Travel Questions and Advice

[NCal2014]

Hey fellas,

Thanks for all the great feedback. Greatly appreciated! Great story Bart1 I enjoyed it. I spoke with my dad about traveling to Cuba he said its fairly common for US citizens to go. He has heard in the past that you can buy a Mexico passport in Mex and travel as a Mex citizen then dump the passport and cross the border back to the US. That sounds like a lot of fun and all but also not trying to get caught buying a fake passport. Just to check out Cuba for a day or 2.

Combo- I honestly was just looking to go to Cuba to check it out. Never been and I love to travel. I don't even really smoke cigars either so not looking to bring anything back. But it does sound like a lot of hassel and I don't want to be arrested or anything at the airport. Thats just the impression I have.

Mr Gogo- yeah traveling with a Colombiana from Mex as A US citizen I'm sure does bring up a lot of red flags. Will have to rethink this plan through and maybe just enjoy Cancun and maybe Cozumel too.

Another idea that came to me was what if I traveled with Mexican pesos and paid for everything in Mex pesos instead of USD? Would that be legal?

Again fellas I enjoy your stories here on this forum and I travel a little bit to Cartagena Colombia and have posted some stories and pics on that forum if anyone is interested.

Thanks!

[Bart1]

You didn't think this out completely Sir. You have to pay 25 cuc for your visa. She can't go to the window and pay that for you because you have to present your identification. So you are spending money there.

I've been to Colombia several times and rated Colombian women the prettiest I have seen until I went to Cuba. Cuban women don't like Colombian women so I'm not sure how your visit will go. Colombian women also are crazy about Cuban men, sure you want you girl to go?

Also you might get extra attention at the airport traveling with a Colombian girl coming from Mexico.

There are many nice romantic beaches in Colombia.

I recently traveled on a Canada to Cuba return ticket, after 2 weeks in Havana I flew to Medellin with a return to Havana ticket 6 weeks later. After a 4 days Havana I flew back to Canada on my original ticket. I was questioned for 15 minutes at the first immigration check and then after going through the carry on checkpoint I was directed to a side table. I was there for another 20 minutes and the same questions asked again. My 2 carry on bags were laid on the floor and a dog brought in for the sniff test. Many questions as to why I had been in Colombia. Officer said Canadians come to Cuba for 2 weeks but never I see Canadians go to Colombia and return to Havana. By now I had 2 different officers asking questions. A new guy came out and was asking the same questions. I told him I have a novia in Medellin and I went to see her. With a bit of a smile on his face he said, I think you have a novia in Medellin, a novia in Havana and a novia in Vancouver, I said no only in Medellin and Havana the chicas in Vancouver are like the Canadian climate, very cold. This brought a big smile and laughter. He then said this is my novia, a beautiful 25 yr old customs officer, who was standing beside him. I said to him you a very lucky man, she is very beautiful. Big smiles from both of them, I then said I guess I better not ask for her phone number, that had both them laughing and big smiles. Only in Cuba could that happen, God I love Cuba.

[Manny51]

Hey fellas,

Quick question here. As Americans we can travel to Cuba we just cannot spend any money there. But I'm traveling to Cancun with my Colombian girlfriend. So can we both travel to Cuba and just have her pay for everything? Technically we are following the rules right? I won't spend a dime and she buys everything for the both of us. Kust wanted to check the beaches and spend a day or 2. What do you guys think?

That's a good idea. I am surprised that that has never occurred to me, or that I never came across it in any of my own preparations.

[Combo]

hey fellas,

quick question here. as americans we can travel to cuba we just cannot spend any money there. but i'm traveling to cancun with my colombian girlfriend. so can we both travel to cuba and just have her pay for everything? technically we are following the rules right? i won't spend a dime and she buys everything for the both of us. kust wanted to check the beaches and spend a day or 2. what do you guys think?

are you really worried about "technically" obeying the law? do you obey speed limit laws? if it comes down to it, you'd have a hell of a time proving you didn't spend money while there. but it won't come down to it, because nobody really gives a crap if you go to cuba. thousands and thousands of americans go and only a handful have been punished over the last decade.

but for only a day or two, why even bother? you have phenomenal beaches in and around cancun, better than anything conveniently close to havana (there are no beaches in havana per se).

