What's Not Included DETAILED ITINERARY

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1 8 Days Starts/Ends: Havana Head west from Havana and walk through tobacco fields, meet friendly locals and sip on Guayabita liquor. Visit a French coffee plantation before and soak up the sun on the beaches of Jibacoa - a real Cuban extravaganza! HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS Trip Highlights Havana - Cuba s eclectic capital Vinales, nestled in the scenic Sierra de los Organos Mountains Homestays - mingle with the locals Tobacco fields - learn how to roll a traditional Cuba cigar Las Terrazas, visit a 19th century coffee plantation Pinar del Rio (or Concelacion), visit a Guayabita liquor factory Playas del Este - sun, sea or try your hand at scuba diving What's Included 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners 7 nights simple hotels, cabins and homestays Local transportation - public buses, locally hired buses, mini buses and taxis Excursions to Vinales country side and Las Terrazas Escorted by a tour leader Specialist local guides at certain sights of interest Entrance fees for included excursions Airport arrival transfer on day 1 What's Not Included International flights, departure and border taxes and visas. Tips on all excursions. Tip for your tour leader - an entirely personal gesture. Meals - allow US$25-30 spending money per day to cover meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs and any extras. Airport departure transfer - can be booked at an additional cost upon request. DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1 : Havana Sunday. Upon arrival at Havana Airport you'll be met and transferred to our joining hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to independently explore the city. Seemingly stuck in time, every corner of Havana are historical influences from the Spanish conquest and the African slave trade, to the bustling and lavish vacation paradise for wealthy North Americans in the 1950 s. Take a lazy stroll along the Malecón, get lost in the time warp of Old Havana's colonial cobblestone streets, take a ride in a 1940 Dodge taxi through crumbling central Havana, witness Afro-Cuban religious rituals on the street and dance salsa until dawn. Overnight - Havana Days 2-3 : Vinales Havana - Vinales. Leaving the bustle of Havana, we will pass through the scenic countryside en route to Viñales. This delightful town is nestled in the striking Sierra de los Órganos Mountains. On arrival, we'll check into our home-stays and meet our friendly host families. Take some time to get to know the culture first-hand with your host family and enjoy some wholesome homecooked Cuban food. On our included tour of the surrounding countryside, we walk through tobacco fields where the finest tobacco in the world is grown, as well as learn about the local produce grown in the surrounding farmlands. The local guide explains the agriculture, geology, flora and fauna of the area. There's also a chance to visit a local farmer and see how they roll a true "campesino" cigar. After a free afternoon, in - 8 Days - 1 -

2 the evening we have the option to dine at the homestay and listen to some live local Cuban music and trying out some salsa steps. Day 7 : Back to Havana money and travellers cheques here when you go out but remember to carry some form of ID and a photocopy of your passport with you. The next morning we'll be transported to Pinar del Rio (or Concelación) where depending on the opening hours and time available you may have the chance to visit a Guayabita factory to see where they make this typical local liquor. This is provincial Cuba at its very best, a lively town with architecture typical of the area. A free afternoon can be spent partaking in one of the many optional activities such as horse riding, cave tours, or just relaxing by the pool of the hotel on the outskirts of town. Overnight - Vinales (homestay) (B:1) Day 4 : Soroa Vinales - Soroa. We leave the charms of Viñales and stay overnight in Soroa where there are nearby short hikes to waterfalls, look-out points and an orchid garden for you to explore. For those less energetic there is plenty of free time to relax. Overnight - Soroa Days 5-6 : Jibacoa Soroa - Jibacoa. On day 5, we will travel by bus from Soroa to Las Terrazas, Cuba's first sustainable rural community and biosphere reserve. Here we will take a guided tour of an antique 19th century French coffee plantation and learn about the old coffee trade in Cuba and the slaves' role in the coffee harvest. In the afternoon we travel onwards to Jibacoa, where we'll have two free days to take in the sun and relax to our heart's content staying in an allinclusive hotel. If that's not enough, why not have a soothing massage right on the beach. Overnight - Jibacoa (B:2, L:2, D:2) Jibacoa - Havana. After your fill of sun and surf we head back to Havana, where you will have another chance to explore the city. As a UNESCO world heritage site steeped in history, you will find plenty to keep you busy. Overnight - Havana (B) Day 8 : Havana Havana. Today your Cuban adventure comes to an end. Tour arrangements finish upon hotel checkout.