Organize your own delegation to Cuba!

With Trump’s recent executive order characterizing Cuba as an “extraordinary and unusual threat” to the United States, as well as his threats to sanction or impose tariffs on any country trading oil to Cuba, Cuba needs international solidarity more than ever.

Cuba is a beautiful country with a rich culture and heritage. It is one of the most inspiring places in the world after 65+ years of revolution that provides its people with health, education and opportunities. 

Going to Cuba means witnessing firsthand the effects of six decades of failed U.S. policy aimed at starving the Cuban people and provoking regime change. Despite this one-sided aggression, the Cuban people love the people of the United States–you’ll feel welcome and find that Cubans are eager to talk to their neighbors from the U.S.

Travel to Cuba is legal and as an excellent way of providing material aid to the Cuban people. You can bring a free suitcase filled with donations that will help people in need.

If you’re interested in organizing your own delegation, you can contact Mayra Alonso at Marazul Travel Agency directly: 917-532-1373 [email protected].

Be sure to share your proposed dates, length of stay, what you’d like to do in Cuba, whether you prefer a hotel or private accommodations (which are more affordable), and an estimate of how many people you expect in your group. She can provide you with pricing from Miami.

We’re also happy to help promote your delegation once you have the details.

It’s not that easy to just ship aid to Cuba because of the U.S. blockade. It’s hard to even raise money to send to Cuba because banks and crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe will block donation drives if they even have the word Cuba in it. Shipping aid can take months and there are limits on what can be sent and the value of what is sent. Aid cannot be given directly to officials of the Cuban government. 

One of the best ways to send aid is to bring it yourself by traveling to Cuba. It also offers the added benefit of contributing directly to the Cuban economy. Organizations like Not Just Tourists will even give you a suitcase full of medical equipment to bring on your trip and coordinate delivery of the suitcase once you arrive in Cuba. Read more about that here: https://njt.net/. 

Yes! The U.S. government prohibits its citizens from going to Cuba for tourism, however the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC), an agency under the Treasury Department that handles sanctions, lists other categories of travel that are allowed for Cuba. This website has all the details, but keep reading for a brief summary: https://ofac.treasury.gov/faqs/topic/1541.

According to OFAC, you can travel to Cuba under a so-called “general license” if your travel meets one of the following criteria, including:

• Family visits
• Journalistic activity
• Professional research
• Educational activities
• Religitious activities
• Support fo the Cuban people
• Humanitarian projects

Note that if you travel to Cuba directly from the United States, you will be required to sign an affidavit indicating which one of the permitted categories your travel will fit under. 

The most common category is “Support for the Cuban People.” Travelers are encouraged to stay in private accommodations, eat in private restaurants and generally avoid spending any money with the Cuban government. Also note that OFAC has a list of “restricted” entities that U.S. citizens are forbidden from having direct financial transactions with, including certain hotels. You can review this list here. 

Yes, non-Cubans need a visa to travel to Cuba and it’s easy to get! Simply fill out the e-visa form and you should receive your visa within 48 hours. Airlines and travel services can help travelers with the e-visa. Prior to your trip to Cuba, you should also fill out the D’Viajeros form, which asks health questions and serves as a customs declaration. Travelers also need proof of health insurance, which is included in your ticket if you travel to Cuba directly from the United States.

Due to the blockade, the U.S. government prohibits U.S. citizens and residents from staying in most hotels in Cuba. The list of restricted hotels can be found here. 

One hotel that is not on the list is the Gran Muthu in Havana (note that hotels of this franchise in other Cuban cities are on the restricted list–please check the list before booking).

Many travelers from the U.S. choose to stay in what’s known as a casa particular. These are lodges or guest houses that are private homes authorized by the government to serve as inns. They vary in quality and price, but are a unique way of getting to know Cuba. You can see these lodges on Trip Advisor and on websites such as https://casaparticularcuba.org/. 

That’s entirely up to you. If you travel on your own, you’ll make your own flight reservations (airlines will help with the e-visa and affidavit), accommodations (again, make sure to check the list of restricted hotels), and plans once you’re in Cuba.

Travel providers can help with all of the above. Some of the most well-known ones include:

• Marazul Tours https://marazultours.com/
• Global Exchange https://globalexchange.org/travel-to-cuba/
• Altru Vistas https://altruvistas.com/
• Proximity Cuba https://www.proximitycuba.com/
• Insight Cuba https://insightcuba.com/
• Cuba Bicycle Tours https://cubabicycletours.com/
• Cuba Unbound https://www.cubaunbound.com/

Our friends at Massachusetts Peace Action made these estimates in a video they released in 2025:

• Airfare: $450 to $750
• Visa: $65 to $75
• Lodging in a casa particular: $35 to $45 per night
• Lodging in a hotel: $75 to $250 per night (remember to check if the hotel is on the restricted list!)  
• Food: $7 to $25 per meal
• Taxis: $10 to $15 per ride
• Daily expenses: $50 to $75

Note that these figures are approximations meant to give a rough estimate of costs.

You can support by donating to help purchase and ship humanitarian supplies by cargo. You can also help amplify the effort and encourage others to participate. Donate here!