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PRE TOUR INFO
PAYMENTS In order to book space on our tours all payments must be complete 60 days prior to travel. For some specialty tours, all payments must be received 90 before travel To secure hotel, flight and other transportation - most companies require payment in full at the time of booking. Some packages require immediate payment. Our refund policy is below. REFUNDS NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE WITHIN 60 DAYS OF TRAVEL. See below for other refunds. Homestays - payment is required for booking as most homestays do not make any kind of reservation. Most of the homestays we use are busy because they are good. Once payment is made for your homestay THESE FUNDS ARE NOT REFUNDABLE. Hotels have a variety of policies. Generally refunds are not possible for all resort packages. Some 5* hotels will accommodate refunds but retain up to 4 nights. Smaller hotels do not make refunds. Air to Cuba - this depends on the carrier, please ask your travel provider for cancellation policies. In some cases it is possible to pay a fee to defer travel up to one year. Air in Cuba and Air/Hotel packages are not refundable once booked. Rental vehicles, Viazul bookings, special transportation including dedicated taxis and buses are not refundable once booked. CHANGES We do our best to accommodate changes to start dates - however no changes can be guaranteed. Late changes must be treated as a cancellation with the subsequent non-refundability of your payments. CANCELLATION AND MEDICAL INSURANCE Because of the cancellation policies of the agencies in Cuba we recommend that all clients obtain additional cancellation and medical insurance. Medical insurance is required by the Cuban government. US medical coverage is not valid in Cuba, the US government does not permit the provider to pay medical expenses incurred in Cuba. All expenses must be paid in US dollars and in cash at the time of receiving the service. Cuban insurance coverage may be provided by the Cuban tour operator or directly through the local Cuban insurance office. DOCUMENTATION You will need a current passport, a tourist visa which will be supplied with your ticket or you can apply for one at the Cuban Consulate. Some tours require that you obtain a special visa to enter Cuba - these visas must be arranged prior to entry into Cuba. 60 - 90 days is required for the paperwork for a group. Journalists must acquire a special visa and must also accredit themselves with the Cuban government in Havana. You are responsible for any documents required by your country of origin. If you are a Cuban returning to Cuba, please note that you must acquire the appropriate entry visa. The entry visa has now been amended to a multi-entry type visa. MONEY AND CREDIT CARDS Tourists to Cuba use CUBAN CONVERTIBLE PESOS. These are set at 8% above the US dollar at the moment. The Cuban Banks charge a fee for making exchanges and the fees vary from bank to bank. The Banks also establish the exchange rate for various currencies. Please do not rely on internet conversion rates. CUBAN CONVERTIBLE PESOS (CUC) are not available outside Cuba. If you bring US cash there is an additional tax of 10% which is taken off the top. So 100.00 US starts at 90 US and is then converted. Traveler's Cheques are fine, but not American Express or any traveler's cheques issued by US banks. There is a 1-4% charge for cashing Traveler's Cheques. Visa or Mastercard from Non-US Banks are acceptable, however it seems that it is easier to use Visa for cash advances. The banks charge your credit card in US dollars, but do not charge the tax - just the 8% and their fee. Small bills are always in high demand - please make sure that when you obtain cash that you have adequate amounts of small bills. Most stores no longer accept Visa and Mastercard. Hotels will do so. Less and less hotels have exchange booths, you have to use the international banks. The banks are often very busy and you should leave adequate time. It is not unusual to wait an hour or two. If you want to purchase something in National Pesos - a roadside drink, street food (neither recommended) you can usually work out an exchange rate with the seller. The National Peso is in the 20 - 25 range to the CUC ARRIVALS Where possible you will be met at your arrival airport. If you are joining a group generally there is a designated hotel for the meeting place. On arrival at the airport you will go through immigration and then customs. Please make sure that you have completed both parts of your tourist visa. Customs will X-ray your hand-baggage. Please remember to dispose of any fruit, dairy or meat products you may have, Cuban farmers do not use pesticides and any incoming foreign bug or disease could decimate this island's economy and the well-being of its people. . You pick up your baggage - there are usually lots of people to help with your cart (a $1.00 US is a sufficient tip) and then proceed through Customs. Look for the "nothing to declare" exit if you are in that position. Depending on your time of arrival you will have dinner or a late snack at your hotel or homestay the first night. If you are staying out of the city there will be some juice, etc. available on your ride out. For longer lay-overs in Montego Bay or Havana we are happy to make arrangements for a meal or a waiting place. Please ask about our lay-over options. HOTELS We have selected the hotels very carefully, but hotels in the Caribbean change hands quickly. Our selection criteria were for good comfort, cleanliness, friendly local staff, and an interesting location or property. If there is any problem in your hotel please bring it to our attention immediately. We want you to be happy and comfortable HOMESTAYS Our homestays are licenced by the Government of Cuba. We have selected them