We're Often Asked . . .
I thought that it was illegal for a US citizen to travel to Cuba. Are you traveling illegally?
The office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Treasury Department regulates who may travel to Cuba. This permission is normally denied to US citizens, and those why travel illegally risk heavy civil penalties. There are a few exceptions to the no-travel regulations. Churches who have sister or partner-church relationships with churches in Cuba may apply for a license to travel to Cuba. Once in Cuba, the church groups must follow a schedule of full-time religious activity—working, worshipping, studying, etc., with members of their partner churches. The Alliance of Baptists provides a downloadable Manual for Congregational Partnerships that provides partnership history and practical help. The transfer of money to Cuba is regulated and requires an additional license. The Cuba Partnership Mission Group of Oakhurst travels under a license grated by the Treasury Department. Back to top.
Does Cuba require a visa for entry into the country?
A tourist may enter Cuba on a tourist visa that costs around $20 USD. At this time, church groups traveling on Treasury Department licenses must obtain religious visas from the Cuban government. This visa allows the groups to stay in church or denominationally run dormitories and to participate in worship services within the country. Without a religious visa, which costs around $100 USD, members of church groups are not allowed to preach or engage in religious activities—other than as an observer—while in country. Religious visas must be applied for well in advance of a trip, as the process may take several months, and having the visa waiting for you at the airport when you arrive in Cuba is a prerequisite for participating in religious activities. Back to top.
In Cuba, can you stay in the homes of the church members of your partnership churches?
At this time, staying in private homes, even with a religious visa, is not allowed by the Cuban government. It is possible to rent a room in a private home, providing that the person renting the room has registered with the government and paid the necessary fees and taxes. Staying in a private home or apartment without permission puts the family you are staying with at risk, since the government might suspect that they are renting you a room without registering with or paying the associated fees to the government. Back to top.
Can you take a mission group to Cuba to build or refurbish a church?
In Cuba, all real estate is the property of the state, and churches are no exception. Any new church buildings must be authorized by the office of religious affairs of the Cuban government. Without that permission no construction or renovation is allowed. Back to top.
What kind of money is used in Cuba, and what is its value relative to the US dollar?
Cuba uses two types of currency. One is the Cuban peso, in which Cuban workers are paid. Cuban pesos are good for purchases by Cubans in stores for Cubans. They are not available to visitors to the country and are of no value when trying to buy items from state run stores.
In these stores, which cater to tourists and to Cubans who receive money from relatives abroad, the dollar was legal currency until several years ago. At that time, Cuba stopped accepting dollars and introduced a new type of currency known as the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC). The value of the CUC is set by the Cuban government at $1 CUC = $1.08 USD. At that point, the cost of goods bought in state-run stores increased by eight percent. In addition, the Cuban government imposes an additional tax of 10 percent when US dollars are converted into CUCs.
While goods in state-run stores are not overpriced by US standards, buying them in CUCs means that you are paying 118% of what you were paying just several years ago for the same item.
There is no additional charge for converting non-US currency into CUCs. Some church groups convert their US dollars into Euros before going to Cuba. While there is a fee for the conversion, the change eliminates the 10 percent additional tax and usually saves money. Back to top.
Is it safe to travel in Cuba?
Cuba has been a very safe country for travelers. No city is entirely without crime; however, private ownership of guns is not permitted, and when there is a serious crime, it is generally taken seriously by the police and judicial system. In Old Havana, there is some panhandling, and street merchants are always after customers, especially well-dressed tourists. Away from areas frequented by tourists, you meet ordinary Cubans who are friendly, kind, and ready to help you with directions. Back to top.
What kind of education and healthcare do Cubans receive?
After the revolution in 1959, Cuba set out to eradicate illiteracy, initially by sending high school and college students into the rural areas of the island to teach reading and writing. Cuba’s literacy rate is now equal to that in the United States. Cuba provides free education to its citizens. Cuba has a number of graduate degree programs, and qualified students can apply to attend Universities in other countries—generally South America or Europe.
Cuba is especially proud of its medical schools and the physicians they graduate. Many Cuban physicians serve in countries around the world—especially in South American and in Africa—often working with people groups that are underserved by local medical establishments. Currently, the life expectancy of Cubans is equal to the life expectancy in the United States. Back to top.
Is there a US embassy in Cuba?
There is no US embassy in Cuba. In Havana, along the historic Malacon, is the US Interests Section building. Though not an embassy, the employees inside can provide some help for US citizens in Cuba. The Interests Section also interviews and processes applications from Cubans who want to travel to the US. Back to top.
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