Cuba - if Anthony Bourdain and other TV guys can travel to Cuba, why can't we go?

is there an app or dongle that will allow you to watch TV on the iPad 2? (in EU and/or North America)

As far as legal options go, anyone can get a licence to go for professional reasons including journalists. Do you think the embargo is serving US interests so well?

Ps bloggers can indeed apply for a licence as can any freelance journalist.

you can go to visit relatives, or take a cultural tour, but can't do what i want, which is go to havana for a few days.....

I am wondering if we could all get a license and have the first ever FT Mileage Seminar DO in Havana to show them what is possible with miles/points. You know, spread the revolution:D

I am wondering if we could all get a license and have the first ever FT Mileage Seminar DO in Havana to show them what is possible with miles/points. You know, spread the revolution:D

But Cubana doesn't have a frequent flyer program.

I know guys that go all the time - illegally. Cuban immigration won't stamp your PP if you're American. Get a flight from MEX or CUN. Bring plenty of $$$ as you can't use CCs or TCs. Most of these guys rent apts and stay out of the hotels. I've been told that the law states that one can go to Cuba, but it's illegal to spend more than $100. If you want to do it legally, go on a prepaid - all inclusive tour. It's OK, as long as you don't pull out your wallet. I vaguely remember hearing scuttlebutt about a crackdown though. Better check that out before you go. wj

I know guys that go all the time - illegally. Cuban immigration won't stamp your PP if you're American. Get a flight from MEX or CUN. Bring plenty of $$$ as you can't use CCs or TCs. Most of these guys rent apts and stay out of the hotels. I've been told that the law states that one can go to Cuba, but it's illegal to spend more than $100. If you want to do it legally, go on a prepaid - all inclusive tour. It's OK, as long as you don't pull out your wallet. I vaguely remember hearing scuttlebutt about a crackdown though. Better check that out before you go. wj

so it's okay if someone flies to Havana in order to mug Fidel?(assuming he has a couple of American dollars in his wallet) as long as he/she spends the $2 back on American soil?

if Anthony Bourdain and other TV guys can travel to Cuba, why can't we go?



Who is "we"? Going to assume you mean Americans, it's not just Americans reading these forums. Many Canadians, Europeans and others vacation in Cuba every year. Just was reading the latest vacation offerings by a well known travel company in Canada...lots of Cuban offerings.

What a shame. Cubans are generally the friendliest people I've ever encountered during my travels.

The thread title can be generalized for Americans..

For Canadians.. travelling to Cuba is quite easy.. and Cuba is targeting Canadians for the vacation business all of the time..

The thread title can be generalized for Americans..

For Canadians.. travelling to Cuba is quite easy.. and Cuba is targeting Canadians for the vacation business all of the time..

Indeed. Easy from Europe, too. Havana is a fantastic city, and Varadero has the most stunning beaches. The US embargo hurts Cuba, and in no way would I want it prolonged. But I would seriously advise anyone who had yet to go, to go before it is lifted - Havana streets with McDonalds, Starbucks, new Fords, etc. just won't be the same.

Indeed. Easy from Europe, too. Havana is a fantastic city, and Varadero has the most stunning beaches. The US embargo hurts Cuba, and in no way would I want it prolonged. But I would seriously advise anyone who had yet to go, to go before it is lifted - Havana streets with McDonalds, Starbucks, new Fords, etc. just won't be the same.


the embargo is 50 years old.... probably a world record for someone holding a grudge? :D (edit, oopp, I forgot about the other one that's lasted 65 years and still ongoing, but cannot be mentioned on this forum)

I don't even hold a grudge against my ex-wife anymore for cheating on me with my niece and that was only 11 years, 7 months, 6 hours and 20 minutes ago. :mad:

I don't even hold a grudge against my ex-wife anymore for cheating on me with my niece and that was only 11 years, 7 months, 6 hours and 20 minutes ago. :mad:

Pics or it didn't happen. :p

My church in NJ sent a whole choir there for an international choral festival, which was deemed to be cultural. How's your singing voice?:D

I don't get it. The US doesn't care if its citizens travel to Iran or North Korea, but we can't travel to Cuba, a country 100 miles from our land that hasn't been hostile to us in 50 years.

