Ahhh, how I wish I could go to Cuba. I've always wanted to see Havana. You Mexicans and Canadians are quite fortunate to be able to go to Cuba as a tourist. Hopefully someday (in my lifetime) they will allow Americans to go as tourists! I can't believe how close Cuba is to Cancun too!
Actually, Americans are able to travel to Cuba. You are just not allowed to spend any money while you are there. So, unless your trip is fully funded by someone on the island, we can't pay for a hotel, food/drinks or gifts.
Actually, even if an American goes for more than 24 hours, it's automatically considered illegal by the US government because it's assumed you spent money in that time. The only way to LEGALLY go is for less than 24 hours and spending no money, or to get permission for some sort of research or school trip. Still, even if you go it's almost impossible to get caught. Cuba won't stamp your passport.
The only way I can truly understand this ban, after all these years, is the refusal to forgive Castro, personally, for embarrassing the U.S., by turning out to be a communist, after we cheered his victory over Batista; then, by allowing the Soviets to install ballistic missiles- bringing the world to the edge of a nuclear confrontation when Kennedy felt compelled to order them removed. The ban will go with Castro's death, it seems to me, though highly political, Cuban Americans will object, loudly. ___________________ Cuba was American's favorite foreign destination for several decades before Castro came to power, and has all the beauty of our area, plus a long colonial history, with lots of beautiful architecture from that time. But, those who've been there know how broken down everything is: this is not primarily the result of the ban, it seems to me, as no other nation refuses to trade, or forbids their citizens to travel there. The poverty of the country has to be due to the very restrictive economic policies of the regime- something other communist countries stopped practicing some two decades ago, with the exception of N Korea, which is also impoverished. Whether Castro is a "true believer", or just sees these policies as necessary to stay in control, is arguable. __________________ It would be interesting to hear from posters who've actually been there. I have chosen not to go, fearing the poverty would distress me, knowing it doesn't have to be that way. I know people who've gone: they reported it was expensive to visit, and a little distressing to see Habana Viejo in such disrepair, with the old houses turned into "collective housing" (shared by many families), none of them with money to do anything about repairs. _________________
Hmmm, is it possible to make a day trip to Cuba from Cancun? Make it back in less than 24 hours? Know of any Americans that have? In regards to what V was saying, I believe that Cubans are not allowed to leave their own country either. Just like N. Koreans are not allowed to leave their country either, not even as tourists. I guess they think that if their citizens leave the country, they won't want to come back. Who knows......
@Steve: Ah, but of course :icon_smile: @V: Many of the Cuban Americans should not be screaming too much, considering they hire Mexican drug cartels to "ship" fellow countrymen from Cuba, through Mex and into the US... Sweden has always had a close connection with Cuba due to our political views. I think we also gave them "our" education system(or health system??) for free during Olof Palme`s reign. I reckon it should be up to each and every Citizen to visit or not... How the h*ll can a government ban their own people from going..?? Strange if you ask me.
@beachgurl75: My neighbor(American woman) is married to a Cuban. His family still lives on Cuba, but they come to visit several times a year. Dont know if they have to ask for a permission of some sort to be able to leave.
