Members axiom2001 Posted July 9, 2019 Members Posted July 9, 2019 (edited) I am beginning a new thread for those who desire to travel independently as well as seek the services of a gay guide and/or from gay tour companies. Luis is a Facebook amigo of mine who's developed a wonderful tour company. Check out his site https://www.gaycubatourguide.com where he's written about his company and its offerings. ...do hope that you'll use his services. [...am posting on my own accord; Luis did NOT request that I do this! ...have used his services indirectly and have read here in other threads from others who've engaged him as their guide.] Edited July 9, 2019 by axiom2001 ...errors in web address Quote
Members axiom2001 Posted July 9, 2019 Author Members Posted July 9, 2019 (edited) 38 minutes ago, axiom2001 said: I am beginning a new thread for those who desire to travel independently as well as seek the services of a gay guide and/or from gay tour companies. Luis is a Facebook amigo of mine who's developed a wonderful tour company. Check out his site https://www.gaycubatourguide.com where he's written about his company and its offerings. ...do hope that you'll use his services. [...am posting on my own accord; Luis did NOT request that I do this! ...have used his services indirectly and have read here in other threads from others who've engaged him as their guide.] The website should read https://www.gaycubatourguide.com. ...had problems when editing; unfortunately, it does not work in my original post. Edited July 9, 2019 by axiom2001 delete Quote
Members mvan1 Posted July 9, 2019 Members Posted July 9, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, axiom2001 said: The website should read https://www.gaycubatourguide.com. ...had problems when editing; unfortunately, it does not work in my original post. Are you not aware that the psycho Trump rescinded Obama's easing of tourism to Cuba? We Americans cannot currently or legally visit Cuba for purposes of tourism. After Trump and his family had their tour of Cuba (without much news coverage) Trump canceled Obama's progress in easing Cuba as a U.S. tourism destination. Here is a New York Times article (there are many news sources that show that tourism to Cuba is thwarted because of Trump): https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/05/travel/cuba-cruise-travel-ban.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article On the other hand, if your post is directed to non U.S. readers, your recommended guide could be a good source for those who visit Cuba. Edited July 9, 2019 by mvan1 paborn 1 Quote
Members axiom2001 Posted July 10, 2019 Author Members Posted July 10, 2019 (edited) 18 hours ago, mvan1 said: Are you not aware that the psycho Trump rescinded Obama's easing of tourism to Cuba? We Americans cannot currently or legally visit Cuba for purposes of tourism. After Trump and his family had their tour of Cuba (without much news coverage) Trump canceled Obama's progress in easing Cuba as a U.S. tourism destination. Here is a New York Times article (there are many news sources that show that tourism to Cuba is thwarted because of Trump): https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/05/travel/cuba-cruise-travel-ban.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article On the other hand, if your post is directed to non U.S. readers, your recommended guide could be a good source for those who visit Cuba. I'm rather cognizant of the move made by #45 a few months back. Note "Trump Bans Most Travel to Cuba" which was begun by Sanddunes on 6.24.19. I wrote and posted. Note https://www.tourepublic.com/blog/how-to-travel-to-Cuba as well as perhaps the web address that you printed. If others and I plan to travel to Cuba in the future-- we'll do it on our own accord in knowing what "the psycho Trump" initiated a month or so ago and in our knowing how to do it without undergoing any undue problems. If my memory serves me correctly-- you attempted to castigate me a few years back when I posted that I'd be traveling to the largest Caribbean island country w/o the approval of the US government. Please go back and reread those posts. You do as you desire; others and I will do likewise. This is ALL that I'm going to post in conjunction with my welcoming and warm thread! Astute travelers know how to handle situations that are as sensitive as this if they do their homework prior to traveling. I've done it in the past and will continue to do as such in the future. Edited July 10, 2019 by axiom2001 JAYBLK 1 Quote
