View Full Version : Havana
I'm back from a week in Havana. The big story of my trip was definitely the police. Unlike other trips where there were always a lot of police (as usual) but they were just standing around, this time they seemed to be busy all the time checking identification of the Cuban girls and guys hanging around the tourist areas. I regularly saw police cars with Cubans being taken away. Even I was stopped walking with my Cuban girlfriend by the police. Fortunately the police let us go. In the summer she would walk around with me by dozens of police without fear. This time I could see she felt uncomfortable with the situation and she really has nothing to fear because she is a University student with no record and lives in the Havana area.
Now early December is kind of the beginning of the winter tourist season so increased police activity is probably normal with the increase of tourists in Havana. This may just be business as usual as far as the police are concerned for this time of year. However for me it was kind of a new experience. I never saw it this bad in the other months I was there. It would be nice to hear from other fellow Havana travelers if they thought the police harassment level was on an increase.
I have some information that may help some of you new guys planning to go to Havana:
1. Try and get friendly with the girls in the neighborhood of your casa. Several times the girls in my neighborhood called out to me but I wasn't horny at the time so I just smiled and kept walking. (I'm such an idiot sometimes). At least wave to them or better yet just stop and introduce yourself to them for future reference. The condensed neighborhoods of Central and Old Havana are probably best for this kind of interaction. Outside the tourist areas there are seldom any police to really worry about.
2. When I exchanged my Canadian money at the airport they tried to give me all $100 Cuban dollar bills (Convertibles). I highly recommend trying not to get anything larger than a $20 bill. The $100 dollar bills are almost useless for things like taxis or restaurants because they can’t or don’t want to break them and if they do you leave yourself wide open to getting shortchanged. I recommend a bank like the one at the Hotel Libre. The wait was really long on a Monday but the teller was happy to give me a variety of 1's, 5's, 10's and 20 dollar bills unlike the bitches at the airport currency exchange. As far as American money goes forget it. I gave one of these guys on the street who draw your picture a US $1 dollar bill tip and he looked at it like what the fuck? You would think a street hustler would be happy with it but all he wanted was to get rid of it for any Cuban change I had. Everything is Cuban money including the girls.
3. Trying to get laid in Havana is a full time job. Never drop your pussy radar. As you go about your day you always have to analyze every situation to see if it has potential for you getting laid. You may not be horny at the moment but you know you will be later. Remember there are no rub shops here that you can just hit later on. Don't dismiss any contact with a girl you find attractive because you think something will come along later. I repeatedly keep making this same mistake every trip FUCK!! For example if you’re sitting in a patio bar and a Cuban couple sits at the table next to you, the chica is there because of YOU. Forget about the Cuban guy. Has she even spoken a word to him? He’s just a prop because she couldn’t get into the bar by herself. You wouldn't believe how many chicas asked me what time it is. Wear a watch.
4. It is possible to have a Cuban girlfriend here. It was nice to have one on this trip as a backup when things got too intense on the street or when I wanted someone to go to a show with or dinner or something. Only thing is that you have to be prepared to stick up for her if the police stop you, and you have to be able to do it Spanish. You have to convince the police that she is your girlfriend by spilling out personal information about her that a boyfriend would know. I kind of got the impression that the police don’t really like to bother a tourist who is with his Cuban girlfriend so if you can at least tell him her full name, address and occupation (hooker LOL) he would probably be satisfied and not take her in. Obviously this is kind of hard with a chica you just picked up in a bar or met on the Malecon. If you can’t pull it off you’re better off to have her walk a block behind you. Something to remember is that the police you see on the street can see into bars/restaurants, especially the ones that have an outside patio. I don’t think they are allowed to come in after your chica but they may wait for her when she leaves and nail her then.
5. I think the most important information I can give a new guy is this. DO NOT TRUST THESE PEOPLE!! One day when my girlfriend got off the phone crying because a family member got arrested after being seen walking with me, the first thing that went through my mind was this is a fucking SCAM!! She is going to ask me for money so she can bribe the cop and keep the money. Next day she said she went to the police station and cleared everything up. She didn’t ask for any money. So maybe I was wrong (this time). More likely her Cuban radar sensed that I wasn’t buying her story and she aborted. Perhaps I humor her and she isn’t quite ready to cash me in yet. Or maybe her family is having trouble agreeing on just which scam would suit me best. This is my Cuban girlfriend I’m talking about and I actually really like her. You can imagine how I feel about the Cubans I come across everyday in the streets. I’m sure there are good Cubans around. The chica/client relationship is pretty good here. They always seem to be pleasant and work hard to give you your moneys worth. That’s why I keep coming back. The Cubans I’ve met while arranging casa accommodations and the owners themselves have been great too. But mostly independent male travelers like you and me are only going to attract the worst type of Cuban people. If a pimp scams a sex tourist who is looking for a chica out of his money, what’s the sex tourist going to say. That’s not good for tourism. Shit like this doesn't bother me. It's just mother nature at work. It’s when the Cubans come to me and I’m not in monger mode but just another traveler and pretend to be my friend and then try and scam me is when I really get annoyed. But then again I’m just pretending to be another traveler so maybe my point is while I'm in Cuban I have no friends.
Petroleo, does this flight originate in TJ?
Dran Reb,
Great report. Especially about police activity. It may be just seasonal also as I heard police presence was noticeably less later in the summer and autumn. I've never been in cuba during the winter tourist season. That's a shock to hear about the dollar though. What a pain. As far as cuban friends; they can come in handy. It's tough as you're never sure who's being sincere or who's just out to swindle you but it's possible to make real friends in cuba. If your spanish is good or if you run into a cuban who knows english AND who has a job, he may be your man.
If I remember correctly, I think the flight jets out of TJ at 11 or midnight.
Petroleo, does this flight originate in TJ?
Organicgrowth
12-18-04, 16:14
Gentlemen,
I’m back in HAV for Christmas again. OK, this time there are some emotional reasons too, but nothing which will prevent some seasonal fun. PM me if you are going to be in Havana during the Yuletide period.
Regards, Havanaman
PS. If I can, I see if I can pick up the TJ information directly from the Cubana offices.
Organicgrowth
12-18-04, 16:20
Dran Reb,
Great report. I too am a little shocked by the dollar situation. Doubly so since the exchange rate is so good (I live in Europe, and Snr. Bush is doing everything to help me make money out of the exchange rate, which I can use to monger in Cuba!). I’m going to take Euros, Sterling and off course the greenback and non-US CC’s. I don’t think its going to be too much of a pain, but a bother non the less… Thank for the update DR, I could have been in some real harassment without your report!
It’s going to be a long taxi run for me this time round, as my usual casa is booked and so is my alternative and so is the one after that. I am stuck! Anyone got a place to stay, sort of me driving around as I did when I first started going to Cuba…? This does speak volumes about the tourist situation... regardless of bearded ones comments about the Christmas decore...
Regards, Havanaman
Dran Reb,
Excellent report. When I last visited Cuba, I left a day before the new peso came into effect. When you exchanged your money, was there any kind of commission, or was it a one for one exchange? I will be going back sometime next year. I feel the same way as you. It's great to have a girlfriend there, but I'am always skeptical.
Quackup
Quackup,
I exchanged $400 Canadian dollars at the airport and got $320 back in Cuban money and the Canadian dollar was at about 84 cents. So they are charging a commission but it seems about what I would pay if I was getting US money at my local Canadian bank. I couldn't get a cash advance at the airport currency exchange so I was glad I brought some cash.
Brent Gort
12-21-04, 17:28
The best place to change money is the National Hotel. They have the shortest line ups. The best time to go is later in the afternoon. Line ups shorter then. They exchange is fair. Do not change $US or you get nailed with a ten per cent surcharge.
The best place to check internet is the Habana Libre hotel. Second floor business center. Cheap and nice private rooms. No lines like the Capitolio.
Best place for girls is the Prado, 23 y O cafe sofia and obispo .
Best Taxis are the white ladas. They are cheaper.
Have fun and be nice.
Dran Reb, and Brent,
Thanks for the information. Since I'am from the U.S.A., I will probably have to pay the 10% commission. Oh well, I still love the place.
Quackup
Brent Gort
12-22-04, 18:37
Why pay the surcharge of 10%? Just exchange some US money for Canadian before leaving the US and then in Cuba exchange the Canadian for Cuban.
Go to the American Embassy. There is a huge anti-American banner directly across from it that is worth a photo.
bg
Brent,
Per Dran report, he got .84 to the Cuban peso. The dollar would be .90 to the Cuban peso unless I misunderstood his last post. Also, I live in L.A. so I would probably have to pay a little commission to change the dollars to Canadian, then pay a little more to change the Canadian dollars to pesos.
I'am all in favor of not paying any commission, but it seem there is no getting around it.
Quackup
AlLostInSpace13
12-24-04, 14:08
This happened in November. I was having a beer with my Cuban buddy at the Havana Libre cafe. An older English gentleman (late fifties or so) walked in with a 25-years old blond with huge boobs and a Cuban man. It was hard not to notice them because of her boobs and his age. They sat down at the table behind us.
As soon as they walked in my Cuban buddy commented that the Cuban guy was the girl's boyfriend/husband. My buddy fell in love immediately and started to make eye and hand gestures to her.
Anyways I couldn't help but overheard their conversations. The English gentleman spoke as if the girl was her lover. He said that he was always lucky in finding beautiful girls, blah blah blah. Oh! And the Cuban guy was supposed to be the girl's mentor blah blah blah and she was very grateful to him blah blah blah.
The girl excused herself and went to the ladies room. And my buddy immediately bolted for the men's room as well. I felt very uncomfortable because doing things like that could get one in big trouble else where...
When he came back he confirmed that the Cuban guy was her boyfriend and they're obviously playing a number on this "lucky" gentleman. And at the same time my Cuban buddy had exchanged telephone# with big boobs.
They went to the disco at the Havana Libre and, since we had nothing better to do, we followed them as well. That night we met a couple of female doctors from Colombia. We had a great time and partied all night...
Within the next 3 days, my buddy went out with big boobs twice and manged to nailed her on the 2nd date.
Be careful guys and not be too trusting with your Cuban girlfriend.
Geez,
For that matter since everyone seems to be flying out of Cancun why not change dollars to mex pesos and then change that to cuban?
????
Hi everybody!
I am looking for a way to bring the Cuban girl to
Canada or other country without married her.
May be invitation, job offer, scholarship and so on.
Does anybody have such experience?
Please share any ideas you have.
Hello Fellow Mongers,
I read a Wall Street Journal Editorial complaining that tourists and policemen in Havana treat all cuban women like they were prostitutes. Is it true or not?
Food for thought.
Best wishes,
Yoginisimian
HotTraveler
01-06-05, 12:56
Hello Lenin!
I don´t have experience bringing a cuban girl toward a foreign country (I live in Spain).I visited Cuba in 1.999 and is a beautiful place with many girls,but I consider that they are very demanding.
I also know Puerto Rico,Dominican Republic, Colombia and Brazil. After visiting such countries, I've decided that brazilian girls are the best option.
I invited a brazilian girl (from the city of Salvador de Bahia in the north of Brazil) to come to Spain in the month of August and really I was the best time of my life.Not problem.Brazilian girls can to leave their country and to come to Spain without risk (discretion is very important) with the condition that you buy her in Spain (through travel agency) the round trip airticket (generally brazilian girls don´t have money to do it because the desemployment is high and the salary is low).In my case,the only problem was with the air-line (TAP AIR PORTUGAL) by cause the a great delay in the flight.
I believe that Brazil can to be more interesting if you wish to bring a girl to your city.But I don´t know the law in the US.
Write me to my e-mail if you wish to be in contact with me:
[Email Address deleted by Admin]
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Organicgrowth
01-07-05, 11:01
Member #2300 (Yoginisimian)
No it is not true. Every tourist that goes to Cuba is not a monger. Every monger does not think that all chica’s are prostitutes. This is especially the case of mongers from the “West” who know how difficult it is to talk to regular chicas in their own country…
I think that the police in Cuba, much like in all other countries, are suspicious of everyone. In a holiday city (relatively high Tourist numbers) like Havana, this concept is heightened and more suspicion exists when you consider the financial position… You will spend more on one good meal, in a nice hotel, than 99% will legally earn in a month: this sets a standard: so every chica is assumed to be on the game. See photo (AB.jpeg) in the gallery from my recent trip. This poor chica was hassled for no reason than having very tight skin-hugging pants. Unfortunately, I did not manage to taste the goods…
Regards, Havanaman
RubMeister100
01-10-05, 04:16
Does anyone know "Modesto"? Really nice guy.
He was an excellent contact for really nice Casa's with a pool in Havana/Miramar but I understand he has been incarcerated.
Looking for anyone who might be able to let me know if it is true. Also anyone who might be able to set us up with some other local high quality contact.
I'd appreciate any PM's about him if you know anything.
Thanks
Gentlemen,
I will be arriving in Havana on 18th of Feb for one week and appreciate any update on were the action is. Specially interested in open nightclubs, discos etc. as these are also great places to score.
How been to Havana last October and everything was pretty dead except for the Malecon.
So please help me out here and lets have a cold Buckaneero !
Saludos Kiko
Kiko, On the corner San Rafael and Galiano in central Havana; there is an indoor/outdoor cafe with a lot of activity, late into the night. There's a neon sign, but I forgot what it said. It could have read San Rafael Cafe for all I remembered.
Calle San Rafael was nicely renovated in November and December, and it competes with Obispo as a great walk.
Beers are a buck at the cafe. Don't let them charge you a buck fifty per Bucanero. If you meet a girl there and she orders a mojito, have her drink beer. She's looking for a kickbacks on her drinks. It's one of the biggest scams in Cuba. Control the situation from start to finish. Shoot for $15-20. Don't be afraid to move on to the next one. A stunning white blond was going for $20.
Your best places to score are in the prime tourist areas during the day, when there is a lowered police fear component. On warmer days. There were some cool days. They came out of hibernation on central park when it got warmer. Standing around, looking for a guy like you.
You cannot miss the action. They are all paired up and dressed like hookers.
hey all,
I am thinking of heading to Cuba, but after reading the last year or so of posts, it seems like it is just not worth the trip? I frequent Asia, Argentina and Europe so I am just looking for someplace different, but am definately going for the girls. What is a vacation with out boom boom? I am still making up my mind if I should go or not, so can anyone and everyone that has been there recently please let me know your feelings on this? PM's would be great and I appreciate the info!
Member #3200
03-10-05, 18:34
I would highly recommend that you go to Cuba. It's a great place to go for fun. I have been numerous times and P4P can be had anywhere even though Veradero isn't the place to go for such activities as Castro built Veradero for the tourists, the married ones or the ones with families.
If you wanna stay in the Havana area, I recommend u stay in the Playa de Este / Eastern beaches area where the beach is packed with many available chicas. During the day try the main highway during the mid afternoon hours as women troll the roads for action.
The bar scene at night is pretty good as well. Try the El Trebol / Karaoke bar or the bar between Hotel Tropicoco & Atlantico on the road by the beach.
Don't do what the Italians do there & overpay for p***y-they f**k it up for the rest of us. A woman can be had for less than $40 for 2 hrs. Haggle price always.
All this wonderful action is in the Playa de Estes area / Santa Maria beach
Thanks for the info. I am going to Cuba on April 1st and have booked a casc in the Vedado area of Havana near N and O near the Linear 6. This is my first time and going alone. Have stayed in Varedero before. Terrible for mongering.
I would highly recommend that you go to Cuba. It's a great place to go for fun. I have been numerous times and P4P can be had anywhere even though Veradero isn't the place to go for such activities as Castro built Veradero for the tourists, the married ones or the ones with families.
If you wanna stay in the Havana area, I recommend u stay in the Playa de Este / Eastern beaches area where the beach is packed with many available chicas. During the day try the main highway during the mid afternoon hours as women troll the roads for action.
The bar scene at night is pretty good as well. Try the El Trebol / Karaoke bar or the bar between Hotel Tropicoco & Atlantico on the road by the beach.
Don't do what the Italians do there & overpay for p***y-they f**k it up for the rest of us. A woman can be had for less than $40 for 2 hrs. Haggle price always.
All this wonderful action is in the Playa de Estes area / Santa Maria beach
I would be interested where and how much had to pay ,to bring the girls, at the playa, also where do you recommend, staying? As the hotels charge extra to bring in the girls. Finally how well does playa compere with cienfuges?
Thanks for help in advance.
Willie
Member #3200
03-18-05, 01:38
Cienfugos is a great place for P4P. The women are lighter coloured than Havana, the casa or the use of private homes are $10 compared to the $20 it'll cost you in Playa / Havana area, and more importantly the women in Cienfuegos can be had for less than $25, and those high end ones found in town at the El Rapido at night.
The beach girls by or on the Rancho Luna beach can be had for a 10 or 15.
All,
Air Canada is offering $500 CDN return from Toronto to Havana - only catch is you have to fly on thursdays... eh - no biggie since most aren't staying at a resort ;)... www.aircanada.ca
Have fun and stay safe.
Member #3200
03-18-05, 04:43
Happy Hunting,
I have replied to your post.
If you need more info, let me know.
Unless you plan to marry her and go through the year and a half process to get her out to do it don't bother trying. That's the only viable way to bring one out. She can definitely NOT go out for just a visit. This is not true of any other Caribbean or South America country (although there are other issues there). Yes, I know people are gonna start giving me exceptions, so before you do, let me say that they exist (such as the visa lottery), which is as easy to get as it is to win the money lottery anywhere else.
As for meeting girls, yes, it can be done, but you really have to know the place and the culture and you have to speak some modicum of Spanish. Just a little goes a long way. The best way for me to meet girls is just to say hi to them on the streets. Most are responsive and many will take it further from you. Having said all that, and having just returned from Buenos Aires, Brazil and Colombia, Cuba is NOT the place to go if mongering is your sole/primary purpose. Sex is better, easier, cheaper and more readily available in those other countries, where laws against prostitution, if they even exists, are never enforced, and where the women are every bit as good in every way as the Cubanas (except in Brazil, where they're better).
I'm going back this year, hopefully to study spanish at Havana U. and meet some nice college cuties!
Hey guys,
Ive been thinking about going to Cuba, i know all about Casa Familiares, The peso, but the one thing that Im still clueless about is how to fly into cuba.
You see even though i live in Puerto Rico I am an american citizen. I have heard i can fly via Dominican Republic but as a American Citizen how do i fly into cuba without breaking any laws? Also what are the real dangers of doing this that i should watch out for?
Hi guyz,
I was wandering if any of us guyz is in havana right now or if they have travel plans for the near future. I am going on 30th of March for one week stay. If any of you guyz are there please PM me regarding the latest situation over there.
Appreciate your reply in advance.
Thank you,
John
Hi guyz,
I just saved another C$90 and got a ticket from a travel agent that Member #3200 recomended to me via PM. I now have bought the ticket for travel tomorrow morning from Toronto to Cuba for a deep discount price of C$405. Man sometimes i can't even fly to Chicago at that price.
Thank you very much to Member #3200.
If any of you are there in Havana from tomorrow till April 6, 2005 PM me and may be we can monger together. Also I am still awaiting a reply from any of you guyz that have been to Havana before who can recommend a particular casa to stay at or atleast particular area to stay where mongering is possible in the vicinity.
hey john---good luck with that trip with cubana. ten cuida'o.
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-venezuela-plane-crash,0,6573601.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines
cuban plane crashes venezuela; 16 hurt
by associated press
march 28, 2005, 9:31 pm est
caracas, venezuela -- the pilot of a cuban airliner carrying 93 people aborted his takeoff monday when an engine caught fire, sending the craft swerving off the runway and crashing. officials said 16 people were injured but none seriously.
the cubana de aviacion ilyushin 18 was leaving venezuela's main airport near caracas when an undetermined mechanical problem caused the fire, said jose cabello, the airport's director.
"the plane never took off. it could not reach the required speed for takeoff, forcing the pilot to try to keep the plane on land. but the runway ended," said cabello.
the local state governor, antonio rodriguez, said the plane was involved in a commercial flight. he the flight was not linked to venezuela's cooperation agreement with cuba, which brings cuban doctors and sports trainers to city slums and poor rural regions of this south american nation.
there are over 15,000 cuban doctors currently working in venezuela as part of the agreement signed by venezuelan president hugo chavez and his cuban counterpart, fidel castro. the left-wingers are close allies.
Actually, I don't believe its against the law for Americans to go to Cuba. Its against the law to bring American dollars to Cuba. I'm goin there in June, leaving from Tijuana. What I and my compatriots are doing is converting our dollars to euros and the to pesos when we get to Cuba.
From what I've been told, when you get to Cuba, the Cuban authorities staple a temporary paper visa to your passport and stamp that, and then take it off when you leave.
Actually, I don't believe its against the law for Americans to go to Cuba. Its against the law to bring American dollars to Cuba. I'm goin there in June, leaving from Tijuana. What I and my compatriots are doing is converting our dollars to euros and the to pesos when we get to Cuba.
From what I've been told, when you get to Cuba, the Cuban authorities staple a temporary paper visa to your passport and stamp that, and then take it off when you leave.The law has to do with spending money in Cuba, regardless of the kind of money. It's simply an economic embargo and applies to everyone living under US protection. Don't exchange your USD to Euro's you'll be worse off because of the double conversion costs. In fact, you are better off with USD because the reverse conversion of CUC to USD is at par (through April 9). You will lose (again) on the conversion back to Euro's.
Be extremely careful to show your piece of ID, at the correct location. Your passport is scanned everywhere so that information does show up on the US radar if something looks funny. (My friend traveling with me made an easy mistake and it cause a tense moment with Immigration on our return).
Nothing is stamped in Cuba, the tourist visa is not stapled to the passport, however DON'T lose it, as this is your ticket out of the country!
Have Fun!
Asshoole Greg
03-30-05, 20:24
What is the best way to get from Miami to Cuba? Which country would most of you use? Should i go to cancun, to Cuba, or another way? Also do they stamp your passport in cuba? How do you get around this without getting in trouble with the United states?
Fu old people
Grand Pollo
03-31-05, 02:25
What is the best way to get from Miami to Cuba? Which country would most of you use? Should i go to cancun, to Cuba, or another way? Also do they stamp your passport in cuba? How do you get around this without getting in trouble with the United states?
Fu old people
From SDQ there are flights to HAV on alternate days, and you can ask the Cubans to not stamp the passport. So you have a flight to the DR in your passport but a stamp in and out and then in and out again with days missing in between, which would be the case with most countries and really INS isn't likely to compare stamps like that.
Or you can become a Canadian citizen or one of any other country in the entire world and not be subject to such a stupid old law.
Cubana and TACA both fly non stop from Toronto to HAV, with TACA onward to SAL.
You won't be able to book online through Expedia etc., but could fly to Santo Domingo and just get the ticket at the airport.
What is the best way to get from Miami to Cuba? Which country would most of you use? Should i go to cancun, to Cuba, or another way? Also do they stamp your passport in cuba? How do you get around this without getting in trouble with the United states?
Fu old peopleThe best "least detectable" means is via Cancun. Use your BC/DL to get to Cancun, then use your US Passport to go to Havana. Be careful to only use the passport when entering and leaving Cuba, nowhere else.
Good Luck.
Kiko, On the corner San Rafael and Galiano in central Havana; there is an indoor/outdoor cafe with a lot of activity, late into the night. There's a neon sign, but I forgot what it said. It could have read San Rafael Cafe for all I remembered.
Calle San Rafael was nicely renovated in November and December, and it competes with Obispo as a great walk.
Beers are a buck at the cafe. Don't let them charge you a buck fifty per Bucanero. If you meet a girl there and she orders a mojito, have her drink beer. She's looking for a kickbacks on her drinks. It's one of the biggest scams in Cuba. Control the situation from start to finish. Shoot for $15-20. Don't be afraid to move on to the next one. A stunning white blond was going for $20.
Your best places to score are in the prime tourist areas during the day, when there is a lowered police fear component. On warmer days. There were some cool days. They came out of hibernation on central park when it got warmer. Standing around, looking for a guy like you.
You cannot miss the action. They are all paired up and dressed like hookers.For people reading this board, this location was wrong, we looked around for it but there is no cafe at this location. Perhaps the streets are wrong.
I just returned and the main message is that Cuba is not a mongering destination that you read about in old posts. The laws have changed making it hard on Cubans caught communicating with tourists. That means that you will find some incredibly beautiful women, but it will be difficult to meet with them and get to know them in a "GFE" kind of way. In fact, the girls are scared to go to your casa, if they know it is out of the area that they are registered. That means that meeting a girl at Kasalta's in Mirimar, will make it tough to have you take her to your casa in Vedado (only 5KM away). That one left me with blue balls one night. Once you do have them to your room, they want to get the deed done and move on quickly. Even if they agreed to "todo noche" they want to move on. Simply they want to be out of your casa and on their way home to minimize their risk. Comparing it to other parts of the world we have travelled to, it was much work for the effort and final payout. Asia, Mexico, Isla Margarita, Eastern Europe are all better in terms of really getting intimate with the women and having some serious fun. In this case it was a cross between hurried and paranoid.
That said, I will let you know where I met some knockouts. Casa La Musica, when you go in, the girls will hook up with you outside because they MUST have a date to get in. There are lot's of them outside so be choosy at this point because they will hang with you for at least an hour inside - and yes, they will want/expect you to buy them drinks and take them home for the evening. At some point you have to be direct and say that it's not going to happen with them - don't feel bad.
Macumba, this is a great place. Located in the sticks, but the scenery is nice and there are many women. Simply make eye contact with the one you like, or if you're more shy, they'll come up to you and start a conversation.
Dance. I highly recommend that you dance with the Chica's at these clubs, even if you don't normally dance. Cuban women can shake their hips like nothing I've ever seen. If you have her back right up to you while she's shaking... WOW.
End of Part 1. One or more parts to come.
