Can Americans travel to cuba?? ?

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Tropicales

Yes, Americans can travel to Cuba. If you don't get a travel licence through the OFAC then the US has issues with their residents going to Cuba (and spending money there -- which is what is the 'illegal' matter). Only if you are Cuban can you freely go anytime you want to visit family...at this time.
But if you want to go via 3rd country as most Americans do every year to Cuba, here is how to go about it:

When unlicensed travelers go to Cuba from the US they normally have to go through a third country. You will frequently see this referred to as the "Gateway" on various boards. The most common gateways to Cuba for unlicensed US travellers are Toronto, Montreal, Nassau (Bahamas), Cancun and Mexico City, and less frequently used Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) and Montego Bay. In most opinions Mexico and in particular Cancun are the gateways that offer the least risk of detection because:

** Unlike Canada and the Bahamas, a traveller leaving from Mexico does not pre-clear US Customs and Immigration. You will not clear Customs/Immigration until you arrive back in the US. In Canada and the Bahamas you will go through US Customs and Immigration at the airport in Toronto, Montreal or Nassau.

** Cancun is the most popular destination for US tourists in the Caribbean. There is absolutely no reason why US Customs/Immigration would suspect you have been anywhere else but Cancun.

** You can enter Mexico and re-enter the US using only a certified copy of your birth certificate and a government issued photo id, such as a driver's license (BC/DL) In other words you do not have to show US Immigration your passport upon re-entry to the US. Probably half or more of US tourists who travel to Cancun use this alternate form of identification as their travel documents.

You should take the following steps in travelling back/forth:

Enter Mexico from the US using your BC/DL
Mexico does not stamp passports on exit, although you will need a passport to enter Cuba.
Cuban Immigration does not stamp the passport at the present time, so do not worry about a Cuban stamp.
When you arrive back in Mexico from Cuba you will probably have to present your passport. The entry stamp that is placed there should be the only stamp you receive on your trip. Some people recommend presenting the passport with a $10 bill inside to avoid the Mexican entry stamp. If you use the BC/DL to re-enter the US this step is unnecessary.

After you arrive in Mexico make sure you strip all HAV luggage tags from you checked baggage.
Throw away your Cuban tickets, boarding passes and any other paper evidence of your Cuban trip.
Do not list Cuba as a Country visited on the Customs Declaration form.
Do not bring back any high profile Cuban souveniers like cigars, rum, t-shirts.
Use your BC/DL when you clear Immigration in your arrival city.

The fine by the way if you are unfortunate or careless enough to get caught can be negotiated down to $1000 or less.

You will love Cuba and hopefully you'll get to go and experience travel there.

hawksup2

No you cannot legally yet. Maybe soon you can. It depends on the current administration. If you want to go illegally you can, there are many ways.

Anakin

US citizens can't travel to Cuba legally, unless they are cubans.

Beardo

Unless you have family in Cuba, it is against OFAC rules to spend money travelling to Cuba or whilst in Cuba.

Many thousands of US citizens travel to Cuba every month (via Mexico, Canada, Bahamas), with no problems.

Don Camilo

Yes, they can.

You need to know that cuba is ruled by a ruthless comunist dictatorship, sworn enemy of the usa, and if you go over there, you are endorsing it with your visit and helping the evil brothers with your money

Marino

What the hell is "the 411"... can you SPEAK ENGLISH?

Why can't you people GET THE ENTIRE NEWS STORY instead of JUST THE BUZZ WORDS. It has been REPEATED OVER AND OVER that the ONLY PEOPLE WHO CAN LEGALLY TRAVEL are Amerikans WITH RELATIVES IN CUBA... so WHY CAN'T YOU UNDERSTAND THAT?

As a practical matter... the only AmeriKans who have NOT been to Cuba, are those who are TOO STUPID TO GO THROUGH A THIRD COUNTRY... I've been to Cuba 3 TIMES in the PAST 10 YEARS and had a GREAT TIME

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