Cuba beyond the headlines
Cuba Rising creates all-inclusive, bespoke programs for individuals and organizations looking to peel back the many complex layers of modern-day Cuba.
Gaining access to non-access places
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Learning how to cook abuela's legendary black beans
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Engaging in nitty-gritty conversations about U.S.-Cuba relations with former ambassadors and prominent Cuban economists
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This is Cuba.
PREVIOUS CLIENTS
ABSOLUTE PERSONALIZATION
Travel to Cuba with one of the most trusted cultural liaisons bridging the U.S. and Cuba, Hannah Berkeley Cohen. Her years of on-the-ground experience in Cuba translate directly into an intricately planned and well-curated experience for you. Interested in sustainability and architecture? What about underground economies and speculation of currencies? Your trip with Cuba Rising is legal, fitting under an OFAC-approved general license that encourages supporting the Cuban people (and the private sector) and engaging with the public, interacting with Cubans one-on-one: experiencing firsthand how people live, and finding ways to give back to the communities that welcome us into their homes and kitchens. With a maximum size group of eight people, our settings are intimate and unique, tailored to your exact interests.
A LIBRARY OF INSIGHT
Cuba is complex.
The opportunities to ask questions are endless.
Before ever stepping foot in Cuba, you will receive a personalized list of recommended books, articles, and movies so you can thoroughly enjoy and understand the experience we’ll have together.
It’s difficult to dissect in a short amount of time. Having historical and cultural context will lead to a more enriching experience.
TESTIMONIALS
“Hannah was our secret weapon in Havana. She introduced us to people and places that became the cornerstones of our trip. We owe the success of our visit to her connections and expertise.”
“You gave us the gift of understanding Cuban life, and we came away with a totally new impression. You taught us so much about the system and the way of life...”
“My trip to Cuba was one of the richest cultural experiences I’ve ever had. Hannah was a trustworthy professional during the planning process, but walking around Havana, she was a local, familiar with an astonishing number of people and places all over the city. Even my short trip felt immersive. Havana is not a city that reveals itself easily, but Hannah was an intuitive translator who helped me appreciate the complexities and beauty of Cuban life.”
“Hannah Berkeley Cohen is not only razor-sharp smart and savvy about Cuba, its society, and its political culture; it’s as if she is also more Cuban, somehow, than almost anyone I have ever met, without ever losing her invaluable outsider’s perspective.”
“Filming in 2016 for The New York Times’ 36 Hours video series was challenging, so we were very lucky to work with Hannah. Her on-the-ground knowledge helped open the doors for us to film some of the best spots in the city.”
HANNAH BERKELEY COHEN
Hannah Berkeley Cohen, journalist and creator of Cuba Rising, lived in Cuba for almost a decade, contributing to media outlets such as The New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, VICE, and others. She has used her wide-ranging network and experience to gain full access for both news organizations and travelers looking to dive headfirst into the social and political complexities of Cuba.
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Hannah started calling Havana home at age 20 after studying Marxism and Leninism at the University of Havana. In 2015, she covered the visit of Pope Francis and the re-opening of the US embassy in Havana for France24 and The New York Times, as well as the visit of President Obama the following year and the end of Wet-Foot-Dry-Foot policy. In late 2016, she reported live from Havana the death of Fidel Castro for ABC News.
Before her passion projects in Cuba began, Cohen headed the creation of the first women-led IT knowledge center in rural Bangladesh, and worked with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to create literacy and microfinance initiatives for Bangladeshi women.
Hannah continues to report on the continually changing economic and social landscape of Cuba, while currently based in Curaçao.
