We traveled to Cuba legally in 2002 under the old 'cultural exchange' program. Bush put an end to it, but it was a great trip. We went for the International Jazz Festival in Havana. It was awesome. Wonderful music and wonderful venues. Loved every minute.

We flew on American Airline charters in and out of Miami. I was a bit paranoid about coming back through customs here, thought we might get hassled, even though we had nothing illegal. As it turned out, customs was swamped, and the head guy pulled the people coming from Cuba out of the line and let us out a side door with a smile and a 'welcome home'. I guess he figured that there wasn't anything to be smuggled coming from Cuba.

As for traveling illegally via another country, you're going to have to flat out lie when you fill out your immigration documents upon returning to the US. There's a question about what countries you have vistied. I've actually had immigration specifically ask me if we'd gone to Cuba when we were returning from Belize via Mexico.

Stu, I sent you a message so not to hijack the thread.

They only stamp the tourist card that acts as a visa. This is stapled into your passport. Your passport will show no sign of you having been to Cuba.

The only evidence I have of my Cuban holiday are my photos and great memories.

Didn't you have to lie on your customs form that asks what country you visted while outside of the US?

We've actually had immigration people ask us if we took a side trip to Cuba when we've traveled to Mexico and Belize.

I'm a terrible liar. I'm sure I'd get busted if I went illegally.

Just back this week and also had no problems re-entering the country from Cancun. The tourist card isn't stapled in your passport, you just keep them together. Our main concern was having 2 entry stamps to Mexico but customs didn't ask anything about it. We did say we had gone to Mexico and the Bahamas on our customs form just in case.

stormy...so happy you finally made it to Cuba...tell us more about the trip. Pix??

stu tower

tower, I have been swamped since coming back but have slowly been trying to post to our blog, and yes there are pics!

www.luggagetag.blogspot.com