1. Latino Initiative-Cuba 2017 Nuts & Bolts
Lorena Patterson, Program Director

2. Latino Initiative Cuba 2017
“Here was a place where real things were going on. Here was a scene of vital action. Here was a place where anything might happen”.
-Winston Churchill, upon seeing Cuba for the first time

3. CUBA

4. Latino Initiative Cuba 2017
Seven Days. Three Cities.
Havana
Viñales
Mayabeque
Three Major Areas
Health
Agriculture
Art

5. Latino Initiative Cuba 2017
Passport Information
Flight information
Luggage allowance
Weather
Packing and Clothing
Immigration and Visas
Staying in touch
Hotels
Security and safety
Staying healthy /insurance coverage
Photography
Electricity
Time

6. Passport Passport must be valid at least 6 months from date of entry
Leave one copy with family members, take a copy with you, give one to Go Global NC
Keep passport in a safe place

7. Flight Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) February 25th
American Airlines Flight #801
Departure 8:50 am (Arrive 2 hours prior departure)
March 4th
American Airlines Flight #802
Departure from Havana 1:15pm (Arrive3 hours prior departure)

8. Luggage
Luggage bags cannot exceed 70 lbs. Please place Go Global NC luggage tag on checked bag for easy ID.
Carry on bag cannot exceed 20 lbs and must match airline requirements
Don’t pack any valuables
AA charges $25 per checked bag

9. Weather Research weather conditions
The Weather Channel:
Average temperatures in February
and March 75/63˚ F
Cuba is 90 miles south of Florida

10. Clothing and Packing Casual comfortable and one or two dinner outfits
Lightweight and layered
COMFORTABLE SHOES
Jewelry-leave valuables
at home
Don’t pack more than you are able to carry

11. Immigration Procedures
Visa to Enter Cuba
There are 12 categories of entry.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
People to People Visa
Reason for visiting

12. Staying in Touch Internet (limited)
Calling home from Cuba- Verizon & ATT (check rates and roaming charges
From hotels-extremely expensive, average $3.00/minute

13. Money Convertible Peso (CUC) Conversion Rate: ~87 CUC = $1 US dollar
U.S. Banks cards will not work in Cuba
Cash only
Tipping

14. Hotels Hotel Nacional in Havana Hotel Jazmines in Viñales
Hotel Plaza in Havana

15. Safety
Cuba-relatively safe, strong military and law enforcement presence
Keep passport in the hotel safe
or in a safe place
Do not carry all your money with you
Stay with group and do not wander
off alone

16. Health World Health Organization http://www.cdc.gov
Don’t drink tap water. Use bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth
Unless the leader agrees, do not eat or drink beverages from street vendors.
World Health Organization

17. Health Consult with your doctor about probiotics
Bring sunblock and apply regularly every day
Insect repellent
OTC medicines of your preference

18. Health Insurance Covered through University’s plan
Does cover medical emergency evacuation and repatriation
Does NOT cover missed flights, trip cancellation, life insurance or lost luggage
Carry card with you

19. Go Global NC’s Role for Safety
Communicates with international counterparts on local safety issues
Monitors State Department advisories and warnings
Registers your group with the State Department (STEP) program

20. Photography
Share your story by sharing your pictures -
Ask permission before you take a picture.
Do not take pictures of law enforcement or military.

21. Medications Carry medicines in labeled prescription bottles with you
Take extra pairs of contacts or prescription glasses

22. Electricity Some hotels use 220v and 110v
May want to bring a converter
Hair dryers usually offered in hotels

23. Time Leisurely pace in Cuba Be patient & open-minded
Be prepared-things may not go as planned
Keep in mind you are traveling with a group
Be on time
Have fun

24. Things to Leave at Home Copies of: Itinerary in Cuba Flight Schedule
1st Page of Passport
Emergency Contact Information

25. Pre-Departure Preparation
Visit the page we have created for you to get more information about Cuba:
Journaling
Get plenty of rest before traveling

26. Questions?

27. Review Itinerary (Havana)
Saturday, February 25th Travel to Cuba - Casual Attire  
8:50am Depart North Carolina on American Airlines flight #801
11:18pm Arrive in Havana City and go through customs
2:15pm Stop at the Plaza Revolución
3:00pm Check into Hotel Nacional (enjoy appetizers and drinks at the patio while checking in)
6:30pm Meet in lobby for departure to welcome reception in an Old Havana restaurant
7:00pm Welcome dinner reception at Paladar La Giraldilla, Lorena Patterson, Program Director, Go Global NC and Saul Berenthal, Cleber Company
9:30pm Depart back to hotel
Sunday, February 26th Cuban History and the Revolution –Casual Comfortable Attire 
8:00am Breakfast in hotel Nacional
10:00am Depart for guided tour of the four Plazas in Old Havana
10:30am Guided tour of the four main plazas by Saul Berenthal
12:30pm Lunch at Doña Eutimia
1:45pm Depart for visit to Jewish Synagogue
2:15pm Tour and explanation of the programs within the Synagogue
3:30pm Depart back to hotel Nacional
5:30pm Meet in lobby to leave for visit to local Havana families
6:30pm Dinner at Host Family
8:00pm Show at the Jazz Corner
9:00pm Depart back to hotel

