Here is the complete list of things we do to prepare for our exciting trip to the 'forbidden island'.
First take a look at the expiration date on your passport
Your U.S. passport needs an expiration date at least 6 months after the last day of our stay – or July 28, 2017. If your passport doesn't have the required validity, you should renew it today and avoid the stress of waiting to renew until the last-minute. Here's the information on renewal: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/renew.html
As artists we will be going under the Professional Research License. You can download and print a copy here:
OFAC Certification and Booking Information.pdf
Although this is a form presented by a charter company you will not be arranging travel with them. But you do need to fill out this form and bring a copy with you to the airport.
1) Put a check mark by Professional Research.
2) Ignore where it says "the specific license number is ________".
3) Add your signature and the information requested including passport number and expiration date.
4) Add the departure date, departure airport is JFK (unless you happen to be flying to Cuba out of Tampa, Miami or another airport), Arrival Airport is Jose Marti in Havana.
5) Would you like ABC to assist you? Check NO and add place of birth but don't check any of the other boxes - I will send you the link to get your travel insurance later.
When you get to the airport the airline will sell you the Cuban Travel Visa for $50 per person. You fill out both sides. They will keep one when you arrive in Cuba and return the other half to you. That one you will place in your passport and hand it in when you leave Cuba at the end of your tour. They will also give you the mandatory Cuban Medical Insurance form.
Want to take a phone with you for calling and texting? I do it all the time. Here's one company that works well for me:
https://www.mobal.com/international-cell-phones/#opt1
travel insurance
USI Affinity offers insurance for travel to Cuba - I've used them for years and recommend that you do get a policy. Go to this link https://www.travelinsure.com/select to start the process. Where they ask what organization is sponsoring the trip use the drop down box and scroll all the way down to select 'other', then add the name 1 World Art Travel under 'other company'. Add trip departure and return dates then enter when you submitted your deposit. If you don't remember just estimate - not critical. Same with the question about when you're paying your final payment. When you plug in your trip cost include your airfare. That's it. You'll get a quote.
The Cuban Convertible Peso.. also called the CUC (pronounced cooook) is only available in Cuba. So when we arrive at the airport in Havana I will walk us to the exchange window where we can trade in our dollars for CUC's. If you need more during the trip we can go to any hotel and exchange at their reception desk. For a 7 day trip I would consider $75 per day for your expenses. I don't bother changing my dollars into euros and then exchanging the euros for CUC's. While it's true that there is a 10% penalty for exchanging for dollars what should be considered also is 1) the fee for buying euros at your American bank 2) the fact that it might not really make such a huge difference based on how much money you will be spending there. 3) no matter what currency you take there will also be a slight loss when you get back to the airport to change your remaining CUC's back into either euros or dollars.
I would assume you have lots of questions: air travel there, what is it like in Cuba, do the Cubans like us? (yes, of course they do)… and anything else you’d like to know please ask me and don’t forget to read my Cuba facts page www.1worldarttravel.com/cuba-travel-facts.html
This video is called Omar's Travels and is about 4 1/2 minutes focusing only on Havana. Totally worth looking at.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9385ntlhEZ8
You don’t need converters for your iPhones, iPads or computers or cameras. Most if not ALL of them operate on dual voltage. So whether we have 110 V outlets or 220V outlets you’ll be good to go. However I noticed that some hotels have only 2 prong receptacles. If your devices power cord has three prong plug then you will need the 3-2 adapter.
When asked by Cuban Immigration the purpose of your visit, DO NOT tell them you are conducting research, or engaging in educational or religious activities. YOU ARE A TOURIST ON A TOUR.
Don’t forget your passport and a copy of it as well. Yes, make a copy and keep it separate from your passport.
Tips are the lifeblood of the service industry in Cuba. People make minimal salaries and depend so much on tipping. Did you know that lawyers and doctors often need to sell items on the street to supplement the $70 a month they earn? And that artists can and often do make more than professionals?
My recommended amounts are:
• Driver: 20 CUC per person for the trip
Tips to the following service providers are recommended:
• Local Guides: 2 CUC’s per person
• Porters (if any): 1 CUC per suitcase
• Restaurants (lunches and dinners): 1 to 2 CUC per person.
The streets are generally not well lit in the evenings, and we've learned that a small, battery-powered flashlight is very helpful for navigating at night. Be sure to take some extra batteries with you.
When we’re ready to leave Cuba for our flight home we can exchange our CUC’s back into dollars.
Please check the weather forecast before you depart, so that you may adequately be prepared. January is the best time to visit Cuba when average temperatures are about 70 degrees for the high and 60 for the low. I've been there when a cold front came through and it was in the 50's! Two different seasons exist: the dry season (November – April) and the rainy season (May – October). Hurricanes can occur between June & November. Weather conditions closely mimic those found in southern Florida. You’ll find that cotton and lightweight clothing will be the most comfortable. Take some lightweight slacks as well as shorts and be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes. Remember that comfort and convenience should dictate your wardrobe, and casual clothes are in order for most every occasion as you travel.
