Yes, there are many avenues to legal Cuba travel for Americans. In fact, the process is often simple and quick. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call for more information.
Individuals falling in the following categories are permitted under current US regulations to travel into Cuba:
*1 Check some of our most popular Support-for-the-Cuban-people tours: Cuba Jazz, Cuba Engage, Cuba Dance, Havana Art, Cuba Photography, and Cuba Real.
*2 Check some of our most popular Professional Research Cuba tours: Cuba Tours for HealthCare Professionals, Cuba Tours for Business Professionals, Cuba Tours for Architecture Professionals, Cuba Tours for Education Professionals, Cuba Tours for Lawyers and Judges, Cuba Tours for Performing Arts & Theatre Professionals, among others.
*3 Check some of our most popular Cuba Study Tours®: Healthcare Study Tours, Business Study Tours, Architecture Study Tours, Spanish Immersion Cuba Tours, Cuba Ballet Training Course, Sports Training & Competition, among others.
Yes, provided that the purpose of your trip to Cuba should be to conduct research related to your profession, professional background or area of expertise, including your area of graduate-level full time study.
No, you do not. Current regulations state very clearly that a person travelling to Cuba on a General License may do so “without needing to write in to OFAC for a letter of specific authorization” (quoted from OFAC regulations).
A general license will be prepared and written by you and with no need for further permission from OFAC. You must have the license with you when traveling to Cuba and must present it to US Immigrations officials upon departure (if flying directly to Cuba from a US airport) as well as upon return if asked.
Yes, a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction engaging in authorized travel-related transactions may travel to Cuba from a third country or to a third country from Cuba. Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction traveling to and from Cuba via a third country may only do so if their travel-related transactions are authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, and are subject to the same restrictions and requirements as persons traveling directly from the United States.
The following two Frequently Asked Questions are an extract from the latest Frequently Asked Questions published by the US Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC.
721. As an authorized traveler, may I travel from a third country to Cuba and from Cuba to a third country?
Yes, a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction engaging in authorized travel-related transactions may travel to Cuba from a third country or to a third country from Cuba. Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction traveling to and from Cuba via a third country may only do so if their travel-related transactions are authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, and such travelers are subject to the same restrictions and requirements as persons traveling directly from the United States.
712. Can I purchase a ticket to Cuba directly from an airline based or operating out of the United States?
Yes, provided that you are authorized to travel to Cuba pursuant to an OFAC general or specific license. Airlines and travelers are responsible for maintaining records of their Cuba-related transactions for at least five years.
Please, notice that the information in this webpage is provided as a courtesy and does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion. For a complete list of OFAC's FAQ and other information pertaining Cuba legal travel, visit:
https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_faqs_new.pdf
Yes, accredited secondary schools and universities are now eligible to take students, faculty, and staff (including but not limited to adjunct and part time staff) to Cuba.
The following question/ answer is an extract from the latest Frequently Asked Questions published by the US Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC.
"703. Are secondary schools and secondary school students permitted to engage in travel-related transactions under the general license for “educational activities”? Yes. Educational exchanges, including study abroad programs, sponsored by Cuban or U.S. secondary schools involving secondary school students’ participation in a formal course of study or in a structured educational program offered by a secondary school or other academic institution, and led by a teacher or other secondary school official are authorized. Such exchanges must take place under the auspices of an organization that is a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction, and a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction who is an employee, paid consultant, agent, or other representative of the sponsoring organization (including the leading teacher or secondary school official) must accompany each group traveling to Cuba. Also, and effective September 24, 2020, OFAC amended this general license to exclude from the authorization lodging, paying for lodging, or making any reservation for or on behalf of a third party to lodge, at any property in Cuba on the Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List to the extent prohibited by § 515.210. For a complete description of the scope of this prohibition, see 31 CFR § 515.21."
Yes. You are required only to carry a letter on official letterhead that has been signed by a representative of the sponsoring US religious organization who has been designated to be the official responsible for that organization’s Cuba travel program.
After the publication of the new amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations in June 2022, the General License for Individual People-to-people Cuba Travel (515.565 (b)) has been removed.
Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction may not travel to Cuba to engage in “people-to-people” educational exchanges on an individual basis. However, group people-to-people travel is generally authorized for educational activities, subject to certain conditions. Effective June 9, 2022, OFAC amended 31 CFR § 515.565(b) to authorize group people-to-people educational travel conducted under the auspices of an organization that is subject to U.S. jurisdiction and that sponsors such exchanges to promote people-to-people contact, provided such travelers are 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.
No, a general license at § 515.565(b) authorizes, subject to conditions, group people-to-people educational travel conducted under the auspices of an organization that is subject to U.S. jurisdiction and that sponsors such exchanges to promote people-to-people contact, provided such travelers are accompanied by an employee, paid consultant, or agent of the sponsoring organization. See FAQ 704.
Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction, including U.S. academic institutions and their faculty, staff, and students, are authorized to engage in the travel-related transactions set forth in 31 CFR § 515.560(c) and such additional transactions as are directly incident to the 12 categories of educational activities, as described in § 515.565(a).
