Welcome to OUT Adventures
Gay owned OUT Adventures and Intrepid Travel have partnered together to provide a comfortable travel environment for not only for gay and lesbian travellers,
but also their friends and family who want to experience the world at the grassroots level with like-minded people. Go on, Get OUT and experience the real world.
Enjoy a relaxing weeklong adventure exploring the white sand beaches and spectacular scenery of Cuba's 'garden province'. The history and culture of this colourful Caribbean island, together with its friendly residents, make it an awesome region to discover. Wander past Havana’s glittering colonial architecture, breathe in Soroa's clear mountain air, relax on Playa Ancon’s vast white beaches and soak up Trinidad’s unrivalled ambience. From old cars to fragrant cigars and with plenty of salsa in between, this trip is the perfect introduction to all things Cuban.
Style
Trip Map
Itinerary
Culture Shock Rating
Physical Rating
Gay Rating
Included Activities
Optional Activities
Spending Money
Tipping
Important Notes
Group Size
Accommodation
Dive into the real world, with a softer landing. Comfort class trips are all about variety: the places, the people, the activities. It's your style of travel if you want a few little extras, but don't want to compromise on a true grassroots travel experience. You're as likely to find yourself paddling a kayak as relaxing on a cruise along the Yangtze River!
Bienvenido a Cuba! Welcome to Cuba!
Please ensure you download and review the latest trip notes prior to your trip as we make improvements and changes to our itineraries. This will ensure you have the most up to date information about your trip.
An arrival transfer is from the airport to your hotel is included in your tour.
Complimentary transfers are only applicable if on day 1 of your trip or if going to pre tour accommodation booked through us (please advise flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to departure if you wish to have this transfer provided).
You and your fellow travellers will be arriving at different times from around the world today, so there are no arranged activities. Your leader will organise a pre-trip meeting for the early evening where. This will be followed by an optional group dinner, a great time to try some local food.
At the joining point hotel, ask reception to direct you to the OUT Adventures Information Folder for your welcome note explaining where to meet. For those who arrive early, there is also sightseeing information in the Intrepid Information Folder.
Havana grew from an obscure port to a bustling hub when gold and silver was being pillaged by the Spanish from New World and taken to Spain. While the ships gathered in growing numbers, the pirates were not far behind and the treasures resting in Cuba's ports were attacked again and again by pirates, Dutch, English and French. The Spanish built fort after fort for protection but the English eventually captured the territory. An economic boom followed due to the English lifting the Spanish trade restrictions. Spain eventually exchanged the Florida territory for the island, but these years left an indelible mark on the city and the country, and Havana is slowly restoring its beautiful colonial buildings.
The best place to start any Havana experience is in the Old City. Havana's Old City is one of the best preserved and was designated a World Heritage Site in 1982. The streets are lined with colonial architecture, 16th century fortresses and countless churches. Make sure you visit La Catedral San Cristobal de la Habana, described by the novelist Alejo Carpentier as 'music set in stone'. Also worth seeing is the Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras (now a restaurant) and the Plaza de Armas, complete with a statue of Manuel de Cespedes, one of the leaders of the independence movement. There are plenty of good museums to check out including Museo de la Revolucion and the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.
While in Havana you must try a Coppelia icecream. You can join the hundreds of locals who line up to eat the delicious ice-cream that is heavily subsidised by the government to keep the populace happy. There is a Coppelia in every major town in Cuba and the one just up the road from our Hotel in Havana is the biggest on the island. Sometimes there is just one flavour available, a whole bowl of which could set you back about 10 cents. You can however pay up to $3 if you want to skip the queue and go the section where the prices are in Convertible Dollars (CUC) rather than the local pesos (CUP).
Icecream on hand, why not head to a local baseball game. This is a great experience as the local atmosphere is very colourful and unique and can get quite rowdy at times. Baseball is by far the number 1 sport in Cuba so the locals can get very passionate about it. Its also interesting to note that the only advertising is government community announcements such as: sport is good for your health!