The best way to get from Miami to Cuba is legally, and there are a number of travel agencies that will help you do that in Miami. You go on a religious trip. I do it all the time. It's a 45 minute flight from Miami and I don't have to worry anymore about being caught. I've just heard too much and had my own scary experience with immigration (posted last year) that I can live without the anxiety. And this way I can also bring in cigars and that great Cubita coffee.
Amigo of King
03-31-05, 14:26
Why not marry a Dominican and get dual nationality?
Aimgo of King Kong
Doc Bill
Could you tell me more about the way you enter Cuba? Are you fined when you get back? Is there a link where I can get more info?
I would go if its legal.
For people reading this board, this location was wrong, we looked around for it but there is no cafe at this location. Perhaps the streets are wrong.San Rafael is a newly reconstructed pedestrian walkway. Bordered on the west with Galiano, (same street as Casa de Musica), ventures past Prado, through central park and dead-ends at Monserrate, on the north side of the foreign Museo de Bella Artes. (One may point out the Cuban Museo de Bella Artes is a couple blocks north.) West of Galiano, SR is a surface street for vehicle traffic.
The cafe is on the SE corner, across from a concrete-surfaced park filled with many benches. The park was the site of a hob-knob and high-jive department store before the revolution.
Oh yeah---it's there. Domestic beers are a buck, but they charge the unsuspecting a $1.50, or more.
J Boy, like I said, I go legally, so of course there is no fine when I come back. I smile and tell the U.S. Customs agent that I just came in from Havana. He smiles, says "Welcome back" and I go on my way.
Your first trip may be a hassle, but it's easy enough. Just do a search on legal travel to Cuba. There are many agencies in Miami that will get you there on a religious pass. I'm sorry but I can't be any more specific about which agency I use, but like I said, they are easy to find. I pay 100 for the license, 75 for the visa (I know, Petro., it's a ripoff!) and 340 for the flight. Well worth my peace of mind.
Ojos Grandes
04-02-05, 15:15
The best way to get from Miami to Cuba is legally, and there are a number of travel agencies that will help you do that in Miami. You go on a religious trip. I do it all the time. It's a 45 minute flight from Miami and I don't have to worry anymore about being caught. I've just heard too much and had my own scary experience with immigration (posted last year) that I can live without the anxiety. And this way I can also bring in cigars and that great Cubita coffee.
The regulations on legal travel to Cuba changed dramatically in July, 2004. The Santeria tour that this poster is describing is a loophole that many Cuban-Americans are using to get around the one visit every three year rule that is now in effect. I've heard that the OFAC is probably going to slam this shut in the next few months.
Beginning July 1, 2004 licensed travellers can no longer bring back cigars, rum or any Cuban product. This is a link to the OFAC guidelines.
http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/sanctions/t11cuba.pdf
Ojos Grandes
04-02-05, 15:47
This is a link to a short summary of the changes in the Travel Regulations.
http://www.cubacentral.com/todaysnewsdetail.cfm?ID=308
San Rafael is a newly reconstructed pedestrian walkway. Bordered on the west with Galiano, (same street as Casa de Musica), ventures past Prado, through central park and dead-ends at Monserrate, on the north side of the foreign Museo de Bella Artes. (One may point out the Cuban Museo de Bella Artes is a couple blocks north.) West of Galiano, SR is a surface street for vehicle traffic.
The cafe is on the SE corner, across from a concrete-surfaced park filled with many benches. The park was the site of a hob-knob and high-jive department store before the revolution.
Oh yeah---it's there. Domestic beers are a buck, but they charge the unsuspecting a $1.50, or more.I was with two locals (driver and his wife) and a friend from the states. I printed out your review and we parked right at the intersection and looked/walked around - yes, I know the pedestrian area you are talking about. The only thing close was a locals cafeteria that was in the basement of a building. Anyway, perhaps the next time you are there you can provide a better description. I'm not doubting your information, but more detail would be helpful. Thanks Petrolo for the consistenly good advice.
Ojos, thanks for the link. I know about that, but word on the street in Miami is that OFAC and the Bushies are not going to trample with "religious freedom" anytime soon, so I think this loophole is going to stick. I hope so.
Sparky,
I guess the Cafeteria you mentioned is the place Petrolero referred to. Its a cafeteria were you can buy beer as well. Also if you walk that pedestrian street up to the Hotel Inglaterra you will find Teatro National next to the Hotel .It is a local Cabaret with lots of action and girls waiting to be taken inside and elsewere!
Carpe diem
Kiko
Kiko is right, the basement spot is in the Teatro National at San Rafael @ Prado, some 6, 7, maybe 8 blocks from San Rafael y Galiano. The cafe still there with a big lighted neon sign with outdoor tables right on San Rafael @ Galiano.
The stationary tables and chairs might be booths, but I seem to remember chairs, the way they shaped my ass, her ass and all. It was chilly out, her nips stuck out of her turquoise top.
Cancun Guy
04-05-05, 21:20
Do you guys ever talk about the girls. Post after post after post about the same entry or exit shit. If you are askin a question that 10,000 other people have already asked why not look back in the archives for the answer and not repeat the same shit day after day.
GIRLS NOT POLITICS
At least in this forum.
I've been to cuba in September 2003 for the 1st time with a buddy, and boy did we have a great time. We did'nt know about the "mongering scene" but quickly learned the game, and enjoyed a few girls each. I discovered this forum shortly after returning home, and I've been reading these reports ever since. Lots of members chose not to return to cuba because of all the hassle and they say it's just not worth it. But I'm planning a trip in august 2005, I still see a few positives and would like to go again. I did a bit of research and learned that cuba has one of the lowest HIV/AIDS infection rate in the world, can anyone respond to this.
Partagas, it's all a matter of personal preference. If you like easy mongering go to Rio. If you're willing to put up with the hassles of a police state for the sake of the love of Cuban girls, I can totally see it. The other factor is safety. Cuba is totally safe, unlike Rio and many other Latin countries.
I don't know about the world, but Cuba in fact has the lowest HIV rate in the Carribean and Latin America, and lower than the U.S. too. For years they put AIDS patients in "colonies," which is a nice word for (benevolent) concentration camps. While controversial, it is indisputable that it worked.
Here is my report from my recent trip to Havana, Cuba.
This trip was for no other purpose but mongering. I arrived Havana on March 29 at about 2:00 pm. My travel plans were booked only one day prior so I did not have much time to book a hotel or a Casa Particular (Havana's version of bed and breakfast kind of place). I had some very good guidance from you experienced mongers via PM that a new first time monger should stay in Havana vieja area near Inglaterra Hotel. As soon as I arrived Havana I took a taxi that cost me $20 CUC (Cuban Convertible Peso which starting April 9, 2005 is valued at Canadian $1.35/CUC) to get me to Havana vieja area. The taxi driver was persistent on taking me to a Casa in some other close by area, but I declined and told him to just drop me at Inglatera hotel. I decided that I would just get a room at Inglatera for one night, put my luggage at the hotel and start looking for a Casa Particular that is close to the hotel. After checking in my luggage I went out and started looking for a Casa because I knew from other reports that you can't bring girls to your hotel room in Cuba. After searching for about two hour I found a Casa right near Casa de Musica which is like blocks away from Inglaterra hotel as well. The address of that Casa is 307 Neptuno Road # 7 (second floor). This place is owned by Ruben and Kary, it has a private entrance, air condition, shared bath room and it cost me $25 CUC per night. I think this place is a good starting residence for anybody coming to Havana for the first time.
As per the juicy stuff, I went through about 18 different girls in my 8 night stay. I believe that I can't just fuck any thing that has a heart beat meaning i am a bit choosy and as per the photos (I will try and post within a week) will show I tried my best to look for girls that were at least a 6 or better on my scale. Most of these girls declined my offer of $25 CUC but they took $30 CUC, a few even declined that and were only available for $50 CUC. The average price i had to pay for these girls was about $40 CUC. No matter what other reports suggest a decent looking 18 to 22 year old girl in Havana can not be had for like $20 CUC or so unless the guy mongering is good looking himself. In that case i have no comment. I am not in the best of shape and weigh a little over 220 pounds. The girls at Casa Musica were asking an exuberant price of $100 CUC or more. Entrance fee for Casa Musica was CUC$15 per person on week days and I think CUC$25 per person on weekends. All the gils that i found even including in Casa Musica were no more than an 7.5 on my scale.
As per the cafe on San Rafael that has been discussed recently on the board, I did not find many girls in that cafe that i would consider a 6 on my scale. Most girls that work in the cafe were like a 4 or 5. There are many girls at this cafe after 8 pm, but most of the good looking girls are to be found walking out side on San Rafael street. San Rafael street is immediately next to Inglatera hotel. I would not suggest that any one mongering should sit in the cafe for too long and wait for a stunner to come by, my suggestion is that you should stroll by there every once in a while and see if you find a girl that you find attractive.
Other places I went for mongering was the area near Havan Libre and National Hotel. A restauarant by the name of Sophia near Havana Libre also has some good action. I also visited discoteques near National hotel area and a bar by the name of Conejito (pronounced Conehito).
The overall scene in Havana is that surely there are girls available in Havana, but if you are looking for a model type i say forget it you won't find any even in the best places in Havana, for that i suggest you go to Rio de Janeiro or even Buenos Aires. Cuban girls are pretty hot in bed but when they are with you in your room they mostly want to give you one or two shots and than walk out the door. I was able to get at least two shots with most of the girls, but none were keen on staying longer after that. Almost all the girls said no to staying over night except for one that wanted to be my girl friend and this one wanted to stick around with me for the whole trip, which I respectfully declined after staying with her for one hot and steamingly sexual night. I did not go to Havana to be a one woman man for that i have some one special in Canada.
The food in Cuba is nothing good mostly i had to eat pizza's, hamburgers, and a few times in China town. My breakfast was provided to me at the Casa Particular at an additional price of $4 CUC per day, lunch costed me about an average of $9 CUC, and dinner costed me about an average of $12 CUC. I spent another CUC$5 per day on drinks and such. The total food cost in Havana to me was about $30 CUC per day and that is without any alcoholic beverages.
The government of Cuba has two different currencies in the market, the Cuban Peso and the CUC, thereby creating two different economies. The Cuban Peso is mostly used by locals for their daily purchases and $1 CUC is equal to 24 Cuban Peso. The CUC is mostly used by tourists, and this creates a relatively very expensive stay for us tourists in Cuba. A tourist to Cuba pays first world prices in a third wold country like Cuba. In my opinion, it is just a hoax and a rip off. A beer in Cuba for example, costs $1 CUC to $1.5 CUC, where as in other countries like Brazil and Thailand, a beer is mostly available at a price of US$ 0.35 to US$ 0.50 cents. Food costs in Cuba are similar to food costs in US or Canada, which is too high for a third world country like Cuba considering the government is only paying US$7 to may be US$8 per month in salary to the employees and other costs involved to them are minute. On the other hand, I think Cuba is a very beautiful country which is worth visiting once in a life time but not for mongering purposes. It is a place where you should consider taking your family for a vacation, but then again there are other places in the world just as beautiful or even more.
In the end this trip costed me about US$ 1900 or so. My ticket cost from Toronto was about US$325, first night stay in Inglaterra which can be avoided was about US$100. The food cost for 8 days was about US$ 250. The Casa Particular costed me US$ 200, about US$75 spent on transportation. The rest US$950 or so was spent on girls.
I have tried to give as much information as concisely as possible if anybody has more questions feel free to ask.
Member #3200
04-07-05, 22:43
Great review John-It sounds like u had a great trip.
PM me with more details & let me know if any of my suggestions helped.
The latest information about the currency for Cuba is that Castro just revalued the CUC by 8%. From April 9 onwards, those of you who travel from U.S. and convert your US dollar will recieve about CUC$ 0.82 cents or so that is 10% surcharge for converting US$ and 8% revaluation. This revaluation of 8% is against all major currencies. In the newspaper report that I read, the Cuban central bank had argued that US$ has depreciated about 30% in the last year or so against all major currencies and by revaluing the CUC 8%, they are just negating that affect some. What somebody needs to make Castro and his buddies understand is that agreeably US$ has depreciated and he is correct in revaluing against the US$, but revaluing the CUC against all other currencies is just plain insane.
Now for those of you who are taking their US dollars to Cuba I would suggest convert it to Canadian currency before going. Even though you are converting your currency twice it is still worth it. Just to give you guyz an example, US$1,000 in Canada yesterday would have converted to C$1,198 or so in Canada. If you took that C$1,198 to Cuba yesterday you would get about CUC$950. This way you are ahead CUC$50, thereby creating an arbitrage. This is only possible if you convert it to Canadian dollars as the spreads against all other major currencies are way high.
Also for those of you who have an account in Bank of America you can take the money out from any Scotia Bank ATM in Canada at no charge that is you won't get charged any withdrawal fees and you can get the best conversion rate possible.
Great review John-It sounds like u had a great trip.
PM me with more details & let me know if any of my suggestions helped.I agree! Great report John and thanks for sharing the information so quickly. Sounds like we had similar experiences, although you definitely saw more action than me! (you stud!)
My second installment of the trip report is coming soon.
First of all let me tell you guyz that I have tried posting the photo's, but somehow the web site doesn't seem to be working properly and I have sent a PM to Jackson about it. Hopefully, we will get things rolling and I will post the pictures as soon as possible.
Trip to Cuba (Part 1)
As stated in my earlier post, I rented my Casa Particular at around 6:00 pm. Since it doesn't get dark in Havana until after 8:00, I took a shower and went out looking for my first catch of this trip. In Havana, action is found and lost in a blink of an eye. A monger has to judge in a split of a second if the girl he is interested in is a working girl or not. Mongers have to keep their monger lights on at all times. Analyze the chica very fast because, a good looking chica even if she doesn't look like she is dressed as a worker are a lot of times a possible Jinaterra (a term used by locals as a girl friend for tourists). Most of the time it is difficult to find a good looking catch at around 6:00 pm as the girls don't come out until after 8:30 or so. I saw lots of pimps who wanted to help me find a girl, but i said no. I usually don't like to add up my costs. I know that all these guyz do is just add a cut for themselves. I was determined not to work through a pimp at least until I know the action in Cuba a little better.
After searching for about an hour, I found what I thought would be a good start. This mulatta just passed by me without even making an eye contact. She was looking more beautiful to me than she was, because of the Sex Prison that I was coming from and this being the first catch. Now that I think about it she was about a 6.5 on my scale, but when you have not had any for a week or so everything that walks start looking more hotter then it actually is. I followed her for about five minutes and as soon as she noticed I was following, she stopped at a store and act as if she was window shopping. I passed by her still analyzing how to go about asking her and then suddenly we managed an eye contact. I put myself together and ask her what was her name in my limited spanish. She smiled and replied her name was Julie. I further talked to her and asked her if she can come with me. The next question from her as always in Cuba is if i was staying in a hotel or a Casa. I told her that my Casa is about a 10 minute walk. She said ok and started walking with me, but as soon as we came to a major street she started slowing down and started walking about 10 feet behind me. When I looked back she waved at me as if to say i should go on and she would follow. At this point I started getting worried because I never discussed the price with her and I thought I would have to give in because this being the first time for me in Cuba. We kept on walking and when I came close to my Casa I looked back again and to my satisfaction she was following me.
We entered the building together and I kissed her for the first time going up the stairs. She gave me a real nice DFK. She knew exactly how to work me up. My appartment had a private entrance so we both entered and continued the kissing. At this time I knew that I better get my pricing straight so I brought up the question how much? She gave me a smile and said CUC$50 and I thought I might just get stuck with CUC$50, but i held on and told her I always pay $20. She said that is not possible, but she will take $40. I countered $25 and she finally said CUC$30. I agreed but with a condition that i would get 3 pops from her. She hesitated a little but said ok.
Now that I had my pricing straight, I felt good about myself that some how I had survived and not got ripped off by this beautiful chica. I started undressing her and kissing her. She followed my lead and helped getting undressed. Man the sexy thing was too much to handle and I wanted to just forget about the foreplay and start banging her right then, but I like the foreplay as well. So I hung on, and kept on giving her nice kisses. After about two minutes of some nice kisses and more of DFK, I asked her to give me a BBBJ and this girl was nice enough to accomodate that. She started licking my balls and giving me some really hard BBBJ. After a while I could not hang on to my self and came in her mouth. I had some nice amount of liquid in me saved up and it came out with a splash. She ate some of it and the rest was splattered all over her. I took her to the rest room and helped her wash her face. I also took a shower with her. After about thirty minutes or so I was ready for the second shot. This time i was able to hold on and we had sex in several different positions. It must have been atleast 40 minutes before I came doing her the good old doggy style.
At this time I was so tired that I thought I might have gone over board with this girl about three shots, especially without any help from vitamin V. I slept with her for another thirty minutes or so and then told her to give me a BBBJ. She started at it right away she gave me a hard on, but I knew there is no way I was gonna come a third time atleast not until I have had some thing to eat. I had sex with her for what seemed like at least another twenty to thirty minutes or so, but to my dismay I was not able to come and stopped. I still had a hard on but my body was tired and could not perform much longer. I knew if I took all my energy out on this girl I would not be able to do a second girl and I really didn't want that. So I paid the girl and told her I will meet her tomorrow or something and said my good byes.
I was proud of myself that I had chosen right for the first experience in Cuba. Guyz who go to Cuba are right when they say that the girls here are as hot in bed, if not hotter then the girls anywhere you will monger.
end of Part 1.
Member #3200
04-11-05, 05:24
Great review so far man-way to hold firm on price-thats the way to monger
$30 for an agreed 3 SOG or pops-thats the way to help your fellow monger control the price scale as there are others on this board dont-they only think about themselves.
Cant wait for part 2
After I got done with the sexy mulata I was so tired that I just hit the bed and went to sleep for two hours. I woke up at 10:00 pm, and was very hungry. I changed and went down to eat at this Italian restaurant that is right next to hotel Telegrafo. This place has some chicas hanging out at dinner time and they are very much interested in going to the restaurant with you. I saw this caucasion girl that pleased my eye. What a beauty nice B cup breasts 5' 6" height, blonde hair. She was a little young and was close to hitting 19, but what the hell I like those nice young chicas who are ready to please.
I asked her if she would acompany me for dinner, and she gladly accepted. She did speak enough english for us to get some conversation going. This girl was so sweet that she asked me to order for her whatever I was having. I told her I am going to try the Pizza, and she went for it as well. During our conversation, this sweet chica told me she was a student. She goes to school three days a week only and studies ballet. I was surprised and I asked her if she would show me some dance in my room. I remember asking her for her Carne (local word for I.D. card), because I was not sure if she was at least above 19. Sure enough according to her Carne she was 19 years old. At this moment I am thinking that in only these parts of the world I can still have a young hot chica that will go out with a thirty year old guy like me. I try to avoid very young girls as they are usually not experienced and they have nothing in common with me, but this girl was so beautiful that I could not pass on her. During dinner we agreed at a price of CUC$40 as she was not accepting any thing less. I tried the negotiation but I had to give in. This beauty was about a 7 to me and I didn't want to loose a chance of having a hot babe just because of CUC$10 extra. I did try to push for the whole night but she declined and said that she will stay with me for two to three hours. I was tired from the travel and my experience of the evening anyways so i did not push it and agreed for two hours.
After the dinner, we had to go with the same routine as with the other mulatta and this young chica followed me to my appartment. There are cops every where in Havana and they are watching these girls. It is Jail time for these girls if they get caught prostituting. The law is sort of reverse in Cuba compared to the U.S. and Canada where the Johns are the ones targeted and put in Jail. I was told by this chica that if the girls get caught with different tourists three or four separate times they can go to Jail for upto four years. Eventhough Cuban Law is so strict these girls do take a chance and they do work the street because it is almost impossible for them to survive if they don't work the streets. Alot of these girls are ready to fall in love with you and are ready to leave Cuba. Some of them think of tourists as there only way out.
Anyways after about a five minute walk we reached my Casa Particular. I turned on some music on my laptop and request this beautiful chick to show me some salsa. Although, I am not much of dancer she shows me some steps and then danced for me. The moves these Cuban girls have are out of this world and she made me feel like i have died and went to heaven. This angel of mine for the next two hours performed in so many ways that I couldn't dream possible. I got out of control and started DFKing this girl. After a while I found myself eating her pussy. She loved it so much and in appreciation she gave me a BBBJ without even asking for it. Although, we didn't finish with the BBBJCIM, I thought she performed pretty well and after about fifteen minutes or so of BBBJ, I came on top of her and then had sex with her in several different positions for the next hour. I fucked her so hard that I got tired after a while and told her to come on top of me. As expected from this Cuban chica she rocked my world. This chica made me come after a good steamy and hot sex. The sex was so hot that I still remember sweating even with the aircondition on in the room.
Guyz I think I need to take a break as just the memories of her are making me uncomfortable. I miss this babe already. I tried pretty hard to get her photographs but she got scared and completely said no. I even offered her extra money, but I think she was scared that if somebody recognize her she can go to Jail.
All I can say is I tried for you guyz.
I will post more later.
Hello,
I always fly from Tijuana and I was thinking I could buy a bunch of Mexican Pesos before I get to the airport. Is this a good Idea??
PS: Attached is three YOUNG local girls from Cienfuegos. The Red-head on the left was very flirtatous and actually gave me her phone number. I did call her and her dad answered and let me talk to her. I met her but decided against it she was 17 this was in 2002.
Member #3200
04-11-05, 17:18
In my 9trips to cuba most of the chicas will not have their pictures taken due to the reason you mentioned-fear of being recognized & going to jail.
I have average 3 or 4 chicas per trip,i do like to get a tan & drink large at my AI resorts & EVERY chicas i've had has given me a BBBJ,I plan on going back for trip 10 in late May/early June for more hot Cuban chica sex.
If you want to get the chica to perform at her best,you have to eat her pussy as cuban men dont do thatso i have been told by the women themselves & from more experienced mongers who know fluent spanish & know many cuban families.DFK is done much by their men either-basically most forms of foreplay that women enjoy-the men of cuba r hit & run artists-wham,bam,out the door mam & no responsibility if they become fathers along the way or not.
Keep the review coming john.
From 1 Torontonian to another-way to go
Hello,
I always fly from Tijuana and I was thinking I could buy a bunch of Mexican Pesos before I get to the airport. Is this a good Idea??
PS: Attached is three YOUNG local girls from Cienfuegos. The Red-head on the left was very flirtatous and actually gave me her phone number. I did call her and her dad answered and let me talk to her. I met her but decided against it she was 17 this was in 2002.If the Cuban bank rates listed on the website play out, I will use USD. Prior to the lastest move of insanity, I used CAN and black market conversions.
http://www.bancopopulardeahorro.com/
unless, of course they tack on another 10% penalty upon those rates, on usd.
i read on another board, a canadian was charged $1.43 can for one cuc at a bank. [CodeWord125] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord125) and stealing.
Hi Petrollero,
Firstly, let me say thank to you for posting the web address for being able to check the exchange rates for the CUC$. I am sure the board appreciates your help, but I am not sure about your comment that we should use US$ instead of the Canadian $ when going to Cuba. The following are the rates according to the website you posted.
MONEDAS DE CAMBIO Vigente: 12/04/2005
Monedas Compra Venta
EURO * EUR 1.16435 1.23667
Libra Esterlina * GBP 1.69821 1.80374
Dolar USA USD 1.11341 1.04854
Dolar Canadiense CAD 1.36959 1.28896
Franco Suizo CHF 1.32932 1.25146
I can't comment on the Mexican Peso, but as far as the C$ goes. It is clearly a better option then taking US$ to Cuba.
Forexample,
US$ 1,000 will get you CUC $817 according to the website posted by you. I think what you are not seeing is the 10% surchage on top of the buy and sell rate that the Cuban government imposes on the USD only. That is the rate for US$1.11341 * 1.10 (for the surcharge) = 1.225. So for every CUC$1 you would pay 1.225 or for every US$1 you get CUC$0.817.
On the other hand if you convert that same US$1,000 into C$, you would get C$1,216 on April 12, 2005 as per the TD Canada trust bank exchange rate. Now when you get to Cuba you would get CUC$ 888 for your C$1,216.
Clearly C$ is a better option by CUC$71, when you take into account the 10% surcharge. For my money, I will take C$ whenever possible, when I am going to Cuba.
Although, I do wonder what do you mean by black market conversion, would you mind giving us the light on that. I think it can be very beneficial to the board. I am asking because while in Cuba I was offered CUC$1.5 for every US$ by some one on the street. I did not convert with that person because I thought he was going to give me some fake money. Even when I was in Cuba this incident made me think that there might be something that i am missing.
so_very_fly
04-12-05, 19:40
Great post, John, lots of info & well organized.
Ojos Grandes
04-12-05, 20:20
I know this isn't about chicas but it does address the going to Cuba legally from the US posts that were here last week. The Santeria loophole is being shut down.
The U.S. government warned religious organizations not to abuse their travel privileges to Cuba -- a move meant to enforce tightened restrictions on the island.
BY OSCAR CORRAL
pcorral@herald.com
The U.S. government is cracking down on certain religious organizations that promote licensed travel to Cuba, restricting the number of visitors they can send to ensure that limits on U.S. citizen travel to -- and spending in -- Cuba are enforced.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control sent letters to dozens of organizations that have U.S.-issued religious licenses for travel to Cuba, warning them not to abuse their privileges and announcing investigations into alleged wrongdoing, according to a copy of the letter obtained by The Herald.
The regulators also imposed a limit on the number of people who can travel to Cuba under the auspices of these religious groups: 25 every three months. There were no limits previously.
Regulators acted after reports that some groups that practice Santeria and other religious organizations were allowing people who didn't officially belong to those groups or were not practitioners to visit Cuba under their U.S.-issued religious licenses.
The Herald detailed cases in which some Santeria organizations in Miami with religious licenses were taking thousands of people to Cuba as a way to get around Bush administration travel restrictions.
The numbers of such visitors have boomed since July, when the Bush administration reduced the number of times Cubans can visit their families on the island from once a year to once every three years.
Its purpose was to reduce cash remittances to the island and increase financial pressures on Fidel Castro's government.
