Travel Questions and Advice

[Kalifornication]

Use Holiday Market Travel. Canadian agency. Ask for Rick, they will take an american card and book your trip. Service with a smile.

Many people do exactly that. You can't use a US-based CC to book your flights. There are Canadian travel agents as well as TAs from other countries that can do it for you (for a fee of course). I've heard good things about Cuba-Junky. I think they are based in Europe, but it really doesn't matter as it appears you can reserve your flights on-line.

[Combo]

I know Canadians can make trips to Cuba without any problems. Couldn't you get an arrangement with a Canadian travel agency for your trip to Cuba?

Many people do exactly that. You can't use a US-based CC to book your flights. There are Canadian travel agents as well as TAs from other countries that can do it for you (for a fee of course). I've heard good things about Cuba-Junky. I think they are based in Europe, but it really doesn't matter as it appears you can reserve your flights on-line.

[Gigamon]

I know Canadians can make trips to Cuba without any problems. Couldn't you get an arrangement with a Canadian travel agency for your trip to Cuba?

As a US citizen I have been concerned about traveling to Cuba. I have read in this forum and other sources on the net when you land in Cuba they do not stamp your passport which is a good. However, if you go via Mexico then you might get a Mexican entry stamp twice, first one when you arrive there from US and the second one when you arrive from Cuba on the way back. So a smart ass officer in the US border could ask how could this happen and suspect. When they suspect, then who knows where it will end.

So, here is some thought to be safe, veterans forum members can chime in and let us know whether this will work. I assume you can goto Mexico by road. If not, then it will not work.

Take passport and Passport card.

Go to Tijuana via road and show the passport card to the Mexican border officer. He will not even know you have a passport, so no chance of getting stamped on it.

Take flight, Tijuana-Cancun-Havana and back. As hoped, the Cubans will not stamp the passport.

If they do, then shread your passport into pieces in Tijuana and dispose it.

Cross the border using your Passport card and then apply for a new passport saying it is lost.

[Vitrea]

Or you could enter Cuba from one country (eg Mexico) and fly out to another (Bahamas or Panama). This would eliminate the double passport stamp problem.

Though IMO you're worrying too much, which is understandable. From what I understand, the Border Control agents don't give a shit.

Actually, this is the best idea I have heard so for, though logistically it is a bit of a pain for short term visits.

[Mr Gogo]

Or you could enter Cuba from one country (eg Mexico) and fly out to another (Bahamas or Panama). This would eliminate the double passport stamp problem.

Though IMO you're worrying too much, which is understandable. From what I understand, the Border Control agents don't give a shit.

I don't know anyone arrested or fined but I hear they just flag you. If you are planning on getting any type of security clearances in the future they might ask you to explain these Cuba issues.

Did you see how quickly they got the Beyonce and Jay-z visit off the news? They don't want this public news. At first the Republican south florida politicians raised hell then they quieted down. Also 90% of the country knows this is BS, its just about Fidel. I think Obama is waiting till his last year in office to make historic changes regarding Cuba. Its strategic because the Republicans don't want this issue in an election year. Raul has already stated he will step down in 2015 and there has been some loosening in the last couple years. Once the American dollars start flowing in, the Cuba we know now will be gone forever.

[Combo]

As a US citizen I have been concerned about traveling to Cuba. I have read in this forum and other sources on the net when you land in Cuba they do not stamp your passport which is a good. However, if you go via Mexico then you might get a Mexican entry stamp twice, first one when you arrive there from US and the second one when you arrive from Cuba on the way back. So a smart ass officer in the US border could ask how could this happen and suspect. When they suspect, then who knows where it will end.

So, here is some thought to be safe, veterans forum members can chime in and let us know whether this will work. I assume you can goto Mexico by road. If not, then it will not work.

Take passport and Passport card.

Go to Tijuana via road and show the passport card to the Mexican border officer. He will not even know you have a passport, so no chance of getting stamped on it.

Take flight, Tijuana-Cancun-Havana and back. As hoped, the Cubans will not stamp the passport.

If they do, then shread your passport into pieces in Tijuana and dispose it.

Cross the border using your Passport card and then apply for a new passport saying it is lost.

Or you could enter Cuba from one country (eg Mexico) and fly out to another (Bahamas or Panama). This would eliminate the double passport stamp problem.

Though IMO you're worrying too much, which is understandable. From what I understand, the Border Control agents don't give a shit.

