Americans can and do visit Cuba every year. More than 21,000 visitors traveled to Cuba from the US in the first four months of 2026. Even though the US has tightened controls on tourism to the island nation, Americans can still legally visit as long as they meet certain conditions for authorized travel.
Learn tips for traveling to Cuba, including legal requirements, what to bring, and how to handle money, with our guide below.
Key takeaways
- It’s legal for Americans to visit Cuba as long as their trip meets US criteria for authorized travel.
- The US allows travel to Cuba for 12 specific reasons, which include family visits, humanitarian projects, and supporting the Cuban people.
- To enter Cuba, you need a valid passport with at least six months remaining validity, an e-visa, Cuban health insurance, and a completed D’Viajeros Form.
- Americans traveling to Cuba should bring cash, as they won’t be able to use US debit or credit cards while there.
Can Americans travel to Cuba?
Yes, Americans can legally travel to Cuba — just not as tourists. Under President Trump, the US government maintains heavy economic sanctions and prohibits Americans from visiting Cuba for tourism.
However, Americans are still allowed to visit Cuba as long as they self-certify that their trip conforms to one of 12 categories of travel as outlined by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
The 12 legal reasons Americans can travel to Cuba
Drawn to the country’s beautiful beaches, rich history and engaging culture, many Americans want to know, “How can I travel to Cuba legally?” Depending on the nature of your trip, there may be a way.
OFAC lists the following 12 reasons you are allowed to visit Cuba:
- Support for the Cuban people: Staying and mingling with Cubans. This is the most widely used reason for independent travelers.
- Family visits: Visiting close relatives who live in Cuba.
- Official government business: Conducting business for the US or another foreign government.
- Journalistic activity: Traveling as a news reporter or broadcast personnel.
- Professional research or meetings: Researching topics directly related to your professional area of expertise.
- Educational activities: Taking a course for college credit.
- Religious activities: Engaging in religious activities (making donations doesn’t count).
- Public athletic competitions, performances, or exhibitions: Competing as a US athlete in a semi-pro competition, for example.
- Humanitarian projects: Conducting projects that benefit the people of Cuba, such as disaster relief.
- Private foundation activity: Collecting information about Cuba, for instance.
- Exporting, importing, or transmitting information: For example, helping produce a movie filmed in Cuba.
- Certain export transactions: Traveling that is directly related to doing authorized business in Cuba.
What you need to travel to Cuba as an American
Before your visit, you’ll need to make sure you have the proper documents. Americans traveling to Cuba must carry the following:
- Valid passport: Your US passport must be valid for six months beyond your arrival date and have two blank pages for entry/exit stamps.
- Visa: You can use an e-visa to travel under one of the 12 approved reasons to visit Cuba. The e-visa costs $50, and it could take up to 72 hours to process.
- Non-US health insurance: Cuba requires visitors to have health insurance that is valid in Cuba to enter the country. You can typically buy health insurance with your airline ticket.
- D’Viajeros Form: Cuba requests some advance information about visitors, including personal, health, and contact information. Fill out the form with your e-visa number before you arrive to avoid delays.
Know before you go: Practical travel advice for Cuba
Travel to Cuba from the US requires a little advance planning for an enjoyable and comfortable stay. Here are some tips for making the most of your travel.
Flights and logistics
Although some airlines have reduced their scheduled routes to Cuba, several airlines offer direct flights to Havana, including American Airlines, Southwest, and Delta. Flights to Cuba often leave from Florida cities like Miami and Tampa.
Registering with a professional tour company can help you to travel to Cuba while complying with OFAC rules on maintaining a “full-time” schedule of activities. Get in touch with one of the many professional tour operators to learn what they offer and compare costs. Be prepared for traveling on tour buses, packed daily schedules, cultural talks, pre-booked dinners at government restaurants, and, if you’re lucky, an expert local guide.
Where to stay
As an American, you can stay at privately owned boutique hotels in Cuba, but not state-owned hotels (due to US economic sanctions). Review the list of restricted hotels to make sure you don’t book with them.
