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Legal Cuba Travel

Legal Cuba Travel

We've the latest information you need as an American citizen on Cuba travel licenses, Cuba tourist visas, flights to Cuba, and advice to plan your Cuba trip, safely and legally.

Our Cuba Tours

Tours

Our Cuba tours are compliant with U.S. Government regulations. We offer 9, 11 & 15 day options, with groups limited to 12 travellers.      

Flights to Cuba

Flights to Cuba

Choose your own flights to Cuba! All of our Cuba tours start and end in Havana. This gives you the freedom to choose the route to Cuba that is most convenient and economical for you

Cuba Visa

The Cuba Tourist Visa (or Tourist Card) is a document you need to enter Cuba. Read about what it is and how to obtain it!

" Our trip with Cuban Adventures exceeded all of our expectations. We normally do not travel on group tours but we are so glad we did. We learned so much from the guide about the history and the culture and the local hot spots to go to for food, drink and dancing. Thank you for making our trip to Cuba Amazing! We will definitely be back."

Lilly & Douglas

InsightCuba - Providing legal people-to-people travel to Cuba for over 15 years

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cuba travel services california

Cuba is ready to welcome you:

Cuba… a place and a people rooted in culture, history and curiosity. There is no better time to travel to Cuba… and see it for yourself. Join us, the leader in legal, small group Cuba travel, and experience firsthand this once-forbidden country in ways never before possible.

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Featured Cuba Tours

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Cuba creates legends. Discover it for yourself and learn why.

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Throw back the curtain on this vibrant city and discover, at long last, how its jovial soul has the power to delight and inspire you.

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This exciting, eight-day tour of journey to Cuba's most famous cities will add the brushstrokes to the unfinished canvas of your vision of Cuba.

An immersive discovery where you’ll witness Cuba's incredible people, budding entrepreneurial scene, and dynamic rhythm and color.

Featured In

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“…sign up with InsightCuba... The tour operator has taken Americans on tours of Cuba for the last 15 years.”

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Thank you, insightCuba, for a trip of a lifetime.

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"[InsightCuba] has been doing business in Cuba, and only in Cuba, for a long time, so its employees have the right relationships and know the country better than others."

cuba travel services california

Words cannot describe.... The people, the music, the architecture and rich history... Stunningly beautiful and magical!

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"For half a century the vast majority of Americans have been barred from traveling to Cuba...with insightCuba, visitors interact with ordinary Cubans and get a taste of the forbidden fruit."

cuba travel services california

The trip was exactly what I was looking for. I liked going to the various schools and museums to get a real feel of the country. 

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 Photos courtesy of Robin Thom.

* Advertised prices are per person, based on double occupancy; single occupancy rooms may be available for an additional charge. Advertised prices are the best available based on the least expensive travel dates, departure city, and other options, and do not include optional excursions or other optional items. Your total price will vary based upon options you select during the booking process. Prices and availability subject to change.

† The Carefree Booking policy is not travel insurance. With our Carefree Booking policy, if you book one of our scheduled departures and decide later not to travel for any reason, you can transfer all payments you've made excluding the cost of any issued flight tickets, towards another available departure date or package, with no change fees or penalties. Alternately, you can choose to receive a future travel credit for all payments made, excluding the cost of any issued flight tickets; or you can choose to receive a refund for that same amount, minus the deposit, per person future travel credit. You may use these credits anytime, however they must be used or transferred within 5 years of your bookings, and some restrictions apply. Travel protection premiums may be credited to your new tour provided: no claim is filed; (no vendor penalties such as Air, sea or rail etc have been incurred); and your new trip departs within 1 year of the cancellation of your original tour. Valid for bookings made on or after August 2, 2022. Changes or cancellations requested after final payment due date are subject to our regular change and cancellation fees & policies. For more information and some additional restrictions, see our terms & conditions .

†† $199 deposit available on select packages. Valid for new bookings only. Changes to your package, departure date, or flights may require an increased deposit. See additional terms & conditions .

