📸 Photographing Magical Cuba with Christopher Baker!
Photographing Cuba with Christopher P. Baker
Mariah Travel is proud to offer a rare and intimate opportunity to explore Cuba alongside Christopher P. Baker, one of the world’s foremost experts on Cuban culture and travel photography. Described by National Geographic as “one of the world’s leading authorities on Cuba travel and culture,” Christopher has led more than 150 tours to the island and authored eight acclaimed books on Cuba, including National Geographic Traveler: Cuba and Cars of Cuba: A Celebration of Vintage American Automobiles. Over the past three decades, Christopher has photographed and written about Cuba for the BBC, CNN, National Geographic, New York Magazine, Playboy, and dozens of other major publications. His deep personal connections, cultural fluency, and photographic mastery bring unparalleled richness to this immersive journey.
An Immersive Cultural and Visual Experience
This unique photographic adventure is designed to help you capture the soul of Cuba through your lens, with Christopher’s expert guidance at every step. From the timeworn streets of Habana Vieja (Old Havana) to the breathtaking limestone mogotes of Viñales Valley, you’ll explore some of Cuba’s most iconic and visually arresting locations. Learn to develop your visual storytelling and refine your technique in the celebrated "National Geographic style" of documentary and travel photography—gaining both technical insights and creative inspiration from one of the most respected names in the field.
Our journey begins in Habana Vieja (Old Havana), a street photography paradise. You’ll enjoy behind-the-scenes photo sessions in remarkable locations curated by Christopher himself—such as a gritty, colorful boxing gym, an Afro-Cuban dance troupe performing in a crumbling colonial theater, and ballerinas from the Cuban National Ballet posing in an exquisite, timeworn mansion.
In Viñales, Cuba’s fabled tobacco-growing region, you’ll photograph landscapes of astonishing natural beauty—but it’s the people who make it unforgettable. Thanks to Christopher’s enduring friendships, we’ll be welcomed into the homes of traditional tobacco farmers, offering rare and intimate access far beyond the typical tour experience. We’ll also be joined by a local Viñales-born photographer, who brings rich cultural context to every moment.
Trinidad: Colonial Elegance & Authentic Cuba
We conclude in Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site often described as Cuba’s most beautiful city. With its colorful facades, perfectly preserved 18th-century architecture, and cobblestone streets, it’s a dream for photographers. We’ll photograph cowboys on horseback, explore a working cattle ranch in the countryside, and enjoy a traditional country-style lunch.
Trinidad pulses with energy and music. You’ll have opportunities to capture local musicians in evocative settings and soak in the city’s vibrant street life. As a special treat, Christopher has arranged several exclusive surprise shoots, including—when available—a quinceañera session in a dramatic colonial setting, offering a once-in-a-lifetime chance to document one of Cuba’s most treasured cultural traditions.
DATES: February 14-23, 2026 & April 26-May 5, 2026
(only two dates in 2026)
COST: Tours Starting at $4950;
$400 single supplement
DAILY ITINERARY (subject to change)
Day 1: Arrival in Havana & Welcome Dinner
Arrive in Havana, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to our charming private B&B in the heart of Old Havana. Settle in and soak up the ambiance of this vibrant, historic neighborhood.
We’ll gather at 5:00 p.m. for a brief orientation meeting to go over the week ahead. Then, kick off the adventure with a stylish spin along the iconic Malecón in Eisenhower-era American convertibles, the wind in your hair and camera in hand.
Our welcome dinner will be at La Guarida—Cuba’s most famous (and photogenic) restaurant, made legendary as the set of the Oscar-nominated film Strawberry & Chocolate. It’s a dramatic and delicious start to the journey.
Overnight: Private B&B, Old Havana
Beautiful models on the stairs to La Guarida
Day 2: Exploring Old Havana & Sunset on the Malecón
Today we hit the streets with our local Cuban photographer-guide to explore the plazas and back alleys of Old Havana. Chris will share insights into the city’s complex and colorful history while introducing you to local residents. These spontaneous encounters may lead us into humble homes, secret nail salons, Santería shrines, and more—offering rich opportunities for candid, powerful photography.
In the late afternoon, we’ll head to Parque Central for a shoot featuring Havana’s iconic classic American cars, then stroll down the Prado promenade, through gritty, lively Centro Habana, and on to the Malecón. As the sun sets, we’ll photograph the golden light dancing on waves and old buildings, with classic cars rumbling by. Along the seafront boulevard, we’ll capture everyday Cuban life: elders walking dogs, fishermen casting lines (or paddling out in inner tubes), street musicians tuning up, and young couples lost in each other’s arms. After sunset, we’ll walk a short distance to a local restaurant for dinner.
Overnight: Private B&B, Old Havana
Day 3: Boxing, Photography Legends & Afro-Cuban Dance
We’ll begin the day with an early morning photo walk and bicitaxi ride through the less-traveled southern side of Habana Vieja, en route to a gritty, timeworn gym where Cuba’s next boxing champions train. The light, the action, and the raw emotion here make for an unforgettable shoot.
After lunch, time permitting, we’ll visit the Galería Raúl Corrales, dedicated to the life and work of one of Cuba’s most iconic photographers. The gallery is run by his granddaughter, Claudia Corral, a talented contemporary photographer in her own right.
In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy an exclusive photo session with a dynamic Afro-Cuban dance company, offering a chance to capture movement, expression, and powerful cultural traditions in a dramatic setting. The rest of the day is free for you to explore or photograph Havana at your own pace.
