Rooftops of Havana with the dome of El Capitolio rising above the old city

Cuba

Colonial Havana • Tobacco Valleys • Rules You Need to Know

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Discover Cuba

Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, home to the colonial plazas of Old Havana and the tobacco farms of the Viñales Valley.

For U.S. travelers, though, Cuba is unlike any other island on our site. Tourist travel to Cuba is prohibited by U.S. law. Americans can still go legally, but only under specific travel categories, with a full schedule and good records. This page explains the current rules in plain language. It is general information, not legal advice; check the official sources listed below before you book.

Green tobacco fields and royal palms beneath the limestone mogotes of the Viñales Valley, Cuba
12
Authorized OFAC travel categories
5 years
How long you must keep records
6 months
Passport validity required
Cash
U.S. cards don't work in Cuba

Can Americans Travel to Cuba? (Rules as of October 2026)

The 12 authorized categories

Travel must fit one of the 12 categories covered by OFAC general licenses (or you need a specific license): family visits; official government business; journalism; professional research; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops and competitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; activities of private foundations or institutes; exporting, importing or transmitting information; and certain authorized export transactions.

What changed on September 30, 2026

A new OFAC rule, effective September 30, 2026, tightened several travel authorizations:

  • Group people-to-people educational tours are no longer authorized by general license (limited grandfathering applies if you made at least one travel booking, such as a flight or room, before September 30, 2026).
  • Professional meetings and conferences in Cuba are no longer covered by general license.
  • Most other educational travel must now be under the auspices of a U.S.-jurisdiction organization, with travelers accompanied by its representative.
  • Indirect financial transactions with entities on the Cuba Restricted List are now prohibited too.

"Support for the Cuban People"

This is the category most independent travelers use. Under 31 CFR 515.574 you must keep a full-time schedule of activities that strengthen civil society or the independence of the Cuban people, with meaningful interaction, and not just free time or recreation. Staying in a private home (casa particular), eating at private restaurants (paladares) and shopping at private businesses are part of this, but on their own they are not enough.

Places you can't use

  • The Cuba Restricted List (State Department) names government- and military-linked entities; as of September 30, 2026, OFAC also prohibits indirect transactions with them.
  • The Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List names hotels where people subject to U.S. jurisdiction may not stay.

Keep records

Keep your itinerary, receipts and records of your activities for five years.

Highlights

Old Havana

Old Havana and its fortifications are a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1982): plazas, colonial churches and the waterfront Malecón.

Viñales Valley

A UNESCO-listed (1999) cultural landscape of tobacco farms and limestone hills in western Cuba.

Where to Stay

Dining

Private paladares are the go-to choice; because of shortages, expect menus to change often.

Experiences That Fit the Rules

Think art-studio visits with independent artists, private cooking classes, farm visits in Viñales, and music lessons or conversations with local entrepreneurs (cuentapropistas). Each must be part of a full daily schedule, and you're responsible for meeting the license conditions.

Pastel colonial buildings around Plaza Vieja in Old Havana

Nearby islands: The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Jamaica · Explore the Northern Caribbean

Essential Travel Info

Current Conditions

The State Department rates Cuba Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (issued May 7, 2025), citing crime and unreliable power. Expect long blackouts (in Havana, up to around 12 hours a day), plus shortages of food, medicine, fuel and water. Tap water isn't safe to drink, and dengue, Oropouche and chikungunya are present; pack insect repellent and any medications you need.

Best Time to Visit

Dry season runs November to April. May to October is the rainy season, and hurricanes peak August to October.

Getting There

Nonstop flights link Miami and Havana (HAV); confirm schedules close to travel. When booking, airlines ask you to select the travel category that matches your trip (or enter your specific license number).

Entry Requirements

  • Passport with at least six months' validity and two blank pages
  • Cuban eVisa (tourist card); U.S. travelers must get one issued for travel from the U.S.
  • D'Viajeros online form, completed shortly before travel (State Department says within seven days)
  • Non-U.S. medical insurance is required; for travelers on American, Delta or Southwest, it's included in the ticket for 30 days
  • Cuban-born U.S. citizens may be required to enter on a Cuban passport

Money

U.S. credit and debit cards don't work in Cuba. Bring enough cash for your whole trip, in clean, newer bills. Declare amounts over $5,000.

Insider Tips

Ready to Talk About Cuba?

Cuba takes more planning than any other island we cover. Contact our team to talk through your options.

Ask Us About Cuba Travel

Photo: “Old Havana - panoramio.jpg” by Eric Marshall, CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), via Wikimedia Commons; cropped/resized. Photo: “2012-Plaza Vieja Havanna anagoria.JPG” by Anagoria, CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), via Wikimedia Commons; resized.