Cuba travel tips for Americans

Planning a trip to Cuba from the United States is possible, but it can present certain challenges due to government restrictions that limit direct travel for tourist purposes. In this article we go over those crucial details you need to know to make your trip a reality, including the documents needed and how to navigate the regulations. The travel tips to Cuba as an American that we’ll share here are designed to ease the preparation process for you, ensuring that you’re well-informed and ready to explore the rich culture and history of this wonderful Caribbean island.

From understanding the categories authorized by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to preparing your itinerary in compliance with these regulations, preparing for your trip to Cuba from the U.S. requires attention to detail. In addition, we’ll offer practical recommendations on important aspects such as travel insurance, local currency, and must-try dishes. Are you ready to dive into the Cuban adventure?

1. Apply for a travel authorization from one of the 12 categories

To travel to Cuba from the U.S. you must take into account on the one hand the documentation that the Cuban government will require, such as the visa, and on the other hand the documentation required by the U.S. government to approve the trip. We begin by explaining the second point.

The United States, through the Cuban Assets Control Regulation established on July 8, 1963, prohibits U.S. citizens from engaging in travel for tourism purposes to Cuba. Fortunately, the regulations have been loosened. And today, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) allows travel to Cuba as long as it is justified within one of the twelve categories allowed by the legislation.

These are the available travel categories:

• Family Visits: authorizes Americans to travel to Cuba to meet immediate family members. This includes blood relations, marriage, or adoption, with no more than three degrees of kinship separation.
• Governmental Missions: allows travel for diplomatic or governmental purposes, including international negotiations and conferences, strengthening dialogue and collaboration.
• Journalism: aimed at journalists for reporting or news coverage in the country.
• Professional Research: encourages trips to conduct research or attend scientific conferences, contributing to academic exchange in fields such as science or medicine.
• Education: facilitates participation in approved educational programs or learning activities sponsored by educational institutions.
• Religion: for those who are traveling for spiritual or religious purposes, including participation in religious community activities.
• Culture and Sports: enables attendance or participation in cultural and sporting events, promoting cultural exchange.
• Support to the Cuban People: allows travel oriented to humanitarian support and strengthening of civil society, with some flexibility in its interpretation to facilitate exchange with the local population. Here we tell you how to apply for it: How to obtain the Support to the Cuban People permit to travel to Cuba?
• Humanitarian Projects: focused on travel to participate in aid projects in areas such as health, education or environment in situations of need. Find out more here: How to obtain permission to enter Cuba under the Humanitarian Projects category
• Private Foundations and Educational Research: supports collaboration and exchange between educational entities and non-profit organizations to promote education and research.
• Information Exchange: justifies travel for the purpose of sharing knowledge or informational material at conferences or similar events.
• Authorized Trade: related to the commercial exchange of permitted products and services between both countries.

The most common categories to justify tourist trips are Support to the Cuban People and Humanitarian Projects. In this post we tell you more about each category and how to process the authorization: 12 legal travel categories for Cuba.

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.

2. How to apply for a visa to travel from the USA?

To travel to Cuba from the United States for tourism purposes it is necessary to apply for the Pink Visa, a visa exclusively for travelers arriving from U.S. airports. If you are traveling from any other airport in the world (even if you are a U.S. citizen), you can apply for the normal visa, the Green Visa, which costs 35€ or $37.

The Pink Visa costs 95€ or 100$ and is valid for stays of up to 90 days, with a possible extension. And it is valid for 6 months from the date of issue. The simplest option to process it is on the official website. But you can also do it through travel agencies or when buying your plane ticket, as some airlines offer this extra service. The processing usually takes between one week and 3 days. But it is advisable to request it two or three weeks in advance.

At the time of visa application you will need to prepare these documents:

• Passport: you must provide the passport number, the issue and expiration dates, and the country that issued it. You need to attach an image of the first page of your passport.
• Personal details: you will fill in a form with your personal details, which include your full name, contact numbers (landline and cell phone) and your email address.
• Employment information: although not a requirement, you will be asked to provide details about your current employment, such as company phone, fax and email.
• Details of your trip: you must provide specific information about your trip, such as your departure and return dates, the country and airport of departure, and the airline you will be traveling with. A requirement is to add an image of your round-trip ticket.
• Accommodation: you need to detail the duration of your stay, as well as the name and address of your place of accommodation, including the municipality and province. You must attach a confirmation of your hotel reservation.

If you want to know more about visas to travel to Cuba from the U.S. we encourage you to read on in this post: Visas to travel to Cuba for U.S. citizens.

3. Money tips for traveling to Cuba as an American citizen

The official currency in Cuba is the Cuban Peso (CUP), which is used in all everyday transactions. Although some stores also accept euros or dollars. However, you should keep in mind that you are not allowed to enter or leave the country with more than $5,000 (or equivalent in another currency). If you were to carry more money you would have to declare it at customs.

You can change money at the airport and hotels. But it is best to change money at the CADECAS, the official exchange houses and avoid unofficial exchange houses to avoid inconveniences.

