INFORMATION BELOW IS FROM 2010 CONFERENCE 2012 CONFERENCE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND IN THE CALL FOR PAPERS; THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED SOON It is important that all participants communicate the following information to the conference organizers (by e-mail to info@wefla.org) as soon as possible:
LODGINGS International participants can usually get the lowest rate by booking through a travel agent outside of Cuba an all-inclusive package with flight (direct to Holguín) and hotel at the three-star Club Amigo Atlántico in Guardalavaca, the venue of WEFLA 2010 (or the nearby four-star Brisas Guardalavaca). These vacation packages usually are for a one-week stay. If you are not booking your hotel along with your flight, you can book your room through Agencia de Viajes Cubanacán, the Cuban travel agency that is catering to our conference. To make your reservation, please e-mail the conference organizers at info@wefla.org with all of the information indicated above in the section "IMPORTANT NOTE: COMMUNICATING YOUR TRAVEL INFORMATION TO CONFERENCE ORGANIZERS" The following hotel options are available*: In the City of Holguín, location of the pre-conference courses: -Hotel Pernik (***) Single 60.00 CUC; Shared Double 50.00 CUC -Hotel El Bosque (***) Single 60.00 CUC; Shared Double 50.00 CUC Prices quoted for Holguín hotels are per person per night, with breakfast included. They also include transportation to the hotel from the Holguín airport, and from the hotel back to the Holguín airport, as well as transportation in an air-conditioned bus to the conference sessions in Guardalavaca. In Guardalavaca, location of most of the conference events: -Hotel Brisas Guardalavaca (****) Single 105.00 CUC; Shared Double 75.00 CUC -Hotel Atlántico Guardalavaca (***) Single 90.00 CUC; Shared Double 65.00 CUC Prices quoted for Guardalavaca hotels are per person per night, with all meals included. They also include transportation to the hotel from the Holguín airport, and from the hotel back to the Holguín airport. CUC = Convertible Cuban peso, please see "Money in Cuba" section below. Please be prepared to pay in cash on site for your hotel accommodations. MONEY IN CUBA International visitors pay for most things in Cuba using convertible Cuban pesos (CUC), which are exchanged within Cuba with hard currencies such as the euro, the UK pound and the Canadian dollar at a rate on par with the US dollar. US dollars no longer circulate in Cuba, and they are exchanged with an extra commission of 10%. It is therefore advisable to bring any cash you intend to bring with you in other currencies (Canadian dollars, euros, British pounds). It is advisable to bring new bills, in good condition. Cuban pesos cannot be obtained outside of Cuba, but you will find an exchange bureau at the airport. In additions, currency exchange is available at several banks and CADECAS (Casas de cambio) in the city of Holguín. The other currency that circulates in Cuba, the Cuban peso (moneda nacional) is not frequently used by international visitors. Visa credit cards and travelers cheques can be used to obtain cash at banks and currency exchange offices. Please note, however, that credit cards and travelers cheques issued by financial institutions based in the United States (e.g. American Express, Citibank) cannot be used in Cuba. Mastercard, for example, will not be accepted if issued by a US bank. TRAVEL TO HOLGUIN For people traveling to Cuba for the first time, the Lonely Planet guide is an excellent source of general information. Direct charter flights to the Holguín Frank País International Airport are available from major cities in Canada and Western Europe. Ask your travel agent for details, as schedules are often subject to changes. If it is not possible to get a convenient direct flight to Holguín, it will be necessary to fly to Havana and then travel to Holguín from there. Daily flights between Havana and Holguín are operated by Cubana de Aviación and Aerocaribbean. If your travel agent is unable to book Cuban domestic flights, Ruse Travel in London, Ontario, Canada, might be able to help you: rusetrvl@execulink.com. Train and bus (coach) travel between Havana and Holguín is possible, but the trip is long and the buses do not always operate on a daily basis. An overnight stay in Havana might be necessary if you are not flying directly to Holguín. Your travel agent can reserve you a room in a hotel. |