Hi, I have always wanted to see Cuba and think this is a perfect time to go. The US now has regular flights to Cuba and price wise they do not look too bad.

The restriction about it having to be a special trip for 1 of 8 reasons has been relaxed. Now you just have to say that it is an educational trip and they give you your visa at the airport. I think you just have to say that you plan to meet and talk with a few Cuban families which anyone is likely to do on a vacation over there.

I am 32 years old and do not have much of a plan for this trip yet. I just know that I want to use multiple modes of transport while I am there including Bicycle, Scooter, and Train. I'm on a budget, so the plan is to stay at hostels/ camp.

It would be nice to have some company on this trip. Please let me know if you want to come and if you have some ideas about stuff to do.

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http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)

Hey Gato! I'm planning a similar trip, but late Feb-March. Was considering bringing cheap bicycle (probably to leave there) and renting a scooter. Is it really so easy to get the visa by just going to the airport? I thought I read it was a bit more complicated and was starting to look into flying from Van like people used to do.

Hey TravelBugBlues, from the research that I have done it doesn't sound like it is too hard to get the visa. Only Houston and Newark are authorized for direct flights to Cuba in the US. They both have a Cuba counter at the airport where you get the visa I think and it adds up to $75 for fees. It looks like a good idea to pick a connecting flight that has at least a couple hour layover in Houston or Newark so you have time to get the visa.

I am having to use United because I have my points through them and it is turning out to be a real pain to try and bring a bicycle with me. It is not worth the $$ or headaches in my opinion. The only solution to bringing a bike the way I see it is if you take one of those Dahon folding bikes, but they are fugly looking.

Until Jan 15th United has a restriction where you can not have a piece of luggage that is greater then 50lbs and 62 linear inches (length x width x height). Overweight and oversize packages are not allowed.

After Jan 15th the restriction may change to where they allow you to bring oversize packages. They have a $200 fee for bikes. They also charge $200 if it is over 50lbs and another $200 if it is greater then 62 linear inches. I do not know how much the fees would add up to but if I had to guess, I think you would get charged at least $250 in fees at the ticket counter if you tried to bring a bike.

Hopefully the Canadian airlines are more reasonable.

I think United requires you to have a return ticket booked and paid for, before you can go to Cuba.

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http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)