Read More: Support for the Cuban People Travel Guide. It would help if you only went there with a trusted local friend. However, shortages of over-the-counter medicines and medical facilities in poor conditions are the common denominator throughout the island. According to the latest report from the US Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), Cuba is generally a safe country to travel to, including its top destinations, Havana and Varadero. If its fun and worth doing in Cuba weve probably done it, or have it on our list. We frequently get the can Americans fly to Cuba? question because when travel to Cuba was more restricted, many Americans used to fly to Cuba through Canada or Mexico as a way to skirt travel restrictions. My recommendation: try a Havana Special cocktail with rum, maraschino, and pineapple juice. Its unlike any other Spanish accent Ive heard, and the letter s gets dropped often. If you get injured, you dont want to be caught unprepared. There's a load of beautiful beaches, mountain trekking, and famously sultry nightlife. Likewise, dont finish a drink left on the table unattended while you leave to use the restroom. So if you are going..enjoy folks! Despite Cubans reputation for being extremely friendly, we dont recommend you invite people you just met into your room. Thanks. While there are some websites blocked in Cuba, and even widespread internet outages during times of social unrest, these blockages have mostly been of news websites that have been critical of the Cuban government. You can check out the full list here. The currency scam is one of the most common scams in Cuba and specifically targets tourists. To avoid any water-related problems, many travelers recommend drinking only bottled water. Charlie picks up the kitten and names him Montecristo. ), and enjoy Cuba just as they would anywhere else. Im visiting Cuba as an American. You can find more specific information from the US State Department here. While I had some wonderful experiences in Havana, after the first five days, I didnt like Cuba much. Americans are just prohibited from staying in certain hotels that are owned entirely or partially by the Cuban government. ARGH. If I had been traveling solo in Cuba, or only traveling with Americans, I would have kept enough US dollars for transportation to Havana Airport and a flight to Cancn in my underwear at all times. And though it might sound too touristy its not. If I was on my own, it was nonstop catcalls. Some of these changes include: Yes Americans can fly to Cuba! Nothing could be further from the truth. VACCINATIONS: None. CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR ENTRY: U.S. credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba. Hope it helps! I had to fight the urge to check my balance. If a helpful local approaches you and offers (often unsolicited) tips, advice, or directions, theyll expect payment for it. While petty crime does exist, it occurs . Soon, others join us and were on a rotating circuit of learning how coffee is made, how rum is made, and of course you can buy any of these products to take home. (Is, um, is this something were always supposed to do?). However, flying to Cuba via another country like Mexico or Canada is no longer a necessity. You can see the full list here. Did you now that the whole population of Havana knows how to be prepared from a very early age, and that every neighborhood in Cuba has an elected official who goes from house to house warning of the danger of the approaching hurricane? These carts are almost always laden with onions, peppers, and tomatoes. If you run into trouble, make a lot of noise, and the police will come running! If you have a visa but youre flying to Cuba via Mexico or another country, you will need the green Cuban tourist card instead. The Caribbean island nation of some 11 million inhabitants has been topping news headlines and travel industry must-see lists, and for good reason.
But for those of you wondering "Can I travel to Cuba right now," we do have some good news: Cuba is open for travel and locals are excited for visitors to return to explore all that Cuba has to offer. American citizens can fly from the United States directly to Cuba, travel independently (no need for a group trip or guided trip here! ! we try another ATM a few blocks away and finally, blessedly, it works. Entry Requirements to Cuba American citizens can travel to Cuba in 2023 as long as they abide by the regulations set by the US Government. (COVID Entry Requirements), Visiting Cuba as an American Without a Visa or General License. Charlie arrived a day before me with some cash, planning to hit the ATM later to take out more, but ATMs in Havana arent working for him. Travel Health Insurance Travel medical insurance is an entry requirement for Cuba, so you cant skip it. Odalys shows us how to cut the lobster tail, still in its shell, and we stew it in the onions, peppers, and garlic. Occasionally you might see sweet potatoes, bitter oranges, or garlic, but theres very little variety. the answer is yes, and with these new regulations, its easier than ever. Most travelers to Cuba get the regular or green tourist card, but if youre arriving on a flight from America, youll need the pink tourist card. I hope that President Biden continues the baby steps Obama made and allows our countries to reconnect once again. You can learn more here. Gladys, the owner, had several other possible income streams for her guests. At all. Not the biggest deal, but in a city where the food isnt that great, you yearn to revisit the places that are good. Klara bought a ticket for 9:00 AM bus then showed up and was told it was sold out, even though she had bought a ticket online, and they had decided to book her on the 4:00 PM bus without telling her. I have the feeling Id feel the same way. A negative test is no longer a requirement for foreigners entering Cuba, and its no longer a requirement to be fully vaccinated against COVID. You can get them at the local Etecsa store; some hotels sell them, too. The short answer here is no. THAT was a mistake. Keep the originals in a safe place and carry the copies all the time with you.
