Cuba Photography Tour Beyond Havana: Santiago, Baracoa & Authentic Cuba
Overview
Cuba’s streets, music rooms, and rural valleys form the working material for this La Ruta del Són photography tour. The route moves between Havana’s old town and boxing gyms, Viñales tobacco country and sunset viewpoints, Trinidad’s waking lanes, Santiago’s live-music venues, and Baracoa’s Taino portrait settings. Photographers work among impromptu models, musicians, classic American cars, and blue-hour streetscapes, with enough free time to return alone to a corner or follow changing light. The itinerary is designed for photography enthusiasts and amateurs, with an Easy physical level. Travel is by private transport and stays use guest houses, meals are taken in local restaurants, and the tour follows the Support for the Cuban People framework.
Why I created this expedition
The photographic arc begins in Havana not with postcard views but with movement: a first relaxed walk, then the old town’s boxing gym, where documentary access shapes the opening frames. Mornings move along Paseo del Prado, through Centro and the Capitolio area, then into an American car for the outskirts as the light begins to drop.
From the capital the road turns west. Viñales slows the pace around tobacco fields, a morning viewpoint, and the wide valley seen from Hotel Jasmin at sunset. Trinidad enters as a layered subject: streets before breakfast, palace interiors, a musician, the elevated view at Manaca Iznaga, horse carriages, and blue hour over the old centre. El Cubano Park adds a greener chapter, with Javira Waterfall and time looking for the Tocororo, Cuba’s national bird.
Santiago moves the story indoors and outward at once. Photo walks follow Calle Enramada and the squares, then musicians, private Afro-Cuban performance, Cayo Granma family portraits, and live music at La Trova. Baracoa shifts again to Taino heritage portraits and the coast, before the return to Havana closes the route with a final rooftop view.
Photographic opportunities
Light is the constant subject. Havana offers soft mornings in the old town, high-contrast boxing interiors, and blue-hour streets in Centro and around the Capitolio. Classic American cars let photographers work with a moving frame, while impromptu models and musicians bring gesture into the foreground. Viñales contributes sunrise viewpoints, tobacco-farm detail, and sunset from Hotel Jasmin. Trinidad is strongest in the early street life, palace courtyards, Manaca Iznaga’s panorama, and late daylight over the old centre. In Santiago, venues and live-music rooms offer low-light portraits and documentary frames. Baracoa adds Taino portrait sessions, coastal afternoons, and softer landscape light over the Yunque. Throughout, free blocks leave room for solo street photography.
Who this journey is for
This itinerary will appeal to photography enthusiasts and amateurs who prefer accessible photo walks over demanding treks. The physical level is rated Easy, and the route is built around street observation, portrait encounters, local music, and short walks in towns and viewpoints. Travelers should enjoy working at an unhurried pace and being comfortable making pictures while moving between group sessions and independent free time. It is a good match for photographers interested in Cuba’s cultural rhythms rather than only static landmarks. The trip also suits those who value ethical travel and direct connection with Cuban people through local guest houses, restaurants, and permitted cultural activities.
Highlights
- Capture the essence of Cuba on a relaxed photo walk.
- Experience the vibrant boxing culture in Havana Vieja.
- Sunset views from Viñales' stunning Hotel Jasmin.
- Discover Trinidad's history with a morning city walk.
- Immerse in Santiago's musical and cultural vibrancy.
- End your journey with a Havana rooftop cocktail.
The journey at a glance
Following the route
The journey moves gradually through 7 distinct overnight bases.
Route shown schematically for orientation.
Itinerary
Day 1
Bienvenidos a Cuba!
