When Can We Visit Cuba Again
Tin can Americans Still Travel to Republic of cuba? How to Travel to Cuba from United states in 2022
Can Americans still travel to Cuba in 2022? The brusque answer is aye. Yet, dissimilar your friends from Canada and the U.Yard., Americans are subject to sure restrictions. Since "tourism" technically isn't allowed, your trip will need to fall into an authorized travel category. You'll also be subject to certain financial restrictions while on the island.
In this article, we want to answer all your called-for questions about going to Cuba with a US passport. The entry requirements to Republic of cuba, including those concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. The 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba. Why the Support for the Cuban People license gives you more than travel flexibility. The practical tips for Americans traveling to Republic of cuba.
In this guide, we cover all of it.
Tin can Americans Travel to Cuba in 2022?
The simple answer is yes. Information technology's perfectly legal for Americans to travel to Cuba, except for explicit tourism purposes. However, y'all will need to see some requirements.
Specifically, y'all demand a Cuban Tourist Card (a.k.a Cuban Visa), travel insurance, and a self-certification under one of the 12 travel categories of authorized travel to Republic of cuba. You are likewise required to avoid spending money at some restricted businesses and to continue your travel receipts and records for five years.
We'll make full y'all in on what you need to practice, step by step, to legally travel to Cuba from the US.
What Do Yous Demand to Travel to Cuba with a Us Passport?
Here is a listing of entry requirements to Cuba that y'all need to comply with before you lot go far at a Cuban airport:
1. Valid The states passport
You lot tin travel to Cuba with your standard U.S. passport. To avert whatever problems while going through customs, make sure your passport is valid for at to the lowest degree six months subsequently your Cuba trip.
2. Cuba Tourist Card
All visitors to Cuba, regardless of country of origin, demand to take a special visa called a tourist carte du jour. You lot'll need to have your tourist carte du jour in hand when y'all board your flight to Cuba.
How do you become the Cuba Tourist Visa? You lot've got a few different options:
A) Direct from the airline
The almost common method visitors go their Cuba tourist bill of fare is by purchasing it straight through your airline.
Each company handles the process a bit differently. Some airlines will include the visa cost in the ticket price, while others will have y'all buy information technology separately. The visa itself costs 50 USD on top of a processing fee betwixt 25-35 USD.
Here are travel visa prices from a few major airlines:
American Airlines: 85 USD (50 USD visa fee + 35 USD processing fee) if purchased online. 100 USD (50 USD visa fee + 50 USD processing fee) if purchased in-person at Miami (MIA) airport
Delta: 50 USD, purchase in-person at the gate.
JetBlue: 50 USD, purchase in-person at the gate.
Southwest Airlines: 75 USD (50 USD visa fee + 25 USD processing fee) tin be purchased online or in-person at the gate.
United Airlines: 75 USD (fifty USD visa fee + 25 USD service charge), buy in-person at the gate.
Not all flight search engines deport flights from the US to Cuba. To price out Cuba flights, nosotros recommend using Skyscanner.
B) Buy the Cuba visa online
If your airline ticket doesn't have your travel visa built-in, you tin buy it separately using the site Piece of cake Tourist Card.
You tin can wait to pay around 144 USD for a 30-twenty-four hours tourist card, which is more than if you lot bought it packaged in with your ticket.
iii. Travel insurance for Republic of cuba
Travel insurance is a requirement for all visitors to Cuba. Your insurance needs to embrace any unexpected medical expenses y'all may incur during your time on the island.
That's why there are companies that specialize in insurance just for travelers, like RoamRight. With RoamRight, you'll go coverage for any medical emergencies that might pop up during your trip. It also offers coverage for travel inconveniences like trip cancellation and lost or stolen gear. One week of RoamRight costs about fifty USD per person.
iv. Valid general travel "license" to Cuba
All Americans traveling to Cuba need a "license", technically referred to equally a "general license," or a category of authorized travel to Cuba. These categories are defined by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
In this commodity, we indistinctively utilise "license", "travel license", "full general license," and "travel category".
Confusingly, even though it'south called a license, it'south non actually a license similar a driver'south license or even a tourist visa. It's not a physical document that yous need to bring with you to Cuba.
Note: As of September 2020, at that place may be two travel categories that Practice require a physical document: Professional inquiry and professional meetings; and Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions.
Getting a Cuba full general license means:
- You've chosen one of the U.Southward. regime's 12 categories for legal travel to Cuba.
- You encounter all the criteria for traveling to Cuba under your called category.