Among other things, this general license authorizes, subject to conditions, faculty, staff, and students at U.S. academic institutions and secondary schools to engage in certain educational activities, including study abroad programs, in Cuba, Cuban scholars to engage in certain educational activities in the United States, and certain activities to facilitate licensed educational programs. U.S. and Cuban universities may engage in academic exchanges and joint non-commercial academic research under the general license. This provision also authorizes persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction to provide standardized testing services and certain internet-based courses to Cuban nationals. For a complete description of what this general license authorizes and the restrictions that apply, see § 515.565.
No. The new regulations do not change the means by which Americans and US organizations traveling to Cuba pursuant to the 12 categories of authorized travel may purchase their airline tickets.
The names of the entities and subentities that the State Department are published on the Cuba Restricted List, which is available on the State Department’s website and in the Federal Register (updates to the Cuba Restricted List will also be published in the Federal Register).
Entities or subentities that are owned or controlled by another entity or subentity on the Cuba Restricted List are not treated as restricted unless also specified by name on the Cuba Restricted List. The Cuba Restricted List is maintained by the State Department on its website:
https://www.state.gov/cuba-restricted-list/list-of-restricted-entities-and-subentities-associated-with-cuba-effective-january-8-2021/
The per diem rate previously imposed no longer applies, and there is no specific dollar limit on authorized expenses. Authorized travelers may engage in transactions ordinarily incident to travel within Cuba, including payment of living expenses and the acquisition in Cuba of goods for personal consumption there; other expenditures, other than those directly incident to the traveler’s authorized activities in Cuba, are not authorized.
Authorized US travelers may purchase alcohol and tobacco products while in Cuba for personal consumption in Cuba. Please note that effective September 24, 2020, authorized travelers may no longer return to the United States with alcohol and/or tobacco products acquired in Cuba as accompanied baggage for personal use.
Absolutely! US authorized travelers can make their travel arrangements with any travel service provider (including travel agents and airlines) in USA or abroad.
Please, notice that the information herein is provided as a courtesy and does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion. We encourage you to read CUBAN ASSETS CONTROL REGULATIONS.
Yes, you do. A valid passport is required for all foreign nationals intending to visit Cuba. The passport must be valid for at least one month beyond the date of your expected departure from Cuba.
Foreign nationals must also carry a tourist card (or E-visa), or a business or student visa. The tourist card is generally provided by airlines, or can be obtained from a Cuban government office abroad in the case of privately organized flights. It can also be purchased at certain airports in Canada, and abroad.
No, you don’t. The tourist card allows its holder to stay in Cuba for 30 days (90 days for Canadians) from the date of entry into the country, and is valid for 1 entry into Cuba. For a stay of more than 90/ 30 days, you can request an extension of another 3 months at any tourism office in Cuba, for a maximum stay of 6/4 months. Children, regardless of their age, also require a tourist card, even if they are registered on their parents' passports.
The tourist card is generally provided by airlines, or can be obtained from a Cuban government office abroad in the case of privately organized flights. It can also be purchased at certain airports in Canada, and abroad.
Please note that a tourist card can only be used if you are staying at a hotel or renting a private house (Casa Particular) in Cuba. If you plan to stay at a friend's place, you will need to apply for a personal visa instead. In certain situations, such as traveling for business, journalism, and family purposes, you may need a regular visa (not a tourist card) for Cuba. Additionally, if you are traveling as a student or for special events, the Cuban government may require you to obtain a visa.
Travel Medical Insurance is mandatory to enter Cuba. You must show proof of travel health insurance to the border workers upon landing in Cuba's ports of entry.
Travel insurance is optional and it may not be needed but we strongly recommend it for our traveler’s own safety and peace of mind.
By having cancellation and medical coverage you do not need to worry about emergencies that can happen anytime, anywhere, before or during your trip.
Please, contact us for further information or visit our Travel Formalities- Insurance page.
Please, do bring adequate supplies of all medications in their original containers, clearly labelled. Carry a signed, dated letter from the primary physician describing all medical conditions and listing all medications, including generic names. If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to carry a physician's letter documenting their medical necessity.
Pack all medications in hand luggage. Carry a duplicate supply in the checked luggage. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring an extra pair. If you have significant allergies or chronic medical problems, wear a medical alert bracelet.
Please, contact us for further information or visit our Travel Formalities- Health page.
Do not drink tap water unless it has been boiled, filtered, or chemically disinfected. Do not drink unbottled beverages or drinks with ice. Do not eat fruits or vegetables unless they have been peeled or cooked.
Avoid unpasteurized milk and any products that might have been made from unpasteurized milk, such as ice cream. Avoid food and beverages obtained from street vendors.
Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or fish, including ceviche. Some types of fish may contain poisonous biotoxins even when cooked. Barracuda in particular should never be eaten. Other fish that may contain toxins include red snapper, grouper, amberjack, sea bass, and a large number of tropical reef fish.
Please, do notice that in our trips, all included meals are served in places that meet food and water precautions.
No vaccinations are required to enter or travel to Cuba at this moment.
However, we advice you discuss vaccinations with your doctor or a travel clinic, as it could be a benefit both at home and abroad. Do review vaccinations and all other travel health concerns with your doctor or a travel health clinic at least 4 weeks in advance of day of travel.
