IVY x CUBA INFORMATION PACKET

In This Info Packet READY, SET, LET’S GO!

***
IVY’s most beloved excursion is back, and we
Meeting Information
couldn’t be more pleased that you will be a part
Trips Details
of it. At once frozen in @me and yet constantly
Contact Information
Final Itinerary
evolving, Cuba is a dynamic and beau@ful na@on
Packing List not to be missed, known for its vibrant ar@stry,
Cuba General Info stunning nightlife, and welcoming people. Join us
Brief History of Cuba on our journey to Havana and the surrounding
Fun Facts area to discover a magical place filled with color,
Trip Highlights music, and smiles amid marvelous seaside
Reading List architecture and old-world charm.

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 MEET US IN FORT LAUDERDALE
MEETING LOCATIONS
Early on Friday, November 8th, no later than 1:30
pm, meet for check-in at Southwest Airlines’
special Cuba check-in desk on Level 1 of Terminal
1 in Fort Lauderdale Airport. Ally, your IVY Group
Lead, will be waiting for you with an IVY flag. If
you have any trouble finding the group, please
contact Ally via WhatsApp at 603-455-8784.
PASSPORTS & VISAS
While entry cards are included in the price of
your package and will be provided upon check-in,
IVY cannot guarantee entry by the Cuban
government. Cuba requires that your passport be
valid for 6 months past the return date. Visitors
may be asked to present return tickets as
evidence you will be leaving Cuba. IVY is not
responsible or liable to the licensed traveler if the
Government of Cuba decides to deny their
application and/or entry into Cuba.
PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE TRAVEL
You will travel with IVY on a people-to- people
educational program, operated under a general
license issued by the United States Department
of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control
(OFAC), and you will therefore be legally licensed
and authorized to travel to Cuba. You should be
aware that you are not traveling to Cuba as a
“tourist.” This means that in order to comply with
the terms of OFAC’s people-to-people license,
we must arrange and deliver all activities, as well
as accommodation and guiding services. IVY’s
people-to-people itinerary has been carefully
planned to provide engaging, intimate
experiences with Cuba’s dynamic residents,
immersing you in everyday life, and allowing
you to interact with locals and foster a better
understanding of what makes Cuba such a
fascinating place. People-to- people travel allows
for very little free time, as your time will be spent
experiencing Cuba at its most authentic, through
one-on- one talks and in-person visits.
Under the requirements set forth by OFAC,
you must participate in all scheduled activities on
your itinerary. While full participation in our
scheduled program is required during the day,
you are able to explore on your own before or
after your scheduled itinerary is complete.
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GROUP LEADER
All IVY group trips are accompanied by an IVY Trip
Leader and a local guide. The aim of the leader is
to facilitate a streamlined and organized trip
during our ac@on-packed adventure. Your guide
will provide informa@on on the places you are
traveling through, offer sugges@ons for things to
do and see, recommend great local venues. You
can expect them to have a broad general
knowledge of the places visited on the trip,
including historical, cultural, religious and social
aspects. Please feel free to ask your guide at any
@me about the places on the i@nerary, addi@onal
recommenda@ons, or life in Cuba in general. Our
guides are keen to share their personal and
professional experiences with you and have only
recently had the opportunity to exchange with
more visi@ng Americans.
CONTACT INFORMATION
IVY GROUP LEADER
Ally Peverly
+1 603 455 8784
** Please only message Ally via WhatsApp while
on the trip!
WHATSAPP GROUP // Join our IVY WhatsApp
Group to connect with your fellow IVY travelers
before arriving in Cuba and receive daily updates
on the i@nerary from your IVY Group Lead! If you
prefer to disconnect for the weekend, cheers to
you! All changes in the i@nerary will also be
communicated daily at the hotel, just be sure to
touch base with Ally or our local guides
throughout the trip!
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GROUND RULES:
IVY AMBASSADOR // Is there any beier
occasion to let loose and be your best self than
with a crew of like-minded individuals dancing
under the stars and exploring under the sun? We
didn’t think so. Get out of your comfort zone, try
some new and delicious cuisine, dance to the beat
of the music, make new friends. This week is
yours to live out your wildest dreams. Bring your
best self and represent the IVY community, both
within our IVY group and amongst the locals!
EMBRACE THE UNCERTAINTY // Travel in Cuba
can oken be unpredictable, embrace the
uncertainty and arrive prepared to go with the
flow of the island.
BE ON TIME // We have a full group and a very
busy and awesome i@nerary. Please be respecmul
of your fellow travelers and be at the appropriate
meet up points on @me; otherwise the en@re
group will have to wait for you. We understand
we will have some late nights and early mornings,
but it is not possible to meet up with the group at
a later @me, and by law, you must stay with the
group and par@cipate in the full i@nerary of
scheduled events.
ILLEGAL ACTIVITY // Illegal drugs will not be
tolerated on our trips. It is very illegal in Cuba,
and even for a very small amount of marijuana
you will likely be imprisoned. Harder drugs bring
harder @me. Upon arrival in Cuba, all carry-on
bags, checked luggage, as well as travelers, are
thoroughly screened. Do not bring any drugs
whatsoever and do not ask for them or buy them
in Cuba. It is simply not worth the risk to yourself
or the group.
NO EXPLOITATION OF PROSTITUTES // It is
illegal in Cuba and can have severe consequences
to our trip leaders & local guides. Same prison
rules apply.
IVY HONOR CODE // Please keep in mind the
IVY Honor Code that you accepted upon joining
our community and hold yourself accountable to
upholding the values of IVY throughout the trip.
IVY reserves the right to remove anyone from the
trip who is violates our policies without refund.
• Act with Integrity
• Respect your fellow travelers and staff
• Avoid behavior which could be considered harmful
to your peers or society at large
• Drink responsibly
• Illicit drugs will not be tolerated on our trips. It is
simply not worth the risk to yourself or the group.
If you ever feel another person is behaving
inappropriately, or have any concerns, ques@ons,
ideas, or sugges@ons about the trip, please inform
the trip leader as soon as you can.
LASTLY, HAVE ONE OF THE BEST
WEEKENDS OF YOUR LIFE!
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ACCOMODATIONS
Nestled in Cuba's historic Old Havana
neighborhood, Hotel Sevilla offers the best home
base for your Cuban adventures. With a prime
location just steps from the ever-lively Calle
Obsipo, you'll never be far from a mojito,
delicious meal or live music. Hotel Sevilla offers a
beautiful courtyard and poolside lounging -
perfect spots to relax and unwind from a day of
exploring.
ADDRESS // Trocadero No 55, Old Havana,
Cuba
FOOD & BEVERAGE
To offer the most action-packed expedition,
we’ve included all meals in the trip price,
including breakfast at our hotel daily, two
lunches, three dinners, and many, many, mojitos.
Please budget for any additional meals, alcoholic
beverages, and additional expenses while on your
trip - we recommend a cash amount of $150.
($250 if you plan on purchasing cigars!)
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 POST-TRIP SURVEY // After your travels, we
MORE DETAILS ON YOUR TRIP
really want to hear from you! Feedback helps us
understand what we are doing well and what we
ISSUES ON YOUR TRIP // While we endeavor to
could be doing better, allowing us to make
provide the best travel, sometimes things can and
improvements for future IVY Expeditions. We will
do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you
reach out to you with a short survey, and will be
are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss grateful for your honest feedback of your entire
this with your group leader or our local
experience.
representative immediately so that this person
can do his or her best to rectify the problem and
save any potential negative impact on the rest of
your trip. We recognize that there may be times
when your group leader or local guide may not be
able to resolve a situation to your complete
satisfaction—if this is the case, please be patient
and we will do everything that is possible and
within reason.