Overnight: Private B&B, Havana
Day 4: Ballet, Leisure & Optional Tropicana Show
This morning, we’ll photograph two ballerinas from Cuba’s National Ballet in stunning, cinematic locations—including an exquisite, crumbling colonial mansion that feels suspended in time. These carefully arranged shoots offer some of the most elegant and evocative portraits you’ll create in Cuba.
The afternoon is at leisure for your own creative pursuits—visit a museum, schedule a café photo session, or simply take a break. Dinner is on your own tonight, and for those who wish, we’ll offer an optional evening excursion to the world-famous Tropicana cabaret, a dazzling spectacle of Cuban music, dance, and colorful costuming.
Overnight: Private B&B, Havana
Day 5: Havana to Viñales: Tobacco Fields & Sunset Views
This morning we’ll say goodbye to Havana and drive west to Viñales, Cuba’s beloved countryside escape. We’ll stop for lunch at a private restaurant with sweeping views of the Viñales Valley, famed for its surreal mogotes—steep, lush limestone formations rising dramatically from the farmland.
Along the way, we’ll visit a tobacco farm, where we may enjoy a cigar-rolling demonstration and photograph traditional agricultural life. After checking in to our private B&Bs, you’ll have time to unwind before a sunset shoot at a hilltop organic farm-restaurant, perfectly positioned for golden-hour magic.
Overnight: Private B&Bs, Viñales
Day 6: Sunrise with Farmers & Rustic Viñales Life
We’ll rise before dawn for a sunrise shoot with local tobacco farmers, capturing the soft morning light as it spills across the fields and drying barns. After photographing the morning routines, we’ll enjoy breakfast at one of the farms before heading to another, where we’ll meet one of Cuba’s most colorful and photogenic characters—a true local legend and a joy to photograph.
The early afternoon is free for you to relax or explore the quiet rhythm of rural life. Later, we’ll visit additional farms and homesteads, connecting with residents in and around their homes and tobacco barns for intimate portrait and lifestyle photography.
In the evening, we’ll share a delicious roast suckling pig dinner at a family-run farm-restaurant—a warm, authentic culinary experience under the stars.
Overnight: Private B&Bs, Viñales
Day 7:Journey to Trinidad via the Cuban Heartland
Today we travel from Viñales to Trinidad, stopping along the way to photograph and explore Cuba’s diverse cultural and agricultural landscapes. Enjoy a gourmet brunch at a private organic farm, followed by a unique stop in a former sugarcane community, where we’ll photograph a ration store adorned with striking revolutionary murals—a rare and gritty glimpse into Cuban life.
As we continue, we’ll pass through Cienfuegos, a coastal city with French-inspired architecture, and then drive along the Caribbean shoreline, arriving in the colonial jewel of Trinidad just in time for the golden hour. After a long but rewarding day, we’ll celebrate with a dinner at one of Trinidad’s most sensational paladares—a beautifully restored private restaurant full of ambiance and flavor.
Overnight: Private B&Bs, Trinidad
Day 8 – Streets of Trinidad & Cowboy Country
We’ll greet the day with an early morning golden hour walk, letting serendipity guide us through Trinidad’s lesser-known neighborhoods. Away from the tourist trail, we’ll capture the quiet poetry of daily life in one of Cuba’s most photogenic cities and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The afternoon is free to wander, relax, or explore the town at your own pace. Later, we’ll gather for a special themed shoot with a cowboy at a riverside location, followed by a visit to a nearby rustic hacienda—a setting rich with texture and history.
This evening, you’re invited to enjoy Trinidad’s lively music scene, with an optional visit to Casa de la Trova, where local musicians light up the night in one of Cuba’s most iconic venues.
Overnight: Private B&Bs, Trinidad
Day 9 – Valle de los Ingenios & Farewell Celebration
This morning we venture into the Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills), a UNESCO World Heritage Site just outside Trinidad. We’ll begin with a styled photo shoot featuring a woman in period costume at one of Chris’s favorite 18th-century haciendas—a beautifully preserved colonial estate full of atmosphere. We’ll also spend time in a nearby working farming community, offering more authentic portraits and lifestyle photography opportunities. Afterward, we’ll enjoy a rustic lunch at a traditional ranch, surrounded by the rural beauty of central Cuba.
The afternoon is yours to revisit favorite corners of Trinidad, dive into local galleries, or simply relax. In the evening, we’ll gather for an informal image-sharing slideshow, celebrating the creative spirit of the group. Then we’ll toast to our unforgettable journey with a farewell dinner at one of Trinidad’s most beloved paladares.
Overnight: Private B&Bs, Trinidad
Day 10 – Tour Santa Clara & Departure
This morning we’ll drive to Santa Clara, arriving in time for your midday flight to Miami and your journey home—carrying unforgettable memories and a collection of powerful, evocative images from your time in Cuba.
INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COST:
• Airport transfers: From José Martí Int'l Airport and return.
• Cuba Tourist Visa
• All breakfasts and welcome dinner. Other lunches and dinners as listed in tour itinerary.
• All activities, expert local guides, services, speakers, meetings and meals as described in tour itinerary except those noted as "optional" or "not included in cost."
• Air-conditioned transportation and a full-time driver where needed.
• Mandatory Cuban medical insurance coverage during your island stay.
• Expert photography instruction from a true Cuba expert!
NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COST:
• International airfare to and from Cuba. Mariah Travel will assist and advise with the coordination of the best flights.
• Gratuities for Cuban tour guide, bus driver, chambermaids, restaurant staff, porters, etc. Please inquire about recommended gratuities guidelines.
• Any personal items.
• Optional travel interruption and cancellation insurance is highly recommended. Mariah Travel partners with USI Affinity.