Travel Questions and Advice

[Combo]

Can anyone give me the scoop on the health insurance requirement for entering Cuba? If I have to purchase it there, what is the cost?

Correction from my previous response. Just found the document from my Jan trip. It ended up being about $27 USD for 9 days.

[Taboc]

Can anyone give me the scoop on the health insurance requirement for entering Cuba? If I have to purchase it there, what is the cost?

I once bought from Cubatur in the airport, not because any one asked me, the chica selling it was very cute. It cost me around 30cuc for 10 days, and it covered around 7500cuc per day.

[Bart1]

I am not sure Global Entry is a good idea. With Global Entry your itinerary is tied to your passport. So, very likely they will know what countries you visited in your trip. I am a Global Entry / Sentri holder and I traveled to Cuba twice thru Mexico. One time when I was walking back to San Diego after coming back from Cuba the immigration officer asked me if I left Mexico during my trip, of course my answer was no, then he flat out asked me if I went to Cuba. I was shocked but kept it cool and said no. He just let me go but he could have sent me to secondary and the shit could have hit the fan. I have been told that the officers have been told not to give hard time to people that come back from Cuba, something like an internal memo. The Obama administration doesn't want to prosecute / fine people for visiting Cuba. The Bush era was completely different thou.

I think one way to avoid this dilemma is to fly to Havana from Panama or another country besides Mexico and Canada. I have read somewhere that Canada, US and Mexico share the flights manifest in one database. So it is easy access for government. Another way, which may not be as safe, is to divide your trip to two reservation so your entire travel is not under one booking reference number.

I can give you reference for what I wrote, except my personal experience. Do your own research and then decide.

Good luck and enjoy Cuba! A country well worth the visit, even with the travel hassle.

Zebel is absolutely correct about the manifest lists. Long before it was common knowledge all Canadian flights overflying the USA to Cuba had to call into the USA authorities the names of all passengers on board. I was told this about 10 years ago when my neighbour was piloting charters from Toronto and Vancouver to Varadero which was long before I ever read about it in msm [mainstream media]. I remember a story in the news at least 5 years ago about a man flying to Acupulco with his wife and kids for a holiday from Toronto with a Canuck passport but an iraqi or iranian spelled name. USA authorites had the mexicans arrest and imprison him in mex. It turned out he had a similar name to someone on the USA hot list.

[Combo]

Can anyone give me the scoop on the health insurance requirement for entering Cuba? If I have to purchase it there, what is the cost?

If I remember correctly, it's no more than $10 per day. They got me for it in January. But I've heard of other people never being asked.

No big deal either way.

[House]

Can anyone give me the scoop on the health insurance requirement for entering Cuba? If I have to purchase it there, what is the cost?

[Kalifornication]

And I agree with you. But, that is an issue of ignorance. I can tell you that 80% of the time I re-enter every month the folks at the border have no idea what the law is. Remember, they are border patro, not OFAC. They know very little about the travel restrictions. For that matter. 99. 9 percent of Americans do not even know Cuba even exists. Have you ever gone into a travel agency in the USA and seen Cuba as a travel destination option? Out of sight, out of mind. Most of these folks at the border bring their own bias, their own prejudice and their own notions about Cuba. They have never been, so they think it a dreadful horrible place where Cubans are suffering daily, poor and hungry. If you have traveled the world, then you know Cuban poverty does not equate to Mexican, or Hatian or Dominican poverty. The inconvenience of their ignorance is just something we have to deal with at times. The worst they will do, if you have cigars and rum, is take it. In the past I used to argue with these folks, now I am just the most polite person when I tell them I was in Cuba. They like feeling powerful, respected and in control. They then send you on your way. As for being reported to OFAC, I have been reported, for an unjustifiable reason at that. So have friends of mine. Guess what happens? Nothing.

Kalifornication,

I am with you on this. It is nothing to be paranoid about. However, it is naive to think there is no risk involved. A friend of mine that traveled with me to Cuba in 2012 was given a lot of hard time at Otay border crossing. He denied going to Cuba but he was made to go back to Mexico and leave everything he brought from Cuba there. They didn't report him to OFAC but the experience wasn't pleasant. Specially for me who had to wait for him for an hour to get out of the building.

