Post #160185 by thejab on Thu, May 19, 2005 3:18 PM

Without getting into a debate about US/Cuba relations (which have been discussed already here) has anyone been to Cuba lately?

I've been looking into visting Cuba after Hukilau, as it's so close to Florida.

To do so legally, you must have a permit, which for myself is impossible to obtain because I don't have close Cuban relatives, and I'm not a journalist or scientist hired to go there.

I discovered it's not illegal for US citizens to go there, but it is illegal to spend money there. I'm not sure how they prove you spent money there, so the main way they enforce it is by preventing US citizens from booking, buying, or getting on flights that go to Cuba.

However, there are ways around the flight restrictions. One way is to fly into Nassau or Cancun from the US. Once there you can purchase plane tickets to Cuba. And there are travel agents online who can book your flight in advance for you. Nassau is a real short distance from Fort Lauderdale, and the flight from Nassau to Cuba is an hour and a half and costs $300 round trip.

I know some people who have gone through Mexico without a problem, but that was during the Clinton administration. I am hoping to get input from people who have done it in recent years.

People have told me there's lots of 1950s architecture and decor in hotels, restaurants, and buildings. And there's the old Trader Vic's, which was restored.