3. HOTEL INFO
5. TECHNOLOGY including CELL PHONES and COMPUTERS
1. GETTING TO CUBA
Q. Which airport should I fly into for this tour?
A. José Martí Airport in Havana.
Q. Can I book directly with airlines to fly into Havana?
A. Yes, you can book directly. If you’d like some help booking, we will provide the contact info for our recommended travel agent once you have registered for the tour.
Q. Do the airlines have restrictions on the weight of checked baggage?
A. Always check the airline’s website before departure as policies tend to change and also vary from airline to airline. There won’t be any in-country flights for this tour so you’ll only need to check with your carrier flying to Havana.
Q. What are the carry-on bag restrictions?
A. Every airline is different AND some enforce their policies while others don’t. Check your airline’s website and then hope that if your bag is over their weight limit, they won’t actually check the weight. 😁
Q. What is the category of travel for this tour?
A. If you are asked when booking your flights, you’ll want to specify the category of travel as: Support for the Cuban People.
Q. How should I get to the hotel from the airport?
A. We will make arrangements for you to be picked up by a driver/guide assigned by our company. Look for your name and WanderTours on a placard.
Q. What if I can’t find the driver with my name on a placard?
A. If, for some reason, you can’t find your driver, you can take a taxi to the hotel. We will provide you with an emergency number to call our local contact if you would like help once you’ve landed.
Q. Do I need a visa for Cuba?
A. You will need a visa as well as to fill out some other documentation, for your trip to Cuba. Here’s a link to our information about this process.
Q. Is insurance required for this tour?
A. Cuba requires that all visitors have a basic level of medical insurance for entering the country. This is automatically added to your ticket price, whether you purchase directly from an airline or through a travel agent. The cost is generally $25. See below for additional information on our recommended level of insurance.
This medical coverage is noted on your boarding pass. It’s recommended that you keep your boarding pass with you at all times as proof of coverage.
Q. If I want to arrive prior to the start of the tour, can you book additional hotel nights for me?
A. This is one destination that we don’t recommend arriving early due to restrictions and requirements in Cuba. Instead, you’ll want to book any additional nights in your departure city (Miami, for example) and fly into Havana the morning or early afternoon of Day One of the tour.
2. WHILE VISITING CUBA
Q. Will bottled water be readily available?
A. It will likely be hot in Cuba and you’ll want to drink cool water throughout the day. Although bottled water is provided, we strongly urge our tour participants to carry their own reusable water bottle and bring a water purifier, such as a SteriPen, so as to cut down on the number of plastic water bottles that get thrown out daily in Cuba.
Q. Is tap water safe to drink?
A. Definitely do not drink water in your hotel room that’s straight from the tap. It is perfectly fine, however, to use tap water purified with a Steripen or some other water purifier. Though it “should” be OK to brush your teeth with tap water, if you are at all sensitive to intestinal issues, you should use filtered or bottled water instead.
Q. Do you recommend any special vaccinations for this trip?
A. There’s nothing you need specifically for Cuba. However, you’ll want to consult with a travel doctor for medical advice.
Please note that mosquitoes can be particularly prolific during the rainy season (May – October). There have been outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses including malaria, dengue and chikunguyna even outside of the rainy season. We recommend you chat with your doctor about the risks of these diseases before considering travel to Cuba and taking appropriate measures (including wearing long sleeves and using mosquito repellent) once in-country.
Q. Do I need any special medications or a first aid kit?
A. If you are predisposed to anything (lactose intolerant or you have a sensitive stomach, for example) you may want to bring something for this. Although medications are available at pharmacies, you may not be able to find the types of over-the-counter medications that you’re used to at home.
Q. How much walking is there on this trip?
A. The itinerary outlines all of the activities on this tour, which includes walking tours and also walking to and from restaurants. In addition, most buildings don’t have an elevator so there will be stairs to contend with, whether at guest houses or at restaurants.
Trinidad is a small city of cobblestone streets. If you are at all concerned about your stability in walking on cobblestones, please bring a hiking pole or cane to steady yourself.
Q. I get motion sickness. Will I be able to sit in the front of the van/bus on the tour?
A. We do try to make our tour participants as comfortable as possible, so please tell your tour guide if motion sickness is an issue for you. We can’t guarantee the front seat of the van or bus every time as it really depends on how many people in the group get motion sick or have other medical issues where they may need a different seat.
We suggest that you bring ginger, wrist bands (like this ReliefBand) or ask your doctor about a prescription.
Q. Will we be responsible for handling our own luggage throughout the tour?
A. You’ll have very little interaction with your luggage as the guides and hotel staff help with moving bags from the bus to the rooms and then back to the bus. We do encourage you to pack light so a small roller bag that is carry-on size (under 22″) would be ideal.
Q. Is English spoken in the areas where we’ll be traveling?
A. Spanish is the official language in Cuba, but you’ll find that many of the people you’ll interact with will also speak English.
