Cuba Testimonials

“Jim, I wanted you to know that the trip was so delightful! I very much appreciate the care you took in choosing places for the photographers to take pictures. I admire how you’ve established relationships with folks, especially in Viñales. It made the trip so much more personal. I am still on a high from the trip. It was one of the most delightful I’ve ever had. Thank you for the time and effort you put into creating an experience we would enjoy. I got so many marvelous photos and my friends all want to see the pictures and hear how I felt about Cuba. Some even want to go to Cuba. I’ll be sure and give them your contact information. ~Pamela B., Cuba trip participant


This Jim Cline tour was very professional and a well-run experience.  My favorite part of the trip was (trip leader) Chris Baker; I would go on any trip he is leading. He was way above our expectations. He has vast knowledge of Cuba and was able to communicate clearly and in a warm and entertaining way. As a leader (and photo pro), he really improved my eye for a good shot. Always had good advice and didn’t overwhelm with technicalities. By the end of the trip we considered him a good friend.  The photo opps during this tour were really great and allowed us to really get a feel for the Cuban people and how they live. We were given the chance every day to meet and interact with local Cubans.”  ~Reno D., Cuba Trip Participant


“I just wanted to say again thank you and to let you know how much I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. You are an excellent organizer, and I think that helped to keep the tour running smoothly. I heard many of the folks say the same thing. I just got back my 13 rolls of 3D film yesterday and I am super excited. I have many good exposures that turned out well. I look forward to the JCPT trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. Thank you again.” ~Dorothy M., Cuba Tobacco Country trip participant


“This trip was one of the best! I loved the ballet dancers and the ballet. Jim is a great leader and I really liked the local guides, as well. One of best things was that almost all of the participants knew each other and had been on many Jim trips and many times to Cuba. The group dynamic was great.” – Judy B., Cuba Tobacco Country trip participant


This Jim Cline tour was very professional and a well-run experience.  My favorite part of the trip was (trip leader) Chris Baker; I would go on any trip he is leading. He was way above our expectations. He has vast knowledge of Cuba and was able to communicate clearly and in a warm and entertaining way. As a leader (and photo pro), he really improved my eye for a good shot. Always had good advice and didn’t overwhelm with technicalities. By the end of the trip we considered him a good friend.  The photo opps during this tour were really great and allowed us to really get a feel for the Cuban people and how they live. We were given the chance every day to meet and interact with local Cubans.”  –-Reno D., Cuba trip participant


“Thank you, Jim for an amazing trip. The warmth of the Cuban people and photo opportunities were so limitless. Cuba is addictive. With this 4th trip, I am already looking forward to another. The Don Quixote performance by the National Ballet of Cuba made the photo shoot of the ballerinas in the beautiful mansion even more memorable. This was the trip of a lifetime!” – Claude L., Cuba Tobacco Country trip participant


“What a wonderful trip and first time to Cuba with Jim Cline and local guides Claudia and Guillermo. I fell in love with Cuba – the food, the people, the cars, and all of the activities on this Havana and Vinales tour. I had such a great time with everyone in my group. Everything was organized well. I especially loved all the dancing we saw, the private performances by the Afro-Cuban and contemporary dance companies, as well as some by the ballerinas. Vinales and La Palma were relaxing and beautiful. I loved that the Cubans allowed us to visit their homes and take a peek, and photograph their lives. Thank you, Jim and company for allowing me to take some of my favorite photos of all time. What great memories!” ~ Lausanne O., Cuba trip participant


“Amazing!! I don’t think it could have been planned or executed better. Every day was well planned, perfectly laid out, and better than the previous one. It also makes a big difference to have an experienced travel leader such as Jim running the show. Would you like to see some of the 6,000 images I made on this fabulous trip!!!!” ~ Len O., Cuba Tobacco Country trip participant


“The planning Jim Cline Tours puts into a ten-day photographic opportunity is excellent. The knowledge gained is incremental depending on your level of photography. Jim seems particularly interested in your own experimentation and questions the photographic has related his/her results. There are few critiques but the ones that take place generally involve other professional photographers and are exceptionally enlightening.” ~Phil P., Cuba tour participant



The tour, itinerary and especially the staff were outstanding in every way. Joel, Alex the Santiago guide, Alexis the driver, great job. Each contributed greatly in their own way to a very rewarding experience. Chris Baker. Excellent excellent management skills. His antenna was always alert and responsive to everyone. Multi-tasking successfully, he planned a robust experience. I appreciated his skills as did, I believe, the whole group. The time we had on the island in Cayo Granma was the highlight for me. The models Chris found all worked out in the end. I thought the quinceañera girls were a quite brilliant stroke.
~Paulette H., Eastern Cuba trip participant


A great experience with a super leader. Top 10, 5 stars. I recommend it! ~John K., Eastern Cuba trip participant


I really enjoyed your excellent leadership and deep knowledge of Cuba! ~David P., Eastern Cuba trip participant


“Everything was TERRIFIC. Jim’s concerns to make sure everything went smoothly (and in Cuba, that’s a challenge) is why he is the best leader I’ve ever traveled with. All the cultural experiences were unique, which is saying a lot since it was my 6th visit to Cuba. The accommodations, meal planning, SANDOR (THE BEST!!!!) and Claudia, transportation, and photo opportunities – all were superior! Going to the sugar mill, train depot and Hershey were wonderful. Only sorry we didn’t see any sugar cane growing. There was plenty of free time too, which is valuable in street photography. That’s it. Sign me up for more!” ~ Rita F., Cuba trip participant


