Preparing for your trip

Checklist

Documents & Entry Requirements

Entry requirements are provided for your convenience. However, unless otherwise stated, it is your responsibility to determine the requirements that apply to you and your trip and to comply with them, including obtaining any necessary visas or other travel documents by the required deadlines and carrying them with you. Especially with COVID-19, requirements are subject to change, so check back for the latest before you depart.

General Requirements & Guidelines

• In general, you must have a passport to travel abroad, which should be valid for at least six months after your return date. Passports expiring before then should be renewed as soon as possible. Passports contain at least 2 blank pages for each country visited. If your passport does not have this many pages, obtain a new passport as soon as possible.
• if your passport and visa are not in order, airlines and cruise ships may deny boarding, countries may deny entry, and your trip may be disrupted. Travel insurance may not cover such losses.
• Any changes in names or passport information should be reported to us immediately. Airlines and cruise ships may deny boarding if the name on your passport does not match your tickets.
• Minors (age 17 or younger) departing and/or returning to the U.S. without parents or with only one parent may be required by U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) to present a notarized parental consent letter and/or unabridged birth certificate (more information). Many other countries have similar entry requirements, especially for minors traveling with a parent/guardian with a different surname; check with the consulates of all countries you'll be visiting to learn more.

Final Documents

Your final travel documents will be sent to you via email by 14 days prior to departure. These will include your daily itinerary, hotel and emergency contact information, and other relevant information. Please print your documents and take them with you. If you're departing in less than a week and haven't received your documents, let us know immediately!

Travel Insurance Documents

If you purchased travel insurance, please print and carry your policy documents, including contact information for emergency travel assistance and instructions on how to make a claim. If you purchased the travel protection plan we offer, we recommend you print the full policy.

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

We encourage all U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This free service allows you to receive important updates about safety and security issues in your destination, and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy, as well as family & friends, to contact you in case of an emergency. To enroll or get more information, please visit the STEP website or any U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Flights, Transfers & Arrival

Questions about your flights before you depart? Read the information below first. If you still have questions, contact our air specialists at 800-555-5765 ext. 2 or air@friendlyplanet.com.

Flights & Tickets

For this package, we generally book your flights and issue tickets after your final payment due date.

Once we have issued your tickets, we'll send you an "e-ticket receipt" which contains all of your flight information, including times, carriers, an airline booking reference number, and an e-ticket number. If you have not received this, or have questions about the flights we booked for you, please contact our air department. You will not receive paper tickets. We recommend you print and carry a copy of your flight details, including the airline booking reference number and e-ticket number, as some airports require this to enter the terminal. You do not need to reconfirm your flights with the airline prior to your departure, as we will handle this for you.

Flight Schedule

You may review the sample flight schedule(s) below. This information is for general planning purposes. You will receive your actual flight schedule by email once we issue your tickets.

Airlines may change schedules at any time, even after flights have been confirmed, and we are not responsible for such changes. Please check for updates to your flight schedule prior to booking any connecting flights and again 72 hours prior to departure.

Connecting Flights

If you plan to purchase connecting flights to your departure city, we strongly suggest waiting until after your final payment due date and after you receive the e-tickets for your international flights, to reduce the chances that that your departure might be cancelled or rescheduled or that your international flight times might change. Before purchasing connecting flights, verify the times for your international flights. Leave at least 3½ hours connecting time between flights, and if you're traveling within a few weeks of Daylight Savings Time changes (in March and November, when flight schedules may change even more dramatically), allow 5–5½ hours between flights. Nobody likes waiting around the airport, but missing your flight is far worse!

Airport Transfers

Scheduled group airport transfers at the destination are included with this package. Transfers are included only on the start and end days of the package. When you exit customs, please look for our representative holding a Friendly Planet sign, who will escort you to your transfer vehicle. In most cases, private transfers are also available for an additional fee—contact us for price and availability. Or you may instead arrange your own ground transportation to the package start and end points. (Note that there is no discount for any unused included transfers).

Arrival Complications

We make every effort to ensure our tours run smoothly and trouble-free. We don't expect any problems, and nor should you. But when things don't go as planned, here's what to do:

• You miss your flights, or your flights are cancelled: Please call us immediately. If it's outside our normal business hours, leave a message in our emergency mailbox, with a phone number at which to reach you, and we'll get right back to you.
• Your flights are delayed and you're worried about missing your included transfers: Please contact us to let us know about the delay, and we will notify our partners in destination. They will be tracking your arrival and will plan accordingly.
• Your package includes transfers, but you can't find our representative at your destination: Don't panic—they may have been unexpectedly delayed. Wait up to 30 minutes. Then contact our local partners in destination, listed on the emergency contact page of your final documents. If you can't reach them, call us. If it's outside our normal business hours, leave a message in our emergency mailbox. If all else fails, make your own way to the starting hotel (or cruise port), and we'll refund you the cost of your transfer.

