Visiting Cuba

[KapitanSparrow]

Has anyone been? Anyone interested in going? I've been thinking about it for years and I am currently researching it. Share you thoughts.

[mattandersao]

I think it would be cool! My Canadian cousin visits every couple years and loves it. About a year ago you could have booked your flights through the major flight search engines (expedia, orbitz, etc) but uncle sam caught on quick and fined the heck out of them!

[KapitanSparrow]

Yeah, not it looks like it's done through canadian sites. I am thinking of driving to Toronto and flying from there.

[Win]

Try to get a copy of the Dec 2011 Cigar Aficionado, it's all about Cuba. Rates hotels, bars etc.

[E.J.]

I'll go when it is legal.... At present, it isn't enough of a draw to me to go through Canada or Mexico(Cancun). If I could get in on an educational tour/some type of exchange deal or the like, I'd jump on that. Maybe I can sell them on taking down a travel hockey team to tour around and do exhibition games....:2thumbs:

That CA is really cool.

[KapitanSparrow]

I think the draw is precisely in that it is still such a very different world from what we know. It's like a trip back in time in many ways. Certainly for me. I grew up in a socialist paradise so I still remember some of the gifts it bestowed on us. Like sandwiches with water and sugar or margarine and mustard. Noting but vinegar on store shelves. When Cuba finally makes that turn, and I hope it will do so soon, and the first McDonalds opens its doors, the opportunity to see this socioeconomic experiment will be gone forever. Plus I hear the people are amazing.

[trackrunner]

do you still have your foreign passport. you may be able to book a flight out of miami instead of going through a 3rd country. better book before the republicans come back in to the administration

[KapitanSparrow]

No foreign passport. I mean the one I have is expired and I don't want to deal with all that bureaucracy plus a hefty fee right now. I am also not sure if I can fly out of Miami being a dual citizen and stuff. Might not be cool. I think the law states I am supposed to present my U.S. passport to U.S. authorities, and Polish passport to Polish authorities.

Looks like it's a go.

[trackrunner]

it's going to be tricky without another passport. cuba will let US citizens in but will refuse to stamp US passports. when you enter canada from the us you'll get a passport stamp, when you enter canada from cuba you will get a another stamp but with nothing in between. this is how a lot of us citizens are caught by the US entering cuba.

dual citzens have used their other national passport for the canada to cuba to canada segment of the trip.

another option could be canada to cuba to mexico to canada.

one last option is to get your way on to some legal way of going. cultural tour exchange, etc. some groups have been known to be friendly to strangers joining their group for the flight portion. YMMV

generally republican administrations selectively make a big deal out of this. so the sooner the better I guess

[KapitanSparrow]

I've been researching the subject and apparently it is not a big deal with U.S. customs agents. I've read stories about people who told the truth about going to Cuba, people who lied about going and got caught, and in all of these cases it was a no issue.

[canyonphile]

For some reason, Cuba fascinates me. The people, the culture and how much it has influenced Miami. If it were legal and easy to go, I think I'd visit. Plus, Cuban food....:slobber: I think it's really lame that the US prohibits its citizens from freely traveling there.

If you get to go, a detailed TR and lots of pics will be in order :nod:.

[KapitanSparrow]

I borrowed my sister's camera and plan to fill the entire 16GB memory card with pics :haha:

Will take notes for the TR.

[Deuce]

Enjoy..........

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i397/EJB21/IMG_8148.jpg