The Cold War-era embargo on Cuba makes it difficult for Americans to experience the real world of Buena Vista Social Club, with its gorgeous crumbling colonial buildings and Caribbean beaches. But it is possible to visit this largest of Caribbean islands, even though, with Congress flirting with lifting or weakening the trade and travel bans, and President Bush committed to enforcing them (travel.state.gov/cuba.html), it can be tough to figure out how. Under current guidelines, journalists, humanitarian workers, and those sponsored by religious and educational groups may apply to the U. S. Treasury Department (treas.gov/ofac) for a permit to visit this otherwise forbidden communist country, but there’s no guarantee you’ll get approved. Organizations such as the Center for Cross-Cultural Study (cccs.com), however, have permits to allow students to study in Havana. One thing is certain: Of the 180,000 Americans who visited Cuba last year, at least 25,000 did so without the permission of their government.

How did they do it? Easier than one might think.

You can book a flight to Cuba from virtually any non-U.S. country in the Western Hemisphere. In Cancun, for example, many travel stores specializing in Cuba can be found with relative ease. From these stores you could book a package of round-trip airfare, taxes, tourist card, and several nights accommodation in a budget-class hotel for as little as $300.

Once in Cuba, have the immigration officer stamp your tourist card—not your passport—as any proof you possess of the visit might lead to a fine as much as $50,000 and jail time when you return. Cuban Immigration will have no objection; after all, the country wants Americans to visit. Just remember, discretion is the key to a successful Cuba trip.

Top Tour Tips

Article by Kimberly Button
Photo courtesy of Contiki

Even for experienced travelers, the simple phrase “group tour” can evoke stomach-clenching memories of high school visits to such soul-stirring locales as the St. Louis Arch. But—and we say this in all seriousness—tours are good: You can make new friends, maximize your time, save some cash, and, oh yeah, see a bit of the world.

Still, it helps to know your way around the world of tours. Follow these tips, and you’ll discover that going solo’s not the only way to go.

COOL COMPANY: Too many people worry that their fellow group-tourists will be too old, too young, too boring, too wild—in short, the worst traveling companions imaginable. But travelers on group tours are mostly just like you: too revved up about Morocco or Thailand to wait around for their friends to wise up and join the adventure. And there’s one easy way to make sure of this—ask the tour company who’s going.

OPTIMIZING OPTIONALS: Tour operators offer tons of choices, some fabulous and worth the extra euros, some . . . not. A paddle-boat cruise down the Mississippi River could be Huck Finn fun, or it could be crowded with senior citizens. A side trip to Versailles is a sure bet, but it eats up time that might be better spent stuffing yourself with croissants in Paris. Quiz the tour manager about cost, time, and the other participants. And make sure you have cash on hand—you don’t want to miss snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef because you forgot to hit the ATM in Sydney.

LOSE THE LUGGAGE: Luggage limits mean you must be a selective packer. I’ve been on tours where people brought so much that the extra baggage had to be crammed into the lavatory, rendering the toilet useless and, uh, “perfuming” the suitcases. On one tour, some kid’s three-foot Tweety Bird toy had to be tied to the roof.

NOSH AT NIGHT: Student tours are known for partying, and the nightlife on tours will likely involve bars and clubs, which offer great insights into youth culture. Just remember that being a stupid drunk in another country is still being a stupid drunk, so party smart.

THERE’S ONLY 24 HOURS IN A DAY: Unfortunately, taking in the entire culture of a country requires more than 48 hours. That’s the trade-off on most tours: diversity over depth. Accept it and figure out how to hit the most important spots.

FORGO FANCY FOOD: Meals may be included in your tour package, but don’t expect gourmet grub. Budget tours offer simple food, and often not much of it. Load up on snacks like fruit, cookies, and the local version of Snickers at foreign markets. Bonus tip: Buy extras, give them away to your hungry busmates, and make some new friends.