Blue Guava Cuba

FAQ

Important issues you must know when visiting Cuba

  • A passport with a minimum validity of six months after arriving in Cuba
  • A visa or tourist card required for all visitors except those nationals whose countries have signed visa exemption agreements with Cuba
  • A round-trip ticket
  • A declaration of cash amounts over 5,000 USD, as per the Cuban government currency restrictions
  • Health or travel insurance with coverage for medical expenses

The Cuban government requires all citizens traveling to Cuba to obtain a Cuban visa prior to their arrival into the country. A Cuban visa is also known as a “tourist card.” The Cuban visa is valid for a single entry and allows the holder to stay in Cuba for 30 days. 

Valid for a single entry to Cuba within 180 days of issuance, a tourist card is for a stay of up to 30 days, with one to two 30-day extensions available in Cuba, depending on your citizenship.
Depending on your country, it can be purchased in advance or the airline can sell it along with your airfare ticket.

Cuba requires a health travel insurance to cover medical expenses for all foreign travelers. The travel insurance must include coverage for medical evacuation by air and medical emergencies. The insurers issuing the policies should be recognized by Cuban authorities. The policy must be shown upon request and be issued by an insurer. Cuban insurance policies are for sale at points of entry into the country for those unable to present an appropriate insurance policy. In most hotels, a doctor is present to provide primary care to patients. Additionally, there are eight international clinics offering specialized treatment.

In Cuba, there are a lot of high standard five star hotels, luxury B&Bs, Boutique Hotels, and “casas particulares” (private houses), where you can enjoy the best service, comfort, and privacy. All of them are highly recommended by Blue Guava. Depending on your budget and interests, our team will help to make the best choice.

  • Official currency is the peso (CUP).
  • The current exchange rate from the USD: 1 USD equivalent to 24 cup.
  • Cuban pesos can be exchanged for foreign currencies: US and Canadian Dollar, Euro, Swiss Franc, Mexican Pesos, English Pound, Japanese Yen, and others.
  • When you leave Cuba, you must change the entire CUP amount back to your country currency. You will not be able to change CUP abroad.
This is not complicated. You can change money at the airport, hotels, Change houses (Casas de Cambio / CADECA) and local banks. Blue Guava Team will guide you.
Cuba is a cash country. We highly recommend that you bring enough cash for the entire trip. Most locations do not accept credit or debit cards of any kind. Those that do (state-owned hotels, car rental companies, some state-owned shops and supermarkets) accept most debit and credit cards (Visas and Master Cards). Due to the embargo, you cannot use debit or credit cards from any US banks.
How much an individual spends can vary depending on personal preference. We do recommend that you bring a minimum of $150 per day. If you think you might want to purchase artwork, music, cigars, rum, enjoy evening entertainment, or buy gifts for friends and relatives, you may want to plan to bring more than $150 per day. 
Most electricity in Cuba is 110V/60Hz, although 220V is available in many hotels. Power outlets are mostly of the flat two-pronged type used in the U.S. (Type A). Hotels, however, often have power outlets for the European-style round, two-pronged variety (Type C). 

Upon arrival, Blue Guava team will provide you with a smart phone with a sim card with enough data capability, during your stay in Cuba. You can also use Wi-Fi at hotels and local spots. AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint may offer very expensive roaming capabilities.  

Cuba is a forever summer, which allows one to visit the country the whole year. The tropical whether shows a dry and relatively cool season from late November to mid-April with average day temperatures of 21 to 28ºC (70 to 82ºF) during the day and average night temperatures around 20ºC (68ºF). During the rest of the year, we generally have a rainy and muggy season. The climate is fairly uniform from one area to the other; but there are some differences that are worth considering.

The hurricane season is between June and November, and the most active storm months are September and October.

Just for American citizens

There are several different categories under which Americans can travel to Cuba; however the most popular for non-business travelers is that of humanitarian purposes.

Travel to Cuba for tourist activities remains prohibited by statute. Nevertheless, the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued general licenses for 12 categories of travel. Individuals who meet the regulatory conditions of the general license they seek to travel under, do not need to apply for an additional license from OFAC to travel to Cuba. The 12 categories are:

  • family visits
  • official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
  • journalistic activity
  • professional research and professional meetings
  • educational activities
  • religious activities
  • public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions
  • support for the Cuban people
  • humanitarian projects
  • activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
  • exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials
  • certain authorized export transactions.

For details on Cuba sanctions regulations, including fact sheets on recent changes and information on how to apply for an OFAC license, visit the U.S Embassy in Cuba. 

https://cu.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/traveling-to-cuba/

All foreigners travelers need Health Care & Medical Insurance to visit to Cuba. In the case of US citizens, insurance is included with your flight purchase, valid for up to 30 days.

https://cu.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/doctors/

There are some state-owned hotels, where US citizens and residents are unable to stay ; however, do not see this as a limitation. Blue Guava provides a wide variety of excellent choices to ensure you access to top accommodation during your stay.