Due to the huge success of our May 2015 110-person “May Day in Cuba,” CODEPINK decided to organize another trip on May Day, a day when hundreds of thousands of Cubans come out in the street to celebrate International Workers Day. We hope to bring 100 people, which allows us to have multiple itinerary options so you can customize your own experience.
- APPLICATION CLOSED
- Dates: April 27- May 3
- Pay your final payment: online here or send a check to 2010 Linden Ave., Venice, CA, 90291
- **Early-bird price: $2,000 for a double room, $2,175 for a single room if you submit your deposit before January 31.
- Regular price: $2100 for a double and $2300 for a single (for deposits submitted after January 31)
- Check out trip FAQs here for more information about program cost, travel logistics and accommodations!
- For questions not addressed on our FAQ, please email [email protected]!
More Dates and Deadlines:
- Trip dates: April 27-May 3
- Early-bird price ends: January 31
- Application closes & all deposits due: March 7
- Final payments, passports due: March 31
The group will meet with government officials about US-Cuba relations, look at Cuba's changing economy moving away from state-run enterprises to cooperatives, talk to doctors from around the world being trained in Cuba, visit cooperative farms, take day trips outside Havana, and interact with local people about cultural, economic, environmental and health issues. Check out testimonies, photos and press coverage from our last trip. There’s nowhere on Earth better to be on May 1st than Cuba! Don’t miss the opportunity.
The Cuban people are so wonderful--fun, funny, inventive, creative, well-educated, curious and they have a zest for life that rival any. So join us, and mark history with a mojito, the world's greatest music, and a most-welcomed dose of love for our neighbors.
The price of the trip from Miami is $2,000 for a double room, $2175 for a single room (price increasing after Jan. 31). There are limited single rooms, which we will give out on a first come, first served basis. If you are willing to have a double room but don’t have a roommate, we will pair you with someone.
Please fill out this delegate application and make a non-refundable* deposit. We cannot hold a place for you without a deposit. *Please note that if spots fill up or if your application is denied, your deposit will be refunded. Send a check (made out to CODEPINK) to CODEPINK, 2010 Linden Ave., Venice, CA, 90291 or pay online. **Important** if you pay online, you must pay $520 (an extra $20) because of a 4% online bank fee.
If you are a delegate on the trip already, check out our FAQ page here!
For more information, contact [email protected]. We hope you can join us for Primero de Mayo!
Tentative Trip Itinerary
**This is the current itinerary for the trip (as of March 11), please note that it is subject to change!**
Wednesday, April 27 – Arrival
6:00 AM Check-in at Havana Air Flight 3141
10:00 AM Departure from Miami
11:00 AM Arrival in Havana
Money exchange at airport and transfer
1:00 PM Welcome lunch at El Aljibe (included)
Orientation meeting with local coordinators
3:00 PM Drive tour in Vedado district: drive by the Christopher Columbus Cemetery, visit to the Revolution Square, and the John Lennon Park. Visit to the Anti-imperialist TribuneJosé Martí, drive by the University of Havanaand the Malecón
5:00 PM Check-in at Hotel Vedado
Dinner on your own
Evening Optional informal meetings
Thursday, April 28
8:30 AM Departure
9:00 AM Meeting with Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP)
10:30 AM Delegation will be divided into two groups
City tour Habana Vieja Explore the historical and oldest district of Havana; walk along Plaza Vieja, Mercaderes street, Plaza de Armas, and the Cathedral.
