Cuba - Lonely Planet [385]
Canada
Cubana flies to Havana from Montréal four times weekly (via Cayo Coco, Camagüey, Holguín, Santiago or Varadero). From Toronto, it’s pretty much the same deal. Lacsa (the good Costa Rican carrier) also has several weekly flights from Toronto and Montréal to Havana. Air Canada is another option. Mexicana flies from Vancouver to Havana via Mexico City five times weekly.
You might find a cheaper fare, though, with the reliable charter lines Air Transat and Skyservice, flying weekly from Toronto and Montréal to almost all international airports in Cuba (even Manzanillo). Some of these flights operate only from mid-December to April, when Canadian flights go directly to Cuba from as far afield as Vancouver and Halifax.
* * *
US CITIZENS & CUBA
In conjunction with the US embargo against Cuba, the US government currently enforces a ‘travel ban,’ preventing its citizens from visiting Cuba. Technically a treasury law prohibiting Americans from spending money in Cuba, it has largely squelched leisure travel for more than 45 years.
The 1996 Helms-Burton Act, which was signed into law by President Clinton on March 12, 1996, imposes without judicial review fines of up to US$50,000 on US citizens who visit Cuba without US government permission. It also allows for confiscation of their property. In addition, under the Trading with the Enemy Act, violators may face up to US$250,000 in fines and up to 10 years in prison. Although fines were only occasionally levied when Clinton was in the White House, the number of individuals stung under the Bush administration more than tripled, and fewer licenses were issued too. Early portents from the Obama administration, such as the April 2009 easing of travel restrictions for Cuban-Americans, suggested a less hard-line approach.
Visit www.cubacentral.com to inform yourself of the latest legislation on Capitol Hill.
* * *
* * *
CLIMATE CHANGE & TRAVEL
Climate change is a serious threat to the ecosystems that humans rely upon, and air travel is the fastest-growing contributor to the problem. Lonely Planet regards travel, overall, as a global benefit, but believes we all have a responsibility to limit our personal impact on global warming.
Flying & Climate Change
Pretty much every form of motor travel generates CO2 (the main cause of human-induced climate change) but planes are far and away the worst offenders, not just because of the sheer distances they allow us to travel, but because they release greenhouse gases high into the atmosphere. The statistics are frightening: two people taking a return flight between Europe and the US will contribute as much to climate change as an average household’s gas and electricity consumption over a whole year.
Carbon Offset Schemes
Climatecare.org and other websites use ‘carbon calculators’ that allow jetsetters to offset the greenhouse gases they are responsible for with contributions to energy-saving projects and other climate-friendly initiatives in the developing world – including projects in India, Honduras, Kazakhstan and Uganda.
Lonely Planet, together with Rough Guides and other concerned partners in the travel industry, supports the carbon offset scheme run by climatecare.org. Lonely Planet offsets all of its staff and author travel.
For more information check out our website: lonelyplanet.com.
* * *
Unfortunately, ‘open jaw’ ticket arrangements, which allow you to fly into one airport and out of another, are usually not available. The maximum stay on most Canadian charters is 28 days. If you wish to stay longer than that, the price soars. Flight dates cannot be changed and there are heavy cancellation penalties. Always be sure to compare the price of a tour package as it may be only a few hundred dollars more and airport transfers, accommodation and often meals will be included.
The following are reliable agencies selling packages and air-only tickets:
A Nash Travel ( 905-755-0647, toll-free 1-800-818-2004; www.anashtravel.com)
Go Cuba Plus (www.gocubaplus.net)