There’s no such thing as a bad question, especially when it comes to a country you’ve never explored before. To help you prepare for visiting Cuba, we thought we’d answer some frequently asked questions. After all, they’re frequently asked for a reason.
Am I allowed to go to Cuba?
Yes, you’re allowed to go to Cuba. Americans can travel to Cuba if their trip falls into one of twelve categories. These include visits to relatives, academic programs, professional research, journalistic or religious activities and participation in public performances or sports competitions. But, if you don’t find your trip falling into any of these areas, don’t worry, you can probably still go. Most people travel under something called an “educational people-to-people trip.” It basically comes with the expectation of two hours of cultural activities per day while visiting Cuba. Or, in other words, you’ll be required to do things you’d already want to do.
What are “people-to-people trips”?
The name pretty much says it all. People-to-people trips connect people, with people. They’re officially defined as “educational opportunities that provide a meaningful interaction between the traveler and individuals in Cuba.” But what does that actually mean? It means you have two ways to interact with the country. You can either choose a scheduled tour for the entire trip, or plan your interactions day-to-day. No matter what you decide, the whole experience will immerse you in the culture and people of Cuba. So if all you want to do is lay on the beach all day, this isn’t the trip for you.
Do I have to prove that I was on a “people-to-people trip”?
You might be a little nervous about this question. But don’t be. While you could be asked by a tour operator to sign an affidavit that denotes the purpose of your trip, the whole thing is pretty simple. Just keep your travel receipts for five years after you return and you shouldn’t have a problem.
If you want to make the whole thing even simpler, just plan your trip to Cuba with Funjet Vacations. Funjet organizes everything and puts all your daily cultural activities on one receipt. It’s that easy.
What about visas?
Unless you’re talking about your credit card, you don’t have to worry about it. As a regular tourist (someone staying less than two months), you don’t need a visa to travel to Cuba. However, you will need a tourist card (and rates vary by airline carrier). This can be purchased at the airport prior to departure. And if you’re looking for a good travel tip, buy your card at the same time as your package. This makes the whole process a lot faster. Just remember, you can’t leave Cuba without your tourist card. So be sure to keep it in a safe place. Other than that, you’re good to go.
Is it safe to travel to Cuba?
Absolutely. Believe it or not, international travel organizations have named Cuba among the safest countries for travelers in the Western Hemisphere. But just like most international travel, there’s always a few ways to make things even safer. We suggest using a money belt and locking up your belongings at your hotel.
What if I get sick while I’m in Cuba?
We hope that won’t have to worry about this (on your trip to Cuba or any vacation). However, all Americans traveling to Cuba are required to purchase Cuban health insurance, which they will do through their airline carrier and which they will be required to show documentation of when they arrive in Cuba.
There are a lot of questions to ask about Cuba. We hope we’ve given you more than enough answers. If you have any questions that aren’t frequently asked, just let us know. We’d be happy to answer every single one.
