Verified answer

Travel to Cuba is very easy, as some people have said here. What may be a problem for Cuban born USA citizens is to return to the USA.

A friend of mine told me that the last time he went, he was called from Villa Marista for questioning. They knew where he had been, to whom he had talked and about what. Anyway, they asked him many questions about who he visited in Miami, to which organizations he belonged, if he read the New Herald, etc, etc. He was terrified

He says that he will not return until fidel is under ground

To rocking Mel:

Excuse me, didn't you read what I said here ?

My friend was very close to be left in the tank, for God knows how long

Other people may not be so lucky

You can fly to Cuba from Mexico or Canada with little or no trouble. You can request the Cuban officials not to stamp your passport and they will oblige as they know the attitude of the American people is different from that of the American Government. You will have a good time and American citizens who travel to Cuba are always well respected and treated fairly by the Cuban people and officials.

It's not difficult, but you will be breaking the law. US citizens and permanent residents are legally prohibited from spending money in Cuba unless you obtain a special license from the US Treasury Department. These are granted only for specific reasons. Vacation is not one of them.

Many people do this, but you are subject to arrest if you are caught. Consider whether it's really worth the risk.

Travel to Cuba is not what is illegal...it's the spending of money there without a travel licence from the OFAC.

Cuba does not stamp passports at all unless you actually want them to (for souvenir purposes as some have wanted). Someone gave you the right suggestion to not leave any paper trails (such as receipts, plane tickets, souvenirs that have 'Cuba' on them...if you travel through Mexico, then some souvenirs can come through as many will be similar).

You won't have any problems since your trip is already to Mexico. So what you've decided to do while in another country is your choice but do so with caution when bringing back stuff as I'd mentioned previously.

If you want to go via a 3rd country, these are the suggestions and routes to go:

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.

If you are cousins with the required degree - within three generations - then it is entirely legal for you to visit Cuba to see your relatives. You are covered by a general license from OFAC. No sneaking needed.

My understanding is that a normal US citizen cannot visit Cuba. Cubans that live here have a difficult time going back to visit family and risk not being able to come back to the US.

Do what retiredroadie said. To my knowledge no one has ever been jailed for visiting Cuba. Just fined and even that is uncommon.

The Cubans will not stamp your passport, instead they stamp a piece of paper and slip it inside your passport which you remove before returning to the US.

Now - one possible hitch - when you leave and re-enter Mexico you'll have a second Mexican passport stamp. I can't say for sure but I would think if requested that the Mexicans not stamp your passport on your trip to and from Cuba they would comply.

Good luck.

Not difficult at all. But as somebody said, it is risky for certain people. Once you set foot on Cuban territory, forget about it. You are at the mercy of the comunist government

Right, we are not spoiled by the American corporations, but we are ruined by the comunist regime, a thousand times worse

Andrea it is not illegal for Americans to visit Cuba it is just difficult. It is easier to fly through a third country which you are doing. Cuba does not I repeat does not stamp passports! So no one will be the wiser if you go. And believe me it is worth the trip.

Cuba is the only island left not spoiled by (sorry about this) American Corporations. This has good and bad points. Which are for another forum suffice to say I strongly reccommend taking the trip.

If you go and cannot stay long go to Havana it is incredible.

You can stay with Cubans by visiting websites like cubaparticular where you rent in their homes. But if you want a hotel the best in Havana is N.H. Parque Centrale.

Check tripadvisor an excellent resource!

Good luck, have fun

Why is it the people who give that mindless "It's against the law" argument are people who have never been outside the U.S.?

I have been to Cuba 3 times in the past 10 years ALWAYS ON MY AMERIKAN PASSPORT. The trick is.. you fly from a third country, like Mexico.. you pay for your air tickets WITH CASH and you don't bring anything with MADE IN CUBA on it back with you because if they see it when you go through customs in the U.S. you will have to explain it.

DON'T LEAVE A PAPER TRAIL.. don't use CREDIT CARDS and go strictly on a cash basis and you should do OK.