ENLARGE First step
Cuba is far easier to get to now, but tourism remains illegal for U.S. citizens, so a week on the beach with a coconut drink is off limits. The White House has sped up the process by expanding travel authorizations and simplifying paperwork. U.S. cultural travelers still must fit into one of 12 categories for legal trips to Cuba, including "people to people" exchanges that bring Americans into contact with Cubans.
Get a visa
At the moment, U.S. government-authorized tour operators offer the easiest route to a Cuban tourism visa, providing the documentation with the plane tickets and charging for the package.
Related
Book a flight
Most Americans fly to Cuba on U.S. charter flights; tickets can be purchased through travel agencies and tour operators. New non-stop charters now fly to Havana from New York and Los Angeles, and regularly scheduled commercial flights on American carriers are expected to begin later this year.
Bring cash
Credit and debit cards are all but impossible to use in Havana at the moment, thought the situation is loosening up. Bring U.S. dollars and convert them to Cuban currency upon arrival.
Save the paperwork
The U.S. requires Americans to hold onto receipts and other travel documents for five years in case they need to offer proof of their compliance with U.S. trade and travel laws.
Write to Ellen Gamerman at ellen.gamerman@wsj.com[5]
References
- ^ CANCEL (www.wsj.com)
- ^ Biography (topics.wsj.com)
- ^ 0 COMMENTS (www.wsj.com)
- ^ The American Invasion of Cuba (www.wsj.com)
- ^ ellen.gamerman@wsj.com (www.wsj.com)
