• Small day pack
• Swimming things and beach towel (consider UVA tops for the children on the beach)
• Trainers or comfortable shoes to walk in
• Light trousers/shorts
• Lightweight cotton / linen clothes suitable for tropical climates. A jacket or fleece for the cooler evenings from November to March. Avoid bringing expensive or flashy jewellery.
• Sunglasses and cap or sunhat (wide-brimmed hats are best)
• High factor sun cream (SPF 50+), lip salve and mosquito repellent
• Hand sanitizer
• Small personal first-aid kit and some tropical strength insect repellent and antihistamines in case of insect bites
• Camera
• A sense of humour and patience are useful in Cuba!

• Snacks that your children enjoy (for example cereal or fruit bars)
• Card games for the evening
• Torch
• Binoculars

Throughout the tour we stay in a range of accommodation typical to any trip to Cuba, with a mixture of hotels and private accommodation (casas particulares). It’s fair to say that the standard of Cuban accommodation is not always comparable to that which you would expect in other countries owing to years of isolation, under-investment in the country’s infrastructure and effect of the US trade Embargo. Anyone travelling to the island should be prepared to rough it a bit at times! Décor tends to be a little dated, there might be the occasional power cut, and you may find that your water pressure isn’t all it could be. Fortunately, it´s warm enough most days that the lack of hot water is not a major problem!

You will stay in the full board 3 star hotel on Cayo Levisa that has ensuite bathrooms and air conditioning. In Havana and Viñales we use casas particulares – Cuban homestays. Most people love the opportunity this gives to stay in a relatively normal Cuban home and see how Cubans live. These homes are simple compared to ours but the welcome is warm and rooms clean. All the casas also have air conditioning an en suite bathrooms. You’ll be spoilt at breakfast in the mornings.

Cuba doesn’t have the same variety of international cuisine we might be used to although in recent years lots of privately run restaurants (“paladars”) have opened (particularly in Havana) offering a wider choice and better quality food than the government run establishments. Think soul food – rice, black beans, slow roast pork and chicken, fresh fish, lobster and plenty of tropical fruit.

For those with special dietary requirements, be prepared for a very limited menu while you are in Cuba. There are very few vegetarians and vegans in Cuba so there are sometimes misperceptions as to what you can eat. Vegetarians often bring snacks and spreads to liven up their meals.

It can also be difficult to find a decent sandwich in Cuba so please don’t give your guide a hard time if he recommends a proper sit-down meal for lunch! Cubans generally eat two full meals a day and don’t have many places that cater for snack lunches yet, so the sandwiches tend to be pretty basic. Snacks such as biscuits and crisps are also less varied (and often more basic) than those at home. Whilst there is plenty of fresh fruit, you may want to bring a few snacks that your children particularly enjoy. Beware of ones containing chocolate as it will melt!

Cuba is the land of the Mojito, Daiquiri and Cuba Libre. You’ll find that plenty of rum-based drinks all over the country with prices ranging from 2-6 CUC for most cocktails. But beware, they don’t use measuring glasses, so they might be stronger than the ones you have tried at home!

All our guides at Cubania are Cuban nationals who are registered with and trained by Cuba’s Ministry of Tourism. They come from all kinds of different personal and professional backgrounds. They’ve been teachers, I.T. professionals, bakers, vets, army officers and even underwear salesmen! What they have in common is that they are all highly educated graduates who are passionate about guiding and proud of their beautiful country. They all speak excellent English and receive annual training in first aid.