As an Australian, Canadian, USA, British or other EU citizen visiting Cuba you should
- have an effective passport,
- have a Tourist Card (visa de tarjeta del turista ),
- have a travel insurance covering medical expenses,
- have a return ticket and
- know where you’re staying (at least for the first night).
Mind that Cuban customs can be strict. Make sure to possess the above mentioned documents to avoid any problems when entering and/or leaving Cuba.
Passport - Your passport needs to be valid at least six months past the end of your planned return.
If you do not live in your birth country, make sure that you either have your adopted country's passport, or documents proving your residency in the country where you work. For example, a letter from the company with letterhead and signature of your employer.
Tourist Card - All visitors from Australia, Canada, USA, UK and other EU countries must have a Tourist Card. Nationals not referred to above and persons of Cuban origin are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. If planning to work, do business or to study in Cuba, you will also need a visa (the Tourist Card will not suffice).
When applying for the Tourist Card you will be asked to give the address of the hotel or the casa particular you are going to stay the first night. Note that under Cuban law you are only allowed to stay in a licensed casa particular. All casas particulares offered through our website are duly licensed.
If you want to stay with friends or family in Cuba you have to go with your host to any migration office within two days after your arrival and pay 40 CUC for a 30 days Family Visa.
The Tourist Card can be purchased at the Airport in Cuba on arrival, as well as at certain Latin American airports. However it should be noted that many airlines will require a valid Tourist Card before boarding flights. Lacking a Tourist Card boarding may be denied (this is because the airline will then get a 1,000 USD fine from the immigration authorities), which means that you will lose your airplane ticket.
Tourist Cards can be requested at the Cuban consular representations, in person or by post (in the latter case an additional charge will be applied). You can also obtain your Tourist Card from certain travel agencies and airlines although they may be slightly more expensive as they usually charge an administration fee and postage.
Depending on where purchased, the Tourist Card costs between 15-25 CUC (or 15-25 Euro). Generally speaking you should allow thirty days for the processing of your Tourist Card. If you apply in person to the Cuban Consulate, you get the Tourist Card more quickly. The Tourist Card is valid for one entry of 30 days (90 days for Canadians and up to 90 days for US citizens) within 180 days of issue.
When you enter Cuba your Tourist Card will be given an entry stamp. Your passport will no longer be required during your stay in Cuba and you can keep it at a safe place throughout your visit.
For residents of Canada - From Canada, the tourist card is normally provided on the flight. If you are Canadian you will be given a Tourist Card which is valid for 90 days on arrival and you can apply for a 90 day extension.
For residents of the USA - While it is not illegal for US citizens to travel to Cuba, most are prohibited from spending any money in Cuba. The prohibition, which allows for various exceptions, is governed by the US Treasury Department and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Further information can be found at the following websites:
www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac ,
http://havana.usint.gov/travelling_cuba.html ,
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1097.html
Extension Tourist Card - You can extend your Tourist Card once for a further 30 days, either through your hotel reception or at any immigration office in Cuba (costs 25 CUC). Mind that you would need a return ticket out of Cuba within the extended period. Note that you need to purchase bank stamps for the value of the extension you need. To avoid losing time, ask your hotel or casa particular to call the local immigration office and ask the price of the extension for your nationality before heading to a bank authorized to sell the stamps.
With your extended Tourist Card you may leave Cuba (to any destination) and return immediately enjoying a further 60 days (30 days plus a 30 day extension). You are only allowed two consecutive stays in this manner.
Parents travelling with children - Parents travelling with minor children may be required to show proof of parental rights or guardianship.
Travel insurance - All visitors to Cuba are required to prove they have travel insurance covering medical expenses from approved foreign companies during their period of stay, or they will have to buy it from Cuban vendors on arrival in the country. US travel insurance policies are not accepted.
If you have not arranged it in advance, Asistur will provide coverage, be it at a higher cost than your local insurance company. (Asistur, Prado #208, La Habana Vieja, asistur@asistur.cu)
Aside from the obligatory travel insurance there are only restrictive sanitary regulations for visitors coming from countries where yellow fever and endemic cholera exist or have been declared infection areas by the World Health Organization. In such cases, an International Vaccination Certificate is demanded.
Departure tax - It is important to note that there is also a departure tax of 25 CUC, when departing Cuba by airplane (this is not required for boat departures), to be paid in cash only . The tax is paid at a cashier’s window just after you have checked your luggage and received your boarding card. Don´t forget this because you will run into difficulties if you do not have enough cash to pay this tax when leaving the country. An ATM is available at the airport but these facilities are not very reliable in Cuba.
Transit passengers and children under two years are exempt.
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