It is their job to keep track of new and changing policies, so you don't have to worry about compliance. Many of the more distinguished tours have been operating since before Obama loosened regulations, so they are accustomed to tailoring itineraries for the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and documenting aspects of the trip. If the idea of backpacking around Cuba doesn’t appeal to you, traveling around the country with a tour operator is still a good option. Photo credit: Educational Experiences Abroad. “They are not doing it out of the goodness of their heart, out of a stereotype of generosity.”īe careful about asking too much about politics or putting them on the spot, unless you feel that a real relationship has developed.īooking a trip with a tour operator can be a great way for Americans to legally visit Cuba in 2018. The key is to be sensitive that people are doing this for a living,” says Rebecca Ogden, 31, a Latin America lecturer at Kent University. A blue anchor means that foreigners are welcome, while red denotes that there are rooms for Cubans.Ĭasas particulares “do give a good insight into what life is like on a local level. But you can still find lodging the old fashioned way: walking around. When Obama relaxed restrictions against Cuba, Airbnb capitalized on the existing system, quickly adding 1,000 Cuban listings to their website. The system was set up in 1997, when the Cuban government allowed citizens to rent rooms in their homes to visitors. From watching telenovelas with her host to learning about fruits that she didn’t know existed, Johnson says that staying at casas particulares was not only the highlight of her trip, but the experience counted as a form of support for the Cuban people. “Because of the historical and cultural differences, staying in a family home you are able to see the culture in a way you wouldn’t otherwise,” says Johnson. Travel blogger Ciara Johnson's favorite part of her recent Cuba travel was staying at a casa. Those don’t happen in hotels,” said Juan, a 24-year-old Cuban who works in the hospitality industry. “If they have a blackout, you’re going to live the blackout. This also complies with the new financial regulations for American travelers, as the money goes directly to Cuban citizens rather than the military.Īlthough you are still a visitor, staying with a local offers a glimpse of life on the island beyond what you would see in a hotel. Many backpackers in Cuba point to their casas particulares, or home stays, as the best aspect of their visits. It was like any other trip out of the country. In the end, she says, “ it was the easiest process ever. Her itinerary featured a variety of activities from cooking classes to salsa lessons to touring Havana in an antique car.Īlthough the Millennial made sure to document everything, Johnson was nervous about re-entering the United States when she visited in February 2018. She opted for two days with the tour operator Cuba Candela and then 12 days of exploring on her own.
Traveling under “support for the Cuban people,” Johnson designed a trip that followed the new rules. Between her two visits, the American regulations had changed.
Ciara Johnson.Ĭiara Johnson, the 25-year-old American travel blogger behind Hey Ciara, visited the country in December 2017 and then again in February 2018. Touring Havana in an old car is a classic Cuban experience for American travelers. Although they run many hotels in the country, as well as transportation services, it is possible to only spend money at establishments run by Cubans citizens, if you do your homework beforehand. Think salsa classes, instead of beach days.įollowing the Trump administration’s tightening of economic embargo against Cuba, many travelers report that the most difficult aspect of their trip is making sure that they do not spend money at a business with ties to the military. A key component of “support for the Cuban people” is interacting with locals, so include activities that provide genuine interactions. In practical terms, this means creating an extensive itinerary that complies with regulations and documenting your trip while you are visiting the country, in case you are asked by the American government for receipts. 12 categories of authorized travel for Americans traveling to Cuba in 2018. Visiting Cuban tobacco farmers would fall under "support for the Cuban people," which is one of the.
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