While you may choose to provide details in your

online feedback, it is very difficult for us to
provide any practical help after the trip is
complete, so we hope we can resolve any
situations on the ground during your trip.
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 DAY 1 – WELCOME TO CUBA
Friday, November 8th
ITINERARY
§ 1:30pm - Meet for check-in at Southwest Airline’s special
Cuba check-in desk on Level 1 of Terminal 1 in Fort
Lauderdale Airport. Nearby, there will be an IVY sign and
area for our group to gather.

§ 2pm – Last call for check-in. Please make sure to arrive to the
IVY check-in area.

§ 3:10pm - Southwest flight WN3920 departs Fort Lauderdale

for Havana’s José Martí International Airport.

§ Arrive in Cuba! All travelers will be required to go through

customs and a security check upon arrival, including the re-
screening of all of your luggage. After customs, we will meet
the IVY private guide and board our transport to begin our
cultural adventure.

§ Arrive and check into Hotel Seville, our 4-star headquarters

for the weekend.

§ Guided stroll through Old Havana, highlighting the main

historic plazas: the Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de Armas, Plaza
de San Francisco and Plaza Vieja, and Museo de la
Revolución, stopping for formal encounters with local artists
and shopkeepers.

§ Mojitos and welcome dinner.

§ Dance and marvel at Fábrica de Arte Cubano, an eclectic

warehouse of art, live music, and dancing and one of the
most popular spots for a night out in Havana.

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DAY 2 – ARTS & ADVENTURE
Saturday, November 9th

§ 9:30am - Enjoy breakfast on the top floor of Hotel Sevilla.

§ Aker breakfast, we’ll visit the Revolu@on Museum before

depar@ng for a private tour and lunch at the home of the
acclaimed Cuban muralist and ceramist José Fúster, described
as the “Picasso of the Caribbean.”

§ Head to the hilltop village of San Francisco de Paula for a

private visit to Ernest Hemingway’s Finca Vigía—the eclec@c
house where he lived for 20 years—now a museum displaying
his library, manuscripts and personal effects, and meet with
those who have worked on the planta@on for years.

§ Arrive to a local brewery and the largest market in Old

Havana. Enjoy free @me to explore the city with new IVY and
Cuban friends.

