September 16 - 25, 2022 Pickup: Airport

Overview

Spend 10 days with renowned Cuban doctors and medical students from the famous Latin American School of Medicine, while also experiencing the island’s vibrant culture and community-led projects in historic Havana. Participants will learn about the island’s impressive response to COVID-19, the country’s free universal healthcare system and Cuba’s effort to develop its own vaccine to defeat the virus. Explore the Cuban countryside, visit organic farms, and visit rural health clinics.

What’s Included

Accommodation

Based on double occupancy, single rooms available for an additional $200

Airport Transfers

On designated arrival and departure dates

Private bus

Or cars depending on group size

Meals

As listed on the itinerary. Generally 2 meals a day

Private events

And speakers as listed

Translator

Trip leader

A local guide who will travel with the group through the program

Admission fees

To all program activities

Donations

To organizations, speakers, communities we visit

What’s excluded

Airfare

Visa and passport fees

Tips to guides, drivers, hotel staff, wait staff

Items of personal nature

Travel Insurance

Itinerary

Times and events subject to change

Arrive in Havana

Lunch with Global Exchange representative, orientation and questions and answers

Enjoy a walking tour of colonial Old Havana

Check-in to the Casa Particular (private homes)

Evening free for exploration on your own

Breakfast at your Casa

Meet with the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the People, your Cuban hosts. Discussion on the state of Cuban/US relations.

Overview of the Cuban healthcare system by Health Ministry Official

Lunch in a private restaurant

Visit a center providing activities for children and adults with Down syndrome.

Dinner on your own

Experience the colonial “Canonazo” Canon firing ceremony across the bay in the Morro-Cabana Fort. Get a magnificent view of Havana at night.

Visit a Biotechnology Center; learn about the production of Cuban vaccines, especially those against Covid-19. Discuss how US sanctions slowed development of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Lunch in a private restaurant

Visit the Institute for Radio and Television (ICRT) to examine public messaging on radio and television concerning the virus.

Dinner on your own

Enjoy the evening at a jazz club

Visit a polyclinic and family doctors office to learn about community measures to protect citizens and how the country vaccinated millions in a relatively short period of time

Lunch at a private restaurant

Meet an economist to discuss challenges to the Cuba economy and how they have affected care and treatment of Covid and other patients.

Dinner on your own.

Visit CENESEX. National Sex Education Center, discuss gender and STIs

Lunch at a private restaurant

Depart for Vinales Valley. The Viñales Valley has been declared a national monument of Cuba and one of the most breathtaking landscapes on the island.

Check in private homes

Dinner at Finca El Paradiso, a family operated farm-to-table with incredible food

Overnight in Vinales

Visit a community school

Tour Vinales Valley, time for hiking, horseback riding or biking through the town

Lunch on your own

Dinner at a private restaurant

Evening at Casa de Cultura or similar for Cuban music

Overnight in Vinales

Breakfast in the community

Visit a local maternity center

El Patio de Pelegrino community cultural center, lunch there