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CULTURE SHOCK:ย On this trip, we’ll share with you the Cuba we love, but also want to manage your expectations. The level of service may not be what you’re used to, choice of food may be limited, the roads aren’t great, and poverty is wide-spread. Keep an open mind, and realize things may go wrong. That said, what makes Cuba amazing is this rapidly-changing island has been cut off from Western civilization for decades and is just coming into its own.
LOCAL LGBTQ+ SCENE: LGBTQ+ Cubans were not able to choose where they lived until recently, so there was never a gay ghetto. Now that people are permitted to live where they wish, the gay scene in larger cities is blossoming. Not surprisingly, the most vibrant gay nightlife is in Havana.
WEATHER:ย December through March are the coolest months of the year in Cuba. The average daily maximum temperature is 25C/77F, dropping to about 18C/65F at night. During these months, occasional cold fronts may come through from North America, which can mean a few cool nights (around 5C/40F), and possibly rain.
VACCINATIONS: Based on the entry requirements for Cuba, there are no other vaccinations needed for entry. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as OUT Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
ELECTRICITY:ย You will need an international travel plug/adapter for type A/B/C/L sockets. Visitย http://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/cuba/ for more information. There may be intermittent power outages during your trip. It is important that you bring portable chargers, or devices that can hold a charge overnight, including CPAP machines. Please contact us if you have questions.
CONNECTIVITY:It can be tough to stay connected with the outside world, as Wi-Fi is usually only available in public parks and hotels. When it is, you may not be able to access email or social media. Rather than fighting it or getting frustrated, why not disconnect your electronics and connect with this amazing culture and place? You can always post your photos later.
AMERICAN TRAVEL TO CUBA: This tour meets the legal requirements of โSupport for the Cuban Peopleโ category and incorporates a full-time itinerary featuring exchanges and cultural activities that better the Cuban people. To read more about this,ย visit this blog post.
NON-AMERICAN TRAVEL TO CUBA: The U.S. Department of State designated Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) on January 12, 2021. With limited exceptions, a traveler who is found to have visited Cuba on or after this date is not eligible for travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) using an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and must apply for a visa to travel to the United States. Additionally, a traveler who at the time of application for an ESTA holds dual nationality with both a VWP country and Cuba is not eligible for travel under the VWP using an ESTA and must apply for a visa to travel to the United States.
If an ESTA has already been approved and it is later determined that the traveler has been present in Cuba or holds dual nationality with both a VWP country and Cuba, the ESTA will be revoked. Ineligibility for an ESTA is not a bar to travel to the United States. Individuals who are not eligible to travel under the VWP may apply for a visa at any U.S. embassy or consulate.
This does not apply to Canadian citizens, who do not require an ESTA to travel to the U.S. More details can be found on the Homeland Security FAQ page.
Weโre dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, and it is our belief that each traveller has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from illness. Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, nor to isolate in the event of respiratory illness. Our Hosts and/or Group Leaders may ask those with respiratory or cold symptoms to wear a mask in confined areas. Local laws may be more strict and will always supersede our policies.
Out Adventures is all about good times with like-minded guys. Whateverโs on the itinerary โ from fireside camping to five-star decadence โ our goal is to make the experience magical. Weโre also committed to supporting the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations when possible, and celebrating local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.
You are required to have travel insurance to join this tour. At a minimum, your travel insurance must include US$50,000 in emergency medical coverage and US$200,000 in emergency medical evacuation/repatriation coverage, or the equivalent in your home countryโs currency. We also recommend that you consider trip interruption, isolation costs if testing positive for COVID-19, and trip cancellation coverage that includes cancel for any reason (CFAR), if available in your province or state. To obtain cancel for any reason coverage or pre-existing condition waivers, you will often need to purchase your policy within 24 hours to 3 weeks of providing your deposit.
Many providers will not sell travel insurance to Cuba for Americans, however policies can be quoted through Travelex, by phone. Please refer to your booking confirmation or trip confirmation emails for more details.
