Cuba Tours: The Other Side of the Caribbean

By Carrie Havranek

Cuba is the Holy Grail of travel for many Americans. Since 1961, a strict trade embargo has prohibited leisure travel there for most U.S. travelers.

That's about to change, now that the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) has begun issuing licenses for educational, people-to-people programs.

Gaining approval is a long process for travel companies, and some providers, such as National Geographic Expeditions, have already sold out their tours for 2012.

Though none of these trips are about sunning on a Caribbean beach, these top Cuba tour operators can offer a rare glimpse into island life. Well, what are you waiting for?

Photo Caption: Brightly-colored buildings in the Cuban capital of Havana

The Details: Under Insight Cuba's people-to-people license, itineraries include visits to the colonial town of Trinidad; Pinar del Rio, with its tobacco fields; Matanzas, known for its poets, culture and Afro-Cuban folklore; and Santiago de Cuba, the home of son music.
When: Weekly departures through June 2012
Prices: From $1,965 (for the three-night Weekend in Havana program) up to a starting price of $3,395 (for the eight-night Cuban Music & Art Experience program)
What's Included: Lodging at four- and five-star hotels, all meals, domestic flights in Cuba (per itinerary), ground transportation, visa, all entry fees, professional guide services, and medical insurance.
What's Not Included: Transportation to Miami; charter flight from Miami to Havana (from $350-$675, depending on departure date)
More Info: tel. 800/450-CUBA; www.insightcuba.com

Photo Caption: The lively music scene in Havana, Cuba

The Details: Friendly Planet Travel, which ran several humanitarian trips to Cuba in 2010 and 2011, now has its people-to-people license. Choose between a five-day Havana program and an eight-day Colors of Cuba program, which includes visits to Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, and Santa Clara. No matter which one you pick, you'll learn about Cuban culture, history, landmarks, food, people, and more.
When: Monthly departures Jan.-Sept. 2012 (Discover Havana); Jan. 15, 29; Feb. 19, March 18, April 15, 2012 (Colors of Cuba)
Price: From $2,099 per person (Discover Havana); from $2,799 per person (Colors of Cuba)
What's Included: Round-trip airfare from Miami via U.S. government-licensed charter service, with letter of authorization and Cuba entrance visa; all land transportation; hotel accommodations; all meals; medical insurance; comprehensive programs of educational exchanges, with an English-speaking guide; and a Friendly Planet representative who leads the trip.
What's Not Included: Transportation to Miami
More Info: tel. 800/555-5765; www.friendlyplanet.com

Photo Caption: Kids mug for the camera in a park in central Havana.

The Details: These 10-day programs are people-to-people ventures with visits to Havana, Trinidad, Viñales, and Las Terrazas. You'll be joined by Cuba expert Christopher Baker, who leads a tour of Havana. See the studio home of Jose Fuster (known as the Picasso of the Caribbean), plus visit the homes of local Cubans. Other experiences include visiting a former slave plantation and learning about cigar production at a working tobacco farm.
When: Feb. 11, 25; March 17, April 28, May 26, June 9, 2012
Price: $4,998 per person (plus $495 for charter airfare from Miami)
What's Included: Nine nights' hotel (five in Havana, two in Trinidad, and one each in Viñales and in Las Terrazas); ground transportation; all meals and snacks; medical insurance; taxes and fees; and two guides (one from Austin-Lehman and one local Cuban).
What's Not Included: Transportation to Miami; round-trip airfare between Miami and Havana; a visa ($20), which the company will help you secure.
More Info: tel. 800/575-1540; www.austinlehman.com

Photo Caption: Kids play outside church in Trinidad, Cuba.

The Details: The National Trust is conducting people-to-people educational exchanges with the likes of architects, museum professionals, and other experts. On the eight-day tour, admire the colonial architecture of Havana, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad. Highlights include special access to Finca Vigia, Hemingway's island home.
When: Departures Feb. 12, 19, 26; March 4, 11, 18, 2012
Price: $4,895 per person
What's Included: Round-trip charter flights from Miami to Havana; hotel accommodations; airport transfers; ground transportation; most meals; guides (a National Trust study leader, an American tour director, and an English-speaking local guide); visa, medical insurance; and taxes.
What's Not Included: Transportation to Miami
More Info: tel. 888/ 484-8785; www.preservationnation.org

Photo Caption: Hemingway's House, Finca Vigia, outside Trinidad, Cuba

The Details: Spirit Quest Tours has a religious license to Cuba in conjunction with Outreach Aid to Cuba to provide much-needed medical aid to Cuban children and expectant mothers. As part of the seven-night program, you'll attend a Catholic mass, visit a Jewish cemetery in Santa Clara, and attend a Santeria service in the Sancti Spiritus region near Trinidad. Professional travel photographer Joshua Lieberman is on hand to offer insider tips for photojournalistic-style images.
When: Jan. 24, 2012-Feb. 1, 2012
Price: $3,985 per person
What's Included: Seven nights' hotel (four nights in Havana and three nights in Trinidad); airport-hotel-transfers; ground transportation; all activities; most meals; visa; medical insurance; and all taxes and fees.
What's Not Included: Round-trip flight from U.S. to Havana; $250 for a religious membership license with Outreach Aid so you can travel to Cuba as an individual.
More Info: tel. 877/ 406-5206; www.spiritquesttours.com

Photo Caption: Cathedral Parroquial de la Santisima Trinidad, the largest church in Cuba.

