All International travellers now arrive in the new International Terminal at Jose Marti Airport. A visa should be obtained before travelling and we/Special Placeswill help you and advise on how to get one.

Don’t be put off by the military style welcome you get when passing through immigration and customs. This is all part of the bureaucracy associated with government positions. The officers look stern but they are not! If you do not wish to have your passport stamped (this happens very often with North American citizens and other visitors that travel frequently to the USA), please inform the Customs officer.

Tourists are allowed to bring, duty free, two bottles of liquor, ten packets of cigarette and and personal belongings such as jewels, photo or video cameras, sports gears and fishing equipment which must be reported on departure (if asked!). Any custom duties due at the airport must be paid in US dollars.

There are restrictive medical regulations but only for visitors coming from countries where yellow fever and endemic cholera exist or which have been declared infection areas by the World Health Organisation. In such cases an International Vaccination Certificate is demanded

You may be asked to fill in a Customs declaration. Don't bring electrical items beyond portable stereos, irons and hairdryers. For flights coming from Miami or passengers originating in Miami, this declaration is compulsory in most cases and your luggage will be X Ray checked “to prevent the entrance of drugs, explosives or non-authorized chemical products.”

Should you wish to "bypass" the above lengthy group procedures we can offer an exclusive "VIP" entrance where you are met from the plane door and personally whisked through the above routine. You can then enjoy a complimentary drink in the VIP lounge while your bags are collected. For more information and prices for this VIP service see our booking pages.

Beware of being over charged at the airport. Gently query the prices of drinks and food because you will often pay a different price if you order the same thing twice!

Also please be warned, the Cuban airport baggage handlers are not known for their subtlety! - So make sure that rods are stoutly tubed and that reels and other equipment are not only well padded but well secured, preferably in padlocked bags.

For international flights it is recommended that you check in at least two hours before departure.

At Customs you must show your ticket, your passport with visa and the Immigration stamp stating your entry. Travellers flying in first or business class are allowed up to 30 Kg free of tax. In tourist or economy the luggage allowance is 20 Kg.

A departure tax of 20 US Dollars in cash is levied on all visitor unless in transit (max 24hours)

If you are exporting Cuban cigars, cigars worth up to US $ 2,000.00 are allowed out of the country by producing an invoice, without a purchase invoice only 50 cigars are allowed to be exported.