Frequently Asked Questions

New Regulations take place June 5, 2019 and can be found here: Cuba Travel Restrictions

OFAC has issued general licenses within the 12 categories of authorized travel for many travel- related transactions to, from, or within Cuba that previously required a specific license (i.e., an application and a case-by-case determination).  Travel-related transactions are permitted by general license for certain travel related to the following activities, subject to the criteria and conditions in each general license.

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1. Who can travel to Cuba?
In order to travel to Cuba, you must go under one of the 12 licensed categories.
The 12 licensed categories include:

• Visiting family
• Humanitarian projects or to provide support to the Cuban people
• Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
• Journalistic activities
• Professional research and professional meetings
• Support for the Cuban people
• Educational activities by persons at academic institutions
• Religious activities
• Public performance, clinics, workshops, athletic or other competitions and exhibitions
• Humanitarian projects
• Activities of private foundations, research or educational institutes
• Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials; and certain authorized export transactions.

2. What documents do I need to travel to Cuba?

• Passport, OFAC License Affidavit and Visa (See 12 OFAC categories and Visa for more information on both), Health form and Customs Form filled out correctly and signed by the client accordingly. A $25 USD will be charge to your air ticket to cover your health insurance. At gate area, the airline clerk will check your documents to ensure it's correct and stamp your boarding pass with proof of health insurance. You should keep your boarding pass along with a copy of your passport at all times while in Cuba.

3. Any requirements I should be aware of?

• Keep your day-to-day activity itinerary to avoid any issues with US Government upon your return to the U.S.
• Keep a copy of your passport as a form of ID and leave your actual passport in a safety box in your hotel – you will only need it in Cuba if you need to exchange money/accept money wire transfers.
• Hold on to the second half of your visa (Cuban customs will keep the other part) in case you are asked for it later (although it rarely happens).

4. Is there a departure tax on my return flight back to the U.S?

• The $25 CUC airport tax is INCLUDED in the ticket price when purchased before you travel to Cuba.

5. I was born in Cuba, can I go and what kind of visa do I apply for?

• Yes, you can go to Cuba. All people born in Cuba, regardless of your current nationality to be Cuban citizens. You will need either a valid Cuban passport or HE-11 visa before entering Cuba if you were born in Cuba and left Cuba before December 31, 1970. If you were born in Cuba and exited Cuba after January 1, 1971, you will need to obtain a Cuban passport regardless of holding US citizenship and a US passport. You don’t have the option of applying for an HE-11 visa.

6. I have a Cuban passport, do I need to apply for a Visa?

• No, if you have a valid passport with a ‘habilitación’ and valid prórroga, you won’t need to obtain a visa prior to entering Cuba. Your Cuban passport has a validity of six (6) years, but a prórroga must be obtained every two years in order to keep it valid until the expiration date. A ‘habilitación’ is an entry permit stamped on Cuban passports for Cubans who have emigrated to the United States or to another country. A request for an ‘habilitación’ needs to be made only once for Cubans who have left Cuba to emigrate and for those who left Cuba for tourism or any other reason and have not returned to Cuba for at least 24 months. As of January 2018, when renewing or obtaining new Cuban passports there is no need to ad the ‘habilitación.’

7. Can I use my Global Entry benefits with my Cuba flight?

• Yes, Global Entry may be utilized at all international terminals regardless of what country the traveler is coming from. (Please note this doesn’t apply to airports in Cuba).

8. Do I have to arrive 4 hours prior to departure for check-in?

• That is the time requested for international flights check in to avoid long lines and gates close 1 hour prior to departure.

9. Can I purchase my visa at the airport on the day of my flight?

• We recommend purchasing your visa prior to your travel date in order to ensure you have all required travel documents and to avoid any delays. You may purchase your visa at the Cuba Travel Services kiosk on the day of your flight depending on the departing city. Check with your airline to see if visas are available for purchase on the day of your flight. Price and availability may vary.

10. I am an International citizen residing/flying out of the US. Do I also need to register under one of the 12 OFAC categories and purchase a Visa?

