Dedicated Team
Our Mission
Connect travelers to one another and to an inspiring local culture through unique experiences and personalized service, while empowering local communities.
Inspired. We feel inspired for doing good in the world.
Service. We live and breathe exceptional service. It’s in our DNA.
Authenticity. We regard cultural immersion as fundamental to the spirit of travel.
Impact. We seek to positively transform the lives of our clients, our local partners and the world.
Respect. We are founded on the principle of global unity, which transcends race, religion and country.
Accountability. We uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct and professionalism.
Innovation. We continuously discover and create magic moments of experiential travel.
sara portuondo
Director of operations & Marketing
I was born and raised in Havana, where I grew up surrounded by the rhythm, resilience, and beauty of Cuba. Years ago, I joined Cuba Candela when it was just a dream beginning to take shape. I started as a host, welcoming travelers with a smile and sharing the real Cuba with them.
Soon, I became a Field Manager, designing on-the-ground experiences that allowed guests to truly connect with our people and culture. When I moved to the U.S., I took on the role of Operations Manager, building seamless systems to deliver five-star experiences while supporting our incredible team on the island.
Today, as Director of Operations, Marketing & Business Development, I lead strategic initiatives to expand Cuba Candela’s impact, empower travel advisors, and create life-changing journeys for their clients – journeys that are legal, authentic, and deeply meaningful.
Brian Rogers
Director of Sales & Experience
When I first stepped off of the plane in Havana over two decades ago, I had no idea what to expect. I was a wide-eyed American, looking to explore beyond my comfort zone. Over the course of the trip, as well as subsequent stays on the island as a student enrolled at the University of Havana, I experienced the magical blend of adventure, learning and human warmth that makes travel so essential, and unforgettable. I also gained a profound respect for the people who call the island home.
After a stint as a Spanish teacher, I began planning tours to Cuba in 2015, deepening my connections to the growing network of local businesses and entrepreneurs who form the backbone of the hospitality industry. I witnessed firsthand how the positive effects of travel spread across Cuba both in the form of economic opportunity and cultural goodwill.
Several years and many trips later, I joined Cuba Candela, where I have the privilege of working with an exceptional team dedicated to creating one-of-a-kind, immersive experiences for clients visiting the island. As Director of Sales and Experiences, I help people from all over the world experience the rhythms, resilience, and beauty of Cuba, so that they can feel the same magic that I felt on my first trip.
"Thanks to travelers visiting from the United States, I have been able to fulfill my dreams of working in a travel agency as a dance teacher. I teach basic principles so that you can dance. Through this travel company – I achieved my biggest dream, to have my own apartment for me and my mom. It is currently being built and is almost finished."
"Through meeting with more travelers and American visitors, I have gained confidence as a musician and person. I have so much joy and pride in meeting them and sharing my music. They have also helped me to grow financially. Thanks to their help, I have been able to record and produce songs and promote my music."
"Travelers who experience and get to know the reality of this country first-hand often leave with a much more accurate idea about Cubans, and especially about how rich and immense Cuban art (in all its manifestations) is."
"Working with travelers is motivating because I want them to leave my farm understanding what I do. It is important for travelers and Cubans to share experiences and a sense of unit0y and to understand that there is no difference between us. We are all humans living in the same world. We have different cultures and can learn from one another."
"Every traveler is special and leaves a trace of themselves behind. You learn parts of his or her life, and they learn yours. Those moments I spend with travelers in my car is like traveling in time. The memories stay with me and motivate me to create more unique memories with others."
"Being a Host I have the opportunity to interact with my guests and in addition to making them feel at home, learn a little about their places of origin. It is important that travelers visit so they can know first-hand our reality, that although we lack many things, we are always willing to give and share the best we have. We have joy and an ability to reinvent ourselves."
Support for the Cuban People
With every trip, we support more than 30 Cuban entrepreneurs. Learn more about the incredible people we work with in Cuba and how travel and trips like yours have had a positive impact on them.
We take a collaborative approach to culture building. When you join Cuba Candela, you become part of the creative process of crafting an intentionally designed culture that we can all feel inspired to work within every single day. We actively choose to follow seven core credos:
- Trust your work family
- View problems as opportunities
- Own your mindset
- Find and share your light
- Bring your full self to work
- Empower others to contribute
- Celebrate our successes