Travel to Cuba: Si, a new open door but knock first

 It’s gotten a lot easier to visit Cuba in recent months as the Obama administration loosened regulations but as there are travel opportunities, there are also risks. This opens up a new exotic destination. But visitors should not be too eager to go without doing more research.

The new rules restrict a solo traveler but there’s never been a better time to travel to Cuba.

However, if you’re thinking about it, keep in mind that “these visits mean busy itineraries that at times feel more like an international field trip than a relaxing island vacation,” according to FoxNewsCom. In other words, there’s little time for the beach (though Veradero is widely known as one of the best in the world).

What else to know? Bring dollars. Credit cards (as well as cell phones) don’t work.

Also keep in mind: Convenience stores, groceries and pharmacies are scarce in Cuba, since it’s all controlled by the government.

Don’t expect gourmet food, either, though the best meals are often found in private homes prepared by home cooks who are good scavengers. Plan on eating a lot of rice and beans. And pizza. Don’t be surprised at canned vegetables.

The quality of hotels and level of service are not up to par with Western standards.

Here's what the new travel regulations issued earlier this year by the US government will do for travelers who want to go there:

• Expand purposeful travel by providing general licenses for religious, educational/academic, and cultural travel to Cuba.

• Provide specific licenses for "people-to-people" travel similar to the licenses that were provided from 1999-2003.

• Expand charter flights from the United States to include all US international airports (i.e. all US international airports may apply to have charter flights depart from their site, and several have already done so with flights underway).

Why go there? Many reasons, with a few below:

• Cuba averages 330 sunny days a year.
• The country has amazing colonial architecture. Some argue that they have the greatest such collection in all of the Caribbean (best to see it now because under the Castro government, the infrastructure is crumbling and may not be around much longer. Visitors should not be surprised to see buildings topple as they watch them fall).
• The crystal waters around Cuba make it a diverse snorkeler paradise.
• There are a wide variety of activities such as bird watching and bicycle tours as well as golfing and even swimming with dolphins.
• The people are generally warm and friendly, and visitors who attend anti-American rallies are often surprised to find Cubans warmly greeting them after the “show” is over.

Some questions and answers about traveling there:

Question: Is it legal now just to jump on an airplane headed for Cuba?

Answer: No way. It’s still against the law for individuals to simply board a plane for Cuba because of a half-century embargo on trips there.

Q: But haven’t many travelers done just that?

A: Yes, many have dodged the restrictions without being caught generally by getting there from Canada or the Bahamas.  But all risk getting caught and facing serious fines.

Q: What’s the difference now?

A: Educational groups, journalists and others in the past can make the trip under certain circumstances but those groups have been expanded to where people-to-people measures can make the trip if they go with a licensed operator.

Q: What groups are offering trips there?

A: Globus and Abercrombie & Kent are among major US travel brands who have not gone there in the past.

Q: Where can you find more information?

A: The US State Department website’s page on Cuba provides the restrictions on travel to Cuba. It says that licenses can be obtained for humanitarian projects, journalism, professional research, religious activities, athletic or performance events and even some importation and exportation. But the rules for handling money are very restricted in all cases. The embargo is an economic policy and restricts spending money in Cuba, not actual presence in Cuba. People-to-people travel must be operated by an operator that has been licensed as a Travel Service Provider. Airlines must be separately licensed as Carrier Service Providers.

Q: How do you get to Cuba?

A: Most flights are now going through Miami, which is the traditional way to get there. But new options include flights from airports in Fort Lauderdale and Tampa.

By David Wilkening