Important Information

The below information either will be or already has been sent to you via email. This page is for your reference.  The information received in your email may vary slightly, however, you may refer back to this page to find everything in one location. Bookmark this page to easily reference it again.

Click each section to expand.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Though travel insurance is optional, we highly recommend it. We have found Travel Insurance Select to be a reliable partner. Act quickly (within 14 days of the date of this confirmation) to make sure you are eligible for early purchase benefits including the Pre-Existing Conditions Exclusion Waiver. Comprehensive insurance covers you for things like trip cancellation, trip interruption, or lost luggage. While we hope none of these unfortunate events occur, it is a relief to travelers when they have coverage.

Please know that you are not limited to the above company. We can also recommend the following:

  • Travel Guard - (800) 826-4919 - (Agent ID 254276) Please note, trip cancellation insurance may not be quoted online for Cuba; and a paper application is required.
  • TravelEx - (800) 228-9792 Please note, you will need to call to obtain a quote. When speaking to a representative, you should reference location 05-0976.

If asked to complete a Cuba Travel Compliance Certification, please check Educational & People to People Activities (515.565 certification.)

Note: If airfare is not included in your trip cost, you may add it to your policy at a later date. You do not need it to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

FLYING TO CUBA

CCT is a Tour Operator and not a travel agent, therefore we have partnered with Ole Travel to provide our travelers with complete service to help reserve flights to Cuba for groups or individuals. Should you decide to purchase flights through Ole Travel, you will pay directly to Ole Travel. CCT will continue to handle the ground portion of your trip as well as provide you with the necessary Tourist Card/Visa you will need to enter Cuba.

For assistance booking your flight to Cuba, please contact Patricia Tregear at Ole Travel. She may be reached at 1-800-559-5192 or via email at patricia@oletravel.com.

If you wish to book your own flights, you may do so through any of the airlines authorized to fly to Cuba (see below.)

FLYING TO CUBA
Finding a flight to Cuba is not as difficult as you might think. Here’s a breakdown of how to find and book your flights to/from Cuba.

You can view the daily flights to/from gateway cities on our Getting There page.

AIRLINES

GATEWAY CITIES
The airlines awarded direct flights to/from Cuba are:

  • American
  • Delta
  • Alaska
  • JetBlue
  • Southwest
  • United

All of the above listed airlines fly into Havana. The following have additional destinations in Cuba:

  • American – Cienfuegos, Camaguey, Holguin, Santa Clara, Varadero
  • JetBlue – Camaguey, Holguin, Santa Clara

If you are flying into one city in Cuba and returning from another, you will need to search multi-city flights (this is typically found next to the round-trip and one-way options.)

 Each airline has received designated routes thru specified “gateway” cities. This will allow travelers to fly nonstop from these locations. Also, travelers will be able to book from a different city of origin with a connection thru a gateway city and on to Cuba. All commercial flights originating from the United States MUST fly thru a gateway city.

The gateway cities are Atlanta, Charlotte, Ft Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark, Orlando, and Tampa.

  • American – Charlotte, Miami
  • Delta – New York, Atlanta, Miami
  • Alaska – Los Angeles
  • JetBlue – Ft Lauderdale, New York, Orlando
  • Southwest – Ft Lauderdale, Tampa
  • United – Houston, Newark

If you are originating from a city other than those noted, you will need to fly through one of these cities.

TRAVEL TIPS

Please review our extensive Travel Tips to answer most, if not all, of your questions regarding Cuba travel. A link to download the tips as a PDF is provided on the same page.

There you will find the following information:

  • Legal Travel to Cuba
  • Luggage Fees
  • Arriving in Cuba
  • Medical & Health
  • Money & Credit Cards
  • Buying Art in Cuba
  • What to Bring
  • Recommended Gifts
  • Staying Connected
  • Wi-Fi Internet & Mail Service
  • Street Smarts
  • Leaving Cuba
  • Recommended Reading

This document will be updated regularly as regulations change.

PRE-TRAVEL CHECKLIST

As your trip approaches, we understand there may be some questions and concerns. Please rest assured that most of your questions may be answered by reviewing Travel Tips. You will find information regarding your arrival into Cuba on page/slide 7.

Two weeks prior to departure:

  • You will receive Emergency Contact information to leave with family and friends during your trip to Cuba.
  • Your travel documents will be sent to you (or your group leader if your group is traveling together.)

Travel Documents
Your document holder will include the following materials:

  • Letter of Authorization – CCT authorizes your travel under our auspices for the duration of the trip. Your name and dates of the trip should be on the letter. The letter may or may not be requested by U.S. Immigration & Customs officers upon your return to the U.S.
  • Tourist Card (Visa) – Half of which will be retained by Cuban immigration upon arrival in Havana. You will need the other half for your departure from Cuba. Please keep this with your passport and return ticket in the safe deposit box in your room.
  • Sample Tourist Card – Please reference this piece of paper to complete your tourist card (first and last name, passport number, date of birth, citizenship.)
  • Luggage Tags – For use to help the concierge and bus driver identify your luggage as part of the group.
  • Map of Cuba – This map is yours to keep.

Additional Documents
Upon check-in for your flight to Cuba, you will receive the following:

  • Health Card – Please complete prior to arrival in Cuba. You may or may not be asked for this form (by a lady dressed in a white lab coat) after you go through immigration at the airport in Cuba on your way to baggage claim. You should complete and have ready one form per person.
  • Customs Form – Please complete prior to arrival in Cuba. You may or may not be asked for this form as you exit the airport. You should complete and have ready one form per family.

Check-In
Airlines are requesting travelers going to Cuba arrive no less than 3 hours prior to departure. The check-in process can be quite lengthy when it comes to Cuba; and flights close one hour prior to departure. You do not want to miss your flight!

IMPORTANT!!! When you arrive at the airport proceed directly to the airline ticket counter or self-check in kiosk to check-in for your flight and obtain your boarding pass. After receiving your boarding pass you will be directed to a Cuba Ready station near one of the security checkpoints to obtain a stamp on your boarding pass. You will not be able to board your flight without this stamp. If for any reason you do not receive this stamp, you will be directed to a Cuba Ready station near the gate to receive the stamp.

Check-in process:

  1. Check-in with airline to obtain a boarding pass.
  2. Proceed to a Cuba Ready station.
  3. Proceed through security and to your gate.
  4. Enjoy your trip!