Travel to Cuba

Filed in archive En Route on August 7, 2007

Geopolitics is often part of travel. Such is the case for Americans who get the urge to visit Cuba. Though Cuba allows U.S. citizens to visit, the U.S. government does not allow its citizens to set foot on Cuba because of a long-standing trade embargo.

However, traveling from the U.S. legally is possible with State Department approval. Teachers, researchers, non-profit employees, and journalists are allowed to visit Cuba after completing the requisite paperwork. People with the proper background in academics or journalism shouldn't have a problem in obtaining permission. In theory, those who are assigned to work in Cuba (academics or journalists, for example) are able to forgo the paperwork. Cuban nationals are also allowed to visit for the purpose of seeing relatives who remained in Cuba.

Adventure-seekers and those who simply don't want to deal with the excessive red tape can take a roundabout route to Cuba, avoiding US Customs and Immigration officials by returning to the US via another country. Canada and Mexico are the most popular way stations for Americans on their way to the forbidden isle. However, a fine awaits those proved to have visited Cuba. U.S. customs officials watch Canadian and Mexican airports to pick out "Cuba Visitors." Recently, routes though other Central American countries and other Caribbean nations have become more popular.

Of course, citizens of other countries can travel to Cuba more easily. As fidel castro's health fails, everyone is watching the island to see what will happen next. For now, getting to Cuba, without the proper documentation, is an adventure for those from the U.S.