US travel visa to cuba neede?

[malloryslp]

#15598

Are US citizens still restricted to the 12 categories of travel visa to enter cuba?

IE  there is not yet a ‘tourist’ category?

Does the book discuss this challenge?

Or is this NOT an issue anymore??

We plan to visit Dec. 24 2016 – Jan. 2 2017.

When we purchased our Non Stop round trip from NY JFK to Havana, there were no questions about purpose of travel, just our passport numbers.

We travel internationally often.

Thank you!

[Mario]

#15602

Hi, there is no problem. Basically any american can go to cuba. This has been the case for years and thousands have already gone to cuba.

There are 12 categories of travel and tourism is not one of them. But the system is completely based on trust and you will be 99% certain that nobody will ever ask why you went to cuba. If anybody at customs asks you, you can just say it was for a cultural exchange. But nobody will ask. Honestly, under Obama the government has stopped enforcing any rules concerning travel to cuba. You are 100% legal to travel there.

As you are planning to go during the holidays I will say that you must book your accommodations asap.. Like today… Most good places are already booked for the holidays and lodging is very limited. Get on it righaway, please.

The book does not discuss the topic of Americans visiting cuba as this is a null point at this time. There are daily flights from Miami and other cities. It is totally not a problem anymore.

Have fun,

Mario

[malloryslp]

#15603

Thanks Mario!

Will all the Casas particulares be full do you think?  We are planning to travel and stay in places for 2 nights at most.

http://www.casaparticularcuba.org/

This is the site we are going to use.

Mallory

[malloryslp]

#15605

Looking at a hotel to book online in Havana…

They ask me to affirm the following statement online:

 

“I/We hereby certify that I/We have read the section(s) of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (“CACR”), 31 C.F.R. Part 515 that is/are selected below. I/We certify that I/We satisfy all the conditions for traveling to Cuba identified in that/those section/s of the regulations. (For the complete CACR, see http://www.ecfr.gov). I/We understand I/We must also: have a valid Cuban entry document to travel; and keep a full and accurate record of the transactions I/We engage in relation to this travel for 5 years from the date of the transaction.”

And then I must check off one of the 12 designated conditions allowed for travel in cuba.

Then I must check off “I/we affirm under the penalties of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my/our knowledge, information and belief.”

Your reply earlier sounded like this is all formality?  Not really checked?

Seems scary to me.

mallory

[Mario]

#15607

Hi, many casas will already be booked. The casas give priority to guests who book for longer stays. You will likely have trouble finding a casa to take you for only 2 nights over Christmas. But start working on it asap and see how it goes.

As for the regulations, it is technically legal to travel to cuba only for the 12 categories of travel listed. However, in practical terms, if you say you are traveling as a cultural exchange, (person to person) then you will be fine. The bar is set very low to qualify for a person to person cultural exchange. As long as you speak to a Cuban citizen while you are on the island, that would qualify. You won’t have to show proof.

The question is brought up constantly by Americans wanting to visit cuba. You can see similar questions posed on the popularforum called reddit.

Here are some links you might want to check out.

US Citizen. Solo travel /People to people. Just book and go? from cuba

 

Question regarding method of Arrival to Cuba from USA from cuba

 

So now that JetBlue flies to cuba, can americans freely travel to cuba without permission from the uS government? from cuba

[malloryslp]

#15610

Excellent info Mario.

Thank you very much.

m

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