Cuba is a vacation destination like no other. For most visitors, seeing Cuba’s historical and cultural beauty is not a problem, but for American tourists the trip requires special planning. Be aware of the government’s regulations and fill out the required paperwork. Then take care of the additional details, such as finding the perfect place to stay and converting currency. Come to Cuba with an open mind and you may have the time of your life.
StepsPart 1Part 1 of 4:Booking Flights and Accommodations
1Apply for a passport. Passport applications can take over a month to be approved, so get started on it early. Gather up your personal information, including your government-issued ID and proof of citizenship. Fill out the paperwork on your government’s website and take the application to a passport facility and wait.XConsult your government’s regulations for more specific information on the passport process.Passport facilities include post offices and title bureaus.
2Fly indirectly to Cuba through another country to avoid paperwork. Fly to a nearby country such as Mexico, then get on a connecting flight to Cuba. For a long time, this is how people indirectly got into the country. These days, it’s still very useful for avoiding the travel restrictions some countries have.XThis is more useful for Americans than travelers of other nationalities. The Cuban officials won’t stamp your passport and the American officials won’t ask questions.If you wish to avoid booking an expensive group tour, this is the way to go.
3Organize a group trip for easy access to the country. Research travel plans to set up your trip. This is done through educational institutions, professional groups, or travel agencies. The trip organizers may take care of most of the planning, including the flight. Many times you don’t even have to stick with the group once you arrive.XThis is important for Americans. As of 2017, you can’t use “educational activities” as an excuse to get into Cuba unless you are registered through a group trip.Travelers from other countries have a lot more freedom when traveling to Cuba. Still, make sure you understand any travel rules and restrictions your government has.
4Reserve a direct flight to Cuba for less planning. You can book a direct flight to Cuba like you would for any other travel destination. Currently some American airlines offer direct flights departing from a few large cities such as Miami and New York. Start planning your trip by searching online for flights departing from your area.XFor American travelers, you will be required to fill out the authorized travel paperwork and select 1 of the 12 travel categories established by the U.S. government.
5Book a hotel room for higher quality. These hotels are also costlier, too. They’re all government-owned and sometimes partially owned by a foreign company. Many hotels are situated in Old Havana and were built before the revolution, although newer hotels are also being built.XTrustworthy SourceUS Department of StateOfficial website of the U.S. Department of StateGo to sourceBe aware that hotels sometimes run out of room. You may be bumped to another hotel even if you have a reservation. Call ahead to confirm your reservations.As of 2017, U.S. citizens are forbidden from visiting hotels, restaurants, and shops run by the Cuban military. Consult the U.S government’s travel website for a list of locations to avoid.
6Stay with a Cuban citizen for an authentic experience. Many Cubans accommodate visitors in their homes. This is called casa particular and is a cheaper option than hotels. It’s the perfect way to get a taste of Cuban life and cuisine for less.XSites like AirBnB make booking a casa particular easier than ever.Part 2Part 2 of 4:Preparing Documents and Money
1Set up a travel budget to figure out how much money to bring. Before traveling, outline the costs of your trip. Note the prices of hotels, restaurants, and travel options. Search online to find rough estimates and read what other travelers have to say. To have a problem-free time in Cuba, planning out your trip is very important.XThe reason for this is that Cuba isn’t equipped to handle credit or debit cards. Places that do take cards aren’t permitted to accept cards from U.S. banks.For a 2-person trip, plan on having $200 USD per day along with an extra $200 for emergencies.
2Convert your money to CUCs before boarding the plane. Go to your bank or the airport to exchange your money for Cuban CUCs. CUCs are the accepted currency for foreign travelers. 1 CUC is equal to $1 USD. Bring all the money you need on the plane with you.XThe actual Cuban currency is the CUP, or peso. This is for the Cuban citizens to use. You should never get pesos in exchange for CUCs.
3Exchange non-American currencies for CUCs if it is cheaper. Anytime you exchange USD for CUCs, you get charged a 10% fee. Since that’s lame, check the exchange rate for Canadian dollars or Euros first. Sometimes exchanging those instead can save you money.XWhat you do is exchange your USD for the other currency, then exchange it for CUCs. Of course, citizens of countries other than the U.S. don’t need to worry about this.
4Ask your bank for fresh CUC bills. The Cuban government can be strict about bill quality. Having someone refuse to accept old, worn, wrinkled, or damaged money isn’t fun. To avoid problems, make sure the bank gives you the crispest bills they have.X
5Purchase Cuban health insurance before traveling. Cuba requires this for all travelers. It is normally bundled with your flight or organized tour plan. If it isn’t, purchase it either through a travel agency, travel insurance company, or the airport in Cuba.XIt’s unlikely that anyone will ask to see your insurance card. However, if you need medical care, having the insurance saves you a lot of hassle.
