Thinking about going to Cuba for Christmas this year but as a US citizen I have to jump thru all kinda hoops to get there. I'm thinking of going thru Panama but it's such a long flight. Maybe I'll do Cancun or Naussau instead. So, if you're American and have been to Cuba tell me how ya did it.

[Edited 6/23/11 20:16pm]

sew a Canadian flag on your luggage?

Without a license

Many U.S. citizens instead travel without a license, doing so by way of other countries (many of which have routine flights to and from Cuba) to escape detection. Such countries include the Bahamas, Canada and Mexico. The Bahamas and Canada U.S. Customs Pre-Clearance facilities at many of their airports.

Via the Bahamas

From Nassau, Cubana offers flights to Havana daily, except on Saturdays. Bahamasair offers flights on Thursday and Sunday. This is the cheapest and quickest route flying direct to Havana, especially for those living in the South Florida area.

Via Canada

A common practice for U.S. citizens traveling to Cuba via Canada is a two-leg flight: a flight booking for a flight to (and from) Canada and then a separate booking for the flight to (and from) Cuba. The two legs must be booked separately, as airlines such as Air Canada prohibit the booking of U.S. origin passengers to Cuba. Alternately, one could drive or be driven across the border and dropped off in a Canadian city, and proceed to depart from there. This is more easily done for people near Detroit or New York, as non-stop flights to Havana depart from either Montreal or Toronto.

Via Mexico

Mexico is considered safer and is probably the most popular. However, it still carries some risk: If one travels from Mexico, to Cuba (which won't stamp your passport), and then back to Mexico, he will have two Mexican entry stamps; having two consecutive Mexican entry stamps could raise suspicions if your passport is checked carefully. If you decide to re-enter Mexico from Cuba, you may be able to convince the Mexican immigration officer not to stamp your passport a second time. A small bribe (perhaps $20) may increase the chances of success. However, according to other travelers' reports on message boards, this strategy depends on luck. The Mexican immigration officers have been known to reject the bribe and stamp the passport a second time (not to mention the fact that you would be breaking the laws of two countries in a single trip!) Additionally, you could try to use a birth certificate + US ID to enter Mexico the second time (this is allowed under Mexican law for US citizens). If so you will only have one stamp on your passport. Another safe bet would be to purchase an open-jaw ticket (Cancun-Havana and then Havana-Guatemala city, for example). Mexico doesn't stamp passports on exit, and in that case it would look like in your passport that you flew from Cancun to Guatemala City (or whatever city is your final destination out of Havana).

U.S. citizens also travel via countries without U.S. customs stations (Guatemala, Venezuela, Panama, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Haiti, etc.) to reduce the likelihood of being caught. A substantial number simply take their chances, hoping they will not be questioned. U.S. citizens are advised by Cuban travel agents not to bring back anything identifiably Cuban (including tickets and receipts) before re-entering the country.

By boat

There are no regular ferries or boats to Cuba from foreign ports, although some cruise liners do visit. Yachters are expected to anchor at the public marinas. Also, most ports are closed and tourists are not permitted to walk around them. Private vessels may enter at Marina Hemingway in Havana or Marina Acua in Varadero. Entry requires a U.S. passport, but there are no visa requirements. Your passport will not be stamped by Cuban authorities unless you request it. You will likely be intercepted upon your return to America and fined $5000, although this is just a formality. You will not be expected to actually pay this fine nor have there been any repercussions or attempts to collect. The only attempt to prosecute was the case of Peter Goldsmith v. United States. This case was dismissed with prejudice in late 2004 in the Miami District Court.

http://www.cubalinda.com/...izenNL.asp

DO NOT REQUEST IT!!!

They will not stamp your passport if you ask them not to and tell them you are American.

I've never been to Cuba but I could sure as hell go for a Cuban right about now with a thick cigar.

I only have a couple of friends at home who've done it. They went through Mexico.

I briefly met an American couple on my last trip to Cuba. They went through Canada.

SCNDLS said:

Thinking about going to Cuba for Christmas this year but as a US citizen I have to jump thru all kinda hoops to get there. I'm thinking of going thru Panama but it's such a long flight. Maybe I'll do Cancun or Naussau instead. So, if you're American and have been to Cuba tell me how ya did it.

On my honeymoon in Cancun there were plenty of ads for flights to Cuba.

That was 15 years ago, but I'm sure that it's still a big business there.

So how's about we fly to Cancun for a few days...climb the pyramids at Chichen Itza, snorkel through some underground rivers... and then hop on over to Havana for some lechón and arroz-con-grís?

vainandy said:

I've never been to Cuba but I could sure as hell go for a Cuban right about now with a thick cigar.

vainandy said:

I've never been to Cuba but I could sure as hell go for a Cuban right about now with a thick cigar.

