Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Travel to Cuba requires a visa and a valid passport. Travel is restricted for United States citizens to the island country. The Cuban government reviews all requests for travel inside the country, with hundreds of surveillance cameras positioned in public access areas around the small tropical nation.
Both the home country and the Cuban government restrict traveling into Cuba for U.S. citizens. Displaced Cubans can apply for a specific license to travel to their homeland to visit with relatives, or attend a funeral. This type of travel is restricted fourteen days in Cuba, over a three-year period.
Non-profit humanitarian groups, such as the Red Cross can be granted special permission to enter Cuba, and give aid to citizens. Humanitarian or religious groups must gain approval from the Cuban government prior to the visit, and may be monitored while in the country.
Traveling to the island of Cuban can be accomplished by flight, or ship. The number of countries offering direct flights to Cuba is few, but do exist in both Mexico and Canada. Docking a personal watercraft in Cuba requires permission in advance, and possible inspection of the vessel before disembarking.
Despite all of the hoops, which a potential visitor must jump through to enter Cuba, modern hotels and beautiful scenery, leave a positive and lasting impression or the traveler. The Hotel National is a famous landmark building in Havana, and the most extravagant lodging option on the island. Before relations between the U.S. and Cuban governments deteriorated, scores of famous movie stars, and politicians stayed at this location. A Frank Sinatra room is still available for travelers to enjoy. Multiple smaller hotels, in varying price ranges are readily available in the Havana area.
All visitors to Cuba must purchase a "Tourist Card" for a nominal fee, as well as proof of a return ticket to their home country, or another location when entering the country. Visitors are also often required to show proof of funds availability to purchase their needs for the duration of their stay, before being allowed entry into the country.