Travel to Cuba: What You Need To Know Before You Go

Are you looking for some guidance on traveling to Cuba? You’re in luck! In this blog Q&A, I’ll cover all the things you need to know before visiting Cuba.

Cuba should be a part of your cultural travel experiences. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be immersed in a vibrant culture that’s unlike anywhere else in the world. Cuba is known for its beautiful beaches, stunning landscapes, and rich history, making it a popular destination for tourists.

But there’s one caveat: traveling to Cuba is tricky for Americans.

Planning a trip to Cuba by yourself can be time-consuming, with many factors to consider, such as visas, accommodations, and transportation—not to mention, you need to be going under an approved reason for travel and have an itinerary that supports your claim should you ever get questioned.

Booking a group trip with me allows you to fully indulge in the beauty and culture of Cuba with ease while I handle all the logistics and ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible.

Is It Legal To Travel to Cuba?

Yes, it is legal for Americans to travel to Cuba under certain conditions. In 2014, the U.S. government eased restrictions on travel to Cuba for Americans, allowing for 12 categories of legal travel.*

These include family visits, educational activities, professional research, business meetings, public performances, and humanitarian projects, among others.

Travelers must present a valid reason for visiting Cuba and must keep records of their activities during their stay in Cuba to check compliance with U.S. regulations. This proof may be in the form of photos or itineraries.

For our group trip to Cuba, we travel under Support for the Cuban People. To meet the requirements of this category, travelers must abide by the rules by maintaining a full daily schedule of activities that directly support private Cuban businesses and individuals. We will stay in casa particulares (private accommodations), use private taxi drivers and guides, and dine in private restaurants (e.g. not run by the Government).  

If you’re all about culturally immersive travel experiences, then our Cuba group trip is the perfect way to visit Cuba in a legal, ethical way! All of our Cuba itineraries are created to 100% support the Cuban people, so you’ve got nothing to worry about.

*If you plan to travel to Cuba on your own, I highly recommend consulting a travel advisor to ensure compliance with rules and regulations.

Do I Need a Visa to Visit Cuba?

American citizens need a visa to travel to Cuba. A tourist card, or tarjeta del turista, permits travelers to stay in Cuba for up to 30 days.

U.S. citizens can either apply online or at the airport before their flight. Some airlines and cruise lines have the option to purchase a tourist card as part of their travel packages.

Our Cuba group trip already has a full itinerary and requirements for the trip included in the trip costs, and I help you every step of the way.

Obtaining your visa is the first step to making your transformational travel to Cuba a dream come true. 

Will I Get in Trouble for Visiting Cuba?

The short answer is, as long as you’re traveling under an approved reason and have the appropriate documentation to prove it, no, you won’t be in trouble for visiting Cuba.

As mentioned above, traveling to Cuba is legal for Americans as long as you’re traveling under an approved reason and are actually doing what you say you’re doing in Cuba.

It’s recommended you keep a detailed copy of your full itinerary, take photos of your trip, and keep receipts for five years beyond your trip in case you are ever questioned.

Better yet, skip all the complications and join my Cuba group trip— I’ll give you a full itinerary and photos that provide proof of your trip—plus, it will be the trip of a lifetime!

What Is the Banking System in Cuba?

For 25 years, Cuba operated with two currencies, the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) and the Cuban Peso (CUP), but now they rely solely on the CUP.

The banking system in Cuba is complicated, and for that reason, you need to bring lots of cash with you on your trip. You cannot exchange CUP outside of Cuba, so you also don’t want to exchange more than you need while you are there. Do not plan to get money from ATMs or banks while you’re there—credit and debit cards are rarely accepted.

Cuba and the US have a long and complicated relationship. As an outcome, the USA and any banks affiliated with them don’t encourage business opportunities within Cuba.

When making a payment to your provider, host or tour company who is taking you to Cuba, you need to ensure that you do not mention or write the word ‘CUBA’ (or any variations of the word) anywhere in the transaction.

This also means you should not write the word CUBA on any transactions via Venmo, Paypal, CashApp, etc.

Should I Bring Cash To Tip With, and What Currency?

Tipping is part of the Cuban culture and most restaurants, hotels, and other services expect tips from their customers. Feel free to tip in USD or Euros.

Make sure to add a 10% gratuity when dining out, but remember that some restaurants may automatically tack on a 5% gratuity. Taxi drivers can be tipped around $1 USD.

How Do You Get to Cuba?

Your route to Cuba highly depends on where you are traveling from. For instance, if you are traveling from Miami, New York, or Los Angeles, you can book American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, or United Airlines for direct flights to Cuba.

If you are traveling from outside the United States like Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand, you can use several international airports and see if they have any flights to Cuba available. Havana’s Jose Martin International Airport is the main gateway to the country, but there are also several other airports throughout the country that receive international flights.

When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Cuba?

Tourism in Cuba peaks from December to April. This is when the weather is sunny and has comfortable temperatures. However, this is also the busiest and most expensive time to visit as a result of larger crowds and higher prices for accommodations and activities. 

If you want to visit Cuba during its low seasons, go from May to November. The weather is warmer and more humid. There is occasional rain and chances of hurricanes during this season, but it is also the best time to find good deals on accommodations.

Make sure to research the weather and events happening in Cuba during your preferred time to make the best out of your cultural travel experience.

Can You Get Travel Insurance Coverage for Cuba?

Yes, you can get travel insurance coverage for Cuba, but it highly depends on the travel insurance policy offered. Choose an insurance policy that specifically covers your activities during your travel to Cuba.

Many travel insurance policies don’t include coverage for countries like Cuba, which are subject to U.S. economic sanctions. However, there are insurance companies like Wanderwell offering policies that cover medical coverage, trip cancellation and interruption, and emergency medical evacuation.

Many U.S. airlines, like Southwest, also provide health insurance as part of your flight purchase, so make sure to read the fine print and ensure you don’t already have it. Please note that this is just health insurance, which doesn’t protect your trip in case of cancellation, illness, travel and baggage delays, etc.

For more info on travel insurance and to read about my recommended travel insurance provider, click here.

What are the Must-sees in Havana?

There is so much to do in Havana and the outlying areas, so a separate blog post will be coming with all of my recommendations!

The Malecón is a famous seafront esplanade in Havana that stretches for eight kilometers along the coast. It starts from the harbor in Old Havana and ends at the Almendares River. Visit the Malecón to see its historical architecture from the early 20th century. You can also enjoy dancing, live music, and socializing with the Malecon’s vibrant nightlife.

Another place to visit is Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, one of the most significant cultural institutions in Cuba that are popular amongst tourists. Their Cuban art collection features works from the colonial era to modern times, including pieces from renowned artists such as Wifredo Lam and Amelia Peláez.

Don’t forget to check out the historic neighborhood of Old Havana. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to many of Havana’s most iconic landmarks, including the Plaza de la Catedral, the Plaza de Armas, and the Museo de la Revolución.

Can You Drink Tap Water?

Drinking tap water in Cuba may not be safe unless it is boiled or sanitized. While tap water is not toxic in Cuba, there may still be harmful bacteria present, and nobody wants that for their vacation. I recommend either drinking bottled water or better yet, bringing a water bottle with a built-in filter, such as LifeStraw.

Final Thoughts

If you’re interested in visiting Cuba and want to take advantage of a well-planned, stress-free group trip that makes travel to Cuba easy and accessible, I invite you to join my January 2024 Cuba trip. You can be sure that your trip will not only be one you’ll remember forever, but also leave a lasting impact on the local community.