It’s Official: Airbnb Has Launched In Cuba

Your long-awaited Cuban holiday is getting closer than ever. Following President Obama's easing of travel restrictions to the island in January, Airbnb has announced that it is now offering listings for accommodations in Cuba. Starting today, travelers to the country can choose from more than 1,000 homes to give their stay a local flavor.  "When we founded Airbnb in 2008, our dream was to help create a world where you could belong anywhere, and that vision has taken root in almost every country in the world,” Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk said in a press release. “For over 50 years, Cuba has been out of reach for most Americans. We couldn’t be more excited that, starting today, licensed U.S. travelers will now be able to experience the unique culture and warm hospitality that makes the island so special through our new Cuban community.”   Home owners in the country with limited Internet access are working with hosting partners to arrange online bookings. American travelers still need to prove that their travels fall under one of 12 license categories permitted by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. Currently, only licensed travelers from the U.S. can make Airbnb bookings on the newly launched platform, but the company hopes to add non-U.S. travelers in the future.   Got your license? Got your booking? Got your taste for adventure? Havana, here we come!