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Explore Cuba!

Explore the most popular destinations on the island, from the authentic colonial Havana, to Baracoa, the first village founded in Cuba in 1492. 

Pinar del Río

Santiago de cuba, the best prices ... always with us.

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Get to know cuba with us.

We provide customized services for groups and individuals traveling to Cuba. We specialize in group and Business travel. Experience Cuba through our amazing travel programs, carefully crafted to help you explore the many facets of Cuba through vibrant encounters and unforgettable experiences. Let us take care of every detail, from the moment you land to the minute you say !Adios! to this incredible island nation!

Civil Society Program

Civil Society Program

Gender Program

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Cuban Education System Program

Cuban Education System Program

We've got you covered, marazul has led the industry in pursuit of the freedom of americans to travel & the right of cuban-americans to reconnect with their families. as the leading cuba travel provider, we have provided excellent service for clients & groups for almost 40 years. travel to cuba remains legal, and it has always been one of the safest destinations for us travelers in the world., join our theme specific programs and take an in-depth look at cuba; learn about its unique educational system, world leading healthcare, renowned disaster relief efforts, african roots, unique cuisine and its famous music and dance. explore its magical beaches and cayos, or take a trip to the mountains to enjoy enchanting waterfalls, cocoa farms, tobacco farms, and more want to visit colonial cities and unesco world heritage sites it’s never been a better time to travel to cuba–we’ve got you covered, hotels deals.

Whether you are traveling with your family to visit your loved ones or you are a part of a delegation or licensed group, or individuals that fall within the 12 travel categories, we help you find the perfect accommodations in Cuba! Marazul offers expert advice and flexible reservations in any hotel in Cuba.

Melia Internacional Varadero

Melia Internacional Varadero

Melia Las Antillas

Melia Las Antillas

Vueltabajo

Melia Santiago de Cuba

Melia Habana

Melia Habana

Iberostar Parque Central

Iberostar Parque Central

Iberostar Tainos

Iberostar Tainos

Melia Cohiba

Melia Cohiba

Habana Riviera

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Featured car deals.

Marazul will find you the best deals and latest car rentals in Cuba. We offer the most convenient and affordable rental because we customize our offer to fit your needs. With Marazul you can choose your car, make the reservation, prepay it in the United States and choose your pick-up site in Cuba, in most cases your car is ready at the airport upon arrival or at your Hotel when you check-in, saving you time and money!

Kia Picanto or similar

Intermediate

Renault Latitude or similar

Why Travel with Marazul?​

Marazul, as the oldest and largest continuously operating travel agency to cuba, has been committed since 1979 to providing a bridge of understanding between the people of both countries by offering the entire range of travel services including air and visa arrangements, family reunification assistance, and the most specialized group programs in all areas of interest., through our deep ties with our cuban partners, educational institutions, ministries, mass organizations, and cultural and religious centers, we encourage and guarantee the highest levels of exchange between our two peoples. marazul practices and promotes ethically and socially responsible travel to cuba., recent news.

Checkout latest news and articles from our blog

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Cuba Travel Services, Inc.

Travel & Travel Agencies

  • 2912 Lafayette Ave , Newport Beach , CA , 92663
  • (800)963-2822
  • www.cubatravelservices.com

Cuba Travel Services was founded in 1999 with the purpose to help US travelers to travel to Cuba more easily and discover its unique beauty in its cities, landscape and people. We design unique and rewarding experiences, and are the #1 seller of Cuban tourist visas in the US.

Mr. Michael Zuccato CEO/General Manager

Ms. lisa zuccato president.

