Strong signals that the USA and Cuba to normalise relations.

[Foreigner]

I guess its time to visit Cuba now before it changes and becomes American-ised and/or flooded with American tourists. In my spare time this week, I will have to plan a return visit ASAP before its too late.

Cuba calls me too. Will you use award tickets?

Here's interesting take on Cuba with music twist.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-above-board-way-to-travel-to-cuba-1431092533

 

[Fifa]

I guess its time to visit Cuba now before it changes and becomes American-ised and/or flooded with American tourists.

I've now made up my mind to visit Cuba next April. We are going to be in South America, so I will extend the holiday and tack on Cuba (flying from PTY).
Now for the planning!

 

[kpc]

I've now made up my mind to visit Cuba next April. We are going to be in South America, so I will extend the holiday and tack on Cuba (flying from PTY).
Now for the planning!

+1 coming? Happy to give advice. ..

 

[Alanslegal]

Our friend will be in Cuba from December for a year. She goes to Cuba every 2nd year and stays for at least six months so knows the place well. We will be renting an apartment for US$40 per night. Last time all we did was salsa non-stop and drink rum LOL I did manage squeeze in a few touristy things too. We will be most likely flying via MEX like I did last time however if there's another city/country to be ticked off in Central America, we will be easily tempted. The only issue is taking time off work next year as we have two big holidays planned and going to Cuba will become a decent size 3rd trip as you couldn't really go there directly and back.

 

[911tphil]

My brother just called me again today from Havana. He said the Americans are really starting to invade so it may not be long before Cuba changes for the worse as these tourists start to shape how tourism currently works over there. I am sure prices will get driven up as demand increases. As always, reasonable accommodations may become scarcer as locals want to cash in as many locals rent out rooms to visitors. House prices have already about doubled recently. Welcome to capitalism comrades.

 

[Foreigner]

JetBlue first major US airline to launch direct flight from NYC to Havana:

http://time.com/3945691/jetblue-jfk-new-york-havana-cuba/

 

[Fifa]

+1 coming? Happy to give advice. ..

Yep - even though he complains about travelling overseas :shock:, he just cannot bear missing out!!!
I'm thinking we'll just stay in Havana for 7 nights so I'll be in touch.

(I had no idea that Cuba was so big so we'll just stick to Havana and do a couple of day trips. I don't have much desire to waste my time at a beach resort).

 

[get me outta here]

Perhaps Belize, I thought that may be worth a visit some time.

I wish I could get to Havana now before any more US hordes. I guess a lot of the old cars creatively restored and kept running will be bought and shipped back....

Our friend will be in Cuba from December for a year. She goes to Cuba every 2nd year and stays for at least six months so knows the place well. We will be renting an apartment for US$40 per night. Last time all we did was salsa non-stop and drink rum LOL I did manage squeeze in a few touristy things too. We will be most likely flying via MEX like I did last time however if there's another city/country to be ticked off in Central America, we will be easily tempted. The only issue is taking time off work next year as we have two big holidays planned and going to Cuba will become a decent size 3rd trip as you couldn't really go there directly and back.

 

[samiam]

<BUMP> Has anyone travelled to Havana from Panama City?

Can you confirm that a Tourist Card can still be purchased from the departure lounge in PTY for $25 USD or should it be arranged through the Cuban consulate in Canberra prior to travel?

If the card can be purchased at the airport, do you still need to take along a passport-sized photo?

Thanks in anticipation

 

[infinity]

I have a similar question for flying from Nassau to Havana

Can you buy your entry visa there?

 

[Fifa]

We recently flew Avianca from Lima to Havana.
Avianca did not have any Cuba tourist cards available at Lima airport and recorded the names and passport numbers of all passengers who needed them, telling us we could purchase them from Avianca reps on arrival.

Long story short, the promised reps were nowhere to be seen and we had to buy them from an official Cuban booth just before immigration.
Cost was equivalent to AU$112 and we paid with Euro. Grrrrrrrr. There was a notice on the counter in English stating that the price had increased in March 2016 for visas purchased in Cuba.