I don't get it. The US doesn't care if its citizens travel to Iran or North Korea, but we can't travel to Cuba, a country 100 miles from our land that hasn't been hostile to us in 50 years.

But, we can.....

http://wikitravel.org/en/Americans_in_Cuba#b

For more discussion, please follow the thread to the Travel->Cuba forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

But, we can.....

http://wikitravel.org/en/Americans_in_Cuba#b


Not without jumping through hoops to make it legal.

Not without jumping through hoops to make it legal.

Agreed..

Americans from my experience.. are not able to legally enter Cuba.. an American Passport is not acceptable documentation to gain entrance into Cuba..

Agreed..

Americans from my experience.. are not able to legally enter Cuba.. an American Passport is not acceptable documentation to gain entrance into Cuba..

There's a lot to be said for vacationing in a country where Americans aren't allowed.
Perhaps that's why Cubans are so friendly to everyone else. :D

There's a lot to be said for vacationing in a country where Americans aren't allowed.
Perhaps that's why Cubans are so friendly to everyone else. :D

As a Canadian, we take great pleasure in vacationing in a country where we know there are very few Americans, who are either too afraid/lazy/ethical to visit.

Cuban immigration won't stamp your PP if you're American.

Haven't stamped mine the two times I've been and have always stamped the tourist card you fill out on the plane.

As a Canadian, we take great pleasure in vacationing in a country where we know there are very few Americans, who are either too afraid/lazy/ethical to visit.

I think that Americans who try to visit Cuba is taking a risk.. I just like vacationing where no Americans are..

Its' a nice change of pace.

I like vacationing anywhere there are virtually no Canadians. Best place for that I've found, is anywhere > 100 miles N of the US border ! wj

I like vacationing anywhere there are virtually no Canadians. Best place for that I've found, is anywhere > 100 miles N of the US border ! wj

The border of Mexico..

Haven't stamped mine the two times I've been and have always stamped the tourist card you fill out on the plane.
I've asked all 3 times. And I got the stamps, and no questions upon my return stateside.

The border of Mexico..

No, too many Canadians ! Especially in Arizona. wj

I'm determined to go to Cuba no matter what the US govt says. Personally, I think its unconstitutional to place restrictions on the travels of citizens.

As a US citizen, I'm thinking of going with a Canadian friend. I'll give them my money upfront and let them "treat" me to everything while in Cuba. Loophole ;)?

As a US citizen, I'm thinking of going with a Canadian friend. I'll give them my money upfront and let them "treat" me to everything while in Cuba. Loophole ;)?

One aspect.. I think getting in with acceptable travel documents will take some fancy footwork..

One aspect.. I think getting in with acceptable travel documents will take some fancy footwork..

Acceptable travel documents, or... fly to Havana from Cancun.

Acceptable travel documents, or... fly to Havana from Cancun.

I guess, country of origin based on flights out of Mexico and Canada would work.. I think that is the loophole I've heard some US citizens speak of.. but what travel documents would you need to say travel Cancun to Cuba? Or is it none at all..

One aspect.. I think getting in with acceptable travel documents will take some fancy footwork..
SJU-SDQ/SDQ-HAV with a US passport, backup Spanish passport, and a middle finger to the law has worked for me in the past.

SJU-SDQ/SDQ-HAV with a US passport, backup Spanish passport, and a middle finger to the law has worked for me in the past.

So you flashed the American passport?

Awesome! What did the cuban authority say?..

Isn't the middle finger a different meaning in Cuba?

So you flashed the American passport?

Awesome! What did the cuban authority say?..

Isn't the middle finger a different meaning in Cuba?
Flashed it, they stamped my tourist card (purchased at SDQ), and after I requested, stamped my passport as well.

The Cubans could care less if Americans go. It's the US that has its panties in a bunch. In fact, when I spoke to Cubans and told them I was Puerto Rican (the majority of Spanish Speaking tourists there are either Venezuelan or Spaniards, so my accent was a bit off to them), they were pleasantly surprised. And shockingly well informed about historical politics on my island.

