Your Guide to Traveling from Mexico to Cuba with a US Visa
Planning a trip to Mexico and Cuba, especially if you already hold a valid US visa? This guide shares some useful insights based on a recent travel experience, making your journey smoother.
Flying from the US to Mexico
My journey began with a flight from the US to Mexico City on Aeromexico. A great perk of this airline is complimentary Wi-Fi for popular messaging apps like Messenger, Viber, WhatsApp, and Zalo. While full internet access is available for purchase, it wasn't essential for my trip.
Entering Mexico with a US Visa
When entering Mexico, be sure to use the foreigner lane. Immigration officers may inquire about your travel purpose and duration. Simply state you're visiting for tourism and mention your planned length of stay. Having your return flight ticket and hotel reservations readily available is recommended. Some officers might be satisfied with just seeing your departure ticket from Mexico.
Purchasing Your Tourist Card for Cuba
Upon arrival in Mexico, head to the Aeromexico ticket counter (located on the second floor of Terminal 2). Here, you can purchase your tourist card for Cuba. The cost is approximately 19 USD. If your initial arrival is at Terminal 1, take the free shuttle service to Terminal 2.
Arriving in Cuba
Once you land in Cuba, connect to the available Wi-Fi to complete your arrival declaration. This typically involves providing basic personal information, details about the money you're carrying, and items you're bringing into the country. While the questions might seem varied, focus on the essentials like your name, currency, and any critical items. After submission, you'll receive a code to present for processing.
Internet and Connectivity in Cuba
A significant point to note is that Wi-Fi and internet services in Cuba can be quite slow. I paid for Wi-Fi at 5 USD per day, but the speeds were very limited. Due to work requirements, I opted for international roaming with Viettel. Over four days, my mobile data usage cost around 2 million VND, which was a considerable expense but necessary for my urgent tasks. Additionally, due to international sanctions, many services are blocked, requiring a VPN for access to platforms like Google and Microsoft.
Overall Travel Experience
Aside from the internet challenges, my overall experience traveling in Cuba was very positive. The country felt quite safe, even when exploring at night. I stayed in a casa particular, which is akin to a homestay or a room rented from a local resident. I was thoroughly pleased with the cleanliness and the exceptional friendliness of the host. The price for accommodation was 30 USD without Wi-Fi and 35 USD with Wi-Fi. Breakfast was an additional 5 USD to 8 USD per meal.
