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).
We have listed the cost for this year's Brigade at approximately $1,500AUD, including a $250AUD deposit upon registration. Please note that this will be the first Brigade since the pandemic and therefore it has been difficult to pin down an exact price. We will update you as soon as we can, but expect that you may have to pay a few hundred dollars extra or that the itinerary may change to keep costs down.
Highlights of this year's draft itinerary: 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 draft itinerary for this year's Brigade includes (in chronological order):
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).
We have listed the cost for this year's Brigade at approximately $1,500AUD, including a $250AUD deposit upon registration. Please note that this will be the first Brigade since the pandemic and therefore it has been difficult to pin down an exact price. We will update you as soon as we can, but expect that you may have to pay a few hundred dollars extra or that the itinerary may change to keep costs down.
Highlights of this year's draft itinerary: 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 draft itinerary for this year's Brigade includes (in chronological order):
- Greetings at the airport on the day of the Brigade's commencement (29 December 2022);
- Travel from Havana to our camp (CIJAM), followed by the inauguration and a presentation on the history of Cuba and the Brigade, as well as some recent information on the circumstances in the country;
- Sporting and cultural activities at CIJAM, including interchange with other brigadistas from around the world (likely the Nordic Brigade), as well as locals;
- Dinner and New Year's celebrations at CIJAM to welcome in 2023 and the 64th anniversary of the Triumph of the Revolution (1 January 1959);
- A tour of Havana, including attendance at the National Ballet of Cuba and visits to key historical sites;
- A visit to Playa Girón (the Bay of Pigs) via the village of Australia (the coordination hub for Fidel Castro and other senior members of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces during the Bay of Pigs invasion);
- A four-day stay at the Korimakao art commune, where we will interchange with young artists and workers and participate in volunteer work;
- A multi-day tour of Villa Clara, staying at Friendship House. Here we will will exchange with survivors of the Cuban Revolution and visit the Che Guevara Mausoleum. We will also exchange with a local LGBTIQ social project, where there will be a presentation on their work from the Director of the program, including an update on LGBTIQ rights and the new Family Code;
- Voluntary work with local workers and cultural activities with young people from student and political organisations;
- Presentations on the challenges of the Cuban economy and an update on changes to the economic model;
- Visit to a local university to interchange with students and staff. This will include international students studying in Cuba;
- Exchanges with healthcare workers to discuss the health system in Cuba and the challenges of the pandemic (including creating and distributing Cuba’s homegrown vaccines);
- Salsa classes in Havana;
- Visit to an environmental conservation project and cooperatives undertaking positive developmental work;
- Attend a conference on media and propaganda campaigns against Cuba.
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 for this year's Brigade will be approximately $1,500AUD, including a $250AUD deposit upon registration.
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 the disease 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 the disease 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
Perth: 19 June 2022 at the Melville Fitness/AH Bracks Library - Rm 1 from 1pm to 2:30pm
Online: An online session for all prospective brigadistas is being finalised for July. Join the Facebook group or contact us to register your interest.
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.
Online: An online session for all prospective brigadistas is being finalised for July. Join the Facebook group or contact us to register your interest.
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.