NEW CUBA TRAVEL REGULATIONS

Some questions and answers about the new rules for Americans traveling to Cuba: 

WHO CAN GO?

Any American can now travel to Cuba without the prior permission of the U.S. for the first time in a long time—so as long as the visit falls under one of 12 approved categories. The approved cattegories include professional, religious and journalistic activities, educational activities, family visits, official business of the U.S. government, public performances,  support for the Cuban people, humanitarian projects, research, exportation, importation, or transmission of information materials, and certain export transactions. 

WHAT ARE THE RULES?

Americans can now travel alone after asserting it's an educational, "people-to-people" experience. The bottom line is for a people-to-people trip to be compliant — the activities or the trip in its entirety can’t be for tourism purposes. The intent is to not just to do tourist activities, but to meet Cuban people and discuss the lifestyles in the United States and Cuba. White House officials suggested just about any interaction with Cubans would satisfy the requirement. 

Under the updated policy, visitors will have to keep records for five years about what they did in Cuba, but won't have to submit them unless asked.  Keeping records may include receipts, plane tickets, hotel receipts, meal receipts and types of activities one participated in. 

ISN'T CUBA HARD TO GET TO?

Not anymore….The U.S. opened the door to restoring commercial air traffic. The first of up to 110 commercial flights a day are expected to start later this year.  Eventually, Americans may also come by boat. European cruise ships now make regular appearances in the Havana harbor. 

WHERE WILL I STAY?

One of the biggest difficulties is booking a hotel room. The hotels have been sold out for more than a year. It’s one of the major bottlenecks to Cuba right now. There’s a limited amount of hotels that American travelers would find sufficient or satisfactory to stay in. It’s often easier to travel to Cuba if you go in a small group, because everything is taken care of.  One recently added option is AirBnB. The U.S.-based company allows you to search for private homes, known as "casas particulares," and pay through your credit card from the U.S.