FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions


Our mission at Discover Corps is to inspire travelers to become advocates for our planet’s natural wonders, cultural treasures, and local communities through immersive and sustainable vacations with purpose. For more information read here.

 


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A Group Tour is the best way to travel to Cuba if you are traveling on your own, with a friend, or looking for the most affordable trip option. It’s the same rich cultural immersion experience but shared with a small group of curious, like-minded travelers. Cuba draws a wide variety of travelers, so your group may include a mix of different ages, genders, and races.

  


No, it is not illegal to travel, however, travel to Cuba is still restricted.   ‘Tourist’ travel to Cuba is still not permitted by the new US regulations – no matter your citizenship. Only travel that falls within one of the 12 categories that are approved by the US State Department is permitted.  Discover Corps trips to Cuba fall within the permitted categories and are approved by the US State Department. 

Discover Corps trips continue to remain a legal option because of its unique focus on supporting the Cuban people. On June 4, 2019 the Treasury Department released their updated policy with regards to travel in Cuba. In short, it is no longer legal to travel under the “People-to-People” license, but it is legal to travel under the “Support for the Cuban People” license. Discover Corps has always been operating under the “Support for the Cuban People” license, so nothing has changed!

 

Absolutely, and families are some of our most frequent clients. Our team has consulted with family travel specialists to understand the ins and outs of what goes into a great family vacation. We know when your family is on vacation, time is precious. That’s why we’ve curated a variety of special Family Tours that fit the needs of a variety of age groups. 


Note: Keeping this in mind, it is still important to be aware of your surroundings.  We recommend avoiding displays of affluence. Pickpockets are very skilled. Try to avoid bringing unnecessary purses or bags with you. Women should carry an across-the-shoulder purse with thick straps if possible. Men should not carry their wallets in their back pockets. Do not carry your passport, identifying documents, cash, credit cards, and insurance papers together. If robbed, you will lose all your supporting documentation.


 

Our team before, during and after your trip will work with you closely to ensure we are meeting all your needs/wants for your purposeful vacation and we do our best to be as flexible as possible. Our itineraries are packed full with interesting activities and exciting moments, however, we understand sometimes you may need to just stay back and rest. *Note: The price of our trips is, however, fixed.

 

 

No - At Discover Corps we help to provide anyone from any country their dream vacation with purpose! 

 

 

The earlier the book, the better. As flight prices increase, we recommend always checking out to see if it is affordable first before booking a trip with us. Additionally, we usually need about 60 days to properly plan your trip and make all the needed reservations. 

 

 

The best time to visit Cuba is December through March when the Caribbean weather is beautiful. However, November, April, and May are also good times. Hurricane season is in June - October. For more information see here. 


    

U.S. travel restrictions prohibit excessive “beach time” in Cuba. However, we try to include a quick trip to the beach, depending on the itinerary.



There are NO required vaccinations or shots for travel to Cuba. However, you should still consult your doctor to ensure that all of your immunizations are up-to-date. We recommend that you consult with your local travel clinic for recommended inoculations for travel to Cuba. Your local travel clinic may have some recommendations specifically for you. For more information see more here. 


 

Since 1997, the Cuban Government has permitted Cubans to rent rooms in their homes to tourists on the island. This revolutionized the lives of many, providing a much-needed source of extra income as well as a broader view of life outside Cuba. Today, ‘Casa's Particulares’ are essentially family-run bed & breakfasts (think AirBnB’s with private breakfast in the morning). Families invest in making sure their houses are up to international quality standards, and they greet you with Cuban hospitality - but also give you the privacy and comfort you desire. While houses vary in style from eclectic to classical, they all provide a comfortable glimpse into Cuban life and will be your home while on the island. Which Casa you'll be staying in changes from trip to trip, but there are a few photo examples below. For more information see here. 



It is easy to obtain a visa to Cuba.  For more information see here. 



Yes, it is easy to book a flight to Cuba. 

 


There are no American banks in Cuba and your cards will not work, therefore you must bring cash. For more information see here. 



While all scheduled activities are included in the price of your trip, there will be times when you may want to go out independently, buy souvenirs, etc. For more information see here. 



Yes, the United States government imposes strict restrictions on the number of goods you can bring back from Cuba. At this time, Americans returning to the U.S. are no longer allowed to bring rum or cigars out of the country. 



The Discover Corps program fee includes tips for luggage handling, restaurants, and programmed activities throughout the tour. Your guide will make sure these tips are paid appropriately. However, tips are one of the primary ways that Cubans earn dollars.  So, we do encourage tipping musicians, our guides and drivers, housekeepers and other people you might interact with. For more information see here. 



Cubans warmly welcome gifts. Everything you contribute is an overture of friendship – and a great ice-breaker. Cubans lack many basic items. We strongly advise against handing out gifts or money to individuals you meet on the street. In areas frequented by tourists, professional scammers attempt to fleece foreign guests with sob stories that win them cash or items. However, our Discover Corp guide can help you find your donations and gifts a good home. For more information see here. 



Internet access is difficult to get in Cuba and is not widely available. 



No, your cell phone will not receive service while in Cuba. Wi-Fi is also terribly unreliable in Cuba and is extremely slow and expensive. On the bright side, you can take this time to be "unplugged" while you are away. You can also try to call your phone provider to see if they have some options, or look into having an eSIM card.



In general, you should not have trouble using small electrical appliances brought from the U.S. (hairdryer, electric razor, etc.) as the standard electric current in Cuba is the same as in the U.S. with a two-prong outlet.



Travel in Cuba is much different than the rest of the world. As the government regulates everything from the flight's travelers take into Cuba to the hotels that travelers stay at, the key word is flexibility. The schedule is subject to change as are, in rare cases, the accommodation. We will try our best to stick to the schedule of activities as planned, but ask that you embark on this journey with an open mind and a willingness to accept ambiguity in certain situations. It is a very interesting time in Cuban history and you will be at the forefront of this momentous change.

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