Travel To Cuba: Can Americans Go Via Canada?

Americans can travel to Cuba, but there are some restrictions. While several million people a year from countries such as Canada, England, France, Italy, and Germany visit Cuba, the US restricts its citizens from travelling there for tourism. US citizens can, however, travel to Cuba under one of 12 permitted categories, such as 'Support for the Cuban People' or 'Educational People-to-People'.

If you fly directly from the US to Cuba, you will need to do some extra paperwork and declare a valid reason for your visit. However, you can avoid this by flying from Canada or Mexico.

Flying from the US to Cuba

Firstly, US citizens need to declare that they are visiting Cuba for valid reasons. While tourism is not a valid reason for US citizens to travel to Cuba, there are 12 categories of permitted travel, including 'Support for the Cuban People', 'Educational Activities', and 'Journalistic Activity'.

When booking a flight, US citizens will need to select one of these 12 categories. It is important to note that US citizens are not allowed to travel to Cuba for tourism, and they may be asked to provide proof of their reason for travel.

US citizens can obtain a Cuban visa, also known as a 'Tourist Card', either before their trip or at the airport before departure. The visa can be purchased at the airline's ticket office and costs around $25-$80 USD.

It is also important to note that US citizens cannot use credit cards or ATMs in Cuba, so they need to bring enough cash to cover their entire stay.

When flying from the US to Cuba, there are several cities with nonstop flights to Havana, including Miami, New York, Fort Lauderdale, and Atlanta. These flights can be booked directly with the airline, and a visa can be obtained at the airport before departure.

It is worth noting that some international tour operators that offer Cuba tours do not allow American citizens to join them, so it is important to check before booking.

While it is possible for US citizens to fly directly to Cuba, there is an alternative option to fly via another country, such as Canada or Mexico. This option may be preferable for those who want to avoid the extra paperwork required for US citizens travelling to Cuba.

By flying via Canada or Mexico, US citizens can avoid having to declare their reason for travel and obtaining a visa in advance. However, it is important to note that this does not make the trip any more or less legal.

Overall, while there are some additional steps and restrictions for US citizens travelling to Cuba, it is still possible to fly directly from the US or via another country. It is important to carefully review the requirements and restrictions before booking any travel to Cuba.

Visa requirements for Americans travelling to Cuba

Americans can travel to Cuba, but there are specific requirements they must meet. Firstly, all travellers to Cuba must have a visa and valid health insurance with coverage in the area. US citizens are not permitted to travel to Cuba for tourism, but there are 12 approved reasons for travel, including:

• Official business of the US government
• Journalistic activities
• Educational activities
• Support for the Cuban people
• Humanitarian projects
• Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials

If travelling under one of these categories, US citizens must obtain a general license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). This can be done by joining a tour group or working with a specialist company. Americans travelling directly from the US to Cuba will also need to purchase a pink tourist card, available from their airline. If travelling via another country, a green tourist card is required.

It is important to note that US credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba, so travellers should bring US dollars or Euros to exchange. There are also restrictions on spending at certain establishments in Cuba.

The 12 permitted travel categories for Americans

• Official business of the US government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organisations
• Journalistic activities
• Professional research or professional meetings
• Educational activities
• Support for the Cuban people
• Humanitarian projects
• Religious activities
• Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic or other competitions and exhibitions
• Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
• Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials
• Travel related to certain authorised export transactions
• Family visits

The 'Support for the Cuban People' category

The Support for the Cuban People category is one of the 12 categories of legal travel to Cuba authorized by the U.S. government. This category requires travelers to engage in activities that support Cubans and promote independence from Cuban government institutions. This includes staying in private accommodations, dining at privately-owned restaurants, and engaging in activities led by Cuban citizens, such as guided tours, dance lessons, cooking lessons, and art workshops. The goal is to encourage interaction between U.S. travelers and Cubans, fostering cultural exchange and supporting the growth of independent private enterprise in Cuba.

To comply with this category, travelers must maintain a full-time schedule of activities that enhance contact with Cubans, support civil society, or promote independence from Cuban authorities. This means that free time or recreation should not exceed what is consistent with a full-time schedule. Travelers should also engage in meaningful interactions with individuals in Cuba and keep detailed records of their activities to demonstrate compliance with U.S. regulations.

Examples of activities that qualify for this category include:

• Staying in a rented room at a private Cuban residence (casa particular)
• Eating at privately-owned Cuban restaurants (paladares)
• Shopping at privately-owned stores run by self-employed Cubans (cuentapropista)
• Supporting Cuban entrepreneurs launching their privately-owned businesses
• Volunteering with a recognized non-governmental organization to work on projects that benefit the local community

It is important to note that simply staying in private accommodations or dining at privately-owned restaurants is not enough to meet the requirement for a full-time schedule. Travelers must engage in additional authorized Support for the Cuban People activities to fulfill the requirements of this category.

When planning a trip under the Support for the Cuban People category, travelers should create an itinerary that demonstrates a commitment to engaging with Cubans and supporting independent economic activity. This can include visiting local markets, attending cultural events, and interacting with Cuban artists, entrepreneurs, and community members. It is also crucial to avoid any businesses designated as "restricted entities" by the U.S., which are mainly hotels owned by the Cuban government.

Travelers should be aware that U.S. citizens cannot use credit cards or ATMs in Cuba, and their bank accounts may be frozen if they attempt to do so. Therefore, it is essential to bring enough cash to cover the entire stay. U.S. dollars or Euros can be exchanged for Cuban currency at banks or accommodations, but there are often long lines at the banks. Additionally, U.S. citizens are required to obtain a Cuban tourist visa (also known as a tourist card) before traveling to Cuba.

The 'Educational People-to-People' category

The Educational People-to-People Category

The Educational People-to-People category is one of the 12 categories of general license that allows Americans to travel to Cuba. This category was removed by the Trump Administration but reinstated by Biden in May 2022.

To travel to Cuba under this category, you must meet the following requirements:

• Your trip must be educational in nature and sponsored by an accredited U.S. graduate or undergraduate degree-granting institution, a U.S. academic institution, or a U.S. school.
• The trip must have a full-time schedule of educational activities that enhance people-to-people contact with Cubans, support civil society in Cuba, and result in meaningful interactions with Cuban citizens.
• You must carry a letter on official school letterhead that has been signed by a designated representative of the sponsoring academic institution. This letter should state the reason for your travel to Cuba.
• Your trip should not include free time or recreational activities in excess.
• You must maintain all travel records for up to 5 years and be prepared to show evidence that you engaged in authorized activities while in Cuba.

It is important to note that the Educational People-to-People category does not require prior government approval. However, you must be able to state your category and provide documentation if asked by the airline or border agents. It is recommended to carry an affidavit and document your activities and transactions during your trip.

Frequently asked questions