15-Day Cuba Flavours and Soul Adventure

Prior to the payment of your full balance, the final price may change if there is significant variation in the AUD:USD exchange rate. Our trip pricing is determined by what the exchange rates are at the time of publishing the trip.

The pricing on this trip is based on an exchange rate of 1 AUD:0.64 USD 

A deposit is required to hold your spot. Payment can be made by credit card (fees apply) or bank deposit.

There is a cooling-off period of 2 weeks. (Applicable to all bookings made at least 120 days before trip departure.)

We have implemented a ‘lifetime deposit’ guarantee. Deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable at any time, right up until the first day of the trip.

The final balance of the trip is required 120 days in advance of the departure date. Our suppliers require upfront payment well in advance to guarantee availability.

Please refer to the full terms and conditions for further information.

This is the most frequently asked question we get!

Nearly everyone is in their 50s and 60s, with some people above and below (but of course, everyone is welcome!)

Most Patchies come alone and are matched with a room-mate. Remember, you don’t need to pay for a single supplement if you come solo. We will place you with a similarly-aged roommate.

The typical Patchie has travelled a LOT, is a well-seasoned adventurer, and is not easily thrown by small things. However, many Patchies tell us that this is their first ever group tour. Many of our guests have avoided tours to this point as they’re not attracted to being herded around in large groups.

Oh, and one last thing:

Patchies are warm, generous, and kind. We knew it would be like this, but we weren’t expecting it to be *quite* like this. We’re so blessed as a business to have the customers we do; we consider ourselves to be some of the luckiest people in the world.

Level 2

To enjoy the trip comfortably, you’ll need to be able to spend time on your feet and walk for stretches of 3-4 hours at a time (particularly for activities on Days 3 and 9). Daily activities may include:

• Walking on uneven, hilly, or cobbled terrain.
• Getting on and off various forms of transport, including boats, sometimes without formal steps.
• Climbing 3 to 4 flights of stairs, including in accommodations without lifts.
• Using over-the-bath showers.

You must be able to manage your own luggage for short periods of time – that includes on and off the bus, along cobble stoned streets and up stairs at your overnight stays.

All activities are optional—if you need a break, you’re welcome to sit one out. That said, if a full afternoon walking tour sounds too challenging, this may not be the right trip. Unfortunately, this tour is not suitable for travellers who require walking aids.

Aussies and Kiwis need a visa to enter Cuba. In 2025 as a tourist you no longer need a paper ‘tourist card’, just an eVisa. The eVisa is valid for 90 days and we’ll be arranging it on your behalf – nothing more for you to pay! 

Most of our trips have a tip kitty because many cultures have diverse rules when it comes to tips. We’ve found it to be the easiest way to combat over-tipping, under-tipping or having the tip fall into the wrong hands. Our goal is for guests to relax and know that the complexities of tipping are taken care of, on their behalf.

We’ll be updating this section with the tipping amount and how it’s distributed soon.

There are a variety of route options from Australia and New Zealand to Cuba, which do require a change. These include travelling via Chile, Doha and Madrid, or Canada.

Australia → Santiago de Chile → Peru → Havana

Australia → Doha → Madrid → Havana

Australia → Canada (Toronto/Montreal) → Havana

We do not recommend that you travel via the USA, as there are additional restrictions and documentation requirements for travel from the USA to Cuba, even for short stopovers on a longer international journey.

Both transfers from the airport to your accommodation – on arrival and on departure – are included in your price.

Try to arrive before midday on the start day, although earlier is recommended. If possible, come one day early to settle in. We can organise additional hotel nights for you at cost.

The dry season runs from November to April. During this time, even if you do encounter some rain, downpours are usually short and heavy, and unlikely to  hinder the day’s adventures. Expect April to be warm and sunny, with a dialed down version of the usual tropical humidity. November’s temps are still warm, but the sun isn’t as fierce, which tends to help balance out the slightly higher humidity off the back of the end of the rainy season. 

Yes! Despite what you may have heard, Cuba is a very safe country, with a robust police presence and low crime rate. Of course, you need to take the usual big-city l precautions against pick-pocketing  in Havana and Santiago de Cuba, and we recommend using a padlock on the zipper of your main bag because safes are not a given in typical Cuban in-room  accommodation. 

For foreign citizens visiting the US after going to Cuba, whether it is for business, tourism, or transit, you will need to have a B1 or B2 visa. The ESTA visa waiver will not apply after you’ve been to Cuba. You’ll need to begin planning months in advance of your trip because the process includes an in-person appointment at an American Embassy.

If you’re planning to visit the US directly after your Cuban adventure, please note it is not permitted to bring Cuban rum or cigars into the USA.

Travelling for tourism reasons directly from the USA to Cuba isn’t allowed under US law. The law applies to US nationals and all foreign nationals who are either resident in the USA, or travelling through the USA en route to Cuba.