PROBE UNDER WAY
''The United States Government has become aware that some organizations may be abusing their licenses by allowing individuals not affiliated with the organizations to travel under the authority of their licenses,'' said the letter signed by OFAC Director Robert Werner.
``OFAC is currently investigating reports of abuse of religious licenses and will take appropriate action against groups and individuals that have engaged in transactions outside the scope of a license.''
The 25-person-per-quarter limit doesn't apply to what the government calls ''established churches,'' such as the Roman Catholic Church. These organizations get licenses that don't limit the number of travelers to Cuba.
In his letter, Werner warned:
• Groups that hold religious licenses are prohibited from advertising Cuba trips on television, radio or the Internet;
• People or groups traveling under the licenses must be ''involved in religious activities'' with the organizations, apart from their travel to Cuba.
''Individuals who associate with your organization primarily for the purpose of traveling to Cuba are not authorized to travel under your license,'' Werner said.
'SCANDALOUS' CASE
U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, calling the abuse of religious travel ''scandalous,'' pressured regulators to clamp down after The Herald's report in February.
''The administration is not going to permit the flouting of the law,'' Diaz-Balart said. ``I think this is going to end the abuse in so-called religious travel.''
The Office of Foreign Assets Control, part of the Treasury Department, has given about 200 churches and organizations religious licenses to travel to Cuba.
By some estimates, religious travel makes up from 85 to 95 percent of all nonaffiliated travel to Cuba, said Pedro Gonzalez-Munne, owner of Cuba Promotions, an agency that promotes travel to Cuba. Munne defined affiliated travel as people who go with business, sports or educational visas.
IMPACT ON FAMILIES
Munne said that before July, about 250,000 people traveled to Cuba legally from the United States every year. That number has dropped by a third since July.
Munne decried regulators' action as harmful to families.
''This is the last bridge left for people to go see their families,'' he said of religious licenses. ``This will increase traffic through third countries.''
Munne also said that the July restriction left people little choice but to find loopholes -- such as using religious licenses -- to see family in Cuba.
Jose Montoya, head of the Sacerdocio Lucumi Shango Eyeife in Miami, said that between 1996 and July 2004, he took about 60 people to Cuba under his religious travel license. Since July, he has taken about 2,500, he said.
''The possibility exists that they are violating the religious rights of people, and going against the Constitution of the United States,'' Montoya said in an interview Thursday.
Montoya said he will be more judicious in choosing travelers.
''I don't think I'm going to give it [the license] to everyone,'' he said. ``I was not giving it to everyone before, but I'm going to be more strict now.''
GROUP SUSPENDED
Both Montoya and Gonzalez-Munne say that OFAC has suspended the license of another, Doral-based Santero group, Santa Yemaya Ministries, pending an investigation by OFAC.
OFAC declined to comment, and The Herald could not immediately confirm their account.
Hello fellow mongers, two friends of mine will go to Cuba, they asked me if I know something about the possibility to find vit V in Cuba. I never was here so I guess if someone here can answer me?
I know no problem in Russia where I was but it is possible to buy V in every pharmacy in Cuba? I mean without prescription? What about the price?
Thanks in advance and happy hunting down there!
Great report. I got pictures by waiting until the chicas were in my room, then when I picked up the camera, without saying anything I placed an extra CUC10 on the night stand. That was all it took 4 out of 5 times. The one said no, then I added another 10CUC when it became partial nudity, then finally CUC10 more and it was the full enchilada. I'll post after I post Part II of my trip report.
Once again, thanks for the vivid details!!
Hi Petrollero,
Firstly, let me say thank to you for posting the web address for being able to check the exchange rates for the CUC$. I am sure the board appreciates your help, but I am not sure about your comment that we should use US$ instead of the Canadian $ when going to Cuba. The following are the rates according to the website you posted.
MONEDAS DE CAMBIO Vigente: 12/04/2005
Monedas Compra Venta
EURO * EUR 1.16435 1.23667
Libra Esterlina * GBP 1.69821 1.80374
Dolar USA USD 1.11341 1.04854
Dolar Canadiense CAD 1.36959 1.28896
Franco Suizo CHF 1.32932 1.25146
I can't comment on the Mexican Peso, but as far as the C$ goes. It is clearly a better option then taking US$ to Cuba.
Forexample,
US$ 1,000 will get you CUC $817 according to the website posted by you. I think what you are not seeing is the 10% surchage on top of the buy and sell rate that the Cuban government imposes on the USD only. That is the rate for US$1.11341 * 1.10 (for the surcharge) = 1.225. So for every CUC$1 you would pay 1.225 or for every US$1 you get CUC$0.817.
On the other hand if you convert that same US$1,000 into C$, you would get C$1,216 on April 12, 2005 as per the TD Canada trust bank exchange rate. Now when you get to Cuba you would get CUC$ 888 for your C$1,216.
Clearly C$ is a better option by CUC$71, when you take into account the 10% surcharge. For my money, I will take C$ whenever possible, when I am going to Cuba.
Although, I do wonder what do you mean by black market conversion, would you mind giving us the light on that. I think it can be very beneficial to the board. I am asking because while in Cuba I was offered CUC$1.5 for every US$ by some one on the street. I did not convert with that person because I thought he was going to give me some fake money. Even when I was in Cuba this incident made me think that there might be something that i am missing.John,
Here's an analysis I posted on another board. It has the details of the conversions to different currencies. The conclusion is that it is better to convert to another currency before landing in Cuba. That can be either CDN$, Peso or Euro.
Test Case - US$1,000 to convert to CUC
Convert to----------->Then to CUC
CDN --1,107.30 ------854.55
Euro ---692.90 ------ 852.40
US ---1,000.00 ------ 808.33 (using the 1.11341 rate and then taking 90% of that)
******Rate Tables*******
Rates used from April 12, 2005
CUC Rates from El Banco Popular de Ahorro
EURO * EUR 1.15825 1.23019
Dolar USA USD 1.11341 1.04854
Dolar Canadiense CAD 1.37649 1.29577
Conversion Rates (conservative, from MSN, I've definitely have seen better rates, however that simply strengthens the conclusion)
1 United States - Dollar (USD)= 0.69 EURO (EUR) Buy
1 EURO (EUR) = 1.18 United States - Dollar (USD) Sell
1 United States - Dollar (USD) = 1.11 Canada - Dollar (CAD) Buy
1 Canada - Dollar (CAD) = 0.73 United States - Dollar (USD) Sell
Good Luck!
Organicgrowth
04-15-05, 12:52
Lukasek,
The chance of finding “V” is so low you might as well tell your friends to bring their own. In fact I will tell you that not only do I take as much medication with me for friends etc, but I also carry my own first aid kit of plasters, antibiotics ant-inflammatory, etc…
Actually, as we have discussed previously on the board, if you want / need it its best to take it with you. By this I mean anything at all. I even take my own toilet paper: (I prefer double layered, extra soft…. You get my point!).
Regards, Havanaman
Ciao Havanaman, I searched the world and I tryed also the advance search but no find info about V in Cuba so, thanks for your answer! Useful info!
Toilet paper I am use to take too, lol, but I thought no problem about Vit V.
Take care and have nice fun!
Regards
I just spoke with my cuban friend on the phone, massive police prensence in the streets of Havana, girls are very afraid, the very few once in the street ask 80 USD, a lot of dog types, and they get it!
Because there is so little choice, I heard even in Brazil the Americans are making everything dead, paying 400, 500 reals for a normal help girl.
The prices around are getting inflated and in the future what is going to be the difference between a 200 USd hooker in your country or elsewhere.
You can also here women who kisses, sucks and swallows.
Grey Soul 15
04-17-05, 21:37
Hey,
I was reading the previous post by Petrolero and I followed the link to: http://www.bancopopulardeahorro.com/ . My spanish isn't the greatest but as far as I could tell according to the web page people with bank accounts at banco popular dont get hit with the 10% conversion when converting U.S. Dollars to CUC's? My question is what are the requirements to open a account at this bank and is there any contact info they provide so you can call them. I looked around on the web page and as far as I could tell there wasn't any contact info or an address to find them at in Havana. I'm planning on going to havana in the summer for a month and a half and 10% of $3000 or more dollars could add up fast so if I could get an account with this bank and avoid that surcharge it would be great. Not to mention it would be nice to have a temporary bank account that is protected from the prying eye's of the U.S. govt and IRS. Any information that can be provided on this subject would be a great help.
Thanks
Willie Large
04-25-05, 23:29
Hey,
I was reading the previous post by Petrolero and I followed the link to: http://www.bancopopulardeahorro.com/ . My spanish isn't the greatest but as far as I could tell according to the web page people with bank accounts at banco popular dont get hit with the 10% conversion when converting U.S. Dollars to CUC's? My question is what are the requirements to open a account at this bank and is there any contact info they provide so you can call them. I looked around on the web page and as far as I could tell there wasn't any contact info or an address to find them at in Havana. I'm planning on going to havana in the summer for a month and a half and 10% of $3000 or more dollars could add up fast so if I could get an account with this bank and avoid that surcharge it would be great. Not to mention it would be nice to have a temporary bank account that is protected from the prying eye's of the U.S. govt and IRS. Any information that can be provided on this subject would be a great help.
ThanksHey you guys, there's a currency that you all seem to be missing!
That's the Euro!! I'm going there this week and have been told by my travel agent that the Euro is not subject to the 10% levy!
Maybe you should consider this!!
Old Dog II
04-26-05, 03:25
Hi all,
I live in the US and as you know you can't travel to Cuba from here. I was looking for some help on where can I fly from and where to stay. I have not research it a lot but would love to see it.
Thanks
Hey,
I was reading the previous post by Petrolero and I followed the link to: http://www.bancopopulardeahorro.com/ . My spanish isn't the greatest but as far as I could tell according to the web page people with bank accounts at banco popular dont get hit with the 10% conversion when converting U.S. Dollars to CUC's? My question is what are the requirements to open a account at this bank and is there any contact info they provide so you can call them. I looked around on the web page and as far as I could tell there wasn't any contact info or an address to find them at in Havana. I'm planning on going to havana in the summer for a month and a half and 10% of $3000 or more dollars could add up fast so if I could get an account with this bank and avoid that surcharge it would be great. Not to mention it would be nice to have a temporary bank account that is protected from the prying eye's of the U.S. govt and IRS. Any information that can be provided on this subject would be a great help.
ThanksYou may be better to ask that same question on the Lonely planet website, on the Cuba Forum. The link is: http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/categories.cfm?catid=14
Good luck.
Hi everyone,
I am finally going back to Cuba for the first time in 2 years. I will be there on 5/5/05 for 3 weeks. I have many connections with local non-pro talent, so if any of you guys are going to be in Havana in May let me know and we can meet for a beer on La Rampa at Sophia's.
KW Kids
This is my first post here. I use to be a member at another hobby site. I just got back from Havana yesterday. That was my 6th trip and I am fluent in Spanish.
First thing was that the exhange rate for Canadian dollars was 1.40. I got $350 CUC for $500 Canadian, including a $18.75 "service charge". You can't avoid the service charge on credit card puchases and advances either.
Now that the intro is over, Havana was very slow this week. It has changed alot since my last visit. The number of jinetros are way down and so is the uniformed police presense outside the main tourist areas (La Rampa, el Malecón, etc). The biggest surprise for me was how brazen the scamming was on the part of the employees in government business.
Watch the cabbies!!! Most are not using the meter and are charging and pocketing whatever they can get. Ask what the fare is before you drive off, if he is evasive, then tell him that you know that he is going to keep the fare and negotiate a lower price. Rule of thumb, a ride in a white Lada Panataxi (with meter) is about $12 CUC from the airport to Vedado, $4 from the Havana Libre to Barrio Chino and $9 CUC from the Cohiba to Macumba in La Lisa.
Food prices seem to have gone down in government restaurants and up in paladares. For example, pasta is $2-$5 CUC and a hamburger is $2 at the Jazz Cafe at lunch time and at Paladar Nerei the prices were $8 to $25 CUC. Centro Vasco has a meal deal (including drink) for $3.50 CUC. Point at the posted offer and insist, the waiters are reluctant to serve it. Even at Monguito, which is usually very cheap the meals now average $6-$10 CUC. Not great, but filling and still worth considering. Barrio Chino is hopping, prices vary and I ate at Tian Tan, where the food was as good as the Chinese food you can get in North America. It was also the most expensive in the neighbourhood. Try the lobster Hong Kong for $12 CUC (half order).
Chica action is more subdued as most of the clubs are closed. Casa de la Música in Centro was the haot spot. Most of the usual spots are slow or closed:
Commodoro-closed
Johnny's-very slow, don't bother
Atelier-closed
La Red-slow
Sherazada-slow
Maucumba-action, but a shell of what it use to be
1830 & La Chorrera-action, but not high grade, plent on the Malecón near them.
Prices are $30-$50 CUC. Some at Casa de la Música and Macumba are still asking $100. Street action walk down Galliano, turn right at San Rafael up till the Inglaterra and up Prado, ther are chicas looking to hook up.
White Stang Boy
04-29-05, 07:29
Great post Ivon,
I agree the Tian Tan is the best and worth the extra $. I'm off to Habana on the 9th so i hope the clubs pick up. Any pics?
Hi,
Thanks Ivon for the informative post. Can anyone reccomend an independent 2 bedroom casa particular around the Habana Libre and the Colina Hotel. I have one possibility but would like a 2nd. Also, are there any good bars to meet girls at on La Rampa or nearby?
Thanks,
KW Kids
White Stang Boy,
Sorry, I did not bring a camara with me and have no pics.
Ivon,
The first time I went to Havana I stayed at Berta's casa. I booked through Havana rentals. This was only a one bedroom apt. and located just down the street from the Hotel National. On their website they have many other casa's in the area which might suit you.
Hope this helps,
Q
KW Kids,
There are a couple of outside type bars on the opposite side of Hotel Libre going away from Sophia's that don't seem to get much mention on this board but I've had some success at both. The first one is a little place right next to the bus stop across the street from a park. It is kind of a dive but it's a good place to have a beer and people watch because there are so many people in this area. I've seen girls who are waiting for the bus come over and just stand in front of this bar if they see tourists are sitting there. I guess they have to wait for the bus anyway so why not see if they can score some tourist, right. Another place is right across from this bar just up the road a block or so called Siette Mars. Nice place to have a beer or some food and people watch. Sometimes girls sit across the street waiting for a tourist to go into the place and then they will come over.
Dran Reb,
Thanks for the tips, I appreciate them and I plan to use them. Again, if anyone is going to be in Habana in May let me know in the next 2 days and we can compare notes.
KW Kids
Cocktailfan
05-05-05, 17:23
Two years ago, that I have been there, but maybe it is an idea to have a look at. If you walk down la Rampa, at Malecon turn right. After 20 meters there is a bigger building with a lot of flats. At the top flat there is a lady renting two rooms, 25 dollars each. Not a bad few outside at the terasse. Sorry, I have lost name and phone number. But what I can suggest: If you have a casa, take it. Then spend the first day with looking for other ones, and you can change if you want. And do not forget to have a look at the ladies too, while searching a casa.
Mucho suerte
Christian
Jonny Rocker
05-10-05, 05:31
Hey All,
I'm toying with the idea of coming down to Havana but was wondering if anyone could update me on the situation with being an American in Fidel land. I know about the currency surcharge and that's ok with me. Damn, the Cuban women are worth it. If memory serves me right. It was about 3 years ago. Anyway, any feedback from someone who's there or has been recently is mucho appreciated.
Organicgrowth
05-17-05, 09:17
Jonny Rocker
Your being an American makes no difference to visiting Cuba as far as the Cubans are concerned; your only issue would be what your administration thinks IF they find out. I know of at least a hundred guys from all over the USA who have enjoyed Cuba with no repercussions. There are some excellent posts here telling you how to “get in” / “out” etc… depending on where in the USA your are based. A lot of my friends go via MEX / Cancun or indeed Canada.
You already know about the money issue. I would suggest exchanging say $30 at the airport for your taxi and extras, then exchange whatever you need in the city. I always use the bank just off the corner of the Habana Libre hotel, right hand turn as you face the hotel and few steps along the tiled walkway and it is on the left. It's next door a nice little ice cream shop (good pick up for chicas a la noche, as well as a nice place to take your chica to).
Gentlemen: I once again noticed something on my most recent visit (April 2005), of chicas offering unprotected action: this was offered twice out of 6 chicas: not a trend statistic, but alarming nonetheless. I guess I don’t have to say any more: just resist the temptation for your own safety, and by default that of the chica.
I hope this helps. The board has some really excellent masters who have posted really good reports. I should back-read and also ask specific questions.
Have a good trip. Havanaman
Average Tycoon
05-17-05, 23:15
I am visiting Cuba in one month and I wondered whether the currency situation is, I hear all this stuff about convertable pesos, but I wondered whether cubans hustling whether it be girls or cab drivers still want dollars. Can people please tell me what the score is on the street.
Many thanks.
Jonny Rocker
05-18-05, 03:15
Havanaman, thanks for the note. I last visited Havana about 3 years ago and had a really great time. We stayed at the Hotel Nacional and although it wasn't quite the 4 stars that it was made out to be..well we made due..lol.
Anyway, I've been to several "monger" locations but what I liked most about Cuba was the fact that I could go to clubs(club havana, Johnny Rio's..etc..etc.) and pick and chose some really beautiful semi-pro girls.
I mean, yeah, they were pro's..but they were also college students, dancers, etc, etc, and we were able to walk into a hoping disco and negotiate with just about any girl in the joint(Club Havana). I believe most of them are no longer in biz and that is a bit of a bummer. I sense that the action is more "street" these days and that combined with the recent elevated tension between W & Fidel has more or less led me to revisit Sosua, D.R. in a couple of weeks..btw, does anyone know if you can fly from Puerto Plata to Havana? I think the only way is through Santo Domingo, D.R.
Anyway, I do appreciate your feedback and response and who knows, if Sosua sucks, well Havana here we come. LOL.
Truth Seeker
05-18-05, 11:39
Upon arrival, you should change your money to the CUC.
The US dollar is discounted heavily in Cuba, I prefer to travel with the Euro, even though I am Cdn. Inspite of the fact that I have to pay a service fee to buy the Euro, the rate of exchange is very favourable.
Organicgrowth
05-19-05, 19:21
Average Tycoon,
Truth Seeker is right: as I also said: "Upon arrival, you should change your money to the CUC". In general, no one is now accepting USD as they get the shaft when they exchange. That includes the chicas I had, shops etc...
Regards, Havanaman
Does anyone know the recent situation at the Playas del Este? Is it possible to go there together with a girl these days? Or is the police presence too high?
Does anyone know other beaches with less control - i.e. Cienfuegos, Trinidad?
Peterko,
I went to Santa Maria beach in April with a Cuban girlfriend and her brother and the police left us alone all day. I think Cuban girls that go there alone get hassled the most. I don't think I would go there to try and pick up girls but I don't think it's a problem to bring one depending on her past history with the police. If you do bring one make sure you act like a couple and try not to leave her alone for too long. Actually the heavy police presence may help you out some because nobody tries to steal your stuff or hassle you.
If you want to hit a beach near Guanabo, visit Brisas Del Mar. It's just east of Guanabo, across the street from the reparto of Penas Altas, a CCCP style housing project. I've never seen a cop there, and there is a bar on the beach.
Santa Cruz Del Norte further east has a packed beach in the summer, with no police. Again, near a different CCCP housing project.
Cienfuegos has a beach a couple of football fields west of the Rancho Luna resort. La Boca is nice toward Trinidad.
Look for this sign to get to Brisas Del Mar.
Member #3200
05-22-05, 23:34
I never had much if not any police problems at Playa De este beach, but the presence is there which might changed a mongers plans, things were the status quo there my last trip there last Oct. I went 2 Cienfuegos in Dec & I had ZERO problems there, Cienfuegos is a great destination 4 chica action so much so that I'm 90% positive I'll b leaving Canada for Cienfugos in early June.
Speaking of the police, I was in a restaurant in Old Havana earlier last month with a Cuban girlfriend. Two hot chicas walked into the restaurant and go into a back room followed by two policemen. Fifteen minutes later the chicas leave, one adjusting her bra as she was leaving followed by the two policemen. I look at my girlfriend and ask if they just did what I thought they did? She just shook her head in disgust and said this is Cuba. These Cuban police look pretty impressive in their nice gray uniforms but really I think they are just a bunch of horny guys like us. If you find a policeman giving your chica a hard time you should be able to work out a deal with them. After all, they know what it's like to be a horny guy.
Havanaman. It would be interesting to hear what you think of the chica seen in Havana now. When I was just getting started in Havana, you were like one of the regular posters here. It sounds like you did OK.
Organicgrowth
06-03-05, 09:37
Dran Reb
I go to Havana quite regularly, however I no longer post as often as I have over the past years. The reason is simple: I no longer go to the clubs. Over the years I have managed to get a nice little “steady stream of chicas”: call them my regulars, whom I do not pay (OK, we all pay in the end, but you understand my point: little / no money changes hands, it's all about presents…).
Recently I also had a major upset which put me off posting for a while: a chica claiming that her pregnancy was down to me: difficult since I NEVER go bare back (except for oral delights)… but in the end the genetic argument shone the light of honesty: thank goodness for humans coming in different skin colours (long live the “united colours of benetton”..).
Anyway, my M.O. has changed significantly since we communicated in the early years. Do a quick search on me (Cuba & Argentina) and you will come across my epal method using MSN: over the years, slow and steady as it is I have built a large following of chicas all over the planet! I’m visiting them during my travels and so I tend to find that I spend less and less time trawling the clubs. Off course not all the pen-palls are bed-able, but you would be surprised to learn just how successful the method is. For Cuba, be ready for limited success as the chicas can often find it difficult to keep up the email frequency due to money…. But I get over this by using the phone also.
Regarding chicas on the malecon and surrounding bars: nothings changed in the past 2 months, the day police presence was high in March, but at night this falls to almost nil. Prices ranged from 20 – 40 CU: I only sampled 2 P4P this trip, and then only for the oral skills of the Cuban chicas (I swear they must teach blowjobology at college…).
Sorry I can not be more helpful. Just for the hell of it I might do a couple of the clubs on my next visit: I was thinking about June, however something has come-up to prevent that. I should recommend the disco at the Habana Libre (Wednesday nights if my memory serves…).
Regards, Havanaman
i just browsed trough the picture section and some of the report sections and i have to say that i really do not get it. im cuban of birth and i grew up on the island and i have to wonder what it is you guys find attractive about cuban women? i have been with plenty of cuban women both that live in cuba and in miami. i believe that women from any other country in latin america surpass them in bed by a long shot. i visited cuba in late 2003 (family reasons) and the only girls i fucked were [deleted by admin]. after that age most women are unfuckable. fat, acne, veins, i mean look at the picture section. check out the brasil section and that is what real women are supposed to look like. please if you are thinking about going to cuba to monger, don't. it will be a waste of your money. sorry if i offended somebody, just needed to let it out.
editor's note: posting of this report was delayed pending removal references to **** persons.
i am aware that the vast majority of references to **** girls are legitimate attempts to warn other fellow members about how easy it is to accidentialy pickup an **** girls, the potential dangers of being caught with **** girls, etc. however, past discussions in the forum has repeatedly demonstrated that the subject simply cannot be discussed intelligently, in any form or for any reason, without being misinterperated, and without starting flame wars.
anyway, to avoid delays in future reports, please do not post references to **** persons in the forum. thanks!
Organicgrowth
06-09-05, 12:37
Digi,
One man's 10, is another man's 7...
Regards, Havanaman
Willie Large
06-12-05, 12:04
I asked at hotel reception what the exchange rate was for € and was told 1.07, then I noticed people coming out of the offical exchange kiosk next door, and when I checked their rate I got 1.13, so make sure you check for the official exchange and if they don't have one check out another hotel!
I recently returned from my fifth trip to Havana: one week May '99, 10 days in April '02, 11 days in February '04, 15 days in February '05 and 11 days in May of '05.
I recently returned from my fifth trip to Havana: one week May '99, 10 days in April '02, 11 days in February '04, 15 days in February '05 and 11 days in may of '05.
My trip in May '05 has validated my experience in February '05, which is that Fidel and the Police have drasticaly changed Havana for mongering. I noticed the police build-up in May '04, but like everyone else, I thought it was just a temporary thing to control the jinateras/jinateros from the wild and festive atmosphere that had existed long before my first trip in 1999. Since I know many Cubans and am familiar with the lay of the land, Havana is still a great time for me, but it will not be the wild fiesta for newbies that has made Cuba famous.
Now, my experience is limited to Havana; although I have planned each time to leave La Habana it always seduces me from leaving its friendly confines. I like staying at the Inglaterra Hotel across from Parque Central. "Old Havana" or Habana Vieja is where "the action is." I recommend that newbies to Cuba stay in a Hotel in Old Havana like the Inglaterra($55-65 U.S. depending on the season and includes an all you can eat breakfast) or Hotel Telegrafo($65-75 U.S. includes breakfast) or the upscale Hotel Parque Central with its rooftop pool and gorgeous lobby($100 and up). If you stay at a hotel like Hotel Nacional you'll miss much of the flavor which makes Havana special. After a few days of hotel service I find a casa particular in "the Old City" or I should accurately say a casa particular finds me;the whole city will help you if you let them.
Anyway, the police no longer just harass the jinateras and jinateros they are writing tickets which amounts to fine or a waltz them to jail. Everytime I return to the island, I learn of someone I know who is in prison for operating outside of Fidel's socialismo. It used to one continuous hassle of fending off both jinateras and jinateros, but I kind of miss the attention especially from the chicas. Fidel has installed cameras at key locations throughout Habana Vieja which has an already paranoid and depressed population delusional. I liked it when you didn't have to leave Old Havana to find an unbelievable selection of friendly chicas. Now, however, a trip to Vedado or Miramar where the police are no so attentive, might be necessary to meet "the right person."
