18-29 tour in Cuba

Environment

As a global operator, we take our role in the tourism industry very seriously. We recognise the impact that tourism has on local communities and the environment, and we plan and operate all our tours with this front of our minds. We believe that every tour operator must be responsible in the way they conduct their business, to ensure the welfare of all people and the conservation of the environment.

Our trips are known for being small group tours and in Cuba our maximum group size is 16 people. This not only allows our travellers to have a more authentic and intimate experience, but also means we’re able to minimise the impact we have on the local environment and the communities we visit. We always ensure that the transportation we use is of an appropriate size, meaning no 16-seater vehicles if only four people are travelling.

Our small group sizes also make it possible to stay in family-run guesthouses, which are a lot more environmentally-friendly than the bigger hotel chains. Cuban guesthouses or casa particulares are especially charming and contribute significantly to travellers’ overall experience of the country. Not to mention, they help to create jobs for the Cuban people and enable us to directly invest in the local economy.

One of the biggest problems Cuba faces is the inadequate disposal of waste and the government has now invested in a program to raise environmental awareness amongst the population. To contribute towards these efforts, we avoid using single-use plastic bottles and opt for refillable ones instead. During the initial welcome meeting, our guides will discuss this issue with the group making them conscious of the situation as early on as possible.

Community

We are committed to operating in a responsible manner, incorporating the principles of sustainable development in the way we provide our travellers with real life experiences. These values are more than just words on a page; they are ingrained in our culture and the daily operations of every office and every trip. In addition, we expect our staff and travellers to demonstrate the principles of responsible travel - respecting people, cultures and local environments; in the distribution of wealth; in good will and cross-cultural sharing; and in contributing to sustainable development.

On this tour you will get the opportunity to visit some rural villages and experience the local way of Cuban life. You will get to mix with locals and find out more about their life in this fascinating country. They are very sociable people and love nothing better than to drink rum and dance the night away. You will also get the opportunity to experience Cuba’s rich and varied dance and music tradition whilst visiting a folklore dance and music show. This show will also give you an insight into the strong Afro-Cuban community and some of the Afro-Cuban religions whilst joining in with the locals and learning a few Salsa steps for yourself.

We source produce locally throughout the trip, eat at local restaurants and encourage our travellers to purchase souvenirs from local artisans and recruit our on the ground team from the local community. This not only gives a fantastic insight into the country and a snap shot of day to day life, but it also puts valuable financial resources back into the local economy, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.

As company our responsibilities don’t stop when our tours end. Our own in house foundation has been in operation for over 10 years; a not-for-profit fund that has distributed over AU$3 million to more than 70 non-government organisations since 2002, from health care, education, human rights, child welfare, sustainable development and in environmental and wildlife protection. Donations come from our travellers and are then matched by us dollar for dollar.