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Welcome to this new forum all. I would like to just post that I have removed the MSN site that I had set up for pic viewing;
For the same reasons as before.
___________________________________________________
Hey Guys ,I am sorry but I have to Close this site ..http://communities.msn.com/CubanPetesDivingRetreat ....too much exposure . Will be opening a new site that is a little more inconspicuous. Soon to be announced ! Thank you for your understanding!
No Fingerprints
___________________________________________________
You can view the pics of the trip here.
http://communities.msn.com/ExoticDiveSpecialties
You must join the community to see pics... its free , but I had to set it up that way due to the nature of the pics and Content. I will check my email once a day for new members and do approvals.
Enjoy
"No FingerPrints"
____________________________________________________
* Jackson .... Did you get those pics?
If you did feel free to post them if you like.
I am working on some annonymity issues.
In anycase I just wanted to post this so that It is not in anyway misleading to anyone.
Thanks for your understanding, And pardon if anyone didnt get to see the pics. I will be creating a new " No Charge " Viewing area soon to be announced.
Thanks
CP
AKA " No Fingerprints "
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to say this is a great site and i really enjoyed everyone's comments. As the matter of fact, before going to Havana this Month, the comments helped me alot.
I just wanted to suggest if you ever decide to go to Havana please consider these:
-Bring enough money and leave $20 USD in your passport for the airport fee when you leave!
- Speaking Spanish (at least a little) is great, however, if you don't speak, you will be able to get some action but much less than what you might expect
- I found a boy who was my guide all the time in my trip and he helped me alot showing me all the places and night clubs that a regular tourist would not go.
- I fucked 5 girls ( just like models) during my stay and I didn't put much effort towards that. (2 of them found me on Malecon, one I picled up in a taxi ( the old taxis), and the other 2 (super cute sisters) from a night club.
-food is a nightmare in Havana ( overall cuba), if you plan to stay in Casa Particular, pay a few $ and get the landlord makes you somethin descent)
-Be open to people, they are exteremly nice. I had no problem with connecting with people.
-Havana is exepensive, as a rule of thumb take enough money so you can fulfill your wildest dreams. I spent about $100/day.
-The last thing is don't go to night clubs where Italians are there. They fucked up everything in Cuba.
Have fun!
max, thanks for your advice, I find it useful.
What's the going rate for the Cuban chicks at the moment?
Which night clubs would you recomend?
Thanks
Max, given that you stayed in a Casa Particular, how did you stash your cash for a week?
[QUOTE]Originally posted by max
-Bring enough money and leave $20 USD in your passport for the airport fee when you leave!
Howdy,
To Explorer8939:
I had a pouch (or a passport carrier if you like) hanging around my neck all the time. I had combination of credit card (Canadian bank Visa, all visas are accepted except the one issued in USA) and 50's and 20's. Don't take 100's. In most of the cases they don't except them.
The best way also to carry your cash is to have a secret pocket in your pants.
To Gladiator:
The prices are now ranging from 15 to 80 USD. But in no way I'd pay 80. For one girl i just paid a 20 dollars for dinner+taxi and the sex was for free. For the two sisters i paid for both 55+a bottle of rum($4)+20 for room rent. For one of the girls on Malecon, I paid $20 + a $10 room rental for 30 minutes. The other one was a kinky teenage girl with super cute ass. I really liked her so I awarded her for the great sex and i paid $35. In China town in Havana, a girl offered me 15.
About your questin which night clubs, I sincerely feel if I reveal that, it may ruine my next vacation ;). but since you asked: TUNEL (read TOONEL) is one of the few. Hint: Do your reaserch.
Hope that helps, if someone has a question a particular area I would be more than happy to answer. cheers!
I will be going to Havana on the 24th of May and was wondering if anyone can give any suggestion on where to stay in Havana and in Veradero. I will arrive at almost 2 in the morning so should I have a reservation before? Any addresses for casa particular's would be great.
Also how is the seafood in Havana?
Akhan,
There are many places that you can stay in Havana, but i recommend you stay close to Malecon.
visit this site and pick a few. the worst case scenario is you stay in one over night and move on to the next. just take a bunch of addresses and confirm it with landlord if they're available.
http://art-estore.com/casaparticular/
Most of the landlords have someone to pick you up around 2 AM and drive you home( for free), but if that's not the case make sure they know you are arriving at that time and take a taxi to get there (if possible) shop around for taxi.
Your worry should be on the first night. Later on, just walk on street and people will find you if you need a place to stay.
I recommend you find a seperate apartment so that way you can have your own freedom if you wanna invite a girl to your place.
There was a place around the corner of 23 and Malecon and it had a great view to the water and the fee was $35. sorry i don't know the exact address, though, there is a sign saying apartment for rent)
In Veradero, I don't think you can rent a casa particular, as it's illegal to rent one.
There are some restaurant that they serve sea food but the prices are $20 and up (based on my experience). Sea food quality is 4 out of 10 (ranking 1-10)
good luck.
Hi,
I agree totaly with Max, some good info' well shared, $35 is a bit on the high side however, go for soemthing in the $15 - £30 range and you will be happy. Here is a little more for you Akhan:-
http://users.pandora.be/casaparticular/
http://www.geocities.com/cubanexchange/index.html
www.dtcuba.com/eng/cuba_turista.asp
All give casa info & general help.
Happy to help but please post back your experiences (costs, adventures! Action, the police activiety....).
About food: DO NOT GET TRAPPED BY A STRANGER TAKING YOU TO A LOCAL "HOUSE RESTAURANT".... Go it alone....
In 2 weeks I'll be in Havana for the first time, and thanks to your good pieces of advice I hope to make the most of my visit.
One more question: what's the best part of the Malecon to pick up chicks? Because it's 7-8 km long...
Thanks in advance.
Havanaman,
regarding your question, stay close to old havana area and 23 st. and Malecon. around 7 pm and so forth, there are many young girls walking along malecon. Either in groups or single.
Based on what i read on the previous messages, many believe that malecon is dead. but that all depends on several factors. What time of the day you are there and whether you are lucky.
I used to act like a dumb tourist with a camera walking about 3-4 km along the coastline and I always encountered somone who was interested to socialize, specially girls!
On the police activities, right next to the water fall on 23rd (across Air Cubana office) for a few nights I saw some young Jinetera (rating 6 out of 10) around 15-16 years old used to hang around (around 8-10 pm). Everynight there was a new one. One night, there was a police raid and those girls disapeared but a night after some more showed up.
Good luck :)
Hi all,
I am interested in visiting Cuba, but am an American.
Have read that traveling there can be a offense in the States ($1000 Fine) but usually not enforced.
I have read on this board (the old one) that if you fly to another location than come in, usually there are no issues upon return to the States (passport issues).
Would like to know if this is feasible.
I think Cuba is good and close to home and might be a viable alternative to other locations.
Any comments/insights/experiences are appreciated.
Thanks
The penalties are a $7000 fine for spending US dollars (or their equivalent) in Cuba; ie trading with the enemy.
Travel to Cuba without permission essentially violates the ban, unless the government of Cuba pays for your room and board. Your passport is stamped with a little black mark when you arrive at the airport. Once you turn in your passport to renew, the State Department will see that black mark and know that you were in Cuba. This is rarely enforced, but who knows what the climate will be like when YOUR passport is renewed?
BTW, no American has answered the question of where to stash your cash, since US credit cards and ATM cards don't work in Cuba. Canadians have no problem, though. I have asked this question many times, and the stock answers have been:
a) I'm a Canadian, I use my Canadian credit card.
b) I carry around thousands of dollars in cash, even at the beach, although I am traveling by myself. I stay in private homes and have no fear of leaving large amounts of cash in the room while I am gone.
c) I was thinking that maybe I would get a Mexican credit card, bet that would work.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by clix
[i]I am interested in visiting Cuba, but am an American.
Have read that traveling there can be a offense in the States ($1000 Fine) but usually not enforced.
[/i][/QUOTE]
I met the guy who goes by the alias "No Fingerprints."
He has been offering "tout" services to persons wanting
to travel to Cuba. I strongly advise everyone not to
use him.
No Fingerprints lives in Houston. I visited him in April.
He contacted me after he saw the post of my trip to Cuba in
December 2000. He asked me for advice and contacts to assist
him on his trip to Havana and Cienfuegos that he took in March.
On my first trip I met the blonde that he photographed and
raved about so much. Basically, I hooked him up with all the
right contacts so he had a great time. When he returned
he planned to return at the beginning of May.
I travelled down to Houston to meet him to discuss how to
help him get customers for his tour guide business. I also
wanted to get a first-hand assessment of the person to whom
I might be sending some of my friends to. You see, for
many reasons I am not able to travel to Cuba very often so
I would not be able to take my own friends who wanted to go.
While I was with him, I purchased over $200 worth of clothing,
shoes, and a CD/cassette player for him to bring as gifts. Half
were for my novia (including the CD player), and the other half
were for his novia. My novia and his novia are best friends.
I also gave him a 7-year old laptop computer to give to my novia.
It's worthless to me, but it's gold for a Cuban.
After he landed in Havana we spoke, and he complained that he got stuck with HUGE customs duties at the airport, and he asked me to send him money! Later my contacts told me he was lying. However, at the time I smelled a rat, and thought that he was an asshole to even dare to ask me for money after all the help I had given him.
That night, I called my novia and warned her about No Fingerprints, and she warned her best friend, No Fingerprints' novia. This guy was such an asshole and treated his novia so poorly that his Cuban novia refused to accept $100 worth of gifts, and she told him that she didn't ever want to see him again! You know that he had to be pretty disgusting to evoke that kind of reaction from a Cuban desperate for consumer goods.
To make a long story short, he bartered my CD player and laptop
for his personal use (pussy, casa, scuba diving, etc.), and my
novia only gets some of her gifts. I figure that he might pull a
stunt like this so my letter to my novia contained an itemized
list of what she should be receiving. When she saw No Fingerprints was holding back, she complained. He offered to give her the CD player if she accompanied him on a trip to Cienfuegos. She refused. Again, it's not totally because she's in love with me (LOL), it's mainly because this guy is such a revolting terd, he brings out Cuban character traits that actually rise above sheer materialism.
When I called he lied about the reasons my novia didn't get her gifts. However, he got tangled in his web of lies when I cross-checked his facts against the testimony of others.
We expect to get ripped off by Cubans. However, it's a tragedy when other hobbyists try to screw their colleagues. After I posted this warning on another website, he shut down his "Exotic Dive Specialties" MSN discussion group. I'm posting it on this website so that the rest of you will also be warned to avoid contact with this guy.
does anyone know if the Cubans use THE SAME PAGE for their entry stamp? (I mean do they stamp the same page for everyone - I have heard that some countries stamp particular pages.
It's easy enough to get to Havana from Mexico City - just want to avoid trouble with US
I'm going to be in Havana 29 June through 5 July. Any travellers going to be in the vacinity then? Meet for a drink, share ideas, party etc? email me at sedition2001@hotmail.com or message here. I always go to Cuba in the winter, 4 previous trips but this is my first summer trip.
I see from the older reports that with the colleges / universities being on summer breakes the pickings are very good indeed. We can report back to the forum with fresh facts.
Also any very recent travellers please report back fresh info...
Share and progress...
Hi guys,
thanks for this forum it helps a lot.
But I want to go for the first time to varadero und havanna and
I wanted to ask if you can tell me if it is still hard to find good
Looking ladys in varadero for a 20 year old guy?
And if it is possible to rent a casa particular or something like that
In havanna for one week so you can bring everynight some chicas
To your bed without any security guys?
I'd asked this question in general info and didn't get a response. since is the most popular area for cuba, I thought I would ask it here. Has anyone enter Cuba by Cubalinda? It's owned by a former member of the CIA. That part makes me nervous. I don't want to get busted before I get there.
who nows ore there any direct flights from sdq to cuba, and can you take a domanican girl with you, ( will they need a visum?)i like to go end of june
[QUOTE]Originally posted by DIY
[i]I'd asked this question in general info and didn't get a response. since is the most popular area for cuba, I thought I would ask it here. Has anyone enter Cuba by Cubalinda? It's owned by a former member of the CIA. That part makes me nervous. I don't want to get busted before I get there. [/i][/QUOTE]
I was considerign Cuba and using the Cubalinda method also...
I emailed them since thier site suggested in implication that they knew how to get Americans in with no problems, but the site did not provide the informatin. They responded and gave me three cities to fly in from that would not present problems.
However, I don't thing the city I leave from is the problem, iI think the arrival in Havana where they stamp your visa would be issue to be concerned with.
Are there certain cities one can fly from to Havana where Cuban officials will not stamp your visa?
If yes, that would make me more inclined to go for a visit....
Can anyone help?
Ok Live in New Orleans! I want to know what is the best way for me to get to Cuba?
from new orleans, go to the nearest mexican city, head to the cuban consulate, get a visa, make transit into cuba from mexico.
DR i have no clue. but from NYC, i'd hop over to toronto, head to the cuban consulate, get visa, fly direct out to cuba.
Hey all.
Was in Cuba end of March through mid April did'nt get visa, bought ticket from netssa.com, a Toronto based company selling tours to various cities in Cuba. with the ticket tourist card was included. If American passport is not stamped, tourist card is. You must then keep tourist card and passport together. when I bought ticket was told that visa was not necessary, Canada and Cuba have good relations, since I was leaving from Canada I had no Problems. Even when I came back and crossed border into US, I told them I was in Cuba and had no problems. They only asked if I had cigars. Toronto or Montreal are the best places to get to Cuba if you're in the northeast part of the country as both cities have direct flights. Americans don't worry they wont stamp your passport. The site I mentioned earlier in the post also has great last minute specials prices all in canadian dollars.
Now for the trip report:
I guess a little background is necessary. I was born in the US but my mother and everybody on my moms side of the family was born in Cuba. My mom had went several times before and finally convinced me to go (No idea why it took her so long) and meet some relatives I'd never met. bear in mind my spanish is not great but if you speak any it is a great advantage, and saves you alot of money. Anyway, I met my realatives and stayed with them in their house in Arroyo Naranga(spelling), a barrio outside Havana. Their hospitality amazed me considering they had never met me before, it was like they knew me all of their lives. my first night there my uncle took me to La Rampa and negtiated two young girls around 19-20 one was a 6 other was a 7 but I grade hard others might grade them higher these girls were definitely fuckable, to come with us back to the house and stay the night. $20 a piece plus cab fare back to La Rampa in the morning (about $7) These girls fucked the shit out of both of us and we pulled the switch half way through. You gotta be able to talk to them make them feel comfortable a couple of drinks maybye, they're gonna fuck you anyway might as well make them feel good about it. First night was a good night me and my uncle got drunk and fucked and I only spent $70 total, drinks, taxi, girls everything. I ve spent more than that drinking by myself back home. The next day my cousin who is a girl by the way, started calling all her girlfriends to tell them that her cousin from the US is here visiting, she might as well have been my own personal madam as I met girl after girl. I should say right now that Cuban people are proud people but they also know how to have a good time. Considering that the average cuban makes any where from 200 to 250 cuban pesos a month they have little if no income for luxuries or partying so a visitor from the US attracts everone on the block at some point during your stay. As they assume you have and can spend a hundred times more money then they can and are right.
Anyway, my cousin hooked me up with this one girl who lived a few houses down the street from my family. my cousin told me to have my way with her and give her $20 bucks when I was done, but a funny thing occurred, she really liked me cuz we talked and drank cristal beer for about 40 minutes before the action started and she was insane, licked me all over fucked me silly and did'nt want the money, I had to force her to take it. she then invited me to her house every night for the rest of my stay and did'nt want me to leave. To make a long story short I was there 15 days and only spent $375 most of it on on beer and rum. get to the real neighborhoods avoid the tourist traps and try to meet someone nice to be with while you're there you'll have a better time and spend less money, and again spanish helps tremendously!!!!
Good luck to all in their travels
Mister_NYC,
I may or may not take that as joke depending on what kind of man I'm dealing with. When I was there my cousins asked me to bring some friends of mine the next time I came. I spoke to a couple of guys I know they could'nt go (no passport, no money, etc...) and it would be nice to find someone with similar qualities to myself to hang out and girl chase with. Keep in mind this is my family so I am a cautious, and don't want to bring just anybody, but if I could find somebody laid back and respectful we could probably have a great time.
I'm assuming youre in the city by your handle, I'm upstate 5 minutes from the canadian border. and was planning next trip end of june early july If that time is in your schedule maybye this can jump off. Reply to this post if interested then I'll email you back.
Hey Mister_NYC & Mars.
I'm going to be in Havana from 28-06-02 (06/28/02). If you would like to meet up for a drink email me: sedition2001@hotmail.com I'm not looking for anything / selling anything -just a drink with fellow travellers -tell you what, I'll buy the first round of crystal... Nice to compare notes in person....
I've just come back from an 8-night stay in Havana. It was my first time there, so my aim was to get a first impression of the sexual atmosphere in the city, rather than to carry out a thorough study, for which a longer stay would be necessary.
I was particularly interested in pros since they'd give me more flexibility than non-pros when it came to changing pussy on a daily basis, which is what I like.
I've found the Rampa (street 23) and surrounding area to be the most active and interesting zone, where you can find chicks during the day and at night till 3-5 am, depending on police activity. There're around 5-6 nightclubs in this area that are worth visiting. Thursday to Sunday are the nights when there're the most pussies in the clubs. The clubs are smallish and uninspiring with an average of between 20 and 60 chicks depending on the night. Many of the chicks in these clubs are hardened pros who put pressure on you to invite them or to take them with you. I preferred to ignore these ones and wait for a while in order to find an outstanding pussy, a pussy that really appealed to me and that wasn't so hardened.
The chicks that walk during the day in this area tend to have better attitude than their night counterparts, and also offer better rates, they are more girlfriend-style, though you can also find well-behaved pussy at night if you spend some time on your search.
