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Traveling to Cuba, any precautions needed?

iciphil

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Hi,

I'm going to Cuba for a week during the Holidays.

Do I have to take extra measures to 'hide' my being canadian military?
ex: not bring Mil I.D. or Dog Tags?

Is there any risks, will people be more friendly OR unfriendly if they know/learn about it?
Is using a 'dufle bag' a stupid risk for theft? Wouldn't think it's a higher profile item for airport personnel 'thieves'.

Thanks, cause I have nooooo idea if it's even an issue for 'us' going there.

 
It is an issue.  You should go to your Unit and inform them that you are going.  Cuba is a 'Scheduled Country'.  You will have to have a briefing before and after your visit.
 
Just gone through this with a mbr at my Unit, suggest that you contact your Orderly Room to get the form "Intent to Travel" (they will most likely have to go through your MP Section to get this form ~ as I had to for my person here).

You must complete it in detail (itinerary, whom you are travelling with, name of your travel agent, locations to visit, etc.) attach your stamped leave pass and itinerary from your travel agent. Then hand it in to your clerks, who will hand it over to the MP Section (chances will take a copy for your files in the event the original is lost). The MP Section will register it, then send it off to your regional CFNCIU Section for them to review. And either CFNCIU will give you the briefing or they will ask your local MPs to give it to you depending on the situation. Some countries you must do the briefing, other countries they will recommend it (and your Unit will have a say whether or not you do or not do).

There is no "Scheduled Countries" list anymore, this was taken out of the system a couple of years ago because of the ever changing political world that we live in. I found this out by a few hours of searching and finally contacting my MPs here to find this out. CFNCIU holds the "list" as it is classified information. And the references have not been amended yet to reflect this change, the DAOD should be out shortly *hopefully*.

Suggest you do not delay in getting this done, as you don't want to delay your trip or worse yet cancel it.

If you need more info, PM me and will fwd you the references from work on tuesday.

CJ
 
You don't have to worry about the people there, they are very courteous and friendly. I wouldn't think it is a big issue hiding that you are in the military. Leave your Mil ID at home. Shouldn't have to worry about your duffel, It is just a green bag. Just make sure you don't have DND or Canadian Military in big letters across it. As said by the other buys go to you ASE they will help you out. Enjoy the Sun...

Deves
 
Just ask yourself this question, "why would I tell someone I'm in the military", unless you want to score with a hot chick!
 
Just ask yourself this question, "why would I tell someone I'm in the military", unless you want to score with a hot chick!
I totally agree ......
 
And do not drink the water or anything with ice cubes. Unless they are from the resort you are staying. Seriously. Hep C is a bad thing.

Stick with beer.
 
I would also recommend not being too adventurous while you're there, stick with the tour group/resort. When I was there a couple of tourists managed to get their rented scooters into a restricted area. Apparently it was poorly marked and they managed to talk their way out of any bad consequences but if they had been actively serving members of the military things might have ended differently.
 
Why would you bring your dog tags and military duffel bags anyway?

Wouldn't you think it's just going to cause more problems, then its worth (which is absolutely nothing).

Unless you're going for Look Cool Factor 8) :P?

Honestly, go and enjoy your vacation if you are cleared to and leave the military at home for the week (or however long).  It promise it will be right here where you left it when you get back.

Cheers
 
I don't know.  I find the duffel bag to be a pretty good bag to carry stuff in.  You can put it on your back, and can carry as much as a suit case.  And there isn't much to be said about the LCF with a beat up, used old OD duffel bag anyway.  Unless of course you have one of those "uber soldier CADPAT" duffel bags from CP Gear.


But back on topic.  I will be going with my fiance to Trinidad this January to visit her family.  Being in the PRes, am I subject to the same procedures?


 
Ok being the self appointed site SME on La Isla Bonita  ( 20+ trips, visits, work etc since 1993 either alone or with the memsahib) if I may..

First letting you unit know where you’re going is sound advice and just plain common sense. Even if the Scheduled Country list is no longer, Cuba since Fidel turned over power to baby brother is in a bit of a flux now. Not saying anything is likely to happen, but nice to let anyone know where you are family, employers etc just in case. I've been down there in a hurricane, the Elian Gonzales thing, the two planes shot down thing, the overreaction to the coup attempt against Gorbie in 1994, and the crackdown after the Papal visit and so far so good.

Ok good, now for some current advice try the forums at Lonely Planet, ignore the left wing dribble and you’ll note they are current and full of good real time info. Debbie’s Caribbean Site is also good especially with reviews on resorts there. I don't go there to get info about the CF....

I’d also suggest splurging $20-30 bucks on a decent guide book. Chris Bakers Cuba Handbook by Moon Travel Books is the best out there and he recently updated it. I still drag my 10 year old copy (covered in notes etc) with me. It’s far superior to either Lonely Planets and/or Rough Guides and I’ve even written contributed to both LP and RG guides in the past. BTW Internet access is both slow and controlled there.

Duffel bag should be ok. Make sure it’s locked, Cuban airport workers are as sticky fingered as their collegues around the world. Aside from that avoid military looking clothes, although khaki cargos are almost the tourist uniform.

Mil ID, naah don’t need it. My first trip down I was still in and discovered on the flight down I had mine and my tags. I tried to hide it and then realised if I was stopped and searched it would look worse if they found it hidden, so put them back around my neck, and the card back in my wallet. No probs. Besides easy to spot fellow militarytypes at the pool bar, it's like pregnant women just knowing.

They may hassle single guys at the airport. Back in the mid later 1990’s single guys with multiple entry/exit stamps were getting hassled. Fidel presumed they were either all sex tourists and/or cigar smugglers. MINIT boys would give you the detailed search and 20 questions until you "suggested" they help themselves to a "present" aftershave, soap, Maxim magazine etc. As a first timer with no stamps and part of a tour group should be no problems. There are other scams like the “your bags are too heavy, pay the $20.00 CUPs fine Senor” when leaving.

