Metal detecting in Cuba

[architecad]

Hi everyone

Due the new Obama's policy, open a new opportunity to establish conversation, allow Cuban families visit families and allow American citizen to fly there, maybe this is a good chance to try metal detecting there. I know many people that they left buried coins, heirloom,jewelry, etc on the backyard where they lived before Castro took power in 1959. Cuba has an island called "Isla del pino". This island located in the south-west has many stories about pirates and buried cache.

Arch

[lastleg]

Arch, This is great news. Which airline out of Boston should I take? Are you
sure the Cuberns won't get mad for detecting their back yards?

[ldablo]

one question.

will my detector find cigars?

LD

[architecad]

Lastleg
I'm finding out more information about detecting in Cuba. The best we can do is call the Cuban interest office in Washington,DC and ask the question. I will do it.

Cuba has a big potential to find treasures because it is a virgin land for treasure hunter.

LD

You know the answer to your question.

[CanadianTrout]

I've been to Cuba several times (before I got into MD'ing) and my parents have been going there 5-6 times a year for over 12 years. I had them look into it for me since I bought a detector and the answer is NO. Definate NO.

You will have your detector seized when you enter the country and will be very fortunate to get it back when you leave.

Sorry, would be a dream, but no detecting in Cuba.

[conqistador]

forget this.There is any demokracy on Cuba!!!!!Im citizen of former komunistic country,and in our country we were relative free.Trere is much wronger situation on cuba.Totality.After your arriving on cuba,you have 2-5 policeman behind your back,until you leave island.Absolute everything you ever find is ptoperty of cuba.At departure:strong luggage control.Nothing historical can take away.America is goig there too.Amerika is going to same "demokracy"as Cuba

[Shiloh1]

If America is going to hell in a hand basket then we need to have another revolution.

[strickman]

i'm sure obama will speed things up(going to hell in a handbasket)

[GrayCloud]

Strickman, you are not only correct in your assessment, but that handbasket is getting bigger everyday.

[Ronzie]

Not sure if it has changed (highly doubt it) but 10 years ago MD weren't allowed to be brought in from Canada.

[bradyboy]

If you found treasure in Cuba Waters, how would you bring it back?
Brady

[lastleg]

With a dozen wenches

[penguintrout]

Hi, any luck with detecting in Cuba ?

Probably inquire about it with the authorities there, and make it clear you will of course report any significant finds.

Don't worry about the other people on here that say, it is impossible. They are lying.

My brother went to Cuba recently, he went snorkeling off a main sea wall, there were coins everywhere (modern coins), he picked up some coins and a small statue of the virgin (people throw stuff off the sea wall).

The only people that took interest were some kids who were interested in the snorkeling equipment.

No one cared, they have more important things to do.. than worry about you and your metal detector.

Sometimes, when you have a good idea, people like to tell you how it is impossible, like the guy who reckons he has been there a thousand times with his mum and the authorities will confiscate his metal detector and throw you in prison or some such.
What you should do is go there, bring your metal detector, ask the local authorities if you can look for some coins in a particular spot, tell them you mostly find junk (which is true). no problem.

[penguintrout]

If you found treasure in Cuba Waters, how would you bring it back?
Brady

Well, put it in your bag with your socks and the havana cigars.
Hopefully, US customs will only confiscate the cigars.

If it is a really large treasure chest, you will have to put it in checked-in luggage and pay excess baggage.

[Mackaydon]

Castro was a treasure hunter. Back in 2000, Visa Gold (Canadian) was one of four foreign firms given exploration rights in Cuban waters, parceled out like oil concessions. I think they found one or more ships on the north side of the island, but I can't remember what was recovered or resolved. I recall Cuba held the premise that what was lost in their waters was theirs--the government's. Since UNESCO, I don't know their current opinion.
Don....

[CanadianTrout]

Hi, any luck with detecting in Cuba ?

Probably inquire about it with the authorities there, and make it clear you will of course report any significant finds.