Is Cuba safe for Americans? Cubans are passionate about their country and love to share its delights. This post contains affiliate links that may reward me monetarily or otherwise when you use them to make qualifying purchases at no cost to you. I noticed that at our apartment rental in Havana, too. A few days later in Mexico, I reimburse Charlie for travel expenses. Youll be in good shape if you bring US dollars or Euros and exchange them on the ground. Tostones, rice, and sliced tomatoes fill out the rest of the meal.
Review the Traveler's Checklist. (In the past, US dollars got you a worse rate, but as of early 2023, US dollars and Euros both get you a good rate.) I went with an inexpensive tour company for 10 days and spent another 3 days on my own in Havana two years ago, and would do it again although not so sure with current US political situation. Yes. After another stroll, we head back to the farm for lunch, then take the hourlong walk back. Since most theft in Cuba is done as an easy crime of opportunity, putting a TSA lock on your bag is a great way to deter any would-be thieves. The streets and sidewalks were so broken that you had to constantly watch your step. Viales is a small town. Especially with bars like 3 Jotas [2023 Update: its been renamed Bar Tapas 3J] that let you pour your own rum into your pia colada. The easy way to tell them apart? I did everything right. Cuba requires travel insurance, and they may ask for proof at immigration. The tastiest one was at Chacon 162; another standouts was the creamy pia colada on the rooftop of El Louvre Bazar. This embargo serves nobody. Cuba is an exceptionally poor country. While many tourist resorts are equipped with backup generators, that isnt always the case, so you want to be prepared or risk getting caught in the dark. Barbra Streisand You Shook Me All Night Long, Ray Charles I Like to Move It Move It, John Denver Another Brick in the Wall, And finally, Shania Twain Who Let the Dogs Out?. If you qualify or book a trip to Cuba in one of these two ways, then you will be traveling to Cuba legally as an American. However, the country still remains off limits for tourist activities. See CDC for recommendations.
The rules for Americans visiting Cuba in 2022 While many continue to ask can Americans travel to Cuba? one of our most frequently asked questions on this website! Talk with the people.
Can I Travel to Cuba? Here's What You Need to Know - ViaHero These categories include educational activities, journalism, family visits, business meetings, and the most popular category, Support for the Cuban People. Yes! It gets collected by anonymous Cubans and distributed via networks across Havana and the whole island. I was shocked that my American AT&T phone plan actually worked in Cuba though not for data. We also write about our passion for Cuba, from in-depth travel guides to myth-busting articles. Staying in long-distance contact with people can be challenging in Cuba, where cellphone service and wi-fi access are dodgy. Keep in mind that upon returning to the US, all travelers must show a negative antigen test (PCR not required) taken no more than one day before their flight to the US. Que Dieu nous protges, embargo, bloqueo, coronavirus.. Espagne, francais, russie, italie, canada, et maintenant, un flo incroyable dimmigrant americano cubano revenant investir dans leur pays. Share away! But in Cuba, where locals are limited in their earning power, Airbnb is providing incredible economic opportunity. Generally, hotels, casas particulares (private rooms), and Airbnbs in Cuba allow you to receive guests. If you arrive without insurance, you'll be asked to buy a Cuban policy at the airport for US$30. But if you want to stay somewhere more local and special, and put money into the pockets of Cuban citizens who need it, I recommend staying in casas particulares.