Arrival day Meeting with Tristan at the airport and transfert to your Guest House Meeting and tour presentation First relax photo walk to get acquainted with the city Meeting Dinner in the center
Day 2
Havana Old Town
8am Stroll and street and portrait photography in Havana Vieja 10am Privilege to document a boxing training, national sport in Cuba 12am Lunch in a charming restaurant 1pm Discover of the iconic sites and squares 2pm Street photography and meeting with impromptu models 4:30pm Free time for solo Street photo or Break 6pm Golden and Blue Hour 7pm Dinner
Day 3
Havana Centro & Surroundings
8am Morning walk in Paseo Del Prado 9am Chinese quarter 10am Havana Centro for a street photo session 11am Capitolio Area 1:30pm Free Time 3:30pm Riding in an American car & discovery of the surroundings of Havana 6pm Blue hour in the center
Day 4
Havana to Viñales
8:30am Departure to Viñales 12:30pm Lunch in a charming restaurant 2pm Check-in at the Guest House and rest 3:30pm Viñales Discovery tour 5pm Sunset from Hotel Jasmin 6:30pm Dinner
Day 5
Viñales
6am Sunrise from a nice viewpoint 7:00am Walk ecological herbolistic walk Viñales’s field 9am Visit of a Tobacco farm 10:30am Break (or optional walk to los Acuaticos hills for a lunch – 2hours) 12:30pm Head to a charming restaurant in the valley 2pm Head to Cayo Jutias Beach or Horse Ride in Valle Palmaritos 5:30pm Sunset from Hotel Jasmin 7pm Dinner
Day 6
Viñales – Cienfuegos – Trinidad
8am departure from Viñales Classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site Lunch on the road 13:30pm Stop in Cienfuegos for a walk in its main square and boulevard. 3:30pm Check-in 4:30pm first walk in Trinidad to discover the city 6:00pm Golden and blue hour photos 7:00pm Dinner
Day 7
Trinidad
7am Morning walk before breakfast to see the city waking up. 8am Breakfast 9am Visit of the palaces of the city 10am Photo shooting with a musicien and Street Photography 12:30pm Lunch 13:30pm Break 3pm Car ride to Manaca Iznaga for some nice panoramic pictures 4:30pm Back in the center for more street photography with impromptu models 6pm Golden & Blue Hour shots and dinner
Day 8
Trinidad
8:30am Departure to El Cubano Park for a morning hike and photography 10am Arrival Javira Waterfall. Possibility to swim 11am Return by the same way and photograph the Tocororo, national bird of Cuba 12am Lunch followed by a Break 2pm Free time for indepandant Street photography 3:30pm Photoshoot with a Horse Carriage 4:30pm Shooting from a tour of the city 5:30pm Street photos with impromptu models until sunset and blue hour 6:45pm Dinner
Day 9
Trinidad - Havana
9am Return to Havana 11am Lunch on the road 2pm Check-in 3pm Break Photo walk in Havana Centro & Malecon or free time for solo street photography 6pm Cocktail on a Rooftop with one of the best view of the city 7pm Dinner
Day 10
Havana ✈️ Santiago de Cuba
8am Optionnal Photo walk in Havana Center (depending on the flight schedule) 10am transfer to Havana Airport 1:30pm Flight to Santiago 2:30pm transfer to Santiago’s Old town and check-in 3:30pm Relax photowalk in Santiago and discovery of it’s main streets and squares
Day 11
Santiago de Cuba's Old Town
8am photo walk in Santiagos center, passing by Calle Enramada and squares 9:30am Meeting with a famous musicien for an exclusive photo shooting 10:30am We will keep shooting in Santiago’s musical venues and documents their musiciens 12:30pm Lunch 1pm Break or free time for solo street photography 3:30pm Photowalk in Tivoli neighborhood until sunset visit of some less frequented musical venues 7pm Dinner 9pm Live Music in Calle Heredia
Day 12
Santiago de Cuba & Cayo Granma
9am Discovery of the Afro Cuban Culture with a private show in a beautiful Colonial setting 11am Walk in Santiago’s Malecon (Alameda) 12:30pm Lunch 1:30pm Transfer to Ciudad mar and Cayo Granma 2:30pm Interaction and photos with a Cuban family 3:30pm transfer back to Ciudadmar and visit of the Fortress for some panoramic photos 4pm City tour of Santiago & Surroundings Or free time for street photo 6pm Sunset over the city from a rooftop followed by a Dinner 10pm Live Music at the legendary “La Trova”
Day 13
Santiago to Baracoa
8am Departure to Baracoa with some breaks on the road 1pm Checkin & Lunch 2:30pm Photo walk in Baracoa’s old town 6pm Sunset photoshoot over the Yunke
Day 14
Baracoa
9am visit of the last families hairs of Tainos Indigenous Culture for some portrait photography (Optionnally you can opt for a an organized tour to discover Baracoa’s surroundings and Rio de Yumuri. Starting 8h30pm to 4pm. With supplement) 12pm Lunch in Baracoa 2pm Head to Maguana Beach for a relax afternoon and snorkeling / or free time for solo street photography in Baracoa 7pm Dinner
Day 15
Baracoa to Santiago ✈️ Havana
6am Early return to Santiago Airport 2pm Flight Santiago to Havana 3pm transfer to your hotel 4:30pm Last photo walk together 6pm Cocktail from a rooftop 7pm farewell dinner
Day 16
Havana & Departure ✈️
8:30am Free Morning / Optional photo review or editing session with Tristan Transfer to the airport
Accommodation
Where you’ll stay
Price details
Price per person
2 people
Per person
3 to 4 people
Per person
5 to 6 people
Per person
7 to 8 people
Per person
9 to 10 people
Per person
11+ people
Per person
Prices are per person and based on twin share, unless stated otherwise.
