Cuban Highlights Ride

Money
It's very easy to exchange money in Cuba as long as you have cash. I took sterling cash. You can exchange some money on arrival at the airport (maybe £100) or at the start hotel. Then you can exchange a bit more later on once you are about to run out of pesos. Most hotels (if not all) have exchange facilities and it won't take more than a minute to exchange cash. Some places will also accept credit cards (not debit ones though; credit cards can't be issues by an American bank).

Don't count on ATMs. There are a few in Havana, plus in other big cities but you'll spend some time walking around looking for them. It's best to take Sterling in £10 or £20 notes (not £50). If you have some spare CAD or euro you want to get rid of you can take it too.

Please see below average prices in Cuba - that should help you estimate the amount of money you are likely to spend.

Lunch - 8-15 CUC
Dinner - 10-25 CUC (usually 15-20; 25 for a lobster in Havana)
Beer - 1.5 CUC for a 0.33l can
Water - 1.5 CUC for 1.5L
Cocktails - 3-4 CUC
T-shirt - 10 CUC
Cigars - up to 20 CUC each for top end ones
Rum - 8 CUC for a standard Havana Club

Please remember to take extra money to cover the airport tax (25 CUC), tips and optional trips (prices in the Trip Notes).

Tips for keeping it safe? Just apply the same criteria you would at home, it's more common sense. Cuba isn't a dangerous or threathening place, and crime against tourists (and in general) is very rare. Most hotels have safety deposits and also most hotels have money exchange facilities.

Tipping
Tipping is pretty much like here, for anything small if you like to give something. In better restuarants they'll add it to the bill, like here as well.

Optional activities
Any of the optional activities are decide locally and booked locally, so no need to do anything in advance.

Electrical equipment
I took a Universal Adaptor, which fits all plug types, and can be bought from Boots or similar for less than a tenner.

As far as I know you can easily take most electrical items into Cuba apart from GPS units. Officially it applies to all GPS' but in fact it more to do with stand-alone units and not the ones that are built in in a phone or a watch.
In the worst case they would confiscate such an item on your arrival and give it back to you on your departure (most likely you'd need to pay some fee for storage).
I have never come across anyone who specifically has had something removed, but I'm sure something like an iPhone or iPad would be ok.

Shopping
Yes, lots! Cigars, maraccas, rum, lace, wooden carvings and definitely jewellery (I bought some lovely wooden earrings).

Gifts for local people
Anything like pens, crayons, colouring books are always appreciated. They also quite like any toiletries you don't want at the end of a trip, as these are quite hard to come by there, so shower gels, toothpaste, make up etc. Sounds odd, but it was really appreciated, and wasn't something I hadn't heard about before.
It wasn't anything threatening, but you could have someone just tap you on the shoulder in the middle of a city tour and ask for shampoo or toothpaste! It was mainly older and young people, and always very friendly. We collected the toiletries from the hotels and at the end of the tour just stood outside and had people swarm around to grab what we had!

Laundry
I'm sure it's possible in the hotels where you stay two nights, although people in our group washed their own things. I think laundry can be expensive.

Snacks
I would advise maybe taking some snacks like chocolate and biscuits from home, if you like those, as they can be limited in places.

Cubans are pretty eager to speak to tourists. If your Spanish is not too bad I'm sure you can have some nice conversations with them however if you only speak basic Spanish Cubans who speak English would probably want to switch to English. English in Cuba is spoken relatively widely.

Rachael Stone - Customer Services

No, they don't.  It is possible to fit panniers if you really want to, but there is hardly any need as the support vehicle follows you all the time and you will have access to it every hour or so. Please note that if you want panniers to be fitted to your bike you would need to bring your own ones with you to Cuba, together with an appropriate bike rack (fitting a Trek 4300 bike).

Karol Rogacki - Customer Operations

We don't provide bottles but all the bikes have one bottle holder and the second one could be added on request (depending on availability). The support vehicle follows the group all the time and there are stops whenever the group needs it when you can refill.