The Cuban Peso (CUP) is a closed currency with no value outside of Cuba, so you won’t be able to exchange money in advance. Most travellers find that it is better to pay in EUR/USD than to exchange for CUP at the official rate when they arrive.

Credit cards are not widely accepted, debit cards may not work, and ATMs are scarce, so we recommend bringing enough cash for your entire trip. Euros and US Dollars are the best currencies to take, in small denomination (1, 5 ,10, 20), good-condition (unmarked and unfolded) , which you can use to pay at  restaurants, and entertainment venues. Coins are not accepted.

Your accommodation will be in privately owned guesthouses, locally called “casas”. These are a lovely, authentic way to experience Cuban life, and each one varies; some resemble mini-hotels and others are more like family stays. Outside of the larger cities, you can expect that the group will stay between several nearby casas, usually with a few Fencoxers in each house. 

Staying in casas is one of the most rewarding parts of traveling in Cuba. It’s a chance to connect with everyday Cubans and experience the country through their warmth and hospitality. Some casa hosts speak great English, while others communicate with a joyful mix of gestures, smiles, and laughter. It’s all part of the cultural exchange.

Guest rooms must meet certain standards of comfort for the casa to obtain a license. Each guestroom will have air-conditioning and a private bathroom with a shower. However, Cuban energy infrastructure can be unreliable (see – Will there be Power Outages, for more information), so be prepared there may be times the air-con doesn’t work through the day. Casa’s do have generators, but fuel is rationed, so owners are more likely to wait until the evening to turn on the generator, so you can have a comfortable sleep. 

The opportunity to do laundry during your trip is possible and best left for stays that are for more than one night. Your guide will be able to assist with recommendations during your trip.

Power outages, or “apagones”, are a common part of daily life in Cuba, but locals have been navigating them successfully for years.

To manage the island’s electricity deficit, there are “planned” shutdowns, which help keep things running smoothly. When they do occur, many hotels, private accommodations, and restaurants are well-prepared with backup generators, ensuring the guest experience remains uninterrupted.

As with electricity, you might also notice breaks in hot water. Fortunately, cooler showers are a great way to deal with Cuba’s humid climate!

As much as possible, your tour leader will notify the group of scheduled power outages. For your personal comfort, we recommend you bring a small torch or head torch, a rechargeable personal fan, and a power bank to keep your phone and other essential devices charged.

Tap water in Cuba is not considered safe to drink for travellers, however, most travellers do not have any problems brushing their teeth with tap water.

Bottled water will be provided on the bus, but when you aren’t with the group we encourage you to bring a reusable bottle with a water purification system to treat tap water rather than buying bottled water.

Internet is becoming increasingly available in Cuba, and costs are much lower than they used to be. However, it is still more difficult to access the internet in Cuba than in most other countries, and the vast majority of guesthouses do not have the facilities to offer WiFi.

There are WiFi points at different places in all the cities, such as plazas, public areas, and in most hotels. WiFi cards that give you 1 hour access to the internet can be purchased in the hotels and at offices of the communication company ETECSA. We suggest you buy several of these in Havana at the start of your trip, as you can use them across the island. Your tour leader can assist.

Australian Telcos do not currently offer global roaming on your phone in Cuba.

Due to the US trade embargo on Cuba, some things we consider everyday essentials are much more difficult to get in Cuba. We recommend that you carry a small First Aid kit containing basic painkillers, bandaids, hand sanitiser, anti-diarrheal medication, mosquito protection and tissues, as well as any personal medicine requirements.

Snacks such as muesli bars, dried fruits and nuts, are often either not available in Cuba or are very expensive, so it can be a good idea to bring some with you for longer drives. 

While distances between destinations may look short on the map, road conditions can be rough in places, with potholes, and the occasional ox cart sharing the road. Travel is safe but often slower than expected, especially on winding mountain routes or through rural areas. Days 7 and 12 are particularly challenging, with a drive time of 8-hours or longer. We use private vehicles with air conditioning, and include plenty of rest stops and scenic breaks to keep things comfortable. It’s best to bring a little patience and enjoy the slower pace – after all, the journey is a big part of the adventure.

Cuba is a complicated and developing country, and if you go there looking for problems or expecting perfection, you’re likely to have a frustrating time. On the other hand, if you visit with an open mind, willingness to go with the flow, and desire to learn about the realities of the Cuban experience, your trip will be one to remember for a lifetime. In other words, Cuba is a perfect destination for our Patchies!

In the unlikely event of a health or security related incident during a trip, we’ve engaged a local partner to assist. From our experience, there is not one framework that fits all, and every incident is unique and requires a different approach. With all trips, your guides are your day-to-day support. While behind the scenes, there is an active line of communication – between your guide, the on-ground support team, and Australian Ops.