redmaria

My husband and I and a couple of friends are interested in visiting Cuba, but not with a tour group or an educational project. But rather, do it on our own. Here are our questions:

1. Is there a way to get to Cuba (legally, if possible) for 4 Americans? If so, where is the best place to fly from? Miami? Bahamas? Turks and Caicos? Grand Cayman?
2. If it is already somewhat legal for Americans to visit Cuba (for pleasure), hwo do we go about doing it inexpensively?

Any other advice would be great.

bigguy

HI RED,
HAVE BEEN TO CUBA OFTEN, PLEASE CHECK OUT , THIS SITE, AND LOOK FOR "STEVE" HE IS FROM CANADA, AND , HE IS THE EXPERT ON THIS MATTER.
GOOD LUCK.....
BILL

bigguy

HI AGAIN,
Just found STEVES address, it is
[email protected]

HE'S THE MAN.....
BILL

Canuck_at_Canada_eh

Wow... with an introduction like the post from bigguy I hope I can live up to the billing.

Here is the standard spiel I tell people.
==================================

Let's review the Cuba travel situation.

It is NOT illegal for an American citizen to go to Cuba. What IS illegal (according to US Treasury Department Rules) is for an American citizen to spend money in Cuba. Of course, the question is how to go without spending any money.

Either you go as a FULLY HOSTED guest of a third party, or apply for a license from Treasury.

SO YOU STILL WANT TO GO ANYWAY!!!!

Well just go through a third country such as Canada. As a Canadian who has met many US citizens, both in Canada and in Cuba, I assure you for the most part you will have no problem. 100,000+++ US citizens go to Cuba EVERY YEAR!!!!

But the US Treasury Department is a slippery government entity. If US Customs suspects that you have been to Cuba (i.e. Clearing US customs at Toronto airport for your connecting flight to the US) they will give you a form to declare what, if any money you have spent in Cuba. Everybody sweats this. But the answer is REALLY SIMPLE. Just REFUSE to fill out the form. You, as an American citizen have the CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT to NOT incriminate yourself. You are under NO obligation to provide any evidence of any possible travels. They want the PROOF, they must find it on their own. They might hassle you, but you don't have to incriminate yourself.

NEXT.

Some Scuba Diving Clubs have received notices of FINES from the US Treasury Department upon their return from Cuba. Believe it or not, some people quake, quiver and simply spill the beans when questioned by anybody at Treasury. Ignore these, and notify the Treasury Department (through your lawyer is best for REAL FAST Service from Treasury) of your wish to have this matter heard in a court of law, as is your CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT. You cannot be fined without your day in court. Your American Constitution says so to protect YOUR rights. But here is the kicker. THERE IS NO US COURT WITH JURISDICTION TO HEAR ANY COURT CASE OF THIS TYPE!!!! The Treasury Department knows this and will very quickly drop all claims against you or try to get you to agree to a lower fine. If you want to VOLUNTARILY pay a fine to the Treasury Department, that only proves that you have more money than brains!!!

NEXT

All American citizens have EQUAL RIGHTS guaranteed by the Constitution. Yet an American citizen (even one BORN in the USA) who is of Cuban heritage, has the LEGAL right to travel to Cuba. So I ask you this... why does one American citizen have greater rights because of his heritage than you do? Is an Italian, Spanish, German, or other heritage background citizen LESS of a US citizen? The american government knows this, and simply avoids the problem by refusing to take ANY case against a Citizen caught returning from Cuba to court. They quietly drop all "charges" and hope the problem goes away. But again, if they can intimidate you into paying a VOLUNTARY fine, then once again you have proved that you have more money than brains.

NEXT.

The US House has removed all FUNDING away from the Treasury Department that would or could be used to enforce these silly rules. So just how are they supposed to fine you or take the time, money or effort to chase you. They will however try to intimidate you.

Check out this legal website and read for yourself.

http://www.nlg.org/cuba/

My only advice is to know your RIGHTS, Don't let yourself be bluffed by Treasury, and have a GREAT VACATION in CUBA.

You can check out some of my travel photography from Cuba (complete with full notes and info) at:
http://photopilot.tripod.com

Have a mojito on me.
Steve from Canada!

Canuck_at_Canada_eh

It's me again.

Here is another travel forum site specific to travel to Cuba that is very active in its forums. You can get lots of good info there.

http://www.caribline.com/islands/cu/forum.shtml

Also you can check out all these links. Should keep you reading for many an evening.

http://www.1click2cuba.com/menu.html

http://www.gocuba.ca/eng/index.asp

http://www.usacubatravel.com/bus.htm

http://www.netssa.com/travel.html

http://www.aduana.islagrande.cu/

http://www.cuba-junky.com/

http://www.cayolargodelsur.cu/

http://www.cubaweb.cu/esp/main.asp?screen=800

http://www.embacuba.ca/Menu-e.htm

http://www.ibiblio.org/cuba/links.html

Steve