Traveling to Cuba from the US can be an exciting adventure. Cuba is a vibrant country with a rich history, beautiful architecture, and unique culture. For many Americans, visiting Cuba has been a long-awaited dream, and with recent changes in travel restrictions, it is now easier than ever to make that dream a reality. However, there are still some important things to consider before embarking on your trip.
In this ultimate guide, we will provide you with all the essential information you need to know to plan a successful and memorable trip to Cuba from the US.
Is Cuba Open to Travel from the US?
Is Cuba open to travel from the US?
Indeed, Americans can legally travel to Cuba, with the exception of tourist purposes. However, certain requirements must be met in order to do so. These include:
obtaining a Cuban Tourist Card (or Cuban Visa)
travel insurance,
You must complete self-certification under one of the 12 authorized travel categories to Cuba.
avoid spending money at restricted businesses and keep travel receipts and records for 5 years
To travel to Cuba for tourism purposes, US citizens must adhere to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations of July 8, 1963. This regulation, which falls under the Trading With the Enemy Act and is administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), imposes a trade embargo on Cuba and prohibits Americans from visiting the country as tourists. However, specific travel categories to Cuba are allowed, including:
educational and cultural exchange programs
professional research
support for the Cuban people.
If you are interested in legally traveling to Cuba from the US, we can guide you through the process step by step.
Entry Requirements to Cuba Made Easy!
Before you can fly to Cuba, it is important to ensure that you meet the entry requirements.
The first requirement is a valid US passport. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after your trip to avoid any issues at customs.
The second requirement is a Cuba Tourist Card, which is a special visa that every visitor to Cuba must have. You will need to present your tourist card when you board your flight to Cuba. There are two ways to obtain the Cuba Tourist Card.
The most common way is to buy it directly from your airline. Some airlines include the cost of the visa in the ticket price, while others require you to purchase it separately.
The cost of the visa ranges from 50 USD to 85 USD, depending on the airline.
Alternatively, you can buy the visa online through the Easy Tourist Card website. The cost of the Cuba Tourist Card is around 144 USD for a 30-day visa.
Travel Health Insurance
If you're planning a trip to Cuba, it's important to note that travel health insurance is mandatory. This insurance should cover any unforeseen medical costs you may incur while visiting the island. Fortunately, there are insurance providers who specialize in coverage for travelers, including our travel insurance program. By opting for an iBookiGo affiliate travel insurance policy, you can rest assured that you'll be covered in the event of a medical emergency during your trip. However, it's worth noting that travel protection benefits like trip cancellation and baggage delay insurance are not mandatory.
Your Cuba Travel License
If you're planning to travel to Cuba from the US, you'll need a "license" known as a "general license" or a specific category of authorized travel to Cuba.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) defines these categories. In this article, we use "license," "travel license," "general license," and "travel category" interchangeably. Despite its name, this license is not like a driver's license or a tourist visa; it's not a physical document that you have to carry with you to Cuba.
As of September 2020, there are two travel categories that require a physical document: Professional Research and Professional Meetings; and Public Performances, Clinics, Workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions.
Obtaining a Cuba general license involves selecting one of the 12 categories of legal travel to Cuba approved by the US government and meeting all the requirements of your chosen category. Despite the confusing terminology, obtaining a Cuba general license is a straightforward process. For a step-by-step guide, please refer to the section below.
Health Declaration and Customs Forms
If you are planning to travel to Cuba, it is important to note that all travelers are required to present a Sanitary Statement and a Customs Declaration form. To save yourself from any unnecessary inconvenience, we highly recommend that you complete these documents online at D'viajeros. This website is specifically designed by the government for this purpose and completing the required documentation online will definitely save you both time and hassle.
Planning Your Trip
As an American, it can be confusing to understand what is required to travel to Cuba due to current travel restrictions. Here are some tips to simplify the process of planning a trip to Cuba from the US:
Firstly, determine the most appropriate category of authorized travel to Cuba based on your travel purpose. This will ensure that you are compliant with regulations.
Next, create a full-time itinerary that is covered by the selected authorized travel category to Cuba. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you are complying with regulations.
If you plan on staying at any accommodation in Cuba, be mindful that you must not stay at any accommodation listed in the Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List. This will ensure that you are not breaking any regulations.
Additionally, it is important to remember that you cannot spend money at certain businesses in Cuba. Here is a list.
Finally, keep your records and receipts for five years. This will ensure that you have the necessary documentation in case it is required in the future.
Step by Step Guide
Step 1: Choose an authorized travel category. The twelve categories of legal travel under the Cuba General License are:
Family visits
Official business for the US government, foreign government, and certain intergovernmental organizations
Journalism
Professional research and professional meetings (NOTE: This travel category requires an actual license by OFAC)
Educational activities (NOTE: This category grandfathered the once-popular People-to-People Travel “subcategory”, which is now prohibited.)
Religious activities
Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions (NOTE: This travel category requires an actual license by OFAC)
Support for the Cuban People
Exportation, importation or transmission of information or informational materials
Humanitarian projects
Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
Certain export transactions
At a certain stage in the process of booking, it will be necessary for you to indicate your authorized travel category to Cuba.
Step 2: Book Your Trip
The second step to travel to Cuba is to book your trip. If you are wondering whether you can fly to Cuba from the US, the answer is yes! After declaring your travel category, you can easily reserve your tickets to this beautiful country. iBookiGo offers great deals on flights and accommodations to Cuba. Keep in mind that most airlines offer flights to Havana airport, but you may also be able to find flights to other cities. iBookiGo can put your travel itinerary together with ease.
Complete your travel profile to get started planning your trip today.
Step 3: Book Tours When You Arrive
You will get tour ideas from one of our travel concierges. As of the time of this writing GetYourGuide and Viator are not currently offering any tours in Havana, even though they previously operated these tours for years. We will update this post if the tours ever return.
Unfortunately, the old-fashioned atmosphere means that finding tourist activities can be a challenge for folks who aren’t used to traveling outside their comfort zone.
Most things in the capital city of Havana are negotiable, so you’ll need to be willing and able to haggle. Internet access is limited. Many companies don’t have websites, and most do not accept credit cards.
Step 4: Plan your Wifi Access
When you visit Cuba, you'll likely have to disconnect from your online social circle. This is because the country is among the few places where accessing Wi-Fi and the internet can be a bit challenging. However, it's not impossible to get connected while in Cuba. With some effort, you can find Wi-Fi spots and stay online throughout your stay.
Step 5: Pack Accordingly
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