Cuba is a beautiful country located in the Carribean . The country is filled with beautiful nature, interesting culture and of course wonderful people. As a United States Citizen it can feel intimidating if you are thinking about visiting Cuba. There is a lot of information out there that says US citizens CAN’T go to Cuba but it is not true. Traveling to Cuba doesn’t have to be overwhelming or even intimidating. Before you travel to Cuba as a US citizen there are certain things you should know.
10 THINGS US CITIZENS NEED TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELING TO CUBA
1. You Need an Official Reason for Visiting
In order to visit Cuba as a US citizen, the US requires all citizens to have an official reason for visiting Cuba. You cannot simply visit for “Tourism” it has to be more official. Fortunately there are 12 reasons you can visit Cuba. These include:
- Family Visits
- Official Business of the US government
- Journalistic Activity
- Professional Research and Professional Meetings
- Educational Activities
- Religious Activities
- Public Performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions.
- Support for the Cuban People
- Humanitarian projects
- Activities of Private Foundations or research or educational institutes
- Importation, Exportation or transmission of information or informational materials
- Certain Authorized Export Transactions
2. Keep a Record of Your Trip
When you return to the US you will need to be able to prove that you fulfilled your reason for visiting each day. Officially you need to keep your proof for 5 years. When you re-enter the states the custom agent will ask you three things:
- Where are you coming from?
- How Long Were you there?
- Business or Pleasure
In addition this is when they will ask for your proof if they ask at all.
INSIDER TIP: My first trip to Cuba I chose Support for the Cuban People as my official reason for visiting. I made an itinerary of where we were and what we did each day. We stayed in Casa Particulares, basically Airbnbs owned by cuban citizens. This counted as fulfilling our reason for visiting.
3. Know At least Some Spanish Before Visiting
As a traveler you are a guest in someone else’s country. Your family trip might even consist of you taking photos of the daily life of a local; something interesting and different for you but completely normal and boring for them. It is very important that you respect the locals, their beliefs, customs and traditions. As a traveler you are there to observe not to judge.
One way to show respect in a foreign country is to speak the local language. While this is close to impossible to do everywhere, in Cuba it is important to know how to say at least the basics in Spanish. Speaking a little bit of Spanish, even poorly will show locals that you are trying; and sometimes that is enough.
Knowing a bit of spanish before going to Cuba is both respectful and very useful. Speaking the language will help you get around the cities and the country. It will help you communicate your needs and wants and connect with locals.
4. Bring All the Cash You Will Need for the Entire Trip
Because of the political relations between Cuba and the United States, USA cards do not work in Cuba. Once you touch down in Cuba you will not be able to use your cards online or to get money out. Due to this you will need to bring all the cash you think you will need with you. I recommend bringing more than you think you will need just in case. In addition whatever you don’t spend in Cuba don’t forget to convert the Cuban money back to dollars while in Cuba because once you get to the US, you will not be able to convert Cuban money.
INSIDER TIP: If you bring US dollars you will be charged a 10% conversion rate wherever you exchange your money. You can avoid this tax if you bring Euros or any other currency.
5. There Are Two Different Currencies in Cuba
In Cuba there are two different types of currency: CUC and CUP. The CUC is the convertible peso and is equal to the value of the US dollar. For example, 1 CUC is approximately 1 Dollar. The CUP is the cuban peso. 25 CUP is worth approximately 1CUC which is roughly 1Dollar.
It can be sort of confusing at times because sometimes things are in CUC and sometimes they are in CUP. Be sure to clarify with whomever you are buying something from if the price is in CUP or CUC.
INSIDER TIP: The public bus costs one cuban peso (CUP). However, because the CUP is unstable one cuban peso can also just mean one coin. This is the same for bread, fruit, local cuban shops and local goods.
6. Understand “¿ Quienes el ultimo ?”
In Cuba lines work differently. In the US people line up one after another and wait in line. If someone leaves the line they lose their spot and have to go back to the end of the line. In Cuba this does not work like this.
In Cuba when you come to a place where you need to wait your turn you have to call out ¿Quienes el último? Whomever says that they are the ultimo then they are the last person and you will come after them. All you have to pay attention to is that you go after that person. Then you can stand or sit somewhere nearby. For this reason, in Cuba lines don’t always look like lines they look more like clusters.
INSIDER TIP: Be sure to watch the order of the line to make sure no one cuts in front of you. Sometimes people don’t know the rules or don’t care and will try to take your spot.
7. Don’t Drink the Water
The water from the faucet is not safe for foreigners to drink. You will have to buy bottled water or bring a portable filtered water bottle like life straw.
INSIDER TIP: This includes brushing your teeth. Remember to wash your teeth with bottled water.
You Can Buy a Life Straw Waterbottle Here: LIFE STRAW WATER BOTTLE
8. Expect to Not Have Wifi
Wifi is expensive and hard to come by in Cuba. When you go to Cuba expect to not have access to wifi. If you are really desperate you can buy a prepaid internet card for 1-2 CUC. It will last one hour but you will need to find a hotel or cafe that has wifi to use. The card has a username and password and you connect through that.
9. Plan Ahead
A lot of backpackers, including myself, like to make plans as they go. Technically you can do this but as a US citizen it is not recommended. If you make and pay for your bookings ahead of time them that is less money you have to carry with you into CUba. You can also avoid a lot of stress around if your accommodation will fulfill your daily reason for travel. In addition, you won’t have to buy internet a bunch of times to make reservations if you book ahead of time.
INSIDER TIP: To book accommodation online in Cuba from the US you will have to use a browser rerouter or just be outside the US.
10. Everyone Needs a Travelers Card
When traveling to Cuba, it doesn’t matter if you are a US citizen or a different nationality everyone has to purchase a Travelers Card. This card is different from a visa but it is an additional cost. There are three main ways of obtaining it.
- You can purchase it online ahead of time.
- If you are coming directly from the US you will need to purchase a pink card. You can purchase it here: cubavisaservices.com
- If you are coming from anywhere else you will need to purchase a green card. You can purchase it here: easytouristcard.com
INSIDER TIP: If you want to purchase the card online you will need at least a week to receive it in the mail. Do not wait till the last minute because the process takes time.
2. Buy the travelers card through your airlines. If you fly straight from the US your airlines will require you to purchase the card through them.
3. You can buy it at the Mexico Airport. This is the cheapest option but only works if you are flying through Mexico City. It will cost around $35 and you can buy it before checking into your flight. Just ask your airlines at the airport where you can buy a cuban travelers card and they will direct you accordingly.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Overall Cuba is a wonderful and beautiful country to visit. It is filled with some many things to do and once in a lifetime experience.
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