(b) Arriving into Havana An arrival transfer from Havana Airport to our hotel is included on day 1 - for all bookings made after 10 January If you booked your tour before 10 January 2015, an arrival transfer can be booked upon request at an additional fee. If you are unsure if you have an arrival transfer please check your invoice or contact On The Go. José Martí International Airport is 25 kilometres southwest of Havana. You should find an ATM among all the booths and kiosks on the ground floor, and another on the second floor, where departing passengers check in. Please note American Express and any other credit cards drawn on American banks will not be accepted in Cuba. Your joining location is: Hotel Plaza 267 Agramonte, Havana, Cuba Tel: The hotel should have a safe deposit boxes for your use (you will get an itemised receipt). Please leave all of your important documents, KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Our Partners Please note that this tour is operated by Tucan Travel. Travellers on your trip will have made their reservation with On the Go Tours or Tucan Travel. Personal Safety It is not advisable to wear chains or expensive looking watches or jewellery while in many Central American cities. You should also keep your camera concealed when not in use and carry daypacks on your front for extra safety. Crime in Latin America is not as bad as its reputation but you must be sensible and alert. Arrival & Welcome Meeting When you arrive on day one of your trip, you should find some local information in the hotel lobby. Your tour leader will be staying in the hotel and should have put up a welcome note to let you know what room they are in. A pre-departure meeting is usually held in the afternoon or early evening of day one. You will need to bring the following important items to the meeting with your tour leader: The original and a photocopy of your passport Vaccination certificates (if required) Travel voucher Details of your travel insurance policy number and their 24hr emergency contact number Missing The Start of Your Tour If you miss the start of your tour, please ask at the reception of the hotel for a message from your tour leader which will give you instructions on how to catch up with the group. Any associated costs will be at your own expense (although, depending on the reason, you may be able to claim these from your travel insurance so ensure you keep all receipts). If you know in advance that you are unlikely to arrive on time, please contact us immediately - 8 Days - 2 -

3 so we can inform the tour leader. We cannot be held responsible should your airline/boat/coach be delayed and we are unable to refund any unused portion of your tour. Hotels & Transfers Day 1 of all our tours is simply a joining day and the tour actually departs the joining city on day 2. The last day of your tour is the official departure day and is free for you to pack or sightsee before you depart. All tours are scheduled to arrive at your final destination the afternoon/evening before your departure day. Therefore very little time is spent in each of the starting and finishing cities and you will need to allow a few days at the beginning or end of your tour if you want to explore them further. We can book pre and post tour accommodation for you upon request. Check in time is at 1300 hrs on day 1. If you wish to use the services of a room before or after checkout time, or you are arriving very early in the morning of day 1, you will need to book an extra night, which we can arrange for you. All rooms are on a bed only basis unless otherwise indicated. We include an airport arrival transfer on day 1 for all tours departing from Mexico City, Havana, Antigua or San Jose. Airport transfers are not included/available in Cancun. Airport departure transfers are not included in the tour price but can be booked upon request at an additional cost (with the exception of Cancun). Please see the tour price page of our website for information on prices. Important: If your tour includes an arrival transfer and you are going to be delayed more than two hours, you must advise us of the delay at least six hours before arrival. If we are advised in time, we will make every effort to reschedule your transfer and your driver will be asked to wait for two hours after your new expected arrival time. However, if we are not made aware of any change, the driver will only wait for two hours after the original scheduled arrival time and after this point it will be up to you to arrange transport to your hotel at your own expense. Please contact us on the emergency number on your tour voucher. Optional Excursions