How to Travel to Cuba as an American: 10 Things You Need to Know

Thinking about a trip to Cuba? As a certified travel advisor, I can help you plan every detail — from your casa particular to a private guide on the ground. Reach out here.

I spent a week in Havana with a couple of friends, and it's now one of my favorite places I've ever been. The people are warm and genuinely welcoming, the architecture is jaw-dropping, the streets feel remarkably safe, and the history — complicated and layered and fascinating — is everywhere you look.

But the thing that surprised me most when I got home? How many people had no idea Americans could go at all.

You can. It takes a little more preparation than a typical trip, but it's not nearly as complicated as the reputation suggests. Here's everything you need to know before you go — the practical stuff no one explains clearly.

(Looking for ideas on what to do once you're there? I have a separate post on 10 things you must do in Havana.)

1. Choose an Authorized Travel Category – "Tourism" Isn't an Option

U.S. law requires Americans traveling to Cuba to declare one of 12 authorized reasons for travel. Tourism is not among them — but this is a U.S. government rule, not a Cuban one. Cuba itself welcomes American visitors without hesitation.

The U.S. State Department publishes a list of prohibited Cuban businesses worth reviewing before you go. The category most Americans use is "Support for the Cuban People," which means engaging with privately owned businesses and local individuals rather than Cuban government-run enterprises. This used to be considered more of an honor system, with a light recommendation of keeping your receipts and itinerary in case you're ever asked to account for the trip. However, Trump's June 2025 Presidential memorandum tightened enforcement, mandating regular audits and mandatory record-keeping of all travel-related transactions for at least 5 years. So just make sure you hold on to your itinerary and receipts!

If navigating the compliance side feels overwhelming, this is exactly where having a travel advisor helps. I can connect you with a private guide on the ground who can handle logistics, transportation, and reservations in a way that keeps your trip both seamless and compliant.

2. Stay at a Casa Particular, Not a Hotel Chain

Traveling under "Support for the Cuban People" means staying in a privately owned home or apartment — called a casa particular — rather than a government-affiliated hotel. These are easy to find on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Hotels.com, and many hosts go above and beyond: arranging taxis, stocking the fridge with water, offering breakfast for a few dollars extra.

We stayed in a beautiful Airbnb in Old Havana with a private rooftop and views toward the water. It was one of the highlights of the trip.

Old Havana is walkable, historic, and central — the best location if you want to be in the middle of everything, though it's lively and can be noisy. Vedado is quieter and more spacious, sometimes with pools, but farther from the main sights. Pick based on your travel style.

3. You'll Need a Cuban eVisa — and a D'Viajeros Form

As of July 2025, Cuba no longer issues the paper pink tourist card that was being used in place of a visa. All travelers now need an electronic eVisa, applied for online before departure and processed within about 72 hours. You'll also need to complete a separate form called D'Viajeros online within seven days of your arrival — it generates a QR code you'll need at both check-in and Cuban immigration. Save it offline in case you don't have reliable internet access when you need it. Several services online can process your eVisa, or your travel advisor can handle it for you.

4. Health Insurance is Required

Cuba requires all visitors to have travel health insurance. In most cases this is automatically included with your airline ticket — we were never asked to show proof — but verify this with your airline before departure, as requirements can change.

Regardless, I'd strongly recommend purchasing separate travel insurance for any Cuba trip. I use Allianz personally and have had it cover trip delays and cancellations more than once. Cuba is not a place where you want to handle a medical situation uninsured.

5. Internet Exists — But Don't Count On It

Wi-Fi in Cuba is real but unreliable. Most access comes through purchased Wi-Fi cards with data limits, mini modems provided by your casa host, or specific locations like cafés. Even the best connections are slow and inconsistent. My most reliable internet of the entire week was at Yarini Rooftop Bar — and even that was limited.

If you need access to certain apps or websites, set up a VPN before you leave home. Once you're in Cuba it's too late to download one.

6. U.S. Cell Service Is Expensive and Unreliable

Check with your carrier before you go. T-Mobile charged $0.50 per text and $2 per minute for calls from Cuba during my trip, and data roaming was both expensive and largely nonfunctional. My recommendation: turn roaming off entirely and rely on WhatsApp over Wi-Fi for communication. Alternatively, ask your casa host about getting a local SIM card — many can help arrange this.

7. Download Offline Maps Before You Leave

Real-time GPS is unreliable in Cuba, so don't count on Google Maps working the way it does at home. Download an offline map of Havana before your flight. Google Maps allows offline area saves, but I found Maps.me even more useful — I built a custom map with all my saved locations and navigated around the city all week without needing data. This one is genuinely non-negotiable.

8. Bring All Your Cash — American Cards Don't Work

This is the adjustment that surprises most Americans most. Due to U.S. financial restrictions, American credit cards, debit cards, and ATMs do not work in Cuba. You need to bring enough U.S. cash to cover your entire trip — every meal, every taxi, every purchase.

Bring small bills ($5s, $10s, $20s) and request new, clean notes from your bank before you go. Worn or torn bills can be refused. It feels strange carrying cash everywhere if you're not used to it, but we never once felt unsafe doing so — even walking around Old Havana late at night.

9. You Probably Don't Need Cuban Pesos

Nearly every place we visited accepted U.S. dollars directly, with prices quoted in USD. Cuban pesos (CUP) are only really needed for occasional things like museum entrances, bus fares, beach chair rentals, or small local purchases. If you do need pesos, exchange a small amount through your casa host — never on the street.

10. Cuba Is Very Safe

Despite what some people assume, Cuba is one of the safest countries in the Caribbean and Latin America for tourists. We walked Old Havana at night throughout the week and never felt anything but comfortable. There is a visible police and military presence on many streets, and crimes against tourists are taken seriously with significant penalties.

You may attract some friendly attention — men may try to chat or offer to show you around — but in my experience it was never threatening or aggressive. The State Department has recently noted that deteriorating economic conditions have led to an increase in crimes of opportunity such as pickpocketing and purse snatchings — but nothing violent. Use the same awareness you'd apply anywhere new, and you'll be fine.

Ready to Plan Your Cuba Trip?

Cuba takes a bit more planning than a typical international trip, but it rewards that effort in a way few destinations do. The culture, the resilience of the people, the beauty of the streets — it left a real impression on me, and I can't wait to go back.

As a certified travel advisor, I can help you navigate the compliance requirements, find the right casa, arrange a private guide, and build an itinerary that makes the most of every day. Reach out here and let's start planning.