Exploring the vibrant island of Cuba has long been a dream for many adventurous American travelers. Known for its forbidden charm, rich cultural tapestry, and stunning landscapes, this Caribbean gem has captured the imagination of countless wanderers.
With evolving US-Cuba relations, traveling from the US to Cuba has become more accessible, however, understanding the intricacies of the legal guidelines is crucial to ensure a seamless journey. One essential component is to choose a General Travel License to travel under that is approved by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the specifics of the General License for Support for the Cuban People (SCP) (515.574), equipping you with all the necessary information to explore Cuba legally and worry-free. So, prepare to immerse yourself in a world of colorful architecture, rhythmic tunes, and tantalizing flavors—all while complying with the regulations that facilitate your unforgettable Cuban adventure!
At a first glance when US citizens start looking into traveling to Cuba, they find that traveling for tourism is illegal. This often frightens many, so let us explain the difference between “tourism”, and “meaningful travel” – by the way, latter is what you do when you travel with us. All of our itineraries are legal for Americans.
“Tourism” vs “Meaningful Travel”
In a nutshell, traveling for tourism means a holiday, where you are lounging by the beach side and not engaging with or contributing to the community. All-inclusive-hotel stays are an example of such. Another thing to consider, is that you aren’t allowed, by the US Government, to spend money at government-owned businesses listed on the Restricted Entity List. It may surprise you that some International hotels are on the list, like the Kempinski and Iberostar hotels.
Instead of a passive holiday, when you are coming to Cuba, you must engage with the local culture and people and support their businesses. Such as staying in private accommodation, use private service providers and eat at private restaurants. Trust us, they are the better choice I all areas in Cuba!
To ensure people do this, there are set categories, or travel licenses people can travel under to the US. The best option for tourists is the General License for Support for the Cuban People (SCP) (515.574).
Who do these travel rules apply to:
US Citizens, no matter where they live in the world
Foreign citizens living in Cuba
Foreign citizens transiting via the US
What do you need to know about the General License for Support for the Cuban People (SCP) (515.574)?
This is the best category for tourists to travel under. There are 5 simple rules you need to adhere to:
- The one we already eluded to, use private businesses. Everything from accommodation, restaurants, shops, taxis, the whole lot!
- Avoid staying at accommodation on the Restricted Accommodation List.
- Maintain a full time schedule – 6 to 8 hours a day – with meaningful interactions with the Cuban people. These activities, must “Enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba, or promote the Cuban people’s independence from Cuban authorities and that result in meaningful interactions with individuals in Cuba”
Some examples are:
- Salsa classes
- Interacting with your casa host
- Supporting local artists
- Shopping in privately owned businesses
- Eating in a privately owned restaurant
- Taking guided tours
- Avoid using any businesses on the Restricted Entity List.
- Document your trip. This includes keeping your itinerary, with accommodation booking, activities, guides information and the like. When you travel with us, we provide this information to you, alternately you can keep a journal. You will need to keep this information for 5 years.
If you want some further reading, you can ead the OFAC’s examples of SCP activities and the OFAC FAQ
While not mandatory, joining a tour is highly recommended as it contributes to “meaningful interaction” and promotes independence. Our guides will immerse you in the culture, help you connect with locals, and navigate any challenges that independent travelers may encounter. On a side note, Cuba is safe, but not easy.. and you can always have a tour for just 2…
On your return to the US
It’s not often people are questioned about their trip to Cuba and what license they travelled under by Customs. Rules related to your Cuba travel is enforced by Office of Foreign Assets Control after you are back home, not by Customs and Border Patrol. There is no need to worry that you will be prohibited from entering the US, put in jail, or have your passport revoked for simply traveling to Cuba.
Cuba Tour Options for US Travelers
- Our Scheduled Group Tours – all of our tours are designed in compliance with the Support for the Cuban People travel license. You can browse these itineraries, to see the dates of departures and pre-set itineraries, with full time schedule that is culturally immersive, and engaging. We utilise the services of the private sector all the way.
- Bespoke Tours – we can design a tour just for you based on your likes, interests and must do items, ensuring that your trip meets the requirements of the Support for the Cuban People travel license.
In conclusion, meeting the five requirements of the general travel license for support of the Cuban people is straightforward. By using private providers, avoiding restricted accommodations and entities, maintaining a full-time schedule of engaging activities, and documenting your trip, you can easily comply with the regulations. And it’s even simpler if you allow those specializing in Cuba travel to arrange everything for you. Don’t wait—reach out today to make your Cuba travel dream a reality!