Cuba restricts total incoming luggage weight to 25 kilograms (55 pounds). If you bring more you could be subject to a 10.00 USD (1,200 CUP- Cuban Pesos) surcharge per extra kilo (2.2 pounds) up to a maximum of 5 kilograms. An additional allowance of 10 kilograms (22 pounds) is made for medicines and medical items.
PERMITTED ITEMS: You can take photographic and video cameras, personal DVD, PDA, CD and game device, cell
phones, including ones that are GPS enabled (all are costly to use), laptops, MP3 players, hair dryers, electric
shavers, binoculars, portable radio receivers, musical instruments, and sound recording devices FOR PERSONAL USE.
If you take more than one of the above items, Cuban Customs may ask if you intend to leave them on the island.
If you do, tariffs may apply. If you take more than the equivalent of $5,000 USD in cash, you'll need to declare it.
Prescription medicines should remain in their original containers with labels intact.
Passengers of 18 years of age or over are allowed:
Exempt of import duty payments:
Please, contact us for further information or visit our Travel Formalities- Customs page.
Prohibited:
All Cuban cities are quite safe as they are relatively free from the well-known street dangers encountered in other countries. The Cuban people themselves and travelers can equally walk the cities and streets day and night without having to be concerned about criminal behavior.
Purse snatching and mugging are not unknown but are rare in the extreme and pose no problem for anyone with minimal street smarts. In major cities a friendly police officer can be found fairly quickly, and in tourist areas there is probably one on the next corner.
Care should be taken against pickpockets in crowded places like public buses, discos, bars and theaters. Still, few travelers to Cuba will likely experience anything more than the nuisance of an occasional peddler of artifacts or a young hustler wanting to be your guide.
Theft may occur in some hotel rooms, especially in private accommodations like casas particulares, as well as from cars.
To protect yourself, it is important to always keep your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, secure. Avoid packing valuables in your checked luggage and try not to display signs of wealth. Keep electronic devices out of sight and carry valid identification with you at all times.
It is also wise to have both a digital and hard copy of your ID and travel documents. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and never leave your belongings unattended in a vehicle, even if they are placed in the trunk.
Cuba is safe by any world standards, and the average visitor has no reason to worry about personal safety on the streets, in the hotels, at the beaches or any other place a traveler might visit.
Cuba is primarily a cash-based country with limited access to ATMs. It is important to note that most establishments in Cuba do not accept credit or debit cards, especially if they are issued by American banks.
Participants should carefully evaluate daily spending needs prior to departure. A minimum of $50 USD (CASH) per day is recommended. It is better to plan to take more money than to get caught short of funds.
The Cuban Peso (CUP) is the main currency used by island visitors. All goods and services are priced and paid for in the CUP. The CUP floats in value against world currencies. Exchange rates vary daily. Today's rates are based on 1.00 USD equals 120.00 CUP.
Most private business such as casas particulares (guest houses/ bed & breakfasts), private bars and restaurants prefer cash payments in USD dollars or EUROS but Cuban pesos will be accepted too.
As soon as you arrive in Cuba, it is recommended to exchange some of your home currency for CUPs (Cuban Pesos) at the official exchange point called CADECA (Casas de Cambio). These exchange points can be found at airports, resorts, hotels, cruise ports, and other tourist facilities throughout the country. It is crucial to avoid exchanging money on the black market to avoid potential scams.
Here's a sample list of clothing:
Please, visit our Travel Formalities- Packing page for further information.
There was a new political-administrative division of Cuba in 2010. Cuba is now divided into 15 provinces and 169 municipalities. The fifteen provinces are: Pinar del Río, Artemisa, Mayabeque, La Habana, Matanzas, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Avila, Camagüey, Las Tunas, Holguín, Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo.
Please, visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- Geography page for further information.
Cuba lies south of the Straits of Florida just at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico. The Atlantic Ocean is to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. With a land area of 110,860 km 2, Cuba is the largest, most diverse, and most beautiful island in the West Indies. It is 1250 km long and between 31 and 191 km wide.
Cuba's climate is tropical and moderated by trade winds. The dry season lasts from November to April and the rainy season from May to October. The average annual temperature is about 77 degrees Fahrenheit or 25 degrees Celsius.
Cuba has approximately 11.2 million inhabitants and is the most populous island nation in the Caribbean. Havana is its largest city with over 2 million and the country's capital. Other important cities are Santiago de Cuba (420 000), Camagüey (300 000), Holguín (230 000), and Santa Clara (200 000).
Approximately 75.8% of the population lives in urban areas.
Cuba is a multiracial society with a population of mainly Spanish and African origins. Officially the present population is 66% white, 12% black, and 22% mulatto.
The population of Cuba is experiencing a decline due to a combination of factors. These include a longer life expectancy, lower birth and fertility rates, as well as social factors like emigration among younger Cubans. Consequently, the percentage of elderly individuals in the country is steadily increasing.
One of the key reasons for this demographic shift is Cuba's universal healthcare system, which emphasizes preventive care. As a result, Cubans are living longer lives compared to other nations. In fact, the average life expectancy for a Cuban man is 76.8 years, while for a woman it is 80.3 years, as reported by the World Health Organization in 2022. These figures are slightly higher than the life expectancies in the United States.
