Obtaining Cuban Visa from Cuban Consulate in Cancun, Mexico

We obtained ours from the Cuban Consulate in Cancun. It took around a couple hours, including travel from the Hotel Zone.

Before Traveling : First reach out to the Consulate via Email providing details of your trip –Link. Provide details of your visit, like where and when are you entering and exiting etc. They will respond to you within a day or so, asking you to share with them copies of your Hotel Reservation,  Roundtrip flight tickets, Bank Statments/Credit Card and Passport. Then a day or two before the flight you can visit them (9 am to 1pm, Monday to Friday) to receive your visa. Carry the same as hardcopies with you and couple of Passport Photographs.

During the Visit : The Cuban consulate can be located on Google maps and is best reached via a Taxi. Ring the bell and state your purpose so that they’ll let you in. Once in, there is just a waiting room and a counter. Approach the counter window and they will provide you a form to fill. Complete the form, return it to them with Photograph and Passport in original. If they have trouble locating your documents sent earlier by mail, handover the hardcopies. After 15-20 minutes, they will give you the Visa, upon which you have to make the payment in Mexican Pesos (~365 MXPs then pp, changes as per FX). That’s it! You get the same Tarjet de Turista Card, with your details typed in and an Official Seal of the Consulate.

Obtaining Cuban Visa from Cuban Embassy in New Delhi, India

If you are planning to fly in to Cuba from India, then you must obtain the same Visa from the Cuban Embassy in New Delhi. I do not have experience, but basis my email exchange with the Embassy ( the process was explained as follows :

The passengers require a visa before they arrive to Cuba.They should process the visa from one month to one week before the date you will be traveling.Our requirements to apply for a tourist visa are:

• Valid passport
• Visa application form duly filled and a passport photo.
• Reservation confirmed of hotel or house authorized for rent at least per 3 days.
• Roundtrip e-ticket. Going from India and coming back to India

For citizen from India, Bangladesh and Nepal also it is necessary to present:

• Notarized affidavit in which the person declares that only visit Cuba for tourism purposes and not for other activities
• Bank statement showing that the person has enough money to spend inCuba.

Cash payment of 8400.00 rupees if the person uses an agency for the visa processing or 6400.00 rupees if the person comes in. If you apply one day the next day you will have the visa, only if all the documents are correct

To find out the requirements of business visas, work, events, diplomats, journalists you should call to 9821495450

If you need any travel agency to send us documents from anywhere in India you may contact Mr. Nilesh Dhamelia whose contact details are as follows:

Rohan Travels, 501, Competent House, F-Block, Middle Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi-01.(M)+91-9811-52-9464 or +91-9350-059446

It is advised you check with the Consulate for the exact process before planning the trip. Above is purely based on our experience in Jan 2017.

Even if you have the above visa, you might be stopped at the Immigration and questioned. This is normal. They will ask you why are you here, for how long, where are you staying, where are you going next etc. But once they get these answers and see that you have the visa from the consulate, they will let you enter with a smile

Please do post a comment below if you have any Questions.

If you have a Driving Licence issued in any Indian state, that has English script and Photograph, then you can use it to rent cars and drive them in many countries abroad! We have driven successfully in Turkey, Jordan, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Mexico.

The moment you saw the photos of that magical landscape in the Travel Magazine, you knew you had to visit that place! Following months of planning and preparation, the much awaited day of vacation arrives. After a flight or two and some long hours by road, you finally reach your dream destination. You find it exactly like in the photos you saw and stand in awe at natures beauty. You take out your brand new DSLR and go shutter crazy. Then you come back, and eagerly browse the photos to upload in Social Media and share with friends and family. That is when you get the ultimate realisation – the photos you clicked of that magical location, pale in comparison (literally) to the photos you saw in the magazine and the image you have in your memory! Have you ever felt like this ? We did multiple times. So we did some research and found a way to bring photos alive!

High Dynamic Range (HDR)

Borrowing from Wikipedia – High-dynamic-range imaging (HDRI) is a  technique used in photography to reproduce a greater dynamic range of luminosity than is possible with standard photographic techniques. The aim is to present a similar range of luminance to that experienced through the human visual system. The human eye, through adaptation of the iris and other methods, adjusts constantly to adapt to a broad range of luminance present in the environment. The brain continuously interprets this information so that a viewer can see in a wide range of light conditions.HDR images can represent a greater range of luminance levels than can be achieved using more ‘traditional’ methods, such as many real-world scenes containing very bright, direct sunlight to extreme shade.

So basically, HDR Imaging helps recreate an image, similar to what you see with your eyes.  It has wider range of highlights and shadows, giving it more vibrance. Most DSLR Cameras cannot do this processing, from a single image taken in JPEG format.

Here is an example.This is the photo of the train Andean Explorer at La Raya station high in the Andes Mountains of Peru (Read more in Luxury on Wheels). Clicked with Canon 1200D.

If you have seen it in real life, like us, you’ll feel that this is barely a reproduction. Now see below –

Now we are talking! The above is a High Dynamic Range image, and is very close (slightly more visually dramatic) than what we experienced.

How do you create one ? Simple. You capture the scene in 3 different exposures (Or one image in RAW format), and combine the three with the help of a Software in your computer. That’s it! Here are more details of the same.

Step 1 : Prepare your DSLR Camera for Auto-Exposure-Bracketing (AEB).

Taking images in 3 exposures without changing the frame of vision is not easy – unless you have a Tripod. However, you can’t take that everywhere, nor it is practical to change setting after each image. So you rely on your camera to do it for you automatically. In your Camera settings find the option for Exposure Compensation and adjust AEB to take images corresponding to 0, +2 & -2 exposure. Then select continuous shooting option for taking pictures.

