Languages Plus - Havana, Cuba - Cultural Activities

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Activities and Lifestyle in Havana
On first sight, Havana appears faded, with peeling paint and shabby buildings, but a walk through Old Havana (La Habana Vieja) reveals glorious Spanish colonial architecture, much of it under restoration.

Visitors can spend hours walking the streets peeping through half open doorways into cool courtyards and admiring the intricate balconies adorning many of the buildings.

A good overview of the city can be enjoyed from the observatory at the top of the Jose Marti Memorial in Revolution Square. Alternatively, a stroll along the Malecon, the sea front walk, gives a wonderful view of Havana's cityscape. Museum lovers will be spoilt for choice as lots of the old buildings now house collections. Lovers of old colonial architecture should make their way back to Miramar (school area) a residential area to the west of Vedado with grand old mansions.

Havana is one of the most beautiful and architecturally diverse cities in the world. Its architecture mirrors its rich social and political history from the graceful colonial and baroque period to modern brutal tower blocks.

Havana is a dynamic place for nightlife and the choice of venues is endless. It is also a great place for live music and you do not even to go to a club to hear it, as there is plenty on the streets. The social scene does not get going until about 2200 and, as there are no official licensing hours, clubs and bars tend to close when the last customer leaves, normally between 0200 and 0300.

After class activities
Apart from learning the language, there is so much to see and to do here in Cuba. After classes are over for the day, our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture, traditions, customs and everyday life. Our optional cultural and social activities allow you to experience cultural and social activities together, and also practice your new language skills in real life situations.

Activities offered include:Guided city tours in Havana Vieja & Center Havana including museum visit, market visits, Visit to "San Carlos de la Cabaña" Fortress with "Cañonazo" Ceremony and Che Guevara museum ($5.00), Guided trips to the numerous museums in Havana ($5.00), Salsa music at "Casa de la Música" or "Casa de la Amistad" ($5.00). Beaches of Playas del Este, ($5.00 each for a shared taxi in a group of 4).

Other places of interest include, wonderful colonial churches, palaces, colorful handicrafts markets, used book markets, intriguing revolutionary monuments, Gran Teatro de la Havana the oldest functioning theater in the Americans and sizzling 1950 style night-clubs. The Center Wilfredo Lam displays the works of one of Cuba´s leading modern painters and presents exhibitions by third world artists.

Additional courses available (at an additional cost)
SALSA COURSE: The music world of Cuba offers a whole pallet of different genres and values: from the choir music to the most popular rhythms, such as Salsa, which is especially loved by the Cubans. Plunge into the seductive world of Cuban dances. Learn at the Havana Dance Academy, which belongs to the Centro Nacional de la Musica Popular which is a renowned dance academy.

Professional teachers will take two hours every day to teach you and every student will have their own personal Cuban dance partner, who will help you to learn at your level. If you wish you can also learn elements of other Latin dances and for the more advanced students, we offer some physical exercises and training in feeling the rhythm.

The course option starts every Monday and you can book as many weeks as you wish, please see price page for further details.

SCUBA DIVING COURSES: We offer an introductory course for beginners or open dives or dive packages for the more advanced diver, around the Havana area.

Cuba is often compared to the Cayman Islands but as they were 20 years ago. With water temperatures between 26 to 29°C, intense coral growth, hundreds of small bays and islands, Cuba has become a popular and exciting dive center.

The visibility usually lies between 15 to 35 meters, so you have the opportunity to see everything very clearly. It is an ideal place for beginners and advanced alike.

Open Water Course: This courses is suitable for complete beginners. Under the supervision of highly qualified diving instructors you will learn the basics of Scuba diving. Initial training in the swimming pool will help you to make your first steps in this new world. After this you will be ready for diving in the open sea under the supervision of a Dive Master.

Dive Packages (Certified Divers): For the certified divers we offer diving packages with varying number of diving sessions. Our experienced diving instructors will supervise you during your exciting journey into the transparent depths of the Caribbean sea.

Certified Course: For certified divers, students will receive 6 tank dives, open water dives with qualified dive instructors and full rental gear.

You have two options, which must be pre booked before departure: Dive course only: (select your course and add it into your language program after classes in the afternoon) Dive course with accommodation (course and Hotel accommodation).

Important:
Professional diving organizers strongly suggest, that your last dive should be at least one day prior to the flight home, so that the nitrogen in your body can reduce to the normal level. Thus the risk to your health is mineralized.

A medical certificate must be obtained before diving, if required a medical examination can be organized. Our diving courses and diving packages can be combined with other components. Accommodation includes the Sunday evening before your course begins, the course option starts every Monday and you can book as many weeks as you wish, please see price page for further details.

Cultural activity photo's