During your tour there will be free time to enjoy a range of optional excursions which are listed at the end of this pdf. Your tour leader will be able to make recommendations and bookings in advance for most of these activities so you have more flexibility and control over your itinerary. Please note that you may not have time to do all of the optional excursions listed. Should you wish to partake in optional activities in the city where you tour starts/ends we recommend that you book pre/post tour accommodation. Spending Money For personal spending money you should bring US dollars or Euros in Cuba to use alongside the local currency (where applicable). While bank cards provide a very good way to access funds overall, it is not recommended to rely on them as your sole source of funds as cash machines do not always work and may not be available in remote locations. We recommend you bring along a minimum of US$200 cash in small denominations (no $100 notes). Make sure all notes are the new style, and are not damaged, defaced, rubber stamped or written on, as many places will refuse them if they are not in perfect condition. It is a good idea to try to maintain a supply of small notes and change in the local currency for tipping or small purchases. Your spending money should cover some meals, optional excursions, souvenirs, drinks, laundry, border and airport taxes and any visas obtained locally. We provide guideline prices for optional excursions in the itinerary to help you budget, but ultimately the amount you will need to budget for your trip very much depends on your individual requirements. We recommend bringing extra money to cover emergencies or unexpected situations. Style of Trip Our Central America tours are designed to suit travellers who love being able to travel on many different forms of transport with local people. There is a certain amount of involvement needed, which will mean carrying your own bags to the bus or train station or even helping the driver throw everyone s packs onto the roof. If you enjoy meeting and interacting with local people and don t mind roughing it occasionally, then these tours will be just right for you. It is important that you are open to travelling with a range of different age groups. You must also satisfy yourself that you are fit enough to complete the itinerary as there are no refunds if you choose to leave the tour. Based on the nature of this travel style, our adventurous Central America tours are generally suitable for people aged between 18 and 60 years old. If you have any questions about this please contact us or speak to your travel consultant. Our Central America tours suit people who are fit and active. Although no experience is required there are many walks between bus/ train terminals and hotels and travellers must be able to carry their own luggage over various terrains as well as lift up luggage onto the tops of buses so do not pack more than you can comfortably carry. The average group size is 8 to 12 passengers with a maximum of 18, however on some included excursions group sizes may occasionally be larger. Meals Meals are not included on our Central America Tours, so you can get out there and experience the best local cuisine on offer according to your own tastes and budget. This gives the flexibility to choose when and where to dine and enables you to maximise your free time and not worry about set meal times. Our hotels are generally located near restaurants with standards that vary from first class local eateries to street stalls to ensure we cater for all tastes and budgets. Transport and Travel On our Central America tours we use a variety of transport depending on the country in which we are travelling and the length of the tour. Vehicles can range from buses filled with local people and their many possessions to private minibuses and comfortable airconditioned coaches. Sometimes you could be travelling on boats, taking a taxi or even walking. Our aim is not simply to get you from A to B, but to help you to experience each destination as a genuine traveller, not as a first class tourist. A word of warning - please remember that travelling conditions can sometimes be - 8 Days - 3 -