Q. Are there any spices that are hard to get in Cuba?
A. There are some spices available, but not as many as you would think. Black pepper, for example, is rarely used/available. If you like spicy food, consider bringing your own.
Q. Are there taxis that we can get to go out to dinner?
A. There are LOTS of taxis found in Havana and Trinidad. Our guest house in Havana is also centrally located with many restaurants and shops within walking distance. It also has a terrace restaurant if you prefer to eat there.
Q. Is it possible to bring items to donate to people in Cuba?
A. Yes, it is very common for people to bring items to donate to people in Cuba. Closer to the tour date, we’ll send you a recommended list of items that have been requested by our folks in Cuba. Often this includes clothes, medicine and medical supplies.
Q. What happens with the items that we donate?
A. The items people bring will be collected by our tour guide and then divided up and given to different organizations and, somteimes, individuals. Donations are all very unofficial so they make it to the people that need them. And the organizations change each tour, but they are ALL very needed and much appreciated.
3. HOTEL INFO
Q. What sort of hotels will we be staying in?
A. Due to the U.S. embargo against Cuba, Americans are prohibited from staying at hotels that are fully- or partially-owned by the Cuban government. Therefore, the group will be staying at smaller, family-owned boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts. These are charming accommodations where you will likely get to meet and spend time with staff and family.
Q. Will hotels have fitness centers and/or safe walking routes and will there be time to get some exercise?
A. The accommodations we will be staying in are small family-run hotels and bed and breakfasts. As such, there won’t be a fitness center available. It is, however, very safe to walk or run in the neighborhoods where our group stays.
Q. Will the hotels provide shampoo and conditioner?
A. Shampoo and conditioner are not provided in most accommodations in Cuba. You’ll want to bring your own travel-sized containers of your own shampoo and conditioner. Soap is provided but face cloths are not generally available in Cuba, so bring your own if you’re used to washing up with one.
Q. Are there hair dryers at the hotels?
A. There are hair dryers at our accommodations in Havana but not in Trinidad (where you’ll spend two nights).
Q. Will my items be safe in my room?
A. While we have never experienced theft from a hotel room on one of our tours, we recommend you take precautions wherever you go – Cuba or elsewhere. Don’t carry valuables and, if you do, leave them in the hotel safe or locked in your luggage.
4. PACKING INFORMATION
Q. What will the weather be like and how should I pack for it?
A. Expect the weather to be quite warm, perhaps as high as in the 90’s. Pack for the heat, but also bring a sweater or light jacket that you can wear in air conditioning or on cool evenings. We will provide you with a full packing list once you’ve registered for the tour.
Q. Can I wear shorts, short skirts and tank tops?
A. While the locals don’t normally wear shorts, it’s perfectly appropriate for tourists. Skirts, sundresses and tank tops are all fine as well.
Q. Will I need a swimsuit?
A. While our accommodations don’t have pools, you might find yourself with some time when you want to slip into a swimsuit and relax in the sun. There might be an opportunity to go to the beach in Trinidad. Please check with your local guide about this if you’re interested.
Q. Do I need any dress clothes?
A. Nope.
Q. Would you recommend taking a rain coat?
A. Our tours are scheduled outside of the rainy season so you shouldn’t need a rain jacket, but you might bring a lightweight one just in case there’s a shower or two.
Q. What kind of shoes should I bring?
A. We suggest you bring a pair of walking shoes and a pair of sandals that will be appropriate for warm weather.
Q. Are my items safe in my hotel room?
A. Your items *should* be safe, but we recommend that you carry small luggage locks to secure the zippers together so that no one is tempted to peek in your bag.
When something goes missing, it’s usually later found in the bottom of one’s luggage. In the meantime, hotel staff are the first to be blamed. It’s best to keep your items (especially valuables) locked up either in your luggage or the hotel safe (when there is one) so this is not even a question.
5. TECHNOLOGY including CELL PHONES, CAMERAS and COMPUTERS
Q. Will we have internet access?
A. While our accommodations will have WiFi, it’s not super straightforward to access. In general, WiFi is going to be slow and expensive. Please set your expectations that you will not be on WiFi very often and let your friends and family at home know that as well.
Q. What sort of power adapter do I need?
A. Most electrical outlets in Cuba will accommodate a North American power plug, so you won’t need an adapter 
unless your electronics are something other than the two-pronged flat pin plug. Some outlets do only accommodate a two-pin round plug like this one, so you could bring a converter to accommodate this as a backup.
Q. Will I need a converter for my electrical devices?
A. You will need a converter for any devices unable to handle 220 (ie. your hair dryer, curling iron, etc.). Laptops and other electronics usually now have internal convertors, but check on your particular device to be certain.