• Everyone traveling from the US to Cuba, Including International citizens residing in the US/ flying out of the US, must self-qualify under one of the 12 licensed categories of authorized travel and have a Visa. You can familiarize yourself with the categories on question number one.
• Once you have familiarized yourself with the categories, you can visit: Resource Center to learn more about  how qualify to travel to Cuba.
• Visa is only valid for 30 days. Hold on to the second half of your visa (Cuban customs will keep the other part) in case you are asked for it later (although it rarely happens).

11. How safe is Cuba?

• Though Cuba is generally a very safe place to travel (more than other parts of the world), it is always best to watch your belongings and beware of pick-pocketers and purse-snatchers. We recommend leaving your valuables, including passport*, in a safe and only carry what you need for that day. Contact your casa about Safety Deposit Boxes they may provide. Having a TSA-approved lock for your luggage is also recommendable. You do not need to carry your passport everywhere with you; a copy of the passport should sufficient for ID purposes. However, you will need your passport for exchanging of currency.

12. Can you convert CUC to US Dollar upon return?

• Yes, keep in mind a conversion fee may apply.

13. How much money should I bring to Cuba?

• We recommend to budget at least 100 convertible pesos per day (about $100 US dollars). This amount will cover standard meals and evening entertainment, as well as transportation costs. You may spend more but if you are mindful of where you eat and what transportation modes you use, you can easily spend less (i.e. touring around the city in a classic car is more costly). You’ll probably want to budget more if you’re considering buying gifts such as cigars and rum as well as partaking in several excursions/activities.

14. What is the Currency in Cuba?

• The national currency is the Cuban Peso, CUP. The legal currency for ALL TOURISTS is the Cuban Convertible Peso, CUC. It’s what you exchange your foreign currency for and make all your purchases with it in Cuba. Most tourists will only ever deal with CUC. However, when eating at some places, they will give you the option to pay in CUC, USD, Euros or CUP depending on what currency you would have with you. For international exchange purposes 1.00 Cuban Convertible Peso = $1.00 USD. Note that there is a 13% penalty charged when exchanging USA dollars cash, so, you will only receive 87 centavos CUC for one USA dollar when changing the money, allowing for the 13% interest.

15. How and where do I exchange money in Cuba?

• You can exchange USD for CUC at the airport, most hotels, exchange bureau centers and some banks. The current fee for exchanging is 13%, i.e. for $100 USD, you will get $87 CUC. The fee is the same no matter where you exchange your currency. You will need your passport to exchange money. In Cuba, they will not accept bills that are torn or written on when exchanging into CUC. When exchanging money into CUC, try to get small denominations to make purchases easier, as many places (little stores, bars, and restaurants do not always have the possibility to break down larger notes for you). We suggest that you do not use Travelers Checks because they are not insured and may not be accepted. Therefore it is essential to travel with enough cash during your entire stay in Cuba. There are small locations called ‘Cadecas’ where you can also exchange money.

16. Can I use my Credit Card in Cuba?

• No yet! US-issued credit cards, debit cards, and ATM cards were not previously usable in Cuba; this is changing with new regulations and more and more places will start to accept these for purchases or withdrawals. It is advisable to bring cash in order to make any purchases in Cuba or pay for most services in advance. Most places will not take USD, so you must exchange currency upon arriving. Tips, however, can be given in any currency.

17. Tipping in Cuba

• Considering that the average Cuban monthly salary is $25, tipping is expected and appreciated.

18. Who do I contact in case of an emergency?

• In case you have an emergency and need assistance, and you are a US Citizen or resident, you may contact the US Embassy while there. Otherwise, please contact your corresponding embassy or consulate. If you need to call the police while there, you will want to dial 106 from a local telephone for any emergency. You can also dial 104 for an ambulance and 105 for the fire department. You will not find an English-speaking person that answers those emergency lines.
• U.S. Embassy contact information:
  Calzada between L & M Streets, Vedado, Havana
  Main switchboard (53) (7) 839-4100
  Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed on U.S. and Cuban Holidays)
  Emergencies/After Hours: call the main switchboard at (+53) (7)-831-4100, dial 1 to speak with the emergency operator. If you get into trouble in Cuba (financial, medical etc.) and in dire need, then we suggest you contact Asistur (Assistance to Tourists). Office locations, phone numbers, and fees for this company can be found here: Asistur
• We recommend printing out a list of all emergency contacts, the hostal /casa numbers, and addresses to have it handy in case of an emergency

