Cuba
Traveler's Information for US Citizens |
Cuba
for US Citizens
Americans are for all intents and purposes, not allowed to travel
to Cuba.
Heavy
fines are being imposed and at a much greater frequency under the
Bush administration. If you yet didn't, please check out the OFAC
website
OFAC Website |
OK
fine ... how do I go to Cuba? (for US citizens)
"When
unlicensed travelers go to Cuba from the US they normally have to go through
a third country. You will frequently see this referred to as the "Gateway"
on various boards. The most common gateways to Cuba for unlicensed US
travellers are Toronto, Montreal, Nassau (Bahamas), Cancun and Mexico
City, and less frequently used Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) and
Montego Bay. In my opinion Mexico and in particular Cancun are the gateways
that offer the least risk of detection I say that because:
**
Unlike Canada and the Bahamas, a traveller leaving from Mexico does not
pre-clear US Customs and Immigration. You will not clear Customs/Immigration
until you arrive back in the US. In Canada and the Bahamas you will go
through US Customs and Immigration at the airport in Toronto, Montreal
or Nassau.
**
Cancun is the most popular destination for US tourists in the Caribbean.
There is absolutely no reason why US Customs/Immigration would suspect
you have been anywhere else but Cancun.
**
You can enter Mexico and re-enter the US using only a certified copy of
your birth certificate and a government issued photo id, such as a driver's
license (BC/DL) In other words you do not have to show US Immigration
your passport upon re-entry to the US. Probably half or more of US tourists
who travel to Cancun use this alternate form of identification as their
travel documents.
You can book your hotel and flight in/to Cuba through the Junky websites with your US creditcard without any risk.
Your creditcard receipt will state nothing about Cuba or whatever.
You
should take the following steps in travelling back/forth:
- Enter
Mexico from the US using your BC/DL
- Mexico
does not stamp passports on exit, although you will need a passport
to enter Cuba.
- Cuban
Immigration does not stamp the passport at the present time, so do
not worry about a Cuban stamp.
- When
you arrive back in Mexico from Cuba you will probably have to present
your passport. The entry stamp that is placed there should be the
only stamp you receive on your trip. Some people recommend presenting
the passport with a $10 bill inside to avoid the Mexican entry stamp.
If you use the BC/DL to re-enter the US this step is unnecessary.
- After
you arrive in Mexico make sure you strip all HAV luggage tags from
you checked baggage.
- Throw
away your Cuban tickets, boarding passes and any other paper evidence
of your Cuban trip.
- Do
not list Cuba as a Country visited on the Customs Declaration form.
- Do
not bring back any high profile Cuban souveniers like cigars, rum,
t-shirts.
- Use
your BC/DL when you clear Immigration in your arrival city.
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The fine
by the way if you are unlucky or careless enough to get caught can be
negotiated down to $1000 or less.
Flights from Nassau, Santo Domingo and Managua
Travel
Documents For a US citizen
Passport (US related)
Make
no mistake about it ... you need a "valid" passport to get into
Cuba. Whereas in some countries you can get in with a US birth certificate
(Mexico, Canada) or even an expired passport (Bahamas),
you will NOT be admitted into Cuba with these credentials. Make sure its
valid and current.
Passport Stamping - Fortunately, the Cubans know that returning to the
US with a Cuba stamp can be trouble if you're not there with a General
or Specific License from OFAC. It used to be that if you slipped the immigration
official a $5 or $10 with your passport, it was no problem. However, now
there are posted signs in the Immigration Department discouraging such
practices.
Either way, the best thing to do is smile, say something nice then ask
them in Spanish to please not stamp your passport. "Por favor,
no empuje mi pasaporte" should do fine. This is still no
guarantee that they won't however.
Holy crap
... they stamped my passport! (US related)
Immediately
wire home and have them send you enough money to hide out in Cuba for
the rest of your life!! You will need to ... just kidding.
If you check the OFAC papers (see link on navigation panel), I'm sure
you'll probably find a sanctioned way to go and not have to worry about
it. If not, the chances of actually being assessed a fine are pretty remote
anyway.
If you feel the need to bypass the system and go anyway, well ...
CAREFUL: Lying to an Immigration Official is a Federal Offense.
If you lie, you'll probably get through. Then again, if they decide to
question you, well ...
If you tell them the truth, they'll probably just wave you on through.
However, if not, read the above OFAC section.
If you get through, there's always that stamped passport you have to contend
with. Again, the absolute best way to go about it is under the OFAC guidelines.
A little reading can go a long way.
Still
US related questions?
... If there are still any questions ... do not doubt to ask this at the
Lonely Planet Thorn Tree Discussion Board.
Lonely
Planet Thorntree Discussion Board
Visa
/ Touristcard
Cuban
rules say: you have to book an accommodation for the first night. If you
booked a flight, no accommodation and ready to fill in your visa, this
visa will ask you in which hotel you are staying ... fill in any address
of a hotel or casa particular and look real innocent going through customs.
The experience tells, it is also ok to fill in an address of a licensed
casa particular. However, if customs has a strict day they can
demand to book a hotel, if you didn't, they will make a reservation for
you.
You can buy your touristcard at the airport of you departure to Cuba.
For more
and extra information check out the regular traveler's information page
Still have
doubts, we can imagine ... visit the Lonely
Planet Thorntree many members on this forum can tell you
all about the best way to go to Cuba.
Lonely
Planet Thorntree Discussion Board
Regular
Traveler's Information
US travelers to Cuba ... related books
Useful books for legal and illegal US travelers who are intended to go to Cuba
Reviews by US Travelers to Cuba
Send us your review
July 15 2011
Name: Lisa
Country: USA
I had a fabulous time in Cuba. I spent most of my 8 days in the Havana area and then took a short two day trip to the countryside (Vinales). I found the internet to be a bit slow but not too bad. I searched for local news at home (msn, cnn, even local home news page) and sent several emails to check in. For that I paid $6 CUC per hour. Easily on par or less than other countries I have visited and less than what I paid for my mobile phone when I went sailing in the Virgin Islands. I did not make phone calls from Cuba. I found the people to be friendly, helpful and not at all against Americans. Customs was a breeze, and getting back into the US was not difficult. My biggest problem was not speaking much Spanish and even then, people were very nice and helpful. Food is basic but fillin! g. Prices reasonable but not cheap. I would certainly go back.
Send us your review
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