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Travel to Cuba Now Legal for Americans
If Cuba has been on your travel bucket list for a while, now you can go – legally, and as early as August.
On June 28, Insight Cuba, a pioneer in U.S. travel to the island nation, announced that it has been reauthorized by the U.S. government to send Americans to Cuba. The New Rochelle, New York-based organization, which specializes in small group trips that interact closely with locals, has six itineraries already in place, from music-themed excursions to one that includes a visit to the Bay of Pigs.
Roughly 130 departures are scheduled between August 2011 and September 2012, with prices from $1,695 for a three-night stay in Havana and from $2,495 for a seven-night trip, one of which includes the westernmost province of Pinar del Rio. Prices are per person, double occupancy, and cover accommodations, mostly in four- and five-star resorts, all meals, ground transport, domestic flights in Cuba, all entry fees, guide services, U.S. Treasury Department license and Letter of Authorization and travel insurance (www.insightcuba.com for more information).
After an almost half-century during which Americans were all but prohibited to travel to Cuba, it’s an exciting moment for Insight Cuba – as well as any travelers who’ve had the country on their wish list but prefer to travel there without having to illegally sneak through Canada or Mexico.
“Everybody has been anticipating this for so long,” says Insight Cuba Director Tom Popper. “We have incredible access to the places and people there. We strive so incredibly hard to make sure there’s real life in [our trips].”
Since 1963, the embargo against Cuba has been in force, and until 1977, Americans were virtually prohibited from visiting. Regulations were later relaxed to allow those with family in Cuba, religious groups, academic researchers and occasionally athletes to travel there. Cultural trips – like those that Insight Cuba specializes in — were permitted from 2000-03 under a program with former President Bill Clinton’s administration.
In 2004, however, U.S. travel restrictions to Cuba were tightened under former President George Bush’s administration, eliminating most U.S. travel there. So for the last seven years, Insight Cuba, which is a division of an independent non-profit organization called Cross-Cultural Solutions, forged ahead anyway, strengthening their relationships and reputation in Cuba.
Their perseverance has paid off. “We’ll have some of the first Americans to return to Cuba since the new regulations, and ironically enough, we had some of the last Americans to leave in 2003,” Popper says.
Popper says he’s heard rumors of a handful of other tour companies receiving their travel licenses to Cuba, but as of this posting he knew of no others that had publicly announced theirs.
“We’re celebrating it,” he says. “Hopefully the field opens up, and it brings a greater awareness to travel to Cuba. Part of the challenge is convincing people that it’s legal, because for 48 years it hasn’t been.”
While Insight Cuba’s itineraries currently focus on culture (according to the new regulations, travel must center on person-to-person interaction), there are opportunities to add on activities like hiking, especially in the western region of Pinar del Rio. In addition, the company has its sights on expanding its existing marathon, which takes place in Havana in December, to U.S. athletes.
For more information on planning your next trip, check out our Sports & Adventure Travel Deals.
I am so very happy that Americans can now travel to Cuba, a country so close and so culturely different. It has been on my list since I watched a movie 25 years ago about Havanna.
Thank you for making this happen!
As an American who just spent a month in Cuba, I can tell you that its a wonderful place to visit. It is one of the safest countries in the world…you wont have issues with guns, drugs, or locals bothering you. Actually, the locals are warm, friendly, helpful and loving! I flew into Cuba with my 100 pound Labrador retriever Booster and we met the Presidents of many organizations, met with incredibly literate children in the classroom, and appeard on LIVE CUBAN TELEVISION!!! I adopted a stray dog and named him Fidelity. The Cubans fostered him for me and arranged to fly him to Toronto where I flew to pick him up with tears in my eyes!
I found myself rather embarassed and on the defensive when I shared great times with Cubans and folks from all over rthe world that dont understand how the “free” citzens of the U.S. arent “free” to travel to Cuba!
Several nations had to help me get into and out of Cuba with a dog..and even poor Fidelity had to suffer by flying all the way to Canada to return to New Orleans!
My father was a Pearl Harbor survivor. In 1975 my mother drove a Datsun. When interviewed one December 7th as to how he could own a Japnese car, his response was “time is a cure all”.
The US embargo against Cuba has hurt millions of people and not just Cubans…even a little dog suffered because of my country’s reprehensible policy.
If I saw an animal being mistreated I would never walk away.
I would communicate love and understanding and try to affect change.
Fact: The citizens of many countries we have tried to help don’t like us.
