this free time to book massages or other on-site holistic treatments with Cuban therapists to de-stress and prepare for what's ahead.
Not sure what to do? Our local guides can tailor an experience just for you. Enjoy dinner on your own. We can make reservations at local restaurants or arrange takeout options for your convenience.
Tuesday, December 9th
Enjoy a hearty breakfast in Havana and then travel to Trinidad (an approximate five hour trip) with one stop along the way (bathroom break, snacks, coffee). After settling into your accommodation, take a quick guided walk through the city's cobblestone streets to get a sense of the city.
After a brief rest we’ll head to nearby Casa Colonial El Patio. Built in 1745 and restored to preserve its original architecture, this historic home boasts a magical interior patio with an abundance of plant life. It’s a magical place. Enjoy a group yoga session here on the terrace overlooking this vibrant city and its surrounding majestic mountains while hearing from the home’s owner about the familial and architectural history of this historic landmark. Indulge in traditional Cuban cuisine group dinner at one of Trinidad’s best restaurants.
Wednesday, December 10th
Take in an early-morning cafecito before being whisked away to explore the Escambray mountains surrounding Trinidad. We’ll begin with an early-morning yoga and meditation in the mountains, followed by a hearty organic breakfast at Bee Hole Farm – a tranquil and private farm in the heart of Topes de Collantes. Hike with the group to Vegas Grande Waterfall to take in the incredible view and swim in its pristine water.
In the afternoon, indulge in a delicious farm-to-table lunch at Bee Hole. Nap in hammocks, meditate at the tree house with a panoramic view, or explore nearby trails, all while interacting with locals. An afternoon yoga stretch is a must. Ample amounts of Cuban rum and cervezas (beer) provided post-hike. Head back to Trinidad at sunset. Dinner on your own if you’re still hungry. We’re happy to make local recommendations and reservations or can help arrange takeout.
Thursday, December 11th
After an early-morning yoga session, take a quick drive to the white sand beaches and crystal clear blue waters of Playa Ancón. Rest under a thatched cabana, soak up the sun, or snorkel in search of coral and sea life. Enjoy a group lunch and cocktails by the sea while hearing from a local scientist about the ecology of the area. Head back to Trinidad at sunset.
Dinner on your own if you’re still hungry. There’s always live music in Trinidad, so if you’re not too tired, hit the streets to find your rhythm and central square’s famous bar that makes the “best mojito in the world.”
Friday, December 12th
Enjoy an early Cuban breakfast before departing for Vedado. Get settled in your beautiful boutique hotel. Opt in for afternoon yoga on the terrace followed by a farewell group dinner at a local restaurant run by one of Cuba’s up-and-coming chefs and entrepreneurs. Head back to your accommodation to pack and prepare for re-entry home.
Saturday, December 13, 2024
Bid farewell to the island. We’ll transport you to the airport so you can head home to share your amazing experience with friends and family. If you’re staying in Cuba longer, we’ll transport you to your destination if it’s in the province of Havana.

Sign Me Up!

• Nine (9) Rooms Available - 4 Suites and 5 Standards
Single and Double Occupancy Offered

• Additional Person Supplement: $1,000

• All Double Occupancy Share One King or Queen Bed except for one room that has two beds / We can possibly accommodate a limited number of triple occupancy

Early-bird discount of $250 if you book by June 1, 2025!
Email hola@cubayogaretreats.com for more details.

Your Yoga Teacher

Chelsea Brooks demonstrates upward facing dog at Yoga Den's studio in Jacksonville, Florida

Chelsea Brooks
FEATURED YOGA TEACHER
RYT-200

Chelsea Brooks is a dedicated yoga teacher with a deep curiosity for learning and a passion for exploring the history and philosophy of yoga. Practicing since 2009 and teaching since 2017, she holds a 200-hour certification from Yoga Den and is furthering her studies at Asheville Yoga Center.

Chelsea’s thoughtfully crafted classes invite students to slow down, reflect, and connect—both with themselves and the world around them. With a trauma-informed approach, she creates a welcoming space where movement, breath, and cultural exploration come together to deepen self-awareness and growth. Her classes offer something for everyone – from beginners to seasoned practitioners – with ample offerings to power it up or cool it down.

Join Chelsea on this journey to expand your practice, embrace new experiences, and integrate the wisdom of yoga in a meaningful way.

Classic Car in Old Havana • Photo by Alberto Morales • © Cuba Yoga Retreats

Snack at Bee Hole Farm, Tope de Collantes • © Vanessa K Harper

Patio at Hostal Lola in Trinidad, Cuba • © Hostal Lola

Vegas Grande in Topes de Collantes Biosphere Reserve • © Vanessa K Harper

Your Tour Guides

Alejandro Berroa and Vanessa K Harper of Travel Cuba With Us and Cuba Yoga Retreats stand together in Old Havana

Alejandro Berroa &
Vanessa K. Harper
CO-FOUNDERS & TOUR GUIDES
Travel Cuba With Us/ Cuba Yoga Retreats

Alejandro Berroa is a certified translator/interpreter and tour guide. He was born in Cuba and lived there for 36 years before immigrating to the United States in 2020. Today he splits his time between Cuba and the U.S for family and work. He has more than 15 years experience working as a Havana-based tour leader and has guided visitors from all over the world across the island. His specialties include tours on Cuban culture and heritage, architecture, history, religion, and ecotourism – with extensive experience guiding birdwatchers. A lover of photography, languages, history, and peoples’ stories, he is committed to being a part of creating economic opportunity in Cuba from the ground up. He is the co-owner of
La Shambhala de la Habana – a yoga studio and community collective based in the Vedado neighborhood of Havana, Cuba.

