Cuba is counting on winter-weary Russians to help boost the Caribbean island nation’s ailing tourism sector in 2024, according to the Cuban ambassador in Moscow, after a disappointing 2023 saw visitors numbers fall short of the government’s goals.
18.01.2024 - 21:45 / lonelyplanet.com
Cuba is a Caribbean paradise, but because of the island’s tumultuous history and international relations, its visa rules can be complicated – especially for visitors from the US.
We've rounded up all the key information you need to know about Cuba ’s entry requirements, including details on the various types of visas, how to secure them and what they'll cost you.
Citizens of some Caribbean, Asian and European countries, including Russia, Montenegro, Serbia and Singapore, can travel visa-free to Cuba for up to 90 days with a passport that doesn’t expire for at least six months.
Passport holders from all other countries must purchase what is known officially as a Cuba Tourist Card, although it's often referred to as a Cuban visa.
You can get a Cuba Tourist Card one of three ways – pick it up yourself from the Cuban consulate in your home country, apply through the officially licensed third-party Visa Cuba, or have one included as part of a travel package purchased through a travel agency or airline.
You’ll need to provide your passport number, home address, the address of your booked accommodations in Cuba and information on your confirmed flights.
Depending on your country of origin, visa fees range from US$25 to US$85 – additional costs apply depending on who you purchase it from (in person at the consulate is the best way to avoid add-on handling fees).
If you apply by mail, you must send all needed documentation plus a self-addressed return envelope, so that the consulate can mail your visa card back to you.
As you depart Cuba at the end of your trip, you must present your Cuba Tourist Card to immigration authorities – make sure to store it in a safe place for the duration of your vacation. If you lose it during your stay on the island, you’ll have to wait a few hours for the authorities to clear you and issue a new document before you head back home.
The Cuba Tourist Card allows for a single-entry, 30-day stay in Cuba (90 days for Canadian citizens), but if you decide to stay longer, you can renew your visa for another 30 days at your hotel desk or at the nearest local immigration office.
Unfortunately, many non-US citizens have been caught out by the January 2021 change to the US ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) rules which now state that your ESTA is invalid if you have traveled to Cuba.
This doesn't mean you cannot go to Cuba via the USA and back, it just means you need to apply for a US visa from a US embassy or consulate.
For additional information about travel eligibility under the Visa Waiver Program, ie the ESTA, go to the US Customs and Border website.
The rules on Americans visiting seem to change with each new presidential administration. Yet the bottom line
Cuba is counting on winter-weary Russians to help boost the Caribbean island nation’s ailing tourism sector in 2024, according to the Cuban ambassador in Moscow, after a disappointing 2023 saw visitors numbers fall short of the government’s goals.
Luxury cruise line Seabourn wants to help travelers escape the cold in style — and for less — with a big winter sale that has up to 25 percent off fares.
United Airlines is dreaming of moussaka and ouzo as the airline prepares to launch a new seasonal flight from Chicago to Athens this spring.
Alaska Airlines is making a few changes to its route map in the coming months, including the addition of one route to Canada and the subtraction of another between two major tech hubs.
Air India is starting the new year with a bold statement of intent. On Thursday, the carrier showcased its new flagship aircraft, as part of a bigger plan to present a re-energized Air India to the world.
Depending on your perspective, American Airlines' latest move may be good or bad news.
Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
Air travel cancellations and delays continued to soar in the U.S. on Tuesday as a severe winter storm arrived in the Northeast.
Pack a sun hat, some loose-fitting clothes and a book of José Martí’s poems – and get ready to uncover the buoyant and sophisticated magic of Cuba.
Some people are choosing to live in cheaper cities or close to family and still make it to the office hundreds of miles away. Enter the super commuter, or those willing to travel three or more hours to work.
Endless music, classic cars, beautiful seas and cultural swagger will ensure memories from a family vacation to Cuba last a lifetime.
Citizens of dozens of countries can enter Thailand visa-free.