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When will we all be able to travel to Cuba?

Havana, Cuba

Yes, President Obama has lifted U.S. restrictions to allow Cuban Americans with relatives on the island unlimited travel to Cuba, but when will the rest of us be able to go?

Christopher Baker, who has been to Cuba more than 30 times, met Fidel Castro and authored the Moon guide to Cuba and National Geographic Traveler’s Cuba, thinks this will happen soon.

“I am feeling more positive,” Baker said after Obama’s announcement Monday. “The stars are aligning perfectly. I think we’ll see these restrictions lifted.”

Of course, it’s not Obama who will make the decision; it’s Congress.

Havana, Cuba

Baker says to keep your eye on two bills — HR 874 and S 428 — that would once again allow U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba. Dubbed the “Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act,” the legislation has the support of many, including Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.) and Rep. Sam Farr (D-Carmel), who co-chairs the House Tourism Caucus.

Momentum has been building on lifting sanctions against Cuba after seven members of the Congressional Black Caucus visited the island this month, and organizations such as the National Tour Assn., which defines itself as representing packaged travel professionals, came out in support of Obama’s move and the legislation.

And Reuters reported Monday the White House is looking into the possibility of regularly scheduled commercial flights between the U.S. and Cuba.

(Note that it’s not illegal for Americans to travel to Cuba, but spending money there is — though U.S. journalists, humanitarian organizations and others are allowed to do so.)

So what does Cuba think about Americans coming to visit?

“Two years ago I was in Cuba talking with major tourism entities,” Baker said. “Cuba is gearing up for the day. Last April, Cuba announced it was building 30 new hotels within 24 months.”

6 Comments on “When will we all be able to travel to Cuba?”

John Says:
April 14th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
It’s long overdue. For a supposedly free country to outlaw travel to another country is absurd. It’s dangerous? Fine. Let ME take the risk, and suffer the consequences, should things turn out poorly.
Van Says:
April 14th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Wow. So Cuban American citizens suddenly have more rights — more freedom to travel — than ordinary, garden variety, taxpaying American citizens like myself. Not surprising. The dems and repubs both need those Florida votes (i.e. pandering to Cuban Americans) — sort of like they need big campaign money from the Jewish-American lobby. In the U.S., if you’re not a “special class citizen,” you don’t count for much these days — except, of course, when it comes to taxation.
Al B Says:
April 15th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Somehow I don’t foresee Van taking advantage of his right to visit Cuba when it becomes available to him. His comment was a bitter, bitter screed.
Wanna Visitt Says:
April 17th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I’m 51 yr. old and I have been waiting all my life to visit Cuba. I’m so jazzed. But I think the oil embargo has to be lifted first. People I know who have gone there say there is no gasoline so you end up wherever you end up.
Derrick Says:
April 18th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
It was Democratic President Kennedy that placed restrictions against Cuba. Democratic President Obama needs to lift them. China is OK but not Cuba? When the cold war ended, Cuba relations should have begun. Mexico and Canada began this process in 1975. With 10% of the population living in the USA it only makes sense.
Jesse Says:
April 20th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
So when all the rest of us get to travel, how much would a ticket be from los angeles to havana?

that’s what I want to know.