Just Bought Tickets to Cuba... Now What?
Jul 11, 2016, 9:09 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BDL/PVD
Programs: UA, Marriott, Amex
Posts: 226
Just Bought Tickets to Cuba... Now What?
{Note}This is a place holder for information as I gather, it seems that the all-knowing Flyertalk, is devoid of a lot of Cuba info.{/note}
So you are an American, and US-based airlines are now flying to Cuba. You are of course not a tourist, but if you are curious about how and what a tourist might do. This thread is for you!
Airline info:
American Airlines
Delta
Frontier
Jetblue
Silver Airways
Southwest
United
DOT Fact Sheet with all routes and more info.
Legal Reasons to Visit:
1. Family visits
2. Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
3. Journalistic activity
4. Professional research and professional meetings
5. Educational activities
6. Religious activities
7. Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions
8. Support for the Cuban people
9. Humanitarian projects
10. Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
11. Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials
12. Certain export transactions that may be considered for authorization under existing regulations and guidelines
Where do you stay?
Hotels
Casa Particular
Currency and howto pay:
Assume your American credit cards will not work, and if you have foreign issued cards expect that they will only be accepted at big hotels. Cash is king, bring USD, EUR or GBP and exchange at a hotel.
Currency Info. CUC and CUP.
Now what do you do?
Can I self-certify? Yes. Just make sure it is for the People to People exchange.
How much does a Visa cost? - $50 if you visit the Cuban Consulate in Washington DC. If you apply remotely, it costs $70.
Make sure you save $25 per person for the exit fee.
These documents are needed to obtain this visa by mail:
Other Stuff:
Top-10 Questions as answered on FT.
Great advice from Miles Talk.
Trip Report from Cheap World Traveler.
Bus line information (city to city).
More Great Info.
So you are an American, and US-based airlines are now flying to Cuba. You are of course not a tourist, but if you are curious about how and what a tourist might do. This thread is for you!
Airline info:
American Airlines
Delta
Frontier
Jetblue
Silver Airways
Southwest
United
DOT Fact Sheet with all routes and more info.
Legal Reasons to Visit:
1. Family visits
2. Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
3. Journalistic activity
4. Professional research and professional meetings
5. Educational activities
6. Religious activities
7. Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions
8. Support for the Cuban people
9. Humanitarian projects
10. Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
11. Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials
12. Certain export transactions that may be considered for authorization under existing regulations and guidelines
Where do you stay?
Hotels
Casa Particular
Currency and howto pay:
Assume your American credit cards will not work, and if you have foreign issued cards expect that they will only be accepted at big hotels. Cash is king, bring USD, EUR or GBP and exchange at a hotel.
Currency Info. CUC and CUP.
Now what do you do?
Can I self-certify? Yes. Just make sure it is for the People to People exchange.
How much does a Visa cost? - $50 if you visit the Cuban Consulate in Washington DC. If you apply remotely, it costs $70.
Make sure you save $25 per person for the exit fee.
These documents are needed to obtain this visa by mail:
- Legible photocopy of valid Passport
- Legible photocopy of plane ticket with entry and return dates
- Payment of the Consular fee for this service
- Stamped self-addressed envelope for the visa to be sent back (Consular Office recommended FEDEX, Express mail , UPS or Certified Priority mail)
- 1 Money order by $ 50.00 USD (consular fee)
- 1 Money order by $ 20.00 USD (If the application is made by mail or via a third party, an extra consular fee of 20.00 USD will be charged).
- All payments must be made with money orders.
- To send by mail our Consular Office is located at 2630 16th Street NW, Washington DC, 20009
- Checks are made payable to "Embassy of Cuba"
Other Stuff:
Top-10 Questions as answered on FT.
Great advice from Miles Talk.
Trip Report from Cheap World Traveler.
Bus line information (city to city).
More Great Info.
Last edited by newaarondavidson; Sep 6, 2016 at 4:50 pm
Jul 11, 2016, 2:26 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,667
The website http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/sicw/E...istCards<br /> states (exactly):
"Tourist Visa (Tourist Card)
The Tourist Visa or Tourist Card is only for purposes of tourism to Cuba. It is valid for one single entrance into national territory for a 30-day trip and can be extended for an additional 30 days at the office in the hotel where one has accommodations or with the immigration authority.
