BarryNY Posted October 27, 2016 Posted October 27, 2016 It looks like it's really a no brainer for US citizens to go to Cuba for really any reason. From an 8/31/16 NYT article: Does my trip have to have any purpose beyond tourism? Americans still can go to Cuba only if the trip falls within one of 12 categories, including visits to close relatives, academic programs, professional research, journalistic or religious activities and participation in public performances or sports competitions. They can also go to organize a professional event or competition, to film and produce television programs and movies, to record music and to create art there. And travelers can go independently or with a tour operator on educational people-to-people trips but are expected to have a full-time schedule of activities and retain documents that demonstrate how they spent their time. Ordinary tourism remains off-limits: Travelers may be asked by their tour operator to sign an affidavit that denotes the purpose of their trip, and they are required to keep travel receipts for five years after they return. JetBlue requires those booking a flight to Cuba online to tick a box that confirms that their travel falls into one of the categories of travel authorized by the United States. What are people-to-people trips? People-to-people trips are educational ones that anybody can take so long as they include a full-time schedule of activities that produce “meaningful interaction between the traveler and individuals in Cuba.” Organized trips — which cost about $2,500 to $4,000 a week including accommodations and flights — usually entail back-to-back meetings, lectures and visits to artists’ studios or small businesses or community projects. Americans may also organize their own people-to-people trips without depending on an organization — a much cheaper option that Collin Laverty, founder of Cuba Educational Travel, believes leads to more “organic” interaction with Cubans. Independent travelers take taxis on their own and book meals at family-run restaurants, he says. They might take Spanish classes in the morning and salsa classes in the afternoon, or even volunteer to teach Cubans English. Who will care what I do in Cuba? Increasingly, it seems, nobody is keeping close tabs. Senior officials at the Treasury and Commerce Departments said the government continues to take restrictions on travel to Cuba seriously. If you sign an affidavit saying you are going to Cuba for a particular purpose and, in fact, spend a week at the beach, you would be breaking the law. That said, if you go to Cuba independently under the auspices of a people-to-people license, it is unclear who would keep an eye on you or how you would provide documents to prove how you spent your time. Mr. Laverty does not expect that to be a problem. “Nobody’s really watching,” he said. Just an idea on flight costs for a weekend in Havana RT. I'm thinking of going with my 2 Bro-in-law, Nephew, Moth-in-law and spouses. The "reason"? My 90 year old Moth-in-law went there in 1948 for her honeymoon with her now deceased husband and wants to re-visit all the churches and find the people they met back then and introduce her children and grandson...this would qualify as a "people-to-people". Me, I'm visiting all the LCDH in and around the city to sample the agriculture product the island offers. 4 boxes back/person. Only 3 smokers in the 9 person group! LOL......... Fare: New York-Kennedy, NY (JFK) - Havana, Cuba (HAV), Havana, Cuba (HAV) - New York-Kennedy, NY (JFK) 1 Adult. Friday, January 27 2017, 8:58 AM - Sunday, January 29 2017, 2:20 PM. $180.00 USD Taxes & fees $87.16 USD Estimated total (Details) $267.16 USD 2
Hurltim Posted October 27, 2016 Posted October 27, 2016 Awesome! I priced it out at $289 from Denver. Man o man do I want to go!!! Having a Cuban Cigar in Cuba is #2 on the bucket list. 1
Smoke6 Posted October 27, 2016 Posted October 27, 2016 1 hour ago, Hurltim said: Awesome! I priced it out at $289 from Denver. Man o man do I want to go!!! Having a Cuban Cigar in Cuba is #2 on the bucket list. Hurltim, It is on my bucket list as well. My brother and I are planning for the spring. Wanna make it a threesome? Seriously.....rum, cigars and sun for a week 1
Hurltim Posted October 27, 2016 Posted October 27, 2016 We have our honeymoon in Italy at the end of April/May. Wifey put the kibosh on trips before that. However, I may be able to negotiate a trip after that. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk 1
Popular Post stogieluver Posted October 27, 2016 Popular Post Posted October 27, 2016 You need to not only have a Cuban cigar in Cuba, it needs to be smoked on the veranda of the Hotel National while sipping on a Mojito or a Cuba Libre. A great experience and one you'll never forget. 7
SloppyJ Posted October 27, 2016 Posted October 27, 2016 5 hours ago, Hurltim said: Having a Cuban Cigar in Cuba is #2 on the bucket list. Dare I ask what #1 is?
Hurltim Posted October 27, 2016 Posted October 27, 2016 Sistene Chapel Getting that one done in the spring Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk 1
jrusso14 Posted October 27, 2016 Posted October 27, 2016 Been trying to plan out a similar trip of my own since flights from NY are so reasonable. Now I just need to come up with a crafty "reason" of my own...
BarryNY Posted October 27, 2016 Author Posted October 27, 2016 6 hours ago, Smoke6 said: Hurltim, It is on my bucket list as well. My brother and I are planning for the spring. Wanna make it a threesome? Seriously.....rum, cigars and sun for a week A threesome? LOL......... uh oh........... 2
BarryNY Posted October 27, 2016 Author Posted October 27, 2016 2 hours ago, Hurltim said: Sistene Chapel Getting that one done in the spring Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk That will really blow you away........... 2
BarryNY Posted October 27, 2016 Author Posted October 27, 2016 1 hour ago, jrusso14 said: Been trying to plan out a similar trip of my own since flights from NY are so reasonable. Now I just need to come up with a crafty "reason" of my own... Everything I'm reading....they (US Border/customs) really don't give a sh-t anymore what the reason is that you were there.......
jrusso14 Posted October 28, 2016 Posted October 28, 2016 just booked for feb. time to start planning the details. @BarryNY keep me posted on any of your trip specifics you are willing to share
clutch5150 Posted October 28, 2016 Posted October 28, 2016 Was there 3 weeks ago on a people to people and I met and visited some amazing people! Will be back at the end of March. 2
luv2fly Posted October 28, 2016 Posted October 28, 2016 I want to go so bad! My wife is the buzz kill on this one. Given her job, it must be 100% justifiable with no question. I know it really is not an issue but she is the "Boss" and I will have to either wait or go without her. The latter would put me in the eternal dog house.
clutch5150 Posted October 28, 2016 Posted October 28, 2016 One thing for sure, you'll never see some of the best wrappers anywhere in the world except in the Cuba tobacco farms! 2
luv2fly Posted October 28, 2016 Posted October 28, 2016 1 minute ago, clutch5150 said: One thing for sure, you'll never see some of the best wrappers anywhere in the world except in the Cuba tobacco farms! I want to eat that! 1
PigFish Posted October 29, 2016 Posted October 29, 2016 Was in the Automobile Club today to register my truck and noticed that they were advertising trips to Cuba on their travel agent board... Wow! Never thought of going to the AAA and have a Cuban trip planned for me!!! -LOL I guess it is not just for rappers, sports flunkies and celebrities anymore... -Piggy 1
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