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What Do I Need to Travel to Cuba?

by J. Clark

Overview

Tourism is one of Cuba's main sources of income. According to Reuters, the country attracted 2.3 million foreign tourists and US$2.5 billion in revenue in 2008. Therefore, it is in the government's interest to make the process of traveling to the island nation as painless as possible. In fact, the Lonely Planet travelers' website says, "For a country with such a fearsome reputation as a communist prison, Cuba's a very straightforward place to enter." Even so, it is still important to understand certain procedures and regulations before traveling there.

A view of the Plaza Vieja in Havana, Cuba
Passport

All foreign visitors must have a valid passport from their home nation to enter Cuba. No foreigner may enter on a passport that will expire within six months of the date of arrival.

Plane Ticket

Visitors to Cuba must have proof of a return flight before they are allowed to enter the country, so flight reservations should always be round-trip. Because of the U.S. travel ban to Cuba, U.S. airlines do not offer commercial flights to the island. But there are plenty of major international airlines that do, including Air Canada, Air France and Virgin Atlantic. Cuba's national airline, Cubana de Aviación, also offers flights from airports around the world.
Hotel Reservation

Travelers must fill out a tourist card before entering Cuba, which requires a local address. Therefore, visitors should have a reservation for at least their first night at a hotel or licensed "casa particular," a private home registered as a guesthouse. Guidebooks are a good source of hotel information, as are websites like www.cubahotelreservation.com and www.cubahotels.net. The website www.casaparticular.info has detailed information on guesthouses. However, some travelers may feel more comfortable working with a travel agency, which can book a package trip including airfare and lodging.
Tourist Card

The tourist card allows you a 30-day stay in Cuba. It costs approximately US$25 and can be purchased at your airline's desk or through your travel agency. The tourist card can be extended for an additional 30 days once you're in Cuba. According to the Cuban Oficina Nacional de Información Turística, or National Tourist Information Office, "If you wish to extend your stay, direct yourself to the offices of Inmigración y Extranjería (immigration office) prior to the expiration of the visa in order to apply for the extension." Immigration offices are located in the following cities: Baracoa, Havana, Santa Clara, Santiago de Cuba, Trinidad and Viñales.
Departing

You must present your tourist card upon departure or face a fine of approximately US$25. There is also a departure tax of approximately US$25 payable in cash only at the airport.
U.S. Citizens

Most U.S. citizens are barred from visiting Cuba since a government embargo on the island nation was expanded in 1962; violators face fines of up to US$10,000. (Cuban-Americans visiting family members are one exception.) Even so, some Americans work around the restriction by first traveling to another country, such as Canada or Mexico, and then traveling to Cuba. According to Lonely Planet, "Unlicensed U.S. visitors buy their tourist card at the airline desk in the country through which they're traveling to Cuba; they are welcomed in the country like any other tourist."