You Still Can't Go To Cuba Just To See 'Yank Tanks'

Aaron Cole
by Aaron Cole

If recent reports that you may soon be able to hop a flight from Miami to Havana, Cuba have you scrambling for your passport to spy Che’s Chevrolet and Fidel’s Oldsmobile, tranquilo.

According to Reuters, although commercial airlines in the U.S. may resume service to Cuba after a 54-year blackout, travelers to the island country still need to fall within 12 different criteria to enter the country, and “car watching” isn’t specifically one of them.

Journalists, humanitarians, doctors and people named Tom Morello still get to go.

For the rest of us, there are photos and documentaries about the car culture in Cuba, and the relative time capsule of pre-1960 cars on the island.

The documentary “Yank Tanks” is required watching, and there are other projects such as “Carros de Cuba” that may bring to fruition other deeper dives into the car culture of the small country.

JetBlue, Delta, United and American airlines have all expressed interest in flying into Cuba.

And the opportunity to ride in an old, rickety, Soviet-era plane will be quashed too, according to Reuters. Planes flying into the U.S. still need to meet U.S. restrictions, so no Russian planes either. Only on the island.


Aaron Cole
Aaron Cole

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  • 87 Morgan 87 Morgan on Dec 18, 2015

    My boys, who are 10 and 12, were lobbying pretty hard to vacation in Cuba after watching an episode of Cuban Chrome. They were even using the fact their mother is a spanish teacher as all the more reason the trip would make sense.

  • -Nate -Nate on Dec 18, 2015

    I'm not keen on communism but I do know that Cuba has very high literacy compared to other economically hobbled countries . Americans who wanted to have been Touristing in Cuba for decades , as mentioned you simply fly from Mexico or wherever . Moto cycle touring is quite popular and Cuba has fairly good medical service shoukd you need it , unlike say Mexico . Most of the old American vehicles are thrashed and have new engines and running gear , gotta keep 'em going by whatever means . I'd maybe like to go but not if my $ supports repression of the Cuban People . -Nate

  • Indi500fan Indi500fan on Dec 18, 2015

    LOVE the header pic. My Dad (RIP) had a 58 Chev Delray in that color. Spent many years enjoying the cushy ride in the back seat.

  • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Dec 18, 2015

    "What? Rapido? Tranquilo." "Tranquilo, tranquilo." "Ok Rapido."

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