PRE TRIP INFORMATION GUIDE PRE TRIP INFORMATION TABLE OF CONTENTS Cuba Overview Marine Park System Guidelines Jardines de la Reina Arrival to Camaguey Arrival to Santa Clara Arrival to Cayo Coco Cayo Romano Arrival to Camaguey Arrival to Santa Clara Arrival to Cayo Coco Cayo Largo Jardines Avalon I Mother Boat Arrival to Havana Arrival to Santa Clara Isla de Juventud Arrival to Havana Emergency Numbers Document and Checklist References Click on the titles to go to that section Click on the arrow to come back here CUBA OVERVIEW Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean spanning over 770 miles from east to west. The country consists of the main island, Isla de Juventud to the south and over 4195 islets and keys. The geography of the country is quite diverse. A full quarter of the land area is considered mountainous, while much of the central and western part of the country is covered in fertile farmlands used primarily to cultivate sugar cane and tobacco. The coastal areas of Cuba are incredibly rich in diversity and unbelievably pristine due to the relative lack of development and pollution within the country. The largest population centers are Havana to the northwest of the mainland, Santiago de Cuba to the far south east and Camaguey in the eastern central plains. Numerous interesting towns and small cities dot the landscape and are wonderful windows into the past and cultural heritage of this country. The history of Cuba has been quite tumultuous and unique in the western hemisphere. Upon discovery by Christopher Columbus in 1492, he muttered, “It is the most beautiful land human eyes have ever seen.” Soon after it was colonized by Spaniards and held by the European power for almost four centuries. From the mid 1800s to the 1950s, Cuba underwent a turbulent period with multiple wars, insurrections, and changes in power. The first half of the 20th century saw an incredible level of investment in Cuba by US and foreign interests. This lasted until the revolution by Fidel Castro and his revolutionary forces in the 1950s that essentially “freed” Cubans from international exploitation and created a communist government for the people. This communist socialist government has persisted to present day. At one time the country was very prosperous, now with the lack of foreign investment and continued embargo, the opportunities for Cubans are limited. Nevertheless, the Cuban culture has prevailed and remained strong within the country, creating a steadfast sense of identity and confidence that comes across in the people's welcoming attitude and resourceful dispositions. The people are generally warm and willing to lend a helping hand of openness and kindhearted friendship. Cuba is a wonderful and incredibly safe country to travel in and there are many wonderful and enriching experiences to be had across the island. MARINE PARK SYSTEM Since the inception of the first marine park in 1992, the Cuban government alongside various non-profit organizations and Avalon have spread this marine park protection system across the entire island. A full 25% of the Cuban coastline is protected; and currently under Avalon's stewardship, we manage 23% of this entire amount. Fly fishing in Cuba is far different from other destinations in the Caribbean. Only in recent years has this flats fishery been developed, and you are fishing waters that have not seen sport fishing for nearly fifty years. Cuba has given these pristine areas protection as Cuban National Marine Parks, where no commercial fishing is allowed other than for lobster. Flats fish like Tarpon, Permit, Bonefish, Snook, Mutton Snapper, Barracuda, and a variety of Jacks are found in incredible numbers and since the fishing pressure is so light in these areas the fish rarely encounter sport fishermen and are unusually easy to catch. Think about a place where you can fish more than 100 miles of flats without seeing another fisherman, a place where the flats fishing is so good, you can catch seven species of fish in one day, a place where big bonefish run toward your fly even when it hits the water too hard, rather than streaking off the flat in the other direction, a place where you have a legitimate chance for a Grand Slam every day of the year, a place where big permit are as plentiful as they were in the Florida Keys 30 years ago, a place where you can wade miles of white-sand flats in your bare feet for big bonefish, a place where you’ll find enough big tarpon, jacks, ’cudas, and sharks on the flats to wear you out! The marine park system is employed in each of our locations and it goes even further in designating these destinations as fly fishing only sanctuaries. Even more, within each destination we employ a zonal rotation system that prevents over pressuring the fishing areas and creating pristine and unspoiled opportunities for fishermen to target fish in the purest form. This has been an incredibly successful system that ensures that all of our guests year round get to enjoy the Cuban fisheries as they have always been for hundreds, if not thousands of years! To learn more about our conservation initiatives and the marine park system, please visit our partner website www.BlueSanctuary.Org • Make sure you bring plenty of cash with you since you will not be able to get any more funds once you are in Cuba. • No credit cards are accepted in Cuba or on the mother boats. • Do not attempt to bring in a drone, satellite phone, or GPS device to Cuba. They will confiscate it at the airport causing a delay in transfer for the group. • Please refer to your location's checklist for more details on equipment and location specific information. • We suggest that you bring ALL of your fishing gear with you to Cuba in that there is an extremely limited supply of items on the island. Having backup rods, lines, leaders, tippet and flies is a good idea so you do not run out during the week. • We have a supply of rental rods and reels with saltwater fly lines that can be rented if arranged and paid for in advance of your trip • Tips are an incredibly important aspect of Cuba's economy and our operations. Most Cuban's rely solely on tips to survive. Therefore, if you feel inclined to leave a tip for a driver, porter, tour guide, etc. during your trip GUIDELINES FOR AL DESTINATIONS please do so. At the end of your week in Cuba you will be given an envelope for a staff tip and a guide tip. Please follow the guidelines closely for tipping in your specific location's checklist. We recommend being generous but not over the top with your tips since it can create issues among the staff and guides. If you follow the guidelines properly and decide to tip extra for hard work, special treatment, and memorable fishing experiences, please do so at your discretion. • Cuba is a unique location with many challenges and hurdles. Cuba has an incredible lack of supplies and spare parts, therefore sometimes transfers are delayed or a skiff or bus has a mechanical issue that needs to be repaired creating a delay. We sincerely ask for your patience during these times in that our staff is doing everything they can to ensure your happiness and safety on this trip. If you have any issues during your trip, please try to communicate them as soon as possible with your fishing manager, cruise manager, or group leader so we can make the best attempt at alleviating the problem at hand. Thank you! • You should be prepared to pack ALL of your fishing gear in your luggage when departing Cuba as well as on any domestic Cuban flight. You may be able to carry your gear on while arriving in Cuba, but it is required by law that you pack it in your checked luggage on the way out. • Currency: Please bring plenty of cash with you since you will not be able to withdraw anymore when you are in Cuba. We recommend you bring USD$ or EUROS only. Other currencies may be accepted, but the majority of transactions will be done in USD$. ALL guides and staff should be tipped in USD or EUROS. Please see your destination checklist for tipping guidelines. • Health Insurance: The Cuban Government requires all travelers to carry a minimum level of health insurance coverage while in Cuba. If you are flying into Cuba on a commercial carrier from the USA the minimum insurance coverage is INCLUDED in your ticket fare. If you are flying into Cuba from an international airport, you will need to purchase this health insurance coverage as part of a comprehensive travel and health insurance policy (search options at www.insuremytrip.com/insuring-your-trip/traveling-to- cuba/) or on its own here: www.cubagrouptour.com/cuba-travel/insurance. GUIDELINES FOR AL DESTINATIONS Make sure you bring a printed copy of this insurance coverage with you in case you must present it upon arrival. • Visas and Legal Documents: Please see the separate document linked HERE for more information on these items. You are responsible for your visa/ tourist card and we will provide you with the other documents to ensure the legality of your trip. • If you are a US citizen traveling to Cuba, you may be asked for your category or reason for travel when booking flights, hotels, etc. You will be traveling under the GENERAL OFAC LICENSE for 515.575 Humanitarian Projects or Humanitarian and Environmental Projects.