XXXV THE CARIBBEAN FIRE FESTIVAL

Highlights: 

July 3-9 2019

The Caribbean Fire Festival is the space of greatest concentration and diversity of popular cultures and traditions of the peoples of the region, where the exchange and defense of their identities takes place at the same time, constitutes a space so that solidarity, diversity, friendship, and hope are expressed.

The wide cultural plurality of the Caribbean peoples, both islanders and continental are joining together for 7 days in Santiago de Cuba so that the music, the shows, the colorful traditional costumes and the most intrinsic of our cultures, regardless of language, are mixed in an indissoluble amalgam, transforming the city as if by magic in the capital of the Caribbean peoples.

For the people of Santiago de Cuba, happy and indefatigable and for the friends that visit us will be the Fire Festival DEDICATED TO 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRIUMPH OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION, the ideal space for the encounter and exchange of cultural diversity and identity of our common sea.

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2019 Women’s Delegation to Cuba Advancing Women’s Health and Human Rights

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Women, Leadership and Health Equity In Cuba

A MEDICC Gateways Program

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Culinary Tour Of Cuba

 

 7 Days / 6 Nights

 Havana-Viñales

 

Highlights: 

Whether this is your first trip to Cuba or one of several trips, there is something here for everyone to enjoy. This is a unique opportunity to join a small group to not only see Cuba but to learn about Cuban food and drinks. Learn about Cuban ingredients and how to prepare some dishes and cocktails (as well as eating  and drinking!) We will meet with chefs and people in the food industry from production to preparation.

 

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Cuba for Photographers Tour

 

 

Havana, Vinales, Las Terrazas, Matanzas, Varadero. 

Tour Highlights:  Since the Cuban Revolution in 1958, Cuba has been a mystery and off limits to Americans. Now it is possible to legally visit the island and partake in the wealth of photographic opportunities offered by this unique island. This trip will be geared to not only photographing the best-known sites in Cuba but also offer opportunities for street, night and landscape photography. We will visit museums, artists’ studios, meet other photographers and engage in activities that will afford incredible photo-ops. Time will be left for you to explore and shoot on your own. Although this is not a “seminar,” advice will be available from the whole group of photographers from all sorts of skill levels, as being collegial and a cooperative effort.

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Writers, Artists & Film-Makers Tour

Holguin, Bayamo, Santiago, Baconao, Santiago, Havana

Highlights: Our WAFM Tour is specifically tailored for travelers that are interested in Cuban art, literature, & film. Our tour begins in Eastern Cuba, in the city of Holguin and ends in the capital city of Havana. The 9-day tour will explore what it means to be an artist in Cuba, and how artists in Cuba express themselves via their art. In Cuba, art is an integral part of the culture, and its part of the educational curriculum instilling a life-long love of art in almost all Cubans. Meet with artists, writers, film-makers, craft artisans, and more. Visit art schools and interchange with students and professors. No stone is left unturned in this tour. If art inspires and elevates you, then this is the program for you!

 

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LGBTQ & the Study of Sexuality in Cuba

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8 Days / 7 Nights

Havana, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Havana

Highlights: Learn about the achievements and challenges in the ongoing struggle for the equality and acceptance of the LGBT community in Cuba. Alongside Cubans, participate in the Day Against Homophobia in Cuba and explore the history of LGBTQ rights in Cuba, as well as the current struggle from the Cuban perspective. Meet and exchange with CENESEX, a leading institution worldwide in Sex Education, visit the cultural project El Mejunje in the city of Santa Clara, visit a community project focused on the empowerment of transgender youth through film and dance, and take part in a roundtable discussion at Casa de las Americas about the current status and future of the LGBTQ community in Cuba.

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Mi Gente y Mi Cultura Cuba Tour

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8 Days / 7 Nights

Havana, Matanzas, Varadero, Havana

Highlights: The Cuban Diaspora is one of the largest communities in the US. Many Cuban have not seen their homeland since they left decades ago, while many Americans born of Cuban descent have never visited their ancestral home. Marazul was primarily founded with the mission of reuniting Cubans in the US with their families in Cuba. This program is a testament to our mission, and it’s a great way for Cuban-Americans to reconnect with their roots. Embark on an 8 day tour of the island and take part in a unique itinerary designed to introduce Cuban culture and society to first time visitors, while also allowing for time to reconnect with family locally. Enjoy a weekend in Varadero and bring your Cuban family along! Visit art galleries, museums, community projects, theaters and so much more! Interact with Cuban’s of all walks of life to truly learn what life is like on the island. Above all, our itinerary will allow for participants to meet with family members or to visit their parent’s or relatives old neighborhoods in Havana, Matanzas and Varadero.  The perfect Cuban family reunion!

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Ethics and the Revolution

8 Days/7 Nights

Havana/Cienfuegos

Highlights: Explore the ethical underpinnings of a socialist society and learn about the ways in which Cubans deal with the individual vs the collective in areas including, but not limited to the Revolution itself, Social and community projects, health, education, discrimination, urban planning, and religion.

