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Americans and Cuba Travel - the Facts, Resources, Related Experiences [only]

Old May 10, 2015, 8:31 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: JDiver
WARNING: Trump speech in Miami today, June 16, 2017, announced (using the words "effective immediately") reinstatement of the tourist travel ban to Cuba. "Trump will re-impose the requirement that "people-to-people" travelers can only come to Cuba with heavily regulated tour groups. " for USA citizens and residents, that bans individual "self certified" travel to Cuba under the current OFAC 12 categories described below. That means (expensive) group travel for most, currently offered by travel and cruise companies (those will be allowed to continue).

US airlines will be allowed to continue to serve Cuba, but the new restrictions will mean most planning to travel individually will not be able to usevthese carriers (unless on authorized or licensed group travel).

Those groups with travel arrangements will probably have to make significant itinerary changes to conform with the policy's ban most American financial transactions with branches or businesses operated by the military-linked Armed Forces Business Enterprises Group (GAESA), a conglomerate involved in many economic sectors in Cuba - including many hotels, state-run restaurants and tour buses.

Trump's recalibration of policy will most immediately affect the latitude of U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba. Under Obama's relaxation of travel regulations, U.S. citizens could designate the purpose of their travel under one of 12 specific categories, which included the broadly defined "educational" travel and "people-to-people" travel. This "self-designation" mechanism contributed to a surge in travel over the last two years, with more than 600,000 tourists visiting the island in 2016.

But Trump's new restrictions eliminate the self-designation process, and according to the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, "will end individual people-to-people travel." Unless U.S. travelers qualify for one of the specialized categories of traveljournalism, religious work or academic research, for examplethey will have to travel with licensed tour groups and prove they spent all their time in Cuba doing people-to-people activities. The new directive empowers the Treasury Department to audit U.S. travelers and immigration officials will be able to demand records and journals from returning travelers to demonstrate they are in compliance with the new restrictions. Those who are not could face hefty government fines.

Under the new Trump regulations, those restrictions have been expanded to prohibit U.S. citizens from staying in, eating at, or spending any money at numerous state-owned hotels and other businesses that fall under the umbrella of Cuba's Business Enterprise Group (GAESA). GAESA, a conglomerate of economic entities controlled by the Cuban military, oversees up to 60 percent of the economic activity in Cuba. Besides hotels, GAESA controls restaurants, tourism buses and other economic and tourist-related agencies.

Trump's directive means that U.S. visitors will no longer be able to stay at some of Havana's most popular hotels, among them the elegant Saratoga favored by U.S. senators, governors and Congressional representatives who have visited Cuba over the last several years, and the Santa Isabel, where former President Jimmy Carter stayed during his two trips to the island. The five-star Gran Manzana Kempinski Havana Hotel that opened just last month also falls under the GAESA umbrella and will be off-limits to U.S. citizens. As a guide for future travelers, the State Department plans to publish a list of prohibited hotels and businesses they will now have to avoid. Link to source.
"WHEN DOES IT TAKE EFFECT?"

"The details of Trumps new policy remain unwritten. In a presidential directive he signed at the end of his speech, he ordered the Treasury and Commerce departments to draw up new regulations to replace elements of Obamas policy changes. White House officials said that actual changes remain months away." (Washington Post - link)

"The new realities of U.S. travel to Cuba will be determined by the regulations that federal agencies will produce as a result of the new policy. A presidential memorandum gives the government 90 days before it even starts to rewrite Cuba travel regulations, meaning it could be many months before it's clear what the change means for American travelers.

The Treasury Department said individuals who bought an airline ticket or rented a room or car before Trump's announcement could make additional travel-related purchases for that travel under the Obama policy, even if their trip to Cuba takes place after the new, stricter Trump regulations go into effect." (abc news - link)

Verify arrangements already made with your airline, travel provider, AirBnB, etc.

Please keep an eye on OFAC modifications, Cuba travel policies in the US etc. on the State Department site, etc. (see below). Once OFAC controls allow it, travel of U. S. tourists to Cuba will undoubtedly thrive.

Entry Requirements

Cuban officials now stamp all passports on entry and exit. The former practice of winking and stamping U.S. citizens in and out on a separate sheet of paper no longer takes place.