Confusing terminology bated, getting your Cuba general license is pretty easy. Accept a await at our stride-past-stride section beneath.
5. Customs and health proclamation forms
Cuba requires all travelers to bring a Sanitary Statement and a Community Declaration form. We suggest you complete the documentation online at D'Viajeros, the regime's website for this purpose. Yous will save time and annoyances!
six. Cuba travel restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic
The current travel restrictions to Cuba include proof of COVID-xix vaccination. Y'all besides need to bring a negative PCR test taken inside 72 hours from inflow, regardless of your vaccination status.
Additionally, all travelers will demand to complete the Sanitary Statement.
While in Republic of cuba, you must comply with farther restrictions imposed by the Cuban government to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Social distancing (five ft) and face up masks are required everywhere.
- You may be subject to contact tracing questions or random temperature checks.
- In that location is limited capacity and operating hours at near tourist facilities.
- Large gatherings are non allowed.
- Travel within and betwixt cities and provinces may be restricted.
Y'all tin even receive fines for non-compliance! (Although that would be very rare)
How to Travel to Cuba from the The states (Legally): Planning a Trip to Cuba
There is so much confusion about exactly what you demand to practice to travel to Cuba as an American and the current Republic of cuba travel restrictions. Let's attempt to simplify the process of planning a trip to Cuba from the U.s.:
- You'll have to select the nigh appropriate category of authorized travel to Cuba according to your travel purpose.
- You lot'll need to create a total-time itinerary covered by the selected category of authorized travel to Cuba.
- Y'all may take to book accommodation in Republic of cuba depending on where you stay every bit part of your itinerary. Go on in mind that you must not stay at whatever accommodation listed in the Republic of cuba Prohibited Accommodations List.
- You must not spend money at certain businesses in Republic of cuba.
- You'll need to continue your records and receipts for 5 years.
At present, let's get further on each step!
Step 1. Cull one of the 12 categories of authorized travel to Republic of cuba
The just step in getting your Republic of cuba general license is to declare the reason for your trip, according to the list of 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba. If your trip falls into i of the 12 categories, y'all're expert to get.
The twelve categories of legal travel nether the Cuba General License are:
- Family visits
- Official business for the US government, foreign government, and certain intergovernmental organizations
- Journalism
- Professional enquiry and professional person meetings (NOTE: This travel category requires an actual license by OFAC)
- Educational activities (NOTE: This category grandfathered the one time-popular People-to-People Travel "subcategory", which is at present prohibited.)
- Religious activities
- Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions (Notation: 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
- Sure export transactions
At some signal during your booking procedure, you'll need to declare your category of authorized travel to Cuba.
The Support for the Cuban People Travel category
Nosotros're giving this category its own section because it is the well-nigh popular for traveling to Republic of cuba from the United states. But also, considering it may exist really confusing!
Support for the Cuban People is the best license to use for Cuba solo trips when whatever other license does non cover your purpose of travel.
American travelers beloved this category because, every bit you probably already gleaned from the wording, information technology'due south pretty vague. Y'all accept lots of wiggle room and tin pretty much practice many of the activities you would in any other Caribbean country.
Yet, yous volition have to demonstrate that you've participated in activities that "strengthen Cuban society." Luckily, these activities tend to be fun, and many of them are things you'd probably do anyway.
- Visit museums and historical sites.
- Eat at locally-owned restaurants (paladares).
- Take Cuban cooking classes.
- Take salsa dancing lessons.
- Tour a tobacco farm and larn how to coil Cuban cigars.
- Volunteer with a local organisation or not-profit.
Simply the OFAC itself offers the very best example of the type of activities that the Support for the Cuban People category may encompass:
An individual plans to travel to Republic of cuba, stay in a room at a rented accommodation in a private Cuban residence (casa detail), swallow at privately-endemic Cuban restaurants (paladares), and shop at privately-owned stores run by self-employed Cubans (cuentapropista) during his or her four-solar day trip.
While at the casa particular, the individual will have breakfast each forenoon with the Cuban host and engage with the Cuban host to learn nigh Cuban culture. In addition, the traveler will complete his or her total-time schedule by supporting Cuban entrepreneurs launching their privately-owned businesses. The traveler's activities promote independent activeness intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba.
Because the individual's qualifying activities are not limited to staying in a room at a rented accommodation in a private Cuban residence (casa item), eating at privately-owned Cuban restaurants (paladares), and shopping at privately owned stores run by self-employed Cubans (cuentapropista) and the traveler maintains a full-fourth dimension schedule that enhances contact with the Cuban people, supports civil society in Cuba, and promotes the Cuban people's independence from Cuban government, and that results in meaningful interaction between the traveler and Cuban individuals, the individual's travel qualifies for the general license.
