ALASKA AIRLINES  – UPDATE
Got the news last month that on Feb. 1, 2018, Alaska Airlines will stop flying to Havana, Cuba from LA, via Seattle. However, “for the right reasons,” you can continue to fly to Cuba via Florida, on various airlines,  and New York: United, Delta, and JetBlue. I imagine the airlines and airports will supply the OFAC license, (best to use a Travel Agency) where you sign your name promising to tell the truth about the reason you are visiting Cuba, keep a tab on where you’ve been and why then file it with your records for the next 5 years or so. As is usual regarding Cuba, they’re back “on hold” until further notice. Again, best to contact a Travel Agency, rather than attempt online.

AIRBNB in CUBA
Fortunately, Cuba is still available through Florida, and the cruise ships are perfectly legal because they are foreign owned and in international waters.  If you plan to book lodging through Airbnb, HEAR ME NOW, we are required to book from the U.S, before you arrive, as it doesn’t work on the ground in Cuba.

However, once you are on the ground, Casa Particulars are scattered all over Cuba. Feel free to knock on the door or ring the bell to rent a room. You’ll soon recognize the familiar sign, out front of the house. Make sure you ask if breakfast is included in the price. You might be near a market, but remember Cubans live on food rations, so best to give them some money, maybe like $5. and send them to the local market for mangoes or pineapple and different kinds of bread, pastries, and coffee in the morning. These are family-owned lodgings so everything is perfectly legal. Don’t be surprised when they ask to register your passport. It’s required.

There are a good number of privately owned restaurants in Cuba. You can find reviews on TripAdvisor. Enjoy!