The Cuban Assets Control Regulations of the U.S. Treasury Department require that persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction obtain a Treasury license before engaging in any transaction related to travel to, from and within Cuba. Transactions related to tourist travel are not licensable. This restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through a third country such as Mexico or Canada.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Licensing Division, Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Treasury Annex, Washington, DC 20220, telephone (202) 622-2480; fax (202) 622-1657, or via the web at Office of Foreign Assets Control.

For current information on Cuban entry and customs requirements, travelers may contact the Cuban Embassy, an office of the Cuban government, located at 2630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009, telephone (202) 797-8518.
Further information, added 11 Jun 2016:

NOTE: When you arrive in the USA, DO declare Cuba on the U S Customs form 6059B. The USCBP officers generally do not care or give your travel to Cuba via Antigua or Cancn a second thought. But failing to disclose your travel to Cuba to a Federal agent? That's a violation of 18 U. S. Code 1001, commonly called "making false statements", a felony punishable by up to five years in Federal Prison. Nope, you wouldn't, but such an offense would jeopardize GE / APHIS / PreCheck, etc. and could certainly incur enhanced scrutiny on re-entering the USA or flying into / out of a U.S. airport.

18 U.S.C. 1001 link

NOTE: Travel to Cuba is still regulated (Jun 2016). American residents must meet one criterion of twelve categories of allowed travel to Cuba.

Tourist travel to Cuba is prohibited under U.S. law for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and others subject to U.S. jurisdiction. (USDOS)
"Travel to Cuba for tourist activities remains prohibited by statute. There are, however, 12 categories of authorized travel. The Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued general licenses in all 12 categories of authorized travel, subject to appropriate conditions. This means that individuals who meet the regulatory conditions of the respective general license they seek to travel under do not need to apply for a specific license from OFAC to travel to Cuba.

The 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba are: 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; public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes; exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials; and certain authorized export transactions.
"

U.S. Embassy, La Havana, Cuba (link)

Certain spend and other requirements must be met, in accord with regulations issued by the U. S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (link to PDF), and the Cuba Assets Control Regulations of 16 Mar 2016, 31 CFR 515 (link to PDF).

timaticweb2 through United Airlines, 10 Jun 2016:

Summary (US Citizen or Resident traveling from USA to Cuba, return ticket and normal, current passport with at least two blank visa pages at hand)

Conditional, The traveler will need to hold travel documents as detailed below.

Type: Notice

Cuba - Destination Visa

Visa required.

The following are exempt from holding a visa:

Passengers with a Tourist Card (Tarjeta del Turista) issued to visitors traveling as tourists.

Additional information:

Tourist Cards (Tarjeta del Turista) must be obtained prior to arrival in Cuba and are available at:
- Cuban Embassies or Consulates;
- Authorized Airlines;
- Travel agencies.

Tourist Cards (Tarjeta del Turista) grant a max. stay of 30 days to nationals of USA, and extension of stay for additional 30 days.

The length of stay must be covered by USD 50.- (or equivalent in other convertible currency, in cash or traveller's cheques) per person per day, unless passenger has previously contracted the touristic activities with MINTUR in Cuba.

Important

Former nationals of Cuba who left Cuba before 1971 must hold passports endorsed "Habilitado" for HE-11.

All visitors are required to hold a travel insurance to cover their medical expenses while in Cuba. The travel insurance can be bought on arrival in Cuba, but it is recommended to have it before departure to Cuba. (Reasonable and easy to purchase on arrival. JD)

Added 1/18/2017 All passengers arriving on flights direct from the US are automatically covered by Asistur (Cuban insurance company) medical insurance for 30 days. The cost is bundled into the ticket cost.

These passengers are never asked to provide proof of medical insurance by Cuban immigration at airports as they are aware this has been standard for many years. However it is a different situation dealing with a medical service provider if you actually need to use the insurance or Cuban immigration at places other than the airport if you have reason to extend or change status of your travel visa.

There is an official Asistur one page document that states everyone arriving on a direct flight from the US has Asistur insurance for 30 days. This document, your boarding pass, and your passport will show that you have medical insurance. This document is not available anywhere on line. Nor is it available to passengers even though it should be. So I am providing it for download.

I would encourage anyone flying direct to Cuba from the US to download this one page document, print it out, and carry a copy with them.

http://www.bobmichaels.org/Asistur.pdf
End addition 1/18/2017

Neither visa exemptions nor Tourist Card (Tarjeta del Turista) facilities are applicable to those holding foreign passports stating Cuba as place of birth. They will be considered Cuban nationals, unless holding a document signed by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, proving withdrawal of their Cuban citizenship.

Cuba - Destination Health

This information is for guide purposes only. Other health organisations may recommend alternative precautions.

Vaccinations not required
NOTE: US Citizens and Residents must possess a current passport with a minimum of two empty visa (not note) pages.

You must exchange US Dollars to CUC - Cuban Convertible Pesos in authorized locations, and are required to spend CUC in Cuba (not dollars). CUC are not exportable out of Cuba. (Hint: the writer of this wikipost had no trouble exchanging Euro at decent market rates and found Euro accepted in some locations due to the prevalence of European tourists in Cuba.) Some US credit card acceptance is said to occur now, but if so it's a recent change.

At the airport CADECA booth you can change the last of your CUCs. Or you can buy duty-free items or books etc. sold from the government propaganda shop to spend the last of your CUCs.

Please read the extensive U.S. Department of State information regarding Cuba if you are a U.S. Citizen or Resident. Link.

US airlines begin commercial USA - Cuba flights by September 2016

In March, the USDOT accepted airline applications wishing to offer non-charter commercial flights between the USA and Cuba. On June 10, 2016 USDOT issued an order for six US airlines to operate flights between the USA and Cuba, to begin September 2016 HAV / La Habana flight orders to come this summer.)

Source links:

Yahoo! Finance (Link).

USA Today (link): "WASHINGTON Six U.S. airlines were approved to begin the first scheduled flights to Cuba in more than 50 years, the Transportation Department announced Friday.

The airlines were approved to fly from five U.S. cities to nine Cuban cities other than Havana. But the department is still considering which airlines will get a combined 20 daily flights to the capital out of 60 proposals, which will be announced later this summer..."

Reuters: (link) "American (AAL.O) will have nonstop service from Miami, the largest Cuban community in the United States; Southwest (LUV.N), JetBlue (JBLU.O) and Silver Airways will fly from nearby Fort Lauderdale; Frontier will add flights from Chicago and Philadelphia; and Sun Country will serve Minneapolis."

(AA, Delta, Sun Country and others have been serving Cuba with charter flights operated for CTS / Cuba Travel Services for over 25 years.)

Updated 11 Jun 2016 - JDiver
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Americans and Cuba Travel - the Facts, Resources, Related Experiences [only]

Old Jun 23, 2016, 1:45 pm
  #91  
 
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Sure I will not declare as Tourism. I will declare as "Journalism" to document my trip as I leisurely explore Cuba.

I think I have a better understanding.
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Old Jun 23, 2016, 2:38 pm
  #92  
 
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Don't declare "journalism" to the Cuban authorities. They will want to see your press visa. That is not easy to get. Without it, that will cause you all kinds of problems.
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Old Jun 23, 2016, 11:08 pm
  #93  
 
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According to cubans living in Europe who have as well a passport of the EU it is easily to travel from HAV to MIA or any other US airport with AA and other US airlines. It seems to be a loophole for cubans with an EU passport to enter the US and ask for the benefits. Maybe interesting for some ex-cubans who have family in Cuba.
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Old Jun 29, 2016, 12:06 pm
  #94  
 
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Originally Posted by JDiver
AA and other U.S. airlines begin commercial service to Cuba in September, U.S. airlines' flights to CFG, CMW, HOG, SNU and VRA / Varadero have been announced and tickets.....
....are/were on offer at bargain prices this week.

AA will allow you to book online and take your money. However, AA is NOT currently prepared to give buyers any information about the required tourist card (other than to direct callers inquiries to the new Cuban embassy in D.C. which only serves walk-ins) or Cuban required insurance, both of which the charter airlines have usually bundled in the fare or offered to their passengers at check-in. AA phone reps and supervisors have been given NO info that these issues even exist.
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Old Jun 29, 2016, 3:07 pm
  #95  
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Are the flights even loaded on AA.com? I can't find any over a range of dates into late December.

FWIW, the fare code for the Cuban Tourist Card is YR (bundled in on flights from Canada). A very-reasonable CAD 16 is charged.
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Old Jun 30, 2016, 7:56 am
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Originally Posted by YVR Cockroach
Are the flights even loaded on AA.com? I can't find any over a range of dates into late December.
How do you think I managed to purchase?
Right now AA is selling seats "on speculation" really though. They have permission for the routes, but no flights until September.
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Old Jun 30, 2016, 10:30 am
  #97  
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Originally Posted by VidaNaPraia
How do you think I managed to purchase?
Right now AA is selling seats "on speculation" really though. They have permission for the routes, but no flights until September.
Pulled the flights since? Tried from end of Sept onward to December, random dates to HOG and VRA from MIA. Nothing offered.
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Old Jun 30, 2016, 12:04 pm
  #98  
 
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Originally Posted by YVR Cockroach
Pulled the flights since? Tried from end of Sept onward to December, random dates to HOG and VRA from MIA. Nothing offered.
Just went to the site now and...
.....all OK for flights from, for my example, Boston to Varadero for end of Sept.
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Old Jun 30, 2016, 3:33 pm
  #99  
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Looks like the problem is AA.com is not letting you buy OW tickets. Only RT permitted.

From taxes and fees breakdown, I'd surmise only Cuba departure tax is permitted. Good question where you buy the tourist card!

US APHIS USER FEE (UNITED STATES) $3.96 USD
TRANSPORTATION TAX (UNITED STATES) $35.60 USD
PASSENGER FACILITY CHARGE (UNITED STATES) $13.50 USD
US FEDERAL INSPECTION FEE (UNITED STATES) $7.00 USD
US SECURITY FEE (UNITED STATES) $11.20 USD
US CUSTOMS USER FEE (UNITED STATES) $5.50 USD
OTHER TAXES $25.00 USD
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Old Jul 7, 2016, 10:14 am
  #100  
 
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US DOT Havana fact sheet for new service

https://www.transportation.gov/sites...se_Order_0.pdf
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Old Jul 7, 2016, 11:21 am
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US DOT Havana fact sheet for new service
However, most of the AA flights are not addressed. They are TO airports other than Havana, and originating FROM other US cities but going through Miami).
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Old Jul 7, 2016, 12:27 pm
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Originally Posted by VidaNaPraia
US DOT Havana fact sheet for new service


However, most of the AA flights are not addressed. They are TO airports other than Havana, and originating FROM other US cities but going through Miami).
Did you bother to read the document? It specifically addresses 15 different Havana routes, on 8 different carriers, various US gateways:

AA: 4x daily MIA-HAV, 1x daily CLT-HAV
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Old Sep 26, 2016, 5:02 am
  #103  
 
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Question cycling question - any answers, suggestions

Lots of good queries in this thread about cycling in Cuba? Alas, no answers!

I (& others) are looking for local cycling resources? One day tours, SAG wagon supported, etc.

Most of the on-line services are foreign-based and fixed multi-day itineraries.

Also, the rule for this thread is those with actual experiences traveling to Cuba? Opinions can be found anywhere, whereas experiences welcome?
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Old Oct 6, 2016, 11:00 am
  #104  
 
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Originally Posted by Antonio8069
Lots of good queries in this thread about cycling in Cuba? Alas, no answers!

I (& others) are looking for local cycling resources? One day tours, SAG wagon supported, etc.

Most of the on-line services are foreign-based and fixed multi-day itineraries.

Also, the rule for this thread is those with actual experiences traveling to Cuba? Opinions can be found anywhere, whereas experiences welcome?
This has gotten to be a OLD thread, especially with info and conditions changing so rapidly.
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Old Jan 9, 2017, 1:36 am
  #105  
 
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Can I obtain a tourist card from the Stockholm embassy and use it on a B6 flight departing MCO?
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