• 8:00-11:00 am Free morning to explore traditional architecture. Or , enjoy optional ecotourism activities like a hike to the Topes de Collantes or Playa Ancon (you can choose one).
• 12:00pm Check out of hotel and free time for lunch.
• 1:00pm Leave for the Sugar Mill Valley, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about the economic boom that the area of Trinidad enjoyed during the 18th century and the first half of the 19th was due, among other factors, to the production of sugar cane that took place in this area. Ruins of old sugar mills are well preserved and show this important period of Cuban history.
• Return to Havana.
• Check in to the Hostal de Buen Viaje and Dinner at a local paladar.
• Explore the streets of Old Havana at night.

• 10.00am Visit to the National School of Arts, ENA, built in 1961 by architects Ricardo Porro, Vittorio Garatti and Roberto Gottardi. We have two reasons to visit this unique place today. First to experience the archicture and second to learn about arts education in Cuba.
• 12:00pm Photo opportunity and short stop at the Plaza de la Revolucion.
• 12:30pm Lunch
• 2:30pm Exchange with a representative of Infraestudio. This architecture and art
• practice is based in Havana. Fernando Martirena, Anadis González, and other members
• and collaborators work from a narrative and discursive approach to experiment with
• various resources such as buildings, research, exhibitions, writings, and activism. This has
• allowed them to operate discreetly in a city frozen in time, recounting how contemporary
• architecture is done in Cuba today.
• 4:00pm Havana Tour by bus of Miramar, Siboney and outlining areas of Vedado to
• experience the 50’s modernist ‘Mafia’ era buildings to the “Revolutionary period”.
• 6:00pm Free time for Dinner and rest
• 9:00pm If weekend optional visit to the FAC, the Fabric de Arte Cubano. We will be dropped off and have a tour of this incredible interactive arts space. You will cab home at your leisure.

• Exchange with ICAP to discuss the future of US Cuban relations and to learn about the impact of the US Embargo on the restoration efforts in Cuba. We will also be able to talk about Cuba’s housing crisis as buildings deteriorate.
• Architectural visit to La Casa de la Obra Pía followed by a community exchange at the Convento de Belen.
• Free time for lunch and shopping at the San Jose de Almancenes.
• Walking tour of Centro Havana with Architectural photographer Nestor Marti.
• Free time to rest.
• Farewell dinner at Café de Oriente off Francisco Square.

• Check out and transfer to the airport.

The fee includes:

• RT airfare Miami-Havana
• All 3-star hotels and/or casas particulares
• On ground transportation in an air-conditioned motor coach
• Full-time guide/translator
• Preparatory readings/orientation materials
• Admission and fees to all activities
• Two meals per day
• Gratuities for guide and driver
• Group leaders from Temple University

Each trip participant is responsible for getting to Miami in time for the flight to Cuba.

The first step is to register with Temple and pay the $500 deposit. Next, you will be contacted by Temple’s travel partner, AltruVista, to arrange paying the remainder of your trip fee. You will also receive information from Temple about the trip schedule, travel tips, what to pack, what to leave at home, etc.

No. Spanish is Cuba’s official language but all our tour guides speak English. Translations will be provided for all local hosts, guests and speakers.

For this trip, yes. While the U.S. Department of State does not permit Americans to visit Cuba as tourists, the Temple trip is approved within one of the department’s categories for visits to Cuba.

No inoculations are required for travel to Cuba. However, we encourage all travelers to visit their personal physician or a travel health clinic before departure. (Confirm your tetanus vaccinations are up to date). For more information, please call the CDC traveler’s hotline at 404-332-4559 or consult the CDC web site: www.cdc.gov.

The most common afflictions for visitors are mild diarrhea and sunstroke. Bring sunscreen and something to take for diarrhea. Also, please remember you’ll be in the tropics, which means mosquitoes! Most of the cities are vector controlled, so mosquitoes are more abundant in the rural and coastal areas. Practice prevention by using insect repellent and wear long pants and sleeved shirts, especially around dusk.

We will be staying in a combination of hotels and the Cuban version of B&Bs. The B&Bs are licensed by the Cuban government to provide accommodations for tourists.

Yes, there is time in the schedule to explore on your own.

We strongly recommend that you drink only bottled or filtered water during your entire stay in Cuba. Large bottles may be purchased at stores throughout the island and we’ll make stops throughout the trip for you to purchase additional water. We’ll also keep some bottled water in the van or bus. Remember: you’ll be in the tropics. You must drink lots of water every day to avoid getting dehydrated. All international travel is exhausting! Getting used to new food and water is hard on the body, and the change in diet may sometimes result in traveler’s diarrhea. This is generally easy to treat and quick to recover from if you stick to simple foods. Cuban natural remedies for diarrhea include eating guava and malanga root. Vegetarian or other special needs can be accommodated but this may be difficult—there will not be as many alternative choices as you will find in America. Please let us know during your registration process if you have special requirements and make your Cuban guide aware at the beginning of the trip.

Unfortunately, we do not recommend this trip for someone using a wheelchair or in need of assistance with walking. Many buildings do not have accessible entrances, there are often few elevators in buildings and we will be walking on cobblestone streets.

VERY IMPORTANT for travelers with U.S. bank cards: You cannot withdraw money from ATMs or use credit cards/debit cards while in Cuba. You must bring all the money you will need for the trip in cash. U.S. Dollars (USD) are now accepted in many stores in Cuba and it is ok to tip in dollars. Cuba is going through economic currency restructuring. The Cuban Peso is locally known as “Peso Cubano”, “moneda nacional” or simply “MN”. This is used for both residents and visitors alike. With inflation in Cuba high, prices can change daily.

Cell Phones: Contact your carrier to see if they cover service in Cuba and the cost. Many carriers do not provide services in Cuba.

Internet: Internet access is rather a luxury as Cuba does not have extensive IT support for wireless. For these reasons, we recommend that you do not expect to spend much time online during your time there.

Please contact Link Martin, MSW at [click-for-email]. Link has led several Temple University trips to Cuba.