§ Head back to the Hotel to freshen up before dinner &

dancing at 1834, a beau@ful colonial mansion along the sea.
For those who wish, just outside our restaurant there will be a
live salsa band along the ocean, where you can prac@ce your
dance moves on the island.

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DAY 3 – THE CUBAN COUNTRYSIDE
Sunday, November 10th

§ 9:30 am - Enjoy breakfast on the top floor of Hotel Sevilla.

§ Aker breakfast, drive through Cuba’s scenic countryside to

Las Terrazas, the pioneering eco-village that is nestled within
a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

§ Enjoy a welcome and discussion on the reserve and the local

community, learning about their role in environmental
preserva@on in the Caribbean. Op@onal dip in lake!

§ Enjoy lunch en el campo with farm-fresh ingredients.

§ Visit the home and studio of a local ar@st who takes the
recycled paper from the community and generates sta@onary,
cards, and art.

§ Swim in los Banos de San Juan.

§ Return to Havana to freshen up for our final night on the

town.

§ Feel the thrill of a cruise in an old classic American

conver@ble—painstakingly restored and maintained—along
the Revolu@on Square and around the old city and sea wall.

§ Begin your final night in Cuba with a bang at El Cañonazo, the

canon firing ceremony kept from colonial @mes at the
Fortress of San Carlos de la Cabaña.

§ Enjoy a final farewell dinner with new IVY friends and

reminisce on the magical weekend spent together at La
Guarida, an emblem of Havana made famous by the Cuban
movie ”fresa y chocolate.”

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DAY 4 –ADIÓS CUBA – BE BACK SOON!
Monday, November 11th

§ Enjoy a breakfast in at our hotel and say Adios to your kind

and welcoming hosts.

§ Afterwards, explore Callejón de Hamel, a narrow two-block

alleyway between Aramburu and Hospital Streets. Over the
years, it has become a shrine to Afro-Cuban religions through
the art created by Salvador González. The buildings are lined
with brightly colored paintings, murals, sculptures and
objects, depicting rituals and deities. Learn about Santería
from local practitioners, and the complicated layering and
transference between Catholicism and African traditions that
is found throughout the island.

§ Head to the airport for our flights homeward.

ITINERARY DISCLAIMER
This par)cular tour has been designed with specific
Cuban individuals and ar)sts in mind, whose schedules
and availabili)es may change without no)ce. While we
do our best to adhere to the i)nerary, traveling in Cuba
requires significant flexibility, and changes to specific
people-to-people interac)ons and other ac)vi)es may
occur. In addi)on, some changes may occur in our
i)neraries due to inclement weather and common
seasonal changes to )metables and transport routes.
This can happen with liBle no)ce so please be prepared
for modifica)ons to the route. The order and )ming of
included ac)vi)es in each loca)on may also vary from
)me to )me. Each day we will update you on the
program and keep you informed throughout the trip.

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 OLD HAVANA // La Habana Vieja, or Old Havana, is the historic
HIGHLIGHTS heart of Cuba’s capital city and the largest colonial centre in
La@n America. Full of colour and personality, it’s a mix of historic
buildings, museums, galleries, churches and lively plazas. It’s full
of interes@ng architecture and easily walkable, with most of the
main airac@ons concentrated around four plazas. While the
main plazas in Old Havana have been restored to their former
splendor, wander just a few blocks away and you will see the
crumbling colonial charm Havana is known for.

LAS TERRAZAS // The pioneering ecovillage of Las Terrazas

dates back to a reforesta@on project in 1968. Today it’s a
Unesco Biosphere Reserve, a burgeoning ac@vity center (with a
canopy tour) and the site of the earliest coffee planta@ons in
Cuba. Not surprisingly, it airacts day-trippers from Havana by
the busload.

FÁBRICA DE ARTE CUBANO // Only the coolest, bar/ art

gallery/ performance arena in Havana. Beau@fully decorated
with some of the most eye catching art pieces on the wall, the
Fábrica de Arte Cubano is just one of those places that seem to
have it all figured out. Not only does it cater for the music lover
(there are various dance performances as well as some terrific
salsa, reggae and typical club music) but the art factory also has
deliciously affordable cocktails, some of the most original
jewelry and graphic design pieces you will see on this side of the
Caribbean as well as some of the most forward thinking locals
this Island na@on has to offer.

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JOSÉ FÚSTER // José Antonio Rodríguez Fuster is a ceramist,
draksman, painter and printmaker. He has made illustra@ons for
several publica@ons, par@cipated in a number of interna@onal
symposiums and events, and received various na@onal and
interna@onal awards and men@ons. Fuster has made a major
contribu@on over 18 years of work in the town of Jaimanitas in
the outskirts of Havana. He has decorated over 80 houses and
parks with murals, pain@ngs, sculptures, etc. Having involved
the neighbors in this work, Fuster’s project is a unique display of
public art.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY’S FINCA VIGÍA // Ten miles east of

Havana is Hemingway's Cuba house - Finca Vigia, meaning
"lookout house". Finca Vigia is located in the small, working-class
town of San Francisco de Paula. The Cuban people have always
respected famous writer's choice to live in a modest town,
amongst the people he fished with. There, Hemingway wrote
two of his most celebrated novels: For Whom the Bell Tolls and
The Old Man and the Sea. A Movable Feast was wriien there as
well. Aker Hemingway's death in 1961, the Cuban government
took ownership of the property.

