Capture the Magic Of Cuba
Cuba Photography Tour with Louis Alarcon
Capture the vibrant soul of Cuba through your lens on this exclusive photography tour with acclaimed photographer Louis Alarcon. From the colorful streets of Havana to the timeless charm of classic cars, historic architecture, and lively cultural scenes, every moment is a photo opportunity.
Rated: Excellent 4.9/5 
12+ Years
Photographing Cuba
Capture
Authentic Cuba
Iconic
Photo Moments
Expert
Tuition
Expert Tuition
- Local
- Personal
- Authentic
Tour Pricing
From USD$3895.00 per person
Pricing based on twin-share in our Superior B&B–style (Casa) accommodation.
Your Cuban photography adventure includes stays in our handpicked Superior Casa accommodations — boutique, beautifully maintained guesthouses featuring air-conditioning, private ensuite bathrooms, and the warm hospitality Cuba is known for. Airport transfers, a knowledgeable local guide, and comfortable private transportation between destinations are all part of your experience, ensuring you can focus entirely on capturing Cuba through your lens.
Every meal is included, along with a thoughtfully crafted programme of photographic opportunities, cultural encounters and location-based sessions designed to reveal Cuba’s most striking and inspiring subjects.
For our complete pricing list and accommodation examples, please contact us today.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Photography Tour in Cuba
Your Cuba Photography Tour with Louis Alarcón has been designed to give you everything you need to focus entirely on your craft. From carefully selected Superior Casa accommodations to seamless logistics and private transportation, every detail is handled for you. Louis and our expert local team will guide you through Cuba’s most photogenic locations, ensuring privileged access and meaningful encounters along the way. All meals, coaching sessions and curated activities are included, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the experience. Simply bring your camera — we’ll take care of the rest.
Included Activites
As your Cuba photography tour begins you will be shown how to interact with the locals and told what to avoid photographing, so you can snap away without worry from the first hours.
Expert tuition is on hand to help with camera configuration, colour combination, proper lens use and how to deal with brightness and shade.
The second day of the Cuba photo tour sees you visit a vintage gym in Havana to photograph this special atmosphere.
You will also have the opportunity to meet and photograph some of Cuba’s most enigmatic people: an Afro-Cuban priest and dancers, tobacco farmers in Viñales and training boxers.
There will also be a focus on the country’s spectacular architecture, and the revolutionary graffiti of the capital.
Meals
Breakfasts, lunches and dinners are included as part of the tour, meaning less time worrying about food and more time taking photographs.
Visit
You will be given special access to a number of places of photographic interest, including a vintage gym, local farm, boxing session and Afro-Cuban dance performance.
Local guide
You will be accompanied by a local Cuban English-speaking guide who will share their knowledge with you throughout your Cuba photography tour.
Photography tutor
The tour boasts the expert tuition of well known photographer Louis Alarcon, who will show you how to get the best from your camera and the wonderful country you are photographing.
Accomodation
You will be accommodated in Superior B&B Style (Casa) accommodation. Elegantly restored B&B's offering premium comfort, refined décor and outstanding hospitality — our most elevated and boutique-style accommodation option.
Transportation
Transport between Havana and Viñales, your two Cuba photo tour destinations, in comfortable private air conditioned vehicles is included.
Local, PErsonal, Authentic
Cuba Photography Tour Itinerary
Day 1 (D): Havana
Arriving at Havana’s José Martí International Airport your included airport transfer will take you to your casa particular (Cuban B&B) accommodation, where you will be greeted by your host and shown your room. You will also be given the opportunity to meet with your guide and Louis and discuss the itinerary.
As the designated arrival day of your Cuba photography tour, there are no planned activities to allow for your arrival at any time of day. However, in the evening there will be the chance to walk along the Malecón with your hosts and fellow tour members.
The Malecón is a seawall promenade that stretches eight kilometres from the mouth of Havana harbour and through the Centro Habana neighbourhood to the neighbourhood of Vedado. It makes for a popular local spot to see and been seen, and therefore a great place to get any photography project off to a good start.
