US Citizen Traveling to Cuba Independently Via Cancun
Dec 20th, 2015, 02:23 PM
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US Citizen Traveling to Cuba Independently Via Cancun
I've been to the island of Cuba on two occasions but on People-to-People limited tours. Although I liked both experiences, I'm ready to travel without restrictions and the very, very limited time, so I am highly considering traveling to Cuba without the sanction of the US government. Currently, I want to travel from Cancun to Habana. Do I obtain my license in Cancun at its airport? Once I arrive I go through customs and onward. Upon my return, what do I do? I do know NOT to have my passport stamped although it was stamped in March because I went with a regulated group.
In terms of lodging, I'll get a casa particular through www.cuba-junky.com. I'll hire a private guide because I do not know much Spanish, for very few individuals speak/write English in this island nation.
For you non-US citizens who've traveled freely, what other advice would you lend to me in order for me to have a very pleasant stay by my traveling solo. <I have great internet sites and guide books to use, but I'd like to know from your direct experience.>
In terms of lodging, I'll get a casa particular through www.cuba-junky.com. I'll hire a private guide because I do not know much Spanish, for very few individuals speak/write English in this island nation.
For you non-US citizens who've traveled freely, what other advice would you lend to me in order for me to have a very pleasant stay by my traveling solo. <I have great internet sites and guide books to use, but I'd like to know from your direct experience.>
Dec 20th, 2015, 05:29 PM
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The airline that flies you from Cancun to Havana will issue a Cuban tourist card, not a license.
Cuba stamps everybody's passports on entry and exit now. You have no choice in the matter. There's no hiding that you've been there.
Cuba stamps everybody's passports on entry and exit now. You have no choice in the matter. There's no hiding that you've been there.
Dec 21st, 2015, 05:23 AM
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My advice would be not to do it since it is illegal to travel to Cuba for tourism. We're in a particularly awkward time right now, and I suspect that the Obama administration will start clamping down on illegal travel in 2016 in advance of trying to get the full embargo lifted. That, however, is just my opinion. But I expect the Treasury department to start imposing fines again. (FYI: Once direct US commercial flights to Cuba begin again, the countries will very likely start sharing their immigration data more readily, so it will be very clear when you arrive back in the US that you have been to Cuba even if the immigration agent misses the physical stamp in your passport.)
Dec 21st, 2015, 07:06 AM
#4
I wonder what the situation is for dual nationals. If I enter/exit Cuba on my UK passport I would not have stamps in the US passport I would use to re-enter the US. Of course, I would have to "forget" to list Cuba as one of the countries I visited.
Dec 21st, 2015, 07:49 AM
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Dual nationality does not make you two different people. If you're a US citizen, you are bound by US law.
Believe me: I researched all this for the Fodor's guide to Cuba that is just out this month.
That is one of the questions I asked.
Believe me: I researched all this for the Fodor's guide to Cuba that is just out this month.
That is one of the questions I asked.
Dec 22nd, 2015, 09:22 AM
#6
I didn't know that Fodors had done one, Jeff - I'll have to look out for it, though there may not be time to get it before we travel on 4th Jan.
Doug - Jeff - any tips for a first timer going to Cuba in Jan? We're British and only British so no problems there, we have our tourist cards [obtained from the Embassy in London paid for with a postal order from the post office] and we have our first 4 nights in a casa in Havana booked. After that we're intending to travel round using Viazul and taxis - to Vinales, Cienfuegos, Trinidad and Santa Clara and back to Havana.
is that too much for three weeks? not enough? where else should we consider going?
Doug - Jeff - any tips for a first timer going to Cuba in Jan? We're British and only British so no problems there, we have our tourist cards [obtained from the Embassy in London paid for with a postal order from the post office] and we have our first 4 nights in a casa in Havana booked. After that we're intending to travel round using Viazul and taxis - to Vinales, Cienfuegos, Trinidad and Santa Clara and back to Havana.
is that too much for three weeks? not enough? where else should we consider going?
Dec 22nd, 2015, 09:38 AM
#7
" If you're a US citizen, you are bound by US law."
Well, I'm bound by US law while I am IN the US, but I'm bound by the law of the country I'm in while I'm OUT of the US. The State Dept. specifically says that they can't help you if you break local law, so clearly local law trumps US law.