I was only interested in all-nighters. The asking price at the clubs for all-night service was USD 50, but you can always negotiate it down to USD 30-40. The maximum I paid for a nightclub pussy was USD 40, but she was a 17-year-old black stunner. As the age of consent is 18 I had to take the usual measures so as not to get into trouble.
The asking rate on the streets is variable and normally within the range USD 20-50 for all night service. I got 2 cousins on the street for a threesome all-night long for USD 40 both. One was 23 years old and average type but the other was 19 and quite cute.
I didn't see any significant activity in the Malecon, the best pussy I saw there was an 18-year-old blond stunner who quoted USD 60 for a 2-hour session, which made me laugh, and she wasn't willing to negotiate. That blonde pussy is one of the biggest financial speculators I've come accross. It's against my religion paying USD 60 in a country like Cuba where monthly salaries are around USD 10-15. Paying such vast amounts would spoil the chicks and ruin that paradise.
I also got to know some non-pros out of El Vedado, in "normal" nightclubs, and I realized that most non-pros are up for grabs too, though they do expect you to spend some money on them with dinners, presents, etc, that is, whether you go with pros or with non-pros you'll have to spend roughly the same amount of money per day.
Morally, I don't see any difference between a pro and a non-pro in Havana: both fuck with you for money or other material goods. Anyway, as I said before, I concentrated this time on pros, I may research with more attention the non-pro world in Havana in my next visit.
In general, I consider Havana to be an excellent destination for pussy-hunting with a good variety of chicks of different races and ages. The scene would definitely improve if the authorities were not so narrow-minded and didn't scare the gilrs all the time with so many ID checks and arrests, but in any case it is still a place were you can't get bored.
Gladiator and others:
How about names of the better clubs. I am going down there next week. Any tranquilo forumites plan on being there at that time? Has anyone on the forum had the pleasure of meeting a beautiful brunette in Habana by name of Marilys? She is from Holguin province in eastern Cuba.
If you're an American citizen, you can't bring your credit cards. They're invaild there. I don't want to walk around with gobs of cash,especially around the custom agents. Is there anyway I could get around that? Or a website that i can get a disposable card from a Canadan bank?
DIY is asking about money.
Aside from carrying cash your options are:
1. Using travelers checks (including american express). However you should purchase them at a foreign airport. Remember checks are always return to the bank where your purchase them.
Charge in Cuba 3% weekdays, 4% weekends
2. Debit card Transcard
www.transcardinter.com
This is more expensive but is another option.
You may use it anywhere VISA and MC are accepted.
Regards
Caliente del Norte
To arecho66,
The best clubs for pros around la Rampa area are: Tikoa, Cheherezada, Amanecer, Karachi, Broquilla (on the 1st floor of hotel habana Libre) and there is also a sort of small restaurant-bar called 'Conejito' where you can find a few pros too, though I found the chicks in this last place were too hardcore to my taste. Most of them open at 10 pm, but the action starts usually later, at around midnight. All of them are within walking distance from la Rampa.
There was also a famous club on the top floor of hotel Habana Libre, but I didn't check it out as everyone told me the pussy there were more expensive, with asking prices of 100 USD and not in the mood to negotiate too much. The entrance to this club was also overpriced at 15 USD.
The best clubs for non-pros are: Tunel, Brindis (both close to Plaza Roja) and Rosalia de Castro (in Old Havana). But they don't open everyday, they were definitely open at the weekend but I think they close on some weekdays. It's best to get in at around midnight too.
If you find some interesting new places I missed please let me know.
*American Express* travelers' checks really work in Cuba? You mean, the ones where YOU SIGN YOUR NAME on them, so that American Express andf their friends in the US gov't know that you spent cash in Cuba?
[QUOTE]Originally posted by CalienteDelNort
Aside from carrying cash your options are:
1. Using travelers checks (including american express). [/i][/QUOTE]
O.k. guys -- Gladiator hs given us some very valuable information down below (clubs names). Don't ruin the tip! Negoitiate! If you can afford a 50 USD dollar quote from a girl you can't say no to -- talk her down!
Those of us who go to Cuba often are getting shelled by 1 or 2 time visitors to Cuba who spendspendspend because it's so cheap. Please try to honor the punting code and don't take the first price quoted (if it's high).
Sorry for the preaching -- but I've seen Rio de Janeiro ruined by similar good tips.
Happy Hunting,
JWadd
I've travelled quite a bit to Eastern Europe on business and dipped into the lifestyle at the same time but never down South.
I'm wondereing if anyone can comment on the following strategy:
In general, I'd like to go for "non-pros" since I speak some Spanish. I'm 39 and in good condition.
If I want to rent a private apartment and take a quick trip of a round 5 days to Havana, is it realistic to get daily action with chicas from everyday life.
I also planned on renting a car just in case Havana was "shut down". If so, what beaces or cities make sense if I stay based in Havana.
I ask since it seems incredible to be able to hang around a college, school, store or lacal bar and bed these babes!
I also need to stay in touch via Internet, so should I get a room at the parque Central or Nacional and a casa particular, or does anyone know how to get onto the Internet.
Any help is appreciated as this looks too good to pass up!
Thanks
aavanta,
As far as Internet goes when I was there I went to the Capitolio it's in the vicinity of Old Havana inside they have a cyber cafe. No broadband here, were talking 28.8 modem (Hope you're not in a hurry, took me 45 minutes to check my e-mail.) at $5 an hour.
As far as meeting non-pros, renting a car is a good option, Since you speak spanish. On main streets there is always attractive women hitch-hiking, seems thats the norm there. Pick one up a little small talk, Invite for drinks, dinner whatever. Have pen and paper handy, to get a number or an address. Beware, If you're attractive and fun you'll have a hard time breaking free of her.
As far as casas are concerned, I would go to casaparticular.com get a casa for the first night and look around the old havana area and barter, this is the low tourist season.
Have fun
I am arriving in Havana Sat. night. I am going to stay at the Copacabana the 1st couple of nights. At $110.00 a night it is a little pricey anyone know a less expensive hotel that is of the same quality?
Any hotel info on cienfuegos would be helpful also.
thanks
Como estan amigos?
I am to spend a couple of days in Havana on my way to Central America. Can anyone provide specifics about:
1) casas particulares: I am looking for upmarket rooms (apartamentos de lujo) in the range USD 20-25. I would like to have 2 or 3 such addresses near La Rampa, with the name of the owner and the phone number. Calling in advance is a good idea to avoid being driven crazy by a cab (pun not intended) at 1 AM!!;
2) Discos: I am trying to ferret out the CURRENT hot discos in Havana. I stress that things change very fast in Havana and the information that is provided must not exceed 3 months of age! Can anyone provide us with 2 or 3 updated tips?
Thank you.
Regards.
I am a complete newbie to Cuba and am thinking about a trip. I wonder if I could ask some advice. I speak a little Spanish, but cannot hold a long conversation.
How do the women rate here? I like tall, attractive, thin waisted but not too skinny girls.
How are they in action? Can one find a GFE like Thailand?
What are the costs of ST and LT.
Can you take them to salsa clubs?
How safe is the scene?
Where are the best pick up places (go-go's, bars , street...)
Any other words of advice would be very welcome.
Many thanks to all
wickedwilly,
I'm not a Cuba expert, but I've recently spent a few days there and can reply some of your questions.
You can find there cute chicks of all colours. They are quite good in action, even the younger ones.
If you read the messages below you'll find the going rates at the moment for LT & ST -always negotiable.
You can take the chicks whenever you like.
The scene (street, bars, etc) is probably the safest on earth: police is omnipresent. However you should be extremely careful when you take the chicks to your room, some of them tend to be light-fingered.
For best pick-up places see below messages on this board, basically they're just streets, bars and discos.
Unfortunately there are no go-gos in Cuba nor sex shows of any kind. Don't expect to find Pattaya there. In my opinion Thailand is light-years ahead of Cuba in the sex scene. From what I saw the only advantage of Cuba over Thailand is the amazing variety of races you can find there. But having said that, I must admit Cuba is an excellent place to enjoy pussy.
You can get girlfriend-style chicks there too like in Thailand; though, in general, I find Thai girls to be sweeter and not as money-minded as Cuban chicks. In any case, I have more experience in Thailand than in Cuba, so I really need to explore better the Cuban scene to get a broader picture.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks for the info. I am more familiar with LOS too, but do like latin chicks, I hope to get there soon and will recant my experiences here. In the meanwhile I will read these pages with interest.
JWadd, you're right: overpaying is the quickest way to spoil chicks and eventually ruining cities.
I paid an average of USD 30 per chick per night (all-night service) in Havana, which in my opinion is a high rate considering the state of the Cuban economy. The price in Cuba should be in the region USD 10-20 p/chick p/night, so we really need to stick at it and negotiate even harder with the pussy in order to bring down the rates.
From what I saw, most chicks are willing to negotiate and tell you the initial asking price in the hope that you're a real sucker and accept it straightaway. In total, I only met 3 inflexible chicks who weren't willing to negotiate, and I just moved on to the next pussy. With so many pussy around the negotiation game is at our advantage.
I've heard of some spoilt paradises, such as Rio or Santo Domingo, with cute chicks asking for -and frequently getting- USD 100+ p/night. Let's prevent Cuba from being spoilt in the same way.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Gladiator
[i]JWadd, you're right: overpaying is the quickest way to spoil chicks and eventually ruining cities.
I paid an average of USD 30 per chick per night (all-night service) in Havana, which in my opinion is a high rate considering the state of the Cuban economy. The price in Cuba should be in the region USD 10-20 p/chick p/night, so we really need to stick at it and negotiate even harder with the pussy in order to bring down the rates.
From what I saw, most chicks are willing to negotiate and tell you the initial asking price in the hope that you're a real sucker and accept it straightaway. In total, I only met 3 inflexible chicks who weren't willing to negotiate, and I just moved on to the next pussy. With so many pussy around the negotiation game is at our advantage.
I've heard of some spoilt paradises, such as Rio or Santo Domingo, with cute chicks asking for -and frequently getting- USD 100+ p/night. Let's prevent Cuba from being spoilt in the same way. [/i][/QUOTE]
[b] Gladiator [/b]
[b][i][u][color=red] Thanks for your info. Could you provide us with some specifics? Which bars / discos have you been to get the chicas? Do you recommend a particular casa particular? Besides having fun with the jineteras, is there any other / cultural activity one can have? Thank you.
Best [/color][/u][/i][/b] :D
I just returned from one week trip to Havana. I picked up a reasonably attractive girl on the sidewalk in front of La Copelia across from the movie theatre which is also close to Habana Libre Hotel. This is a good spot for chicas although sometimes it is heavily monitored by police. However, she seemed unperturbed by their presence. Alot of the chicas I have picked up recently have been from "El Oriente" or eastern Cuba. Have any others on the forum noticed the seemingly overrepresentation of chicas from that part of Cuba? Anyways, she initially asked $50.00 but jumped on counteroffer of $30.00 if I picked up taxi as well. The pool at Copacabana Hotel in Miramar is packed with jiniteras on the weekends. However, they are mostly pros and the girlfriend sex aspect is lacking.
I was tempted to go into "Las Vegas Cabaret" near Habana Libre in Vedado. The girl at the door collecting cover charge ($5.00) was tall, buxom, good looking brunette and very friendly. However, the place looks like a dive so opted out. Has anyone checked it out? Also, what's the status with Johnny's (Rio Club) in Miramar? How are the girls there? Are the asking prices as outrageous as those at El Turquino on the top floor of Habana Libre? I agree with comments about negotiating hard to keep the fees down. Given wretched state of Cuban economy, $30.00 should be max.
Has anyone hooked up with knockout chica by the name of Marilis or Marilys from Moa, Cuba? She is exceptionally hot. I lost her contact data and I'm dying to hook up with her again. Keep the posts coming.
To LittleDickPride,
With regard to bars/discos names please see below my post of 12 June.
To get a good casa particular I'd recommend booking the 1st night in advance in any casa close to la Rampa, and once there ask around and take a look at several ones. I saw that good independent apartments cost USD 25 p/night and very good ones cost USD 30 p/night. Make very clear before accepting it that you'll take girls now and then, and if you intend to do threesomes make very clear too that you may take more than 1 girl at once. I had problems with the witch that owned the apartment where I stayed because I took pairs of girls a couple of times and the witch said no more than 1 pussy was allowed at a time (luckily she told me that the following day, when I had finished with the chicks). Then I asked around and found out that some apartment owners don't care the number of girls you take, so it's best to ask in advance.
As regards cultural activities, apart from pussy-hunting and beer-drinking, I didn't really have the time to check the scene too much, though there doesn't seem to be too much going on anyway, besides sightseeing in Old Havana. I loved to go to the beaches -Playa del Este- that are just 20-30 minutes away by car, they were great. I liked to take 1 o 2 chicks with me to have some fun on the beach too. A semi-desserted wonderful beach in the Caribbean, a cold beer and 2 young mulattas at my side, it wasn't a bad way of spending the afternoon...
thank you to both gladiator and arecho66.
things seem to get hotter in havana now, after years of girls crackdown by the police. i may peek at it in august.
best regards.
Who can help this first time cuba tripper?
What are the limits and ways to get around them as far as how many boxes of cigars you can take from cuba to mexico on my return flight?
Can I overnight any from havan to mexico??
The WSG is unbeatable for getting up to the minute pre-trip info! Thanks guys!
long time reader ... first post.
You can buy Cuban cigars in Mexico. You just can't bring them back to the USA. When you fill your suitcase full of Cuban cigars in Havana, and unload it from baggage claim in Cancun, you'll pass by a few stores carrying Cubans along the way.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by sexxx69
[i]Who can help this first time cuba tripper?
What are the limits and ways to get around them as far as how many boxes of cigars you can take from cuba to mexico on my return flight?
Can I overnight any from havan to mexico??
[/i][/QUOTE]
Thanks
But wont the cigars cost a lot more than in cuba...?
And they could be the fakes i hear are sold in mexico,,,
I heard the ones bought at the factories in cuba are certified .
hi guys
i'm considering a trip to la habana next august, so here i am
i've already been there in 1999, so i already have a pretty good idea about what to expect, but some fresh information never hurts
Main point of concern, for me, is the "police hassle", wich was quite disturbing (next to intolerable) 3 years ago
From reading the posts below, it seems things to be much better now, but when I was there that fucking police made so and so an holyday which could have been great otherwise
Finding a girl (either normal or pro) wasn't a problem then (as it isn't now), neither was a problem taking her to your casa particular: the problem was taking her out!!!
I had a couple of girlfriends then, for a few days each, everything was ok, but they were literally terrorized by a law that prohibis cubans (girls and guys) even to TALK with tourists
So, because of "mucha policia", we had to walk ten meters from eachother, we could not go to central havana, neither we could go to nice restaurants and discos (where i wanted to take her)
I felt really uncomfortable, being treated like a sort of "leprous", whose dollars are welcome, but isn't allowed even to talk with local people (and, in fact, allowed just to fuck in a dodgy room, but not to behave like a normal, happy, gentleman tourist, having a good time with his 100% free exotic girlfrend)
HAS THIS CHANGED???
If so, tomorrow I'll go to the travel agency to check for air tikets
the police hassle was, by far, the main thing i disliked in Cuba; of course, there were others (terrible food, terrible rooms, terrible tropicola, etc..) but there were many more that i liked (cigars, mojitos, salsa, pretty girls and, most of all, the good heart of cubans, men included)
Pippo,
Yes Police harassment is still a problem.
I travel there every 2-3 months
Lately Policeman started to ask for money.
They identify rented house in their patrol area and wait for your arrival or girls departure to hassle you.
However, you may fightback.
Take the officer badge number and say you will report him to the locals.
Casa particular owners are aware of this problem and will report these police officer.
Already some have been sent to the countryside.
Overall I would the situation remain the same - not worst but not better.
Good Cubans are now afraid to go out.
Our days only people having nothing to loose will hit the streets.
I would say the streets are pretty quiet compared to 3-4 years ago.
People are now going to clubs to avoid problem with the police.
Unfortunately, most of them are professionals.
Lately most Cubans cannot afford to go out even to those $1 beer places. The tourism industry is down, the remittance from relatives abroad has fallen and 3 weeks ago a major raise (20-30%) of prices have been applied on all goods.
Here is a report on some places I visited.
* La Macumba was quiet (it was the big salsa night)
*Casa de la Musica (Centro Habana, Calle Neptuno y Galiano) was packed. Its new and cheap -MN$50-US$5- Arrive early.
* Casa de la Musica (Miramar) the old one - was also packed- arrive late
* Cafe Cantante was packed
* Jazz Cafe was quiet
* Amanecer (on a week day) very quiet
* Rio Club was the BEST ONE
* La Canita (Habana Libre Hotel fill after other location close after 2am)
* 1830 was packed on open bar night.
* Palermo remains the place for black girls
* Cabaret Nacional is always fun
* Ipanaema Disco (Hotel Copacabana) is always very popular - $12 open bar.
* La Maison has some very good music but was quiet
Still Cuba have great nightlife and worth traveling to.
Regards
Caliente del Norte
hi Caliente
thanks for your reply
situation seems even worse than what I thought
whan i was there, 3 years ago, girls were afraid of police, and i was scared by their fear; now, it seems i must be afraid in first person!
I have no problems going to clubs (btw, thanks for your detailded list) also I'm pretty sure i cand find one packed with locals (and not just pros waiting for tourists) and, hopefully, I can find a nice lady wanting to sleep with me
Let's suppose i take a taxi to my casa particular (hopefully with no problems) and have a good night; and then???
Should I put some dollars in her hand and say her adios the next morning? I know myself, and I feel really uncomfortable this way
If i like the girl, i like to take her hand, and go for breakfast, and then maybe to the beach...
Unfortunately, as you write, this seems impossible...
And I'm even more worried about police targeting tourists for dollars; would you suggest to rent a car? what if police stops you with girls onboard? can you tell them they were autostopping?
ok I'm new here and planning my first trip to cuba.
