Roman Cahero's Nature Tours
Cuba FAQS
Is it still legal for Americans to travel to Cuba ?
Yes !In November 2021, Cuba lifted its two-year border closure due to the pandemic. As a result, Roman started running tours shortly thereafter. We specialize in organizing tours under two legal travel categories for individuals under U.S. jurisdiction: Support for the Cuban People and People-to-People Educational Travel. Our tours operate under an OFAC (the Office of Foreign Assets Control) general license, as per section 31 CFR § 515.572(a)(1), allowing us to provide travel services to U.S. travelers visiting Cuba. Our outdoor adventure programs in support of the Cuban people are designed to facilitate dialogue and foster authentic connections in Cuba. We firmly believe in a world where cultures and communities are interconnected, and our adventures are centered around providing immersive experiences that are transformative and eye-opening. Under the Support for the Cuban People travel category, U.S. citizens can travel to Cuba with the primary objective of engaging with ordinary Cubans and supporting civil society in the country. This category requires travelers to have a full-time itinerary that promotes contact with Cuban people and results in meaningful interactions with individuals in Cuba. Our tours are meticulously planned to provide enriching experiences and opportunities for meaningful engagement on a daily basis.
Do I need a visa/passport to travel to Cuba?
To travel to Cuba, a valid passport and Electronic Visa are mandatory. Starting in 2025, only E-visas will be accepted for entry, making this visa essential for customs and immigration. For American citizens, we highly recommend obtaining your E-visa from Cuban Travel Services, which offers a hassle-free option cubavisaservices.com/product/e-visa/ For European visitors, we suggest purchasing your E-Visa from https://cubavisa.net/en/products/cuba-visa-1
What is the D'Viajeros form ?
Every passenger arriving in Cuba must fill out the DVIAJEROS form within 72 hours of departure to Cuba. You CAN'T arrive in Cuba without this form. This form is the customs declaration form from Cuban Customs. A Step by Step Guide to Filling out the D'Viajeros Travelers Form: Step 1: Online Form Go to D'Viajeros website https://www.dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu/datosPersonales to begin your form within 72 hours of your date of departure. Step 2: Change Language In the upper right hand corner click on the small icon to select your language of choice. The form will automatically be in spanish if you do not change the language. Step 3: Request Form Once your form is in the language of your choice, begin by clicking "form request." A form will pop up on your page for you to start filling in your information. Step 4: Personal Data Enter your personal data. The country name they use for the United States is "USA" so you can just type USA and choose that option when it asks about "Country Where the Person Was Born?" etc. Notice the required fields indicated in red before clicking "next." Step 5: Migratiory and Flight Information, and E-Visa Here you will fill out your flight information and list which airport in Cuba you will be arriving at. Double check the airport code you'll be flying into on your air ticket. The Havana airport is Jose Martí (La Habana/HAV). Purpose of visit: In this case you choose "Tourism." Even though that is not the reason as far as the US government is concerned, it is the reason as far as Cuba is concerned. Just after "Purpose of Visit" is a box for an E-Visa number. If you have an E-Visa, enter the number here. Step 6: Place of Accommodation and Sanitary Information The first question is "Place of Accommodation." chose the option "house or room for rent." Provide the Havana Address (We will provide you that via e-mail) Then it asks for the Province, so you would choose “La Habana " then enter the "Municipality" meaning the city or neighborhood. Plaza de La Revolution ,neighborhood just enter “Vedado”. The next section on this page asks: * Countries Visited in last 15 days - for most people you would simply choose "USA" * Symptoms in the last 15 days - if you don't have any, just skip this. There is no choice for "none." * Questionnaire - skip this also The next section on this page is about COVID-19. You will see a part about vaccination status on the left side of the screen, and PCR Test on the right side. Each has a check box. You can just skip these questions. Then go to "NEXT" at the bottom of the form. So some text has been deleted from this part about covid vaccines, etc. Step 7: Customs Information Select "No" for the question about "Unaccompanied Luggage." Indicate the number of children under 10 traveling with you. Leave the question about currency blank unless you are bringing more than $5000 in cash. You do not need to declare what you are bringing into Cuba unless you are bringing any personal items that have a total value of $1,000 or more. Thus, just skip down the page to the box asking: Do you have something to declare at customs? (*) and choose "No" unless you do have something to declare. Again, it would be rare for any of our travelers to have anything to declare. Then hit the "NEXT" button. Step 8: Declaration This is your sworn declaration. Step 9: Save and Print the PDF You have completed the Cuba D'Viajeros travel form! Upon submitting your form you will see a PDF with a QR code and proof of completion. We highly recommend you print and save this document to show at customs when you arrive in Cuba.
