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Old 12-28-2005, 01:16 PM   #1
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Ok here is a poser for you...I am an American citizen and I want to go on holiday to Cuba. I live in the UK and will be travelling from the UK. Can I go there as an American citizen????? The info I'm reading seems to be conflicting ....
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Old 12-28-2005, 01:24 PM   #2
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I don't know anything for certain, but a friend of mine actually went. It's my understanding that to go legally as an American citizen it is a real biatch. In fact, I've heard unless you have a legitimate reason, like charity or something it's impossible. But don't fret. You can go to almost any South American country and then buy a ticket from there. Because the Cubans want US dollars so much, they will let you in no problem and not stamp your passport so you don't get in trouble. I will check with my friend again to verify that, but I'm pretty certain that's the deal. I know for sure that's what he did. By the way, I've heard Cuba is a blast, especially if you are a lover of classic American cars.
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Old 12-28-2005, 03:14 PM   #3
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this is from the Wikitravel Cuba article...

Warning for US travellers
For political reasons, legally travelling to Cuba from the United States of America, one of its nearest neighbors, is not currently possible. Many US citizens travel by way of Canada or Mexico.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not illegal American citizens to travel to Cuba, per se. It is illegal for Americans to spend money in Cuba. Americas should therefore be aware that it is illegal for them to visit Cuba without a license issued by the US Treasury Department. It should also be noted by that those looking to evade these regulations, that should the US Government become aware that you have travelled to Cuba, OFAC will assume you will have spent money in Cuba if you stay more than one day. The issue is further complicated by OFAC's stance that one may not receive goods or services for free from any Cuban national. These new restrictions are outlined in an OFAC policy statement from June 2004.[1] (http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforce...fr69_33768.pdf)

Licenses are only granted to journalists, people visiting relatives, and for a few other reasons [2] (http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cuba.html). If the US government finds out about your visit, you may be subject to fines or criminal prosecution. Currently, the National Lawyers Guild www.nlg.org and the Center for Constitutional Rights www.ccr-ny.org provide legal representation for people accused of violating the Travel Ban.

The United States is represented by an Interests Section located in the Swiss Embassy. Counsel Services are not available.

Credit cards, ATM cards and traveler's checks drawn on American banks are not valid in Cuba. American Express is not accepted in case it was either in US Dollar or made by a american bank. For example, Swiss Traveller Checks will be accepted, as long as they are in Swiss Francs, even if the checks are made "in licence" of an american bank, as long as the real producer of them is non-american. Better bring cash to Cuba, they accept all those currencies without any fees: Canadian Dollar, English Pound, Euro, Swiss Franc, HK Yuan. For US Dollar, they will tax you with 10%, so better change to either Canadian Dollar or Swiss Franc first, before travelling there (Euro are changed 1:1, so it means at current exchange rates also a loss of around 6%)

http://wikitravel.org/en/Cuba#Warning_for_US_travellers
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Old 12-28-2005, 04:46 PM   #4
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Sounds like you'll be fine flying from the UK. What kind of work do you do? Welcome to the boards.

Reading this makes me really want to go to Cuba - how exotic sounding.
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Old 12-28-2005, 05:02 PM   #5
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So much for the "land of the free"....

Hope you can make it happen, although it's a bit tricky to get there... I've heard Habana (for turists) is a beautiful place!
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Old 12-28-2005, 07:36 PM   #6
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I LOVE cuba!! We met a couple americans there, but it was actually a really interesting week because I met one American the entire time and the rest were Canadians.

I've never been anywhere as a tourist and only really met other tourists from ONE country.
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Old 12-28-2005, 08:09 PM   #7
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My friend who went, an American, never had any problems. Like Lizz pointed out, just have plenty of cash on hand. As long as you are careful there really is no way the US could find out. Just don't use your C cards and don't get your passport stamped. Also, don't call me if something does go wrong
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Old 01-01-2006, 02:47 AM   #8
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Yeah...as the Wiki article stated, it IS illegal to spend money in Cuba, but it's quite possible to get there via another country. Just cover your tracks, I say...

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Old 01-02-2006, 08:13 AM   #9
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Fly out through Canada, and pay for everything in cash (even your airline tickets). Request no stamp on your passport. Very simple. The less of a trace that you leave behind of you presence, the less chance you'll get caught.

When you come back over the border from Canada after your trip, don't bring back anything that would indicate you've travelled there, especially any banned items (cigars, alcohol, etc.). There is the potential to be searched by American customs officials.
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Old 01-02-2006, 08:59 AM   #10
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This is unsubstantiated, but I have heard the U.S. Government has recently coerced many Canadian Airlines into ratting out Americans heading to Cuba from Canada, as they want to make it as difficult as possible. Again, it may not be accurate, but it is a possibility. I would do it from Mexico or another Central American country were I to travel with the U.S. as my originating location. The UK should be fine as well I would think.
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Old 01-02-2006, 10:55 AM   #11
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i'm jelous..i heard that CUBA is diver's paradise!
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Old 01-03-2006, 11:02 AM   #12
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It would be great if they lifted the travel ban from US to Cuba. I don't think that's going to happen while Castro is around though.

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Old 01-03-2006, 07:17 PM   #13
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^Yeah, you know............. its one thing to do the whole embargo thing when he is buddying up to the Russkis and putting nukes on his soil, but at this stage, give him and the people a break. It would be laughable if it wasn't so tragic for the people.
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Old 01-08-2006, 05:49 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally posted by nemesis331@Jan 2 2006, 12:55 PM
i'm jelous..i heard that CUBA is diver's paradise!
[snapback]95995[/snapback]
It is.
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Old 01-09-2006, 01:18 AM   #15
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If you're an American who wants to see Cuba, I've devised several ways about it:

1. Start saving your pennies, investing them, until you've amassed millions. There's an annual trade conference for Americans who want to do business in Cuba, and you have to have a product/service that you can sell to them. We'll gladly take their money, but we certainly won't give them ours.

2. Join the military. Keep your fingers crossed and hope you get stationed at Guantanmo Bay. Just don't rat anyone out for a fenceline shooting, or you might get the Code Red à la A Few Good Men. Possibility of having Jack Nicholson in charge of your ass is a bit unappealing, as well.

3. Join Al-Qaeda or some other form of terrorist organization. Get caught. You'll get an all-expenses-paid trip to Gitmo, although you may not see much through those hoods they put on ya. Designer orange jumpsuit and tin cup provided gratis. BYO inflatable neck pillow. Those transport planes aren't comfy.
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