What is the baggage allowance?
Total 2 pieces weighing no more then 20kg (checked
baggage) and 5kg in your hands = 25kg in total.
No more carry on baggage inside the cabin. Only a small
purse or bag.
What currency does Cuba use and what is the
exchange rate?
Tourists use the convertible peso (CUC) only.
The best way to exchange currency is with the Canadian
dollar.
$1CUC = $1.25CAD
What type of currency should I take?
Only take Canadian currency in cash. Please
carry only the latest issued Canadian bank notes. Bank
notes have to be in good condition without any alterations
such as rubber stamps, writing or stains.
Where do we exchange our money?
Money has to be exchanged at the airport upon arrival.
Should I take a credit card or a debit card?
Both are very difficult to use in Cuba. We recommend you only bring Canadian cash with you and that you bring extra money in case of unforeseen expenses. It is very difficult to transfer money
to Cuba.
Is the hotels wattage the same as in North
America?
No, the hotel we are staying in has another wattage.
Please bring a power converter.
Can I bring electrical appliances?
Not permitted: LAPTOPS
Permitted but bring at your own risk:
Curling irons, manual hair dryers, portable CD players,
iPods and electrical shavers.
PHOTO CAMARAS AND CAMCORDERS
Photo cameras and camcorders are permitted as long as
they are not professional.
Can I drink the tap water at the hotel?
No, do not drink the tap water. Only drink bottled water and if in a restaurant always ask for your bottled drinks 'sin hielo' (without ice).
How safe is Havana and the CUJAE?
Our project at the CUJAE (“Jose Antonio Echeverria”
University) Campus is located thirty minutes outside
of Havana and is one of the safest and most highly respected
areas of Cuba.
Cuba is still one of the safest destinations in Latin
America and the majority of tourists do not encounter problems. You will see policeman on practically
every corner in Havana. Tourists are very much protected as
tourism is a major industry in Cuba. However, like
any other city one must be careful with pick pockets
and petty thefts. We recommend that the volunteers
do not carry purses or knapsacks but use money belts
instead. We also recommend that volunteers do not display any jewellery
or expensive watches on their person.
What type of supervision is there?
Even though Havana is rated one of the safest places
in Latin America, our leaders always accompany the volunteers.
The leaders will accompany them to the work site and continue working alongside them throughout the day. Finally, our evening outings
and weekend excursions are also accompanied by the leaders.
Our maximum ratio of volunteers to leaders is 6:1. Last summer, however,
it was 3:1.
What hotel will be used for the March Break
and what are the amenities?
We stay in Neptuno hotel which is located in the residential and commercial
area of Miramar and is close to downtown Havana. Our rooms include:
• Air Conditioning
• Phone
• Radio
• Private Bathroom
• Satellite TV
The facilities include: Restaurant, Cafeteria, Snack Bar, Tennis,
Swimming pool, Medical Service, Foreign Exchange, Post
Office, Fax, Laundry, Tourist Office.
A grocery store and internet access can be found nearby.
Where can I keep my money in the hotel?
The hotel has a safe deposit box where you can
store your valuables and money.
Tickets and passports will be collected by the
leaders upon arrival and will only be returned upon departure from Havana.
What is the whether like in March and July?
See the chart below for the temperatures during the
above months. Overall Cuba is hot. The sun is extremely
strong; you can get SERIOUS burns in less than ½
an hour. Take sensible precautions, use plenty of sun
block and cover up, particularly when working or visiting
the beach.
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2009 Blyth Education 
