Visiting Today's Cuba Legally is Becoming a Reality

With President Barack Obama’s move to normalize relations with Cuba, more Americans are expected to visit the island nation that is tantalizingly close, yet has been mostly off limits since the U.S. severed diplomatic ties in 1961.

Travel to Cuba is tightly regulated through the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and it would take action by Congress to lift those restrictions. However, policy changes in the wake of the president’s December announcement make the process less daunting for travelers.

Current law does not permit travel to Cuba solely for tourism. Americans must have a purpose for their trip that falls within one of 12 categories. Some are specific, such as visits to family or as a journalist. Others are broader, including for professional research and meetings; religious or educational activities; humanitarian projects; activities of private foundations or of research or educational institutes; participation in performances or athletic competitions; and support for the Cuban people.

While the regulations rule out spending a week relaxing on the beach, they do provide a unique opportunity to truly get to know the country as part of an organized tour. For example, “people-to-people” tours allowed under educational activities may include a walking tour of historic Old Havana, a visit to Ernest Hemingway’s home and a chance to take in the country’s vibrant art and music scenes. But the itineraries are also likely to include lectures about culture and society and a range of other activities designed to encourage interaction between Americans and Cubans, such as visits to medical clinics, businesses and community projects.

Up until this year, travelers to Cuba needed a specific license issued on a case-by-case basis. But the Treasury Department has simplified the process, authorizing a general license in each of the 12 permitted categories. That means people will still need to meet one of the categories for a trip but they’ll no longer have to submit a written request for permission to travel. However, individuals are responsible for maintaining records of their Cuba-related transactions for at least five years.

Other changes are designed to make things easier for Americans while they’re in Cuba. There’s no longer a daily limit on personal expenses. Americans will be able to use their credit or debit cards in Cuba, once their financial institutions are set up for it. And travelers can bring back goods worth $400 for personal use, including up to $100 in alcohol or tobacco products, such as Cuba’s famous rum and cigars.

While the U.S. government has taken small steps to facilitate travel, Cuba’s tourist infrastructure is limited. Hotel accommodations, air conditioning and Internet access likely won’t be available at the level that Americans expect. A half-century of economic sanctions means that there are plenty of vintage 1950s cars on the streets, giving visitors the sense that they’ve gone back in time. But adventurous travelers shouldn’t be deterred. They will find a warm and colorful country waiting to be discovered.

For help planning a trip to Cuba, contact your local Donovan Travel experts at (401) 769-1720 or visit us online at www.donovantravel.com.