4 cramped and seating is not always guaranteed in Central America. This may mean having to stand for some time in cramped conditions or share a seat with 5 others! This adds to the experience and is all a part of travelling with the locals. Due to the vast distances covered on many of our Central America Tours, please be prepared for occasional long travelling days. This time spent travelling is unavoidable but you will not be disappointed once you arrive! On the positive side there are also many short travel days and days which involve no travelling leaving you free to explore at your leisure. Accommodation Our 'simple' accommodation is generally the equivalent in comfort and amenities of a 2 star hotel. We stay in small hotels, hostels and guest houses which are usually situated close to the main sights and town centres. They are chosen for their local ambience rather than star rating and we look for attributes like character, location, atmosphere, cleanliness and security. Although sometimes quite basic, you will find clean comfortable rooms with ensuite facilities (occasionally bathrooms may be shared but this is rare), friendly staff and often a bar and restaurant attached or nearby. Please be aware that accommodation in Central America sometimes has erratic services like lack of hot water or no central heating, staff members don t always speak English and sometimes our reservations are 'lost'! In general, facilities are very good but please be prepared for the occasional mishap, which is all part of the travelling experience. All accommodation is included from the arrival day until check out time on the final day of the tour. Travellers will share rooms with other group members of the same gender. Mostly this will be in twin rooms although sometimes in triples depending on the group composition and hotel rooming structure. Electrical Supply The power supply in Latin America differs not only from country to country but sometimes from region to region within a country. If bringing electrical equipment, make sure that it can be switched over from 110 volts to 220 volts and vice versa. If your equipment is 220 volts it will work on a 110 volt system (albeit slower), but if you use 110 volt equipment in a 220 volt system, it will blow the equipment! Bring a voltage converter and travel plug adaptor (most countries either have 2 pin flat as in USA or 2 round pins). What to Pack You will have to carry your own bags on this tour so it is important to bring luggage you can carry and lift comfortably, potentially up several flights of stairs in hotels where elevators are not available and between bus/train stations and hotels. There may be times when you have to get your luggage through crowded streets which may be cobbled or store your luggage in lockers. Luggage too large for lockers will have to be left insecurely or carried for the duration of the day. We recommend a frameless backpack or a sports type shoulder bag which fits comfortably on your shoulders, as they are less bulky and easier to handle than rigid suitcases or framed backpacks. Suitcases are not suitable for our tours and are not recommended. Tucan Travel takes no responsibility for damage to your luggage while on tour. If your tour includes regional flights, there may be a weight limit to the amount of luggage you can take. Please see your detailed itinerary for more information. In addition to your main bag, you will need a small daypack for your everyday excursions. Try to keep this bag as light as possible and make sure that all main sections of your bags can be padlocked. This daypack should have enough room to carry food and snacks for long hikes and treks and space to carry belongings for overnight excursions. Sleeping Sheet: Sleeping bags are not required on this tour, but a sleeping bag liner/sleep sheet is optional if you wish to bring one along. Some passengers like to use them on long bus journeys and overnight trains. Essential for all tours Tour Voucher and Tour Go Guide Passport (with 2 photocopies - one kept separately & the other to give to the tour leader with your next of kin details) Cash/credit & debit cards (with photocopies kept separately) Travel insurance certificate (with a photocopy to be given to your tour leader) Spare passport photos (you may need these for obtaining visas) International airline ticket(s) (with a photocopy kept separately) International Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever if applicable) International student card (may get you discounts into some sites) Your travel consultant s phone number and address (it is very important to have this as it is much easier to confirm/change flights etc via your agent) Cotton money belt and/or pouch to store your valuables under your clothing Suggested equipment (some useful, some necessary - use your discretion Sunglasses Small calculator (to help with currency conversions) Lockable pouch for your money and valuables to use in safety deposit boxes Plastic bags (very useful for wrapping camera equipment, soap, shampoo bottles, wet clothing etc) Inflatable pillow Small collapsible umbrella (also good for sun protection) Pegless washing line & travel laundry detergent (bio-degradable preferably) Universal washbasin plug Torch / flashlight Binoculars Travel alarm clock Travel plug adaptor Small medical kit with diarrhoea remedy, rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, sterile dressings, plasters, bandages, pain-killers, safety pins etc. Small sewing kit Lip balm, sun block with high UV factor (this can be expensive to buy locally) Insect repellent (DEET 35% min) and bite cream Tampons and condoms Toilet paper (best to carry a roll with you at all times) and/or tissues (purchase locally) - 8 Days - 4 -

