OT: don't ask me why, but I have always wanted to go to Cuba

[samintx]

I hear that booking thru Friendly Planet, US citizens can go 4 nights for 1800.00 (of course you have to fly there. Anyone know of this or if there is anyway to legally go there?

I hear they have terrific healthcare there. :quotes:

[Grace62]

I'm not familiar with Friendly Planet, but be sure and check out the regulations/restrictions for US citizens going to Cuba. Tourist travel by US citizens is still prohibited, and you can be arrested at a US airport or another country's airport on your way home. You need either a professional reason for going, or you have to have close relatives there to get permission to travel.

http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/.../cuba.aspx

complete regulations here:
http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/...tr_app.pdf

[Ombligo]

American's frequently go there... enter through a third country (mexico, the Bahama's, and Canada all work well). At Cuban immigration just ask that your passport not be stamped, a request they will honor. End of difficulties.

I'd say more but that might get this moved to the dark side

[Grace62]

no comment about the above...

You might want to check this out...there has been some recent relaxing of travel rules, but it's not easy to join these trips, which are not exactly your typical vacations.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/tr...uba10.html

[Grace62]

"The regulations require that persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction be licensed in order to engage in any travel-related transactions pursuant to travel to, from, and within Cuba. Transactions related to tourist travel are not licensable. This restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through a third country such as Mexico or Canada. U.S. law enforcement authorities enforce these regulations at U.S. airports and pre-clearance facilities in third countries. Travelers who fail to comply with Department of the Treasury regulations could face civil penalties and criminal prosecution upon return to the United States.

Although Cuba issues visas upon arrival to American citizens, all travelers to Cuba, including religious workers, should have the appropriate type of visa and, if required, specific authorization from Cuban authorities. Cuba has announced that as of May 2010 it will start requiring visitors to have non-U.S. medical insurance, and will sell a temporary policy to those who do not have it. Questions about this insurance requirement should be directed to the Cuban Interests Section."
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw...quirements


hahahahaha good one Cuba.

[hal]

My uncle's family has been there many times and love it - claim the food is better than anywhere else in the world - what's with the BS healthcare comment?

[N-OS X-tasy!]

I've wanted to go to Cuba for the longest time. My wife and I briefly contemplated doing so while in Turks & Caicos for our wedding two years ago, but it would have been too much to fit into a single week. Someday...

[rgG]

Yeah, not really on my bucket list.

[samintx]

Thanks for the info. I have wanted to go for many years since talking to a cancer patient I was attending. He gave me a sketch he had done of some place in Cuba. I love the music and curious about it and what it would be like there. An experience. I'm not looking for a typical vacation...I really don't take the laying on the beach vacations anyway.

Grace, there is a $30 tax to get OUT of Cuba...the Health thing must be another way to get income for their country.

[edgarbc1]

I think it is best to go from Cancun Mexico
charter flights to the island and tell the customs agent to not stamp your passport with the standard
cuban stamp. tons of fun. lots of communist propaganda there, if you speak spanish this is a great boon
for your adventures. else you might get stuck at the state run hotels.. getting off the beaten path
(state-controlled) makes things much more interesting. take buses from Havana all over to the major cities where there are historical sites (if you are into that) locals had love and hate stories regarding the Castro
regime... its not all what its cracked up to be... if you know people in the right places, then you will have a better life than others..

this was all before 9/11
who knows how it is now with Raul in charge....