FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Travel to Cuba for tourist activities remains prohibited by the United States. However, the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued general licenses for 12 categories of travel. Individuals who meet the regulatory conditions of the general license they seek to travel under do not need to apply for an additional license from OFAC to travel to Cuba. Our tour is covered under humanitarian and educational travel.
U.S. Embassy in Cuba: Traveling to Cuba >
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PASSPORTS
A valid passport is required for all foreign nationals intending to visit Cuba. The passport must be valid for at least six month beyond the date of your expected departure from Cuba.
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FLIGHTS
We will all meet in Miami on February 15, 2025 and board a flight together to Cuba. Specific information will be provided once registration is closed and the Cuba flight is booked.
Alternatively you can fly directly from a US airport to Havana on your own if you wish. Example Flights to Cuba >
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INSURANCETravel Medical Insurance is mandatory to enter Cuba. Most US airlines include the cost of the ASISTUR SA Cuban health insurance policy provided by ESICUBA in the cost of your ticket (usually your boarding pass serves as proof of insurance). Please, double check with your airline about this requirement.
Travel insurance is optional and it may not be needed but we strongly recommend it for our traveler’s own safety and peace of mind. Please, contact Yane for further information or visit their Travel Insurance page.
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MONEY
- CREDIT & DEBIT CARDS issued by US banks DO NOT function in Cuba due to the ongoing embargo. If you have an account with a country other than the US, check with your bank first to see if your credit card will work in Cuba.
- US DOLLARS are accepted and can be used at most places in Cuba. You should calculate how much money you think you will spend for every day you are there. $80-100 per day is a safe amount.
- CUBAN PESO (CUP) is not available outside Cuba and can only be purchased in the country. It is impossible to exchange CUP outside of Cuba.
- MONEY EXCHANGE - Don’t exchange your USD$, EURO or GBP£ for more CUP than you’ll think you’ll spend. Better to exchange small amounts frequently than one large amount. Your guide will tell you the best place to exchange your money.
- MAX $$$$ - You can bring up to $5,000 USD in cash into Cuba so any amount in excess of that you’ll have to declare it to Cuban Customs upon arrival.
- SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES are available at your hotel rooms to store extra money and valuables.
- CIGARS AND RUM - The two most popular items to purchase in Cuba are cigars and rum. However, you must consume them while on the island as it is illegal to bring those items back into the United States.
- ARTWORK - We will be going during the renowned Bienal de La Habana so there will be no shortage of fabulous art to see and buy. We will also be visiting both street artists and fine art galleries that sell traditional and contemporary Cuban art.
- COFFEE - Cuban coffee is great souvenir and gift to bring back to enjoy its strong flavorful taste unique to the island’s climate and soil conditions.
- CUBAN MUSIC - Cuba is known for its vibrant and diverse music scene. Purchasing CDs and records is a wonderful souvenir to recapture the Cuban vibe and a great way to support local musicians.
- STRAW HATS - Cuba is know for its Fedora, this iconic straw hat is a practical and fashionable souvenir to remind you of the sunny days you spent on this enchanting island.
- HANDMADE CRAFTS & JEWELRY - Local artisans make arts, crafts and jewelry from shells, coral, wood, tin cans and whatever is available on the island.
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FOOD & WATER SAFETY
All meals included on our tour are served in places that meet food and water safety precautions. However, when you are on your own, please take the following precautions:- Do not drink tap water or unbottled beverages or drinks with ice.
- Avoid food and beverages obtained from street vendors.
- Do not eat fruits or vegetables unless they have been peeled or cooked.
- Avoid unpasteurized milk and milk byproducts.
- Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or fish, including ceviche.
- Barracuda in particular should never be eaten.
- Other fish that may contain toxins include red snapper, grouper, amberjack, sea bass, and a large number of tropical reef fish.
- Do eat lobster every chance you get!
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PERSONAL SAFETY
Cuba has one of the lowest crime rates in the Western Hemisphere and the average visitor has no reason to worry about personal safety on the streets, in the hotels, at the beaches or any other place a traveler might visit.
Anytime you travel it is best to avoid packing valuables in your checked luggage and not wear fancy jewelry, watches, bags or display signs of wealth. Keep electronic devices out of sight and carry valid identification with you at all times. It is also wise to have both a digital and hard copy of your ID and travel documents. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and lock your valuable in the hotel safe for extra security.
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The current US policies for travel were put in place during the previous Trump Administration and not much changed during the Biden Administration. What changed after the Obama Administration's Cuban Thaw was US travelers are not allowed to make direct monetary transactions with the Cuban government. This includes staying in government-owned hotels and purchasing alcohol or tobacco products to bring back to the US. Internationally owned and operated hotel chains such as Meliá, Iberostar, Barceló, Kempinski, MGM, Sandals among others continue to do business in Cuba. Cuba is not a priority for Trump and if there are any changes there is normally a minimum 3 month grace period. The Trump administration begins on January 20, 2025.
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DONATIONS
On our tour we will be visiting farms where donations will be given to local farmers and farmworkers. Some items that Cubans appreciate as gifts include:
- Toiletries
- Cosmetics
- Baby supplies
- Clothing
- Guitar strings & mouth reeds
- School or writing supplies
- Any kind of seeds, fresh animal or vegetable products unless prior approval has been obtained from Ministry of Agriculture;
- Narcotics, drugs and psychotropic substances except those for personal use and provided holding medical prescription;
- Any kind of hemoderivatives;
- Explosives, firearms and ammunition unless prior authorization has been obtained from the Ministry of Interior;
- Obscene and pornographic materials; printed matter directed against the public order and the morality of Cuba and its revolution;
- Household appliances (freezers with a capacity exceeding seven cubic feet, air conditioners, any type or model of electric accumulators and heating/cooking plates, electric and microwave ovens, any type or size of electric frying pans, electric water heaters and showers, electric irons and toasters).
- Passengers importing to Cuba other articles in addition to their personal items must fill out a Customs Declaration providing all the information required in this document.
All participants must REGISTER HERE first for the tour. Our travel representative Yane Marquez from Authentic Cuba Travel will follow up with you to complete your registration. Deadline to register is December 15, 2024.
DEPOSIT
A non-refundable tour deposit of $300 is required at the time of registration. Registrations are processed on a first come, first served basis and subject to availability. Tour deposits will be returned if a tour is cancelled or the dates are changed. Tour deposits are non-refundable but will be honored for life for your participation (or a person you designate) on one of Authentic Cuba Travel tours.
PAYMENT BALANCE
Balance of payment is due 60 days prior to departure. Registrations received and confirmed by Authentic Cuba Travel® less than 60 days prior to departure are payable in full at the time of confirmation.
We accept tour payments by personal or business check, or an instrument such as postal money order, bank draft , official or counter check. Checks should be made payable and mailed to:
Bella Travel Group Ltd.
Marina del Rey Professional Centre
513- 2275 Lakeshore Blvd. West
Toronto ON M8V 3Y3
Canada
QUESTIONS?
(877) 280-2054 - North America
(647) 351-8191 - Worldwide
Visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- Terms & Conditions for complete details.