Explain what all this is about police getting the girls when they leave and arent we supposed to be seen in public with them???
I haven't been to Cuba since December 2000 - the situation changes from month to month but this is my experience....
>Let's suppose i take a taxi to my casa particular (hopefully with no >problems) and have a good night; and then???
You probably won't get into the house...
The owner of the casa particular (like a bed and breakfast) will not allow the girl into the house unless she presents her ID Card and writes the name down in his register. And most girls won't want to do that, since the immigration police check the registration on a weekly basis. If your name shows up in the register frequently you can get in trouble.
So where to take the girls....that's the problem....
Five star hotels don't let Cubans stay but you can bribe your way around it but it's not cheap....
Illegal guest rooms, usually a space in someone's home for a quickie...they exists all over - Havana, Cienfuegos, etc....but the point is that this is all dangerous for the girl (not so much the guest).
In short it's a real police state....with lots of desperate girls and horny tourists, which makes for a dramatic but somewhat unsatisfying experience for both parties.
Pippo,
You should not be afraid.
Police will only try to get money.
Personally, you will not get into trouble.
Even if tourist are not anymore treated like kings in Cuba they still have some privileges.
I would say you are right - not only pros are going to clubs. However, since you have experience you know they are always there for some kind of compensation. While a few years back most of the girls going out at nightclubs were to meet a guy and get married, overall it is not like that anymore.
It is still possible to stay with the same girls for a few days.
If she is from Havana, it will be easier because she will not be afraid of being sent back to the countryside or arrested.
Even if from the countryside it might be possible. What you want to do is to avoid walking the streets of tourist spots with her. You should avoid place like the Rampa if going out with her.
Call a cab and go directly to your destination - beach, shopping center, restaurant, club, museum, etc -
Yes, in fact if walking the street better take her hand. Otherwise, "good" police officer may think she is harassing you.
I never suggest renting car. You are better off with taxi - it is cheaper and they always take our side if any problem arise.
Car rental gives you more liberty but raise attention and bring a lot more responsibility. Several countries in their travel advisory recommend to avoid car rental. If involved in an accident you will be stuck in Cuba for several weeks or months - time required for the investigation.
Lately there has been no problem reported if you have Cubans on board.
Still Cuba is worth it. You may know that things are always changing in Cuba. By the time you go it may be more relax since there is fewer tourist.
sexxx69
Cuba has many strange rules and to enjoy your stay you must learn them. Do not worry locals will teach you.
jamesbond69
You are right about the ID stuff.
This is why I never share a room with a Cuban family.
I prefer to rent an apartment or part of a house with an independent entrance. These cost from $30-35 per day/per bedroom. They are of 1 or 2 bedrooms.
If traveling with friends you may choose a full house from $40-$200 per day/per room. Generally, you need to rent 2-3 rooms in these home.
This way you will not have any problem.
NEVER NEVER STAY AT UNLICENSED ACCOMMODATION. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! Avoid short time accommodation locations these are generally illegal and dangerous.
Regards
Caliente del Norte
Can someone give me a brief rundown of what some of those strange rules in cuba are?? Thanks!
i'm planning another trip to cuba next month,on my last trip i did not get a chance to spend anytime in havana i went straight to cienfuegos,can anybody recommend some nice places in havana to stop at.
Hi you fellow dawgs!
Does anyone have a pricelist or know what the best cigars sell for from the factory?
Like Cohiba Esplendidos box of 25.
Does cuba care how many boxes you leave with or does mexico care how many you bring in with you?
OK. I'm back; 10 days in Havana (end of June onwards…) This was my 4th visit, I've only previously been in the winter and this visit will be my last to wonderful Cuba in the summer. Hot as hell is not enough to describe the climate… So HOT I had to change my name to Mr. Sweatty!!!
So, having had the pleasure of using a lot of the information provided here by fellow travellers I now return the compliment.
Basics: I kept a budget of $100 per day, to include casa (private whole appartment in Vedado, $25 per night, aircon. shower, fridge, laundry, and cleaner included) food and pleasure. Took $500 cash, further monies on credit card (non US) from the hotel nacional. Very simple, no hassles. By the way, I always had change from the $100 at the end of each day, sometimes up to over $40! Bulk of money kept locked in my hard-case suit case, in casa. Money I carried was kept in 2 lots: main in front pocket & reserve in button-down back pocket, bills all £10's and $5's $1's -nothing larger...
Back in December last year I had started an experiment with a sweet little chica who worked as a waitress in one of the bars on the tower side of the Malecon. Basically she was a 7 - 8, worked like a dog and had no time to spend with me back in December (she worked 48 hours straight shift, one day rest, then another 48 hours… and this for the whole month! All for a serious salary of $11 per month!) She has a son (don't they all!). Any way, I left her with a goodbye kiss, a simple rough-Spanish letter and $30 in cash. The letter said that I would be back in June and to spend some time with me if she liked me. Enough said. It has been the best $30 I have ever had the pleasure to invest. I arrive at the bar. She jumps on me, kissing me like I was her long lost husband returning from the mist…. She took the whole week off, and to cut a long story short spent the day light hours with me, returning to her son & mother at about 11pm each night. My days were divided into 2 sections: morning meeting her in my casa and BBBJ, followed by a bit of a tour, few drinks, some lunch, and then late afternoon penetration (pussy or anal) depending how I felt. I took 1 day off from her in every 3, for private reflection and off course future seeding-experiments for December this year, and a recon for some varrity… In all I guess I spent about $150 on her for the whole of my stay. She knows I'll be back and wants to meet again…. I'm sure you will benefit from this if you play your cards right, speak a little Spanish and have a sparkle in your eye!
At nights I visited the usual haunts:-
Casa de la Musica (centro Habana) was totally full, free feels all the way!. I just kept on moving about, just to get a feel of as many breasts and asses as I could...
La Macumba was very quiet indeed and I did not stay long. May be I was too early, will give it another chance in December.
Jazz Cafe was quiet, but the chics were all in the 8 - 9 range. Bit pricey at starting price of $80… I had one down to $20 for BBBJ and dinner: I tell you boys, learn Spanish and its cherry-all the way home!
Rio Club: I have always like "Johnny's" but of late it has gone a bit down hill. The professionals inside ($75 - $100) are between 6's and 8's and really don't like to lower the enrty price… I like to mingle with the chicas outside the place and not actually go in at all…. (you can use the fact that your chica has just saved $10 entry fee as part of your lowering the costs strategy…. I also always add in that I don't want an all-nighter, so she can come back to the Rio Club after for a second try… works every time.). What I don't like at the Rio is that you pay $1 for a Cryastal and if you then go back for another foryou & your chica its $3 !!!
1830 packed to the roof with tourists!!!! I kept out…..
Palermo: The ultimate best place for black chicas, who by the way seem always to be less
For good cheap food (full meals) you can not go wrong with the Italian restaurant on the Prado, (Prado Y Neptuno), about half a block left out of the Hotel Inglatera, actually, the Prado itself is excellent for chica both in the day & night... Hotel Inglatera. For light snacks, say chicken & rice ($4) go to a barr.
Over the years I must confess that my pleasure levels have increased with no end as my Spanish as got better.... Worth every minute of the Spanish class I took! email me for specific tips if your Spanish is poor ( sedition2001@hotmail.com ): trust me you will thank me when you hear what I have to say about learning the language!
Almost forgot: The university! For young, healthy and very dynamic chicas you can not go wrong with hanging out by the university of Havana (left out of the Hotel Habana Libre and keep going up the hill, you cant miss it on your right). Just have a rest on the long, and very impressive steps at the front, and you will be able to take your pick of the HUNDREDS of ripe chicas. This information is worth it's weight in gold. These are young women, over the age of concent (if there is such a thing in Cuba...), and they know the score. Short time girl friends for the price of a meal, dance and a few simple presents (lipstick, brushes, cheap perfume sprays...).
I've prepared 3 chicas for December at a total cost of $70, this time I'm keeping email contact with them and will report back on this method.
Happy hunting, and remember to share information. Specific details if you need can be got from me by emailing me: ( sedition2001@hotmail.com )
Happy hunting, and remember share the information....
When does it cool down and the humidity let up?
And can someone PLEASE respond to my other 2 posts?
sexxx69
The best time to go for me has always been Nov, Dec, Jan and Feb. The temp is cooler (relatively!), but the humidity is always in the high 80's ++
Sorry I don't know about cigars... But you can see for yourself when you go! The main factory is behind the Capitolo building, about 4 blocks to the right of the hotel Inglatera and opposite the cinema... Infact the whole of that short road is full of cigar manufactoresrs... Take care with the numerous touts who are ready to sell you "the best cigars in Habana sir!".... They stand in their large numbers outside the factory....
THANKS Havana man
Anyone else know the prices from the "factories"?
Surely someone bought a box while they were there..
Hi Mister_NYC,
Thanks for your kind words. We all gain from sharing the info. I'm also going back in Dec. Let you know nearer the time --the possibilities are open ended. I've been recomended to visit Buenos Aires, Argentina, by a fellow WSGer... I may combine the Cuba experience with that in Dec. I need to do some real investigations first....
[QUOTE]Originally posted by sexxx69
[i]Hi you fellow dawgs!
Does anyone have a pricelist or know what the best cigars sell for from the factory?
Like Cohiba Esplendidos box of 25.
Does cuba care how many boxes you leave with or does mexico care how many you bring in with you? [/i][/QUOTE]
So why is the cuba board so slow???
Is it cuz its the hot time of yr there?
Come on now.. surely some of you dawgs have hit the cigar factories and remember what it cost.. !!
Help me out here, Please!
Can Any body awnser these questions.....
1. How do I get a room or appartment at a fair and cheap price at a private owner, where the girls are allowed to come home with you?? And what will that cost me!
2. What are the prices for the girls and how do I pay them (gifts, or just monney, right away and how much)
3. What are the prices for food (breakfast, lunch, diner)
4. Where to eat and where NOT to eat..... ( a bit of shakespeare there for you.... ;o)
5. Any tip usefull for my (adult) trip to Cuba!
Please let me know a.s.a.p., cause I am leaving for Cuba In about a week and just found this site only yet.... so plz help me out!
tnx
Hi Jochie,
I have an information file which you will find interesting as it answers all of your questions. I created it a couple of years ago for a fellow traveller and it covers just about every basic issue including contact names / numbers for casa's (legal ones anyway...) for Havana.
email me for the file, it's too big to post here: sedition2001@hotmail.com I can get the file to you the same day you email me....
There is a price to pay for the file. The price is that you share your information on WSG when you come back ("Gentlemans agreement....")
Regards, Havanaman
Havanaman:
Dont worry about the sharing part. I already thought there where to little pictures of these cute chica's so I already bought myself a mini digital cam to bring with me.... ;o)
But sorry for asking , but what is your e-mail adress, this may be a dumb question, but I have not a clue what so ever....
I am spending a week in Havana in early September. It is my first time in Cuba and I would appreciate any advise. I am going with another buddy we are both in good shape and in our late twenties and speak decent spanish, if that matters.
From everyone I have talked to Cuba is the best for finding hot women. I was wondering if anyone had recent news on the situation in Havana, we want to meet Latinas and preferably not hard core pros,
is this still possible on a first trip? for instances if I go to the University how much can I speak with a local before her getting harrassed?
Or is it best to rent a car and go to a smaller city?
Appreciate any help
i just got back from spending 9 days in cienfuegos and 1 day in havana and i have to admit the girls in cuba are getting hotter and hotter,the temperature in cuba is pretty hot right now so i would recommend anyone going over there now to get a casa with some a'c,fellas if you have a girl over there do your dirt before you go to see her because when she does see you trust me it may be a little difficult to get out by yourself this is where i went wrong,in cienfuegos there are hundred of hot young chicks to choose from that you will be trying to get rid of the girl that you just went with,cienfuegos is much cheaper and more laid back than havana but i'm sure anyone will find a good time in any of these places,i will be going back in december can anyone tell me a nice place to stay at in havana.
Hi Sino,
Thanks for the Cienfuegos information; very useful. email me and I will send you my Havana file with lists of places to stay / phone numbers etc. Can you include a list of places in Cienfuegos in your email, prices for + A. C. casa / private etc. What was the maximum / minimum you payed for mongering? - email me on: sedition2001@hotmail.com
Regards, Havanaman
Does it matter how old a guy is? I am pushing 50. Can I expect to get any under 30?
Hi everyone
I will be going to Havana for 7 days in March 2003. First time. How far is the other place? Is it far to travel?
Not a lot of info but are hotels girl friendly? I will be staying in a 5 star one, do not know which one yet.
I have never been to the Carribean.
John Doe
No problem getting chicas under thirty. I am in my late 40's and just returned a of couple weeks ago. I was with 3 different girls the oldest was 19, the other 2 were 18.
Hottraveler
Yes the disco at the Commodoro is closed as of two weeks ago, but still a nice place to stay. It is a distance from most things though. watch for a trip report soon
Sman
Just returned from Cuba and want to thank Havanaman first for all of his great information, not only his posts here but all of the e-mail to answer my specific questions. With all of his advice I didn't have to make a lot of mistakes that I would have otherwise. Here's the report:
I used Cancun as a point of entry into Havana. There are 3 fights to Havana from Cancun, but not all 3 run daily, so be certain of the flight time for the day of travel. Aerocaribe has fights at 12:50PM & 7:10Pm, Cubana has a flight departing at 2:00PM. Each flight takes 1 hour, but Havana is an hour later than Cancun, so arrival time is listed as 2 hours later. The return flights for Aerocaribe are 7:10AM & 3:50PM, Cubana is at 12:45Pm, because of the time differential, the arrival time is the same as the departure time (depart 7:10AM-arrive-7:10AM. Since I was only going to be there for a few days, I opted to stay at a state run hotel, against the advice of few people. I just wanted to check things out and get a "feel" for the place, and make a decision if it was somewhere I wanted to spend more time. The hotel where I stayed was the Comodoro Bungalows, they are small apartments adjoining the Comodoro Hotel. The advantages to the Bungalows were several including: in room safe, evening entertainment, cable TV (w/ESPN,CNN,& movies), breakfast buffet included with pkg., a 24 hour snack bar, and easy access to cabs. I assumed I would need to rent a nearby casa for sex, but that wasn't necessary. I arrived late at the hotel and by the time I checked in and got ready to go out it was after midnight. I was thinking it might be difficult to find a driver, find a girl, and find a casa where I could take her, all at this hour of the night. In my very limited Spanish I asked an ever present security guard if it would be a problem to take girls to my cabana, he nodded affirmatively that it would be a problem. I then asked if it would problem for $10 and he indicated that it wouldn't be for $50, after a little negotiation we agreed on $25. My thinking was this is the price for a casa, but hadn't considered that there were 2 shifts 7-7, so I limited my activities to evenings. This situation worked well except for once, for reasons I didn't understand security called and said the girl had to leave now and started banging on my door a few minutes later. On the first night as I mentioned it was late and after negotiating with the guard I was considering my options when he asked if I wanted him to find a girl for me. I told him yes, but that I was picky, only 18-23 years old and small. I like Pequeñas, Large breasts aren't a necessity but large asses and thighs are a definite NO. A girl shows up 10 minutes later a 19yr old @ a 5 or 6, but hey it was 2AM in a strange country, so what the hell. She asked for $50 so I offered $40 and she immediately accepted, I know I should have negotiated more, but remember the time and situation. Actually of the 3 different chicas I was with, she was the only one who brought up the subject of money. This girl was definitely a pro and the session was disappointing and I was troubled by the fact that she obviously didn't care if I used a condom. I know some guys like that, but for me a professional prostitute + no concern about protection is not a turn on. I didn't ask all the girls but got the impression that bareback sex wasn't a problem, maybe it was the age of the girls I was with, two 18 year olds and a 19 yr. old. I fell in love with the city of Havana and spent the next day sight seeing with a guide that my security guard buddies lined up for me. My guide spoke perfect English and was at my disposal 24 hours a day with car for $30 a day + expenses, which amounted to gas and a few meals. That evening we went to some Disco called Mucumba or something like that, I think because that is where my guide wanted to go. The place was very expensive and didn't have a lot of single girls there, I really didn't like the place. I was about ready to split when in walks this natural blonde 18 year old movie star and within a few minutes off we go to my hotel, no price discussed. At the hotel she strips and she is fucking perfect, The best looking women I've ever been with. She is definitely into the sex and I don't even have to reload, just change rubbers and keep going. When she inspects the condoms after and sees I've filled two, she high fives me, ya gotta love that!
The next day I hooked up with another 18 yr. old that I thought was a pro and turns out she wasn't. I treated her very nice, took her to a paladar, gave her some perfume and in return got an extreme she now thinks we are married, she wanted my cell# so she can call me every day until I return, collect of course. My guide was a hell of a nice guy, but wasn't particularly good with hunting girls and I made the mistake of not looking in the daytime. I think upon my return I will get a casa or both a casa and hotel, because of the hassle that one evening, I don't like being interrupted. Over all Cuba is a great place, with the possible exception of the food, I am very particular and found the food not to my liking. Well the great thing about Cuba is that just about any girl is gettable. Like anywhere else in the world, it all comes down to you and your skills. It wasn't a problem to walk up to any chica and strike up a conversation and ask them if they would like to go out, even with my limited Spanish. I spotted this hottie with fishnet stockings in a Mercado (upscale market for tourist with dollars) and asked her out to dinner. She was playing a little hard to get, but was smiling from ear to ear and following me around the store visiting, until her supervisor called her over and scolded her. She told me she got off at nine and I thought about going back but by that time I had found another 18 yr. old downtown. I am in my 40's and I like young women, and believe me that is not a problem in Cuba, no one seemed to care that I had a girl almost 30 years my junior on my arm. The girls could of cared less and truly seemed to enjoy the sex (i.e.. DFK, seriously wet pussy, not wanting to stop fucking as soon as I did). The girl on my the last night, I literally had to pry myself lose, she kept begging me not to forget her, to call her, when was I returning?, etc. I have traveled extensively in Mexico and the Caribbean and Cuba is unlike any where I have been. Cuba isn't for everyone, there is definitely an element of adventure, but it the easiest place I've ever been to find friendly, sex loving women.
