Registrations now open!
We are working hard with our comrades at ICAP to finalise all details for the 2022-23 Southern Cross Brigade.
Key information on this year's Brigade can be found in our Information Booklet.
The Brigade will run from 29 December 2022 through 17 January 2023 (inclusive) and that the Brigade will take us to Havana, Matanzas and Villa Clara. As always, our base will be located at CIJAM, near Caimito (less than an hour from Havana).
Highlights of this year's program: a multi-day stay in the Korimakao youth art commune, exchange with Villa Clara LGBTIQ social projects and the Federation of Cuban Women, attendance at the National Ballet, visits to the Fidel Castro Centre and Che Guevara Mausoleum, visits to local environmental conservation projects and cooperatives, and discussion with healthcare workers involved in Cuba's COVID-19 response (including the production and distribution of Cuba's homegrown vaccines)!
The full program can be found here!
The cost of this year's Brigade has been confirmed as 1,100USD on arrival in Havana plus the 250AUD deposit upon registration. The total cost of the Brigade is estimated at around 1,750AUD (excluding flights).
International flights, visas and health insurance are not included in the cost sought by the Southern Cross Brigade and will need to be arranged separately.
If you wish to learn more about joining us in December 2022, please do not hesitate to email us at southerncrossbrigade@gmail.com or join the Facebook group.
Key information on this year's Brigade can be found in our Information Booklet.
The Brigade will run from 29 December 2022 through 17 January 2023 (inclusive) and that the Brigade will take us to Havana, Matanzas and Villa Clara. As always, our base will be located at CIJAM, near Caimito (less than an hour from Havana).
Highlights of this year's program: a multi-day stay in the Korimakao youth art commune, exchange with Villa Clara LGBTIQ social projects and the Federation of Cuban Women, attendance at the National Ballet, visits to the Fidel Castro Centre and Che Guevara Mausoleum, visits to local environmental conservation projects and cooperatives, and discussion with healthcare workers involved in Cuba's COVID-19 response (including the production and distribution of Cuba's homegrown vaccines)!
The full program can be found here!
The cost of this year's Brigade has been confirmed as 1,100USD on arrival in Havana plus the 250AUD deposit upon registration. The total cost of the Brigade is estimated at around 1,750AUD (excluding flights).
International flights, visas and health insurance are not included in the cost sought by the Southern Cross Brigade and will need to be arranged separately.
If you wish to learn more about joining us in December 2022, please do not hesitate to email us at southerncrossbrigade@gmail.com or join the Facebook group.
Registration
If you wish to register your interest in the 2022-23 Southern Cross Brigade, you can do so here.
Please do not hesitate to email us at southerncrossbrigade@gmail.com or join the Facebook group 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 or join the Facebook group if you have further questions.
Please call Adam on 0481 355 330 if you cannot make contact via these means.
Costs
The cost of this year's Brigade has been confirmed as 1,100USD on arrival in Havana plus the 250AUD deposit upon registration. The total cost of the Brigade is estimated at around 1,750AUD (excluding flights).
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 $AU600 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, $600 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. 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 $AU600 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, $600 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. 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.
We recommend that you do not travel to Cuba via the USA, due to the ongoing US blockade on Cuba. It’s possible that you could be delayed at immigration in the USA due to unwanted attention from US officials.
We recommend that you do not travel to Cuba via the USA, due to the ongoing US blockade on Cuba. It’s possible that you could be delayed at immigration in the USA due to unwanted attention from US officials.
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.
What if I contract COVID-19 while on the Brigade?
Double-check that your travel insurance will cover you for any COVID-related healthcare requirements.
If you contract COVID-19 while on the Brigade, you will be isolated in one of Cuba’s world class medical centres, such as IPK in Havana. You will be provided with everything you need to safely isolate and recover from the disease. If you require hospitalisation or other primary care, this will be provided.
PCR tests will be made available to brigadistas if they require a negative test to return to their home country.
We recommend that all brigadistas bring a supply of RAT testing kits with them.
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.
What if I contract COVID-19 while on the Brigade?
Double-check that your travel insurance will cover you for any COVID-related healthcare requirements.
If you contract COVID-19 while on the Brigade, you will be isolated in one of Cuba’s world class medical centres, such as IPK in Havana. You will be provided with everything you need to safely isolate and recover from the disease. If you require hospitalisation or other primary care, this will be provided.
PCR tests will be made available to brigadistas if they require a negative test to return to their home country.
We recommend that all brigadistas bring a supply of RAT testing kits with them.
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.