1:00 PM Lunch in Old Havana
Group 1: Lunch at Mesón de la Flota (included)
Group 2: Lunch at Conde de Villanueva (included)
3:00 PM Meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Public Health and the National Campaign for Prevention, Awareness and Control for the Zika virus
5:00 PM Return to hotel – Rest
Dinner on your own
Evening Optional informal meetings
Friday, April 29
9:30 AM Departure
9:00 AM Meeting with representatives of the National Sex Education CenterCENESEX
Group 1:
11:00 AM Visit to a textile cooperative in Havana
12:30 PM Lunch at La Casona de 17 a run-workers cooperative(included)
Group 2:
11:00 AM Visit to the Urban Organic Farming Cooperative in Alamar
12:30 PM Lunch at Casa Grande in Cojimar(included)
3:00 PM Panel on the current political and economic situation in Cuba with two leading professors and researchers:
Dr. Rafael Hernandez, director and editor of the social sciences journal Temas, Professor of Political Sciences and Director of the forum “the Last Thursday of the Month”
Dr.Rafael Betancourt economics professor and CEO of Havanada Consulting firm which focuses on sustainable development projects and social enterprise initiatives in Cuba
5:00 PM Return to the hotel
Evening Optional visit to the Fábrica de Arte Cubano, an old cooking oil factory that has been restored and is now the venue for concerts and exhibits of vanguard art in Cuba (cover $2 CUC) Transportation not included
Saturday, April 30
Group 1: Arts and Culture
9:00 AM Departure
9:30 AM Visit to the Fine Arts Museum
11:30AM Visit to the home and art studio of ceramist and painter José Fuster and learn about his art and his community project
Lunch at his home-studio (included)
Group 2: Service Learning
9:30 AM Departure
10:00 AM Community Service with members of Espiral at the Alba Theater painting and cleaning
12:00 PM Cajita lunch with members of Espiral (included)
3:00 PM Meeting with members of the Community ProjectEspiral, a grassroots project dedicated to educate young people on environmental issues and sustainable development
Discussion on various pressing issues in Cuba with college students and young professionals
5:00 PM Cultural activity with Okan-Tomi, a grassroots company that explores and reworks Afro-Cuban dances and music traditions
7:00 PM Return to the hotel and free for dinner
Evening Optional cultural activities
Sunday, May 1
6:00 AM Departure for the May Day Parade
7:00 AMA ttend the parade and rally to celebrate the International Workers Day at the Revolution Square
12:00 PM Delegation will be divided in 2 groups
Group 1 Lunch at Paladar La Casa (included)
Group 2 Lunch at Paladar El Jardín de los Milagros (included)
2:00 PM Return to the hotel and rest
Optional trip to Eastern Beaches of Havana
5:00 PM Cuban Music from the origins to modern times, with Professor Dr. Alberto Fayá, musician, chairman of the music department of the National Writers and Artists Union (UNEAC) and founder of Moncada musical band
He will recreate with his group the history of Cuban music and will offer a master class
6:30 PM Dinner on your own and rest
Monday, May 2
Group 1: Day excursion to Las Terrazas in the Artemisa Province
8:30 AM Departure
Visit to Las Terrazas community and meet with theFamily Doctor and local artists. Visit to the República de Uruguayprimary and middle school and Las TerracitasDay-Care Center
Lunch at Cafetal Buenavista (included)
Enjoy coffee at Café María, a local vendor and producer
Optional visit to the San Juan River
3:30 PM Return to Havana
5:00 PM Arrival in Havana
Group 2: Day excursion to Matanzas
8:00 AM Departure
9:00 AM Layover in the Bacunayagua Bridge
10:00 AM Visit the Slave Route Museum
12:00 PM Lunch at Hotel Velazco (included)
2:00 PM Visit Varadero Beach
4:00 PM Drive back to Havana
6:00 PM Arrival in Havana
7:30 PM Farewell dinner
9:00 PM Farewell party with Cuban guests
Tuesday. May 3
9:00 AM Transfer to the airport
10:00 AM Check-in at Havana Air Flight 3142
12:00 PM Departure for Miami
1:00 PM Arrival in Miami
Program Cost Includes:
- Round-trip airfare Miami — Havana
- Cuban Visa
- Health Insurance in Cuba
- In/out airport transfers
- Double hotel accommodations in Havana (Additional cost for single room supplement)
- Breakfast everyday at the hotel and 7meals (either lunch or dinner) as indicated in the program (see attached itinerary for specific meals included. Dietary needs will be addressed with prior notice)
- Ground transportation for all scheduled activities in Havana and excursions to Las Terrazas and Santa Clara. A bus will be provided to pick up daily from the hotel according to the itinerary, except for optional activities
- Entrance/Program fee associated with scheduled activities (unless otherwise indicated).
- Guided visits and cultural activities included in the program
- Fees for professors, lecturers, and institutions including a donation to two community projects
- A day excursion to either Las Terrazas or Santa Clara
- Program Coordination as is indicated in the tentative attached itinerary, translations and expert guides
- Expenses for Cuban participants (coordinator, guides, drivers and others)
- Farewell and Valentine's Day dinner with some Cuban guests
- Farewell party with Cuban guests
- Administrative overhead fees
Program Cost does not include:
- Travel to Miami
- Expenses in Miami
- Airport taxes (Cuban departure tax $28)
- Meals not included in the program, drinks and tips
- Personal items/expenses
- Optional/evening activities and/or unscheduled activities