I always wanted to go to Cuba...

AquaDome · 12-17-2014, 10:39 AM - **1 Like**

It looks like diplomatic relations with Cuba are thawing. Unrestricted travel between the US and Cuba may soon be a reality.

Has anyone been to Cuba? Do you have any travel tips or recommended photo destinations?

flaviopetrone · 12-17-2014, 11:22 AM

Going to Cuba is my dream.
My girlfriend is US citizen, so I had to choose if go alone or just don't go. I always choose the second option.
But this time it seems that I could realize it.
I will take my fingers crossed!

mrNewt · 12-17-2014, 11:35 AM

Cuba is amazing... we love our vacations there

.

Photo destinations!? Honestly... the whole country is beautiful... will be hard to recommend one specific spot. Has a lot of parts that is still untainted by technology.
Best advise is to choose a 5 start hotel and start from there

. Walking outside of the resorts has not been a problem (so far at least).

micromacro · 12-17-2014, 05:23 PM

How about Puerto Rico?

flaviopetrone · 12-18-2014, 02:53 AM

Originally posted by micromacro

How about Puerto Rico?

My girlfriend is from Puerto Rico

I am going to visit it in few months.
But it is a completely different world compared with Cuba.
Landscapes are similar, obviously, but everything else is very different.

micromacro · 12-18-2014, 06:47 AM

Originally posted by flaviopetrone

My girlfriend is from Puerto Rico

I am going to visit it in few months.
But it is a completely different world compared with Cuba.
Landscapes are similar, obviously, but everything else is very different.

So, you want documentary of poor country more than landscaping?

Enjoy PR. I wish I would come back there soon.

flaviopetrone · 12-18-2014, 07:14 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by micromacro

So, you want documentary of poor country more than landscaping?

Enjoy PR. I wish I would come back there soon.

The topic is very very wide and I don't think that this is the right place.
Cuba is not only a poor country.
It is a place full of history, people are amazing and it is an unique place in the world.
I am not saying that it is better or worse than Puerto Rico, just different.
I will enjoy the travel for sure!

Blue · 12-18-2014, 08:25 AM

So far this thread is o.k. Lets keep it that way by steering clear of politics.

AquaDome · 12-18-2014, 08:41 AM

I'm interested in old architecture and striking scenery. Cuba was already "old-world" when the embargo began in 1960. My understanding is that not very much has changed in 50 years.

**jpzk** · 12-18-2014, 08:55 AM

Originally posted by AquaDome

It looks like diplomatic relations with Cuba are thawing. Unrestricted travel between the US and Cuba may soon be a reality.

Has anyone been to Cuba? Do you have any travel tips or recommended photo destinations?

I happy that this Good News is really happening !

You'll finally be able to join the thousands of Canuks going there ... and have fun !!

micromacro · 12-18-2014, 09:00 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by flaviopetrone

It is a place full of history, people are amazing and it is an unique place in the world.
I am not saying that it is better or worse than Puerto Rico, just different.
I will enjoy the travel for sure!

Every Caribbean island is full of history.They are all different, but also the same in many ways. And yes, people are amazing there. I don't want to talk about politics, but it's the fact that Cuba is poor country (facts can not be offensive), and perhaps the "forbidden fruit" makes it more attractive than other places in that region.

mrNewt · 12-18-2014, 09:08 AM

To give you a small idea... a typical side street in a big city in Cuba (snapshot taken from inside a moving car - taken about 3 years ago).

peterjcb · 12-18-2014, 03:13 PM

I have a friend that has been going to Cuba quite regularly....all he does is travel to Mexico and then to Cuba from there....not a big deal.
The rooms are dirt cheap and so are the drinks...plus they have all our old vintage cars down there...

zzeitg · 12-18-2014, 03:50 PM

Highest time to go there before the country turns to one big hotel multicomplex and all authentic "genius loci" will be gone.

