legal travel to cuba
Feb 26th, 2013, 05:51 AM
#22
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ekscrunchy, I am so bad about following up. They should have a notice system at Fodors that you get "pinged" when someone posts to a forum.
Anyway, here are my photos from my 2012 trip to Cuba. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=8e38cf7c50
I'm returning in late April to photograph the May Day celebrations in a few weeks. I go legally with a small photography group (People to people license). This will make my 3rd trip to Havana and it is feeling like home now. I just love Havana--and it is the best place for street photography in the world (and you know that I try to photograph the whole world : ).
All of my trips have been with a treasury department OK, but I know many people who have traveled independently without any issues at all. That being said, it is still illegal (although the chances of anything happening even if "caught" are very slim ) However, one caveat. If you ever want to enroll for the US "Trusted Traveler" program (where you can skip lines at security and self process yourself through customs internationally), an illegal trip to Cuba would keep you from getting clearance. I assure you, they will know. I wasn't able to get my clearance until I found and submitted my visa from the Treasury dept. However, if that is not of interest to you, then traveling independently from Toronto, Mexico or an island should not be a problem and will save you thousands of dollars.
Hotels? In Havana I love the Park Central or Telegrapho for their location and quality. Park Central is more luxurious and has wi-fi, but the Telegrapho is just as convenient--it is right across the street. Do NOT stay at the National--it is a bad location and pretty run down--but a great place for sunset cocktails. In trinidad, the Iberostar. You can also arrange homestays if you are adventurous and love feeling the culture a bit more (I'm into ensuite bathrooms, so it is not my style)
Anyway, I'm happy to ask questions about Eastern Havana--from Trinidad to the west, but again, my travel has all been with a visa, so I'm not much help about traveling independently. Im sure the Canadians in the group can help you out.
Lastly, yes, there are at least five flights a week from Grand Cayman to Havana.
Anyway, here are my photos from my 2012 trip to Cuba. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=8e38cf7c50
I'm returning in late April to photograph the May Day celebrations in a few weeks. I go legally with a small photography group (People to people license). This will make my 3rd trip to Havana and it is feeling like home now. I just love Havana--and it is the best place for street photography in the world (and you know that I try to photograph the whole world : ).
All of my trips have been with a treasury department OK, but I know many people who have traveled independently without any issues at all. That being said, it is still illegal (although the chances of anything happening even if "caught" are very slim ) However, one caveat. If you ever want to enroll for the US "Trusted Traveler" program (where you can skip lines at security and self process yourself through customs internationally), an illegal trip to Cuba would keep you from getting clearance. I assure you, they will know. I wasn't able to get my clearance until I found and submitted my visa from the Treasury dept. However, if that is not of interest to you, then traveling independently from Toronto, Mexico or an island should not be a problem and will save you thousands of dollars.
Hotels? In Havana I love the Park Central or Telegrapho for their location and quality. Park Central is more luxurious and has wi-fi, but the Telegrapho is just as convenient--it is right across the street. Do NOT stay at the National--it is a bad location and pretty run down--but a great place for sunset cocktails. In trinidad, the Iberostar. You can also arrange homestays if you are adventurous and love feeling the culture a bit more (I'm into ensuite bathrooms, so it is not my style)
Anyway, I'm happy to ask questions about Eastern Havana--from Trinidad to the west, but again, my travel has all been with a visa, so I'm not much help about traveling independently. Im sure the Canadians in the group can help you out.
Lastly, yes, there are at least five flights a week from Grand Cayman to Havana.
Feb 26th, 2013, 06:02 AM
#23
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LOL, two things. I need to use "preview" more.
1) I'm happy to "answer" questions (I didn't mean "ask")
2) and I meant western Cuba, not Eastern--where I have never been. I have been to Havana, Vinales, Cienfuegos, Trinidad--and lots of places in between.
1) I'm happy to "answer" questions (I didn't mean "ask")
2) and I meant western Cuba, not Eastern--where I have never been. I have been to Havana, Vinales, Cienfuegos, Trinidad--and lots of places in between.