SAN CARLOS DE LA CABAÑA // The stone structure that had

piqued my curiosity was actually a colossal colonial fortress, the
largest in the Americas. Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña
was much more than just a wall- it was a key piece to Havana’s
complex for@fica@on system, guarding the narrow entrance to
the Bay of Havana. Built in the shape of a crown, this fortress
covers 10 hectares and is reinforced by a deep dry moat on the
east, and high wall panels facing the channel. La Cabaña was so
imposing and impenetrable, that no invader ever aiacked it. The
fortress may not have seen any bailes, but it was used as a
military prison by dictators Ba@sta and Machado. Soon aker the
revolu@on, Che Guevara set up his headquarters here.

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 PACKING RECOMMENDATIONS
PACK LIGHT!
To be specific — checked luggage is not
necessary nor allowed for this week. Don’t let
that worry you—let it be libera@ng! If it doesn’t
fit in a carry-on bag, you don’t need it for this
trip. We highly recommend bringing a
collapsible duffle bag to provide yourself with
as much space in your cabin as possible.
IVY is not responsible for any lost or delayed
baggage and cannot hold up the bus for
delayed passengers. If a passenger is delayed
or having trouble with their luggage, they
should call or text Ally for assistance! If you
need to take separate transporta@on because
of a delay it will be on your own dime.
WHAT TO BRING
Temperatures during the day average in the
mid 70’s, dropping into the 60s at night! Be
sure to pack accordingly.
CASH IS KING
• Credit cards do not work in Cuba and ATMs are
impossible to find. Bring plenty of cash for extra
drinks or souvenirs! We recommend $150, or
$250 if you plan on buying cigars
PACKING LIST
• Carry on Bags ONLY!!!
• Passport & a copy of your passport to carry with
you at all @mes
• Lightweight, comfortable clothing
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Going-out clothing for evenings – Though dress
codes are rarely enforced, Cubans dress to
impress - We’d recommend you pack a nice outfit
and shoes to wear if you plan on going out in
Cuba, either to grab a bite or to explore the city’s
nightlife
• Bathing suit
• Sunscreen / Mosquito repellent
• Electrical Adapter plug and converter(s)
• Toiletries
• Toilet paper or @ssues (for public toilets)
• Face mask (if desired, for diesel fumes)
• Sunglasses / Sun Hat
• Camera/GoPro
• Prescrip@on drugs
• Electrical Adapter plug and converter(s)
• Small padlock for luggage
Note: If you’ve traveled with us previously don’t forget
your IVY Travel Passport to record your favorite
memories from the trip!
DO NOT BRING
• Any controlled substances
• Fancy watches, jewelry, or flashy items that you
would not want to lose. If it is valuable and
important to you, we advise leaving it at home
13
Welcome to Cuba
Cuba is rich in As one of the lucky few to experience this
natural, cultural, cobblestoned isle of 11 million inhabitants, you’ll
and historical find that the rum is plentiful, the smiles infectious
mores. With a
and dancing encouraged. Exclusively for IVY
fusion of dis)nct
Caribbean and
members, we’ve assembled a cast of Cuban
La)n cultures, the characters to give you a proper welcome: one of
island na)on has Havana’s best guides, musicians, local artists,
created its own cigar aficionados, and entrepreneurs that
unforgeBable understand where Cuba came from, where the
trademarks. Get country sits now and, more importantly, where it’s
on your dancing going.
shoes, because
we’re going to
Cuba!
14
At once frozen in time and yet
constantly evolving, Cuba is a dynamic and
beautiful nation not to be missed, known
for its vibrant artistry, stunning nightlife,
and welcoming people.
THE BASICS
POPULATION // About 11.5 million people
call Cuba their permanent home .
LANGUAGE // Spanish is the official language
of Cuba but your guides and staff will speak
English.
IMPORTANT CITIES // Havana is the nation's
capital and largest city.
TEMPERATURE // Average temperature will
range from 65•F to 82•F.
TIME ZONE // Cuba Daylight Time (GMT -4).
US EMBASSY // U.S. Embassy Havana
Calzada between L & M, Vedado Havana, Cuba
Phone: (53)(7) 839-4100.
POLICE // Emergency phone line in Cuba is