Please, visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- Cuban People page for further information.
Christopher Columbus discovered the island of Cuba on October 27, 1492, during his initial voyage to find a westerly route to the Orient. As gathered from his chronicles, the exotic beauty of the island left him absolutely spell-bound. In his essay about the discovery of Cuba, he passionately describes it as “ the most beautiful land human eyes have ever seen”.
Please, visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- History page for further information.
In December 1898 a peace treaty was signed in Paris by the Spanish and the Americans. The Cubans were excluded.
The Spanish troops left the island in December 1898 and an American military government was immediately proclaimed in Cuba. After many years of struggle, the Cuban people had gained independence from Spain but found themselves under US military occupation for the next four years.
Please, visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- History page for further information.
The Republic of Cuba was proclaimed on 20 May 1902 and the Government was handed over to its first president, Tomás Estrada Palma.
Although the U.S. forces withdrew from Cuba, the Americans retained almost total control over the Island. As a precondition to Cuba’s independence the US had demanded that the Platt Amendment be approved fully and without changes by the Cuban Constituent Assembly as an appendix to the new constitution. Under this amendment the US kept the right to intervene in Cuban domestic affairs "to preserve its independence".
The amendment also allowed the United States to establish a naval base at the mouth of the Guantánamo Bay which they occupy to this day.
Please, visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- History page for further information.
The Rebel Army entered Havana on 8 January 1959. Shortly afterward, a liberal lawyer, Dr Manuel Urrutia Lleó became president. Disagreements within the government culminated in Urrutia's resignation in July 1959. He was replaced by Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado, who served as president until 1976. Fidel Castro became prime minister in February 1959, succeeding José Miró in that post.
Please, visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- History page for further information.
In April 1962, Soviet President Kruschev decided to install missiles in Cuba, which would be capable of striking anywhere in the USA. In October, President JF Kennedy ordered Soviet ships heading for Cuba to be stopped and searched for missiles in international waters. This lead to the Cuban Missile Crisis, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.
Kennedy demanded the withdrawal of Soviet troops and arms from Cuba and imposed a naval blockade. Without consulting Castro and without his knowledge, Kruschev eventually agreed to have the missiles dismantled and withdrawn on condition that the West would guarantee a policy of non-aggression towards Cuba. In November, Kennedy suspended the naval blockade but reiterated US support for political and economic aggression towards Cuba.
A sharp fall in GDP of 35% in 1990-1993 due to the collapse of the Eastern European bloc and the loss of Soviet subsidies, accompanied by a decline in exports from US$8.1 billion (1989) to US$1.7 billion (1993), forced the government to take remedial action and the decision was made to start the complex process of transition to a mixed economy.
To alleviate the economic crisis, from 1992 on the government introduced a few market-oriented reforms, including opening to tourism, encouraging foreign investment, legalizing the dollar, and authorizing self-employment for some 150 occupations (more than 2000 today).
All sectors of the economy were open to foreign investment and in some areas majority foreign shareholdings were allowed. Some 400 foreign companies were established in Cuba before the COVID-19 pandemic, with capital from 38 countries in 26 economic sectors, mostly in tourism, energy, mining, communications and agriculture. The only sectors where investment is not allowed are national defense, health and education. Under new legislation passed in 1996, free-trade zones were established, the first one in Havana with others in Cienfuegos, Mariel and Wajay, outside Havana. Some 75% of production could be exported but the rest should be sold in Cuba.
Please, visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- Economy page for further information.
According to the Cuban constitution, Cuba is an independent socialist republic. The constitution describes the Communist Party of Cuba as the "leading force of society and of the state". The first secretary of the Communist Party is concurrently President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers. Members of both councils are elected by the National Assembly of People's Power. The President of Cuba, who is also elected by the Assembly, serves for five years and there is no limit to the number of terms of office.
Please, visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- Government page for further information.
The Supreme Court of Cuba serves as the nation's highest judicial branch of government.
Please, visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- Legal System page for further information.
WHO health statistics for Cuba:
Please, visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- Health page for further information.
The largest organized religion in Cuba is Roman Catholicism which was imposed to the island by the Spanish colonizers in the XV century. However the Roman Catholic Church has never been as influential in Cuba as in other Latin American countries and even before the Revolution, the Church was seen as the religion of the affluent. In the 1950s, approximately 85% of all Cubans were nominally Roman Catholic, but the Church itself conceded that only about 10% were active members.
Please, visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- Religion page for further information.
Cuba's cultural heritage stems from the country's rich mix of Aboriginal, African, Spanish, French, and Chinese cultures.
Since the revolution there has been a conscious effort to promote Cuban culture. Dozens of art schools were created, museums opened and theatre groups formed. The Cuban Film Institute and the National Cultural Council were founded. The National Ballet of Cuba has received international acclaim.
Please, visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- Culture page for further information.
The National Literacy Campaign of 1961, recognized as one of the most successful initiatives of its kind, mobilized teachers, workers, and secondary school students to teach more than 700,000 persons how to read and write. This campaign reduced the illiteracy rate from 24% to 3.9% in the space of one year. The campaign was followed up with continuing education programs to ensure that nearly every adult attained a sixth-grade level.