Fact:We have hurt millions of human beings (especially Cuban families and their children) because of our harsh embargo.
Fact:Cubans citizens love us unconditionally in spite of the embargo.
Conclusion: You owe it to yourself to go to Cuba, be loved and appreciated in a safer environment than in many cities back home…AND the emargo should be ended for humantitarian reasons by politicians that supposedly espouse humanitarianism. My lil Cuban dog FIDELITY shares this. aspiration.
Please google “Davis Hawn Booster” and see with your own eyes the Cuba I saw.
PS Please let your representatives know that you seek freedom to travel.
Many hundreds of thousands of Americans have been traveling to Cuba for decades, from Canada, Mexico and other countries. US passports are not stamped by Cuba who does not want their tourists to get in trouble in “freedom loving” USA. International Hotel in Varadero has always been full of Americans
If this is true, I am beyond excited. This is a bucket list item for sure. I can’t find any supportive documentation and flights to Cuba from the U.S. are still unavailable. Does anyone have any other information?
Why would we want to go to a place that hates the united states and it’s people ?
Did anyone see them burning our flag a few months back in celebration of bay of pigs day ?
I did and will never forget…and never spend 1american cent there…
Why ‘religious groups’ and not others?
I am interested in travel to Cuba, can you please send me more info on dates, where you leave from , itinenaries.
A couple of years ago with my church, we went to
Cuba to see our mission church, which is part of the
Greek Orthodox church. I loved every minute of my time
in Cuba. So much to see, food was good and the people
so friendly….it was a holiday in a lifetime.
Is a visa necessary and how do you get it?
Great News !!! I’m so excited !!!!
This is great news. It is about time. I hope all restrictions are lifted and Americans can freely travel to Cuba.
I want to do this…. my mother is from Cuba………. but $1,695.00 for 3 DAYS… really!!!!!!!!!!
Some more info for those of you asking for more info about travel to Cuba: At this point, your best bet is to travel with a licensed operator such as Insight Cuba (www.insightcuba.com). Companies such as this take care of all travel documents, including your visa — which is required by the U.S. government, and which you need for travel to Cuba.
As far as airfare, at this point it seems that you’ll have to travel with an authorized outfitter like Insight Cuba, which uses charter flights to Cuba. I’ve heard rumors of commercial flights possibly starting and will continue to keep an eye on this.
Certainly, strong opinions remain on Americans traveling to Cuba, and I’m curious to see what unfolds with the new travel legislation. Thanks, as always, for reading, and safe travels wherever you’re headed.
They burned an American flag? Um Americans have burned American flags.We did try to kill their President right? I saw the blackboard that was in a classroom when the Bay of Pigs invasion took place.A child who was teaching a senior was killed along with the senior that day in the classroom.I saw the machine gun shreded blackboard.I cant understand why there might be resentments.In reality most Cubans love us…they are our neighbors…and and we should work toward bettering relations.We must live in the present and foster communication.A head buried in the sand cant learn a thing.
I have been waiting for this day for years. I have only been to a few Caribbean countries, but I loved meeting the locals, their culture, the flora & fauna, etc. Maybe the fact that Cuba has been off limits for so long makes it more enticing, but I have always been intrigued by the old cars driven there, the food, etc. and I love, love, love the music! I hope I am able to go some day soon!
Moises says
Cuba is my roots, My Great Grandfather left there to come to the USA for a better life. I grew up in a city 90 miles away from Havana ( Key West) Our TV reception was better from Cuba than US.I remember Fidels firing squads and Fidel telling his followers “Elections why” This he did while on a tour of the island after his winning. I can understand that many Cubans harbor bad feelings about going over there. If you had your loved ones life wiped out by Communism/Castro, you would feel the same. Americans going over there should be very careful, if you say or take something that the Cuban Govt disagree with……..they can put you in there jails for little or no reason. I remember the missles on Rosevelt Boulard. It was a scary time. Fidel has changed may lives….anyone that was a threat to Fidel he eliminated. A recent visit to the island By Anthony Bordain showed that at the Baseball game they do not serve Hot dogs or beer ( an american tradition) It is a great training ground for baseball, they make great baseball players and then they defect. One baseball player can make in his lifetime more than the whole countrymen. Of course they are known as “WORMS” when they defect as well as anyone wanting abetter life for themselves as well as their loved ones. Their is much speculation for the future of Cuba….without communism it could be the best place on earth.
