IF YOU GO

Posted on Sun, Feb. 12, 2006

IF YOU GO

• U.S. regulations are complicated, but only three groups of travelers
are allowed easy access to Cuba: U.S. officials on government business,
full-time professionals traveling for research or to attend conferences,
and full-time journalists. These groups are allowed to travel under a
general license, meaning they do not need to fill out an application to
go. Others can visit Cuba if they apply for and obtain a specific
license from the U.S. government. These licenses are granted for reasons
including travel for educational, religious or humanitarian purposes.
See the Treasury Department overview, "What You Need to Know About the
Cuban Embargo," online at www.treas.gov/offices/
enforcement/ofac/sanctions/t11cuba.pdf.

• Americans who travel to Cuba from a third country, such as Mexico,
Canada, Jamaica or the Bahamas, risk fines and criminal prosecution. In
general, travel agencies abroad that claim they can arrange legal travel
for U.S. citizens to Cuba are misstating the facts.

• Technically, it's illegal for Americans to spend money in Cuba. All
air and hotel arrangements must be booked through a U.S. authorized
travel agency, such as Marazul Charters, 4100 Park Avenue, Weehawken,
N.J. 07086; 1-877-756-1433, www.marazul.com.

A limited number of tours for professionals are scheduled in 2006 by
Global Exchange, 2017 Mission Street, Suite 303, San Francisco, Calif.;
(415) 255-7296, www.globalexchangeorg. The weeklong tours cost $2,350.

How do you get to Cuba in the first place?

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/living/travel/13790271.htm