Members mvan1 Posted July 10, 2019 Members Posted July 10, 2019 1 hour ago, axiom2001 said: I'm rather cognizant of the move made by #45 a few months back. Note "Trump Bans Most Travel to Cuba" which was begun by Sanddunes on 6.24.19. I wrote and posted. Note https://www.tourepublic.com/blog/how-to-travel-to-Cuba as well as perhaps the web address that you printed. If others and I plan to travel to Cuba in the future-- we'll do it on our own accord in knowing what "the psycho Trump" initiated a month or so ago and in our knowing how to do it without undergoing any undue problems. If my memory serves me correctly-- you attempted to castigate me a few years back when I posted that I'd be traveling to the largest Caribbean island country w/o the approval of the US government. Please go back and reread those posts. You do as you desire; others and I will do likewise. This is ALL that I'm going to post in conjunction with my welcoming and warm thread! Astute travelers know how to handle situations that are as sensitive as this if they do their homework prior to traveling. I've done it in the past and will continue to do as such in the future. Have a good trip Quote
Outos2020 Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 U.S. citizens cannot travel to Cuba for “tourism” under 45’s new regs. However, if you can plausibly fit into one of the 12 categories of allowable travel, then you can go. One of those 12 categories is “supporting the Cuban people” - which effectively means that if you go to Cuba and don’t spend money on any of the government-related “Restricted List” companies (the list is on the U.S. Dept of State website), and you keep good records of how you spent your time/money in Cuba (wonder if “personal services” are included...), then you can travel as an independent visitor. I haven’t tried this method yet (although I’m planning my a trip in Spring 2020), so I might be interpreting this new reg incorrectly. Please correct/forgive me for any errors! Quote
Members SolaceSoul Posted October 11, 2019 Members Posted October 11, 2019 1 hour ago, Outos2020 said: U.S. citizens cannot travel to Cuba for “tourism” under 45’s new regs. However, if you can plausibly fit into one of the 12 categories of allowable travel, then you can go. One of those 12 categories is “supporting the Cuban people” - which effectively means that if you go to Cuba and don’t spend money on any of the government-related “Restricted List” companies (the list is on the U.S. Dept of State website), and you keep good records of how you spent your time/money in Cuba (wonder if “personal services” are included...), then you can travel as an independent visitor. I haven’t tried this method yet (although I’m planning my a trip in Spring 2020), so I might be interpreting this new reg incorrectly. Please correct/forgive me for any errors! With preparation and work, and plenty of good record keeping, it’s still possible for US citizens to travel to Cuba legally under the “support for the Cuban people” category. You have to avoid patronizing or even entering almost all places and businesses that are owned or operated by the Cuban government — and this includes many if not most famous tourist spots, and almost every hotel and almost every restaurant. What you can do legally is stay at casa particulares and AirBnBs because they are privately owned and operated — thus, supporting Cuban people directly. You can also eat at the family-owned paladares. You also should have your 9am to 5pm every day scheduled and documented of support for the Cuban people activities — and no tourism activities, because that’s technically illegal. Also be prepared to show your activity logs and schedule with evidence of your activities when you return to US Customs, and for 5-7 years after your trip. It may not happen, but you can get randomly questioned. paborn and axiom2001 2 Quote
floridarob Posted October 11, 2019 Posted October 11, 2019 Keep records on how many jineteros (working guys) you spent on "supporting the Cuban people"....In all the years I've been going, about 20+, even under Bush Jr. , when it was the strictest....I was only asked once, just because the immigration officer noticed a Cuba stamp in my passport (I wasn't coming from Cuba) he said "you know you're not allowed to go there"...I said I had permission, and he said "Oh, ok " paborn 1 Quote
paborn Posted October 11, 2019 Posted October 11, 2019 personally, just my opinion but telling an American citizen where I can or can't go when there is no war on is sufficient grounds to impeach any of these presidents for simple tyranny. This whole Cuba thing gets so tiresome. I l live in South Florida and I understand the distress of Cubans who fled Castro, who lost everything. Yes, I get it; but if telling me what to do and where I can go is your understanding of liberty then it is faulty. axiom2001 and SolaceSoul 2 Quote
