YES! And NO… Since we are getting special visas for undertaking non-tourism activities in Cuba, you will need to enter the country with that visa. It will be possible to access that visa a few days before the program starts but not longer than that. It is VERY difficult to change your visa while in Cuba. The visas will be good for 90 days so it is best to plan personal travel time after the program ends, rather than before. Ron can discuss particular situations and needs in this regard with you.

No you don’t. Solo travellers will be paired up. The single occupancy surcharge is only for those who want to have their own room.

Our group size will range from 16 to 24 (plus Ron). While we often spend time as a large group, there will also be opportunities for solo time and smaller group time.

From the point of view of Cuba, yes you can. We have had numerous Americans on previous programs and there has been no problem with securing their Cuban visas with their entry into the country. However, it is your responsibility to research and comply with the American legal framework around travel to Cuba for American citizens. As Canadians, we cannot get involved in this nor can we offer you advice. Many Americans have found our programs to clearly fall within the 10 permissible categories of travel to Cuba for American citizens.

Our ground travel will range from rented busses (both air conditioned tour busses and decommissioned school busses), the back of large trucks, vans and cars and large converted vehicles that are used for transportation. For the most part, we will travel as Cubans do and will have a full range of experiences while doing this!

No, we are not! Nothing wrong with that of course if that is what you are looking for. This program offers a very different alternative that takes us much closer to the normal life of Cubans including staying in their homes on some occasions. We will also be staying in a church run hostel style facility in Varadero, a small hotel and a retreat centre in Baracoa.

Vegetarianism and veganism are not well-established diets or traditions in Cuba. Many restaurants will simply provide the regular meal minus the meat when requesting a vegetarian option. That being said, beans are a staple food in Cuba as are tubers such as sweet potato, cassava (yucca), tarot root and plantain. There are no large grocery stores in Cuba with meat substitutes, tofu or other commonly available vegetarian entrees. After bringing 27 groups to Cuba, each one with at least a couple of vegetarians, most of the farms and organizations we connect with will be familiar with the fact there will be non meat eaters among us.

No you don’t! As part of the program package, we offer translation from Spanish to English and English to Spanish at all of the farms and other locations we visit. That being said, learning some Spanish means you will be able to directly engage with our Cuban counterparts and hosts and be less dependent on translation. While some Cubans speak multiple languages including English, most people in the country are unilingual Spanish speakers.

Our program itinerary takes us to a range of organic farms and permaculture projects both in urban areas and in the countryside. Some of these farms are small family run operations focused primarily on self-sufficiency. Others are commercial operations selling to the wider public. We will also visit some demonstration farms that help to share organic farming and permaculture skills with new farmers. Most of the farms we visit are mixed – growing a range of vegetables and fruits and often raising some animals.

Yes, you can. Everybody needs some space now and then and you are welcome to opt out of activities if you desire. Of course, when we are on the road travelling from one region to another, we all need to travel together. Everybody has different levels of energy and pacing yourself is important. Though of course, you will want to make the most of this trip and take advantage of as many of the experiences as you can!

Cuba is one of the safest countries in the world to travel. Crime rates are generally low and violence is very rare. Political unrest such as public demonstrations, though it does occasionally happen, is also very uncommon. American media of course is quick to emphasize (and also to foment) unrest in Cuba while ignoring the fact that compared to most other Latin American countries, Cuba is very stable and safe. Tourists do need to take precautions, however, as theft does occur in areas frequented by tourists. There are many common sense precautions we can take to reduce this risk.

Cuba is not currently checking vaccination status for Covid 19 nor for other infections. That could change, however. Please consult with your own medical professionals to decide what kind of vaccination protection is best for you. Most travellers are advised to have updated tetanus and typhoid vaccinations. Cuba has had limited cases of Zika virus and cholera and regular outbreaks of mosquito borne dengue fever in the past. Protecting yourself against mosquito bites is the best strategy for preventing these infections.

Inflation has hit Cuba very hard in the past couple of years and most things are more expensive than you would expect. Plan for costs that are perhaps about 25% lower than what you would pay in Canada with respect to meals out, alcohol, etc.. How much you bring is a personal decision based on your own preferences and habits. Most people will want to bring a minimum of $300 Canadian dollars with them.

The $500 deposit for this program is non-refundable unless, for some reason, we need to cancel the program. The final payment is due on December 31. If you need to cancel after that date, you will forfeit the $500 deposit and any other costs incurred for your participation – i.e. visas.

Winter is generally the most pleasant time for foreigners to travel in Cuba. Daytime highs will normally be between 24-30 degrees Celsius. Nights will generally drop to no less than 15 degrees. Rain is possible during this time of year though it is predominantly the dry season. Violent storms, ie hurricanes are virtually unheard of in the winter, ending usually by early November. The Caribbean sun is intense all year round and appropriate precautions need to be taken.

Yes, you will! We will be spending most of our time outside of the major tourist bubbles which will offer you a unique view into everyday life in Cuba. Whether on farms, walking down the street, in a shop or at a cultural venue, we will have lots of contact with the Cuban people. Most Cubans are very welcoming of contact with foreigners and are particularly interested in our reasons for coming to the country.

We make a financial contribution to every farm, project and community group we visit. It has also been our tradition to bring a number of small gifts which we combine together to leave with our hosts and Cuban friends. There will be more details on this provided as part of our orientation package. But most important of all is the time we share and the solidarity we demonstrate through our presence and our interest in them, their projects and their communities.

While this is not an accredited program in and of itself, many students have been able to arrange for credit with their educational institutions. We are happy to support those efforts with a letter and a description of our program itinerary and the pedagogy accompanying it.

Cuba is currently going through a very difficult economic time with a shortage of many everyday necessities including food. This is partially due to the lingering impacts of the pandemic, global inflation, and a drop in tourism, but also due to the ongoing effects of the American embargo on the island. When we are on farms and staying with families or at community locations, we will be very well cared for. Options while dining out will be somewhat limiting. Coming with a spirit of flexibility and understanding will make a very big difference in the quality of your experience. It is also helpful to bring a few favourite snacks such as energy bars, etc for tying you over when getting a quick meal may be difficult.

Technically, to visit farms in Cuba requires a special permit by the international visitor. There are exceptions. Some farms in Cuba have received permission to host tourists on visitor visas. The bigger challenge is making the contacts that would lead you to many of these incredible organic farms and permaculture projects! There are no shortage of exemplary “hidden gems” of incredibly productive, diverse and well run organic farms in Cuba but they are often far off the beaten track.