2026 July Cuba Delegation Information

Food in Cuba revolves around certain staples, particularly rice, beans, meat, tubers and plantains. It is common to eat the staples more than once a day. Restaurants generally have a few selections of dishes, however given the size of our group, we may order our meals ahead so they are waiting for us. In these cases, selection will be limited. Lunches and some dinners will be eaten in restaurants and occasionally, in communities. We recommend that those with dietary restrictions bring snacks to supplement the provided meals.

The safety of the delegates will be the first priority of the delegation leaders. It will be critical that you maintain an awareness at all times of what is going on around you. Please do not share information about our itinerary or purpose of the delegation with unknown or curious individuals, even friendly strangers. If the leaders say it is time to move, it is important that delegation members follow all instructions promptly and calmly. Those instructions can be discussed more fully upon arrival to Cuba. If the delegation should be stopped or questioned by authorities, please let the delegation leaders or driver do the talking. Delegation leaders will know the proper response for interacting with authorities.

We will live and work in a collective environment, different in many ways from what you may have experienced before. Our hotel is clean, but modest. Wifi is often available in our hotel but can be unreliable. There will be inevitable stress as people adjust to a new environment, and otherwise adapt to their new situation.   The most important thing is flexibility and willingness to experience new things outside of your comfort zone. We need to pay conscious attention to the well-being of our group, respecting and being sensitive to each other. As issues arise that interest the entire delegation, whether problems, interesting experiences, or opportunities for new meetings, we will raise them at delegation meetings. Please try to be sensitive to your surroundings and the people you live with. One of the most essential elements of a successful group experience is for all members to be ready to leave for meetings at scheduled times and to balance everyone’s interest in asking questions to be ready to depart for the next meeting according to schedule.

We request that participants not give personal individual gifts. There is a wide gulf between solidarity and charity. Following our visits with Cuban groups, delegation leaders will make a donation to the organization in recognition of their time.  Please note due to ongoing banking restrictions, U.S. credit and debit cards will not work in Cuba. We will be covering all lodging, meals, and bus transportation, but you will need your own cash for things like extra coffees or alcoholic beverages, taxis for going out in the evening, and art or other souvenirs. We’d recommend bringing between $100 and $500 in US dollars.

Your health is a group concern; if you don't share your problems with your delegation leader, you can affect your and others’ experience.  Please check in with us if you feel sick (stomach pain, diarrhea, exhaustion, intense headache, etc.), and we will work together. Because of changes in living situation, diet, and climate, you need to take precautions in maintaining your health during the delegation. Your own common sense health precautions are the most important part of staying healthy on a delegation. The most basic are:

• Wash your hands before eating.

• Eat well when the opportunity arises.

• Drink only bottled or purified water and plenty of it, particularly during hot days.

• Be cautious when eating uncooked vegetables or salads although most places where we will eat should be ok but everyone’s body responds differently. 

• Never go barefooted.

• Take the tropical sun seriously.  Bring and wear a hat and use sunscreen. Drink lots of water.

• Use insect repellent (mosquitoes are very active).

• Get plenty of rest.

• Get vaccinations if recommended by your physician. 

Cuba is served by one state owned communications company, ETECSA. Our hotel does have WiFi but please note the connection may be weak and/or unstable. We recommend using WhatsApp or Signal for communications over WiFi to avoid high cellular service fees. Cellular service is also unreliable, particularly when there is a lack of electricity.