Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it safe to travel to Cuba?

Yes, Cuba has relatively little street crime and less violent crime than any other country in the Western hemisphere. In Havana, you may run into an occasional problem with a pickpocket, but in general there are very few incidents involving robbery, mugging, rape or other violent crimes. In Cienfuegos, life is very tranquil and you can walk freely about the city without worrying about personal safety.

2. Is it legal to travel to Cuba?

The U.S. embargo against trade with Cuba means that under normal circumstances, people from the United States are not allowed to go to Cuba. However, exceptions are made for people who go for academic or humanitarian purposes. We will travel legally with a license from the U.S. Department of Treasury, which means that you will not be breaking any laws if you go on the tour. We are leaving from Canada simply because it's less expensive and more convenient than going from Los Angeles.

3. Can my friends and family come with me?

No, not unless they are UW students or employees. Due to restrictions imposed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, participation in the program is limited.

4. Do I need a passport?

Yes. If you don't have one already, apply for one now through the U.S. passport office. It can take up to 2 months for a passport to be processed so don't wait until the last minute.

5. Are Cubans hostile toward people from the U.S.?

No, to the contrary, they are warm and welcoming. The people of Cuba feel that despite ideological differences between our governments, we are all human beings and we should be able to get along. The Cuban people are hospitable, gracious and friendly and they will go out of their way to make sure your stay in Cuba is pleasant. Many people in Cuba are curious about life in the United States, and they welcome the opportunity to show you what Cuba is really like.

6. How do I pay for things in Cuba?

Because of travel restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba, you cannot use your ATM cards or credit cards in Cuba. All transactions must be in cash (U.S. dollars). Most of your expenses are covered by the program, so you should only take as much money as you want to spend on 'extras' like going to discos, eating in restaurants, buying souvenirs, etc. The amount you bring will vary according to your plans.

7. What is the weather like in Cuba?

Cuba is a tropical country so it is almost always warm there, but March is a very pleasant time of year. Generally daytime temperatures will be in the 80's and at night it will be in the 60's. It may rain occasionally, but generally the weather is fair at that time of year. Hurricane season is in the fall, so you don't need to worry about that.

8. What should I wear?

Casual clothing is fine, but generally men and women don't walk around the city wearing shorts. Lightweight pants are good choices for men and women. Short sleeve shirts, blouses and t-shirts are good, too. Bring one lightweight jacket or sweater. Women might like to wear summer dresses or skirts. Men almost never need to wear a jacket and tie, unless you're attending some very formal affair. City streets can be dirty, so closed shoes are good for walking around Havana and Cienfuegos. You'll walk a lot; so bring shoes that are comfortable. If you like to go to nightclubs, bring clothes that are a little nicer because Cubans like to dress up at night. Bring a swimsuit in case you get invited to the beach. Bring plenty of sunscreen, sunglasses, and consider bringing a hat, because the sun in Cuba is very strong. You are only allowed 44 lbs. of baggage so pack light! You will want to save room for donations that you take to Cuba (see below).

9. What if I get sick?

Cuba has excellent health care and if you become sick in Cuba, you will receive first-rate medical attention. If you need to take any medication on a regular basis, bring it with you, and also bring over the counter medication like aspirins, since these things are hard to find and very expensive in Cuba.

10. What will accommodations and meals be like?

While in Cienfuegos, we will stay in university or city-owned dorms. These are very simple but clean rooms with private bathrooms. Conditions in Cuba tend to be Spartan unless you are paying for a 5 star tourist hotel. You may have cold water for your showers, and only one small towel for the week, but you will be fine. Look at it as an adventure. Bring soap, shampoo and personal items you want because they won't be supplied in the rooms. Meals are also very simple and there's not a lot of variety, but you won't go hungry. Typically, you will have vegetables, salads, fresh fruits (all organically grown), rice and beans, dairy products, bread, eggs, chicken, occasionally some meat like ham, but you won't have a very meat-heavy diet. If you are a vegetarian, there is no problem getting vegetarian meals. Typical "American" foods like hamburgers and fries are not common in Cuba. We will be eating our meals at the university. There are state run restaurants where you can get seafood, meat, pizza and other kinds of food, but they are not cheap. Expect to pay $10-15 if you eat at a restaurant. Private restaurants ("paladares") are common in Cuba now, but we strongly discourage you from eating in them because there is no control over them. The sanitary conditions and quality of the food vary widely, and it is also common for people to be charged "extra" for food they didn't order. Usually these paladares are in people's homes and while "home cooking" might sound attractive, most people don't have access to high quality food and you can't be sure about what you're eating. You are safer eating at the university or in state run restaurants, where the quality of the food is controlled.