Please, visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- Cuba Education System page for further information.
There are two ways in which you can pay for your tour: Cheque (Check) and Credit Card.
You can pay your deposit and tour balance by personal or company cheque, credit card cheque, bank draft, counter and officials cheques, and postal money orders.
Please, make a cheque (check) payable to:
Bella Travel Group Ltd.
2275 Lakeshore Blvd West, Suite 513
Toronto, ON M8V 3Y3
Canada
You can pay by credit card, just fill in our secure on line form or call us to provide us with your credit card information.
Make a Credit Card Payment
We are accepting credit card payments for airfare only.
Cancellations and reimbursements for on ground tour costs. The following schedule for cancellations and reimbursements for on ground tour costs applies.
If you purchase travel cancellation insurance and are unable to attend for reason of illness or injury, moneys paid can be claimed and refunded to you depending on the conditions outlined in your cancellation and/or travel interruption insurance policy.
Cancellation 60 to 31 days prior to departure | Loss 50% of ground portion of tour.
Cancellation 30 days or less prior to departure | Loss 100% ground costs (all payments).
Air ticket cancellation, changes and air points. Unless otherwise stated all air tickets sold by Authentic Cuba Travel® are not refundable. Air Canada tickets can be used for up to one year on the same route. A change fee applies. Date changes to tickets once issued incur a change fee and are subject to availability of new flight dates. Air Canada tickets often do not qualify for AeroPlan points unless upgraded to a higher ticket class and cost. Ticket quotations are valid for 48 hours unless noted otherwise.
Personal responsibility required. We cannot offer refunds for participants who arrive late or depart early from any program, or for no-shows.
Please, Contact Us for further information or visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- Terms & Conditions page.
A non-refundable tour deposit of $300 is required at the time of registration to secure a seat in one of our tours. Registrations are processed on a first come, first served basis and subject to availability. Tour deposits will be returned if a tour is cancelled or the dates are changed. Tour deposits are non-refundable but will be honoured for life for your participation (or a person you designate) in one of our tours.
Please, Contact Us for further information or visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- Terms & Conditions page.
Lifetime Deposit offers any of our tour participants forced to delay a departure to retain their initial deposit for use at a later date at no extra charge—and with no questions asked. The Lifetime Deposit policy allows you to save your initial deposit (one per person, per confirmed tour) for an unlimited time, be it 10 weeks or 10 years. Put simply, we want to do the right thing by our travellers and ensure you can still take another trip if your plans have to change.
Under the new policy, Lifetime Deposits are also transferable. That means you can transfer your initial deposit to another traveller of your choice at no additional charge—is there any better way to give the gift of adventure?
Please, Contact Us for further information or visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- Terms & Conditions page.
Balance of tour payment is due 45 days prior to departure. Registrations received and confirmed by Authentic Travel Group Ltd. less than 45 days prior to departure are payable in full at the time of confirmation.
Please, Contact Us for further information or visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- Terms & Conditions page.
Unless otherwise stated all air tickets sold by Authentic Cuba Travel® Group are not refundable. Air Canada tickets can be used for up to one year on the same route. A change fee applies. Date changes to tickets once issued incur a change fee and are subject to availability of new flight dates. Air Canada tickets often do not qualify for AeroPlan points unless upgraded to a higher ticket class and cost. Ticket quotations are valid for 48 hours unless noted otherwise.
Please, Contact Us for further information or visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- Terms & Conditions page.
Unless otherwise detailed, your tour or Cuba-side costs include ground transportation and accommodations on the island, all breakfasts, lunches and dinners as noted in your itinerary (unless noted as not included), admissions and entrance fees (unless noted as not included), an expert bilingual guide/translator. Tour prices are based on double room (shared) occupancy. Specific inclusions and exclusions in the itinerary you have purchased will govern in all matters above.
There are many reasons to decide on travelling with Authentic Cuba Travel®. Some of them are:
Even though each year millions of travelers go to Cuba, most hardly have the chance to get to know the authentic Cuba that lies beyond the confines of all-inclusive full-packed tourist resorts. Once they are back home, those visitors realized that they have hardly “visited” Cuba. It might have been a nice and low cost package vacation, but they do not know much about Cuba’s culture and its people.
If you really want to visit the real Cuba, join one of our authentic Cuba tours. Our itineraries advance discovery, education, dialogue and experiential learning. Our goal is for our tour participants to get to know the real Cuba and its people.
The quality of Authentic Cuba Travel®'s educational, cultural and nature Cuba escorted tours is unparallelled in the travel industry. Our tours are the result of the effort and direct involvement of local Cuban humanitarian and religious organizations, universities and colleges, tour companies, speakers, and small communities and other hosts in the design and operation of our programs.
You're in good hands with our expert Cuban staff and guides– all of whom are fluent in several languages. They are young university graduates well versed in history, language and culture– recognized internationally as amongst the island's best. They have years of experience with North Americans and contribute enormously to creating an enthusiastic group dynamic.
