Not legally

Pia

Actually there are humanitarian trips allowed but it must all be registered with the State Dept.

If you go let me know. I'm asking some folks to scope out some property with great views so I can jump on it when old Fidel finally bites the big one.

Libre, Libre, Libertad

For those interested, pick up the current issue of Cigar Aficianado (it says "Cuba Tomorrow" on the cover).....very interesting articles and interviews, as well as travel information (hotels, restuarants, etc.).

One interesting statistic I noticed was the fear that hotel owners and tourism officals have down there is the lack of available, modern hotel rooms, should the travel ban be lifted (which, it seems, many of them expect to happen any day now). Something like 8,000 rooms in Havana for an estimated 2 million expected U.S. visitors.

The issue also has a list of the major hotels that includes price range info, amenities and service quality (which seems to be universally poor, with a couple of exceptions).

A great read, nonetheless.....

(If you are interested in traveling to Cuba, you may want to look into third-party trip planners in Canada, Mexico, and the Carribean. Beware, though, you will most likely have trouble explaining that Cuban stamp on your passport to ICE upon your return - unless, or course, your travel by road or rail to Mexico or Canada, as discussed in the "Passports, Sweating It" thread.)

There's an informative article on travel to Cuba in this months Caribbean Travel & Life magazine.

"Beware, though, you will most likely have trouble explaining that Cuban stamp on your passport to ICE upon your return..."

Cuban immigration will happily stamp a piece of paper for you to keep with your passport and dispose of when you leave.

Is it relatively safe to travel to cuba for a 26 year old white male who is generally well traveled?

It should be pretty safe, since they have no crime. Remember in the '70's and '80's in Eastern Europe there also was virtually no crime.

Ever wonder why???

/rhetorical

It is against U.S Treasury regulations for Americans to travel to Cuba.. but if you must go you can travel through Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic .

The DR is one option but Canada often has great package deals to Cuba. There are also a number of flights between Cuba to Mexico.

I totally disagree with the travel embargo to Cuba. But in this day and age, I'm not sure, as a US citizen, I'd take the chance of traveling there. Even less so if I was young with my career ahead of me.

Actually, it is NOT illegal for U.S. citizens to TRAVEL to Cuba. The Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC - part of the Treasury Department) prohibits us from engaging in any financial transactions with or in Cuba without what they call a "specific" license (as opposed to the "general" licenses that used to be available to certain groups). This essentially makes a trip impossible. Each license application is reviewed and thoroughly investigated.

What is more disturbing is reading about people being investigated by OFAC because of credit card transaction records that indicate they made purchases in establishments (such as cigar shops) in the Carribean, as they COULD have purchased Cuban goods. Remember, if you are in Tortola and BUY a Cuban cigar, you have broken the law.

Now, on the other hand, if a non-U.S. citizen is gracious enough to GIVE you a Cuban, feel free to smoke it.....THAT's perfectly legal.....

So, feel free to GO to Cuba, just you dare spend any money!

A distinction without a difference. Having the Feds put me on some secret list for God knows how long would not be worth the trip, IMHO.

You can only arrange for trips to Cuba as an American for Humanitarian reasons.

Your advise to GO TO CUBA and just not spend the money is a bit incorrect. In fact, it is bad advise. Yes you can travel through places like Canada...but beware. However, there are US ICE inspectors at the Canadian ports of exit, airports, and you might draw some attention to yourself if your transiting in shorts, sandals and a nice sun tan. They do look for that.