What I learned about trying to travel to Cuba Solo
A good friend of mine phoned me, out of breath and excited to tell me her news. She was literally on the verge of clicking the button marked "purchase" for a round-trip airline ticket to Cuba from New York. The 12 Days of Christmas promotion recently launched by JetBlue Airways had everyone in a fever, itching to book these remarkably low fares from key cities in the United States to the Cuban cities of Havana, Santa Clara, Camaguey and Holguin. She had the foresight to not proceed with the booking and call me; not only to express her excitement and disbelief but to also ask if it was permitted to travel to Cuba.
Her phone call to me inspired me to write this blog post. Thank you Alexandra.
Research, Research, Research
Don't just up and reserve a flight to Cuba despite the temptations of the attractive and deeply discounted deals by various airlines directly flying from the United States to Cuba. There is a catch!
Do you qualify?
Thank you President Barack Obama for improving relations between the United States and Cuba and for implementing less stringent travel rules to the island. I too believed the hype as soon as it was reported that Americans can now travel to Cuba and quickly bought a travel guidebook to start planning. This is when I discovered that it is still considered illegal to travel to Cuba as an American "Tourist". Allow me to explain. Basically the new regulations states the U.S. travelers to Cuba no longer need to ask permission. Instead, they should look over the new rules and see if they qualify for one of the 12 categories of travel permitted under the general license. Your reason for traveling to Cuba must fall within the 12 types of travel to essentially benefit the people of the country.
- Family Visits
- Official business of the U. S. Government, Foreign Government, etc.
- Journalist Activity
- Professional Research and Professional meetings
- Educational Activities
- Religious Activities
- Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions
- Support of the Cuban people
- Humanitarian Projects
- Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
- Exportations, Importations, etc.
- Certain authorized export transactions
Summary : Straight-ahead tourist travel to lay on the beach and sip mojitos is still not permitted. Ticking "Support of the Cuban people" as your reason will most likely not suffice.
Are you prepared to prove it?
Let's say you believe you fall within these types of travel and proceed with booking your airfare online. There is even an advisory statement issued by the airline that pops up before you commit to the purchase. Can you prove it at the airport on your day of departure or upon your return to the United States when the Customs officer asks you for your passport? What proof would you provide if he or she asks if you met the qualifications to enter Cuba? Remember, Cuba wants tourism in their country especially from us "wealthy" Americans. It is America who has embargoed and sanctioned that the U.S. Dollar is not to be spent in this Communist island. Strange that U.S. travelers can travel to China and Russia, the largest communist countries in the world but not to this itty, bitty island.
Taking the risk!
If you do not fall within these categories to travel to Cuba but are still hard-pressed to go there, you may have to travel via a third country i.e. Mexico, Canada or another Caribbean islands. I am not advocating this practice but it is known that U.S. travelers have been doing this for years. Supposedly the last person caught traveling this way was fined 10 years ago. Are you willing to take the risk? Please understand that by taking the risk to travel this way to Cuba is considered traveling illegally by U.S. laws for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Visa required
You must have a Visa and Medical Insurance to travel to Cuba. I hear the airlines now provide this through their airline fares adding the cost through the ticket. A Visa which is about USD $25 - $30 can also be obtained at the airport through the other gateway cities offering service to Cuba. Finally, you may also purchase a Visa and the Medical Insurance through a travel agent or tour operator that specializes in Cuban Travel. A Nash Travel, Inc. out of Toronto, Canada comes highly recommended.
Where to stay
Hotels in Cuba are available but expensive. You will be able to review the hotel and their room rates directly on the hotel's website however in many cases, full payment is required at time of booking and U.S. credit cards are still not accepted. You would hope to have a friend with a foreign credit card to use or once again book your hotel through a travel agent or tour operator. A more economical option is staying in a Casa Particular, renting someone's home as accommodations or private home stays. This is very common in Cuba; some casa particulars are quite lovely with modern amenities for comfort. In many cases, the inhabitants of these homes still reside there while you are visiting. It is a great example of experiencing Cuba first hand with the people. You may reserve a casa particular on their official websites, Casaparticular.com or Casaparticularcuba.org.
Airbnb, Inc. now also advertises vacation homes and apartments for rent in Cuba. What is nice about going through Airbnb is the opportunity to view the rental is full detail with reviews from various travelers and to use your U.S. credit card for payment. It is up to you to decide whether you wish to stay in a hotel or casa particular or even experience both. Casa particulars may not be everyone's cup of tea. You are literally staying with a stranger. If you must, stay in a hotel for piece of mind, more privacy and a little bit of luxury.
How to pay
The Euro and the U.S. Dollar must be exchanged to the Cuban C.U.C. to use in Cuba and can be done at the airport. Converting your dollar to C.U.C. will be subjected to more fees. Why?, because you are American. If possible, travel with Euros to Cuba and convert the Euros at a lesser exchange rate. As U.S. credit cards are still not working in Cuba, you should be prepared to travel with a lot of cash.
Tours and Guides
If you are able to travel to Cuba solo and wish to explore on your own, guides and tours provide the opportunity for you to interact with the local artists, business owners and artists, all of this meeting the requirements of individual "people to people" tours. Havana Tour Company is one of many tour operators that offer full day tours and even night tours showcasing the real Cuba with guides and chauffeurs.
In conclusion, booking a flight to Cuba and traveling there as you would other Caribbean islands is a bit complicated for a U.S. Citizen. While it may seem easier to get there now, it is important to keep your options in mind and also be mindful of the qualifications to travel to Cuba. You can meet the qualifications from the 12 types of travel stipulated by the United States. You may not meet the qualifications and travel there through a tour group who can obtain the visa and medical insurance for you. If you do not wish to go through a tour operator or with a group, you would travel to Cuba indirectly through other gateway cities but this is still considered illegal by U.S. laws. Travel safely and smartly.