Packing & Luggage

Baggage allowance: The airlines used on this program charge a fee for checked luggage. Fee for checked luggage must be paid to the airline representative assisting you with the check in procedures at the airport. The cost is typically $30 for the 1st checked bag weighing no more than 50 pounds. Carry-on bags are not included in the total weight. Your carry-on luggage should not exceed 22” x 14” x 9” and must fit under your seat or in the overhead compartment. In addition to your carry-on, you may have one personal item, such as a camera bag or purse.

Learn more about Baggage Allowances on your international flights. Note that our baggage allowances may be less than those for your international flights. If you exceed the baggage limits, you may be subject to excess baggage charges levied by the airlines and/or by Friendly Planet.

Regardless of the limits—we recommend a smaller size and weight for both your checked and carry-on bags. It's so much easier and faster for you to get around when you have fewer, lighter bags! For your carry-on, consider a soft-sided bag such as a duffel rather than a hard clamshell-type case, which may not fit as easily into overhead compartments or under your seat, especially on buses. For your protection, we suggest your checked luggage have a TSA-approved lock.

Luggage tags: For your safety, we are no longer mailing Friendly Planet luggage tags to you. We encourage you to use your own. Fill in the luggage tags with your name and contact information and attach to each bag, including carry-ons and camera cases, so that your luggage can be identified should it get misplaced during your trip.

What to pack: Check out our list of top 10 must-haves for international travel, as well as what not to pack. Pack smart: put your travel documents, medications, one change of clothing, and other essentials in your carry-on, in case your checked baggage is misplaced. And pack light, for your own comfort and convenience. For clothing, we suggest packing a variety of separates with climate and comfort in mind.

What not to pack: U.S. law forbids you to carry hazardous materials aboard aircraft in your checked or carry-on baggage or on your person, including explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids & solids, loaded firearms, poisons, corrosives and radioactive materials. Common examples include paints, lighter fluid, fireworks, mace/tear gas and oxygen bottles. Restricted materials may vary by airline and destination. Some items, in quantities of no more than 70 ounces total, may be carried within baggage, including medicinal or toilet articles such as hairspray, perfume and certain medicines that are necessary during your journey. Please check with the airline and/or visit the FAA website prior to travel if you have any questions.

While on Tour

What to Expect

This fast-paced, escorted program includes a reasonable amount of walking and requires an average level of physical fitness.

In General: Cuba is an exciting and adventurous destination with a rich history, delicious cuisine, and music from various genres that could make anyone dance! Since Cuba is located in the Caribbean, the infrastructure may not be up to U.S. standards.  Cuba has a long way to go before its hotels, highways, public restrooms and other features reach U.S. levels. However, we do our very best to select the highest quality accommodations, restaurants and paladars that Cuba has to offer.  We appreciate your flexibility and understanding when you encounter a minor imperfection. If you have any medical or dietary concerns, please be sure to inform us in a timely manner, so we can take necessary precautions to assure your comfort and well-being.

Gifts for the Cuban People: Many travelers to Cuba like to bring gifts for the Cuban people. It’s true that there is a need for essential products. However, distribution of gifts is complicated, and most likely, you will not be able to present these gifts yourself. If you would like to bring gifts for the Cuban people, the following items are recommended:

• Toothbrushes
• Notebooks
• Mechanical pencils, extra lead and erasers
• Band-Aids
• Art supplies
• Washable markers
• Crayons
• Tee shirts (children’s small – large)
• Masks 
• Toiletries, such as hand sanitizers and soap
• Medications, such as analgesics and anti-parasitics
• Disposable medical items, such as gloves
• Diabetes test kits

Your guide will collect the gifts and distribute them on your behalf. You do not need to include any of these items on your customs declaration when you arrive in Cuba. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Please refer to any items that you bring for the Cuban people as “gifts” and not “donations.”

Remember that you're a guest in someone else's homeland, and that you're traveling to experience their country and culture. Be sensitive to local customs and manners, as many things may be done differently than what you're used to. And while we have made every effort to secure modern and comfortable accommodations and transportation, please note that the standards in other countries may be different from those you are accustomed to at home. Overall, you will find a polite, positive, patient, and open-minded approach generally yields the best travel experience!

Please keep in mind that you'll be traveling with a group. Sharing your explorations with like-minded folks can often be a source of joy, and some of our travelers become lifelong friends. But traveling with strangers can also sometimes be challenging, especially in a foreign country. We ask that you be patient and respectful with your fellow travelers, including their needs and preferences. Also remember that you have responsibilities to the group—please be prompt for group activities so you don't keep everyone else waiting. Lastly, please defer to your tour leader, guide or manager. They are there for your safety and wellbeing, and to ensure the journey goes smoothly for everyone. If you have a problem with one of our tour guides or managers, please let us know, either while you're on tour or after you return, and we'll make sure your concerns are addressed.