MEALS INCLUDED
- Dinner
Day 2 (B,L,D): Havana
The focus underpinning day 2 of your Cuba photo tour is on Cuban culture and the Cuban people. Today you will have your first opportunity to capture the lively street theatre of Havana Vieja (Old Havana). As well as the main squares and points of interest such as the Parque Central area, Louis Alarcon together with your local English speaking guide will also take you to the streets not usually visited by tourists.
Louis will take this opportunity to share his tips on the art of taking photos in Cuba, including the relationship between photographers and their subjects, and places you shouldn’t photograph however tempted you may be.
While you walk the streets of central Havana, Louis will take a workshop aimed at highlighting all you will need to know about camera configuration, colour combination, lens use, and how to work in the brightness and shade you will find in Cuba’s streets. Louis will be eager for you to share your photos with him, so that you can discuss and analyse the images you have captured.
As the day progresses you will have the opportunity to photograph colourful street markets, courtyards and terraces. You will also have the chance to visit one of Havana’s vintage gyms, providing a unique atmosphere to try out your newly discovered photography skills.
MEALS INCLUDED
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 3 (B,L,D): Havana
Day 3 focusses on the island’s Afro-Cuban roots and religious practices. The influx of slaves to Cuba from Africa brought to work on the country’s sugar plantations during the eighteenth century saw the evolution of the Santeria religion. Another uniquely Cuban development, it combines the teachings of Roman Catholicism and West African tradition. Far from dead, it has somewhere in the region of 30,000 adherents, most evident around the Callejón de Hamel, a narrow pedestrian alleyway just two blocks long in the Centro Habana neighbourhood.
You will get the chance to visit the colourful streets of Callejón de Hammel in order to view the handiwork of Salvador Gonzales. A famed Cuban painter, muralist and sculptor, Gonzales has created a series of artworks that depict various aspects of the religion.
Staying in the area, your Cuba photography tour will continue as you get to visit an Afro-Cuban priest and have the prospect of photographing a group of dancers during their daily performances, putting your action photography to the test. Examples of the sorts of religious and Afro-Cuban dancer photos you can capture are available from Louis’ website.
As evening descends you will return to the Malecón and the Prado intersection to capture the sunset in all its glory, ensuring you are in the right place at the right moment, and with the right light!
MEALS INCLUDED
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 4 (B,L,D): Viñales
It is an early start to day 4 of your Cuba photography tour in order to have breakfast before departing in good time for the 3 hour journey to the rural township of Viñales. You will arrive in time to have a group lunch at the Los Jasmines look-out point, where with any luck you will be blown away by the natural beauty of the area, since the town is ringed by mogotes – the word used to describe small hills with sheer rock faces.
Located in the heart of the Pinar del Rio valley, most of Cuba’s tobacco and coffee production takes place in and around Viñales, a town comprising simple single storey wooden houses with exterior porches.
Accompanied as usual by Louis Alarcon and your local guide, you will learn all about the special lifestyle in this area. The Cuba photography tour includes the chance to visit a hidden community of farmers and visit the valley itself to shoot the landscapes and its people as well as their relationship with tobacco, their animals and the land.
A relaxed evening will follow the hard day of photographing, giving you a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the local music of Viñales amongst the warm and friendly locals.
MEALS INCLUDED
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 5 (B,L,D): Viñales back to Havana
This morning you will be up early again so that you can journey into the heart of the valley. Here you will meet farmers preparing their morning coffee and meet some of the local wildlife amongst a sea of green back-drops.
As part of the fifth day of your Cuba photography tour you have the opportunity to interact further with the people of Viñales, and even to enter inside their homes to get to know their families as you share a locally grown and made “criollo coffee”. Be sure to keep your camera at the ready to capture the many memorable portraits and daily scenes you will see in this distinct part of Cuba.
You’ll also be able to take photos to your heart’s content of the beautiful Viñales valley before visiting a tobacco farm to see a demonstration of cigar rolling and learn more about the local industry.
In the afternoon you will travel back to Havana in air conditioned comfort with Louis and your guide.
