Legal Travel to Cuba in 2023 Through "Support for the Cuban People"
Psssst – we’re going to let you in on a little secret: Traveling to Cuba is still legal. Confusing, albeit, but legal. Yes, even for U.S. passport holders. We’ve been keeping a close tab on our inbox this year and we’ve noticed a major trend. You want to go to Cuba but the bottom line is you just don’t understand the new Cuba travel rules. Isn’t being a tourist in Cuba illegal?
So, can I still travel to Cuba?
So here’s the 411: Being a “tourist” is illegal. You can’t just go to Cuba for a mojito and a day on the beach. But to visit as a meaningful traveler? Someone that doesn’t just take from a destination, but seeks to enhance it? Who strives to make meaningful connections with those they cross paths with? That deeply cares about the betterment of Cuban society and aims to make an impact? Not only is that legal, but that’s what we’re all about. Be a traveler, not a tourist – sound familiar?
Travel to Cuba in 2022
Beginning in 2018, El Camino Travel started operating tours under the federally-approved travel category of “Support for the Cuban People”. Traveling under this class allows us the most flexibility to offer the experience we’re passionate about by making a few minor tweaks (read: enhancements) to our itinerary that assure US compliance. If you’re not sure about group travel, (although we’re pretty confident we can change your mind) you, too, can legally travel to Cuba under this category keeping a few regulations in mind.
Legal Travel to Cuba for Americans with the "Support for the Cuban People” Visa
Traveling to Cuba under Support for the Cuban People requires travelers to maintain a full schedule of activities that are “intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba”. The government requires that your full-time schedule includes activities that “enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba, or promote the Cuban people’s independence from Cuban authorities and that result in meaningful interactions with individuals in Cuba.” (All quotes direct from treasury.gov.)
In order to stay compliant, travelers must fill their time with a full-time schedule of activities such as supporting private sector entrepreneurs, engaging in cultural activities, conversing with local business owners, etc.;. Moreover, once your trip has ended, you’ll be required to keep detailed records from your trip in Cuba for five years which can be requested by the American government at any time.
Accommodations during your stay must also be privately owned and operated. There is an explicit list of 180 government-run hotels + entities being deemed as unlawful for American patrons. Be sure to carefully review this list as you develop your itinerary to make sure you’re not unintentionally breaking the law.
(PRO TIP: Six hours sleeping in your Airbnb does not count as “support for the Cuban people”.)
So How Can I Travel to Cuba as a U.S. Citizen?
Are you ready to travel to Cuba? This is where we make things easy. You could:
A) Spend countless hours trying to figure out how to get the proper visas, putting together an itinerary that you think is probably (maybe?) going to be compliant, ending up in the tourist traps anyway, and holding onto all documents for the next 5 years hoping that they don’t get lost or stuffed in the drawer (read: black hole) where important documents never seem to return from …
Or
B) Just book with us and go! Have the time of your life with 14 adventurous individuals and a rad local host that will guide you through Havana’s hidden gems and introduce you to creatives and change-makers, all while traveling with a group photographer to capture the adventure as it goes down. You do not have to deal with the added stress of worrying if you are staying legally compliant throughout the trip, because we got you. Oh, and leave the receipts behind – we’ve got you covered from the moment you book to five years down the line.
We knew you’d make the right choice. Check out our full itinerary to preview your adventure.
