Travel To Cuba: What You Need To Know

Travel to Cuba is a complex issue due to the country's tumultuous relationship with the United States. While it is legal for US citizens to visit Cuba, there are several restrictions and requirements in place. Firstly, travelling to Cuba purely for tourism is prohibited by statute. However, there are 12 categories of authorised travel to Cuba, known as general license travel, which US citizens can utilise to visit the country. These categories include educational activities, support for the Cuban people, journalistic activities, and more. US citizens must also be aware of additional requirements, such as the need for a visa, health insurance, and currency restrictions.

Flying to Cuba for tourism is not allowed

As of 2024, Americans can travel to Cuba, but only for specific purposes. Flying to Cuba from or through the US for tourism is prohibited by statute. However, this doesn't mean that US citizens cannot visit Cuba. There are 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba, and if your purpose of travel falls under any of these categories, you can hop on a plane and visit. These categories are:

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

The "support for the Cuban people" category is the most popular because it is the broadest. To travel under this category, you must declare the category while booking flights and lodging. You are also expected to prepare an itinerary outlining how your trip will fulfill the category's terms and contribute to Cuba's local economy.

Even though tourism is not allowed, you can still visit Cuba as a tourist by checking the box "Support for the Cuban People" on your OFAC General License. You are technically not allowed to spend money at certain Cuban institutions, and you are supposed to document your activities, but this is rarely checked by anyone.

In addition to the 12 categories, there are two other ways to enter Cuba:

• With a license issued by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
• As a Cuban National returning home

If you are planning to travel to Cuba, it is important to be aware of the requirements and restrictions in place. All visitors to Cuba need a visa and health insurance with coverage in the area. Special visa requirements apply to Cuban-born travelers, regardless of citizenship. US credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba, so it is important to bring cash, preferably US dollars or Euros, which can be exchanged at authorized banks, CADECA offices, airports, or hotels.

Travel between the US and Cuba has been heavily restricted due to the tumultuous relationship between the two nations, which deteriorated rapidly following the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s and the rise of Fidel Castro's regime. The US imposed a trade embargo on Cuba in 1960, severing most economic and political connections. The restrictions on travel to Cuba have often changed with each presidential administration, with the island nation being more accessible during the Carter, Clinton, and Obama years, and more closed off during the G.W. Bush and Trump years.

There are 12 categories of authorised travel to Cuba

Travel to Cuba is regulated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. While tourism is not allowed, there are 12 categories of authorised travel to Cuba, also known as "general license" travel. These 12 categories are:

• Educational Activities (which includes People-to-People travel) and Academic Activities
• Support for the Cuban People
• Professional Research and Meetings
• Public Performances, Clinics, Workshops, Athletic or Other Competitions, and Exhibitions
• Journalistic Activity (for electronic and print media reporters, including bloggers)
• Humanitarian Projects
• Religious Activities
• Family Visits (connecting with close relatives in Cuba)
• Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
• Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials
• Certain authorised export transactions (for businesses and NGOs)
• Official business of the US government, foreign governments, and specific intergovernmental organisations

To qualify for the "General License", travellers must ensure their trip conforms to the rules of one of these 12 categories. It is an honour-based system, so no physical license is issued or required to be carried.

US citizens must have a valid passport and proof of travel insurance

US citizens are permitted to travel to Cuba, however, tourism is not allowed. There are 12 categories of general licenses related to Cuba travel, and US citizens must be travelling under one of these licenses. These are:

• Official government business
• Journalistic activity
• Professional research or meetings
• Religious activities
• Sports and public events
• Support for the Cuban people
• Humanitarian projects
• Informational materials
• Authorized export activities
• Non-immigrant Cuban National
• Educational activities
• People-to-people exchanges

If your reason for travel is not one of the 12 listed, you will need to apply for a specific license from the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

US citizens must have a valid passport—valid for at least 6 months after your entry into Cuba—and proof of travel medical insurance. The insurance must include coverage for medical evacuation, emergencies, and repatriation, and must be provided by a company that can make payments from a non-US banking institution. The Cuban health insurance that is included in your ticket with any US airline, is provided by ESICUBA and is valid for 30 days. If you are staying in Cuba beyond 30 days, you’ll need to purchase additional insurance to cover the remainder of your stay.

US credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba

US citizens are allowed to travel to Cuba, but only for specific reasons. These include official business, journalism, professional research, educational activities, religious activities, humanitarian projects, and more.

Tourism to Cuba from the US is still illegal due to the Cuban Embargo that was put in place in 1960. This includes Americans travelling to Cuba and anyone travelling to Cuba through the US.

US Credit and Debit Cards in Cuba

The Cuban government recently opened a bank account with Stonegate Bank, a local Florida bank, and their cards do work in Cuba. However, there is a 3% foreign transaction fee.

A few internationally-based banks with US branches are currently authorised to issue credit cards for use in Cuba, including Natbank (Canada) and Banco Popular of Puerto Rico.

It is worth noting that Cuba is primarily a cash economy, so even if you have a credit card that works, it may not be of much use outside of an ATM. Additionally, inconsistent internet access on the island can complicate credit card transactions, even with vendors that accept credit cards.

Therefore, it is recommended to bring traveller's cheques or cash along with you when travelling to Cuba. US dollars or Euros can be brought and exchanged for Cuban Pesos (CUP) at authorised banks, CADECA offices, airports, or hotels.

US citizens must declare the purpose of their visit to Cuba

US citizens are allowed to travel to Cuba, but they must be aware of the current legislation before planning a trip. Travel for pure vacationing or "touristic" purposes is not permitted. US citizens must declare the purpose of their visit to Cuba, which must fall under one of the twelve pre-approved categories of authorized travel. These categories are known as "general license" travel and include:

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

US citizens must also comply with other requirements when travelling to Cuba, such as having a valid passport, purchasing a Cuba Tourist Card or Cuban visa, and obtaining health insurance that covers medical emergencies and evacuation by air. It is important to note that US credit and debit cards are not accepted in Cuba, so travellers should bring enough cash to cover their expenses.

Frequently asked questions