Cuba to Costa Rica 15 days Havana to San Jose

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1 15 days Havana to San Jose Explore the captivating Cuban UNESCO Listed cities of Havana and Trinidad, go in search of wonderful wildlife, hike in Costa Rica's national parks and learn about the process of making tobacco, rum and coffee on this 15 day tour of Cuba and Costa Rica. HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS Trip Highlights Santa Clara - pay your respects at the famous Che Guevara Memorial Havana - sip on a cocktail in the famous Havana Club Rum Museum and explore Havana in an Old Timer car Vinales - visit a tobacco farm in the breathtaking Vinales Valley which is surrounded by rugged mogotes Cienfuegos - explore this colonial city located on beautiful Cienfuegos bay Guama - take a scenic boat ride on Laguna del Tresoro (the Treasure Lake) Topes de Collantes - enjoy a scenic hike through this beautiful nature reserve in the Escambray Mountains Trinidad - step back in time exploring this UNESCO Listed colonial gem, with its rainbow coloured buildings and cobblestone streets Trinidad - spend two nights with a local family in a casa particular San Jose - take in the highlights of Costa Rica's capital on a guided tour Monteverde Cloud Forest - follow the hiking trails through this beautiful biological reserve El Trapiche - learn about the farming and the processing of sugar cane, coffee and chocolate on an interactive tour Manuel Antonio National Park - discover the beautiful white sand beaches and wildlife of this wonderfully bio-diverse park, which is home to endangered capuchin monkeys, sloths and more Arenal Volcano National Park - enjoy amazing views of Arenal volcano, take a scenic hike and opt for a dip in the natural volcanic springs What's Included Guided sightseeing in Havana, Trinidad & San Jose 5 nights 3-4 star hotels and 2 nights Casa Particular in Cuba and 5 nights 3 star hotels and 2 nights lodges in Costa Rica Airport arrival transfer on day 1 12 breakfasts and 3 lunches Escorted by a local English speaking guide in Cuba and Costa Rica with specialist guides at certain sites of interest. Private transportation in air conditioned vehicles Guided sightseeing in Havana, Trinidad, sugar cane mill, Monteverde Cloud Forest, and San Jose Excursions to Havana Rum Club, Cueva del Indio, El Cubano Park, Che Guevara Museum, Arenal Volcano National Park, El Trapiche Visit to tobacco farm in Vinales Economy class flight from Havana to San Jose Boat trip on Laguna del Tresoro (the Treasure Lake) What's Not Included International flights and tourist Card (entry visa) Tipping - an entirely personal gesture Airport departure transfer - can be booked at an additional cost upon request DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1 : Havana Monday. Welcome to Cuba! You will be met upon arrival at Havana airport and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Havana's highlights at your own leisure. Overnight - Havana - 1 -

2 Day 2 : Havana sightseeing Day 4 : Cienfuegos Day 6 : Trinidad Meet your tour guide at the hotel reception at 8:30am and embark upon a guided walking tour through Havana's Old Town. The Old Town of Havana was declared a UNESCO world cultural heritage site in Step back in time strolling through the vibrant streets of the Cuban capital, visit the Havana Club Rum Museum and drive through the "modern" part of Havana in the back of a one of the iconic Oldtimer cars. Overnight - Havana (B) Day 3 : Vinales Havana Vinales. After breakfast we drive through Pinar del Rio, a region known for the world's best tobacco, on our way to the lush Vinales Valley. En route we stop to visit a Casa del Veguero (house of a tobacco farmer), where we learn all about the process of farming and making one of the world s most sought out products. Our afternoon finds us heading to the "Cueva del Indio" nestled in the national park of Vinales this is an ancient indigenous cave dwelling surrounded by lamps rediscovered in the 1920 s. We end our day in the small town of Vinales, surrounded by tobacco plantations and unique limestone formations called mogotes. Overnight - Vinales (B) Vinales - Cienfuegos. Today we leave green western Cuba behind and head towards Cienfuegos, which is known as the Pearl of the South". Cienfuegos is one of the liveliest and most beautiful cities in Cuba. On our journey we stop at the Bay of Pigs - a site well renowned for the failed CIA mission in 1961 and enjoy a scenic boat tour of the Laguna del Tesoro. This so-called 'Treasure Lake' is located amid numerous canals, mangrove forests and palm trees. Upon arrival in Cienfuegos spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight - Cienfuegos (B, L) Day 5 : Topes de Collantes NP Cienfuegos - Topes de Collantes NP - Trinidad. This morning we start our day uncovering the delights of El Cubano Park. Located in the Topes de Collantes National Park along the banks of the Guaurabo River, it is the perfect location for adventure and nature lovers alike. Here you can enjoy a swim in the waterfalls and pools and hike along one of the various trails including the Traces of History trail which gives an insight to the colonial past of the island. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant before travel on to the enchanting UNESCO Listed city of Trinidad. Here we spend the next two nights staying with local families in casa particulares (homestays), where we can gain a fascinating insight into Cuban life. Overnight - Trinidad (Casa Particular) (B, L) This morning we step back in time on a guided walking tour through Cuba s best preserved colonial city. Once known as the home of the sugar barons, cattle herders and tobacco farmers, this is one of the best places to see colourful colonial homes and extravagant palaces including Palacio Brunet, one of the most beautiful palaces in the city. In the afternoon we take an excursion to Playa Ancon beach where you can enjoy a swim in the crystal clear Caribbean Sea and relax under palm trees. Overnight - Trinidad (Casa Particular) Day 7 : Santa Clara & Havana Trinidad Havana. We leave Trinidad behind and make our way to Havana - home of rum and tobacco and where the Bacardi family used to run operations before the Cuban Revolution. On our way we will stop at Santa Clara (the last site of the Cuban revolution) for a visit to the famous Che Guevara Mausoleum where the newly discovered remains of the revolutionist Che Guevara lay in a great homage to his bravery and courage. Che Guevara destroyed Fulgencio Batista s last attempt to retain power by derailing an armoured train carrying ammunition, heavy - 2 -

3 weapons and 300 soldiers. In memory of this historic event, the boxcars remain derailed to this day, along with the bulldozer used to rip up the train tracks. After Che Guevara s body was found in an unmarked mass grave after being executed by Bolivian military forces, his remains along with six others were returned to Cuba and buried with honours in volcanic springs or even go looking for the Cerro Chato volcano. Overnight - La Fortuna (B) Day 10 : El Trapiche excursion Days : Manuel Antonio National Park After delving into the fascinating local history of Santa Clara we continue our journey back to Havana where our last night in Cuba is free to indulge in the local cuisine and entertainment for one last time. Overnight - Havana Day 8 : Fly from Cuba to Costa Rica Havana - San Jose - La Fortuna. Today we bid farewell to Cuba and embark on our discovery of Costa Rica. We transfer to Havana airport for our flight to San Jose. Upon arrival in Costa Rica we will be met by our local guide before continuing our journey to La Fortuna. After checking into our hotel we will have the evening to relax and unwind while we prepare for the beginning of our Costa Rican adventure. Overnight - La Fortuna (B) Day 9 : Arenal Volcano NP From the small village of La Fortuna we have an amazing view of the Arenal Volcano one of the many active volcanoes in Costa Rica. As we set out on a three hour hike through the national park surrounding the volcano we will learn about interesting facts about the flora and fauna, discover hot springs and marvel at the breathtaking scenery. The afternoon is free to explore, discover other hiking trails, take a dip in the natural La Fortuna - Monteverde. From La Fortuna we make our way to the north-west of Costa Rica to Monteverde. Here we visit El Trapiche, a family run sugar cane mill, where we learn about the farming and processing of not only sugar, but chocolate, coffee and other Costa Rican crops. After sampling some local delicacies and indulging in local life we travel to our rustic hotel for the evening. Overnight - Monteverde (B) Day 11 : Monteverde Cloud Forest Today we enjoy a four hour guided hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, which is located on the Continental Divide - the border between the Pacific and Atlantic sides of Costa Rica. We explore different paths that weave through the cloud forest, spotting wonderful wildlife en route and eventually arrive at one of the highest points of the reserve. This point is nicknamed La Ventana, meaning the window because of its spectacular panoramic views it offers. The afternoon is free to independently explore or enjoy some of the many optional activities available, including visiting other reserves, the butterfly garden or even zip lining through the trees! Overnight - Monteverde (B) Monteverde Quepos. We continue our journey to the lively west coast city of Quepos - gateway to the Manuel Antonio National Park which was established in 1972 and extends along the Pacific coast. This celebrated park is blessed with beautiful lagoons, palm fringed beaches, a vast array of animals and lush green forests. The rest of the day and tomorrow is free to explore at our own leisure. Take a hike through the beautiful national park in hopes to see the endangered squirrel and capuchin monkeys, sloths and coatis in their natural habitat or simply relax on one of the its four idyllic Pacific beaches, surrounded by lush jungle. Overnight - Quepos (B:2) Day 14 : San Jose Quepos - San Jose. In the morning we embark on our journey to Costa Rica s capital - San Jose. Upon arrival our guide will take us on a tour of the city's highlights, taking us along the Paseo Colon to visit the National theatre, National museum or Gold museum. After lunch, the rest of the day is free to spend at leisure. Visit the local markets, shop for souvenirs or take a must see trip to one of the five active volcanoes of Costa Rica Volcano Poas. Overnight - San Jose (B, L) Day 15 : San Jose Monday. Our tour ends after breakfast and hotel check out today. We can arrange a departure transfer upon request or would be delighted to help you extend your stay in - 3 -

