Travel to Cuba from the US

[zammer217]

I know you can go on mission trips and such but I'm looking at traveling to Canada or Mexico and then into Cuba. As anyone done it and how difficult was the trip?

[rckymtn22]

It is pretty easy from both countries. Flights from Cancun, Toronto, Montreal and charters from most Canadian big cities. The Cubans do not stamp passports so there no record of entering in your passport. There is a bunch of canadian travel websites where you can arrange trips and depending the time of the year you want to go can be quite cheap.

[Tarks]

If you want to fly via Canada then you can get prices on flights here:

http://www.aircanada.com/

http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/home.shtml

Another option is to book a package vacation. That can be done here:

http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/home.shtml

http://www.sunseekers.ca/

http://www.itravel2000.com/HomePage.aspx

There are many other options but its a start.

[zammer217]

Thanks for the info guys. Also it safe for children, I'm assuming it isn't really any different then any other island down that way.

[CanuckSARTech]

Lurch, PM sent, rather than open discussion.

[El Presidente]

Thanks for the info guys. Also it safe for children, I'm assuming it isn't really any different then any other island down that way.

Very safe mate. The safest Island in the region by a country mile.

[Ryan]

I'd agree it's very safe. One thing though about children, if they're picky eaters they may have a hard time outside of the better hotels. I have friends who brought their 10-month old to Cuba about 3 years ago. Being somewhat hippy-ish and disorganised they hadn't looked into it well, regarding food for the baby, to the point where they stopped the bus they were on at one stage when they saw somebody selling bananas at the side of the road so they could get something for her to eat.

All they would have needed to do was read around a little before going but they hadn't considered the fact that there are differences between Cuba and other holiday destinations, especially when it comes to availability of some basic food stuffs.

Having said all that, your kids won't starve, just don't count on chicken nuggets and fries..

[El Presidente]

Good point Ryan

If your kids like eggs/beans/Rice you will be fine.

If they don't then they will soon toughen the **** up.

[Deemancpa]

You can also take flights from Nassau Bahamas

[zammer217]

Thanks again for the info. My kids favorite food is calamari so I think she will be fine in that department.

I will do some more research and if I have any questions I will post them up.

[cadillacdoc]

You can also take flights from Nassau Bahamas

Bahamian Customs are ASSHOLES if you're on the Havana flight!

[cellinisart]

Very safe mate. The safest Island in the region by a country mile.

The safest island in the region IMHO is by far the grand caymans. Talk about a clean place.

[compitaveggie]

I'd agree it's very safe. One thing though about children, if they're picky eaters they may have a hard time outside of the better hotels. I have friends who brought their 10-month old to Cuba about 3 years ago. Being somewhat hippy-ish and disorganised they hadn't looked into it well, regarding food for the baby, to the point where they stopped the bus they were on at one stage when they saw somebody selling bananas at the side of the road so they could get something for her to eat.

All they would have needed to do was read around a little before going but they hadn't considered the fact that there are differences between Cuba and other holiday destinations, especially when it comes to availability of some basic food stuffs.

Having said all that, your kids won't starve, just don't count on chicken nuggets and fries..

Great advice!!!

Very safe place just have to get used to the food being so-so.

Jose

[Bartolomeo]

Good point Ryan

If your kids like eggs/beans/Rice you will be fine.

If they don't then they will soon toughen the **** up.

Funniest thing I have read in a while

Bart

[zammer217]

When is the cheapest time to fly? I'm not finding any deals out of Toronto.

[Tarks]

It is often cheaper to book a package deal (charter Flight with hotel) out of Canada rather than just a flight.

[Deemancpa]

Bahamian Customs are ASSHOLES if you're on the Havana flight!

If you are not a citizen, you shouldn't have any problems. I should know.

[cadillacdoc]

If you are not a citizen, you shouldn't have any problems. I should know.

I've been charged duties (225%), hit with suggestions for bribes, cigars impounded, and once escorted by a uniformed bahamian customs agent through ticketing and immigration to stand face to face with a uniformed customs officer only to be waved straight through to board. This only happens when the Cubana flight arrives, when not arriving on that flight it's a straight walk-through. I always stay four or five days on Paradise Island on the return leg and this fact has been the only reason on two occasions that kept my sticks from being out-right stolen. If you're over fifty sticks it can be an uncomfortable issue (somehow I always end up with a few more than fifty). It is doubtful I'll go through Nassau again.

[Deemancpa]

I've been charged duties (225%), hit with suggestions for bribes, cigars impounded, and once escorted by a uniformed bahamian customs agent through ticketing and immigration to stand face to face with a uniformed customs officer only to be waved straight through to board. This only happens when the Cubana flight arrives, when not arriving on that flight it's a straight walk-through. I always stay four or five days on Paradise Island on the return leg and this fact has been the only reason on two occasions that kept my sticks from being out-right stolen. If you're over fifty sticks it can be an uncomfortable issue (somehow I always end up with a few more than fifty). It is doubtful I'll go through Nassau again.

laws are laws...... what makes you insulated for the rules. one can only bring 50 sticks into the country, 200 cigs, and a pound of tobacco. It's enough for me....if it is illlegal in your country then it is illegal to take it out. Pretty lenient with tourist unless you show your arse, more stringent with locals importing, then you have know someone who knows someone... you should see the Air Jamaica flights...then the dogs come out....just like any other island hampered with drug mules trying to get into the US

D-

[zammer217]

Looking at going through Cancun now. Anyone have any experence with same day flights in or out? I'm not really worried about customs as I won't be bringing back to many sticks. This first trip is just to get a feel for all the in's and out'sa I need to expect on possible future trips.

[El Presidente]

Looking at going through Cancun now. Anyone have any experence with same day flights in or out? I'm not really worried about customs as I won't be bringing back to many sticks. This first trip is just to get a feel for all the in's and out'sa I need to expect on possible future trips.

Cancun can be a dog of an airport to get through. Get the timing wrong and you can spend 90 minutes going through immigration. Give yourself plenty of time for a flight change. Try to go through during non peak times if you can. If you get stuck then go through the Mexican lane of immigration and put $20 in your passport and explain you are runing late. They are pretty good about it.

By the bye I have had some messages from members concerned that this topiic is even beng discussed. Can I remind all that this is an international forum and hence travel to Cuba is a legitimate topic of discussion. For Aussies, travel to Cuba is still predominantly through the US-Cancun-Havana route.