ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR US TRAVELERS TO CUBA
Developed especially for our Hosted In Havana and Airbnb clients for the 2021-22 season.

USA REGULATIONS & CUBA TRAVEL
• Overview
It has never been illegal to travel to Cuba. The 45+ year US-Cuba embargo sanctions only restrict financial transactions and state that Americans and American businesses are not allowed to spend money or do business in Cuba.

Officially tourism is not allowed by the US government, but travelers with an itinerary of activities under the “support for the Cuban people” visa category are encouraged. The intent of this visa category is to promote engagement with the private sector in Cuba and to discourage support to institutions and travel services of the Cuban government.

To quality for this category individuals or groups need to:
1) Engage in a full-time schedule of activities that result in meaningful interaction with individuals and support for civil society in Cuba.

Examples of supporting Cuban civil society include:
• hiring the services of self-employed individuals with expertize in Cuba culture
• lodging in private homes
• eating at privately owned restaurants
• using privately owned transportation services
• shopping at stores run by self-employed Cubans

2) Ensure travel activities are with individuals and/or non-governmental organizations that promote independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba.

3) Avoid staying at hotels banned by the U.S. State Department.

To review the official regulations for the “support for the Cuban people” visa category go to this Cuba sanctions page of the US Office of Foreign Assets Control.

CUBA TRAVEL - 4 STEP PROCESS
1) Search on the web for US airlines (Jetblue, American, Southwest) offering round trip fares to Havana from your departure city. Google Flights

2) Purchase your flight and select when purchasing "support for the Cuban people" as your travel category.

3) Purchase a travel visa by mail or through your airline.

4) Fill out and present this Cuba required online travel form for entering and leaving Cuba.

MONEY
• Bring all cash in USD or Euros. Because of embargo sanctions, US credit cards or travelers checks do not function in Cuba. USD can only be used on the informal market.

• For travel expenses (excluding lodging) budget $75-$100/person per day for meals, transportation, entry fees, and misc. expenses. It is important to bring an extra $300-$500 in cash for emergencies.

PASSPORTS
• Passports need to be valid at least six months ahead of the expiration date. To avoid carrying your passport and possibly losing it, take a photo of the first page with your mobile phone, or make a color copy and carry that as I.D.

ARRIVAL IN CUBA

• If you are a Hosted in Havana client or have otherwise requested airport pickup, one of our staff-guides will meet your party at the exit of the customs-baggage claim area. The guide will be displaying a sign with your group leaders name. The guide will then help with changing currency and escort your group to a private car for the 20 minute trip to Havana.

• With no pickup service travelers can use an airport taxi. The ride should cost no more then 25 USD. Travelers can direct taxi drivers to the accommodation by showing them the address written down. If the accommodation is inside an apartment building, travelers should ask their taxi driver to alert the apartment owner-manager about your arrival using their mobile phone.

WHAT TO BRING
Bring EVERYTHING you need or normally use in daily life, as getting those things in Cuba can be difficult to purchase and/or expensive.
Other suggestions include:
• Small first aid kit: band-aids, pain pills, antibacterial ointment
• Sun protection: sunscreen, hats, bandana, sunglasses, umbrellas for rain and sun
• Food: packaged snacks, power bars, teas
• Clothes: light clothes for warm humid weather, sweater or light jacket in winter, nice outfits for going out on the town, good walking shoes
• Gifts: clothes, coffee, perfume, pens, lotions, soap, razors, hats, usb memory, beauty products, costume jewelry

Not To Bring
These items are highly illegal in Cuba with strict penalties and sometimes jail time: hard drugs & marijuana, satellite GPS, drones, pornography.

WATER & FOOD
Travelers should drink only bottled water or boil their water. Street water is fine for bathing. Use bottled or boiled water for brushing your teeth. Most restaurants that cater to tourists use bottled water. Fresh vegetables and meats are readily available from local open-air produce markets.

INTERNET ACCESS & MOBILE & VPN
Because of government policies, Cuba is one of the most limited countries in the world for Internet access. Access is available at most large hotels using on site computers or your own laptop or smart phone connecting with the hotel Wifi. There are also public Wifi hot spots at in many public parks and street locations. Wifi Internet access is obtained by using "Nauta" prepaid cards with access codes. These cards can be purchased at Etecsa offices or near Wifi hot spots where there are often locals selling the cards at a higher price. To access certain US websites like banks and online stores it is important to have a VPN proxy on your mobile and install it before coming to Cuba.

CASA & STREET SECURITY
• Because of a strong military government presence and the civil nature of the population, Cuba is one of the safest places in the world. Guns and drugs are highly illegal. But as in most places there is still is a certain amount of theft in the streets especially targeted toward tourists. Be careful when displaying expensive cameras or camera bags. Do not carry anything on your person that would be hard to replace such as credit cards, drivers license, or other important items.

• Your valuables will be safe in your locked room. Casa owners and their staff are generally trustworthy people. As state licensed business owners, it is in their best interest that nothing bad happens to you or your things. Travelers are advised not to allow people you do not know well into your casa or room.