Here is a few update on Cuba.
A very good friend and experienced fellow traveler to Cuba went to Holguin and Camaguey 1 week ago.
According to him Camaguey is like the good old days.
Some will remember 5 or 6 years ago.
Total liberty and no police.
Camaguey's casa particular owner are at first a little cold but there is always a way to come to an agreement regarding guests.
Camaguey is very cheap. Meals run from $4 to $8.
Casa run around $15 to $20. You may imagine as for other good things...
Altough its not Cuba's nicest city, it has its charm. Beach is 1h15 min. from the city. Tourists are warmly welcome.
Girl are very nice, a little darker than in Holguin - but not as dark as Santiago.
As for Holguin, it was packed of very nice girls but he had to do the first contact. They will wait for your first move.
Regarding Havana. I would like to share with you one of my contact for casa partiular (rooms, apartment and houses).
For several years I have used the services of Marilin.
She is a serious woman who have establised a network of casa particular owners. They are very serious, I know a few of them. They charge standard street rate - no rip-off here.
They have launch a web site you may visit at http://cubabudgettravel.com
If you do not know where to turn this might be a good option.
Personnaly, Cuba is still the best destination for single guys. After 3 years, this summer I return to Santo Domingo, Domincan Republic. It was not a happy trip. I found most girls pros and they do not care about us. I am fluent in spanish so comunication was not an issue. DR girls are so different from Cubans... I was happy to go back to Havana 2 weeks ago.
Best regards
Caliente del Norte
Caliente del Norte,
what's the guest policy of the casa particulars at http://cubabudgettravel.com ?
in other words, can we bring chicas there? or do we have to pay extra?
thanks,
pachangero
Hey, I discovered the site a couple of days before it was shut down for renovation and before I could post. Good work on getting it back up.
Was down to Havana for my 3d time this past July. It was hot, but as always a blast. Stayed at a casa p. in Vedado near Habana Libre.
Highlights:
Second day (of two weeks) had to head to a technical college/institute in Havana for business. Met a female student there. Not stunning but attractive and sweet and funny. Dinner, drinks, Malecon, and off to bed. Great sex - - lots of sweating, groaning, and laughing. We hung out for the next three days until she had to head to her Mom's place west of Havana for a visit.
Two days later had a great time flirting with a female policia on the Plaza Anti-Imperialismo. Should have closed the deal - - just the idea of bedding down a female cop was a turn-on - - but had to move along.
Next day , trucking down the Prado to meet a friend at the Palace of Fine Arts and bumped into this sweet mulatta. We chatted, arranged for a hook up later. Got together that night. I had a couple of Cristals, she must have downed five mojitos. Back to my pad for the BJ of my life and some quality doggy style. She asked for $40 in the a.m. I gave her $50. Hooked up again that night - - dinner, drinks, and more "ay, papi" sex. She must have been around 20, tight, dark-skinned, lovely face. Must be why they call Cuba the pearl of the Antilles.
Beginning of my second week, strolling down the Malecon 'round 11 . . noticed this hottie, made eye contact, thought about stopping but kept going. Stopped couple of hundred yards down to light a cigarillo and here comes the hottie. I offer to buy a drink at the patio bar across the Malecon. Head back to the casa p. and have a great night together. Gave her my CD player and $30 in the a.m. We hung out for a couple of days. 19 y.o., slender, long curly hair, nice brown eyes. A real sweetie. Headed out to Cojimar to visit a friend at a local bar. Spent the night at his place.
Finally, my best Havana sex story. Couple of days before I left, stopped by a cafe on La Rampa for a cool drink in the midday heat. Noticed a stunner dressed a la Santeria - - white robes, white headdress, etc. The perkiest, most luscious set of tits I'd seen the whole trip; short but slender body. Big eyes. She was sitting across the cafe from me. Eye contact. Smiles. I pay for drink and head over, sit down. We talk. I ask if I can take her picture. She says no - - she's in her santeria dress and if I take her pic, I'll steal her soul [rough translation]. I say okay, sorry. Some other time. She says, wait. If I take her back to my place and she takes her clothes off, then I can take her picture without messing with Legbu. I laugh. She smiles. We end up at my place. No amount of money or plastic surgery could ever manufacture the beauty of that chica's tits.
Those are the highlights. Gotto love Cuba and those Cubanas. Socialisme O Muerte! Like others on this board have said: avoid the pros, get to know the locals.
Peace out,
Conor
pachangero,
As you may know when you rent a casa particular, youe rent it per room - not per guest.
One of the best thing of casa particulars is to be able to have guests, whatever the reason. Owners know about that.
Since each house is independently owned and managed rules vary from place to place. But I belive most are open minded.
Sman-
Great info at the perfect time.
I leave for Cuba in October for one week in Havana on a little business trip with lots of free time. My room will be provided for me at the Melia Habana and I was thinking about a casa near by for other activities. AND I had been pondering the Comodoro Bungalows.
I was weighing the options of a casa or renting a nice place in the Bungalows if it was easy to bring guests back. Did the guard need a "tip" just once for the entire visit?
What is the area like between the Melia Habana and Bungalows? Would it be a 5-10 minute walk?
Lots of questions.
I'm a 50 year old that was in Cuba last year for a week and had a great time and will return in both October and November. So all info helps at this time.
More details about Macumba. Likes and dislikes.
Thanks-
qxguy
qxguy@hotmail.com
Well just got back from my first trip to Cuba and figured it only right that I repay the favor with some information.
I stayed at the comodoro Bungalows, sounds like Sman and I might have been there at the same time.
The disco at the Comodoro and Johnnies have both been shut down I guess a lot of drug problems, I found this out my first night there I arrived around midnight, on a Saturday. The hotel people told me club Ipanema was a good place to go to and in the area. I was not impressed, no chicas waiting outside and inside only 1/3 full and all the chicas already taken, although a gorgeous black girl did manage to slip me her number. after walking back to the hotel with my buddy we were approached by 2 girls right outside the not very attractive, security guard then offered to hook us up but we figured we would wait and try again the next day. Things really picked up then.
During the day we were by the pool when our security guard brought over 3 of the hottest girls I have ever been with. they all said they were 19 but I am not too sure. We paid the security guard 50 to get 2 of the girls back to the room and then paid them 40 plus a few gifts for the best sex of my life. 100% girlfriend sex. Unfortunately like S-man said the security came banging on our door a few hours later bc their shift was over so the girls had to leave.
That night we went to a bar called Emerald's just down the street from the Nacional. We were basically the only 2 guys in their with about 30 jineteras, the majority of them were mulatas. No real beautys but all good i would say 6-8. No cover charge, but drinks cost $4 and they really push hard to get you to buy them a drinnk. Then one stunner walke in we immediately made eye contact and went to another bar just down the street where we met up with her friend for my buddy also beautiful. Both I would say were 9s. Went back to their place and paid $50 for great sex. Great girls we hung out with them a couple of days at the beach.
Nights 3-5 we rented a 2 bedroom casa in Vedado for $25, If you are going to Havana looking for women I believe this is the only way to go, it was nice having the safe at the hotel, but other than that it was a big waste.
We went to a place called cafe Cantante, very close to the Plaz de la revolucion. $10 cover and free drinks. Great live music and tons of chicas. My buddy and I each picked up girls every night, average of 8 and price average of $50 but at least their drinks were already paid for.
hanging out with our girls from the first night was great after that first time we didn't pay but picked up all their expenses and gave some nice gifts equalled roughly the $50 picking up a girl at cafe cantante would cost, but in my opinion when at the point of entry it makes it a lot better not to exchange cash.
In genereal other than Cafe Cantante, I found the clubs to be pretty dead, I don't know if it is because its low tourist time or police crack down. Club Amanacer in Vedado was dead on a friday night, we went to Chevere cool club but not much action during the week.
If I could go again which i would tommorow if I could I would spend more tmie during the day trying to work chicas in local places to get more of the gf feeling. I actually chatted with a couple of girls on the internet before going and met up with one but she just wasn't hot enought to compete with the other girls I was getting. Spanish in my opinion is very important especially if there is any gf chance. I speak pretty well I have had a mexican girlfriend for a year but I still had trouble understanding the cuban accent when they would start rolling.
Finally, I think renting a car would be a great wasy to meet non pros, all day long you see gorgeous girls just looking for rides. however, being a US citizen I was a little nervous about renting a car and dealing with a possible accident. I found a great alternative, in finding a great guy outside our hotel that had a car and served as our guide for a couple days. For $25 plus a couple of beers and a sandwich he was wherever we wanted him to be and he was more than capable helping us with our spanish and picking up chicas for us. Renting a car will cost you at least $55 plus gas.
gxguy
I am not sure of the distance between the Melia and Comodoro hotels. but think two hotels would be a waste of money. Pick one hotel or the other if you want a hotel. Havahopeful is correct a private casa is the way to go for a fuckpad. I like hotels for the amenities, but will have a casa nearby for sex next time and I believe it will be cheaper than bribing guards in the long run. I did not like Macumba, too expensive, not enough girls. Havahopeful has another good point get a car or hire a guide with a car. In Miramar cruise Ave 5 or head back to Old Havana on the Malecon and look for chicas. If you don't speak Spanish hire a guide. To answer your other question, the bribe at the hotel was for each shift, so potentially $50 each day, almost enough for a casa and guide. There are several casas in Miramar, just ask a taxi driver to help you, drive around till you find one you like. Make sure it is clear that you want to have girls there and it is no problem, then pay one day at a time. If you want you can e-mail me at [email]cochehombre@hotmail.com[/email] for more info, Havanaman is the guy to talk to, his e-mail is posted further down and he knows a lot more than me.
Having not been to Cuba before, I was wondering what the best way for an American on the east coast to get there? Would I have to get there via Canada? Is it a real problem if I don't speak Spanish or could I make do by learning a few phrases. Finally, can anyone recommend a place to stay and play for a first timer where I can get a maximum of action with a minimum of effort.
Thanks in advance
NOVEMBER,
Your options are:
Toronto
Montreal
Nassau
Montego Bay
Santo Domingo
Cayman Islands
Cancun
Its better to speak spanish but you'll be fine even if you don't.
Go to Havana its easier for a first time.
Rent at private accommodation since guest are not allowed in Hotels.
See my post bellow for references on private accommodation.
CalientedelNorte@yahoo.com
Hi Poturu!
I travelled a long time in all latin america and had girlfriends in almost every country, from Mexico to Argentina.
In my opinion the best places to pick up non-pro girls (I mean to find a real GF or just to have some dates with girls who aren't *****s) are Colombia and Brazil.
I have a special preference for Colombians, who are very attractive, really hot when they have sex, and passionate lovers.
Brazilian girls are easier, great for sex and fun time and, if you like blondes, in south Brazil you can find many...
Other countries with wonderful women are Venezuela, Chile and Argentina. But, especially Chilean and Argentinian, these girls are not so easy like Colombians and Brazilians, they must trust you to let you fuck them, it this can take a long time.
Speaking spanish and portuguese it's essential if you want meet good girls, if you don't, go to a language school and learn them.
Something about Cuba: I have been there twice, fucked a lot of non-pro Cubans, but even if most of them didn't ask for money, I always had the feeling that, if they weren't gold diggers, they were often just looking for a BF who bring them out of Cuba.
Be careful.
Bye.
i was in havana about 4-5 yrs ago. it was my second trip, right before the crackdown. i had made arrangements for a casa with the people i had met on my previous trip. i had no idea where the casa was located.
upon my arrival, cuban immigration checked if i had hotel reservations. i had none so they forced me to get a hotel. then it was off to a side room for an interrogation, & thourgh inspection of my belongings. they were very professional, btw. after about 2 hrs i was let go.
has anyone had similar experiences? upon arrival, do you tell immigration you're staying in a casa? what if the casa has no license?
i had a blast my last two times i was there. i'd like to return, but would like to keep the hassles to a minimum.
a question for the recent visitors: do you think they've let up on the crackdown? or do you still have to sneak around with a hottie?
[QUOTE]Originally posted by chingon
[i]i i had none so they forced me to get a hotel.
-----------------
The worse thing you can say in Havana when you arrive at the airport is that you don't have a reservation at a hotel.
The hotels are run by the government. The casa particular are private and tolerated by not welcomed by the government. You should have said you had a reservation at the Havana Libre or another hotel. Just make something up. They won't (can't ) check (they don't have the computer connections) and you would have passed through without a problem.
Once you left the airport you could have stayed wherever you wanted or stayed one night at a hotel, then moved to a Casa.
Bond, Jame Bond 69
chingon,
Few people know that since they have legalized the Casa Particular you do not require anymore hotel reservation.
However, you are required to write down on the tourist card the address of the house you will be staying at. You are also required to provide owners name. License number and phone number are also a good thing to have.
You are required to stay at a registered house to avoid a hotel reservation. Do not provide false information they check it. I know it for a fact...
Caliente del Norte
ever since my first trip I enter any hotel in the area I can think of And Just go thru . They have no computers and really dont care much . I have never stayed in a hotel In 3 years but last time we had a problem at the airport and she was warned at having me stay at her house . Next time we stay at a different house and I also fly into a different city just to be safe . better than Immi.. getting to know my face
Just came back from a week in Havana and although it was great I don't it was close it the heaven people are thinking it is. Mind it off season now and the non-pro girls are back in school. I'am picky about food so stayed at the Nacional, a funny thing about this place the girls were all scared of it and wanted no part of going there sometimes no matter how much I paid them. Also the best bar I liked was Hemmingways ( I think that's not it'a real name) which was 5 mins walk from the Nacional. The drinks were average at $5 and they push HARD, meaning watch out. The chicks were 7 and 8's but back to my pet pvee's
1) The police, since the girls are scared to be seen in daylight walking around on streets with a toursits it's hard to get a GF type of relationship
2) It's pays to know spanish as it's hard to talk really about anything other then sex and the price
3)Most guys especally now are over paying $20-25 should the max and get por manana (until the morning)
4) The selection and quality of Blondes is wanting if that's what you like, as most blondes there are the tourists or transvistits
5)Alot scam artists trying to prey on you but that no different then most places
To chingon:
I visited Havana 3 months ago and the police was everywhere, however they seldom stopped couples.
I'm into 3-somes, so I even walked sometimes with 2 chicks at once when we were going to the apartment and the policemen on the way just looked at us but didn't say anything.
I did see on one occasion a cop stopping a couple, checking the pussy's ID and taking her away, so it pays to be on your guard.
Anyway, Cuba is desperate for $$$ and I guess that's why the government has relaxed the control of pussy activity, after all tourism is Cuba's main earner of $$$, and pussy is the aim of many visitors to Cuba, so the Cuban regime is surviving thanks to the healthy supply of pussy in the island: it's the most successful national industry.
To poturu
Cali is best choice in Colombia, especially if you like morenas (mulattas).
If you prefer white girls, I suggest you Medellin.
In south Brazil a nice place to stay is the zone near Florianopolis (but it's better during the south emisphere's summer, I mean after November). Other nice place is Porto Alegre, near the border with Uruguay. The biggest city of Brazil, Sao Paulo, is overloaded with every kind of nice girls, from morenas to blondes, but it's a bit dangerous because of the crime, more dangerous than Colombia (In Colombia just avoid to travel out of the cities, urban areas are much safer, countryside it is very dangerous because of the guerrilla).
HAVE FUN.
Tried to submit a report a couple of days ago. Spent several hours writing the report. I guess my computer dropped off line. So when I hit the submit button my report went to cyber space hell. I'll try again. This time I will only do it in parts so that if my info is lost it will not be as painful.
To start with, I'm not a writer. But, I feel that I should at least try to give back some of which I have received from this site. So, after saying all that, here goes. I've been to Havana 3 to 4 times a month for about 4 years. I was working as a contract pilot for a European airline. I'm guessing I've been there maybe 40 to 60 times. These were usually only one night layovers. On top of that I've never left the city of HAV. All was well until 9-11. The airline required a reduction in crews. So, guess who were the first to go? You guessed it the contract guys. The last time I was there was Nov 2001. So, some of my info will be dated. I spent about 10 days there on this trip. I used my United miles to get to Cancun and then on Aerocriba to HAV for $185 RT.
TIP#1 Misplace your current passport.
Get a replacement passport and then find your old passport. Use your old passport to go to and come from Cuba. The Cubans will not know you are using a lost passport. Do you think they talk to the US? They can stamp the shit out of your old passport and you will not be spending sleepless nights worrying about your return to the US. Iknow for a fact this does work!
END OF PART 1
PART 2
Like I said, some of info will be dated. Especilly with the Chicas. I have found, over the years, that the majority of the contract #'s I have for the Chicas are outdated. Some of the girls are "on the inside"(doing time for prostitution), another one was a school teacher and was in HAV only for a couple of weeks. Some other ones moved houses where they were renting a room without giving a forwarding #. You will find alot of the girls are not from HAV> They are from one of the providences and are in HAV for a short period of time to make a quick buck. And, if they are lucky, they may mary a rich Italian.
TIP#2 My best pick-up line in HAV is "HELLO" in english.
It just goes on from there. I don't speak any spanish. You know how, english is the language of aviation. Some say it severly hampers my activities, but I have never found it to be that big a problem in HAV. It has never been that big a problem in other parts of the world.
TIP#3 The Chicas don't get offended if you ask them if they want to "Shag".
You do have to be a little more tactful than that. You just have to chat them up a bit, then ask them if they have the time. Case-in-point. One day I was riding in the back of a car with my guide and a driver in the front. We passed by a 9 walking down the street. I said something like "Wow, did you see her" to my guide. He said something in spanish to the driver and the next thing I knew we stopped and had backed up to where the 9 was walking. The guide spoke to her in spanish and then turned to me and said "she is available. Do you want to go with her now"? I got her # and did her a couple days later.
