philo Loc: philo, ca

planning a possible trip for the end of the year.
I have never been there, and would love to have your impressions.
I would be booking an Airbnb room and checking out local day photographing workshops.
Please give me any tips you can.
One last thing i would be going solo and the possible safety factor is always an issue.
thanks
I would be flying out of sfo

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Consider working with a reputable travel agent.

Ron Dial Loc: Cuenca, Ecuador

Been there twice (legally, out of Miami). Suggest you try to go with a legal group like a medical or other permitted group. If you get caught, the fine is $50,000 and they enforce it. Stay in old Havana at a hotel like the Hotel Rachel. Beautiful place. Understand that one out of every 5 citizens works for the secret police. Don't openly criticize anything. Do not try to take photos of the military or police. Do not loose your passport. Beware of theft. If you go out of town, especially Santiago de Cuba, beware of gangs. There are great photos to be had. Santa Clara (where Che got his start), is very interesting.

And it is harder getting BACK into the US than getting into Cuba. The American Imigration can hold you without a warrant for days if you give them any crap. Cubans love Americans. Enjoy the trip. And just about everything you thought you knew about Cuba is wrong.

jwreed50 Loc: Manassas, VA

Be very careful here. U.S. economic sanctions on Cuba remain in place and, in fact, restrictions -- esp. on travel -- have been increased in recent years. While certain types of travel are still permitted, the types of permissible travel have been reduced significantly. There continue to be significant restrictions on how much money you can spend while in Cuba.

I would urge you to get some competent legal advice here before you plan any trip to Cuba. Some travel agencies may be familiar with the latest restrictions; others are not. You should expect that you will be quizzed on your travel to Cuba by Customs when you re-enter the U.S.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Chapter & verse. Link https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Cuba.html

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

UHH user Ronichas led a group there in January. Send her a pm:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-profile?usernum=51983

.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

If all you say it true, the trip is too risky. Why would one want to be in that danger?

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

Oh, but you get to photograph old cars...🤪

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

My wife was born in Cuba, but having said that—I would stick to car shows in the U.S,

Edge8595

Old Havana is really like stepping back into the 1960 take your own toilet paper with you restaurants and bars don’t supply it. They tell you not to photograph military or police but that’s near impossible they are everywhere. New Havana up the hill isn’t much different than a thousand other places. Revolution park with all the old military equipment was interesting. Take a ride around town in an old convertible you’ll find people wanting to drive you around down in old Havana near the harbor. They will try to gouge you on the price don’t pay more than $40 US for a two hour tour that’s a months wage there. Enjoy your trip

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

First things first, you should be aware of air travel restrictions traveling to this COMMUNIST country.
https://havanatourcompany.com/how-to-fly-to-cuba-from-usa/#:~:text=Americans%20can%20fly%20to%20Cuba,permit%20from%20the%20Cuban%20government.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

The people in general are very nice - but some will not speak to you. When I have been we never felt that crime in Havana was a big threat - most people wouldn't be able to use or fence camera gear. I can't speak for the other cities, but we went out into the countryside near Pinar del Rio for a few days and had a wonderful time. It is a beautiful place. Do bring your own toilet paper - you can get rolls without the central cardboard tube at camping stores. On the last trip I took our guides met us at the airport and as part of our greeting, they handed each of us a roll of toilet paper and said: "this is yours for the duration of your stay - do not lose it". Also - surprinsingly, I found the food to be remarkably bland. At the hotel where we stayed (a small hotel - nothing fancy) and at the church that prepared lunches for us, there was no salt, no pepper, and no salsa. I like black beans and rice, but I prefer them with a little seasoning! One of our group members, who had been recently, brought a bottle of tabasco sauce - he was very popular at mealtime!

Of course, do NOT bring any type of communication device other than a cell phone (no two-way radios, no satellite phone). Those could get you in jail. Your bags are likely to be x-rayed and searched when you get to Havana.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

mainebrien

I would do a lot of research, lots of restrictions. I went in Dec 2018. Great trip. The real Cuba. No fancy hotels. Stay in Cuban homes, local Cuba food, 1950s cars and drivers.

They are legal and get the Cuban visa for you:

https://yourcubatravel.com/

What you are planning sounds very risky if you try to go solo.

Good Luck

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Hunts Photo runs Photo Adventures to Cuba. Well worth checking out!