Together our Canadian and Cuba staff has decades of experience with educational and responsible tourism, and we are proud to assist visitors witness the authentic Cuba!
Please, contact us for further information or visit our Why Authentic Cuba Travel®? page.
Yes, we are. Bella Travel Group Ltd. (Authentic Cuba Travel® | Cuba Pathfinder® | Hello Cuba Travel© | Cuba Study Tours®) is a full service Cuba specialist tour operator based in Toronto, Canada that organizes cultural, educational and festival tours for North American Academic Organizations (Universities, Colleges and Schools), North American Historic Preservation and Architecture Organizations; North American Cultural Organizations; North American Business Research Institutes and Organizations; Religious Organizations; and other Educational Institutions from the United States of America, Canada, and around the world.
Please, visit the following pages for further information Authentic Cuba Travel®- MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS and Authentic Cuba Travel®- TRAVELER'S PROTECTION.
We may collect personal information from you or about you (and those travelling with you) either directly or through authorized third parties in person, over the telephone, in written documents, on the Internet, or through surveys, promotions or incentive programs.
The types of information that we collect include the following:
Please, contact us for further information or visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- Privacy Policy page.
We use your personal Information to:
Please, contact us for further information or visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- Privacy Policy page.
Your personal Information is stored at secured locations either at our offices or at the offices of tour authorized contractors. We retain your personal Information for as long as we require it to fulfill the purpose that it was collected for.
To protect the confidentiality of your personal Information, we employ administrative and technological safeguards appropriate to sensitivity of your personal Information. For instance, we operate computer systems which are protected by industry standard firewall and password protection systems.
Lastly, we take steps to ensure that your personal information is only accessible by personnel who have legitimate business need to have access to it.
Authentic Cuba Travel® offers the opportunity to the entrepreneurial individual to travel for free in one of our tours. You can put together a group of your friends and family around and start telling them about our amazing cultural and educational Cuba tours. If you get enough of them to join you on your trip, you can travel for free! In most cases all you need is 10 to join in the fun.
Certain restrictions and conditions apply to each of these offers. Free travel refers to the tour portion of a trip and excludes airfare and extra costs such as gratuities. Please, contact us for further details.
As of May 1, 2010, all island visitors are required to have travel medical insurance in place prior to arrival. Emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and repatriation should be included in your travel health insurance policy to be accepted in Cuba. Coverage for COVID-19 testing, treatment, and protocols must meet Cuba travel regulations.
If, for any reason, you couldn’t obtain travel medical insurance in advance, or the travel medical insurance you purchased does not satisfy Cuba’s medical coverage requirements, the Cuban border workers will ask you to purchase the official Cuban travel medical insurance provided by ASISTUR SA at the point of entry as a condition for admission to the island.
It is important to keep in mind that foreign visitors will not be allowed to leave Cuba whenever medical bills and medical expenses are outstanding.
Most US airlines include the cost of the ASISTUR SA Cuban health insurance policy provided by ESICUBA in the cost of your ticket (usually your boarding pass serves as proof of insurance). Please, double check with your airline about this requirement.
Most Canadian airlines offer the ASISTUR SA Cuban health insurance coverage as an add-on after booking a flight. The coverage may include medical treatment, trip cancellation or interruption, baggage loss, and other travel-related risks. Canadians can also purchase comprehensive travel and medical insurance coverage for a variety of insurance providers such as Manulife, Insubuy, IMG Global, RBC Insurance and others.
If Asistur Cuban Medical Insurance is not included by your air carrier, please contact us to secure it through us at an additional cost.
Please, contact us for further information or visit our Authentic Cuba Travel®- Cuba Entry Requirements page.
Authentic Cuba Travel® operates courses, programs and exchanges sponsored by Cuba’s top educational schools and organizations such as the University of Havana, Cuba's National Ballet School, Cuba's Sports Ministry, San Alejandro’s Arts School, Insituto Cubano de La Musica, Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba. Request custom-made no-obligation Cuba Study Tours® for your students and check all the resources we put at your service. Do not wait any longer. Now is the time to start planning the next Cuba tour for your students.
Explore Cuba's Economy and Private Business Sector
Professional Research Cuba's Medical System & Healthcare Model
Discover the Wonders of Cuba’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Visit UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, National Parks & Protected Areas
Explore America’s largest & best preserved Spanish Historical Cities
Exchange with Cubans at Cathedrals, Churches & Social Projects
Spanish Course sponsored by the University of Havana
Ballet Course sponsored by Cuba's National Ballet School
Sports Trainning sponsored by Cuba's Sports Ministry
Arts Program sponsored by San Alejandro’s Arts School
Sponsored by the Havana Jazz Festival’s Organizing Committee
Sponsored by Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba
Select your authentic Cuba trip from over 70 Cuba tours in seconds. Sort by departure date, price, destination and even Cuba travel theme.
QUICK CUBA TOUR FINDERIf you’ve got an idea of which style of trip will suit you best, take a look at our different trip themes below, as there’s something to suit everyone. Not only are there themed tours to fit any budget and interest, each Authentic Cuba Travel® experience immerses you in the authentic Cuba so hard to explore while just staying in full packed beach resorts.