Marazul Tours

WELCOME TO MARAZUL TOURS

Cuba since 1979, celebrates 40 years in, cuba travel,  create your own program or, join an existing program to cuba, need visa or passport, we offer consular services processed directly with the cuban embassy located in washington d.c, book your flight to cuba from anywhere in the us, with marazul tours, happy 500th anniversary havana .

cuba travel services california

Marazul, as the oldest and largest continuously operating travel agency to Cuba, has been committed since 1979 to providing a bridge of understanding between the people of both countries by offering the entire range of travel services including air and visa arrangements, family reunification assistance, and the most specialized group programs in all areas of interest. Through our deep ties with our Cuban partners, educational institutions, ministries, mass organizations, and cultural and religious centers, we encourage and guarantee the highest levels of exchange between our two peoples. Marazul practices and promotes ethically and socially responsible travel to Cuba.

cuba travel services california

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED

Marazul has led the industry in pursuit of the freedom of Americans to travel & the right of Cuban-Americans to reconnect with their families. As the leading Cuba travel provider, we have provided excellent service for clients & groups for almost 40 years. Travel to Cuba remains legal, and it has always been one of the safest destinations for US travelers in the world.

Join our theme specific programs and take an in-depth look at Cuba; learn about its unique educational system, world leading healthcare, renowned disaster relief efforts, African roots, unique cuisine and its famous music and dance. Explore its magical beaches and cayos, or take a trip to the mountains to enjoy enchanting waterfalls, cocoa farms, tobacco farms, and more! Want to visit colonial cities and UNESCO world heritage sites? It’s never been a better time to travel to Cuba–We’ve got you covered!

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Cuban Ambassador reacts to Trump’s embargo threat

cuba travel services california

“We condemn these newest attacks on Cuba and on the freedom to travel of the American people,” said the leaders of Marazul Tours, the veteran Cuba travel company, who noted that Bolton’s threat to “restrict” non-Cuban-American travel remained vague.

Respect statement on new trump cuba policy.

National Security Advisor John Bolton’s statement on new policy guidelines for Cuba…

Marazul Tours Statement on the Cuba Policy Announcement April 2019

    Yesterday, the Trump administration announced increased hostilities towards Cuba, including…

HAVANA @500: ART AND LITERATURE

To celebrate the 500th anniversary of the foundation of the city of…

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall busy in Cuba for historic tour

Google, cuba agrees to work towards improving island’s connectivity, partner with us.

cuba travel services california

Cuba Travel Services

Photo of Cuba Travel Services - Newport Beach, CA, US. Random. Got my visa from them.

Review Highlights

cuba-travel-services-newport-beach photo M46KgW29BGYIX96nR97BZg

“ They helped me with my individual issues (needing visa before airline was fully ticketed). ” in 11 reviews

Margie T.

“ CTS and most especially Paulina help us with all our last minute changes and requests. ” in 2 reviews

cuba-travel-services-newport-beach photo yCsA-7chVpenvn_Ia4OomA

“ Marlene & Terry at Cuba Travel Services were extremely helpful with all our travel arrangements to Havana . ” in 4 reviews

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Amenities and More

About the business.

Cuba Travel Services Inc. is fully approved and licensed by OFAC to assist qualifying individuals to travel to Cuba from the US. - Visas - Consular services - Flight/Hotel/Car Rental/Transfer bookings - Tours & Experiences - Concierge Services …

Ask the Community

Ask a question

Hi! I'm looking to book my visa from Cubavisaservices and I would like more information on the step by step process of receiving the visa after I've submitted my online information. Will someone contact me for passport information etc?

I would call them. They are very helpful on the phone then you will know the status without worrying.

Can I apply for and receive the visa/tourist card on site at you office in Cypress, and if so, what documents do I need to bring to process this? Also, may I apply for a visa/tourist card for a friend if I have a copy of her passport?

Yes, you can stop by our offices to purchase your visa. You don't need to bring any documentation, we have the required forms here. You can get your friend's visa as well or she can purchase it on our website www.cubavisaservices.com

Recommended Reviews

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Overall rating

Photo of Morenae M.

