Want to See the Wild Side of Cuba? Try a Kayak

Interesting environment. I may have to check it out sometime.

The article itself reads like an infomercial for the "you cannot do this by yourself so here is the address for the $2,990 8 day tour"

Yes,but experienced travelers know or should know to book that on the ground in Cuba.

Many of the larger resorts, especially those on the cayos, rent kayaks. I don't know of anyplace outside a resort where they can be rented, or any resorts which that kayaks to non-guests. But at least you can get them by the hour (or day) there, and don't have to pay some thousands for a week-long tour. Unless that's what you're looking for, in which case it could be an interesting experience.

" Traveling with tour operators who have the necessary Treasury Department license makes visiting the island nation legal for citizens of the United States."

"Travel into outlying areas beyond the day-trippers’ shortlist found in guidebooks is regulated"

"A few days earlier, we had the opportunity to chat with the jocular Mr. Medina at a rooftop meeting arranged at our Playa Larga hostel to meet the “people to people” requirement for Americans to travel to Cuba. "

More misinformation to further confuse those from the USA.

That's a little too "wild" ie: too much work for me.

My "wild side of Cuba" is my barrio after the free beer tanker comes to town , the 1am boxing matches over a seniorita when the dancing ends at La Batteria , the near riots when the eggs arrive after two weeks of having none, or the lack of civility in the line-ups to buy a 35 cent bag of laundry detergent following a two-month absence.

We all have different ideas about what a walk on the wild side consists of LOL

"More misinformation to further confuse those from the USA." So true, JohnAbbotsford. Given that those quotes you highlighted come from an article in the NY Times, little wonder that Americans without the experience of traveling to Cuba's outlying areas remain confused about what is possible and/or allowable by their own government or Cuba's.

The question I continue to get most often from Americans interested in visiting Cuba is, "Can I travel freely there?" Closely followed by, "Are Cubans allowed to talk to us?"

It's enough to make one want to bang ones head on ones keyboard!

I wouldn't make a mountain out of molehill as most people, Americans , wont be taking kayaking vacations and their confusion is no less or equal to the non Americans traveling through the US to Cuba.Obviously no one is really interested in reading guide books or a lengthy and uninteresting FAQ,human nature , I guess.

PS Please enlighten us/me as to what constitutes People to People travel as Mr.Medina is the technical director of Cuba's forestry ministry. And while you're at it , tell me/us what is wrong with the statement about going with a licensed from Treasury tour operator? As for that other sentence , you left half of it out. I think you're confusing things further.One would almost think you're attacking Americans, again.

Sad but true ttjpdo.