What Has Happened?

Earlier this month, the Trump administration severely limited the ability of American citizens to travel to Cuba. The new Cuba travel regulations went into effect immediately. They have thrown a huge wrench into Cuba as a hot travel destination. Can you still go to Cuba? Yes, but it’s complicated. The main change is that the “People to People”category of authorized travel has been eliminated. That loophole allowed Americans to travel to Cuba provided that they interact with locals for educational and cultural exchanges . This was the loop hole that most Americans were using to travel to Cuba both on land and by sea. Cruise ships are no longer allowed to go to Cuba unless they have special permission from the U.S. government. Immediately after the regulations changed, the cruise lines began rerouting their Caribbean cruises that were scheduled to visit Cuba to other ports. Whether the cruise lines will be granted approval to return to Cuba remains unclear.

How To Get to Cuba Now

So how can you go to Cuba now? You can go if you use a tour operator that organizes tours that satisfy the requirements of one of the remaining approved travel categories. The most used category will now be the “Support for the Cuban People”. There are a few well established tour operators that organized these kinds of trips prior to the new Cuba travel regulations and are continuing to do so. The big difference in these tours is that they do not include hotel stays. Instead, you stay at the private home of locals and your itinerary must be more supportive of Cuba locals. While these tours lack the luxury of some of the “People to People” tours, they make up for it with the intimate connection you make with the Cuban people. Also, those who had booked an approved “People to People” group tour that flies into Cuba are grandfathered in provided they had paid for at least one portion of the trip prior the new Cuba travel regulations.

If you are interested in exploring the current Cuba tour options, please let us know. We loved our visit to Cuba and would love for you to see it.

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About the Author

Jonathan Geen is the President of Purple Light Vacations. He received his travel agent certification from Career Quest and has also been awarded the designation of Elite Cruise Counselor, (the highest certification), by the Cruise Line International Association. He is a member of the Travel Leaders consortium and the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). He graduated from ASTA's advanced travel advisor certification program and is an ASTA Verified Travel Advisor. He is proud that his company offers added value at no cost to all travelers. Travel in the Know Wherever You Go!