The season runs from October to May.
We head west from Havana, and toward the dramatic limestone pin-cushion hills of the Pinar del Rio province and the rural town of Vinales.
It's about a 3 hour drive in our private minibus, and we break the journey at Soroa, which is a tiny mountain resort town in the heavily forested Sierra del Rosario. We have lunch here and take a tour of the impressive orchid garden which boasts 700 different species. There are also the options of a stiff 1 km climb up a rugged mountain path to a fantastic lookout, and a short hike to a waterfall.
Vinales is a small and charming rural village. Its probably the easiest place to mix with locals in Cuba who are very sociable and love nothing better than to drink rum and dance the night away. There are only 3 bars in this town so it is difficult to get lost.
The scenery around Vinales is some of the most picturesque in Cuba and the view from our hotel is one of the best. There are many outdoor optional activities available including rock climbing, exploring the area on motor-scooters or bicycle, hiking through the tobacco fields and to caves in the mountains, or just relaxing by the hotel pool and enjoying the spectacular scenery with a refreshing mojito or two.
While in Vinales why not take an optional visit to a ration store or bodega. Every Cuban household has a libreta (a notebook or passbook) that details what food rations each family is entitled to, which varies according to the number of household members, their ages, and dietary requirements. They collect the food rations at the local bodega.
Continuing another couple of hours east along the Caribbean coast, we reach Trinidad, another beautiful colonial city and World Heritage Site. On the way we call in at the island’s best botanical garden, which houses some 2,000 species, 70% of which are exotics, including rare tropical plants with important medicinal uses.
For most visitors to Cuba, Trinidad is their standout favorite destination (well, for the ones that make it this far anyway). No other colonial city in Cuba is so well preserved, and the local residents are extremely friendly and festive. Trinidad is steeped in religiosity, none the least of which is Santeria, which is one of the Afro-Cuban religions (related to Voodoo) that is practiced in Cuba.
La Villa de la Santisima Trinidad was founded by Velazsquez in 1514 and the defender of indigenous rights in the Americas, Fray Bartolome de Las Casas, attended over the settlements first mass. The future conqueror of Mexico, Hernan Cortes recruited sailors here for his future expedition into that land. The town was fairly inactive until the 1800s, when French refugees fleeing a slave revolt in Haiti landed here en masse and brought with them sugar cane cultivation. The new residents settled and farmed in the Valle de Los Ingenios, just northeast of the town. Vast wealth flowed into the local economy from sugar cane cultivation and the area produced one third of the country’s sugar at one point. The sugar boom was terminated by the two wars of independence, but the wealth generated by the industry remains visible in the town’s once grand mansions, colorful public buildings, wrought iron grill-work and cobble-stoned streets. The town and area also saw a lot of action during and following the triumph of the Revolution, as gangs of counter revolutionaries hid out and struck from the safety of the mountains. The Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra los Bandidos and the Casa de los Mártires de Trinidad, chronicles the struggles of this period in the town's history.
There are some great Spanish-style churches to explore here and nearby is the Valle de los Ingenios, where sugar plantations stretch out as far as the eye can see. For some beach side fun head down to Playa Ancon for some long stretches of white sand. This is a good place to pull on the snorkel and have a peak and Cuba's underwater world. For more land based activities go horse or bike riding, but be warned, Cuba's bicycles, just like its cars, are vintage. There are also some great treks to be made in the nearby Sierra del Escambray mountains.
While in Trinidad, you may want to take an optional visit to a folklore dance and music show at one of the numerous open-air venues. Cuba has a hugely rich and varied dance and music tradition that draws its roots from as far a field as Africa and France. Many musical styles that have greatly influenced music worldwide originated in Cuba, such as Mambo, Cha-cha-cha, son, and rumba.
Trinidad has a strong Afro-Cuban community and some of the Afro-Cuban religions are also represented in these shows. By now hopefully you have learnt a few steps of salsa and can join in with the locals.
