The eastern half of Cuba, know asThe Oriente, is often considered Cuba’s most interesting region because of its physical beauty, its cultural diversity, and its historical significance. Surprisingly, it is also the region of the country least traveled to by visitors. With its Afro-Cuban origins and its history as the cradle of Cuba’s numerous revolutionary movements, The Oriente offers photographers endless opportunities to discover and experience the unexplored Cuba—without the annoyance of constant tour bus invasions.
After five years exploring Havana and the western half of Cuba, Santa Fe Photographic Workshops now offers programs to the quieter and less traveled part of the island. This 12-day journey—led by frequent Cuba travelers Joe Baraban and Jennifer Spelman—provides a rich cultural and photographic experience. Joe leads “dawn patrols” most mornings and, in addition to Joe and Jennifer, local Cuban photographers join the trip to offer their insights and knowledge of the region as well as their local contacts.
Our educational program starts on Thursday evening, March 9, in Miami (or Fort Lauderdale)* with a group orientation meeting led by Joe and Jennifer. We fly from Miami to Santiago de Cuba early the next morning and spend the first three nights at the Hotel Casa Granda, exploring the urban life of Cuba’s second largest city. Santiago de Cuba is the island’s most exotic and ethnically diverse city—more Caribbean than Cuban. Religion, music, and dance dominate the cultural scene of this coastal gem and are the focus of our photographic excursions. In addition, a delightful ferry ride to visit the fishing village on the nearby island of Cayo Granma is a photographic treat.
Leaving behind the vibrant, big-city energy of Santiago de Cuba, we travel by motor coach along the breathtaking La Farola and are transported back in time to Baracoa—in the isolated, beautiful and laconic area of Cuba where Christopher Columbus on his first voyage. The gentle, old-world atmosphere of this lushly Caribbean seaside town offers a welcome contrast to our previous urban experiences. Meeting and photographing the local people and their frontier culture, visiting coconut farms, and river walks up Rio Miel and Rio Yumri are the highlights of our four-night stay at Hotel El Castillo in picturesque Baracoa.
On Friday, we travel back to Santiago de Cuba to photograph Parque Gran Piedra, a coffee plantation, and specially arranged cultural events.
We depart Santiago on Sunday, traveling west along the beautiful highway through El Cobre to Bayamo, the capital city of the Granma Province. Founded in 1513 by Diego Velázquez and steeped in the history of Cuba’s past rebellions, the Bayamo of today is a quiet and peaceful city where the main modes of transportation are horse-drawn carriages and bicycles. We stay two nights at Hotel Sierra Maestra, photographing the landmarks of Bayamo’s revolutionary past and meeting its residents in parks and markets. A day trip to the coastal city of Manzanillo to explore and photograph its port city scenes ends our trip on a picturesque high note.
We celebrate our Oriente adventure together with a final group dinner and image presentation in Bayamo and depart the next morning for the flight back to Miami (or Fort Lauderdale) from Holguin.
Additional Information:
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Advanced Amateurs, Professionals
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Participants need to be technically self-sufficient, as this is not a workshop to learn how to use your gear or editing software. Participants should be in good health as long days are spent exploring (this means walking).
SPECIAL NOTES:
Participants are required to attend a group meeting at 8pm, Thursday, March 9. This meeting will either be in Fort Lauderdale or Miami. We will post details as soon as they are confirmed.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Refer to Package Price description for details on lodging and meals.
PACKAGE PRICE INFO:
$5,550 per person, double occupancy* for 11 nights in Cuba, single supplement add $500; breakfast daily plus four group dinners and seven group lunches; airport transfers, and ground transportation in Cuba. Hotel expenses in Fort Lauderdale and airfare from Fort Lauderdale to Santiago de Cuba and return from Holguin are not included. Group flight cost of $550 includes round-trip air ticket, taxes and fees, and required Cuban health insurance as well as one checked bag and the required Cuban visa.
*For those requesting double accommodations, we will do our best to pair you with a suitable roommate. Participants will be notified if a roommate is not available, in which case the single supplement must be charged.
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