How to fly to Cuba from the United States under the new rules

Traveling to Cuba from the USA is no longer difficult at all. It was difficult not long ago, but in January President Obama announced a “new deal” with Cuba that included lifting many restrictions on American travel to Liberty Island. As Forum already wrote, many Russian speakers in America were looking forward to this warming, as they had already tuned in relax, buy property and open a business in Cuba.

Formally, you still can not go there as ordinary tourists. In fact, you can do this by referring yourself to one of the 12 categories of US citizens who can legally visit Cuba.

All categories:

1. Visits to relatives (including with family members).
2. Official travel by the US government, foreign governments and certain intergovernmental organizations.
3. Journalist travel (license required).
4. Professional research or professional conferences.
5. Trips with educational purposes.
6. Religious pilgrimage.
7. Public performances, trainings, workshops, sports competitions and exhibitions.
8. Help for the people of Cuba.
9. Humanitarian projects.
10. Activities of private foundations or research / educational institutions.
11. Export, import or transfer of information or information materials.
12. Certain export operations that may be required to obtain permission under the existing rules and recommendations.

For eleven of the 12 categories that existed before, you no longer have to apply for a license to travel and wait for confirmation. Simply buy a ticket on the Internet and specify your category.

So you can't go to Cuba if you just want to lie on the beach. But if you decide to explore Cuban culture and get to know the locals, you can go there next week.

I flew to Havana with a married couple who went to the island in the category of "professional research." He is a musician, she is an architect. Their plans included visiting museums, concerts, and historical buildings in Havana. They considered their trip as an opportunity to get inspiration and discover something new. They had no problems with obtaining a visa, as they easily confirmed that they have a permanent job, and the trip is directly related to their professions.

Add creative!

“Almost every American can go to Cuba in one of the categories,” says Senator Jeff Flake, one of the initiators of the change. According to a lawyer who specializes in US-Cuban relations, he said that if you cannot find an explanation to get into one of the 12 categories, “you are not trying hard enough.” This does not mean that you have to lie or mislead. You can simply build your trip much easier based on new requirements. Be decisive in your desire to go to Cuba and think carefully about your travel plan.

All categories include a clause stating that you "will not have free time to rest." This is done so that you do not lie idle on the beach or enjoy a glass of mojito in the hotel bar. If you have concrete fruitful plans to stay in Cuba, no one will prevent you from devoting several hours to wonderful views when visiting the historic fortress of El Morro, which protects the entrance to the bay of Havana.

You can fly to Havana by direct flight from Miami, Tampa or New York by various charter airlines. When you book a ticket, you will receive an email with a request to provide the necessary information - a copy of your passport, several completed questionnaires and 30 dollars for a visa. The visa is issued automatically after the purchase of a ticket and the provision of all documents. You can order the delivery of your visa to your home address or get it at the airport.

However, keep in mind that tickets for charter flights are still quite expensive - about 500 dollars for the 42-minute flight from Miami to Havana. But you will save on arrival in Cuba, where you can find accommodation for 25 dollars per day and spend about 10 dollars on food.

A few valuable tips

Do yourself a favor and do not stay at the hotel. In Cuba, the private sector is booming. Locals are willing to rent you a room much cheaper. The Airbnb portal also operates on the island, and you can reserve your accommodation in advance. If you intend to stay in the capital, Havana, you can stay in the Old Town (La Habana Vieja) with narrow lanes and impressive colonial buildings.

By the way, for American citizens, the spending limit has also been canceled, and now you can use credit cards in Cuba. In addition, US insurance companies have the opportunity to insure travelers visiting the island. The limit on the import of goods from Cuba by a private person has been increased to 400 dollars, of which no more than 100 dollars are for alcohol and tobacco products.

Another tip is rather a complaint. The fact is that the Cuban government, as it turned out, owns the majority of street catering facilities. And after one day in search of food, it becomes clear that the government does not have perfect culinary skills. I was lucky to find a cozy private restaurant in a residential area in the center of Havana. The food there was much better than the government dinners. I ate in the same place. Good luck with your quest!

If you have not decided to go to Cuba, watch this two-minute video:

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US and Cuba began to take diplomatic efforts to normalize relations between the two countries at the end of 2014.

Shortly after the meeting of the presidents of the two countries - Barack Obama and Raul Castro - the American leader decided to exclude Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. At the same time, plans were announced to resume the ferry and aviation message between countries.

Then the historical ones took place - the first in 35 years - negotiations in Havana at the highest diplomatic level between the United States and Cuba.

July 20 in Washington and Havana, for the first time in more than 50 years, again embassies opened USA and Cuba.