Can't wait to be among the first U.S. travelers to book a trip to Cuba? Before you sign up for a tour, check out this expert advice from Friendly Planet Travel, Austin-Lehman Adventures, and a Washington, D.C.-based lawyer.

1. What type of license does your travel company need in order to arrange trips to Cuba?

For the travel providers we've featured here, all but one have a people-to-people license from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control. (Spirit Quest operates trips to Cuba under a religious license). People-to-people programs provide travelers with opportunities to interact with Cubans through educationally-oriented exchanges that focus on art, music, culture, history, and more.

2. How do I legally get to Cuba?

"The most convenient gateway to Cuba from the U.S. is via the daily charter flights from Miami," says Dan Austin, founder/director of Austin-Lehman Adventures (www.austinlehman.com). But there are an increasing number of possibilities with direct charter service now scheduled or about-to-be scheduled from New York, Los Angeles, Tampa, Chicago, Atlanta, and Baltimore."

3. Will there be on-site travel support if something goes wrong?

The answer here should be yes. You should expect at minimum a company representative to act as the tour director and be available to you at any time; you will also likely have a Cuban guide or host.

Photo Caption: A plaza in Havana, Cuba

4. What are some of the restrictions regarding souvenirs and per diem spending in Cuba?

According to Erich C. Ferrari, a Washington, D.C.-based attorney specializing in sanctions law and white-collar criminal defense, "U.S. persons may engage in all transactions ordinarily incident to travel anywhere within Cuba, such as hotel accommodations, meals, local transportation, and goods personally used by the traveler in Cuba -- provided that the total for such expenses does not exceed the State Department per diem rate allowance for Havana, Cuba, which is currently $179 per day."

It's important to note that some souvenirs are restricted. Dan Austin of Austin-Lehman Adventures notes that bringing back rum and cigars is prohibited; you can, however, buy books and recorded music. Adds Peggy Goldman, president of Friendly Planet Travel (www.friendlyplanet.com): "Happily, art is permitted, which means our travelers will be able to purchase original, high-quality art."

5. Can I bring a credit card to Cuba? What about phones?

Americans are not permitted to use credit cards in Cuba, and there are no ATMs. Instead, it's recommended that you bring enough cash to cover incidentals. "Keep in mind that almost everything is included in the price of the trip, so the only cash needed is to cover whatever you plan to consume on the spot," says Friendly Planet's Peggy Goldman.

As for communication, there's virtually no cellphone coverage in Cuba. Phone cards are available, so you can call home. "Hotels do have (very slow) Internet service, so sending e-mails is possible," adds Friendly Planet's Peggy Goldman. "You won't get blazing speed, but you'll certainly get a connection if you really need it."

Photo Caption: Cienfuegos, Cuba

6. Is travel insurance required? If so, who is requiring it? How should I purchase it?

Travel insurance is not required but as with all travel, it's not a bad idea to consider it.

The Cuban government, however, does require medical insurance for all travelers to the island. "This coverage is already included in our package price," says Friendly Planet Travel's Peggy Goldman. "Additional travel insurance is not actually required, but we strongly recommend it. We offer a very inexpensive and comprehensive wholesale plan for our travelers."

7. I'm seeing trips online with flights out of Cancun or Canada. Can I take one of those?

You can fly to Canada or Cancun, but U.S. citizens can only travel to Cuba under specific license regulations. Friendly Planet's Peggy Goldman cautions against these tours. "Set tours offered by many operators, generally European or Canadian operators,that depart from Cancun or Canada are generally not legal for U.S. citizens to join … Tours from Canada and Cancun are typically vacation- and beach-oriented -- definitely not a legal reason for U.S. citizens to visit Cuba."

8. What kind of interactions will the tour group have with Cuban people?

The entire itinerary should be geared toward people-to-people exchanges to facilitate greater cultural understanding. As Friendly Planet's Peggy Goldman puts it, "sightseeing is a byproduct of the daily program that brings us in contact with the people."

Photo Caption: El Morro, located in Havana, Cuba

9. Should I know about any fine print regarding who can and can't take a trip like this?

Generally speaking, no -- provided you bring a sense of adventure and can participate in the activities as described by the company. D.C.-based attorney Erich C. Ferrari advises Americans to consult the "Comprehensive Guidelines for License Applications to Engage in Travel-Related Transactions involving Cuba on OFAC's website and reach out to the OFAC compliance department before seeking to travel to Cuba."

10. Is there any free time to explore on my own?

The answer here is likely to be no. Your travel to Cuba with a people-to-people exchange is contingent upon adhering to the itinerary. Dan Austin of Austin-Lehman Adventures says that when people ask this, "we have to tell them to expect certain restrictions due to the group permit issued. Other than that, most participants who have signed up are savvy adventure travelers. They're willing to accept the rules and be open to whatever surprises may unfold."

In other words, you're already among the first wave of people-to-people exchanges in Cuba. How cool is that?

Photo Caption: A classic car in Havana, Cuba.