Visit Cuba with the Temple University University College in 2025!
Cuban Architecture, Urban Planning and Historic Preservation
February 8 - 18, 2025
Cost: $3,200, double occupancy
(single supplement $320)
February 8 - 18, 2025
Cost: $3,200, double occupancy
(single supplement $320)
The Tyler School of Art and Architecture Architecture program, Temple University University College and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute are offering a unique opportunity to study historic preservation in 2025.
During Cuban Architecture, Urban Planning and Historic Preservation, travelers will visit Cuba from February 8 through 18 (11 days/10 nights) to see and discuss Cuban architecture, urban planning and historic preservation. The tour guide will be Joel Abreau with a special co-host in Havana, Miguel Coyula. This trip is being offered in cooperation with AltruVistas.
The trip includes visits to World Heritage sites, historical preservation locations, walking tours, talks with Cuban professionals and time to experience Cuban arts and music.
For additional information, contact Link Martin at [click-for-email].
The fee includes:
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.