It was common for me to commit to a day of rest after going at it hard for a few days. I would venture down the the street for coffee or a bite to eat only to be intercepted by a beautiful stranger and would not return for 20 hours. This inevitably happened-all the time! No longer, Cubans are much more careful-even with their eye contact.
The money exchange is no big deal to me: I bring Euros and exchange them at the airport, hotel or one of the many banks. On Calle Obisbo, a main thoroghfare in Old Havana, there is a bank that is open until 10PM. These banks have better exchange rates. The discos and bars like Cabaret Nacional, between the Gran Teatro and the Inglaterra Hotel are constantly changing their program and when it is a disco, females need to be with a male to enter. The pressure from the police has definitely dampened the mood of all but the most resilient. A difficult life has been made more difficult. They are trying to enforce a standard fare of $20 U.S. to and from the airport. It used to be easy to negotiate your own deal with a litttle patience, but it took a half-hour of stubborness to get a little break on the fare which I don't think was worth the effort. Entering Havana is even more difficult, more questions even though they will not stamp your passport; they want to know how many people you know in Cuba in addition to where you are staying, why you're visiting and when did you last visit. It gets the trip off to a little bit of an uncomfortable start. I've have been trying to get many of my friends to visit Cuba because of the off the hook party and beautiful women, but I will no longer lobby on behalf of visiting. The party has ended. I may have to go back and check one more time-to make sure I didn't leave anything at the party.
Gentlemen,
I've just returned from 10 days in Cuba, my 6th trip in 4 years, 3rd in the past 6 months. From what my friends tell me, my first visit was just a taste of what the old place use to be like, before the police hit the streets in force.
HOWEVER, I am amazed at the overall negativity and out of line crying about the situation down there, unless I just happened to have met the right people back in 2001. This fact, along with my improving Spanish, means I always have a great time in Cuba. Helk, even the hurricane couldn't damper things this time around. What else was there to do for 24 hours without electricity, than to populate 'my' neighborhood. Will see just how well I did around April 10th next year.
A bit of background. 3 buddies and I were walking down towards the cathedral in Havana Vieja on my first trip in 2001. We met a couple of characters in the street, and their female neighbor invited us over for a meal. She has 6 kids, so it's always a circus in their apt., but she's become my "sister" of Havana, and she can cook some great food!
Anyway, with this contact, and now several others around Havana, I manage to get picked up at the airport for $10, and there's always a friend of my "sisters" waiting for me when I arrive. My "sister" knows the routine. Have a meal waiting for me after her friend brings me in from the airport, then we go visit the apts. she has found for me, if my favorite one isn't available. This time, a guy moved back in with his parents, so that I could have his one bedroom place on Calle Compostela all to myself. It even had a round bed, with a kick ass AC unit (thank God!) Then, of course, the "friend" that she has chosen for me, joins me for my well needed shower. then an early to sleep evening, since I'm usually tired by the time I arrive via Cancun.
Now, I also have my "girlfriend" down there, who doesn't need to know which day I actually arrive. So, it kind of goes like this...Since I do 'real' business in Latin America, I tell her that I have to meet with colleagues upon my arrival, which gives me 48 hours to check out the latest scene with the chicas. This time, I found a real beauty, who I just happened to have 100% chemistry with ! I'm talking one of those 3 -4 girls you meet in a lifetime kind of chemistry. She knew all the moves in bed, and her attitude was A+ What more can one ask for...
So, to make a long story short, I juggled time between her and my "girlfriend" for about a week, and managed to grab about 5 other "neighborhood" girls in the process. It doesn't take long for the folks in the bario to figure out that there's a gringo with cash around, but I never pay more than $30 for girls 7-9 on the scale. I use to go to all of the clubs to find the expensive 9's and 10's (what we might term as "pros"), but I learned my lesson on my second visit. The neighborhood 'regular' girls aim to please for usually $20 - $25, so why deal with all of the others.
Now, don't get me wrong. I can't help but to wander around to diff. parts of the city during the day, looking for fresh prospects. And, during this time, I might find a decent opportunity about once every 45 min. or so. Thus, again, I'm not understanding why everyone says that finding girls in Cuba is a thing of the past. Hell, even when I have a couple of the neighborhood boys or bicitaxi drivers help me out, I"m usually not dissapointed. They just need to know upfront (with the help of a few copied photos) what type of girls I want, and the price I'm willing to pay. Again, I don't need a 10, but solid 7's and 8's with great attitudes is what I find to be the best...
I shit you not, I gave a couple of guys my apt. address (a bit of a mistake), and they started bringing girls by a few hours later. Thank God, my neighbor friend convinced them to stop by his place first, just in case I had company. In fact, it got so crazy/sad that a few of the neighborhood mothers about my age (40), brought their daughters by. I was having so much luck this time, that my dentist (or should I say, the dentist of my friends, who replaced my metal fillings for white ones for a ridiculous low price) introduced me to his hygenist, and I ended up going out with her that night...
Well, there's one thing you should know. I treat the women well (again, not so much monetarily)l, and don't do anything they don't want to. I always have food around my place (or my 'sister' cooks them a meal, some I take out for music, etc., and they all love the hot water showers, the fresh towels (I bring), and the little gifts (lot of lingerie, which I buy at discount dept. stores before I go there).
So please, even if you don't speak much Spanish, go online and get yourself a "user" friendly apt., so you'll always have a place to bring back the girls.
Then, get out on the streets and just observe. Forget the hustlers and start approaching girls. They'll get the signal and they'll eventually find you, if they can't talk to you at first because of police presence. At worse, just hire a bicitaxi or Coco taxi and drive along streets and along the Malecon. Actually, my new, favorite Havana hobby is to rent a bicycle, and just ride around the various streets. It saves time getting around, and I have a blast seeing where the day will take me.
Good luck gentlemen, and enjoy my photos.
ps Oh, definitely bring in Euros or $CAN (I actually opened up an account in Spain, so I use my Visa/ATM card...maybe you can try opening up an account in Canada, or perhaps in the Caymans.)
pss I've been to other parts of Cuba as well (and I do suggest seeing the beautiful areas, and going to smaller towns), but when you find a good thing, why keep looking for better...Did I mention that I spend a lot of time sitting out by the fancy top end hotel pools? They wouldn't dare ask if I was a guest !
psss I agree with the Cuban who wrote about Brasil. Yes, it is easier, and the women there are fabulous, but it's a bit of a haul to get there (I'll put some photos from my 2004 trip to Rio on here as well).
pssss Overall, even though I haven't been there yet, I hear Columbian women are the absolute best. From the ones I've met in the States and on my travels, I'd have to agree. That damn country is producing some of the absolute top beauties of the world. I would love to learn more about travel there. I guess I have some reading to do.
Tennis, I have a couple of pals who live in the Compostela-Empedrado(3 blocks north of Obispo) area. Is this the area you stayed?
Try posting the girls you knocked up again. The first attempt didn't take.
Hey guys,
I've received some funny notes, as well as questions about $. Also, I'm sorry that I haven't posted my photos. I can't seem to get them on here. Any advise?
As far as the $. Again, if possible (for Americans), get an account/credit card on a non U.S. bank. Otherwise, try to change your $ into another currency before going, to avoid the 10% hit. Non Americans, just bring a little emergency cash, but you'll be able to get $ from ATM machines, hotels, and of course banks.
Petrolero,
Compostela runs perpendicular to Obispo. If you're at the Floridita, go towards the port on Obispo. I think Compostela will be about the 3rd street you cross. My apt. was to the left, about 7 blocks from there, in the direction of the Malecon. An easier way to get there is to go on the back side of Hotel Sevilla (opposite side of the Prado), sort of near the National Museum, and cross the 2 busy roads, before you get into the housing neighborhoods of Habana Vieja in that area. There's a cathedral right over that way. In fact, Compostela dead ends up there on the little hill, and I stayed one street away.
Who else has some good info? I want to go outside of Havana for a week next time. I heard Cienfuegos is a mess after the Hurricane.
Tom
Member #3200
07-25-05, 16:35
It is true that Cienfuegos is a bit of a mess right now,I have friends down there at this very moment & when i get the full details of damage from there,I'll pass it along.I still plan to go to cienfuegos in Oct or Nov as it's a lovely city with GREAT chicas.
Cuba is for the afficianados, the real latina lovers. If your only Spanish words are "Olla chica, cuanto es?", better head for nearby DR. There is no open prostitution, the stories of Cuban veterans about street workers on the Malecon and brothels in Old Havana are past. There is only amateur action, you need to speak Spanish, have some feeling for latin culture, and some salsa dancing skills. Any chica can learn you dance Dominican Merengue or Bachata, Reaggeaton won't even need to be teached (very natural for all mongerers), but the Cuban Salsa needs at least a good year of lessons before daring to go on the dance floor. Yes, Cuba needs some efforts to fully enjoy it!
The Girls
The good news. Only Brazilians can compete with Cuban ethnic diversity. The vast majority is latina (not black as some might think), but goes from blonde with blue eyes to black. Like most latinas, Cubanas are beautifull, sexy, sensual, and passionate. But Cubanas have more, as they are surprisingly educated and civilisated. You will meet the most interesting people during your travel through Cuba. Cubans in general are very open minded towards foreigners no matters religion, race or nationality, including US Citizens.
The Law Enforcement
The bad news. Cuba is a repressive communist regime. There are all kind of surprising laws to prevent black economy. A Cuban can not take a foreigner in his car (unless it is a taxi), a foreigner can not sleep in a Cuban house (unless it has been declared as a Casa Particular and pays the taxes). Prostitution has been cracked down a few years ago when it started to be too obvious with the growing tourism industry. Cubans are open minded about sex, the problem is not that much the moral thing about prostitution, than the black business it generates. All kind of laws have been made to prevent prostitution, similar to those existing in Islamic countries. A chica can not enter alone in a discotheque. A Cuban chica can not enter a Hotel with a foreigner or even go out by night with a foreigner. As a foreigner, police will not bother you very much, the worst what may happen is that you have to leave Cuba. But the Chica can be in deep trouble. Be discrete.
At your arrival, take care not to bring GPS or other kind of paramilitar equipment. Your Visa is issued with the airline ticket on a separate paper. There will be no stamps left on your passport. US Citizens have some restrictions with the US administration, not with the Cuban administration, as they need to go through a third country to get to Cuba (Canada, Mexico...).
The Lodging and food
There are basic hotels everywhere in Cuba for about 50$ a night. Havana and Varadero have the more upscale hotels. The hotels in Varadero are mostly all inclusive and need to be booked with a tour operator. Don't go to Varadero if you are looking for action! A more upscale hotel in Havana like The Hotel Inglaterra will not cost more than 120$ (double bed and breakfast during high season).
However, security is tight in hotels, they are even Video monitored, and are not chica friendly. My advice is to book a hotel only for the first night. You have to look for a Casa Particular. These are rooms rented by Cuban families inside their own house. All Casa Particular have AC, TV and bathroom, pricing is around 30$ a night. There are Casa Particar everywhere, there is no problem to find one, they will come to you. Just try one, if it's not OK, head for another one the next day. Here you can bring safely your chica, the owner may even send them to you.
Food is available everywhere, a meal is about 10$ in the privately runned Paladares as wel as the normal restaurants. A drink is 1$, a beer is 1.5$. Yes, Cuban food is basic, but don't believe those who tell you there is nothing to eat in Cuba!
Transport
Don't rely on local transport (buses, trains...) apart from taxis (Caballo coche, Coco Taxi, BiciTaxi....) in Habana and Varadero. With a rental car you are free of any hassle, and it will help you a lot to find action, as you will become a very popular guy. You can also easily pick up the chicas who try to get a ride along the road. The first day in Cuba you may believe that there is plenty of street action with all those sexy chicas yelling at you, but they are only looking for transportation. However, who knows, it may end up further. The best advice is to book a rental car with the air ticket. Once in Cuba, rental is expensive and not always available. Unfortunately, you can not rent the famous old timers, unless it's with a driver.
Money
The average monthly salary for a Cuban is less than 400 pesos, 25 pesos is 1$, which is about 15$ ! Education and Health is free, a Cuban can build a house, the building materials are paid by the government. But still, food and clothes have to be paid with that salary. Cuban pesos can only be used for the basic necessities (food, clothes and transport). All the rest are not supposed to be for the average Cubans. Tourists don't use Cuban Pesos.
In the past, the rest (hotel restaurant, bar, night club, taxi and the more upperscale stores) was paid with US$, but it became politically unconfortable to see the US$ becoming the major currency in use in Cuba. The government created the Convertible peso (1 CUC is about 1 $), and all foreign currency have to be converted in CUC before they can be used in Cuba). The change can be done in any bank, airport and the major hotels. It's also easy to get cash with VISA card. American Express and other US Cards are not accepted.
However, Credit Cards and US$ are over taxed (between 10% and sometimes up to 20%) compared to the other currencies. The best is to come with cash Euros.
Poverty is not obvious in Cuba, most Cubans especially the girls are well dressed. There are some surprising scenes, like in Varadero, where Cuban teenagers pay a month salary to get in a nightclub, or upscale houses in Miramar, the Havana Western suburb. Yes, not all Cubans are poor, there is a real underground economy. But the vast majority can not affort even to pay a beer.
If you need to tip, and you will need often to tip, it's usual to give 1 CUC.
Security
Cuba is a very safe country, there is no crime. You can safely walk everywhere by night, it's one of the major advantage of the cuban scene. There is a police on every street corner, and I mean litterally. There is no problem of corrupt police. But as you earn about 200 or 500 times more than the average Cuban, you will be a target for thieves. Take care for your personal belongings.
There is no health problem, Cuba has a good medical system, with however some lack in phamaceutical supply. Bring your own with you. Foreigners are supposed to pay for medical care.
Prostitution
There is no pro action. I had my monger radar on 24 hours a day, but didn't find any. Only a few semi-pros looking for tourists in the touristic area by night. They are walking on Obispo Calle, especially close to the main touristic bars, on the place in front of Hotel Inglaterra, on the Prado and the Malecon.
You need to make eye contact before they dare to come to you. Not the most beautifull by far, didn't even ask for pricing.
The amateur scene
This is the real scene. There is no specific place for this, it's virtually anywhere. Just walk around in the old Havana or along the Rampa and the Malecon. It's very easy to start conversation with any Cuban, so why not with a beautifull chica. Even if she is not interested to go further, she will be very pleased that a foreigner tried to get in contact with her. Just ask any kind of information (Por favor, donde esta etc..). Most of the time, when she has answered your question, she will try to continue conversation and ask something about you. Ask her to be your guide for tonight (Puedes ayudarme esta noche...).
By day time, you could go to the nearby beaches at Santa Maria, a few km east outside Havana. Chicas are VERY hot here.
By night time, the easiest is to go to a Night Club. However the scene is very different from other Third World countries. The Chicas are not to be picked up inside, but are waiting outside for somebody to invite them to enter. They simply can not afford to pay the entrance. The best one is Casa de la Musica, the best Salsa live bands are playing there. It's however in the suburb of Havana. Check first the Oasis and Club 264 on Prado, then check all the Clubs along the Rampa between Havana Libre and the Malecon, as well as in front of Hotel National.
Another hot spot is all along the Malecon. As most Cubans can not afford to go to a disco, they come here to have fun for free. Some bring a guitar, some a bottle of Rhum. Just get in touch with a group of youngers, they will be very pleased you want to join them, and won't be bothered if you will go later with one of the Chicas. There are sometimes live bands giving free concerts on the Malecon, especially during the holydays. Just join the crowd, and if you have learned to dance Salsa before coming, just pick up the hottest Cubana, it will be your lady for the night. You will spot not only fellow mongerers on hunting, but also a lot of Western girls coming safely single on vacation and looking for latinos! Yes, Cuba is a paradise for all those looking for amateur scene.
If you are really too shy to go to a Chica, any Cuban can help you with that. But forget all the young Cubans who are making a living by hunting for tourists with there few english learned phrases "hello, where do you come from?". They will be of no help, trying only to get some quick tips. Make yourself a friend with any Cuban who has allready a job (the security guard of the hotel, the waiter from the restaurant, or the musician of the bar). He will be pleased to be your guide for the night and helping you to get in contact with the chicas. Choose a friend with an interesting personality, a musician for example, he can introduce you to the whole Malecon, and bring you to the hottest night spots of Havana!
Finally, the pricing. There is no pricing, as they are amateurs. Just do as if it is your girl friend, invite her at a restaurant, buy her a dress or lingerie, help her sister to pay for the baby milk, her mother for kitchen items etc...She will let you know what she needs.
This is a general description of the Havana scene for a newby. I do not pretend to be a Cuba specialist, but I'm for sure a Cuba lover. Looking forwards your reactions to complete this general description.
Gringo Loco
08-12-05, 22:56
This a good general info & casa link:
http://www.casaparticular.info/
I personally stayed here a few times:
http://casa.wordsweave.com/
Alejandro is a great (and english speaking) host. Good breakfasts, dinners & chica friendly too! And no, I don't get a commission (LOL!). Tell him his friends from NY & Miami say hello!
Another good all around general info & casa site:
http://www.cuba-junky.com/
Routard,
All chicas at the Malecon and at La Rampa are (semi-)professionals. Mind you!
The police knows them all. They have to pay the police. With money or with services. Remember: as you said the (secret) police in Cuna is very efficient. Everybody gives information of everybody through the CDR's. I have even been told that there are chicas working for the secret police. Authorities know everything.
If chicas and pimps do not pay the police they will be deported. Have you ever seen the police trucks on La Rampa filling with pimps and chicas?
For the girls waiting ouside disco's like oasis: I don't find them very appealing. Very young (18 yrs), anorexic and tons of mascara.
By the way there are two "Casas the Musica" in Havana. One near the centre (I believe in Galiano) and one in Miramar (the suburb as you call it). The one in Miramar is a bit more sofisticated.
Don't ever pay more then 25-30 CUC! The girls will find you a fool if you do!
Best prices I did get at the Malecon were $15 for 2 hours and $30 for a whole night (until 10:00).
By the way whatever you do: no drugs!!! and no chicas < 18 yr (check their carnet's).
Cuba is for the afficianados, the real latina lovers. If your only Spanish words are "Olla chica, cuanto es?", better head for nearby DR. There is no open prostitution, the stories of Cuban veterans about street workers on the Malecon and brothels in Old Havana are past. There is only amateur action, you need to speak Spanish, have some feeling for latin culture, and some salsa dancing skills. Any chica can learn you dance Dominican Merengue or Bachata, Reaggeaton won't even need to be teached (very natural for all mongerers), but the Cuban Salsa needs at least a good year of lessons before daring to go on the dance floor. Yes, Cuba needs some efforts to fully enjoy it!EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT REPORT!!! I was in Cuba earlier this year and I agree with many of your perceptive observations and experiences.
Having a car in Havana is very important; however, the rates are 3-4x what one would pay in the United States. You mentioned purchasing a car/flight package before arrival and I was wondering which services/airlines/travel packages offer this service, and which countries do they fly out of.
Thanks so much,
Helpmann :)
Organicgrowth
08-14-05, 10:40
Routard,
Exceptional report. It was much needed for the newer mongers. Very well done, in fact you have re-invigorated my wanting to make another trip! I do miss my Havana chicas!
Thanks once again,
Regards, Havanaman
Except by night time around the Clubs, the Chicas on La Rampa appeared to me as being in their vast majority innocent teenagers going to see a movie at Yara and take an ice cream at the Coppelia. None of these chicas tried obviously to get in contact with me. And if I made the first step, they where mostly (happily) surprised, and never answered me by giving their price.
On the Malecon, the people having fun there tend to be older and less shy, and are used to get in contact with the tourists. They will easily start conversation and ask a tip to the tourists walking along. The Malecon is simply the main meeting place for people in Havana, including with tourists.
Yes it's very easy to score with any of those chicas, yes you will always have to pay something at the end, but are they pro?
May be was I in a romantic mood due to that unique Havana atmosphere. Architecture, cars, music, the cigars, the kindness of the people, the revolutionary propaganda, like Fidel, nothing has changed since the 60'. It's like being in a movie, and reality is easily lost.
Yes, I'm a dreamer. But still, it's undenyable that the Cuban scene is way much amateur than the DR, where the main problem is to get rid of a Chica than to find one. I remembered the DR where I couldn't stay in a bar more than 30 sec without a barrakuda starting to rub her ass on my dick on a Reggaeton rythm.
It's may be just a matter what anybody believe about the meaning of pro, semi and amateur.
Thanks for your reactions
RubMeister100
08-29-05, 05:12
Thank you very much for the update on Havana. When were you there and how many times have you been?
I prefer the semi-pro action and find the women of Cuba intoxicating!
How about that disco at the end of the Malecon near Johnnys called La CCh-something". You know the place, it looks like a castle/fort.
Oh, and anyone know of a casa with a pool?
My friend and I will be going to Cuba (starting in Havana) and wondered if anyone had any recommendations for a driver that was a) reliable b) affordable and c) knowledgeable about sights and chicas.
Thanks in advance.
Organicgrowth
08-31-05, 19:30
JPF
Please check your PM for details of driver...
Regards, HM
Willie Large
09-01-05, 00:02
Havana and other towns can be extremely intoxicating if you actually take time out and just look around. You find houses falling down and think "no one could live there" only to see a beautiful girl/woman coming out of it, looking absolutely stunning and happy. Some of them would take your breath away, they are exteremely friendly but not all of them are chicas!!
Cuban people are very friendly and not all of them will beg for money, I met one man with a 7-year old boy one day and we just got talking, met him a day later when just walking around Havana and asked him how his son was, only to be told he was very ill, then his wife called to him home and he invited me to his house where his child was in bed, they genuinely had no money for medicines and the medicines were not free!! I got him some stuff from the chemist and gave him some Paracetamol I had and they were so grateful it was unbelievable.
Two days later when I was on my way to the airport I saw them walking along the Malecon. This is my main memory of Havana.
So spend time getting to know a few Cubans!! They have nothing but yet they are so genuine.
Definitely a place to go back to time and time again, but don't forget to give as well as take!
Guys out there what is written in TENNIS - report is real lovely cuba !
These people deserve to be treated as Tennis does. My own experiances since 2002 are matching totally.
havanna i.m.o.does not have the best chica - scene in cuba for me.
Cienfuego was best so far, but most owners of casas particulares ask for carnet so the girls stay out of your rooms , better to rent a whole apartment / house.
I am looking forward to be back in Nov / Dec to enjoy Cuban live!
Yours,
Dr. Lover
A lot of the girls seemed more like semipros than hardcore pros. You will probably have a better time with the semipros anyways. Best thing about Cuba is the safety issue and the worse is the food imho.
Leparticular
09-19-05, 10:07
A lot of the girls seemed more like semipros than hardcore pros. You will probably have a better time with the semipros anyways. Best thing about Cuba is the safety issue and the worse is the food imho.I'll have to agree there. I was out till 4am every night drunk as a skunk and I never felt uneasy or threatened all my time there. And the food was horrible IMO. I'm not a picky person, I just couldn't get used to some of their foods. I found my self at the "Del Mar" I think was the name. It's a seafood fast food sorta joint on the Malecon by Vedado. I thought it was pretty good. it's by a flee market for those that wanna grab some battered fish and fries sometimes.
Leparticular
09-25-05, 13:10
What's the going rate on Casas now that they gone to the CUC permanently?
15- 25? What's your take on it, for those that have gone recently?
Thanks.
The casa particular owners charge in CUC the same amount that they were charging in USD so basically there has been in increase in cost. I don't know when you were last there but the range you indicated is low, particularly in Havana.
Leparticular
09-26-05, 10:28
The casa particular owners charge in CUC the same amount that they were charging in USD so basically there has been in increase in cost. I don't know when you were last there but the range you indicated is low, particularly in Havana. 25 CUC isn't low. It's about $30 U. S. I was there just last year and I payed $25 a night for a decent apartment. 1 bedroom, 2 living rooms (one like a little den with a TV and the other formal), furnised balcony (3 or 4 chairs & a kitchen table. I got that apartment through http://www.cubaccommodation.com a pretty good site. Looking at the listings now, they're listed at 25CUC and above. Which is a bit higher than the last time but definately isn't too low. But those aren't the final prices, as you can still negotiate with them. 15CUC translated to about $20 which was attainable last year. I wouldn't reccomend paying more than $30 for an apartment in Havana unless it's like really really gorgeous.
Can someone please tell me the current restrictions on sending money to Cuba? Thanks!
Can anybody recommend a travel agent or something who can get tickets/packages from Toronto for less than at www.redtag.ca and www.tripcentral.ca?
I am a student and I am going with my bi gf (threesome time!). so cheap and friendly service is a must. I heard Havana is overpriced, what about other cities, is Holguin any good in this respect?
Thank you
Member #3200
10-01-05, 02:21
If you live in the GTA-Greater Toronto Area-try sunholidays.com which has amalgamated with selloffvacations.com
PM me if you want the agent i use all the time at sun holidays-he will give you the best price available
For hobby purposes go to Havana,Cienfuegos or Santiago de Cuba-they're your best options
I am looking 4 a way to travel to CUBA, from US, can someone please assist.
Best route?
I used to read a lot of diferent reports about Havana but lately is not easy to find news, and experiences about mongers. This section is very quite and is bizarre for me.
I'm interesting to visit again (2002 last time), and I wonder if Havana has changed (prices up, trouble to get good girls, police bother girls with men....etc).
Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks
Organicgrowth
10-04-05, 21:24
Liucio,
See General Info. Regards, Havanaman
Can someone please tell me the current restrictions on sending money to Cuba? Thanks!
You can't use Western Union if you don't have family. You need to use one of the Canadian outfits, such as www.duales.com
Thanks, Petro,
Can I just go to their website and send money to Havana? What's the vig?
My 2 centavos: avoid Cuba. Why?
It's fairly expensive now since Fidel imposed the 25% charge on US$...thus making travel, chicas, food 25% more expensive.
Good food/restaurants are damned hard to find. They are there - places like Tien Tan, La Guarida & El Aljibe are all good bets, but do you really want to spend at least US$16 on a meal?
