Frequently Asked Questions
Got Questions About Travelling to Cuba? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba Tours.
WHY SHOULD YOU TRAVEL WITH HAVANA MUSIC TOURS?
If your goal is to enjoy a smooth, authentic, and musical travel experience to Cuba without missing any important bucket list detail we think our Tours are your best option. More than the amazing accommodations and exceptional cultural experiences, we really believe that our most valuable thing is our people. We are very proud of our talented team of musicians (unique within the Cuba Travel industry) from Cuba and the United States, excellent professionals who graduated from prestigious music schools like Universidad de Las Artes de Cuba.
Our wonderful musician-only team will make sure that you are part of a very special Cuba Tour, without any awkward moments or unfulfilled expectations. We make it possible and easy for you to explore Cuba and its culture through the local community.
But, don’t take our word for it… We are grateful for the beautiful and motivating testimonials that our previous clients have shared with us through our Tripadvisor profile, like the following:
Why should I book a Cuba tour with Havana Music Tours if I am an independent traveler?
As travelers, we like to travel solo sometimes too! Depending on the place and event, that can be a fun option. But, we believe that a group tour in Cuba is essential. Cuba is a place very different from the rest of the world. That’s why our Team focuses on the many things that need to be prepared and organized to help our fellow travelers have the best and most stress-free trip while always allowing them to experience the culture without missing any detail.
Our wonderful musician-only team will make sure that you are part of a very special Cuba Tour, without any awkward moments or unfulfilled expectations. We make it possible and easy for you to explore Cuba and its culture through the local community.
I’m a Solo Traveler. Should I join a small group or book a Private Tour?
You can absolutely do both! We have had quite a few single travelers that loved joining our group tours. It is a great way to see the best of Cuba and meet some great people. We highly recommend solo travelers join group-based tours. However, we can also customize a private tour for you. Please email us and we would be happy to get everything started. Info@havanamusictours.com
Do you create custom or private Cuba tours?
Yes, we do! If you prefer to have your own group and book a private tour, we can build it around your group size and schedule. Whether it is just one person or 25 or more people, we can help. Please email us, and we will be happy to get everything started. Info@havanamusictours.com
Do I need to speak Spanish?
No, we will be accompanied by a bilingual tour guide during itinerary events. It always helps to know the language of where you travel to, but in this case, our tour guides have you covered.
What is a Casa Particular?
Casa Particulars are individual homes that usually include a local Cuban host. We believe this is the best way to have a great cultural experience in Cuba. We give you multiple choices and each one is unique. We will not book any accommodations that you are not satisfied with. The Casa accommodations are included in your tour price. If you prefer to stay in a hotel, please contact us and we can discuss your options and difference in pricing.
I am a U.S. Citizen, can I go to Cuba?
Yes, you definitely can! Our tour is the best and most legal way for American citizens to see Cuba. We are authorized by the United States Treasury Department’s general licensing to give group-based tours to Cuba. Each of our tour dates features a U.S. citizen as a tour leader. For custom tours, you must also still have an American tour leader.
If you have any other questions on the legalities and requirements for U.S. Citizens traveling to Cuba, please email us, and we will be happy to answer any of your questions. Info@havanamusictours.com
Does Cuba have any visa requirements?
Yes, you are required to purchase a Tourist Card to travel to Cuba. This is a requirement for any tourist or foreigner wanting to travel to Cuba. Most airlines will offer this at your last departing airport before leaving for Cuba.
We DO NOT include this in your tour price. The price typically ranges from $50 to $100. There are special requirements for some Cuban Americans, depending on when and if you were born in Cuba. Please email us at Info@havanamusictours.com for more information.
What others documents do I need to travel to Cuba?
The first thing you need to add to your Cuba Travel Checklist is, of course, that you need your passport to travel to Cuba. I know it seems like common sense to bring your passport, but here are a couple of other things to check. Make sure your passport does not expire within 6 months after your return date from Cuba. If it is going to expire then you need to go ahead and renew it. It typically takes about 4-6 weeks, and you can find more info about that here.
Your Cuban Visa/Tourist Card is typically very easy to obtain these days. This is not to be confused with the OFAC general travel license from the United States. The Tourist Card is a document required to enter Cuba. Most airlines will offer this to you when you leave for your trip. For airlines, you will buy this the day you leave for Cuba at your airline’s “Cuba Check-ins” counter inside of the airport. If you have a connecting flight before Havana, you may have to buy it at your final airport before Cuba. The Tourist Card usually costs around $50-100 depending on the service operators.
