Advice for Cuba
Advice for Cuba
Dear people on this website, I'm strongly considering going on a trip to Cuba soon alone. I'm a decent Spanish speaker and an American, wondering if anyone has any good tips or advice for the trip. I know I want to see that ice cream shop that fidel was obsessed with.
Thanks in advance!
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Be prepared when you return from Cuba to be interrogated for possibly multiple hours by US border patrol. That's what happened to me. If they ask you why you went, do not say "tourism." You have to say, "support for the Cuban people." Everything will be easier if you go through a travel agency, as they will understand all the rules regarding the sanctions. I believe travel one does trips to Cuba. As far as getting interrogated, things to remember: You have to give them your name, your ofac license, passport, where you stayed, and your bags. They are allowed to search all of your bags without warrants, so do not bring back contraband. Pretty much the only things you should bring back are books and art pieces (and they may take those). You don't need to answer any questions being those that they ask, but they also do not need to provide you a lawyer and can detain you for almost as long as they want. HOWEVER, if they cause you to miss a connection, they are required to give you a new flight. I could talk more about my experience but don't have time. DM me if your want to talk more.
If they ask you why you went, do not say "tourism." You have to say, "support for the Cuban people."
This is really unexpected, why is that?
in the statute that restricts travel to Cuba, there is a list of purposes for which you're allowed to visit. "support for the Cuban people" is one of them.
Huh, that's really good to know
Can you link to a list in the statute?
Adding on to this, if you bring cash with you on your flight prepare to be stopped, searched, and questioned extensively. I'm not sure about the current status of Visa and Mastercard while in Cuba and if it's changed, so having a little bit is probably a good idea because I assume they still won't work because of the sanctions. Though if you happen to be Russian and have a Mir card, you shouldn't have to worry about anything. :)
Can you just say you want a vaccine they have that's not available in the US?
Can you just say it was for a vaccine not offered in the US?