6Fill out the authorized travel paperwork if you are American. All paperwork, no matter your nationality, is done at the airport before getting on the plane. If you’re American, you have to explain why you’re traveling to Cuba. The form provided lists 12 reasons, but tourism isn’t a valid option. Select 1 that best describes your trip.XFor example, some of the 12 reasons are “family visits” and “educational activities.” Visit the U.S. government’s travel website for a list.You are most likely traveling for tourism. In this case, it’s best to fly through another country or go with a certified group, since they handle this part.If you do travel under 1 of the reasons, you are supposed to focus your trip around that reason and keep documentation of it. Documentation is items like travel receipts.
7Purchase a Cuban tourist card at the airport. Most airlines, including the American ones, sell this card. Expect to get it when your ticket is printed. If they don’t have it, make sure you get it with your ticket at the airport. Cuba will welcome you as a visitor no matter your nationality, but you need to have this card with you when crossing its border.XTrustworthy SourceOfficial UK government websiteOfficial website for the public sector of the UK governmentGo to sourceThe card currently costs $50. Airlines also charge a processing fee.Make sure you fill out the card correctly. If you cross out information or lose the card, you will have to buy a new one!Part 3Part 3 of 4:Enjoying Food and Culture
1Brush up on your Spanish. Lacking fluency in the Spanish language isn’t a dealbreaker. Cuba is located near the U.S., so there are plenty of English speakers. It still pays to master conversational Spanish, including words for locations, directions, and food.Make flashcards to help you study.X
2Download a translation application on your phone. A useful translation option is Google Translate. Open the app, then select the Spanish dictionary to download it before you go. At the very least, use it when you get stuck while trying to communicate.
3Print maps or download a map application. Print out some basic maps of Havana and anywhere else you travel. Jot down notes on directions to anywhere you want to go. Otherwise, try downloading a map app that lets you download maps to view while offline.For example, Maps.Me is an app that lets you store maps on your phone.
4Find out where the Wi-Fi spots are in Cuba. The Cuban government has set up a few wi-fi hotspots. These are often in parks or around tourist areas, such as hotels. You won’t be able to connect to the Internet in your hotel or casa. Plan on staying offline for the majority of your trip.XTo access Wi-Fi in Cuba, you have to buy time from hotels. They provide a card that you use to log into the network.
5Take advantage of casa particular meals for cheap food. Food is served at most casa particulars for a small fee of about 5 CUCs. You get a large helping of authentic Cuban food without having to go outside. Contact the house owner to arrange this.X
6Call ahead to reserve restaurant seating. Paladars are basically Cuban restaurants, and the largest ones require reservations. Look up the restaurant information before you travel. Call them to make your reservation. The cheapest way to do this is through Skype.XSuccessful paladars have a lot of English speakers, so language issues are uncommon.Expect to leave a 10% tip at any paladar.
7Have your hotel help you confirm reservations when you arrive. Restaurants cancel your reservations if they don’t hear from you! Plan on letting your casa owner or hotel employee know. They will call and confirm the reservations.XHavana is a busy city and hotels and restaurants know plans change. Always call ahead to confirm a reservation.Part 4Part 4 of 4:Getting Around in Cuba
1Speak with your hotel or casa to make traveling plans. They will get it all set up for you. Do this in advance to lock in a good price or have transportation ready when you need it. If you need to stick to a strict schedule, renting a car through these sources is your best option.XCar enthusiasts can request a specific car to drive. Cuba has many vintage cars from the 1950s and earlier available.
2Take cabs to get around the city quickly. Taxi cabs are everywhere in Havana. A drive from the airport to your hotel costs about 30 CUCs, so rides can get expensive. Still, this is an easy way to navigate the city. Make sure you factor the expense into your budget.X
3Rent a car to travel beyond Havana quickly. Rental cars are the newest cars on the island. In addition, there isn’t much traffic outside Havana. It’s a luxurious way to get from place to place if you want to explore the island.X
4Hire a private car for guided traveling. Private cars can be a little pricey, but it’s like a taxi that goes beyond the city. You won’t have to drive or navigate yourself around unfamiliar territory. Order a car online through the Cuban government or wait to negotiate in person at your hotel or casa.XFor example, you can book a trip to Viñales, a tourist town about 2 ½ hours away, for about 100 CUCs.
5Share a private car to cut the cost. This is known as a taxi collectivo. You share the private car with other guests. Reserve a car by speaking to hotel and casa employees, by visiting bus stations in Havana, or by talking to taxi drivers.A taxi collectivo to Viñales can cost as little as 20 CUCs.
6Get a bus ticket to travel cheaply and comfortably. Bus tickets are sold in advance at https://www.viazul.com/. Buses are newer than most cars, so features like air conditioning are included. Bus trips are slower than car trips because the bus has to stop at different stations.XDon’t be alarmed if the website shows that bus tickets are sold out. Go to the station when you arrive in Cuba. There are usually tickets available to buy in person.A trip to Viñales costs about 12 CUCs.
7Book an inclusive tour to avoid having to plan. Contact a traveling company to set up a tour. This is the easiest way to get across the island. You will book the tour with an English-speaking representative who arranges the transportation for you. Search online to find reputable tour companies.Unfortunately, you have to stick to the tour schedule. You may not get to explore some locations as much as you would like.