How does it sound?
When it comes to planning your daily schedule in Republic of cuba, you're technically supposed to spend about eight hours a twenty-four hour period doing activities to support the Cuban people. That said, it's not similar an American official will be calling you each solar day to verify your schedule, and then don't stress most it.
Instead, option out some of the activities mentioned above and immerse yourself in the dazzler of Cuban civilization. After you tackle the logistics of visiting Cuba every bit a US denizen, be sure to add together lots of fun activities as well!
Step two. Book a flight to Cuba
Once y'all divers the license yous will use, you'll be prepare to volume your tickets to Cuba. Skyscanner is a flight search engine where you can find flight deals to Cuba. Keep in mind that later Dec ten, 2019, The states airlines are authorized to fly simply to Havana airdrome.
Step 3: Plan your itinerary in Cuba
Now the fun part begins!
Whichever category you chose for your travel license will have a large impact on your itinerary, fifty-fifty if you want to exist on your own backpacking Cuba.
If you decide to travel under the "Support the Cuban People" category, your schedule is completely upwardly to y'all. Accept a look at the suggested activities in the previous section to help yous build out your schedule.
If y'all are renting a car in Republic of cuba to stop by in all the fantastic places in Cuba, avoid Via Rent A Car because the company is owned past the Cuban war machine.
Y'all tin can likewise review the tours available on our website!
Footstep 4: Book accommodations in Cuba
Next, you'll need to fix a identify to stay, co-ordinate to your itinerary. You may be able to stay in some hotels, resorts, and casas particulares.
However, we highly recommend renting a room in a casa particular because they requite you an accurate Cuban experience at an affordable price. Check out Skyscanner for the latest listings.
Important: Keep in heed that you must not stay at certain accommodations listed in the Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List.
Step 5. Don't spend money at restricted businesses
US-Cuba relations have improved over the last decade, just the United states Treasury Section doesn't like Americans to spend money only anywhere in Cuba.
In fact, the Treasury keeps a list of businesses that Americans must non give money to. Nigh of these businesses are owned past the Cuban military machine or security services, which the U.s. all the same has a frosty relationship with. You can see the full, updated list here.
By the style, if you need help understanding the super complicated dual currency system in Republic of cuba, read our handy guide to Cuban money.
Step 6. Keep your receipts and records for five years
For up to five years later your Cuba trip, the US Government can inquire you nigh your travel records and receipts.
This sounds kind of chilling, but anecdotally, it doesn't seem to happen very often. But it'southward better to be safe than sorry, so keep your records stored in a rubber place for 5 years in case y'all're questioned about your trip.
Bonus Tip for Americans Traveling to Cuba: Stick to Private
Book tours directly from local guides
Cuba is filled with tour guides gear up to introduce you to the island, its civilisation, and history. Plus, at that place are tours for everyone–from riding effectually Havana in a vintage machine to horseback riding in rugged Viñales or hiking in the Sierra Maestra mountains.
However, keep in mind that not all bout guides are reputable. Cuba has only recently begun to experience a huge burst in tourism–especially from the US–, and there are lots of people looking to turn a profit off tourists. To avoid getting scammed by imitation or unprofessional guides, you should only volume tours through legitimate local guides. And if they do a good job, don't forget to tip them!
Bout Commonwealth offers exciting adventures all over the island led past skilled local guides. Yous'll be in skilful hands!
Stay in casas particulares
Casas particulares (private houses) are like the Cuban version of bed and breakfasts.
They're owned by Cuban families who rent out rooms for a daily fee. Non simply are they more affordable than staying in a hotel, but they also offer a much more authentic Cuban experience.
Plus, many casas fifty-fifty offering domicile-cooked breakfast in the morning. You can stay in a casa for effectually 20-50 USD/night.
As a precaution, please review the latest Republic of cuba Prohibited Accommodations List to make certain that your casa detail is not on the list of prohibited accommodations.
Swallow at paladares
Paladares are private restaurants owned past Cubans who accept a passion and talent for fine Cuban food.
Menus at paladares take more variety and better service than Cuba's government-owned restaurants. The cost of dining in a paladar varies depending on how fancy or down-to-earth the place is. But generally speaking, you can expect to pay between 10-30 USD per meal. By the fashion, check out our total breakup of a realistic trip to Cuba toll.
At habitation, you're probably used to using websites like Yelp to help you make up one's mind where to eat next, but the Cyberspace is limited in Cuba. Thus, we recommend bringing a travel guide like this one from Solitary Planet instead.
