Picturing Cuba: Baracoa and Santiago

There are a very few places in this world that are pure magic and Baracoa, Cuba is definitely one of them. Nicknamed “Cuidad Primada,” meaning “First City,” it boasts a special past dating back to the indigenous Taíno people, later discovered by Christopher Columbus, and then a significant history in many Cuban revolutionary movements. Today, Baracoa it is a relatively unknown paradise, boasting wide rivers, a breathtaking coastline, and friendly Cubans. Our adventures lead us through abundant scenery and into rich encounters throughout this beguiling city and surrounding countryside.

Return to Cuba with Santa Fe Workshops in a small group of no more than seven photographers to continue your photographic exploration across the island. Jennifer Spelman and Carlos Otero are your guides and mentors on this unforgettable journey.

After a flight from Miami into Santiago de Cuba, we settle into our casa particulars and then stretch our legs and focus on street photography in the bustling energy of Cuba’s second largest city. The next morning, we travel by private van over the La Farola highway, winding our way up the lush Sierra del Puril mountains before dropping down into Baracoa. Our travels lead us far into the surrounding countryside to engage in meaningful encounters with the gracious Cuban people as they go about their daily lives. We walk along the wide, shallow rivers to visit women washing clothing and families tending small farms. We take a river trip with small boats to access a remote area of coconut farmers. They invite us into their water-side homes for a cup of coffee and interesting conversation. Another day we travel through rural villages to the eastern-most tip of Cuba at Punta de Maisi and a visit the majestic Lighthouse overlooking the Caribbean.

After five days in tranquil Baracoa, we travel back along the La Farola highway for another evening in vibrant Santiago de Cuba. The next day we meet the people in beautiful Cayo Granma and a stop in El Cobre, a former mining village with a special history. Our trip concludes with a celebration and group dinner together. Join Jennifer and Carlos to deepen your understanding of this complex country, broaden your ability to create images that are visually compelling, and celebrate the stories of Cuba.

In alliance with Cuba’s premier photographic organization, Fototeca de Cuba, our unique program allows participants a unique experience in Cuba through the photographer’s eye. Our 9-day educational program offers a cultural exchange with the Cuban people as well as a rich photographic educational experience.

True to the requirements of a People-to-People General License with U.S. Treasury Department, Picturing Cuba: Baracoa and Santiago focuses on educational exchanges with the Cuban people and recording their amazing lives with our cameras.