Will I be able to choose my roommate for the tour?
If you already have a travel partner list their name on your registration and you'll be assigned a room with them. Otherwise you'll be placed with a roommate of your sex. If things don't work out on the island you can, with your teacher's permission, switch roommates. Don't sweat it.

Should I get travel interruption insurance?
If you become ill or otherwise incapacitated prior to your trip, your deposits, airfare and tour payments can be claimed and reimbursed. This insurance must be purchased at the time your first deposit is made. Click here for more information on travel insurance.

What about medical services for visitors to Cuba?
You'll have access to a doctor and nurse at all times. The Cuban health system is considered excellent. Should you require a hospital stay or surgery your provincial insurance or extended medical provider will likely cover this amount. However you may be asked to pay while in Cuba and then you'll have to seek a reimbursement when you return home. Please note Many high school trips under the auspices of Cuba Education Tours include extended medical. Check your tour for details.

How much discretionary (personal) money should I bring?
Participants should budget a minimum of $200.00 for personal spending money for things like long distance phone calls, internet, refreshments, souvenirs and gifts. If lunches and dinners are not included in your tour cost, budget an additional $10 per meal per day.

What about tipping in Cuba?
Good question and thank you for asking. You don't want to visit a foreign country and cheap out on those who have spent time helping you. Check our current tipping rates for budgeting. Your tour may include prepaid tips. Please check with you teacher tour leader or your school's Cuba tour website in advance.

I have special dietary needs (including vegetarian food). Can this be arranged?
Yes, all dietary needs except strict vegan menus can be arranged. Please email us your request one month prior to departure.

Do I need a passport?
Yes, you need a passport. If you have one, check its expiration date. It must be valid for the entire time you are in Cuba PLUS ONE DAY. If it is not, renew it immediately. Note Visitors to Cuba traveling on passports from countries that do not have embassies in Havana: passport must be valid for the entire time you are in Cuba, plus ONE month.

If you don't have a passport, get one as soon as possible. You can request rush processing for an additional fee. If your passport has been lost or stolen in a foreign country, processing may take longer. Please make two photocopies of your passport prior departure. Leave one copy with a friend at home, and take the other copy with you to Cuba along with the original document. For more information visit the Canada Passport website.

Do I need a visa to travel to Cuba?
No. Participants on Cuba Education Tours travel on a Cuban tourist card (sometimes referred to as a visa) which is valid for 90 days and can be renewed for an additional 90 days. Children, regardless of their age, also require a tourist card, even if they are registered on their parents' passports. (Spanish language students studying at the University of Havana require a student visa.) Your Cuban tourist card is provided to you with your airline ticket. We also provide instructions for filling out a Cuban tourist card. It must be kept together with your passport while on the island and surrendered to Cuban immigration officers when you leave.

How much luggage can I take?
Carry on and stowage baggage rules change daily. See your school's tour for details or contact us for updates. Please consider leaving some weight/space available for humanitarian donations.

Do the Cubans still need humanitarian donations?
Yes. Without donations from foreign guests many Cuban schools and organizations would have greater difficulty operating. Due to the U.S. blockade, the Cuban people are without many items that we take for granted. We recommend specific materials Cubans need. These items are listed on our Donate to Cuba page. We encourage participants who are able to assist to do so. A highlight of any Cuba trip is the delivery of humanitarian and medical donations. This is a special event that can be part of your tour itinerary.

What should I wear while on the tour?
Look sharp. Dress light in natural fabrics, and you'll fit right in with the Cubans. We suggest you bring comfortable, light cotton clothing. You may want to dress in 'layers' for your flights – sweaters and Tshirts you can take off or put on as needed. Sometimes airplanes, airports and buses can be cool. Cuban buses can be overly air conditioned. In winter and early spring evenings are cool. Long-sleeved cotton shirts come in handy for sun protection. During the tour you can expect the average temperature to be warm. Please see our Cuba travel tips page for a chart of monthly temperatures. Students performing volunteer labor should take along a set of light work clothes.

You will need a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, soap, shampoo and other toiletries. We suggest you bring large containers and leave them behind for schools and hospitals. The hotels do not have face cloths. Our Cuba travel tips details what to bring and what not to bring.

What currency should I take to Cuba?
This situation changes frequently. See our special section on Money Matters in Cuba for daily updates.

Is it safe in Cuba?
Cuba has the lowest crime rate and is considered one of the safest countries in the world. Nonetheless, we recommend that you use lock boxes available in your hotel room. We advise you make a photocopy of your passport prior to your departure and carry this copy with you on outings. You can leave your original passport in your lock box along with extra money, travelers cheques and airline tickets. Normal precautions for foreign travel should be followed such as guarding against pick pockets and purse snatchers.

What can I expect to see and learn in Cuba?
Fasten your seat belt for a celebration of life. Cuba is an incredible experience that may well change your outlook on the world.

Cuba Education Tours asks each of its participants to approach our journey with an open mind. Cuban goodwill is unmatched. All courtesies you extend will be returned many times over by your new Cuban friends and hosts.

Be flexible and open minded. Canadians and U.S. residents enjoy one of the highest consumer standards in the world. Cuba's standards are much lower. Rarely, changes may occur to your tour itinerary for reasons beyond our control. Hotel and resort standards will vary from city to city, as will food.

We also ask that you do not to give anything to beggars who frequent tourist areas, but rather to a Cuban organizations that will ensure your generosity is distributed equitably. See our Donate to Cuba page.

Is the water safe to drink?
While the water is considered safe to drink, we advise you drink bottled water for peace of mind. You may notice physical changes due to the different climate and food. Drinking bottled water will help to minimize these effects. A doctor or nurse is available to our groups at all times during the tour.

What is security like at Cuban airports?
Tight! Increased hostilities against Cuba by the Bush administration means your luggage could be searched. If this happens, don't be upset. This is for your protection and that of our Cuban friends. Narcotics (don't even think about it) or pornography are not allowed. Items considered as weapons will be confiscated.

What else should I know?
Phoning home You can buy phone cards at ETECSA (Cuban telephone system) outlets. Your guide will help you. This is the least expensive way to call locally or internationally. Foreign calling cards don't work in Cuba. Explain to your parents before you leave that they should not anticipate calls from you and they shouldn't waste money trying to contact you. After all, you'll be super busy and difficult to find from day-to-day, hour-to-hour. However, should an emergency arise here or there, Cuba Education Tours will put you in touch with your parents within hours. Rule-of-thumb: telephone communications with Cuba is difficult and costly. However, you can drop in at an internet cafe and send the folks an email every couple days. This will make them happy and relieve their worry.

Cellular phones Your cell phone will not work in Cuba, unless it is a "world phone" model. Even then, if you call home you'll be charged a fortune and have a heart attack when your bill arrives. Don't bring it to Cuba unless you have a darn good reason to do so.

Washrooms At some facilities (beyond your hotel) wastebaskets are provided in the washrooms beside the toilet. Toilet paper is to be put into them rather than flushed. Follow this rule and avoid embarrassing overflows. Don't blame it on the Cubans – Washington DC prevents the importation of plumbing supplies to the island.

Hotel access At hotels and resorts, only one key is provided for each room. If you are sharing a room give your room key to the front desk when you leave the hotel so your roommate will have access to it.

What should I know about returning from the island?
Be sure to save 25.00 CUC (Cuban Convertible pesos) in cash for your departure tax at the airport. This amount is included in some tours, check your school's Cuba tour website. Students under 19 years old cannot bring alcohol or tobacco products in to Canada.

Be prepared to return home with a more humane and optimistic outlook on the world. Take Kleenex to the airport on departure. You might be in tears.