How to Travel Legally to Cuba

Traveling Legally to Cuba

Travel to Cuba for tourist activities remains prohibited. There are, however, 12 categories of authorized travel. The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued general licenses in all 12 categories of authorized travel, subject to appropriate conditions.

All of AltruVistas’ Journeys are “people-to-people exchanges,” meaning that interacting with and learning from Cuban people is built in to each tour. Many of our journeys also fund humanitarian projects within Cuba, with donations built in to each tour’s cost. We also provide journeys that include workshops, seminars, events, and public performances: all of these can match the theme of your journey.

The 12 Categories of Authorized Travel Include:

  • Family Visits
  • Official business of the U.S. Government, foreign governments and certain intergovernmental organizations
  • Journalistic activities
  • Professional research or professional meetings
  • Educational activities and people-to-people exchanges
  • Public performance, clinics, workshops, athletic or other competitions and exhibitions
  • Support for the Cuban people
  • Humanitarian projects
  • Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
  • Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials
  • Travel related to certain authorized export transactions
  • Religious activities

Travel Insurance

You must have Cuban Health Insurance in order to travel to Cuba. If your tour does not include Cuban Health Insurance or you do not have insurance, please purchase your policy with Asistur.

Remember for most US travelers flying to Cuba on commercial airlines, Cuban Health insurance as well as the departure taxes are built in to the ticket fare.  

For general tour cancellation and medical evacuation insurance please purchase through World Nomads.

The U.S Department of Treasury has issued a list of FAQs related to all Cuba travel. You can find it here.