We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
In Cuba, food is still rationed. Many food products are controlled so therefore it can be quite difficult for restaurants to offer a varied menu. Vegetarian meals can be quite basic.
You’ll need some extra money to cover meals and drinks not included in the price, other sightseeing, airport taxes approx. CUC25 Convertible Peso (approx. £20), souvenirs and items of a personal nature such as laundry.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Cuba |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
£1.00 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
£1.00 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
£1.00 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
£1.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
£8.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
£12.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
£15.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
Entry visas are required by all nationalities for Cuba. They can easily be obtained through Cuban embassies (by post), consulates, directly from Explore when booking direct with Explore’s head office; or by overseas clients through their Explore agent.
Due to US Treasury Department Regulations we are unable to accept bookings from US passport holders.
Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against Malaria, Tetanus, Infectious Hepatitis, Typhoid and Polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against Malaria (eg. Paludrine, Chloroquine, Mefloquine etc).
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Walking Grades and Fitness
All walks are optional. Walks on this tour are graded as easy however the walks may be considered easy to moderate.
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Climate
The dry season is from November to April. Average temperatures are 22-26°C. Though the sky is often cloudless during the dry season, cold wet snaps do come in from North America especially in December and January, when the temperatures can drop to as low as 5°C at night. From May to October there are normally fine mornings and clear evenings, afternoon rains tend to be short and heavy. Temperatures are hot and humid.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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One main piece of luggage and a small rucksack for day use. Total allowance 44lbs/20kgs. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage – don’t over load yourself.
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Trek Kit Bag
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Need help on clothing or equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/ explore for further information.
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Clothing
October to April: pack for ‘All Tours’. Include light cotton clothing plus something warmer for the evenings in the hills when it can get cool. A light fleece would be useful except December-January when a heavier fleece and waterproof are recommended. An umbrella is useful in the rainy season. May to September: pack for ‘Hot Conditions’.
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Footwear
Comfortable trail boots, plus trainers/sandals for the evening. Water sandals may be useful.
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Equipment
Water bottle, towel, torch, sunblock, insect repellent, sunglasses, sun hat and swimgear. You may wish to bring your own snorkelling equipment (see day 6 and 7).
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Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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General Information
Trip Summary
Discover the best of Western Cuba with like-minded single travellers. Packed with intriguing history and glorious mountain and coastal scenery, there are fantastic sights and activities on offer along the way. Try your hand at cocktail making, take a catamaran out to a beautiful offshore island in the Caribbean and enjoy soaking up the colonial atmosphere of Havana and Trinidad whilst coming back to the comfort of your own room every evening.
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Please note:
The hurricane season in the Caribbean officially runs from June to November, often peaking in September. However, as the frequency and intensity of the hurricanes is impossible to predict from year to year, we still plan operate our tours during this period. In the event of a hurricane occurring during your trip, your safety is our top priority. In accordance with local regulations and with the assistance of our local groundhandling agents, we may have to evacuate to another part of the island or have to remain in the same place for a number of days while the storm passes. This could result in a certain amount of disruption to the itinerary of your tour on the ground, or to your flights and, on very rare occasions when a hurricane is predicted to hit in advance of travel, we may even have to cancel your tour.
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New Entry Requirements – Cuban legislation now require evidence of Insurance cover on entry – a policy must be shown with your name and cover dates on it.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Toll Free USA - 1 800 715 1746 
Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the North American website