Karol Rogacki - Customer Operations

We currently use Trek 4300 bikes with V-brakes.

Karol Rogacki - Americas Operations

All the models have semi-slick tyres which we believe are the most convenient for that trip. However if you prefer to use different tyres, please bring your own and they will be fitted.

Karol Rogacki - Customer Operations

All the bikes have front suspension only.

Karol Rogacki - Customer Operations

Many clients bring their own saddle but there is no need to bring it with the seat post. Please take just your saddle.

Karol Rogacki - Customer Operations

No, they don't. Please bring your own pedals and the original ones will be replaced with yours.

Karol Rogacki - Customer Operations

Havana has a great bar called El Floridita, which was a regular drinking spot for author Ernest Hemingway.  I definitely recommend trying a strawberry daiquiri or two!
Another excellent bar is the Casa de la Música for a salsa show in Trindad. The live music and local dancing will conjure up images of the Buena Vista Social Club, with its lively and fast-paced jazz, rumba and salsa.  Be prepared to dance!

Sophie Ashworth - Marketing

Souvenirs are available at all major cities and towns in Cuba.  They range from wooden handicrafts, local paintings to the classic Cuban Cigar.
Havana has a souvenir market on a Thursday afternoon, which is great for local artists showcasing their work, however Trinidad seem to have the better quality souvenirs, especially of the hand carved variety.  I would recommend Cienfuegos as the place to buy your cigars!

Dan Cockburn - Product Manager

Food in Cuba consists mostly of rice, fish, meat, beans and plenty of fresh fruit.  You can't go to Cuba without trying the famous Mohijo or Cuba Libre, but beware that they don't use measuring glasses so they might be stronger than the ones you have tried at home!  Fresh lobster served with salad is also a lovely treat if you visit the island of Cayo Macho. There is also plenty of safe bottled water available throughout Cuba.

Karol Rogacki - Customer Operations

‘In-country’ bike hire should be arranged at the time of booking, and the cost will be added to your invoice. Please note that there are a limited number of bikes available locally. We always have to match a person's height to the bike frame size and, as there are a limited amount of each size, we cannot always guarantee availability of the correct frame. Therefore it is recommended you add the local bike hire as early as possible.

Andy Ross - Product Manager

Yes. All the bikes are adaptable to be fitted with personalised bike parts. The support team accompanying the group will be able help with any bike alterations or damage to the bike along the entire trip.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

Synthetic, cotton or merino wool tops will be perfect for cycling , especially when it's hot . Shorts (could be padded) will also be great as it will almost certainly be too hot for cycling in trousers. Stiff sole shoes are in general better for cycling but you could also go for sandals. A lightweight windbreaker (or water-resistant/proof top) may come handy in the unlikely event of a spell of bad weather ; however, in case of rain you may well go for being wet because of the rain rather than because of your own sweat under a jacket.

Rachel George - Customer Operations

Please visit the Exodus Travel Guide to Cuba where you can find out what plugs they use, as well as more detailed Country information in the menu on the left of the page.

Cuba unfortunately has very few ATM machines, making it slightly more difficult to manage your money supply while in Cuba. Cuba has dual currency system: Cuban Peso (CUP; it's unlikely you will ever need it) and Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC; the one tourists always use). It's best to take all spending money in Sterling cash (Euro or Canadian dollars will also be fine), which can be easily exchanged upon arrival in Cuba. Travellers cheques are accepted at major banks but incur a 5% commission, and some smaller outlets cannot accept them.  Also, along with credit cards, they must have no association with an American bank i.e. Virgin Credit Card or American Express travellers cheques, as they will not be accepted anywhere in Cuba.

Sophie Ashworth - Marketing

Lucy Davies, our Base Manager in Cuba, has written an article where she takes you through a brief history of Cuba, old and new!

Also, staff member Sophie Ashworth travelled to Cuba recently and you can read her article here to get a personal viewpoint of the country.

Please download this PDF document to assist you in your preparation for flying with your bike.

You can view the Grading System for our Cycling programme online.

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!