Day 2:  Observe and Immerse in Marine Life

Learn from Cuban marine professionals about the environment, conservation and safety procedures as you acclimate, fine tune your equipment and observe the ecological reef in Santa Lucia.

• Breakfast buffet (included)
• 9:00am One tank guided immersion & marine ecosystems discovery with Cuban Marine Professionals (included) 2 hours
• 11:30am One tank guided immersion & marine topography discovery with Cuban Marine Professionals (included) 2 hours
• Lunch buffet (included) 1.5 hours
  

• 3:00 pm One tank guided immersion & Caribbean fish ID discovery with Cuban Marine Professionals (included) 2 hours
• 5:30pm Meeting with Local Marine Biologist about shark conservation (included) 1 hour
• Dinner at resort (included)
• Double occupancy, Las Brisas, a 4 star, all-inclusive resort

Day 3:  Shark Conservation!

Dive with and observe Cuban Marine Professionals interact with anywhere from 2-9 bull sharks up to 10 feet in length. You’ll have the best opportunity to observe them in Santa Lucia from October through early February before they migrate for the mating season. Bull sharks are listed as near threatened because they are more at risk from pollution and habitat degradation than other species. They are intentionally caught for their fins, liver oil, and skin, and are sometimes caught unintentionally as well.

The EDF (Environmental Defense Fund of the United States) has teamed up with Cuba’s Department of Fisheries Regulations and Sciences and WWF to ensure the scientific and management actions outlined by the plan are initiated through a four-year “Shark & Rays Project.” Across the Gulf of Mexico region, their long term aim is that improved international cooperation, science and management will lead to the recovery and long term health of shark populations. Success here in Santa Lucia, Cuba could provide a roadmap for advancing sustainable management of sharks and other highly migratory species around the globe.

• Breakfast buffet
• 9:00am (subject to high-tide schedule) One tank guided immersion with bull sharks & 19^th century shipwreck topography diagramming with Cuban Marine Professionals (included) 2 hours
• 11:30am One tank guided immersion & marine ecosystems discovery with Cuban Marine Professionals & site diagramming (included) 2 hours
• Lunch Buffet at resort (included)
• Afternoon topside exploration (self-guided)
• Dinner at Resort (included)
• Double occupancy, Las Brisas 4 star, all-inclusive resort

Participate in a full day visit to Cayo Sabinal’s natural lagoon, the first island in the Jardines del Rey archipelago on the north eastern coast of Cuba.  Meet with local conservation workers where wild flamingos and iguanas are sometimes seen. Here you can observe a coral reef wall and occasional sting rays.

• Breakfast buffet (included)
• 9:00am One tank guided immersion & coral reef ecosystem topography with Cuban Marine Professionals (included) 2 hours
• 11:30am One tank guided immersion & Fish ID discovery & topography diagramming with Cuban Marine Professionals (included) 2 hours
• Lunch buffet (included) 1.5 hours
• 3:00pm One tank guided immersion with Cuban Marine Professionals
• Dinner at Resort (included)
• Double occupancy, Las Brisas 4 star, all-inclusive resort

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the resort before departing for Camagüey. As you travel your local, certified, English-speaking Cuban guide will explain the organic farming techniques which help preserve the environment.
Enjoy a traditional family style lunch at a local ranch previously owned by a famous Texan-Cattle rancher before the 1959 Cuban Revolution. Meet with working cowboys to learn about the rural life in Cuba. Observe a Cuban rodeo.
After lunch you’ll head an hour onward to Camagüey also known as the City of Pottery and the City of Churches.  You’ll receive a warm welcome to the city with your own caravan of private bicycle taxis to tour the city.  Visit the plaza mayor where your guide will give you an orientation at a museum with a life size replica model of the city.  Enjoy dinner at a local private paladar restaurant on the plaza

• 9:00 Breakfast
• 10:30am Check out & transfer (1/2 hour)
• 11:00am Cuban Rodeo & countryside lunch
• Bus Transfer to Camagüey (1 hour)
• 4:00pm Check in to local private bed and breakfast (Casa Particulares)
• 6:00pm WELCOME TO CAMAGÜEY – tour via private bicycle taxi caravan with local guides. Visit to plaza mayor town hall.
• Dinner at Private Restaurant Paladar
• Visit Casa de la Trova – traditional live Music
• Stay in Private Homes – Casa Particulares in Camagüey

Soak in the cultural fabric and participate in the vibrant musical pulse of Camagüey while you support private community leaders in unique humanitarian projects that boost local society. After a traditional breakfast in your private Bed & Breakfast, you’ll enjoy meeting dancers and observing the folkloric demonstration, followed by a private dance lesson.

After lunch at a local private paladar restaurant, you’ll meet the founder of a doll making & restoration community project which benefits local children with cancer.  Here you’ll see their resourcefulness and also have the option of donating cloth, buttons, felt, or even a doll or two.

After dinner, you’ll enjoy meeting members of the Camagüey Chamber Orquestra who will play a private concert for you at a local artist gallery.  You’ll also have the opportunity to mingle with various local artists and learn what inspires their unique mediums.

• 9:00am Breakfast in your Casa
• 10:00am Cultural Folkloric dance demonstration and private dance lesson
• 12:30pm Private Paladar Lunch 1.5 hours
• 3:00pm People-to-people humanitarian project support to community doll-making & restoration project
• 7:00pm Private Restaurant Paladar dinner
• 8:30pm Meeting at private art gallery community project with 13-16 Camagüey chamber orquestra members to discuss Cuba’s classical music followed by a private 45-minute concert
• Stay in Private Homes – Casa Particulares in Camagüey

Enjoy an exciting day mingling with artists starting with the iconic, local artist who has earned the internationally acclaimed UNESCO distinction for the National Culture.  Her life-size bronze sculptures can be seen in the most prominent plazas of the city. You’ll also participate in and support her children’s social project for her environmental art class.

After a private paladar restaurant lunch, meet with private local potters to see how they turn clay into the ginormous pots on display around the city. Observe the demonstration from this private family of potters and then make your own local pottery keepsake too!  Enjoy a tour of the art gallery of pottery & paintings.  Take in a breath of peace in the outdoor sanctuary too.

Enjoy your farewell dinner at a countryside farm home with a cultural pig roast and traditional live music.

Congratulations on a job well done in supporting the Cuban people and participating in collecting photos and information for our 2^nd book!

• 8:30am Breakfast in your Casa
• 9:30am Visit to art gallery. Meeting with Iconic local artist & art class. **WHEN SHE IS NOT TRAVELING
  Optional Art supply donation 
• 12:30pm Private Paladar Lunch
• Meet with private, local potters. Observe their demonstration of art via the creativity of these family potters. Art gallery tour included
• 6:00pm Farewell dinner party in private countryside house. Enjoy the cultural pig roast! (included)
• Stay in Private Homes – Casa Particulares in Camagüey

Enjoy a leisurely morning while you ponder your amazing week.  We will see you again soon!

• Breakfast in your casa
• Check out
• Transfer to Camagüey Airport (20 mins)