If you visit Cuba for tourism, you will almost certainly need a Cuba Tourist Card (“Tarjeta del Turista”).

The only countries exempt from the Cuba Tourist Card are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belarus, Benin, Bosnia, China, Dominica, Grenada, Macedonia, Malaysia, Montenegro, Mongolia, Namibia, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Serbia, Singapore, and Vietnam.

The Cuba Tourist Card, also known as a tourist visa, is a single-entry visa that does not expire before entering the country. It grants visitors to Cuba a maximum stay of 90 days, but they can extend it to 180 days while on the island.

Pink or Green: What is The Right Cuba Tourist Card for You?

Cuban Tourist Cards come in pink and green. Knowing the distinction between the two colors is easy, but knowing which one to buy can be trickier, especially if taking a multi-leg flight.

The right color for you depends on the country from which you’re flying to Cuba. Look at your itinerary and check the airport from which you will depart: this airport determines the color of your Cuba Tourist Card.

The rules are simple:

  • If you are an American traveling to Cuba or flying from an airport in the US, you need the pink Cuba Tourist Card.
  • If you fly from a non-US airport, you must present the green Cuba Tourist Card.
Pink Cuban Tourist Card
Pink Cuban Tourist Card
Green Cuban Tourist Card
Green Cuban Tourist Card

Applying for The Cuba Tourist Card

The application process is simple, and you will only need:

You can get the tourist visa online, from your airline, travel agency, or at the Cuban embassy or consulate in your country. There’s no right or wrong way, but some are easier or less expensive than others.

Here are the five ways to get a Cuba Tourist Card.

Option 1. Purchase it Online

This is by far the easiest way to get the Cuba Tourist Card. Sites like EasyTouristCard make ordering quick and convenient from the comfort of your home.

You can purchase it well ahead of time and have it mailed to your address within a week, so you don’t need to worry about picking it up at the last minute.

CHOOSE YOUR TOURIST CARD

Please note that prices below are per person and exclude process and delivery.

GREEN TOURIST CARD
$40
+ delivery

Select this option if you are flying to Cuba from any country except the US

PINK TORUIST CARD
$100
+ delivery

Select this option if you are an US citizen or are flying to Cuba from the US

Option 2. Get it From Your Airline

Most airlines will include the Cuba Tourist Card in the flight ticket, even if you never see the actual document.

Others will allow you to buy the visa at the departure gate. Prices vary, but you can generally expect to pay more than $80.

Option 3. Pick It Up at Your Country’s Cuban Embassy or Consulate

You can go to the embassy or consulate in your country in person with the necessary paperwork and apply for the Cuba Tourist Card. Prices start at $35.

The Cuban government recently launched Evisa, a website that is supposed to facilitate visa applications through an embassy or consulate. However, the site is confusing and sometimes fails.

Option 4. Buy It From Your Travel Agency

Traveling through an agency or tour company can be extremely helpful since they’ll take care of most of the details for you – as long as they’re reputable. Most travel agencies will bundle the Cuba Tourist Card into their travel packages.

Option 5. Get It Upon Arrival

Technically, you can get the Cuba Tourist Visa at Havana Airport, or any other Cuban airport, for about $25 (you can’t purchase it in Cuban Pesos or US Dollars).

However, you will likely be unable to board your flight without a Cuba Tourist Card.

Better to Get It Online

If your airline or travel agency didn’t include your tourist visa to Cuba, it’s better to purchase it online. If you are flying from the US, get the pink one; if not, apply for the green one.

CHOOSE YOUR TOURIST CARD

Please note that prices below are per person and exclude process and delivery.

GREEN TOURIST CARD
$40
+ delivery

Select this option if you are flying to Cuba from any country except the US

PINK TORUIST CARD
$100
+ delivery

Select this option if you are an US citizen or are flying to Cuba from the US

Essential Travel Logistics For Cuba

Cuban Tourist Card – If your Cuban Tourist Card (a.k.a Cuban Tourist Visa) isn’t bundled into your airline ticket or travel package, buy it only through EasyTouristCard. 

Travel Health Insurance – Travel medical insurance is an entry requirement for Cuba, so you can’t skip it. Travelers can get travel health insurance for Cuba via Insubuy. Travel protection benefits such as trip interruption and cancellation, baggage delay insurance, etc., are not required.

Essential Items to Pack – Bring the essential travel necessities that you may not be able to get in Cuba:

Read our complete packing list for Cuba.

Find Accommodations – Find hotels or casas particulares (private accommodations) on Skyscanner, which lists thousands of accommodations available in Cuba.

Book Your Flight – Book cheap flights to Cuba on Skyscanner, our favorite flight search engine to find deals on flights to Cuba.

About the Author

Tour Republic

Tour Republic is a marketplace where you can discover, book, and review the very best experiences Cuba has to offer. We are a team of tourism professionals and journalists who have partnered with Cuban entrepreneurs to provide travel experiences that can transform your trip into a life-changing adventure. We also share our profound love for Cuba through in-depth travel guides, myth-busting articles, and captivating narratives. Whether you want to explore Cuba's wonders or understand its intricacies, our blog posts are your gateway to the heart of this extraordinary country.

See Our Stories