Hi partner and I want to go to Mexico City and Cuba in the middle of March.

March 14, 2008 – LAX to Mexico City

March 17, 2008 – MEX to Cancun

March 18, 2008 – Cancun to Havana

March 22, 2008 – Havana to Cancun

March 23, 2008 – Cancun to LAX

Question – We are US citizen and wanted to know what we need to do before we fly to Cuba and coming back to Cancun.

When we come back from Havana, do we ask the Mexican immigration not to stamp our passport? Do we need to book a hotel before we arrive in Havana? Do we need to Visa?’



Thank you for your help.

I don't know if immigration in Mexico will not stamp your passport if you ask them. You're still going to have to lie on your documents when you return to the US and the form asks what countries you visited on this trip.

Ok, you don't need to book any accommodation prior to landing in Cuba. Years ago there was a 3 day rule, but that has long since passed. There is no visa per se, but what you do have is a Tourist Card. The Cubans stamp this card and not your passport. The Tourist Card costs about $20 and you can get them in Mexico or on arrival in Havana. BTW, you can fly directly from Mexico City to Havana if you like.
As to whether the Mexican's stamp your passport on return to Mexico, well sometimes yes and sometimes no.

There's lots of Americans who do the route through Cancun and you can get lots of 1st hand info on the Thorn Tree, Lonely Planet Cuba forum.
http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/ca...s.cfm?catid=14

For other general Cuba travel info, try Debbie's Cuba forum.

http://debbiesreviews.proboards88.co...cgi?board=Cuba

It's a great country to explore and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Steve

Thank you for the great info
another question:

i know we won't be able to buy our flight to Havana on Cubana in the US. can we get the ticket in Mexico? if so do we pay cash?

Also, when we leave Cancun for Havana do they stamp our passport and do they stamp it again when we come back?

I assume that it is irrelevant to point out that U.S. citizens are not allowed to travel to Cuba. You obviously are willing to take the risk. If so you should make sure that you minimize your risk. You are near Los Angeles since you are flying out of LAX. Why don't you drive down to Tijuana or Ensinada for a couple of days and speak with a travel agent in Mexico? Air Cubana used to fly (they may still) into Grand Cayman and a couple of the travel agents on the island specialized in Cuba tours. U.S. citizens were not able to spend any US$ in Cuba so the agency paid for everything for them and got them their Tourist card to circumvent that part of the embargo. Remember also that US credit cards and/or traveler's cheques are NOT accepted in Cuba. Ask the agent about taking dollars or pesos to Cuba.

You might also want to review the penalties that can be levied against you if you get caught doing this as a US citizen. I think it is dumb that we are not allowed to travel to Cuba but as long as it is illegal it is wise to be aware of what can happen to you if caught. It can be expensive in dollars and you could even go to jail. I think the max fine is up to $250,000 and jail up to 10 years. You should also note that the prosecution of offenders has been increasing a lot lately. So think about it.