MEALS INCLUDED
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 6 (B,L,D): Havana
Today your Cuba photo tour concentrates on street photography in a new area of the Cuban capital. Louis will get you to focus on capturing the spirit of the classic American cars that cruise the streets of central Havana, the external colonial facades of its buildings, and show you the best ways to capture natural portraits of families relaxing on their balconies.
Having mastered these skills the Cuba photo tour continues with a visit to a local Havana family, to learn more about daily life in the capital, followed by a visit to a boxing gym to photograph the boxers in training.
As the day progresses Louis and your guide will take you to the San Jose Market, where they will introduce you to well known painters, sculptors and artisans. This is a great opportunity to view and buy Cuban art direct from the artists themselves, while also offering the chance to identify the many photographic opportunities that mix paintings with people.
Throughout, Louis will be keen to review your work, offering advice and assistance to help you improve as a photographer.
MEALS INCLUDED
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 7 (B,L,D): Havana
Although the famed revolutionary Che Guevara was born in Argentina, he is as much part of the country’s recent history as Cuban-born Fidel Castro. In 1958 ‘El Che’ was able to derail a train loaded with weaponry designed to wipe out Castro’s men, saving the revolution. He is held in such high esteem that when his remains were discovered in Bolivia in 1997 it was arranged that they would be laid to rest in Cuba. It’s no real surprise then that the streets of Havana are full to bursting with graffiti celebrating the great man.
Your Cuba photography tour acknowledges this by centring day 7 around Havana’s Che Guevara route. Moving around the capital on foot, you will be taken by Louis and your guide to the most interesting works of Guevara street graffiti – whether they are easily observable or hidden from general view.
While strolling the Che Guevara route with your camera in hand you will also visit other points of interest along the way, and pay a visit to a popular Cuban photographer to learn more about their work and photography more generally in Cuba.
Since it is the last evening of your Cuba photography tour, a special farewell dinner will be arrange for the group.
MEALS INCLUDED
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 8 (B): Havana
As this is your designated departure day, there are no planned group activities today. Depending on your scheduled flight time, you might have the opportunity to put everything you have learnt with Louis to the test on your own.
You might want to return to UNESCO-listed Old Havana to capture some final shots of its high fortified walls or Spanish-style plazas at an alternative time of day when there are different light conditions. The perspectives of the grand baroque and neoclassical structures built by the colonial authorities exemplified by the Gran Teatro (Grand Theatre), the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception and the Fort of Saint Charles (known locally as La Cabana) subtly change throughout the day.
Your tour includes your private transfer to the airport, reducing the stress of reaching the airport in time for your flight.
MEALS INCLUDED
- Breakfast
Why we love this trip?
- This tour is focussed 100% on photographing the people, culture and places of Cuba, meaning you will be with like-minded fellow tour members.
- With group numbers of just 3 – 9 members, the Cuba photography tour is flexible in its itinerary and can take full advantage of spontaneous events that may provide the perfect backdrop for photographic opportunities.
- We will take you to some of the best restaurants and hidden paladares in the country.
- Our Cuba photo tour will take you where typical tourists don’t go, uncovering the real Cuba.
- Photograph daily Cuban life at unique city locations such as boxing gyms, colourful Afro-Cuban streets and smoky jazz clubs.
- Witness first-hand the beautiful countryside of rural Cuba, not seen in the guidebooks.
- Receive the expert tuition of Louis Alarcon, a local photographer who has been leading tours in Cuba for 10 years.
- You will learn the cultural considerations of photographing people that are indigenous to the region and the challenges of photographing in a country foreign to you.
Want to photograph the real Cuba, far from the crowds?
Your Host
Louis Alarcon (b. 1974) is a bilingual documentary photographer based in Havana, Cuba, specializing in both color and black-and-white photography. His tours offer a unique perspective on Cuba, going beyond stereotypes to capture the authentic daily lives of the Cuban people.
Since 2008, Louis has been leading photography tours and private workshops across the island, sharing his expertise with photographers of all levels. He manages the international Instagram account for Cuba (IgersCuba) and founded one of the most popular Cuba-focused YouTube channels, which publishes new videos every 12 hours and has attracted millions of viewers.
