Yes, U.S. Travelers Can Still go to Cuba in 2025—Here’s What You Need to Know

This article provides the latest information about legal travel to Cuba for U.S. travelers as of June 2025. However, U.S.-Cuba policies are evolving, and new announcements continue to create questions. We will update this blog as needed and share further information in our Travel Updates & Regulations section, where you can always find the latest news and resources.

If you’re planning a trip to Cuba or thinking about joining one of our cultural tours, here’s the truth:
YES—U.S. Travelers can still go to Cuba in 2025, legally. The new proclamation signed by President Trump on June 4, 2025, does not ban U.S. citizens or residents from visiting Cuba.

Let’s break it down:

What the New “Travel Ban” Really Is

The June 2025 proclamation is not a ban on American citizens visiting other countries.
It is a ban on certain foreign nationals entering the United States.

Specifically, it suspends entry into the U.S. for citizens of 19 countries, including Cuba, under certain nonimmigrant visa categories (such as B-1/B-2 tourist visas and student visas). It targets foreign nationals from those countries, not Americans.

To be clear:

• This new rule does not stop Americans from flying to Cuba.

• It does not restrict U.S. airlines or Cuba-bound tours.

• It does not affect U.S. passports or Cuba travel categories authorized by the U.S. government.

Americans Can Still Travel to Cuba—Legally

U.S. citizens can still travel to Cuba under one of the 12 approved categories of travel established by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The most popular and practical for independent travelers and small groups is “Support for the Cuban People.”

That’s the license category under which most of our Cuba tours operate.

To comply with the rules, your trip must involve a full-time schedule of meaningful interactions with local Cubans, such as staying in privately owned accommodations (casas particulares), attending performances by independent musicians, dining at local restaurants (paladares), and more. That’s exactly what we do on our tours.

Why Is Cuba on the List—And Why It Still Doesn’t Affect Your Trip

Cuba was included in the recent proclamation along with several other countries, but many experts and travelers view this inclusion as more political than practical. The U.S. continues to label Cuba as a “state sponsor of terrorism”—a designation that is widely criticized and not reflective of the reality on the ground.

But again, this proclamation is about who is allowed to come into the U.S., not who is allowed to leave the U.S. to travel abroad.

Unless you’re a Cuban citizen applying for a new U.S. tourist or student visa, this policy does not affect you.

What This Means for Your Cuba Trip

If you’re a U.S. citizen or resident:

• You can still legally travel to Cuba in 2025

• Our tours operate under a “Support for the Cuban People” general license, still valid under U.S. law as of July 2025

• You will need a Cuba Tourist Card, which serves as a visa for entry into Cuba

• While we don’t issue the Tourist Card ourselves, we’ll guide you through the simple process of getting one—most travelers obtain it easily through the airline or a trusted third-party provider

• Your trip remains fully legal and compliant with current U.S. regulations, as long as you engage in meaningful cultural interactions, which is exactly what our tours are built around.

Learn more about Cuba Travel Licenses for Americans here.

Why This Matters—and Why You Should Still Go

Travel to Cuba isn’t just legal—it’s meaningful.

At a time when misinformation and restrictions are increasing, choosing to visit Cuba the right way is a powerful act of connection. It supports local musicians, artists, small business owners, and independent guides—people who rely on cultural exchange and tourism to thrive.

We’ve spent years building close relationships with Cuba’s music community. Our tours offer more than sightseeing. You’ll experience:

• Private performances by world-class Cuban musicians

• One-on-one exchanges with artists, dancers, and historians

• Time in Havana’s jazz clubs, recording studios, and street scenes most tourists never get to see

• Authentic, ethical travel that supports real people—not state-run entities

Whether you’re visiting for the legendary Havana Jazz Festival or joining one of our curated music and culture Cuba tours, your trip is part of something bigger: sustaining creativity, sharing culture, and building bridges—one rhythm at a time.

Bottom Line

Don’t let the headlines scare you.

This new proclamation does not stop Americans from going to Cuba. It restricts certain foreign nationals from entering the U.S.—it has nothing to do with your ability to visit Cuba legally.

So if you’ve been dreaming about the music, culture, and rhythm of Cuba, now’s a great time to go, with confidence.

Explore responsibly. Travel legally. Support the Cuban people.