Although it is generally possible to pay by credit and debit card, Americans face additional challenges, since credit and debit cards issued by U.S. banks are generally not accepted in Cuba, or at least at businesses on the prohibited entities list issued by the U.S. government. Therefore, one tip for traveling to Cuba as an American is to carry enough cash, preferably in euros or pounds sterling, to avoid unfavorable exchange rates. Another alternative is to request the MLC card at the CADECAS, with which you can withdraw money directly from ATMs.

In this post we delve into these topics and give you other information such as the recommended tip or the approximate budget for your trip: How much money can I bring on my trip to Cuba?

4. What is the best time to travel to Cuba from the United States?

The best time to visit Cuba from the United States is between November and April. During these months, the weather is cooler and drier, making it ideal for exploring the island and enjoying its beaches without the intense heat or torrential rains typical of summer.

It’s also possible to travel the rest of the year, but you risk coinciding with hurricane season, which runs from June to November.

5. How to get to and around Cuba? Follow these travel tips to Cuba as an American

Arriving in Cuba from the United States generally involves flying directly to Havana or to other major airports such as Varadero, Santa Clara, and Holguin. Despite travel restrictions, several airlines operate direct flights, such as American Airlines, JetBlue, Delta Airlines, or United Airlines.

Once at Havana Airport, you can reach your destination by transfer hired through the hotel or by taxi. It takes between 30 and 40 minutes to the city center and costs between 20 and 20 CUP.

Once in Cuba, getting around the island can be done in several ways. Cabs and rental cars offer flexibility to explore at your own pace, though it’s important to arrange rates in advance with cabs and book rental vehicles well in advance. For longer distances, domestic flights are a quick option and Viazul and Astro buses are inexpensive and connect major cities and tourist destinations, although it is advisable to purchase tickets in advance. And if you want to live an authentic Cuban experience, you can opt for the colectivos, shared cabs that travel within the city and between cities.

6. Where and what to eat in Cuba

Cuban cuisine is a delicious fusion of its own identity and Spanish, African and Caribbean influences, which gives rise to a myriad of delicious dishes like the ones we tell you about below:

• Ropa Vieja: meat larded with vegetables, served with white rice and tostones, an emblem of the Cuban cuisine.
• Vaca Frita: beef larded and fried, accompanied by rice and fried plantains.
• Ajiaco: thick broth with pork or beef, corn, cassava and other vegetables, typical of special occasions.
• Moros y Cristianos: black beans mixed with white rice, classic accompaniment to many dishes.
• Caldosa: broth with different types of meat and vegetables, popular in cederista feasts.
• Cuban sandwich: Cuban bread with roast pork, ham, mustard, Swiss cheese and pickles.
• Picadillo a la Criolla: minced beef and pork with tomato, chili, onions and garlic, often with olives or raisins.
• Quimbombó: green pods cooked with meat or vegetables, served in a variety of ways.
• Yucca with Mojo: yucca boiled with olive oil, lime juice, salt and garlic.
• Rabo Encendido: Cuban “Rabo de toro” with spices and hot chili, typical of Guantanamo.
• Tamal en Hojas o en Cazuela: tender corn ground with pork meat and sofrito, served in leaves or casserole.

If you are a food lover we encourage you to continue reading in this post: Typical food in Cuba: What and where to eat?

7. Take out travel insurance

Hiring travel insurance for Cuba is crucial not only for the peace of mind and security coverage it provides, but also because it is a mandatory requirement for entry into Cuba.

This type of insurance guarantees protection against medical needs, which can be quite expensive for tourists, and offers continuous assistance, available 24 hours a day, which is vital in case of emergencies.

Beyond medical care, travel insurance also covers eventualities such as cancellation of flights and accommodation, providing peace of mind in times of uncertainty. It also includes support in critical situations, such as natural disasters or flight complications, facilitating evacuation if necessary.

And additionally, it covers loss or theft of personal belongings, such as luggage and valuables. We always travel with Mondo insurance, but there are many other companies. First of all it is essential to review the insurance terms in detail and choose the one that covers the activities planned for the trip for a safe and secure stay in Cuba.

8. Other travel tips to Cuba as an American

• Before you leave for Cuba, be sure to keep in mind the essential information we’ve shared in this article
• The currency used in Cuba is the Cuban peso.
• Although Spanish is the predominant language, English is also widely understood.
• It is advisable to carry a first aid kit with essential medicines, due to possible shortages in pharmacies.
• Remember that credit and debit cards issued by U.S. banks are not accepted in Cuba. Therefore, it is necessary to carry cash to exchange into the local currency.
• Hedge against medical emergencies with mandatory travel insurance. Choose a good travel insurance, such as Mondo.
• To avoid health problems, consume only bottled water
• Sun protection is a must, along with appropriate clothing for the heat that also protects you from sun exposure, and staying well hydrated is vital.
• Keep your travel documents always accessible.
• Another tip for traveling to Cuba as an American is that you should keep all receipts for your expenses in Cuba for a period of 5 years.

9. How to organize a trip to Cuba

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travelers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Check out important information for traveling to Cuba and necessary documents.
• Organize your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or typology (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so that they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
• Add the stops that most interest you, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodations, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app to always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documents…
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travelers with your experience. In addition, you will be able to share travel tips to Cuba as an American citizen.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

10. Frequently asked questions about important information for traveling to Cuba