|
|
|
|
|
|
Print Version
|
|
TRAVEL REPORT
|
|
Last Updated: December 4, 2006 16:54
EST
Still Valid: December 8, 2006 22:40
EST
|
| Cuba |
|
|
|
1. INTRODUCTION
Section 2 of this Travel Report have been updated.
BACK TO TOP
2. ATTENTION
OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Canadians are encouraged to register with the responsible Canadian government office during the hurricane season, which runs from June 1st to November 30th. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form.
BACK TO TOP
3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
Theft of items from checked baggage at Cuban airports, particularly in Varadero, has increased dramatically. Bags are being systematically opened, ransacked, and items removed. Thefts are reported both on arrival and departure. Do not pack valuables in your checked luggage. Items most likely to disappear include, but are not limited to, electronics (especially digital cameras), jewellery and perfume. All bags are routinely x-rayed on arrival and departure, as part of normal local procedure.
There continues to be an increase in the number of Canadians who are victims of pickpocketing, theft and assault, especially in Havana (the neighbourhoods of Old Havana, Centro Havana, the Malecón, and Vedado), and on the beaches of Playas del Este and Varadero.
The autumn months of 2005 saw an increase in violent crime, including the stabbing death of a tourist. Exercise caution at all times, especially in tourist areas. Ensure personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times. Avoid wearing jewellery or showing signs of affluence. Incidents should be reported to local police, and victims should insist on receiving a copy of the report as police often only provide a slip of paper indicating that they took a statement on a certain date. Police officers may only speak Spanish. In cases where a Canadian has been robbed of all identification and money, it is advisable to contact the Embassy of Canada before contacting the police in order to avoid being held in jail until your identity is confirmed and your solvency restored.
Driving in Cuba is dangerous. Traffic accidents are one of the most frequent causes of the detention and trial of Canadians in Cuba, whether you are responsible for the accident or not. Accidents that result in death or injury are treated like crimes, and the onus is on the driver to prove innocence. Prison sentences can range from one to 10 years. Regardless of the nature of the crime or accident, it can take five months to a year for the case to go to trial. In most cases, you will not be allowed to leave Cuba until the trial has taken place.
BACK TO TOP
4. LOCAL TRAVEL
Canadians should avoid driving. Road travel can be hazardous. Signs are scarce. Bicycles, pedestrians, and horse-drawn carts use the middle of the road and do not readily give way to oncoming vehicles. Many vehicles are old and poorly maintained. Inoperable vehicles are often left on the road until repaired. Few roads are lit and vehicles rarely have lights or reflectors. If you must drive, drive defensively at all times and avoid driving after dark. The Autopista Central (national highway), which runs the length of the island, is generally in good condition. Other roads are generally poor.
Canadians should be cautious when renting a vehicle in Cuba. Although insurance is offered, coverage differs from that in Canada. If the traveller is in any way at fault in an accident, rental agencies will nullify coverage and seek damages to cover the cost of repairs. Contract agreements do not cover occasional drivers and the signatory is responsible for all people driving the vehicle. Rental agencies are government-controlled and can prevent your departure from the country unless payment is obtained. Charges associated with accidents can range in the thousands of U.S. dollars.
Cubana operates leased Airbus 320 aircraft on its routes between Canada and Cuba; however, older Russian aircraft are still used for domestic flights. The Viazul bus company runs a good-quality intercity service. City buses are infrequent and overcrowded.
Tour companies offer good bus service between airports and the all-inclusive resorts. Buses used for organized day trips from hotels are also in good condition. However, buses tend to be driven at high speed along narrow roads crowded with slower horse-drawn carriages and bikes. The highway between the Guardalavaca hotels and the Holguín airport is particularly worrisome in this respect.
BACK TO TOP
5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
The hurricane season extends from June to the end of November. You are advised to visit the Web site of the National Hurricane Center for information on weather conditions.
Flooding can occur during this period. Transportation, utilities, emergency and medical care, as well as food, fuel, and water supplies, may be disrupted. Canadians should monitor local weather reports, avoid disaster areas, and contact the Embassy of Canada in Havana (see below) if they require assistance. Travellers should check with their travel agent or tour operator to confirm their travel plans prior to departure, and ensure they leave a detailed copy of their plans (including dates of travel, itinerary, hotel name and location, etc.) with a family member, friend and/or work contact. This will facilitate the Embassy’s ability to locate Canadians should disaster strike.
