Cuba Tourist Card Explained: Where to Buy It, How Much It Costs & What You Need to Know in 2026
The pink card, the green card, the airline version, the embassy version — it’s more confusing than it needs to be. Here’s the complete, no-nonsense guide to getting this sorted before you fly.
The Cuba Tourist Card is one of those entry requirements that generates a disproportionate amount of pre-trip anxiety. You search for it, find three conflicting answers, worry about the pink versus green card situation, and end up spending an hour reading outdated forum posts from 2019. This guide cuts through all of that.
The short version: nearly every tourist needs one, it costs between $20 and $85 depending on where you buy it and what passport you hold, and you need to sort it before you board your flight — not when you land. The long version is below, and it covers every scenario including the complicated situation for US passport holders.
What Is the Cuba Tourist Card, Exactly?
Section 01 · The BasicsThe Cuba Tourist Card — officially the tarjeta del turista — is a paper entry document that grants you permission to enter Cuba as a tourist. It is not a visa in the traditional sense. You don’t go to an embassy, submit photos, or wait weeks for approval. It’s a pre-purchased document you fill in yourself, hand over at immigration, and they keep half of it. Cuba keeps the stub. You keep the other half for your exit.
Think of it as a paid permission slip rather than a visa. The Cuban government has made it deliberately simple to obtain — because tourism is one of the country’s primary revenue sources and they don’t want paperwork to put people off coming. It works because Cuba operates a separate entry process from most countries: your passport doesn’t get stamped, which matters to some travelers more than others.
What Is the Cuba Tourist Card?
A mandatory pre-purchased paper document required by nearly all tourists entering Cuba. It’s not a traditional visa — no embassy appointment, no biometrics, no approval process. You buy it, fill it in, and present it at Cuban immigration alongside your passport. Cost ranges from $20 to $85 depending on your nationality and where you buy it. Without it, you will not board your flight to Cuba.
The card is technically valid for 30 days from your date of entry, with one extension available for a further 30 days — giving a maximum stay of 90 days for those who need it. Extensions are done inside Cuba at an immigration office, and they cost around 25 CUP. Worth knowing if your trip is longer than a month, though the vast majority of visitors are there for 1–3 weeks and never need to think about it.
One thing that throws people: the Tourist Card is separate from any visa your nationality might also need. Most Western European, Canadian, Australian, and Latin American passport holders need only the Tourist Card. Citizens of certain countries — including some requiring a separate Cuban visa — are beyond the scope of this guide, though we cover the broad nationalities below. If your situation is unusual, check directly with the Cuban embassy in your country.
Pink Card vs Green Card: What’s the Difference?
Section 02 · The Critical DistinctionThis is where most of the confusion lives, and it genuinely matters — getting the wrong color card can create real problems at check-in and immigration. The color difference exists for one specific reason: US sanctions.
For flights arriving from outside the US or Canada. This is the standard card used by the vast majority of travelers worldwide — Europeans, Australians, Latin Americans, and anyone flying to Cuba via a non-US routing.
If you’re flying London → Havana, Madrid → Havana, Mexico City → Havana, or any similar non-US departure point, you need the pink card. It’s widely available from airlines, travel agents, and Cuban embassies.
US citizens flying via Mexico, Canada, or a third country technically still require the green card. The color is determined by the routing of your flight, not your nationality.
For flights departing from or routed via the United States or Canada. The green card exists because of US Treasury (OFAC) reporting requirements — using it creates a separate paper trail that doesn’t appear in your US passport.
If you’re flying Miami → Havana, New York → Havana, or any US-departure routing, you need the green card. Same goes for certain US-Canada routed flights.
Green cards are typically sold by the airlines operating those routes, or available from certain Cuba-specialist travel agencies in the US and Canada. They cost more — expect to pay $50–85.
If you present the wrong card color at immigration, you will be directed to sort it out — and that might mean purchasing the correct card on the spot at a premium price, or potentially missing your onward travel. Airlines generally check this at check-in too. When in doubt, call the airline and confirm which card their specific route requires.
The color of your card is determined by your flight routing, not your nationality. A British citizen flying via Miami needs a green card. An American flying via Mexico City with a green card is also covered — the card goes with the departure point.