The middle finger was for my return, in case it was needed :) I'm not sure as to its meaning in Cuba, but in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, it means the same thing as in the US and Canada, so I'm pretty sure it means the same thing in Cuba :)

Flashed it, they stamped my tourist card (purchased at SDQ), and after I requested, stamped my passport as well.

The Cubans could care less if Americans go. It's the US that has its panties in a bunch. In fact, when I spoke to Cubans and told them I was Puerto Rican (the majority of Spanish Speaking tourists there are either Venezuelan or Spaniards, so my accent was a bit off to them), they were pleasantly surprised. And shockingly well informed about historical politics on my island.

The middle finger was for my return, in case it was needed :) I'm not sure as to its meaning in Cuba, but in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, it means the same thing as in the US and Canada, so I'm pretty sure it means the same thing in Cuba :)

LOL @ the panties in a bunch comment.:D

Ok.. makes sense that the Cuban government would welcome tourism.. and the US having imposed the embargo doesn't encourage tourism to Cuba..

As a US citizen, I'm thinking of going with a Canadian friend. I'll give them my money upfront and let them "treat" me to everything while in Cuba. Loophole ;)?

Wow, I've read quite a bit on going to Cuba and this approach has never crossed my mind. My brother-in-law is Canadian, so we could travel to Cuba together and I could, in theory, not spend a dime... Since the embargo only technically prohibits spending money in Cuba this would appear to be perfectly legal. Next year's vacation to another destination would be my treat...

Thoughts??

Wow, I've read quite a bit on going to Cuba and this approach has never crossed my mind. My brother-in-law is Canadian, so we could travel to Cuba together and I could, in theory, not spend a dime... Since the embargo only technically prohibits spending money in Cuba this would appear to be perfectly legal. Next year's vacation to another destination would be my treat...

Thoughts??

I agree.. from that perspective, having a US citizen ask their foreign friend to purchase.. is perfectly legal loophole..

One aspect.. I think getting in with acceptable travel documents will take some fancy footwork..

Of course the prima facie guilty until proven innocent would be a burden here. But retention of receipts by the foreign friend may very well be of use if it ever wound up in court.

Of course the prima facie guilty until proven innocent would be a burden here. But retention of receipts by the foreign friend may very well be of use if it ever wound up in court.

Recipts, what receipts, there are no receipts in Cuba. LoL
I know of an American doctor who travels to Cuba via the Dominican Republic and he has been questioned by the US Mafioso on arrival in the US but they could never prove he spent any money as he says he stays with friends who feed him.

Of course the prima facie guilty until proven innocent would be a burden here. But retention of receipts by the foreign friend may very well be of use if it ever wound up in court.

This is the US?.. I thought innocent until proven guilty..

That is unless under terrorist legislation..

Recipts, what receipts, there are no receipts in Cuba. LoL
I know of an American doctor who travels to Cuba via the Dominican Republic and he has been questioned by the US Mafioso on arrival in the US but they could never prove he spent any money as he says he stays with friends who feed him.

ROFL! :D

Key is not to have receipts when travelling then..

I have been twice , once thru Canada and the other time thru Bahamas. Deny/deny and dont be obvious

friendly planet travel, is advertising legal trips for americans to visit cuba. can ssee thr trips on their web site

friendly planet travel, is advertising legal trips for americans to visit cuba. can ssee thr trips on their web site

Pretty bold marketing move..

The loopholes are apparent.. but to take it to a mass marketing level, is gumption..

I'm going legally later this month because my church has a "sister diocese" relationship with the Episcopal Diocese of Cuba. This will be either the fifth or sixth group that has gone. Religious groups can get permits to travel to visit religious groups in Cuba, and the restrictions are looser than they used to be.

The whole ban on travel to Cuba is silly. Americans go to China all the time and even during the Soviet period, they could visit Russia without getting permission from the U.S. government.

I have been twice , once thru Canada and the other time thru Bahamas. Deny/deny and dont be obvious
I don't deny, since I'm not in the business of lying to federal officers. I just don't volunteer more information than needed.