This is the best category for tourists taking tours, cruises, or traveling independently. Here is a summary of the 5 requirements:

1. Use privately owned businesses (e.g. private restaurants, private shops, private taxis, etc.)
2. Stay in privately owned accommodations. Staying in hotels is not permitted if they are on this prohibited accommodations list and with few exceptions, every hotel is on the list.
3. Maintain a full schedule (considered 6-8 hour daily) of meaningful interactions that:
• Enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba, or promote the Cuban people’s independence from Cuban authorities and that result in meaningful interactions with individuals in Cuba
4. Avoid transactions with Cuban Government entities on this Prohibited List. For tourists the most important entities to avoid are the hotels and shops listed.
5. Document your activities and transactions in a ledger or travel journal and maintain the records and receipts for 5 years

With SCP you are not required to be on a tour, but it is highly recommended because time spent with our local tour guides counts towards “meaningful interaction” and “promoting independence”. A guide will help you engage more with the culture and people and avoid the hassles and frustrations that independent travelers face. Cuba is safe, but not easy. Besides, even our customers who insist they are “not-a-tour-person” say our tours are really fun!

That’s it! Do all this and you’re traveling legally to Cuba. Don’t expect any problems leaving or returning to the U.S. Very few people are ever questioned about their trip to Cuba or their general license. You can read about what our travelers have experienced in their own words. If these rules start being enforced it will be done by the Office of Foreign Assets Control after you are back home, not by Customs and Border Patrol. The punishment for violation, which hasn’t been levied in many years, is a fine. You will not be prohibited from entering the US, put in jail, or have your passport revoked.