Cheers!

[Zebel]

Kalifornication,

I am with you on this. It is nothing to be paranoid about. However, it is naive to think there is no risk involved. A friend of mine that traveled with me to Cuba in 2012 was given a lot of hard time at Otay border crossing. He denied going to Cuba but he was made to go back to Mexico and leave everything he brought from Cuba there. They didn't report him to OFAC but the experience wasn't pleasant. Specially for me who had to wait for him for an hour to get out of the building.

Cheers!

Stop being so paranoid. The US Govt. Could care less about your travels to Cuba. Do not bring back rum or cigars. I am in Cuba every month and every time I cross the border I tell them I was in Cuba. They ask if I have rum or cigars, I say no, and I am on my way. Really, do you think the "land of the free" wants a reputation of restricting travel for its citizens? Of course not. Bad policy bad publicity. They do not mind the perpetuation of the idea that it is illegal or that you will get into trouble, yea they like that. When I was a child, I was afraid of the monster under my bed too, but then I grew up.

The Cuban Assets Control Regulations of the USA Treasury Department require that persons subject to USA jurisdiction be licensed to engage in any transaction related to travel to, from and within Cuba.

Transactions related to tourist travel are not licensable. This restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through a third country such as Mexico, Canada or any other country in the world.

The Regulation is not that the Americans or people with permanent residence in the USA cannot travel to Cuba, the regulation says that the USA residendts CANNOT SPEND MONEY IN CUBA. Imagine your jenitera paid for your travel flight, food, beer and rum in Cuba, you would be perfectly legal.

[Kalifornication]

Stop being so paranoid. The US Govt. Could care less about your travels to Cuba. Do not bring back rum or cigars. I am in Cuba every month and every time I cross the border I tell them I was in Cuba. They ask if I have rum or cigars, I say no, and I am on my way. Really, do you think the "land of the free" wants a reputation of restricting travel for its citizens? Of course not. Bad policy bad publicity. They do not mind the perpetuation of the idea that it is illegal or that you will get into trouble, yea they like that. When I was a child, I was afraid of the monster under my bed too, but then I grew up.

The Cuban Assets Control Regulations of the USA Treasury Department require that persons subject to USA jurisdiction be licensed to engage in any transaction related to travel to, from and within Cuba.

Transactions related to tourist travel are not licensable. This restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through a third country such as Mexico, Canada or any other country in the world.

The Regulation is not that the Americans or people with permanent residence in the USA cannot travel to Cuba, the regulation says that the USA residendts CANNOT SPEND MONEY IN CUBA. Imagine your jenitera paid for your travel flight, food, beer and rum in Cuba, you would be perfectly legal.

I am not sure Global Entry is a good idea. With Global Entry your itinerary is tied to your passport. So, very likely they will know what countries you visited in your trip. I am a Global Entry / Sentri holder and I traveled to Cuba twice thru Mexico. One time when I was walking back to San Diego after coming back from Cuba the immigration officer asked me if I left Mexico during my trip, of course my answer was no, then he flat out asked me if I went to Cuba. I was shocked but kept it cool and said no. He just let me go but he could have sent me to secondary and the shit could have hit the fan. I have been told that the officers have been told not to give hard time to people that come back from Cuba, something like an internal memo. The Obama administration doesn't want to prosecute / fine people for visiting Cuba. The Bush era was completely different thou.

I think one way to avoid this dilemma is to fly to Havana from Panama or another country besides Mexico and Canada. I have read somewhere that Canada, US and Mexico share the flights manifest in one database. So it is easy access for government. Another way, which may not be as safe, is to divide your trip to two reservation so your entire travel is not under one booking reference number.

I can give you reference for what I wrote, except my personal experience. Do your own research and then decide.

Good luck and enjoy Cuba! A country well worth the visit, even with the travel hassle.

[Zebel]

I am not sure Global Entry is a good idea. With Global Entry your itinerary is tied to your passport. So, very likely they will know what countries you visited in your trip. I am a Global Entry / Sentri holder and I traveled to Cuba twice thru Mexico. One time when I was walking back to San Diego after coming back from Cuba the immigration officer asked me if I left Mexico during my trip, of course my answer was no, then he flat out asked me if I went to Cuba. I was shocked but kept it cool and said no. He just let me go but he could have sent me to secondary and the shit could have hit the fan. I have been told that the officers have been told not to give hard time to people that come back from Cuba, something like an internal memo. The Obama administration doesn't want to prosecute / fine people for visiting Cuba. The Bush era was completely different thou.

