Cuba?!!!

My neighbor flew his Van’s RV10 with a GA group to Cuba this past May. Fees and costs were very high but they still decided to go for it. They had a Cuban government official with the group at all times. No individual travel was permitted.They reported that the accommodations were absolutely awful and the food was not much better. They didn’t have anything good to say about the entire trip, totally out of caracter for them. They landed in Havana and left the plane tied down for the week. Before departure they filled the plane with Avgas which was about 25 gallons. I don’t remember how much they paid per gallon but it was not outrageous. The kicker comes in play when they are charged a “service fee” of $1,000! The fee (secure funds only) had to be paid before they could get the plane released. Overall they felt like Cuba was a total rip off and then wondered why they did it in the first place. If a BAC trip is ever planned for the future, count me OUT!
 
My neighbor flew his Van’s RV10 with a GA group to Cuba this past May. Fees and costs were very high but they still decided to go for it. They had a Cuban government official with the group at all times. No individual travel was permitted.They reported that the accommodations were absolutely awful and the food was not much better. They didn’t have anything good to say about the entire trip, totally out of caracter for them. They landed in Havana and left the plane tied down for the week. Before departure they filled the plane with Avgas which was about 25 gallons. I don’t remember how much they paid per gallon but it was not outrageous. The kicker comes in play when they are charged a “service fee” of $1,000! The fee (secure funds only) had to be paid before they could get the plane released. Overall they felt like Cuba was a total rip off and then wondered why they did it in the first place. If a BAC trip is ever planned for the future, count me OUT!
“There are some who say that Communism is the wave of the future. Let them come to Berlin” (JFK).

Go to Baja instead, a lot closer and prettier!
 
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As I posted earlier I had a great trip to Cuba and I know others that flew their own plane without these problems. Although I understand fees are higher than we are used to, these posted above seem pretty out of line even for that. I wonder how much was added by the “group” and if perhaps some fees have gone up for political reasons? But anyway, I enjoyed Cuba and was not gouged. I was able to hire my own guides for trips to mountain villages (but yes, likely government controlled permits etc) and obviously lots of Canadians and Europeans enjoy Cuba visits as they always have. Definitely a different way of life though, which is part of my reason for travel.
Nonetheless we have some great alternatives! There are 600+ islands and 60 airports in the Bahamas really close to the US! Easy to fly to, reasonable gas prices, relaxed customs experiences. I have flown down many times and experienced everything from resorts to very quiet unexplored beaches. We have done one “no fee” BAC trip and can easily set up one more if we want. Many members have experienced easy trips to the islands. Anyone? Bonefishing? Lobster spearing? Conch fritters? Fun coral runways!
 
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