A Caution [to U S Citizens no OFAC License with Health Issues] re Traveling To Cuba
Sep 29, 2013, 1:50 pm
#16
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You can go with all kinds of organizations--religious, educational, cultural--nowadays. I went with a church group, a friend of mine went on a tour organized by the Philadelphia Art Museum and both Smithsonian Tours and Elderhostel offer tours to Cuba. A local private school in Minneapolis sent some of its students to Cuba for spring break.
It's no big deal to go legally, and I highly recommend seeing it, one of the few places on earth that has almost no U.S. corporate influence. No McDonald's, no Starbucks, no U.S. TV, although they have somehow figured out how to get Coca-Cola, perhaps from Mexico.
It's no big deal to go legally, and I highly recommend seeing it, one of the few places on earth that has almost no U.S. corporate influence. No McDonald's, no Starbucks, no U.S. TV, although they have somehow figured out how to get Coca-Cola, perhaps from Mexico.
Sep 29, 2013, 3:48 pm
#17
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You can go with all kinds of organizations--religious, educational, cultural--nowadays. I went with a church group, a friend of mine went on a tour organized by the Philadelphia Art Museum and both Smithsonian Tours and Elderhostel offer tours to Cuba. A local private school in Minneapolis sent some of its students to Cuba for spring break.
It's no big deal to go legally, and I highly recommend seeing it, one of the few places on earth that has almost no U.S. corporate influence. No McDonald's, no Starbucks, no U.S. TV, although they have somehow figured out how to get Coca-Cola, perhaps from Mexico.
It's no big deal to go legally, and I highly recommend seeing it, one of the few places on earth that has almost no U.S. corporate influence. No McDonald's, no Starbucks, no U.S. TV, although they have somehow figured out how to get Coca-Cola, perhaps from Mexico.
Sep 29, 2013, 5:08 pm
#18
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That is incorrect for U.S. citizens and residents. And if one does spend $5.00 (how, if U.S. dollars are not accepted and must be converted to convertible pesos, is another issue) it's already a violation of OFAC.
By the way, lying to a Federal officer - ask Martha Stewart what can happen.
By the way, lying to a Federal officer - ask Martha Stewart what can happen.
My oh my, all this drama. There is no problems for US citizens to visit Cuba. Also you don't need to have Insurance, they usually sell it to you at the airport for $5. And I go there twice a year, believe me no one even bothers to ask to see you health insurance. And US citizens if questioned by US Immig, can say we did not spend any money there, we stayed with a Cuban family and they paid for all our meals etc.
Last edited by JDiver; Sep 29, 2013 at 5:13 pm
Sep 30, 2013, 11:21 am
#19
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That is incorrect for U.S. citizens and residents. And if one does spend $5.00 (how, if U.S. dollars are not accepted and must be converted to convertible pesos, is another issue) it's already a violation of OFAC.
By the way, lying to a Federal officer - ask Martha Stewart what can happen.
By the way, lying to a Federal officer - ask Martha Stewart what can happen.
Sep 30, 2013, 7:27 pm
#20
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You still need the OFAC license. And as I mentioned above, the mere fact that you bought a plane ticket to Cuba means that you spent money, a small amount of which went to the Cuban government in the form of taxes. It's almost impossible to say, "I didn't spend any money in Cuba." Of course you did.
Oct 1, 2013, 6:51 am
#21
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You still need the OFAC license. And as I mentioned above, the mere fact that you bought a plane ticket to Cuba means that you spent money, a small amount of which went to the Cuban government in the form of taxes. It's almost impossible to say, "I didn't spend any money in Cuba." Of course you did.
Oct 3, 2013, 4:35 pm
#22
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You can get from here (the US) to there (Cuba). In a number of ways. But if you're going "back door" - don't expect to be able to get home quickly if you have to - for any reason (including personal or family health issues). Best I can tell - there's no direct service from Havana to Miaimi for "back door" people. Robyn
Funny thing is, health care is one of Cuba's few strong suits compared to other developing nations that are on the list of holiday destinations for those enjoying life in the rich world. If I were to have a medical emergency, I'd much rather be in Cuba than many of the popular Mexican spots.
Oct 4, 2013, 3:30 am
#23
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dhuey, this has been explained to OP before:
From 2007
From 2011
I'm European and would much rather take my chances with Cuban health care than that available in the US.
From 2007
bhd87 - What might be useful information for the OP and other tourists (since many are from Europe - which is pretty far away from Cuba) is what is the best way to get to the US (only 90 miles away!) - if there's an emergency (whether it's a hurricane or a heart attack - I know the Cuban health care system is supposed to be pretty good - but I think I'd rather have bypass surgery in Miami instead of Havana). Are there scheduled/charter flights available from the US for people who are allowed to travel to/from Cuba legally?
Yes - I saw where the OP lives. But if the OP is in a bad accident - or needs an appendix removed - although Cuba is only 90 miles away from Florida - you can't get from there to here fast and direct. And regardless of what Michael Moore has to say about medical care in Cuba - you really don't want to be injured or sick there. Cuba is not unique in this regard. It's just that the physical proximity to the US can be deceptive. Robyn
Oct 14, 2013, 10:52 pm
#25
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The thread has been retitled for accuracy.
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Now, turn down the snark level, please; further snark-laden posts will be subject to summary deletion.
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Oct 14, 2013, 11:01 pm
#26
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Oct 14, 2013, 11:34 pm
#27
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Agreed with Doc Savage. been to Cuba a few times medical facilities are horribly inadequate even if trained doctors are plentiful and as far as Mc Donald's is concerned once you eat at El Rapido the Cuban equivalent you will wish for Mc Donald's. Nice place to travel but let's have no delusions about Cuba's advancements.
Oct 20, 2013, 11:22 pm
#28
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Oct 21, 2013, 11:59 am
#29
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Please give us some specific details of what happened to you personally while in Cuba to have come to this opinion about medical care there during those few times you visited (legally? with insurance?).
Folks in Brazil, the heavily touted miracle of development, are now contracting doctors from Cuba to upgrade the medical system there.
If you go to Cuba to eat at McDonald's or El Rapido, you deserve what you get. :-) If you go to MickeyD's anywhere in the world, the same goes. :-) McD's should in no way, shape or form be considered an "advancement" !
Last edited by VidaNaPraia; Oct 21, 2013 at 12:06 pm
Oct 22, 2013, 11:01 pm
#30
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You still need the OFAC license. And as I mentioned above, the mere fact that you bought a plane ticket to Cuba means that you spent money, a small amount of which went to the Cuban government in the form of taxes. It's almost impossible to say, "I didn't spend any money in Cuba." Of course you did.