Need advice on travel to Cuba.

[bif]

Here's the deal. Our neighbors invited us to go with them to Cuba. He's originally from there. We can get cheap flights out of Toronto--so we'd drive up from Detroit. What's the deal coming back across the border. Do we have to lie about where we've been? Could we get a fine? I'm a writer, which means I can apply for a sort of work visa. I can say I'm working on a story. Anyone familiar with the situation?

[Captain Hilts]

1. I'm a USian who goes to Canada a lot. I'm told that Canada tells the US that

you're going. Canada and the US are sharing more records like that, which is good for me, so, now, I don't get searched going over the border so often. I used to get it both ways, now they don't.

I've never made the trip because, let's face it, it's open season to hassle you when they know you have a US passport and no true diplomatic protection while there.

I'd wait a year or so for when travel restrictions are looser.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

2. My understanding is that you can ask the Cubans to not stamp your passport

and I'd appreciate a box of Cohibas please

[bif]

3. But if the Canadians tell the U.S. you flew to Cuba

What's the point? I have heard Cuba makes it a point to NOT stamp your passport.

[Captain Hilts]

5. You get detained when you try to get back into the US. The law is enforced very

inconsistently, but I know of folks who that has happened to.

[Grey]

4. When we were in Cuba

there were lots of americans there. We also had to ask the border people to stamp our passports.
I loved it when we had to fly to the US and the border guy saw the Cuba stamp and really wanted to say something.
You will love Cuba. It's a great place and the people are interesting and friendly.

[bif]

6. Kick

And thanks for the input, all.

[bif]

7. Any more thoughts here?

[gmoney]

8. Check with someone qualified to answer the question...

"But they said on DU it would be OK!"

[bikebloke]

9. Lonely Planet Thorn Tree Forums

Lonely Planet has an extensive forum on Cuba travel, plus FAQ's for travelers carrying american passports entering Cuba.

I was considering Cuba, but discovered that it's rather expensive for my type of backpacker (not party-packer) style of traveling on a budget. So I'll wait to see what develops.

[NightWatcher]

10. either "bounce down" in Jamaica or take a foreign based tour

that wont report to the US

[Rabrrrrrr]

11. Advice on travel to Cuba? If you don't drink a lot of rum and smoke cigars, you've wasted the trip.

Seriously.