4 Costa Rica and book more nights for you if you re still not quite ready to head home.(b) Our Partners This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers who booked through different operators, not solely On The Go. The sightseeing group may vary in size from 2 18 persons. Arriving into Havana An airport arrival transfer is included on day 1 of your tour from Havana Jose Marti International Airport which is approximately 30 minutes away. At the airport terminal please wait where all pre booked transfers wait. Your driver will be holding a sign with your name on it. If for any reason you miss your connecting flight or will be delayed more than an hour, please let us know by calling our emergency phone number on your voucher. If, for any reason, you need to make your own way to the hotel, metered taxis are available to the city centre and costs approximately CUC $25 however be sure to confirm the price with the driver if the taxi doesn t have a meter. We do not recommend trying to use the buses as this can be tricky due to the fact that bus payment is required in non-convertible pesos which are hard for tourists to obtain. We recommend that you obtain convertible pesos once you arrive in the airport (CUC $). There are lots of ATMs available and exchange bureaus and whilst you may not get as good of an exchange rate than if you were to exchange in the city it is good to have some cash on you. Please note that US Dollars are no longer accepted in Cuba and visitors will be charged commission to exchange them. The hotel has safe deposit boxes for your use. Please leave all of your important documents, 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. Accommodation The accommodation on this tour depends on the location but generally we work with 3 star standard hotels and above (except in Trinidad where we have a homestay). Our hotels are usually situated close to the main sights and town centres. Staff are friendly and there is often a bar and restaurant either on site or nearby. All accommodation is included from the arrival day until check out time on the final day of the tour however there is an option to extend your stay and book additional post night accommodation. Clothing & Footwear We recommend bringing lightweight clothing with you for the duration of your trip. Evenings in certain locations such as Guatemala and San Jose can be cold, we recommend bringing clothes that you can layer with at least one pair of warm trousers and jumpers. For anyone visiting during rainy season we highly recommend a waterproof jacket. Please avoid any military or camouflage patterned clothing as this may be illegal in some countries and can cause problems. Comfortable walking shoes with grip and ankle support are essential for our tours, ideally these will be waterproof. 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 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. Hotels & Transfers Day 1 of the tour is a joining day for you to have the flexibility to arrive into the joining city at your own leisure. The tour starts from the morning of day 2 and the times will be confirmed in your final itinerary and details will be at the joining hotel reception for you to request this information. Tours are scheduled to arrive in the afternoon/evening before the departure day to allow time to pack and freshen up. Should you wish to spend more time in the start/end cities of the tour we can happily organise pre and post tour accommodation upon request. Check in time in hotels differentiates per property but is usually from 1300 on day 1. If you wish to use the services of the room beforehand then it is recommended to advise the hotel and request an early check in however this may incur an additional fee and will depend on the hotel facilities if they can accommodate this request. The same applies for any clients wishing to arrange late check out on the last day however this may incur an additional nights cost. Important: If you are going to be delayed, you must advise us as soon as possible to try and rearrange your transfer (a supplement may apply). If we are not made aware of any delays our driver will only wait for one hour after the scheduled time and after this, you will have to arrange your own transport to the hotel at your own expense. Please contact us on the emergency phone number on your voucher. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Costa Rica Country Guide Costa Rica - Fact File Official Name: Republic of Costa Rica Capital: San Jose Population: 4.9 million Total Area: 51,100 square kilometres Official Language: Spanish Religions: Roman Catholic 76%, Evangelical 13%, others 10% Voltage: 110 volts, US-style two pronged plugs Dialling Code: +506 Time Difference: GMT/UTC -6 Airport Departure Tax: US$29 - can be paid on arrival to avoid queues when departing. Costa Rica - Visas It is important to check with your nearest embassy or consulate regarding the rules - 4 -

5 depending on your nationality however most nationals do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica. Entry will be granted as long as your passport is valid for more than six months and you have proof of funds to support yourself during your stay as well as a return ticket (this is not usually requested). On arrival to Costa Rica you will be presented and requested to fill out an immigration/tourist card which you will need to keep a copy of until you leave the country. As a tourist you are usually granted with 30 days however this will depend on the immigration official you speak to. Costa Rica - Climate Costa Rica has a tropical and subtropical climate depending on the time of year. The dry season usually runs from December April, whilst rainy season runs from May November with the highlands offering cooler temperatures. Visit to get an idea of what the weather will be like on your tour. Costa Rica - Money TThe currency used in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colon. For up-to-date exchange rates with your own currency visit Changing money, credit cards & ATMs Generally, the easiest way to obtain local currency is to use ATM s. CIRRUS ATMs are available at most major tourist locations and as long as you have a four-digit pin you can withdraw cash with ease, however you should not rely on this as there are times the machines wont work even if your bank tells you they will. Always have a few back-ups just in case. Visa is the most accepted credit card however due to poor connections there can be issues with the machines accepting the purchase even if you have funds in your account. There may also be a commission added to your bill (usually 8%), so it is advisable to pay with cash where you can. Travellers cheques can often be a hassle to cash in Costa Rica so if you do decide to take them, make sure they are in US dollars and American Express cheques as they are more widely accepted. San Jose is the easiest place (and sometimes the only place) for you stock up on money. There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that you may bring into Costa Rica, however very large sums should be declared on arrival. Remember that once out of Costa Rica you will generally not be able to use or exchange colones (except at the border towns). Therefore, you must make sure you spend/exchange/donate any left-over money before leaving the country. Costa Rica - Local Transport Taxis are recommended for most journeys in San José. All taxis should have a meter but it s a good idea to be aware of what the approximate price should be before getting in the taxi. In other Costa Rican towns and cities, walking is basically the best and cheapest way to see the sights. Costa Rica - Food & Drink Food There s a lot of different food options to choose from in Costa Rica and travellers are usually surprised by the variety on offer. The Caribbean coast tends to offer dishes influenced by the island nations and curry spices are heavily used whereas on the Pacific Coast in the Guanacaste Province there are still a lot of ancient indigenous influence where maize is heavily used. Local cuisine is simple yet tasty and not very spicy. The national dish of Gallo Pinto, consists of red and white beans with rice, sometimes served with egg, is the most common breakfast dish. The Gallo pinto from the Caribbean side is made with coconut milk and is very tasty. Lunch is a similar affair however the rice and beans are usually supplemented with meat, fried plantain, salad and cabbage. Other specialities include Sopa negra (Black bean soup) and Olla de carne (beef, plantain, corn, yucca and chayote soup). Vegetarians If you are a strict vegetarian you may experience a distinct lack of variety in the food available, especially in small towns. You might find that you are eating a lot of omelettes and other egg dishes. Our tour leaders will do their best to provide interesting vegetarian alternatives when arranging group meals, but your patience and understanding is requested. Drink Costa Rica has no national drink, however horchata, a cinnamon flavoured drink made of ground rice, batidos, fresh fruit shakes made with milk or water and ice, and fresco de frutas, a fruit salad floating on a base of cola and water are very popular. Beer is also heavily on offer in Costa Rica with countless larger, and dark beers on offer. The most popular are Bavaria and Imperial. Wine, once a rare commodity, has become more common in higher end restaurants, where there are good Chilean and Argentinean varieties on offer. Also, very popular is guaro, a clear spirit distilled from fermented sugarcane. All drinks such as water, soft or alcoholic drinks are at your own expense throughout the tour. 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: 1 litre of water US$1 30cl bottle of soft drink US$1 30cl bottle of beer US$ cl bottle of beer US$2 You should be wary of drinking the local tap water. Bottled water and carbonated soft drinks are widely available and are generally safe to drink. Cost Rica - Bugs Should your tour include any visit to the jungle/rainforest region you should be prepared to come into contact with an array of wildlife including insects and spiders etc. This is all part of the jungle experience and most insects and bugs are harmless. As you will be in the jungle finding any bugs in your room - 5 -

6 doesn t mean the room is unclean it s all part of the experience. If you are uncomfortable with bugs we recommend you bring insect repellent spray and coils to put in your room. 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 Cuba What to Expect Cuba is a country boasting an array of cultures, architecture and jaw dropping landscapes. This is one of the many reasons Cuba is becoming more and more popular for travellers looking for an authentic experience. Cuba has faced and continues to face challenges. Having remained cut off from the rest of the world and free from western influence, the facilities and standards are lower than other Central American countries. Expect a completely authentic experience full of every day challenges and surprises and expect the little things we may take for granted may be harder to find such as WiFi and toiletries. WiFi is usually only available in 5* hotels located in major cities and may occur a service charge. As the WiFi is so unreliable and sporadic we recommend you don t rely on your internet connection while in the country. Due to the trade restrictions in Cuba which have been set in place by the USA it is advised that you bring any medication and toiletries that you may need whilst in Cuba as they may be harder to locate once there. Imported brands such as coca cola may be slightly harder to find but the local brands are well worth a try. Restrictions also mean that restaurants will cook dishes depending on the season, so they can use the freshest and tastiest food available. Cuba Accommodation Accommodation We use different types of accommodation on our tours through Cuba. This is usually a combination of locally owned hotels or guest houses, known as casa particulares, to give you a completely authentic experience. Hotels As the demand for tourism in Cuba has increased and the number of beds is still trying to accommodate these extra tourists, there may be some last-minute changes to your accommodation and may have a series of nights in different properties. We will try to avoid these changes as much as possible however unfortunately these changes are usually out of our control and we thank you for your patience should this situation arise. Casas Particulares A casa particular is the Cuban version of a homestay, where you ll be staying in a private en suite room in a family home, which provides you with a fascinating insight into local life. We use casa particulares in Trinidad on all of our tours which is a real highlight. The group will have to be split between different casas within walking distance of each other. Cuba Visas All nationals travelling to Cuba will need a tourist visa which comes in a 30-day tourist card which must be obtained from your local embassy or visa company before you travel. On arrival to customs you will be asked to provide a passport valid for six months or more, valid health insurance, and return flight ticket. Some officials may ask for proof of accommodation although this is rarely asked for. Once you have provided all of the relevant documentation your passport or tourist card will be stamped. Important: You must keep your stamped tourist card in your passport until you leave the country as this will need to be produced on departure. Do not lose this! US Nationals: Travel to Cuba for US nationals is prohibited for tourism purposes so unfortunately, we cannot accept US passport holders on our Cuba tours. Please note that all visa requirements are valid at the time of writing but are subject to change. 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 Cuba s subtropical climate is divided into two seasons: the dry winter from November to April and a hot summer from May to October. During the summer months humidity usually gets very high. The average of the yearly temperature increases to 28 C during the day and 21 C at night. July and August are the hottest months, December and January the coldest. In all seasons, short but strong rainstorms can occur at any time. Light clothes, comfortable and sporty, are recommended in addition to your swimming clothes and never forget your sunscreen! If you plan to travel further into a rain forest, bring your insects repellent. Travelling in the winter months requires taking a sweater to be prepared for cooler days. Due to its geographic location, the country is prone to hurricanes and the country is affected between June and November due to hurricane season. Winds of up to 200 kilometres per hour and heavy storms can hit the island however experiencing a hurricane emergency is a non-dangerous fact of life there. All of the hotels and homes we stay in have modern structures or have been strengthened to deal with the climate. Cuba Money The national currency in Cuba is the Cuban Peso (CUP) (=100 Centavos), however the government introduced the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) for tourists to replace the US Dollar in all tourist institutions, such as hotels and restaurants

