The New York Times Outlines the Complexity of Cuba Restrictions – Why you can’t just hop on a plane and book your own hotel.

Everyday, our office receives phone calls from those wishing to spend a holiday in Cuba. This exciting, once off-limits island has captured the world’s attention since January 16th when Obama announced an amendment to the travel restrictions for Americans.

We often hang up the phone with a sign. Taking a holiday is not as easy as calling us for some travel advice and pointing you in the right direction of booking a hotel on Expedia and a flight on Kayak. While the island has “opened” it is still very much closed to beach holidays and traditional American holidays of a friend or two wishing to feel the freedom of backpacking through Europe.

The New York Times released an excellent article this morning, Travel to Cuba: The Latest on Flights, Hotels and Credit Cards

Our favorite question from the NYT article?

Q. Can any American citizen visit Cuba now?

A. Yes, and no. Any American wishing to visit Cuba for one of 12 purposes may now do so without having to apply for a license on a case-by-case basis. Tourism is still banned by the embargo, so beach holidays are off the cards. The 12 categories of legal travel to Cuba include visits to close relatives, academic programs for which students receive credits, professional research, journalistic or religious activities, and participation in public performances or sports competitions.

So while those beach holidays are still out of reach, actually experiencing the art, culture, music and culture is definitely obtainable through licensed people-to-people journeys such as ours. Viaje Cuba!