i really want to go to cuba, can leave from tj or lax/san diego/oc. would need to leave a few days before x-mas. how possible is this?

You can only travel to Cuba directly from the US if you are on a cultural tour. Otherwise, if you are mongering you will need to travel to Cuba via another country (like Mexico, etc). Then buy a separate flight from there to Havana. Be sure to read up on the Casa Particulars on this board to ensure you get a girl friendly place. A standard hotel will not work.

Did you read the different posts in the Cuba sections?

You can leave from TJ...the last time I checked on this the flight took you to Mexico DF first and from there you flew to Havana.

You can check this on the internet...probably want to book that in Mexico however. Or you can find the travel agencies in TJ and they will set it up for you. Sorry do not have one to recommend.

The Mexican airline Interjet flies TIJ-MEX-HAV. However the much greater issue would probably be that it is Dec 12 and you are trying to buy a plane ticket to fly a few days before Christmas....in a Catholic nation. It may be way late in the game to buy those tickets. Flight availability may be a greater issue than political issues.

thank you fellow hombres.
i have heard that even if one gets tickets in mexico, the u.s. big brother gubment knows you went and actually sends some communication via u.s. mail about your transgression.
anyone know if there is an issue of having or not having passports stamped? letters from state department when big brother finds out?

Current info may be needed here, as Obama eased Cuba travel restrictions.

Never mind, Obama reg changes apply to Cuban-Americans who want to visit family. How close was that Florida popular vote count last month?

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1097.html

I think if you read the different threads and other boards, it has been pretty much positively established that Cuba does NOT stamp your US passport.

The previous resident expert on Cuba has since started his own board, but you can still find plenty of information on this board from "Jonesie".

You might want to look at the thread titled " Flying into Fidel's playground" where he clearly posted "If your that freaked out about going when this board repeatedly says you don't get stamped....." pretty much should clear up any concerns.

The key thing will be for you to purchase the Cuba leg of your trip separately from a foreign Airline. You flying from the US to Mexico (for example) will not alert the US to pending travels to Cuba. Nor would the Airline in Mexico send notification to the US government of your travel.

Seeing as this guy clearly can't read the many threads on ClubHombre about travel from the US to Cuba, plus wants to to down at Christmas, I really think the best answer for him is "No, YOU can't go to Cuba in 2012."

Experienced mongers can make Cuba work. For the inexperienced, and/or those who don't know much about international travel, I think Cuba is a bad idea. Especially at Christmas.

Cuba never stamps ANY passports, let alone US passports. They don't want someone to have difficulty bringing expensive cuban artwork back when they leave Cuba, nor do they want people hassled when they later enter/exit USA.

Curiousone never disclosed WHY he wants to go to Cuba. If for hobbying alone, your experience will be greatly enhanced the more spanish you speak. Otherwise there are far better venues for ya.

Sincerely,
The Previous PREVIOUS Resident Expert on Cuba
DG

maybe next year you will be able to fly direct:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/could-cuba-be-back-on-the-us-tourist-schedule-8418148.html