Can I Travel to Cuba? Here's What You Need to Know

First things first — can Americans travel to Cuba during the coronavirus pandemic?

Technically, yes.

But there are definitely some things that all travelers should keep in mind right now. At the moment, coronavirus cases in Cuba are high. They've been climbing since November 2020.

Cuba is currently working on its own vaccine, which it hopes to use to beat back the tide of new infections. 

That being said, yes, Cuba is open for travel — even for Americans. But entry rules depend on whether or not you've been vaccinated. 

• Vaccinated travelers can enter Cuba without a negative PCR test. 
• Unvaccinated travelers will need to present a negative PCR test no more than 72 hours old. 
• All travelers are subject to random testing upon arrival. 

Plus, Americans will have to follow a few other rules to make sure that their trip to Cuba is legal. Read on below to learn what Americans need to do to travel to Cuba with a US passport. 

--

Curious to learn more about the history of Cuba travel? Check out Yesterday in Travel, a podcast sponsored by ViaHero. One recent show covered President Obama's 2016 trip to Havana and what it meant for American travelers:

You can download more episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

There are 11 categories of approved travel to Cuba for Americans, all of which allow you to travel to Cuba legally. 

• To travel under any one of the 11 categories, including the Support for the Cuban People category (the most popular) you simply need to declare that category when booking flights and lodging (as well as during re-entry into the US).
• To travel legally, make sure to adhere to the requirements of that category.

Most people plan trips under the Support for the Cuban People category

The Support for the Cuban People category is the most common category for independent travel to Cuba. Under this category, you must adhere to a full-time schedule of activities that support the Cuban people. 

• Activities that "support the Cuban people" can range from eating in privately-owned restaurants, to visiting local artists, to spending money in locally-owned businesses, to staying at casas particulares. 
• Under Support for the Cuban People, you also need to avoid staying at hotels banned by the US State Department and spending money at military-owned businesses. 
• You must keep all of your records and receipts for 5 years.
• Wondering how to create a full-time schedule of Support for the Cuban People activities? Have one of our Cuban locals plan your personalized trip. They'll include tons of insider recommendations and hidden gems, plus all the stuff you already wanted to do and see in Cuba, all while adhering to the requirements of Support for the Cuban People

Remember: You can no longer travel under the People to People category or take cruises to Cuba

As of June 5th 2019, travelers can no longer travel to Cuba under the “People to People” category (which was primarily used by guided tour companies and cruise lines). This 12th category of travel focused on educational activities that put the traveler in contact with the Cuban people. Additionally, you can no longer plan cruises to Cuba under the June 2019 regulations. Prior to this restriction, travelers could take shore excursions as long as they didn't spend any Cuban currency at military-run businesses.

What if I have existing People to People or cruise plans?

If you have existing plans to travel to Cuba that were arranged before June 5, 2019, you can still travel to Cuba without making any changes to your plans. 

Regardless of which Category of Legal Travel you choose, you will still need to buy a Cuban Tourist Card to enter Cuba (not actually a visa, though the two words are sometimes used interchangeably). This is a Cuban government requirement, and has nothing to do with the 11 Categories of Legal Travel required by the US Government.  If you're traveling from the US, this card is pink. If you are traveling from outside the US, this card is green. There are several ways to purchase a Cuban Tourist Card:

1. The easiest way to get your Cuban Tourist Card is online in advance through sites like Cuba Visa Services (for pink cards) or Easy Tourist Card (for green cards). Buying your Tourist Card ahead of time means you won’t be waiting until the last minute to secure your necessary documentation.
2. If you're flying to Cuba, you can also purchase your Tourist Card from your airline. Check with your airline for more information regarding pricing and where to purchase.
3. Visit your country's Cuban Embassy. Prices vary depending on the embassy/consulate.

For more info on new regulations, here is the Fact Sheet the Department of the Treasury distributed on June 4, 2019. 

Bookmark this page to stay up to date on Cuba travel policy. Or, ask someone who knows best—our Cuban trip planners are experts on all things Cuba. Message one today!