7 There are two currencies in Cuba. Cuban Peso (CUP) which is used by the locals and Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) which was introduced for tourists to replace the US dollar in tourist locations. US dollars are no longer accepted in Cuba and travellers will be charged 10% commission to exchange them. This commission is not applicable to any other currencies (eg. Sterling, Euro) so we don t recommend taking US dollars. The Peso Convertible can easily be exchanged against most currencies or debited from credit or debit cards in bureaux de change, banks and hotel receptions. The Convertible Peso is considered an accepted form of payment for both residents and tourists and can be used in shops, hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes or to hire a car and pay taxi drivers or other companies who used to accept the US Dollar as payment. Please only exchange your money in approved bureaux de change or at your hotel (not available in all hotels), to avoid con-artists or thieves! It is also important to note that the Cuban Peso cannot be taken out or brought into Cuba. Cuba - Local Transport Most tourists coming to Cuba land at Varadero, Havana, Cayo Coco or Holguín airports. You are encouraged to book private transfers to your final destinations, especially groups and families. Tourist taxis will be marked with a blue T and should negotiate the price of the journey before getting into the vehicle if there is no meter. Shared taxis, or colectivos are harder to come by but more cost effective. For shorter distances we recommend coco taxis. Travel by public bus is not recommended because the buses are old, unreliable and rather uncomfortable 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 Casa Particulars or Paladares offer best value for money for meals as you may find Cuban food is expensive compared to other Latin American counties. These small family run establishments only offer approximately 12 seats and are located all over Cuba. 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 tastier. Your tour leader will also be able to recommend local restaurants. Cuban cuisine usually consists of roast or fried pork or chicken with rice, beans and root vegetables. Popular dishes include ropa vieja, shredded beef or lamb, stewed in tomatoes, onions and garlic as well as the delicacy of marinated spit-roast or oven roasted suckling pig. Lobster, shrimp and fish are also very popular, fresh and best served pan fried or grilled. Vegetarians Vegetarians who do not eat fish may find Cuban food limiting as salads and fresh vegetables are rare as their motto is more meat the better. Your diet will usually consist of rice, beans, eggs, plantain, salads, pizzas and omelettes. Drink All drinks along the tour will be at your own expense. We have put together a guideline for drinks bought in shops and on the street. Restaurant and higher end establishments may differ from the pricing 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 a sweet frothy drink made from sugar cane juice and mostly found at agromercados but will probably have ice in it so be careful if you have a sensitive stomach. Coffee is usually a presweetened espresso and served in most bars, restaurants and coffee stands. Cubans usually add the sugar to the pot while brewing the coffee so make sure to ask if you would like your coffee unsweetened. Beer or as the Cubans call it ceveza is another favourite for locals and tourists. Countless brands are available but the most common are Cristal, Mayabe, Hatuey and Bucanero, just to name a few. Rum, the most popular drink in Cuba has over 80 different makes which come in an array of cocktails: cuba libre (rum & coke), mojitos and daiquiris or even straight however it is recommended that you don t drink any 3 star rums straight, drink 5 or 7 star rums for the best taste. Cuba is now producing its own wine from the Pinar del Rio region with viticulture expertise gained from the Spanish. Cuba Security Cuba is considered a safe country, however as with any other country you should keep your valuables out of sight, preferably in your hotel safe. Cuban people are very helpful towards tourists and you can travel around the country without any real concern but remember that an open door may tempt a saint. Medical Insurance All visitors to Cuba must purchase comprehensive travel and medical insurance before they travel. On arrival you will be asked to show proof of your name, insurance cover, policy number, certificate and valid travel card for the duration of your stay in the country. Anyone who has failed to pre-purchase insurance will be required to do so on arrival will be required to purchase on arrival. The cover will likely be lower than what insurers in your home country can provide and will not cover essential elements such as emergency evacuation to mainland facilities or travel of family members to the hospital. Cuban insurance policies are most likely to be designed to handle medical situations on the island, in domestic hospitals, hotels or clinics. Health It is absolutely recommended you visit your GP and take care of all your check-ups and vaccinations before travelling to Cuba as treatment for foreigners is limited to special hospitals which can be expensive. Cuba has been classified as having a risk of Zika virus transmission and other vaccinations - 7 -

8 include standard protection against Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Diphtheria is recommended, as well as Hepatitis B and Typhoid Fever. For more information please visit: and Customs and import regulations You can bring in up to 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, 3 litres of beverages, laptop for personal use, gifts of up o a value of CUC $50.99 and any other medication required for your own personal use without paying tax or duty; this also applies to electrical goods. However, we recommend that you only bring in the electrical goods that you absolutely need for personal use, otherwise you may become under suspicion of attempting to give them to the locals, which is a criminal offence