This article is a must know before travelling to Cuba.

It was nice to get away for a vacation after almost a year and a half of lockdown, no lockdown, in Canada.

If you are planning to travel to Cuba, you should read on. After nine trips we thought we had it figured out. But due to some changes in the country, we lost money. Before we get to that, let’s get to Cuba first.

You will need to make sure you meet the entry requirements into Cuba, which we have provided to you below. One important note is the fact that travel insurance must specifically cover covid.

Now that we have passed all entry requirements and you have started your vacation, let’s talk about the Cuban peso.

When we landed in Varadero, we traditionally exchanged our money at the airport, and if we needed more, we exchanged it at the hotel. Money will be exchanged without issue, but the issue is few businesses will accept CUP, and if they do it will cost three to four times as much as in Canadian dollars.

Taxi from Varadero to Laguna Azul was $30 Canadian or 1700 CUP. Since 100 CUP is roughly Canadian, that $30 Canadian ride became a $85 dollar ride to pay in CUP. The same was true at the street markets and some of the stores. In the resorts or resort areas, you can only use Debit/Visa or Visa Debit cards from Canadian banks. If you do not have one, you can purchase a pre-paid card at the airport or exchange house.   Be careful not to change over too much cash to CUP since it will not be exchanged back to Canadian.

 Listen to the guide on the bus when you’re being swept away to your beautiful home away from home. Your guide will let you know when your meeting will take place with the airline representative within the resort. This is important because your airline representative will tell you when and where to have the covid test done for you return to Canada. When you line up to receive your PCR test, expect a wait.Despite the test’s short duration, the administration prior to the test is lengthy, multiplied by the number of people in line, and you will be waiting for a while.

 

Oh no, you got a word and your test is positive – you have Covid. In the resort where you’re staying, there is a section reserved for quarintine, so you’ll be sent there to reside with the others in your group. Resorts will have their own protocols, so ask the doctor who is performing your PCR test at the resort what the protocols are. If you fall into this category, we wish you a speedy recovery and encourage you to share your experience with us.

Click here to let us know how the resort treated you?

 

Whether you have completed your quaternary or received a negative PCR test, it’s time to go home. Use the ArriveCan app to answer a few questions. Easy to use, with questions such as flight number and if you are experiencing any active covid symptoms. ArriveCan will also request a Quarintine plan when you return to Canada. After this, you will be given a QR code. Screen shot this code just to be safe in case the app doesn’t work at the airport.

Once arriving at the airport, you will not be allowed off the bus until a Cuban authority takes the temperature of everyone on the bus. Once satisfied, the passengers will be allowed to exit the bus, collect their belongings, and enter the terminal.

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