END OF PART 2
PART 3
TIP#4 Do not use the taxis outside the expensive hotels if you have a distance to go.
Use Havana taxi #?/ Pana taxi 55-5555/ Taxi OK 24-0000/ Micar 24-2444. The airline that I used to work for put us up at the Melia Cohiba (one of the most expensive hotels in HAV). I used to just go up to the bell captain and say "taxi". He would always call one of the Mercedes that were standing by. I thought they were all the same price. Not so! One of my girlfriends told me the other taxis were much cheaper. So, now on I ask for a taxi by company name. Who knows, The money you may save may add up to the price of a Shag.
TIP#4a Do not use the yellow-orange bubble scooters or the bicycle rickshaws.
They do not have meters and are way over priced for the distance you travel.
END OF PART 3
PART 4
TIP#5 Do not eat at "The Bearded Ones" restaurants (Gov owned restaurants).
As a general rule, the food taste like SHIT. When possible eat at Paladars (privately owned restaurants). I've got a good list of Paladars that is a bit long to post here. Email me if you are interested in a few of the names and addresses. B747 plumber@hotmail.com. The best info I've seen on HAV and Paladars was in the June 2001 issue of CigarAficionado. You should be able to get a back issue at www.cigaraficionado.
TIP#6 Do not pay the Crooked Security Bastards, who work at the hotels, $50 to get your Chica to your room.
If it is your first time to HAV, stay in a hotel (email me for the names and #s of a couple of real jewels) the fiirst night and then spend the next day looking at the casa particulars (rooms in private houses) that you found the info about here on the net. Do a search. There are at least half-a-dozen sites that show pictures, give addresses and #s.
END OF PART 4
PART 5
TIP#7 Do not buy cigars for $25 from someone off the street. You will get F***ED!
I have friends who have bought these cigars. They found all kinds of things rolled inside the cigar wrappers such as banana leaves, rope ect. I've gone through about six guys before I started to get a steady supply of good cigars. I've been dealing with the same guy the last couple of years. I know for a fact that he would not want me to post his name and # here. Email me for that info at B747plumber@hotmail.com. Speaking of cigars, on a previous post Sexxx69 asked about the price of Cohiba Esplendidos. They are $383.75 in one of "The Bearded One's" stores. Also, speaking of cigars, email me for the name of a guy who builds and sells Humidors. He speaks english and also has some rooms for rent.
END OF PART 5
PART 6
Now for the Chicas. Sorry to hear that Johnnie's Club Rio and the Comodoro Disco have been shut down. They were some of my best "fishing holes". I've found Macumba to be expensive and some what plastic. It will cost you about $10, depending on where you are staying, each way to and from Macumba. Money better spent else where. After saying that- I've gotten some real nice stuff from Macumba.
TIP#8 Going to or coming from Macumba by-way-of 5 Ave, DO NOT stop for Jineteras.
You will find something between their legs you hadn't bargined for! During the day is OK. Enough said.
TIP#9 Go see the fashion show at La Masion.
About 10 minutes after the fashion part of the show is over, the "stage door" is on the side walk out front. Find something you like during the show, ask the waiter her name, and then work a deal out front. In my past experiences, I have found that these girls do not speak much english. Maybe they are less educated. I'm not sure. Some very good looking ladies. Does anyone else have any info about other fashion shows and "stage doors" in HAV? How about at the Tropicana or the caberat at the National Hotel?
END OF PART 6
PART 7
TIP#10 Do not expect to take nude pictures of the girls in HAV like you would in other parts of the world.
"The Bearded One" has the girls worried that they will go to jail. Speaking of that, how about an email from the guy who posted the pictures under Cuba ( B747plumber@hotmail.com).
Someone on a previos post asked about domestic travel. Try
www.nashtravel.com/domestic.html for schedules and prices.
How about it, Havanaman/ ConorOC/ Sman, would you care to trade some #'s? I've got a tag-team pair of non- pro 7s and a 9 that appears to maybe have some Chinese in her family tree for one of your 9's or 10's? Also, can someone post some good info about Isle of Youth? I might plan a trip there in the future.
Will post more soon.
Peterman-
Wow, what a great post to read before I leave on my trip in October.
Thanks for posting the info.
qxguy
Peterman,
thanks for the 411....especially the tip on the passport, that's clever!
Peterman,
Your Havana post is an instant classic.
Have you considered a career writing? How about "My Life as a successful HobbyMan" ?
At any rate...thank you sir.
And Jackson.........YOU DA MAN. I tried other boards...some for pay....but this is one is the best I've seen.....and free.
Rickster
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Peterman
Thanks Peterman...great post...
You covered Havana very well, so there is not that much to add but some slight enhancements and clarifications...
1. Taxi's and Coco cabs. There are three kinds of taxis (4 actually if you include the Coco).
Hotel taxis - Very expensive, waiting out side the nice hotels and airport to take your money.
Taxis you call on the telephone - There prices are more reasonable.
Non hotel taxis - They cruise the streets and you pay in dollars. About the same as the telephone taxis but sometimes they will turn off the meter and you can save a few bucks.
Coco;s- they're really fun but they can end up costing as much as a taxi. The trick with the Coco's is to set a price before getting in.
Peso taxis - There are incredible CHEAP and usually are more like buses, picking up cubas here and there....Sometimes if you hail them, get in and they realize you aren't a cuba they will ask you to leave....but sometimes they won't...and sometimes they will drive you around for dollars...they are taking a risk to pick some dollars...you aren't taking any risk, as the tourist is king in cuba. Some of these taxis are vintage 50 American cars and really fun to ride in.
Casa particular - They are hard to find in Havana - I think they are technically illegal in havana although quite common in other parts like Cienfuegos and Trinidad. You have a slightly better chance of getting a chica into a casa than a hotel (bribe required), but casas are highly regulated and immigration comes each week to check the register. All guests - including a chica - must register. The problem is that the girls are reluctant to register, since they don't want the police to put their ID in the computer and the owner of the casa doesn't want to allow an unregistered guests in to his place and risk losing his license to operate.
Private apartments - the best bet, with a private entrance, for about $25/night. Here you can take a chica, no problem but they are illegal and hard to find...in fact you really have to know a Cuba very well to find one. I did, so was able to take chicas back to my place.
The costs: in the really nice clubs in Havana the quoted prices start at $100 and go down...for all night....In Cienfuegos the prices can be as little as $20, even $10 for short stay. Then there are the SW's and the prices are negotiable there, about the same as anywhere in Cuba, very little
And there are the amateurs - really all the action is amateur - but it's not so easy to pick up a girl in Cuba...if a girls is talking with a foreigner the police might find this of interest...and you don't want to attract the interest of the police in Cuba, as they can do what they want.
In general there is no real organized hobby in cuba...the police really do keep in under control...it's more that the girls are dying to meet foreigners - out of genuine interest (curiousity) and possibly a bit of money. ..any money is good, since the average monthly salary is between $10 to $20...
If you are going to Cuba for the hobby it's really the wrong reason, as there are far easier places.
If you are going to Cuba because you are interested in the country and want to see it before it surely changes in some way after the death of the "bearded one" I highly recommend it, as it's a fascinating place to visit- beautiful old homes, nice beaches, very friendly and intelligent people, great music scene....
The problem with the hobby in Cuba is that it changed radically around 1995 but many people haven't caught up with how it is NOW.
From say 1992-1995 when the Russians pulled out and the economy started to go toward the dollar there were prostitutes EVERYWHERE....as the country was in worse shape then probably even Argentina now. It was the only way to survive. You would go to a place like Veradado beach and the streets would be lined with young girls that had traveled there from all over the island...
And of course that attracted the pauncy middle aged middle class Italian sex tourists who took full advantage. It was really out of hand....and frankly the economy needed less of this type of tourism and more the big chain all inclusive vacation tourists, with some family vacationers in the mix.
Also it was very bad for the society, as it was so extreme...with only the girls feeding their families...so the "bearded one" really cracked down, with massive sweeps, sending the over 18's to jail and the under 18's back to their families or should I say, the families were notified their girls were hooking and told to pick them up and take them home.
So that's a little history on the hobby there....it can be fun but really requires some good street smarts and a knowledge of Spanish is essential to know how it works and understand the "cat and mouse" game that exists.
PS
That was a really good suggestion from Peterman about two US passports, as they do stamp the passports sometimes, contrary to popular opinion...and there is a very small risk of a serious fine for an American traveling to Cuba although that may change, as the Congress as approved travel to Cuba and now the Senate must vote but of course Bush will veto any bill to appease his supporters in Miami.
If you get th stamp my suggestion is to mail your passport home and enter the US just with your drivers license. It will work and you will save yourself the anxiety...
Peterman had some good insight but may I add.....
Taxis- Get a flat rate. I paid $15 for all evening and night. Try to get driver that speaks english it can make a world of difference, one drive (Hector) took me to a great bar in old Havana that only charges $2.50 for the mojhito's that go for $5 in most places.
House of Music is the HOTTEST place right now. I mean real model types, expect to $100-200 for quaility
Also a good friend or driver can get you good deals on food. I paid $2 at a nice air conditioned place for a excellent cheese pizzi that can feed 2 people
I agree with most of what JamesBond says. His history is right too.
About finding a Casa P. - - the best bet to find the right casa suited to your needs is to know somebody local. I found a nice Casa P. - - private entrance - -thanks to some friends who have been visiting Havana for a decade. You must be careful about cold calling Casa P's, and you should know some spanish to understand what's going on.
In one form or another, women are plentiful in Havana. But . . . my experience with Cuban women is that they're not pros in any simple sense, but as JamesB points out amateurs. I've hardly ever traded money for sex up front, except under exceptional circumstances. More usually, money and/or gifts come later. I remember the days - - now no longer true - - when women would hang around the Habana Libre looking for tourists. You'd see plenty of them, having met and dallied with tourists, loaded up with trinkets from the gift shops surrounding the HL lobby and giggling with their girlfriends. They didn't want money, they wanted the consumer goods only available either in $ or in the dollar stores. My last trip this phenomenon had almost completely disappeared. In fact, the organized sex scene was really low key except for some tourist hotspots - - where the quality of sex and beauty was pretty low by any standards.
Cuban women are great . . .not just in bed but elsewhere as well. My advice - - as others have pointed out - - is to chat up the local women you meet in local contexts. Like anywhere else in the world. The difference is two-fold: Cubans want dollars and a shot at getting out of Cuba; and, Cubans are just generally more sensual and sexual than many other folks. The key to this kind of approach is to read the signals. Like other places, nightclubs are where men and women go to find some fun. But, my best experience has always been in much more mundane or common places. Take a bottle of rum to the Malecon, for instance, and you're bound to have a good time.
Going to Cuba for sex probably won't turn out to be as fulfilling as you might want. Going to Cuba for romance and adventure - - which might include sex - - is probably a better way to land at Jose Marti International.
Conor OC
Just wanted to respectfully disagree with a couple of things posted earlier and amen others. Or, better yet, add my observations. I am by no means an expert.
I have found there to be lots of casa particulars in HAV. Because I have never stayed anyplace other than HAV, while in Cuba, I have no way to judge, as far as #s go, how they compare with the ones in other parts of Cuba. I've stayed in about 8 different casas before I found a real SLEEPER. Now, I stay there exclusively. I just checked a few of the casa particular sites I know of on the net and there seems to be many casas. And, I don't think they would be advertising if they were not legal. Here is a partial list;
www.cuba-rentals.com
www.cubamall.com
www.casaparticular.com
www.cubabugettravel.com
www.webhavana.com
www.user.pandora.be/casaparticular/
END OF PART 1
As far as Cuban only taxis (old yellow and black Russian cars) go, I've never even been able to get in one. I look like a fuckin tourist and on top of that my girlfriend could pass as a european. She has blond hair and has a fair complexion. So, they usually will not even stop for us. Also, I have rode in many old 50's vintage cars. Everyone wants $s so you can just flag them down and ask for a ride. Every damn one of them reaked of gasoline. Not sure why.
I do believe the current prices ($100-200) quoted for professional jineteras to be accurate. When I first started to go to HAV the prices were in the $20-40 bracket. The last time I was there (Nov 2001) the beginning prices I was hearing was $80. They do have great pussy, but, I have not found them to be gold plated! Get real girls! If these girls are not careful they will price themselfs completely out of the BALL GAME! A long time hobbist of Cuba once told me "back in the days immediately after the fall of the Soviet Union you could get laid for a bar of soap". Oh, how I long for those days to return!
END OF PART 2
As far as, "Cuba not being a place to go to hobby"' I disagree with that. Mind you I am not the expert. Cuba is a different kind of place to hobby. If you stick to pros it will cost you some $s. I believe HAV was something like the 3rd most expensive city in the world in 1955. I think the true hobbiest should at least check out Cuba before it changes any more. And it will change. Especially when it is officially is opened up for American tourist. The place will explode when that happens. Prices will skyrocket. I do agree that you should at least take in some of the culture. I know I can't shag 24/7. I do need time to recharge the ole batteries. Maybe that is just me. There is so much to see and do in HAV. There are the cigar factory tours, the museo de la Revolucion and the meseo dela aire. One place everyone go see, just once, is the show at the Tropacana and the caberat at the National Hotel. A great way to kill a Sunday evening (6-9p) before the clubs get going is to go see the band called the Kents at El Chevere (years ago used to be military officers club).
will be back need to charge battery one in computer.
back
It will cost you $1 to get in. I understand this band was the best band in Cuba during the 60's. They play music from the 60s and 70s. I saw them in Nov 2001. They were great. The first song they played was American Woman. I loved them-my girlfriend (early 20's) could not get into them. After an hour we left. Better yet, save your $1 and go around the corner and up the hill (calle 16 #504) from El Chevere to the hotel called El Bosque. Set outside the bar on the deck that over looks El Chevere. Drank mohitoes, smoke cigars and listen to the band.
more tomorrow
END OF PART 3
>A long time hobbist of Cuba once told me "back in the days immediately after the fall of the Soviet Union you could get laid for a bar of soap".
I've heard the same things. Even heard stories of girls having sex for a banana. People were really starving.
That's was a terrible period and Cubans will tell you stories that are fairly amazing. One story I heard was that there was no gasoline, as all the gasoline came from Russia, that traded gas at ridiculous low prices for sugar. Everyone had bikes to get around., even if they had a car because they couldn't get gas.
One day a Cuban friend of mine was really sick and had to be transported to a hospital on the back of a bike.
So its difficult now but nothing like it was.
I love Cuba, it's a special place but don't go there just for the hobby, as it has so much more to offer. The hobby is difficult and you will be wasting your time there if that's the only focus of your trip. It's not like Thailand or Costa Rica. There is so much more there....
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Peterman
>I have found there to be lots of casa particulars in HAV. Because I have >never stayed anyplace other than HAV, while in Cuba, I have no way to >judge, as far as #s go, how they compare with the ones in other parts of >Cuba.
The Cuban government makes money (dollars) on hotels, not little casa particuars, which are basically family owned private bed and breakfasts.
They exist in Havana but there really aren't that many compared to other places. The general rule in Cuba is that where there are lots of government or foreign operated hotels, like in Havana and Veradado casa particulars are rare or outright illegal.
in places where there are few hotels like Trinidad and Cienfuegos there are quite common. In any case, bring a chica into a casa particular is problematic. The best chica situations are the illegal apartments with private entrances, and they are in Havana and eveyr city but you really have to work hard at finding them...
There are plenty of legal Casa Particulars in Havana. You can find them on the web or in guidebooks. There are also plenty of illegal casa p's in Havana. You can find them by hanging out in busy places and looking like a tourist, or by asking someone local - - a good place to ask is at a local paladare or private eating establishment. Have some dinner or lunch and ask the waitress about casa particulars. One great irony of Cuba, especially Havana, is that an officially socialist state, economy, and society has generated an intense, everyday, street entrepeneurial culture. People will help you find what you want so long as they get a cut of the action.
When you find a Casa P - - and the best bet is to find a private apartment or room with private entrance - - you need to be clear about whether you intend to bring Cuban visitors. You might for instance tell the owner that you have a novia and want to spend time with her. If that's okay, then you're set. (If the owner talks about an exra charge, take a walk. There's plenty of competition.) My experience has been that most Casa P owners are happy to accomodate you one way or the other, so long as you're not going to cause trouble or inconvenience for them. If you have or find a girlfriend, ask her about Casa P's.
The "Special Period" was hell for Cubans. Everyone suffered. Best not to return to that time.
Conor OC
>One great irony of Cuba, especially Havana, is that an officially socialist >state, economy, and society has generated an intense, everyday, street >entrepeneurial culture. People will help you find what you want so long as >they get a cut of the action.
yes. Exactly. That's what's fascinating about Cuba and made me really understand capitalism and - for the worse sometimes - basic human nature.
Cuba is officially socialist but in reality everyone is hustling. On a street level it's more entreprenuial then the states. Everyone seems to have their scam, whether it chicas or guys stealing a few boxes of cigars from the state factory and selling them on the street or taxis turning off their meter.
And on a higher level you have mansions in the Miramar district that no one really knows who is living in but you can surmise that it's very high level communist party members.
It's really a fascinating place to go because of the contradictions between official ideology and reality. Of course in America this exists like Enron, Adelphi but it's just not so damm obvious.
As for "the bearded one's" residence. Cubans tell me that all roads are blocked in the area. Eventually it will become a tourist attractions, like
Stalin's palacial dachas in Russia. One can only imagine.
continuing from yesterday.....
For the guys that can shag 24/7. There is a cake shop next to the Hotel Inglaterra. I have been "approached" there while having my afternoon cup of cappuccino. Also, around the corner between the Hotel Inglaterra and the Capitolio on San Martin are a couple of outdoor bars/cafes. One called La Calesa Cafeteria. I have "fished" a couple out of there while having an afternoon beer. One said she was a dancer that worked the National Hotel caberat. Who knows. I do know she had a hard body with nice big cha-chas! Reasonable priced at $25. She had a room around the corner for $15. I believe I still have her #. I hope it still works for next time. Still another way to kill an afternoon is to check out one of the crafts markets. I have even been "approached" there. One is about 2 blks east of the Melia Chobia next to the Melecon and the other one is one blk off the channel or entrance to HAV harbor on Cuba Tacon.