I think one way to avoid this dilemma is to fly to Havana from Panama or another country besides Mexico and Canada. I have read somewhere that Canada, US and Mexico share the flights manifest in one database. So it is easy access for government. Another way, which may not be as safe, is to divide your trip to two reservation so your entire travel is not under one booking reference number.

I can give you reference for what I wrote, except my personal experience. Do your own research and then decide.

Good luck and enjoy Cuba! A country well worth the visit, even with the travel hassle.

Also, my advice would be to look into Global Entry before you go. The danger is when you come back in, and as you stated, being pulled aside to explain two Canadian entry stamps. With Global Entry, no one leafs through your passport.

[Kalifornication]

My prediction, no impact if you are, as they say in Cuba,"American American" (I. E, American born).

Why? I have never traveled directly from the USA to CUba. Not because I am not permitted to do so, but because it is too expensive. I suspect that those needing the Cuban Interests Section in Washington DC are not "American American". They are, more likely, new immigrants from Cuba who either left legally or illegally and are seeking authorization to re-enter Cuba. They are also likely old Miami Cubans who were born in Cuba. As we all know, Cuba welcomes "American Americans" perhaps for the same reasons the USA welcomes those Cubans who risk their lives at sea to touch American soil and, ipso facto, gain immediate legal rights to reside within the USA. In short Political bullshit. Cuba does not want to punish the brave American that thumbs his or her nose up at the American so called travel restriction. In fact its a money restriction, not a travel restriction.

Your fine you American Bunny Rabbit.

So I saw this link recently:

http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affa...s-travel-visas

Any idea how this would hypothetically affect one's ability to hypothetically sneak into Cuba if one were to hypothetically be an American?

[Smokers Rule]

So I saw this link recently:

http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affa...s-travel-visas

Any idea how this would hypothetically affect one's ability to hypothetically sneak into Cuba if one were to hypothetically be an American?

[Lmarcone]

Does it pay to buy a Cuban SIM card?

I read on LP that it costs 30cuc to activate.

How long are they good for- I'm wondering if it'll still be good on future trips.

Are there other options? I'll be in Varadero then Havana, BTW.

Thanks!

[Lmarcone]

I'm sure I'm "over-fretting".

Surely I won't have any receipts or Cuban merch with me.

When I went to Cuba, I went legally. There are several exceptions by which Americans can go legally, and I took advantage. But I had previously researched going illegally.

People generally advised flying from Cancun or Nassau, a more tourist trafficked airport. Also, my advice would be to look into Global Entry before you go. The danger is when you come back in, and as you stated, being pulled aside to explain two Canadian entry stamps. With Global Entry, no one leafs through your passport.

Also, to clarify, it is not illegal to GO to Cuba. It is illegal to spend money in Cuba or patronize any Cuba owned business. Its an economic sanction, not a travel restriction.

[Manny51]

I am an American planning on visiting Cuba through Montreal.

So, I'll return to the states with two Canadian entry stamps!

This has been discussed before but please, can someone reiterate that I shouldn't worry about it / personal experience?

Thank you!

When I went to Cuba, I went legally. There are several exceptions by which Americans can go legally, and I took advantage. But I had previously researched going illegally.

People generally advised flying from Cancun or Nassau, a more tourist trafficked airport. Also, my advice would be to look into Global Entry before you go. The danger is when you come back in, and as you stated, being pulled aside to explain two Canadian entry stamps. With Global Entry, no one leafs through your passport.

Also, to clarify, it is not illegal to GO to Cuba. It is illegal to spend money in Cuba or patronize any Cuba owned business. Its an economic sanction, not a travel restriction.

[Lmarcone]

I am an American planning on visiting Cuba through Montreal.

So, I'll return to the states with two Canadian entry stamps!

This has been discussed before but please, can someone reiterate that I shouldn't worry about it / personal experience?

Thank you!