Ale's Bio

Vanessa K. Harper has lived and worked in Cuba as a researcher, tour guide, documentarian, and facilitator of collaborative agreements between the U.S. and Cuba since 2005. She is owner & operator of
Travel Cuba With Us and founder of Support the Cuban People, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose activities directly support individuals residing in Cuba. She has been a practitioner of yoga for more than 25 years, became a RYT 200-hour certified yoga teacher in 2013, and is currently working toward her RYT-500 certification at Asheville Yoga Center. She is the co-owner of La Shambhala de la Habana – a yoga studio and community collective based in the Vedado neighborhood of Havana, Cuba.

Vane's Bio

FAQs

- A comprehensive informational handbook that helps guide you every step of the way.
- A stamped and certified document that verifies you are traveling to Cuba under the OFAC general license Support for the Cuban People (SCP) 515.574 under the guidance of Travel Cuba With Us.
- Daily yoga classes, which include a blend of power vinyasa, restorative asana practices; meditations; reflection; sound/gong baths; and more
- Yoga Mats and Props
  - You are welcome to bring your own, but we provide quality mats, mat straps, towels, blocks, 6’ straps, eye pillows, and essential oil spray to clean your mat.
- All guide fees with Travel Cuba With Us, which includes all tours outlined in the itinerary in Havana and Trinidad
- All museum and Biosphere Reserve entrance fees
- Airport Transportation to/from José Martí International Airport in Havana
- Clean and comfortable daily accommodations in Old Havana, Trinidad and Vedado
  - All rooms have a private bathroom, air conditioning, and safe for valuables
- Local group transportation
- Safe and comfortable transportation to and from Trinidad
- Eight (8) group breakfasts
  - A hearty Cuban breakfast each day of your stay. Any allergies or preferences can be accommodated with advance notice.
- Three (3) group lunches
  - Lunch in Soroa, at Bee Hole Farm in Topes de Collantes, and by the sea in Playa Ancón
- Three (3) group dinners
  - Dinner the night of arrival, in Trinidad, and in Vedado the night before departure
- Group cell phone with internet access for emergencies
- Unlimited filtered water
- Flight to/from Havana
  - You are responsible for booking your flight to and from Havana. Cuba requires you carry health insurance, which is typically included in the purchase of your flight. Confirm with your carrier.
- Cuban Tourist Visa
  - The Cuban government requires the purchase of a Cuban tourist e-visa. The cost is $85 if traveling on a U.S. carrier.
- Other Lunches (x 4)
  - For guests desiring more sustenance, meals can be purchased at local restaurants. Recommendations and reservations provided at no cost. Cuban breakfasts and dinners are very hearty.
- Other Dinners (x 5)
  - Explore on your own. We’re happy to make recommendations of great local restaurants where we can make reservations for you or arrange takeout.
- Local Transportation
  - We provide all necessary transportation to/from all destinations and local transportation for tours included on the itinerary, but if you want to explore on your own, please do. We'll help you find local transport and negotiate fare. You'll be responsible for payment.
- Tips
  - All guide fees are included. It’s not necessary, but if you have exceptional service, you are welcome to tip tour guides or those assisting at our accommodations.
- Travel Insurance
  - As a company, we carry personal liability insurance. We HIGHLY recommend you purchase travel insurance. No refunds for last-minute cancellations.
Yes! Travel to Cuba is legal for U.S. citizens if the purpose of the travel falls within one of the 12 categories listed under the general license by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Our tour packages are designed to meet the general license requirements for the Support for the Cuban People (SCP) category (515.574). This is the ideal category for visitors taking tours or traveling independently in Cuba.
See our company’s FAQ page or email us for more details.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you can only travel to Cuba if you meet OFAC’s general license requirements. It is illegal for U.S. Citizens to travel to Cuba for tourism.
The Cuban government requires a visa from all U.S. citizens prior to entry into the country. The standard visa for U.S. citizens visiting the island under the OFAC general license “Support for the Cuban People” is a Cuban tourist visa.
We know, it’s confusing!
From the U.S. perspective, if you travel with us, you are traveling to Cuba because you meet OFAC’s general license requirements for the Support for the Cuban People (SCP) category (515.574). Use this as your reason for traveling to Cuba for all U.S. paperwork.
From the Cuban perspective, if you travel with us, you enter Cuba as a tourist with a pre-purchased Cuban Tourist Visa.
Bottomline: Don’t worry! If you travel with us, we make sure you comply with all regulations for both countries.
D’Viajeros is a Cuban website designed for you to complete your health declaration and Customs (Aduana) form prior to boarding your flight in the U.S. to Cuba. This makes for a more streamlined process.
You can fill out the form within 7 days prior to your departure at: https://dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu/inicio
Vaccinations for Covid-19 are not mandatory for entry into Cuba but if you’re not vaccinated, you may have to show a negative PCR result from a test taken within 72 hours of your departure from the U.S.
