There are more than 100 licensed travel service providers in the United States; almost all offer charter flights and packages. Some of these operators arrange well-organized escorted general-interest tours. A couple of the best and most reputable are:
- ABC Charters (tel. 305/263-6829; www.abc-charters.com) is an excellent travel service provider and charter company based in Miami.
- Tico Travel (tel. 800/493-8426 in the U.S. or Canada, or 954/493-8426; www.destinationcuba.com) is a dependable company with operations throughout much of Latin America.
From Canada
In addition to the agencies listed below, Canadian travelers and others using Canada as a gateway can check directly with Air Transat Holidays (tel. 866/322-6649 in the U.S. and Canada; www.airtransatholidays.com), the tour agency arm of one of the principal charter flight companies to Cuba.
- Sol Meliá Cuba (www.solmeliacuba.ca) is the Canadian-based tour agency arm of the Sol Meliá company.
- Signature Travel (tel. 866/324-2883; www.signaturevacations.com) is the largest tour and package operator in Canada, with offices in Burnaby, Mississauga, Montreal, and Winnipeg.
From the U.K.
- Cuba Welcome (tel. 020/7731-6871; www.cubawelcome.com) is a good U.K.-based operator with a knowledgeable and dependable operation on the ground in Cuba.
- Regent Holidays (tel. 0845/277-33661; www.regent-cuba.com) is the specialized Cuba unit of this U.K. tour operator.
- Journey Latin America (tel. 020/8747-3108; www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk) is a large U.K.-based operator for trips throughout the hemisphere, with often very good deals on airfare.
- Cuba Direct (tel. 0844/415-5510; www.cubadirect.co.uk) is a good Cuban-owned operator running a variety of tours.
- Thomas Cook (tel. 0870/750-5711; www.thomascook.com) is a major U.K.-based operator for trips around the world, with excellent operations in Cuba.
From Australia & New Zealand
- Caribbean Bound (tel. 02/9267-2555; www.caribbean.com.au) is a specialist in travel throughout the Caribbean.
- Caribbean Destinations (tel. 03/9571-3744; www.caribbeanislands.com.au) is another Australian-based specialist in travel throughout the Caribbean.
Cuba-Based Agencies
- Cubalinda (tel. 7/836-4062; www.cubalinda.com) is an excellent agency that provides hands-on service and is especially adept at helping nonlicensed U.S. travelers understand and work with the various options open to them.
- Cuba Welcome (tel. 020/7731-6871 in the U.K.; or Office 608, Bacardi Building, Calle Monserrate, La Habana Vieja, tel. 7/863-3885 in Cuba; www.cubawelcome.com) is a U.K.-based operator that has an excellent operation on the ground in Cuba.
For more information on escorted general-interest tours, including questions to ask before booking your trip, see www.frommers.com/planning.