Accommodations

In Havana, you will be staying in a colonial style house or casa which has been professionally converted into a bed and breakfast. Each guestroom features an individual air conditioning unit and an en-suite bathroom with modern facilities. Rooms with queen and king beds are very limited. The rooms at the casa are on 3 floors and there is no elevator. The rooms assigned to our groups are normally on the 1st and 2nd floors.  If you prefer to have a room on the 1st floor, please let us know and we will do our very best to accommodate your request.

INNSiDE Habana Cathedral & Melia Trinidad Península do not accept cash payments, in any currency, nor does it accept credit cards issued through US financial institutions. For any incidentals, beverages at a bar, or non-included meals, guests must purchase a Cuban MLC (Moneda Libremente Convertible) debit card, valid only in Cuba. It can only be obtained at the CADECA and your guide will provide you with details upon arrival.

Eating & Drinking

The meals included with your package are listed in the itinerary.

Tap water in Cuba is not potable. Only drink water from sealed bottles. Two bottles of water per person per day are included in your tour package. If you would like to purchase additional bottles of water, ask your guide for assistance. 

Non-Included Meals: We suggest dining at a paladar for non-included meals. Paladares are small, privately-owned restaurants. Common dishes include meat and/or fish and a variety of fresh vegetables, as well as rice and beans. In Havana, more and more paladares are opening with expanded menus featuring options such as sandwiches on hearth baked breads, salads and other popular American-style foods. Not only is dining at a paladar a great way to experience the incredible Cuban cuisine, it also helps support local Cuban businesses. Payment should be made in cash; credit cards are not accepted.

Please see above for special meal requests.

Tipping

You will be traveling through Cuba in the company of professionals who are very committed to making your tour the dream vacation you are counting on. These people feel great pride in being given a chance to show foreign visitors their country.

Tips for representatives/hosts at the various sites, venues and museums visited as well as the wait staff at the restaurants/paladares at included meals are not included in the program cost. If your guide, driver and others with whom you are traveling are doing a good job, please take our suggestions for tipping seriously. Naturally, tipping is personal, and if you have not received good service, your tip should reflect this fact.

The recommended amounts are as follows:

• Cuba Guide: $56 USD per person for the entire trip
• Driver: $40 USD per person for the entire trip
• Casa staff/housekeeping: $1-$2 dollars per night
• Taxi drivers: 10% of the fare
• Bartender: $1 per drink
• Local restaurant musicians: $2 per event
• Attendants at public restrooms: 50 centavos per person

Important: In addition to the tip suggestions above, which are completely discretionary, tips for representatives/hosts at various sites, venues and museums visited on your tour, as well as the wait staff at restaurants/paladars for included meals are not included in the program cost. For your upcoming tour, the costs of these tips amount to $50 per person. To pay these fees, we kindly ask you to bring with you that same amount, $50 per person, in U.S. dollars and in very small bills. It’s best to bring half the amount in single dollars and the rest in $5 and/or $10 notes.

In Cuba, cash must be unblemished. This means no writing on the bills, no tears, and no stains of any kind. In fact, please bring new or almost new bills with you for these fees and for all expenses not covered by your tour, such as extra meals, souvenirs, and discretionary tips.

We will take care of paying the costs for these experiences for you as you travel. You will receive a special envelope prior to your departure, together with your visas. We ask that you place the amount indicated in this envelope, seal it, and write your name(s) on the front. Your guide will collect this envelope from you and will disburse the funds on behalf of your group as you travel.

We realize this is an unusual request, but today, payment for many services for US citizens visiting the island can only be made in cash. To comply with the realities of the Cuban economy while sparing you from having to pay small amounts of money to the various activities and projects as you travel, we have developed this plan.

Please do not give money, candy or gifts on the streets while touring. If you wish to bring gifts to support the Cuban people, please refer to our gift suggestions below

Independent Activities

This itinerary provides a fulltime schedule of activities that will result in meaningful interactions between you and individuals in Cuba. U.S. law requires that all persons who participate in this program adhere to this full-time schedule and it imposes on Friendly Planet the obligation to ensure such adherence. 

Special Needs & Requests

Please see above for special meal requests and seat requests. If you have any other special requests, including wheelchair or electric cart assistance, please mention your request when you book with an agent, or in the special requests section when you book online. We will do our best to accommodate them!

Fine Print

Terms & Conditions: Please review our terms & conditions for this package.

Cancellations: If something comes up and you need to cancel your trip, please let us know as soon as possible. All cancellations must be made in writing. Cancellation fees vary by package; please see the cancellation fees for this package.