What is a Casa Particular?
A unique way to experience Cuba's culture is by staying in a Casa Particular, which is a bed and breakfast-style accommodation located within a private home owned and operated by a Cuban family. By staying in a Casa Particular, guests can immerse themselves in the local culture, interact with hospitable hosts, and enjoy comfortable lodgings. Each Casa Particular is carefully selected based on its quality and location in the area. In the event that a particular Casa Particular is unable to accommodate an entire family or group, alternative options nearby are always provided. Families with children 18 years old or younger will always be placed in the same Casa Particular. Most Casa Particulars have private bathrooms and while hosts generally speak English, their level of proficiency may vary. Many guests consider their Casa Particular stay to be a highlight of their trip to Cuba.
How safe is Cuba?
Cuba has very strict gun control laws and a visible police presence, especially in tourist areas and hotels. The Cuban government takes crimes against travelers very seriously and imposes strict sentences on offenders. Cubans are natural open and friendly and there is a remarkably low crime rate in comparison to other relatively poor countries.However, it is important to remain aware of your surroundings and follow the advice of your guides and hosts. It is also recommended to use common sense safety measures such as avoiding unfamiliar areas alone, especially at night, and taking precautions against pick-pocketing and theft. This includes leaving valuable jewelry at home, carrying only necessary amounts of cash, wearing a money belt, not leaving expensive items in your luggage, carrying a copy of your passport, and using the hotel safe to store your passport and other valuables.
What is the currency in Cuba?
The official currency of Cuba is the Cuban Peso (CUP), also known as "moneda nacional" or "National Money". As of August 4, 2022, the foreign currency exchange rate for the US dollar is set at 120 CUP per dollar, which can be obtained at banks or Cadeca Exchange Bureaus. US dollars (USD) are widely accepted in Cuba and can be used for many small purchases and tipping. For instance, you might pay for a drink at a bar in USD and leave a tip or buying souvenirs etc.
Is travel insurance recommend it ?
To comply with Cuban law, it is required that all travelers to Cuba have health insurance that is specific to Cuba and the insurance provider must be able to process payments from a non-U.S. banking institution. The cost of the mandatory insurance required to travel to Cuba is often included in the price of your commercial flight to and from Cuba, but it is recommended that you confirm this with your airline.
What airlines fly to Cuba from the U.S?
Currently, there are multiple commercial flight options available for travel between the US and Cuba. In addition to direct flights from major US cities to Havana's Jose Marti International Airport, there are other international airports throughout the island, providing travelers with a range of options. Some airlines offering direct flights from the US to Cuba include American, Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue, and Alaska, with American Airlines serving the most Cuban airports of any US airline. The best airline for you will depend on your location and individual preferences. It's also worth noting that there are options to travel to Cuba via other countries, such as Mexico.
Can I use debit or credit cards in Cuba?
Since there are no banking or financial partnerships between the United States and Cuba due to the US embargo, your US-issued credit cards and debit cards may not work in Cuba, You should bring cash to exchange upon arrival in Cuba.
Can I use my cell phone in Cuba?
Some U.S. telecommunications companies, such as AT&T, Sprint, T Mobile, Verizon, have established roaming agreements with Cubacel, the Cuban provider. If you have international roaming enabled, you may be able to use your cell phone in Cuba, and you may also receive incoming calls from the United States, depending on your carrier. Prior to your trip, check with your carrier about charges for calls, data, and text messaging. Another option is to rent a SIM card in Cuba, which comes with pre-paid minutes and a daily rental fee. To call the U.S., you can use a pre-paid calling card on a payphone, use a hotel landline (rates average about US$2.50 per minute), or use a mobile phone. For more information, consult the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Is internet access available?
Access to the internet is still quite limited in Cuba, but it has improved significantly over the last two years. A reliable indicator of WiFi availability is observing clusters of people huddled together and staring at their phones. Typically, WiFi can be accessed in town parks and occasionally in hotel lobbies or some Casas Particulares. An Internet card purchase is necessary to gain access to the internet, and the current rate is abput 1 USD per hour. If you would like assistance with purchasing these cards, your Cuban guide can assist you. In case of emergencies, our guides have the necessary equipment to communicate via phones and the internet as required.