Vacations for US Citizens to Cuba
For over 50 years Cuba was pretty much off limits to US citizens thanks to a 1962 trade embargo. Then, after Barack Obama’s 2014 reestablishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba, travel restrictions loosened, and major airlines began offering direct flights from the US. And while the Trump administration has rolled back some of these changes, it’s still perfectly possible for Americans to travel to Cuba – whether travelling on a tour or independently. What’s more, US citizens will find a warm welcome and a people keen to engage and share their stories.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about US Citizens in Cuba or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Choosing your category
Choosing your category
As was the case under Obama, all visits by US citizens to Cuba should involve meaningful interactions with Cuban people and help to strengthen civil society in Cuba. US citizens have to travel under one of 12 categories; and while in in Cuba they can’t have dealings with businesses on the US State Department’s Cuba Restricted List – all of which have links to Cuban military's business arm, Grupo de Administración Empresarial (GAESA). Official rules also state that they’re required to document their trip to prove they were in Cuba for one of the 12 reasons.
If you’re keen to travel around Cuba, you’ll need to visit Cuba under either the People to People Travel or Support for the Cuban People category. The former involves taking a chaperoned group tour sponsored by a US organisation, accompanied by a US representative to ensure that the tour follows regulations and documents activities, and with a full schedule of cultural activities.
Visiting under the Support for the Cuban category is a more flexible way to travel. You can visit Cuba independently or with the help of a tour operator, as long as you use privately owned businesses (casa particulares and local restaurants, for example), and avoid transactions with businesses on the restricted list. Under this option, you’ll be able to design an itinerary yourself, the activities you can take part in are more varied, and you don’t need to travel in a group. As with Person to Person tours, all activities and transactions should be documented.
Our US Citizens in Cuba Holidays
Cuba small group holiday, 8 days
Explore the history and the nature of the Caribbean wonder
From
US $2350
8 days
ex flights
Self drive Cuba family holiday
Family holiday Cuba for parents & children
From
€1590 to €2990
15 days
ex flights
Trekking holiday in Cuba
Hiking and exploring the unspoiled national parks of Cuba
From
£270 to £580
4 days
ex flights
Cuba tour, The Revolutionary Trail
Follow in the footsteps of the revolutionaries
From
£1925
10 days
ex flights
Walking holiday in Cuba
Cuba off the beaten track: Private guided walking holiday
From
£2425 to £2725
14 days
ex flights
Short Cuba tour, hello Cuba
Discover the history, culture and natural beauty of Cuba
From
US $1375
5 days
ex flights
Cuba holiday, culture and nature
A mix of nature and culture; discover what makes Cuba tick
From
£1495
15 days
ex flights
Discover Cuba holiday, 15 days
Experience the real Cuba on this 15 day cultural adventure
From
US $1360
15 days
ex flights
Cuba highlights holiday
Explore Havana, visit tobacco hills & doze on dreamy beaches
From
£768
8 days
ex flights
Cuba holiday, West to East
Cuba travel 19 days from West to East
From
€1995 to €2295
19 days
ex flights
Cuba family tours
Get lost in the vibrant culture of Cuba with your family.
From
£1488
13 days
ex flights
Cuba group tour, eastern highlights
Already been to Havana? Explore Santiago and eastern Cuba.
From
US $2795
9 days
ex flights
Cuba cultural holiday
Immerse yourself in Cuban culture on this 8 day adventure
From
US $690
8 days
ex flights
Cuba cultural holidays, 15 days
Fun and legal way to experience Cuba's diversity
From
US $2250 to US $2550
15 days
ex flights
Classic Cuba private tours
Custom private tour of three Cuban cities & the countryside.
From
US $2440
8 days
ex flights
Short Cuba trip, a long weekend in Havana
Short on time? Join us for a Long Weekend in Havana
From
US $1195 to US $1295
4 days
ex flights
Cuba highlights and beach holiday
Balance Cuba’s culture & natural beauty with sunny paradise.
From
£1755
15 days
ex flights
Cuba nature and culture tour with turtle viewing
Observe sea turtle nesting, explore Havana, & more.
From
US $3495
8 days
ex flights
Cuba self drive holiday
Get a taste of the real Cuba on your own road trip!
From
£1445
15 days
ex flights
Classic Cuba holiday, 11 days
Get into the Cuban swing over just ten days.
From
£1225
11 days
ex flights
Cuban casa holiday
Go local in Cuba staying in friendly family B&Bs throughout
From
£1255
15 days
ex flights
Cuba cultural tour, 9 days
Fun and legal tour for American travelers
From
US $1500 to US $2000
9 days
ex flights
Taking an
organised tour
organised tour
Taking an organised tour
While it’s certainly possible to travel under your own steam, having a tour operator organise your trip is a far easier option, whether you want an individual tailor made tour or to travel in a small group. It’ll help you avoid the hassle and uncertainty of designing your own compliant itinerary, as this is done for you – and the operator will help you sort out the required documentation, too. Tour operators offer trips under both the Support for the Cuban People and the Person to Person categories.
Our top US Citizens in Cuba Holiday
Cuba tours
Tailormade holidays in the pearl of the Carribean
From
€995
15 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
Our Cuba tours can be tailor-made and departures can be arranged all year. The sample itinerary below can be modified to your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used & how long you spend in each destination
Our Cuba tours can be tailor-made and departures can be arranged all year. The sample itinerary below can be modified to your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used & how long you spend in each destination
Visas
Visas
Every US traveller needs a visa (known as a tourist card) issued by the Cuban government. You can either buy the tourist card in advance from an authorised US agency (your tour operator will be able to recommend one) or buy it at the airport when you check in for your flight to Cuba. As long as you’ve been travelling under an approved category there should be no problem having a Cuban stamp in your passport.
Flights & insurance
Flights & insurance
You can still buy direct flights from the US to Cuba. Airlines plying the route include JetBlue, American Airlines, Delta, United and Southwest. When buying your flight, you’ll have to certify that your travel is authorised under one of the approved categories.
All overseas visitors to Cuba must have a travel insurance policy in place with sufficient cover for medical evacuation by air. Although some US health insurance policies cover you when you’re abroad, you should buy separate health insurance for Cuba. In most cases your tour operator will be able to provide this for you or point you in the direction of a reliable supplier; alternatively, you can buy Cuban government medical insurance when you arrive at the airport.
Money
Money
Cash is king in Cuba, and credit and debit cards issued by US banks, as well as American Express travellers’ cheques, don’t work here, so you’ll need to bring money with you. If you’re worried about carrying large amounts of cash, choosing an organised tour where all accommodation and activities and many meals are included can be an easier option.
The Cuban Convertible Peso (CUP) is a handy currency for US citizens as one CUP is equal to one US dollar. Do note, however, that there is a 10 percent charge on exchanging US dollars here, on top of the regular currency exchange fee.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Nick Kenrick] [Top box: vxla]
[meaningful interactions: Gareth Williams]
[Chaperoned group tour: Mary Newcombe]
[Casa particlualr: Dirk van der Made]
[Taking an organised tour: Mary Newcombe]
[Visas: Fredrik Enestad]
[Flights - Delta airlines: Delta News Hub]
[Money: Mauro Parra-Miranda]
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