If you are preparing a trip to Cuba you should know that there are some restrictions that may affect you during your stay, especially if you are from the United States, where in addition to needing special authorisation, you will have many limitations. In this post, we tell you about all the restrictions to Cuba and give you some tips to make them affect you as little as possible.
We then discuss limitations such as the maximum permitted stay in Cuba, the limitation of cash you can take in and out of the country, or the restrictions on baggage. We also discuss specific restrictions for US travellers, who also have limited access to certain accommodations and shops, and the use of credit cards. Read carefully and start organising your trip to Cuba.
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Cuba Travel Restrictions
1. Maximum allowed stay in Cuba
As foreign visitors, our stay in Cuba will be limited to the number of days specified in our visa. Depending on the type of visa you apply for, you will be able to stay longer or shorter.
For example, with a tourist visa you can stay in the country for up to 90 days with the possibility of extending it for a further 30 days. Canadian citizens are allowed to extend their trip by 90 days on an exceptional basis.
If you need to stay in the country for longer stays, you’ll need to apply for a study, professional or other visa that best suits the purpose of your trip. In this post, you can read about all the visas for Cuba: Travel visas to Cuba from the United States.
2. Cash restrictions to Cuba
As a general rule, if you are travelling from Europe with more than €10,000 on you, you must declare it regardless of your destination country. However, this limit is lower in Cuba, regardless of your country of origin, where you must declare if you carry more than 5,000 Cuban pesos in cash or its equivalent in another currency.
On your departure from the country, you may not take with you more than 5,000 Cuban pesos or its equivalent in foreign currency. This cash limit (for both entry and exit) also applies to US citizens.
4. Baggage limitations
When packing for Cuba, the first thing to consider is the maximum weight allowance. Everyone travelling to Cuba is entitled to carry up to 30kg of luggage, split between hand luggage and checked baggage. In addition, there is the possibility of carrying an additional 10kg of medicines in their original boxes. If the baggage exceeds the maximum weight, you will have to pay for each extra kilo.
These are the criteria imposed by the country, but airlines can limit the weight below or decide to charge more for each extra kilo. That’s why it’s a good idea to check before you travel.
It is also forbidden to enter the country with certain items such as weapons, drugs and narcotics, psychotropic substances or hallucinogens, precursor substances, explosives or blood products.
It is also not permitted to carry literature, obscene or pornographic articles and objects.
5. Internet access in Cuba
In Cuba, you’ll find the best internet connection in hotels, but it’s also possible to access the internet from your mobile phone wherever you are. To do this, you’ll need to buy a Nauta card from an ETECSA shop. You’ll need your passport and cash.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Travel Restrictions from the United States
The US government does not allow travel for tourist purposes to Cuba for its citizens or anyone travelling from its airports due to the Cuban Assets Control Regulation imposed on 8 July 1963. This means that, if you are travelling from the United States or are an American, you will face certain restrictions on travel to Cuba. In this post, you can read in more detail how to organise your travel from the United States to Cuba: What do I need to travel to Cuba from the United States?
1. List of prohibited accommodations and businesses
Since travel to Cuba from the United States is not permitted for tourist purposes, the US government has created a list of all those businesses and restaurants that it considers to be for recreational purposes. Therefore, U.S. citizens will not be able to access these establishments listed in Cuba Restricted List (U.S. Department of State).
2. Restrictions for U.S. credit cards
Although in Cuba it is possible to use American credit cards, the truth is that there are many restrictions that do not make it easy. To begin with, they are only allowed to be used in establishments that do not appear on the list of restricted businesses and accommodations in Cuba. And even in those places where American cards are allowed, the fee can be high. So our recommendation is to carry cash, and if you intend to use a credit card, check with your bank about the extra costs.
3. Travel restrictions to Cuba from the US
In order to travel to Cuba from the United States, you will need an authorisation from the Office of Foreign Assets certifying that the purpose of your trip is not for tourism, but is covered by one of the 12 legal travel categories. These categories are:
- Family Visit
- Government Activity
- Journalistic activity
- Professional Research
- Educational Activities
- Religious Activities
- Cultural and Sporting Activities
- Support to the Cuban People
- Humanitarian Projects
- Private or Research Foundation Activities for Educational Institutes
- Exchange of Information or Information Material
- Authorised Export Activities
The “Support for the Cuban people” category can be considered the most flexible category used by many travellers to justify their trip. In this post, you can read more about the categories and how to get authorisation: 12 legal travel categories for Cuba.
4. Special visa for Cuba if you make a stopover in the United States
To travel to Cuba from any country in the world you’ll need a Green or Blue visa, except if you’re travelling from or making a stopover in the United States, where you’ll need to apply for a pink visa. The main difference is the price, which is higher for the pink visa. Otherwise, both visas are similar in terms of length of stay and the application process.
In this post, you can read more about the visa for travel from the United States and all the documentation you will need to cross the border: What do I need to travel to Cuba from the United States?
What else do I need to know before travelling to Cuba?
- The currency of Cuba is the Cuban peso.
- The official language is Spanish, but you will be able to communicate in English as well.
- Travel with a first-aid kit containing basic medicines, as there may be shortages in pharmacies.
- US credit and debit cards don’t work in Cuba; you’ll need to bring cash and exchange it for Cuban pesos.
- Don’t forget to pack light clothing, insect repellent and sunscreen in your luggage
- Cover yourself for medical emergencies: travel insured.
- Always drink bottled water.
- Wear sunscreen, especially in the summer months, as well as light but sun-protective clothing and stay hydrated.
- Always carry your travel documents with you.
- If you are a US citizen, you should keep all your tickets and receipts from Cuba for 5 years.
How to organise a trip to Cuba?
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
- Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
- Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information about the trip.
- Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
- Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums, etc.
- Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
- Save all your documents in the app so that you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
- Make any modifications you need, and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your own tips on travel restrictions to Cuba.
If you have any doubts about how to do this, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about travel restrictions to Cuba
You can take up to £10,000 with you, but you will need to declare it if it exceeds 5,000 Cuban pesos or its equivalent in another currency.
You can take up to 10kg of authorised medicines as long as they are in their original box.
As a tourist, the maximum time is 90 days, with the possibility of increasing it by 30 days. If you need to stay longer, you will need to apply for a non-tourist visa.
The US government itself prohibits travel for tourist purposes, so you will need to apply for an authorisation from the Office of Foreign Assets. You’ll also need a specific visa and be aware that many restaurants and shops are off-limits.
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