BACK TO TOP
6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Cuba have a treaty that permits a Canadian imprisoned in Cuba to request a transfer to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Cuban authorities and takes over a year to execute.
Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.
Consular officials may not be granted access to detained Canadians for delayed periods of up to 21 days following their arrest. Canadian consular officials will be accompanied by Cuban authorities during visits with Canadians who have been arrested or detained.
Under the Cuban judicial system, charges are not laid until the investigation is complete, and you may be jailed during the entire period of investigation.
Crimes such as drug trafficking, corruption of minors, rape, and assisting in illegal migration of people from another country to a third country are punishable by long prison sentences. Although Cuba retains the death penalty, it has to date never been used on a foreigner. Drinking and driving is against the law.
Cuba is actively seeking to prevent child sex tourism, and a number of tourists, including Canadians, have been convicted of offences related to the corruption of minors. The legal age of consent in Cuba is 16. As in Canada, there is no allowance for a child who "looks" mature. Prison sentences range from 7 to 25 years. Release on bail before trial is unlikely. Please see our publication entitled What No Child Should Endure for further information on the risks of committing this form of sexual abuse abroad.
Travellers may be approached and offered black-market goods (e.g. cigars) or asked to change dollars for Cuban convertible pesos. Engaging in black-market transactions is illegal and can lead to difficulties with the Cuban authorities. Never transport packages for strangers. Pack all luggage yourself.
It is forbidden to leave Cuba with illegally bought langoustes (spiny lobsters). Authorities can impose fines of thousands of dollars for a few kilograms of lobster, and you will be required to pay before leaving the country.
Visitors should avoid military zones and any other restricted or heavily guarded areas. These are not always identified. Photographing military or police installations or personnel, or harbour, rail, and airport facilities is forbidden.
Marriage to a Cuban citizen does not guarantee your spouse immediate access to Canada. Immigration visas will take at least 10 months to process and you must initiate the sponsorship in Canada. For additional information, consult with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (Web site: www.cic.gc.ca / e-mail: havan-immigration@international.gc.ca).
You should also be aware that marrying a Cuban does not automatically entitle you to live with your spouse in Cuba, even for just a few days during your vacation. You must purchase the appropriate family-class visa so that you are properly registered with local authorities. Your loved one can be fined - or even jailed - if you do not follow the rules. Tourists are not allowed to invite Cuban nationals to their hotel room (even if they are married) unless they have the family-class visa mentioned above. Cubans accompanying foreign visitors, especially in bars and hotels, may be asked for identification papers and denied entry.
Canadians wishing to marry a Cuban in Cuba require the following documents:
a) valid passport and the visa or tourist card;
b) birth certificate translated into Spanish and legalized at the Cuban Embassy in the country of issuance (in case of Canadians born outside Canada, please contact the Cuban Embassy in Canada (see below) or the Consultoria Jurídica Internacional (tel.: 537-204-2490; 537-204-2437 / fax: 537-204-2303 / e-mail: cji@cm.cu);
c) certificate or affidavit of single status; or certificate of divorce; or certificate of marriage and certificate of spouse's death.
These documents must be legalized and authenticated, translated into typewritten Spanish, without errors or corrections, and then forwarded to the Cuban Embassy or Consulate in Canada for legalization and authentication. Regardless of the date of legalization and authentication, a certificate or affidavit of single status is valid for six months from the date of issuance. You should ensure that the certificate has not expired prior to the date of marriage. For further information, please contact the Cuban Embassy or Consulate.
Two Canadians who have never been married before need to present the following documents to be married in Cuba:
a) valid passport; and b) the tourist card obtained upon arrival.
If either of the Canadians has been married before, in addition to a valid passport and tourist card, he or she must produce the following documents:
a) if divorced, certificate of divorce;
b) if widowed, certificate of marriage and the spouse's death certificate.
Furthermore, these certificates must be legalized and authenticated by Canadian authorities, translated into typewritten Spanish, without errors or corrections, and then forwarded to the Cuban Embassy or Consulate in Canada for legalization and authentication.
