What are the Rules for U.S. Citizens Traveling to Cuba?

For many years Americans were banned from traveling to Cuba due to the terms of the embargo, but things have changed recently.

Under President Obama strict rules on travel to the island were relaxed and the number of U.S. visitors skyrocketed as a formerly forbidden fruit became accessible. Under President Trump, the situation has become confusing once again, with new rules.

There are 12 visa categories implemented by President Obama that allowed people to travel to Cuba. As of June 2017, U.S. citizens are no longer allowed to travel under the People to People visa category, nor are they allowed to spend money at businesses owned by the Cuban military.

This means your trip has to have some sort of purpose, such as visiting family, professional work, journalism, religious or cultural programs and humanitarian projects. Essentially, if you can find some sort of reason to go aside from sitting on the beach, you’re ok to go.

The other aspect of the latest changes means technically U.S. citizens are banned from staying in hotels or resorts owned by the Cuban military, which happens to be a large percentage of the state-owned tourism infrastructure. However, if you stay at casas particulares or foreign-owned hotels, you will be fine.