This muhhfucka right cherre

Ottensen said:

I only have a couple of friends at home who've done it. They went through Mexico.

Mexico, looks like an option and it's close to Dallas, but I read that they turn over the flight manifests to the US which can result in added scrutiny and fines when returning. One of my cousins in Panama is an atty and does business in Cuba, I may have to beg her to go with me and go through Panama instead.

PurpleJedi said:

SCNDLS said:

Thinking about going to Cuba for Christmas this year but as a US citizen I have to jump thru all kinda hoops to get there. I'm thinking of going thru Panama but it's such a long flight. Maybe I'll do Cancun or Naussau instead. So, if you're American and have been to Cuba tell me how ya did it.

On my honeymoon in Cancun there were plenty of ads for flights to Cuba.

That was 15 years ago, but I'm sure that it's still a big business there.

So how's about we fly to Cancun for a few days...climb the pyramids at Chichen Itza, snorkel through some underground rivers... and then hop on over to Havana for some lechón and arroz-con-grís?

Sounds like a plan, PJ!

SCNDLS said:

PurpleJedi said:

On my honeymoon in Cancun there were plenty of ads for flights to Cuba.

That was 15 years ago, but I'm sure that it's still a big business there.

So how's about we fly to Cancun for a few days...climb the pyramids at Chichen Itza, snorkel through some underground rivers... and then hop on over to Havana for some lechón and arroz-con-grís?

Sounds like a plan, PJ!

I'll pack my guayaveras !

PurpleJedi said:

SCNDLS said:

Thinking about going to Cuba for Christmas this year but as a US citizen I have to jump thru all kinda hoops to get there. I'm thinking of going thru Panama but it's such a long flight. Maybe I'll do Cancun or Naussau instead. So, if you're American and have been to Cuba tell me how ya did it.

On my honeymoon in Cancun there were plenty of ads for flights to Cuba.

That was 15 years ago, but I'm sure that it's still a big business there.

So how's about we fly to Cancun for a few days...climb the pyramids at Chichen Itza, snorkel through some underground rivers... and then hop on over to Havana for some lechón and arroz-con-grís?

Tell them at the airport that you are going to Cuba and coming back so they don't stamp your passport. Tell the Cubans you're American and they won't stamp your passport.

I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you.

RodeoSchro said:

I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you.

SCNDLS said:

RodeoSchro said:

I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you.

My son and I went to an FC Dallas game last night.

Air Jamaica but I did this when Clinton was prez....

All my friends who visit Cuba go from Canada. But they all lived in Boston, so that made more sense for them.

I´m not American but I went there..........from PANAMA !

I liked the ladies at the airport.

At first I didn´t like it there but now, when I look back, it was a beautiful time and I miss it a lot and reminisce about it.

KoolEaze said:

At first I didn´t like it there but now, when I look back, it was a beautiful time and I miss it a lot and reminisce about it.

That's really interesting.

What didn't you like while you were there?

What things do you miss the most?

Good news SCNDLS!!!!

US issuing licenses for increased Cuba travel

HAVANA (AP) — Washington has begun issuing travel licenses that promise to bring thousands more U.S. visitors each year on legal trips to Cuba, just 90 miles off Florida but off-limits to most Americans.

Nine tour operators have been granted licenses to run so-called people-to-people exchanges since May, said a U.S. Treasury Department spokesperson who was not authorized to be quoted by name on the matter.

The spokesperson declined to comment Friday on how many applications have been filed, were rejected or are still under consideration, but said Treasury has been receiving an average of 10 applications each week since new guidelines were published in April, and officials are working to review them.

[edited for compliance]

full story here;

http://news.yahoo.com/us-...19357.html

...so when should I pack my bags???

PurpleJedi said:

Good news SCNDLS!!!!

US issuing licenses for increased Cuba travel

HAVANA (AP) — Washington has begun issuing travel licenses that promise to bring thousands more U.S. visitors each year on legal trips to Cuba, just 90 miles off Florida but off-limits to most Americans.

Nine tour operators have been granted licenses to run so-called people-to-people exchanges since May, said a U.S. Treasury Department spokesperson who was not authorized to be quoted by name on the matter.

The spokesperson declined to comment Friday on how many applications have been filed, were rejected or are still under consideration, but said Treasury has been receiving an average of 10 applications each week since new guidelines were published in April, and officials are working to review them.

[edited for compliance]

full story here;

http://news.yahoo.com/us-...19357.html

...so when should I pack my bags???

I'll keep ya posted, thanks.

SCNDLS said:

PurpleJedi said:

...so when should I pack my bags???

I'll keep ya posted, thanks.