28. Review Itinerary (Havana)
Monday, February 27th Cuba’s economy and business and Cuban life at the local level–Business Casual Attire
8:00am Breakfast in hotel Nacional
9:00am Depart for U.S. Embassy
9:30am Briefing at U.S. Embassy by Bruce Kleiner, Public Affairs Officer (not yet confirmed )
10:30am Depart for Havana Club, presentation on economic development and business in Cuba
11:00pm Presentation from Professor Humberto Blanco Rosales, University of Havana
12:00pm Lunch at Havana Club
1:15pm Depart for visit and tour of Hospital
2:00pm Presentation and tour of Hospital Ramon Gonzalez Coro
4:00pm Depart back to hotel
5:00pm Meet in lobby for departure for dinner  in Vedado
5:30pm Dinner presentation on the Cuban systems for private business owners
7:00pm Depart for Parque Histórico Militar Morro- Cabaña
8:00 pm Arrive at the Parque Histórico Militar Morro- Cabaña to experience the Canon Ceremony
9:00pm Canon Ceremony reenactment
9:30pm Depart back to hotel

29. Review Itinerary (Viñales)
Tuesday, February 28th The U.s In Cuba and Travel to Viñales- Comfortable Attire/ beach wear 
7:00am Breakfast and check out from hotel Nacional
8:00am Depart for Viñales/Cayo Jutias beach
12:00pm Lunch in Cayo Jutias restaurant
3:30pm Depart for Vinales
4:00pm Check-in Hotel Jazmines Viñales
6:00pm Meet in lobby to go to the main square downtown
Dinner on your own
8:00pm Meet at Centro Cultural Polo Montañez salsa night at Club (optional)
10:30pm Back to hotel Jazmines
Wednesday, March 1st Tabaco Plantation and visit to local families - Casual Comfortable Attire/Comfortable shoes to ride
8:30am Breakfast in hotel Jazmines
9:45am Depart for visits to tobacco and coffee plantations
10:00am Horseback ridding tour of Tobacco and coffee plantation in Sierra Viñales
12:00pm Lunch at Casa Campesina
1:30pm Depart for visit to local families in Viñales
3:00pm Back to hotel Jazmines
6:00pm Depart for dinner at Alain’s
6:30pm Dinner at Alain’s with invited local guests
8:00pm Back to hotel Jazmines

30. Review Itinerary (Mayabeque/Havna)
Thursday, March 2nd, Agriculture, and Cuban Art Casual Comfortable Attire for morning and semiformal for evening 
8:00am Breakfast and check out hotel Jazmines
9:00am Depart for Mayabeque
12:30pm Tour and lunch at Farm explanation on the functions of the Agricultural Cooperative
3:00pm Depart back to Havana
4:00 pm Check in Hotel Plaza
5:45pm Meet in lobby to leave for visit to artist workshop in Old Havana
6:15pm Conversation with Internationally known artist Fabelo and his collgues at Fabelo’s workshop.
7:30pm Dinner at Vistamar restaurant
9:00pm Visit to the Cuban Art Factory (optional)
10:30pm Depart back to hotel Plaza
Friday, March 3rd Cigar Factory and Final Dinner Celebration (Comfortable Attire and formal attire for the gala)
8:30am Breakfast in hotel
9:30am Depart for Cigar Factory
10:00am Tour of Cigar Factory Romeo and Julieta
11:45am Tour of local Bodega, experience and learn the ration system for local Cubans at the local market
Lunch on your own (suggestions by Saul)
6:30pm Meet in lobby to ride old vintage cars to the farewell dinner celebration at the Berenthal’s with invited guests
9:30pm Return to hotel (prepare for departure next day

31. Review Itinerary (return to NC)
Saturday, March 4th Return to North Carolina -Casual Comfortable Attire
8:30am Breakfast in hotel Plaza
10:00am Depart for Havana airport
1:15pm Depart back to North Carolina AA Flight #802
3:48pm Arrive in North Carolina

32. Further Questions? Contact:
Lorena Patterson, Program Director
Office
Cell