106 for the Police Department and 105 for the
Fire Department.
ELECTRICAL OUTLETS // Power outlets
throughout Cuba will be either 110 or 220
volts.
RECOMMENDED VACCINATIONS // For a
short-term trip to Cuba, Hepatitis A, Typhoid,
and Tetanus vaccines are encouraged.
EXPORTS // Cuba is known for its cigars,
which are thought to be the finest in the world.
All premium Cuban cigars are manufactured by
the same company
TIPPING & GRATUITY // Tips are included in
the price of your IVY package, but they go a
long way in saying thank you to a guide or
musician and are extremely appreciated by
locals. In Cuba, if you’re happy with the service
you receive, providing a tip—though not
compulsory—is important. Since most Cubans
earn their money in moneda nacional (MN$),
leaving a small tip of CUC$1 (1 USD) or more
can make a huge difference. The following
amounts are based on local considerations and
feedback from our past travelers:
• Restaurants: At local markets, government
and private (paladares) restaurants, we will
round the bill up to the nearest 10%.
• Musicians: Carry small notes for the
ubiquitous musicians in restaurants. Tip
when the basket comes around.
• Guides: If you liked our guide, or a particular
guide at a museum, leaving them with an
additional 5 – 10 CUC or USD at the end of
the trip will mean a lot for them.
• Drivers: You may have a range of drivers on
your trip. Some may be with you for a short
journey while others may be with you for
several days. An additional tip to them is
always appreciated. In addition, you may
seek your own private transportation for
after hours exploration. For taxis, 10% if you
are on the meter is a fair tip; generally, full
fare with tip will be agreed upon
beforehand. 15
CURRENCY // In Cuba, cash is king, and for rates, so it is a good idea to take Bri@sh pounds
spending money, you will need to bring cash to or euros if you can, which get a beier
exchange as your debit/credit cards will not exchange rate. Please also be advised that bills
work. There are 2 official currencies in Cuba: with tears or marks may be difficult to
exchange, so bring nice- looking bills in
denomina@ons lower than US$100 if possible.
§ Cuban Peso Conver@ble (CUC). Value: CUC1
= US$1.00 (with 13% tax levied)
BANK COMMISSIONS // The exchange rates
§ • Cuban Peso (CUP or Moneda Nacional
used by the CADECA are the same in every
M.N). Value: CUP24 = CUC1
CADECA around Cuba and represent about a
3% commission for the bank (included in the
The exchange rates of these currencies are
exchange rate). For cash advances and when
fixed by the Cuban Government and can
using the ATMs (which almost never work with
change at any @me. The ‘local’ Cuban Peso has
U.S. cards), there is a 3% fee charged. This
very limited use, especially for travelers, and is
mostly used for transac@ons between locals. means that value for money is approximately
the same if you are making a cash advance or
What’s confusing for travelers is that the
exchanging a travelers.
Cubans call both currencies ‘pesos’, so make
sure they are giving you the price in CUC
TAXES // The standard V.A.T. rate in Cuba is
(“cook”), also called “conver@bles.” In every
Cuban city and airport there are official 24% with a reduced rate of 13% that applies
to some food, & medicines.
government exchange houses called CADECA.
At the CADECA exchange houses, you may
ATMs // At present, the only ci@es with ATMs
exchange foreign cash to CUC, make cash
are Havana, Camaguey, Trinidad and San@ago
advances on some credit cards (although U.S.
cards almost never work), and exchange de Cuba. While U.S. financial ins@tu@ons are
now permiied to process credit card and debit
traveler’s checks—all requiring a passport. To
card transac@ons in Cuba related to authorized
exchange traveler’s checks you will also need
travel expenses, currently most U.S. financial
the receipt of the bank where you bought
ins@tu@ons and Cuban vendors are not set-up
them; these are becoming increasingly difficult
to exchange so we don’t recommend it. While to process such transac@ons. ATMs can be
quite temperamental in Cuba, so funds may not
the CUC is equal to the U.S. Dollar at a 1:1
be accessible electronically
ra@o, the exchange of cash or checks is subject
to a 10% Cuban tax in addi@on to all exchange