Minors must have their own Tourist Card even if they are travelling under their parents’ passport(s).
To obtain this visa in person at the Consulate, these documents are needed:
-Valid Passport
-Plane Ticket with entry and return dates
-Payment of the Consular fee for this service
These documents are needed to obtain this visa by mail:
-Legible photocopy of valid Passport
-Legible photocopy of plane ticket with entry and return dates
- Payment of the Consular fee for this service
-Stamped self-addressed envelope for the visa to be sent back
NOTE: If the application is made by mail or via a third party, an extra consular fee will be charged for the pertinent Consular service.
All payments must be made in cash or by a bank certified cheque. All cash sent by mail will be refused and returned at the risk of the applicant. "
Where did you find the additional information in your "Now what do you do?" section?
"Tourist Visa (Tourist Card)
The Tourist Visa or Tourist Card is only for purposes of tourism to Cuba. It is valid for one single entrance into national territory for a 30-day trip and can be extended for an additional 30 days at the office in the hotel where one has accommodations or with the immigration authority.
Minors must have their own Tourist Card even if they are travelling under their parents’ passport(s).
To obtain this visa in person at the Consulate, these documents are needed:
-Valid Passport
-Plane Ticket with entry and return dates
-Payment of the Consular fee for this service
These documents are needed to obtain this visa by mail:
-Legible photocopy of valid Passport
-Legible photocopy of plane ticket with entry and return dates
- Payment of the Consular fee for this service
-Stamped self-addressed envelope for the visa to be sent back
NOTE: If the application is made by mail or via a third party, an extra consular fee will be charged for the pertinent Consular service.
All payments must be made in cash or by a bank certified cheque. All cash sent by mail will be refused and returned at the risk of the applicant. "
Where did you find the additional information in your "Now what do you do?" section?
Jul 11, 2016, 4:21 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum
Posts: 1,894
Nice compilation. Thanks.
The article you link to from Cuba Journal is incorrect on one point. The people-to-people tours or individuals putting together their own similar travel fall under the category of "educational activities." "Support for the Cuban people" is actually a very narrow category in which you travel to Cuba with an international organization dedicated to promoting peace and democracy. That one would have to be a highly structured trip and not possible to do on your own.
The article you link to from Cuba Journal is incorrect on one point. The people-to-people tours or individuals putting together their own similar travel fall under the category of "educational activities." "Support for the Cuban people" is actually a very narrow category in which you travel to Cuba with an international organization dedicated to promoting peace and democracy. That one would have to be a highly structured trip and not possible to do on your own.
Jul 12, 2016, 4:00 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BDL/PVD
Programs: UA, Marriott, Amex
Posts: 226
The website http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/sicw/E...istCards<br /> states (exactly):
"Tourist Visa (Tourist Card)
The Tourist Visa or Tourist Card is only for purposes of tourism to Cuba. It is valid for one single entrance into national territory for a 30-day trip and can be extended for an additional 30 days at the office in the hotel where one has accommodations or with the immigration authority.
Minors must have their own Tourist Card even if they are travelling under their parents’ passport(s).
To obtain this visa in person at the Consulate, these documents are needed:
-Valid Passport
-Plane Ticket with entry and return dates
-Payment of the Consular fee for this service
These documents are needed to obtain this visa by mail:
-Legible photocopy of valid Passport
-Legible photocopy of plane ticket with entry and return dates
- Payment of the Consular fee for this service
-Stamped self-addressed envelope for the visa to be sent back
NOTE: If the application is made by mail or via a third party, an extra consular fee will be charged for the pertinent Consular service.
All payments must be made in cash or by a bank certified cheque. All cash sent by mail will be refused and returned at the risk of the applicant. "
Where did you find the additional information in your "Now what do you do?" section?
"Tourist Visa (Tourist Card)
The Tourist Visa or Tourist Card is only for purposes of tourism to Cuba. It is valid for one single entrance into national territory for a 30-day trip and can be extended for an additional 30 days at the office in the hotel where one has accommodations or with the immigration authority.
Minors must have their own Tourist Card even if they are travelling under their parents’ passport(s).
