Effective June 5, 2019, the Treasury Department (Office of Foreign Asset Control, OFAC) removed the authorization for people-to-people exchanges that are part of the “Educational Activities and people to people exchange” category as a Reason for Travel to Cuba unless the traveler has completed at least one travel-related transaction prior to the effective date. By selecting Educational People-to-People travel as the reason for travel, the traveler is affirming that they have completed at least one travel-related transaction prior to June 5, 2019. Academic education travel continues to be authorized.
Visit OFAC’s frequently asked questions for more information related to Cuba Travel.
Quick tips
Bring enough cash to last your entire trip.
Credit Cards are generally not accepted in Cuba. Cash is used almost exclusively to pay for most goods and services.
Retain and carry your Southwest boarding pass in case medical services in Cuba are necessary.
You must purchase your visa online at least 72 hours before arriving in Cuba. Head to https://evisacuba.cu/en/solicitar/visa to acquire your visa.
License requirements for Passengers traveling from the U.S. to Cuba
To be allowed entrance into Cuba the U.S. Government requires that every Passenger certify – by making a selection – that they are eligible to travel to Cuba under one of twelve general license categories or a specific license.
- Specific license - Issued only in certain cases to the traveler directly by the U.S. Department of Treasury. Customers traveling on a specific license will need to have a copy of the license with them while traveling and provide Southwest with the license number during check-in at Tampa. For Customers connecting to Cuba through Tampa, an additional review will be completed during check-in at the original departure city.
- General license - This license means travelers do not have to seek approval from the U.S. Department of Treasury before traveling to Cuba as long as they fall within OFAC's 12 reasons for travel. Southwest Customers traveling on a general license will select and certify their reason for travel to Cuba during check-in at Tampa. For Customers connecting to Cuba through Tampa, an additional review will be completed during check-in at the original departure city.
Eligible general license reasons for travel to Cuba
- Family visits
- Official business of the U.S. Government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
- Journalistic activities
- Professional research or meetings
- Educational activities and exchanges
- Religious activities
- Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic/other competitions and exhibitions
- Humanitarian projects
- Support for the Cuban people
- Activities of private foundations, research, or educational institutes
- Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information material
- Certain authorized export transactions
The documentation you need
Customers holding a U.S. passport who were not born in Cuba
- A valid U.S. passport.
- Plus an appropriate visa:
- You must purchase your visa online at least 72 hours before arriving in Cuba. Head to https://evisacuba.cu/en/solicitar/visa to acquire your visa.
OR - Other visa type, which must be obtained prior to travel via the Cuban Consulate.
- You must purchase your visa online at least 72 hours before arriving in Cuba. Head to https://evisacuba.cu/en/solicitar/visa to acquire your visa.
- Enter itinerary and traveler details here for additional documentation requirements and travel information.
Customers are advised to contact the Cuban consulate with questions or for additional information.
Customers Born in Cuba
If the traveler departed Cuba on or before December 31, 1970:
- A valid passport (issued by Cuba, the U.S. or another country).
- Either (i) a permit for multiple entries (Habilitación de Entrada (HE) – Entradas Múltiples) or (ii) a single-entry permit/visa (Habilitación) of one of the following categories: HE-1, HE-3, HE-4, HE-6 or HE-11.
- Enter itinerary and traveler details here for additional documentation requirements and travel information.
If the traveler departed Cuba after December 31, 1970:
- A valid Cuban passport.
- Either (i) a permit for multiple entries (Habilitación de Entrada (HE) – Entradas Múltiples) or (ii) a single-entry permit/visa (Habilitación) of one of the following categories: HE-1, HE-3, HE-4, HE-6 or HE-11.
- Enter itinerary and traveler details here for additional documentation requirements and travel information.
Note: Cuban-born individuals must carry valid residence documents (for example, permanent resident card or valid passport) of the country where they reside in order to exit Cuba.
Customers may contact the Cuban Consulate with questions or for additional information.
Customers who do not hold a U.S. Passport and were not born in Cuba
Enter itinerary and traveler details here for documentation requirements and travel information.
Lodging and transportation
Keep in mind U.S. Credit and Debit cards generally are not utilized in Cuba. While a credit card may be accepted to reserve a room, please note you may be required to use cash to settle room charges.
Taxi services are a viable way to travel to/from the airport and to other areas of Cuba
Hotel availability is limited in Cuba so book in advance
We recommend booking as far in advance as possible, as rooms sell out quickly and Cuban hotels often overbook. In overbooking situations, Customers may be reaccommodated to a different hotel property that could be several miles from the original hotel.
Pets
Can pets travel on flights to Cuba?
No, pets are not allowed to travel on international flights or any itinerary that includes an international flight.
Can trained service animals travel on flights to Cuba?
No, we do not currently transport trained service dogs to/from Havana, Cuba (HAV). See more information here.
Other important information
Health insurance is paid for at time of booking
The Cuban Government requires all Passengers traveling from the U.S. to Cuba to have local Cuban health insurance to enter the country. When purchasing a Southwest ticket to Cuba, Cuban health insurance is included as a mandatory Cuba Health Insurance Fee. Terms and conditions of the health insurance can be accessed from the ESICUBA website.
You may be required to show your Southwest boarding pass should you need medical services in Cuba
Do not dispose of your Southwest boarding pass, as it is proof of your Cuban health insurance. A Southwest Customer Service Agent will return your boarding pass after scanning it at the gate prior to boarding.
Making purchases in Cuba
With very few exceptions, U.S. Credit and Debit cards do not currently work in Cuba, so remember to bring enough cash with you to last your entire trip. U.S. dollars can be exchanged into Cuban convertible currency at the airport, hotels, or exchange houses.
Telecommunications FAQ's
The FCC has put together a helpful list of FAQ's for travelers to Cuba, including information on roaming services, renting mobile phones, internet access, and WiFi access.
Southwest Customers flying to Cuba
For travel to Cuba, Customers will check in at least three hours prior to the scheduled departure time in order to allow time to pass through security checkpoints.
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