Register your interest for the next Brigade!
| Information Booklet and Registration Form |
The 2025-26 Southern Cross Brigade will be the 41st edition of our solidarity tour. It will run from approximately the 21st of December 2025 until 9 January 2026 (dates TBC).
Details will be confirmed over the coming months, however the next Brigade will join an International Brigade celebrating 65 years of the Institute for Friendship Amongst People (ICAP). We expect to spend time in Havana and Matanzas, as well as other locations yet to be confirmed. 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.
For the 41st Brigade, you can expect a cost of around $2,500AUD (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, however the next Brigade will join an International Brigade celebrating 65 years of the Institute for Friendship Amongst People (ICAP). We expect to spend time in Havana and Matanzas, as well as other locations yet to be confirmed. 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.
For the 41st Brigade, you can expect a cost of around $2,500AUD (excluding flights) for all Brigade accommodation, basic food and travel expenses, plus the registration fee of $250AUD.
Registration
Registration for the 41st Southern Cross Brigade are not yet open.
To get yourself prepared, please contact us and read the information booklet.
To get yourself prepared, please contact us and read the information booklet.
Costs
The cost of the 41st 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 should 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 should 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
Cuba has introduced an e-visa system for tourists from Australia and New Zealand. Information on applying for an e-visa can be found here.
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.
Travel insurance is available for purchase upon arrival in Cuba, however it will only be applicable to your time in the country.
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.
Travel insurance is available for purchase upon arrival in Cuba, however it will only be applicable to your time in the country.
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.