UNPROFESSIONAL! If by any means you can AVOID booking your trip with Cuba Travel Services, please do so and save yourself the trouble of using this piece of poop company. As another Yelper said, when the floodgates of Cuba Tourism open to Americans, this chop shop will hopefully shape up or be out of business. I unfortunately needed them to book a trip from JFK to Havana, a new route of which they are one of the only booking agents. Called them a month in advance and they took forever to return the call. Then, after the so called "booking", the so called "agent", Ingrid Tantaw never confirmed anything along the way. I kept calling, emailing and no response. They do not have professional confirmation procedures like real travel agents. As the trip date grew closer, less than a week away, I was afraid I would not be confirmed for the trip. Finally, after much badgering, a two days away from they trip, I was sent "travel docs" with no ticket confirmation number and my name's spelling all screwed up. Her response was "Don't worry, they will fix it at the airport." They did, but WAIT - it gets worse. Although I enjoyed my time in Cuba after all of their unprofessionalism, I returned with $10,000 worth of fraudulent credit card charges made within a few hours after my departure. Not saying it's CTS fault, but what a coincidence that it was the last company with which I used my card after paying them the baggage fee. I guess on my next trip, I will stick with Airline Brokers and fly out of Miami/Tampa.

Business owner information

Photo of Michael Z.

Business Owner

Mar 1, 2016

Hello, we are very sorry to hear your experience was not a pleasant one. We followed up with Ingrid and we've taken the proper measures to ensure this does not happen again. As for the very serious $10,000 fraudulent credit card charges we can assure you that Cuba Travel Services does not retain the full credit card number when charging cards as per The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). The Square merchant processor system does not allow the retailer access to the full credit card number after a transaction has occurred, only the last 4 digits. At our airport locations we physically swipe the credit card and do not write down or retain the full card number to ensure that we are PCI compliant. Because we utilize a PCI compliant process we greatly reduce the chances that credit card fraud was incurred due to our process or personnel. Thank you for your feedback

Photo of Tanya P.

I found that Cuba Travel Services was unresponsive and took much too long in getting the trip organized. I found another service that responded to me immediately. I highly suggest trusting your instincts when dealing with a company like this. I would not recommend them to anyone. They don't post their hours on their website. They are unresponsive to phone and email. Business must be good if one can afford to be this bad.

Sep 29, 2016

Tanya, we are very sorry to hear that your experience with us was not a good one and we regret that we lost your business. We will strive to improve our customer service experience as demand increases. Thank you for your feedback.

Photo of Gary M.

This company will attempt to empty your wallet at the airport with additional fees and supposed first class upgrades. We paid and got ZERO . And then try to speak to someone at CTS.... Don't hold your breath. Will definitely not use this company again. I really felt stolen from.

Nov 20, 2015

Gary, we are very sorry to hear that your experience with us was not what you expected. Our first class upgrade offers VIP check-in, pre-boarding, expedited immigration process and a free checked bag. We normally offer complementary soft drinks on every flight. We have followed up with the carrier and our staff to ensure they offer the services that come with first class upgrades. As discussed via email we will issue you a refund for a portion of the fees since we could not waive the Cuban airport taxes or the baggage fees on your checked bags. Thank you and we hope we can earn your trust again in the future.

Photo of Steve M.

Avoid Sun Country/CTS if possible, but if another option is not available then at least make sure you understand the excess baggage policy. In short, Sun Country/CTS runs a shameful, cash-minting racket. I traveled to Cuba with a group in August, via Sun Country and CTS. Each person checked one bag of personal gear plus a second bag with goods to leave with our hosts in a small rural village. Sun Country/CTS, knowing Americans bring goods to leave in Cuba, charges $20 for each checked bag, plus $2 per pound over 44 pounds -- and they weigh both checked AND carry-on bags. Our checked bags averaged about 40 pounds apiece, which meant Sun County/CTS extorted more than $100 for EACH bag of goods and materials intended for folks in Cuba.