Who Needs a Cuba Tourist Card?
Section 03 · By NationalityThe short answer is: almost every tourist. Cuba does not operate a visa-free access list for short stays in the way many countries do. Instead, the Tourist Card system applies broadly across most Western nationalities. Here’s a breakdown by major passport groups.
Citizens of Russia, China, and several other countries may face different requirements — sometimes a full Cuban visa rather than just a Tourist Card. If you hold a passport not listed above, check with the Cuban embassy or consulate in your country before booking. The entry requirements for some nationalities have shifted in recent years.
If you hold both US citizenship and another passport, Cuba generally requires you to enter on the non-US passport (since Cuba doesn’t officially recognize dual nationality for US citizens). However, you’ll still likely need the green card if your flight departs from the US. This is a nuanced area — consult a Cuba travel specialist if this applies to you.
Where to Buy Your Cuba Tourist Card
Section 04 · Purchase OptionsThere are several legitimate places to buy the Tourist Card, and the price varies significantly depending on where you get it. None of these sources is “wrong” — but some are more convenient than others, and a few carry risks worth knowing about.
Most airlines operating Cuba routes — including Air Europa, Iberia, Condor, Air Transat, and several others — sell Tourist Cards either at check-in or as an add-on during flight booking. This is genuinely the easiest option for most travelers. You pay for it when you check in, they hand you the card, you fill it in while waiting to board.
The convenience premium is real — airlines typically charge $25–50 for a card that costs less through other channels. But you’re also eliminating the risk of forgetting to buy it in advance, and the airline won’t let you on the plane without one anyway, so if you haven’t sorted it beforehand, this is your fallback.
Some airlines (particularly on US-Cuba routes) have stopped selling green cards at the airport and require pre-purchase. Don’t assume it’ll be available at check-in. Confirm with your airline in advance.
Cuban embassies and consulates in most countries sell Tourist Cards directly. This is typically the cheapest option — often $20–30 for the pink card — but it requires you to physically go there during opening hours, which aren’t always convenient.
In countries with a Cuban embassy, this is worth considering if you’re budget-conscious and live near a major city with one. In the UK, for example, the Cuban Embassy in London sells cards without appointment for a low fixed fee. Same for several European capitals. Call ahead to confirm opening times and current pricing — these can change.
This option is generally not available for US travelers who need the green card.
Travel agencies that specialize in Cuba — particularly those focused on the US or Canadian market — often sell Tourist Cards as a standalone purchase or bundled with flights and accommodation. This is one of the main routes for US travelers to obtain the green card, as many specialist agencies are set up specifically to handle OFAC compliance alongside the card.
UK and European travelers can also use this route, particularly if booking a package holiday or organized tour. The cards are often included in the package price and sent by post or provided at a departure airport desk. Check whether your card is included in the package cost before buying separately.
A number of third-party websites sell Cuban Tourist Cards online with postal delivery. Some are legitimate and used by thousands of travelers without issue. Others are overpriced, slow, or — in a small number of cases — outright fraudulent.
If you go this route, look for: clear contact information, genuine customer reviews (not just site testimonials), a traceable postal service, and realistic pricing. A Tourist Card that costs $120 from an online seller is not a special upgraded version of the $30 embassy card — it’s the same card with an enormous markup. Also confirm the card color matches your routing before clicking buy.
Leave enough time to receive the card and, ideally, order a backup if your trip is approaching. Cuba does not issue Tourist Cards on arrival.
Unlike some countries where you can purchase a visa or entry document at the airport, Cuba does not offer this. If you arrive without a Tourist Card, you will have a serious problem. Your airline should catch this at check-in — but don’t rely on that as your safety net. Sort the card before you travel.
How Much Does the Cuba Tourist Card Cost?
