Jeff_Costa_Rica

The whole thing is still vague until we see the final regulations. I'm just looking at Question 6 in the link I posted, and that comes from the Treasury Department itself. It sounds as if that category will be impacted too. You and I have disagreed about this before: "Support for the Cuban people" was never intended to be us going to Cuba and talking to people we meet on the street. It was always supposed to be more structured than that, meaning going under the auspices of an international organization that promotes peace and democracy in Cuba. As I understand it, you can't travel independently under that category. Under the Obama opening, those activities should have been claimed as "People to People." That will disappear, except for group travel.

SambaChula

The applicable wording is as follows:

(iii) Individuals .....that promote independent activity intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba; and

(2) The traveler’s schedule of activities does not include free time or recreation in excess of that consistent with a full-time schedule.
------------
Currently there is no further definition of those terms in (iii), leaving room IMO for anyone spending money with independent individual Cuban entrepreneurs.

SambaChula

And "Until such time as OFAC issues its new regulations", things remain the same. NO changes.

Lois2

Jeff's statement above about only group travel remaining is merely his unofficial speculation and until some more clear is out no one here knows what will happen. Samba above sums it up nicely.

MyriamC

Thanks for the trip report and the tips, annhig. Thinking of doing a roadtrip in Cuba in an oldtimer (with driver and English-speaking guide) and staying in casas particulares for the ultimate Cuban experience.

SambaChula

If you are considering a road trip of any distance in one of the classic cars, make sure it is equipped with after-market air conditioning and has been redone with comfortable, well padded (and not sprung out) seats. Some (many) of them are literally a pain to ride in!

gertie3751

Just read all this annhig. Interesting that most fodor's posters don't post stories in detail where everything went wrong and they got hijacked! I am sure it happens though.
Well done for the details!

And yes, well done for getting there while your health held up. And good luck for the next lot.

I guess I am very lucky to have done it 20 years ago before tourist greed set in, tourism was not a big deal and things were easy. And thank god I am not American with all the complications it brings!!

SambaChula

"Interesting that most fodor's posters don't post stories in detail where everything went wrong and they got hijacked!"

gertie3751, would my tale -----of getting stuck in Vinales because my Lada driver, son of a general in the revolution, got too drunk to drive back to Havana while I was out horseback riding through the tobacco fields----- count? LOL

annhig

MyriamC - I echo SC's advice on vehicle choice. We travelled in a wide variety of vehicles ranging from the most decrepit lada to the most up to date air con bus, and if you are contemplating spending more than a day in any car, then i urge you to pay for a proper up to date vehicle. We had had more than enough of the lovely convertible car with its hard suspension and harder springs that we travelled in from Havana to Vinales by the time we got there, ditto our Trinidad casa's brother's lada that just about got us back from the excursion that we did with him the day before we moved onto Sanctu Spiritu. We were in no way disappointed when the next day we were informed that he was mysteriously unable to take us onto our next destination unless we paid him a lot more money than the sum already agreed; we guessed that he was equally relieved when we refused to pay it, because, we suspected, the car wouldn't have made it. Strangely the extremely new modern aircon taxi that was arranged for us was no more expensive than the original quote.

The old cars may look good but for more than half a day or so, there is nothing to beat the decent modern version.

SC - I'm sure that story does count.

gertie - I'm glad you enjoyed it. Sorry I never got round to finishing it, but life, as ever, intervened.

MyriamC

annhig and SC ... thanks for warning me about the oldtimers. It looked so romantic to travel in a classical car but I now realize that it's not the most comfortable way to cross a country.

annhig

no probs, Myriam.

for longer journeys, I would go for a proper modern a/c taxi, or see if there is a modern bus you can book.

sf7307

We took a tour of Havana in old cars - great fun for 1-1/2 hours, but for more than that, not likely.