Birdwatching Western Cuba

The visa (or tourist card) is not included, it can be obtained from your airline, local embassy, or third party seller.

Solo travellers are invited to share a room with a same sex traveller on the tour. If you prefer a single room, you can pay the single supplement.

Yes, all park fees are included.

Yes, we require proof of vaccination or a signed medical waiver. This is also a requirement to enter the country.

Cuba requires citizens from most countries to have a visa (tourist card)

At a minimum all guides speak English and Spanish

We recommend you bring USD OR Euros

There is a lot of walking on this tour, so travellers should feel comfortable with that.

Birding sessions are 2 to 3 hours each, so expect to spend a full day with free time afterward.

Cuba is a tipping country. You can budget $2-5/day for the tour leader, $1-3/day for the driver, $1-5 for a local guide, $1 for musicians in restaurants or on the streets, $.25 for bathroom attendants

The guesthouses we stay in are all professionally run, and have been vetted for cleanliness and standard level comfort. They are all air-conditioned or sufficiently cooled, and nearly all have an en-suite bathroom. They are more like a bed & breakfast and less like a homestay and are all unique. We encourage you to interact with the families and staff, but it is not necessary.

You will receive the name and address of your Havana casa 10 days in advance. Your accommodations in the rest of the provinces are assigned upon arrival.

Most accommodation do not offer free wi-fi, although increasingly they do have a connection. You must buy a wi-fi card to connect, it is around US$1

The tour will be cancelled and booked travellers will be given a full refund

12 travellers

Airport arrival transfer is included, as long as we have arranged your first night stay. Otherwise, the transfer is included from your pre-tour accommodations to your first night casa. Departures transfer not included

Travellers from all countries are welcome on this tour.

Yes, all of our transportation is air conditioned

Yes, we can normally arrange for you to meet up with the group. Transportation at traveller's own expense.

The standard Tourist Card is valid for 90 days. However, this can be extended once when you are in the country upon payment of a small fee – our local team can help you. This means you can stay for up to 180 days maximum on a single visit.

We can often change the dates with no penalty if it's far enough in advance. Otherwise, our cancellation policy will apply.

Yes, there are strict health and safety guidelines that all casas particulares must adhere to.

Following the abolition of the CUC (convertible peso) in 2021 the only official national currency now in circulation is the Cuban Peso (CUP, also known as ‘Moneda Nacional’). However, it is not necessary to exchange money to local currency, USD and Euro cash are widely accepted. We do not recommend exchanging money at official institutions, the rates are very unfavourable. Ask your guesthouse staff or guide for help exchanging to CUP. Travellers must bring USD or EUR cash sufficient for the length of their stay in Cuba. Bank cards cannot be relied on to work in Cuba and US affiliated cards will not work at all in Cuba. Card payments are usually only accepted at government run institutions and hotels, the majority of restaurants, galleries, and privately owned shops are cash only.

We adhere to all local protocol and best practices, including social distancing, sanitizing, and mask wearing. Travellers must be fully vaccinated.

When you are confirmed on the tour you will receive the Essential Trip Notes with information to help you prepare for your tour and maps of each of the destinations. Then 10-days before the tour you'll receive a pre-departure message with the tour leader's name, arrival instructions, and the name and phone number of the casa where you'll be staying in Havana.

We have proudly been in operation since 2005

Yes, Americans can join all our tours legally. Our Ultimate Cuba tours (coded SCP) are designed with a full itinerary to satisfy USA requirements. Other tours are fine as well, but since there is a lot of free time they require the traveller to select activities appropriate under Support for the Cuban People, such as visiting private business or interacting with locals. US travellers on any tour must maintain a daily record to show that they are complying with Support for the Cuban People and keep it for 5 years.

Solo travellers are not required to pay single supplement if they are willing to share with someone of the same gender.

Yes. Our programs comply with ongoing US travel restrictions and are legal for US and non-US citizens alike. It is not necessary to apply to ‘OFAC’ for special permission to visit Cuba, We will provide you with an affidavit to sign that will serve as proof of your legal travel. When reserving airfare, the airlines will require you to confirm that you are travelling to Cuba under one of 12 permitted categories of travel. For general purpose visits, select ‘SUPPORT THE CUBAN PEOPLE’, this is a travel category our programs comply with.

Like-minded individuals of all ages who are interested in a cultural adventure and getting to know the real Cuba

Citizens of most countries will need to get a visa (also known as a Tourist Card) to enter Cuba. When flying from a country in the Americas to Cuba, you can purchase these tourist cards at the departure airport. Flying from Europe you can request the tourist card from the consulate or buy in advance online from companies such as https://www.easytouristcard.com?aff=43 A pink coloured ‘Tourist Card’ is required for any nationality when flying to Cuba directly from the USA and a green coloured ‘Tourist Card’ is required to visit Cuba when flying from any country except the USA. NOTE: From 1 January 2025 the Tourist Card will be replaced by an eVisa which will be obtainable in the same way as above.