 Learn about the historic literacy campaign, Meet with leading members of the Federation of Cuban Women, Visit the eco-community of Las Terrazas, Experience the city of Cienfuegos and interchange with a local artists’ project, Discuss urban planning considerations with expert and world-renowned Miguel Coyula with the Office of the City Historian, and so much more.

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Social Worker’s Tour to Cuba

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8 Days / 7 Nights

Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Havana

Highlights: From community projects to social institutions, Cuba is famous for its public health system and social work. Exchange with your Cuban counterparts in all areas of social work while getting to know Havana and the eco-community of Las Terrazas in Pinar del Rio. The program led by a specialized bilingual Cuban Guide with a background related to social work. Throughout the program meet with professors and counterparts from the Cuban Society of Social Workers, visit a socio-cultural project that uses dance and film as methods of social empowerment and outreach to under-served communities, meet with the Federation of Cuban Women and visit their cooperative project focused on women and children. Enjoy a visit to the eco-community of Las Terrazas and swim in the San Juan River, enjoy a performance & meet the members and directors of a special children’s theater project designed for at-risk youth, and so much more!

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Please note that all of our programs can be coordinated on different dates. If there is a program you like and you want to change the dates of travel, please contact us and we will assist you with the customized request. ***All itineraries are subject to change.

Testimonials

Allison Bautista

New York University
From start to finish my experience with Marazul left nothing to be desired. Initially, I was anxious and unsure of what to expect with planning a group trip to Cuba. Jorge was there through the entire process to answer every single question that came up. The team at Marazul was incredibly responsive and our group’s trip to Cuba was truly wonderful. All the details of our trip were taken care of from the second we checked in at the Miami airport. The tour guide from Amistur, the partner organization our trip was arranged through, was extremely knowledgeable, flexible, and professional. We had an amazing time and can’t wait to go back!

Andy Hayes

Owner, Sea Kayak Adventures
Jorge Martinez and his team at Marazul were invaluable assets and collaborators in helping us to launch our first People-to-People kayaking & adventure tour in Cuba in the fall of 2015 and into the spring of 2016. By the end of our first season, we had succeeded in helping 250+ guests experience Cuba for the first time, and Marazul was critical to that success. Every one of our guests had their charter flight tickets, Cuba tourist card, and other required documents in hand in time for stress-free travel from Miami to Havana, and Marazul was a valued partner in setting up the land arrangements for our tours in Cuba as well. We plan to send many more guests to Cuba next season and we look forward to partnering with Marazul in that effort once again.
In addition to ensuring that all practicalities were taken care, Jorge and his team were always friendly and quick to respond to questions and special requests, either with an answer or solution, or a promise to find one as quickly as possible. They always delivered on those promises and were a pleasure to work with. We recommend Marazul to individuals planning to travel to Cuba, as well as to other operators looking to establish or improve tours in Cuba. Muchas gracias Marazul!

Rene C. Hinojosa

Professor, Michigan State University
Our study abroad program at Michigan State University has worked with Marazul since 2002. Their service has been reliable and very professional since the beginning and through the difficult years when travel to Cuba was very limited. They understood our needs and suggested ways to be more effective in achieving our educational goals and at the same time to make our stay in Cuba affordable to our students. In various occasions Marazul came up with quick solutions to overcome itinerary and schedule modifications. We are extremely satisfied with their service and their charter arrangements.

Kate Hennessey

Boulder-Cuba Sister City Organization
The Boulder-Cuba Sister City Organization is back from another stimulating trip to Cuba and we thank everyone at Marazul Tours who helped make our delegations to Cuba these last few years a success. We would especially like to recognize two Marazul employees for their outstanding contributions. Roberto Martinez is an excellent travel coordinator who always got back to our inquiries promptly and worked diligently with Amistur to help us achieve the program that we

desired. It has been a pleasure working with him on these last two trips. VIP representative Ray Sanchez, in addition to being cheery and helpful at the very early hours of the morning, went beyond the call of duty to assist one of our travelers who missed the Miami-Havana flight. We think it is fitting that our traveler was able to join up with us in Cojimar—Ray’s home town. We know how crazy Cuba travel has become recently and feel that Marazul can be proud to have employees such as Roberto and Ray who are competent, polite and reassuring. We know that Marazul was a pioneer in organizing Cuba travel for Americans and now it is obvious that your efforts have paid off. Congratulations!

Pleas "Ned" Sublette

American composer, musician, record producer, musicologist, and author.
I first went to Cuba as a solo traveler with Marazul in 1990 and I continue working with them to take my music-seminar groups in 2017-2018. Working across the US-Cuba divide requires a lot of patience, a lot of experience, and up-to-date information. They've got it!