Steve, Cuba Travel Services' baggage policies are in accordance with other charter service providers. We are sorry if the baggage policy was not relayed to you by your group organizer in more detail. We strive to communicate our policies as best as we can to all our passengers. If your organization is non-profit, we do have some discounts we can offer on baggage. If you are interested here is what we would need to honor a discount: 1. Travelers receiving the discount are traveling under a religious visa 2. The items are listed on a separate document packed separately from personal baggage. 3. The request come in writing on the religious entity's letterhead. 4. A copy of all documentation to be sent to accounting department prior to flight. We hope this helps on your future travels.

Photo of James J.

Weirdly indifferent customer service. They lost my documents and then told me it was my fault. They need better internal systems for tracking paperwork -- the manager admitted to me they don't log it in when it arrives, which seems like "amateur night." And they need to stop blaming customers for their organizational problems. I suggest going elsewhere before you resort to them.

Photo of Gonzalo C.

I used CTS to get a group of nine to Cuba. The person who I dealt with over email was responsive and courteous. However, it is clear that the entire process is paper-based which explains the crazy lines at the airport in Miami. One of our group members had an issue with his documents and had to travel two days later. The staff at CTS was very helpful and prompt in rescheduling his trip. Overall, CTS offers good service which could be expedited with some additional tech.

Photo of Upasna S.

Thank you!!! Paulina and Mayda at Cuba Travel Services made the process of getting my Cuba visa (A1) as an Indian citizen living in the states so much more straightforward and much less stressful. If you are Indian and on a visa in the US, you have to get an A1 VISA stamped onto your passport instead of the regular clip on visa that american citizens are able get at the airport. The process can take up to 21-31 days. I didn't know that India was on a restricted list when I bought my ticket with American Airlines. AA sent me an email with about a month to go with instructions on the Cuban visa process. I panicked because the timeline said 21-31 days. I sent my documents via overnight mail. Paulina and Mayda did everything they could to ensure I got the visa as soon as possible. Paulina was always available via email and phone for questions I had. Thanks to their help, I got my passport back in about 20 days, with 10 days to go for my trip. Thank you CTS!

Photo of Gregg B.

We highly recommend the Cuba Travel Services. We dealt with Paulina Streinz and received top-notch seamless service for a long overdue family visit. The staff was efficient and professional, making the entire experience hassle-free. No need to look anyplace else for your travel needs, these folks will take care of you.

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Cuba Travel Guide for U.S. Citizens: What to Know Before You Go (Updated 2023)

Feb 3, 2023 | Caribbean , Destinations | 0 comments

Red classic car parked on a small street in front of a row of buildings

Planning this trip to Cuba was the most challenging thing I’ve done to date in the name of travel. Out of all 26 countries, thousands of miles, from 5 years of traveling the world.

Once we landed in Havana, I knew that this place was unlike any I’d visited before.

Had I allowed the logistical challenge of traveling to Cuba as a US citizen deter me from visiting this country, it would have been my greatest mistake.

This Cuba travel guide for US citizens is up to date as of early 2023, based on my experience traveling to Cuba in December 2022.

In this post, I will cover Cuba travel FAQ and share how to visit Cuba legally as a US citizen or from a US airport.

Before you read, please note that there are sanctions from the U.S. government that restrict travel to Cuba.

It is the responsibility of each visitor to follow all laws and regulations, at home and abroad.

This website has a limitation of liability policy that applies to all posts, which you can read here .

This post contains affiliate links. See more in the disclaimer .

Can Americans Travel to Cuba?

Yes. And you can even do so independently.

The key is to visit legally, within the confines of OFAC (Office of Foreign Asset Control) regulations due to the embargo and sanctions.

IMPORTANT: These regulations also apply to non-US citizens that are departing from a US airport.