16
SAFETY
CRIME // Official crime sta@s@cs are not
published by the Cuban government, but
repor@ng by U.S. ci@zens and other foreign
travelers indicates that the majority of
incidents are non-violent and thek-related—
e.g., pickpocke@ng, purse snatching, or the
taking of unaiended or valuable items. In the
event of a confronta@on, travelers should not
resist, as perpetrators may be armed.
Theks generally occur in crowded areas such
as markets, beaches, and other gathering
points, including Old Town Havana and the
Prado neighborhood. Travelers should exercise
basic situa@onal awareness at all @mes and are
advised not to leave belongings unaiended,
nor carry purses and bags loosely over one
shoulder.
Visitors should avoid wearing flashy jewelry or
displaying large amounts of cash. It is advised
that visitors should carry a copy of their
passport with them and leave the original at a
secure loca@on. U.S. visitors should also
beware of Cuban “jineteros” (hustlers) who
specialize in swindling tourists. While most
jineteros speak English and go out of their way
to appear friendly, e.g., by offering to serve as
tour guides or to facilitate the purchase of
cheap cigars, many are in fact professional
criminals who may resort to violence in their
efforts to acquire tourists’ money and other
valuables.
When exchanging currency, use state-run
offices to convert dollars and avoid
independent/street vendors. Past travelers
have advised their luggage was broken into
when flying on interna@onal and/or domes@c
flights in Cuba. It’s advisable that you use small
padlocks to secure your luggage. All travelers
should ensure that valuables remain
under their personal control at all @mes. We
strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or
money belt while traveling, for the safekeeping
of your passport, air @ckets, cash and other
valuable items.
NATURE // Be wary of the animals you see
along the excursion. Most will avoid people,
but they may bite or scratch if they are feeling
threatened, protec@ng their young, or are ill. If
this occurs, please wash the wound with soap
and clean water, inform the group leader, and
update your doctor of the incident when you
return to the United States.
H20 & FOOD // We encourage our travelers to
prac@ce safe food and water habits to avoid
illness on our trip. Avoid raw/undercooked eggs
& meats, unpasteurized dairy products, and tap
/ well water. Boiled water will be available on
the bus for the dura@on of the trip.
SEAT BELTS // Please be aware that local laws
governing transporta@on safety differ from
those in the U.S. and not all the transport that
we use is able to provide seat belts.
17
A BRIEF HISTORY
Old Havana, recognized as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, was once the Caribbean's
foremost shipping port. Latin culture, salsa
dancing, fresh seafood, and Cuban cigars are
recognizable elements of Cuban culture, found
throughout the nation.
ORIGINS // Christopher Columbus, in his
quest to find a westward route to India
stumbled on the shores of Cuba on October
27, 1492, where he is reported to have said
“this is the most beautiful land human eyes
have ever seen.” Columbus spent several
weeks navigating along the Cuba’s north coast
without realizing it was an island. Convinced he
had discovered the East Indies he returned to
Europe and went back to Cuba two years later.
It was only in 1508, after another explorer,
Sebastián de Ocampo circumnavigated it, that
it was discovered that Cuba was an island.
Cuba was inhabited by indigenous peoples,
referred to as Indocubans. Their society
subsisted peacefully from hunting, fishing and
agriculture until the arrival of the first
conquistador, Diego de Velázquez, in 1510,
who landed with a small army at the southeast
end of the Island, a place known today as
Guantánamo. The Indocubans, normally a
peaceful people, offered fierce resistance
under a brave leader named Hatuey, for a
period of approximately three months, until his
capture by the invaders. Once conquered, the
Indocubans were nearly exterminated by the
harsh working conditions imposed by the
Spaniards and by diseases brought to the
Island by the new arrivals. To replace the
dwindling indigenous labor force needed to
work the gold mines, the cane fields and the
tobacco plantations, the Spaniards started
importing African slaves to the Island and soon
slave trade became one of the most profitable
activities.
Because of the Islands location it became “the
Key to the Gulf” and the stopping-off point for
the Spanish conquistadors going to or
returning from Central and South America.
Batabanó briefly became the principal
stopping-off point for the Spanish Fleet until
Havana, a better natural harbor, was
discovered due north of Batabanó. Havana
then became a flourishing trading post as
increasing numbers of ships, on their way to
Europe, stopped to take supplies for the
journey as well as goods to trade with the
Europeans.
INDEPENDENCE FROM SPAIN // Deplorable
conditions in the island’s sugar plantations
caused many slave rebellions in this period of
Cuban history. In 1868, Cuban landowners also
began to resist the status quo, launching the
first Cuban War of Independence.
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The Ten Years War against Spain ended in 1878
with the Pact of Zanjon, which granted
concessions to the Cuban rebels. Nevertheless,
revolu@onaries con@nued their resistance to
the Spanish authori@es, some of them from
exile in the United States. In April 1895,
revolu@onaries landed in Cuba to begin the
second War of Independence. In 1898, with
the rebels largely in control of the island, the
United States used the explosion of the USS
Maine in the Havana harbor to begin hos@li@es
against Spain, star@ng the Spanish-American
War. In December 1898, Spain ceded control of
the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Cuba to the
United States.
