Travel planning


Documents for Travel to Cuba

Travel to Cuba requires a set of documents and travel medical insurance. Read on to learn more!




Travel documents

  • This is a simple form that covers some health questions and the customs declaration form.
  • You must fill this out before you leave home but not sooner than 3 days prior to departure.
  • Upon submission of the form you receive a QR code and an email. Save the QR code as a screenshot on your phone and/or print it out. You need to present this to Immigration officers on your arrival in Cuba.

Tips for filling out the form:

  • Purpose of visit: Choose the “Tourism” option.
  • Unaccompanied luggage: This is unlikely to apply to our travelers, so you can select “no”.
  • Customs declaration: If you are bringing any electronic devices like a tablet or a smartphone for your personal use, you do not need a customs declaration.

Travelers to Cuba require a visa, also known as a Cuban Tourist Card. If you are flying from the USA, the U.S. air carrier will have these visas available for sale in the boarding area, at a price of $100.  It’s also legal to fly through another country like Canada or Mexico.  In that case you can also obtain the visas at the airport as well.

  • U.S. passports must be valid for at least 6 months after your trip.
  • Travelers from other countries: consult your government’s travel advice for Cuba.

As a US travelers, you do not need any particular documentation. ExperiencePlus! works with a partner called Cuba Unbound that complies with the requirements from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under section 31 C.F.R.§ 515.572(a)(1) to provide travel services to Cuba. You will be required to keep your itinerary for up to 5 years to show you had a full schedule of activities. We can also provide that information as necessary.

Travelers from other countries: consult your government’s travel advice for Cuba.

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Proof of medical travel insurance

Cuba requires all travelers to Cuba to have travel medical insurance, and the good news is that U.S. airlines include the mandatory level of travel medical insurance in your ticket.

The Cuban health insurance that is included in your ticket with any U.S. airline, is provided by ESICUBA. It fulfills the necessary requirements and is valid for 30 days. If you are staying in Cuba beyond 30 days, you’ll need to purchase additional insurance to cover the remainder of your stay.

You may purchase supplementary coverage at your discretion.

If you travel to Cuba from another country, e.g. Mexico, your air ticket will not include this insurance and you may be asked to show proof of insurance on arrival. Simply carry your own insurance card with you, or a copy of your travel insurance policy, to show Immigration Officers if you are asked.

If you choose to take travel insurance with a different provider instead of your airline, be sure it fulfills the following requirements:

  • The travel medical insurance must include coverage for medical evacuation, emergencies, and repatriation.
  • The company providing your travel medical plan must be able to make payments from a non-U.S. banking institution.

Our recommended travel insurance provider fulfills the above requirements. Policies for Cuba must be purchased by phone, and the following questions will be asked:

Q: What are the accommodations for the overnight stays? We have to ensure that the accommodations are not owned by the Cuban government.
A: ExperiencePlus!’s itinerary complies with the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), to provide travel services to Cuba under the category of Support for the Cuban People.

Q: What is the pre-approved reason for the trip?
A: Support for the Cuban People

Q: Who is the tour operator, tour leader, group company, etc. that the traveler is traveling with?
A: Cuba Unbound fulfilling for ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours.

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