Travel to Cuba from California - Non-U.S Citizen, Permanent Resident
 

Hello!

I would like to go to Havana, Cuba for a week in May of 2016. I am a Filipino citizen, permanent resident living in California. Do I have to obtain any sort of license to visit Cuba? Or do I have to join certain tour groups?

I was wondering if I can organize my own trip from start to finish since I have noticed that tour groups to Cuba are seriously expensive ($3000+).

Where would it be best to fly into Havana from in terms of affordability and flexibility? Toronto or Cancun?

Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

If you're a permanent resident of the U.S., you are subject to all the same restrictions that we U.S. citizens are. That means you cannot legally travel to Cuba as an independent tourist. Not yet, at least. Unless you can fit into one of the 12 approved categories (such as journalism or family visits), the people-to-people tours are the only legal way to go. Yes. They can be expensive. :(

Obviously, people go to Cuba unofficially. Only you can decide if it's worth the risk. Cuba now stamps all passports on entry and exit. There's no keeping travel there a secret.