Section 05 · Pricing by SourceThe price of a Tourist Card varies by quite a bit depending on where you buy it. The card itself is identical regardless of source — you’re paying for the document plus whatever service margin the seller adds. Here’s a realistic breakdown across purchase channels and nationalities.
| Purchase Source | Card Color | Typical Cost | Convenience | Lead Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuban Embassy (UK) | Pink | ~£20 / ~$25 | Low — in-person only | Same day | Cheapest option for UK/EU travelers |
| Cuban Embassy (EU) | Pink | €20–30 | Low — in-person only | Same day | Price varies by country |
| Airline at check-in | Pink or Green | $25–50 | High — no advance action needed | Same day (check-in) | Confirm availability before relying on this |
| Airline online (at booking) | Pink or Green | $20–45 | High — easy add-on | Delivered or airport desk | Good option if booking direct |
| Cuba-specialist agency (US) | Green | $50–85 | Medium | 1–2 weeks (allow time) | Often includes OFAC category guidance |
| Cuba-specialist agency (UK/EU) | Pink | $30–55 | Medium | 1–2 weeks | Often mailed; confirm postal timeline |
| Third-party online sellers | Pink or Green | $35–120+ | Medium (once verified) | 1–3 weeks | Quality varies; verify seller before purchasing |
The Cuban Embassy in London (and most EU capitals) sells the pink Tourist Card without appointment for around £20. If you’re anywhere near a Cuban embassy, that’s your cheapest option. Add it to a trip to central London or whichever capital you’re traveling through. Call ahead to confirm current prices and opening hours before making a special trip.
The Tourist Card cost is a one-time expense per trip — it’s not per person on a family booking, so account for one card per traveler including children. Children require the same document as adults. Pricing is the same regardless of age.
How to Fill In the Cuba Tourist Card — Step by Step
Section 06 · Completing the FormThe Tourist Card is a simple paper form. Both halves are identical — you fill in both. One half stays with Cuba immigration, one comes back to you. Fill it in using a pen, with clear block letters, and don’t use correction fluid or scribbles. Immigration officers want to read it quickly.
- 1Personal Details
Last name, first name, date of birth, nationality, and passport number exactly as they appear in your passport. No abbreviations. If your name is hyphenated or has unusual characters, follow your passport spelling precisely.
- 2Flight and Travel Details
Flight number, date of arrival, country of permanent residence (where you actually live, not your nationality). You’ll also need your Cuba address — more on that in Step 5.
- 3Length of Stay
Enter the number of days you intend to stay. If you’re staying 10 days, write 10. Don’t write your maximum allowance if you’re staying less — it’s not necessary, and it occasionally prompts follow-up questions if your stated departure date doesn’t match your booked flight.
- 4Passport Expiry
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. Cuba doesn’t have a “six months beyond departure” rule like many countries, but your passport must not expire while you’re there. Write the expiry date as it appears on the document.
- 5Cuba Address — Your First Night’s Accommodation
Enter the address of your first night’s accommodation in Cuba. If you’re staying at a hotel, use the hotel address. If you’re staying at a casa particular, use the casa’s registered address. This is important — Cuban immigration will sometimes cross-reference this. Arriving at a casa? Get the address before you fly. Your host can send it via WhatsApp; it’s a totally normal request.
- 6Sign Both Halves
Sign both the tourist section and the passenger stub. The signature should match your passport signature. Don’t leave either unsigned — this can cause delays at immigration.
Fill in your first confirmed accommodation. If you’ve booked a hotel, use that address. If you’ve booked a casa particular, ask your host for their registered address before you fly — they’ll be very used to this question. If your first night is genuinely unplanned, put the address of a well-known Havana hotel in the neighborhood you intend to stay in and sort your accommodation during the flight. Immigration is not checking your hotel confirmation — they want a Cuba address.
The form itself takes about three minutes to complete. Do it on the plane rather than at the gate, when you have your passport and travel documents in front of you. Most airlines also have a brief window at the boarding gate where you can fill it in if you haven’t already, but it’s less stressful to have it done before you board.
US Travelers: The Tourist Card and the OFAC Category
Section 07 · American CitizensIf you hold a US passport, the Tourist Card is only part of the picture. American citizens can visit Cuba legally — but under specific OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) travel categories, not as ordinary leisure tourists. The Tourist Card and the OFAC category are two separate requirements, and you need both.
US citizens and residents flying from US airports require the green Tourist Card, available through Cuba-specialist travel agencies and certain airlines operating US-Cuba routes (mainly American Airlines and JetBlue on the Miami and New York routes). The green card is more expensive than the pink — expect to pay $50–85 — but it’s non-negotiable for your routing.