Money the US dollar was recently banned again so take Cdn. You’ll exchange it there for CUPs the hard currency tourist pesos all tourists use. MN or Cuban Pesos are relatively useless aside from public buses peso restaurants etc. You can draw cash advances from Banks, Casa de Cambios etc on any Canadian Credit Card except AMEX with your Passport. ATMs are few and far between and usually don’t work. Get a safety deposit box at your hotel and keep everything in it, and make copies of all ID, credit cards and have the 1-800.

If you get sick the International clinics are good, better than here actually, but it's hard currecny, cash up front.

The water is safe in most places aside from waay up in the boonies. The local beer is good and cheap so I agree stay with it.

Mopeds stay away from. Unreliable, uninsured and the roads are full of drunk overweight Canadian and European tourists riding on them. Rent a Cars same thing. Over priced and they gouge you on the insurance. Better to stay with taxis either official or a local who’ll make you a deal. Public transit is also fun. The locals get a kick out of seeing tourist swith a sense of adventure on them and it's a great way to get invited to a local party and se the real Cuba.

Remember the local average wage is $20-30 US a month and they’re on a wartime-rationed economy. Tips go a long way there, both cash and small gifts, soap, dollar store flashlights, razor, bic lighters, t-shirts etc. I always tske old clothes and leave them for friends. Goes back to the old days when locals couldn't shop in the hard currency stores and you saw men wearing parts of their old military and/or school uniforms as work clothes etc in the boonies.

Military installations are all over the place and as noted not always well marked. However I’ve blundered into several over the years, play dumb tourist and unless you’re wearing cadpat jammies and carrying a honking big Nikon with a telephoto lens you should be ok.

The Military actually run some of the hotels and tour companies as a source of hard currency. You can sky dive out of a old Colt Anatov Bi-Plane or take a Hip Helo to an isolated beach etc on tours. Or jump in the back of the soviet version of the old deuce and half for an eco trip into the mountains.

Organised tours are ok. Enjoy the scripted patriotic crap the guides spew out. It’s also ok to head off on your own. Unless you’re a complete idiot you should be ok. I’ve seen only 2 Canadians jailed there in my trips and no I wasn’t one. Ripping off or hurting a tourist is 3-5 years hard time cutting sugar cane. The grey berets (tourist police) are pretty brutal at enforcing the rules on the locals, but usually bend over backwards to help tourist unless you break a major rule (making pornography, drugs)

Cigars, unless you really know what your doing stay away from the black market stuff. Legally as of last time I was there you can bring out 23 cigars without a receipt per person. So if you do buy a box of black market, smoke two. Peso cigars are a good deal. Local stuff not for export and average a couple of cents each sold in the towns. Canada customs allows 50 per person BTW and all Cuban Airport Duty frees have Gov't cigar stores.

Jinteros and Jinteras well I’ll let you figure those out yourself. ;D

PM me with exactly where you’re going/staying if you want and I’ll see if I can dig up some more info.
 
Contact your local PMed Tech also, he will give you some good advice and also may vaccinate you depending on the local and the planned activities.
 
Cuba really doesn't require any vaccinations, tetanus and Hep if you haven't had them in a while maybe  but not required.
 
I went to Cuba last year, and I'm going again this year.  I had to fill out the form, and have an interview with an MP.  There's a few precautions I was warned about.  Your Military life does stay at home.  In fact, I was told to fill in a civilian equivalent for my occupation on my customs form.  I was also warned about talking to the locals about "sensitive" subjects.  Like Fidel Castro's health, and the future of communism when he dies.  And it's not a good idea to take pictures of government buildings and infrastructure.

When people there learn you are a Canadian, they will sometimes give you a letter addressed to a "relative" in Canada.  This actually happened to me.  I previously warned about this.  You never know what's in the envelope.  Drugs, Propaganda, etc...  So I had to refuse.

Where in Cuba are you going?
 
Jaydub good points. I usually put Government on my Tourist Card or "worker" always worth a good chuckle with the MINIT types at Passport Control. I guess NDP would work these days too. ;D

BTW do not lose the tourist card and be careful filling it out. If it's done incorrectly I've seen them make you buy another one right at the airport, about $20.00. Another little "welcome to Cuba Senor let me help you dispose of some of your money stunts."

Most of those topics of conversation you mentioned are "off limits" to Cubanos anyway. That is to say that they are very relucatant to discuss politics with strangers. They're a paranoid bunch and rightly so watched by CDRs ( Neighbourhood snitches) all the time. one told me he heard a rumour DGI ( Cuban version of the old KGB) were pretending to be tourists and trying to entrap locals into saying anti Govt crap. Sports especially baseball though, Cubans will discuss with you for hours, as is their other favourite pastime. 8)

As for the letter, odds are it was just that a letter to friends, family. International Mail is very bad there. Open letter are usually safe and I've taken them back most of the time. Mind I read Spanish.Packages are a definate no no.
 
When I mentioned the vaccination, it was addressed in regards to any local, ie.. going to another country not just cuba.  We also take into consideration things such as outbreaks in the area which you may need vaccinations for.  BTW Hep A and B have no booster shots once the series are completed.
 
See this site to look for warning, precautions, informations on the coutry(ies) you want to visit.

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/ctry/reportpage-en.asp

Max
 
I've been told by a couple people that it's not allowed.  Some friends of mine are planning a trip and want me to come. I have the leave time but I'm not sure if i can go.
 
Burke69 said:
I've been told by a couple people that it's not allowed. 

Fill out a "Notice of intent to travel" , you will be called for a breifing......enjoy your vacation in Cuba.
 
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