BTW poor... money's not everything. There are some indexes (like this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Latin_American_countries_by_Human_Development_Index ) which show it in a different light. 2nd position in Latin America HDI ranking (after Chile) isn't all that bad.

**yucatanPentax** · 12-18-2014, 04:09 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by peterjcb

I have a friend that has been going to Cuba quite regularly....all he does is travel to Mexico and then to Cuba from there....not a big deal.
The rooms are dirt cheap and so are the drinks...plus they have all our old vintage cars down there...

I know a lot of people who have done just that. I haven't however. Apparently, you can ask the Cuban officials not to stamp your US Passport and they will comply. If you get caught (the State Department used to monitor arrivals to Mexico from Cuba for US Passports, for example, and all countries share passenger manifests between governments these days), the fine is tremendous (around $10,000, if I recall). Those days may have been over for a while, but it certainly was common at one time (perhaps other administrations).

I hope I can get to Cuba penalty free to experience the "frozen in history" appearances before it all changes. I've been to Puerto Rico and aside from both having striking island scenery, unique to each location, there really is no comparison. Puerto Rico has been allowed to import pretty much whatever they want for the past 50 years while Cuba has been "frozen" in the past for the most part.

By the way, the movie "Before the Night Falls" was set in Cuba, but filmed in Merida, Yucatan, in case anyone is looking for similar Spanish colonial architecture and one of the largest colonial centros which still exists. It's a quick and painless two-hour or less direct flight from Houston.

12-17-2014, 10:39 AM - 1 Like	#1
AquaDome Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Carlisle, IN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,475	I always wanted to go to Cuba... It looks like diplomatic relations with Cuba are thawing. Unrestricted travel between the US and Cuba may soon be a reality. Has anyone been to Cuba? Do you have any travel tips or recommended photo destinations?

12-18-2014, 09:00 AM - 1 Like	#11
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722	Originally posted by flaviopetrone It is a place full of history, people are amazing and it is an unique place in the world. I am not saying that it is better or worse than Puerto Rico, just different. I will enjoy the travel for sure! Every Caribbean island is full of history.They are all different, but also the same in many ways. And yes, people are amazing there. I don't want to talk about politics, but it's the fact that Cuba is poor country (facts can not be offensive), and perhaps the "forbidden fruit" makes it more attractive than other places in that region. Last edited by Parallax; 12-18-2014 at 10:14 AM. Reason: Political comments removed

12-18-2014, 09:08 AM	#12
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	To give you a small idea... a typical side street in a big city in Cuba (snapshot taken from inside a moving car - taken about 3 years ago). Last edited by mrNewt; 12-19-2014 at 06:08 AM.

12-18-2014, 03:50 PM	#14
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	Highest time to go there before the country turns to one big hotel multicomplex and all authentic "genius loci" will be gone. BTW poor... money's not everything. There are some indexes (like this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Latin_American_countries_by_Human_Development_Index ) which show it in a different light. 2nd position in Latin America HDI ranking (after Chile) isn't all that bad. Last edited by zzeitg; 12-18-2014 at 04:07 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How can I set the Green button to go to Monochrome?	jon404	Pentax K-01	2	02-18-2013 11:25 PM
I've always wanted to be part of a secret society..	nrrfed	Welcomes and Introductions	9	12-20-2012 10:15 PM
Landscape Rockies - You don't always need to go wide	daacon	Post Your Photos!	16	05-01-2012 07:39 PM
Going on vacation to Cuba.. What should i pack?	barbosas	General Talk	6	03-30-2008 08:41 AM
I've always wanted to shoot from here	Peter Zack	Post Your Photos!	32	02-25-2008 08:26 AM

12-17-2014, 11:22 AM	#2
flaviopetrone Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Reggio Emilia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,153	Going to Cuba is my dream. My girlfriend is US citizen, so I had to choose if go alone or just don't go. I always choose the second option. But this time it seems that I could realize it. I will take my fingers crossed!

