CUBA FAQS
Why is Tauck offering travel to Cuba? The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has granted Tauck a license to provide People-to-People educational exchange travel to Cuba through 2012. Our 8-day small group trips will enable Americans to meet face- to-face with local Cuban residents from different professions to share thoughts, gain knowledge, and connect with Cuba’s deep cultural heritage over six days of People-to-People educational exchange.
What is “People-to-People” travel? People-to-People educational exchange travel is an initiative allowing U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba on a limited basis to participate in cultural experiences and have direct contact with the Cuban people in order to learn more about them and their culture. A highly rewarding educational experience, People-to-People travel encourages your direct engagement with the Cuban people you will meet during activities focusing on education and cultural exchange.
What is OFAC, and what is its function? According to the official U.S. Treasury Dept. website: “The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign countries and regimes… and other threats to the national security, foreign policy or economy of the United States.” Due to trade and travel restrictions concerning Cuba that have been established by current U.S. government sanctions, all matters relating to the travel of U.S. citizens to Cuba are handled by OFAC, who has granted Tauck a specific license to conduct People-to-People educational exchange travel to Cuba.
Will I need a passport to travel to Cuba? Yes; as in the case of anyone traveling internationally, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck trip to Cuba. Make note of your passport’s expiration date and renew your passport if it is nearing expiration.
Is a visa required for travel to Cuba? Yes; the Cuban government requires all foreign visitors to have a “Republica De Cuba Visa – Tarjeta Del Turista”, sometimes referred to as a Cuban Visitor’s Visa. Cuban immigration officials will collect one half of this two-part card upon your arrival in the country, and the other half upon your departure. Tauck will obtain your Cuban Visitor’s Visa for you and will give it to you in Miami, along with the documents for your included charter flight from Miami to Havana.
What other travel documents will I need? • Tickets for your included round-trip charter flights between Miami & Havana
• A copy of the Letter of Authorization that allows you to travel to Cuba under Tauck’s license
You will receive both of these documents in Miami.
Will my cell phone, smart phone or PDA device work in Cuba? Probably not; generally, you won’t have service for your U.S. cell phone in Cuba, and service for smart phones and PDAs is not available. If you really need to call home to the U.S., using your hotel phone would be a far more reliable option. The average rate for a call from your hotel phone in Cuba is approximately $2.40 per minute. It’s always a good idea to inquire about the rates you’ll be charged prior to making an international call from a hotel phone. Also, please note that satellite phones are not allowed in Cuba.
Will I be able to use U.S. dollars in Cuba? No; U.S. dollars have not been accepted in Cuba since 2004, and cannot be used for purchases. Cuba employs a dual-economy system that features one currency for foreign visitors – Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUCs) – and another for Cubans – Cuban Pesos (CUPs), also referred to as Moneda Nacional. Foreign visitors must use Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUCs) for any purchases made in Cuba and are not permitted to change their CUCs into Cuban Pesos or CUPs. U.S. dollars must be converted into CUCs.
Can I purchase items in Cuba and bring them back to the U.S.?
In general, no. The U.S.-sanctioned trade embargo administered by OFAC prohibits the purchase of goods of Cuban origin by U.S. citizens and the import of such goods into the United States. Officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB), part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will routinely confiscate goods of Cuban origin purchased in Cuba by Americans upon their re-entry into the U.S. – with the possible exception of informational materials such as CDs, books, posters and photographs. You will not be allowed to bring popular Cuban-produced items like cigars, coffee, rum, etc., into the U.S. – even if purchased at a “duty-free” shop in the airport.
Is Internet access available in Cuba? Although the Meliá Habana has a business center where Internet usage by the minute or hour is available for a fee – and provides wireless Internet in your guest room – Internet service may not be reliable or up to the standards you may be accustomed to at home, with spotty wireless service, slow connection speeds, etc. Tauck has arranged for complimentary Internet service for you while at the Meliá Habana – but again, be aware that it may not be reliable.
10 Go to
www.tauck.com for additional questions & answers about Cuba: Connecting with People and Culture
Will I be able to exchange money in Cuba? Yes; you will be able to exchange U.S. dollars into Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUCs) at banks and at official exchange bureaus operated by CADECA (Casa de Cambio), the official government exchange agency, at the airport and at the Meliá Habana.
Will I be able to use my credit or debit card while traveling in Cuba?
No; U.S. bank-issued credit cards and debit cards are not accepted in Cuba, so you will be unable to access your funds electronically. Because of this, and because U.S. dollars are rarely accepted in Cuba, it is important to bring an adequate amount of cash with you to exchange into CUCs for any purchases you wish to make in Cuba. How much you bring is a matter of personal preference, but $300 USD per person should be sufficient.
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