FAQs for U.S. Travelers To Cuba

Globe Aware Adventures in Service is a Canadian based Charity (Corporation No 446494-0; Charity Business #84908 3621 RR0001) and, like most organizations, does not yet hold a license that allows U.S. citizens to
legally visit Cuba. Therefore, any U.S. citizens that participate in this tour are solely responsible for any possible legal implications thereof. The volunteer is responsible for ensuring compliance with all government travel,
entry and exit formalities and documentation requirements for Cuba. If you don't have a license to travel to your destination, then read the below and ask us  for details before registering for your Cuba program. We have never
had a single case in which a volunteer program we organize resulted in criminal prosecution or any other kind of unwanted liabilities for any of our volunteers.
 
Embargo and Enforcement
 
Globe Aware does not condone nor condemn those who chose to travel to Cuba. Following Cuba's nationalization of all assets in 1960, the US government imposed an economic and financial ban (embargo or blockade) on doing
business with Cuba, with the intended goal being either 'democratization or returned US assets.'  Most Cubans feel the blockade has, #1 not had intended effect and, #2 done nothing but worsened the lives of the Cuban people, as
it has severely restricted access to food, clean water, and medicine. During the Clinton administration, many US citizens were allowed to travel under various academic, cultural, and religious exchange programs. These were
repealed under the Bush administration. On April 13, 2009, President <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama> Barack Obama loosened the travel ban, now allowing Cuban-Americans to travel freely to the country. While
many US based companies and civic organizations are fighting to lift the rest of the ban,  it also appears the current administration withdrew the funds originally attributed for enforcing the embargo. So, the law remains,
but there's not much to enforce it. 
 
According to the U.S. Department of State: "Regulation does not limit travel of US Citizens to Cuba per se, but it makes it illegal for US Citizens to have transactions (spend money or receive gifts) in Cuba, under most
circumstances. The regulations require that persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction be licensed in order to engage in any travel-related transactions pursuant to travel to, from, and within Cuba. Transactions related solely to tourist travel are not licensable." The regulations are still in force and are supposed to be administered by the <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Treasury_Department> U.S. Treasury Department, Office of Foreign Assets Control. Criminal penalties for violating the embargo range up to ten years in prison, $1 million in corporate fines, and $250,000 in individual fines; civil penalties up to $55,000 per violation.

Interestingly, some U.S.travelers to Cuba have been able to obtain General Research Licenses to obtain legal entry into Cuba. You can visit this link here to learn more about General Research Licenses.

Passport/Visa:

For US citizens, a valid US passport is required. There are no Visa requirements from the Cuban government for entering Cuba as a tourist. While for many destinations, some travelers choose to contact their State Department before departure to enquire about necessary visas, many decide not to when traveling to Cuba.  By contacting your State Department and telling them your plans to travel to Cuba, you increase the possibility of being questioned upon returning to the United States. By contacting the State Department, you may have your passport red-flagged. Even though no volunteers returning to the United States come directly from Cuba, and there
should be no evidence that you were in Cuba, most US citizens choosing to travel to Cuba choose to avoid such unnecessary hassles. Cuban Customs officers DO NOT stamp U.S. passports, though many feel it is
an important precaution to gently remind the immigration officer upon entry that you'd like no stamp. Cuba and its government very much want, need and welcome visitors from all countries. The Customs personnel are accustomed to American travelers entering Cuba, and hence not having your passport stamped is customary.

Currency

No credit card, debit card, or Travelers Cheques issued by a bank that has any connection with the United States is accepted in Cuba. Therefore, cash or funds brought in any form NOT from a US based institution is essential.
US based cash is accepted and convertible to the local peso, however Euros are preferred. Keep in mind that accommodations, food, bottled water, in-country transport, medical insurance, leisure activities are all
provided. Most people find they only need incidental funds to cover the cost of souvenirs, sunscreen, alcohol, usually less than $250. Upon departing Cuba, you cannot exchange your Cuban Convertible Pesos for another currency
so it's best to bring smallest amount you think possible. In theory, you can participate in the program with no additional funds at all.

Souvenirs

Most US visitors to Cuba, in an effort to avoid hassle, do not bring back items in their luggage that are obviously from Cuba, such as Cuban cigars, rum, postcards, matchbooks from famous Cuban restaurants, etc. Items marked
with the word "Cuba" on them are very likely to be questioned (and taken) by customs if they choose to inspect your luggage.