Interestingly, the captain on our Avianca flight had his father with him who was in the same situation as us. He was livid!

 

[infinity]

We recently flew Avianca from Lima to Havana.
Avianca did not have any Cuba tourist cards available at Lima airport and recorded the names and passport numbers of all passengers who needed them, telling us we could purchase them from Avianca reps on arrival.

Long story short, the promised reps were nowhere to be seen and we had to buy them from an official Cuban booth just before immigration.
Cost was equivalent to AU$112 and we paid with Euro. Grrrrrrrr. There was a notice on the counter in English stating that the price had increased in March 2016 for visas purchased in Cuba.

Interestingly, the captain on our Avianca flight had his father with him who was in the same situation as us. He was livid!

Ouch, Sounds like buying them from Australian consulate office might be the way to go ( last did that about 5 years ago- not sure if its still possible?)

I am going againt on new years day for my 5th trip in 10 years.

Fifa have you been before and noticed any change yet?

 

[drron]

When we were there last year one of the Expedition staff had been taking people to Cuba for 15 years both groups and private tours.He had seen considerable changes over that time mostly in the last 5 years.But he expects even more rapid change from here.

 

[Fifa]

Ouch, Sounds like buying them from Australian consulate office might be the way to go ( last did that about 5 years ago- not sure if its still possible?)

I am going againt on new years day for my 5th trip in 10 years.

Fifa have you been before and noticed any change yet?

This was our first visit but others we spoke to said there had been a lot of change over the last few years.
We were not on an organised tour and I wish I had taken a Lonely Planet guide. And more euros!

 

[kpc]

<BUMP> Has anyone travelled to Havana from Panama City?

Can you confirm that a Tourist Card can still be purchased from the departure lounge in PTY for $25 USD or should it be arranged through the Cuban consulate in Canberra prior to travel?

If the card can be purchased at the airport, do you still need to take along a passport-sized photo?

Thanks in anticipation

I have a similar question for flying from Nassau to Havana

Can you buy your entry visa there?

We recently flew Avianca from Lima to Havana.
Avianca did not have any Cuba tourist cards available at Lima airport and recorded the names and passport numbers of all passengers who needed them, telling us we could purchase them from Avianca reps on arrival.

Long story short, the promised reps were nowhere to be seen and we had to buy them from an official Cuban booth just before immigration.
Cost was equivalent to AU$112 and we paid with Euro. Grrrrrrrr. There was a notice on the counter in English stating that the price had increased in March 2016 for visas purchased in Cuba.

Interestingly, the captain on our Avianca flight had his father with him who was in the same situation as us. He was livid!

Ouch, Sounds like buying them from Australian consulate office might be the way to go ( last did that about 5 years ago- not sure if its still possible?)

I am going againt on new years day for my 5th trip in 10 years.

Fifa have you been before and noticed any change yet?

(breaking my radio silence ). Get it before you go to save the stress and worry from the link in my post below: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....to-havana-cuban-visa-50063-2.html#post1019577

I did see them selling the visa at the gate prior to my Copa flight from Pty to Hav...but why stress when there is a relative cheap way to get it in advance? (and not pay the exhorbitant price the Cuban consulate in Canberra charges!)

 

[samiam]

(breaking my radio silence ). Get it before you go to save the stress and worry from the link in my post below: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....to-havana-cuban-visa-50063-2.html#post1019577

I did see them selling the visa at the gate prior to my Copa flight from Pty to Hav...but why stress when there is a relative cheap way to get it in advance? (and not pay the exhorbitant price the Cuban consulate in Canberra charges!)

Thanks kpc

I should have mentioned that I had read the above thread (as well as this one), however noted that the company in the link provided is in the UK, and has a 30 day turnaround time to send to countries such as Australia - so my original question stands as to whether anyone has recent experience of purchasing the card at PTY, as a 30 day turnaround time does not fit with my plans.