Understanding US-Cuba Travel Regulations: What US Travelers Need to Know
US-Cuba relations have rarely been straightforward. The path to improvement is often characterized by two steps forward and one step back. After several years of rapprochement, new travel regulations announced by the Trump administration on June 16, 2017, appear to have stalled some of the progress. But what do these changes really mean for US travelers?
Key Questions Regarding Travel to Cuba
Here are some essential questions and answers to help clarify the situation:
Do the new rules completely reverse the historic opening negotiated by the Obama administration between 2014 and 2016?
No. US citizens can still apply for a ‘general license’ to travel to Cuba if they qualify under one of the 12 different categories established by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Moreover, US citizens can continue to travel to Cuba on authorized cruise ships and people-to-people trips. Scheduled flights between the US and Cuba will also persist, and the US will maintain its embassy in Havana, which was reopened in 2015 after 54 years.
What is a general license?
The US government issues two types of licenses for travel to Cuba: ‘specific’ and ‘general’. General licenses are self-qualifying; travelers are responsible for determining if they meet the license requirements and compiling the necessary documentation, such as itineraries and receipts. While no specific application forms are required for a general license, airlines and authorized travel service providers often require US travelers to sign a ‘travel affidavit’ stating their license category during the booking process. While the nature of travel activities in Cuba may not face scrutiny, it is wise to retain all relevant paperwork just in case.
What changes has the Trump administration made?
The US government is reversing some changes instituted by the Obama administration in March 2016, which allowed individual ‘people-to-people’ trips. This led to a significant increase in US citizens traveling to Cuba under the ‘educational’ license category. The recent announcement states that ‘non-academic educational travel’ will now be restricted to officially sanctioned group travel. Participants on these organized trips must keep thorough records of the educational events they attend.
Furthermore, the regulations prohibit financial transactions with GAESA, the Cuban military entity that oversees the majority of the country’s tourism activities, encompassing many state-run hotels, car rental agencies, restaurants, and tours.
A new US Department of the Treasury factsheet elaborates on these changes in detail (www.treasury.gov).
Do the changes take effect immediately?
No. If you arranged your trip prior to the June 16, 2017, announcement, you can continue with your travel plans unchanged. The new rules will be implemented in 90 days, so travelers should gain more clarity in early fall.
What does this mean for US travelers?
Superficially, the measures roll back the lenient approach of the Obama administration. Over the past 15 months, many independent US citizens traveled to Cuba on vaguely defined ‘educational’ visits without facing consequences; this will no longer be feasible. Moreover, the new regulations suggest that US travelers returning from Cuba may face more stringent audits. Consequently, Cuba-bound travelers should be cautious about which license category they select and meticulously document all transactions in Cuba. This should include keeping records of trip notes and receipts for five years.
The prohibition on dealing with GAESA effectively bars Americans from staying in most state-run hotels managed by the Gaviota brand, including notable historic hotels in Havana. Ideally, Americans should avoid any transactions with the state-run economy, favoring privately-operated restaurants, casas particulares (homestays), and private shops instead.
What do the changes mean for Cuban tourism?
The language in the announcement may cause confusion, potentially cooling the recent surge of US tourists to Cuba, which saw over 600,000 American visitors in 2016—an increase of 34% from 2015. However, it remains to be seen how strictly the new and old regulations will be enforced, as well as how the US government will interpret the various grey areas.
A decline in US demand may compel the Cuban government to lower hotel prices, which have surged to unprecedented levels. US airlines operating flights to Cuba may also reduce their services if demand diminishes significantly. It is probable that small private businesses in Cuba will suffer as a result of the anticipated decrease in tourism revenue.
How to organize flights and trips to Cuba from the US?
Scheduled commercial flights between the US and Cuba were reinstated in September 2016. As of 2017, there are over 100 commercial flights available weekly between the two countries, although these numbers may decrease once the new travel policy comes into effect.
It remains possible to fly to Cuba through charters organized by authorized travel service providers. Notable companies in this space include Cuba Travel Services (cubatravelservices.com), ABC Charters (abc-charters.com), and Marazul (marazul.com).
Now that individual ‘people-to-people’ trips will no longer be allowed, organized group trips may become the primary way for casual US travelers to visit Cuba. Various companies offer comprehensive cultural holiday packages that include flights, accommodations, and guided experiences. Authorized agents manage the license paperwork, alleviating concerns for participants. Insight Cuba (insightcuba.com) is a well-established, registered operator in this realm.
Can US travelers still book accommodation on Airbnb?
Qualifying US travelers can continue to reserve homestays throughout Cuba in advance with a credit card on Airbnb. The new regulations do not indicate any immediate changes to this practice.
Do you need a visa?
All foreign visitors must obtain a ‘tourist card’ to enter Cuba, typically available through the airline or cruise line used for booking. Costs may vary by company, averaging around US$85. When booking your flight, it is essential to inquire about the airline’s tourist card policies. In some cases, cards can be acquired at the departure airport, or they may need to be mailed. If flying from Canada, tourist cards are generally distributed on the flight.
Do US credit and debit cards work in Cuba?
Despite earlier optimistic announcements, very few US or US-linked credit and debit cards function in Cuba. American travelers should expect to rely heavily on cash. The Cuban currency, known as convertibles (CUC$), is pegged to the US dollar, but travelers should note that a 13% tariff applies when exchanging money.
What about the future?
Much of the rhetoric surrounding this issue remains fundamentally political. It is crucial to understand that the new rules do not fully reverse all of Obama’s advancements. The door to negotiation is still partially ajar; however, the recent announcement has certainly not mellowed the prevailing atmosphere. It is challenging to envision the embargo concluding in the near future.
This is an updated version of a previously published article. Most recent updates made June 26, 2017.