It's a long drive from Vinales towards our next destination of Cienfuegos (approximately 7 hours). Cubans are known to be very proud people, and the citizens of Cuba's third largest port city call their town La Perla del Sur (Pearl of the South).
Cienfuegos' appeal lies partly in the European flavor of its colonial centre, with a wide Parisian-style boulevard and elegant colonnades. There is ambience enough here to have inspired Cuba's most celebrated 'son' singer to write the words 'Cienfuegos is the city I like best'. He was born nearby, which may have helped.
While here we take a visit to the Palacio del Valle. Once a modest home for a local trader, this palace is now Cienfuegos' architectural pride and joy. The entire edifice drips with ornate carvings in Venetian alabaster.
Again, there is plenty of nightlife all within a very short walk of our centrally located hotel.
On the way back to Havana, we pass by Santa Clara to visit the Che Guevara mausoleum and memorial. Che's remains were brought to rest here after they were found in a remote corner of Bolivia in 1997, where he was assassinated by the CIA-backed Bolivian army. There is an impressive bronze statue of Che bearing his rifle. Inside the museum, you can learn about his amazing life and see photos and exhibits such as his famous black beret.
On reaching Havana, it's time for a final night of salsa. Hit the streets and celebrate a fantastic adventure. As there are no activities planned, you can leave at anytime on day 8.
The itinerary attached is correct at time of printing. Please note: occasionally our itineraries are updated during the year to incorporate improvements stemming from past travelers' comments and our own research. Our brochure is usually released in November each year. As such the information given in this itinerary may be slightly different to that in the brochure. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you print and review a final copy of your Trip Notes a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans. For the latest updated Trip Notes please visit our website: www.out-adventures.com
The trip includes a range of accommodation, such as basic hotels with western facilities or overnight trains. Days of being on the move are well interspersed, communication with the outside world is ever-present and a wide variety of food is commonly available.
You are required to carry your pack on and off trains and buses, up hotel steps, etc. Your itinerary may include easy paced walks or bike rides, but these are on mainly flat ground.
This trip travels to a somewhat conservative area. We encourage you to experience the destination and culture with the following in mind:
Accommodation - We do not foresee any areas of concern on this trip.
Public Display of affection - These are not common in this area however in some cases holding hands is acceptable.
Gay Activities - This trip may have limited gay hosted events, meals or day tours due to the cultural sensitivity of this region. We will do our best to provide a safe, comfortable environment for you and your fellow travellers to experience this culture.
Please read the important notes & local dress section of the Trip Notes for more detailed information
This is a list of included activities on this trip. All other activities are optional and at your own expense.
For a list of optional activities and sightseeing available on this trip, see the optional activities section below.
If you choose not to participate in the included activities on this itinerary, the cost will not be refunded.
Tour of Orchid Garden – Soroa
Visit to Palacio de Valle – Cienfuegos
Tour of Botanical Gardens – Cienfuegos
Afro-Cuban folklore show – Trinidad
Visit to Che Guevara Mauseleum and Museum – Santa Clara
All optional activities are entirely your choice and are not included in price of this trip. The following is not an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only.
Havana:
City tour $15
Walking tour – Old Havana $8 (+Museum entrances)
Tropicana show $75-$110
Other cabaret shows $5-$35
Taxis about town $1-$4 per ride per taxi
Morro-Cabana Fortress $6
Museum Entrances $1-$4 each
Cigar Factory Tour $12
Baseball game attendance $3
Theatre, music, or ballet performance $5-$25
Nightclub entry Free-$25
Vinales:
Bicycle rental $2/hour
Horseback riding $5/hour
Trek to caves and through tobacco fields $8
Rock climbing $20
Caving $20
Live music venues $1
Salsa dance lesson $5/hour
Botanical garden $1
Palenque Cave $1
Cueva del Indio $5
Trinidad:
Bicycle rental $5 full day
Ancon Beach $4-$8 (transport)
Horseback riding $20
Trek to Waterfall - entrance fee $6.50, plus $20 per taxi
Snorkelling trip $10
Diving $50 (2-tank dive)
Live music venues up to $3
Salsa dance lesson $5/hour
Musical instrument lesson $5/hour (guitar, double bass, tres, percussion)
Museums $1 or $2
Bar and nightclub entry Free, $1, $3
Steam train ride $18
Every traveler is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travelers may drink more than others while other travelers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping, participating in optional activities and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
If you are happy with the services provided a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many OUT Adventures destinations. Please note we recommend that any tips are given directly to the intended recipient by a member of your group as our group leaders are prohibited from collecting cash for tips.
