Cuba Travel From USA - The Latest?

August 12, 2008 2:33 PM

Cuba Travel from USA. What's the latest? The latest Askme questions on this are all before Raul Castro took power. Best way to travel? Through Canada? Mexico? Currency to use on the island? Any and all information and tips are appreciated - especially from those who have recent experience with travel to Cuba. Throwaway email for this question is [e-mail] . Thanks to all.
posted by anonymous to travel & transportation (6 comments total)

Have you checked out the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree Cuba forum? There's a LOT of info there from current travelers.
posted by mdonley at 3:20 PM on August 12, 2008

Why not check out the official site of the Cuban Tourist Board in Canada? It has all the information you need. Honestly a lot of people travel there everyday, it's no different than traveling to any Caribbean island, only the US gov't doesn't approve of it.
posted by blue_beetle at 3:59 PM on August 12, 2008

I went to Cuba at the end of last year. Raoul wasn't officially in power by then, I don't think, but it was very much on the cards.

Having been in Florida before Cuba, I flew from Orlando to Nassau. I checked with the Lonely Planet forum and they recommended either Nassau or a spot in Mexico. Incidentally I would recommend a stay in Nassau, perhaps on the way back, simply because it's such a change and contrast to Cuba!

In terms of currency, we were encouraged to use tourist pesos, aka "pesos convertibles", which is a currency only available to tourists and pegged against the Euro. Your US-based credit card will not work, so be sure to buy Euros in advance...they can be changed in hotels or in a currency conversion place in the airport.

By far the most enjoyable experiences I had were eating at paladares - where you eat inside the homes of the restauranters - so be sure you do that, and don't get too caught in tourist trap hotspots. Also give yourself a chance to travel round Cuba and not just Havana.
posted by skylar at 4:03 PM on August 12, 2008

You will pay an extra charge in Cuba to exchange US currency in CUC (convertible pesos), so you might want to exchange your US dollars in Euros or in Canadian currency before you leave.

Also, the Cuban foreign exchange agents will not accept foreign bills that are damaged or written on in any way, so bring crisp new bills.

Finally, the Cuban customs dont stamp passports, so you should be ok with your own government.
posted by titboy at 5:10 PM on August 12, 2008

I was there in April but am Canadian so had no probs. As others have said US$ is useless there. No one takes it except the exchange people and they'll charge you a fortune. CUC is really your only option and it's only available on the island.
posted by dobbs at 8:06 PM on August 12, 2008

Finally, the Cuban customs don't stamp passports, so you should be ok with your own government.

Not at all and it is a big risk.

Officially, the embargo is still as batshit insane strong as any time. How strictly enforced it is, which I think is the gist of your question, I don't know. I'd think some airports are more strict than others. JFK seems to have (in my experience) the least Belarus like Customs and Immigration people.

You can lie on the customs form, and if you don't go through pre-clearance and have no Cuba related artifacts and your suntan jibes with your presumed destination, it is doubtful that you'll have problems, but if you get caught, you've not only the civil charge about Cuba but the criminal charge of lying on your customs form. For US'ians who lack the same freedom to travel as Canadians and Europeans, it *is* still an issue.

I'd avoid personally any intermediary country that has customs pre-clearance. This means Canada and the Bahamas are definite no-nos. I've been told and have read on the Thorntree posts that they have customs guys watching the airport to see who gets of the Havana flight and presents themselves to pre-clearance.

Note: watch for countries that stamp passports upon EXIT. I can't remember if Mexico does, but assuming they do, you've got an entry stamp, an exit stamp, another entry stamp and an exit stamp. "Hmmm" Customs guy or gal might say, "Where did you go between the exit stamp and entry stamp since your declaratin says only Mexico?"

Technically a US citizen can go to Cuba but can't spend any money at all without permission from the gov't, ergo your fact of merely having gone there is enough to litigate in the minds of the gov't. It is unclear whether or not if you've got a Canadian friend who decided to give you a free blow out in Havana is enough to avoid that. He won't get in trouble of course, but you might because you "caused money to be spent."


Good luck it is a great country, go see it before the deluge.
posted by xetere at 8:24 AM on August 15, 2008