If you’re traveling on the family visit or Support for the Cuban People visa, you may stay at private family homestays, or casa particulares.
Safety considerations
The US State Department recommends that travelers to Cuba exercise increased caution due to crime and frequent power outages. Daily, unscheduled blackouts can last up to 12 hours, according to a travel advisory, and fuel shortages can make generators unreliable.
Shortages have sparked protests, which sometimes result in aggressive police response against Cuban residents. The US Embassy in Cuba recommends that Americans visiting Cuba avoid protests and other large gatherings, keep their mobile phones and power banks charged, and stock up on nonperishables for power outages.
Petty crime (such as pickpocketing) is also a risk; don’t display signs of wealth like cash, watches, or fancy jewelry to avoid attracting thieves.
What to do in Cuba
Because of restrictions on American travel to Cuba, most activities will be booked for you. Some companies may extend your stay beyond the required tour if you ask. That said, don’t miss some of the best activities Cuba has to offer:
- Walk along the Malecón in Havana
- Explore the historic plazas of Havana
- Visit Hemingway’s old house
- Ride in a 1950s convertible taxi
- Wander the streets of the Vedado residential neighborhood
- Shop for art, clothing, jewelry, and more at Almacenes San José craft market
- See a baseball game at Estadio Latinoamericano
- Learn about the rise of communism in Cuba at the Revolution Museum
- See the chronological exhibits of Cuban art at Bellas Artes national art museum
- Visit the El Morro fort at night for a cannon firing ceremony
If you have time to explore beyond the capital city of Havana, plan a day trip or overnight tour to Varadero Beach, Las Terrazas eco-community, or the traditional agricultural town of Viñales.
Keep in mind that traveling to Cuba isn’t like visiting other destinations. As an American, you’re prohibited by the US from spending money with state-owned entities in Cuba. Check your activities against the Cuba Restricted List to ensure you
How to access money in Cuba
US credit and debit cards cannot be used in Cuba, so make sure you bring enough cash for your entire trip. You can exchange US dollars for Cuban currency at the airport, hotels, or exchange houses.
While you’re planning travel to Cuba from the US, keep in mind that you can no longer bring back certain items, including alcohol or cigars. This may affect the amount of money you plan to bring, and you’ll need to remember to consume the alcohol or tobacco you purchase while you’re physically in Cuba.
It can also be useful to send money to Cuba. However, only remittances to “close relatives” are allowed, meaning someone related by blood or marriage and within three generations, and they may not be a member of the Communist Party. There is a $1,000 limit per quarter.
Sending money to Cuba with Western Union
Western Union is one of the few services you can use to send money from the US to Cuba. Operations resumed in February 2026, helping families send money directly to MLC accounts or debit cards in Cuba. There are a few restrictions you’ll need to follow, including a $2,000 limit on transfers and filling out the required Electronic Remittance Affidavit.
Download the Western Union app to send money or arrange an online transfer. In-person transfers are available at select Miami locations. Use Western Union to send money now to close relatives in Cuba.
FAQs
Americans can legally travel to Cuba if their trip complies with one of 12 permitted reasons for visiting. You’ll need a passport, e-visa, health insurance, and cash (US credit and debit cards aren’t accepted in Cuba). Spending money with state-owned hotels is not allowed, so plan to rent a room at private boutique hotels or family bed-and-breakfasts.
Yes, US citizens can travel to Cuba. Although the US government has tightened its sanctions of Cuba, Americans can still visit the country if they follow OFAC rules for travel and spending.
You’ll need to identify a reason for your trip that complies with OFAC limitations. Tourism is not allowed, but professional, educational, religious, and other activities are allowed, provided you keep a full schedule and maintain a record of your activities and spending for five years after your trip.
As an American, you can visit Cuba to support the Cuban people or for family visits, official government business, journalistic activity, professional research, educational activities, religious activities, public competitions, humanitarian projects, private foundation activity, transmission of information, or certain export transactions.
