Joining an organized tour offers certain advantages over traveling independently. On most you’ll be almost entirely divorced from the local culture as you are hauled between official tourist sites by guides, many giving you the “rah-rah-rah” revolutionary spiel. People-to-people (P2P) educational programs offered by U.S. entities, such as National Geographic Expeditions, are an exception, as by law they must provide a full schedule of “educational exchanges” with Cubans.
Check the tour inclusions to identify any hidden costs, such as airport taxes, tips, service charges, extra meals, etc. Most tours are priced according to quality of accommodations.
Basílica Metropolitana Santa Ifigenia, Santiago. Photo © Christopher P. Baker.
People-to-People Programs
More than 140 entities hold P2P licenses. OFAC rules demand mandatory participation in a “full-time schedule of educational exchange activities.” The rationale is that by meeting with Cubans, participants become ambassadors for democratic U.S. values.
These organizations are among the best offering P2P programs:
- Backroads (tel. 800/462-2848) offers eight-day “Havana to Remedios & Cienfuegos” trips.
- Insight Cuba (tel. 888/374-6351) has various budget-oriented programs.
- MotoDiscovery (tel. 800/233-0564) offers 9-, 12-, and 15-day motorcycle trips led by myself: see http://christopherpbaker.com/motorcycling-cuba.
- National Geographic Expeditions (tel. 888/966-8687) offerings include the 9-day “Cuba: Discovering Its People & Culture” and 11-day “Eastern Cuba: Crossroads of History & Culture.” Fun and highly educational. I’m National Geographic’s resident Cuba expert, so come join me!
- Plaza Cuba (P.O. Box 3083, Berkeley, CA 94703, tel. 510/848-0911) specializes in music and dance workshops.
The following can arrange trips for academic and cultural organizations and individuals:
- Center for Cuban Studies (231 W. 29th St., New York, NY 10001, tel. 212/242-0559).
- Common Ground Education & Travel Services (359 Main St. #2A, Easthampton, MA 01027, tel. 413/203-1125).
- Cuba Cultural Travel (425 E. Alvarado St., Suite H, Fallbrook, CA 92028, tel. 760/645-3269).
- Global Exchange (2017 Mission St. #303, San Francisco, CA 94110, tel. 415/255-7296). This left-wing organization offers “Reality Trips.”
- Marazul Tours (8328 SW 40th St., Miami, FL 33155, tel. 305/559-7114 or 800/993-9667).
Volunteer Programs
The Bush administration rescinded the fully hosted travel and person-to-person exchange provisions permitting “solidarity” tours, in which participants perform voluntary work that contributes to the human community while learning some invaluable life lessons. Nonetheless, the following agencies offer programs.
Pastors for Peace (418 W. 145th St., New York, NY 10031, tel. 212/926-5757), which operates without a license, delivers humanitarian aid to Cuba through the annual U.S.-Cuba Friendshipment Caravan, which travels via Canada or Mexico.
The Venceremos Brigade (P.O. Box 230527, New York, NY 10023) organizes annual solidarity trips and “work-camp” brigades (also without a license).
Witness for Peace (3628 12th St. NE, Washington, DC 20017, tel. 202/547-6112) has programs focused on education, sustainable agriculture, and culture.
Excerpted from the Sixth Edition of Moon Cuba.
