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Cuba

Spanish Language Immersion in Cuba — Custom School Trips

Groups of 8+ | Custom Dates | 0 Service Hours | Fully Supported | 4.9 on GoOverseas

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Immerse yourself in Cuban culture through a homestay and Spanish classes in iconic Havana. Learn from professors at the University of Havana, explore historic and cultural sites, and participate in a cultural exchange with Cuban students. Learn about Cuban history, past and present, and understand its critical importance in the Caribbean and in its position in Latin America.

Custom School Trip

Contact us for a custom quote

Custom dates & duration. Groups of 8+.

Response within 1 business day

Anna Beckerman

Anna Beckerman

Head of School Group Travel

Dartmouth · 15 years at Rustic

321+ school partners since 2010

Not sure yet?

Email Rustic Pathways

Talk to a personal travel advisor: +1 (440) 975-9691

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View program itinerary

What Does a 9-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

1

Welcome to 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 your homestay 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. Go out for dinner at one of Havana’s new privately owned restaurants, Paladares, before heading off on your adventure throughout the “Pearl of the Antilles”!
2

Begin Spanish Courses

Head to the University of Havana where you will enroll in your intensive Spanish language program course. Begin with a linguistic level placement test. Throughout the week you’ll have a total of 20 hours of classes, averaging four to five hours a day. After your first class, you will visit Cuba’s former Presidential Palace that now houses the Revolutionary Museum to learn more about historical events leading up to, during, and after the triumph of the Revolution in 1959. Spend time along the Malecón (also known as Havana’s “sofa”) before heading to see the Cañonazo de las Nueve ceremony at the Fortaleza San Carlos de la Cabaña across the bay. This cannon firing ceremony dates back to 18th century, signifying the closing of the city walls.
3

Spanish Class and Habana Vieja

Enjoy a cafe cubano before heading to language class for the morning and then have lunch along Vedado’s (one of Havana’s four main neighborhoods) busy thoroughfare, Calle 23. Get to know Habana Vieja. Start at Plaza de las Armas and continue on a walking tour that will teach you about the history and importance of the old town’s four main plazas. Explore and marvel at the eclectic architecture and vibrant characters that make Havana so unique. After an early dinner at a local paladar, join your classmates and local dance instructors for a salsa dancing class.
4

Spanish Class and Cultural Exchange

After your language course, head to Centro Habana or Habana Vieja, where you’ll participate in an exchange with a local primary or secondary school and learn more about the importance of the educational system in Cuba. Return to the capital in time for dinner and the cabaret show, Parisien, at the iconic Hotel Nacional.
5

Spanish Class and Las Terrazas

After class, head to Las Terrazas, Cuba’s only eco-village, for a zip line canopy tour! Experience Cuba’s natural beauty as you hike among pristine falls, spot endemic and exotic bird species, and learn about the island’s important conservation efforts since the triumph of the Revolution. Join your group for a mid-trip discussion where you will begin to reflect on what you’ve experienced and learned so far.
6

Spanish Class and Organopico Visit

Make the most of your last day of language classes. After class, work alongside local farmers at an organopico (urban organic garden) planting, weeding, maintaining, and sorting produce as you learn the importance of these urban gardens to local food security issues. After a group dinner, head to the Casa de la Música de Havana or Miramar where you’ll listen to live music and then finish the night at Coppelia, Cuba’s famous ice cream chain.
7

Classic Car Tour of Havana

Celebrate the end of your trip by touring the city in a classic American automobile from the 1950s. You’ll be dropped off at the Plaza de la Revolución to learn the historical significance of Havana’s largest square and the importance of the monuments dedicated to José Martí, Camilo Cienfuegos, and Che Guevara. Visit the Jose Martí Memorial and ride to the top of one of Havana’s tallest buildings. Then head to the Mercado de San Jose and shop for artisan goods and souvenirs to take back home to family and friends. End the evening with a goodbye meal and salsa dancing at a restaurant in Habana Vieja. 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.
9

¡Adios Cuba!

Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.

Total: 9 calendar days / 8 nights. International flights are not included.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

Trained Program Leaders

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Customizable Itinerary

Custom dates and duration

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

Cuba

What Do School Organizers Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup and handles all in-country logistics.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Supervision & Safety

Who supervises the students?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Communication

Can students contact home?

Yes. Rustic Pathways’ policy is that students can call, text, or WhatsApp anytime. Rustic Pathways is happy to defer to established school policies instead.

How do families stay informed?

Rustic Pathways sends daily photo updates throughout the program.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group?

Group size varies based on the school’s needs. Contact Rustic Pathways for a custom quote.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Rustic Pathways provides a room list prior to travel. Schools can assign rooming allocations or allow students to choose their roommates.

Program Details

Will students have unsupervised time?

Structured independence with staff nearby. No unsupervised time in public areas.

Can Rustic Pathways accommodate food allergies? 

Yes. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment and shared with all meal providers.

How much spending money should students have?

$150–200 recommended. Tipping is included, no extra cash needed.

Support

What if a student gets homesick?

Homesickness can be common during the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well-prepared. See how staff support students through homesickness

Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students. Read how Rustic Pathways supports neurodiverse students.

What Should Teachers Know?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.
What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.
Cuba offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.
How Do Flights Work?
School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways program leaders meet the group at the arrival airport and manage all in-country logistics from there.
What Meals Are Included?
All meals included. Dietary needs accommodated.
Included:
  • All lodging
  • All meals
  • In-country transport
  • All activities and excursions
  • 24/7 staff support
Not Included:
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?

Cuba Americas Language Immersion
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