Fidel also imposed some rule whereby normal Cubans are discouraged from interacting/talking to tourists. In 2002, I was like a visiting rock star when I went to Clubs. Girls grabbed me, constantly tried to make friends. The attention I got was amazing. In August 2005, I suddenly became anonymous.
Also, the status of the clubs keeps changing. Casa de La Musica used to be my last choice since it was always a good place to find chicas if I couldn't succeed anywhere else, but as of my last visit, even that had been turned into a couples only establishment, along with other places that were similiar in the late 90s. It's simply too much of a damned hassle to keep looking around for female company.
The combination of those 4 factors have made Cuba a really disappointing mongering destination and thus it's permanently off my list. Up until last August, I had visited Cuba 9 times.
No more for me, until someone actually pays me to go there.
My sentiments exactly, Wet Nose, and I've been saying it for at least a year now, although last time I went (March, '05) it was many times worse. I have been to Cuba 11 times now and love the people and the culture and the music, etc., but I won't go back anytime soon, gracias a Fidel. As for mongering there are too many much better/easier/cheaper places to go. I'm just grateful for having had the opportunity to visit Cuba when things were a lot better.
Have to go to Havana in 2 weeks again (last time in Feb 2005) and could not believe that Casa de la Musica is now a couples only place, wtf?)Whats about the 25% charge on USD? I know about the 10% when they announced the CUC.
Any action on the Malecon or any advise for a action in a club is very highly appreciated and if any funloving monger is in Havanan from 28.10-03.11 PM me for some cold cristal!
Carpe Diem
Kiko
P.S. Anybody lately went to Diabolo TUMTUM, ontop of Casa de la Musica in Miramar?
My 2 centavos: avoid Cuba. Why?
It's fairly expensive now since Fidel imposed the 25% charge on US$...thus making travel, chicas, food 25% more expensive.
Good food/restaurants are damned hard to find. They are there - places like Tien Tan, La Guarida & El Aljibe are all good bets, but do you really want to spend at least US$16 on a meal?
Fidel also imposed some rule whereby normal Cubans are discouraged from interacting/talking to tourists. In 2002, I was like a visiting rock star when I went to Clubs. Girls grabbed me, constantly tried to make friends. The attention I got was amazing. In August 2005, I suddenly became anonymous.
Also, the status of the clubs keeps changing. Casa de La Musica used to be my last choice since it was always a good place to find chicas if I couldn't succeed anywhere else, but as of my last visit, even that had been turned into a couples only establishment, along with other places that were similiar in the late 90s. It's simply too much of a damned hassle to keep looking around for female company.
The combination of those 4 factors have made Cuba a really disappointing mongering destination and thus it's permanently off my list. Up until last August, I had visited Cuba 9 times.
No more for me, until someone actually pays me to go there.
Kiko69, it's actually 20% when you add it all up, and that's just outright robbery IMHO. Casa la Musica, at least as of when I was there in March, was not couples only. The daytime shows had many single and available women in there, although most were pretty hardcore and aggressive so I passed. The evening shows do not allow unescorted women, and tend to be just tourists because Cubans can't afford the nighttime entrance fee.
The Malecon and Prado were still the best places to look for girls. Chinatown isn't bad either.
Kiko69, it's actually 20% It's 20 plus the increase of costs for drinks, super mercado.
Try Cafe Cantante in the evening, a place that still works.
The martinee there and at Cafe de la musica is a good choice.
Pain in the ass: Johnnys and Macumba (only full on Sunday).
For sure it's possible to find somebody for 20/30, normal request now is 50 to 70
CUC. Lot of chicas are pro's and you fell it every second, not like in the past.
How much spanish knowledge is needed for a visit to Cuba to have an awsome time?
If you're mongering, CUC is the universal language. You can get by with NO spanish, as there is someone that speaks a little English. To get by, you should learn a few key phrases, such as "hello, what's your name" and "how much (many)(far)(do I),etc. If you can speak passable spanish, then it's an entirely new game. Less likely to be scam and you are no longer at the mercy of your "frens".
Can anyone tell what the scene is like now? I posted a report in May when I got back from my last trip and can concur with the findings of Mighty67 and Doc Bill, but there is always chica action. If you've ever been there during a crackdown then you know that the action becomes more discreet and you have to pass on the old standbys and move on. The last time I was there (April) it was slow as well, but there was action nonetheless. I'm probably going there in the middle of December and would greatly appreciate a heads up.
BeersTerry
10-15-05, 03:09
Monguito (across from Habana Libre Hotel)
Like a greasy spoon, but good food at CUC $5/$6
Los Nardos (across from the Capitolio)
On the second floor, very good meals for CUC $6 - $10
On the third floor is another decent restaurant.
Chinese restaurants, lots of them, just not in the chinatown strip.
Flor de Lotus behind the police station (Zanja) on Manrique?
Tres Chinitos
Just about anything you eat in Old Havana is a ripoff.
I want 2 go there.
How can I? I am a US citizen and I will spend the money 2 reduce my chances of getting caught.
How can I get there from the US.
Columbia was my alternative 2 visit if I CUBA is just too risky.
It still has to be cheaper in CUBA than in BA or Columbia.
Am I right? And how do I get there?
Anyone know of a good pool to go to, during the day, in the Vedado section of Havana?
Southern120
10-16-05, 13:43
Can anyone tell what the scene is like now? I posted a report in May when I got back from my last trip and can concur with the findings of Mighty67 and Doc Bill, but there is always chica action.I just returned yesterday from a two week visit. There are police everywhere, but they are mainly posted along the Malecon and the Prado and Parque Central. One day one of them struck up a conversation with me on the street, I suspect out of sheer boredom and he casually asked if I had been with any chicas while in Cuba - I think more out of interest than trying to detect unlawful activity. I lied and told him 'No' anyway, just to be safe.
There are police patrols by car through each neighbourhood, but the presence is less and the chicas that I spoke with seemed to think that they were safe a few streets in from these tourist strips. The chicas also seemed to think that they were OK talking to foreigners inside a bar or restaurant. Why I don't know, but on several occasions the police saw me (I look obviously non Cuban even from 100 metres away) talking to/kissing/holding hands with a chica in an open air bar on the Malecon (the city side, not the seawall side) and did not do anything.
There is no chance of action on seawall side of the Malecon itself, but interestingly on the city side of the road I got several offers just walking along the pavement int the middle of the day.
The chicas sit on the steps on the apartment buildings and hiss or run out quickly, grab you, and try to get you to go into a bar or cafe with them. The same thing applied on the Prado, but less so. If you are game to walk around in the streets inside Centro and can stand the stench of the overflowing sewerage and rotting dog carcasses, there are many opportunities.
As should be well known to all that there is a law in Cuba that you cannot bring chicas to your hotel - or rather that they are not allowed to let non Cubans go into rooms with Cubans. I tried to challenge this in the hotel I got for the last night in Vedado, as I was sick of staying in casas. Basically for CUC 50, the doorman was prepare to allow it but the chica was too afraid to go in there.
I also went to Playas del Este but it was dead, with a high number of police and zero chicas. This could be due to the fact that it was the low tourist season. Santiago de Cuba had many police and few chicas in evidence on the streets. I did not go out while down there, and there may have been opportunities at the nightclubs.
This was my first trip and I was very much assisted by the information posted in this forum, so thanks to all who have contributed. For beginners, I would pass on the following advice.
For regulars, this will be nothing new - but I would appreciate any thoughts/criticisms so that we can all benefit from our collective pool of experience. I should mention here that I am not a US citizen, and did not go through the US at any stage, so I can't give advice about current enforcement of the travel restrictions.
- Don't be shy about talking to the chicas, they certainly aren't and there is no way you will get shot down as happens in your home country. Just start by asking directions. Attitudes to sex are very different than we are used to. Even if a chica is not interested, she will go out of her way not to offend you and you will still have a good time chatting to her. Chicas are just so different in their attitudes to women in western countries, it is impossible to believe - until you experience it.
- Don't deal with a male Cuban who offers to find you a chica unless you know him or he was referred to you as a guide before you came to Cuba. You will get drawn into a deal before you see her, and if you don't like what he brings you, you will have a hard time getting rid of him without giving him a small amount of money.
- Having some Spanish is a must must, must. The more the better. In this game, you will not get by without it, and if you are after non-pro/GFE experiences, it is likely that the chicas you are after will have little english.
- Try to learn a bit about the geography of the provinces. If you encounter a hot young chica in Havana, there is a very good chance she is from a province. If you can talk to her a bit about her home town, or even be able to say you know where it is, you will score major points and help make a connection that should lead to a better experience with her.
- If you want to go somewhere with her to eat/drink, be careful about letting her choose a place that she knows. Chances are her friends, cousin or whoever will hang there and pretty soon they will be at your table ordering stuff that will go on your bill, or just going off to the bar and putting drinks, snacks, cigarettes etc on your tab. The assumption in those places is that if there is one foreigner and a bunch of Cubans, the foreigner is paying for everything. I found this out the hard way.
- It can be a dit hard/intimidating cruising by yourself and I see lots of requests here for people to meet up while down there. Although it is harder being alone while you are out scouting, I believe it is a much better modus operandi than hanging with 1 or more wingmen. I believe the non-pro chicas are more comfortable approaching/talking to a lone foreigner, rather than a group of men where it might not be clear who she will end up with and she may have to stand around while a decision is made about who will go with her, making her feel/look more like an ordinary pro. If you want a regular pro, this doesn't apply.
- Whatever you budget to spend, make sure you have a backup plan to draw more cash, you almost certainly need more than you bring with you. If you run out of money you will find that the 'Cuban hospitality' disappears very quickly.
- Try to dress well and present yourself as if you were going on a date back home. It is true that you are of interest only because of your money, but by trying to look your best I believe you will open up the range of non-pro chicas who might be inclined to attract your attention.
- Figure out the ‘ultimo’ queuing system – where you don’t stand in a line but ask keep tabs on the last person before your turn. I saw a lot of very hot chicas waiting in shops and banks and this can be the perfect place to strike up a conversation and make plans to meet up later, as the police won’t bother anyone in this context.
- When you get a casa, make sure you go through all the ground rules before signing up or paying money. Some casa owners who are not chica friendly will wait to take your money then say no chicas. Again, don’t be concerned/embarrassed about discussing your plans with the casa owner, even if it is a 58 year old woman – as many are. What they think does not matter, and if they don’t want you fucking a chica in their place, then they don’t get your business, it’s that simple.
I will be in Havana from 11/06/05 to 11/30/05. If anyone is going to be there around the same time and would like to hook up for a beer and some mongering let me know. I do things a little differently than most while there. I do rent an independent apartment in Vedado always, and I definitely reccomend this. The reason being that although some casa particulars will allow girls into your residence they can still be very restrictive. One example is the "visitors book". If the owner sees,hears, or even thinks you have a visitor they will require that visitor to register in this book and produce ID, and this is just one small example of why it is best to have an independent apt.
I do have a good cuban friend who drives for me at a rate of 25CUC a day. That includes all gas and he is honest and speaks english. These days I really only use his services when I want to go far out of Habana; i.e.: Pinar del Rio. I have discovered a much better way of getting around Habana. I have a connection that rents me a scooter with "diplomatic plates"! Thats right, Black Diplomatic PLates! This make me immune to the Police and all others. I have run red lites with girls on the back and the police just shrug their hands at me. For mongering purposes, a diplomatic scooter will land you ANY girl you want: pro,semi, or goodgirl. As for danger, you have to remember that my scooter is faster than most of the cars on the road, you just have to be really careful at night.
I also have a unique approach to mongering in Habana. I hardly never go to discos or the Malecon to find girls. I find those to be hardcore,dishonest, and very expensive! I on the other hand, use my network of friends from Vedado to Cerro to introduce me to good-girls or semi-pros. Most of the girls that I go with have never gone out with a "tourist". I have one very good friend who knows everybody in her neiborhood and we use her house as our central base and party-place. Just about every afternoon/nite we throw a party there. For about 10-15cuc each we have food and drink for our friends and all the neiborhood girls, which we have our choice of. These girls are not pros, but they still expect something(you are the rich gringo) so if its a one niter(todo la noche) you give them 20cuc, of which they are supposed to give back 5cuc to the woman of the partyhouse. If you meet one that you want for the long-term GFE then instead of the 20cuc you work out a deal that will probably include a new pair of tennis shoes. Most of these girls are in the range of 6 to 9's and are from age 18 to 25.
Many people bring up the police situation in Habana; I have found a solution to this also. Not only having a diplomatic vehicle aleviates many problems with the police it also helps to make friends with them. Me and my friends have become friends with many of the Vedado police force including high-ranking and "secret"policemen. They attend our parties, we feed and booze them; and occasionally buy a girl for them to share. Consequently, there have been several situations where I have been talking to a girl in the streets and she sees a policeman and gets scared and then I yell out "hola Julio" to the officer. They have a name for me and my friends in Cuba-"Mafia".
Now for some specifics. Restuarants: most of the time we pay the lady who has the partyhouse to cook for us. For 5cuc to 10cuc each we can have a full-course meal including pork,chicken,lobster, or fish,etc. for us,our girls, and our friends.Getting there: If you are an American always travel through Cancun and never through the Bahammas! Money: change your $ into euros before you arrive and you will save 10%. Good pools to visit: Tropicana maybe? I to would like to know any info on this subject. And finally, as in most latin countries the more Spanish you know everything will be easier for you. If you speak little or zero get a guide/driver who is recommended and speaks english.
This is my first comprehensive report here on the forum and I hope that I have been able to shed a little bit of light on another way of "Cuba Mongering". I have been going to Cuba for about 7years off and on. My last time was in May2005. I would have posted pictures from that trip but most of the girls I go with are 18 but look much younger and I did not want any problems. Again, if any of you are going to be there in November pmail me or respond here and maybe we can hook up. I am also planning a trip to a carnival in central Cuba during November for a few days. I will try and post more after I get back, if not before.
KW KIds
Trader Vic
10-17-05, 05:12
Great report, Southern120. I will be travelling to Havana and Varaderos in November, and what was waiting for the latest news about chica action down there. I'm glad that you could still find some action, even if the police presence was high. What was the average rate for the chicas that you saw? I will be staying in a Hotel for a couple of nights in Havana before going to Varaderos for a week. My last night will also be in a Hotel in Havana. I am curious as to where to bring these chicas back to, if you say you cannot bring them back to your hotel room. Are there plenty of chica friendly casas nearby that I could rent for a couple of nights?
Have you tried any of the discos or nightclubs, like Casa la Musica? Or the one in Chinatown? Is it better to approach them first or let them call you over? My Spanish is virtually nil except for all the tourist phrases like " Dos cervezas, por favor!"
Sorry for all my questions, but this trip has gotten all my hopes up. Are the chicas that you saw young and pretty or were they fairly hardened? I would prefer the young, slim, fair-skinned type, with the nice ass. (wink-wink)
Liucio, try Mexico City as a transitpoint.
There is a direct flight from MX at around 11 am local time and I never ran into any problems and had had quite a few US citizen on my last flight ( I am European ).Cancun seems to become known as a cuban transitpoint.
Prices for chicas seem similar to BA, at least if you come with €. However in HAVANA there is always room for total happiness ( you find a hot GFE and all you pay is drink, food and some little presents ) and total disaster ( police,hardcore pro,everybody wants your cash ).
Just go with the flow and keep all your senses up!
Carpe Diem
Kiko
I want 2 go there.
How can I? I am a US citizen and I will spend the money 2 reduce my chances of getting caught.
How can I get there from the US.
Columbia was my alternative 2 visit if I CUBA is just too risky.
It still has to be cheaper in CUBA than in BA or Columbia.
Am I right? And how do I get there?
Southern120
10-18-05, 10:04
Trader Vic:
Average rate: none of the chicas asked for $$ before the deed. In all cases I took them to dinner (and paid) first because that's what I wanted to do as I was after a GFE. The first one, who I met in the Prado was so nice after so many years of cold, stuck-up, greedy, whining, selfish, nutcase, fake bitches in my home country (Australia) that I gave her quite a bit of money afterwards and said it was for her family, even though her preference was for me to take her shopping the next day. I think I would get banned from here if I disclosed the amount - this was the beginner in me and as I say, I was overwhelmed by this chica even though she was really only a 6 or 7.
The chicas took me round to casas they knew, and I had to pay the owners 20CUC each time to clear out and leave the place to us. It is quite comical as the whole lot: grandmother, brothers, sisters, kids just go and stand around in the street while you go with the chica. They don't bat an eyelid as long as you have the $$$ for them. However, these places aren't the cleanest and you are basically screwing in someone else's bed. This was the main reason I wanted to get the last chica back to my hotel as it was nicer and cleaner.
My advice would be to check through earlier postings here and find a casa particular that is chica friendly and rent that. I should have done that but I just used a tourist guide book and chose casas from there. Otherwise just ask any taxi driver, but be very clear that you want a place near the hotel not 15 blocks away, and just be aware that even if the location is right it may well be a real shithole, i.e. a piece of cloth where the bedroom door is supposed to be, 8 people and 3 dogs sleeping in the next room, unsafe to leave valuables, noisy and smelly etc as it probably won't be a legal casa.
I did not try any clubs or discos as I had heard that these were either being restricted to couples only or were attracting pros who would want to set a price up front, and I was really after semi-pro/GFE action. My experience is that hunting by day/afternoon and meeting up in the evening for dinner is the way to go. It is also good to see them in the light of day first I think.
It is better to approach the girls you like - as long as you are 100% sure they are over 18 and not with a novio (boyfriend) when you approach them. This gives you a wider choice and as I say, they will be extremely nice to you. Don't be concerned if they are with their mother, as you can just ask directions to start with. They will suggest meeting up if they are keen and they won't waste too much time about it either.
That having been said, I think your level of Spanish might not allow this as the kind of approach I am suggesting would have to be in Spanish. I think in your case, you will need to hire a guide who also speaks english. If he drives for you as well it could be an OK deal as you avoid taxi fares. I have seen posts from others who do this and I would try to get a recommendation - I did not do this arrangement for myself when I was there. In any case, try to start cramming as much Spanish into your brain as possible before you go down there - you will thank yourself for it.
Chicas were generally young and pretty with great bodies compared to the average western woman. You will find there are not so many fair skinned ones, in fact the one I really fell for at the end was a much darker skinnned chica than I ever imagined I would be with, but there was something about her, or maybe it was just those warm Cuba nights.
Best of luck.
Trader Vic
10-18-05, 10:33
"I will be in Havana from 11/06/05 to 11/30/05. If anyone is going to be there around the same time and would like to hook up for a beer and some mongering let me know."
Hi Kid, I will be in Havana on Nov.12 and 13th. I then head to Varaderos for a golf tournament and will be there until Nov.18th. I will be back in Havana on Nov.19th for one day before flying out on Nov.20th to Cabos San Lucas. I would like to meet you in Havana and have a cerveza with you and pick up some of your techniques for mongering. You seem to be fairly experienced in the Cuban ways. I'm still learning! Ha Ha.
Hi KW Kids,
agree that your own transportation is a must. Another way to avoid police-tickets is if you copy the original of the rentalcontract and attach/exchange it with the original pages of the contract. Just have your ( the customers ) copy of the rental contract on top and the policeofficer which stops you will never find out.
In any case I would be highly appreciating if you could share the info regarding scooter with diplomatic plates.Does it work for cars with diplomatic plates as well and do you have a contact I can call when I am going there on the 28th of October ???
Thanks Kiko
I will be in Havana from 11/06/05 to 11/30/05. If anyone is going to be there around the same time and would like to hook up for a beer and some mongering let me know. I do things a little differently than most while there. I do rent an independent apartment in Vedado always, and I definitely reccomend this. The reason being that although some casa particulars will allow girls into your residence they can still be very restrictive. One example is the "visitors book". If the owner sees,hears, or even thinks you have a visitor they will require that visitor to register in this book and produce ID, and this is just one small example of why it is best to have an independent apt.
I do have a good cuban friend who drives for me at a rate of 25CUC a day. That includes all gas and he is honest and speaks english. These days I really only use his services when I want to go far out of Habana; i.e.: Pinar del Rio. I have discovered a much better way of getting around Habana. I have a connection that rents me a scooter with "diplomatic plates"! Thats right, Black Diplomatic PLates! This make me immune to the Police and all others. I have run red lites with girls on the back and the police just shrug their hands at me. For mongering purposes, a diplomatic scooter will land you ANY girl you want: pro,semi, or goodgirl. As for danger, you have to remember that my scooter is faster than most of the cars on the road, you just have to be really careful at night.
I also have a unique approach to mongering in Habana. I hardly never go to discos or the Malecon to find girls. I find those to be hardcore,dishonest, and very expensive! I on the other hand, use my network of friends from Vedado to Cerro to introduce me to good-girls or semi-pros. Most of the girls that I go with have never gone out with a "tourist". I have one very good friend who knows everybody in her neiborhood and we use her house as our central base and party-place. Just about every afternoon/nite we throw a party there. For about 10-15cuc each we have food and drink for our friends and all the neiborhood girls, which we have our choice of. These girls are not pros, but they still expect something(you are the rich gringo) so if its a one niter(todo la noche) you give them 20cuc, of which they are supposed to give back 5cuc to the woman of the partyhouse. If you meet one that you want for the long-term GFE then instead of the 20cuc you work out a deal that will probably include a new pair of tennis shoes. Most of these girls are in the range of 6 to 9's and are from age 18 to 25.
Many people bring up the police situation in Habana; I have found a solution to this also. Not only having a diplomatic vehicle aleviates many problems with the police it also helps to make friends with them. Me and my friends have become friends with many of the Vedado police force including high-ranking and "secret"policemen. They attend our parties, we feed and booze them; and occasionally buy a girl for them to share. Consequently, there have been several situations where I have been talking to a girl in the streets and she sees a policeman and gets scared and then I yell out "hola Julio" to the officer. They have a name for me and my friends in Cuba-"Mafia".
Now for some specifics. Restuarants: most of the time we pay the lady who has the partyhouse to cook for us. For 5cuc to 10cuc each we can have a full-course meal including pork,chicken,lobster, or fish,etc. for us,our girls, and our friends.Getting there: If you are an American always travel through Cancun and never through the Bahammas! Money: change your $ into euros before you arrive and you will save 10%. Good pools to visit: Tropicana maybe? I to would like to know any info on this subject. And finally, as in most latin countries the more Spanish you know everything will be easier for you. If you speak little or zero get a guide/driver who is recommended and speaks english.
This is my first comprehensive report here on the forum and I hope that I have been able to shed a little bit of light on another way of "Cuba Mongering". I have been going to Cuba for about 7years off and on. My last time was in May2005. I would have posted pictures from that trip but most of the girls I go with are 18 but look much younger and I did not want any problems. Again, if any of you are going to be there in November pmail me or respond here and maybe we can hook up. I am also planning a trip to a carnival in central Cuba during November for a few days. I will try and post more after I get back, if not before.
KW KIds
Trader Vic, "private message" me and I can give you my phone # and we can plan something for November.
Kiko 69, as with most things in Cuba getting a diplomatic vehicle is not as simple as a phone call. I got mine through a Cuban friend(no phone) who then took me to a mechanic, then the 3 of us go across town to a guy's house who works at the embassy and he rented the scooter to me. Thats Cuba! I have found if you ask around about something enough you can get "Anything" you want in Cuba! My American friend who is there all the time actually bought a diplomatic scooter but he does not rent his. When I go back in Nov. I will probably follow the same process.
Good Luck!
KW Kids
Hello everyone,
I am hoping to find out some info before my next trip to Cuba, if anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it. Has anyone attended the Wemilere festival in Guanabacoa and would it be a possibility for non-pro mongering? Also, what is the best hotel pool in Vedado to take dates too i.e.: best price, atmosphere, amenities, etc.. I used to go to a hotel pool in Kohly, but it's out in the boonies; and the beaches are so for out for just a 1/2 day excursion. Any suggestions for discos/clubs for non-pro girls; basically where you would be one of a few tourists if not the only one. I have never been intimidated in Cuba and I do speak enough spanish to get by. The last time I was there I went to a beach on the edge of Pinar del Rio Province where I was the only non-Cuban there and I loved it!
Does anyone know of a good place on the Univ. of Habana campus for mongering? I know the campus a little but I have never picked up a girl directly from campus. Is there a cafeteria for example? I should state that I am a 35yr. old guy in decent shape so I do not give the appearence of the "lurking old man". For non-mongering: does anyone know a person or place to purchase antiques in Cuba, it's a little hobby of mine. Again, I will be there in Nov. if anyone else will be there. Thanks for any info!
KW Kids
You should Never, Ever pay a girl more than 20CUC for "toda la noche" in Habana. For every girl that says no, there are 20 that will say yes. Also, it is a sure-fire sign she is a pro! A girl just off the bus from the country will be just "giddy" with 20CUC! Always look for the girls in poor clothing, little/no makeup, etc.. If you want a bad experience and probably ripped-off go for the girls that have the most make-up and the best clothes.
KW Kids
Rebel Monger
10-19-05, 18:26
Another way to avoid police-tickets is if you copy the original of the rental contract and attach/exchange it with the original pages of the contract. Just have your (the customers) copy of the rental contract on top and the police officer which stops you will never find out.Do you think that's gonna work all the time? You might fool the police a couple of times, but Cubans (police or not) are not really that stupid. And by the way, something that the Cuban government is good at it's gathering information. Don't you think that they monitor a forum like this?
Member #3919
10-19-05, 18:45
I met a young French guy who has travelled recently to South America.
He said the worst place for freebies was Cuba. You can be a Brad Pitt: If you don't pay, you get nothing.
Intrestingly, he said the best place was Peru.
GermanBoy 2
10-19-05, 19:58
hi kw kids
Sorry, this is no answer to your question, just one question more: -)) I am thinking about going to Cuba end of November. Have been there twice, but last time is five years ago. So I do not want to tell you that the bus-stop out of the campus is a good place, you know how much everything is going to change there.
