Do I need to wear a face mask?

Face masks are no longer mandatory in most indoor and outdoor public spaces, with the exception of hospitals and clinics. To protect yourself and others, we strongly advise you frequently wash your hands with soap and dry with a clean paper towel. Avoid touching your face and keep 6ft distance from others. Bring plenty of soap, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes with you as these supplies may be limited in Cuba.

Cuba does not currently require vaccination. Visitors are not obligated to provide proof of Covid vaccination at this time

Are visitors from the U.S. allowed to stay at hotels?

The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced regulatory changes [on September 23, 2020] to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) restricting certain transactions related to lodging at properties identified on the CPA List. Authorized travelers should therefore instead of staying at hotels, stay in private accommodations, or casas particulares, owned and operated by legitimately independent entrepreneurs. If you already have a hotel booking in Cuba, made prior to September 23, 2020, your booking is still valid. If you have any further questions in regards to accommodation in Cuba,  

Do you offer Travel Insurance?

Yes, insurance for a trip to Cuba may differ from previous insurance purchases and follows a different process given the destination. This process is regulated by the Office of Foreign Asset Control for any travel to Cuba. To learn more on what information you will need to provide when purchasing a policy please click here. For your convenience, we offer travel protection through Travelex Insurance Services.

Travelex Insurance Services, Inc CA Agency License #0D10209. Travel Insurance is underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company, NAIC #22276. VRF

What documents do I need to travel to Cuba?

• Passport
• OFAC Travel Affidavit
• Visa – passports must be valid for at least six month beyond the date the traveler will exit/entry United States. Cuba only requires that your passport must be valid during the entirely of your trip.
• (See 12 OFAC Categories and Visa for more information on both)
• Each must be filled out correctly and signed by the client accordingly.
• D’Viajeros Form: All passengers arriving in Cuba must confirm they have submitted a sworn declaration about their biographic data and COVID-19 vaccination status. Passengers may complete the confirmation form online within 3 days from departure at: https://www.dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu/inicio.  Upon submission of the electronic form, passengers will receive a QR code to present to Cuban health and immigration authorities upon arrival in Cuba.

In order to travel to Cuba, you must travel under one of the OFAC categories.

The categories include:

• Visiting family
• Humanitarian projects or to provide support to the Cuban people
• Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments and certain intergovernmental organizations
• Journalistic activities
• Professional research
• Educational activities by persons at academic institutions
• Religious activities
• Public performance, clinics, workshops, athletic or other competitions and exhibitions
• Authorization to provide travel services, carrier services and remittance forwarding services
• Activities of private foundations, research or educational institutes
• Exportation of certain Internet-based services

Some categories might require specific visas to enter Cuba.  Take time to go over your travel plans with your agent to identify what type of visa is right for you.

Any other requirements I should be aware of? Tips?

• Keep your day-to-day activity itinerary to avoid any issues with the United States Government upon your return to the United States.
• Keep a copy of your passport as a form of ID and leave your actual passport in a safety box in your hotel. You will only need it in Cuba if you need to exchange money or accept money wire transfers.

Is there a departure tax on my return flight back to the United States?

There is a Cuba departure tax but it is INCLUDED in the ticket price when purchased before you travel to Cuba.

I was born in Cuba. Can I go to Cuba and what kind of visa do I apply for?

Yes, you can go to Cuba. Cuba considers all people born in Cuba to be Cuban citizens, regardless of current nationality. If you were born in Cuba and left before December 31, 1970, you will need either a valid Cuban passport or HE-11 visa prior to entering Cuba. For more information about the HE-11 visa, contact us at info@cubavisaservices.com. If you were born in Cuba and left Cuba after January 1, 1971, you will need to obtain a Cuban passport regardless of holding United States citizenship and passport. You don’t have the option of applying for an HE-11 visa.

If I have a Cuban passport, do I need to apply for a visa?