END OF PART 1
It never hurts to hire a guide. I had accumulated a list of clubs/bars/fashion shows and paladars that I wanted to check out so in Nov 2001 I hired a guide to take me to these places. I made some notes and over the next few days I returned to the ones that showed promise. Two guides I've used in the past;
Gustavo Hm 995760/ Office 963939 says he was an english Prof at the U of HAV.
Cristobal Leon Padron 792655 Freelancer I met outside the hotel.
If you ever have the need to call Cuba, you know to tell your Chica you are on your way, ask questions about a casa or even make a reservation, try using [url]www.nobelcom.com[/url] for calling cards. I've not had very good luck with the normal calling cards from the states. My MCI cards don't work. These cards seem to have the best min/$ and always ring through.
Peterman
I've had a big response on my email for info on paladars. So, instead doing individual emails I'll post here;
La Esperanza, Calle 16, #105, Miramar, #2024361
My favorite. A gay guy (he's harmless) owns it. He speaks excellent english.
La Guarida, Concordia, #418, Centro Habana, 637351
Queen of Spain and Jack Nicholson have dined here.
La Casa, Calle 30, #865, Nuevo Vedado, 817000
La Cocina de Lilliam, Calle 48, #1311, Playa, 296514
La Chansonnier, Calle J, #257, Vedado, 321576
Sushi Sakura, Calle 18, esq 3, Miramar, 242209
Go figure, sushi in HAV!
Most of these require reservations.
If you must eat at one of "The Bearded One's" restaurants, try;
El Aljibe (Cuban food), 6th Ave, all taxi drivers know it.
Raul Real Trelles (Polynesian), lower floor of the Habana Libre Hotel (hilton before the Revolution) Decor has not changed sense late 50's.
Enjoy!
>Sushi Sakura, Calle 18, esq 3, Miramar, 242209
>Go figure, sushi in HAV!
Figure that's illegal. Paladars are not permitted to serve seafood to keep them competing with the "bearded one's restaurants.
I believe it is just steak and lobster that are illegal. Not sure. Never had sushi lobster. Had several fish meals in paladars. I've been offered steak and lobster in paladars. Who knows. I guess it is whatever they can get away with. I also understand they are officially limited to 12 seats. Most of them I saw many more than that.
Peterman
Great information, I am going to print out your posts and take them with me when I return next month. I agree with you, anyone who has thought that they might like to go to Cuba should be doing it before things change, or as a friend of mine says "before they build a bridge to there from Key West." I really appreciate the list of places to eat. the last time I was there that was my major complaint, the food. Hopefully I will learn some new things this time, so I can share them with the board when I return.
Sman
Back from Habana. I would like to make two posts, the first one being about the apartment which I rent when in Habana.
The location is "el edificio super cake, calle Belascoain No. 452, esquina Zanja, piso 7". The owner is Jorge Luis and you can reach him at (537)-879-0432. His own apartment is actually two doors down the hall.
This is a two bedroom, completely independent, extremely comfortable and well decorated apartment. You can have it all to yourself or share it with friends if you like. You can bring 100 girls there if you wish. No one will care. It is pricy for Cuba. I was charged 50$/day, but I can assure you that it is worth every penny. In fact, the apartment seems to stay occupied all the time. Every thing in the apartment is functional, and it gets cleaned every day. Anyways, check it out if you're interested.
J.G.
Now to my second post.
If you breathe, you can score in Habana. Talk to any single girl that you're interested in. Just ask them up to your apartment for a drink. No one will turn you down. Most girls in Habana are black and average looking at best, but you will find a few stunning beauties from time to time, especially in dance clubs(my favorites are Oasis and Casa de Musica). The reason of course for the ease with which you can pick up a girl is Cuba's immense poverty. And understandably most girls, although not all, will be interested in what you can do for them "economically". Most of my girl friends seemed more interested in smoking, drinking "mojitos", listening and dancing to Salsa, going to restaurants,etc, than having sex with me. Also because of Cuba's liberal sexual culture, most of even the younger girls, have had at least dozens of partners and possibly an abortion or two. By the way, the police never bothered any of my girl friends, but they will most certainly hassle them if they suspect them of being prostitutes. However, I do not recommend initiating a conversation with a "cubana" when the "policia" is nearby. Also, do NOT even think about having sex with some one below 18 years unless a stay in a Cuban jail is part of your travel plan.
Cubans are a fine and patient people, but they are also very gloomy and depressed secondary to living in a society where there are no freedoms, no opportunities, and no hope. Habana is a city stuck in the 1950's, with degenerating buildings, and HUGE holes every where in the streets and side walks. A visit to the so called "markets" with their limited supply and selection was enough to make me depressed every time. One word about the "paladares": make damn sure that you ask the price or see the menu BEFORE you eat or you can get ripped off big time as I was once.
Also as you have recently heard, hurricanes frequently rip through and devastate parts of the island. You may want to avoid visiting the island during the hurricane season if your travel plans are flexible.
J.G.
hey peter have you ever been to cienfuegos?because if you have does universidad de cienfuegos ring a bell?
Sino,
If you mean Peterman instead of peter, no never been anywhere in Cuba other than HAV. Universidad de cienfuegos does not ring a bell. Why?
Peterman
JG was pretty accurate about the cuban women, about half are black and most are average (7's). The interesting thing was I was actually turned down by a few of the real hotties (9 's). I 'am 32 and average looking, I guess they were waiting for the 55 year old Europe guys who are willing to fork out $150 a night. In fact that's my prob.with Cuba, it's like a all you eat buffet- it's for those who perfer quantity over quality.
Hi all,
after 4 years of absence I will be again at Habana at the beginnig of november. For me and my 4 friends I'm searching to rent a house or spacious flat to avoid all these problems with the hotel security.
Who can help me?
Please write me an email spassundabenteuer@hotmail.com
Thanks a lot
Something I've never seen on any of the Cuba boards is info on a place to get a good massage and maybe a little "extra service". A few years back there was a great health club that was about a $3 taxi ride west of the Melia Cohiba. There was a lady that worked there that gave a fantastic regular massage. Could never get her to do anything else. Anyway, I hadn't been there in a while and I ended up deciding to go one afternoon. The place was closed down and was being remodeled. I just remembered the place was close to La Mason. Maybe some one might know where this lady is working now? Or can anyone give a good recomend on a place to get a good massage? And, if "extra service" was available that would be a plus. (email [email]B747Plumber@hotmail.com[/email])
Thanks in advance,
Peterman
I will be making my first visit to Cuba in a few weeks.
Can you tell me if I am likely to be able to get 'guests' into the Inglaterra Hotel.
Also, am I likely to meet girls around that location or where would you suggest.
Finally, is it fairly safe to walk around at night, or should I taxi everywhere.
Any help appreciated.
Massages: Most good hotels in Havana offer massage service, at least those that also offer fuller amenities like exercise room, pool, etc. The massages are above board and not sexual. They are however extremely satisfying. Just ask the hotel front desk or the person at the tour desk about massages.
ConorOC
Fatboy,
You won't get Cuban guests into the Inglaterra. It is always possible, when stopped trying to accompany a guest to your room, to suggest that you'd be willing to "tip" whoever is stopping you. I don't think the Inglaterra is one of the places where you'll have as much luck with this.
You'll meet plenty of women around the Inglaterra, especially in the streets surrounding the hotel. And, especially, in Parque Central across the street from the Hotel. Personally, I like the Prado - - a couple of blocks toward the harbor - -as a place to meet interesting people - - especially women. Or, the Malecon after dinner - - around 9 or 10 p.m.
Havana is a very safe city. But, it's still a city. I've walked all over Havana into the wee, wee hours of the night and never had a real problem - - at least not of the personal-safety-in-jeopardy type.
Enjoy.
ConorOC
I'm thinking about switching Casa Particulares next time I go to Havana. Anybody got any suggestions for good CP's? In fact, I think we should start a list of novia/girlfriendly CP's. Email me with your candidates: conoroc2002@yahoo.com .
Thanks.
ConorOC
Fatboy,
Congratulations in picking one of the best places to vist for your holiday. You will enjoy the city, the people in general and specifically the chicas. The mighty dollar in your pocket will go as far as you can take it with your negotiations, without a doubt it will go further than any other latino country.
I reply to your questions:-
1. Very difficult to take chicas back to the inglatera, and indeed 99% of hotels in Cuba (I was there in June -July this year: the risk to the hotel satff is too great and even for money they can be reluctant, which is a real ***** if you have a chica on your arm....). (But then where there is a will, theres a way... be careful with this, you do not want to have to answer the door, with a hard-on and butt naked to a group of security and mangers....). If you are comitted to stay at the Inglaterra as part of your travel-deal then you might have to take a casa on the side (lots near the Ingaletrra). However if you are still free to pick a place to stay, I would say spend a couple of nights at the Inglaterra to "find your feet" in Havana and at the same time look for a good casa....
2. Exactly opposite the Inglaterra is the central park, that is acorss the road, (read small city square here: the kind you get in Rome, but smaller). At all hours of the day, and especially when its dark, there are lots of chicas who hang out there. So no problems there. (In the day, just go sit under a tree: I promise that you will be approached by a chica with 15 minutes: have some good chewing gum ready to break the ice....).
Like wise, and with your back to the Inglaterra, turn right and immediately right again (about 5 meters form the front enterance of the hotel Inglaterra) go down that road for a further 3 meters (yes, its very close....) there is, on your right a small, but very well lit door to the Caboret Nacional. Nice little club, very easy, very laid back, no preassure: any evening of the week. Wednesday nights is for locals but you will still get in, but the "prices" will be VERY cheap indeed. I did a 3 chica marathon on one Wednesday night here.... (not at the same time unfortunately, I took one back to my casa, poped her in the mouth, sent her away, went back for some drinks... got another etc...: slept most of the following day!)
Now, if you trun left out of the Inglaterra and walk about 30 meters, you will be at the begining of the prado. This tree lined avenue is a nice (and very cool walk during hot days). You get a good asortment of chicas here also (both in the day and night).. Take care here when you approach the chicas, as back in June-July, I saw about 5 police officers, every day, just standing right in the middle of the walk-way, spaced evenly along it..... At night there were no police (after 10pm), and the place was full of chicas. In the day, just sit on the marble benches....
3. Safety: Listen, this place is safer than wherever you live. Trust me on this. When the police catch a theif or rough tourist-molester, they beat the living day-lights out of him, then send him to do hard time in a Cuban jail. (Have you seen the film "Midnight Express"? The jails in Cuba are a lot tougher than that!) this is not from personal experience you understand (!), I have a doctor friend in Havana and he works at the jail.... You will be safe in the day and also at night. However, even when chasing chicas can I suggest that you first think with the head on your shoulders, before using the head in your pants (no insult intended, but you get my drift, right?). At night, the lights and number of people on the streets keeps you safe.
Any specific questions you can email me: sedition2001@hotmail.
Hope it helps and good luck: remember to post the latest information.
Regards, Havanaman
Fatboy:
Thanks to Castro's police who are in every corner, Habana is extremely safe. Do not worry too much about crime. I walked the city even at 4 AM and felt completely safe. The only thing you need to worry about is not falling into one of those HUGE holes in the streets or side walks, and of course hurricanes(two of which hit western Cuba within the past 10 days).
I do not agree however with the other post saying that this is one of the best places to vacation, and it is not that cheap by any means. Habana is a poor, depressing city, and most of the girls are quite average. But, you'll see for yourself. J.G.
ConorOC,
I must respectfully say, " I didn't fall off the tomato truck yesterday"! I know about "legit" massage places, in HAV, and I know how to find them. I guess you missunderstood me. I was trying to find out if anyone had any "personal experiences" with any masseuses, in HAV, that will go-the-extra-mile.
J.G.,
Give Fatboy a chance to see for himself. Different strokes for different folks! I know guys that hate asians. What sick bastards! I've shaged all over the world. IMHO HAV is a great place to visit and shag! HAV has some real beauties and, also, some real dogs. It can also be as cheap or as expensive as you want to make it.
Fatboy,
Spend some time and read back over all the previous posts.
Just my $.02.
Regards,
Peterman
Fatboy, I would urge you to listen to Peterman, myself, and the past few hundred reports here and in the old archive.
You pick well if you pick Havana IMHO. Besides anything else, it's a life experience. Just go for it and enjoy. I'm willing to say you will have a wonderful time in Havana, as long as you stay as laid back as the Cubans. Leave any seriousness and reservation at home, go with the flow, dance like no one is watching..... Thats exactly what I do and I have been twice a year for the past 4 years...... Think about it.......why would he keep going back.....? Point made?
Regards, Havanaman
Fatboy,
Got to thinking. If you must stay in that area, try right next door at the Hotel Telegrafo. Much nicer hotel. It was completely remodeled one year ago. I know one of the bellboys. He gave me a tour. Very, Very, Nice! You can get girls into the rooms. It will take some work and cost some money. It can be done, but why give yourself gray hairs? Get yourself a casa P. Besides, most of the working girls know of a short-time room. For what it is worth.
Peterman
Peterman,
I was so busy trying not to fall of the potato truck that I misread your post.
I really need to get back to Havana soon. . . warm air, sea breeze, good booze, good friends, and glorious chicas.
ConorOC
A guy i know flew to Havana via Canada a few years back. Supposedly about 2 months after they returned his whole group got letters from the treasury department fining them for spending money in Cuba.
Has anyone else heard of anything like this happening?
Having just returned I am a little nervous
Thanks for any help
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Havahopeful
[i]Supposedly about 2 months after they returned his whole group got letters from the treasury department fining them for spending money in Cuba.
Has anyone else heard of anything like this happening?
-----------
Supposively over 60,000 Americans go to Cuba each year without permission and return without any problems.
There have been a few cases where fines were issued but very very few. There is a risk and you never know if the government will pick you to set an example. You can read about the few instances when fines were issued in the Lonely Planets Guide to Cuba. Most of those cases involved illegal tour operators to Cuba.
Of course the Bush Administration is particularly interested in the travel restrictions to Cuba, so there could be more examples now then before. I think if you were to be fined you would have known about it at US Immigration or customs when you re-enter the States.
One thing that is VERY important. When you arrive in Cuba ask as firmly but poliltely as possible that your US passport not be stamped. They stamped mine but thankfully I had no problem returning.
Good luck
My passport has never been stamped. I never buy anything with the big "Cuba", or "Habana" logo on it, in case customs looks at my stuff. I don't fly back to U.S. in a T-shirt with a big "CHE" picture on it....lol....I get to Cuba and back from Mexico. I pay everything in cash. They don't accept U.S. credit cards anyways. So personally, I have never had any problems whatsoever. Having said that, now I guess I jinxed myself and will have a couple of treasury agents outside my door tomorrow morning! J.G.
Havahopeful,
Look on page 16, 17 or 18 of your passport. Look for a small aprox. 3/4 inch square stamp that says BANK with maybe a building in the center of the stamp. If not, you are home free. Also, if there is no stamp there is no way to prove you were there unless you tell them.
My $.02.
Peterman
Peterman, Havahopeful, Gentlemen,
I do not have these same passport stamp fiascos to contend with travelling from Europe, but due to the fact that I visit the USA regularly, I'm careful about what goes in my passport. From my experience I must agree with jamesbond69's last paragraph, where he discusses about asking the immigration officer politely not to stamp the passport.
This has always worked for me, especially when combined with actually talking to the officer, in a joking manner, about how the USA government does not understand…. People should be allowed to go wherever they like…. My being here is good for the economy…. Wouldn't you agree…..
After all these poorly paid officers are just like you and I, having their own opinions. They are undoubtedly bored out of their minds the whole day, stamping passports. The immigration officer ends up happy at having "won" a minor victory and just stamps my tourist card. Win ~ win.
The idea is not to illicit a political debate, its simply to bring out the human side. It does seem to work.
I do recall an earlier report (I forget the author) that discussed multiple passports and the like. I would recommend caution with this really illegal (in any country) practice.
Regards, Havanaman
Fatboy,
on what dates are you travelling to Cuba?....I´ll be going there on Thanksgiving week, it would be nice for two Havana newbies to hook up.
Your moniker is very similar to one of the stalwarts of the CH board, are you the same person?
I'll be heading to Havana in a few weeks... except my wife will be travelling me as well (well, nothing's perfect). Can someone suggest some day time places that I could try my luck at? Or know someone that can hook me up with someone during the day?
AlLostInSpace13,
From all the previous posts you will have gathered that Havana is one of most easiest places (on the planet) to find a chica.
At any time of the day, if you sit in the Parque central (opposite the hotel Inglaterra) and act like a tourist, you will be approached within a few minutes. Guaranteed. Then its up to you, either have a casa ready, or better still for a single shot, get the chica to sort out a short stay casa ($15 - 20).
Other places include the Malecon (walled beach front), just take a stroll… however of late this has become a difficult pick-up area. Best of all, I have found great success with "regular" non-pro's by simply chatting to women in shops, on the street etc. in fact anywhere and with chicas I like and then arranging a meeting with them on another data / time. Trust me it is very easy. Good Spanish will help you.
All the best.
Regards, Havanaman
I read today that Castro has imposed a max 20kg (44lb) limit on anyone entering the country. A tax of $25 per kilo over, and a maximum 10kg over per year also applies.
Sounds like Castro is trying to make his people poorer (by taxing friends, relatives and the generous) in the hopes that an outcry will bring an end to parts of the embargo.
