Travellers Information - Baggage and Vaccinations
Below please find useful information regarding travelling.
Required Identification and Important Paperwork
Passport*
Medical Insurance Card (Info/Traveling Card)*
E-ticket or Plane Ticket*
VISA* or Mastercard* (as issued from a Canadian Financial Institution – Note: American Express not accepted)
Driver’s License* (this is required if you intend to rent any type of motorized vehicle)
Cash (Canadian)
Information list of contact information and contact phone numbers at home
* make copies of these documents, leave a copy in your suitcase, in your carry on and leave a copy with a contact in Canada that could fax it to you should you require.
Information/Identification Not Required
Birth Certificate – your passport is sufficient
Debit Card – not accepted in Cuba, you may use it at Duty Free in Canada though
Health Card – you are covered with your traveler’s medical insurance
Vaccination:
Travellers diarrhea - DUKORAL
DUKORAL helps to protect against travellers' diarrhea. Travellers diarrhea occurs to 50% of people travelling to the Caribbean.
DUKORAL protects against travellers' diarrhea caused by bacteria called enterotoxigenic E. coli. (also known as ETEC). ETEC is usually caught by eating contaminated foods. DUKORAL also protects people from cholera.
It is a raspberry flavoured vaccine that you drink before leaving on your trip.
DUKORAL is consumed orally by dissolving into water. It will protect you for up to 3 months.
In addition to DUKORAL, bring along some Immodium just in case.
We encourage you to discuss vaccination against travellers diarrhea with your family doctor, Amy has taken this medicine on her past two Caribbean vacations with great success.
Vaccination:
Hepatitis
Hepatitis A is the most common vaccine-preventable disease in travellers. It is a serious liver disease that is usually contracted by ingesting food or drinks that have been contaminated with human waste. Uncooked shellfish can be especially dangerous. Even swimming in contaminated water can lead to hepatitis A infection.
Travellers to parts of the world where hepatitis A and hepatitis B are always present should be vaccinated. If they aren't, they run a serious risk of contracting the viruses. Many cases of hepatitis A and B actually occur among people staying in middle and upper class hotels, including four- and five-star resorts.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends vaccinations and/or medicine against the following illness for travellers to Cuba:
Hepatitis A, which is spread by the fecal-oral route, person to person or through contaminated water or food. It is the second-most common infection in travellers and the number one vaccine-preventable illness among travellers.
We encourage you to discuss vaccination against Hepatitis with your family doctor.
Vaccination
Tetanus - Diptheria
Please ensure that you have received your most recent booster of T-D before travelling. You are supposed to get them every 10 years.
We encourage you to discuss vaccination against Tetanus and Diptheria with your family doctor.
What's allowed? What's Not?
Each passenger is allowed to carry on one standard article and one personal article.
Items which fall within the carry-on allowance for one standard article:
Maximum size = 23 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm or 9" x 15.5" x 21.5"(wheels and handles included in size)
Maximum weight = 10kg or 22lbs
Examples of standard articles: Carry-on bags, suitcases, briefcases, Laptop computers, Diaper bags, camera cases, cartons
Items which fall within the carry-on allowance for one personal article:
Maximum size = 16 cm x 33 cm x 43 cm or 6" x 13" x 17" (wheels and handles included in size)
Maximum weight = 10kg or 22lbs
Examples of personal articles: Outer garments (e.g. coats, hats, etc.), Purses up to 25cm x 30cm x 20cm (10" x 12" x 8"), Assistive devices (e.g. canes, crutches, walkers, etc.), Containers carrying life sustaining items, Urns containing human remains
Note: Remember, any airport and duty-free purchases count towards your carry-on allowance.
Sharp objects are not permitted as carry-on items. Place these and any cutting or piercing items in your "Checked Baggage."
Toy guns, sporting articles such as golf clubs, baseball bats, skates, etc. are not permitted as carry-on items.
What's allowed? What's Not?
Each passenger is allowed 2 bags per person
Maximum linear dimension per bag (length + width + height) = 158 cm or 62”
Maximum weight per bag = 20kg or 40lbs*
We recommend that all liquids, gels and aerosols – i.e. shampoo, lotions etc. be packed in Ziploc bags.
*A quick tip as received by Carrie-Lou Mowry - if you are concerned about the weight of your luggage stop by your local greyhound station to have it weighed on thier luggage scales!
What's allowed? What's Not?
Sporting Goods:
Current As of Spring 2008 – this info will be reviewed in early January 2009
Golf clubs - One golf bag containing no more than 14 clubs, 12 golf balls and one pair of golf shoes is considered one item. The bag and clubs must be fully enclosed in a hard shell container specifically designed for shipping.
Scuba diving equipment - Each of the following is considered an individual item when packed separately: empty scuba tank, air supply regulator, pressure gauge, tank harness, face mask, pair of diving fins, snorkel, knife, spear gun, air pistol and safety vest. All equipment must be securely packed in a rigid and/or hard shell container specifically designed for shipping.
What's allowed? What's Not?
What can’t I pack? - Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
Current As of Spring 2008 – this info will be reviewed in early January 2009
Canadian Air Transport Security Authority:
Items such as pointed scissors and ice skates are examples of articles that are not permitted in your carry-on baggage. I don't know what you would do with ice-skates in Cuba?
In your carry-on it is advisable to avoid packing liquids, gels or aerosols in your carry-on. It is much easier to have them in your checked luggage.
However, if they are packaged in containers with a capacity of 100
ml / 100 grams (3.4 oz) or less, and that the containers fit comfortably
in one clear, closed and resealable plastic bag they will be permitted.
One bag per passenger will be permitted.
Passengers may continue to bring aboard baby formula, baby food, milk, water and juice if a child aged two years and under is travelling.
Liquid prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket or boarding pass, and other essential non-prescription liquid medicines continue to be permitted and are exempt from the container size restrictions. In addition, they are not required to be placed in a plastic bag.
To speed up the screening process, passengers should place all liquids, gels, and aerosols from their carry-on bags into the trays provided at the beginning of the screening process. When possible, passengers should have documentation supporting a medical condition.