Our festival tours give travelers VIP access to all venues and happenings of Cuba’s famous international events such as the Havana Jazz Festival, Book Fair, Ballet Festival and others.
Through peer to peer interaction, our Cuba Study Tours® transcend ordinary tourism by immersing American students in the local culture, history, politics, music and contemporary arts.
Cuba Pathfinder® is your gateway to discover the unique Cuban cultural heritage, a set of traditions & memories not showcased in museums but much alive & thriving.
An architectural passage through Cuba’s best preserved colonial cities and unique architectural heritage, our architecture tours visit all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Cuba.
Capturing stirring pictures of authentic Cuban destinations it is not the only mission of our photography tours. Capture the essence of the Cuban culture and the kindness of its people.
Our educational tours represents a great opportunity for K-12 teachers, university & college professors to explore Cuba’s education system while exploring colonial cities, towns and villages.
An odyssey into Cuba's tropical paradise, our nature & bird watching tours gain access to the most pristine natural sites, from UNESCO Biosphere Reserves to National Parks.
A journey into the Jewish history in Cuba, our tours will strengthen the ties between Cuban Jewish communities and North American Jews. All while visiting 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites!
What sets our sports tours apart are the private exchanges with players, coaches & staff as well as sports journalists & personalities. Then you have best seats at the games!
Real Cuba Tour 1
Havana, Las Terrazas, Vinales
Jan 11- Jan 18, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Engage Tour 1
Havana, Bay of Pigs, Trinidad
Jan 11- Jan 18, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Jazz Festival
Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad
Jan 26- Feb 3, 2025
$3,099 Book Now
Santiago Jazz Festival
Santiago de Cuba
Jan 27- Feb 3, 2025
$2,899 Book Now
Havana Jazz Festival
Havana, Vinales
Jan 29- Feb 3, 2025
$2,499 Book Now
Havana Book Fair
Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad
Feb 7- Feb 14, 2025
$2,799 Book Now
Havana Art Biennial
Havana, Vinales
Feb 21- Feb 28, 2025
$2,799 Book Now
Real Cuba Tour 2
Havana, Las Terrazas, Vinales
Feb 8- Feb 15, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Engage Tour 2
Havana, Bay of Pigs, Trinidad
Feb 8- Feb 15, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Habano Cigar Festival
Havana, Vinales
Feb 22- Mar 1, 2025
$2,999 Book Now
Cuba Education Tour 1
Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad
Feb 22- Mar 1, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Education Tour 2
Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad
Mar 1- Mar 8, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Al Natural
Havana, Zapata, Trinidad
Mar 1- Mar 12, 2025
$2,859 Book Now
Cuba Business Tour 1
Havana, Matanzas, Varadero
Mar 8- Mar 15, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Healthcare Cuba Tour 1
Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad
Mar 8- Mar 15, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Real Cuba Tour 3
Havana, Las Terrazas, Vinales
Mar 8- Mar 15, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Engage Tour 3
Havana, Bay of Pigs, Trinidad
Mar 8- Mar 15, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Art Explorer I
Havana, Vinales
Mar 8- Mar 15, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Bird Watching Tour
Havana, Zapata, Trinidad
Mar 8- Mar 15, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Education Tour 3
Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad
Mar 8- Mar 15, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Education Tour 4
Havana, Vinales
Mar 15- Mar 22, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Photography Tour I
Havana, Vinales, Trinidad
Apr 5- Apr 12, 2025
$2,629 Book Now
The Nature of Cuba
Havana, Vinales, Trinidad
Apr 5- Apr 14, 2025
$2,799 Book Now
Real Cuba Tour 4
Havana, Las Terrazas, Vinales
Apr 5- Apr 12, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Engage Tour 4
Havana, Bay of Pigs, Trinidad
Apr 5- Apr 12, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
4 Biosphere Reserves
Rosario, Zapata, Buenavista
May 2- May 11, 2025
$2,999 Book Now
Real Cuba Tour 5
Havana, Las Terrazas, Vinales
May 10- May 17, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Engage Tour 5
Havana, Bay of Pigs, Trinidad
May 10- May 17, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Photography Tour II
Havana, Vinales, Trinidad
Jun 7- Jun 14, 2025
$2,629 Book Now
Cuba Art Explorer II
Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad
Jun 7- Jun 14, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Education Tour 5
Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad
Jun 7- Jun 14, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Real Cuba Tour 6
Havana, Las Terrazas, Vinales
Jun 7- Jun 14, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Engage Tour 6
Havana, Bay of Pigs, Trinidad
Jun 7- Jun 14, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Fire Festival
Havana, Santiago de Cuba
Jun 29- Jul 6, 2025
$2,799 Book Now
Real Cuba Tour 7
Havana, Las Terrazas, Vinales
Jul 5- Jul 12, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Engage Tour 7
Havana, Bay of Pigs, Trinidad
Jul 5- Jul 12, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Business Tour 2
Havana, Matanzas, Varadero
Jul 5- Jul 12, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Healthcare Cuba Tour 2
Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad
