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Cuba Travel Information – US Travel to Cuba Guide

Cars_on_the_Malecon_havana_Cuba

US Travel to Cuba Guide – All the Cuba Travel Info You Need Before You Go!

Cars_on_the_Malecon_havana_CubaCan Americans Travel to Cuba?

Yes, Americans can travel to Cuba. Although there have been many changes over the recent years. There are direct commercial flights from the USA to Cuba. You do NOT need to travel from the USA through a third country to travel to Cuba.

How to Travel to Cuba from the US?

As an American, you can legally travel to Cuba only if you fall into one of these twelve categories regulated by the U.S. Government. Travel to Cuba is confusing, but let me unveil the most popular ways to travel to Cuba in 2018 and 2019. (**Recent changes on 6/5/19 prevent cruises as well as people-to-people travel. Read this updated post!)

How_to_Travel_to_Cuba_imageMost Popular Ways to Travel to Cuba in 2018

Cruise to Cuba

Cruising to Cuba is one of the most popular ways to travel to Cuba (as of 6/5/19 this is no longer an option). With a cruise to Cuba, you will get your feet wet while experiencing Cuban culture and seeing Old Havana Cuba before it changes. See my recommended cruises to Cuba with me.

Travel with a Group Tour with a License for People-to-People Educational Travel to Cuba.

People-to-people programs have been traveling to Cuba for years with Cuba tours from a long weekend in Havana to multiple-week educational programs across the country. (as of 6/5/19 this is no longer an option). See my recommended group tours to Cuba. 

Independent Travel to Cuba

By selecting the support of the Cuban people option under the twelve categories of travel when purchasing your airplane tickets and visas, you can travel to Cuba more independently. However, be aware that things in Cuba like transportation, housing, and more take more time and effort. It is best to have an itinerary and many of the details ironed out beforehand. If you want help with planning, contact me.

Havana_Cuba_Capitol_Building_and_Classic_CarsHow do you get a visa to travel to Cuba?

The most common way to get a visa to travel to Cuba is from your cruise, tour operator, or airline. The fee varies depending on whom you are buying it from, but in general, it is $50-100 per person. You will present it upon entering Cuba along with your passport. The customs agents will tear the visa in half, which you will keep one half until your departure. Be careful in filling out your visa correctly. Mistakes can cost you. Sometimes you have to purchase a replacement visa. The visa is for thirty days and only one entry.

Cuban_CUC_and Cuban_CUP_imageWhat to pack for a Cuban holiday?

Packing for Cuba is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

When traveling to Cuba, pack with you:

Cash ONLY

Make sure to bring cash with you. US debit and credit cards are not accepted in Cuba because of the U.S. Embargo against Cuba. Thus, cash is king in Cuba. However, don’t worry, you can use US dollars, Euros, Canadian dollars, or other to convert into the tourist currency, which is called the CUC (Cuban convertible peso). Be aware there is another currency called the CUP (Cuban local peso) which is what Cubans earn from their government jobs and use to pay for staples. The CUP and CUC are not created equal. It is approximately 1 CUC to 25 CUP. To give you an idea, 1 CUC is $1.15. 1 CUP is $0.05. If you exchange $100 US, you will receive 87 CUC. The rate is the same across the island with $1 US subject to 3% exchange fee + a 10% surcharge for being American money. (That’s what we get for the U.S. Embargo on the island for nearly sixty years.)

Warning: you can’t use CUC off the island. So, use up all your CUCs before leaving or exchange them back at the airport or port for a 3% exchange fee.

Baño_in_havana_CubaTP and Hand Sanitizer 

The bathrooms (baños) are different in Cuba. World-renowned for social services with free healthcare and education, the socialism ends at the baño. You will find an attendant outside of most bathrooms requesting a fee of 0.25 CUC to enter. You will receive a few pieces of TP, but most likely you will not have a toilet seat. There are no Loews or Home Depots in Cuba; thus, the toilet seat didn’t make the cut. Be aware that most bathrooms will not have soap nor towels. It is wise to bring your own tissues as well as hand sanitizer.

Patience 

If you have heard of island time, Cuba takes that to a whole new level. There isn’t a New York minute in any Cuban restaurant, store, or bar in Havana, Cuba. Be prepared with increased tourism, cruises, and more this will continue to be the case. Pack your patience and order a mojito.

Author_Heidi_Siefkas_of_Cubicle_to_Cuba_walking_in-Old_Havana_CubaIs it safe to travel to Cuba?

Cuba is a very safe country for travelers. In spite of the March 2018 travel advisory by the U.S. Government, Cuba has been a very welcoming country to hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world, including the U.S. I have never felt safer as a sola female traveler or tour guide in any other country. Be aware that petty theft is on the rise.

**Since publishing, the U.S. travel advisory has been revised to “exercise increased caution” on 8/23/18.**

**Also since publishing, the NSA announced on April 17th, 2019 that all non-family travel to Cuba would be eliminated, but no changes have been announced. NOW is the time to travel to Cuba while you can.**

**Recent changes on 6/5/19 limit travel to Cuba for Americans. Please read how you still can travel to Cuba.**

Red_Convertible_Havana_Cuba_with_book_Cubicle_to_CubaIf you liked this post, you may want to grab a copy of my book, Cubicle to Cuba, which will teach you about Cuba in a light and fun way, full of humorous anecdotes and even recipes.

You may also want to read these posts:

5 Things to Do in Havana

4 Adventure Travel Destinations in Cuba

Falling in Love with Cuba

Cruise to Cuba with Me

Authentic Cuban Mojito Recipe

If you don’t find the answer to your Cuba travel question above posts, please leave a comment.

I look forward to hearing about your adventure in Cuba.

As always, here’s to looking up!

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