based on the following criteria . cleanliness, location, friendliness of the hosts, good food, and style of housing. If there is any problem in your homestay please bring it to our attention immediately. We want you to be happy and comfortable. Most of our Homestays are located in the city centres to provide you with easy access to tours, galleries, restaurants, and entertainment. FOOD Cuban food may be surprisingly bland for those of you who are used to the fusion food of the 1990's and the more spicy tastes of other parts of Latin America. Cubans are not strong advocates of chili peppers or any hot spices, generally relying on milder herbs and spices which are seen as good for both food and health. Breakfast is usually eggs (freshly cooked tortillas (omelettes), fresh fruit, fresh juice, wonderfully crusty breads, sometimes a marmalade, cheese, Cuban coffee or chocolate both served with hot milk. If you have a very early start (birdwatchers wanting the dawn chorus) we shall arrange a packed breakfast for you. Lunch is traditionally a big meal taken about 2.00 p.m. followed by a siesta. Usually there is soup, meat or fish, vegetables, rice and salad. We shall keep to a more North American schedule and portion followed by less strenuous activity. Some lunches will be a picnic. Occasionally there will be sandwiches. Dinner is another meat and rice meal with vegetables, salads and fruits and dessert. Where possible there will be a buffet to provide you with the maximum choice. Some lunches and dinners will be at "Paladars" (privately owned restaurants), some tours have special evenings with barbecues of roast pig or grilled fish. Please advise if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies and we will let you know if it is possible to accommodate you. Most of the time we will be able to make the arrangements or offer you alternatives. . If you are vegan or vegetarian we recommend that you stay in our selected homestays as there is much more control over the ingredients used. We apologize that at this point we cannot provide kosher or halal meals. WILDLIFE There is very little in Cuba that can hurt you. All locations may have mosquitoes or no-seeums, especially around dusk. You may find a tiny lizard is resident in your room - known as a caguayo - they are harmless eaters of mosquitoes and other small bugs. Sometimes you may find a small frog. If you don't feel comfortable with your roommate and would like it removed ask any staff member and they will be happy to help you. TOUR SCHEDULES Most of our tour days will start around 8.30 a.m. Where there is an early start activity (like birdwatching) we will give you plenty of warning. Breakfast and juice will be supplied during the activity. Most tour days will finish in time to give you a break before dinner. Some days there is an after dinner program to prepare you for the next day, or to give you an opportunity to meet and talk with specially invited Cuban guests. PLEASE BRING
GRATUITIES In most hotels 20% of tips go to health care facilities. Wages are low, and most workers rely on your tips to buy basics. Servers, domestics, musicians, drivers, and guides all appreciate your generosity. Most people are eager to please their visitors and make sure their stay is enjoyable. Tipping as you go makes sure that the appropriate people are compensated. The industry standard is 10 - 15%. For bellboys etc. $1 or $2 for each service is appropriate. . If you wish to entrust your guide with your gratuity for convenience's sake, he or she will be happy to distribute it for you along the way. Lecturers and translators used by Cuba Beyond the Beaches are nationally and internationally respected members of their professions. We believe that these services should be properly compensated and have made an appropriate commitment to do so. If you would like to add your individual recognition for their excellence, please feel free to do so. Our drivers have been selected for their safety and skill records. They are employed by the state owned transportation services. Their honorarium is included in your tour. If you would like to add your individual recognition of their skill and their general care for their passengers, please feel free to do so. SECURITY Cuba is one of the safest places you can visit, that being said, it is wise to observe normal precautions. All the hotels we have selected have their own security patrols at night and good security during the day. During our tours we have our own security. We suggest that you don't bring expensive jewelry or large amounts of cash. Most hotels have security boxes for rent. During our tours we have our own security. For some activities our security personnel may recommend particular precautions which are for your safety and enjoyment. All homestays are licensed and reviewed by the government. While they are often willing to provide security for your passport or credit card, they cannot be responsible for large sums of cash or expensive jewelry. MEDICAL CARE Please bring all of your medications with you in sufficient supply. It is unlikely that you will be able to replace medications easily. Please bring with you normal over the counter drugs which you take for everyday problems such as colds, coughs, sore throats, etc. Air travel unfortunately often leads to minor sicknesses. We have a small store of normal remedies, however there is no means to replace our store once it has gone. For accidents and other misfortunes, Cuban care is excellent. Most cities and towns have an international clinic and the doctor will have some English and possibly other languages. We have found that all clients who have had to see a doctor are pleased with the care, and the patience and kindness of the staff. |
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Box 2345, Swan River, MB R0L 1Z0 - Phone (204) 525-4396