Can Americans Travel to Cuba?

Yes, you can travel to Cuba as a U.S. citizen. It’s surprisingly easier than we thought. There are some hoops to jump through, but it’s well worth the time and effort.

For U.S. citizens interested in planning a trip to Cuba, here’s what you need to know before you go.

Getting to Cuba

To travel to Cuba, you can easily book a flight with major airlines from your local airport, generally with one or two layovers. Alternatively, a quick search on Google Flights shows direct flights are available from Miami, New York, or Houston through Delta, American, United, and Jet Blue.

Travelers can only enter Cuba through specific airports, including Havana, Santa Clara, Varadero, and Holguin. We recommend flying through Havana (HAV), as you won’t want to miss this spectacular city.

Preparing for Your Trip

Even though traveling to Cuba with a US passport isn’t complicated, it is worthwhile to note that Americans will need to qualify for a Visa and take care of a few required items. Americans are not permitted to visit Cuba as a tourist or for tourist activities. However, don’t worry, there are 12 Approved Categories organized by the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) that allow you to travel to Cuba legally.

12 Approved Categories for Travel to Cuba

If you hold an American passport, you can travel to Cuba under one of the 12 Approved Categories organized by the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

1. Family visits.
2. Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations.
3. Journalistic activity.
4. Professional research and professional meetings
5. Educational activities.
6. Religious activities.
7. Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions
8. Support for the Cuban people.
9. Humanitarian projects.
10. Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes.
11. Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials.
12. Certain authorized export transactions.

As you can see, many of the categories are vague and it’s easy to qualify. On the recommendation of a friend, and frequent traveler, we visited under the broad category “Support for the Cuban people” which felt like being a tourist.  

How to Qualify under “Support for the Cuban People”

When you say that you’re planning to travel to Cuba “in support of the Cuban people,” it means you plan to support small businesses or individuals through shopping, dining, touring, etc. rather than supporting government-run enterprises. There are many options and freedom to do what you want. Trust me, you won’t miss anything!

Here are just a few things we enjoyed during our trip that allowed us to qualify:

• Book your stay in an Airbnb or privately-owned apartment or rental home
• Take a tour in a classic American car with a driver and tour guide – you’ll see some fascinating sights you may not otherwise have visited.
• Take a free walking tour of old Havana (generous tips recommended).
• Eat in privately owned restaurants. There are many choices.
• Visit an art gallery or enjoy an evening at the Fábrica de Arte Cubano (a highlight of our trip).
• Shop for souvenirs

This list is not exhaustive and you can review some examples and will see that there is a lot left to interpretation.

US Passport Requirements

Having a valid passport is a must, as it is the most significant travel document that proves your identity and citizenship. You should ensure that your passport’s expiration date is at least six months from your planned return date. While the six-month departure expiration date is not required by the Cuban government, almost all airlines and cruise ships have this requirement and will refuse boarding if your passport does not meet this requirement.

What about my passport stamp?

Cuba has always welcomed U.S. travelers with open arms. Cuban immigration does not stamp U.S. passports, or any passport for that matter — instead, officers stamp the Cuban Tourist Card or Tourist Visa. If you want your passport stamped, ask the Immigration Officer on arrival. Most are willing to oblige

Other Essential Travel Documents

There are three additional items that you’ll need if you’re visiting Cuba: A visa, a QR code entry document, and health insurance.

Where can I obtain the Cuban Tourist Card or Travel Visa?