To obtain this visa in person at the Consulate, these documents are needed:
-Valid Passport
-Plane Ticket with entry and return dates
-Payment of the Consular fee for this service
These documents are needed to obtain this visa by mail:
-Legible photocopy of valid Passport
-Legible photocopy of plane ticket with entry and return dates
- Payment of the Consular fee for this service
-Stamped self-addressed envelope for the visa to be sent back
NOTE: If the application is made by mail or via a third party, an extra consular fee will be charged for the pertinent Consular service.
All payments must be made in cash or by a bank certified cheque. All cash sent by mail will be refused and returned at the risk of the applicant. "
Where did you find the additional information in your "Now what do you do?" section?
Jul 25, 2016, 7:33 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BDL/PVD
Programs: UA, Marriott, Amex
Posts: 226
$50 standard application fee
$20 Mail-in fee (you do not pay this if you walk up)
Fees are payable by money order or bank check only and must be separate. So for my wife and I, we needed 4 checks.
Sep 2, 2016, 4:20 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Naples, Florida
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Hyatt Platinum,Marriott Silver,Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 592
Sep 6, 2016, 4:51 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BDL/PVD
Programs: UA, Marriott, Amex
Posts: 226
According to the consulate, the following agencies are selling visas (ie doing the work... I think):
‐ MARAZUL - WEEHAWKEN ‐ NEW JERSEY 4100 Park Avenue Weehawken, New Jersey 07086
201‐319‐3900
‐ MARAZUL - EDGEWATER - 1 Marine Plaza. Suite 302 North Bergen, New Jersey 07047
201‐319‐1054 800‐223‐5334
‐ NEW VIEW TRAVEL AGENCY - 510 39TH ST UNION CITY, NJ 07087 (201) 867‐0039 FAX
201‐867‐ 1180
‐ PEERLESS TRAVEL 5601 Bergenline Ave, West New York, NJ 07093 Teléfonos
201‐867‐2844 ‐
‐ CARIBE EXPRESS - 6710B Bergenline Ave, Gutteberg, NJ 07093 Teléfono: 201‐869‐7989
- CARIBE EXPRESS - 626 Elizabeth Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07206 Teléfono: 908‐282‐2096 Web:
www.caribeexpress.com E_MAIL: [email protected]
‐ COSTAMAR TRAVEL WEST NEW YORK - 6513 Park Ave West New York, New Jersey, 07093
Teléfono: 201 662 0114
‐ MARAZUL - WEEHAWKEN ‐ NEW JERSEY 4100 Park Avenue Weehawken, New Jersey 07086
201‐319‐3900
‐ MARAZUL - EDGEWATER - 1 Marine Plaza. Suite 302 North Bergen, New Jersey 07047
201‐319‐1054 800‐223‐5334
‐ NEW VIEW TRAVEL AGENCY - 510 39TH ST UNION CITY, NJ 07087 (201) 867‐0039 FAX
201‐867‐ 1180
‐ PEERLESS TRAVEL 5601 Bergenline Ave, West New York, NJ 07093 Teléfonos
201‐867‐2844 ‐
‐ CARIBE EXPRESS - 6710B Bergenline Ave, Gutteberg, NJ 07093 Teléfono: 201‐869‐7989
- CARIBE EXPRESS - 626 Elizabeth Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07206 Teléfono: 908‐282‐2096 Web:
www.caribeexpress.com E_MAIL: [email protected]
‐ COSTAMAR TRAVEL WEST NEW YORK - 6513 Park Ave West New York, New Jersey, 07093
Teléfono: 201 662 0114
Sep 9, 2016, 5:46 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BDL/PVD
Programs: UA, Marriott, Amex
Posts: 226
Sep 9, 2016, 7:47 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,667
Sounds like they're seeing what the market will bear if they are upping the price. (expletive deleted!)
Sep 10, 2016, 6:44 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: Delta
Posts: 28
The fares and seats are loaded in on Delta and shock does not begin to describe my reaction to fares such as $1500. from ATL and $ 1300 from MIA...main cabin ...is this just flagrant gouging or what?
Sep 10, 2016, 8:27 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Naples, Florida
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Hyatt Platinum,Marriott Silver,Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 592
Jet Blue is selling the visa @$50 at the counter and for in-transit passengers at Grand Cayman en route from Miami, Cayman Airways is selling it at $25. Sounds like the markup by outfits like Cuba Travel Services is out of sight!