11. What about transportation in Cuba? How will I get around?

Most of our activities will be done as a group and we will have a private bus at our disposal with a driver and a guide. You will be provided with transportation from the airport in Varadero to Cienfuegos, from Cienfuegos to Havana, and from Havana to Varadero by private bus. If you want to go out and explore on your own while you are in Cienfuegos or Havana, you will need to take a taxi. Plan on spending at least $10 in Havana if you take a cab across town. In Cienfuegos, the cost is about half of that. There are pleasant pedestrian areas in Cienfuegos and Havana, so you can walk many places. Most people in Cuba don't have cars. They ride bikes or walk. You will have lots of opportunities to go places and see things with the group, so transportation will not be a big issue for most of you.

12. Will I have a lot of free time?

No. This tour is meant to be a learning experience, so most of your time will be taken up doing things with the group. We promise you won't be bored, however. We aren't going as tourists but as students, scholars and diplomats representing UW Tacoma and our city. You'll have a chance to talk to people from all walks of life and you'll learn how people really live in Cuba. You'll learn about Cuban culture, but also get a look at the inner workings of their political system, their educational system, and their health system. We'll visit an agricultural cooperative, a botanical garden, get a tour of historic landmarks, listen to music, meet writers and artists, and learn something about Cuban history. In the evening, we will be invited to parties, dances, receptions and other fun events. It will be a week full of rewarding and enriching experiences.

13. Will I be ok if I don't speak Spanish?

Yes. An interpreter will accompany the group at all times and many Cubans speak English.

14. What kind of souvenirs can I buy?

The U.S. Department of Treasury restricts the amount of money you can spend in Cuba, and you are only allowed to bring back about $100 worth of merchandise. Also, you are restricted to only 44 lbs. of baggage on the flight. You will find shops for tourists with typical tourist items like t-shirts, CDs of Cuban music, folk art, crafts, and books. You can also bring back small amounts of Cuban cigars and rum.

15. Will there be laundry service available?

No, but you can wash your clothes out in the sink of your bathroom and hang items up to dry, if you need to. You probably won't have access to dry cleaning service or an iron, so pack accordingly.

16. Can I make phone calls and do e-mail from Cuba?

It's very difficult to make phone calls from Cuba, so don't promise your friends and family you'll call them. Save phone calls for real emergencies. If you do need to call, you can buy an international calling card at a tourist-class hotel (like the Hotel Union in Cienfuegos). You must place your calls through an operator at these specially designated hotels. It is not easy to do e-mail from Cuba, either, because there are not many Internet cafes. You'll only be gone a week, so tell your family and friends that if they don't hear from you, that's normal, don't worry. If you absolutely must contact someone at home, it can be done, but it's expensive and not very convenient.

17. Is it OK to take photos in Cuba?

Sure, you will want to take photos because you'll be seeing some beautiful places, but bring everything you need to take pictures from home (film, memory cards, batteries, etc.)

18. Should I bring my laptop computer?

No, leave expensive items at home because you won't need them and you don't want to carry extra stuff around with you. This goes for portable CD players and other electrical appliances like hair dryers and travel irons. Cuba has electrical shortages and you don't want to enter the country with items that will take too much energy.

19. Do I need shots prior to travel in Cuba?

No, there is no reason to get any shots, but if you are presently taking a specific medication, please make sure that you bring enough of it to last during your stay in Cuba. Carry prescription medicine in the original container with the doctor's name and the date of the prescription to satisfy migration officers. Travelers are not allowed to bring in or take out prescription medication without a doctor's authorization. Cuba cracks down very heavily on illegal drug use, so don't even think about it.

20. Why are we carrying donations?

There are severe shortages of almost everything in Cuba and, as part of our humanitarian and goodwill mission, we will take some things that are badly needed. This is legal, and only requires you to give up some space (and pounds) in your suitcase to help carry items to Cienfuegos. If you want to help gather donations, we will provide you with a list of items that are scarce (over the counter medications like aspirin, vitamins, children's shoes, reading glasses, bandages, etc.) These items are contributed by people in the community and UW students, faculty and staff. They are distributed to hospitals, schools, clinics, nursing homes and other social service institutions in Cienfuegos, Tacoma's sister city in Cuba. The mayor's office in Cienfuegos oversees the process and makes sure the items get to the people who need them. You are not required to carry donations but we urge you to consider it. Help make our academic mission also one of friendship between nations. Our "sister city" in Cuba is very generous in their warm reception of us, and we like to help them in whatever way we can.