[Mr Gogo]

Hey fellas,

Quick question here. As Americans we can travel to Cuba we just cannot spend any money there. But I'm traveling to Cancun with my Colombian girlfriend. So can we both travel to Cuba and just have her pay for everything? Technically we are following the rules right? I won't spend a dime and she buys everything for the both of us. Kust wanted to check the beaches and spend a day or 2. What do you guys think?

You didn't think this out completely Sir. You have to pay 25 cuc for your visa. She can't go to the window and pay that for you because you have to present your identification. So you are spending money there.

I've been to Colombia several times and rated Colombian women the prettiest I have seen until I went to Cuba. Cuban women don't like Colombian women so I'm not sure how your visit will go. Colombian women also are crazy about Cuban men, sure you want you girl to go?

Also you might get extra attention at the airport traveling with a Colombian girl coming from Mexico.

There are many nice romantic beaches in Colombia.

[NCal2014]

Hey fellas,

Quick question here. As Americans we can travel to Cuba we just cannot spend any money there. But I'm traveling to Cancun with my Colombian girlfriend. So can we both travel to Cuba and just have her pay for everything? Technically we are following the rules right? I won't spend a dime and she buys everything for the both of us. Kust wanted to check the beaches and spend a day or 2. What do you guys think?

[Mr Gogo]

Hi,

I am looking for a way to buy tickets from San Jose to Havana and then to San Salvador. So far Nash Trave is the only agency I could find that could book this online. After reading around they don't seem to have a good track record. Are there other options that I should know about? Or is Nash worth taking the risk for. Is waiting to arrive in San Jose to purchase fights a possibility? I plan to go in early January, which is high season, so I figured reserving early is the best option.

I've used Nash travel in the past with no problems. For some reason they don't respond fast to emails so I would send an email and then back it up with a call.

[MacMn92]

Hi,

I am looking for a way to buy tickets from San Jose to Havana and then to San Salvador. So far Nash Trave is the only agency I could find that could book this online. After reading around they don't seem to have a good track record. Are there other options that I should know about? Or is Nash worth taking the risk for. Is waiting to arrive in San Jose to purchase fights a possibility? I plan to go in early January, which is high season, so I figured reserving early is the best option.

[Menidi]

Driver that speaks English. Don't pay more than $50 per day total. He pays his own gas not you. This is cheaper than renting a car with much less hassles and will save you money especially if the driver is cool because he can get you Cuban prices on some things including cases.

Greatly appreciated MrSoulo.

In relation to the bicycle comment, sounds like a great. However, I don't think it is something that I would like to put myself through Specially now that is the raining reason I believe.

[Ganesha]

What is the best way to travel around Cuba? Rent a car or rent a driver.

What do you mean with 'best way'?

If you want to see the landscape, get in touch with locals. Take a bicycle and reserve enough time for it!

You don't believe me? Just search the Internet for people who did this. There are more than you ever thought.

[MrSoulo]

Hello everyone,

What is the best way to travel around Cuba? Rent a car or rent a driver?

Thanks in advance.

Driver that speaks English. Don't pay more than $50 per day total. He pays his own gas not you. This is cheaper than renting a car with much less hassles and will save you money especially if the driver is cool because he can get you Cuban prices on some things including cases.

[Menidi]

Hello everyone,

What is the best way to travel around Cuba? Rent a car or rent a driver?

Thanks in advance.

[Maxx]

I'm thinking of traveling to Havana in late August for some Cuban chocha and then spend 4 or 5 days in Isla de la Juventud fishing. I'll be traveling solo out of NY. Just posting here in case anyone might like to join. At least for the fishing portion. I welcome any advice.

[House]

I'm looking for a reliable driver at a fair price. One who knows the city of Havana and the most beautiful women. Please PM me with contact info.

[PdxMonger]

I am looking for local contact information. I would really appreciate if you could PM me.

Thanks