5 Antibacterial hand cleansing gel (the type you can use without water) Moistened face tissues (e.g. Wet Ones) Ear plugs Travel sickness tablets (these are usually easy to buy over the counter locally) Cheap plastic wristwatch Spare pair of spectacles or contact lenses and solution (a lens prescription is also advisable in case of loss or breakage) Camera / video camera with plenty of film or digital camera with spare memory cards Spare rechargeable batteries for camera etc Writing materials, address book and diary Pocket size Spanish phrasebook Travel games, cards & couple of paperbacks As gifts for local children - pens (with advertising on them), coloured pencils, small notepads. To discourage a begging mentality we recommend that you try to give these gifts at schools or childcare centres rather than on the street Clothing & Footwear We recommend packing lightweight and durable clothes including at least one pair of warm trousers and thinner sweaters/fleeces which you can layer. Nights can be cold in some locations such as Guatemala and San José at certain times of year, so it is a good idea to bring at least one pair of warm trousers plus several thinner sweaters / fleeces which you can layer. Please avoid military or camouflage-patterned clothing as it can cause problems and in some countries may be illegal. Good, comfortable walking shoes are essential. These do not need to be expensive boots, but they should have good ankle support and grip, be worn in and ideally waterproof. Check the climate and altitude at to get an idea of what the weather will be like on your tour so that you can pack accordingly. Essential Items A lightweight water/windproof jacket with hood Easy to pack wide-brimmed hat or cap Towel - you will need a towel for most overnight excursions Swimwear Sandals/flip flops/thongs Health Please see your doctor or travel clinic for an up to date list of all recommended vaccinations for the regions you will be travelling to. We recommend that you do this at least eight weeks before you travel, as you may need a course of medications or more than one vaccination. In general we recommend that you are vaccinated against Tetanus-diphtheria, polio, hepatitis A and Typhoid and if travelling to a jungle area, yellow fever. Vaccinations are solely the responsibility of the traveller and not that of on the go. The malarial risk varies in the regions of Central America and in some areas appropriate preventive medicines are needed. Measures should always be taken to avoid mosquito bites, such as nets and creams. Please check with your health care professional as to the best and most up to date remedy for this mosquito borne disease. It is not recommended that you drink the tap water in any of the countries we visit and we recommend that you carry a First Aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that quite often we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. Tipping Tipping is a part of the life in Central America, but you should not feel obliged or pressured to tip if you have not received good service. A gratuity of 10% of the total bill is recommended in restaurants. Gratuities are usually expected for local guides on included and optional excursions. Tips are also appreciated by the tour leaders at the end of your tour and we recommend an average of $2-$4 per person per day for the duration of your tour. This is only if you feel that their service was up to standard and is completely at your own discretion. Time Keeping Punctuality is very important and throughout the tour your tour leader will give you the time to meet in reception. Tour leaders will often post notes at reception with meeting times, so remember to always look out for these. Although rare, delays can occur and we therefore advise you not to arrange your onward travel too close to the end of the tour. We take no responsibility for any missed flights or additional expenses If the group arrives late into the departure city at the end of the tour. Cuba Country Guide Cuba - Fact File Official Name: Republic of Cuba Capital: Havana Population: million Total Area: 109,884 square kilometres Official Language: Spanish Religions: Roman Catholic 60% Voltage: 110 volts, US-style two pronged plugs Dialling Code: +53 Time Difference: GMT/UTC -5 Airport Departure Tax: CUC25 (US dollars will no longer be accepted for this) Cuba - What to Expect Cuba is a wonderful country with an exciting blend of cultures, religious beliefs, architecture and stunning landscapes. It is also a country which has faced many challenges over the decades and continues to do so today. It is these challenges that make Cuba so unique and different. It is one of the many reasons why the destination is becoming more and more popular for curious travellers. These travellers are wishing to explore the island before change can be felt in even the little-travelled corners of the country. Having been cut-off from the world for so long, the services and material items that can often be taken for granted in developed societies may be harder to find or simply unavailable in Cuba. Standards of accommodation and transport in Cuba are much lower than elsewhere in Central America and the infrastructure for tourists is currently under strain because of the increase in demand. Western comforts often taken for granted in developed societies such as wifi, toiletries and soft drinks may be harder to find, expensive or unavailable. Expect a genuine - 8 Days - 5 -