12-17-2014, 11:35 AM	#3
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	Cuba is amazing... we love our vacations there . Photo destinations!? Honestly... the whole country is beautiful... will be hard to recommend one specific spot. Has a lot of parts that is still untainted by technology. Best advise is to choose a 5 start hotel and start from there . Walking outside of the resorts has not been a problem (so far at least).

12-17-2014, 05:23 PM	#4
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722	How about Puerto Rico?

12-18-2014, 02:53 AM	#5
flaviopetrone Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Reggio Emilia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,153	Originally posted by micromacro How about Puerto Rico? My girlfriend is from Puerto Rico I am going to visit it in few months. But it is a completely different world compared with Cuba. Landscapes are similar, obviously, but everything else is very different.

12-18-2014, 06:47 AM	#6
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722	Originally posted by flaviopetrone My girlfriend is from Puerto Rico I am going to visit it in few months. But it is a completely different world compared with Cuba. Landscapes are similar, obviously, but everything else is very different. So, you want documentary of poor country more than landscaping? Enjoy PR. I wish I would come back there soon.

12-18-2014, 07:14 AM - 1 Like	#7
flaviopetrone Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Reggio Emilia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,153	Originally posted by micromacro So, you want documentary of poor country more than landscaping? Enjoy PR. I wish I would come back there soon. The topic is very very wide and I don't think that this is the right place. Cuba is not only a poor country. It is a place full of history, people are amazing and it is an unique place in the world. I am not saying that it is better or worse than Puerto Rico, just different. I will enjoy the travel for sure!

12-18-2014, 08:25 AM	#8
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	So far this thread is o.k. Lets keep it that way by steering clear of politics.

12-18-2014, 08:41 AM	#9
AquaDome Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Carlisle, IN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,475 Original Poster	I'm interested in old architecture and striking scenery. Cuba was already "old-world" when the embargo began in 1960. My understanding is that not very much has changed in 50 years.

12-18-2014, 08:55 AM	#10
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by AquaDome It looks like diplomatic relations with Cuba are thawing. Unrestricted travel between the US and Cuba may soon be a reality. Has anyone been to Cuba? Do you have any travel tips or recommended photo destinations? I happy that this Good News is really happening ! You'll finally be able to join the thousands of Canuks going there ... and have fun !!

12-18-2014, 03:13 PM	#13
peterjcb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Weddington, NC Posts: 468	I have a friend that has been going to Cuba quite regularly....all he does is travel to Mexico and then to Cuba from there....not a big deal. The rooms are dirt cheap and so are the drinks...plus they have all our old vintage cars down there...

12-18-2014, 04:09 PM - 1 Like	#15
yucatanPentax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dallas / Yucatan Posts: 1,840	Originally posted by peterjcb I have a friend that has been going to Cuba quite regularly....all he does is travel to Mexico and then to Cuba from there....not a big deal. The rooms are dirt cheap and so are the drinks...plus they have all our old vintage cars down there... I know a lot of people who have done just that. I haven't however. Apparently, you can ask the Cuban officials not to stamp your US Passport and they will comply. If you get caught (the State Department used to monitor arrivals to Mexico from Cuba for US Passports, for example, and all countries share passenger manifests between governments these days), the fine is tremendous (around $10,000, if I recall). Those days may have been over for a while, but it certainly was common at one time (perhaps other administrations). I hope I can get to Cuba penalty free to experience the "frozen in history" appearances before it all changes. I've been to Puerto Rico and aside from both having striking island scenery, unique to each location, there really is no comparison. Puerto Rico has been allowed to import pretty much whatever they want for the past 50 years while Cuba has been "frozen" in the past for the most part. By the way, the movie "Before the Night Falls" was set in Cuba, but filmed in Merida, Yucatan, in case anyone is looking for similar Spanish colonial architecture and one of the largest colonial centros which still exists. It's a quick and painless two-hour or less direct flight from Houston.