Register for 2025!
| Information Booklet and Registration Form |
The 2025 Southern Cross Brigade will be the 40th edition of our solidarity tour. It will run from the 4th through 22nd of January 2025 (inclusive).
Details will be confirmed over the coming months, to travel to Havana, the Island of Youth, Pinar Del Río and other parts of the country, staying at the Korimakao Art Community on the way. You will spend time with local groups, in art communities, visiting schools and hospitals, and much more! Please express your interest via the contact form.
You can formally register via the registration form at the end of the 2025 information booklet. Only complete the registration form once you have read the information booklet.
For the 40th Brigade, you can expect a cost of around $2,5000AUD (excluding flights) for all Brigade accommodation, basic food and travel expenses, plus the registration fee of $250AUD.
Details will be confirmed over the coming months, to travel to Havana, the Island of Youth, Pinar Del Río and other parts of the country, staying at the Korimakao Art Community on the way. You will spend time with local groups, in art communities, visiting schools and hospitals, and much more! Please express your interest via the contact form.
You can formally register via the registration form at the end of the 2025 information booklet. Only complete the registration form once you have read the information booklet.
For the 40th Brigade, you can expect a cost of around $2,5000AUD (excluding flights) for all Brigade accommodation, basic food and travel expenses, plus the registration fee of $250AUD.
Registration
You can formally register via the registration form at the end of the 2025 information booklet.
Only complete the registration form once you have contacted us and read the information booklet.
Only complete the registration form once you have contacted us and read the information booklet.
Costs
The cost of the 40th Brigade will be approximately $2,500AUD plus the $250AUD deposit upon registration.
The cost paid to the Southern Cross Brigade does not cover international flights, visas or travel and health insurance. These aspects of your travel must be arranged separately.
Each brigadista must also budget for personal spending money. The cost of the Brigade covers all basic necessities, however we recommend that each brigadista bring a minimum of $AU500 spending money in a suitable currency for snacks, drinks, toiletries, souvenirs, personal outings and optional activities. Please bring enough extra cash to suit your travel style – for many, $500 will not be enough. We have found that most brigadistas spend approximately $1,000 on extras.
A total budget of $7,000AUD per person will be very adequate for the journey.
Please ensure you arrive with Euros. The Australia Cuba Friendship Society recommends that you avoid bringing US dollars. You cannot use or change Australian or New Zealand currency in Cuba.
The cost paid to the Southern Cross Brigade does not cover international flights, visas or travel and health insurance. These aspects of your travel must be arranged separately.
Each brigadista must also budget for personal spending money. The cost of the Brigade covers all basic necessities, however we recommend that each brigadista bring a minimum of $AU500 spending money in a suitable currency for snacks, drinks, toiletries, souvenirs, personal outings and optional activities. Please bring enough extra cash to suit your travel style – for many, $500 will not be enough. We have found that most brigadistas spend approximately $1,000 on extras.
A total budget of $7,000AUD per person will be very adequate for the journey.
Please ensure you arrive with Euros. The Australia Cuba Friendship Society recommends that you avoid bringing US dollars. You cannot use or change Australian or New Zealand currency in Cuba.
Flights
We advise booking your flights as early as possible, as flights to Cuba around the Christmas period can be expensive and fill fast.
Do not travel to Cuba via the US. The United States - against the advice of former government officials and US lawyers - continues to place Cuba on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. Australians and New Zealanders who travel to Cuba are barred from gaining a US ESTA (visa waiver) in perpetuity.
Do not travel to Cuba via the US. The United States - against the advice of former government officials and US lawyers - continues to place Cuba on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. Australians and New Zealanders who travel to Cuba are barred from gaining a US ESTA (visa waiver) in perpetuity.
Visas
E-Visas are being implemented in Cuba shortly. We will keep you up-to-date on the implementation as it develops.
Australians and New Zealanders who wish to travel to Cuba must obtain a visa from the Cuban Embassy in their respective country. As a brigadista, you are being invited to Cuba by ICAP, a Cuban government body. However, you will still have to apply for a Tourist Visa. Minors must have their own Tourist Visa.
The Tourist Visa can be used within one year of issue. However, once you enter Cuba, the visa is valid for a stay of 90 days.
For Australians: For more information, please phone the Cuban Embassy on (02) 6290 2151 or visit their website and find the application links for the Tourist Card on the right hand side of your screen.
For New Zealanders: For more information, please phone the Cuban Embassy on (04) 464 2210 or visit their website and find the application links for the Tourist Card on the right hand side of your screen.
Please also remember that you may need a transit visa for the country you will be travelling through on your way to Cuba. This is the case for those travelling through Canada, the USA and a selection of other countries.
Australians and New Zealanders who wish to travel to Cuba must obtain a visa from the Cuban Embassy in their respective country. As a brigadista, you are being invited to Cuba by ICAP, a Cuban government body. However, you will still have to apply for a Tourist Visa. Minors must have their own Tourist Visa.
The Tourist Visa can be used within one year of issue. However, once you enter Cuba, the visa is valid for a stay of 90 days.
For Australians: For more information, please phone the Cuban Embassy on (02) 6290 2151 or visit their website and find the application links for the Tourist Card on the right hand side of your screen.
For New Zealanders: For more information, please phone the Cuban Embassy on (04) 464 2210 or visit their website and find the application links for the Tourist Card on the right hand side of your screen.
Please also remember that you may need a transit visa for the country you will be travelling through on your way to Cuba. This is the case for those travelling through Canada, the USA and a selection of other countries.
Travel and Medical Insurance
Since 2010, it has been a requirement of entry into Cuba that all travellers, both foreigners and Cubans living abroad, have medical insurance.
To ensure that you comply with this requirement, you will need to have a travel insurance policy with a non-US company that covers medical expenses in Cuba.
If you need help finding appropriate insurance, please contact us.
To ensure that you comply with this requirement, you will need to have a travel insurance policy with a non-US company that covers medical expenses in Cuba.
If you need help finding appropriate insurance, please contact us.
Information Sessions
Information sessions on the Brigade are run in many regional centres across Australia and New Zealand throughout the year. Please contact us to get in touch with your regional brigade coordinator, who can tell you more about the Brigade and let you know about any upcoming information sessions.