Since President Obama lifted the travel embargo on Cuba, the tourism industry has shown a high level of interest in the mysterious island. Multiple cruise lines plan to sail for Cuba in 2016, American Airlines is ready to map out their flight paths, and Cuba is searched roughly 246,000 times per month in the search engines.
It is no surprise we receive calls on a weekly basis regarding travel to Cuba. Quite a number of times we have been asked, “Can Americans travel to Cuba?” While the answer is yes, there are still things travelers need to know.
Here are 3 things you must know about travel to Cuba.
1. There are still rules and restrictions
Just because you can travel to Cuba doesn’t mean you should. The United States does have strict guidelines regarding travel to Cuba.
There are 12 legal reasons you can travel to Cuba. Not only must you be traveling to Cuba for one of those 12 reasons, but there are also restrictions on what you can do with your time while you are there.
You are required to keep an itinerary of your activities while in Cuba. Break these rules and you could find yourself in a fair amount of trouble with Cuban government.
The habitual sunbather may be dissapointed as Americans are not allowed on the beaches for recreation.
2. Not all travel insurance companies cover travel to Cuba
While TravelSafe covers Cuba as a destination, each insurance company is different. Some companies do not cover terrorism with their policies (don't worry,we do!) and the same seems to be the case for this destination. Not all travel insurance providers are covering Cuba.
Be sure to check with the company before purchasing the insurance if you are not 100% sure that you will be covered. It is better to be safe than sorry.
3. You have to have travel medical insurance (at least)
This is one regulation many news and media outlets have failed to discuss, and it probably one of the most important. You absolutely must have travel medical insurance to enter Cuban territory.
Cuba is well known for devoting many of their medical resources to preventative care and research, however, they do not always have the resources to act quickly in emergencies. It is recommended to have a travel insurance policy with emergency evacuation should travelers need to be transferred to a hospital within the U.S.
If you travel to Cuba, and you do not have travel medical insurance, you will be required to purchase it from a Cuban insurance company. Showing up unprepared could result in pulling cash you put aside just for your vacation.
4. There are a lot of scam "booking companies"
I was not surprised in the least to find this out, but there are several companies claiming to book travel to Cuba that are actually scams. No foreign travel company is able to sell an American citizens Cuban tour packages, so be on the look out.
Your best bet is to book your trip through a travel agent who specializes in tours to Cuba. You can search the American Society Of Travel Agents here to find an verified travel company.
So the answer to your question is yes, Americans can travel to Cuba. Just remember, consider our advice before booking your vacation.