The following amounts are based on local considerations and feedback from our past travellers:
Restaurants: Local markets, government and private (paladares) restaurants - round your bill up to the nearest 10%.
There is no need to tip at dinners taken at homestays.
Homestay: You may consider tipping the employees (not the owners) of a homestay. A CUC 1-2 is suggested, although a clothing item, a towel or the like will be kindly received.
Local guides: Throughout your trip you may at times have a local guide in addition to your leader. We suggest USD 2 per person per day for local guides.
Drivers: You may have a range of drivers on your trip. Some may be with you for a short journey while others may be with you for several days. We would suggest a higher tip for those more involved with the group however a base of USD 1-2 per day is generally appropriate.
Your Group Leader: You may also consider tipping your leader for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however as a guideline USD 2-3 per person, per day can be used. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Please note Hurricane season is June to November when landslides,
mudslides, flooding and disruptions to essential services may occur. We will monitor any situations that arise, and may need to change itineraries or activities in response to these natural weather occurrences.
Please note this OUT trip is operated by our experienced local partners.
An arrival transfer from the airport to your hotel is included in the tour. Complimentary transfers are only applicable if on day 1 of your Intrepid trip or if going to pre-tour accommodation booked through Intrepid (please advise flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to departure if you wish to have this transfer provided).
Maximum of 12 travellers per group
Comfortable hotels (7 nts)
While travelling with us you will experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. On our camping trips we often cook the region's specialties so you don't miss out. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Please check the 'meal inclusions' section of these notes for details of meals included.
Allow CUC $140 for meals not included.
7 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Minibus, walking
All OUT group trips are accompanied by one of our gay or gay friendly group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. We endeavor to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders.
Your leader will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. OUT leaders aim to support local guides who have specialized knowledge of the regions we visit - and who better to hear it from than the locals themselves? If you were interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
If you are happy with the level of service provided by your group leader, we recommend that you reward them with a $2 to $4 USD tip per day.
Hotel Park View
Calle Colon
Havana
Cuba
Phone: 2147483647
Fax: 5378636036
ocated in a historical surrounding which includes the newly renovated Museum of Fine Arts, the former Presidential Palace, and the well-known Prado Promenade, the Park View Hotel was one of the first hotels built with American capital.
We don't expect any problems (and nor should you!) but if for any reason you are unable to commence your group trip as scheduled, please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your trip leader.
If you have pre-booked an airport transfer (where available) and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes. Should this occur, please apply to your travel agent for a refund of the transfer cost on your return.
No refund is available on missed transfers or portions of your trip owing to a different flight arrival or delayed flight arrival. Any additional cost incurred in order to meet up with your group is at your own expense.
Hotel Park View
Calle Colon
Havana
Cuba
Phone: 2147483647
Fax: 5378636036
ocated in a historical surrounding which includes the newly renovated Museum of Fine Arts, the former Presidential Palace, and the well-known Prado Promenade, the Park View Hotel was one of the first hotels built with American capital.
In the case of a genuine crisis or emergency, Intrepid's Melbourne Office can be reached on Tel: +61 3 9473 2650. For further contact details please use the following page: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/ourtrips/contact/.
Please also make sure you have access to an additional USD$400, to be used when unforeseen incidents or circumstances outside our control (eg. a natural disaster, civil unrest or an outbreak of bird flu) necessitate a change to our planned route.
