General Travel Tips

• Tourism travel to Cuba remains illegal for US citizens. However, as of 2015, you no longer need to apply for a license to travel, but rather identify one of the US approved reasons for travel when you board your flight (i.e. journalism [including blogging], education, visiting a family member, etc). We took an Aeromexico flight from Cancun, as finding chartered flights from the US remains difficult. We bought a Cuban visa from the Aeromexico counter in Cancun and filled out a form with our documented reason for travel. Super easy. 
• Cubans welcome Americans to their country. The influx of US visitors has increased dramatically in recent years, although perhaps not quite as common as European visitors. Most people still guessed I was German.
• You cannot use your American credit card. This is a cash economy. Bring as much cash, and more, that you expect to use while you are there. Convert it to CUC at the airport; if there is a long line downstairs, try departures upstairs for better luck. You will only get 0.87 CUC for 1 American dollar, although it is technically pinned to the dollar. It may be beneficial to take Euros as there is not a fee associated with it...but you have to gauge the exchange rate from your own bank in the US before this becomes worth it. 
• Use guides and stay at casa particulares. This is how I learned the most about Cuba. We stayed in people's homes and had guided tours based on what we were most interested in learning. We also ate a couple meals at our casa particulares, which turned out to be great food and super relaxing at the same time.
• Plan your trip with pre-arranged reservations. I found using a guide in Cuba the most helpful - my transport, tours, lodging were all arranged for me prior to my arrival. We used Jorge (http://www.jorge-cubaholidays.com/) and he was on top of everything that we wanted prior to our arrival in Havana.
• Cuba is not super expensive, but it is also not super cheap. Fuel is 2x the cost of US gasoline and transportation is not efficient or easy. We pre-arranged a private vehicle for our long distance travel, which was definitely worth the cost and time of waiting for limited bus travel. 
• Cuba is already pushed to its limits with its international popularity. The country is only going to be put under more stress as visitors pour in, wanting to see it before the "change." This is not going to happen over night, but yes, someday, Cuba will change. And the day US tourism becomes legal and domestic carriers add 10+ flights per day, of course Cuba is going to see a change. For now, basking in Caribbean sun, diving in the Bay of Pigs, and lounging by the pool is not legal. Now is the time to see it...but with a certain respect and understanding of its resources, history, and culture. It is most definitely a "trip" and not a "vacation." But also well worth the time and effort.

Final sunset view overlooking Havana and its port. There are plans to redo the port for cruise ships in expectation of American cruise ships returning to Cuba. This also happens to be where Drew's ship docked on Semester at Sea in 2002.