According to section 22 of Canada's Divorce Act, a foreign divorce is valid in Canada if that foreign divorce meets the following criteria:
a) one of the spouses must have been resident in the legal jurisdiction where the divorce is obtained for at least one year prior to commencing the procedure for obtaining the divorce; and
b) the party granting the divorce must have the legal jurisdiction to do so (i.e. be a person officially designated to grant divorces in that place).
BACK TO TOP
7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:
Cuba - HAVANA, Embassy of Canada
Address: Calle 30, No. 518 esquina a 7ma, Miramar, Havana, Cuba
Postal Address: Havana, Cuba
Tel.: (53-7) 204-2516
Fax: (53-7) 204-2044
E-mail: havan-cs@international.gc.ca
Internet: www.havana.gc.ca
Cuba - GUARDALAVACA, Consulate of Canada
Address: Hotel Atlantico, Suite 1, Guardalavaca, Holguín, Cuba
Tel.: (53-24) 30-320
Fax: (53-24) 30-321
Cuba - VARADERO, Consulate of Canada
Address: Calle 13 e/Avenida Primera y Camino del Mar, Varadero, Matanzas, Cuba
Postal Address: Varadero, Cuba
Tel.: 53 (45) 61-2078
Fax: 53 (45) 66-7395
For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Havana and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885 or e-mail sos@international.gc.ca. To call collect from Cuba dial 012 to reach a local operator. Advise operator that a recorded message will indicate that collect calls are accepted.
BACK TO TOP
8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with Cuban authorities and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on December 7, 2005. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.
Foreign Affairs Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Cuba. We recommend that the passport be valid for at least one week beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. In order to avoid problems you should also: (1) carry a tourist card or a business or student visa; (2) always have a return air ticket; and (3) have evidence of sufficient funds for the duration of your stay.
Visitors are prohibited from undertaking business activities when travelling on a tourist visa. Anyone planning to do business must have the appropriate Cuban business visa. Business visa applicants can request that the visa be stamped (1) in their passport; or (2) on a separate business visa card.
Tourist visa or tourist card: Required
Business visa: Required
Student visa: Required
Cuban tourist cards are generally provided by tour operators or airlines, or can be obtained from a Cuban government office in Canada in the case of privately organized flights. A tourist visa is required if you plan to stay at a private residence.
There is a mandatory departure tax of CUC 25 payable only in Cuban convertible pesos.
____________________________________________________
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
Children under the age of 18 who are not accompanied by an adult or who are travelling with only one parent or an adult other than their legal guardian are recommended to have a letter from their parents, the other parent, their guardian or custodial parent that authorizes the travel. For an example of a certified consent letter, visit the Children and Travel section of our Web site.
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.
Canadian tourists who were born in Canada may stay in Cuba for up to six months, and will have to check in with immigration authorities prior to the 90th day of their stay to apply for an extension. Canadian tourists who were born outside of Canada can be treated differently by Cuban officials and may be informed that they can only stay for 30 days, even though they are travelling on a Canadian passport.
Dual citizens (of Canada and some other country) may have difficulty entering Canada with their non-Canadian passport and proof of Canadian citizenship if a visa is required for their non-Canadian passport. Canadian citizens will not be given a visa for their non-Canadian passport. The citizenship card is not a travel document and has few security features to prevent tampering. A valid Canadian passport is required to return to Canada.
Cuba insists that Cuban-Canadians re-enter Cuba on their Cuban passport. They must also show a valid Canadian passport in order to return to Canada. Cuba does not recognize dual citizenship, and under its laws anyone born in Cuba is considered to be a Cuban citizen while in Cuba. Cuba will not accept passports that do not indicate the place of birth. Under Cuban law, the Government of Canada cannot provide consular services to Canadian nationals or to permanent residents with Cuban citizenship. Further information may be obtained from the nearest Cuban government office in Canada.
Please note that if you choose to enter Cuba on your non-Canadian passport, you will be officially considered a citizen of that country by Cuban authorities.
Anyone born in Cuba (regardless of current citizenship or any other factors) should contact the closest Cuban diplomatic mission (see above) to ensure compliance with Cuban regulations. Failure to do so may result in travellers being refused departure by immigration authorities until they are satisfied that all requirements have been met.
