US Travel to Cuba – A Guide for American travel to Cuba

Posted by admin on Aug 27, 2010 in Travel Agent | Comments Off

Are you an American wondering how or if you can legally visit

Cuba? Join the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have

experienced the thrills of visiting this exciting and exotic

destination legally.

Americans can travel to Cuba legally if they are a Cuban

American, politician, journalist or if you have a research

project that is about Cuba. Others including students,

religious groups and humanitarians can apply for a license from

the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control

(OFAC).

However, having said this, did you know that…

Between 100 000 and 200 000 Americans visit Cuba every year

while only some 6000 licenses are being issued in a 1-2 year

period! That means there are a lot of Americans who are going

without the government’s permission.

If you are someone who wants to exercise their right to travel

freely, and have been dying to see why the Canadians call this

destination their #1 hot vacation spot; here is a guide that I’ve put

together to help you get that Cuba vacation!

There are no travel restrictions for Americans to travel in

Cuba and know that as an American, you are completely safe

there. In fact, Cuba has one of the lowest crime rates around

and is the safest country in the Caribbean. You will however,

have to travel to Cuba from Canada or Mexico.

You will need a valid passport and a Cuban tourist card to enter

Cuba. The price of a Cuban tourist card is approximately $20

CAD and your passport needs to have been valid for at least a

full 6 months prior to your travel.

It is recommended that you also take a copy of your birth

certificate and a valid photo ID. You should also be aware

that with an American passport, it can not be stamped in Cuba;

therefore having these additional identifications can come in

handy in case it is accidentally stamped. I would also

recommend having 2 photocopies of your passport as there are no

American embassies in Cuba, so should you lose your passport,

you may use these copies to exit the country.

During the flight to Canada or Mexico, you will be asked to fill

out a declaration form. This will be collected by the customs

officials in that country and from there, you will proceed to

your carrier’s ticket booth where you can pick up your

travel package that contains your Cuban tourist card. You are

now ready to check in for your flight.

Arriving in Cuba will be much like any other airport, Cuban

customs will x-ray your carry on baggage, as well as frisking

you. This is really informal and low key. There are female

security officers to check the females and male security

officers who check the male traveller’s.

You may now collect your luggage but make sure to keep your

passport and tourist card handy, as you will have to show them

to another agent before you leave the baggage claim area. They

will check to make sure that you have your tourist card, look at

your passport and ask you if this is your first time visiting

Cuba, how many days you’ll be there for and the name or address

of your hotel (keep that info handy just in case!)

Transportation from the airport will have been included with

your travel package, follow everyone else outside and look for

your tour staff who will guide you to your proper bus or taxi

driver.

When you return, you’ve got the same steps only in reverse, also

you need to keep $25 American (this is very important!) as you

have to pay a departure tax of this amount when leaving Cuba

airports.

Organizing your US travel to Cuba will be easier than you ever

imagined! Your travel agent should be able to help you

arrange everything you need for your trip. There are also many

companies online that can help you with this as well.

For more information on Cuba US travel, I recommend

that you visit this site.

http://www.cubatravelusa.com/

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