customs
 

I read often that it is not difficult to visit Cuba illegally. However, how are people able to get through US customs in Canada when returning from Cuba?. Also, how do you explain the double entrance stamp if you go through Mexico? Thanks

Let me get this straight: you're on a public forum asking us how to break the law, and you think we are going to public ally help you?

There tour groups where you can go legally, expensive, but not as much as if you get caught the other way

Didn't mean to offend you. I was researching reviews on different people to people companies. I stumbled across discussions on going to cuba independently. I wondered how this works, which is why I asked the question. Thanks for your feedback.

People do it all the time. I think they just hope Immigration doesn't notice the double stamp for Mexico.

I am so not a good liar. I've actually had US immigration ask me specifically if I've been to Cuba when I was returning from Mexcio. I'd never be able to pull it off.

However, we were in Cuba 10 or so years ago (on one of the above mentioned legal tours), so my passport may be flagged in some way.

I was in Cuba in June legally with a U.S.licensed tour. They did stamp your passport going in and leaving Cuba.

By the way, it was worth every penny. Absolutely loved Cuba! Go now before they lift the embargo and it turns into another Cancun. Wonderful,friendly people. Great art and music.

When you were in Cuba, did you use dollars or Cuban currency?

Can't use us dollars, against the law.

The legal tours you pay for everything upfront

The Cuban currency for foreigners is CUC (Cuban Convertable Pesos) which has a different exchange rate to the currency used by locals. We exchanged Euros and GB Pounds without any issues, but exchanging USD might not be possible, or if it is allowed, might be a poor exchange rate.

Thank you. I think you can exchange, and was told that it is possible to purchase art.

Everything else is up front except a supper on our own.

Sum, knock yourself out. Odin is a long time contributor and knows what Exchange rates are or not.

Having said that, make sure to have $25,000 laying around in case you get fined coming back into the States for spending US dollars there.

Here's the funny thing, it's not illegal to visit Cuba for Americans, it's illegal to spend the US $!

Hey blamoja, I wasn't trying to pick a fight! I'm trying to figure this all out.

Easy to figure, you break the law (or try to do something sneaky) if you don't get caught, great.

Get caught pay the consecuences.

On a public forum we're not going to help you break the law

Your're on you own for this one

Thanks, Odin, for your help. I think I can get Euros to exchange. I did find that the exchange rate for dollars isn't very good.

Friends just returned from a People to People Exchange trip from the US. They brought US$ and exchanged them for CUC. When they left Cuba, they exchanged remaining CUC back to US$.