You have three options to secure your Cuban Tourist Card / Travel Visa…

1. Airport Departure Gate:  If you are flying from the USA, the U.S. air carrier will have these visas available for sale in the boarding area. Pricing varies between $50-$100 depending on the airline, but typically the cost is less than ordering it online since no shipping costs are incurred. This is the option we chose when flying Delta through Miami and it was a breeze. It’s important to check with your airline whether this option is available. It’s also legal to go through another country like Canada or Mexico. In that case, you should also be able to obtain visas at the airport.  
2. Purchase Online: Travelers can buy the Cuba Visa online and have it conveniently shipped to them ahead of their trip. Some travelers prefer to purchase the visa ahead of time online to avoid hassles or last-minute issues on departure day. Travelers arriving from the U.S. need a pink tourist card. This is offered through several online sources like https://www.easytouristcard.com/ or https://cubavisaservices.com/ and often through your airline’s website.
3. Through Travel Agents and Tour Operators: If you are using a travel agent or joining an organized tour, your agent or tour operator will often include the Cuba Tourist Visa in the total price. We recommend checking before departure to ensure you have everything you need.

QR Code

As of January 23, 2023, the Cuban government requires a digital customs declaration for travelers entering the country. This form, called D’ VIAJEROS, is intended to replace the old paper affidavit form passengers filled out. It is a simple form that asks for your flight number, airline carrier, and seat number, so have this information handy. Under the migration section, it will ask for “travel reason” and we selected “visit”. There are also some health questions, including whether we had a negative COVID-19 test or vaccine. If you have been vaccinated, note the type of vaccine received (i.e. Phizer, Moderna, etc.) The form includes customs declaration information.

48 hours before departure, complete the digital form. Every traveler fills out their own form, which took us about five minutes. Upon submission, you will see a screen that says “Form Completed” and “View PDF” with the option to view, save or print the document. Almost immediately, we received our QR Code via email. We took a screenshot on our phone and printed a hard copy. The airline will require you to show the QR Code prior to boarding. Upon arrival and on your way to Customs and Immigration, you will pass a table where they scan your QR code. This is to ensure you’re cleared to enter the country.

The form can be accessed here: D’Viajeros Advance Information of Travelers Form.    

Proof of Health / Medical Insurance

Don’t worry, it’s included in your airfare! When you search for flights to Cuba you will notice that all airfare is for Main Cabin. No Basic Economy options are available. This is because travel to Cuba requires special traveler health insurance coverage to enter the country. Fortunately, the airline sells insurance as part of your airfare.

When starting your research, you may read on the U.S. Embassy or Customs and Border Protection website that you need health insurance. As mentioned above, you already have it included in your airfare so you don’t have to worry about purchasing a special health plan.

During the boarding process, the Delta gate agent stamped our visa. We were never asked about our health insurance coverage once we arrived in Cuba. It appears that it’s understood that coverage is included when you purchase your ticket. Customs and Immigration officials did not need further proof.

Cash Rules in Cuba

US Credit Cards and US ATM Cards can NOT be used in Cuba. Before you leave for your trip, make sure you have enough cash on hand to cover all expenses. This includes meals, transportation, and entrance fees to attractions. 

The money situation in Cuba is complex.  The official currency is CUP – Peso Cubano. USD and EUR are also widely used, thanks to a recent change. As of April 10, 2023, all prohibitions on exchanging and depositing USD have been removed. Locals can now exchange USD for CUP and other foreign currencies and deposit USD into their bank accounts. This makes it easier for them to accept USD. These transactions were previously prohibited under June 2021 rules.

How much money do I need for my trip to Cuba?

We took $1500 for 2 people on a 6-day trip, and it was more than we needed. The amount needed will vary depending on your spending habits and travel style. If you pre-book and pay for your lodging and excursions online it will reduce the amount of cash you will need. Plan to have enough cash when you arrive to last for your entire trip. If you run out of cash, your only option may be to have funds wired to you. This is a nightmare and could take an entire day off your trip to handle. Bottom line – take more cash than you think you will need – worst case you come home with a few dollars in your pocket.

TIP: When bringing US dollars, it’s best to bring smaller bills of 1s, 5s, 10s, and 20s. We don’t recommend bringing too many bills above 50, if any.

Money Exchange

You can exchange USD for CUP (at the official government rate) at airports, banks, hotels, and exchange houses – called CADECA. The official exchange rate for the U.S. dollar to Cuban peso is $1 to 120 Cuban pesos and is set by the government. When changing USD, a 10% conversion fee will apply.