[UltraHappy]

First, you are being a bit too cautious but I like your analysis. Just looking at the facts, no has been prosecuted for going to Cuba and thousands of Americans visit Cuba "illegally" every year! American celebrities go all the time and no one is in jail or even fined.

Second, contrary to popular belief, it is not illegal to go to Cuba. It is illegal to spend money there. It a treasury department issue and not really a CBP issue. The only CBP issue is your lie in the statement that says, what other countries have you visited you do not mention Cuba. That is the only thing they can harass you for. If you can have a good story of how some foreign citizen sponsored you, you are golden.

Last and an almost full proof suggestion and this applies only if you are flying from Mexico back to USA, is to spend $100 and get a Global entry card. No CBP officer will even look at the stamps in your passport.

Technically, you don't even have to answer that question about what countries you have visited. You can simply rely on your right to remain silent. I've never been to Cuba, but after reading a lot on the Internet one time, I decided to refuse to answer that question on my customs form returning from Mexico just to see what would happen. I had time to kill at the airport because my ride that was coming to pick me up was going to get there a few hours after my touchdown.

According to what I had read on the Internet, that particularly question on the customs form about what countries you have visited is there specifically to elicit travel to Cuba answers. Also, I read that their usual procedure upon someone's refusal to answer this question is to pull you aside for "secondary screening" in which they thoroughly search your belongings looking for receipts and any evidence that you might have spent money in Cuba. In my case, the customs folks didn't even realize that I hadn't answered the question and told me I was ok to go on. So, I specifically pointed out to the customs agent that I had not answered the question on the form and asked if that would pose a problem. My customs agent flat out didn't care about that question on the form and just told me to move on. I wanted to see if they would rifle through my belongings looking for evidence of travel to Cuba, but they flat out didn't care.

I suspect that the customs agents would have reacted differently if I had been entering the US through Miami.

By the way, this all happened in my much younger, stupider days.

[Vitrea]

As a US citizen I have been concerned about traveling to Cuba. I have read in this forum and other sources on the net when you land in Cuba they do not stamp your passport which is a good. However, if you go via Mexico then you might get a Mexican entry stamp twice, first one when you arrive there from US and the second one when you arrive from Cuba on the way back. So a smart ass officer in the US border could ask how could this happen and suspect. When they suspect, then who knows where it will end.

So, here is some thought to be safe, veterans forum members can chime in and let us know whether this will work. I assume you can goto Mexico by road. If not, then it will not work.

Take passport and Passport card.

Go to Tijuana via road and show the passport card to the Mexican border officer. He will not even know you have a passport, so no chance of getting stamped on it.

Take flight, Tijuana-Cancun-Havana and back. As hoped, the Cubans will not stamp the passport.

If they do, then shread your passport into pieces in Tijuana and dispose it.

Cross the border using your Passport card and then apply for a new passport saying it is lost.

First, you are being a bit too cautious but I like your analysis. Just looking at the facts, no has been prosecuted for going to Cuba and thousands of Americans visit Cuba "illegally" every year! American celebrities go all the time and no one is in jail or even fined.

Second, contrary to popular belief, it is not illegal to go to Cuba. It is illegal to spend money there. It a treasury department issue and not really a CBP issue. The only CBP issue is your lie in the statement that says, what other countries have you visited you do not mention Cuba. That is the only thing they can harass you for. If you can have a good story of how some foreign citizen sponsored you, you are golden.

Third, you have a point and it might be obvious that there are two Mexican stamps but only if these are the only two stamps in your passport. If that is the case, you entering Tijuana by road makes logical sense. BTW, no one will ask you for a passport card or passport when you are entering Mexico by road from Tijuana.

Last and an almost full proof suggestion and this applies only if you are flying from Mexico back to USA, is to spend $100 and get a Global entry card. No CBP officer will even look at the stamps in your passport.

[Taboc]

As a US citizen I have been concerned about traveling to Cuba. I have read in this forum and other sources on the net when you land in Cuba they do not stamp your passport which is a good. However, if you go via Mexico then you might get a Mexican entry stamp twice, first one when you arrive there from US and the second one when you arrive from Cuba on the way back. So a smart ass officer in the US border could ask how could this happen and suspect. When they suspect, then who knows where it will end.

So, here is some thought to be safe, veterans forum members can chime in and let us know whether this will work. I assume you can goto Mexico by road. If not, then it will not work.

Take passport and Passport card.

Go to Tijuana via road and show the passport card to the Mexican border officer. He will not even know you have a passport, so no chance of getting stamped on it.

Take flight, Tijuana-Cancun-Havana and back. As hoped, the Cubans will not stamp the passport.

If they do, then shread your passport into pieces in Tijuana and dispose it.

Cross the border using your Passport card and then apply for a new passport saying it is lost.

[Mr Gogo]

After a few visits I think its time to give the newbies some advise. The cops are serious and don't play, so be on your best behavior. Cuba is very safe.

I exchanged 100usd for 88cuc. My Canadian dollar got. 93cuc. I would not advise a newbie to use the black market, to much can go wrong. Fake bills, ripoffs etc. Go into a place (hotel, bank) that has video of your purchase and take the hit. Nothing worse than having to explain to the police that you got bills off the black market that are fake. I felt like I had been robbed everytime I exchanged money in my hotel, but once I got outside and saw the pretty chicas all was forgotten. Also know the money. One girl tried to slip me a 50 of the national money instead of 50CUC when exchanging in the hotel. Always ask the hotel for a receipt when exchanging money to keep them honest. Some restaurants add a 10% tax, some don't check your receipts.

The airport has terminal one (American, Camyan, etc) , and terminal 2 (Habana, Copa) so make sure your taxi drops you off at the correct one. There is no shuttle and its a long walk, it cost me 5cuc when my taxi dropped me off at the wrong terminal.

Take the big packs of chewing gum, lotion, body wash and candy and the girls will love you. There is a photo place a block from the Iglatera hotel walking toward the Malecon. I go there and make digital photos (.25cuc) of pictures I have taken of the girls hanging out with me and leave them as a departing gift. The girls love this. I don't take nudes, don't need the problems with doing this.

The Malecon, calle23, Casa de musica and every side street have working girls. The t-3 bus in front of Iglatera hotel goes to Santa maria beach every 20 minutes. It costs 5cuc and is a great trip. The topless bus is 5cuc and worth the trip.

[Onibmab]

Well "ridiculous price" is a matter of perspective. I've been able to consistently pull girls in Havana clubs for CUC 60, so yes it's a bit higher than elsewhere, but the choice and quality make it worth it. And I've never been dinged by an expensive drink scam. All girls in the clubs are freelancers and don't work for the club.

If you speak spanish fluently, then go beyond Havana. Havana is the closest thing to point and click in Cuba, but there are also great opportunities in other cities. Approach, approach, approach.

Cuba is generally safe, but petty theft is typical. Don't carry too much money, get a locking suitcase, keep valuables out of sight.

I'd actually suggest Havana for a "beach town". The local tourist bus from Hotel Inglaterra goes to Tropicoco beach very regularly, and it's only 20 minutes away from Havana Centro.

What I mean is that some bars force you to pay for entry and then constantly hassle you to drink + girls get commission out of customers ordering drinks. I went one place where the girl asked me to buy her a whisky so I said okay. Anyway, they end up giving her a "double whisky" in one glass and explain to me that it is double price because of that. I've never been to Cuba so I don't know what the situation is. It got to a point where I wouldn't buy drinks and then they started to tell me "you must buy drinks here" which is BS. Needless to say the whole club set up pisses me off and I try to avoid chica-bars as they usually have aggressive waiters / waitresses.

Basically the club set up is designed to fleece you out of money with all sorts of up-charges. The mark up is ridiculous and I leave clubs as a last resort if I am horny at nighttime.

With regards to beach towns, I'm ideally looking for beaches where I can go and meet Cubanas at the beach or be close to the beach and the action. I don't have high expectations though as there is probably a huge police presence at all nice beaches.

Are small cities terrible for meeting chicas or are they an advantage? I'd like to hear a breakdown from someone with experience on that issue.

[Wet Nose]

Canadian, so I have no visa issues. I speak fluent Spanish. I've mongered in various areas. I am also not an older monger (I look like I am in mid-20s) and so would not even look suspicious for me to be seen with an 18 year old Cubana, especially with my fluency. It seems from my extensive research that Cuba is very much a "tout" scene. I. E, you must be able to work outside of the clubs for value. This to me seems similar to other places I've been, where chicas in the clubs have horrible attitudes and want ridiculous amounts of money and where they are constantly trying to suck your money out of you by bringing you overpriced drinks.

That being said, should I stick to Havana for my first time or am I better off in some less touristy area?

