Cuba....can I go from the US?

giddybootz

Hi peoples!!

Going to be in the US in Sep/Oct. It has always been a dream of mine to go to Cuba and I was wondering are there restrictions about going there from the US and returning to the US afterwards?

If it is very awkward I suppose I will have to leave it til another time

Any advice is much appreciated.
Cheers,
Bootz

juvenal

giddybootz wrote: »

Hi peoples!!

Going to be in the US in Sep/Oct. It has always been a dream of mine to go to Cuba and I was wondering are there restrictions about going there from the US and returning to the US afterwards?

If it is very awkward I suppose I will have to leave it til another time

Any advice is much appreciated.
Cheers,
Bootz

Short answer is no.

US Department of Treasury restrictions prohibit travel between the US and Cuba.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS /TRAVEL TRANSACTION LIMITATIONS: The Cuban Assets Control Regulations are enforced by the U.S. Treasury Department and affect all U.S. citizens and permanent residents wherever they are located, all people and organizations physically located in the United States, and all branches and subsidiaries of U.S. organizations throughout the world. The regulations require that persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction be licensed in order to engage in any travel-related transactions pursuant 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 or Canada. U.S. law enforcement authorities have increased enforcement of these regulations at U.S. airports and pre-clearance facilities in third countries. Travelers who fail to comply with Department of Treasury regulations could face civil penalties and criminal prosecution upon return to the United States.

Bascially it's a threat to US citizens and permanent residents.

You can travel to Cuba from Mexico or Canada, or any other country, just the US are quite strict. Despite that, thousands of US citizens and residents travel to Cuba on holidays each year via a third country - when you bump into them they may be Canadian.;)

Cuba is a huge holiday destination for Canadians, with flights from Canada to Cuba several times a week, and loads of specialist Cuban travel operators in Canada.

glaston

giddybootz wrote: »

Hi peoples!!

Going to be in the US in Sep/Oct. It has always been a dream of mine to go to Cuba and I was wondering are there restrictions about going there from the US and returning to the US afterwards?

If it is very awkward I suppose I will have to leave it til another time

Any advice is much appreciated.
Cheers,
Bootz

No way.
Could get in through Mexico. Watch out for getting your visa stamped twice on entry to mexico, US immigration will be suspicious and want to know where you were between entries.
I just got back from a trip to Cuba last week. Great fun. Only problem is the terrible human rights record and the fact that the country depends on tourism for survival.
Kinda made me feel guilty.
People were very nice tho.
If you do go bring some old clothes, pens, pencils, copy books, toys etc as presents. People will really appreciate them.

baxterfly

I tink it would be cheaper for you to go from Canada, if your coming from Ireland. I was living in Toronto and remember all the travel agencies would advertise Cuba package deals in their windows. Its a popular destination from there. Also the canadain dollar is a good bit lower than the US now, bringing the price down further.