6 experience of the real Cuba with all of its challenges and surprises. Wifi may only be available in five star hotels located in major cities and even then, you might have to purchase wifi credit separately using your passport as ID. The wifi service in Cuba can be sporadic and unreliable so it is best not to rely on internet connections while travelling through Cuba. Trade restrictions put in place by the USA make it quite difficult to find some common brands such as Coca Cola or other soft drinks. Instead, Cuba s national cola is available and definitely worth a try! Because of this, it is also best to take any medication and toiletries you may need during your tour with you as you may find it difficult to find what you are looking for once in the country. In Cuba, restrictions on imports mean that restaurants cook dishes depending on what fruit and vegetables are in season. This ensures that the food you eat is the freshest and tastiest but you might also experience limited menus depending on what is available. Cuba - Accommodation Accommodation We use a combination of locally owned hotels and guesthouses in Cuba, otherwise known as casa particulares. We find that this combination gives you a taste of the real Cuba and allows you to experience a variety of what is on offer. Hotels In the last 12 months, the number of tourists visiting Cuba has increased and unfortunately, the number of hotel rooms available to these tourists hasn t increased at the same rate. Because of this, we might have to make some last minute changes to your accommodation and you may have to spend a series of nights in different hotels, sometimes in the same city. Hotels may cancel bookings at the last minute. These changes are outside of our control and we do our best to limit them as much as possible. Casas Particulares Staying in a casa is usually a highlight of the tour and a unique chance to experience Cuban hospitality. The families are very welcoming and you will be served home-made fresh food. The group may be split between different casas all within walking distance. All rooms have private bathrooms and towels are provided. Due to the shortages in hotel rooms, we are currently unable to provide you with your own room on a group tour Cuba - Visas All nationals need a tourist visa to enter Cuba, this comes in the form of a 30-day tourist card which you MUST obtain before you travel - contact your local embassy or visa company for details. Entry is granted on production of a passport valid for more than six months, proof of accommodation (although this is rarely asked for) and a return-flight ticket. The official on entry may ask you if you want your passport stamped or not, otherwise your tourist card will be stamped. Important: your stamped tourist card should be left in your passport for the duration of your stay Do not lose this piece of paper as you will need to produce it on departure. US Nationals: Officially, travel to Cuba for tourism purposes is still prohibited under U.S. law for U.S. citizens and others under U.S. jurisdiction. Check with the US Department of State for more information. While we hope that things will change in the future, we are therefore unable to take US citizens on our trips to Cuba due to present US policy</p> Visa requirements are subject to change and that visa procurement is the responsibility of the traveller and not On The Go Tours. Please also ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of departure from Cuba. Cuba - Climate The weather in Cuba is mild subtropical, thanks to its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer, its narrow configuration, east to west oriented receives the refreshing action of trade winds and marine breezes. During the short winter cold air masses arrive from the north, but they are of short duration. The average temperature throughout the year varies between 20ºC and 35ºC, lowering sometimes to 10 C. The Eastern region enjoys a warmer weather than the western and the variations of temperature between the day and the night are less accentuated in the coastal regions than inland. The rainy season is from May to October. The average water temperature is 25 C. Due to its geographic location, the