But I am very interested about this festival. Maybe I will go to this village too after Havanna. So when is it? if there is a good non-pro-scene, we will see if we are there: -) by the way: how do you travel arround in Cuba? maybe we can share a car. Or do you prefer viazul? hope to hear from you, good luck
Germanboy
It is almost impossible to find info on small local Cuban festivals on the net. I know that the Wemilere festival is on for Nov. in Guanabacoa. The other festival which is normally held in Camaguey, I have yet to find any info on. I'm still searching.
On the subject of "freebies". I have found that there is almost no such thing anymore as a true freebie. If I don't give a girl any money for being with me for a week but at the end of that week I take her shopping and spend $150 on nikes and new clothes I would have been better off just giving her $15 a day for her company. I have spent as much as $80 on groceries for her family, so one way or another you end up paying. I have never been to Peru but I have been to South America in addition to several other countries and have found this to be true in most.
The one diffrence between Cuba and other countries(i.e.-Colombia,Peru) is that there is hardly no middle or well-off people in Cuba. Everyone needs a few bucks in Cuba just to survive; that is not the case in most of the World. Cuba is the only country that I have visited where I felt that I could have any girl I met for $20-25 on average. I have had fathers offer me their daughters,mother/daughter combos, anything to keep those $'s in the family! In Cuba the easiest way to become the wealthiest family in the area is to have one of the daughters hooked up with a westerner. If the father is a heart surgeon he might be bringing home around $50 a month. You can double the family income by sending your new girlfriend $50 a month!
Fred18, you mentioned Brad Pitt. I truely believe after visiting many countries around the world that in Cuba you get that "rock star" treatment more than in most others. When I am at a party or club in Cuba I feel I can have any girl I see; not in most other countries. Hell, I have even commented to my Cuban friends that they have a pretty girlfriend/wife/sister and their response to me is : would you like to go with her?. Nowhere but Cuba!
KW Kids
When I am in Cuba, I use many diffrent modes of transportation. In town, I prefer a scooter. When traveling between cities I usually rent a car, which is expensive unless you are sharing with friends. I do have several friends that have used the buses(wawa's) and trains without problem. One advantidge of renting a car is picking up girls hitchhiking. We always have a car full of girls when traveling and they always take care of you for the ride,lol. I also use my Cuban friend's car for short day trips (he drives). But it is dangerous for him to drive us cross-country.
KW Kids
K W KId,
You mentioned getting a scooter in Havana I would like to do the same, where did you rent it from and did you feel at ease riding it around also was it secure when you parked it overnite.
Thanks
Rebel Monger
10-20-05, 20:49
Hell, I have even commented to my Cuban friends that they have a pretty girlfriend/wife/sister and their response to me is : would you like to go with her?. Nowhere but Cuba!
KW KidsDamn, things have really changed there since I left the country. I remember that around 1977 a Greek ship docked in Cardenas and the sailors used to walk around town. One day a guy was with his girlfriend and he told one of the sailors that he'd buy his blue jean, and the sailor said: "I exchange it for your girlfriend". Needless to say, both slept in a (separate) jail cell that night. In my time, if you thought that my girlfriend or wife was pretty, you kept it for yourself. The sister you could compliment, but nobody would ask you if you wanted to go out with her!
The Cuban "macho" have come a long way!
Rebel Monger
10-20-05, 21:01
I met a young French guy who has travelled recently to South America.
He said the worst place for freebies was Cuba. You can be a Brad Pitt: If you don't pay, you get nothing.
Intrestingly, he said the best place was Peru.I'd say that getting it for free in Cuba is easy, but it takes time. Those who give it to you right away and easy, you must pay for.
I think that what makes it harder for you foreigners is the fact that Cubans can get in trouble for socializing with you. Those who risk going to jail for doing it are the ones who don't mind going to jail, if you know what I mean!
I truly have found that the line between freebie and non-freebie in CUBA is very thin. My last time there in May I was with one college girl for about 4 days. She never asked for money but I would give her cab money, etc.. Total cost for 4 days of 24/7 GFE : approximately 20CUC and a $5 radio I bought in the US. I consider that to be a freebie. One example of the thin line; you meet a girl one nite and you ask her if she is going to want money from you. She acts offended and says no. The next morning she ask for 15CUC for a taxi home; and you know she will take the bus for .25 cents. Is this a freebie I ask?
The Cuban machismo has been replaced with the dire need for CUC's. I am not saying that if a guy I did not know came to me in a bar and asked me to buy him a drink I would consider a deal for his wife, that would be crazy anywhere! In May, one nite my friend and his sister's boyfriend offered her to me unsolicited for 20CUC Toda La Noche. Sister: 18yrs. old and hot(7.5). I took their offer.
KW Kids
The only girls that I meet in Havana who are worried about the police and jail are the jinateras(pros). If the girl you are with has a job or is a student they seem less worried about the police. Another good piece of advise is to immediately learn as much about the girl you just met and/or seeing. If an official confronts the two of you just start reciting facts about your girl, ie: full name, where she lives, mother's name etc..Of course, this only works if you know some Spanish; but it does work. The police are looking for hard-core/pro jineteras, not boyfriend/girlfriend couples.
KW Kids
Member #3200
10-21-05, 07:31
I've been offered guys girlfriends,wives & sisters-it just doesn't matter & it's like that all over Cuba.20CUC & you can have whoever you want in most places,Havana is a little more expensive.
It never surprises me anymore when i'm offered someone else's family of SO
During my last visit in Feb.2005 I meet a student and she took me to one of the university parties which was fantastic. Lots of students , no tourists !!! However its kind of difficult to know when and were they take place as no real schedule available. Maybe just walk up to a student and ask ? Also there used to be a cool club between Habana centro and the airport, called tunel. It was a rather dark place with only locals but i dont know if its still open.
I guess the best bet is to check among your local friends, they should now.
Will be in Havana end of next week and hope that wilma will be kind with the eiland !
Cheers kiko
Hello everyone,
I am hoping to find out some info before my next trip to Cuba, if anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it. Has anyone attended the Wemilere festival in Guanabacoa and would it be a possibility for non-pro mongering? Also, what is the best hotel pool in Vedado to take dates too i.e.: best price, atmosphere, amenities, etc.. I used to go to a hotel pool in Kohly, but it's out in the boonies; and the beaches are so for out for just a 1/2 day excursion. Any suggestions for discos/clubs for non-pro girls; basically where you would be one of a few tourists if not the only one. I have never been intimidated in Cuba and I do speak enough spanish to get by. The last time I was there I went to a beach on the edge of Pinar del Rio Province where I was the only non-Cuban there and I loved it!
Does anyone know of a good place on the Univ. of Habana campus for mongering? I know the campus a little but I have never picked up a girl directly from campus. Is there a cafeteria for example? I should state that I am a 35yr. old guy in decent shape so I do not give the appearence of the "lurking old man". For non-mongering: does anyone know a person or place to purchase antiques in Cuba, it's a little hobby of mine. Again, I will be there in Nov. if anyone else will be there. Thanks for any info!
KW Kids
I too attended one of those Univ. parties many years ago with a friend who now works on a cruise ship. It was a lot of fun. I think on this trip I will be more bold than usual and try and strike up some conversations on campus. I will report back with any sucess I have. Good luck Kiko69 and lets all hope Wilma spares Cuba!
KW Kids
[QUOTE=Kiko69 called tunel. It was a rather dark place with only locals but i dont know if its still open.[/QUOTE]Yepp, still open at the weekend.
But get's "darker and darker"..
Good luck in Havanna
Rebel Monger
10-23-05, 20:52
The only girls that I meet in Havana who are worried about the police and jail are the jinateras(pros).In Cuba, any woman having sex with a tourist is a "jinetera", as a matter of fact, that's slang for prostitute, so it applies to all p4p!
If the girl you are with has a job or is a student they seem less worried about the police.Only if they're naive. If she's socializing with a tourist, she's viewed as a "jinetera". The police knows that most of them are students anyway!
Another good piece of advise is to immediately learn as much about the girl you just met and/or seeing. If an official confronts the two of you just start reciting facts about your girl, ie: full name, where she lives, mother's name etc..Of course, this only works if you know some Spanish; but it does work.Most of the time, the police will try not to bother the girl in front of you, the problem is what would happen when you're not around.
The police are looking for hard-core/pro jineteras, not boyfriend/girlfriend couples.Yep, as long as the boyfriend/girlfriend couples are Cubans. Most of the hardcore "jineteras" are giving kickbacks to the police (money and/or sex).
Hello Rebel Monger,
I always enjoy a positive and healthy discussion of the mongering situation in Cuba currently; not in 1977 though. Just joking! In the last 7 years I have been in Cuba on visits for approximately 9 months. This by no means makes me an expert but combined with living in So. Florida and the fact that my best friend lives there half the year and I work with many Cuban Americans and have many friends who are Cuban-American or who are married to one makes me feel fairly informed on the subject. I was most recently there in May for a month. I do not know how much or how recently you have visited but as you know things constantly change there. I know as a Cuban American you sometimes see things from a diffrent perspective and I respect that! I will try to respond to your responses as best as I can using my most recent experiences.
The definition of "jinitera" varies betwen Cubans and non-Cubans as much as any word I have seen! Some Cubans believe if a girl dates one tourist and never dates another because she marries him or it was just a "fluke", she is no jinetera. You also mentioned P4P; what if a girl does not accept money, is she still a jinetera? What if she accepts gifts? In IMHO and most, a very subjective word!
The idea that the police look on all girls that are with a non-cuban guy are prostitutes is ludicrous! I have had friends who have had wives that it took them several years to get out of cuba with/or without their children and when they visited and produced this proof do you really think that they grouped these women with the pros that work the Malecon. Get Real! If you can speak enough Spanish to explain to any official and prove that you are not a sex-tourist(whether its true or not,LOL) they will not bother you. You are correct when you state that the ramifacations are not going to occur in front of you but rather later. IMHO, if a girl is telling you she is your girlfriend and you are the 1st tourist she has dated and you find out you are not and she is arrested because of it; she got what she deserves!
Again, you are correct sir about the kickbacks. Hell, I have even participated in kickbacks by buying a girl to train the cops so they will look the other way with "whatever" I choose to do. If you cannot tell the diffrence between a pro and a good-girl get a "concierge" or just stay at home. The police equate Miami-Cubans with gringos when it comes to jineteras vs. girlfriends; and that comes from my "secret police" friends in Habana. I enjoy the discussion and hope to continue it in a positive and non-political way in the future.
Happy mongering,
KW Kids
[QUOTE=Tommy A]K W KId,
You mentioned getting a scooter in Havana I would like to do the same, where did you rent it from and did you feel at ease riding it around also was it secure when you parked it overnite.
Tommy A,
There is one place in Miramar that rents scooters. If you have experience with them you will have no problem. If you do not you could be injured or dead; just being honest. I have a ground level casa particular that allows me to drive and park it in the kitchen. I would not reccomend anything less secure overnite in Cuba.
Good luck,
KW Kids
anybody in town for some fun, beer and cruising despite all bad news like wilma, police ,etc. ???
pm me and stay safe
k
Hello everyone,
I am hoping to find out some info before my next trip to Cuba, if anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it. Has anyone attended the Wemilere festival in Guanabacoa and would it be a possibility for non-pro mongering? Also, what is the best hotel pool in Vedado to take dates too i.e.: best price, atmosphere, amenities, etc.. I used to go to a hotel pool in Kohly, but it's out in the boonies; and the beaches are so for out for just a 1/2 day excursion. Any suggestions for discos/clubs for non-pro girls; basically where you would be one of a few tourists if not the only one. I have never been intimidated in Cuba and I do speak enough spanish to get by. The last time I was there I went to a beach on the edge of Pinar del Rio Province where I was the only non-Cuban there and I loved it!
Does anyone know of a good place on the Univ. of Habana campus for mongering? I know the campus a little but I have never picked up a girl directly from campus. Is there a cafeteria for example? I should state that I am a 35yr. old guy in decent shape so I do not give the appearence of the "lurking old man". For non-mongering: does anyone know a person or place to purchase antiques in Cuba, it's a little hobby of mine. Again, I will be there in Nov. if anyone else will be there. Thanks for any info!
KW KidsFrom what I've read the whole area around the Riviera is flooded right now, but as for your question about pools in Vedado, I know that the Naciónal and Cohiba will let non-guests use it for a fee (10-15 CUC) but they are as lively as a morgue and can be intimidating for some Cubans. In my experience the best day at the pool is the one at the Copacabana in Miramar, music and games and more of a party atmosphere, lots of foreigners with the Cuban "novias". That was a couple of years ago, it may have changed. The pool in Kohly, are you talking about Clun Almendares? OK place, mostly Cubans or are you talking about the Hotel Kohly with the bowling alley?
University action is somewhat different, the campus is near the Colina and you always see the chicks along Calle 23, hard to talk to them since there are usually a lot of police because La Rampa and the Habana Libre are right there. Students are generally broke, so you never see around the clubs and restaurants. Try matinees at clubs, they are mainly for Cubans since they are much cheaper than night cover charges, try cruising the malls and shopping district in Centro or the almighty El Rápido, that is where you find "normal" Cubans. One caveat, decent Spanish is a must. I got lucky at Gallerias de Paseo with a sweet one on my last trip, but it took a couple of hours of flirting to get herto go out with me. There may be a stigma attached with going out with a foreigner for some Cubans. A guy I met was seeing a doctor, but he was one of those no personality, blue collar, can't get a woman back home types that didn't speak any Spanish and after a couple of days dumped him.
During my last visit in Feb.2005 I meet a student and she took me to one of the university parties which was fantastic. Lots of students , no tourists !!! However its kind of difficult to know when and were they take place as no real schedule available. Maybe just walk up to a student and ask ? Also there used to be a cool club between Habana centro and the airport, called tunel. It was a rather dark place with only locals but i dont know if its still open.
I guess the best bet is to check among your local friends, they should now.
Will be in Havana end of next week and hope that wilma will be kind with the eiland !
Cheers kikoTry reading the lampposts, there are flyers taped announcing events aimed at the younger and hipper crowd. Drum and bass, reggaetón are favoured by the youth these days. Bring Daddy Yankee and Don Omar CDs with you. salsa is for tourists and old people now.
salsa is for tourists and old people now.
No te confundes amigo, el son es el alma de Cuba.
No te confundes amigo, el son es el alma de Cuba.
No me he equivocado. Ya ahora timba es el más popular. En mi último viaje mis amigos me contaron que reggaetón (Don Omar, Daddy Yankee) está de modo. Otro tipo me contó que hay una escena de drum and bass!!! A mí, me encanta salsa. Mira la popularidad de las Orishas y los otros artistas cubanos de hip hop y reggatón.
Don't shoot the messenger, I am only stating what I was told by some of my hipper buddies. I like old school big orchestra salsa. Son and bolero are traditional, but to the kids Benny Moré is a music venue in Playa and they will tell you mockingly that the Buena Vista Social Club is for fat middle-aged German tourists that drink 6 CUC mojitos in La Vieja.
Anybody know how extensive the damage is? I was planning on going in Dec.
Hello KWKids,
I must deny, that only in cuba fathers are offering their daugters. While I was in domonican republic 5 or 6 times now, it happend to me last year, that the mother tells me, that her daugther wold like to go out next weekend with me! Fond out, that she only want to go to bed with me for money, but she was very sharp. Some days later, the mother cames along collecting the money for helping. Will take her aigan next time and pay a little less, then we both will be fully satisfeied. As this girl and her mother I know for years, but nevert thoght, that she would one time go with me! But it happend, and this family isn't poor, as they have a good house and the daugther is constucting her one. They are clever, as the dauhter, if I rembember right, working at the airport, can make only USS 150 monthly. Could this be the truth? I alwys have the problem, how much money is right, not to overpay but helping them a litte bit, as we in fact really are rich. Clerly, should not say this to them. But they are not silly too, as the have understood, that, while we can pay long journeys by flight (I am from switzerland) we have money, and they want to share.
By the way, what is the change CUC/USS? Cannot find it in the interne-converter.
Thanks
Holden Caulfield
10-29-05, 00:24
Can anyone write about the current situation in Havana or Cienfuegos. Discos open / closed, level of policing, etc.
Grand Pollo
10-29-05, 01:08
The CUC is US except they take a 10% haircut on the US as they don't want US. Canadian or Euros get a better rate all in.
Note a typical salary even a doctor or teacher in Cuba is more like $15-20 a month.
Rebel Monger
10-29-05, 06:04
No te confundes amigo, el son es el alma de Cuba.I don't understand what you mean by "el son es el alma de Cuba". I'm 50 years old, and when I lived there (until the late 70s), el son was music for and from the countryside people (guajiros). Salsa was for the uneducated masses (ghetto), and Guaguanco for the bullies (guapos), which also happened to be uneducated. The young ones (students type) preferred foreign music and Cuban pop music with foreign influence. According to what I see from Cubans coming to USA today, nothing has changed!
Just my dos centavos!
GermanBoy 2
11-05-05, 19:07
Hi everybody,
I will be in Havana at November 23 for some days, afterwards heading to i do not know where. so maybe somebody of you is there at the same time and wants to kon for a beer - would be great to have a cristal with you together by watching all the ladies walk on by. Hope to hear from you.
Germanboy
Ivon, Rebel Monger,
I agree, listening to Chan Chan or Guantanamera while drinking a mojito in the Bodeguita del Medio is for tourists only. I was also surprised when I discovered popular local Rap. In fact, the youngers listen to the same music than in the rest of Latin America including pop, techno, rap, rock. Still when it comes to dancing , like in the rest of Latin America, youngers tend to prefer music allowing couple dancing: merengue, reggaeton, bachata and of course salsa. Anyone disagreeing about how popular salsa can be among the youngers has never seen an open air life salsa music event on the Malecon.
What is important for us mongerers, is how to use these informations:
-Following Ivon suggestion, bring foreign CD music for gifts, as it is hard to find in Cuba, unlike Cuban salsa.
-learn to dance latin couple dancing and especially Salsa. This is the easiest way to hook up chicas. It's not only due to the physical contact that allows dancing. Salsa dancing skills prove genuine interest in Cuban culture. Any Cubana appreciates this.
Germanboy, since you already have plans to go to Cuba, I suggest heading to Cienfuegoes for 1 or 2 days, Trinidad for 1 or 2 days, then Camaguey for 1 or 2 days. End up in Santiago for 2 days, it's quite picturesque. Try to make to Baracoa. If you like beaches, then go to Varadero or Guanabo. All of the info you need is here. Have fun and post a report when you come back.
hey KW kids,
>Also, what is the best hotel pool in Vedado to take dates too i.e.: best price, atmosphere, amenities, etc.. I used to go to a hotel pool in Kohly, but it's out in the boonies;
Try Cafe Almendares. The last time I went there (Nov 04) I hardly saw any tourist-cuban couples so give that a spin. It's not that far from Vedado.
>Any suggestions for discos/clubs for non-pro girls; basically where you would be one of a few tourists if not the only one.
Those change all the type and are very fluid. The best one I went to was Casa Blanca where I didn't see any non-Cubans but that was shut down. Best thing to do is to ask around, esp since you speak Spanish fluently.
>Does anyone know of a good place on the Univ. of Habana campus for mongering? I know the campus a little but I have never picked up a girl directly from campus. Is there a cafeteria for example?
You could try but it's tough. I've heard stories of guys taking spanish classes having a hard time with the girls...reason being, the university is a small community and girls hanging out with tourists aren't looked on very favorably by the rest, since they represent the flower of Cuban youth and etc etc etc.
My favorite pool in all of Havana is the one at the Hotel Nacional. There is a side entrance so you can avoid the lobby and they permit non-guests and Cubans in for a fee, I think it's about $15 per person, good all day. Service and atmosphere are great.
Hello guys.
Can somebody recommend me a Casa/Apartment independant (no sharing with Cuban Family)
Please PM with phone and contact.
Muchas Gracias.
Latinbull
Cubalserito
11-26-05, 03:13
Hello mongers and friends,
As an avid cuban tourist, (this was my 9 trip since 2002) I like to share my experiences in Havana last week.
If you want a true GFE, you must speak spanish, chicas likes to be treated like "novias", not like "p*tas, so bring a gift and be kind, to avoid pros use website for contact like amigos.com, mejoramor.com and match.com, ask for her phone number (home or your neigbor, if she have a mobile phone number avoid her, she could be a pro) start a friendship and you will see results in Havana.
Just be yourself, open mind and girls will love you, just like in every other country.
A taxi driver told me that police is being hard on girls lately due to the murder of two Italians by two pros, so to avoid trouble with your friend you must stay low profile on your clothes, behaviour and don't go to touristic areas with your friend.
23 or "la Rampa" is a nice place to get semi and pros, better go to the line or "fila" of the copelia icecream and start talking to someone you like, and if you are nice you will score.
Bring Canadian dollars or Euros instead of USD. You will receive more CUCs in the CADECAS.
Can't wait to next year (january) to go again to visit my friends.
Be cool!
A cubanitas fan from México.
BTW, fly with CUBANA, you get the cheapest tkts and fly on Airbus planes.
Cubalserito
11-26-05, 04:20
Hello guys.
Can somebody recommend me a Casa/Apartment independant (no sharing with Cuban Family)
Please PM with phone and contact.
Muchas Gracias.
LatinbullHello Latinbull,
I recommend to you a casa particular that I enjoyed in my last trip last week.
is a big house but have two front doors, one for the owner and one for you, independant from the owner, tv/vcr, freezer, hot watter, fan, (no phone :( )
The house is in vedado, look for "casa de Michell" ask for Rafael. Is in K street between 17 and 19.
I cannot post phone numbers and e-mails due to forum regulations, but there is a nice place to stay, a lot of privacy and chica-friendly, no matter how many girls you invite.
Spoke to an official about travelling to CUBA. It is also impossible as an American.
U would have to so so so much to make it happen. How you guys do it legally I don't know but I have spoken with to officials and I do not have the patience to make it happens.
Outside of legally doing it, illegally is too risky for me.
Cubalserito
11-28-05, 01:19
Havana report November 2005
Well folks, as a frecuent flyer to Cuba let me post my first report on this forum. I hope that you find interesting and usefull for your next vacation to the island.
Going to Cuba as a Mexican is easy, just buy a ticket in the airport and prepare to fly. MEXICANA: the best mexican airline with the newest planes all over the world. Expensive ticket but better service, I fyou buy your tickets in mexicana you get the visa to cuba at the moment. You can buy tickets online also.
CUBANA: better price, nice service, cons: flights are too early. I´m not a morning person.
My first vacatios tu cuba was with Mexicana, but the rates are way better, so I wll keep flying in Cubana.
I spend 380 dlls for a round trip last week. Versus 580 from Mexicana. (both direct round trips tourist class)
So my advice is to choose a travel agency and ask for the lowest fare to la havana with Cubana de aviacion.
They will take care, visa included. . Choose trave agencies that manage conferencies groups or students groups to find a very low rate.
Please divide your belongins in two bags, as a normal trip because in josé martí airport sometimes steal thing from your bags from the airplane to the bagage reception. So please put you important and electronic equipment in a handbag and allways carry next to you.
Arriving at the josé martí airport I nottice some changes: inmigration ask me if I know cuban people? duh! its my 9th trip. Of course! (I know is part of their work)
Cadeca has two huge lines since is handy to change your money right in the airport more security officer inside the airport, more lines to the exit, more peple is asking to open their belogins, new merchandise must pay taxes, if you are going to make gifts like clothes put them without tags inside your bag with your clothes.
Very high taxi cab rate to go to havana city (25 dlls) by the way: keep in mynd this rates
Red taxi cabs (more expensive) white taxi cabs (expensive) yellow taxi cabs (normal)
Yellow one usually chat with you to fix a good rate, if you are new in havana, use always the taxi-metter.
My place to stay was really good (see my last post) and don't forget, if you are loking for a casa particular, you must find for your confort this things: individual front door, isolated from the owner, ac, hot watter, freezer, close to the action like vedado.
My place was a two blocks from Copelia, Cuba's famous ice cream parlor which is my favorite place to make new girlfriends, in the line for cubanos start making conversation and share an ice cream with your new friend. Then ask for her number and prepara to go out in the night, if you are horny as hell the house proximity is handy.
Knowing her phone numbers (the friends from the net) is easy to manage dates in the days I stayed in habana, just make some nice gift like a sample parfume (just buy a 45 dlls sample box from Dior and you have 5 nice gifts). (I add a personal touch I parfume and one bottle of tequila, both will opened in the same night! ) be kind and gentle with cubanas and you will never pay money for girls, just take it to a romantic dinner to a nice place.
Now, if you don't want to do this work, choosing a pro is easy like 1-2-3
Now the rampa (23 street) scenario: in the day you will find a lot of beauties (pros and non-pros) walking arround, you can start talking nicely, but beware of the police because they can fu*k your progress with the girl keepin away from you. Act cool and keep your aspect (clothes) low profile. I'm blessed in this aspect because I look like a white Cuban. So I barely have trouble when I am with a girlfriend, in the night the police pressure is more. Right now all the action in rampa and arround are inside bars and restaurants because you can chat more freely with chicas and set price and conditions of the encounter.
In open bars like bulerías or a small one in 23 almost in front of the Cubana airlines office. Girls (8 and 7 mostly) beg to me to take her to my house for 30 cucs, I think the crackdown (created by police) for the murder of two italians have make effect.
Don't overpay like italians: 60cuc is for a real beauty, so-so girls go with you paying 40 cuc
I know that right now if you go to EL ALJIBE you can find top models with rich old people asking for 100 an hour, but I preffer to meet a real cuban (same beauty) and make a real friend that treats me well when I am in Cuba.
Note: all my chica pictures are not related or are my real cuban girlfriends, all was from my first trips when I did not have enough experience to contact real friends.
So I hope that this info can be helpfull on your next trip.
Cubalserito
A friend from Mexico who love cuban culture and people.