No, if you have a valid passport you won’t need to obtain a visa prior to entering Cuba.

Can I use my Global Entry benefits with my Cuba flight?

Yes, Global Entry may be used at equipped international terminals regardless of which country you are coming from. Please note this doesn’t apply to airports in Cuba.

Do I have to arrive 4 hours prior to departure for check- in?

It is requested and highly recommended for check-in for international flights. Security and customs can have long lines and you may run into issues. Gates close 1 hour prior to departure.

Can I use my Advantage Program membership when travelling to Cuba?

Yes, if you are booked on a commercial flight, you can enter your Advantage Member number during check-in before departure.

Where can I purchase a visa?

SunstoneTravelVisa can help you purchase a visa online. You can purchase a visa here. 

Can I purchase my visa at the airport on the day of my flight?

We recommend purchasing your visa prior to your travel date in order to ensure you have all required travel documents and to avoid any delays.

You may purchase your visa at our Cuba Travel Services kiosk on the day of your flight depending on departing city.

Check with your airline to see if visas are available for purchase on the day of your flight. Price and availability may vary.

I am an international citizen residing/flying out from the United States. Do I also need to register under one of the OFAC categories and purchase a visa?

Everyone traveling from the United States to Cuba, including international citizens residing in/flying out of the United States must self-qualify under one of the OFAC categories of authorized travel and have a visa.

Additional Visa Tips

As of November 1, 2022, The validity of the tourism visa is extended to 90 days of stay in the national territory -extendable once for the same period- which allows to extend the stay of foreign visitors in Cuba.

System of monetary relations.

The foreign currencies that CADECA (Casas de Cambio) accepts in all its offices are:

USD– American Dollar
CAD – Canadian Dollar
EUR – Euros
CHF – Swiss Francs
GBP – Pound sterling
JPY – Japanese Yen
MXN – Mexican peso

The foreign currencies that CADECA (Casas de Cambio) accepts in all its offices are:

• All international airports in Cuba, both in the passenger arrival lounges and in the departure lounges, prior to immigration control.
  departure lounges, prior to immigration control.
• All ports where international cruise ships operate.
• In 60 of the main hotels in all tourist areas.
• In the areas with the greatest influx or access of tourists.

In Cuba, the official currency is  the Cuban Peso (CUP). While US Dollars can be used for tipping and payments at certain private venues, they can be conveniently exchanged at Banks and Exchange Houses. U.S. Bank-issued credit and debit cards are not currently accepted in Cuba, except at certain hotels, where they can be used for leaving a deposit at Front Desk through a secure payment link. It is advisable to take a sufficient amount of cash.

Prepaid Cards in MLC.

It is encouraged to eliminate the circulation of cash and that the transactions of funds, including the payment of products and services are carried out using bank cards.

Cuba has worked in the last two years to increase electronic commerce and the infrastructure that guarantees it.

At the request of MINTUR, the Central Bank of Cuba has designed a new service, which has been in operation for months, the sale of Prepaid Cards.

Prepaid cards are issued by Banco de Crédito y Comercio (BANDEC) for values of: 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 US dollars, which are marketed by CADECA, in any currency, of which its commercial network is currently listed.

This Card is not personalized, so it can be operated by those who have their PIN.

At the request of the client, the balance of the Card is reimbursed by CADECA to the tourist in freely convertible currency, when he leaves the country, at international airports, in one of the foreign currencies of which they are quoted.

What is the $35 visa processing fee for?

The $35 processing fee covers the administration and processing of ordering and receiving visas directly from the CUBAN Embassy in Washington D.C. If you have any additional questions feel free to contact us.

Administrative Fees / Booking Fees:

Administrative Fees and Booking Fees if applicable will be clearly marked on your invoice or itemized at the time of your final booking payment. Administrative and booking fees are applied to help cover the administrational costs devoted to the operation and as such they are non-refundable regardless of cancellation of services.