Historical update — reviewed September 2026: This article documents the June 2025 policy discussion. For current travel requirements, see our current U.S.–Cuba travel rules guide and September 2026 Cuba travel checklist. 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:
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This new rule does not stop Americans from flying to Cuba.
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It does not restrict U.S. airlines or Cuba-bound tours.
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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 when their travel-related transactions are authorized under an applicable category 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.”
Private/custom travelers may use Support for the Cuban People when their actual itinerary satisfies its requirements. Current update: effective September 30, 2026, new Group People-to-People travel is no longer generally authorized. Havana Music Tours now designs its new scheduled cultural programs around Support for the Cuban People (31 CFR § 515.574), unless another authorization independently applies.
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:
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You can still legally travel to Cuba in 2025
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Private/custom trips and new scheduled cultural programs may use Support for the Cuban People when the itinerary satisfies that authorization. New Group People-to-People travel is no longer generally authorized effective September 30, 2026
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You will need Cuba’s current electronic visa (eVisa), linked to your passport, for eligible short-term entry
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Havana Music Tours does not issue the Cuban eVisa, but we provide current pre-departure instructions and direct travelers to the official Cuban eVisa/consular process
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A trip can remain authorized under U.S. regulations when the traveler qualifies under the applicable category and follows its conditions. For Support for the Cuban People, meaningful interaction is part of a broader full-time schedule requirement.
Learn more about Cuba Travel Licenses for Americans Cuba travel licenses for Americans.
Why This Matters—and Why You Should Still Go
Authorized travel to Cuba can also be 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:
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Private performances by world-class Cuban musicians
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One-on-one exchanges with artists, dancers, and historians
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Time in Havana’s jazz clubs, recording studios, and street scenes most tourists never get to see
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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.