Don't worry about the other people on here that say, it is impossible. They are lying.
My brother went to Cuba recently, he went snorkeling off a main sea wall, there were coins everywhere (modern coins), he picked up some coins and a small statue of the virgin (people throw stuff off the sea wall).

The only people that took interest were some kids who were interested in the snorkeling equipment.

No one cared, they have more important things to do.. than worry about you and your metal detector.

Sometimes, when you have a good idea, people like to tell you how it is impossible, like the guy who reckons he has been there a thousand times with his mum and the authorities will confiscate his metal detector and throw you in prison or some such.
What you should do is go there, bring your metal detector, ask the local authorities if you can look for some coins in a particular spot, tell them you mostly find junk (which is true). no problem.

Um, that is incorrect, sorry dude. As I stated 2.5yrs ago when I first posted in this thread I have been to Cuba many times (many more since posting) and my parents have spent almost half a year there, EVERY YEAR, for more than a decade.

I have had them make multiple inquiries over the years on my behalf. And I myself on my many trips have asked any official I could approach (little scary sometimes) in and around police stations, airports etc and asked locals. One time I walked into the local police station in a small town called Jurico (spelling?) way off the tourist areas (was visiting friends). They told me not to do it but an afternoon pig roast and many glasses of straight Cuban rum later I sauntered into the old police station. (My wife was VERY against this idea as well and she let me know it) It was like walking into the Wild West kind of. I made my inquiries and we had a nice conversation (so I thought) but the answer was NO.

A week later when I was leaving Cuba I was pulled out of the line at the airport and "escorted" to a private room. My wife didn't know wether to be p!ssed or scared crapless. Personally I was scared crapless. I was patted down, luggage was thouroughly checked and I was delayed for awhile while they asked questions about metal detectors and my trip etc.

So, I am not lieing, please believe me when I say DO NOT bring your detector to Cuba unless you like donating it to the first customs official to see it. Simple as that.

[Bum Luck]

I've been to Cuba several times (before I got into MD'ing) and my parents have been going there 5-6 times a year for over 12 years. I had them look into it for me since I bought a detector and the answer is NO. Definate NO.

You will have your detector seized when you enter the country and will be very fortunate to get it back when you leave.

Sorry, would be a dream, but no detecting in Cuba.

I have a buddy that goes there. I agree.

I won't be as judgmental about it either as some here. They are a sovereign country, and their history with the US has been, from their viewpoint, not a cheerful one.

If you're unwilling to respect that, you are cruisin for trouble. You are a guest in their country. You are free to do lots of things, and not some others.

Enjoy the people. They are great.

[maipenrai]

I think you should just bring your detector with you, the most expensive you have, and if they say anything, just tell them someone here on this forum told you that it was ok. Im sure they will understand, and even if they take your detector, and give you a bit of time to go with it, then there is always the guy that told you to take it, he will probably buy you a new detector. Not sure he will help you do the time, but its the experience that counts. When you finally get back online, then you will have a good story to tell us.
PS, remember to get some good photos!

[dinero]

Hi everyone

Due the new Obama's policy, open a new opportunity to establish conversation, allow Cuban families visit families and allow American citizen to fly there, maybe this is a good chance to try metal detecting there. I know many people that they left buried coins, heirloom,jewelry, etc on the backyard where they lived before Castro took power in 1959. Cuba has an island called "Isla del pino". This island located in the south-west has many stories about pirates and buried cache.

Arch

Hello: Let me tell you a TRUE story about Cuba. 25+ years ago I visited Cuba with my mother to see my grandmother. While we were there my great-uncle gave my mother a gold spanish coin that had been in my family for generations. He wanted her to go back to the USA, sell it and send him the money. While we were leaving, the airport security searched her bags and found the coin. They took it and gave her a receipt informing her that this was a national treasure and that if my family wanted it back they would have to go to the office to reclaim it. Did my uncle ever see it again? No.