For Canon DSLR users, refer to this guide – How to use Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB)

Step 2 : Compose your image and click three times with minimal movement

Compose your image first. HDR works best when there is minimal movement in frame. The images are superimposed one over the other in the software and it will compensate for minimal variations to align, but cant do much beyond that. So unless you want ghost images or further processing , stick to stationary frames.

If you have Continuous shooting enabled, keep the shutter clicked till 3 images are shot by the Camera. Otherwise, click 3 times. It will first shoot the Normal Exposure image, Darker One followed by the Brighter one. Note that this setting remains in Canon Cameras till you either switch it off or disable it. If you take one image, change the frame and click another photo after first click, it will become dark. So be careful!

Step 3 : Load images in Computer and use Imaging Software to create HDR Image

Transfer images to your PC/Laptop. If you have Mac, the best software for HDR is Aurora HDR, which I use. Otherwise you can use Photoshop, which is a bit more complex.

After installing Aurora HDR in Mac, Open the three Images, click on Create HDR. 

Load the 3 images with varying exposures.

Select Align and Click to create HDR. After a few seconds, you get the following.

You can use the many Preset settings or adjust on your own to create desired effect.

If you are a Windows user, the option is Photoshop. The three steps, though not simple as above are as follows :

1. Go to File -> Automate -> Merge to HDR Pro
2. Select the 3 Files to Merge and set the Exposures
3. Adjust Settings to get desired results (Try Presets first)

Unfortunately, I do not have success yet in reproducing the same effect as Aurora HDR using Photoshop, but you can do more research and try, as the Basic concept is the same.

Here are some of our Favourite HDR images.

Passport

Your Passport serves as the Primary travel document and is required to be submitted to the Consulate or Embassy in most cases (Except for Online Visas in certain cases). Few points to ensure smooth processing. While some are mandatory, others ensure hassle free processing.

-> Passport should not be damaged. Ensure that there is no handwritten observations.
-> At least 6 months of Validity and 2 Blank Pages remaining to process Visas/Entries
-> If married and traveling together, Spouse Name is present in each other’s passport
-> Passport Address is within jurisdiction of Consulate where you are submitting application*

*- Countries having multiple consulates/Visa Processing centres in the country accept applications for individuals residing within its designated jurisdiction (Ex : Mumbai for Maharashtra, Gujarat etc). If the address in you Passport is outside that, then you might need to produce 1 or 2 address proofs. Most commonly accepted documents where your name and current address is present – Rent Agreement, Mobile/Landline/Electricity/Gas Bill, Driving License etc

Application form

Most Visa applications require an application form to be filled. We prefer to download the latest version directly from the Consulate/Embassy Website. Mostly the same would be in PDF format, and can be filled electronically and printed. This helps reduce mistakes and ensures readability. Each Application form requires more or less same information, but the fields would be presented in different ways. You must ensure the information you fill here matches exactly with the one in your Passport and Supporting documents!

Photograph

While Visa Processing centres for UK and USA have arrangements for taking photos, most applications require you to submit a recent Passport Size photograph complying to their specification. Best is to obtain the Digital Copy of the Raw image clicked from the studio and use it each time to print copies as needed.

Proof of entry & exit

Many consulates demand Proof of entry and exit from their nation. In most cases this would be a confirmed return flight ticket reservation. This is issued by your Travel Agent (Online or Offline) with Flight Details, Date/Time, Passenger Name and Reservation number. If you have not made up your mind, but you need to show this, you can request a Travel agent and they can help in issuing a temporary ticket which will serve this purpose for a small fee. If you are arriving or exiting by any other means  – Land Border/Seaport – you have to submit corresponding proof. Example – International Train/Bus ticket, Car Rental, Ship Reservation etc.

Travel itinerary

Your daily schedule during you trip while in that country. A simple Excel sheet with Day, Place and Activity will do. Sample itinerary given here for reference.

Proof of accommodation

If you are staying in a Hotel, B&B or Guest House please show the document with reservation details. If booked with one of the aggregators like Booking.com or Hotels.com, you can get use the confirmation PDF, or if booked directly with the establishment – a copy of the Mail confirmation. If you are staying with Friends or Relatives, their address and contact details. (If possible a consent letter)

Proof of sufficient means of subsistence

In most cases, you have to show them that you have sufficient funds at your disposal to stay for the duration of your trip in their country. The amount varies from Country to country and for duration applied. The documents which will help you are

-> Past 6 month bank statement with sufficient balance, signed & sealed (nearest bank branch)
-> Credit Card copy – only front page
-> Past 3 month salary slip, signed & sealed by HR (from employer)
-> Letter from employer stating designation and monthly salary
-> Past 3 Year Income Tax Returns (Download from IT Portal)

Ties to your home country

This is essentially to convince the consulate that you don’t have plans to not return. Basically by proving that you have tangible ties to your resident country.

-> Leave Approval letter from Employer (Sample)
-> Deeds of Property/Business Ownership
-> Bank Statement/Fixed Deposit Receipts

Other supporting documents

Covering Letter
A letter addressed to Consular officer requesting to issue your Visa. Helpful in cases you are filing your application via Agent and you have some specific request or need for some explanation to be conveyed to the Visa Officer
Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate
Required to travel to countries with Yellow Fever risk. Once taken, valid for 10 years. You have to go to a Government Authorised Doctor or clinic to get this done.
Travel Health Insurance
Travel Insurance Policy document for the duration of your trip to cover cost of Emergency Medical requirements including Repatriation.
Marriage Certificate
If you are married and traveling as a couple, and names are not mentioned in each other’s passports, a marriage certificate will come in very handy, especially when traveling to conservative nations (Ex. Turkey). If you are an unmarried couple, the Travel Agent might create some concern, but nothing you cant solve by personally visiting the Consulate!