Many hotels have a money exchange desk, but it is not recommended due to inflated exchange fees. There are many unofficial (black market) money exchangers on the streets, which is illegal, and we highly advise against doing this. 

Credit Cards, ATM Cards and Cash Advances

As mentioned above, no US credit or debit card works in Cuba. If you have a credit or debit card linked to another country, it may be possible to use it in Cuba. However, this is still a risky choice. Remember that some cards from banks in other countries are affiliated with US banks so they may not work either. It is critical to check with your bank directly to ensure that it is not associated with a US financial institution. However, you still can NOT rely on this method for a cash advance or as a payment method. There are two common issues with credit and debit card usage in Cuba, even for locals:

1. Card readers don’t always function properly because they’re outdated, or they experience connectivity problems;
2. ATMs break down or run out of cash when withdrawing Cuban pesos. 

It’s wise to be prepared to deal ONLY in cash during your Cuba travels. 

TIP: You may be advised to get an MLC debit card when arriving in Cuba. We strongly discourage this card. It is offered by the Cuban government and works mainly at state-run businesses, which is not recommended when traveling on a Visa designation of “Support of the Cuban People.”

Will my cell phone work in Cuba?

The short answer – Maybe!

Based on our experience, don’t plan on using your cell phone during your visit. Think of this as an opportunity to escape the digital world. Traveling to Cuba is like traveling back in time, and the cellular service is no exception.

Etecsa is the governmental telephone and internet provider in Cuba, with a monopoly on both services on the island. According to the Federal Trade Commission, a U.S. mobile phone will work in Cuba if your mobile phone is capable of roaming in Cuba. In addition, your mobile service provider has an international roaming agreement with ETECSA, Cuba’s state-owned telecommunications provider. AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile have roaming agreements with ETECSA. Ask your mobile service provider about per-usage calling, data, and text rates. Cuba’s telecommunications market is ever-changing, so check with your service provider for the latest rates before traveling.

To avoid roaming fees, we recommend putting your phone in ‘airplane mode’ for your trip and using WiFi where available. More information on WiFi is below.

Calling the United States from a mobile phone in Cuba

To call the United States from Cuba using a mobile phone – dial 119, then 1, followed by the ten-digit area code and phone number.

Is WiFi available in Cuba?

Yes, but don’t get too excited. There are some key things to know.

1. There is no free WiFi in Cuba – you must purchase an internet card (Nauta – ETECSA) to access
2. Access to the internet in Cuba is restricted and censored by the government – remember this if you log on.
3. Queues to purchase an internet card can be lengthy. We waited 30 minutes and heard for more than 2 hours.
4. You must have your passport to purchase the card. 
5. Cuba is an excellent travel destination, but it is still a communist country.

Your Airbnb, VRBO, or Casa Particular may offer a free WiFi hotspot, but others may need an internet card to connect. Be prepared for slow or spotty internet service. This is not a reflection on your host, but rather an issue of connectivity in Cuba as a whole. During our trip, we purchased a 1-hour WiFi card to stay in touch with home. Ultimately, we embraced the opportunity to immerse ourselves in Cuban culture, be 100% present and spend time away from social networking, blogging, and emails!

Tip: Disconnect your card before closing all your browser windows or your cell phone. Otherwise, your internet card will stay connected and use minutes.

Is WiFi in Cuba Safe?

As in any country, when you log on to an unsecured internet connection you put yourself at risk of hacking.

Let’s Go

Traveling to Cuba can seem like a daunting task, but armed with the right information, it can be an exciting adventure. It’s a must-visit destination for any travel enthusiast.  There is so much to experience between the rich culture and stunning sights that this unique country offers.  Whether you’re looking to soak up the sun on a pristine beach or immerse yourself in the local history and traditions, Cuba has something for everyone.  So why wait?  Start planning your trip today and get ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime!