Approximately 200,000 US citizens and residents visited Cuba last year and the numbers are rising. Of this number, approximately one third were traveling with permission from the US Government, which has certain requirements and many restrictions in place for these travelers.

For the majority of US visitors, they chose to ignore the restrictions placed on their right to travel, and instead enter Cuba quietly from a third country; mainly Mexico, the Caribbean and Canada.

On the other hand, the Cubans welcome US citizens with open arms. All that is required is a valid passport and a Cuban tourist card (which can be issued by the airline along with the ticket). Upon entry if politely requested, the immigration officer generally stamps the tourist card rather than the passport, or stamps the passport with an indistinguishable mark. Within Cuba there are no travel restrictions.

US citizens traveling in this way take precautionary steps to ensure a smooth re-entry into the US. They do not take back any items with them that would advertise their trip to Cuba, i.e. souvenirs, cigars, obvious photos, airline ticket stubs, bag tags, receipts, etc. Also in the event that their passports would be stamped in Cuba, two forms of picture ID can be used to re-enter the US from Mexico, Canada, and most of the Caribbean.

One thing US travelers must keep in mind is that, major hotels who do take credit cards are unable to accept those issued by an American bank, and US traveler's checks can not be changed. It is advisable that all visitors carry US cash in small bills ($20's and below).

We here at Cubarez.com do accept all major credit cards and there will be no indication on the credit card statement of travel to Cuba. Your credit card statement will show the charge as coming from "Caribbean Travel Group Ltd, Cayman Islands".

Legal Travel to Cuba

The laws of the United States of America prohibit any of its citizens from traveling to Cuba. Therefore, to travel legally to Cuba, U.S. citizens must apply for a license from the Treasury and State departments.

Residents in the United States (not born in Cuba) can travel legally to Cuba by applying for a tourist card at Cuba’s Interest Section in Washington or at a travel agency that has purchased the card from the Interest Section. For further information on visa procedures, you can visit the web site of the Cuban Interest Section in the United States at www.geocities.com/cubainte/

For further information, see www.treas.gov/ofac/cubapage.html and www.travel.state.gov/cuba.html