Best non-liveaboard diving in Cuba?

[Lorenzoid]

I don't know that you have to have physical evidence or proof of your people-to-people contacts. I don't believe there are any specific articulated requirements for showing Proof."

Number 13 of the Treasure Dept. FAQ (updated October 2016) provides guidance on what constitutes "people to people travel":

https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_faqs_new.pdf

There does not seem to be any requirement for "proof." As I interpret the rules (which seem to change frequently), it's basically on the honor system. You can choose to either obey the law or flout the law. To comply, Number 13 of the FAQ indicates the traveler must "maintain a full-time schedule of educational exchange activities intended to enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba, or promote the Cuban people’s independence from Cuban authorities, and that will result in meaningful interaction between the traveler and individuals in Cuba." "Tourism" is still expressly prohibited. I suspect a lot of Americans traveling to Cuba at present are simply flouting the law because they believe there are no longer any legal consequences.

Just my interpretation of the present situation and my speculation about what some of my fellow Americans are doing. I'm not advocating for or against anything.

 

[RyanNM]

Number 13 of the Treasure Dept. FAQ (updated October 2016) provides guidance on what constitutes "people to people travel":

https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_faqs_new.pdf

There does not seem to be any requirement for "proof." As I interpret the rules (which seem to change frequently), it's basically on the honor system. You can choose to either obey the law or flout the law. To comply, Number 13 of the FAQ indicates the traveler must "maintain a full-time schedule of educational exchange activities intended to enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba, or promote the Cuban people’s independence from Cuban authorities, and that will result in meaningful interaction between the traveler and individuals in Cuba." "Tourism" is still expressly prohibited. I suspect a lot of Americans traveling to Cuba at present are simply flouting the law because they believe there are no longer any legal consequences.

Just my interpretation of the present situation and my speculation about what some of my fellow Americans are doing. I'm not advocating for or against anything.

I think the law is a disgrace and stands in opposition to the principles of a "free" society that our country likes to hold up as a model for democracy for the entire world. We're supposedly "the freest country in the world" yet we are not allowed to freely travel to a particular country because some persons here don't like it, and yet other countries we label authoritarian and repressed can travel there freely? Blehhh
It's a beautiful country with beautiful people. Going and talking freely with people there is best demonstration of a free society. That's "people-to-people" in its truest sense. Cubans can learn what Citizens of the US are like firsthand; and we can actually learn the truth about the country that has been forbidden to us and presented in our media with a very biased, one-sided and skewed perspective. The real danger is that we citizens of North America will actually learn the truths of Cuba ourselves and understand the limited and distorted information we've been fed for over 50 years. (The policy has been a failure for over half a century. Time to try something different.) Go diving there and meet a beautiful country.

 

[diver0008]

I can understand that. But I travel to find beautiful diving and enjoy beaches and the sun, AND to experience much of the full culture of the lands I visit. I think, with your limited purpose for travel, you inadvertently shortchanged the experience of the land that others might gain who want to see more of the country than you do. There is MUCH more to Cuba than rum and cigars and beaches, and other travelers have a rich experience awaiting them if they care to do more than sit on a beach and dive. cheers

Everybody has their thing. That's the great thing about Scubaboard; you get lots of viewpoints from lots of people.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I think the law is a disgrace and stands in opposition to the principles of a "free" society that our country likes to hold up as a model for democracy for the entire world. We're supposedly "the freest country in the world" yet we are not allowed to freely travel to a particular country because some persons here don't like it, and yet other countries we label authoritarian and repressed can travel there freely? Blehhh
It's a beautiful country with beautiful people. Going and talking freely with people there is best demonstration of a free society. That's "people-to-people" in its truest sense. Cubans can learn what Citizens of the US are like firsthand; and we can actually learn the truth about the country that has been forbidden to us and presented in our media with a very biased, one-sided and skewed perspective. The real danger is that we citizens of North America will actually learn the truths of Cuba ourselves and understand the limited and distorted information we've been fed for over 50 years. (The policy has been a failure for over half a century. Time to try something different.) Go diving there and meet a beautiful country.

Whether you approve of this law or any other law is not the point here.

 

[BradMM]

Looking at the companies that will take you to Cuba, I haven't found one that would accommodate both sight seeing and diving. Suggestions?

 

[RyanNM]

Looking at the companies that will take you to Cuba, I haven't found one that would accommodate both sight seeing and diving. Suggestions?

Go on your own. You can get flights now directly from the continental US. I'm going at the end of January.

There are outfits to contact: SCUBA EN CUBA

 

[BradMM]

No travel restrictions???

 

[Lorenzoid]

Of course you can organize your own travel to Cuba. Here are the current regulations, which apply regardless of whether you organize your itinerary or a company does it for you:

eCFR — Code of Federal Regulations
Note that the "people-to-people" exchange that is probably the most commonly utilized of the 12 OFAC-authorized travel categories falls under the umbrella of "Educational activities."

See also: Cuba Sanctions (the FAQ PDF is helpful)

As you may see after reading through this, it may seem rather difficult to comply with the regulations if you organize a trip on your own. A travel company will at least make an attempt to provide you with the requisite "full-time schedule of educational exchange activities that will result in meaningful interaction between the traveler and individuals in Cuba." You're also supposed to keep a record of what you did. You also have to sign a card when you check-in with the airline, stating that your trip meets one of the 12 OFAC-authorized categories. However, you aren't required to provide any proof to back that up. So it's sort of the honor system at this point. My impression is that a lot of travelers are flouting the rules, signing the card and figuring there will be no negative consequences because the US government is not enforcing the regulations.

 

[RyanNM]

No travel restrictions???

Sure. You're going to meet people, aren't you? If you're concerned, keep a kind of diary and write down names and brief comments about people you meet and talk with. Be "creative" . Not too much of a worry, especially since you probably won't even be asked to show evidence. But, with the scary clown soon to be in the White House, it's difficult to ever know what crazy thing he will do next. As for myself, I'm going before the inauguration.

 

[Ayisha]

Of course you can organize your own travel to Cuba. Here are the current regulations, which apply regardless of whether you organize your itinerary or a company does it for you:
...

That is if you're American. The rest of the world doesn't have any restrictions in travel to Cuba. Remember this board has members from around the world