Members Kevie770 Posted October 11, 2019 Members Posted October 11, 2019 (edited) I agree with the majority; it's super easy to get into Cuba lol. I have always chosen Journalism as the reason for my visit. I felt like I wasn’t lying because I would write about my trip on my blog. But when you get to the airport the Cubans are just happy you are there to spend money! The reason doesn’t matter much lol. I went back in May, and a friend of mine just got back last week. We didn't keep any records of anything, and we got in and out of the country without hassle. Also, Luis did a tour for me my first time I was in Cuba back in 2016. He was a great guy and he really knows his stuff. Edited October 11, 2019 by Kevie770 axiom2001 1 Quote
floridarob Posted October 12, 2019 Posted October 12, 2019 13 hours ago, paborn said: This whole Cuba thing gets so tiresome. I l live in South Florida and I understand the distress of Cubans who fled Castro, who lost everything. the majority of these people have died or are about to. Obama had pretty much opened it up and Putin didn't like that. He considers Cuba his "baby". They recently forgave billions of dollars that Cuba owed them. So is no wonder that one of Trumps very first actions was to put the restrictions back on.....it's what his boss wanted, lol paborn and axiom2001 1 1 Quote
Members SolaceSoul Posted October 12, 2019 Members Posted October 12, 2019 This may fall on deaf ears here, but... In spite of a poster or two saying “no records required!”, considering the current state of the federal government in America, if you are a US citizen traveling to Cuba, be sure to maintain accurate records showing that you went to Cuba legally and complied with the restrictions and requirements under the travel category which you claimed when you started the trip. The current administration may be dysfunctional but it is also vengeful. American tourists to Cuba ARE being busted and used as examples. The busts may be random, but you never know when your number may be called at Customs upon return to a US port of entry. Latbear4blk and paborn 2 Quote
Members Latbear4blk Posted October 12, 2019 Members Posted October 12, 2019 2 hours ago, SolaceSoul said: This may fall on deaf ears here, but... In spite of a poster or two saying “no records required!”, considering the current state of the federal government in America, if you are a US citizen traveling to Cuba, be sure to maintain accurate records showing that you went to Cuba legally and complied with the restrictions and requirements under the travel category which you claimed when you started the trip. The current administration may be dysfunctional but it is also vengeful. American tourists to Cuba ARE being busted and used as examples. The busts may be random, but you never know when your number may be called at Customs upon return to a US port of entry. Even better; TRIANGULATE. Tomcal, axiom2001 and floridarob 3 Quote
Outos2020 Posted October 12, 2019 Posted October 12, 2019 (edited) My post above was my first on bottom (autocorrect for boytoy, but accurate! Lol), and I have two comments: — There are a lot of *really* knowledgeable and helpful members here, and I’ve learned a lot as a lurker, so thank you! - I’m really looking forward to visiting Cuba. I’m sure that there are men of all types who escort there, but for those w experience there, do you think the macho, muscular hairy guys (25-40 years old -ish) would be open to it in Cuba? They tend not to be as open publicly to hookups in other countries, and I’d rather not get beat up or worse, so is a straightforward approach (do you want to f* for XX CUC) or a vague one better... Edited October 12, 2019 by Outos2020 Typo Quote
Members SolaceSoul Posted October 12, 2019 Members Posted October 12, 2019 1 hour ago, Outos2020 said: I’m really looking forward to visiting Cuba. I’m sure that there are men of all types who escort there, but for those w experience there, do you think the macho, muscular hairy guys (25-40 years old -ish) would be open to it in Cuba? They tend not to be as open publicly to hookups in other countries, and I’d rather not get beat up or worse, so is a straightforward approach (do you want to f* for XX CUC) or a vague one better... Short answer: YES. But stick to the well-known cruise / hustler pick-up spots. axiom2001 and floridarob 2 Quote
Members Riobard Posted October 12, 2019 Members Posted October 12, 2019 Luv luv luv being spoonfed internet-sourced information. Cutting and pasting is noble and necessary, even if its utilization is dictated according to the discretion of key Board influencers. It is just happenstance that I had been aware of the essential details without being restricted as a non-American. Bring on the knowledge transmission, however dug up. axiom2001 1 Quote