Dolly Sacristan

PhD, LCSW
My experience traveling to Cuba began in 2013 when I went for the first time on an educational mission with other social work faculty from schools all over the United States. I found Cuba to be an enchanting country; it captured my mind and my heart. I learned a lot about their health care system and the practice of social work there, I also made friends with Cuban colleagues with whom I have developed professional collaborations that took me back in 2014 and will take me back again this May as I will be presenting at the Hominis 2016 International Psychology Conference in Havana. Aside from my professional interest in Cuba I love visiting the country. I would say to people don't miss visiting this beautiful country, but why is Cuba beautiful? It is a subjective experience, of course, but for me, the beauty of Cuba is in the Cuban people.
Traveling to Cuba from the United States would have not been possible without the assistance of Marazul Tours and the dedication and hard work of their employees who were instrumental in helping me with my trips. Their professionalism and caring gave me the confidence that all requirements for traveling were being met. I thank Marazul for their dedication to supporting people in the United States to go to Cuba.

Amy Orf

Professor, Northern Michigan University
We had a fantastic trip! Our guide Joel and our driver Joaquin were fabulous. They really looked out for the group and did a great job. We were well taken care of at hotels and restaurants/paladars and enjoyed all of our planned activities/excursions. There were several new additions to the itinerary that I really enjoyed and would definitely want to keep in the future. The view from La Torre restaurant at the top of the FOCSA building was beautiful. It was great to go to Memorial Marti in Havana and, of course, the whole group loved Santa Clara. In addition to the Che memorial and Tren Blindado, we saw a funny play at El Mejunje and attended the opening of a photo exhibit on the return of the Cuban 5. NaturArte was interesting also. We did see the traditional cabaret show at the Tropicana in Matanzas - it was excellent. All in all it was an outstanding program, and I’d love to do it again. Thank you Marazul for the hard work and expertise in coordinating this excellent program!

Linda Heywood

Professor of African American Studies at Boston University
For the students and faculty, the academic part of the program was outstanding. Thanks so much for accommodating our request and for the health focus. All the students gained a much better understanding of the revolution Cuba was able to make happen in the field of health and education. The highlight for many of them studying International Studies the highlight was of course meeting with the elderly combatants who participated in the Angolan campaigns. It was an awe-inspiring meeting! Thank you Marazul Tours!

Dr. Pedro O. Schuck

Coordinator for Marcos Carvajal Art Galleries
We’ve partnered with Marazul Tours since 2002 when we started to deliver specialized art travel programs to Cuba. The quality of services for pre-travel logistics and all the detailed work needed for the delivery of successful tours in Cuba is outstanding. There is no better company in the industry for custom and specialized travel. Thank you Marazul!

Scott Schwar

The Committee on Illinois/Cuba Tours
The Product and Service that make a good working relationship is what Marazul Tours offers to a small business owner like myself. Responsiveness, attention to detail, production and consistency are all attributes that I have leaned on in working with Marazul for 6 plus years. In addition, I treasure the Marazul Team that I work with on a regular basis. Bob Guild is a friend and mentor, Angela Garcia functions as a dependable co-worker in my business and Mayra Alonzo can always step in when someone is away. Thank you Marazul!

Charles Auffant

Professor of Law at Rutgers University
Marazul Tours is the most knowledgeable travel agency providing services to and in Cuba. They have knowledge of the Cuban country, its institutions and its people that is unmatched. They are held in high regard by all sectors of Cuban society. Their knowledge of Cuba is matched only by their knowledge of United States law regarding Cuban travel. Marazul is attentive to my needs in both the United States and Cuba. I have been traveling to Cuba with small groups for approximately six years and there is no other travel agent that I would even consider using.

Alex Dubois

Discovery Corps
As an organization that operates many trips a year to Cuba, the team at Marazul Tours has been a knowledgeable resource to us for absolutely everything on the ground in Cuba. From organizing flights to managing itineraries, Marazul was there to help us in a time of transition and change in Cuba. I would recommend Marazul to any organization looking to operate in the island of Cuba.

William Trumbull

Professor of Business, Citadel College
With Marazul’s help, I took 25 students to Havana for a ten-day tour in late March. Our personal guide and driver were terrific. Given that we had budgeted a program for poor college students, the accommodations were excellent – we even had a pool! Our speakers and all our field trips went off very well, and the students had plenty of time to explore on their own. Could not have asked for better! Thank you Marazul Tours!

Harold Rodgers

Professor & President of African American Studies Programs to Cuba
Our organizations relationship with Marazul for the past 25 years has been very positive. They are the best in organizing trips to Cuba, especially for African Americans and their knowledge and organization skills cannot be duplicated by any other company. Marazul based on my experience -as a group leader- takes a personal interest in the needs of people traveling to Cuba and provides the educational tools for each person to understand Cuban, society, culture and people

Teresa Walsh

Marazul is the best! Superb work. Wonderful people to work with, wicked sense of humor!

Mary Murray

Mayra is the best in the business. She is always ready to tackle any insane project we throw at her

Felicia Gustin

Now that relations are normalizing there are going to be all kinds of travel agencies promoting travel to Cuba. But Marazul has been doing travel to the island for decades and experience matters! I have used them for a number of trips and the customer service is exemplary. These folks know their stuff and the process is seamless. I highly recommend Marazul!