Now is the Time!
There are 12 categories of travel under general licenses for travel to Cuba. Additionally, cruises from the US are no longer going to Cuba. There remains plenty of scope for legal travel, and popular categories under general licenses still in place include Support for the Cuban People and Professional Meetings and Research (similar to a category often called MICE in the travel industry – Meetings Incentives Conferences and Events).
It’s important to note that the OFAC conditions from the U.S. government for travelers from the U.S. to Cuba still apply, so guests must fulfill one of the 12 mentioned reasons for travel. “Support of the Cuban People” fits best with our travel programs. For more detailed information, you can refer to the official regulations provided by the U.S. government here.
Andreas Blass
CEO
+1 786 925 6422
andreas.blass@caribbeantours-usa.com
What Do You Need To Know?
Travelers in this category need to engage in a full-time schedule of activities that enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba, or promote the Cuban people’s independence from Cuban authorities and that result in meaningful interactions with individuals in Cuba, meaning they need to:
- Declare this category when booking as well as during re-entry into the US.
- Travel with an itinerary containing full time activities that meet the requirements.
- Stay at casas particulares, eat at local restaurants.
- Support and engage with local businesses and independent entrepreneurs such as artists, musicians, food vendors, filmmakers, etc.
- Not engage in direct financial transactions with entities on the so-called Cuba Restricted List.
- Keep the documentation, including receipts and detailed logs of travel and interactions for 5 years.
The Professional category remains one of the most popular categories of travel to Cuba. This enables travelers to participate full time in conferences, have meetings and attend other professional events.
Travelling as an individual under the Support for the Cuban People category, you have the flexibility to create your own full-time schedules and pick any combination of tours, as long as you stick to a full-time schedule that complies with OFAC rules.