Cuba.

[Boca68]

Hello all,
a new member here, hoping some of the seasoned travellers could help with a couple of questions I have about visiting Cuba later this year.

I'm thinking of visiting Cuba in September. Reading up on visas, I've noticed in other discussion forums, that a Tourist Card/Visa is available via most airlines at the departure airport to Cuba. I know the Cuban Embassy states a visa needs to be applied for beforehand and I'm willing to do that , if necessary. But, if anyone has visited Cuba in the last 12 months or so, could fill me in on the need to pre-apply. Or is it readily available to purchase at your point of departure? As I'm Australian, any advice from fellow Aussies if most appreciated.
Currently, we are planning to fly from Nassau, Bahamas to Havana, possibly exiting via Mexico (Cancun or Mexico City). If not, we will return to Nassau, then on to Miami. I've searched in vain for direct Miami - Havana flights, but they don't seem to have started yet. Was hoping they would have ...oh well, soon, I think. So, anyone who has been to Cuba recently, let me know your experience.
Also, if you have any recommendations of places to visit, love to hear them. Probably only going to be there about 8 days. Expecting at least 3 or 4 of those days to be in and around Havana.
Thanks in advance for any assistance.
Bren

 

[RooFlyer]

Subscribing to this thread; always interested to hear about Cuba.

I was planning to go to Cuba from Nassau last year, but the timing didn't work out (just a few days - see this Trip report for Nassau. sorry pics have been deleted). The clear advice I got at that time was that I could buy my Cuba 'tourist card' when I checked in for the Air Bahamas flight to Havana.

I don't think there will be direct US/Cuba flights for some time.

 

[juddles]

Am also keen to hear how this goes - planning a trip whenever I have the time (I live " locally" so it is not far to travel for me).

I had read somewhere that there are in fact already many Miami-Havana flights, but they cannot be advertised on the net. Hopefully someone with more experience will see this thread and post.......

I think Cuba demands some sort of health policy before entry - but these are easily obtained from airport prior to arrival??

 

[Milboo]

I was there in December 2013.

The visa through Canberra is stupid expensive compared to what you pay at the airport. I went in through Mexico City on Interjet - who were actually a really good airline. At the check in counter (a tad chaotic and made me miss my usual status check in lines!), they had a desk where you bought the tourist card and then you checked in.

Even back then the US had no concerns about the fact I was going to Cuba (contrary to scaremongering on other forums) - they knew as they asked where I was staying in LA (where I flew in) and I said, no connecting to Mexico so they asked me what I was doing there - connecting to Cuba!

I flew out on Air Canada to Toronto as I was going to New York afterwards. Flight full of package holiday people

Make sure you ask them to stamp your passport as they don't automatically. And make sure you have travel insurance as they may ask for proof of this - if you can't show it, you have to pay a set amount per day.

 

[kpc]

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....l-to-havana-cuban-visa-50063.html#post1107896

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....l-to-havana-cuban-visa-50063.html#post1108055

Also look at:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/22867726-post12.html

Don't waste your money (+ time) getting the visa from Canberra. Either get it at the departure airport or online (£20) from (allow time for postage):cuba visas .com - Buy Tourist Card/Visa for £15

 

[Boca68]

Thank you Milboo and kpc. A big help.
I will be sure to fill you in on my experiences, might even do a travel report.
Thanks again.