Mission Trip FAQs

While the ability to speak Spanish is helpful, it is not a requirement to join a mission trip to Cuba.  The team will have ample access to translators to engage those we meet.

We will wake up in the morning and go to bed at night – everything in between is constantly changing.  If you value arriving at a predetermined time for every activity, you may struggle on a trip.  If you value the activity, you will find the routine easy.  Moving around Cuba is difficult because the slightest problem may cause tremendous delays.  We need to be flexible and expect problems and shifts to our schedules.  This is normal for our hosts and those we visit.  Leaving early is frowned upon, but arriving late is rarely noticed.  A good reminder is that Americans have watches; Cubans have time.

The food in Cuba is very fresh and generally safe to eat.  Typical meals include rice, beans, eggs, fruit, vegetables, fish, chicken, and/or pork.  All the food is cooked well-done and generally safe to eat.  Using hand sanitizer or anti-bacterial wet wipes before eating is a good routine to help prevent illness.

A typical mission trip will cost between $2,500 and $3,000.  The budget for each trip is unique, but this range reflects past trips.  Payments are made to Atulado Ministries and are tax-deductible as a charitable donation.  You can also raise financial support for your trip.  Atulado will provide sample support letters you can use to personalize your message.  Full payment for the trip must be made two weeks before the departure date.

The real answer is as much as you want.  Practically speaking, most people pack luggage that fits in the overhead bin of the airplane and one backpack.  If you need to bring a larger suitcase, let the team leader know in advance, as each trip has a luggage plan.  A rule of thumb is to pack for your personality and take half.  This will be discussed during the pre-trip meetings, and a packing list will be provided to help you remember things you might want to bring.

You will only need as much cash as you expect to spend on souvenirs.  Generally speaking, souvenirs are not expensive, and most people spend less than $100.  You will need to pay for anything you buy at the airports in the United States as these costs are not included in the trip.

Atulado Ministries does not require proof of any vaccination to join a mission trip. Each team member makes their own decision on vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) is a valuable resource, and you may want to consult with your healthcare provider to determine what’s best for you. Cuba does not require proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test before arrival. The United States does not require a re-entry negative COVID-19 test for US citizens.

You do not need to obtain any Trusted Traveler program to travel on a mission trip.  If you choose one, the Global Entry program is recommended (https://ttp.dhs.gov/) as  it provides TSA Pre and Global Entry.  These programs can significantly reduce wait times on the U.S. side of Customs and Immigration.

You should pack all your prescription medications and keep them on you during travel, as checked bags can get lost or delayed.  You may want to pack extra daily doses in case your return travel is delayed for any reason.  As for over-the-counter medication, pack what you believe you need for the time we are away.  Examples may include pain relievers, antacids, anti-diarrhea, sleep aids, band-aids, sunscreen, mosquito repellant, topical antibiotic cream, or any other item you use regularly or occasionally. This is not a packing list; pack items you usually or may use and leave the rest at home.

Atulado Ministries is not focused on physical projects in Cuba.  Our ministry is better described as “being” rather than “doing.”  This means most of our time is spent visiting churches and leaders.  We listen to their stories, pray with them, and usually share a meal.  The days can be long.  We may walk up a steep hill to a church, and the heat is certainly a factor, but our trips are not physically strenuous.

Previous attendees quote church services as some of the most spiritual times during a mission trip.  As a team member, you will have no specific responsibility during a church service.  You will be asked to give your greetings to the church, which can be done in just a few words.  If you are led to do so, there will be opportunities to share your testimony or what God is doing in your life back home or at that moment.

Absolutely!  Gifts should not be expensive, and money should not be provided as a gift.  Bring photos of your family as people we meet will want to see your family, and a picture reminds them to pray for you and them.  Spanish language Christian devotionals or gently used clothing are always a good place to start.  For women, inexpensive bracelets, necklaces, make-up, nail polish, or earrings are well received.  Children enjoy any small toy or candy.  Useful gifts for men include razors or baseball hats.  Share your ideas during the pre-trip meetings.

The banking system in Cuba is not connected to the United States, therefore, you cannot use your credit card or ATM cards in Cuba.

Our minimum age is 18 years old.  With the consent of both parents, mature youths would be considered to join a team.

The comforting answer to this question is that it is safe in Cuba.  At the same time, this is a complicated question as there are many dependencies on safety, including our own actions.  We follow the lead of our in-country host, are prudent by wearing simple jewelry, are very discreet with any cash on hand, and apply the same common sense in Cuba that we exercise in our communities.

In general, United States citizens are not able to lawfully travel to Cuba. In order to legally travel to Cuba, people must qualify for travel under the rules provided by the United States Treasury. The type of travel Atulado Ministries does to Cuba is legal and abides by the rules set by the United States Treasury. As a volunteer, you would be able to travel to Cuba legally. There are no laws in Cuba, preventing U.S. travel to Cuba.

You will need a travel visa from Cuba which will be provided to you by Atulado Ministries.  You will need a valid passport which will not expire before six months after our scheduled return date.  For instance, if a trip is scheduled to return on February 28^th, your passport expiration date should be after September 1^st.

The water in Cuba is not safe to drink.  You can use it for showering, but not for drinking.  Since bottled water is plentiful, there is no need to drink the local water.  Also, avoid using ice, rinsing your toothbrush with water from the bathroom sink, and drinking fresh juice which has local water added to it.  You may want to consult with your healthcare provider about bringing an antibiotic such as Ciprofloxacin or Zithromax if you get what is commonly known as traveler’s diarrhea.

Cuba has public Wi-Fi, but it requires the purchase of a Wi-Fi access card.  During a trip, finding Wi-Fi and buying access cards is not part of the schedule.  If you need to connect, we generally use the hotspot provided by our Cuban hosts.  This has been adequate for critical needs.  If you frequent social media platforms, you should not expect this to be readily available.

As part of our preparation, we will have several pre-trip meetings to discuss all aspects of the trip, pray as a team, and answer any questions. These meetings may be virtual or in-person.

As part of the planning for the trip, you will be provided telephone numbers to reach you while in Cuba.  You need to be sure someone who may need to call Cuba has international dialing activated on their telephone.  They can also use WhatsApp to request you call them.

We communicate back home through a WhatsApp group. So, if a person is included in the group, they will get regular updates. All team members can type messages into the group chat offline, and they will be sent as our Cuban host can share their hotspot for a data connection.

Yes. Each person will be provided instructions for loading their photos on a website so we can all see every photo. The website is atuladotrips.smugmug.com, and you can see pictures from past trips.

Yes.  Sharing your experience is important.  That said, we need to be sure your postings are respectful and dignify the people or situations you are sharing.  A good place to start would be to ask yourself if you were in the photo and that was your situation, would you want it posted on social media?  Never post any information or opinions about the government of our host country.  Also, if you feel compelled, tag Atulado Ministries.  Tagging us helps us share the ministry with others interested in Cuba, a future mission trip, our stories, and more.  We also frequently use #WeAreAtulado and #atuladoministries on social media.