Cuban travel

OceanCityGirl · Post by **OceanCityGirl** » June 23, 2005 11:10 am

Have you ever been there? If so how did you go about it? Reasonable prices?

rednekkPH · Post by **rednekkPH** » June 23, 2005 11:18 am

The costs are reasonable if you travel there aboard one of Cuba's fine luxury sailing vessels:

Cuervo · Post by **Cuervo** » June 23, 2005 11:28 am

OceanCityGirl wrote:Have you ever been there?

I could get in trouble for that according to my Uncle Sam.

If so how did you go about it?

Not saying that it ever happened OR that I would condone such actions, but one would have to travel on a professional or cultural exchange NOT for pleasure to reach such a destination legallyfrom the US.

However, I have heard that people have "gone Canadian" via the Bahamas and other ports of entry.

Reasonable prices?

Depends on your definition? Its more that $100 and less that $10,000

Say Hi to Fidel for me

Cuervo · Post by **Cuervo** » June 23, 2005 11:30 am

rednekkPH wrote:The costs are reasonable if you travel there aboard one of Cuba's fine luxury sailing vessels:

OceanCityGirl · Post by **OceanCityGirl** » June 23, 2005 11:42 am

As a writer I could get a research permit so I would be legal. I wouldn't even have to go Canadian. But much of the Cuban travel that I research is sold as packages. I also see there is a spending limit while you are there. How is this enforced and can you vacation there for the spending limit. Just looking to sit on a beach and, seriously, conduct some research for a murder mystery with a Fla/Cuba connection.

land_shark3 · Post by **land_shark3** » June 23, 2005 11:57 am

OceanCityGirl wrote:As a writer I could get a research permit so I would be legal. I wouldn't even have to go Canadian. But much of the Cuban travel that I research is sold as packages. I also see there is a spending limit while you are there. How is this enforced and can you vacation there for the spending limit. Just looking to sit on a beach and, seriously, conduct some research for a murder mystery with a Fla/Cuba connection.

My uncle and his daughter have been numerous times on student/writing/cultural visas. However, they spend the majority of their time in the poverty stricken sections. If you would like, PM me your e-mail address and I'll try to get one of them to contact you.

As for "packages", you see that due to the travel restrictions. Its not illegal for Americans to go to Cuba. It is illegal for Americans to spend money in Cuba or on Cuban goods. The packages are a way around that. You pay a travel groups $x and they pay all your expenses. That way you are sending your money to Canada instead of Cuba; just a big loop hole.

Crzy · Post by **Crzy** » June 23, 2005 12:03 pm

My mother went as a student in a cultural exchange program. She paid $3500.00 for seven nights. They stayed at some of the "nicer" hotels. She swears that if she ever gets the chance to go back she is bringing an extra suitcase full of old clothes just to leave for the people. The stories she told of the kids on the streets begging for a pencil amaze me. The maids were asking permission to take home the used bar of soap. The poverty is astounding.

So.. it can be done. Try contacting your local University.

OceanCityGirl · Post by **OceanCityGirl** » June 23, 2005 1:03 pm

land_shark3 - thanks. I don't want to bother anybody til I know I'm serious. Just trying to get a feeling for the prices, etc.
Do you folks feel it's morally wrong to take money to Cuba. Unless you find a way to buy off of individuals every store or business you go to the money has to go thru Castro and co.
Crzy, one of the sites I went to suggested bringing in as much extra clothing, medical supplies, toiletries, etc as you can carry. Then leave it there and you will have some room if you are going to bring anything home with you. Poverty levels are horrible. I wonder if savy travelers know of ways to have some of their spending money actually get into the hands of residents without getting into trouble. I like the idea of purchasing a package from Canada for the same reason. [/quote]

HsvParrothead · Post by **HsvParrothead** » June 23, 2005 2:10 pm

Here's a question?? Speaking from lack of any knowledge on the matter...

Is it really safe to travel there??

I mean, if your "Canadian" of course...

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » June 23, 2005 2:12 pm

Castro doesnt need my American $$$$. There are plenty of Islands to visit without taking chances in Cuba.

Ilph · Post by **Ilph** » June 23, 2005 2:23 pm

rednekkPH wrote:The costs are reasonable if you travel there aboard one of Cuba's fine luxury sailing vessels:

That's funny, right there.

weirdo0521 · Post by **weirdo0521** » June 23, 2005 2:34 pm

HsvParrothead wrote:Here's a question?? Speaking from lack of any knowledge on the matter...

Is it really safe to travel there??

I mean, if your "Canadian" of course...

YEs...why wouldn't it be? Canadians and Europeans go there all the time

Fins in Low Places · Post by **Fins in Low Places** » June 23, 2005 3:03 pm

I haven't been, but when I was in Jamaica in '98, there were signs posted at our resort offering day trips for, I believe, $50. I wanted to go, but I couldn't talk my new bride into going. So it's easy, book a week at Sandals and then day trip it over to Havana.

OceanCityGirl wrote:Have you ever been there? If so how did you go about it? Reasonable prices?

Finsupinfla · Post by **Finsupinfla** » June 23, 2005 6:32 pm

You can get there from Canada, Mexico and even the Bahamas. I had a friend who use to go once a year. He would put a twenty dollar bill in the passport, and they would not stamp. I am not sure how that "system" works now. He always said he was treated great there.

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » June 23, 2005 6:56 pm

Bush severly curtailed "cultural/educational" trips to cuba a couple of years ago. same time he put the squeeze on cuban-americans sending money back. don't know if you can really even get there from the US anymore unless you have family there.

citcat · Post by **citcat** » June 24, 2005 12:59 pm

OceanCityGirl wrote:As a writer I could get a research permit so I would be legal. I wouldn't even have to go Canadian. But much of the Cuban travel that I research is sold as packages. I also see there is a spending limit while you are there. How is this enforced and can you vacation there for the spending limit. Just looking to sit on a beach and, seriously, conduct some research for a murder mystery with a Fla/Cuba connection.

You're not by any chance,...Janet Evanovich..., are you?

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » June 24, 2005 2:24 pm

here's the link to the state dept. info on travel to cuba

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_t ... _1097.html

Lou_A1A · Post by **Lou_A1A** » June 24, 2005 3:51 pm

You could always catch a ride with JB next time (old story)-
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/ ... 684594.htm

UpstateNYPH · Post by **UpstateNYPH** » July 1, 2005 5:45 pm

It is very safe to travel there, Cubans love tourism and Americans. I was supposed to be going to Cuba this January aboard a study abroad program called "Semester at Sea". Unfortunately, a few months ago the Bush administration put many new restrictions on traveling to Cuba, and I was told it was cut from our itinerary because Americans cannot travel there for educational purposes 'at this time'. So I'm dissapointed because many past voyages have sailed there and I have heard from people on them how great a place Cuba is. Someday I will make it there...

By the way, instead of Cuba they added Myanmar (Burma) as a port of call. Now THAT is an unsafe place to go to...

Quiet and Shy · Post by **Quiet and Shy** » July 2, 2005 12:14 am

I'm actually hoping to get there sometime in the not too distant future. It's a fascinating place and I've heard nothing but good things from people who have traveled there (Americans, Brits, Canadians, etc.). I've actually heard it's much safer than some other islands (e.g. Jamaica, Dom Rep, Haiti, Puerto Rico). I think any place can be what you make of it and it depends what you want to see and do, as well.

Not sure why I'd avoid Myanmar...certainly a military government, but there aren't a lot of problems for tourists, from what I've heard. There's some great history in that region and as long as I could find a trusted outfitter, I'd go.

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Cuban travel

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