Your U.S. passport needs an expiration date at least 6 months after the last day of our stay – or July 28, 2017. If your passport doesn't have the required validity, you should renew it today and avoid the stress of waiting to renew until the last-minute. Here's the information on renewal: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/renew.html
As artists we will be going under the Professional Research License. You can download and print a copy here:
OFAC Certification and Booking Information.pdf
Although this is a form presented by a charter company you will not be arranging travel with them. But you do need to fill out this form and bring a copy with you to the airport.
1) Put a check mark by Professional Research.
2) Ignore where it says "the specific license number is ________".
3) Add your signature and the information requested including passport number and expiration date.
4) Add the departure date, departure airport is JFK (unless you happen to be flying to Cuba out of Tampa, Miami or another airport), Arrival Airport is Jose Marti in Havana.
5) Would you like ABC to assist you? Check NO and add place of birth but don't check any of the other boxes - I will send you the link to get your travel insurance later.
When you get to the airport the airline will sell you the Cuban Travel Visa for $50 per person. You fill out both sides. They will keep one when you arrive in Cuba and return the other half to you. That one you will place in your passport and hand it in when you leave Cuba at the end of your tour. They will also give you the mandatory Cuban Medical Insurance form.
Want to take a phone with you for calling and texting? I do it all the time. Here's one company that works well for me:
https://www.mobal.com/international-cell-phones/#opt1
travel insurance
USI Affinity offers insurance for travel to Cuba - I've used them for years and recommend that you do get a policy. Go to this link https://www.travelinsure.com/select to start the process. Where they ask what organization is sponsoring the trip use the drop down box and scroll all the way down to select 'other', then add the name 1 World Art Travel under 'other company'. Add trip departure and return dates then enter when you submitted your deposit. If you don't remember just estimate - not critical. Same with the question about when you're paying your final payment. When you plug in your trip cost include your airfare. That's it. You'll get a quote.
The Cuban Convertible Peso.. also called the CUC (pronounced cooook) is only available in Cuba. So when we arrive at the airport in Havana I will walk us to the exchange window where we can trade in our dollars for CUC's. If you need more during the trip we can go to any hotel and exchange at their reception desk. For a 7 day trip I would consider $75 per day for your expenses. I don't bother changing my dollars into euros and then exchanging the euros for CUC's. While it's true that there is a 10% penalty for exchanging for dollars what should be considered also is 1) the fee for buying euros at your American bank 2) the fact that it might not really make such a huge difference based on how much money you will be spending there. 3) no matter what currency you take there will also be a slight loss when you get back to the airport to change your remaining CUC's back into either euros or dollars.
I would assume you have lots of questions: air travel there, what is it like in Cuba, do the Cubans like us? (yes, of course they do)… and anything else you’d like to know please ask me and don’t forget to read my Cuba facts page www.1worldarttravel.com/cuba-travel-facts.html
This video is called Omar's Travels and is about 4 1/2 minutes focusing only on Havana. Totally worth looking at.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9385ntlhEZ8
You don’t need converters for your iPhones, iPads or computers or cameras. Most if not ALL of them operate on dual voltage. So whether we have 110 V outlets or 220V outlets you’ll be good to go. However I noticed that some hotels have only 2 prong receptacles. If your devices power cord has three prong plug then you will need the 3-2 adapter.
When asked by Cuban Immigration the purpose of your visit, DO NOT tell them you are conducting research, or engaging in educational or religious activities. YOU ARE A TOURIST ON A TOUR.
Don’t forget your passport and a copy of it as well. Yes, make a copy and keep it separate from your passport.
Tips are the lifeblood of the service industry in Cuba. People make minimal salaries and depend so much on tipping. Did you know that lawyers and doctors often need to sell items on the street to supplement the $70 a month they earn? And that artists can and often do make more than professionals?
My recommended amounts are:
• Driver: 20 CUC per person for the trip
Tips to the following service providers are recommended:
• Local Guides: 2 CUC’s per person
• Porters (if any): 1 CUC per suitcase
• Restaurants (lunches and dinners): 1 to 2 CUC per person.
The streets are generally not well lit in the evenings, and we've learned that a small, battery-powered flashlight is very helpful for navigating at night. Be sure to take some extra batteries with you.
When we’re ready to leave Cuba for our flight home we can exchange our CUC’s back into dollars.
Please check the weather forecast before you depart, so that you may adequately be prepared. January is the best time to visit Cuba when average temperatures are about 70 degrees for the high and 60 for the low. I've been there when a cold front came through and it was in the 50's! Two different seasons exist: the dry season (November – April) and the rainy season (May – October). Hurricanes can occur between June & November. Weather conditions closely mimic those found in southern Florida. You’ll find that cotton and lightweight clothing will be the most comfortable. Take some lightweight slacks as well as shorts and be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes. Remember that comfort and convenience should dictate your wardrobe, and casual clothes are in order for most every occasion as you travel.
1WorldArtTravel
69 bank Street Suite 102. NY, NY 10014-2184
phone: 212-414-8875 fax: 866-501-6873
e-mail: philip@1worldarttravel.com
69 bank Street Suite 102. NY, NY 10014-2184
phone: 212-414-8875 fax: 866-501-6873
e-mail: philip@1worldarttravel.com