Clothing
The most important consideration is your comfort: Havana can get quite hot during the summer months, and Cubans are very informal when it comes to clothing. You may elect to bring a dinner jacket or dress for a slightly more formal dinner, but neither are required (or even expected, for that matter). You should be sure to include:
- T-shirts and button-ups
- Light pants and shorts
- Comfortable footwear (including sandals/loafers for the beach)
- Socks / Underwear
- An optional semi-dressy outfit for dinners / evenings out
- A bathing suit (for the hotel pool and beach)
- Windbreaker / Rain Coat
- Sweater / Light Jacket (you will likely not need this, but there are occasional chilly evenings)
Toiletries
Though it is possible to buy toiletries and other basic necessities in Havana, the options can be quite limited and they tend to be more expensive than if they were purchased in the United States. We strongly recommend you bring everything you think you’ll need during your stay. Your casa will come with soap, shampoo, and conditioner (unless otherwise noted).
- Toothbrush / Toothpaste
- Razor / Shaving Cream
- Sunblock
- Bug Spray (insects should not be a major consideration during the trip, but it’s good to have just in case)
- Medications / Vitamins
- Glasses / Contacts (if needed)
- Feminine Products / Tissues (most Cuban bathrooms contain neither, but they can usually be purchased from an attendant. We will also have extra on hand)
Electronics
As noted elsewhere, professional-grade audio/video equipment are not allowed in Cuba without prior permission. This restriction dœs not include recreational video cameras, SLRs, iPhones/iPads. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!
- Smartphone
- Tablet/Laptop (for internet use/reading if you're interested)
- Chargers/Converters. Most outlets in Cuba are 110V (60HZ) and are either American, European, or dually-accessible. We recommend all travelers pack 1-2 converters to use for charging their devices. Some outlets offer both 110V and 220V, so exercise caution and be certain to check the voltage of each outlet. We will be traveling with extra converters which we can lend to you if the need arises
- Digital Camera / SLR
- Extra Batteries / Chargers
Travel Documents
We'll make sure that you have all the documents you need to facilitate an easy entry into Cuba, but make sure you have easy access to each item on the list below!
- Passport
- Boarding Pass
- Visa (also known as the Cuban Tourist Card - this may be purchased in advance or at the airport)
- Your Printed Itinerary & Pre-Trip Documents
Most Importantly...
A Sense of Adventure! Cuba is a beautiful and exciting place, but one that is also currently adjusting to a relatively new tourist sector. The service industries are not as developed as those in neighboring countries, and it is not at all uncommon to deal with unexpected changes or delays during the course of your program. We will do our best to minimize them throughout the trip, but ask that you take these unforeseen circumstances, should they arise, with flexibility and understanding.