People residing in the United States, including Canadian citizens, are subject to U.S. laws regarding travel to Cuba. According to U.S. law, residents are prohibited from spending money (in any currency) relating to Cuban travel unless they are licensed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Furthermore, they can be fined if they travel to Cuba and get caught without a licence from the OFAC. For more information about the Cuban sanctions program, contact the OFAC, U.S. Department of the Treasury, at (202) 622-2520 (Washington, D.C.) or (305) 810-5140 (Miami). The OFAC also operates a free automated fax-on-demand service that can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at (202) 622-0077.
The U.S. government has announced that it will closely monitor boat traffic in the Straits of Florida and that officials will seize any vessel without an OFAC licence if they believe it is headed for Cuba. Canadians who dock their Canadian-registered boats in Florida are subject to these measures, whereas those Canadian boats simply en route to Cuba via the U.S. will be exempt. Expect to be thoroughly searched and questioned if you are in the latter category.
Due to a continuing spate of thefts from luggage, including locked suitcases, valuables should be removed prior to check-in at all airports. To reduce tampering with your luggage, use airport shrink-wrap facilities, which are available at a nominal charge.
Tourists are allowed to enter Cuba with a maximum of 20 kg of personal effects, duty-free. Personal effects include new or used articles reasonably needed for a holiday, sports equipment, jewellery, one camera with five rolls of film, one small-mm movie camera with two rolls of film, one video camera, one digital camera, one pair of binoculars, one portable musical instrument, one portable sound recording device, one portable radio receiver and one personal mini-computer (laptop). For further details, consult the Web site for the General Customs of the Republic of Cuba.
Tourists may bring to Cuba, duty-free, 10 kg of medicine and presents worth up to US$50. Tourists to Cuba often bring items for donation to Cuban friends, families, schools, churches, etc. It should be noted that Cuban customs may seize anything that they do not consider to be for the tourist's personal use. Donations of all types over the above limits, whether by individuals, companies, organizations, or businesses, must be coordinated through the Cuban Embassy in Ottawa (see below), which in turn will coordinate with the one agency in Cuba that handles donations: ICAP (Instituto Cubano de Amistad con los Pueblos, tel.: 537-55-2400; 537-55-2414 and 537-55-2420/ e-mail: tramites@icap.cu).
Articles prohibited from entry into Cuba include, but are not limited to, walkie-talkies, satellite phones, hand-held GPS equipment, televisions, VCRs, DVD players, freezers, air conditioners, stoves, water heaters, electric frying pans, toasters, and irons (i.e. any item that draws heavily on electricity). Fresh fruits and vegetables and pornographic material are prohibited as well. Such items are routinely seized on arrival, without compensation.
You may export up to 23 cigars without producing any receipts. If you exceed that amount, you will have to show the official receipt upon leaving. The cigars must still be in their original boxes with all official seals, including the new holographic seal. Art objects (including artifacts and paintings) purchased in Cuba must be accompanied by an export permit. State-owned galleries will usually provide customers with the document. Otherwise, items must be registered with the Registro Nacional de Bienes Culturales, Calle 17 #1009 e/10 y 12, Vedado, Tel. (53-7) 833-9658.
BACK TO TOP
9. MONEY
The Cuban convertible peso (CUC) is the sole currency accepted for payment of goods and services. It is no longer at par with the US dollar. Foreign currency can be exchanged at Cadeca exchange houses, found in Cuba’s international airports and in urban areas, as well as in banks and major hotels. Exchange of U.S. currency is subject to a 10% fee in addition to the exchange rate difference. Canadian currency (cash and traveller’s cheques – with the exception of American Express) may be exchanged for CUCs without the 10% fee. Keep receipts for the traveller’s cheques separate.CUCs can be exchanged for U.S. dollars (and Canadian dollars, if available) at international airports before leaving the country. It is not possible to exchange CUCs outside of Cuba. Credit cards issued by American financial institutions are not accepted. American Express cards are not accepted, regardless of the country of issuance Credit cards are accepted in major establishments; however, the amount will be charged in U.S. dollars, with an exchange fee charged (at present, approximately 11.24%) on top of the CUC amount. Visa or MasterCard holders may obtain cash advances (in CUCs or U.S. dollars) at banks, hotels or Cadeca exchange houses. In Havana, cash advances in CUCs from Visa cards can be obtained from the ATM machines located in the Miramar Trade Centre and in the following hotels: Parque Central, Melia Cohiba, Nacional. In Varadero, ATMs are located in the Plaza America and at banks. Debit cards are not accepted. Canadian money transfers are not accepted by Western Union in Cuba. If you use an ATM, do so during business hours at a location inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.