Louis is an active member of multiple photographic associations in Cuba, the USA, and Europe.
You can explore his portfolio here: Photographing Cuba – Photo Essays by Louis Alarcon.
Want a Cuba photography journey that feels truly unique?
Estimated Travel Times:
With most of the Cuba photography tour taking place within Havana, the only travel you have to take into account is the journey to your second destination, Viñales, which takes approximately 3 hours. This means only a minimum amount of time on your tour will be spent travelling rather than photographing.
Transportation
All private transportation is included between destinations and for any activities/ excursions included in your itinerary that require transportation to and from the activity. Any extra transportation requirements can be organised through your Cuban guide and paid for locally in Cuba.
You will be driven from Havana to Viñales and other destinations in comfort, using private air conditioned transportation, vastly reducing the amount of time the same journey would take by the somewhat chaotic public transport system.
Spending Money on Tour:
With airport transfers, accommodation, meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), guide, tuition by Louis Alarcon and transportation between Havana and Viñales all included as part of the Cuba photo tour, your daily expenses will be limited. You should bring enough money to cover tips for guides, drivers and photographic subjects, souvenirs, and personal expenses such as laundry fees. You might want to bring a little extra in case you decide to go on an optional excursion or activity. We recommend bringing around USD$40 – USD$60.00 per person per day.
What photography equipment to bring?
Your host Louis Alarcon has written some important information about the photography equipment he recommends that you bring with you on our Cuba Photography Tour. You can learn more here: https://photographingcuba.com/equipment-to-bring-to-a-photo-tour-in-cuba
Want to discover Cuba’s most photogenic hidden corners?
Travel to Cuba from the U.S.
For those traveling to Cuba from the U.S. (regardless of nationality), please note that the documentation we will include with your booking ensures your compliance with current U.S. travel restrictions (515.574 Support for the Cuban People). In addition to retaining your itinerary, please keep records of your booking receipt, airline receipt, and any supplemental insurance purchased. You should retain these copies for 5 years after your travel. Some of our travelers have been asked to furnish these upon application for Global Entry, Pre-Check, and other programs with TSA oversight.
Airport Transfers:
Your Cuba photography tour includes being picked up at Havana’s José Martí International Airport and delivered to your accommodation in the city on arrival, and the return journey to the airport on your departure, meaning you won’t have to worry about organizing your own transport, or the weight of your luggage on leaving!
Our Team
Straight from our Instagram feed
Take a look at our Instagram page where we feature the best travel pictures and behind the scenes photos taken by the Locally Sourced Team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need travel insurance for my Cuba tour?
Yes. All travelers are required to have health insurance that covers them while in Cuba, including cover for Covid-19 related illness. We also highly recommend that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance (covering cancellation, curtailment, lost baggage, etc.) at the time of booking. This ensures you are fully protected even before your trip begins. Please note that Locally Sourced Cuba Tours does not provide refunds except as outlined in our booking conditions, so being fully insured is essential.
What is the on-location payment and why do I need to bring it in cash?
Part of the cost of your tour is paid locally in Cuba. This is because it is difficult to transfer large amounts of money into Cuba to operate our tours. Paying a portion locally helps us cover services in cash and also keeps our tour prices lower.
Important: Please make sure your Euro or USD banknotes are in very good condition—damaged or worn notes are often not accepted in Cuba.
Can I book extra nights of accommodation before or after my tour?
Yes. Extra accommodation in Havana (or at other tour start/end points) can be arranged either before your arrival or during your stay. Let us know your requirements when booking, and we’ll assist with suitable Casa Particulars or hotels.
What is the Advance Passenger Information form and when do I fill it in?
Before arrival in Cuba, you must complete the Advance Passenger Information (D’Viajeros Form) online at https://www.dviajeros.mitrans.
The form can only be submitted within 7 days of your departure to Cuba.
Select “Tourism” as your reason for travel (even if you are a U.S. citizen).
You only need to provide the address of your first night’s accommodation.
