Cuba - Lonely Planet [381]
Baracoa (Map; Antonio Maceo No 48; 8am-noon & 2-4pm Mon-Fri)
Bayamo (Map; Carretera Central Km 2; 9am-noon & 1:30-4pm Tue & Thu-Fri) In a big complex 200m south of the Hotel Sierra Maestra.
Camagüey (Map; Calle 3 No 156 btwn Calles 8 & 10, Reparto Vista Hermosa; 8am-11:30am & 1-3pm Mon-Fri, except Wed)
Ciego de Ávila (Map; cnr Delgado & Independencia; 8am-noon & 1-5pm Mon & Tue, 8am-noon Wed-Fri)
Cienfuegos (Map; 43-52-10-17; Av 46 btwn Calles 29 & 31)
Guantánamo (Map; Calle 1 Oeste btwn Calles 14 & 15 Norte; 8:30am-noon & 2-4pm Mon-Thu) Directly behind Hotel Guantánamo.
Guardalavaca (Map; 24-43-02-26/7) In the police station at the entrance to the resort. Head here for visa extensions; there’s also an immigration office in Banes.
Havana (Map; cnr Calle Factor al final & Santa Ana, Nuevo Vedado) This office is specifically for extensions and has long queues. Get there early. It has no phone, but you can direct questions to immigration proper at 7-203-0307.
Holguín (Map; cnr General Marrero & General Vázquez; 8am-noon & 2-4pm Mon-Fri) Arrive early – it gets crowded here.
Las Tunas (off Map; Av Camilo Cienfuegos, Reparto Buenavista) Northeast of the train station.
Sancti Spíritus (Map; 41-32-47-29; Independencia Norte No 107; 8:30am-noon & 1:30-3:30pm Mon-Thu)
Santa Clara (off Map; cnr Av Sandino & Sexta; 8am-noon & 1-3pm Mon-Thu) Three blocks east of Estadio Sandino.
Santiago de Cuba (Map; 22-69-36-07; Calle 13 No 6 btwn Av General Cebreco & Calle 4; 8:30am-noon & 2-4pm Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri) Stamps for visa extensions are sold at the Banco de Crédito y Comercio at Felix Peña No 614 on Parque Céspedes.
Trinidad (Map; Julio Cueva Díaz; 8am-5pm Tue-Thu) Off Paseo Agramonte.
Varadero (Map; cnr Av 1 & Calle 39; 8am-3:30pm Mon-Fri)
Entry Permits for Cubans & Naturalized Citizens
Naturalized citizens of other countries who were born in Cuba require an autorización de entrada (entry permit) issued by a Cuban embassy or consulate. Called a Vigencia de Viaje, it allows Cubans resident abroad to visit Cuba as many times as they like over a two-year period. Persons hostile to the Revolution or with a criminal record are not eligible.
The Cuban government does not recognize dual citizenship. All persons born in Cuba are considered Cuban citizens unless they have formally renounced their citizenship at a Cuban diplomatic mission and the renunciation has been accepted. Cuban-Americans with questions about dual nationality can contact the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520.
Licenses for US Visitors
In 1961 the US government imposed an order limiting the freedom of its citizens to visit Cuba, and airline offices and travel agencies in the US are forbidden to book tourist travel to Cuba via third countries. However, the Cuban government has never banned Americans from visiting Cuba, and it continues to welcome US passport holders under exactly the same terms as any other visitor.
Americans traditionally go to Cuba via Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, Jamaica or any other third country. Since American travel agents are prohibited from handling tourism arrangements, most Americans go through a foreign travel agency. Travel agents in those countries (Click here) routinely arrange Cuban tourist cards, flight reservations and accommodation packages.
The immigration officials in Cuba know very well that a Cuban stamp in a US passport can create problems. However, many Americans request that immigration officers not stamp their passport before they hand it over. The officer will instead stamp their tourist card, which is collected upon departure from Cuba. Those who don’t ask usually get a tiny stamp on page 16 or the last page in the shape of a plane, barn, moon or some other random symbol that doesn’t mention Cuba.
The US government has an ‘Interests Section