Cuba
 

Leaving Oct 1 for rtw trip. Would like to enter Cuba with my 2009 Honda Varadero (go figure). Has anyone else been to Cuba on their own bike ? What are entry rules ? Is a carnet required ? Length of visa ? etc. Going to send off an email to Cuban consulate in Toronto but was also hoping for some insider info from real travellers. Hoping to spend Christmas 2012 in Cuba. Thanks to all - Al

(You really should do a search on HUBB...and there's not much):

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...in-april-61273
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-to-cuba-59939

You might also be interested in:
Amazon.com: Mi Moto Fidel: Motorcycling Through Castro's Cuba (Adventure Press) (9780792264224): Christopher Baker: Books

The Lonely Planet Thorntree forum has a Cuba branch. They're an argumentative, opinionated bunch (I should talk!), but there are bits of valid information scattered widely plus a bunch of people on the ground in Cuba.

The Stahlratte was planning a Cuba trip this spring. I forget when, and I haven't heard whether it actually came off as planned, but they were going to bring bikes from South America and exit via Mexico. Google is your friend.

Mark

Thanks to all who responded to my query. Looks like this venture may die before it gets off the ground. Emails to the three Cuban consulates in Canada have come back as invalid address's. Will try a phone call; if no reply, then I will discard this potion of my trip. Thanks again. - Al

Hell its not that hard to do. Most special place I've ever road my motorbike, felt like Fidel's son at times. I took my bike to Cuba over 2010/2011 on a German sail boat. I've got my report on ADVrider.com, here's a link to the start, Cuba trip is buried in the middle somewhere: 33 1/3 N C S + Cuba - ADVrider

John getting deep into Venezuela currently.

i also would like to visit Cuba with my bike after touring south america . thats if i ever get out of Suriname . If I could it would be a nice way to leave out central america on my way north

i'm taking my bike in Feb 2013 for three weeks in Cuba, going on the Stahlratte out of Columbia...real easy, no problems just minimal space on the boat if there's any left contact captain ludwig via his website www.stahlratte.org: Logbuch

Hi RTWPaul, I've booked a berth with Ludwig for me and my moto on the next Cuba run, he reckons he is sailing from Catageña end of Jan 2013. Got any info on Cuban TIP and insurance? Ride safe.

you get all paperwork dockside when we arrive

It's not all dockside, all I got there was a sticker. I had to go into town with the bike to the Aduana's office and then to Cuba's version of the DMV to get my bike inspected and get my new temporary plates, it took me a little over a day, maybe it is getting faster after a few boat loads have gone up but I spent some quality time waiting on the officials at the DMV but not near as long as most locals had been waiting, I had a little help since the nice aduana officials where waiting there with me:thumbup1: Fair amount of paper work and tax stamps affixed to all the right places before getting road legal.

I didn't need insurance for my bike but had to pay a temporary import bond which was a small percentage of the bike's value and fees for the tag and inspection and tax stamps, something like 90euro total IIRC with a bike valued ~$4500us I also had to get a ~90euro insurance policy since I don't travel with any.

Was a real nice time riding the island after getting through the importation stuff:funmeteryes:

John

so i guess what ludwig mean was what you are saying, the officials come to the boat and then the paperwork is dealt with from that point forward...not dealt with there. he did say that it is quite organised now...hopefully not a day riding missed because of waiting...

just got an email from him today and this was his response to my question if everything is running good and any problems getting out of columbia

"hi paul! absolutely no problems with customs in cartagena and no change of
plans..everything runs like it is planned;) cheers, ludwig"

:thumbup1: I was some weeks in Cuba, with a rental car - it is beautiful and safe! To stay there for longer, and explore the small villages is amazing (and i`m jealous)!

Most of your questions are answered... But because you on a rtw trip - this overview may help you:

http://www.reisen-tcs.ch/travel/de/h...CarteImage.gif

Safe travels!

Surfy

the is not a single country in the americas that a carnet is needed or even asked for :thumbup1:

thats true, i was never asked at all thru south and central america last year

good to have it as a reference even though south and central america no carnet is required