It seems you have a working relationship for tourism in Cuba, I would be interested in starting a surfing school/club there as I am aware they have some great surf in parts of the island. I have been surfing over 40 years and have the management skills to run such a venture that I have no doubt would increase travel through your company. Your relationship with the tourism folks in Cuba could make this possible and there are thousands of surfers that would give almost anything to surf there. please reply at your earliest conveniece so we can get this venture started and add to your revenues.
Steve.
I would love to travel and see Cuba. However, as an induvidual, and a private tourist, like going to Mexico, only.
I am a sailboat delivery capt and have been to Cuba 10 times over the last 14 yrs. Cuba is a great place with great citizens. They welcome Americans, prices are cheap, violent crime against tourist is non existent and women are safe at night on the streets. I love Cuba and always love to share my experiences with others
Capt Jim in Marathon, Fl Keys
I was part of the last group to travel to Cuba with this travel company. It was one of the most memorable trips of my life and I still correspond with my travel guide who has subsequently moved to Norway.
I found the Cuban people to be generous and loving and possessing a dignity that belies their economic situation. Goes to show you what 100% literacy can do!
Don’t judge Cuba or it’s people until you have seen with your own eyes the REAL Cuba and not the propagandized version we are fed by special interest groups in the USA.
would you email me info about traveling to cuba , do you need a visa,where can you catch a flight, how strong is american currency,
My parents went to Cuba in 1978, through Mexico. They enjoyed it and took some nice pictures there which I still have. They also brought (smuggled) me a box of really excellent Cuban-made Partagas cigars, the empty box of which I still have. My dad died six months later so I’m happy he had the chance to travel while he could. However, I have to really wonder, would Cuba still be a safe, friendly place after Castro is gone. Fear of him keeps their people in line so, of course, they’re going to toe that line and not break any laws. But, from what I know from history, it was a pretty wild and rowdy place under Battista back in the ’50s when gambling was legal and lots of other illicit activities were out in the open. That could happen again once the element of fear is lifted and people revert to their natural greed instincts. I’m not casting aspersions on the Cuban people by any means but merely citing historical precedents from other places.
Hi Marilyn, as I wrote in the post, you can’t just catch a commercial flight to Cuba just yet, unless you have family who live there or a special authorization to visit. As of now, yes, you must have a visa, and you have to go through a licensed organization that has a focus on cultural, person-to-person travel.
I am traveling to Cuba next week myself, with one of those licensed organizations, and I will be posting about my experiences there in about two weeks. I hope this helps, and I will continue to post replies to questions as best I can.
Hi Steve, thanks for your input. Just to clarify, I’m the adventure writer with Sherman’s Travel, so I don’t have any direct relationships tourism officials in Cuba (although I will be traveling there next week). And while there is some business development within Cuba at the moment, it’s unclear when, or if, this type of outdoor adventure venture would come to fruition, as things are still very strictly regulated. It’s interesting to hear that the surfing community already is also focused on what’s happening in Cuba. Check back on my posts about my experiences in Cuba, and thanks for reading.
Hi Susan, as I mentioned in other replies, your best bet on specific travel info to Cuba is through authorized outfitters such as Insight Cuba. They have roughly 130 departures scheduled over the next year, leaving from Miami on charter flights. (There are other outfitters traveling there, but Insight Cuba seems to have the most extensive programming at the moment.) At the moment, traveling with such an organization is the only way to travel there legally. Please check back around Aug. 18 for some posts about my experiences in Cuba.
travel to cuba should be the right of every American citizen.. maybe there is a relaxation now that cuba has found oil in the gulf of mexico..
This is good news for all who have wanted to see Cuba for so long, but…….that seems very expensive if air is not included. I live on the West Coast, so it would be costly. I will wait until I can go on my own and not with a tour group. That might be quite a while, I am guessing.
I am dying to go to Santiago Cuba. I have just written a history book on the Santiago campaign in 1898 entifled: “Old Hoodoo” The Battleship Texas (1895-1911) on amazon.com. The Texas, the first Battleship of the US Navy, was involved in every combat during the campaign. The turrets of two of the Spanish cruisers that were beached during the battle can actually be seen on google maps. One of the 6.3″ guns that pierced the USS Texas’ side can also be seen…and all the old fortifications are still there! Of course so is San Juan hill in the same area! If developed this could be a great place for American’s to visit and it was at a time we and the Cubans were on the same side! Also the Cristobal Colon wreck, also a Battle of Santiago victime can be dived. I actually have a shell casing taken from the ship just before it sank! Visiting Santiago is on my “bucket list”.