Screenshot the QR code at the end—this will be required for check-in.
This form is different from your Cuba visa (which must also be arranged before travel).
Should I exchange money at the airport on arrival?
We advise that you do not exchange money at the airport. Instead, wait to meet your guide, who will show you the best and safest places to exchange. In many cases, paying directly with Euros or USD is more convenient than exchanging into Cuban pesos (CUP).
Will someone meet me at the airport?
Yes. Your arrival airport transfer is included. A driver will be waiting just outside the arrivals lounge, holding a sign with your name, near the CADECA (Money Exchange Centre). If your flight is delayed or you can’t find your driver, please contact us via the emergency numbers provided in your travel documents. As a backup, taxis are always available from the official ranks at Havana Airport (approx. $20–25 into Havana).
Can I take Cuban pesos (CUP) out of Cuba?
No. The Cuban government prohibits CUP from leaving the country, and it may be confiscated at the airport. We recommend spending or exchanging your remaining CUP before departure. In Terminal 3 (before check-in), there are shops and an exchange booth where you can use or convert your CUP.
Is Cuba safe for travelers?
Cuba is one of the safest destinations in Latin America, but like anywhere, petty theft (pickpocketing, bag snatching) can occur, particularly in busy Havana streets. To stay safe:
Avoid displaying valuables or walking with your phone in hand.
Leave your passport and bulk cash locked at your Casa or hotel.
Be polite but cautious with street hustlers (“jineteros”) who may offer goods or services.
What type of accommodation will I stay in?
On our group tours you’ll stay in Casa Particulares (Cuban B&Bs). Casas are family-run guesthouses where you’ll enjoy warm hospitality, clean and comfortable rooms, and a more authentic Cuban experience. Each Casa is unique, often with communal areas or verandas to relax and meet fellow travelers. There is the option to stay in authentic, upgraded or superior B&B’s depending on your budget and expected level of comfort.
How will we travel between destinations?
All transport required for your itinerary is included. While we always aim to provide comfortable, reliable vehicles, transport in Cuba is state-controlled, and availability can vary. In the unlikely event of a breakdown, your guide will resolve the situation quickly. If you need additional transfers outside the itinerary, your guide can help arrange these (paid locally).
Do I need a Cuban visa?
Yes, most travelers need a Cuba Visitor Visa (Tourist Card).
U.S. passport holders can order their visa at cubavisaservices.com.
All other travelers can order online at novelacuba.com.
Check if your nationality is exempt or requires a special visa from a Cuban consulate.
Can I use my mobile phone in Cuba?
Yes. You have two options:
eSIM (recommended): Purchase a data-only eSIM before travel through GigSky.
Physical SIM: Buy a local SIM on arrival via Suena Cuba or at ETECSA offices.
Ensure your phone is unlocked and compatible with Cuba’s networks (900/1800/2100 MHz).
How much spending money should I bring?
Expect to spend USD$50 or more per person per day, depending on your style of eating, drinking, and shopping. Bring cash (Euros or USD), as bank cards often don’t work and ATMs offer poor exchange rates. Always carry notes in good condition.
Are tips expected in Cuba?
Yes. Tipping is an important part of Cuban culture and supplements modest local wages.
Drivers: about $1 per person per day
Guides: $3–8 per person per day
Wait staff: 15% of the bill
What should I pack?
Pack light—remember you may need to carry luggage over cobblestones or up stairs.
Essentials include:
Comfortable walking shoes
Small supply of tissues/toilet paper
Hand sanitizer & first aid items
Umbrella and/or rain jacket
Copy of your passport (leave the original secured at your Casa/hotel)
Any other tips for preparing for Cuba?
Bring a reusable water filter bottle (e.g. LifeStraw) to reduce plastic waste.
Gifts are not expected, but useful items like toiletries or clothing can be appreciated by local friends you meet.
Keep receipts for cigars/rum purchases to avoid issues with customs when leaving.
Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date from Cuba.
If you’re unable to find the answer to your question below, please do not hesitate to contact us at Locally Sourced Cuba Tours.