country is affected between June and November by the hurricane season. They can hit the island with winds up to 200 kilometres per hour and heavy storms. The experience of a hurricane emergency is a moving but non-dangerous fact of life in Cuba; all the hotels and homes where we stay have modern structure or have been strengthened to deal with the climate. Visit to get an idea of what the weather will be like on your tour Cuba - Money Cuba has a rather confusing economy with two parallel currencies. The currency you will use for the majority of your visit is the Cuban peso convertibles, or CUC. The other currency used is the local Cuban peso, identified as CUP. The reason for two currencies is because prior to 2004, US dollars were accepted as legal currency in Cuba. The tourist market could be set in US dollars and it also provided the country with hard currency; the Cuban peso having no value outside Cuba. In 2004, in response to tightened sanctions by the US, former president, Fidel Castro, banned the use of US dollars. The CUC was created in response to the ban so that the tourist market and luxury items could remain under a separate (stronger) currency. Changing money, credit cards & ATMs At the airport you will only be able to purchase CUCs, and it is the only currency you will really need to use for your trip. All major currencies will be exchanged but it is highly recommended not to exchange US dollars. While perfectly legal, you will likely get a very unfavourable exchange rate and also be charged a 10 per cent commission. Pounds sterling and euros are recommended, with euros the easier to exchange. ATMs do exist in Cuba, however they are not reliable. We therefore recommend that you take as much cash as you are comfortable carrying. You can get cash advances through your credit - 8 Days - 6 -

7 card from banks but they will not accept any USissued credit cards. Getting a cash advance can be a very drawn out process and all banks will need to see your passport and possibly require a photocopy. If you do decide to queue in a bank always check that what you want to do is going to be possible before lining up. Different banks have different rules. For example some banks do not exchange traveller s cheques. They may also have a limit to the amount of currency you can exchange. Always try to exchange as much as you can at one time and try to ask cashiers for small notes. Visa, MasterCard, Access, Diners and Banamex are accepted in most Cuban ATMs (if you can find one that works), banks and tourist shops and in some restaurants and hotels. The most accepted credit card is Visa, although authorisation can sometimes be denied due to poor computer connections or other problems. Note there may sometimes be commission charged when getting cash advances by credit card (1% normally) at CADECAS and free at banks. Airport departure tax (see factfile above) must also be paid in convertible pesos and NOT US dollars. Remember that once out of Cuba you will not be able to use or exchange Cuban pesos whether they are convertible pesos or local pesos (moneda nacional). Therefore you must make sure you spend/exchange/donate any left-over money before leaving the country. Cuba - Local Transport Taxis are recommended for longer journeys within a city. You can also try the coco-taxis, especially in Trinidad, which are quite different. With the exception of coco-taxis, normal taxis have meters but you ll quite often find that the driver would prefer to just give you a set price and not switch on the meter so the money goes into his pocket rather than to the government. The price will generally be the same as having the meter on. Local buses get very crowded and best avoided but you might like to try the camello in Havana (a semi-truck with a camel shaped trailer where the passengers mostly stand). Cuba - Food/Drink Food in Cuba can be expensive compared to the rest of Latin America, however the best value can be found in a casa particular or paladares. These privately owned restaurants have opened up all over Cuba and should only have 12 seats (but many obviously break the rules). Your tour leader will be able to recommend restaurants. The best and cheapest meal options will be at your home stay. You can expect to pay about CUC 3 for a breakfast, between CUC 5-CUC 10 for main meal but the size will be much bigger than in a restaurant and far more tasty. Food Most dishes consist of beans, rice with chicken or pork. congri is the national dish, which is beans and rice. Cows are all government owned, so you probably won t see beef outside of government-run restaurants and hotels and it is usually expensive. The same applies to lobsters and prawns which are either saved for the export market or sold in tourist hotels and restaurants. Food can be plain at times so it is advisable to bring your own condiments and spicy sauces. Vegetarians Vegetarians who do not