Anyone know if it's true?
i have been reading a lot about cuba on the wsg-forum and similar german websites, so i decided to go see it. immigration at jose marti airport only took me about 10 minutes, they didn't even stamp my passport probably because it has many old us-immigration stamps (i am european by the way, so why bother...).
after getting my luggage over an hour later, i passed customs without problems.
my casa was located in calle l halfway between "habana libre" and "colina hotel", i had an appartment on the 3rd floor with one bedroom (airco), a small kitchen with gas furnace and a large refrigerator, living room, tv (two channels) and balcony with view to the east. and of course private entrance. (there are more casas located in that area.)
reservation was made through marilin diaz ([url]www.cubabudgettravel.com[/url]).
during my first day i checked out the area to get streetwise. saw the police check ids of girls and young cuban men but sometimes they seemed to close an eye or even both regarding street action. whenever i walked with a girl after dark (but then always hand in hand !) up "la rampa" to my casa the police never interfered. i only picked up bright-skinned girls (chicas blancas) because i'm not into dark coloured or black girls .
"la rampa" (section of calle 23 between calle l and the malecon)
when walking la rampa later in the evening you will hear the usual "ksss, ksss"-noise behind you. but in the dark it is sometimes difficult to check the "quality of the offered merchandise". be aware of the transformed ones.
cafe sofia: (corner of calle 23 and calle o)
some chicas (pros) are sometimes already there during the afternoon. make eye contact, start talking and here we go. price around 50$ for all night (always to be negociated). met lili from cienfuegos (on two occasions), and yamelie from santa clara.
emperador: (corner of calle m and 17). this bar has no entrance fee and you will be approached by the girls (hard pros). in this bar all the negociating action with the chicks is not really hidden and everybody knows what's going on there. i went there with one of the locals, we had some mojitos and he explained me the important details there. don't start offering more than 35$ for a whole night because there will be enough other girls approaching you. and from a starting point of 35$ you may still go up a bit if you think the girl is worth the money. (i.e. never start negociating at a too high price level) do not go before 11:00 pm.
i went there 3 times but never found something to my taste. too many black girls and very pushy. some white chicas even dared to ask 50$ for just 2 hours what i always declined. but, surprise, when the brighter lights were turned on in the bar around 1 am, the asking price suddenly seemed to drop...
el conejito: (other corner of calle m and 17)
similar procedure as for emperador.
malecon: (section between calle 23 and paseo marti, i.e. between "la rampa" and "la punta")
i walked there at 10:00pm with my local guide all the way up from calle 23 to paseo marti. there are available chicks as well, and regardless of the police presence.
in the early evening (sunset) of october 10th (independence holiday in cuba) i picked up yuslay, a student girl (4th year at university), we talked a lot, had dinner and then back to my casa for 30$. some days later i saw her again.
(beware of the big hole in the malecon pedestrian walkway at the non-lit area, it is deep !)
paseo marti:
after doing a nightly malecon walk i went into paseo marti and saw an open houseentrance with an old women and two girls.
my guide just made a "ksss, ksss"-noise and the prettier girl of the two (a real cutie) came to us.
she (non-pro) agreed to stay all night with me for 40$. we secretly fetched a taxi and drove to my casa. these 40$ were very well spend. i picked her up at her home a couple more times and also met her family (nice people).
i was also approached at paseo marti during the afternoon while sitting there and drinking refresco.
amanecer: went there during the week, didn't like it (no chicas blancas available).
sherazade: a bit better than amanecer, but i stayed solo that night.
i didn't get bored in la habana, did some museums and other cultural stuff (yes) as well, walked a lot. didn't check out the discos, because i rather prefer hunting off the beaten track.
i am already planning a next (second) trip at the end of the year, to one of the smaller cities (maybe cienfuegos)
internet: i checked my emails at the capitolio's cybercafe.
they charge 3$ for 30 minutes (5$ per hour), and their computers are very slow which is not a surprise considering all the crap-utilities running in the background with active desktop and all window animations enabled... maybe they do it on purpose (to get more $$$)
did some tweaking to speed things up at least a little bit.
Hello Scorpio,
Good to see your excellent trip report! You provided lots of useful info. This is the kind of info we all need. It would be great if some of others would give something back. I know thousands of hobbyist are getting info here and then never giving anything back. I'll get down off my soap box now.
Some comments. The reason that it took so long to get your bag is because they go through x-ray on the way in and on the way out. On the way in they are looking for "gifts" with power cords (ie TV, VCR, DVD player, iron, ect.) so they can charge you duty. On the way out they are looking for more than 2 boxes of cigars in your bag.
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Something I have found with the police-they will usually not bother the tourist. They know how they are being fed. The police will usually not bother a fair skinned chica that is seen with a tourist. I think this is because they may believe the chica could possibly be a european tourist. And again they would not want to screw with them. Something that happened to me a few years back-one afternoon I spent a couple of hours at the open air cafe across from the Melia Cohiba with a mulata chica I know. I left before her. Apparently there was too much "touchy-feely" because when she left she was picked up by the police. It is a good thing that her uncle knew one of the higher-ups at the police station-she was later released.
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I do think you are missing the "full-flavor" of Cuba by sticking with just "chica blanca's". Some of the black and mulata chicas can be so damn hot! As Dirty Harry says,"you owe it to yourself to live alittle bit". I guess that will just leave more for the rest of us mongers!
Care to share any contact #s? Also, did your casa P have a private entry, chica friendly, how much $, was clean and did the owner speak english? If so, I would interested in the #. Thanks.
Regards,
Peterman
Let's set the expectations of Cuba strraight right now on this board. CUBA is unique.
Unlike every other country in Latin America the Cuban government does not actively promote sexual tourism, either directly like Costa Rica or indirectly like all the rest.
After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 the country was in despair. The only way to survive for most cubans was through prostitution and they were everywhere and the government couldn't control the situation. There were flights directly from Rome to Havana, full of horny Italian running rampant then and it was well worth the trip.
The tourism industry has matured since then, with European chain hotels catering to famliy tourism (far more lucrative than sex tourism). The government no longer needs sexual tourisms and it's not tolerated, like ZERO tolerance, far more than in the USA.
Of course there is still prostitution (it exists everywhere on earth, even in the USA), as the economy is terrible: if a woman can make $50 a day when the monthly income is $10 a month she's going to go for it to feed her family but Cuba is a total police state, with far less corruption than in most countries, certainly most Latin American countries, which isn't saying much.
Therefore, there are no brothels (at least I don't know of any), SW but always with pimps and under the eye of the police, and no way to enter hotels with a chica unless you want to pay a steep bribe, which even then may not work. There are certain clubs you can go to where women will sell themselves but where do you take them? Casa particular? Difficult. Private Apartment. yes if you can find them and there is a cost. It's cat and mouse game. I had sex in Cuba but it wasn't easy to find a place to have it.
It's just not hobby friendly, right now, so why go there for that when there everywhere else in latin america is EXTREMELY hobby friendly?
If you want to go to Cuba for other reasons - a country that is different from any other on the planet, totally safe (zero street crime) and free of American commercial interests/propaganda - no Starbucks, no McDonalds, etc, than go now because it won't be like that forever and NOW is the time. Maybe it wil return to the lurid red light country it was during Batista but I doubt while Castro is alive or at least in control.
My 2 cents, from someone who really loves Cuba and the hobby and this is why I highly recommend visiting Cuba but do not recommend it at all for the hobby.
Dear Peterman,
I've just posted my report a few hours after my return home. I prepared the report in La Habana during some quiet afternoons (can't shag 24/7 ... you know), took my laptop-computer with me for that. And now at 3 AM local time here in Europe the jetlag keeps me awake and I'm reading your (just posted) posts with a smile on my face.
I fully agree with you that all the hobbyists should share their experiences here. First of all MANY THANKS to you Peterman, to Havanaman who mailed me his information-file a while ago and of course to everybody giving useful information back. All these informations helped me to have a good stay in La Habana. To avoid misunderstandings regarding "chicas blancas". I know that expression from Mexico where these chicas have a brighter skin colour called "color cafe con leche" and I'd die for them. I am sure I'll get more full flavour because this first trip to Cuba shouldn't be my last one. (more answers tomorrow night)
Regards, Scorpio
(Jamesbond69 you are right when recommending to visit Cuba now before it changes, but hobbying in Cuba shouldn't become too easy for just any sucker, otherwise that paradise would be ruined quicker and forever IMHO)
Hello jamesbond69,
I must respectfully say, I think you missed the boat when you were in Cuba.
Yes, you are correct, "the Bearded One" tries to stop prostitution. But, when he pays his people as little as $5/month it is impossible to stop it.
Yes, you are correct, it is a police state, for the Cubans!
Yes, you are correct, Cuba is very safe. But there is MUCH corruption. How can "the Bearded One" expect a person to live on $5/month without them subsidizing their income?
Yes, you are correct, there are no brothels. There is no need for them. There is plenty of SW action.
Yes, you are correct, there is no red light areas. The whole country is a potential red light area. You just need to know where to look and the correct questions to ask.
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Yes, you are correct, there are steep bribes to be paid to get girls into hotels. That is why a seasoned hobbyist stays in a Casa P. I've stayed in 6 to 8 different ones and never had a problem with having a chica staying over night.
Yes, you are correct, it is a cat-and-mouse-game. For me, that is some of the attraction or intrigue for HAV.
Yes, you are correct, go to Cuba for reasons besides solely for the hobby. Cuba has some of the nicest people I've ever met and some very beautiful places.
But no, I think you are wrong, the hobby is there- BIG TIME!
Sorry to come down on you so hard, but, I think Cuba is a great place for a holiday and the hobby!
Anyone else?
Peterman
Peterman, jamesbond69, Scorpio, Gentlemen,
Firstly let me begin by thanking Scorpio for an outstanding report, some very nice information indeed. By the way I am also into the chica balanco / blanco mulata scene. Some nice tips for me for my December trip tanks again; I have not tried the EL CONEJITO nor the EMPERADOR, so they go on my list.
Now, jamesbond69 is very right about the historical issues, however I disagree with his conclusions sir. Peterman had the right answer all-round IMHO. Cuba is one of those places where everything and anything is available for the hobbyist, however you need to look (once I saw a squashed empty carton of Macdonalds shake on the ground: proably the only one in the whole of Cuba!..... admittedly there is no Mac's in Cuba, go figure!).
I come from the hunting school of hobbying, and so like the chase as well as rewards: prefering the non-pro action. Cuba offer this. Admittedly the hunt is not as difficult as it would be here in Europe, but nonetheless it is very fulfilling. The non-pro scene is very nice: I must say that over the years I have lost count of the number of times that I have excellent "service" without having had to part with a penny: it was never discussed and never expected. However, we all know the score in Cuba, and so I always gave very ample "taxi fare".
Cuba is a paradise. Do all the previous reports not show this? Off course they do (the most recent excellent report from Scorpio shows that). If you want wall-to-wall lazy mans hobby then Thailand / Bangkok is more appropriate. Cuba is without a doubt a connoisseurs place: and I'm not necessarily talking cigars!
I hear from my friends in Havana that "the brearded one" (nice, very nice Peterman) is very sick. Does this mark the start of the end as we know it? ~ I think not. It has been suggested that he has groomed his brother Raul Castro (five years younger than Fidel, and currently head of the military) to be the next in line to continue and perpetuate the current state of affairs. Indeed, it does not end there, there is still the remaining elder brother Ramon castro: who knows a dynasty potential? Not forgetting that Castro has a son (I forget his name....) who is also on the polit ruling committee.... but then I digress.....
Scorpio, Peterman: I am back in Havana from 23 Dec to 3 Jan, after my Buenos Aires trip . If you can make it lets hook up, spending NY in Havana will be real blast!
Regards, Havanaman
Hello Havanaman,
I would dearly LOVE to hook-up in HAV and see a pro in action, but financial obligations will not allow me to go until maybe MAR or APR (may have to work a hadj or maybe BUSH will have me activated).
Never heard of Emperador (which is now on my list) but, I have been to El Conejito for lunch. I don't speak spanish, but I believe El Conejito means something like "lil rabbit". Somebody help me out. Their speciality is rabbit. Go figure! It was just O.K.-nothing to write home about. Just another one of "the Bearded One's" restaurants.
It just so happens, after lunch, I met an excellent 19yo mulata freebie across the street from El Conejito. I used my favorite HAV pickup line "hello".
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You are correct, Cuba is a different kind of place to hobby. Then again, everywhere in the world I have been was different, hobby wise. You just have to adapt or go with the flow. You know, "when in Rome..."
You are correct that Raul is being groomed to replace "the Bearded One". One of my well educated HAV friends told me that he is afraid if that happens. He says Raul is a real lunatic. I could see the fear in his eyes when he said this. Let's hope, for the Cuban people, this doesn't happen.
Long live paradise!
Regards,
Peterman
Havanaman, between you and me, what where you smokin when you saw the "Mickey D" shake carton? It sure wasn't a cigar!
Hi Peterman, (continuing from last night)
Regarding my casa, the owner Sr. Reynaldo (speaks English) lives in a different house a few blocs away, some of the neighbours must certainly have noticed my (changing) visitors. But it never became an issue maybe because I acted discreetly. The house has a common entrance and there is about 6 appartments on every floor. It can always happen that you come across somebody else living in the house while walking upstairs to your appartment. I and the owner never talked about bringing chicas to my appartment.
But he may have known about my activities (by the neighbours). He came every fourth day to collect my payment. The price was 30$ the first 4 nights and from then 25$ per night. Every two days an older maid came to clean everything and she was happy with me because I kept all very orderly (not like many other guests, she said). The owner can be reached at #8327945 (+53 7) but my particular casa is already rented for the next two months as he told me (btw he may have more for rent). A disadvantage of my casa was the loud traffic noise, to sleep long I used earplugs. (P.S.: Conejito means Little Rabbit)
Hi Havanaman,
I like the idea to meet "on the site" at the end of the year, but at this time I'm unable to give a positive answer. We'll all stay in touch through the WSG-forum anyway !
Regards, Scorpio
Hello JamesBond69,
In your last post you mentioned pimps. I have not come across what I would classify as a true pimp in HAV. But, I'm sure they are there. What I have seen was this; while at the Comordoro Disco a (gay) guy gave me his card and told me he was a dancer at the Tropicana and he told me he could introduce me to other female Tropicana dancers. Pimp? Not really.
Another time after a night of shaging, on the way back to the Melia Cohiba, we stopped by the cafe across from the Melia Cohiba for a night cap. Got the # of a cute lil chica that didn't speak english. Called her a few days later. Talked to a "male friend" that spoke english. Met her for a shag. It was not very good (no kissing, no eating at the Y, etc.) Saw her a few weeks later hustling an Italian tourist in the piano bar @ the Melia Chobia. Saw her, again, a few weeks after that go by on the back of a motorcycle as I was having an afternoon beer @ the same cafe where I met her. The guy (probable the same guy I had talked to on the phone) dropped her off in front of the Melia Cohiba (taking her to work). Pimp? I think not. Probable just her boyfriend.
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Another time, I met a girl working outside the Habana Libre. I had shagged her several times at an "apartment of one of her friends" that I rented for the hour. Weird thing; she seemed to know where everything in the apartment was at. The "light bulb" never came on until this old lady that lived upstairs that I had befriended, told me after she had a falling out with this girl; this girl was married, that was her apartment and her husband had cleared out so I could rent the place for a shag. That was the last time I saw her. Pimp? I think not. Just a-low-life-dead-beat-husband!
Just my $.02.
Hello Scorpio,
Thanks for the info. I'll take note of this place and check it out on my next visit
Regards,
Peterman
Just got back from my 20th trip to Havana. I have been going there since 1995. Tourism is way down right now and the people who rely on it are suffering.
Johnny's (El Rio) is open and flourishing. I went there twice over my eight day trip. There were over 100 girls, many 8-9 and one or two 10's. There were only about a dozen foreigners (men); 11 Italians and one American (me). I was beating the women off of me. Since there is a $10 cover there, the girls ask for more. The usual asking price is about $80 for the whole night. I usually settle for $60. All the girls there are pros.
My driver scouts out chicas for me while I'm away. He had two non-pros who were pretty good. The non-pros never ask for money. I gave them $60 each for the whole night and some small gifts which I had brought.
During the day, I like to take chicas to pools throughout the city. Macumba is particularly nice.
I went to check out El Conejo (yes, rabbit) and Emperador at the Fosca Plaza. The girls at both these places are controlled by a single black pimp who was disturbed when I didn't find any of the girls up to my standards. Two of them gave me their phone numbers for action beyond the pimp's view for another day.
The hottest new place is the new branch of the Casa de Musica in Central Havana. It quit letting people in at 8:00 PM one evening. This is three hours before even the most eager chica ever shows her face in a club. There were a number of beautiful non-pros waiting outside for their knight in shining armor to pay their way in.
I also checked out the disco at the Bosc pool (I forget the name of the hotel). $10 cover for all you can drink. Most girls were with male Cuban friends (necessary to enter many places). All seemed to be non-pros.
Rodeo in Parke Lennin is also very good on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Mostly non-pros, and there are hundreds of them with very few foreign men to go around.
I stayed at my usual casa particular in Vedado. It is beautiful, on the 14th floor of a high rise, with shared living, dining room and kitchen. It has a large balcony overlooking the ocean and city skyline. $35 per night including private bath. The owner, Marta speaks English and can line up a driver for you. Her number is 53-7-32-64-75 and her e-mail address is martavitorte@hotmail.com. She has internet service available, but it is dial-up.
I pay my driver Emilio $35 per day plus gas and a tip of about $20 per day at the end of my trip. In return, he negotiates everything for me, buys groceries and booze and shuttles the girls around, so I never pay for cabs. A good rental car in Havana can be $85 per day and up, so a driver is a real bargain. Plus, these guys know where the action is, so I never waste time.
Cuban women have none of the sexual hang-ups American women do. Having sex is like shaking hands. It's expected. The biggest problem you'll ever have in Havanna is getting rid of a woman.
One quick ?,
from reading posts on experienced travellers it seems that the Cuban women are readily available to be picked-up by us tourists.....and in order to get into clubs they need to be accompanied by males.