Please note that visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. We keep the following information up to date as much as possible, but rules do change.
It is important that you check for yourself.
Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up to date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It is your responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. For general information on what nationalities need what visas for what countries the following web site may be of use
www.projectvisa.com
If you are an American citizen, American permanent resident or hold any type of American Visa and are considering traveling to Cuba, please refer to the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website for the latest advise: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1097.html
In the homestays they will offer to wash your clothes for you. This is a convenient and economic service and will cost between CUC4 and CUC7 depending on the size of the bundle of clothes you give them. They will have your clothes back to you the next day nicely ironed and folded.
What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking you should pack as lightly as possible. On the vast majority of our trips you are expected to carry your own luggage and although you will not be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes) we recommend keeping the weight under 10kg/22lb.
Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for daytrips.
You will be on the move a great deal, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. We recommend the use of a duffel bag or backpack (whatever you find easiest to carry). A good size daypack is also essential.
It can get very hot and humid in Cuba throughout most of the year and especially in the summer months of June, July, and August, when lightweight clothing is recommended. In the winter months of Cuba - in December, January and February, it can get colder, particularly during the evenings. It is recommended to bring a fleece top, jacket, or the like, for these months. A fleece top can also be useful on some buses in Cuba where it can be quite cool due to the air-conditioning, even in summer months. Although the temperatures don't get very low in Cuba (the all-time record in Cuba is -1 degree celsius), because of humidity levels and the fact that Cuban houses are not set up for cold weather, the cold can be hard to escape from. In general however, during the day, the climate in Cuba is hot and tropical.
As far as footwear, some people can get by with just a pair of sandals. In the summer, because of the temperatures in Cuba, open footwear is definitely preferable, even in the evenings. There are some interesting day walks in Cuba that you may want to do. These involve walking over some steep and rocky terrain, so it would be advisable to bring footwear that you would feel comfortable doing this in, if you are interested in such activities.
For going out in the evenings in Cuba, casual dress is acceptable everywhere you go, so there is no need to bring clothes or footwear especially for this, although some people may be more comfortable doing so. Despite their low income levels, Cubans love to dress up smartly whenever they can. There will be plenty of opportunities for swimming in Cuba (beaches, rivers, pools) so be sure to bring your swimwear.
Gifts for Cubans?
Cubans are delighted to receive gifts from foreigners even if they are items that you would consider throwing out at home. Second hand clothes are warmly accepted as gifts as they can be distributed among family members and friends. Soap, shampoo, perfumes, and pens or pencils are also very popular with the Cubans. Inexpensive soap is readily available in Cuba if you intend buying some as gifts. Though they would be most happy to receive them, it is not necessary to bring gifts for your host families, as they are probably some of the more well-off families in Cuba and will be happy enough with just your good-natured presence.
Lightweight clothing is recommended throughout most of the year, especially in the summer months of June, July, and August when it can get very hot and humid. In the winter months of December, January, and February, it can get colder, particularly during the evenings, and it is recommended to bring a fleece top, jacket, or the like, for these months. Although the temperatures don’t get very low in Cuba (the all-time record is -1 Celsius), because of humidity levels and the fact that Cuban houses are not set up for cold weather, the cold, when it comes, can be hard to escape from. In general however, during the day, the climate in Cuba is hot and tropical.
For footwear, some people can get by with just a pair of sandals. In summer, open footwear is definitely preferable, even in the evenings. There are some interesting optional day-walks, which involve walking over some steep and rocky terrain, so we advise bringing footwear that you would feel comfortable doing this in.
For going out in the evenings, casual dress is acceptable everywhere, so there is no need to bring clothes or footwear especially for this, although some people may be more comfortable doing so. Despite their low income levels, Cubans love to dress up smartly and fashionably whenever they can. There will be plenty of opportunities for swimming so be sure to bring your swimwear.
The following checklist is to be used as a guide only and is not intended to be a complete packing list. Any other items that you wish to pack are at your own discretion however you should attempt to comply with the suggested luggage weight limit.