eat fish may find Cuban food limiting as salads and fresh vegetables are rare. Drink All drinks such as water, soft or alcoholic drinks are at your own expense at all times. The following is a guideline for drinks bought in a shop in the street. Prices in restaurants and hotels can sometimes be more than double the prices specified below: Half litre of water CUC 1.00 Bottle of soft drink CUC 1.50 Bottle of national beer CUC 2.00 Drinks such as guarapo which is sugar cane juice will cost about CUC 0.05 but remember it will probably have ice in it, so be careful if you have a sensitive stomach. Cuban coffee is normally quite good but order a cafecito or café cubano not café americano (can be weak and mostly tasteless). You can also get milkshakes (batidos) at street markets. If you only learn one word in Spanish it s bound to be cerveza. There are countless beers and the most common are Cristal, Mayabe, Hatuey and Bucanero, just to name a few. Rum (ron) is definitely the most commonly drunk spirit in Cuba, they have over 80 different makes on the island which come in all sorts of cocktails (ie: mojitos, daiquiris), cuba libre (rum & coke) and of course it can be drunk straight or on the rocks. It is suggested that you do not drink a 3-star rum on its own (drink 5- or 7-star rums straight). Cuba is now producing its own wine from the Pinar del Rio region with viticulture expertise gained from the Spanish. Milk is rationed in Cuba and is normally only available for families with children under seven years old. You may want to bring creamers (coffee mates) if you prefer milk in your coffee. Cuba - Security Crime does exist in Cuba but on a relatively small scale considering that many people live in poverty. It is important to be sensible and alert but like anywhere in the world, you can be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Care should be taken, especially whilst walking around the larger cities. Try to keep away from dark quiet areas if on your own, particularly late at night and try to always take a taxi. We suggest that whenever possible you leave all of your important documents in the safe ( caja fuerte ) or at least locked in your main luggage. However you should always carry some form of ID or a photocopy of your passport. Medical Insurance Cuba requires visitors to buy health insurance if they haven't already obtained adequate cover, when they want to enter the country, according to a new government regulation. Under the new rule travellers are required to show proof of their insurance coverage arrival, such as a full policy, insurance certificate or travelling assistance card valid for the time span they will - 8 Days - 7 -

8 stay in Cuba. If a traveller has not yet purchased insurance, the Cuban government requires it to be purchased on arrival. It is not yet clear what this government approved insurance would cost, which companies it would be provided by or what it would cover, however benefits are likely to be lower than those provided by insurers in your home country will not cover such essential elements as repatriation to a hospital at home, emergency evacuation to a mainland facility or travel of a family member to the patient's hospital bedside. Cuban insurance policies are most likely to be designed to handle medical situations on the island, in domestic hospitals, hotels or clinics. Havana - Salsa Lesson CUC10 Havana - Tropicana Cabaret Show CUC80 Soroa - Orchid Garden CUC3 Soroa - Sulphur Bath and Massage CUC10 Vinales - Bicycle Rental CUC35 Vinales - El Estanco Tobacco Factory CUC3 Vinales - Hop on Hop off Bus CUC5 Vinales - Horse Riding CUC15 Vinales - Salsa Dancing CUC5 OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Below is a list of the optional excursions and activities you can choose to do on your tour at your own cost and will help you to budget for your holiday. Please be aware that you may not have time to do all the optional excursions listed here. All prices are quoted in US dollars. The prices are subject to change without notice and can also increase as a result of low participation on some excursions. Please bear this in mind when planning your budget and speak to your tour leader if in any doubt. Health & Safety: It is sometimes difficult to obtain protective helmets of a reliable standard at some destinations, and unfortunately we are not able to provide them. If you intend to take part in optional activities such as bike, horse, donkey or camel rides, and would like to wear a helmet, consider bringing one with you. Overnight Excursions: If you choose an overnight excursion you should take your own daypack as you may be required to leave your main luggage at your accommodation. Cuba Havana - Capitolo Museum CUC4 Havana - Hotel National Cabaret Show CUC35 Havana - Jose Marti Museum CUC1 Havana - National Theatre Ballet CUC20 Havana - Revolution Museum CUC5 Havana - Rum Museum CUC5-8 Days - 8 -