The situation today with unlicensed Cuba travel and CBP officers has some similarities with flight attendants and the seat belt sign. Sometimes the pilots leave that sign on way too long after take off. The air is smooth and the FAs have been walking around for more than 10 minutes.

Someone who really has to use that lav should just go. Don't ask the FA for permission -- you're putting the FA in a difficult spot with that. You're asking them for permission to break a rule. That's a lot different than if they simply look the other way as you use the lav (in my experience, they nearly always look the other way when the FAs are walking around and there is no significant turbulance).

I really don't think CBP agents want you to tell them about your unlicensed Cuba trip. Doing so puts them on notice of probable violation of federal law. They will likely feel a lot of pressure to make some inquiries.

I think the point JDiver made at the beginning of this now-long thread is a good one. Is unlicensed travel to Cuba illegal? Yes, it is, as the law stands now. Will you be caught? Will you be hassled? Will you be prosecuted? Those questions are much more difficult to answer. The answer is not a 100% no, don't worry about it. There is some risk, however small it may be, and people have to decide if they want to assume that risk.

I always thought that FAs got some training in how to deal with mild turbulence. If nothing else, practice has made them more sure-footed than we are, which is why they can walk around when we're not supposed to. :)

There are occasions where those charged to enforce a law have made a rather clear decision not to enforce the law. That is the President's, or in the case of state law, a governor's discretion.

Here, I think President Obama could not have sent a clearer signal about his views concerning unlicensed travel-related transactions with Cuba:

Civil penalties imposed in 2009: 3
In 2010: 1
Since 2011: none

(see post #21, above)

Yes, I suppose tomorrow our President could change his mind and start prosecuting unlicensed travel to Cuba to the fullest extent possible under the law -- maybe even launching criminal prosecutions. It's possible. Lots of things are possible.

The US DOJ can't succeed in prosecuting US citizens' travel to Cuba as a tourist for just tourist activities in Cuba when the entire trip to/from/in Cuba is paid for by non-US persons not using assets in or from the US. That's with regard to parts of Cuba not held by the US. [For US citizens' travel to GTMO in Cuba, the US and/or US persons may even directly pay for it without needing UST-OFAC licenses. ;)]

Firstly,
I just found this thread today, quite by surprise
Under whose nom de plume
JDiver et al, have all provided great info on this topic !
I am considering travel to HAV via MEX in the near future.
I am a resident of MX with Res. Perm. Status, as well as US

Any Advice for entry, front or back appreciated

There is a flight from CUN to HAV.
Just make sure they do not stamp your passport. I am a Canadian and I now noticed that they stamped my passport after all these years.

Cuba Travel in February 2014
 

Thank you JDiver for all the great info on Cuba travel. I'm going on a photography tour next February. The tour company is acquiring the visas so I am assuming our trip will be legit and there will be no problems, however, I am going with an open mind and sense of adventure...

On your visit did you have any problems with customs? I'm only bringing Nikon 1 camera but will have my iPhone with me. Should I be worried about theft from searches?

How about cash? Do you have to convert all that you bring in immediately or can you convert as you need it? Is it okay to give dollars or coins to folks for tips?

If I want to bring anything to donate to kids or people-colored pencils, crayons, clothing, guitar strings, etc, is there a website that has guidelines?

I've traveled quite a bit to Argentina, Ecuador, and have been through Chile and also I was in Montevideo, Uruguay so I am aware of keeping things near and being aware of my surroundings and not wearing flashy clothes, jewelry and standing out in the crowd.

It seems like a fascinating place despite the history... I'm especially interested in the culture and listening to the music. Of course seeing the cars and iconic sights will be a bucket list check off.

In your opinion would it be worth it to take Euros and convert instead of USD?

Did you know Spanish? I'm sure it can't hurt to know it.
Thank you for any input from you or others who may have been!

Don't tip in coins.

In Havanna you will find plenty of atm for receiving cash with a visa card issued by any non-US bank. To change US $ in the hotel is not advisable better take € with you and change in Cadeca which is a sort of official money changer. You find branches of Cadeca at many places in Havana (opposite of Yara cinema at Coppelia which is an ice cream parlour named after the famous ballet).

Most of the cubans speak excellent english as they are watching more or less day and night US soap operas and they learn of course english in school.

I had never any problems at the customs but you should not bring more then one or two laptops, one or two ipads, one or two smartphones. Somebody carrying ten or more iphones will be suspicious.

Cuba is one of the safest places for tourists. But as everywhere in the world you should not forget your purse with 500 € in a bus or in a cab. But even you do so the possibility you will get back your purse in Havana with all your money is higher then in Manhattan.

Do not tip coins - in US you are supposed to tip 18 or 22 % so give at least one US $ or more as a tip.

A last comment: I am traveling quite often to HAV and I met lots of US citizens on my flights who where strict anticommunist republicans while travelling to HAV. Two weeks later I met the same people outbound HAV wearing t-shirts with Fidel Castro on it and cuban flags in their hands and singing "Comandante Che Guevara".

My advice please do not buy t-shirts with Che Guevara, Fidel Castro or "socialismo y muerte" on it. And do not sing this song.

FYI: June 3, 2015 dateline, full BBC article here.

BTW: Suggestions about bringing Euros are spot on.

Some good information for anyone planning a trip to this wonderful country.
First went 20 years ago and returned again last year - the country may have changed but its friendly and resourceful people haven't.

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...eakfast-owners

I just edited the Wiki by deleting "Cuban Interests Section" and typing "Cuban Embassy".

It was one of the most satisfying things I have done on Flyertalk.

Good point, cbn42. :)

I added a couple of sentences about passport stamps and updated the "Entry Requirements" URL link to reflect that ours is also an embassy in Havana and not an interests section.

have seen blogs saying that all American passports are now being stamped when you enter Cuba and others saying that you can still get a piece of paper stamped in lieu of passport. Anyone have up-to-date info?

I've read a couple of U.S. citizens say they were able to get a wink and a stamp on a separate slip of paper, but that's extremely rare. You should plan on your passport being stamped on entry and exit. There's really no hiding the fact any longer.