Small red vintage Volkswagen beetle parked on a side street in front of pastel buildings

How to Travel to Cuba Legally

There are 12 categories of legal travel to Cuba under OFAC:

  • Family visits
  • Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
  • Journalistic activity
  • Professional research and professional meetings
  • Educational activities
  • Religious activities
  • Athletic competitions by amateur or semi-professional athletes or athletic teams
  • Support for the Cuban People
  • Humanitarian projects
  • Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
  • Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials
  • Certain authorized export transactions

Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury

The most common is Support for the Cuban People, which requires the following:

§ 515.574 Support for the Cuban People. (a) General license. The travel-related transactions set forth in § 515.560(c) and other transactions that are intended to provide support for the Cuban people are authorized, provided that: (1) The activities are of: (i) Recognized human rights organizations; (ii) Independent organizations designed to promote a rapid, peaceful transition to democracy; or (iii) Individuals and non-governmental organizations that promote independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba; and (2) Each traveler engages in a full-time schedule of activities that: (i) Enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba, or promote the Cuban people’s independence from Cuban authorities; and (ii) Result in meaningful interaction with individuals in Cuba. (3) The traveler’s schedule of activities does not include free time or recreation in excess of that consistent with a full-time schedule. Source: Code of Federal Regulations

It will not be a vacation where you go to the beach and prop your feet up, buy things wherever you want, and stay wherever you want.

You must have a full-time schedule of activities that result in meaningful engagement with Cubans.

For us, that looked like many, many art tours and private gallery visits where we connected with local artists and had countless meaningful, deep conversations.

No topic was off-limits.

Everyone opened up (including us) and shared our passions, life experiences, opinions, and learned about one another. And yes, we talked about politics.

We were on the go, all day, every day.

And we didn’t really spend time with other foreigners. We crossed paths with foreigners a couple times, but everyone else we spoke to and spent time with was Cuban.

Mosaic tile art exhibit

Casas particulares and paladares

Aside from your full-time schedule, you should also stay in casas particulares and eat at paladares.

A casa particular is a room in someone’s house. It’s been a normal way to travel in Cuba for years. There’s an infrastructure around it. You can find them on Airbnb.

We highly recommend this casa particular in Havana and this casa particular in Viñales.

Paladares are privately-owned small restaurants. Download A La Mesa for a list of restaurants all over the country. Each listing shows if it’s privately-owned.

The app also works offline, which will make your life much easier in Cuba.

Pro tip: If you’re also a vegetarian, make sure you try Camino al Sol ! It’s an all-vegetarian paladar in Havana.

Three enchiladas covered in light green salsa and cheese

What you are banned from doing in Cuba

You cannot spend money in OR interact with any of the places on this list from the US Treasury Department.

Many are hotels, so pay attention!

I copied and pasted these into a list to have on my phone, then accessed it offline while in Cuba to ensure there wouldn’t be any issues.

Is Cuba safe to visit?

Absolutely.

As a young woman who visited 25 countries before going to Cuba, I’ve been in a few…sticky situations. Cuba was amazing.

I never worried about being robbed and just felt at ease the entire time I was there. I tend to be a more anxious person, so that’s new for me.

This is my personal experience and I was not in Cuba as a solo female traveler, so yours could be different.

Is Cuba open for travel right now?

As of late 2022, visitors no longer need to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination or testing before entering Cuba. We brought our vaccine cards just in case, but no one asked to see them.

Please refer to this government site for updated information before your visit.

On our way back to the United States, we did have to share contact tracing information with our airlines using a form before we could check in. It was quick and easy.

Although many online sources claim masks are mandatory in certain settings, we did not see any places where masks were required in December 2022.

White coffee cup with a red flower painted on it

Accessing Money in Cuba: 2023 Updates

Everything you need to spend in Cuba must be in cash.

Because of the sanctions, your credit and debit cards will not work in Cuba.

If you try to use them, your bank will probably lock your account and it will take a lot of effort to get it unlocked.

In prior years, you would need to convert money to Cuban pesos before using it. Euros were the best to have because CADECA (the government exchange houses) charged a higher fee on USD exchanges.

As of late 2022, everywhere we went accepted U.S. dollars as payment. This was highly unexpected and deviated from every piece of advice I read online before leaving for Cuba.

However, it is still good to have some pesos for a fairer exchange rate. Some menu exchange rates were awful.

When we were in Cuba, we typically got 150 CUP for 1 USD. The CADECA rate was 110.40 CUP for 1 USD.

