from 465€

Perfect 4.6rating (14)
  • Partnerships For The Goals

Learn Spanish & Local Adventure

location
465€ per week  ·  1 - 1 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Continue learning Spanish from a beautiful countryside location, Viñales - tobacco plantations and unique limestone mountains and caves make this a UNESCO World Heritage destination
  • Daily adventure activities to explore and enjoy including; horseride and hiking exploration of valley including tobacco plantations to learn about curing and cigar making processes
  • 7 nights accommodation, breakfast & lunch (mainly organic produce) in a Casa Particulare plus transportation from/to Old Habana as required
  • Program support 24/7 to answer questions and help maximise your time during your stay
  • Great value package starting 3rd Sunday each month BUT can be combined with Habana based programs to make into a 3+ week all Cuban adventure!

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

One week learning Spanish and exploring Viñales Valley – bursting with tobacco plantations, traditional farming, unique limestone mountains. Horse, bike, hike adventure!

Go back in time and taste the flavor of the traditional Cuban lifestyle in the beautiful town of Viñales. This rural town still uses horse power to cultivate their plantations, such as the world famous Cuban tobacco fields used to hand roll cigars. The perfect contrast to Havana, you'll enjoy the ...

About the program

Go back in time and taste the flavor of the traditional Cuban lifestyle in the beautiful town of Viñales. This rural town still uses horse power to cultivate their plantations, such as the world famous Cuban tobacco fields used to hand roll cigars. The perfect contrast to Havana, you'll enjoy the fresh air and natural world in Viñales, visiting the stunning UNESCO heritage status limestone mountains and tobacco drying houses.

This is a one week program starting 3rd Sunday of every month. After your Spanish lessons, we partake in several activities, such as hiking, horse-riding and cycling through some of the most wonderful landscapes in Cuba.

Can be taken as a stand-alone program or as an extension to other of our programs, followed by a third week in Viñales! The program starts and finishes in Viñales, but transportation from Old Havana can be arranged direct to your Casa Particulare in Viñales departing after breakfast Sunday morning and arriving lunchtime. As usual there is a ‘welcome camino’ to familiarize yourself with the neighbourhood and various services. Very quickly you will sense a totally different atmosphere and pace to the chaotic energy of Habana.

This is farming country and the horse is used to get around town and used to work the rust coloured tobacco fields. The town itself is very pretty nestled in a valley surrounded by distinctive limestone mountains. The main square is lively during the evenings with an outdoor ‘Casa de Musica’ being the central hub for nightlife.

Typical day

Accommodation is shared rooms in a family run Casa Particulare. Breakfast and lunch are provided each day and features locally grown produce – usually organic. Monday to Friday Spanish lessons continue in the mornings. After lunch there are daily activities, listed below, to help you enjoy and ...

Typical day

Accommodation is shared rooms in a family run Casa Particulare. Breakfast and lunch are provided each day and features locally grown produce – usually organic. Monday to Friday Spanish lessons continue in the mornings. After lunch there are daily activities, listed below, to help you enjoy and explore this beautiful part of the country.

Spanish Lessons
Monday to Friday’s intensive Spanish lessons take place shortly after breakfast. Your teacher is licensed and on day one you receive a short test followed by a discussion to establish your level and objectives (OR if doing this as a ‘follow on’ program, teacher in Havana will prepare continuation classes in Viñales). Lessons take the format of 3 x 45 minute lessons each morning, with 15 minute breaks to refresh, making approximately 3 hours of Spanish lessons each day – 15 hours per week. Lessons are held from 09:00 sharp, Monday to Friday at your Casa.


Horseback Finca & Tobacco Tour
Each day Monday to Friday an activity has been scheduled to help you enjoy and explore the town and countryside. These include finca & tobacco tour on horseback! The best way to explore the valley and lush plantations is as the local formers do; on horseback. This is a gentle trot through the countryside to take in the scenery and traditional farming techniques. We stop at one of the distinctive tobacco drying houses and learn more about this famous crop – and the processes involved in cultivating tobacco, drying/curing and finally how to roll a cigar. We then continue to the spectacular ‘Mirador’ viewing point before returning home late afternoon (if you prefer, this activity can be taken as a walking tour – without the horse!).

