Travel to Cuba

Cuba is a huge destination for Canadians: 900,000 visited Cuba in 2010. For those of you south of the border in the US, it is less common. Approximately 400,000 US citizens visit Cuba per year, mostly those with family on the island. It presently violates US law for most Americans to spend money in Cuba unless you obtain a permit, and is punishable under the Trading with the Enemy Act, a WWI-era law. But the fact is that many Americans, including many divers, do visit Cuba by traveling through Canada, Mexico (often Cancún) or Nassau. Cuban officials do not stamp US passports. The Obama administration has relaxed some restrictions, so the situation is headed in a positive direction. The Moon guidebook reports that only two persons have ever been prosecuted; both ended up fined. Nonetheless, it is illegal for US travelers to spend any money in Cuba, and those who do choose to circumvent US law do so at their own risk, which may count as soft adventure.