Americans in Cuba

[wedivebc]

My wife is American with a US passport, living in Canada. It used to be that US citizens would go through Canada if they wanted to travel to Cuba. Our travel agent suggested that since 9/11 it's a little harder to do. Does anyone have some experiece to share about travelling in a post 9/11 world?

 

[outlawaggie]

Cuba will welcome you (and your money) with open arms. However, It is now and always has been ILLEGAL to travel to Cuba. Post 9/11 only tightened up the legal permits to visit Cuba. (i.e reporters, humanitarian causes, and university exchange type stuff) LOTS of Americans still visit Cuba through Canada or any of the Caribbean islands. Of the 6 or 7 people I know that have been to Cuba I do not know of anyone that has had a problem but bear in mind it is technically ILLEGAL. That said the only way the State Dept would notice is if the see the immigration stamp in the American Passport. Considering that no passport is needed between the US and Canada so that the State Dept will never see the passport. I doubt that you would have a problem.

 

[drbill]

Actually it is not illegal for Americans to go to Cuba, it is illegal for them to spend money there. There are numeroius cultural, scientific and educational exchange trips through which Americans go every year.

Personally I think it is all ridiculous since I can go to Russia, China or Vietnam without such restrictions. However, given the current "climate," I think I'll play it safe.

Dr. Bill

 

[outlawaggie]

True but a dive vacation falls in the illegal gategory. also, those cultural, scientific etc trips require a permit from the state dept.

I agree completely that it is an absurd rule but it is the rule.

that said, I hope to go there in the near future.