Q. Can I use my cell phone in Cuba?
A. While many cell providers allow you to use a roaming service in Cuba, it’s very expensive (upwards of $3/minute to talk with equally expensive data packages).
It’s probably best to rely on local WiFi when and if we have it. But, again, it will be slow, so don’t rely on this for streaming or other heavy data downloads.
6. MONEY, GIFTS, TIPS
Q. What is the currency used in Cuba?
A. The Cuban peso is the official currency of Cuba.
Q. Are ATMs available?
A. While the use of credit/debits cards was recently legalized in Cuba and there are ATMs, they will not work for credit cards and it’s doubtful they will work with debit cards. It’s best to carry cash with you.
It’s recommended that you bring between $50 – $75 U.S. / day to cover the couple of meals that are not included in the trip as well as drinks and souvenirs. Check the itinerary or with our Client Liaison as to whether tips for the guide and driver are included in your tour cost.
Q. Can I pay for items in U.S. dollars?
A. You may be able to pay for items in U.S. dollars but it will depend on the vendor / restaurant.
We recommend bringing dollars in a mix of small bills. You’ll do best with 20s, 10s, 5s and lots of singles. Most places appreciate being paid in U.S. dollars but they may give you change in pesos at a less than ideal rate. So the smaller the bill, the better.
Once you are in Cuba, the local guide can answer more questions regarding currency and exchanging money.
Q. If I bring U.S. dollars, do I need to be concerned about what kind of shape the bills are in?
A. It’s best to have newer bills (2006 and later) rather than old or torn bills. Sometimes shopkeepers and money changers won’t take bills that are not in good shape.
Q. Do we tip our guide(s) and driver?
A. Tips in U.S. dollars for your local guide and for your driver are not included in the tour cost. Recommended amounts are:
Local guide: $6 – $10/day
Driver(s): $3 – $5/day
Hotel staff: $2 – $5/day for cleaners, $1 – $3 per for baggage help
Restaurants (for meals on your own): 10% if not included in the bill
Q. I’d like to bring a gift to our in-country guide and, perhaps, other people I meet along the way. Do you have some suggestions?
A. For small gifts, we suggest something from your hometown or state such as food items (local tea, coffee, for example) or items with logos like a coffee cup or baseball cap. You’ll want it to be easy to carry and something for which you don’t need to worry about sizing.
Q. Can we bring items to give away to children?
A. Although it’s tempting to want to bring gifts for kids, we discourage this because it encourages begging. Consider bringing something like balloons or bubbles where you can have some sort of interaction with the children without actually giving them something and potentially causing them to ask future travelers for candy, pencils or other “gifts.”
Q. Will I need to bargain when shopping at markets?
A. Expect to bargain in shops where there items do not have prices marked on them. In many shops, there may not be any prices noted in which case you should start a counter-offer at half the asking price and go from there. You’ll particularly have luck bargaining if you’re purchasing more than one item from the same vendor.
Q. Is it safe to carry cash?
A. Cuba is very safe, but pickpockets do exist. We suggest carrying cash in different places on your body and be sure that any cash in your room is locked up in your luggage.
7. WANDERTOURS TRAVEL DETAILS
Q. Do I need insurance for this tour?
A. We do suggest that all tour participants acquire travel insurance, but it is not required.
We partner with Travel Insured International so that you have ability to purchase “cancel for any reason” insurance. We HIGHLY recommend travel insurance (no matter who your provider is) to protect your travel investment from any possible issues. Although we are technically not requiring it, you will be asked to sign additional paperwork acknowledging the risk of traveling without insurance.
Here’s some info on insurance that includes an explanation of Cancel for Any Reason insurance.
Q. Is there a schedule for installment payments?
A. We don’t have anything formal set up, but you can definitely send in payments on your own schedule. Some people send in monthly payments while other people send in payments when it’s convenient.
It is common for someone to set up regularly scheduled checks to be sent from their bank until the tour is paid in full by the final payment due date.v
Q. Will I receive a refund if I have to cancel my participation in this tour?
A. Once you have paid a deposit, there is a cancellation fee if you cannot join us. The cancellation fee depends on the tour and how far in advance of the tour you cancel. Our refund policy is covered in our Booking Terms and Conditions and is also outlined on the Registration Form that you’ll receive within 24 hours of registering with a deposit.
Any refunds will be sent by check within two weeks of our receiving written notification of your cancellation (email notification is fine). We will respond via email and ask for confirmation of your mailing address for any refunds.
Address must be confirmed within six months, otherwise expect forfeiture of refund as we close out our books at that time.
Q. Will you be sending an updated itinerary with our overnight accommodations so we can leave it with folks at home?
A. Yes, you’ll receive the hotel information as well as emergency contact information one or two weeks before departure (note: it is subject to last-minute changes).
Q. What’s the emergency contact info that I can give my family?
A. Along with the hotel contact information, you will be given a cell phone number for your tour escort shortly before departure.