Havana Tours > Afro-Cuban Culture

Highlights

Learn about the colourful and ancient religions that arrived to Africa and have since flourished in Cuba.
Explore Callejon de Hamel: a vibrant and artistic alley that is an homage to Afro-Cuban culture
Enjoy a specialty local cocktail and a visit to a local artist’s home

At a Glance

	Duration	2 hours
	Time	9:30am to 11:30 am
	Availability	Daily (except Jan 1, Dec 25)
	Group Size	Maximum 8
	Meeting Point	Callejon de Hamel, Centro Havana

Detailed Description

The Africans who were enslaved and brought to Cuba not only contributed greatly to the formation of the country, but also the culture. They brought many religions and beliefs, primarily from West Africa. Although the Spaniards forbade their practices, and forced them into Catholicism, the religions of their homeland were too powerful to be extinguished and instead morphed and syncretised to become a new unique religion.

On this day tour of Havana you will learn about the four main religions in Cuba that can trace their roots back to Africa. One of them - Santeria is now the most popular of all religions in Cuba and has a profound impact on Cuban society. Learn about these religions with a specialist local guide, who will show you around the Callejon de Hamel – the alley in Central Havana which is a vibrant artistic masterpiece of the late Salvador Gonzales Escalona, a man with a vision of celebrating the cultural contributions and importance of African ancestry to his Central Habana community.

Legality for Americans: Services are OFAC compliant under the general license Support for the Cuban people 515.574

Tour Combinations: This tour is part of our Full Day Package tour which in one full day, also includes the Old Havana Walking tour, and the Classic Car tour.

Child Policy: Child friendly experience