BACK TO TOP
10. GENERAL INFORMATION
Cuba (capital: Havana) is the largest and most westerly Caribbean island of the Greater Antilles group. It is located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Florida. The official language is Spanish. Basic English and, to a lesser degree, French, are spoken in most resorts, hotels, and areas frequented by tourists. Unscheduled electric power surges and outages are common. Most tourist resorts are equipped with generators.
Telephone communication is a problem. Calls are often not answered, even at major institutions. Technical problems also exist. Calls may be connected to a different number than the one dialled. It often takes persistence to place a call to another city (particularly after rain). Reliable cellphone service is available in most major cities. Canadians can use their own cellphone as long as it is compatible with American standards. Arrange for cell phone service with Cubacel, Calle 28 # 510, Miramar, Havana, tel.: 880-2222, Web site: www.cubacel.com (Spanish only).
BACK TO TOP
11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) continuously monitors the global dengue situation. Dengue fever (DF) is an acute viral illness that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. PHAC reminds travellers that dengue fever is common in many tropical and subtropical parts of the world. Travellers who visit countries where dengue is endemic (i.e., common) should be aware that the risk of contracting dengue fever exists year-round and that outbreaks can occur at any time. For more information on this disease as well as related recommendations, see PHAC’s website.
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.
BACK TO TOP
12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
There have been recent indications of a serious increase in the incidence of dengue fever in some areas of Cuba. The cities of Havana, Santiago, Ciego de Avila, Santi Spiritus and Las Tunas are among the most affected regions. Cuban public health authorities are undertaking extensive insect control measures, including fumigation and aerial spraying. The chemicals used can cause discomfort until they disperse, and people are advised to close windows and doors if fumigation is being carried out nearby. Residents and travellers are advised to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves from contracting dengue fever by using a mosquito repellent containing DEET and avoiding swampy or low-lying areas where mosquitoes are more prevalent. Physical barriers such as mosquito nets, long-sleeved shirts and other physical protection are also recommended. People experiencing flu-like symptoms (loss of energy, fever, aching joints and muscles) are advised to seek medical attention immediately. As the incubation period for dengue can be up to 8 days, travellers returning from Cuba who experience dengue-like symptoms within one week of their return are cautioned to seek medical attention and advise their physician that they have recently returned from a dengue-affected region.
Cuba has good medical services, although basic medicine and equipment are sometimes not available.
The Cira García Hospital (Calle 20, No. 4191, corner of Av. 41 and Playa; tel.: 204-2668 or 204-2489) offers health services reserved for foreigners. Guarantee of payment must be provided in advance. Other hospitals in Havana with wards for foreigners include Hermanos Amejeiras (San Lázaro, No. 701, Centro Habana; tel.: 877-6072 and 873-2934); Comandante Manuel Fajardo (Zapata y D. Vedado; tel.: 55-2466 and 33-3701), which has the only psychiatric ward for foreigners. International Servimed clinics provide emergency medical care and are located in most major tourist areas around the island.
Registered drug users must ascertain whether or not those drugs are prohibited in Cuba. As pharmacies sometimes run out of stock, visitors should bring basic medicine, particularly if travelling to outlying areas.
Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. Some insurance companies take a lot of time to pay hospital bills, and you may not be able to leave the country until your hospital bill is paid. If this happens, you will have to pay the bill yourself, get a detailed invoice, and complete the claim once in Canada. Please see section 16 for more information.
BACK TO TOP
13. RETURNING TO CANADA
Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.
BACK TO TOP
14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.
BACK TO TOP
15. TRAVEL TIPS
Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.
BACK TO TOP
16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.
BACK TO TOP
17. FOR MORE INFORMATION
N/A
BACK TO TOP
18. ANNEX
N/A
BACK TO TOP
|
|