All Out Adventures are led by a gay (or gay-welcoming) guide. Whenever possible, we hire destination locals. And we can also connect you with the right people if youโd like to delve deeper into the local culture. If youโre pleased with your guide, we recommend a tip of US $5-10 per person, per dayโฆtheyโll certainly appreciate it!
Out Adventures are a great way to meet people from around the world and all walks of life. Bear in mind that everybodyโs there for a good time, so mutual respect will go a long way. Please be on time for any meet ups, empathetic to the needs of others, and ready to roll with whatever the adventure brings.
Although we canโt tell you who your fellow travellers will be for privacy reasons, we can tell you many great friendships began with an Out Adventure. And just because weโre a gay tour operator doesnโt mean weโre exclusive: friends and family are always welcome to join the fun.
If youโve never travelled on your own, itโs an amazing way to get to know yourself while making new friends along the way. We can arrange for you to share a room with people in your age range at no charge, or you can pay a supplement for your own room. If thereโs an odd number of solos, weโll rotate a single room on a random basis.
We love when groups of friends join us on an Out Adventure, whether youโre celebrating a major milestone, or you just love to travel together. However, since we have travellers that will be flying solo, or as a couple, we would love your help ensuring everybody feels welcome and has an epic time. Here are some ways you can give us a hand, while also getting to know and befriending your fellow travellers:
If youโd rather relish an exclusive escape with just your own party, we also offer private departures. This is a great way to create and manage your own holiday guest list, while possibly saving money as well. Please contact one of our Adventure Specialists if youโre interested in a customized quote.
The itinerary is correct at time of publishing. If anything, it will only improve with feedback from prior travellers and our own research. Itโs best to reference your final trip documents, rather than our website, in case there have been any changes that affect your departure.
Every Out Adventure offers optional excursions that are not included in price of this trip. Please see the daily itinerary in your final pre-trip packet to learn whatโs available.
Your central Homestay/B&B info will be provided in your pre-trip documents approximately 21 days prior to departure.
If you are checking in to a hotel or our homestay under your Out Adventures reservation, a complimentary arrival transfer will be included.
The official currency is the Cuban Peso (CUP). The country has endured financial crisis after financial crisis, and as a result, the US Dollar is currently the most widely used currency in a tourism setting. US credit and debit cards will not work, so itโs important that you arrive with the cash you need (we recommend between $1,000-$1,500 USD per person, to be safe). Our guide extraordinaire will also help you obtain a small amount of local currency which may be handy throughout your trip. Specific details around money are provided in your Trip Documents three weeks prior to departure.
If you are happy with services throughout your trip, a tip is recommended. Tipping details will be provided in your final trip documentation.
Most Out Adventures entail carrying your own luggage on occasion. And while you’ll never schlep far, things can quickly get costlier than a celebrity breakup if you don’t keep your baggage under 20kg/44lb thanks to costly surcharges on domestic flights. You should also bring something smaller for day trips to carry water, your camera, and any souvenirs you find along the way.
The following packing list is a guideline, not gospel. Our Out Adventure Specialists are happy to answer any specific questions about how much or little to bring.
Travel Documents:
General Personal Items:
Shoes:
Bottoms:
Tops:
Jackets:
Other:
Health-related Items:
All Out Adventures guests must have a good level of health. All tours, regardless of activity level, involve uneven steps, stairs, walking tours, and you will be required to carry your own luggage from time to time. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate individuals with limited mobility unless they are willing to absorb the cost of a private guide/assistant which varies by country and is only possible on a case by case basis. It is also your responsibility to advise Out Adventures of any pre-existing medical conditions that may increase the risk of you requiring medical attention, or that may affect the normal conduct of the tour and the enjoyment of the tour by other participants.
Below is a breakdown of our Physical Rating guide.
1 โ Relaxing
2 โ Light
3 โ Average
4 โ Demanding
5 โ Challenging