Only a fine of $7000 if you get caught. To date, no one has actually been required to pay the fine. I have heard people getting letters in the mail, but then that is the end of it. Just don't be stupid in your planning and you'll be fine. Spend a day in Mexico City and buy a ticket there from Mexico to Havana. All will be well.
Viper
Spoke to an official about travelling to CUBA. It is also impossible as an American.
U would have to so so so much to make it happen. How you guys do it legally I don't know but I have spoken with to officials and I do not have the patience to make it happens.
Outside of legally doing it, illegally is too risky for me.
Can someone tell me more about the two Italians that were mentioned here as being murdered. I also heard a story about an Israeli tourist being stabbed to death during a robbery not too far from his hotel. All I can find on news sites about Cuba are vague references about increasing violence towards tourists.
Can anyone tell me more about the two Italians being murdered. On news sites about Cuba all I found was a story about an Isralei tourist being stabbed to death ot far from his hotel and vague references to increasing violence towards tourists.
Can anyone tell me more about the two Italians being murdered. On news sites about Cuba all I found was a story about an Isralei tourist being stabbed to death ot far from his hotel and vague references to increasing violence towards tourists.Such incidents are not as seldom as it seems. The problem is that the cuban press doesn't mention it in their newspapers. I was in cuba several times but i never read about a crime against a tourist in "el rebelde" or "granma" but i often (bout once a week) heard about cubans or tourists being killed on "radio bemba" (thats the cuban mouth to mouth news service). Most crimes took place during the darkness and around centro and old havana. Especially the area east of el prado is dangerous (drugs) during the night.
But who wonders? Havana is a 680.700 people city!!!
Cubalserito
12-05-05, 08:12
Can anyone tell me more about the two Italians being murdered. On news sites about Cuba all I found was a story about an Isralei tourist being stabbed to death ot far from his hotel and vague references to increasing violence towards tourists.Hi!,
I forgot to tell that the Italian murder thing is not on the news in Cuba, like many news they tell people to people (like rumours) in the street, but I heard the same thing over and over on several people in Havana. They say that this murder is the cause of increasing of cops on the streets. Pros are a little more afraid, but with a help of their chulo and a taxi driver skills you will get your girl.
Truth Seeker
12-06-05, 12:23
Both murders were the result of drug deals gone bad. Other forums have confirmed the story.
Thanks for the reply.On www.cubanet.org you do get some unofficial news about Cuba sometimes, including crime. That's where I read about the murder of an Israeli tourist. I know Cuba quite well and through my Cuban friends I know that there is quite some crime among Cubans but violent crime against tourists is really quite rare so these recent events seem a new phenomenon and possibly not good for the future.
Hi friends,
Me and some friends have decided to celebrate christmas and new year in Cuba.
Does anyone have any experiences and/or suggestions? Will it be hard to get Casa / Hotel especially for New Years Eve. Do they have any special Party´s on newyear?
We are planing to spend a few days upon arrival in Havanna and the have christmas in Varadero and head back to Havanna for newyear.
All tips or suggestions are welcome either here in forum or on pm.
Thank you for all the A.I. experience that this forum gives.
/Amex
Hi gents!
My first time in Havana has been almost a delusion!
I stayed there one week and visited the whole town by day and night. I've never seen such a low quality of girl on the street, clubs(macumba, casa della musica end many other..) regular and pros.
Sure it's really easy to pick up girls but don't tell me about their beauty!
I tried six girls even two at same time and I can say they have a good attitude for sex and GFE but about beauty they are far away from other country.
Bye
Cubalserito
12-12-05, 05:22
Hi friends,
Me and some friends have decided to celebrate christmas and new year in Cuba.
Does anyone have any experiences and/or suggestions? Will it be hard to get Casa / Hotel especially for New Years Eve. Do they have any special Party´s on newyear?
We are planing to spend a few days upon arrival in Havanna and the have christmas in Varadero and head back to Havanna for newyear.
All tips or suggestions are welcome either here in forum or on pm.
Thank you for all the A.I. experience that this forum gives.
/AmexHello!
I have not experiences on new years eve in cuba, but I have read in other forums that going to cuba on this season is not worth it mostly if you are new in cuban affairs and looking for pros, because most cuban pros return to their houses in oriente. and local girls also stay in their houses for this celebration. it will be less pro action.
I am curious about tasting traditional new years dinner, people likes to make a whole pig (cerdo en pua).
Cubalserito
12-12-05, 05:35
Hi gents!
My first time in Havana has been almost a delusion!
I stayed there one week and visited the whole town by day and night. I've never seen such a low quality of girl on the street, clubs(macumba, casa della musica end many other..) regular and pros.
Sure it's really easy to pick up girls but don't tell me about their beauty!
I tried six girls even two at same time and I can say they have a good attitude for sex and GFE but about beauty they are far away from other country.
ByeHello Manfred77.
Beauty sometimes is relative, its depends on everybody tastes, it seems like europeans like latin girls and vice-versa. as a latin man, I like blondes, I am aware that Cuba did have a lot of blondes, but I'm going to cuba allways with my partner "the common sense" , I will not find russian beauty in Cuba, for this I go tu Ukraine. Maybe i did not explain myself to make my point becasue english is not my main languaje.
I hope that is is not the begining of another classic post of "what is beauty for you? with pictures"
but I invite you manfred to post a picture of an example of what is what you are looking for, and I will tell you (with my 9 travels to cuba) if is possible to find it.
best wishes!
Cubalserito
I'm a long time member, and I have been to the Big Island numerous time. Also, I don't post much. Anyway, New Years is more for the family. I will be there for the New Year, only because I know a lot of people in Havana because of my travels there. I would be surprised if much is happening there on New Years. I could be wrong! But last year it was pretty quiet except for the private parties in centeral Havana. After New Years, Havana will be as alive as always.
I was in Havana just recently. I found that streets like Obispo and San Rafael that normally have chicas hanging around were pretty much dead. It seemed like any time I saw a chica on these streets that looked like she was looking to hook up, she was being harassed by the police. Even in front of Sofias in Vedado where chicas hang out it seemed very quiet. The Malecon around Centro Havana still seemed to have some action. I really didn't see any cops walking along the side closest to the sea. There were also a couple of girls working out front of the Inglaterra Hotel. Not sure how they are getting away with this when other girls get harassed just for going for a walk or looking sexy.
It was obvious that probably because of the increase in crimes against tourists that the police were really coming down hard on the Cuban people hanging around the tourist areas, especially the chicas it seemed. I remember one night walking by the Inglaterra Hotel there were about 5 or 6 tables out front. Each table had 1 tourist guy just sitting there alone. They were all looking at the1 chica working there. It was truly a sad sight. I realized my dream of cheap street pussy wouldn’t be coming true so I had to crack open the wallet and hit the clubs.
Casa De La Musica in Centro Havana on a Sunday night with the $5 CUC cover charge is an absolute must. The ratio of chicas to single guy tourists was probably 10 to 1, maybe more. The chica I was with even paid her own cover charge and later wanted me to go to the bathroom with her because she was worried another chica would swoop in and take her seat while she was gone. This is definitely the night to look for a good deal. The 4:00 to 8:00pm shows at Casa De La Musica Centro seem to attract a lot of Cubans. It seems like a lot of the chicas are actually only there to see the show if it’s a good group so you may actually find a nice girlfriend there. As the price of the cover charge goes up, less chicas seem to show up it seems. Casa De La Musica Miramar on a Friday night $20 CUC cover charge, zero chicas. Casa De La Musica Centro on a Saturday night $20 CUC cover charge, zero chicas. You get the picture.
The next night I took a chance and payed the $10 CUC cover charge of a girl that wanted to go in with me. I ended up spending the rest of my vacation with this girl. So much for my “a different chica every night deal”. Things were just too intense. One night there were so many police outside of Casa De La Musica in Centro that the girl I was with was too afraid to leave the taxi to go inside with me. Other nights there were just a few cops. I guess I would rather bang the same girl over and over than risk not get any.
I think I am done with Havana. If I hear consistent stories that the police are not harassing the girls as much as this last trip, I would consider going back just for the nightlife and to hang out with the club chicas.
If you are going to havana during the winterseason you have to talk to the chicas during the day. In the evening or during the night there are very few on the streets because of the cold. Just ask any girl you meet during the day, in the malls or on the streets, if they would like to go out with you in the evening. Even though they maybe won't come with you straight away, most of them will in the evening.
I agree that Cuba is a hard place for newbies now, but if you speak some spanish and know the rules, its still a hotspot. I was in Havana last year Jan-Feb and had A LOT of pretty pussy! I definitively will return in about 1 or 2 months.
Everything is relative, of course, but I have to disagree with it being cold at night in Cuba. The reason las chicas are not out is because of the current state of affairs-el Policia!The whole vibe is different. I've been to Cuba 3 times this year and 7 total. Things have changed a lot since January '05 and I don't mean the weather. I can wear shorts and a polo at night comfortably. It's usually on the mid-60's which is perfect. The average low in January and December is 66 degrees farenheit.
Most of the girls I have met, would love to meet someone that will take them out for a drink, an ice cream cone, or anything. It's kind of funny/sad that every Satuarday nigth most of the chica in Havana get all dress up and have no place to go and no one to take them out. They walk around bored.
Anyway, If you don't know spanish, like myself. I'm losted without my pocket translator. I have found that being friendly with an bartender or any one that is trustworthly, that works at the hotel you are staying at, will be a safe bet to explore a bar/disco with(Friday and Saturaday nigth would be good).
I got my start my taking a bartender to a local bar/disco for a beer. Well! It turned out to closer to a case of beers. Anyway, He introduction me to a hand full of people. After a few more beers on me, Everyone in the bar knew a chica that wanted to meet an American. Years later, I have met a lot of good people and some not so good. Also, I have met/know lots of girls (Non-pros) in Havana.
Havana is Big Fun.
Everything is relative, of course, but I have to disagree with it being cold at night in Cuba. The reason las chicas are not out is because of the current state of affairs-el policia!The whole vibe is different. I've been to Cuba 3 times this year and 7 total. Things have change a lot sine January '05 and I don't mean the weather. I can wear shorts and a polo at night comfortably. It's usually on the mid-60's which is perfect. The average low in January and December is 66 degrees farenheit.Barabbas2,
For Cubans their winter IS cold. Its true, during the day it gets quite warm but during the night it really is only about 66 degree farenheit. If You were used to 104 degrees farenheit and almost 90% humidity you wouldn't wear shorts neither.
I am going to Cuba since 1997 and was there x times. I know a lot of people and do speak spanish. It's always fun to joke with the taxidriver bout the people who want to go to the Beach during winter, noone understands that. They say that only Canadians wanted to go there because they come outta -30 degree farenheit. (I dont wanna blame anyone here, thats just their saying.)
BTW the absolutely best time to go to Cuba is in July-August. Because then the Schools and Universities are closed and all the girls are ready to party.
Yeah, I said schools, just ask bout their carne, there are a lot of chicas over 18 still going to school and wearing a school-uniform.
And at last, it isnt bad that they are cold in the night, that way they come even closer when u go to sleep. lol
I always ask the Cubans, "does it ever get cold here in Havana." The answer is 'casi nunca"-almost never. When I'm out in the winter Havana night we always talk about how perfect the weather is "this time of year." I realize it's not what they're used to much of the year, but it's very comfortable for a human being to socialize at night without a coat or sweater on a Havana winter night. Of course the hotter the weather the hotter the girls. If you want to sweat your ass off go during July/August. If you like college girls go to the university. Newbies should find a guide;the fish don't jump in the boat like they used to.
GermanBoy 2
12-18-05, 22:35
Since three days I am back from Cuba, and this is a very very short information for all the people who want to go there soon.
If you are searching a chica, do not go to havana. Number of police in the street is enormous, and it seems that it will become more every day. Yes, there are still some chicas on the street, looking for tourists, but very low.
I think, there are still three hotspots in the street. First is, arround hotel ingleterra, second is at malecon, about 500 meters aaway from hotel deauville. These places are good at night, but if you have been there some years ago: do not compare it, now the ladies are rare. Third place are the streets of havana arround the epoca shoping mall, day and night.
But please notice: for the girl it is very dangerous to be seen with you, and for that all the contact is hidden. For example at the malecon, the girls are sitting at the wall, together with a boyfriend. Be carefull: especially on weekends, there are sitting a lot of real cuban couples too, and they are not interested in you. But the ones who are interested, will show it with their eyes. But: It is absolutly impossible to walk together with a girl through the streets, unless you are married.
Better places in havana are the clubs. If you go to the 2 floor of habana libre, there is a disco every night, and normaly between 10 and 20 girls are looking for you. Cover charge is 5 cuc, but sometimes security is sleeping. Other good places are discos in miramar, chevere for example. But more expensive, sometimes 12 cuc with open bar. So do not go only for chicas, but for fun too. But inside the clubs it is possible to talk first a bit and drink a beer together - in the street, this is not a way which works. Outside havana the situation is much more relaxed. Camaguey, las tunas or cienfuegos are much better places, and here you can walk with your girl too - normaly. I spended two days at the police station, to get my girlfriend free again, and it was necessary to become very loud there to be successful.
Hope that the information is useful for somebody. Happy christmas
Germanboy
Ps: excuse for mistakes, but english is not my native language
Cubalserito
12-19-05, 04:15
If you are going to havana during the winterseason you have to talk to the chicas during the day. In the evening or during the night there are very few on the streets because of the cold. Just ask any girl you meet during the day, in the malls or on the streets, if they would like to go out with you in the evening. Even though they maybe won't come with you straight away, most of them will in the evening.
I agree that Cuba is a hard place for newbies now, but if you speak some spanish and know the rules, its still a hotspot. I was in Havana last year Jan-Feb and had A LOT of pretty pussy! I definitively will return in about 1 or 2 months.I agree 100% with you "El Grande" , Cuba is a hotspot, but spanish must be speak to enjoy cuba like old mongers do in the past (90's). easy pussy for lazy tourist is not available anymore, look for other destination.
Tat's why I'm tinking twice to go to Thailand, because my english is not my main languaje and I will end paying for sex, so Cuba is stiil alive to me.
I spended two days at the police station, to get my girlfriend free again, and it was necessary to become very loud there to be successful.
Hope that the information is useful for somebody. Happy christmas
Germanboy
Ps: excuse for mistakes, but english is not my native language
Germanboy, could you please describe in detail what happened to your girl? Was she walking with you? Did you offer a bribe on the spot? More detail would be appreciated.
Viper
Rebel Monger
12-21-05, 22:47
Everything is relative, of course, but I have to disagree with it being cold at night in Cuba. The reason las chicas are not out is because of the current state of affairs-el Policia!The whole vibe is different. I've been to Cuba 3 times this year and 7 total. Things have changed a lot since January '05 and I don't mean the weather. I can wear shorts and a polo at night comfortably. It's usually on the mid-60's which is perfect. The average low in January and December is 66 degrees farenheit.My friend, 60º might be perfect for you (where do you live?) but not so for those not used to cold weather, add to that the lack of proper clothing and food (at least when i lived there), and people would (rather) stay inside.
Rebel Monger
12-21-05, 23:00
I agree 100% with you "El Grande" , Cuba is a hotspot, but spanish must be speak to enjoy cuba like old mongers do in the past (90's). easy pussy for lazy tourist is not available anymore, look for other destination.Finding pussy is not a problem in Cuba, the problem is finding a place to "enjoy" the pussy.
That's why I'm tinking twice to go to Thailand, because my english is not my main language and I will end paying for sex, so Cuba is still alive to me.I think that if you know basic English, that would be enough for Thailand, according to what I've heard, that's what most ladies speak there (what yur name?, where you from?, etc.). I've been thinking about a trip there for a long time, and maybe 2006 will be the year!
By the way, we (mongers) do not pay for sex, we pay them to LEAVE! :-)
GermanBoy 2
12-22-05, 21:38
Germanboy, could you please describe in detail what happened to your girl? Was she walking with you? Did you offer a bribe on the spot? More detail would be appreciated.
ViperHi Viper,
First time we were driving with a car, two german boys, two cuban ladies´. A police told us to stop near Cienfuegos. They asked the ladies for papers and send them to main police station, saying, its a 15-minutes investigation. This was right, but only for the cops, they went away after 15 minutes. The new cops told us, that they want to keep the girls for one or three days, cause they want to make investigations. My friend and I became really angry. We became a bit loud too, and tried to speak with the boss, the next boss and one other boss. Maybe this was successfull, maybe it was the phone call from the dad from one of the girls (we called him before) but after three or four hours, we could go - together with the girls.
The next time we have been in santa clara in a disco, and there was a undercover policeman. My friend and I have been the only foreigners at this place and it was easy to see, that the girls belonged to us. The cop gave a paper to the girls, they had to come the next day to the police with their parents. We went with them too. One hour "investigation" to each girl, and everything was done. They did not want to speak with us, and not with the parents too.
Hope, this was helpful for you: -)
Germanboy. Thanks for your information. Vielen Dank.
You write: "Outside Havana the situation is much more relaxed. Camaguey, Las Tunas or Cienfuegos are much better places. And here you can walk with your girl too - normaly"
But in your next posting you write about a girl that is arrested by the police in Cienfuegos.
About a year ago I was in Cienfuegos. The place was dead and the girls were terrified for the police. Also in all the casas you had to register when bringing in a guest. And the house owners were watching very close if you brought in a guest. More close then Havana. For me Cienfuegos was a waste of time. I didn't know how fast to get back to Havana.
I would love to go there or elsewere then Havana. Havana is a bit commercial to my taste. But I don't want to waste time. Is it really so relaxed in Cienfuegos?
Holden Caulfield
12-28-05, 21:23
I spent 2 weeks in Havana in November. I've been there many times and consider myself close to an expert on the place. Sadly this may be my last. As a lot of posters are stating, it ain't what it used to be. Here are my thoughts and tips...
Always stay in a Casa. Despite what anyone says totally private places are available. I had a one bedroom with two decks overlooking the "protestodromo" and the Malecon about two blocks from the Hotel Nacional. Nice place with everything you need for $30 a night. A private place means no problems or sign-ins for girls. With the fear going on now, this is important if you are confident in your ability to handle them. Some prefer sign in etc. in case of problems. Number one rule with Cuban girls is to totally run the show. If there is a problem, be firm. They are too afraid of repercussions to put up an arguement.
I like the Vedado area. La Rampa (23rd) is a main area for bars, hotels, chicas. Virtually any girl you see here is available. It is harder than it used to be. There has always been a police scare, but I think the problem now is they are wealthier. More nice clothes, cell phones etc. $40 or $50 is now not a bad price for all night (Toda la noche). The street is ok, but it is now easier to go to small cafeteria style bars. Any girl in one of these on this street (or near it) is available. Look a block or two in any direction as well for these. This way you can talk to the chica for a while first.
Miramar is a waste of time. Most of the spots spoken of here (1830, Johnny's) are gone or not happening. El Chevere is the only real place still going other than upscale hangouts. Hotel Melia there is nice and chicas are now at the bar. This is a major change lately. You can now get nice looking Cubans into the hotels (not the La Vieja major tourist ones though). Melia chicas are $100. If you want to pay that you are better off in Costa Rica. The Melia and Habana Libre have nice pools you can just go and use though.
Girls are very blatant around the Hotel Ingleterra in Centro/La Vieja. The Parque Central across from it and the immediate area good. These girls are either pretty hardcore or getto girls from Centro who are ugly.
The Malecon is always decent. As with all of Cuba, if you don't have decent Spanish, forget it. You should be looking for fairly normal girls who just say what the hell and go with you for a few bucks.
Casa de la Musica (Centro or Miramar) is the best to find hardcore pros. They can be very hot but want $100. All the really hot chicas have left, are in jail or who knows where. The 8's are in Casa de la Musica and the Melia Hotel. It is a long way from the days of 7's and 8's on La Rampa throwing themselves at you. Summer is best, but it still is disappointing. My first visit I had two sisters and their friend for $60. All 8's, and all in my bed within two hours of leaving my casa. This just doesn't happen anymore. A lot of the desperation on the island just isn't there anymore.
The major road from Habana La Vieja to the Ingleterra has a whole bunch of bars and can be good. At the end of this road where it meets the ocean is a major crafts market. There is a large patio restaurant there overlooking the cruise ships and market. Here you can get anything you want from the touts. Look for a really muscled black guy in very nice clothes. He is an ex-Olympian (boxer) and can pull of anything. He seems immune from problems.
The Cuba-Junky site has a guy named Pototo who they claim is great at helping tourists. He is an idiot who will rip you off and not provide anything he claims. Avoid.
About the only place on the upswing is Barrio Chino. Les Tres Chinitos restaurant is a must see for food and chicas. Find a black guy selling cigarettes near the restaurants and ask him to help. Decent guy who knows the area well. There is even now a semi-brothel in the area. He can direct you. Just buy a pack of smokes for $2. If you are timid stay to lit streets here as there are those looking for easy pickings. Centro Habana on the whole is much rougher than it used to be.
Bottom line, Havana is cool but expensive to have fun in. The days of lots of available girls for $30 per night are gone. Now is $100 pros or really average looking girls you have to convince for $40 to $50. Go for a lonely planet style vacation with a chica here and there. For mongering it is dead.
I believe I said the average low temperature at night in December and January is 66 degrees farenheit in Havana. Which is very comfortable for NORMAL human beings. There is a difference between 66 degrees and 60 degrees. If it gets down to 60 degrees don't panic, put on a sweatshirt or sweater.
Constanza12,
Good report, my thoughts and observations mirror yours. I was last in Havana at the end of April and posted a report that was silimlar to yours. I keep telling myself "I've had enough and this is my last trip, etc". I was going to go again this week, but couldn't get the time off and because of the reports of extensive damage from Katrina, so I am probably going in Feb (for the last time) LOL.
How much damage did Katrina cause around the Melía? I usually stay around there, instead of Centro or la Vieja. I now walk most of time because I got fed up with the cab drivers trying to rip me off (I speak fluent spanish) and got to the point of saying "no me importa adonde vaya la fula, a mí, lo importante es una tarifa baja" in order to get a break on fares.
Did you make the trip out to Marina Hemingway or Macumba? How bad was Miramar? I posted that Johnny's was a writeoff and that the Commodoro was closed, do you know about the disco at the Hotel Copacabana, La Maison or the area around the El Ajibe restaurant? They were slow in April because the new hot spot was Casa de la Música in Centro. If you go during the matinees, it can be a good place to meet "normal" Cubans that can't afford the night time cover charges, but speaking spanish is a MUST.
The Inglaterra is at Prado and San Rafael, lots of chicas, panhandlers and low rent jineteros. If the police presence seems high, you have to move down to food chain to lesser known spots. If you search this thread back to the end of April, you can read my report on the same dismal scene. Chinatown has become a hot spot at night, on past trips, it had always been dead.
The one noticeable difference to me was that when I went, there were so few single male tourists i.e. mongers, the prices had plunged to around $30 for chicas from las Villas that were "visiting" Havana. That and I heard that fewer Italians were visting Havana now. I think I met that boxer guy, but thought he was on something or out to lunch. Do you go to the Playas del Este?
Holden Caulfield
12-31-05, 08:15
Miramar is pretty beat up. I walked from the mall for literally two hours. There is almost nothing along the Malecon there. There used to be some good paladars, but little going on there now. Some of the nice home are beat up and many yards look like scrap heaps.
Melia on the malecon to prado looks great along the Malecon. No problems. One night a week (Sunday, I think) is a massive gay turnout. Literally a thousand in the streets drinking and partying away.
I didn't go to the marina this trip, but I imagine it is ok. Not a bad hurricane hole.
One spot getting huge lineups is the hotel bar at 23 and N, next to the pizza place. Might be the St. John, I can't remember for sure. First hotel near the pizza place and the little cafeteria on the corner. Casa de la Musica in Centro is hot. Days are good, nights are insane but expensive. I saw Van Van for $25. Hotties around but real hardcore. Amazing band though.
I recommend to always keep an ear out for street concerts. This time they threw one with great bands who were on the steps to the university. Had to be two thousand people in that little square.
