Register your interest for December 2023!
The 2023-24 Southern Cross Brigade will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the first Australia solidarity tour (then the Eureka Brigade). This Brigade promises to be a massive one. Dates and draft itinerary will be communicated early in 2023. Please register your interest via the contact form.
Key information can be found in our Information Booklet.
For the 40th Anniversary Brigade, you can expect to be in Cuba from late December 2023 until mid-to-late January 2024 and for a cost of around $1,500AUD (excluding flights) for all Brigade accommodation, basic food and travel expenses.
The preliminary program will include a stay at the Korimakao youth art project, a visit to the Island of Youth and a range of activities at various social projects (environmental, health, education) and enterprises (cooperatives and small/medium factories).
Key information can be found in our Information Booklet.
For the 40th Anniversary Brigade, you can expect to be in Cuba from late December 2023 until mid-to-late January 2024 and for a cost of around $1,500AUD (excluding flights) for all Brigade accommodation, basic food and travel expenses.
The preliminary program will include a stay at the Korimakao youth art project, a visit to the Island of Youth and a range of activities at various social projects (environmental, health, education) and enterprises (cooperatives and small/medium factories).
Registration
Registrations for the 2022 Brigade have now closed. If you wish to register your interest in the 2023-24 Southern Cross Brigade, you can do so via the contact form..
Please do not hesitate to email us at southerncrossbrigade@gmail.com if you have further questions.
Please call Adam on 0481 355 330 if you cannot make contact via these means.
Please do not hesitate to email us at southerncrossbrigade@gmail.com if you have further questions.
Please call Adam on 0481 355 330 if you cannot make contact via these means.
Costs
The cost of the 2022-23 Brigade was 1,050USD on arrival in Havana plus 250AUD deposit upon registration. You can expect a similar cost on the 40th Anniversary Brigade.
The cost paid to the Southern Cross Brigade does not cover international flights, visas or travel and health insurance. These aspects of your travel must be arranged separately.
Each brigadista must also budget for personal spending money. The cost of the Brigade covers all basic necessities, however we recommend that each brigadista bring a minimum of $AU500 spending money in a suitable currency for snacks, drinks, toiletries, souvenirs, personal outings and optional activities. Please bring enough extra cash to suit your travel style – for many, $500 will not be enough. We have found that most brigadistas spend approximately $1,000 on extras.
Please ensure you arrive with Euros, Canadian Dollars or Mexican Pesos (Euros preferred). The Australia Cuba Friendship Society recommends that you avoid bringing US dollars, as these incur an extra surcharge to exchange in Cuba. You cannot use or change Australian or New Zealand currency in Cuba.
The cost paid to the Southern Cross Brigade does not cover international flights, visas or travel and health insurance. These aspects of your travel must be arranged separately.
Each brigadista must also budget for personal spending money. The cost of the Brigade covers all basic necessities, however we recommend that each brigadista bring a minimum of $AU500 spending money in a suitable currency for snacks, drinks, toiletries, souvenirs, personal outings and optional activities. Please bring enough extra cash to suit your travel style – for many, $500 will not be enough. We have found that most brigadistas spend approximately $1,000 on extras.
Please ensure you arrive with Euros, Canadian Dollars or Mexican Pesos (Euros preferred). The Australia Cuba Friendship Society recommends that you avoid bringing US dollars, as these incur an extra surcharge to exchange in Cuba. You cannot use or change Australian or New Zealand currency in Cuba.
Flights
We advise booking your flights as early as possible, as flights to Cuba around the Christmas period can be expensive and fill fast.
Do not travel to Cuba via the US. The United States - against the advice of former government officials and US lawyers - continues to place Cuba on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. Australians and New Zealanders who travel to Cuba are barred from gaining a US ESTA (visa waiver) in perpetuity.
Do not travel to Cuba via the US. The United States - against the advice of former government officials and US lawyers - continues to place Cuba on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. Australians and New Zealanders who travel to Cuba are barred from gaining a US ESTA (visa waiver) in perpetuity.
Visas
Australians and New Zealanders who wish to travel to Cuba must obtain a visa from the Cuban Embassy in their respective country. As a brigadista, you are being invited to Cuba by ICAP, a Cuban government body. However, you will still have to apply for a Tourist Visa. Minors must have their own Tourist Visa.
The Tourist Visa can be used within one year of issue. However, once you enter Cuba, the visa is valid for a stay of 30 days.
For Australians: For more information, please phone the Cuban Embassy on (02) 6290 2151 or visit their website and find the application links for the Tourist Card on the right hand side of your screen.
For New Zealanders: For more information, please phone the Cuban Embassy on (04) 464 2210 or visit their website and find the application links for the Tourist Card on the right hand side of your screen.
Please also remember that you may need a transit visa for the country you will be travelling through on your way to Cuba. This is the case for those travelling through Canada, the USA and a selection of other countries.
The Tourist Visa can be used within one year of issue. However, once you enter Cuba, the visa is valid for a stay of 30 days.
For Australians: For more information, please phone the Cuban Embassy on (02) 6290 2151 or visit their website and find the application links for the Tourist Card on the right hand side of your screen.
For New Zealanders: For more information, please phone the Cuban Embassy on (04) 464 2210 or visit their website and find the application links for the Tourist Card on the right hand side of your screen.
Please also remember that you may need a transit visa for the country you will be travelling through on your way to Cuba. This is the case for those travelling through Canada, the USA and a selection of other countries.
Travel and Medical Insurance
Since 2010, it has been a requirement of entry into Cuba that all travellers, both foreigners and Cubans living abroad, have medical insurance.
To ensure that you comply with this requirement, you will need to have a travel insurance policy with a non-US company that covers medical expenses in Cuba.
To ensure that you comply with this requirement, you will need to have a travel insurance policy with a non-US company that covers medical expenses in Cuba.
Healthcare
Vaccinations
All brigadistas should be up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. The Cuban Government recognises all TGA-approved vaccinations available in Australia. Other WHO vaccines are also recognised if you received your vaccination overseas. The Cuban Government also recognises a number of other vaccines and remedies not yet approved by the WHO, however these are primarily those being used in the Global South and not alternative medicines or similar that may be found in Australia.
All brigadistas should be up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. The Cuban Government recognises all TGA-approved vaccinations available in Australia. Other WHO vaccines are also recognised if you received your vaccination overseas. The Cuban Government also recognises a number of other vaccines and remedies not yet approved by the WHO, however these are primarily those being used in the Global South and not alternative medicines or similar that may be found in Australia.
Information Sessions
Information sessions on the Brigade are run in many regional centres across Australia and New Zealand throughout the year. Please contact us to get in touch with your regional brigade coordinator, who can tell you more about the Brigade and let you know about any upcoming information sessions.