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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A page within Cuba Travel Tour with UW-La Crosse

Who should attend: 

  • Educators
  • Healthcare professionals
  • Health promotion professionals
  • Anyone interested in traveling to Cuba and learning more about the Cuban culture

Important Cancellation Information

The Cuba Travel Tour with UW-La Crosse has been cancelled per the direction of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Emergency Response Task Force. On Wednesday, March 11, 2020, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Chancellor informed the UW-La Crosse Office of Extended Learning that all university-related out-of-state travel is suspended until Monday, April 13, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We regret that you will be unable to travel as you had planned and hope you understand that this decision was made with great deliberation in the best interest of public health. You will be refunded the full registration fee that you paid for the Cuba Travel Tour with UW-La Crosse.

Please feel free to contact our office if you have any questions or concerns: 608.785.6500 or ex@uwlax.edu

FAQs

Along with other countries in the Caribbean, Cuba has several endemic, mosquito-borne illnesses, such as chikungunya, dengue fever, malaria and the Zika virus. Dengue fever is a serious febrile illness that can result in death if untreated. Symptoms of dengue fever include severe headache, severe pain behind the eyes, joint, muscle and bone pain, and rash. Along with dengue, a newer illness, known as chikungunya, has become increasingly prevalent in the same regions. Chikungunya's most common symptoms are fever and joint pain, but like dengue, can also include headaches, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Chikungunya does not often result in death, but the symptoms can be severe and disabling.

Most recently, the same mosquito responsible for transmitting chikungunya and dengue has been identified as the vector of the Zika virus. Like dengue and chinkungunya, Zika's symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito, and many people might not realize they have been infected. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that the Zika virus has been linked to a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly in babies of mothers who had Zika virus while pregnant. Zika has also been spread through sexual contact with an infected person, rather than just through the bite of a mosquito.

With the exception of malaria, there is no preventative medication or vaccine for these illnesses, so your best defense is to take the proper precautions to avoid getting bitten by mosquitos that spread the illnesses and avoid unprotected sex (in the case of Zika). It is recommended that you stay away from bodies of stagnant water and other areas where mosquitoes may breed, try to stay as covered as possible (long sleeves and pants) whenever possible, and always use insect repellent. Since all three illnesses have similar symptoms (e.g., fever, rash, joint pain, etc.), if you experience any of those, API recommends that you alert your on-site director and visit a local doctor ASAP.

Consult with your physician and review country-specific health information: 
For many people, traveling abroad can be a fairly stressful venture due to the change in environment  (dietary differences, new daily routines, new culture and language, different sleeping patterns, etc.). Tour activities involve a great deal of physical activity while on excursions/tours and commutes to and from school can involve extensive walking. These location-related stress factors can affect one's physical and mental health. Additionally, each country has unique health-related concerns. For all of these reasons, we strongly recommend that you have a physical before you travel abroad and discuss your travel plans with a doctor who knows your personal medical history. Your doctor can also refer you to a travel medicine specialist regarding recommended or required precautions (e.g., use of insect repellant, taking caution with local food and water sources, immunizations and requirements for your destination country.).
 
You are responsible for visiting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website  at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ and carefully reviewing all health- related recommendations for your host country, including: dietary guidelines, prevention of endemic diseases, and recommended vaccinations.  

The tour officially departs from Miami, Florida and includes round trip airfare from Miami to Havana, Cuba. You are responsible for your travel arrangements to Miami, FL. For your convenience, we suggest that you arrive in Miami by March 12, 2020. Your tour fees include one night lodging in Miami, FL on the night of March 12, 2020.

Please note, baggage fees are considered a personal expense. Each person will be responsible for their baggage fees in accordance with American Airlines fees and regulations.

Round trip flights are booked on American Airlines. Flight details are below: 

Departure on March 13:
Flight 1447Q MIA-HAV HK20 9:30 a.m.–10:45 a.m.
 
Return on March 20:
Flight 2482Q HAV-MIA HK20 7:15 p.m.–8:25 p.m.

Yes, a visa is required to travel to Cuba. Your Cuban visa entry and associated fees are included in your registration fee.

Cuban-born participants must also provide the following information:

  • Cuban passport number
  • Date you left Cuba
  • Last know address in Cuba
  • Names of both parents
  • Reason for leaving/way of leaving Cuba

Ground transportation, via private bus, in Cuba will be provided for all tour-sponsored activities. 

Your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of your scheduled return to the United States. Additionally, you will need at minimum two blank pages in your passport.

Yes, you will need a valid passport to travel to Cuba. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your scheduled return to the United States. 

Yes, there is a U.S. Embassy in Cuba.

A bilingual Cuban guide/translator will be available for all guided tours, guest lectures and cultural visits.

Wi-Fi is not available in most private residencias as Cuba does not yet have the infrastructure to support access in homes. Internet cards can be purchased on-site for access to the public Wi-Fi network at various Wi-Fi hotspots in the neighborhood.

Gratuities are included in all tour-sponsored visits and cultural activities.

Cuban medical insurance is included in your registration fee.

Cancellation Policy

  • $500 cancellation fee by November 9, 2019.
  • No refunds November 10, 2019 or thereafter. 
    • Important: Trip insurance is not included in your registration nor is it offered by this program. You are solely responsible for any cancellations and any associated fees. You may want to consider purchasing a travel insurance policy to cover an unforeseen cancellation.
  • Cancellations must be submitted in writing to: ex@uwlax.edu.

All tour participants must register and pay in-full by December 10, 2019.

The U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs provides information on travel and assistance for U.S. citizens: 

  • Adapter/converter—not all homes are equipped with 110V electrical service 
  • Breathable fabrics (cotton and linens)
  • Bug spray
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Hat
  • Medications
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen—the sun is much stronger in Cuba

Please do not bring/pack:

  • Recording equipment with external microphones (cell phones and normal cameras are fine).
  • Certain types of literature (If you plan to bring Cuba-centric reading materials with you, it’s important to ensure that you don’t bring anything that carries a strong bias against the Cuban government—nothing particularly negative or aggressive view in regard to recent Cuban history.)
  • "Adult" materials
  • Satellite phones
  • Walkie Talkies
  • Drones