Intro to Photography in Cuba

Arrive into Jose Marti International Airport in Havana (HAV) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to the guesthouse and settle in, relaxing after your long flight, and join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture. Unpack your bags and photography gear and meet your Rustic photo guides. Head down to the Malecón near Habana Vieja in the afternoon where you will capture local city life along the seawall and a spectacular sunset. Experience your first Cuban dinner at one of Havana’s new independently operated paladares.

Start the day with a workshop and share your previous day’s photos. Learn techniques from skilled photographer guides designed to help you refine your craft and perfect your skills. Explore Habana Vieja’s iconic plazas, colonial architecture, and forgotten alleyways.

Welcome to Trinidad, one of Cuba’s most picturesque colonial towns. Marvel at the stunning bay and French-inspired architecture and plazas in Cienfuegos, the “Pearl of the South.” Stroll down the cobblestone streets, taking in sights of horse-drawn carriages and colorful facades. Lose yourself to the rhythm of salsa as you listen to a live music performance at the Casa de la Música.

Participate in a walking photo tour of Trinidad before a workshop and exchange with a local photography guide. After working up a sweat on a short hike to the Javira Waterfall in Parque El Cubano, head down to the beach at Playa Ancón, one of Cuba’s best southern beaches and catch the sunset as it cascades over the Sierra del Escambray. Join your group for a mid-trip discussion where you will begin to reflect on what you’ve experienced and learned so far.

Head back to Havana as you travel along the Bay of Pigs, making stops at Punta Perdiz for lunch. Put your camera down and change into your swimsuit to snorkel at one of the area’s premier diving sites. Tour Havana’s vanguard art and entertainment venue, Fabrica de Arte Cubano.

Venture through the Valle de Viñales, one of Cuba’s most picturesque and breathtaking natural protected areas. Explore the valley and its many mogotes and learn about the traditional agricultural techniques used in the region.

Wake up at dawn to capture the sunrise over the mogotes in the Valle de Viñales. Make your way back to Havana where you’ll visit the Museo de la Revolución, followed by a city tour in an antique American classic. Barter for souvenirs in the local market before visiting the Hotel Nacional in Vedado and presenting your photos to the rest of the group.

At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.

Say goodbye to your new friends and to beautiful Havana on your way home. Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.