Suggested list:
Documents:
Passport (with photocopies)
Travel insurance (with photocopies)
Airline tickets (with photocopies)
USD cash and travellers cheques
Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
Vouchers, pre-departure booklet and trip notes
Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
Items Clothing
First-aid kit** - Fleece top
Sunblock - Windproof/waterproof jacket
Sunglasses - Small towel and swim wear
Toiletries (biodegradable) - 4 shirts/t-shirts
Watch or alarm clock - Sun hat
Water bottle - 2 pair of shorts
Purification tablets or filter - 2 pairs of long trousers
Pocketknife - 1 pair hiking pants/track pants
Sport sandals - Hiking boots/ sturdy walking shoes
First aid kit should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking.
Optional
Camera and film, reading/writing material, binoculars, cover for backpacks, concealable money belt
Currency exchange rates often fluctuate. For the most up to date rates please refer to the following website: www.oanda.com.
Currency: There are 2 official currencies in Cuba:
Cuban Peso Convertible (CUC). Value: 1CUC = US$1.08
Cuban Peso (CUP or Moneda Nacional – M.N). Value: 24 M.N = 1CUC
The exchange rates of these currencies are fixed by the Cuban Government, however they are liable to change at any time. For the most up to date rates please refer to the following website: www.oanda.com.
In April 2005, the CUC was increased in value by 8% from its original value of 1USD. Up until now it has remained at its present value.
For the vast majority of our transactions we use exclusively the CUC.
CADECA exchange houses: In Cuba there are official government exchange
houses called CADECA. These can be found in every city and also at the airport. They are commonly found in the larger hotels in Havana.
The CADECA exchange houses offer the following services:
* Exchange foreign cash to CUC
* Make cash advances on credit cards
* Exchange travellers cheques.
To do any of these operations you will need your passport. To exchange traveller's cheques you will also need the receipt of the bank where you bought the travellers cheques.
In terms of cash, the only currencies that you are guaranteed to be able to exchange are CAD, EUR, and GBP. You can also exchange USD, however, the Cuban Government charges an additional 10% fee for accepting USD. The same rules apply for travellers cheques in USD.
Please note that until further notice AUD and NZD are not accepted in Cuba. Please also be advised that slightly torn notes, notes that have been heavily marked or are faded, may be difficult to exchange. It is best to bring notes in fairly good condition, in denominations lower than 100USD (or equivalent).
Eurocheques are not accepted in Cuba. Visa and Thomas Cook traveller cheques issued in USD are not a problem, except that you will incur the 10% charge for exchanging from $US.
Credit cards (both Visa and MasterCard) should work at the CADECA's for cash advances.
ATMs: At present, the only cities with ATMs are Havana, Camaguey, and Santiago de Cuba. You will need a pin number for your credit card to be able to use the ATM's. Only Visa cards work in the ATMs (not Mastercard nor Cirrus). We find occasionally people come with a Visa debit card that does not work in the ATMs. For others they work perfectly fine. We don't know why this happens. We do know that a Visa debit card obtained through Travelex will not work in Cuba. Because of these unpredictable difficulties it is best to come to Cuba with a 'back-up' plan of obtaining cash if your credit card does not work.
Bank Commissions: The exchange rates used by the CADECA are the same in every CADECA around Cuba and represent about a 3% commission for the bank (included in the exchange rate). For cash advances and when using the ATMs, there is a 3% fee charged. This means that for value for money it is approximately the same if you are making a cash advance or exchanging a travellers cheque or cash.
The effective value of the CUC for our purposes, considering all of this, is therefore 1CUC=1.113USD.
For exchanging from USD, the effective rate is about 1CUC=1.22USD.
Local Cuban Peso: The 'local' Cuban Peso has very limited use, especially for travellers. You may get the chance to use it occasionally so it is perhaps a good idea to exchange about 1CUC-3CUC to M.N at one of the CADECA after you arrive. Only some CADECAs, offer this service.
