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

Want to See the Wild Side of Cuba? Try a Kayak
The indelible view from a trip on the country’s bays and lagoons: Turquoise green waters, red mangroves and vibrant flamingos.

"As I sit in a damp sea kayak floating in the chop of massive Cienfuegos Bay along Cuba’s southern coastline, I know this is it. I’m in full anticipation of one of those moments travelers yearn for — the #wanderlust tableaus we share on social media to wow our friends, family and other followers."

"I reach carefully under my kayak’s spray skirt to get my 35 millimeter camera without tipping or splashing — but it’s just out of my grasp."
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/05/16/travel/cuba-kayak-trip.html

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.

Actually, Yanqui, I think Americans are considerably more misinformed than people in other Western nations (can't speak for Asians, since I don't know enough about what they are or are not told and/or believe). I meet a large number, and a large cross section, of Canadian and European travelers in Cuba, and get a lot of e-mails asking for info about Cuba from same. I do believe that Americans are much more confused about both what's required to travel to Cuba and the possibilities for travel once they get there than other nationalities. Thanks largely to reports such as the one cited above.

I do not, by the way, see that my view on this constitutes "attacking Americans."

.................... think Americans are considerably more misinformed than people in other Western nations ................................ I do believe that Americans are much more confused about both what's required to travel to Cuba and the possibilities for travel once they get there than other nationalities. Thanks largely to reports such as the one cited above.

Sadly, I must totally agree. Every other day I am asked mind boggling questions about Cuba or traveling to Cuba that I wish I could answer by asking what deserted island the questioner had been living on for the last ten years.

But TT,neither you nor the other person who picked 3 things out of an otherwise well written article say exactly what was wrong in those 3 things. Saying things are creating confusion without saying why or how just creates more confusion for the uninformed .

And Bob, I always want ask the same thing when I read up on all of the "experienced" travelers , frequent visitors to Cuba from around the world, here and on Cuba amor,who get caught up in the various petty scams and frauds run on tourists by Cubans ,I wanna ask, when you fell off the turnip truck, did you land on your head?

And Bob, I always want ask the same thing when I read up on all of the "experienced" travelers , frequent visitors to Cuba from around the world, here and on Cuba amor,who get caught up in the various petty scams and frauds run on tourists by Cubans ,I wanna ask, when you fell off the turnip truck, did you land on your head?

I can only speak for myself. But I am curious where you got the idea that I felt I had been scammed anytime in the modern era?

Not you specifically bob,but many of the so called experienced Cuba travelers. As you know most experienced Cuba travelers aren't American.

Just some background. When i was going to Cuba in the late 90's.... 4 times per year. 3-5 weeks every time, I was never there without running into 4-5 American friends. Never. And this is when it was more perilous, considering the mindset of Americans at the time.

I really don't understand why Americans are so afraid to Cuba these days. I never run into my American friends these days in Havana. Bizarre.

Scams in Cuba.... You just need to know what you are dealing with. I can, honestly say, I have never been scammed. Why, I'm not an idiot. I know, and have always known, how things work in Cuba. Have I accepted being scammed, when someone wanted to charge me an extra ,$usd or cuc... Sure..... But it was to my advantage. Not having to spend an entire day to save 1cuc for something i needed.

Are there visitors to Cuba that get scammed. That is a given. I see it all the time. Why.... They are thinking in terms of their own countries and prices or are completely clueless when it comes to things like rum or cigars. The two biggest scams in Cuba, when it comes to yumas.

Hell, i see lots of ads on Facebook..etc... Cubans selling fake cigars in the USA and Canada....etc.

I've commented on such only to have crap load of Cubans confronting me... How do you know they are fake. I stopped commenting...lol

Ugh... I replied but the powers that be decided they need to review my post.

Sorry @greslogo - nothing personal. A few key words just triggered our filters and sent your post to the sin bin.
As you were.

It's both hilarious and simultaneously most poignant ttjpdo that his very request for clarification of what is wrong with those quotes epitomises the general lack of knowledge of some in the US about their own government's policies.
What is totally self evident to some is completely opaque to others.
Coincidentally or not it is amazing and somewhat of an indictment how much spot on info re US Cuba travel policy on various travel sites comes from people outside the US.

Just say you don't know what's wrong with the information, but you don't like it since the the author is an American or better yet,just say nothing. What the author wrote is neither incorrect nor confusing.

Amazing , indictment ? Actually it's neither since Cuba is not a destination Americans visit in large numbers and it's one of the very few places in the world that the US government advises against visiting , see how that works or maybe you don't.

So true, John. I thought about going through the article line by line and highlighting what I considered the most misleading and/or inaccurate statements, then thought--why bother? There is already plenty of good info on TT, including listings of websites for Americans wanting details as to what US laws are related to travel in Cuba. If articles like the one in the NY times leads them to believe that the only legal way to visit, most particularly the only way to visit outlying regions, is to take an expensive tour, so much the better--for me.

I said a long time ago I thought we shouldn't be providing info on how to get to and enjoy Cuba's off-the-beaten-track places, since that only makes it more likely that next time we go there, we'll find the flowers trampled and those wild beaches littered. Better to urge everyone to stick to the gringo trail, eh?

Not that I follow my own advice...

Maybe you should and do the Americans a favor.

I said a long time ago I thought we shouldn't be providing info on how to get to and enjoy Cuba's off-the-beaten-track places, since that only makes it more likely that next time we go there, we'll find the flowers trampled and those wild beaches littered. Better to urge everyone to stick to the gringo trail, eh?

I have shared that thought for years. Now I am acting on it more and more by remaining silent.

I am happy to positively reference public events where I am certain I will make little difference in the overall crowd size. And I am still more than willing to share unknown places privately with friends. But I am finished promoting them on the internet.

The indelible view from a trip on the Cuba's bays and lagoons: Turquoise green waters, red mangroves and vibrant flamingos. Kayakers paddling by fishing boats along the Rio Guaurabo, Kayaking groups watch for water birds in Guanaroca Lagoon. Best place to visiy in Cuba :- Jardines del Rey, Maria la Gorda, Havana,

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