Well, I'm bound by US law while I am IN the US, but I'm bound by the law of the country I'm in while I'm OUT of the US. The State Dept. specifically says that they can't help you if you break local law, so clearly local law trumps US law.
Dec 22nd, 2015, 10:02 AM
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Annhig, the best advice I can give you is to bring reserves of patience. Cuba is a wonderful, and at times exasperating, country to visit. Things will not always go as you planned. Go with the flow. Yours seems like a doable itinerary.
Dec 22nd, 2015, 10:36 AM
#10
thanks, Jeff. That is the message that I am getting.
We did think of flying down to Santiago de Cuba and then working our way back but it seemed that we would have to be hurrying all the time which is absolutely what we don't want to be doing on this trip.
We did think of flying down to Santiago de Cuba and then working our way back but it seemed that we would have to be hurrying all the time which is absolutely what we don't want to be doing on this trip.
Dec 31st, 2015, 05:00 AM
#14
i've read differing accounts, Flanner, including that they stamp your entry card, not your passport. As Brits, it really doesn't affect us but I suppose that it might be important for Americans who are travelling "under the wire".
Dec 31st, 2015, 11:10 AM
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"i've read differing accounts, Flanner"
I've no doubt that Cuban passport officials can act inconsistently. Or that an unaccountable dictatorship, or a pair of senescent gerontocrats, can invent new rules whenever they like, and not waste energy communicating the fact.
But Jeff claims that "Cuba stamps everybody's passports on entry and exit now." This is simply untrue.
There may now be a policy of stamping Americans' passports. But most foreign tourists in Cuba aren't American, and it helps no-one to provide information that doesn't apply to most visitors to Cuba
I've no doubt that Cuban passport officials can act inconsistently. Or that an unaccountable dictatorship, or a pair of senescent gerontocrats, can invent new rules whenever they like, and not waste energy communicating the fact.
But Jeff claims that "Cuba stamps everybody's passports on entry and exit now." This is simply untrue.
There may now be a policy of stamping Americans' passports. But most foreign tourists in Cuba aren't American, and it helps no-one to provide information that doesn't apply to most visitors to Cuba
Dec 31st, 2015, 01:13 PM
#17
This is the Caribbean forum, blamona.
And there are plenty of non-americans here, me and Flanner for example.
I will try to see what happens to US passport holders and report back, but it won't be till the end of Jan as [hopefully] I will have been too busy enjoying myself in Cuba.
And there are plenty of non-americans here, me and Flanner for example.
I will try to see what happens to US passport holders and report back, but it won't be till the end of Jan as [hopefully] I will have been too busy enjoying myself in Cuba.
Dec 31st, 2015, 01:21 PM
#18
I meant it's a US based forum, I would know as I've written guidebooks for Fodor's.
As everyone worldwide is welcome, most answers will be american based!!!!
So it does help!!!!!
(especially when the original post is about an American sneaking in)
As everyone worldwide is welcome, most answers will be american based!!!!
So it does help!!!!!
(especially when the original post is about an American sneaking in)
Dec 31st, 2015, 01:42 PM
#19
I meant it's a US based forum, I would know as I've written guidebooks for Fodor's. >>
it's owned by Random House, which is a world-wide publisher. Whilst I would agree [if this is what you meant] that most contributors are american, to say that most answers are "american based" is as inaccurate as your statement that this is a US forum, as probably the vast majority of posts are about places outside the US.
Flanner was speaking from his own [very recent] experience in a way which clearly applied to any americans reading, as he said he saw no-one's passports being stamped. I responded also with information relevant to everyone. So what we both said was relevant to the OP.
I don't see that you have actually assisted the OP at all.
it's owned by Random House, which is a world-wide publisher. Whilst I would agree [if this is what you meant] that most contributors are american, to say that most answers are "american based" is as inaccurate as your statement that this is a US forum, as probably the vast majority of posts are about places outside the US.
Flanner was speaking from his own [very recent] experience in a way which clearly applied to any americans reading, as he said he saw no-one's passports being stamped. I responded also with information relevant to everyone. So what we both said was relevant to the OP.
I don't see that you have actually assisted the OP at all.
