Detailed Trip Notes
Suitability
Suitability
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.
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Tour Itinerary
Swimming Opportunities
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Whether in swimming pools, rivers, lakes, the sea or the ocean, this icon indicates on which days you will have an opportunity to swim.
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Budgeting for your Tour
Other Sightseeing & Activites
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.
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Excursion Prices
Havana - Museo de la Ciudad CUC3, CUC8 with guide; Museo de la Revolucion & Arte Colonial CUC6 each, plus CUC2 with guide; Colonial Art Museum CUC5, CUC7 with guide
Cienfuegos – Boat excursion inc. transport CUC20 (lunch additional CUC10) - minimum 7 people
Viñales - Cueva del Indio CUC8; Laguna de la Piedra walk CUC8; Day trip from Vinales by bus and boat to the white sand beaches of Cayo Levisa CUC42
Soroa - Waterfall visit CUC3, Orchid garden CUC3
Las Terrazas - Zip-wire course CUC15
Trinidad - Cayo Blanco Boat Excursion CUC45 plus transport 10CUC per taxi each way;
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Please note - most museums in Cuba charge for use of Camera's and Camcorders, this can be up to 7 CUC per usage.
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Airport Taxes
Airport taxes are approximately CUC25 Convertible Peso, (approx £18) payable in cash on departure.
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Tipping
Local Crew: Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, the Tour Leaders may organise a group’s tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.
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Accordingly you should allow approx. CUC30 for gratuities for local staff. In addition 10% is expected in restaurants and it is usual to tip musicians at restaurants and bars.
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Tour Leader: At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.
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Please note tipping is also customary for musicians and for public conveniences so small notes and coins are always handy
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Foreign Exchange
Local Currency: Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC). 1CUC = 1$USD However the exchange rate for dollars in Cuba is poor so it is not recommended to bring dollars to exchange
Where to Exchange: All major cities
Recommended Currency for Exchange: US dollars are no longer accepted in shops and other businesses, tourists and Cubans exchanging dollars will have to pay a 20% commission. We recommend you take clean Euro, Canadian dollars or Sterling cash as these are easier to exchange. Please note that Scottish Pounds are not accepted in Cuba.
ATM Availability: There are ATM’s in all major cities however do not totally rely on the use of your card as these sometimes do not work.
Credit Card Acceptance: Please note credit cards drawn on American Banks are not accepted. Although accepted, please do not rely on using your credit card.
Travellers Cheques: We do not recommend Travellers cheques. Places to exchange Travellers cheques are very limited. Amex Travellers cheques are not accepted.
Additional Information: Your Tour Leader will advise you on currency matters on arrival.
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Up-to-date information on global exchange rates can be obtained at www.oanda.com
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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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Lone Parents
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentation confirming that the individual has authority to travel with the minor. It is crucial that you contact the relevant country embassy for further information on exactly what may be required. These details can be found on the Foreign & Commonwealth Website under the appropriate country www.fco.gov.uk/travel
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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
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 Dec and Jan, 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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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.
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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
One main piece of luggage and a shoulder bag or daysac. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. Remember you will be expected to carry your own luggage, so don’t overload yourself.
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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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Clothing
Include light cotton clothing plus something warmer for the evenings in the hills when it can get cool. A light fleece and waterproof are also recommended, except during Dec-Jan when you will need a heavier fleece and waterproof.
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Footwear
Comfortable walking boots or shoes are recommended, although the walking trails can be tackled in trainers.
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Equipment
A 2-3 season sleeping bag is recommended for the stays at the haciendas, along with a headtorch (with spare bulb and batteries), water bottle and water purification tablets. Sunglasses, sunhat, insect repellent and high factor sunscreen are all essential. You may also wish to bring a pocketknife with you. An umbrella can be useful in the rainy season (May – October).
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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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General Information
Please note:
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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Country info
Area: 110,860 sq km.
Population: 11.39 million.
Language: Spanish.
Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic.
Local Time: GMT -5.
Electric Supply & Plugs: 110/220v 60Hz. Two pin flat blade plugs.
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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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Maps & Books
Recommended Maps: Freytag & Berndt 1:1.25 million.
Recommended Books: Tom Miller - Trading with the Enemy; Graham Greene - Our Man in Havana; Ernesto Che Guevara - Reminiscences of the Cuban Revolutionary & A Revolutionary Life; Fidel Castro - My Life; Jaime Suchlicki - Cuba: From Columbus to Castro and Beyond; Antoni Kapacia - Cuba in Revolution; Fiona McAuslan and Matthew Norman - The Rough Guide to Cuba.
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Toll Free USA - 1 800 715 1746 
Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the North American website
