How to Plan Cuba Travel Trips
If you’re thinking about taking a vacation to Cuba, you’re not alone. This Caribbean island nation is home to a population of more than thirty million, and a variety of travel opportunities are available to fit any budget. From Culinary to People-to-People trips, there’s something for everyone. Read on to learn about what’s available and how to plan your next trip.
People-to-People travel
While traditional tourism to Cuba is still prohibited in the United States, the Obama administration changed the regulations for travel there and opened the door for people-to-people travel. The goal of these trips is to promote cross-cultural relationships and exchange ideas. The regulations allow Americans to visit Cuba for up to 12 approved reasons, such as education, humanitarian projects, and family visits.
Travel to Cuba under this category is permitted only for groups sponsored by a US entity or a non-US organization. While this is a fun and exciting way to visit Cuba, the regulations for travel to Cuba are still strict and many international tour operators will not allow Americans to join them. However, specialized Cuba tour operators can help Americans get the necessary paperwork and travel legally to Cuba.
Getting a general license
Getting a general license for a Cuba travel trip is not an easy process. There are several requirements to fulfill. In the first place, you must be a U.S. citizen or have a valid passport. You also need to show specific records about your travel to the country. Having this license allows you to do more than just go on vacation to Cuba. It also allows you to participate in civic events and donate money to the Cuban government.
You should understand that you should not travel to Cuba if you are not a citizen of the United States. The Department of Treasury requires that all U.S. citizens traveling to Cuba participate in full-time activities. This will ensure that you can establish meaningful connections with Cuban people and support their civil society and independence from the Cuban government.
Getting a visa
If you’re planning a trip to Cuba, getting a visa is essential. You’ll need to have a valid passport valid for six months after the date you’re planning to visit Cuba. The first step in getting a Cuban visa is to find a Cuban embassy in your country. The embassy can provide you with all the necessary information and a visa application form. After completing the application, the embassy will send it to you by mail.
If you’re traveling to Cuba without a license from the OFAC, you’ll be banned from entering the country. It’s also important to know that you have health insurance for the area you’ll be visiting. This insurance will cost you about $25 and is required for all travelers. Cuban-born travelers also have special visa requirements.
Currency exchange
If you plan on using a foreign currency on your Cuba travel trip, make sure to exchange less than you need. This is not difficult to do, even if you only plan to use USD. For example, if you’re traveling to Cuba with a $1000 USD bill, you’ll be charged a surcharge of about 5% when you exchange dollars to CUP.
The official currency in Cuba is the Peso Cubano, although foreign currencies are widely used in the country. There is a fixed value of 25 CUP to a US dollar, and a 2% conversion fee, so it may be more convenient to use USD rather than CUP in most transactions. Fortunately, many places accept both currencies, so if you’re planning to exchange currencies, you should be able to get a good exchange rate at the airport or at the CADECA change bureaus.