Valley of Silence
This time we enjoy exploring the valley on foot. Learning more about the various crops cultivated here including sugar cane – a refreshing cane juice helps energise us along the way. As we walk your local guide will help you understand how people live here, some of the challenges and the importance of agriculture and tourism to create a balanced and sustainable economy.

Sunrise & Prehistory Mural
This morning we have a particularly early start as we aim to catch a spectacular sunrise with a local community, Los Acuáticos. We enjoy stories about the history – and mythology – of this community. After a coffee or fruit juice we continue to the famous ‘prehistory mural’ – actually an art piece created in the 60’s and often hyped but nonetheless a popular attraction and the location itself is very special.

Back to our Casa ready for breakfast… and Spanish classes. As the afternoon is free any sleepy heads can enjoy a well-earned siesta!

Bicy tour to Indian Cave
This time we hop on bicycles and head out of town and explore one of the many limestone caves that make Viñales so distinctive. Some of these caves were used as shelters for indigenous peoples and used as hideouts for runaway slaves. There is also a cave that doubles as a nightclub!

Today we take a boat trip to admire one of the most extensive cave formations with distinctive mineral and limestone formations.

Viñales village & Botantical Gardens
Our final activity during this busy week is to learn more about the evolution of the town, different construction techniques and pointers to her future. We also learn more about the indigenous flora at the beautifully manicured botantical gardens.

Free-time activities

Each day we have arranged an activity to help you explore and enjoy Viñales BUT there will still be free time to head off and enjoy hiking, running, horseriding, cycling, swimming, dancing in this super friendly town and surrounding countryside. Your Program Manager will be available 24/7 to help ...

Free-time activities

Each day we have arranged an activity to help you explore and enjoy Viñales BUT there will still be free time to head off and enjoy hiking, running, horseriding, cycling, swimming, dancing in this super friendly town and surrounding countryside. Your Program Manager will be available 24/7 to help you with ideas and support to make your time here very special.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

Open mind and spirit of adventure!

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 - 16:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Corazon Cuba

Program includes 7 nights accommodation, breakfast & lunch, 'welcome camino' on arrival, Spanish lessons each morning and afternoon activities described every day Monday to Friday to help you maximise your time. Start date 3rd Sunday of each month BUT welcome to arrive early and pay for extra night bed & breakfast as required. 

Can be taken as a standalone program or 'follow on'/extension week to Habana programs. Transport can be arranged from Old Habana direct to your homestay in Viñales.

Accommodation

Accommodation for solo traveller is single sex shared rooms in a family run Casa Particulare (max 3 pax per room). Friends or couples booking together are automatically 'upgraded' to a private room with en suite/private bathroom. Family rooms can also be provided as required. Breakfast and lunch are provided each day and features locally grown produce – usually organic. Monday to Friday Spanish lessons continue in the usual format 3 x 45 minute lessons from 09:00-11:45. After lunch there are daily activities, as described, to help you enjoy and explore this beautiful part of the country.

Food & Beverages

Breakfast & lunch provided.


We cater for food preferences.

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Airport Pickup at Jose Marti International Airport

An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Jose Marti International Airport (HAV) in Havana. We assist you to find cheap flights to Cuba. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Cuba provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Cuba you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Cuba. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Program start is 3rd Sunday of EVERY month and includes 7 nights. This program can be taken as a stand-alone program OR a ‘follow on program’/'extension week'.

For example, why not start your Cuban adventure in Habana on the 1st Sunday of each month where we have two 2 week program options available [Learn Spanish, Dance & Culture OR Learn Spanish & Volunteer], then continue to Viñales for a third week doing this program? What better way to get an all round view of Cuba than a three week program starting with two weeks in Habana followed by a week in Viñales!

Price includes ‘welcome camino’, 7 nights accommodation, breakfast & lunch plus 15 intensive Spanish lessons and activities described above.

Cost of extra night – accommodation & breakfast USD 30

Transfer from Old Havana – each way USD 25

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week 465€
Average fees 465€/week

Program fees

465€ per week 1 - 1 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

1 - 1 weeks

Deposit (15%)

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

Final Payment (85%)

Your final payment will be agreed with Corazon Cuba during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your host

Corazon Cuba

Perfect 4.6 rating (14 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2014

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Tim

About the project

A unique blend of learning Spanish, culture & dance, and volunteer projects. Amazing things are happening in Cuba right now - it starts in La Habana.

Meet your host

Join one of our amazing life affirming travel experiences in Cuba or Guatemala

Who we are?

We are a small organisation who have worked together for 20 years delivering fun and life affirming travel experiences in a variety of countries. Our experienced leadership team, led by Leonel & Leandro in Cuba and Tim in the office, together with our local team love what we do - and our clients do too!

What we do?

Adventure travel, cultural immersion, gap year/life affirming travel to exciting Spanish speaking destinations. Outdoor adventure and cultural immersion - including volunteering and the legacy our clients leave - are what motivate us.

Where we work?

We currently have operations in Cuba (Habana, Viñales & Trinidad since 2014 ) and Guatemala (Antigua & Monterrico since 2017 - see Monterrico Adventure). Habana is one of the safest cities on the planet and Cubans super friendly and well educated.

Our mission/vision

Our job is to invigorate, excite and connect our clients to the amazing world we live in - and help set your inner compass for life!

Our goals

In Cuba our goal is to to help you connect with Cuban people, understand their culture and history and turbo charge your Spanish language tuition.

Who are we looking for?

Our programs are for over 18's but families or supervised younger persons - including groups - are most welcome (no upper age limit!). There are no fitness or other entry requirements. Our only criteria is an open mind and spirit of adventure! Our clients are a diverse mix of ages and nationalities which is great.

Our programs comply with travel restrictions for US citizens - see SUPPORT THE CUBAN PEOPLE (contact us for more information about the rules).

Why choose us?

We offer amazing value and 24/7 program support to help maximise your time in Cuba. We love what we do - and our clients do too!

14 reviews · rating4.6

Nimah Ahmed rating4.6

2023 at Learn Spanish & Local Adventure

I just got back home from Cuba and was really sad to leave. I had such a good time and met some really great people. Tim, the program coordinator and Leo, the owner/manager of the hostel and program in Havana were both extremely helpful and organized. They will help you with anything you need. I ...
Meredith Presser rating4.2

2023 at Learn Spanish, Dance & Culture

I really enjoyed my time at Jakera. I thought it was good value for what you get, especially as an American who often has to book through a tour company in Cuba. The people at the house are like family and very accomodating. The airport transport that they charge was probably more than double what I ...
Judith Angenendt rating4.6

2023 at Learn Spanish, Dance & Culture

During my 4 weeks stay at Jakera/Coraźon Cuba I really felt welcomed, appreciated the professional Spanish classes (2 weeks I was completely on my own, so quite a chance to learn a lot) and the engagement of the Jakera people to make us comfortable and create an unforgettable time. Due to the ...
elizabeth smith rating5

2023 at Learn Spanish, Dance & Culture

i met a lot of fascinating fellow volunteers and really enjoyed the classes, food and activities.It was very easy to get around havana even without use of a cell phone. a weekend trip to vinales was ...
Bogdan Radu rating4.8

2023 at Learn Spanish & Support the Locals

As the title says, my experience with Corazon Cuba was way above my expectations. Everyone involved in the program made me feel like I am part of a big family and I really wish to thank them for that. Even though we didn’t do much volunteering in my 1 month in the program, there were a lot of ...
Esmee Velthof rating5

2022 at Learn Spanish, Dance & Culture

The people are lovely and caring. Leo (the owner of the house) helps you with everything that you need. There is a lot of music in the house. I can really really recommend. Something I will never ...

Location

Americas > Caribbean > Cuba > Viñales

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Contact Tim
  Very high response rate

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