There are certain rules for people that were born in Cuba. If you were born in Cuba and need to get a visa, please contact us at Info@havanamusictours.com and we will help you. Depending on the year you were born you may have to get a Cuban passport from the Cuban consulate.
CUBA ENTRY FORM (VERY IMPORTANT)
Within 72 hours of your flight, you MUST fill out this online customs declaration and medical form. It is called D’Viajeros. You need to save the document on your phone or print it. When you enter immigration and customs you will need to present the QR code to the doctors. You must know the address where you are staying in Cuba. The doctors AND immigration will want to know.
Does my medical insurance cover me in Cuba?
No, your medical insurance is not valid in Cuba.
Medical insurance is universal in Cuba and they extend this to tourists for a small fee. Most airlines will include Cuban health insurance in your flight fare. This is not an upcharge, but rather a miscellaneous fee when you book your flight. We will help to make sure all of this is covered before you depart.
Can I use my credit or debit card in Cuba?
The short answer is typically no, mostly if you are coming from the US. Travelers coming from other destinations like Europe or Latinoamerica may be able to use theirs, but not if they are issued in the US.
You WILL need to have plenty of cash as there are not many options to use credit cards or debit cards, especially for US travelers. All banks in the United States have blocked credit and debit card transactions in Cuba unless it is medical-related. So make sure to bring enough cash… We have seen people run out of money in the city and at the airport… You can always put the cash back into your bank and it is better than running out of money in a country where you do not have access to more.
What is enough money? We recommend around $30-100 U.S. dollars/euros per day depending on how many extra things like souvenirs and such you plan to buy. Anyway, definitely bring more… Again, Cuba is a place where you want to have extra money when you leave… Not $0.
If you have any questions about this please contact us at info@havanamusictours.com
How much money do I bring to Cuba?
Although most of your daily travel expenses are covered if you are part of one of our tours, we recommend bringing an average of $50 USD per day. If you plan on buying cigars and a lot of souvenirs, be sure to account for that in your budget. For example, boxes of authentic cigars can cost hundreds of dollars.
How does the Cuban currency exchange works?
CUP or Moneda Nacional is the currency of Cuba. You (the tourist) will exchange your home country’s currency (U.S. Dollar, Euro, Canadian Dollar, etc) for CUP to be able to purchase food, services, and products in Cuba. You can also buy a debit card at CADECA, the exchange at the airport and around the island. This is essential to buy some things, like in the MLC stores. These are foreign currency stores that have most of the items you may need to purchase to prepare your own food, etc. These places will NOT take cash, and many other places these days are not taking cash. Restaurants and taxis still accept cash. You could even negotiate a better rate with your foreign currency directly with restaurants and other vendors.
Is there any free time to explore Cuba during the tour?
Yes, there will be plenty of free time. Most of our Havana Music tours have a regular schedule during the day and an optional evening schedule. The evening schedule is usually for all of the musical events. The most impressive musical acts and clubs typically ramp up late. Some are rather late (midnight or later), but worth it! For example, with the 6-day tour, we include your first dinner with the entire group, but the rest of your dinners and evening times are left to enjoy for yourself or with your group. This is great if a couple wants to break away and have a romantic evening. But also feel free to link up with your tour leader or local guides and experience their recommendations. We can definitely help you select and make reservations at some of the best restaurants in Cuba.
Can I bring my own musical instrument to Cuba?
Absolutely! We include one music or dance lesson on your tour, and it is preferred that you have your instrument of choice with you to study. Assuming you have a smaller instrument like a guitar or trumpet… However, we do not recommend bringing larger instruments like drum sets, etc. Bigger instruments will be very difficult with flights and customs, etc. You will be subject to whatever your selected airline’s policies and fees are for musical instruments.
Should I bring formal clothes?
There are no requirements to dress formally on our tours. There will be a group dinner night where we see members of Buena Vista Social Club and you can feel free to bring your elegant clothing for it. Dressing up to go out in Cuba is culturally acceptable, but not required. Be yourself and do what you like!
I have dietary restrictions, will the meals be okay for me?
Yes, we make sure that each place we eat at is fully aware of each person’s dietary restrictions. Please let us know your dietary restrictions when you book your tour.
Travel the World through Music with Musical Getaways
Contact us
11am-4pm (EST) Mon-Thurs.
Info@HavanaMusicTours.com
Havana Music Tours is a trade name of Musical Getaways LLC and are both based in Tallahassee, FL, 32311, United States of America. Florida Seller of Travel Registration # ST42131
The Ultimate Cuba Travel Checklist (Updated August 2024)