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Step 1
Visit the website of the US Dept of State, and click on the international travel tab. Read the country specific information on Cuba. You will see that in order to travel to Cuba legally, you need to obtain a special license from the US Treasury.
(The reason why the license is issued by the Treasury and not the State Dept is because the restriction on Cuban travel are part of a trade embargo. And when you travel, you have to spend money.) -
Step 2
Notice that travel licenses are issued mainly for journalistic, educational, or family reasons. See which categories and subcategories of traveler you fit into.
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Step 3
Next, gather evidence and letters to show that you have a valid reason to travel to Cuba. For example, if you are visiting a family member, you need to prove your relationship to the person, and prove that the person is in Cuba. Or if you are writing a story on Cuba, you need a sizeable body of journalistic work. A press pass won't cut it.
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Step 4
Submit your application to the address given on the State Department's Website. You should do this at least one or two months in advance of your scheduled travel date.
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Step 5
When your license is approved, the next step is to obtain a travel visa from Cuba. Americans need two permissions to enter Cuba: one from the US, and one from Cuba. Schedule a visa appointment with the Cuban Consulate in Washington DC, and bring your passport and US travel license.
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Step 6
After you obtain permissions from both governments, you can schedule your flight. There are flights from Miami to Cuba, or you can fly from Mexico.