We exchanged money at our first casa particular and spent USD on activities, private taxis, and one of our casas. We usually spent pesos on art, food, and coffee.

Make sure you get cash in plenty of small bills. Twenties, tens, fives, and ones were useful. Anything larger than that will be annoying to deal with.

If your bank will only give you large bills, go to Publix and ask the customer service to break them when they’re not busy. Works like a charm!

Hanging moon and star ornaments in a pink room

Is it safe to exchange money on the street in Cuba?

You will be offered money exchange on the street wherever you go in Cuba. Just say “No, gracias,” and move on.

As a general rule of thumb, it is not safe or advised to exchange money on the street. This goes for wherever you are in the world.

The main reason it’s unwise to do this is forged currency. If it came from some random person, it may be counterfeit.

A local friend taught us how to know your Cuban pesos are real. Hold the bill up to the sun, and check the watermark.

The watermark will have a number on it, and that number must match the value of the bill.

If it’s a 100-peso bill, the number in the watermark should say 100.

Again, I do not recommend exchanging money in the street. We didn’t on this trip because we were able to get pesos from the front desk of our casa particular.

If you’re ever concerned about any bills you were given as change, use the tip from our friend for some peace of mind.

I also want to make it clear that we were never given counterfeit bills as change while in Cuba, but these things can happen anywhere.

You’re more vulnerable as a foreigner, because you don’t know exactly how the money is supposed to look.

Pink and orange flowers beneath a dark blue sky

Getting WiFi in Cuba

If a travel guide says there are only one-hour WiFi cards, it is outdated.

Now, you can access WiFi on a one-hour or a five-hour card.

WiFi is now cheaper in Cuba—it was $5 USD per hour; now, it’s $1 USD per hour.

We only needed one 5-hour card per person for the whole week.

Instead of waiting in the ETECSA line, we bought them from our first casa particular .

Overall, our Cuba WiFi experience was much easier than what we expected.

Don’t expect to be online all the time, but WiFi access is not as difficult as prior years.

Pro tip: The two main apps I highly recommend to download BEFORE you leave for Cuba are A La Mesa and Maps.me . Both work well offline and will save you such a headache.

On Maps.me specifically, also download the maps of each city/town you will visit in Cuba. In our case, I downloaded the maps for Havana and Viñales. When you have Internet access, put your casa particular addresses in a Note on your phone, so you copy and paste them into Maps.me whenever you need to. Same goes for any attractions you know you want to see.

If you want (and if your phone is unlocked), you could get a Cuba sim card, which comes with data. I don’t see the point for a one-week trip, but to each their own.

You can reserve those online in advance from Suena and pick them up at the José Martí airport (in Havana). If you go this route, you want the Tourist SIM Card from the top menu.

Yellow building with Cuban flag and green car in front

Can you drink the water in Cuba?

In short, no.

There was bottled water for sale everywhere on our trip in December 2022, but I read online before leaving that you can’t bank on that.

Instead, I bought this LifeStraw to have filtered water and it was the best travel purchase I’ve made. Ever.

Our Viñales casa particular hostess took one look at that bottle and pointed me to her giant drinking water spigot for us to have freely.

She was already familiar with the water situation for foreigners and told me it was smart to bring a reusable filtered bottle.

Highly recommend one of these !

Green and teal colonial house

Can you check in online for flights to Cuba?

There are too many documents the airlines must verify before they can issue a boarding pass.

You will also need a paper boarding pass for your Cuban health insurance, often included in your departure airfare.

Do you need to speak Spanish to visit Cuba?

Out of all Spanish-speaking countries I’ve visited, Cuba is the main one you need at least some language skills to visit.

There are people who speak English, especially young people, but it is not the norm.

If you don’t speak Spanish and you’re not traveling with a friend who does, download Google Translate for offline use before you arrive.

It won’t be ideal, but it will work when you need language help.

The best advice I can give is to travel with someone who speaks Spanish fluently. My best friend said many times while we were in Cuba that she would be toast without my language skills.

