Costs. Formal gap year programs have different prices depending on your interests and location, but the good news is that most of them have accommodation included in the price and they take care of the visa for you. Neat!

Although Cuba has a different currency, the exchange rate is about 1:1 with the U.S. dollar, which is not necessarily cheap, but it’s affordable.You can still have a decent meal for under $10, a beer or a cappuccino for about $1, and go anywhere with public transportation for under $1. Check out our GoAbroad FundMyTravel and start building up your budget with the help from friends and family!

Accommodation. Many formal gap year programs offer accommodation included in their price, be it either a dorm housing, guest houses, apartments, or homestay accommodation, where you get to immerse yourself in the Cuban culture completely. If you’re adventure traveling, you can find accommodation for a decent price at locally owned hostels and guest houses.

Visas. You will definitely need a visa, no matter if you’re on a student program in Cuba, volunteering, or just visiting. The good news is that you can find out all the requirements for a visa in Cuba with our embassy directory within minutes. The bad news is that there is actually quite a lot of paperwork to be done. And the good news again is that all formal programs will assist you through all the process and do most of the job for you. Yay!

Safety. Cuba is a very safe country, perhaps due to the strong police and military presence. But we think mostly because of the friendly people. Dance on the street with the locals, but still be cautious with your wallet and mind your manners. And try not to get hurt. Cuba has good doctors, but their medical supplies can be limited, so try not to get hurt and bring your own prescriptions if you need any.