Cuba
#1
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Thread Starter
Cuba
Anyone know how Obama's loosening of relations with Cuba will affect the ability of US citizens to tour there. Tourism isn't blessed yet, but there is now a long list of ways in including:
- family visits
- official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments and certain intergovernmental organizations
- journalistic activity
- professional research and professional meetings
- educational activities
- religious activities
- public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions
- support for the Cuban people
- humanitarian projects; activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
- exportation, importation or transmission of information or information materials
Last edited by staehpj1; 12-18-14 at 07:25 AM.
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Oh, you mean the Cuban Missile Crisis is over? And our Government has just now figured that out?
According to Reuters
So, I think this is a move in the right direction, but it really needs some Congressional Action to back it up.
According to Reuters
Travel restrictions that make it hard for most Americans to visit will be eased, but the door will not yet be open for broad U.S. tourism on the Caribbean island.
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Oh, you mean the Cuban Missile Crisis is over? And our Government has just now figured that out?
According to Reuters
So, I think this is a move in the right direction, but it really needs some Congressional Action to back it up.
According to Reuters
So, I think this is a move in the right direction, but it really needs some Congressional Action to back it up.
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Lots of loopholes in that list...must be one or two big enough for a cycle tourist. Score 1 for common sense, 0 for hypocrisy.
#5
Senior Member
So, go visit a family there. Or go to church. Meet a professional. Use your imagination, and go if you really want to go.
#6
bicycle tourist
Looking around at travel.state.gov, it looks like (sanctioned) travel to Cuba currently requires a license from Office of Foreign Assets Control, where OFAC is implements the laws on the books. My guess is OFAC might be more lenient in granting such licenses but an officially sanctioned trip might still require some red tape - at least unless laws are changed by congress.
#7
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Thread Starter
Looking around at travel.state.gov, it looks like (sanctioned) travel to Cuba currently requires a license from Office of Foreign Assets Control, where OFAC is implements the laws on the books. My guess is OFAC might be more lenient in granting such licenses but an officially sanctioned trip might still require some red tape - at least unless laws are changed by congress.
It may be that a bigger hurdle is language as I know almost no Spanish. Maybe I should start working on at least some rudimentary Spanish I imagine it is possible to get by with only a little Spanish and a phrase book though.
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(Use the I DREAM OF JEANNIE tune)
It's good to be a Canuck
So good to be a Canuck.
Nya nya you're not a Canuck,
I Am. Canadian!
But sadly, family vacations to Cuba are out for now. My wife's not a Canuck.
It's good to be a Canuck
So good to be a Canuck.
Nya nya you're not a Canuck,
I Am. Canadian!
But sadly, family vacations to Cuba are out for now. My wife's not a Canuck.
Last edited by auldgeunquers; 12-18-14 at 09:37 AM. Reason: smiley added, spelling
#9
Sore saddle cyclist
Here is a great book about a woman's solo bike tour of Cuba, a great read if you are interested in cycling on the island.
The Handsomest Man in Cuba: An Escapade: Lynette Chiang: 9780762743902: Amazon.com: Books
The Handsomest Man in Cuba: An Escapade: Lynette Chiang: 9780762743902: Amazon.com: Books
#10
Banned
Check with U.S. Department of State , a much more reliable source on the situation, than a Bike Forum .
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I went as an ordinary independent cycle tourist about seven years ago, but then I'm not American.
The flight was expensive (€1,000 rtn) and while an interesting experience not worth repeating.
The flight was expensive (€1,000 rtn) and while an interesting experience not worth repeating.
#12
Member
More questions than answers right now. Here's a somewhat informative article:
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/19/tr...ay-change.html
I heard a story on the radio today which said that the US State Dept. will be making changes to the travel rules fairly quickly, within weeks rather than months.
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/19/tr...ay-change.html
I heard a story on the radio today which said that the US State Dept. will be making changes to the travel rules fairly quickly, within weeks rather than months.
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strap your Huffy onto a couple of oil barrels, float over, and if caught, say you're a refugee from the U.S.
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Americans have been ignoring the travel restrictions for years. If you want to go, just fly to Mexico City and arrange a visit from there. The Cuban authorities will clip a paper into your passport instead of stamping it so that when you return to The Land of the Free the immigration authorities will be none the wiser.
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Americans have been ignoring the travel restrictions for years. If you want to go, just fly to Mexico City and arrange a visit from there. The Cuban authorities will clip a paper into your passport instead of stamping it so that when you return to The Land of the Free the immigration authorities will be none the wiser.
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Awwww...you beat me to it! It's pretty common here for the expats to take a trip over to Cuba. I haven't done it yet, but would like to. Like Staeph, I was a bit worried about the restrictions (ret military, clearance, blah, blah, blah), but it really is one of those "wink, wink" things. If you want to go, just take a minor side trip through Mexico and enjoy!
Last edited by Ekdog; 12-19-14 at 08:06 AM.
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#19
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Actually, I don't think it's a joke.
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Cuba by bike , learn about rum , a little history , ride a bike to give away !"Bikes For Cuba "
#21
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I was Cycling in Eastern Europe just a couple years after the Warsaw Pact went Poof!, probably similar .
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Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
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If any of you are interested in how they dealt with this situation, here's an excellent documentary:
Last edited by Ekdog; 12-20-14 at 07:19 AM. Reason: Changed some numbers.
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#25
Macro Geek
I've been to Cuba three times. I can tell you the infrastructure for visitors is well-established, as evidenced by millions who come each year, mostly from Canada but to a lesser degree from UK, Germany and other places. However, everything I have seen assumes you are staying at an all-inclusive hotel, and perhaps taking organized day tours via bus.
I think it would be challenging to bicycle in the non-touristic areas. Maybe not impossible, but not easy. Cycletourists should not count on finding accommodations, provisions, replacement bicycle parts, banks, and tourist offices in towns and villages. You would need to be self-reliant. Visitors are barred from using Cuban pesos; not sure non-convertible pesos are exchangeable beyond the walls of the hotels and tourist traps. Need to use a credit card in a small town? Don't count on it!
The Cubans I have met in smaller places have been genuinely warm toward visitors. That in itself could make for a great bicycle tour.
If you go, stay far away from recreational drugs. There is zero tolerance in Cuba. The counts allow for the death penalty (or 20+ years) for drug-related offences.
I have spotted the rare cycle tourist in Cuba. Would enjoy hearing about their experiences!
I think it would be challenging to bicycle in the non-touristic areas. Maybe not impossible, but not easy. Cycletourists should not count on finding accommodations, provisions, replacement bicycle parts, banks, and tourist offices in towns and villages. You would need to be self-reliant. Visitors are barred from using Cuban pesos; not sure non-convertible pesos are exchangeable beyond the walls of the hotels and tourist traps. Need to use a credit card in a small town? Don't count on it!
The Cubans I have met in smaller places have been genuinely warm toward visitors. That in itself could make for a great bicycle tour.
If you go, stay far away from recreational drugs. There is zero tolerance in Cuba. The counts allow for the death penalty (or 20+ years) for drug-related offences.
I have spotted the rare cycle tourist in Cuba. Would enjoy hearing about their experiences!
Last edited by acantor; 12-20-14 at 01:46 PM.