Black List Tours LLC plans trips to Cuba for U.S. travelers under one category only: Support for the Cuban People. These trips are built around real connection: staying in family-run homes, eating at private restaurants, and spending your days with Cuban artists, musicians, farmers and small-business owners. With packages starting under $999 USD per person, your travel concierge will build a full, legal itinerary for you. Questions? Call us at (305) 699-5093.
Important: U.S. Law on Travel to Cuba
U.S. law does not allow Americans to travel to Cuba for tourism. Travel is only permitted under 12 categories set by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Black List Tours plans trips only under the Support for the Cuban People category. That means:
- A full-time schedule: Each traveler must follow a full daily schedule of activities that support the Cuban people and private Cuban businesses, with meaningful interaction with Cubans. Beach days and resort stays alone do not qualify.
- Private businesses only: You’ll stay in a casa particular or Airbnb, privately owned by a Cuban family and located primarily in Havana, eat at private restaurants (paladares) and shop at privately owned businesses. These count toward your schedule, but you also need additional activities such as community projects, workshops and cultural exchanges, which we arrange.
- Restricted hotels and businesses: Americans may not stay at hotels on the U.S. State Department’s Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List or do business with entities on the Cuba Restricted List. Many large state-run resorts are on these lists. We plan around them.
- Keep your records: Travelers must keep their itinerary and receipts for 5 years. We provide your full schedule in writing.
Current Conditions in Cuba (October 2026)
We want you to know exactly what to expect. Cuba is going through a severe economic crisis, shaped by U.S. sanctions, fuel shortages and aging infrastructure. Day-to-day life for Cubans, and for visitors, is affected:
- Power outages: Cuba’s national power grid has failed several times in 2026, and long daily blackouts are common across the island. Bring power banks, a flashlight and spare batteries.
- Shortages: Fuel, food, medicine and bottled water can be hard to find. Bring any medications you need for your whole trip, plus basic first-aid supplies.
- Money: U.S.-issued credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba. Bring enough cash for your entire trip. We’ll help you plan a budget.
- Transportation: Fuel shortages can affect taxis, buses and transfers. We arrange private drivers in advance.
- Internet: Access is limited and unreliable, especially during blackouts.
Your trip directly supports Cuban families and private business owners during a very hard time.
Entry Requirements for U.S. Travelers
- Passport: Valid for your entire stay.
- Cuban visa (tourist card): Required. U.S. travelers usually buy it through their airline.
- Health insurance: Cuba requires visitors to have medical insurance. It is often included in airfare from the U.S.; confirm with your airline.
- Arrival form: Complete Cuba’s online D’Viajeros form before you fly.
- OFAC category: You’ll confirm your travel category (Support for the Cuban People) when booking your flight.
Health and Safety
- U.S. State Department advisory: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Petty crime such as pickpocketing and purse snatching occurs, especially in busy areas.
- Medical care: Hospitals often lack medicine and supplies. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.
- Vaccines: Be up to date on routine vaccines. Hepatitis A and typhoid are recommended for most travelers. Mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue occur, so pack insect repellent.
Where We Take You
- Havana: Old Havana is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Meet local artists, musicians and entrepreneurs, and stay with a Cuban family. Havana is the home base for most of our trips.
- Varadero: One of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, with miles of white sand and turquoise water. We visit as a day trip from Havana (about 2 hours each way), with lunch at a private, family-run restaurant, fitted around your full daily schedule.
- Viñales Valley: Visit family tobacco and coffee farms, and hike or horseback ride through a UNESCO-listed landscape.
- Trinidad: A beautifully preserved colonial town with cobblestone streets, live music and local artisans.
- Santiago de Cuba: The heart of Afro-Cuban culture and music, home to the Castillo del Morro.
- Cienfuegos: A waterfront city known as the “Pearl of the South,” with French-influenced architecture.
Contact Black List Tours to plan a meaningful, fully legal trip to Cuba.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change. Check the U.S. Treasury (OFAC) and State Department websites before you travel.