19. How is the weather in Cuba?

• Cuba offers a hot and sunny tropical climate with two distinct seasons. The dry season runs from November to April. The wet season begins in May and runs until November. Keep in mind that it may rains at any time, so it is wise always to have rain gear when traveling to Cuba. The temperatures in Cuba can range from the 60’s during the wet season (though not very common) to the 90’s during the dry season. It is common to have AC in restaurants, hotels, and other indoor facilities. Keep in mind that not all places have AC in Cuba. Bring insect repellent as the tropical weather also means a lot of mosquitos at dusk and at dawn. Be aware that there is a risk of hurricanes from June to November with September and October being the most threatening months.

20. Is there Internet access in Cuba?

• Wi-Fi is not available throughout Cuba except at some Wi-Fi spots and hotels. Most hotels also have a business center with computer, with limited hours, where internet service is available. Charges can be up to 12 CUC per hour depending on the hotel. Because of the limited technology in Cuba, it is not uncommon to have internet outages. There are now specific Wi-Fi hotspots throughout public areas, and a card must be purchased for access.

21. Will my cell phone, smart-phone or PDA device work in Cuba?

• Your U.S. cell phone, texting, and a smart-phone based Internet will not work in Cuba unless you have a Verizon Wireless international plan to Cuba but that doesn’t warrant that it’ll operate. Any phone calls may be placed from a guest room in a hotel. Inquire about rates before placing calls, as they are generally very expensive and must be paid for in cash. Also, please note that satellite phones, as well as the physical GPS devices, are not allowed in Cuba. This restriction doesn’t apply to the GPS on your cell phones as they won’t work while in Cuba.

22. What is the electric capability in Cuba?

• Electric Current: Cuba has the same Electric standards as in the US: 110V, though it is common to find both 110 and 220 in the more modern hotels in Cuba. It is advisable to bring a converter if your electronics are not travel-ready (105-240 V).
• Outages: Though many hotels are well equipped, in Cuba it is possible to experience temporary power outages due to limited resources on the island. Though this seems to be happening less frequently in the past few years.

23. When is the best time to visit?

• To enjoy the hot and sunny tropical weather that Cuba offers, you can visit between November and April. The peak tourist season runs roughly from mid-December to mid-March and all of July and August. We advise booking your casa or hotels well in advance since they tend to book quickly during peak season. Be aware that there is a risk of hurricanes from June to November with September and October being the most threatening months – Some resorts may only be partially open or shut down altogether due to hurricane risk.

24. How do I get there?

• You can book your flight reservation online with your preferred airline, or you can let us make the booking for you with Southwest airlines.
• Flight reservations are booked with commercial air carriers and are to be paid with any major credit card. Confirmation of your flight reservation will be sent via email.
• Once you have your flight reservation booked for Cuba, we’ll ask for your flight confirmation number to purchase your visa.

25. Do you arrange group travel?

• Yes, please call us at (615)412-9615 for additional information. We work on multiple types of group programs on the various licenses and have a dedicated group department to service your requests.

26. Do I need a Cuba tour guide?

• Yes, it is highly recommended as a tour guide can be very resourceful – A tour guide can provide cultural insight and help you navigate the island, as well as to assist you on any change of program or last-minute issue while in Cuba.

27. Do I need a Tour Director to accompany me from the USA to Cuba and back?

• A Tour Director will be an asset to the Cuba experience as they perform as the link between the company you are booking the trip with and the Cuban services provider to be able to guarantee the program is accomplished. Our company can provide you with outstanding Tour Manager for your trip.

28. How long does it takes to travel from the Airport to the casa or hotel?

• It depends on the location of your casa or hotel. Typically from Havana Airport to Old Havana, it takes approximately 40 minutes in a car.

29. What’s the average pricing of a Taxi or transfers?

Depending on where you go, prices vary. A typical one-way trip will range between $15 – $30. Transfers from one city to another are pricier and can be done through Viazul. However, we provide the ground transportation in your package so you don’t have to worry about it. Our tour leader in Cuba will be waiting for you at the airport with a car to take you to your casa or hotel.