Cuba Travel Information

 Yes, U.S. travelers can still go to Cuba legally! 

In November 2021 Cuba re-opened their borders after a two-year closure do to the pandemic. We operate our tours under two categories of legal travel for persons of U.S. jurisdiction.  These are specifically Support for the Cuban People and once again, People-to-People Educational Travel.  We operate these tours under an OFAC (the Office of Foreign Assets Control) general license, under section 31 CFR § 515.572(a)(1) to provide travel services to U.S. travelers to Cuba.  

The U.S. adopted new rules June 9, 2022 that reinstate group people-to-people educational travel.  In their announcement, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), states: “ OFAC is amending the general license at § 515.565 to add an authorization for group people-to-people educational travel that takes place under the auspices of an organization that is subject to U.S. jurisdiction and that sponsors such exchanges to promote people-to-people contact, subject to certain restrictions. Such travelers must be accompanied by an employee, paid consultant, or agent of the sponsoring organization. 

Travel-related transactions authorized pursuant to § 515.565(b) must be for the purpose of engaging, while in Cuba, in a full-time schedule of activities that are intended to enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba, or promote the Cuban people's independence from Cuban authorities; and will result in meaningful interactions with individuals in Cuba.  

Convergence Paragliding offers you the opportunity to travel legally to Cuba under the OFAC Regulations which were published June 5, 2019 and follow the General License category of "Support for the Cuban People." Our  tour meet all requirements listed by section 31 CFR § 515.574 for Support for the Cuban People.

 Our support for the Cuban people tour is founded on increasing dialogue and making meaningful connections in Cuba. We believe that our paragliding tours not only provide you, as the pilot, with an opportunity to grow, but also provide a way to immerse yourself into the rich culture of another land and connect directly with it's people.

The Support for the Cuban People travel category permits Americans to travel to Cuba with the intention of having meaningful connection with ordinary Cubans and support civil society in Cuba. Travelers must have a full-time schedule of activities that enhance contact with the Cuban people and result in meaningful interactions with individuals in Cuba. Our carefully crafted itinerary provides this.

This is a simplified list of what is required to enter Cuba.

• For Cuba - Complete the D'Viajeros Advance Information of Travelers Form.  This can only be completed once you are within 3 days from departure for Cuba. This is a simple form that asks some health questions as well as including the customs declaration form.  You must fill this out before you leave home but not sooner than 3 days prior to departure.  Upon submission of the form you receive a QR code and an email that you present to Immigration officers on your arrival in Cuba. Valid Cuban Tourist Card/Visa.
• Valid Cuban Tourist Card/Visa - See below.  This is easy to obtain..
• Valid Passport—valid for at least 6 months after your entry date.
• Proof of Travel Medical Insurance.

 Travelers to Cuba require a visa, also known as a Cuban Tourist Card. If you are flying from the USA, the U.S. air carrier will have these visas available for sale in the boarding area, at a price ranging from $100.  It’s also legal to fly through another country like Canada or Mexico.  In that case you can also obtain the visas at the airport.

New for 2024, as a US citizen you can now purchase an E-Visa ahead of time and save yourself the trouble at the airport. https://cubavisaservices.com/product/e-visa/

 Cuba requires all travelers to Cuba to have travel medical insurance and the good news is that U.S. airlines include the mandatory level of travel medical insurance in your ticket*.  The  travel medical insurance must include coverage for medical evacuation, emergencies, and repatriation. The company providing your travel medical plan must be able to make payments from a non-U.S. banking institution. The Cuban health insurance that is included in your ticket with any U.S. airline, is provided by ESICUBA and is valid for 30 days. If you are staying in Cuba beyond 30 days, you’ll need to purchase additional insurance to cover the remainder of your stay. Guests may purchase supplementary coverage at their discretion. For those travelers who would like additional coverage, we recommend Travel Insured International for this supplementary coverage, the costs of which depend on coverage amount, length of travel, and age of traveler.  (*If you travel to Cuba from another country like Mexico, your air ticket will not include this insurance and you may be asked to show proof of insurance on arrival.  Simply carry your own insurance card with you, or a copy of your travel insurance policy, to show Immigration Officers if you are asked.)

If you have further questions, the U.S Department of the Treasury is a great resource. Check out their updated FAQ for more information!

 Technically speaking, bringing a radio into Cuba is illegal. However, we have yet to run into issues. What we suggest is dismantling the radio. Take the battery as a carry on, stow the antenna, body, and mic, separately in your glider bag .

Keep your Garmin device, and vario in your carry on bag. After going through the initial metal detector, putting your inreach in your pocket is ideal. A customs official once asked what an inreach was and they were satisfied with "it is a remote control for my tablet" having originally thought it was an e-cigarette.

Make no mention of radio or GPS devices. Be very vague when asked questions. If an issue should arise at customs, they will confiscate it and return it to you upon your departure.

In 2024 radios were found and allowed in. The only circumstance is that customs will ask for the serial number and "check it in" and they may ask you for proof that you are leaving the country with one.

We still recommend not mentioning that you have one.

If you are uncomfortable bringing a radio into Cuba, please reach out and we will talk through solutions.