My biggest change was Cubans in hotels and Cubans in general having a little more money to spend. Honestly, one girl who seemed to be engaged to a Spaniard paid for a night out. When does that ever happen?
the information in this report is current as of november, 2005.
i made the trip with a friend (teachers pet; tp from now on). i was there 8 days, tp for 11 (i had to return early because of a family medical problem). we stayed in havana with side trips to several towns outside of the city. this was the first trip for both of us.
two problems and one big plus
there are two big problems with mongering in cuba: the police crackdown and the quality of the women. the big advantage is that because of the poor economy, a much larger percentage of women than normal are interested in making some extra money.
the police crackdown on prostitution has driven most of the activity away from the previous hot spots. women can not be seen walking with gringos and can not enter hotels with gringos. some of the women we were with were also afraid of being seen in a car with us. the paranoia level is very high and for good reason. there are police everywhere, especially in spots where there are tourists and where people congregate.
the solutions: first, stay in a casa particular instead of a hotel. some of the women had places they used so this might also be an option. another good option is to get a rental car since hitchhiking is very common and it is acceptable for gringos to give women a ride. however, this poses other problems with bad roads, poor signage, and "tricky" driving rules (e.g. no left turns at a signal light if there isn't an explicit arrow on the light) and those ever present police that will stop you for any infraction (i was caught twice: once i got a warning and the other time tp performed brilliantly and got us off with only a $6cuc bribe).
recommendation for an agent to get a casa particular: anita (pm for her phone number)
the second issue was the quality of the women. on that 1-10 scale, we were going with 5-6's. we saw a few 7's on the street and tp saw one 8 who was a tv personality introduced in the audience at a show. not very good.
the big plus is availability of women. they need the money. so while we saw few pros almost everyone else is a semipro. for example, we were propositioned by two women to whom we gave a ride on the road to matanzas. they wanted us to go to their house for sex. they were only 4's and our excuse not to go with them was that we didn't have enough time. then they offered blow jobs if we stopped just off the highway. they got down to $5cuc each with that offer.
if tp is nice he will relate his story of being accosted in a restroom by a woman who grabbed him and tried to force a blowjob on him.
places to find women
here is list of the places that we looked for women (many based on reviews on this website):
malecon: a very few women on the city-side of the street. many were scary looking. the malecon (seaside) is supposed to be a great gathering place but except for sunday we only saw a rep001tering of people. one possibility: the bar/restaurant on the seaside at the very west end (just before the tunnel to miramar). there were more people hanging out there at night and tp picked up a women at an adjoining table in the afternoon.
old havana (obispo st.): nothing
miramar (5th. ave.): nothing
la rampa (near the havana libre hotel): there was nothing around the hotel. 2 blocks north (towards the malecon) there are a number of music clubs and i saw two groups of 3 women on a couple of nights that were dressed the most slutty of anyone i saw. they were definitely available (they walked right in front of my car when i was stopped at a light and gave me the eye) but they were 5's at best. i also saw one lone woman sitting on a step about 10 blocks south of the tourist area. she waved at me as i went by but she was sitting down and it was dark so i couldn't see her well enough to judge her appearance.
prado: there were about 3 or 4 women working the bar at the hotel inglaterra on a couple of occassions in the early evening. but later at night there were none. the pedestrian street of san rafael had lots of male touts offering restaurants, cigars, and women. one tout told us that the parque de la fraternidad (just south of the capitolio nacional) was a great place from 9pm-midnight. he took us there much later and there was one woman but when we went back on our own at the "good" times we saw no one.
chinatown: there are about 5 or 6 pros working out of there. however, we took one each one night and got really poor service from them. they also conspired to leave early together. that was when we decided that we wouldn't pay in advance anymore. the pros claim that paying in advance is the norm in cuba but the semipros will accept payment afterwards.
rosalie y castro: here's the best nugget of information in this report. this is a "disco" (that's what they call it but it included karaoke, shake your booty contests, and prize draws as well as dance music) in havana vieja (around egidor and muralla). there is no sign on the outside so you have to ask the people in the area to point it out to you. there is a $10cuc admission charge. not counting the staff, there were about 40-60 women, fewer than 10 men and only a few other gringos. and virtually all of the unattached women are available. they want you to buy them drinks, dance, etc. but they really want you to take them out. the quality was the same as elsewhere (3s-6s) but they are generally dressed nicely, showing off whatever assets they have.
restaurant recommendation:
la roca (21 and m) had good food at very low prices, good service, and a show sometimes at night.
I've been in Havana last 3 weeks. Sounds dumb. I know. I only had 2 girls. One ok, one super.
I need help or mongering buddies. Call me at 983833 Jesse.
Any contacts you guys throw them to me. Thanks.
Cops are no problem. The girls are hard. Nice, young flesh or big round asses at reasonable prices is hard to find.
Send me a message anyone.
Member #4643
01-01-06, 23:08
I no longer go to Cuba, as I am an American, and my previous trips were within the boundries of the law. I have no work assignments to Cuba anymore, but I have a good suggestion for anyone who wishes to get as many Cubanas as the heart desires.
Like most of Latin America, "regular girls" in Cuba are hardly more difficult to pick up than pros. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate a good pro, but the regular girls have lots of benefits as well.
If you walk down to Havana's Malecon around rush hour, you will see lots of beautiful girls hitchhiking. Walk up to any of them and ask them if you can drive them home. When they say yes (I was NEVER refused and I am 51 years old), hail a taxi. Once in the taxi, invite them to your casa particular.
Renting a car is a hassle. Its totally unnecessary. In fact, if you want to go that route, just hire a taxi driver to cruise for hitchhiking chicas. That works very well too!
The rest is inevitable. Be prepared, as even GFEs may ask for money. But its never a lot!!!
Wish I had the opportunity to go back. Cubanas are fantastic!
Organicgrowth
01-04-06, 20:07
Forest,
What an excellent idea. Simple and direct. I can see it working and will try it soon! Thank you.
Regards, Havanaman
Hello Fellow Mongers,
I am planning a trip to Cuba within the next month and would appreciate your input. Ive read over the last month+ of posts but have various questions. About me, Im American but have lived in Argentina for several years. My Spanish is good and I have extensive experience mongering and traveling in Latin America. Cuba is a unique place though. I would will fly Air Cubana nonstop from Buenos Aires and probably spend 1 week there.
My questions are (if theyve been answered please refer me):
1) Money. How much do I need? Should I bring US$ or Euros/other? What FX rate will I get? Will my Argentine bank/ATM card work there or must I bring cash only? How can costs be as high as they are if avg Cuban earns $20/mo?
Basic list of costs (accomodation, food, taxi, beer, women) please...
2) From what I read I should stay in a casa? How do I find one? Do I reserve in advance or can I find one easily upon arrival?
3) Where should I go? Ive heard Varadero is good but dont even see it on the map...Havana, other?
4) Do people hang out at the beach in Jan/Feb?
5) Dress. What should I wear?
6) Other words of wisdom.
Thanks!
Moore
Hello Moore
Hope to provide some answers to your questions:
1) Money. How much do I need? Should I bring US$ or Euros/other? What FX rate will I get? Will my Argentine bank/ATM card work there or must I bring cash only? How can costs be as high as they are if avg Cuban earns $20/mo?
From what I know do NOT bring US$. For US$ you pay 10% extra when changing to CUC. I would NOT use an ATM. Might swollow your card. Bring a credit card from a NON US-bank. Read more on Cuba related web-sites. Not so hard to find.
Basic list of costs (accomodation, food, taxi, beer, women):
Casa 25-35 CUC / day
Chicas 25 CUC /day
Beer-food-transport 50 CUC/day
2) From what I read I should stay in a casa? How do I find one? Do I reserve in advance or can I find one easily upon arrival?
Do a search on the internet. Look for the words "casa particular havana"
Reserve for a few days. If you like it stay. If you don't like it: go. Ask for independent casa with privacy. Agree by email if you can have "visitors".
NEVER NEVER NEVER pay up front. Always pay afterwards.
Once in Cuba it is easy to find another casa.
3) Where should I go? Ive heard Varadero is good but dont even see it on the map...Havana, other?
Varadero is a place 70 miles east of Havana where they put all the turists. No Cubans allowed. Much police control I have heard.
Maybe you are confusing Varadero with Vedado. Vedado is a quarter of Havana. West from Havana Veija.
4) Do people hang out at the beach in Jan/Feb?
Don't know. I think for Cubans it is too cold in those months.
5) Dress. What should I wear?
Dress low profile. Not as a tourist.
6) Other words of wisdom.
* Do more preparation/reading. From your questions I conclude you don't know much about the place.
* Good that you know spanish and have mongering experience
* Have fun
http://www.InternationalSexGuide.info/forum/showthread.php?p=373200
1) euros are your best choice of currency. Besides credit cards don't take traveler's cheques drawn on a US bank (i.e. American Express); Visa or Mastercard are okay
3) Varadero is best for all-inclusive travel packages and is reportedly not good for mongering
4) There were not many people on the beach in November so I think there would be fewer now
Fido Dido's answers were very good
GermanBoy 2
01-08-06, 14:50
Hello moore
Fido dido told you a lot, and everything is right. So I can tell you
1.) Money: traveller cheques from visa or thomas cook are okay, but you need some time for changing them, a lot of papers. Credit card (master, visa) is a bit more compfortable cause you can change money in big hotels in havanna too, they do not exept traveller cheques there. Cash (euro) is the best, of corse the most dangerous too. At the airport of havanna you can change ONLY cash, no card, no cheques.
5.) Beach: Normal cubans do not go to the beach at winter, means from November to February.
Transport: for travelling from big city to big city you can do all by viazul, the big bus-company. The busses are good and well on time, from havanna to santiago it is 52 cuc and takes 15 hours. Many stops between. Inside a city, it is hard to make a 20-kilometer-trip, therefore a rented car is great, but thats expensive.
Have fun
Germanboy
Gringo Loco
01-09-06, 03:10
Hey Moore,
Looks like you've already received some sound advice from some of the other experienced Cuba hands, but I'll throw in my dos centavas anyway. If you've only got a week I'd recommend sticking to Havana. Vedado is the best neighborhood to stay in -- close to the action and safe.
Here are some casa particular websites:
http://www.casaparticular.info/
http://www.geocities.com/vedadohabana/list.html
I had good experiences at Casa Galeano on 17 between G & H. The host, Alejandro is young, friendly and english speaking. His place is chica friendly, but it is not an independent apartment. Independent apt.'s are available if you just walk around town and look, but avoid the touts (jineteros) because they'll just increase your costs.
I've had way better experiences with "buena chicas" than putas in HAV. If it's purely putas you're after, Colombia is far superior (and much closer to your home base). But the ease with which even an average spanish speaker, using a bit of charm and a compliment or two, can hook up with a novia is simply unparalleled. In Colombia for example, it seems that 2 dates is the sweet spot. In Cuba, try 2 hours! Hit on the store clerks, try scoping out the girls en La Universidad de la Habana (near the Hotel Habana Libre), that sweet young chica walking down the street arm in arm with her mom... "que bonita es tu hija." Don't be shy. If you're approach is suave your success rate will be very high.
As far as putas, they're easy to spot. In fact, they'll spot you first. If they make the 1st approach -- puta. Hot young chica with a celular -- puta. I'm sure it's the same in Argentina. Don't get me wrong now, I like putas and have certainly had my share. But if your spanish skills are halfway decent you won't need them after the first night in Havana. Good puta hunting places:
Obispo St. in Habana Vieja (daytime only, it's dead at night)
La Rampa (23) in Vedado
Both Casas de Musica (Miramar & Centro)
In fact, if you hit the Sunday matinee at Casa de Musica in Miramar it's more like the casa de putas! Almost every girl is working. Was there once with my mongering compañero and some aggressive puta had him unzipped and was pulling on his johnson at the bar within 15 minutes! And if you buy a chica a drink there she'll probably order a mojito or cuba libre and a pack of cigs as well..... watch your cash. There is certainly a caste system in place wherein the hotter cellphone toting rubias will command more $$ than the mulatas or negritas. Some, especially at the hotel clubs or pools will even have the temerity to ask for as much as 70 or 80 CUC. Forget it! I've never payed more than 30 and 20 to 25 is more the norm. Let's not inflate the prices gentlemen. This is Cuba, not the USA!
I've found that if you venture outside of town a bit there are some great discos near Parque Lenin and in Rancho Boyeros w/ $3-5 cover and $1 beers which are full of sweet young friendly chicas not looking for a quick payday. And damn can those girls shake their asses to the reggaeton! Totally different vibe as well. As a gringo, you'll be noticed but not necessarily approached unless you make the first move. But when you do, it'll be muy facil. So drink your cerveza, survey the scene, find your target market and then swoop in for the kill!
Moon Handbooks puts out a great guide to Havana. Lot's of good info on paladares, sites of interest, etc. w/ decent maps. Time Out publishes one too; decent but not as comprehensive.
If you're into art and handicrafts, there's a great outdoor market near la Catedral in Habana Vieja. It's open during the day I think from Wed to Sun. You can get some great oil paintings, wood carvings and shell & bone jewelry real cheap. Also happens to be an excellent mongering location! I also met an artist who does great abstract oils and engravings. He doesn't exhibit in the market, but he has his own gallery on Obispo St. I've spent a couple of evenings at his house eating, drinking and buying some pieces that are hanging on my walls today. Here's his website:
http://www.israelglez-artecuba.com/x_ingl_index.html
Lastly, outside of the puta community the shaved bush is a rarity. In fact, the road to glory seems to be a common attribute amongst cubanas. So if hairy pussy turns you off bring an extra razor!
Suerte Moore and happy hunting!
Moore,
Fido Dido and Germanboy 2 have told you about everything you need to know, but I will add some things that weren't covered.
1) If you bring cash, Euros and Canadian dollars are better than U.S. dollars, travellers cheques can be good, because they can be replaced if lost/stolen, BUT they can be hard to exchange outside of major tourist areas and they may be an exorbitant commission involved. Bring a non-US Visa card as back up, as I have rarely used it, except for cash advances and buying cigars. I usually spend between 800 and 1000 CUC during a week for everything, except cigars.
2) If you can always stay in a casa paticular, try www.cubaparticular.com, I know the guy who runs it and find him reliable, he is a cuenta propista, he makes his living leveraging his internet access with casa owners than don't have internet access. Remember to insist on an independent casa, or a private entrance at the least and always ask what the landlord's policy on "guests" in advance in order to avoid any potential problems. Casa are always offered to you or if you look/ask around for the triangular blue and white sticker, this means that it is licensed. Don't forget to bring a plug for the bathtub, just in case. You generally need some sort of reserved accomodations when you land (casa/hotel) to avoid being marched off to the accomodation desk for 2 nights at a hellhole like the Kohly or Colina.
3) If you are centered in Havana, go to Viñales. Fido Dido is right about Veradero, great beach, but not really Cuban in feel; chicas and illegal casasare available. Trinidad is great for sightseeing and is reasonably close to Cienfuegos, where there is a hobbyist scene. Pay the fee and tour the Partigas cigar factory, if you buy cigars, you can learn alot and avoid being scammed when purchasing cigars. It will also kill an afternoon and is right next to Barrio Chino.
4) Not much beach action at this time of year, too cold, waves are too high, if you do go weekend afternoons are your best bet. Last time I was in Guanabo at this time of year, it was slow, only a few Italians running around.
5) Casual dress works, business casual for going out, I think some clubs have a dress code i.e. no running shoes and shorts and a shirt with a collar. Comfortable shoes are a must because you may have to do alot of walking.
6) Everythings been covered, but for general advice, don't believe everything you hear and take everything with a grain of salt. Check carnets of the chicas if you think they look young, if you get pinched, you are screwed. Learning a bit of spanish goes a long way in Cuba, since most Cubans don't speak english, you may find educated older Cubans (30+) that may speak german. When I hear Cubans speak to me in decent english, my jinetero alarm starts to go off.
cuba mongers,
many thanks for your considered responses and pms. im still reviewing some of them along with older reports. this is very helpful. ive even read a few of fidel's speeches in my recent spare time just to prepare my mind & soul for landing.
moore
ps gringo loco, finally a place with bushy pussy - i love it! i dont think i even remember what it looks like. looking forward to this.
Hi Gringo,
My last visit was in August 05, and it was terrible. High police enforcement plus poor choice. Girls kinda avoid tourists in general now. When did you last visit Havana? Things have changed since then!
I'm am now ready to purchase my air tickets. Everything going from Buenos Aires to Havana on AirCubana is booked solid thru February. So it looks like I'll take the 2nd best route which is on CopaAir with a connection in Panama. Probably purchase for early March since only full fare (about US1200) is available thru Feb. This ticket will cost only about 600.
I was thinking that may actually be a better time since it will be a bit warmer and I may get some beach time. My only concern is that that is peak spring break time. But college is not so far back for me and I dont remember lots of people going to Cuba so Im guessing that hasnt changed.
I wish to minimize any trace of my trip to Cuba so Ill be paying for my ticket in cash and also using my Argentine passport. I probably wont furnish my Continental one pass number (sister airline of Copa) either just to be 100% safe. Losing 10,000 miles there.
I was surprised to find out after calling Copa today that I need a visa using my ARG passport. Im not sure if any of you guys have needed this before. I checked out the local Cuban embassy website and it looks pretty simple. Supposedly I go there with my tickets, accomodation info and US20 and they give it to me right then and there.
Thanks again for your help.
Moore
Have fun. I am planning to be in Havana during the middle of Feb. I think that you indicated that you spoke Spanish, so you should do fine. The language may change, but the game remains the same. It has been a long time since I was last in Buenos Aires, how are Black's, Newport and the bars on Supiacha these days? The last time I was there was just before the crisis and I've been thinking of going back. Sorry for asking this in the wrong forum, but since I have your attention.
Jack Monger
02-01-06, 22:43
I am heading back in May I had such a good time. Anyone interested in traveling with me?
Having read some of your posts on havana, what are the hot spots in havana nowadays?
Any recommandation on a casa particular allowing chicas with private entrance close to the 'action' ?
Never been in Cuba before, Im new on the site, just getting some info on my next week's trip. Anybody there during same period to have some drinks with?
Thx
Jack Monger
02-03-06, 00:43
I am heading down in May so I figured the beach action would be picking up then. I will be staying in Havana for part of my 2 weeks but was wondering about other destinations. I was down for 10 days in Jan. and had a blast had a novia for most of that time. She was from out of province so she did not want to go out much because of the police, so that limited our options at the casa. Which was OK by me. I found her around the Malecon and Prado intersection. There was a good selection down there as well as Obispo. I could have a at least 2 dates a day cruising up and down Obispo. I will be learning some Spanish before heading back down. I now realize this is a must. Well if anyone is heading down in May maybe we can get together and compare notes over a beer.
Jack Monger
02-03-06, 01:02
I am heading down in May so I figured the beach action would be picking up then. I will be staying in Havana for part of my 2 weeks but was wondering about other destinations. I was down for 10 days in Jan. and had a blast had a novia for most of that time. She was from out of province so she did not want to go out much because of the police, so that limited our options at the casa. Which was OK by me. I found her around the Malecon and Prado intersection. There was a good selection down there as well as Obispo. I could have a at least 2 dates a day cruising up and down Obispo. I will be learning some Spanish before heading back down. I now realize this is a must. Well if anyone is heading down in May maybe we can get together and compare notes over a beer.
RubMeister100
02-04-06, 02:25
Hey everyone.
Leaving Sat for a few days in Havana (again).
Anyone down there now and want to meet for a drink?
My old guide is on a government sponsored "vacation" and I'm looking for a new one.
Any contacts via pm would be appreciated.
Any recent suggestions would be great also. How is La Chorerra?
I'll post my report upon my return.
I am leaving for Havana in a couple of weeks and would like to know what's been happening since the end of hurracane season. Also, I just posted in General Information that I was hit up for a local contact number by Cubana when I bought the ticket. Apparently this new policy came into effect this week for anyone buying air-only. Anybody heard anything?
RubMeister100
02-11-06, 05:29
My Report On Havana
It sucked.
Police EVERYWHERE and a genuine, deep seated FEAR of having anything to do with the sex tourism business.
I'm certain that if one still has contacts there is some action available but I did not see any halfway decent looking girls, all the nightclubs were either closed or dead. Casa de la Musica in Habana was busy with locals but nothing worthwhile at all.
La Rampa was dead in terms of pros, I did manage to scoop one that served thet purpose but little else.
I even saw mongers from my flight being pulled over in their rental on Calle 5 Miramar by the cops.
Johnnys Rio was still open but dead. I dragged another one from there for medicinal purposes.
Other travellers I spoke to about chicas were similarly discouraged.
It's been five years since I started in Havana (late I know) but it just keeps getting worse and worse.
And EVERYTHING is getting ridiculously expensive there, we ARE being ripped off. The place is now filled with mom and pop by the thousands on tour buses going to Bodeguita del Medio and La Floridita...
With the same effort and $$ I could do better just about anywhere else.
Sorry for being so negative but I recalled another members post about havana in which he essentially said "Yeah, yeah but I still need to see for myself".
Well I did and I'm convinced its over.
This doesn't sound good, but I've already bought the ticket and will have to take my chances. The police have been tight for a couple of years now and no matter what they do, there will always be chicas; the only difference is that you have to be more discreet.
Which clubs are still open besides Casa de la Música? I'll post a report when I get back and if it is as bad as Rubmeister100 says than I think it WILL be my last trip down for the foreseeable future. I'm pretty sure most people here don't go for the food.
You never really know until you get there because the scene is always changing, but it seems to me that they are slowly choking it off by little by little. The Havana Club and Johnny's must have been cash cows for them back in the day, but it looks like they are willing to forego the cash to maintain tighter social control as more and more old standbys are being kept closed right into high tourist season.
I still (hope) to have a few contacts down there and my spanish is good and hopefully it will work out, but if doesn't, I would recommend skipping Cuba and going somewhere else although I love the place.
Leaving for Havana in a few days, haven't posted here since last summer, will do some catching up on my reading. Will do a mini trip report when I get back.
Hi Gringo,
My last visit was in August 05, and it was terrible. High police enforcement plus poor choice. Girls kinda avoid tourists in general now. When did you last visit Havana? Things have changed since then!I was in Havana in October 2005, my casa was at the Malecon and Prado, spent two weeks there. Yeah, you might have to work things a little more discreetly and there are police everywhere, but there is lots of action to be had. Walking the Malecon at night bore much fruit. I had something pretty much every day. Going back again next week for three weeks, I'll let you guys know what transpires.
Guys, while chica hunting in Cuba is beyond it's glory days, there's still action to be had. If you are a little adventurous, and speak some Spanish, you just need to go into the neighborhoods and find a "trusting" person who will soon connect you to the inside world of Cuban life.
Let me give you an example. One day I was walking around Havana Viejo, and I looked inside of an house. There was a young guy, a mother, and about 5 young girls. I said "buenas tardes" and they starting talking to me. I asked what they were eating, and they said, some rice and beans. I asked the mother if she'd prepare me some food for $, and soon enough, I was eating with them for $2.
Well, it didn't take long for each of us to talk about the real reason I was there, and 30 minutes later I was leaving with a hot 22 year old, back to my apartment. Long story short, I ended up f***ing 2 other girls from that house; then, when word got out in the neighborhood, I literally had chicas knocking at my door. In fact, I was there during Hurricane Dennis last July, and there wasn't much to do for 48-72 hours, so, it was a f***fest to say the least.
Anyway, I agree, for most, Cuba might be too difficult to bother with, especially with the action I've experienced in Colombia (unbelievable beauties! ) and Brazil (the beach life, and diversity of chicas that seem to devour sex). However, if you like some of the raw grit of a country, and want to throw yourself into life in Cuba, just have some smarts and patience, and the rewards can be great.
gentleman,
will arrive in Habana 24th and ready for the action. As a repeating visitor I believe that if you have a private casa and a car !! you are all set for the action. Just cruise around, be aware of your surroundings and things w i l l
happen. PM me for a few cold ones !
Cheers
Cosmo
I just got back Friday night and it was the worst that I've ever seen it. Mongering is still possible, but it is now so bad that it is time to consider other destinations right now.
Police are everywhere, most clubs are closed and the ones that are still open aren't much to write home about. I went out Sat. night to the Casa de la Música in Centro because it was the only Sat. night that I was going to be in Cuba. I got there figuring that if it wasn't good on Sat. night, it wasn't going to get better. $15 CUC cover, the place was only 70% full, aprox. 20-30 chicas, none were great. not exactly Johnny's circa 2001.
Chicas were around Parque Central, less jineteros than usual, but more police there and around the Malecón in Centro as well. Dead as a doornail around the Cohiba. Didn't try to go to Macumba, it was still open from what I was told, but it was an expensive waste of time on my last visit. Harder to pick up "normal" chicks on the street, because it seemed that the was a greater fear of the police this time.
I will try to post a longer, more detailed post later on.
Truth Seeker
03-12-06, 21:59
HAVANA, Cuba – www.cubanet.org) – Workers are rushing to finish a new correctional facility for women being built in Calderón, part of Alquízar municipality in Havana province, south of the city. Authorities have announced that the prison, with capacity for thousands of inmates, will be ready for use in three months.
The three existing women's prisons around Havana are all overcrowded since the raids carried out in the past months. Many of the inmates are serving terms of up to four years for “dangerousness,” a catch-all term that basically denotes having the potential for criminality.
In the case of women, it means prostitution or the suspicion thereof. Dangerousness is invoked whenever Cuban women are seen talking to foreigners, for instance, or when they are in the vicinity of tourist facilities or places frequented by tourists.
Havana Cuba . Trawel report 10 days week5-6. 2006.
We 3 friends from Sweden trawling for the first time to Cuba/Havana ,No Spanish .
But I think we did the right thing.
We rent one car + Guide ( Guide=30 $/day)for the hole time.
And of curse rented one independent house for 3 persons in Miramar.
This guy help us with everything from morning to morning, book Restaurants took us to clubs and help us in the back way “no queue”, drive us around ca 2000 km.
He always kept his eyes on us where ever we was, we feel wery safe.
And best of al when we meet girls he guarantee us for them, we had never get close to this 8-10 p/girls without him, if the girls need to get home for a reason he drive them and they was back in 30 min.
We did never had problem with the polis probably because the our friend avoid them
without we notes it.
This was an girlfriend experience (24 h) for us, we got 10 different girls in house this
10 days .
Okay we me by let it cost little bit moor then it needed to, for us it was worth every €.
Price house 60 $/day/room, girls 80-100$ first day 60-80$ extra day.
Sorry for my spelling.
2 of us going back in May.
El Cubanito
03-21-06, 17:01
Jonas,
It sound like you enjoy yourself. I myself will be going in May. I was thinking on going in Late April or early May, but because of work I have to push it back. Into Mid May may or late May. Let see if we can hook up.
EL Cubanito
I am glad that you had a good time. The prices you paid for the rooms and girls were at a premium. However, things have changed over the past few years and it is not as esay for new visitors. The price paid for the car and guide was very good but rest assure that he received a commision from all, including the restaurants and the chicas he found and the casa owners, if he arranged it. It's the Cuba way. Hopefully you kept contact numbers and for the next trip, you should be able to do a great deal better.
Marcopolo767
03-23-06, 00:29
Cubans are going tu be rich if you and your friends return to "isla grande".
Good businnes for the guide. For a Cuban the salary for a month of work is no more than 6 or 7 $, so you can understand because your guide was always present as you said.
About the "casa particular" I hope you paid 60 $ for you all. In Ciudad Habana (playa and miramar) you can find rooms for 30 $ including breakfast. In the Habana suburbs and other tawns you can find rooms for 15 $ (max. 20 $) always including "desajuno".
I regret to uinform you that 80 or 100 $ for a "chica" is a crazy thing. In Ciudad Habana, girls ask this prices but you don't have to accept. You can agree with them no more than 30 $ (max. 40 $).
Marco Polo
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