Travel to Cuba

Transportation

Currently we search for the least expensive domestic carrier to take us to Miami. Typically, we will look at sites like Expedia.Com or Travelocity.com and book the tickets as a group. Costs vary by the season and can range from $150.00 to $300.00 for round trip tickets. Travel time from Maryland to Miami is three hours.

The second leg of the trip is currently being made by charter flight to Cienfuegos, Cuba. Travel time from Miami to Cienfuegos is one hour.

One should anticipate spending the whole of one day door to door. Delays are possible, sometimes lengthy.

The combination of the two can often save money, that is our objective. However, due to the current conditions in the United States, charter flights can change schedules with little notice and this may result in additional costs like an overnight hotel stay in Miami, meals, and added land transportation costs. One recent example took place in June of 2004 when Marazul Charters changed the departure date by one day which resulted in not only the costs mentioned above but also a re-booking charge of the domestic flight adding about $200.00 to the overall transportation costs.

Airport taxes are fees which are paid in cash at the time of embarkation. A $60.00 fee is paid in Miami for the trip to Cienfuegos.

On returning a $25.00 fee is paid in Cuba for the flight to Miami. This amounts to $75.00 for these fees which must be paid in cash and are NOT a part of the ticket cost.

On arriving in Cuba ground transportation will be provided free of cost by members of our IRPC host. We normally cover their gas costs or the cost of a separate driver should one be needed. A 20 person bus owned by El Centro Presbytery was procured in 2004. Depending on the timing of the visit and the size of the incoming group, it may be possible to rent / lease this vehicle with driver for a very nominal fee. We will certainly consider this when appropriate.

The trip from Cienfuegos to Cabaiguán is one and a half hours. The route skirts the Escambray mountain range and intersects many small Cuban towns on the south side of the island.

There is another air transportation alternative: Air Jamaica offers service from BWI to Montego Bay, Jamaica. From Montego Bay it picks up passengers in Kingston before proceeding back to Cuba, landing in Havana. While the Air Jamaica flight typically have few unforeseen delays, they are more expensive and treat the traveller to a milk run in Jamaica. Also, at the end of the trip a one and one half hour car ride is much more tolerable than a four hour ride.

Health

Travelers requiring special medications should bring those medications in original containers with a copy of the doctor’s prescription for each medication being carried. Failure to do so may result in confiscation at the airport. Random searches in Cuba are possible. Prescription drugs in small quantities are not a problem. BUT, if you are carrying prescribed medicines which are considered controlled in the USA, you must have a copy of the doctor’s original prescription for each of the controlled medications you are carrying.

If in doubt about controlled medications, please contact your physician.

There is no threat of malaria in Cuba. However, it is wise to carry insect repellants for comfort.

One can purchase personal hygiene items in Cuba such as toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo. Costs are approximately the same or slightly lower than those one sees here in the United States.

In normal years I have always been able to drink the water in Cuba. This last year, because of drought, the wells were low and the water had a murky appearance. I drank it anyway and suffered no ill effects. Our Cuban host will be sensitive to these issues and supply bottled water or other refreshments daily.

All other foods are painstakingly prepared for the incoming visitor. Vegetarian travelers are accommodated without problem.

Visitors with serious medical conditions should advise their physicians here in the USA of their intentions to travel to Cuba. Medical assistance in Cuba is free but many medications are simply not available. Any person with serious life-threatening illness should NOT consider the trip. One can purchase emergency evacuation insurance, however this has not been tested there and we should verify with the US insurance carrier that such evacuation is in fact possible in Cuba.

As in many developing countries, travel by car can expose one to high levels of exhaust fumes. This is true of Cuba as well. Prolonged exposure to fumes can be uncomfortable at best or sickening at worst. One may simply opt out of certain trips and remain at the host church. Our hosts are sensitive to this issue and make every effort towards our personal comfort. The reality is that many of the cars in Cuba run on diesel fuel and are somewhat more pungent than what we expect here. Conditions are getting better.

A list of email addresses will be provided for communications with the USA. These communications are not instantaneous and one needs to allow several days to receive an answer.

Normal telephone communications with Cuba are possible. Expect delays. Email is better but also may be delayed.

What to take; what not to take:

Current allowed baggage weight is 44 lbs./ per person. While this may seem insufficient for a trip of one week keep in mind that shirts, socks, and undergarments may be washed at the host church.

The 44 lbs. can be averaged by the number in the group thus allowing the transportation of OTC medications and other allowed materials.

Bring sunscreen in all seasons, sun glasses, and light clothing. One dress-up outfit should suffice for church services, otherwise shorts and sandals are fine throughout the stay.

US Credit cards will not be honored. Cash only. We recommend you bring US dollars and exchange them in Cuba. On November 8, 2004, Cuba change from a US Dollar monetary system to Convertable Pesos. In early 2005, the exchange rate was $1.00 USD = .90 Convertable Pesos.

Plan to leave behind such articles as tooth paste or shampoo or bar soap. These articles have become prohibitively expensive for the Cubans who will appreciate your gift.

Cell phones will not function. Laptop computers will be of little use given the time it takes to set up email accounts.

Cameras and a diary notebook for record making. Personally, I took a small digital camera in 2004 and downloaded all the photos to our host's computer while making a cd copy for us. Such cameras are infrequent in Cuba so be sure to share their fun with the kids especially.

All food is provided by the host church and or families.

If you would like to offer a gift to an individual please ask me personally as I have a wishlist for many of our friends there.