White star on a red circle, with blue and white stripes coming out of it

Can I bring Cuban cigars and rum back into the USA as souvenirs?

The answer used to be yes, as long as you purchased them from a private shop instead of a stated-owned one.

That answer is no longer the case, as of late 2022.

Now, you cannot bring any rum or cigars into the USA from Cuba, no matter how small the amount is or where they were purchased within Cuba.

When you arrive back into the USA, Customs and Border Patrol will ask if you have any rum or cigars. If you do, assume they will be confiscated.

What to Pack for Your Cuba Trip

I pack carry-on only and found Cuba to be one of the easier countries to pack for. The climate in December was perfect, with 80s in the day and 60s-70s at night.

Here is a short packing list of the things you need before going to Cuba:

  • Mosquito repellent, because the insects in Cuba will eat you alive (I use these .)
  • Comfortable shoes for lots of walking
  • Cardigan or light sweatshirt
  • Flowy/comfortable clothes (You can see one of the outfits I packed below.)
  • One active wear outfit for hiking/horseback or bike riding (if you’re going to Viñales)

Woman wearing white floral blouse and jeans standing in front of a heart made from mosaic tiles

I hope this Cuba travel FAQ was helpful for you. I know how stressful it can be to figure out what to do when planning. If you have any questions, comment below and I’ll do what I can to help!

Read more Cuba travel guides:

  • Cuba Pre-Departure Checklist
  • What to See and Do in Cuba (Havana and Viñales)
  • At Dusk in Havana, I Fell in Love
  • Havana, the Art Sanctuary
  • When It Destroys, It Starts with Us
  • The Elephant in the Room: Socialism in Cuba

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Hi, I'm Sarah

Girl on boat with turquoise water in background

Welcome to my oasis! I am a writer and budding entrepreneur with a love for caffeine, capital gains, and seeing the world. If I'm not writing, you can find me reading a good book, trying out a new vegan recipe, or adding to my coffee mug collection. My goal in life? To see every country in the world. Come along for the ride!

Cuba Visa Services

Shipping Policy

To ensure that your package is properly delivered and you receive your package within the time frame we advertise, please make sure that your shipping address is entered correctly. We do not take responsibility for lost, misplaced, or incorrectly delivered shipments if the address information provided is entered incorrectly at the time of the purchase. 

Orders are shipped via FedEx and will require a physical address as FedEx does not ship to PO Boxes. We only ship within United States; this does not include Puerto Rico. Orders received after 12PM PST on Friday will be processed on Monday (next business day) 

*Please note for visa purchases of 3 or more a direct signature is required to receive the FedEx package.

Orders placed before 12PM PST will be shipped the same business day. If placed after 12PM PST or on a holiday, orders will ship on the next business day.  After your payment is authorized and verified your order will be processed and you will receive an email within 24 hours with your FedEx tracking number. 

delivery

Standard Shipping

overnight

Overnight Delivery

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Expedited Process

Shipping fees are non-refundable and a $12 processing fee per visa will be discounted in order to process your request. Visas must be in its original condition in order to be eligible for a refund. We do not accept visas that are written on or torn. If you wish to proceed please provide the following:

  • Reason of why you are requesting a refund
  • Copy of payment receipt
  • Send visas in its original condition to Corporate Office

You may return visas to our facility at the address indicated below

Cuba Travel Services 2912 Lafayette Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92663

Please Note:   All refunds requests must be provided in writing within 30 days of original purchase date or before the travel date to be eligible for refund.

Delivery Claims

If you are experiencing a non-delivery or your tracking number states that your package was delivered by FedEx but you have not received it, you must contact FedEx directly and file a claim. If you haven’t contacted FedEx, please call them at 800-463-3339.

Once FedEx provides you with a case number and they proceed to get your case under investigation, then contact us and provide the case number and we will assist you with the claim process. 

Under no circumstances shall Cuba Travel Services accept responsibility for any delayed or missing deliveries.  

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