Additional costs
Deposit
30% deposit (1,799 EUR approx.)
What is included
Included
- Accommodation throughout the journey
- Meals indicated in the programme
- Transportation during the itinerary
- Pre-trip planning assistance
Not included
- Lunch on arrival day and departure day
- Tips
- International flights
- Travel, Medical & Cancellation insurance
- Additional drinks and meals
- Expenses not specified in the programme
- Camera equipment
From past travellers
A few kind words
Voyage extra-ordinaire
Tristan brilliantly rose to the challenge of organizing our immersive trip among the indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. For four weeks, we were able to count on him and on his flexible and flawless organization. His detailed knowledge and understanding of the places we visited and the people we met enriched our daily discoveries. He was always attentive, considerate, cheerful, and generous. More than a guide, it felt like traveling with a friend.
A genuine encounter, off the beaten track
Tristan is an exceptional guide who combines unquestionable expertise in organizing tailor-made expeditions, a great talent for photographing wildlife and sharing his passion, rare human qualities... and contagious joy! He opened up unexplored paths for us to meet the indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada, as part of our diplomatic reconnaissance trip to initiate a cultural exchange between these peoples and Reunion Island. Our expedition had specific goals and constraints, which Tristan managed perfectly. He is therefore a must for anyone who wants a genuine encounter with South American nature and peoples, off the beaten track.
Voyage Patagonie Mars 2025
We spent three wonderful weeks in Patagonia with Tristan. An unforgettable trip for the three of us, in a warm and relaxed atmosphere that Tristan carefully crafted down to the finest details. He organized an itinerary perfectly tailored to our requests. Always smiling, incredibly kind, and very patient. He made us experience this exceptional journey with unique moments that went beyond our expectations. Tristan is an excellent guide. He plans his trips with great professionalism on all levels, yet manages to make you forget it by sharing the experience with you, marveling at the landscapes like a friend showing you around the country… A big thank you to you. Lots of love!
Why travel with us?
Expert, trusted guides
We work with carefully selected local guides chosen for their experience, knowledge of wildlife, and ability to find unique encounters ethically and safely.
Carefully selected accommodations
We choose each accommodation to find the perfect balance between comfort, location, and access to wildlife, so you can make the most of every moment of your journey.
Schedules designed for the best light
We organize activities and outings at key times of day to take advantage of the best light conditions and increase opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography.
You’ll come home with incredible photographs
We design each expedition to maximize opportunities for observation and help you enjoy unique encounters and capture the best photographs possible in the wild.
About your guide
Tristan Quevilly
At the helm of Remote Expeditions, Tristan adeptly combines exploration, photography, tour design, web development, and tour leadership, encapsulating the essence of a versatile travel entrepreneur. His mission is to offer a limited number of high-quality tours each year, ensuring an unparalleled travel experience steering clear of mass tourism. He aims to guide you towards the true essence of each destination, facilitating a deep connection with both nature and yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
To confirm your spot we request a first payment of 50% of the total trip price. The remaining 50% can be paid up to 3 months before the departure date.
We accept payments in euros and US dollars via bank transfer. Once your booking is made, we will send you all the information and details needed to make the payment.
No, anyone who loves nature is welcome. We always recommend bringing binoculars to enjoy a closer view, and if you have a camera you'll surely capture excellent images too.
You can find all the details about cancellations, refunds and booking conditions on our page: Terms and Conditions.
No. Our trips are designed both for people with experience in photography and wildlife watching and for travelers who simply enjoy nature and want to live a different experience.
The most important thing is to have interest, curiosity and a desire to enjoy the environment and the animals.
Yes. If you wish to arrive earlier or extend your stay, we can arrange additional nights of accommodation, activities and transfers. Just let us know your plans and we'll adjust the itinerary to your preferences.
Yes, of course. Many of our travelers join the expeditions on their own. Our groups usually bring together people with similar interests in wildlife, photography and nature, so the atmosphere tends to be very friendly and it's easy to connect with other travelers.
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