Jul 5- Jul 12, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Education Tour 6
Havana, Santiago de Cuba
Jul 5- Jul 12, 2025
$2,799 Book Now
Cuba Education Tour 7
Havana, Las Terrazas & Vinales
Jul 12- Jul 19, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Jews of Cuba Travel
Havana, Santa Clara, Cienfuegos
Aug 7- Aug 14, 2025
$2,799 Book Now
Real Cuba Tour 8
Havana, Las Terrazas, Vinales
Aug 9- Aug 16, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Engage Tour 8
Havana, Bay of Pigs, Trinidad
Aug 9- Aug 16, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Photography Tour III
Havana, Vinales, Trinidad
Aug 9- Aug 16, 2025
$2,629 Book Now
Cuba Education Tour 8
Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad
Aug 9- Aug 16, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Art Explorer III
Havana, Vinales
Aug 9- Aug 16, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Legal Travel
Havana, Vinales
Aug 9- Aug 16, 2025
$2,799 Book Now
Cuba Architecture I
Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad
Aug 9- Aug 16, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Seven Cities II
Havana, Santiago de Cuba
Aug 9- Aug 20, 2025
$3,329 Book Now
Real Cuba Tour 9
Havana, Las Terrazas, Vinales
Sep 6- Sep 13, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Engage Tour 9
Havana, Bay of Pigs, Trinidad
Sep 6- Sep 13, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Baseball Tour
Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad
Sep 6- Sep 13, 2025
$2,999 Book Now
Real Cuba Tour 10
Havana, Las Terrazas, Vinales
Oct 4- Oct 11, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Engage Tour 10
Havana, Bay of Pigs, Trinidad
Oct 4- Oct 11, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Dance Cuba Tour
Havana, Las Terrazas
Oct 4- Oct 11, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Performing Arts Tour
Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad
Oct 4- Oct 11, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Ballet Festival
Havana, Vinales
Oct 25- Nov 1, 2025
$2,999 Book Now
Jo Jazz Havana
Havana, Las Terrazas, Vinales
Nov 5- Nov 12, 2025
$2,799 Book Now
Seven Cities I
Havana, Santiago de Cuba
Nov 6- Nov 17, 2025
$3,329 Book Now
Cuba Nature Tour
Havana, Vinales, Trinidad
Nov 7- Nov 16, 2025
$2,799 Book Now
Real Cuba Tour 11
Havana, Las Terrazas, Vinales
Nov 8- Nov 15, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Engage Tour 11
Havana, Bay of Pigs, Trinidad
Nov 8- Nov 15, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Business Tour 3
Havana, Matanzas, Varadero
Nov 8- Nov 15, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Healthcare Cuba Tour 3
Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad
Nov 8- Nov 15, 2025
$2,599 Book Now
Havana Film Festival
Havana, Vinales
Dec 8- Dec 15, 2025
$2,899 Book Now
Real Cuba Tour 12
Havana, Las Terrazas, Vinales
Dec 26- Jan 2, 2026
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Engage Tour 12
Havana, Bay of Pigs, Trinidad
Dec 26- Jan 2, 2026
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Education Tour 9
Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad
Dec 26- Jan 2, 2026
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Education Tour 10
Havana, Bay of Pigs, Santa Clara
Dec 26- Jan 2, 2026
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Education Tour 11
Havana, Santiago de Cuba
Dec 26- Jan 2, 2026
$2,799 Book Now
Bird Watching Tour
Havana, Zapata, Trinidad
Dec 26- Jan 2, 2026
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Architecture II
Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad
Dec 26- Jan 2, 2026
$2,599 Book Now
Cuba Art Explorer IV
Havana, Las Terrazas
Dec 26- Jan 2, 2026
$2,599 Book Now
Photography Tour IV
Havana, Vinales, Trinidad
Dec 26- Jan 2, 2026
$2,729 Book Now
Jewish Heritage Tour
Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad
Dec 26- Jan 2, 2026
$2,799 Book Now
Family Discovery Tour
Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad
Dec 26- Jan 2, 2026
$2,699 Book Now
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NewsletterBella Travel Group Ltd. (Federal Corporation number: 765324-7) owns and operates the following registered trademarks: Authentic Cuba Travel® is a trademark registered at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), Registration No. TMA975677 | Cuba Pathfinder® is a trademark registered at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), Registration No. TMA997988 | Cuba Pathfinder® is a trademark registered at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Registration No. 5498353 | Cuba Study Tours, Make Cuba Your Classroom® is a trademark registered at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Registration No. 5833051.
Authentic Cuba Travel® offers travelers a $100 referral discount per person in all our Cuba tours to make it more affordable for friends and families travelling together.
Couples traveling together automatically get a $200 discount ($100 per person).
You will also receive a $100 discount per each person that joins you on the trip. Invite 1 friend to join you and pay $100 less. Invite 2 friends and pay $200 less. Invite 3, and pay $300 less, and so on.
The people that travel with you will be grateful as they will also get an additional $100 per person discount.
For example, if you invite 8 people to join in, you will receive an $800 discount. Your friends also receive a $100 discount per person, for a total group discount of $1,600.
If you happen to recruit 2 more travelers, for a total of 10 people besides you, you will receive a complimentary ground package!
Yes, if you are able to recruit 10 travelers, you will pay nothing, cero, nada for your ground package!