Please, check out our food safety guide for more than information on how to stay salubrious in Republic of cuba and save some bucks on your trip.
Ride in private taxis
When y'all flag downwards a taxi in Cuba, you'll detect ii different taxis: state taxis and private taxis (almendrones).
Country taxis are endemic and operated by the Cuban authorities, while private taxis are run by individual taxi drivers. Chances are, the almendrones will catch your eye because many of them are the colorful, beautifully restored vintage American cars that have become synonymous with Cuba.
Back up the local businesses
If you lot travel to Cuba nether the Support for the Cuban People category, yous'll need to support local Cuban businesses during your trip.
Supporting local businesses includes staying in casas particulares, eating at paladares, attending a performance past a local musician or artist, or taking a cooking or salsa dancing class.
FAQs About Traveling to Cuba from the United states of america
Here is a listing of the near common questions on how to travel to Cuba from the United states of america. We desire to continue this article updated, so please let united states of america know if we should some other question!
Is there a Republic of cuba travel ban?
The Usa regime hasn't imposed a universal Cuba travel ban. As a US citizen, yous can yet travel to Cuba under one of the 12 travel categories of authorized travel to Cuba
Can I travel to Cuba independently every bit a US citizen?
Americans don't need to visit Cuba as part of organized groups necessarily. You tin can travel independently nether whatever of the 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba.
How do I obtain an OFAC general license to Republic of cuba?
A "general license" or travel category is not an actual newspaper that you need to obtain. You just need to decide which authorized travel category to get with. And so, only declare information technology while booking your trip to Cuba.
Nonetheless, this recently changed for two travel categories that now require an bodily license by OFAC:
- Professional person research and professional meetings.
- Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions.
What represents a full-time schedule of activities nether a category of authorized travel to Cuba?
Technically, your schedule should include half-dozen to eight hours a twenty-four hours of activities to fulfill the requirements of your general license. Equally far as we can tell, American tourists are not usually questioned about their schedules upon returning to the US. However, you lot should be prepared only in case information technology happens.
Is at that place any requirement to how you spend your evening in Cuba?
In that location aren't restrictions for what y'all do during the evening in Havana equally long every bit you've fulfilled the requirements stipulated by OFAC Cuba travel regulations.
Are you immune to do only typical tourist activities, similar swimming at a embankment in Cuba?
Unfortunately, the respond is no. You tin can't go to Republic of cuba just for its beautiful beaches. The OFAC is very explicit: you must not engage in mere tourist experiences. Hither is an instance of a trip that is NOT considered past the Support for the Cuban People category:
"An private plans to travel to Republic of cuba, rent a bike to explore the neighborhoods and beaches, and engage in brief exchanges with local beach vendors. The private intends to stay at a hotel that does not appear on the Cuba Restricted List.
The traveler's trip does not authorize for this general license because none of these activities promote independent activeness intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba"
How can you spend your coin equally a The states citizen traveling to Republic of cuba?
There'southward no limit on how much money you tin can spend while in Cuba. The places y'all choose to spend money practise affair, though. American visitors tin can't spend money at businesses linked to the Cuban military. Run across the full list of restricted businesses on the State Department's website.
What most the sonic attacks against Americans in Cuba?
If you paid attention to the news the by couple of years, you lot probably think hearing stories about American diplomats in Cuba suffering from mysterious "sonic attacks." Rumors about these attacks sparked the Country Department to effect a travel warning.
As of the writing of this article, no American visitors to Cuba accept been targeted past sonic attacks, then you lot should be only fine during your trip.
Overall, Republic of cuba is an extremely safe country to visit, especially compared to other neighboring countries in the Caribbean.
The Last Stride
Once you overcome some of the challenges of traveling to Cuba, yous'll discover that the island is a fascinating, i-of-a-kind place to visit.
Keep this handy guide open while planning a trip to Cuba, and don't forget to read our 58 travel tips to Cuba. Cuba is an exciting, unforgettable, (and perfectly legal!) destination for Americans to visit. Every bit long every bit yous follow the guidelines nosotros outlined in this commodity, y'all will have a smooth, seamless trip.
And now that we've put to balance those rumors virtually a Cuba travel ban, it's fourth dimension to get packing!
Disclaimer: Legal information is not the same equally legal advice. Although we practice our absolute best to provide legal information that is both useful and accurate, we recommend consulting with a lawyer if you need actual legal advice.
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Source: https://www.tourepublic.com/blog/how-to-travel-to-cuba/
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