How To Travel To Cuba?

Due to the rich culture, vintage automobiles, warm climate, and stunning coastlines, Cuba has been among the most sought after tourism destinations in the recent past. Being an island nation in the Caribbean region, and just off the coast of the U.S, Cuba is a popular travel destination for the American tourist especially for those seeking a tropical vacation. But because of the many years of undefined relations between the US and Cuba, American tourism to the country has not been easy. Check this article to know all the legal aspects of traveling to Cuba from the United States in 2023.

Who Can Travel to Cuba Legally?

Currently, restrictions on travel to Cuba by certain categories of American citizens have undergone certain changes in recent years. As of 2022, Americans can travel to Cuba under one of the twelve reasons permitted by the United States’ government. These include but are not limited to, family visits, government business, journalism, research, educational activity, religious activities, entertainment, humanitarian purposes, activities of private non-profit making organization, institution or college, export or importation of information carrying materials, among others. In other words, tourism for the sole purpose of tourism is still off limits to the Cuban people for American tourists. All visitors must have legal travel status and must fit within one of the twelve categories of legal travel.

Booking Your Trip Legally

Once you are cleared on legal travel to Cuba, the next thing that is crucial is arranging your travel in a legal manner of compliance. This is when it can be quite beneficial to work with a properly accredited Cuba travel provider to a great extent. First-class companies will carry out all the legal formalities, permits, visas, affidavits, etc., in order to make your trip legal. They will also prepare a list of the ‘People to People’ activities legal under the US law which includes dining at privately owned restaurants, learning about local community projects, visits to cultural sites and Cuban Entrepreneurs.

Selecting an Authorised Airport for the Journey to Cuba

When going to Cuba, you have to organize your travel directly from an allowed US airport to Cuba. At this time, the airports authorized for flights to Cuba include.

• Miami International Airport also known as Wilfredo Lam International Airport (MIA)
  
• The selected airport is the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).
  
• JFK; John F. Kennedy International Airport
  
• The Newark Liberty International Airport, also known as Liberty State Airport (EWR).
  
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston (IAH)
  
• The specific airport that will be analyzed is the New Orleans Louis Armstrong Airport, abbreviated as MSY.

Charter flights are also permitted to originate from other US cities before proceeding to any of the designated airports in the US before finally heading for Cuba. On the return leg, the same procedures apply in the opposite direction – you have to fly back to the US without refuelling and have to land at one of the designated airports.

Obtaining the Necessary Visa and Documents

Before traveling to Cuba you have to fulfil one of the twelve categories approved by the US government for travelling to Cuba as well as obtain a visa and go through a number of formalities. All US citizens that plan to travel to Cuba must first secure what is called a ‘Tarjeta del Turista’ (Tourist Card) visa from the Cuban authorities. The tourist visa for Cuba can be easily obtained through most major Cuba travel providers who will handle the paperwork for you.

You will also want to have photocopies of visas, certificates from sponsors, receipts from bank, flight schedules, and hotel bookings to support the approved category of travel in case you are challenged by customs officials. According to their current location, it is advisable to have both digital and hard copies with you while on the move and during your trip.

What About Travel Insurance?

There is one major factor that many travelers from United States often fail to consider before traveling to Cuba and that is travel insurance. Because of the sustained embargo by the US and continuing restrictions by Cuba, standard US policies may not include coverage for Cuba. Make sure to purchase an international policy from a non-US based company that clearly lists Cuba as a country covered. This will keep you safeguarded in case of any accidents that may happen during your journey.

Are Credit/Debit Cards Acceptable in Cuba for Americans?

The US and Cuba have implemented strict measures of financial embargo; therefore, the latter does not accept American credit and debit cards as well as traveler’s checks. The Cuban economy operates on cash; therefore, make sure that you have sufficient hard currency, either in dollars or euros, to exchange for Cuban convertible pesos or CUC. The average amount suggested for expenditures is around $50-100 CUCs per day. Notify your bank of your intended travel to Cuba to avoid your account being frozen or closed due to suspicious international transactions.

Staying in Approved Accommodations

Like flights and activities that meet the legal requirements of the United States, lodging is another component that needs planning when traveling to Cuba. While travelling to America, citizen cannot book hotels operated by the Cuban military company Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A or hotels that are reserved for Cuban people only. Major Cuba travel operators will secure approved accommodations at casas particulares (homestays like AirBnB), private guesthouses, or international hotel brands in Cuba.

The Journey back to the United States

If and when returning to the States one is likely to be interrogated about his activities in Cuba by customs and border patrol agents. This can include having records of your completed itinerary, receipts, and other supporting documents within an easily reachable area or in your pocket. If you are a legal tourist in Cuba, you should not have any problems going through customs search. Although it is not advisable to go there, fines of up to $65000 can be imposed if found touring Cuba purely as an illicit tourist thus the need to observe proper channels.

We believe this breakdown will give some insight into current legalities of traveling to Cuba from the United States. As much as rules may appear convoluted at times, hiring the services of a Cuba travel planner come with few of these issues. Reliable organizations set high standards for fully compliant and coordinating arrangements that make everything ready for the journey. If you have always fancied travelling to the exotic island of Cuba, this is the opportune moment to make the dream come true!

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