Hi everyone, I'm leaving for my first ever G adventures tour on Sept 9 to Havana, Cuba and doing a 9 day tour with them. For anyone who's done a tour like this do you know if there's a way to connect with your fellow travellers, like a Facebook group? I'm travelling alone and feeling a bit nervous. Also the tour starts on the 10th, therefore they won't provide me accommodation for the 9th night. Any safe places to stay near the airport? Also is it best to take Canadian curren… See more

On the G website there's a link to other travelers. But not a list of who is in your tour

Sounds like fun, check on G Adventures site I think they have a travellers forum - I hope Hurricane Irma doesn't interrupt your plans

Yes that's what I'm worried about !

You can only exchange your CAD money in Cuba

Yes bring Canadian and exchange it at the airport for cuban convertibles

Take Canadian dollars with you, you can only exchange for Cuban Pesos once you get there. Cuba was the first place that I travelled alone, it is safe and I never felt unsafe while I was there. Do some research on the hotel you get for the first night, beware Cuban hotels tend to bit a bit run down, if you are picky go 5 star.

the exchange is in the baggage claim hall on left as you exit i think

I did the same thing, was lots of fun! I stayed in an air bnb within walking distance of the first night hotel, would definitely recommend it, PM me if you want the link!

Ok Danielle I'm going to PM you. Thanks

My best tip regarding currency:
Don't rely on your debit or credit card to work.
Calculate whatever you think you will
Spend during the time there and bring that plus extra cash.
Cash is easily exchanged however money is not easily withdrawn.
Between 4 of us, none of our credit cards or debit cards worked at any bank or any ATM. That was over 20 cards!

Ps. Don't expect wifi in common places, venues or hotels. It's 95% non existent.

I have a TD account and was able to take money out at the bank in varadaro

CUC for tourists they wont take the green backs thx god. Theres a great book to read a travelogue about a Canadian tourist in Cuba. Cant remember the name ... Griffiths? Pls read it as they run milk scams. I love Havana both & new . Did a 2 day walking tour in 2012?

Ya
Cuba is great - be prepared for poor infrastructure and lovely people.
Bring Cdn cash - lots for drinks and tips - tipping is important -
Exit the baggage claim - go up the escalator - currency exchange at the top on your left.
No hotels at the airport that I am aware of. Pick one close to your group s 1 St might accomo. Hotel standards vary considerably - spend your money on a 4 or 5 star and you will be fine. Lots of taxis at the airport , fixed rate to town.
Enjoy.

Don't bring loonies or twonies though. They can't do a thing with those.

Look into a Casa Particulairs (Cuba's version of a B&B)- since the govt made changes to small business owners a lot of people are offering a room (or 2) for rent and they are really worth it. Felt very safe there as well. The people are VERY kind and humble. It's a great way to get to know them, their culture as well as support small business/entrepreneurs. Most Hotels are either Govt run or offshore companies

You are never alone. You will always have fellow adventurers with you. Be prepared to make so many new friends. Source: backpacked alone, but not alone for a year.

Have a look at the weather forecast and make sure you have trip insurance

trip cancellation insurance usually has to be bought within 72 hours of booking your holiday so if she doesn't have it now it won't help

I would think about changing some dates and wait to see how this hurricane plays out.

When I travel, I only do tours! You'll be hooked, and the ppl you meet in your group will be your friends for life!

I've done a lot of G Adventure tours. They are great and you will meet lots of new friends from all over the world. Lots of people travelling on their own as well. I have found that if I can book into the joining hotel, it works better. You don't have to change hotels and you know the quality is going to be okay. Also, G Adventures tries to book with smaller, owner-operator type hotels (not sure about Cuba). They will book for you if you ask them.

Is your group meeting at the airport on the 10th? If you're first night will be in Havana, try finding an airbnb or Casa Particulares near the hotel where you'll be meeting your tour leader. Casa Particulares are very regulated and provide a standard level of service for a set price. I stayed in a few and never had any issues.
If this is your first G Adventures tour, I'd recommend budgeting a little extra for post-trip tipping (for drivers, tour leaders etc.).
If you have time before you meet your group, you could take a free walking tour (https://www.facebook.com/Freeguidedtourhavana/). It's a 2-3 hour tour that meets up in Old Havana. The guides are local and knowledgeable. At the end, you tip whatever you feel the tour was worth.
If your tour is taking you into Vinales, or any of the tobacco growing regions, wait until you're there to buy cigars. Buying cigars in Havana is not worth it because they're overpriced, but check out some of the "fake cuban cigar" videos on youtube as well, so you know what to look for.

I second the spare cash for tipping. G is big on getting lots of local guides to run each portion of the trip. Which makes for a lot of tipping! But worth it

How much cash do you think is reasonable to take. If I overshoot the mark, it's not a problem. I know it's difficult to withdraw more cash there.

I did the Inca Trail with G Adventures a few years ago. I think it was "suggested" to be something like 7-10USD per day for the leader and then 3-7USD for the porters and cooks . It may be different for Cuba and of course you'd be tipping in CUCs. There should be some mention of it in your tour info. Of course, ultimately, it's entirely up to you.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I have booked a Casa particulares because I am arriving one day early. Seems like everything is set. The only concern I had right now Hurricane Irma. I'm sure G adventures will credit me if it does get cancelled. Does anyone know about air canada if they will credit my account if I have something in writing because it is a natural disaster or will I forfeit that money because I did not purchase flight insurance ?

if air canada cancels their flights into Havana on your travel day, then you will most likely get an opportunity to rebook without incurring the change fees - give them a call to find out - be prepared for a long wait on hold because I am sure they are dealing with hundreds of similar call right now, air transat announced today that they are sending 10 planes to evacuate their customer - I would think that those are planes that would have been taking vacationers to holidays in the affected areas. westjet is doing similar

Have you contacted G Adventures to see if the trip is still a go in the circumstances?

Yes. They are dealing with the tour who's there right now. The storm is expected to pass there by the next 24 hours and then they will assess the damage. They have changed the itinerary a bit for the current group there. I will be notified if it's a no go.

that's great to hear - hope it goes ahead for you

Did a G Adventures YOLO tour in Galapagos. Was awesome. Stay in touch with many of the travellers over Facebook still. Have fun!

Gurleen Atwal - has your trip been cancelled?

Yes. All Canadian flights into Havana were canceled. Air can had no issue returning my money. g adventures only wanted to give back my deposit. After being a bit firm with management I was given full credit towards a future trip

glad to here you got it all worked out but sorry that you will not be able to take your trip as planned - any alternate plans?

Best to avoid all those countries that were impacted by the hurricane for at least 2 yrs and wait for them to rebuild.

I don't think you will be going to Cuba now...