Accordion section
Yes, you can! Read about applicable restrictions and requirements.
Refer to the list of documents.
You can travel to Cuba as a US citizen! Here is a brief history of travel to Cuba for U.S. citizens:
- Dec 17, 2014: President Obama announced that America was reestablishing diplomatic relations. This made for easier travel, trade, and financial relations between the two countries, the removal of Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list and the reopening of the U.S. Embassy in Havana. Cuba Unbound operated our first trips in November, 2015 based on these new regulations.
- June 16, 2017: President Trump announced some modifications to the regulations. The biggest change was that individual travel for educational people-to-people purposes was no longer allowed. However, group travel using the people-to-people category was still allowed.
- June 4, 2019: The Trump Administration removed the people-to-people category from the categories of allowable travel.
- October 25, 2019 – U.S. Administration bars U.S. airlines, other than charter airline companies, from flying to any Cuban airport other than Havana.
- June 1, 2022 – The US Transportation Department rescinded the Trump-era restrictions regarding U.S. airlines flying to Cuba, allowing them to resume service to airports other than Havana. It wasn’t long before American Airlines started service to Holguin and Camaguey. Other U.S. Airlines such as JetBlue, United and Southwest soon followed with flights to airports other than Havana.
- June 9, 2022 – President Biden reinstates the allowance of group People-to-People travel. Specifically: Effective June 9, 2022, OFAC amended 31 CFR § 515.565(b) to authorize group people-to-people educational travel conducted under the auspices of an organization that is subject to U.S. jurisdiction and that sponsors such exchanges to promote people-to-people contact, provided such travelers are accompanied by an employee, paid consultant, or agent of the sponsoring organization. Travel-related transactions authorized pursuant to § 515.565(b) must be for the purpose of engaging, while in Cuba, in a full-time schedule of activities that are intended to enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba, or promote the Cuban people’s independence from Cuban authorities; and will result in meaningful interactions with individuals in Cuba.
Read about Money on Cuba.
If you have a US issued credit card or debit card it will not work. If you have one issued from other countries it may work but it is best to rely on cash.
In addition to hotels, Casa Particulares are commonly used, which are privately run B&B or vacation rental types of accommodations. On our Central tour of Cuba we will be staying in a number of these casa particulares and it is a great way to get to know local hosts.
Island cuisine with an eclectic history. Read more about food in Cuba.
We don’t recommend it. Cubans never use tap water without boiling and filtering it first, which means that water at restaurants that is used for food preparation has been treated the same way and is safe. We will provide bottled water during your trip that you can drink and also use for brushing teeth if you prefer.
See Electronics in Cuba.
If you’d like to use a hair dryer we recommend that you bring your own as we can’t promise every hotel and Casa Particular will be equipped with one. Make sure to bring converters and/or adapters as needed.
It is possible your phone will work, but it is best not to count on cell service. Wifi and Internet are more widely available. Read more about the internet in Cuba.
Refer to our packing list and pay attention to the special notes for Cuba.
Yes, you can. Remember that you must be able to assemble and disassemble your bike and have the tools and any spare parts necessary to maintain its operation. We invite you to peruse the details of our bike fleet in Cuba to help you decide.
No, you won’t easily find pharmacies along our route in Cuba. Make sure to bring your prescription medicine that you require and make sure to pack it in your hand-luggage.