Cuba arrival
Airplane: According to mathgeneral, the national airline in Cuba is called Cubana de Aviacion. It flies from North and South America, the Caribbean, Africa and Europe to Cuba. The prices are relatively low, but the airline is often overbooked and delays are not uncommon.
From Germany, Condor flies from Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Cologne airports. The Spanish airline Iberia connects the Cuban capital Havana with Düsseldorf, Zurich and Geneva. Airlines that have Cuba in their program include Air France, Aeroflot, Spanair, Artinair, AOM French Airlines, British Airways and Airberlin.
Jamaica is an important transport hub to Cuba. Cubana and Air Jamaica fly daily to Havana between Kingston and Montego Bay.
Cubana also flies twice a week between Havana and Martinique, Guadeloupe, Puerto Principe and Santo Domingo. From the Bahamas, Cubana flies daily between Nassau and Havana; Bahamasair flies the same route three times a week. US citizens cannot buy tickets for this route, neither in the Bahamas nor in the USA.
Other airlines that fly to Cuba within the Caribbean are Aerocaribe, Aerocaribbean, Air Transat, TACA, Cayman Airways, Copa Airlines and Mexicana de Aviacion.
Despite US efforts to isolate Cuba, the country remains well connected to the entire Caribbean and worldwide.
Airports: the most important airport in Cuba is the José Marti International Airport (HAV). It is located 25 km south of Havana. Both buses and taxis drive into the city, and rental cars can also be hired.
Cuba has eleven international airports, including Cayo Largo (CYO), Varadero (VRA), Camagüey (CMW), Ciego de Avila (AVI), Santiago de Cuba (SCU), Holguin (HOG) and Cayo Coco (CCO).
Ship: Due to the blockade of the USA, no official ferries are offered and cruise ships rarely anchor off Cuba. Cruise lines that have Cuba in their program include West Indies Cruises and Riviera Holiday Cruises. You can call at Cuban ports with private yachts, but you must inform the Cuban authorities. Ports that accept foreign ships include Maria la Gorda, Marina Hemingway (Havana), Trinidad, Santiago de Cuba, Cabo de San Antonio, Varadero and Cienfuegos.
Cuba – entry requirements
Apis – Advanced Passenger Information System:
The Apis system requires airlines to register passengers’ personal data. This includes surname, first name, gender, date of birth, type of travel document, passport number, nationality and country of residence.
It is possible to enter this data in an online form https://res.aircanada.ca/APIS/?APISVendor=ACO&Lang=DE before departure. Otherwise, the information will be recorded upon check-in.
In addition, the address of the first accommodation is requested when entering Cuba.
Passport:
is generally required for traveling to Cuba. Of thepassport(or a temporary passport) must be valid for at least 6 months upon entry. A return or onward ticket is required for entry by plane.
Visa:
tourist trips: Visitorthose who can show a tourist card do not need a visa. You will receive this tourist card before thedepartureat the embassies of Cuba (see Cuba – important addresses), travel agencies as well as some airlines and tour operators. You can stay in Cuba for 30 days with the tourist card; the card is valid for a total of 180 days after it has been issued. On site in Cuba, it is possible to apply for a one-time extension of 30 days.
If a longer or non-tourist stay in Cuba is planned, a visa for Cuba must be applied for before departure.
A visa or tourist card is not issued at the Cuban borders. These must be applied for before departure. Airlines usually refuse to take passengers without a tourist card.
There is a general visa requirement for business trips. For a business visa, the business partner in Cuba must obtain approval. With this authorization, the consulate or embassy in the applicant’s country of residence will issue a business visa.
Travelers who enter Cuba not with a tourist card but with a visa (e.g. business travelers, students or participants in a language course) usually require an exit permit. This is requested by the inviting institution.
A health insurance valid for Cuba must be proven upon entry. Private health insurances that cover Cuba are accepted, but German statutory health insurances are not.
To prove that you have insurance, you should bring an insurance policy, insurance policy or insurance card with you. An escort policy in Spanish is also recommended.
Without acceptable evidence, you have to take out health insurance for 2 – 3 CUC per day at the border.
Transit:
Travelers who would normally require a visa do not need a transit visa if they continue their flight within 72 hours and can present valid onward or return travel documents. The transit room may be left for hotel accommodation. Travelers in transit must have the equivalent of US $ 50 per day.
Visa fees :
Tourist card: 28.00 euros
Business visa: 105.00 euros
Documents:
Tourist card : a copy of the personal data page of the passport – the fully completed application form – the amount of 28.00 euros in cash or as a crossed check – a prepaid envelope (registered mail is recommended) with your address – proof of a valid international health insurance for Cuba
Business visa : 2 current passport photos – original passport, which is valid for at least 6 months when you plan to enter the country – a copy of the passport – an application form – a company letter from the German company stating the purpose and duration of the trip with a confirmation of cost coverage and the address of the business partner – an original the invitation from the business partner from Cuba – certification of the letter of invitation by the responsible Cuban Chamber of Commerce and Industry – proof of foreign health insurance – amount of 105.00 euros in cash or as a crossed check
Application :
In person or by post at the consulate or consular department of the responsible Cuban embassy (see Cuba – important addresses).
Processing time:
Tourist card and business
visa : 5 – 7 days. Entry with children:
The same visa requirements apply to children traveling as their parents. Every child needs their own travel document.
Germany: separate passport for children. The German children’s ID card with a photo is also accepted (up to the age of 16. Children’s ID cards are no longer issued in Germany, existing children’s ID cards remain valid until the expiry date. However, entry with a children’s
passport is recommended. Austria: separate passport for children.
Switzerland : Own passport for children.
Sufficient funds:
All travelers in Cuba must have the equivalent of US $ 50 per day of stay. Tourists who have booked the trip with the Cuban agency MINTUR are exempt from this rule. Vaccinations: You can find detailed information on recommended and required vaccinations for traveling in Cuba in the chapter Cuba – Health and Diseases. Entry with pets: When dogs, cats, fish and birds are imported into Cuba, an official health certificate from the country of origin is required. Dogs must also have a rabies vaccination certificate. All documents must be in Spanish and issued by the Cuban Consul in the country of origin. All animals are quarantined when they are imported into Cuba (maximum 2 weeks).