Money in Cuba is always complicated, but we will help you navigate any currency exchange complexities every step of the way. We will ensure you are aware of your options before traveling to Cuba.
Absolutely not!
This is a cultural tour of Cuba that includes yoga. All levels of experience are welcome (including no experience). Our yoga instructors can offer modifications for those who want to take it slow and ways to ramp it up for those who want a more vigorous practice.
You can learn more about our yoga instructor by reading her bio. Broadly, there will be a mix of power vinyasa and restorative asana, meditation, reflection, and sound baths.
Instructors always meet you on your mat! If you don’t feel like participating in yoga classes at any time, that's ok too.
Yes you can!
Cuban therapists are available each day of your stay and services include massage (Thai, Swedish, and Deep Tissue) and gentle chiropractic manipulation, among others. Prices start at $55 USD/hr.
We have nine (9) rooms available for this tour. All nine (9) of these rooms are available for single or double occupancy, but please note that beds do not always split apart (except for one room - there are two beds). All double occupancy guests will typically share one king or queen bed.
For this retreat, we have offer four (4) Suite Rooms and five (5) Standard Rooms. Prices are as follows:
Suite single occupancy $3,950 USD
Suite double occupancy $4,950 USD (or $2,475 USD/person).
Standard single occupancy $3,350 USD
Standard double occupancy $4,350 USD (or $2,175 USD per person)
Suites are more posh and may have balconies, terraces, or other special amenities. In Havana, all Suite rooms are spacious and have clawfoot bathtubs in the room.
All rooms (suites and standards) have a private bathroom, along with air conditioning and in-room safes.
Fill out the form below and/or email us. We’ll walk you through the process. We require a $500 non-refundable deposit upon signing of our contract. The remaining payment will be due on a specified date(s).
We accept cash, check, wire transfer, and Zelle at no additional charge. You can also pay with a credit card or via PayPal but there will be a 3.5% fee added to your payment.
Yes it can!
Please do your own research if you plan to travel to Cuba from Europe as a EU citizen to make sure any future legal entry into the United States wiIl not be impacted. In 2017, the United States government placed Cuba on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list (section1754(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act, and section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961).
If you plan to travel to the United States in the near future using ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), the United States immigration may deny you or revoke a previously-approved status, requiring you to apply for a specific visa directly from a U.S. embassy in your country in order visit the United States. Please email us for more details.
Per the U.S. Department of State:
“The Cuban government requires U.S.-Cuban dual citizens who departed Cuba on or after January 1, 1971 to enter and depart Cuba using a Cuban passport. Using a Cuban passport for this purpose does not jeopardize one’s U.S. citizenship; however, such persons must use their U.S. passports to enter and depart the United States. Cuban-Americans who departed Cuba before January 1, 1971 may travel to Cuba on their U.S. passport but must apply for an HE-11 visa from the Cuban Embassy. Cuban authorities do not always notify the U.S. Embassy of the arrest of dual nationals and may deny U.S. consular officers access to them.”
What's not special about this retreat? It's a perfect time to visit Cuba! Tourism on the island is slowly bouncing back - explore and experience without the crowds. Enjoy delicious food, pristine nature, and a deep dive into Cuban culture while exploring Havana, Soroa, Trinidad, Topes de Collantes, Playa Ancón, and Vedado. Daily yoga classes of Rocket Vinyasa, Hatha 26 & 2, Kundalini yoga, and Sound Baths meet you on your mat (with mojitos if you want!).
It's the people who will guide you on this journey that really make the difference. The tour leaders and yoga instructors hail from the U.S. and Cuba and they know Cuba inside and out. Our expert yoga instructors are from a variety of yogic backgrounds. Four guides and yoga instructors are with you every step of the way. Explore their bios on our website to learn more.
This retreat is equally a cultural immersion as it is an offering of yoga. How you spend your time is up to you. We offer multiple choices - daily - that allow you to choose what's best for you depending on your mood.
We also have a cadre of Cuban holistic therapists available to book treatments such as massage (Thai, Swedish, Deep Tissue), acupuncture, and chiropractic - daily.
We keep our groups small because it allows for flexibility and, we think, a better experience than what you typically find with larger tours. We are committed to supporting private businesses in Cuba and comply with the U.S. Department of State’s OFAC regulations under the general license category Support for the Cuban People (SCP) 515.574. We also give back to the Cuban people by donating a portion of our profits each year to the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization – Support the Cuban People.
Expect adventure, a profound learning of Cuba and its history and culture, and new growth. We promise you the experience of a lifetime.