Undecided About Going to Cuba This Summer? Do It! NBC News
go to original April 27, 2016

A Cuban shows Cuban Pesos CUP (left hand) and Convertible Pesos CUC (right hand) (Yamil Lage/Getty Images)

The U.S. government has been steadily easing travel restrictions to Cuba, but there will still be some complications if you're thinking about making it your summer travel destination. The U.S. still requires visits to Cuba fit into one of 12 general categories. And while going strictly as a tourist for a beach vacation remains prohibited, individual and organized "people-to-people" trips that are education-based are permitted.

A recent survey by travel insurance provider Allianz Global Assistance found that 42 percent of all Americans say they'd someday like to go to Cuba, but the survey also found that 70 percent of Americans are unlikely to plan a trip there right now due to concerns about safety (44 percent), fears of visiting a communist-governed country (15 percent) and a lack of detailed information about the on-the-ground travel experience in Cuba (18 percent).

Still, travel experts and Americans who have already made the trip say now is a good time to go.

U.S. carriers are still waiting for approval — expected to come soon — to begin scheduled service to Havana and other cities in Cuba. But for now, airfare will likely be one of the most costly line items of your trip.

"If you can be flexible with your routing" and explore traveling via Panama City, Toronto, or Mexico City, "you can cut your expenses," said Diaz.

"Hotels are experiencing low vacancy, so if you're willing to stay in a private home, known as a 'casa particular,' which I argue is the best way to stay while in Cuba, you'll be able to save some serious cash as well," he said.

Lonely Planet has just posted a fresh and very helpful online primer for first-time visitors to Cuba offering tips on everything from how to get there, to securing a tourist card (tarjeta de turista), dealing with money, deciding what to pack and suggestions for getting around and what to be sure to see.

For those who aren't comfortable planning a trip to Cuba on their own, organized trips are a good way to go, said Brendan Sainsbury, co-writer of Lonely Planet's guidebook to Cuba.

Read the rest at NBC News

Related: First Time Cuba: Things to Know Before You Go (Lonely Planet)

Related: Interjet Begins Havana-Merida Flights (Prensa Latina)

Related: Cuban-Born Americans Can Now Legally Set Sail for Cuba (Travel and Leisure)

Related: The Travel Surge: Cuba Si, Cuba Non, Cuba Now! (Travel Market Report)

Related: Norwegian Cruise Line Makes Cuba Sailings Bid (Travel Weekly)

Related: US: Cubans' Favorable Immigration Status to Stay in Place (Reuters)

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