Is it safe in non-touristy areas? I've been mugged before in an alley in Latin America so I am very wary of going places without police presence. But, where there is police presence in Cuba means no chicas.

I am definitely not going to stay in a hotel unless I do an all-inclusive. Either way I'll rent a casa for on the side action. Might actually be best for me to have a hotel + casa for secuity. If I am staying in a casa though 24/7. Is there any worry that the household will rob me?

Also, best beach towns for mongering in Cuba?

Well "ridiculous price" is a matter of perspective. I've been able to consistently pull girls in Havana clubs for CUC 60, so yes it's a bit higher than elsewhere, but the choice and quality make it worth it. And I've never been dinged by an expensive drink scam. All girls in the clubs are freelancers and don't work for the club.

If you speak spanish fluently, then go beyond Havana. Havana is the closest thing to point and click in Cuba, but there are also great opportunities in other cities. Approach, approach, approach.

Cuba is generally safe, but petty theft is typical. Don't carry too much money, get a locking suitcase, keep valuables out of sight.

I'd actually suggest Havana for a "beach town". The local tourist bus from Hotel Inglaterra goes to Tropicoco beach very regularly, and it's only 20 minutes away from Havana Centro.

[The Dirty Pirate]

Canadian, so I have no visa issues. I speak fluent Spanish. I've mongered in various areas. I am also not an older monger (I look like I am in mid-20s) and so would not even look suspicious for me to be seen with an 18 year old Cubana, especially with my fluency. It seems from my extensive research that Cuba is very much a "tout" scene. I. E, you must be able to work outside of the clubs for value. This to me seems similar to other places I've been, where chicas in the clubs have horrible attitudes and want ridiculous amounts of money and where they are constantly trying to suck your money out of you by bringing you overpriced drinks.

That being said, should I stick to Havana for my first time or am I better off in some less touristy area?

Is it safe in non-touristy areas? I've been mugged before in an alley in Latin America so I am very wary of going places without police presence. But, where there is police presence in Cuba means no chicas.

I am definitely not going to stay in a hotel unless I do an all-inclusive. Either way I'll rent a casa for on the side action. Might actually be best for me to have a hotel + casa for secuity. If I am staying in a casa though 24/7. Is there any worry that the household will rob me?

Also, best beach towns for mongering in Cuba?

Once a chica asked me to get her a kleenex, I did and wasn't thinking but that left her 12 seconds in the bedroom by herself, which she snagged my camera out of a nightstand drawer. It took me all but a minute to realize once she was gone that I had no camera, I wanted to look at my pictures from the day. So I got dressed again and ran over to the area I was walking where I conveniently met this chick and found the guy I believed to be her pimp. I started bitching him out saying his puta was a thief. 2 cucs and 5 minutes later I had my camera back. After multiple monger trips per year, living in a mongering destination, and many other chicas, this is still my "worst story". Cuba is safe, I always stay in a casa and I recommend you do too.

[HDston]

Onibmab,

This robbery thing caught me by surprise last visit. I took a girl back to Casa in Havana and the Casa owners told me straight out to watch her at all times in case she took something. Luckily was staying at a resort and using the Casa as an overnight visit, so I didn't bring all my stuff. But she did take some of my things without asking, luckily they were small inexpensive items. But if I had valuables there I have no doubt she would have taken them. So basically watch your stuff and the stuff of the Casa owners because you will have to replace anything stolen.

[Onibmab]

Canadian, so I have no visa issues. I speak fluent Spanish. I've mongered in various areas. I am also not an older monger (I look like I am in mid-20s) and so would not even look suspicious for me to be seen with an 18 year old Cubana, especially with my fluency. It seems from my extensive research that Cuba is very much a "tout" scene. I. E, you must be able to work outside of the clubs for value. This to me seems similar to other places I've been, where chicas in the clubs have horrible attitudes and want ridiculous amounts of money and where they are constantly trying to suck your money out of you by bringing you overpriced drinks.

That being said, should I stick to Havana for my first time or am I better off in some less touristy area?

Is it safe in non-touristy areas? I've been mugged before in an alley in Latin America so I am very wary of going places without police presence. But, where there is police presence in Cuba means no chicas.

I am definitely not going to stay in a hotel unless I do an all-inclusive. Either way I'll rent a casa for on the side action. Might actually be best for me to have a hotel + casa for secuity. If I am staying in a casa though 24/7. Is there any worry that the household will rob me?

Also, best beach towns for mongering in Cuba?