FIDEL CASTRO, THE COLD WAR & THE
“SPECIAL PERIOD” // The next sixty years of
history on Cuba featured a strong U.S.
presence. The U.S. Navy established the base
at Guantanamo Bay, American tourists flocked
to the casinos, hotels, and brothels of Havana,
and U.S. interference in internal Cuban poli@cs
was the norm.
In the 1950s, Cuba was ruled by an unpopular
military dictatorship led by Fulgencio Ba@sta. A
resistance movement led by Fidel Castro and
Ernesto “Che” Guevera gained increasing
support and power. In January 1959, Castro
gained control of Cuba and began a
revolu@onary reordering of Cuban society,
ins@tu@ng land reform, inves@ng in health care,
educa@on, and athle@cs, moving into a close
rela@onship with the Soviet Union, and
imprisoning thousands of poli@cal opponents.
Castro’s policies in this era of Cuba history
made rela@ons between the island na@on and
its superpower neighbor to the north
increasingly fraught with tension. A failed
invasion by U.S.-trained forces in April 1961
brought Cuba more firmly into the Soviet camp
in the worldwide cold war.
When the USSR established nuclear missile
bases in Cuba in 1962, the United States and
the Soviet Union came to the brink of war, a
tense 14 days known as the Cuban Missile
Crisis. A tragic unfolding of cold war history on
Cuba was averted when the USSR agreed to
dismantle its nuclear bases in return for a U.S.
pledge not to invade Cuba or depose Castro.
Star@ng from the mid-1980s, Cuba
experienced a crisis referred to as the "Special
Period". When the Soviet Union, the country's
primary source of trade, was dissolved in late
1991, a major supporter of Cuba's economy
was lost, leaving it essen@ally paralyzed
because of the economy's narrow basis,
focused on just a few products with just a few
buyers. For many years, Castro’s treatment lead
to uprisings and revolts, while record numbers
of Cubans fled to Florida to escape.
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CUBA TODAY
In 2006, Fidel Castro fell ill and withdrew from
public life. The following year, Raúl Castro
became Ac@ng President, replacing his brother
as the de facto leader of the country. In a leier
dated 18 February 2008, Fidel Castro
announced his formal resigna@on at the 2008
Na@onal Assembly mee@ngs. In July 2012,
Cuba received its first American goods
shipment in over 50 years, following the par@al
relaxa@on of the U.S. embargo to permit
humanitarian shipments. In October 2012,
Cuba announced the aboli@on of its much-
disliked exit permit system, allowing its ci@zens
more freedom to travel abroad. With the help
and nego@a@on of Pope Francis in 2014,
President Barack Obama and the Cuban
Government decide to end the conflict that
had persisted since the early 1930s. In 2015,
Obama became the first president to visit the
island since Calvin Coolidge in 1928. More
recently, the United States rela@onship with
Cuba has entered a period of increasing
uncertainty. However, the Cuban people we
will meet throughout our travels remain
invi@ng, open, and encouraging of US visitors.
GEOGRAPHY, WEATHER &
WILDLIFE
GEOGRAPHY // The 42,426 sq. mile Caribbean
island lies in the North Atlan@c Ocean. As the
largest country in the Caribbean, it also
consists of a mul@tude of archipelagos and
addi@onal smaller islands surrounding the
mainland. Cuba’s tropical climate offers a
pleasant stay for visitors, with sun shining most
days of the year.
WEATHER // Cuba boasts a delighmul tropical
climate, with warm temperatures throughout
the calendar year. With two dis@nct seasons,
Cuba’s rainy months last from May to October
and the dry season November through April.
WILDLIFE // The island na@on is a Mecca for
bird enthusiasts around the world. Some
highlights include the Cuban Finch, Bee
Hummingbird (the smallest bird in the world!
See photo below), Trogon, and Parakeet.
Always be on the lookout for mammals hanging
out in the trees above like the Cuban Hu@a,
Greater Bulldog Bat, Solenodon, and Small
Indian Mongoose. Rep@les also range freely, so
don’t be too alarmed if a Cuban Crocodile or
Ground Iguana cross your path.
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CULTURE & IDENTITY
CUISINE // Rich with Spanish influence, Cuban
culture and cuisine is punctuated by their own
Caribbean flare. Cuban cuisine consists of
strong similarities with that of Southern Spain,
with staples including fresh fish, rice, and
beans.
SALSA CULTURE // Dance is intimately
intertwined throughout Cuban culture. Dance
clubs bump until the wee hours of the morning
every night of the week throughout the
country. As a core expression of joy, pride, and
sensuality, salsa dance has become a staple in
the identity of the Cuban people.
RELIGION // The most widespread religion in
the nation is Roman Catholicism. However,
other Afro- Caribbean indigenous religions are
still practiced throughout the nation. During his
dictatorial regime, Fidel Castro declared Cuba
an atheist state.
ETIQUETTE
GREETINGS // Shake hands with strangers; a
kiss or double-cheek kiss is appropriate
between people (men-women, and women-
women) who have already met.
CONVERSATION // Although they can be
surprisingly candid about almost anything,
Cubans aren’t always keen to discuss politics,
especially with strangers and if it involves
being openly critical of the government.
DANCING // Cubans don’t harbor any self-
consciousness about dancing. Throw your
reservations out of the window and let loose.
FAMILY // Cuban family structure is a core
aspect of their culture. Inside the home, the
female figurehead is generally ‘in control’ of
most things, and elder family members are
treated with utmost respect.
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THINGS TO TRY
• ROPA VIEJA // If you love beef, you will enjoy a braised skirt steak
simmered to perfec@on in a flavorful tomato sauce; served over loose
white rice accompanied by fried ripe plantains.

