2004 Fulfilling License Requirements

U. S. citizens are not authorized to travel to Cuba for the purpose of tourism. The U. S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) does, however, issue licenses to travel to Cuba for specific purposes. The religious license, with a particular emphasis on religious exchange, including dialogue and humanitarian outreach. We schedule regular trips to Cuba in which we carry out our program, described in the brochure—Cuba—A Spiritual Journey. Under no circumstances can anyone use this license without permission.

Please visit the OFAC web site at www.treas.gov/OFAC for detailed information on travel guidelines.

The charter airlines flying into Cuba regularly report all passengers traveling on their flights to OFAC. License-holders are also required to keep records of those using our license. If, at any time, OFAC has reason to believe that those traveling using our religious license are not fulfilling the requirements of the license, they can, and will, recall the license. If this were to happen, many people who might have been able to travel to Cuba using our license will have lost their chance. So, please understand and be respectful of this reality.

All groups using the religious license have been advised of itinerary elements included in order to fulfill the license requirements. Please consult with your group organizer for details.

When going through U. S. customs, you may be asked to provide your travel documentation—the signed permission letter and copy of the license. During your discussion with the customs agent, you may be asked to describe your activities in Cuba. Please describe your experiences in Cuba as they pertain to the religious license. Although you may have enjoyed your free-time activities in Cuba, this is not an appropriate time to discuss them. It could leave a false impression that the purpose of your trip was for other than the purposes described above. We would appreciate knowing if you are stopped in customs so that we can fully prepare for any inquiries.

Your license requirements will be fulfilled by participating in the activities described in the itinerary. Further instructions regarding appropriate donations to community-based and church or please consult with Cary Podell representative at (1-310-345-1081) after looking over the choices below and deciding which projects are of interest to you. All of the pertinent details—such as contact individuals, addresses, phone numbers, dates of availability — will be provided to you following the itinerary approval.

Jewish tradition—
  • Service on Friday night or Saturday morning. Two different synagogues
  • Chabat dinner/lunch on those dates
  • Breakfast with seniors, Monday through Friday
  • Youth group on weekday evening (Thursday)
  • Women’s group on weekday afternoon (varies)
  • Hebrew School on Sundays
  • Jewish Cemetery visit
  • Pediatric hospital visit

Protestant tradition—

  • Cuba Council of Churches visit. Presentation on the history of religion in Cuba
  • Senior citizens home in Vedado
  • Medicinal plant farm in San Antonio de los Banos

Catholic Tradition—

  • Kindergarten class in Old Havana’s Catedral
  • Single women’s sewing project in Old Havana
  • Down’s Syndrome children and parents’ program in Centro Havana
  • Church medicine disbursement program in Vedado
    Cathedral services on Sunday
  • AIDS project dinner on weekday dinner (Thursday)
  • Choral performance by international guests on Saturday nights (Old Havana)
  • Cemetery visit (Colon Cemetery)

Afro-Cuban tradition—

  • Yaruba Center in Old Havana
  • Callejon de Hammel Rumba concert in Vedado on Sunday afternoon
  • Meeting with Natalia Bolivar, scholar on Afro-Cuban traditions
  • Visit to Virgen de Regla in Cojimar