“We had a great time and thought you did a masterful job with organization. All in all, we would recommend the trip highly. It was a pleasure to finally travel with ‘the Boss’. ~ Zoe K., Cuba trip participant


“Your methods have improved my photographic techniques 5-10 fold. Your ability to put the photographer in a setting to get an extraordinary photograph while making suggestions on light, exposure and shutter speed is what it’s all about. I have multiple photographs from this trip that I and others consider some of the best I’ve taken – that’s thanks to you in both setting the stage and suggesting shooting angles and the rest.” ~Phil P., repeat Cuba trip participant


“Based on my experiences traveling to Peru with you, I knew that I wanted to visit Cuba on one of your trips. I had high expectations of this trip and they were all exceeded! As I said probably an annoying number of times on the trip, there were so many moments (from meeting locals that you have relationships with to the local guides to events like the boxing gym and dance companies) that know I wouldn’t have been able to have from any other group trip. I felt that I came away from the trip not just seeing Cuba, but experiencing it in a way that most visitors probably don’t get the chance to do. Thanks for the great trip!” ~Louis T., Cuba trip participant


“All the families I met were great. A highlight of the trip, as well as walking in the early evening with you, along the streets of Havana. That’s why I put your links in. You did a great photo trip—opened up doors, literally. Gave me the opportunity to take good photos.” ~Susan S., Cuba trip participant


“Thank you again for an amazing trip! You are a wonderful leader!” ~Kim R., Cuba trip participant


“I am still on a high from a great tour. Thank you for one of the best tours I experienced. The Cuba People to People Cultural Exchange was an experience that I will never forget. I had no previous expectations so everything was beyond anything I could have imagined. Each of the following made the experience: the unexpected friendliness and hospitality of the Cuban people,. music everywhere, the dance programs, the boxing center, the farm, and different parts of the country. A tour that well programmed to let us learn about Cuba, experience the country and people and photos that will always be a remembrance. Local guides were knowledgeable and helpful. Jim, my words do not do justice to my experience in Cuba with you and the group. Thank you for letting me join you. I look forward to reviewing your tours and hopefully will be able to join you in another great experience.” ~Jeanette D., Cuba trip participant


“Chris was great; he took me from non-photographer status, i.e. point and shoot only…to fanatical photographic virtuoso. That was a surprise bonus since I was just going along for the ride…not for the photography! My favorite part of this trip was Chris’ input, be it in the realm of photography or in his vast knowledge of Cuba. Chris made photography, history and current events fascinating. Plus, he truly had a love for the locals and treated them with compassion and respect. The local guides were also fabulous and attentive… Being introduced to Cuba through the eyes and camera of Christopher was inspirational.” ~Paula Z., Eastern Cuba trip participant

“Going through my thousands of pictures and I shake my head..you certainly outdid yourself, what a fabulous, fabulous trip you put together!!!!!!! Thank you, thank you!” ~Ann T., Cuba trip participant


“The trip was a fabulous integration of photography and the Cuban culture. Chris (tour leader) was great and made photography, history and current events fascinating. He took me from non-photographer status, i.e. point and shoot only…to fanatical photographic virtuoso. Plus he truly had a love for the locals and treated them with compassion and respect. I would recommend this trip to anyone, especially if they have not been to Cuba. Being introduced to Cuba through the eyes and camera of Christopher Baker was inspirational. His vast knowledge of the local communities and his keen photographic eye merged to present an unforgettable look at our neighbors who are so close geographically yet so culturally unique.”  –Paula Z., Cuba trip participant


“You are a true humanitarian, and I am so pleased to have been able to travel with you. Thanks for absolutely everything. All blessings and may the next Cuba trips be as smooth as possible.”, Kim B. Cuba trip participant


“I had a wonderful time……The effort that you put into this kind of a trip is very obvious and Cuba in it’s best circumstances is difficult. You handled things so well, especially since this was your first trip back there. It’s a trip we will never forget and already I am feeling the urge to go back. I just want you to know that for me, it was winner. Thanks for all your efforts.” ~Gini P. Cuba trip participant


“Very professional and well run experience. Chris Baker is a wealth of knowledge and provides it in a warm and entertaining way. I would go on any trip he is leading. The Cuban guide and driver were great, very professional and yet like family. We were given the chance every day to meet and interact with local Cubans. The photo opportunities were broad-based and provided experience and instruction on a wide range, everything from shooting models to landscape. Chris really improved my eye for a good shot. Always had good advice and didn’t overwhelm with technicalities. He was way above our expectations. By the end of the trip we considered him a good friend that we would like to see again.” ~Reno D., Eastern Cuba trip participant


I was extremely pleased with this trip to Cuba. It was well planned and executed and we were provided with an incredible number and variety of photo opportunities. Chris…you are an extraordinary guide. You created so many marvelous photo ops with your ability to work with people. And I so appreciate all of the photography advice you gave me. I learned so much on this trip. Your knowledge of Cuba and your willingness to share it was remarkable. I returned home with a new appreciation of Cuba and especially the Cuban people. I believe that Jim Cline Photo is an ethical and well-run company and I look forward to traveling with you in the near future. ~Jeanne L., Cuba trip participant


Thank you all for making the trip to Cuba so enjoyable. This was my first trip with an organized group, and it couldn’t have been a better experience. I’m also thankful for all the advice on how to improve my photography and suggestions about how to get involved with different photography groups. Chris, you are a one of a kind :). Really enjoyed you as a photographer, a guide, and of course as a fabulous storyteller. You have so much Cuban knowledge. Also, loved your positive energy. ~Åsa M., Cuba trip participant

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