This currency is mainly used for buying goods at ration stores (for which you need to be a resident and have a ration card), but some other products are also available in this currency and mainly from street stalls, such as ice-cream (1-3M.N), and pizzas (10M.N).
Whats confusing for travellers is that the Cubans call both currencies "pesos", so you have to know the value of something to know which currency they are referring to. Otherwise you have to ask. CUC is also colloquially known as convertibles, divisa, dolares, fula, chavitos, baros, cañas, cabillas.
There is a 25CUC departure tax from Cuba that is not included in your international air ticket.
If you need to be contacted while travelling we recommend email. Email cafes are generally available throughout the regions we visit, although it is possible you may be without email contact for several days on some itineraries. If someone wishes to contact you in an emergency while you are on one of our trips we recommend that they contact your local booking agent, or refer to our emergency contact details. We don't recommend that family and friends try to contact you through hotels, as they are subject to change and the reception staff may not speak English.
While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or our local partner straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.
We recognise that there may be times when your group leader/local partner may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case please ask the leader if you may speak to their direct manager.
You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip but we do ask you to be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is complete.
All OUT Adventures travelers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully in the group travel experience.
If, in the opinion of our group leader, any traveler is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or
the rest of the group, OUT Adventures reserves the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund. We therefore
ask that you read the itinerary in these Trip Notes thoroughly and then realistically self-assess your physical ability to complete
the trip as described. Please consult with your doctor if you have any doubts.
Please contact your doctor for up-to-date information and prescriptions for vaccinations, anti-malarial requirements and any reasonably foreseeable illnesses whilst traveling in Latin America. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements (including a spare pair of glasses). Please be aware that we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities for some time during this trip, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. Please ensure that you are adequately prepared.
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel.
We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure.
Please refer to our website's Safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues
affecting our trips: www.out-adventures.com/safety.
We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport,
air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewelry at home - you won't need it while travelling.
Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables.
A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities however
during your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure.
While your group leader will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional
activities you undertake are not part of your OUT Adventures itinerary, and OUT Adventures makes no representations
about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgment when
selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel
any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. For more details on the type of conditions
and safety standards you can expect on your trip, please refer to OUT Adventures' operational safety policy at
www.out-adventures.com/safety.
We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any
feedback on how well it is being implemented in the field.
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your group leader will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time.
On an OUT trip you will be travelling with other gay or gay-friendly passengers. We encourage open minded friends and family to join our trips. As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travelers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travelers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.
Please note that due to privacy reasons we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travelers booked on your trip prior to departure.
With the exception of our Comfort and In Style trips, our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers share with people of the same sex for the duration of the trip, in accommodation ranging from twin to multi-share. Please note some of our itineraries have accommodation booked on a mixed gender share basis - where applicable this will be specified in our Trip Notes. On our Comfort & In Style trips you have the choice of sharing or paying a single supplement. Please note that this only applies to accommodation during the tour. Pre- and post-trip accommodation will be booked on a single room basis.
We believe strongly in low impact, or rather, positive impact tourism. Broadly speaking this means that we try to minimize the negative aspects of tourism on the local cultures and environments that we visit and highlight the positive aspects. Please refer to our website at www.out-adventures.com/responsibletravel for further details and suggestions on how you can be a responsible traveler.
Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on our trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for OUT Adventures travelers. OUT Adventures' philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make our destinations such special places. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our group leader has the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes.
After your travels, we want to hear from you! This is so important to us that we'll give you 5% off the price of your next trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 4 weeks of finishing your trip. Go to: www.out-adventures.com/feedback
Thanks
Do you want to see your travel photos published? To celebrate all that is travel photography,
OUT Adventures holds an annual photography competition. For more information, prize details, entry form and competition conditions,
please visit www.out-adventures.com/photocomp.
Send entries to The Editor,
OUT Adventures,
PO Box 98026, 970 Queen St E
Toronto, ON
Canada, M4M 3L9
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