Any Americans that have traveled from America to Cuba recently and willing to talk to me about the process?

[truckin25]

I really want to plan a trip to Cuba and have suddenly from myself with some free time due to a job loss.

I have studied up on how to make this trip but it's always helpful to speak to someone that has recently done it themselves.  

If you are an American and have recently traveled to Cuba from the USA, I would really appreciate your input.  Thanks in advance.

[BrightonCorgi]

Are there any legal avenues for Americans to visit Cuba at the present?

[truckin25]

Yes

 

[SCgarman]

12 minutes ago, therealrsr said:

@BrightonCorgi OFAC's 12 categories still apply, including Support for the Cuban people.  That is the category I travelled under after people to people under education exemption was restrcited.

@truckin25 I can try to help, a couple years (pre-covid) since my last visit though.  I will say that it is a rough time in Cuba currently and while I long to return and see Santiago I am waiting it out the storm.

You may be waiting a long time for that storm to subside

[KCCubano]

I know a few people from US that have been to Cuba over the last 6 months. If you embrace frequent unannounced blackouts and food poisoning then its a great time to visit. 

[truckin25]

And with that vote of confidence, my bags are packed and my trip is booked.  Had no idea it was THAT bad.

[NSXCIGAR]

Not difficult to go direct. You'll have to adhere to the authorized reasons for visiting. "Support for the Cuban People" is the only appropriate category. Worst case you'll have to provide an acceptable itinerary/schedule to the OFAC after your return if requested (which is unlikely to happen.) The cost for the visa is now $100 which you can get at the check-in counter at the airport. There aren't any covid restrictions at this time.

Yes, there are rolling blackouts. Yes, you might get food poisoning although it's not common. Yes, drink bottled water or boil it. 

[TroutBum]

A group of local anglers that frequent our shop just came back a week or two ago, I believe they said as an American for fishing everything goes through a company called Avalon. Anyway they didn’t have any blackouts, not saying that it isn’t reality, just offering what I have heard recently 

[bms82]

Any restrictions on returning with purchases? 

[NSXCIGAR]

6 hours ago, bms82 said:

Any restrictions on returning with purchases? 

You can bring back up to $800 in souvenirs including tourist art. Cigars and rum I wouldn't try it and I don't. I've been hearing MIA is looking pretty closely at passengers from HAV lately. 

Also be aware you cannot purchase anything in official stores (LCDH etc.) with CUP. That includes cigars and rum, etc. You will need MLC for that which are available at the airport in prepaid cards. Search "MLC card" in the forum for how they work. They are now charging a significant fee for them now (10-15%) and $5 for the card, so a $1,000 card is going to cost something like $1,150. 

For CUP the official exchange rate is 120:1 however the street rate should be at least 150:1 so you're going to get nicked if you don't know someone who can exchange with you. 

You may be able to buy singles or customs in the shops with EUR or USD cash however. Depends on who's working. 

[Bigkahuna]

16 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

You can bring back up to $800 in souvenirs including tourist art. Cigars and rum I wouldn't try it and I don't. I've been hearing MIA is looking pretty closely at passengers from HAV lately. 

Also be aware you cannot purchase anything in official stores (LCDH etc.) with CUP. That includes cigars and rum, etc. You will need MLC for that which are available at the airport in prepaid cards. Search "MLC card" in the forum for how they work. They are now charging a significant fee for them now (10-15%) and $5 for the card, so a $1,000 card is going to cost something like $1,150. 

For CUP the official exchange rate is 120:1 however the street rate should be at least 150:1 so you're going to get nicked if you don't know someone who can exchange with you. 

You may be able to buy singles or customs in the shops with EUR or USD cash however. Depends on who's working. 

Reminds me of the days when people would drive for 2 hours around town to find a place that sold gasoline for 5 cents less per gallon 😆  honestly I don’t see the draw currently. It’s a very sad situation they are dealing with in power and food and water. Best to let them overthrow the powers that be and then visit.