Founded in 2001, Boogalu Productions is a media production and travel organization with headquarters in the San Francisco Bay Area and Havana, Cuba. Our Hosted In Havana programs are designed for travelers seeking an intimate and personalized experience of Cuba, and who want the most enriching experience possible by taking advantage of our expertise, local knowledge, and superlative travel services.

Philip (American) and Mileidys (Cuban) are the husband and wife team that lead the organization. Philip is the program director. Mileidys is the operations director.

Our Credo

In all of our work we strive to preserve and promote "La Cubania". That special Cuban world view that affirms:
• pluralism in everything
• people come first
• life and art are not separated
• doing more with less
• honoring our roots

Where does the name Boogalu come from ?
Boogaloo or bogalú is a fusion of Afro-American soul music and Latin music that was invented as a cross over style to engage the music-dance communities in New York in the 1970's. I named my company Boogalu (mix of the two spellings) Productions to honor this rich tradition in the Americas of blending cultural expressions.

Read Our Traveler Reviews and Stories.

PHILIP & MILEIDYS

Philip's Bio:
My over 40 year involvement with Cuban life and culture began as a teenager growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area where I was first exposed to live performances of Afro-Cuban music. As a young man I became a student of Afro-Cuban & Brazilian percussion and then a performer and teacher. My first trip to Cuba was in 1999 and in 2001 I founded Boogalu Productions and for 12 years produced an acclaimed series of Cuban music and dance educational videos. In 2013 I met my future wife and soon after established a headquarters in Havana where we initiated the Hosted in Havana travel program.

Mileidys's Bio: Mileidys grew up in Havana and throughout her education received top honors. At the University of Havana she earned a degree in social psychology, and later taught as a professor. From 2004-2016 she had a position with Cuban television as a news program producer.




ALEXANDER, Host-Guide Extraordinaire

Alexander is very gracious and bright young man. An intellectual and aspiring PhD candidate, he got his masters degree at the University of Havana in sociology as well as doing studies in Buenos Aires. Alex is highly knowledgable about the arts, music, history, and the best jazz clubs in Havana. He is also a superb cook. His specialty outdoor barbecue.


YAISEL - Host-Guide Extraordinaire

Yaisel in one word... effervescent. She majored in language studies at the University of Havana and has been a professional guide for several years. Her passion is learning, studying, and absorbing all things related to Cuban society, culture, and life. Yaisel has a calm and engaging personality and will delight you with her mastery of the art of tour-guide.