Soulful Cuba

Fly into and out of Havana José Martí International Airport (HAV).

Before 4 pm ideally. The welcome meeting and dinner will be from 7 pm onwards starting at the hotel, which is located approximately 30 minutes away from the airport.

Note that baggage claim in Cuba can be very slow, so don’t feel alarmed if your bags take a long time to appear.

There are no activities planned for the last day, so leave any time you wish. The airport is approximately 30 minutes away from your final hotel. 

If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you book pre-tour accommodation with us, your airport arrival transfer will be included. If you book alternative pre-tour accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport you must arrange your own arrival transfer.

Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and will be in groups depending on flight times. Sometimes this means waiting in the airport for a short while until other flights have arrived.

We don’t offer a departure transfer as Flashpackers leave at different times of the day and many stay for extra nights. We will offer you support with finding a local taxi, which will cost around 40 EUR.

Please note that tips are not included in the cost of this adventure. Suggested amounts per person are:

• Pack Leader: 6.50 USD / 5-6 EUR per day
• Drivers: 5 USD / 4-5 EUR per day
• Local tips: your Pack Leader will be able to advise on how much to tip local guides, restaurants, etc. Some Pack Leaders will collect a tipping kitty at the welcome meeting to take care of local tips.

However, all tips are at your discretion depending on what you feel comfortable with.

The accommodation choices in Cuba are plusher than your average Cuban dwelling, but not quite up to Flash Pack’s usual high standards. However, we are staying in some of the best places in each location. Casas particulares (privately owned properties) are some of the most charming places to stay but room sizes vary and we may need to split the group into different accommodation, as casas rarely have more than six rooms.

Regardless of where you stay in Cuba, power cuts and breaks in hot water are sometimes unavoidable, but we’ll always make sure hotels or casas are clean and comfortable, with rooms that are truly unique. Sometimes hotels/casas cancel on us at the last minute, so with this in mind, we always have a backup hotel/casa of a similar standard.

Bear in mind that most hotels in Cuba have thin walls, so be prepared for background noise. For example, there may be music in the street that you can hear from your room. If you’re a light sleeper, it’s a good idea to bring ear plugs.

Cuba is a country that is changing rapidly and travellers need to be prepared that things might not always go according to plan: basic itinerary changes will likely happen, along with the odd power cut. There is often baffling red tape and the simple luxuries that we take for granted – such as air conditioning and toilet seats – are often missing in this beautiful country. However, those who love the odd surprise and the charm of visiting places a little different to home will absolutely fall in love with Cuba.

Mobile roaming isn’t easily accessible in Cuba and it’s super expensive so best to turn it off when you land in Havana and get used to connecting via WiFi only, which is accessible in your accommodation. Don’t expect to connect while moving around from A to B. If you need to be constantly connected to the internet, this trip may not be for you. However, it’s the perfect excuse for those who want to unplug and appreciate local culture.

Please see our Travelling to Cuba FAQs for full details, but in short, the visa process is now really simple:

1. Visit https://visacuba.com/ and fill in the requested details. For non-us citizens and those not transiting via the US, the visa is £19. For US citizens and those travelling via the US, the visa is $40.

2. Within 72 hours you will receive your Unique Visa Number associated with your passport.

3. You’ll need to enter your Unique Visa Number into your D’Viajeros Form which then generates a QR code for entry into Cuba. You can only complete the D’viajeros form 7 days before travel. Flash Pack Customer Experience Team will email you 7 days before departure with a reminder and a link to this form.

If you’re flying via the USA or visiting the USA after visiting Cuba you will not be able to transit using an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). To ensure a smooth return journey home, you’ll need to arrange a US visitor visa (B1/B2) from your local US embassy before travelling to Cuba.

Please see our Travelling to Cuba FAQs for details.

While we are not medical professionals and cannot offer personalised medical advice, we want to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable adventure. Here are some tips to help you prepare.

1. Consult with a healthcare professional

We recommend scheduling an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure. This will give you ample time to receive any necessary vaccines or medications.

2. Up-to-date medical advice

• UK residents: visit the NHS Fit For Travel website for the latest medical advice.
• US residents: check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for specialised health information.
• Australian residents: refer to the Smart Traveler Health website for current medical advice.

3. Government travel advice

• UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
• US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information.
• Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.

4. Medication tips

If you take prescription medication, ensure you bring enough to last the entire adventure, plus a few extra days in case of travel delays. Carry a copy of your prescription with you in case you need to visit a clinic while abroad.

We hope this information will help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure.

A full packing list will be sent to you upon booking, but here are a couple of things to know in advance:

• You need to bring everything – from medicine to toiletries – with you to Cuba as it will be hard, if not impossible, to get things like paracetamol, deodorant or ear plugs once there.
• Tap water in Cuba is not drinkable – we recommend bringing a water-filter bottle so you can always have a fresh supply of drinkable water, rather than having to source single-use plastics and/or rely on bottled mineral water always being available.
• Food choice is scarce in Cuba and there’s not a lot of variety, so it’s a good idea to bring snacks from home.
• If you’re vegan, you might want to consider bringing some nuts and nut butter to supplement your diet, as traditional Cuban meals often revolve around meat. Having said that, you’ll find plenty of veggie side dishes, such as beans, chickpeas, sweet potato and salad.
• Keen snorkellers might want to bring their own mask and snorkel, however local equipment will be available to rent.

Shortages and unforeseen circumstances are part and parcel of Cuban life. But one of the benefits of travelling with an organised tour company is that we can help you navigate bureaucracy and bumps along the road. All we ask, is that you arrive with a sense of adventure and an understanding that unlocking the richness of Cuban culture doesn’t always align with clear-cut comfort.

Euros, in small denominations, is the currency to bring. US dollars are accepted but they are no longer king, due to their chequered past in Cuba. You’ll get a better exchange rate with euros.

Before heading to Cuba, check that your bank card can be used in the country (if your bank is US owned, then your card won’t work in Cuba due to the US Embargo on Cuba). As currency at ATMs and CADECAs can be limited, you’ll need to bring plenty of cash.

NOTE: bring both cash and a bank card so that you always have a backup way to access money. 

Everything will be priced in Cuban peso once there, but locals will happily let you pay in euros and give you change in local currency. If you’re keen to get hold of Cuban pesos, use a local CADECA or ‘casa de cambio’ money exchange (there are a few ATMs in Havana and Trinidad but these shouldn’t be relied on for cash). Avoid the airport exchanges and wait until you get to Havana instead.

You’ll need a reasonable level of fitness for this trip. The most challenging activity is the Day 2 cycling tour of Havana, which covers around 10 miles and includes some uphill sections.

The longest drive on this trip is from Havana to Trinidad, which takes about 4 hours and includes a stop at Zapata Peninsula National Park for swimming and snorkelling.