The 13 OFAC License Categories for US Travelers
US law requires American travelers to Cuba to fall within one of 13 authorized travel categories. The most commonly used by independent travelers is Support for the Cuban People — which in practice means spending your money at private businesses (casas particulares, paladares, private tour operators) rather than government-owned establishments, and having a full schedule of activities that support Cuban civil society rather than a beach holiday.
The category most independent US travelers use. Requires a full daily schedule of activities that support contact with Cuban people and civil society. In practice: stay in casas, eat at paladares, take private tours, avoid state hotels and government-run restaurants. Keep receipts.
You self-certify this category — no prior approval needed. You’re not submitting an application; you’re declaring at the airline check-in and immigration that your travel meets this standard. The rules are self-enforced, which is why many US travelers use it for what amounts to a normal Cuba vacation structured to fit the requirement.
Journalistic activity: For working journalists and press traveling in that capacity.
Professional research: Academic researchers whose work meets specific criteria.
Educational activities: Organized educational programs under proper licenses.
Family visits: For US citizens with close relatives in Cuba — one of the more straightforward categories.
Religious activities: For religiously affiliated travel organized by a qualifying organization.
The practical reality: tens of thousands of American citizens visit Cuba every year under the Support for the Cuban People category. The requirement is real but the enforcement is largely self-directed. You’ll be asked to confirm your category at airline check-in and on your Tourist Card. Keep a rough itinerary and receipts from private businesses in case of any follow-up questions when you return — in practice, US customs questions on Cuba returns are rare, but it’s sensible to be prepared.
US debit and credit cards — including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express issued by US banks — are blocked from processing in Cuba due to sanctions. This is not an ATM compatibility issue; it’s a sanctions issue. You need to bring all the cash you’ll need for your entire trip, converted to euros, Canadian dollars, or a third currency before you arrive. Factor this into your pre-trip planning carefully.
At the Airport: Check-In, Boarding, and Havana Immigration
Section 08 · What Actually HappensThe Tourist Card comes into play at three separate points in your journey. Knowing what to expect at each one removes the anxiety from the process entirely.
Step 1: Departure Check-In
The airline check-in agent will ask for your Tourist Card alongside your passport. They’re confirming it exists, it’s the correct color for the route, and it’s been filled in. If you haven’t filled it in yet, they’ll ask you to do so at the desk. If you haven’t got one, this is when it becomes a problem — some airlines sell cards here, others send you away to find one.
Step 2: Boarding Gate
On some Cuba routes, staff do a secondary check at the boarding gate — especially US-Cuba flights where the OFAC category needs to be confirmed on the card. Have both your passport and Tourist Card accessible, not buried in your carry-on. A quick scan; not a detailed interrogation.
Step 3: Cuban Immigration
At José Martí Airport in Havana (or whichever Cuban airport you arrive at), you hand your passport and Tourist Card to the immigration officer. They keep the larger stub and return the smaller carbon copy to you. Keep that copy safely — you’ll surrender it when you leave Cuba.
Cuban immigration is generally efficient. The queues at José Martí can get long during peak arrival windows — multiple international flights landing within an hour of each other — but the process itself is quick. Officers speak limited English but the Tourist Card provides most of what they need. You may be asked about your accommodation and how long you’re staying. Straightforward answers, no elaborate explanations needed.
The carbon copy returned to you at immigration is your in-country entry document. Keep it with your passport for the entire trip. You’ll need it when you check into casas particulares — hosts are legally required to register foreign guests and will ask to see it. You also surrender it on departure. Losing it is fixable but annoying — you’ll need to go to an immigration office to sort a replacement, which takes time you’d rather spend elsewhere.
Common Tourist Card Mistakes — and How to Avoid Them
Section 09 · What Goes WrongMost Tourist Card problems are preventable. The errors that cause airport stress or immigration delays nearly always come down to one of a small number of avoidable mistakes. Here are the ones worth knowing about.
Wrong Card Color
Buying a pink card when your flight departs from the US, or assuming a green card is needed when you’re flying from Europe. Confirm your flight routing, then buy accordingly. When in doubt, call the airline.