Is Cuba Safe? (Updated 2022) Gringo's Travel Guide - Nomadic Hustle Check out more places to stay in Viales here. The average traveler has little reason to worry about personal safety in the streets, hotels or any other places a person might visit. Be cautious if you visit the capital city! The US government is allowed to ask you for your receipts from a trip to Cuba for up to five years after you return. CUC has monuments on it, while CUP has faces on it. We are thrilled that you had such a great time in Cuba . My trip to Cuba was in danger of being a bust but then we got to Viales, and it saved the trip. She was happy to provide drinking water, for a fee, and to change money, at a rate that would earn her money. Every day that we went out in Havana, especially Old Havana, I felt stressed. Cruise ships are not docking in Cuba during COVID. Cuba is safe, and as a traveler, you have absolutely nothing to fear while visiting. Was I spending money in Cuba? Get rid of your Cuban currency before returning to the US, as you wont be able to exchange it at US banks and currency conversion places. Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit. 2023 Adventurous Kate | Powered by Reggio Digital, Can Americans Travel to Cuba in 2023? But apart from that, dont let the media fool you or put you off. Looking at the departure screen, I shake my head at the list of cities Miami. Will they be watching me and tracking me? Been on excursions to Havana and Mantanza and on a boat to scuba dive. Regarding currency scams, the convertible Cuban Paso no longer exists. Many Americans, even once they realize that they can travel to Cuba, have an impression that it may be unsafe to travel to Cuba as an American in my experience in Cuba, this could not be further from the truth. Now its as easy as checking a box and booking your airline ticket! Its an expression that will color my face for days, until a cooking class in central Havana sets me straight. I found that the things I loved about Cuba the most the people and the music werent quite enough to make up for everything else. The Cuban government allows Americans to visit their country. Is Cuba safe to travel to? They have an Instagram-friendly mural on the outside of the building. He hopes to be listed on Airbnb Experiences someday. If you find yourself in an emergency in Cuba, you will want to know who to call for help. Your safety might be threatened if you visit some neighborhoods in Centro Habana, Marianao, and Guanabacoa. The U.S. Embassy in Havana is operating with reduced staffing, and U.S. government travel outside of the Havana area requires a special permit process which may affect the Embassys ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Cuba. January 2023 update: Cuba announced their most recent COVID-related entry rules in April 2022. Super touristy? While ViaHero operates all over the world, they are particularly good for Cuba because a ViaHero itinerary will count as valid documentation for the Support for the Cuban People general license. Will return to Varadero again and again. (Our take) Cuba is awesome. When you do this, it means youre saying to the U.S. government that you acknowledge that youre planning to spend your travel dollars with local, non-government-run businesses while youre in Cuba thats it! We each take our place me with peppers, Charlie with garlic, Klara with onions, dicing them up tiny. Beautiful country and lovely people. When preparing for an exciting journey, we often dont think about or plan for the bad things that could happen. Even if youre not drinking to the point of drunkenness, be sure to exercise other common-sense rules too. We compliment Ivan on his English he even gets idioms. ), The bank emails me back, pointing out that a month earlier, I sent a payment to Charlie with the memo flights. Did you also pay Charles for flights to Cuba?. First, the government wants tourists (about 90% on the resorts are Canadian). Re: money.. exchanged money to cuc at exchange bureau or bank (Canadian based credit card) as I needed. Cest trs juste comme commentaires. Learn More. No need to get nervous, this is easy by stating that your trip to Cuba is in Support for the Cuban People, youre simply acknowledging that while in Cuba, you wont be staying at government-run hotels and the like. Roughly one third of the cars in and around Old Havana were classic cars; there were also plenty of grungy 80s hatchbacks and early 2000s taxis. It feels like every Cuban is a talented singer, dancer, or musician. When carrying cash, be smart and use common sense, especially if you are backpacking in Cuba. The best food in Cuba tends to be in the countryside, not the cities. Fast example is Santiago de cuba city i lived there and is one of the most dangerous citys for cubans . So all of the government sanctioned restaurants and hotels (some are privately owned) are required to use filtered water for ice, food prep, etc. Despite what many Americans believe to be a full Cuba travel ban, there are many ways to legally travel to Cuba for American citizens. He drops us off on a garbage-strewn road outside the bus station. (2023 update: In the past, I recommended World Nomads for travel insurance, an Australian company, but they have stopped providing coverage in Cuba.). If you have a visa, you can fly direct to Cuba from the United States! but its not safe carry all your money around with you as cash, so is there a way of using my santander bank (or any other bank) to withdraw money in a bank in cuba as and when i need it. U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS, +(53) (7) 839-4100 and dial 1 to speak with the emergency operator. Youll see Cubans that look African, Italian, Ecuadorian, Scandinavian, and theres a sizable Chinese community in Cuba, too. It was large and spacious, and felt like an oasis, though it was very loud with the buses rumbling by on the street downstairs. Can you imagine how much that adds up over the course of a month? We recommend NordVPN its by far the best VPN to use in Cuba But, even without a VPN, you can still use the internet in Cuba without too much of a hassle. ViaHero Updated December 18, 2022 Let's be clear: despite the new restrictions introduced by President Trump in June 2019, it is still 100% legal for Americans to travel to Cuba.
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