• RUM // Cuba and most of the Caribbeans have a long history when it
comes to rum. Rum has been consumed in the region since early
colonial @mes and produced here for almost just as long. As with
most rums produced in La@n countries, Cuban rum has a smooth
taste and a dis@nc@ve flavor, which it makes both a great cocktail rum
(say, for a Cuba Libre or a Daiquiri) or enjoyed the old sailor-way as a
“Bumbo” (rum, water, sugar & nutmeg). Havana Club is the most
popular and iconic brand of Cuban rum in the world. Like all
companies in Cuba, it is a joint venture between the Cuban
government and a private company, in this case the French spirits
distributor Pernod Ricard. Havana Club is sold globally (except in the
U.S.) You may have no@ced Havana Club on the shelves of your local
liquor store. That brand, as it turns out, is not the same as the one
sold in Cuba and around the world. Instead, it is made in Puerto Rico
and boiled in Florida by Bacardi. Its worth giving the original a try
and maybe bringing a boile home, it has a complexity and texture
unique to Cuba.

• MOJITO // A Cuban classic, this refreshing summer drink features the

perfect blend of white rum (in Cuba it’s Havana Club), cane sugar,
fresh-squeezed lime juice, sparkling water, and muddled mint. The
Mojito’s origin story is oken disputed, par@cularly by “La Bodeguita
del medio” in Havana, Cuba. This restaurant-bar claims to be the
cocktail’s birthplace, and enjoys the fame associated with Ernest
Hemmingway’s praise of their par@cular version of the drink.

• CUBAN CIGARS // One of Cuba’s most iconic exports. Keep an eye

out for Cohiba and Montecristo, Cuba’s best cigars. Please keep in
mind that authen@c Cohibas can only be purchased in upper-scale
shops/hotels; Make sure you get yours at a legal cigar store as you’ll
have your receipt checked at the airport and your cigars will be taken
off you if they’re fake, do not buy them off the streets!

• CAFÉ CUBANO// A type of espresso that originated in Cuba.

Specifically, it refers to an espresso shot which is sweetened with
natural brown sugar which has been whipped with the first and
strongest drops of espresso. However, the name is some@mes used to
refer to coffee-based drinks that include Cuban espresso as their
main ingredient, such as café con leche. Drinking café cubano remains
a prominent social and cultural ac@vity in Cuba and in Cuban-
American communi@es. Even run down shacks serve a world class
cup of coffee.

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CUBA FUN FACTS
• Cubans called their island el Cocodrilo, which in
Spanish means crocodile. From the air, the
island’s shape resembles a crocodile
• Out of the 38,000 miles of roadways in Cuba,
half are unpaved
• The uniform color of school children depicts
their grade level. Every child between the ages
of 6 and 15 is required to attend the school
• It is a tradition in Cuba to burn dolls at New
Year’s Eve to symbolize the forgetting of bad
times and look forward to a fresh start with the
New Year
• “The Old Man and the Sea,” and “For Whom the
Bell Tolls” were written by the famous writer
Ernest Hemingway while he lived in Cuba
• The literacy rate in Cuba is 99.8%, which is one
of the highest in the world
• The game of dominoes is the national game of
Cuba
• Cubans were not allowed to own cell phones or
computers until 2008 when the ban was lifted
by President Raul Castro’s government. Internet
access in Cuba is still restricted and controlled
by the government. Only doctors, academics,
engineers or government workers have Internet
connection at work. It is not possible to have
Internet access at your home
• The United States pays Cuba approximately
$4,085 a year to lease the 45 square miles that
the Guantánamo Bay Naval Station occupies.
Cuba, however, has not accepted the payment
since 1959
• Cuba has one of the best health care systems in
the world. The Latin America Medical School
located in Havana is the largest medical school
in the world
• Cuba is one of two countries (second is North
Korea) where Coca-Cola is forbidden to sell
• The average Cuban salary is about $29,60 per
month. After the calculation, the hourly wage is
18,5 cents per hour
• Almost half of the food that Cubans consume
come from a bodega. It is a government store
where Cubans get the food almost for free.
Every Cuban family can use a libreta or
rationbook in exchange for food every morning
• Every tobacco plantation is committed to sell
90% of the harvest leaves to the government
for prearranged rate. The rest 10%, can be sold
for their own price
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MORE BEFORE YOU GO…

BOOKS //
• The Old Man and the Sea (1952) by Ernest
Hemingway
• Cuba Libre (1998) by Elmore Leonard
• Our Man in Havana (1958) by Graham Greene
• Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life (1997) by Jon
Lee Anderson
• Before Night Falls (1992) by Reinaldo Arenas
• Trading with the Enemy (1992) by Tom Miller
• Dreaming in Cuban (1992) by Cristina Garcia
• Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba (2008) by
Tom Gjelten
• Havana Bay (1999) by Martin Cruz Smith
• Dirty Havana Trilogy (1998) by Pedro Juan
Gutierrez

DOCUMENTARIES //

• The Cuba Libre Story (2015)

• Buena Vista Social Club (1999)
• Suite Habana (2003)
• Yank Tanks (2002)
• Cuba and the Cameraman

MOVIES //
• Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004)
• The Godfather: Part II (1974)
• Una Noche (2012)
• Our Man in Havana (1959)
• Fresa y Chocolate (1993)

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