Cuba - Legally

[AlohaStyle]

Hey fellas,

If anyone is interested in visiting Cuba legally, I came across a program that actually includes a cigar factory tour. I've looked into legal programs a little bit and haven't found one that includes cigar "education", but this one does. They fly out of Miami, so if I lived in FL I would definitely consider this but flying from Seattle makes it pretty costly for me.

From Friendly Planet
http://www.friendlyplanet.com/discover-havana.html#tab0


Deal summary:
http://www.travelzoo.com/vacations/south-america/-1899-Cuba-Escorted-Getaway-incl-Meals-Airfare-1125150/?utm_source=top20_us&utm_medium=email_top20

 

[gibbleguts]

Would now be a bad time to say that I am going for a week next month and it was only $700 a person?

 

[Pooh Bore]

Teasing the septics is perfectly acceptable !!!

 

[funkejj]

If our government would just lift the embargo and allow free travel there it wouldn't cost this much for us either.

 

[TommyGunz]

wondering how much the US Gov is getting for these two parts of the service:
*Non-stop round trip flights from Miami to Havana via U.S. Government-licensed charter service
*U.S. Treasury Department license and letter of authorization

 

[AlohaStyle]

wondering how much the US Gov is getting for these two parts of the service:
*Non-stop round trip flights from Miami to Havana via U.S. Government-licensed charter service
*U.S. Treasury Department license and letter of authorization

Any organization can apply to operate licensed trips to Cuba. I don't know what the license process costs, but it's a one-time fee, probably annual. Gotta love the hypocrisy!?!

 

[AlohaStyle]

Teasing the septics is perfectly acceptable !!!

Nice...

 

[Pooh Bore]

Just messing with ya all. (awaiting incoming banter about us limeys...)

 

[gibbleguts]

Just messing with ya all. (awaiting incoming banter about us limeys...)

Do you guys get the dirt cheap trips there like we do?

Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Pooh Bore]

Just got back yesterday from 2 weeks ai for £1150 each including private transfer and seat upgrades on the the flight. April last year I got 3 weeks for about £1300 iirc. Our flight time is 9.5 hours.

 

[njstone]

Would now be a bad time to say that I am going for a week next month and it was only $700 a person?

No, we're happy for you man! Jealous, perhaps, but happy :agreesmil

 

[stroke]

Included Features
Non-stop round trip flights from Miami to Havana via U.S. Government-licensed charter service
U.S. Treasury Department license and letter of authorization
Cuba Entrance Visa
All land transportation, transfers & porterage in Cuba
4 nights superior first class hotel accommodations
12 meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners
Comprehensive educational exchange program, including entrance fees
Friendly Planet escort
Professional, English-speaking local guide, who will facilitate the educational exchanges with Cubans
All taxes and fees (except Cuba departure tax, approximately $30)
Health insurance in Cuba (mandatory)

Nope, we don't want to be anything like the country against which we have an embargo!

 

[gibbleguts]

Nope, we don't want to be anything like the country against which we have an embargo!

Cuba has started enforcing the fact that all tourists into the country have out of country medical insurance. After Sicko came out and Michael Moore extolled the virtues of the Cuban medical system many tourist were hoping to go there and get free medical care. The problem being that while Cuba does provide good health care for their people it is funded by the government and is not intended as the catch all for those without coverage withing their own country.


Posted via Mobile Device

 

[nubchin]

Cuba has started enforcing the fact that all tourists into the country have out of country medical insurance. After Sicko came out and Michael Moore extolled the virtues of the Cuban medical system many tourist were hoping to go there and get free medical care. The problem being that while Cuba does provide good health care for their people it is funded by the government and is not intended as the catch all for those without coverage withing their own country.


Posted via Mobile Device

Fair enough, especially for those citizens from the nation most critic about there policies but seeking free medical care , that was grotesque . Although Cuba still provides free medical care to Latin American nationals as part of resource-medic exchange ,western tourists do have there own sophisticated medical care as opposed to Central American farmers .

Isnt it cheaper to fly Canada-Cuba then directly from Miami ?

 

[AlohaStyle]

Isnt it cheaper to fly Canada-Cuba then directly from Miami ?

Who is that question direct to? Of course it's cheaper to fly from Canada to Cuba than from Miami for the most part. Aaron gave a specific example where it's a third of the cost. If you are talking for Americans, that's a different discussion as I wouldn't go from Canada.

 

[gibbleguts]

Who is that question direct to? Of course it's cheaper to fly from Canada to Cuba than from Miami for the most part. Aaron gave a specific example where it's a third of the cost. If you are talking for Americans, that's a different discussion as I wouldn't go from Canada.

I agree that coming through Canada is not a good way to do it most of the time. If you could get a license to travel to Cuba on your own without going through a tour operator then it would easily be the best way to go. I have no idea how that is done but would love to meet up with some BOTL's in Havana if they could figure out how to do it.


Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Primetime76]

I would love this!