Leaving It Too Late
Ordering online three days before departure and hoping for postal delivery in time. Order several weeks in advance for postal options. Alternatively, buy from the airline at check-in as a backup — but confirm they sell them on your specific route.
Filling It In Wrong
Writing your nickname instead of your legal name, using the wrong date format, or leaving the Cuba address blank. Fill it in with your passport open in front of you. Name and passport number must be exact matches.
Losing the Returned Stub
Pocketing the returned stub at immigration and then leaving it in your jeans. Keep it with your passport at all times. A passport wallet or travel document folder prevents this entirely.
Overpaying Without Noticing
Paying $95 to an online reseller for a card that costs $25 at the embassy or $35 from the airline. All Tourist Cards are the same document — you’re only paying for convenience, not a superior product. Know what you should be paying before you buy.
Not Having It Accessible at Check-In
It’s checked in in your checked luggage or buried deep in your bag. Have it in the same place as your passport before you approach the check-in desk. This sounds obvious until the queue is long and you’re fumbling through everything.
The Tourist Card isn’t complicated — it’s just a paper form you need to buy, fill in, and keep safe. The errors that cause real problems at airports are entirely preventable with thirty minutes of advance planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Section 10 · Quick AnswersNo. Cuba does not sell Tourist Cards on arrival. You must have one before you board your flight — the airline will check at check-in. If you arrive without one, you’ll face a very difficult situation. Sort the card in advance, whether from your airline, a travel agency, or the Cuban embassy in your country.
No. Every traveler — including infants and children — requires their own individual Tourist Card. The card is a per-person document. Budget for one card per member of your traveling party, regardless of age.
You’ll need to visit an immigration office (Inmigración) to get a replacement. In Havana, the main immigration office is in Vedado. Bring your passport, explain the situation, and allow a couple of hours. It’s fixable but time-consuming. The better plan is keeping it with your passport so it can’t be separated from the document you’d never leave behind.
If the card is still legible — both halves clearly readable — you should be fine. Cuban immigration officers see plenty of travel-worn documents. If the card is genuinely unreadable or the information is obscured, it’s a problem. Keep it in a plastic sleeve or document wallet during the flight. If the damage happens mid-journey, flag it with a flight attendant who may have contacts at the destination airport to assist.
Yes. The initial 30-day entry can be extended once for a further 30 days, giving a maximum single-entry stay of 60 days. Extensions are done at an Inmigración office, cost around 25 CUP, and take a few hours. You’ll need your passport, the Tourist Card stub, and your accommodation registration (the card hosts give you when you check in). Do this a few days before your initial 30 days expire — don’t leave it to the last minute.
No. Cuba’s immigration policy means they stamp your Tourist Card rather than your passport. This is a deliberate feature of the system — useful for travelers who are concerned about a Cuba entry stamp appearing in their US passport (though there is no longer a formal legal issue with this for most travelers). Your passport remains unstamped in and out.
Yes, and yes. Travel insurance is a legal requirement to enter Cuba — not just recommended, actually required at the border. Cuban immigration officials can ask for proof. This is entirely separate from the Tourist Card. Some airlines and agencies bundle basic coverage into the Tourist Card purchase; confirm whether yours does. If not, arrange insurance independently. Cuba’s healthcare for tourists is good but operates on a cash-pay basis for foreigners, so the coverage matters practically too.
No. The Tourist Card is a single-entry document. If you leave Cuba and re-enter, you need a new Tourist Card for the second entry. This applies even if you’re only making a brief regional side trip — leaving Cuba ends the validity of that specific card. Budget for an additional card purchase if your itinerary includes Cuba, another destination, and then Cuba again.
It depends on where your final departing leg originates, and your nationality. Non-US citizens flying from a third country to Cuba generally need the pink card. US citizens flying from a third country still require the green card — because the requirement is tied to US nationality and OFAC regulations, not just departure point. Confirm with the airline operating your Cuba-bound flight if you’re uncertain.
Tourist Card sorted. Now plan the trip itself.
Where to stay, what to eat, how much to budget, when to go — the guides below cover everything else you need before you land in Havana.
Published on hotelhavanaerror.com | Last updated: May 2026
