Your Cuban Trip: Pre-booking & Pre-departure Guide

Pre-Booking and Pre-Departure Guide For Your Cuban Trip

Legal must-haves, what to pack for a trip to Cuba and other essentials

If you’re planning a trip to Cuba as a first-timer or returning guest, streamline the planning process with this guide. Discover the essentials before you book and go to help you easily organise your Cuban trip with Cuban Adventures.

 

Cuba is for every type of traveller

Cuba appeals to different travellers. Explore urban culture and history, slow down in nature, have an adventure, connect with locals and see the real Cuba. With great places to stay, wholesome food, and a selection of laid-back, active or insightful experiences, Cuba has something for you!

Choose from three tour styles:

  1. Ultimate Cuba Tours
    Enjoy the best of Cuba stress-free on a structured package where you’ll discover our country while we do all the planning.
  2. Classic Cuba Tours
    Explore Cuba as an independent traveller on a cost-effective, flexible package with a mix of guided tours and self-paced experiences.
  3. Active Adventure Cuba Tours
    Indulge your special interests and adventurous spirit with specific packages, such as birdwatching, cycle tours and multi-sport tours. 

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No age limits

Most of our guests are between 25 and 75, but there’s no age limit. As long as you don’t mind exploring on foot, you’re welcome to join our tours! 

LGBTQ-friendly

Cities like Havana and Trinidad have thriving LGBTQIA+ scenes. Options such as our Queer Havana Tour explore gay-friendly nightlife.

Accessibility and fitness

Our tours are suited to guests who are comfortable walking, climbing 3-4 flights of stairs, boarding transport without assistance and managing their own luggage. If you have mobility limitations that require a slower pace or less walking, consider a private tour instead. 

Dietary preferences 

Many restaurants offer vegetarian options. Outside major cities, however, vegan food is more limited, so we recommend bringing your own proteins and snacks. Cuban meals are generally wheat and gluten-free. Our guides can inform your casas particulares hosts which ingredients to avoid.

Legal travel for US citizens

Can Americans travel to Cuba? Yes! Americans are welcome on our tours. While tourist travel is restricted for US citizens, legal travel is possible under OFAC’s general license categories. Take a tour that complies with the Support for the Cuban People (SCP) requirements, or book a regular tour and choose SCP-compliant activities. 

Our tours comply with US laws

Our Ultimate Cuba tours are SCP-ready, including a full schedule of activities to meet SCP requirements, so your travel complies, at a lower local cost. Other tours offer more independence, allowing you to choose your own activities—simply follow SCP guidelines to stay compliant. 

Fly from the US to Cuba

Travel from Miami or Tampa to Havana on Southwest, Delta, or American Airlines. Travel from Miami to Santiago de Cuba with American Airlines. Reach the island in under 1.5 hours!

Documents you need when visiting Cuba

  1. Passport: Must be valid for at least six months after arrival.

  2. D'Viajeros form: Complete no more than seven days before arrival. You’ll receive a QR code to show immigration officers.

  3. Cuban e-Visa: From 2025, the Cuba tourist card (pink or green tourist card) is no longer required. Tourists now enter Cuba using an electronic visa, which you can purchase online.

  4. Travel medical insurance: Present your insurance policy document or certificate as proof of travel insurance, including health cover for your visit. Travel medical insurance for Cuba is included automatically on US flights to Cuba, with your boarding pass as proof. If you’re not flying with a US airline, purchase travel and medical insurance for Cuba in advance.

  5. General licence (US visitors only): This is the legal basis for your visit to Cuba. We provide US travellers with a compliant general licence affidavit. 

How to book your tour with Cuban Adventures

Booking your tour with us is simple:

  1. Submit your booking request online
  2. Receive your Conditional Confirmation email, with advice about how to make your US$100/person non-refundable deposit, payable within seven days. 
  3. Pay the remaining payment and fees for your tour 60 days in advance. If you are booking fewer than 60 days in advance, the outstanding payment amount is due within seven days. 

Please note: Book your flights once you receive your Conditional Confirmation email.

Pre-departure support

You’ll receive an email with essential information to help you plan for your arrival. It includes packing basics and advice to help you prepare and feel comfortable on your arrival in Cuba.

Cancellations 

Make cancellations in writing or through the booking system. A fee may apply depending on when your notice is received, and your bank may charge a processing fee. Check our terms and conditions for more information.

Postponements

If you postpone your trip, we offer a credit voucher for our products and services with no expiry date. We don’t provide refunds for credit vouchers. Check our terms and conditions for more information.

Inclusions, extras and itinerary changes

Included in our Cuban Adventures tour packages: 

Meals at guesthouses

Most guesthouses outside Havana provide dinner at an extra cost. Family-run guesthouses generally serve meals separately from the host family.

Sleeping arrangements

In Cuba, guesthouses, B&Bs, casas particulares, homestays and family stays all refer to the same type of accommodation. 

Room upgrades

If you don’t book a single supplement but later decide you want your own room, we can arrange it  subject to availability.

Insurance inclusions

Aside from travel medical insurance for Cuba, you should purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy to cover you for other unexpected events. 

Coverage generally includes:

Travel Nation and World Nomads provide comprehensive coverage. US travellers should check that their travel insurance policy covers Cuba. 

Free time 

Here’s what to expect while on tour: 

Added value 

Exploring Cuba with Cuban Adventures has many advantages, including:

Enrich your stay

Our curated Cuba day tours showcase the best activities and cultural highlights in just a few hours, while short stay packages combine authentic experiences over a few days, such as learning Spanish, salsa dancing, cooking classes or guided walks!

 

Your Cuban adventure awaits!

We can’t wait to welcome you to Cuba and show you the best of this Caribbean island. If you have any questions or concerns about your trip, contact us. Our FAQ page is a fantastic resource, with the most common questions asked by travellers about touring Cuba with Cuban Adventures answered by our team. For more Cuba travel inspiration, our travel blog offers tips, recommended things to do and interesting facts about this Caribbean nation to help you plan your vacation. 

Author: Cuban Adventures

Our passion is providing authentic cultural experiences of Cuba through our award-winning small group tours.  We dedicate ourselves exclusively to Cuba, which means we are truly specialised in this unique country. 

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