Our Mission is Simple:
Build community by fostering connections between the people of Cuba and the United States.
Welcome!
We organize and lead trips to Cuba focused on connecting people to discuss issues that are of mutual concern and interest to people in Cuba and the United States.
From law and healthcare to education, arts, culture and agriculture, the themed based trips we lead allow participants to develop meaningful people-to-people connections between Cuba and the United States.
Why Cuba?
Cuba is unique. Like other Caribbean nations, Cuba has fabulous beaches, parks, villages, and towns. The capital of Cuba, Havana, is a fascinating city, full of historic and artistic treasures.
But unlike other islands in the region, Cuba has been isolated from the United States, its powerful neighbor to the north, and has developed a special society, one that is currently experiencing rapid change.
The Cuban American Friendship Society:
Vermont's Cuba Connection
The Green Mountains may seem to be a long way from Cuba, thankfully, one of the most active organizations in the US bringing groups to Cuba is located right here in Burlington, Vermont.
The Cuban American Friendship Society (CAFS) is a local non-profit which was founded by Sandy Baird over 30 years ago to help break down the barriers between our two countries by hosting people-to-people exchanges as well as professional, cultural, and athletic trips to Cuba. The Cuban American Friendship Society has helped hundreds of Vermonters travel to the island nation to visit schools, medical facilities, organic farms, sports facilities—as well as to see how much we have in common even as our current administration reverts back to Cold War tactics.
Fortunately, under the current rules the Cuban American Friendship Society is still legally allowed to bring groups to Cuba within some limits. Recently the Cuban American Friendship Society has helped teachers, lawyers, medical personnel, women’s groups, little league teams, and others who want to travel to Cuba legally. For anyone interested in traveling to Cuba, we still provide that opportunity. For example, all allowable travel has to have the purpose of helping Cuban people by staying at B & Bs, eating at “paladares” (privately owned restaurants) and taking private cabs as transportation. Our trips focus on direct interactions with Cuban citizens with whom we can share ideas, learn about life in Cuba, and explore the potential for future relationships.