My question is - do the Cuban men get jealous over us tourists picking up their girls? Has anyone had a problem like this?
I'm Latino and I wouldn't take it to kindly to have strange guys accost my female friends........maybe my thinking is warped and it's different in Cuba.....
thanks,
pachangero
Hi EL Colorado,
Excellent trip report!!! Got some good up-to-date info. I took notes and I've been to HAV maybe 50 times! Speaking for myselt, this is the kind of stuff I like to see here.
One question; does Emilo speak english and how can he be contacted? Sorry that was two.
Pachangero,
I have never seen this to be a problem. I think it is part of the culture. Anyone else?
Regards,
Peterman
Peterman - Emilio speaks a little English. My Spanish is only fair and he understands me fine. The landlady can translate if necessary or provide an English speaking driver if you need one.
Panchero - Back in the old days you could take a daughter from her father's arm. It's not a problem. If a girl is accompanyed and doesn't make eye contact, I have my driver approach her. Sometimes her companion is a brother or a cousin. They need the money.
Peterman - Contact Emilio through Marta. 011-53-7-326475 or her e-mail.
Great report Colorado. Gracias. I'd sensed when I was last in Havana - - July 2002 -- that the lid was coming down. Glad to hear that my intuitions were wrong.
I visited the Emperador with an amiga Cubana while in town . . . we were there early in the p.m. and not much action. I hung around till things started heating up . . .but didn't see anything to compel me staying.
Haven't heard before about Rodeo in Parque Lenin . . .have to make a visit next time.
About Peterman's recurring girl episode. I had a similar experience. Bumped in a voluptuous, lovely Cubana in one of the less glamorous hotel nightclubs . . . .we had a nice time together. Couple of days later, passed her on the street when she was with a couple of girlfriends - - all off to do some shopping. Then, a couple of days later, walking down a street in another section of town, bumped into her with her husband and kid! Needless to say, we exchanged glances but not much else. She wasn't a pro, just another Cuban trying to get a little bit more out of life by hooking [no pun intended] into the dollar tourist economy.
I'm trying to head back down this spring. Question: should I wait 'til the high tourist season is over? say around late April? or head down more toward the apex of high season - - say, February/March? Opinions? [Damn with all this crazy stuff going on in the States - - I'm ready to pass the whole winter in Cuba.]
ConorOC
Thanks Colorado for that great info in your report. I have my own comments and questions for you "experts", since I just came back last month. First the comments......
1) Emperador- I first got to know of this place by the way of a scam artist who hangs out in front of the nearby Hotel Nactional. He told me the place was called "Hemmingways" and he worked there. Once I got and he started ordering drinks expecting me to pay, I understood the scam and left. I returned a few times afterwards but Colorado was right the girls are average at best (6 and 7's). Interestingly, I didn't get any sense of a pimp there but he may be correct as most of these pro girls lived across the street from the club and I may have seen the guy.
2) Paying - I thought Colorado was paying way to much. I mean $55 per day ( including tip) plus gas to a driver is only cheap if your comparing it to the States. Guys since this is off- season I had no problem finding taxi drivers willing to do for $25 per day including gas (unless we left Havana). Colorado I would be interested in knowing if your driver bought your supplies for at the peso stores, there by saving you some money ??
My question for Colorado, Peterman and other experts
1) Are many true blondes there ? I didn't see any many (except the tourists). I'll have quality over quantity any time.
2) Is it possible to hang out near the unversity to get choose to the smart young ones ?? Has anybody tried this ?? I didn't get a chance
ConorOC - Tourism is way down right now. I'd go sooner rather than later. The weather starts to get pretty hot in late April.
downunder - Indeed, my driver does shop the peso stores and the fruit market (also pesos) for me as well as the black market for shrimp and lobster. A day for him starts around nine in the morning and doesn't usually end before 2:00 AM. He knows when we shouldn't be hanging around a place and when to swoop down on a target of opportunity. Also, after 7 years, I trust him. The tip is always up to me, and my driver has always been worth it.
Most of the girls I go with down there are fair skinned blondes. Alas, none were real blondes. I have had one blue-eyed Cubana and several green-eyed girls and one real red-head once.
There is a small outdoor snack shop directly across from the Havana Libre hotel. If you hang out there in the afternoon, most of the co-eds from the university pass by on the way to the bus or Cupoella (for ice cream). Personally, I've never tried out any university girls.
Some corrections:
Item: Cubanas pay $10 to get into Club Rio.
Most likely:
Cubanas pay $2 to get into Johny´s - ut you as the stupid tourist in one of the more mercenary hard core ho Havana hangouts will get charged the "stupid tourist" price. Expect to pay no less than $50, probably for a quickie. Of course, YMMV. Youth, looks and Spanish ( and combos thereof) can negate what I wrote above.
Item: Rodeo full of non pros.
Umm....
Most likely:
Yes, there are many non pros to be found but those won`t be interested in your old tourist ass. The ones that are all fairly regular Havana hookers and I have seen many "old school" faces at Rodeo mingling with tourists.
downunder,
True blonds? I don't recall ever seeing any that were not tourist. Saw some old B&W footage on the tube recently dealing with the Cuban missile crisis. I studied them well and didn't see any blonds among the masses in HAV.
Also saw some short segment (think CNN) on the tube recently about blonds. It said all blonds are originally from the Scandinavian countries. It also said in about 200 years there will be no true blonds in the world because blondness is a recessive gene and as we all know from our 4th grade biology class it takes 2 recessive genes for it to come out in the offspring.
What does this mean? It means you better hurry if you want to find your true blond, you only have 200 years!
My bit of biology for the day.
Peterman
Someone (Scopio) has mentioned that internet is available at Capitolio's cybercafe. Can anyone tell me where Capitolio is?
Thanks.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by AlLostInSpace13
[i]Someone (Scopio) has mentioned that internet is available at Capitolio's cybercafe. Can anyone tell me where Capitolio is?
Thanks. [/i][/QUOTE]
The Capitolo is the Capital building. Can't miss it. Huge building downtown, that looks like the US House of Congress. Near the Inglaterra Hotel. Everyone knows it.
But cybercafe is stretching it. more like a few extremely slow computers that are down as much as they are up. You enter a room, hand over your passport, pick a number and wait and wait with a bunch of backpackers. Only good thing about it is that I met a Swedish girl who fancied my one eyed snake.
Best bet is to use the internet services in the better hotels like the Nacional. Far more expensive - around $10+/hour but worth it in my opinion.
The bearded one is a bit conflicted about the internet. The tourist demand it and Cuban scientific and business community need it to prosper - a good thing.
On the other hand you have unrevolutionary information - free and uncensored - a bad thing.
Downunder: I went to the University (Alma Mater) located calle L a bit higher than Hotel Colina during an afternoon, strolled around in the gardens and also inside the Buildings. Some people (male students) asked me if I were of the student exchange program. There were some cute chicas but I just looked, didn't chase. After class many of them go down Calle L to Coppelia Park for Helado (icecream) as mentioned by El Colorado. I think icecream makes every cuban chica weak.
El Colorado: great report, I should have had it before going to Havana :-)
(After reading the recent posts concerning Emperador, I get more convinced myself that the action there is controlled.)
Regards to all, Scorpio
Regarding blonds in Cuba (and elsewhere in Latin America for that matter)
Seems people forget that many Latins are children of blonde Europeans, which for one reason or another either emigrated or mated during their Latin stays. In the case of Latin America, keep in mind that there are SOME Spanish and Italian blonds, though not many.
In the case of Cuba, I have seen plenty (well, perhaps not plenty, but enough?) natural blondes and it is no BIG surprise??
Almost every blonde Cuban has an Eastern European, typically Russian parent???
or has everyone forgotten the Russian presence there for 30 years?
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Catire
[i]Regarding blonds in Cuba (and elsewhere in Latin America for that matter)
Cuba before Castro was a much whiter country. Same could be said of the DR during Trujillo. And if you look at the photos of the Cuban revolution most of the revolutionaries around Castro were white and middle class.
The fact is that the white Cubans had more money than the blacks and were able to leave the country after Castro. If you look at photos of Miami Cubans the vast majority are whites of European origin.
And yes you are correct. For thirty years there were thousands of Russian soldiers and technicians in Cuba, mostly single men, so yes you have the Cuban blond phenomena, sometimes with very exotic looking olive complexions and with Russian names like Sonia but there aren't that many.
Also the people in the east, particularly in Santiago, tend to be darker than in Havana, as that area had more sugar plantations and slavery.
Thanks guys for all the response to my last post. I have a few more questions.
1) Is it possible to have a couple of "kept" women in Cuba ?? A rather wealthy buddy of mine wanted to keep a couple of women down there for himself (pay for their rent, and other expences) and even start a concubine. I said it will never work because the women will never be faithful, especially since he can only visit them 2 or 3 times a year.
2) How does Havana compare to the other great cities of S. America (Bueno Aries, Carcas, etc) in terms of the overall experience (prices, quality of women, food, etc) ???
Thanks
.
.
HEY DOWNUNDER,
> > > > I am PUZZLED as to WHY your friend would even want a "KEPT" woman out of the country in a depressed country where the sex industry is the business of choice and profit.
.... I am very "CURIOUS" .... I know if your friend has a lot of bucks to spend he can have his choice of the best of the BEST.
.... " INQUIRERING MINDS WANT TO .... KNOW " ????
. (((( WORD )))) .
.
.
This is obviously a newbie question, but here it goes anyway: Where can I buy protection in Havana? What is it in Spanish?
Hi AlLostInSpace13,
The obvious thing to do would be to take a good supply with you. If you hook-up with a pro, she will have them.
There is a pharmacy in the Habana Libra Hotel in the shopping mall that you enter on the side of the hotel. There is another one at the Comodoro Hotel located in the bungalows.
Sorry, don't know the spanish word.
I hope this will help to cover things.
Regards,
Peterman
AlLostInSpace13,
The word you are looking for is: Condón or Preservatif.
Easiest places to find such covers, and at least have some selection is at the hotel pharmacies as mentioned by peterman.
I would urge you not to use the local brand ~ unless off course you are looking to have zero sensitivity, in which case you may as well use a bicycle inner tube. Taking your own is the best policy: they are easy to hide from your wife or girlfriend…
Regards, Havanaman
yeah, condon or preservativo.
rubbers available locally are all Chinese.
and JamesBond - your analysis is correct. Ever notice how Miami Cubans are quite "white" , especially comparted to the mother isle?
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Catire
[i]yeah, condon or preservativo.
rubbers available locally are all Chinese.
I can tell you from experience that the Chinese condons are incredible. I had a fairly funny horizontal moment, when I complained to my Cuban friend about using the Chinese condons and I insisted in using the American Trojan, so we did a test.
I put my full fist in the Chinese condon and it didn't break. Then I did the same thing with the American trojan and it ripped immediately.
I have to admit that the Chinese condon technology is superior. It's like a tire. Very durable.
Haha, I actually have one in my bag from my last trip to the cuba, the brand I had were called "Twin Lotus" and yep, they were made in China. I would Recommend using instead of the trojans, the extra sensitives hold up real well, better than most extra strength condoms. I packed 2 24 packs on my last trip, sorry to say I still had some left over, I got the local condom as a memento.
Gentlemen,
I got an email last week from friend who is in Havana right now. It is directly pertinent to this condom thread and I have copied the following passage for your consideration:
"…as you said the pickins are easy. I must tell you I've been offered full service without a johnny 3 times now for extra $$ one time tthis was for $5 on top of the $40 we agreed. I know what you think, I didnt ask for it they offered it. You know I said NO. I'm not bringing back anyhting more than a few cigars!…."
(sensible words, even if he is paying too much!)
Fellow hunters, we can read into this whatever we like, but the message for me is clear. Uncovered, is clearly being offered (an indication of the current financial state / or were they just skanks?). This is news to me as I have never been offered this in the past in Cuba. Uncovered, for BBBJ, is one of the ultimates for me ~ and that's as far as it goes uncovered.
Without being patronising, it does need saying because of what happens to a man when we mix desire, alcohol and freedom: stay covered for penetration (for front and rear entrance). Best always to take your own condoms, condón, preservatif, whateveryoucallit, or indeed as the British say "Johnnys". I have long since taken a lot more than I needed and always given a couple to the girl I was with. Strategic planning on my part; who knows, I may see her again on my next visit ~ she will remember me!
My friend is right about bringing back more than cigars as shown by Explorer8939 (Havana, General Info. Board) and his URL recommendation. Worth checking out IMHO.
Don't flame me: no patronising, insult or medical advice is intended here. Just good common sense (hunting instinct).
Regards,
Havanaman
Hey all,
I've been using the board for a bit now, but haven't been able to post anything since WSG verification msgs weren't getting through to my account. Anyway, everything is fixed now and I'm looking forward to making my own little contributions where possible. I just got back from a four day jaunt to Santa Clara and Cienfuegos. I'll try and post a report sometime soon - nothing big, just an update on the situation.
Roger the Surfer
Hi you all!
First, let me thank everyone who's posted advise on this board. I'll make good use of it the week of November 24th when I'll be in Havana for the very first time!
Now, is anyone else from this board going to be there at the same time? Maybe we can hook up?
thanks,
pachangero
Hey pachangero,
If you want to talk about meetings and whatnot, drop me a note at rogerthesurfer@hotmail.com We can talk that way, the board isnt really for that kind of stuff (although I've been thinking we could plan a nice big get together sometime - wouldn't be such a bad thing). Its doubtful we would all be in the same area at the same time though without it be for the same reason. Anyway, I'll have my post on S.C. and Cien up later this week.
Roger
I had posted a message a couple weeks ago regarding someone I know being contacted by the treasury department weeks after returning from Cuba. Well I spoke with the source and wanted to post what actually happened.
This guy went to Cuba and like the rest of us had the time of his life. He had a great guide down there and kept his contact info.
Some time later he faxed the guide's info and specifics on Cuba to a friend who was going to Cuba. Well the friend (for what reason, i don't know) got caught comming from Canada to the US and had in his possession the fax.
When the Customs saw the fax, describing Cuba comming from my friends business, they pursued my friend a little with threatening letters and phone calls, (he made the mistake of admitting he was down there) but after some effort and a corroborating story of the guide in Cuba that my friend didn't spend a dime while down there, it went away.
Can anybody tell me how can I go to Havana from Mexico City. Do I just purchase a ticket from the travel agency in Mexico City? or can I buy the ticket in the States. How frequent are the flights from Mexico City to Havana.
Mexicana/Aerocaribe have flights. You can get the schedule from their website. You need to call Mexico to make the reservation and pay for your ticket when you get there. Cancun is a better gateway city.
marinero,
You can also try Dan Snow @ [url]www.cubatravelusa.com.[/url] I've used his services before. He can make reservations on Aerocariba and I think he can give you a little better rate on Aerocaribe. Give it a try.
Peterman
Marinero,
you may need the tourist card, don't forget it.
Regards, scorpio
Thank you guys for all the info.
Marinero, Gentlemen,
I agree with El Colorado, the best gateway city is Cancun. I have done that route a couple of times and it was by far the best route. Enough Americans holiday in Cancun to make you “invisible”… And the jump to Cuba is easy. I would get my ticket from MEX in the current climate, however Peterman’s recommendation will help you. These days, I would envisage that a number of agencies supplying tickets / assistance for Cuba may be under scrutiny.
Regards,
Havanaman
Pachangero (or others) - I will be going to Cuba over Thanksgiving as well. This is only second trip and I'm trying the Toronto route this time. I am going to rent a car and drive East to Camaquey as part of my quest to cover the entire island. I will be arriving in Havana on Tuesday and will be driving East the next day sometime. If you or anyone else wants a ride I would not be opposed to going a little out of my way. My email is [email]cuddhot@hotmail.com[/email] please contact me.
Additionally: Casa de la Musica has been misrepresented on this forum so far as I have read. There are two shows there. One show begins at 2 or 3 in the afternoon and closed at 8:00 (which is probably why one of the postings said that they couldn’t get in). I I would quite often go there and meet someone during the day only to go somewhere else at night. I also tried the evening show at 9 or 10 and it is substantially less interesting for a young man (20-30). It appeared to be more 40-50yo Cubans and Diplomat types and it was certainly not a fun. The weekends there are much more quite and is probably not the best place to go. Going to the Casa de la Musica at 5:00 is a great way to end a day of exploring before you go out on the town at night.
Also, I’ve had much more fun in Ceinfuegos and non-touristy cities than I’ve had in Havana. It is the equivalent of NYC vs. Athens, GA. The people are even more laid back and not pushy at all. Also the food is better outside of Havana but the selection is often limited.
November 13 2002
First time in Cuba, visited end of October.
Thanks to Havanaman for his email with useful advice.
Turist card: at custom control non problem indicating address of legal casa
particular, the policeman asked nothing about it.
About population: half of them are cops and are everywhere (it is very good for turist safety, they don't molest you, only the local and expecially the girls), the other half will try to sell you cigar as they state to work in factory where they product it (!).
Walking around you will be frequently approached by swindler, but also from interesting peolple that wants only talk with you.
However people are very friendly and I like them.
About weather, from october to april it is very hot but dry and tolerable; I think in summer is unbearable, even if easyer to meet girls at beach due to stop in university.
HAVANA:
Good action at disco "Rosalia de Castro" few blocks from Capitolio, entrance only 5 $, cerveza 1,5 $; packed with young and non some professional pro.
Disco Jhonny (Rio Club): was very good in the past, but recently closed by police, for the moment little action, check in the future for improving.
Bar "Emperator" at Vedado (near hotel Habana Libre), packed with pro, some good.
Disco "Almanacer" at Vedado, reported good by locals, but little action, may be the wrong evening (best at week-end).
Good place (but only for pro, no GFE): place and bar surronding hotel "Inglaterra", and the near Prado walking area (good in afternoon and evening).
In nearly every casa particular I've asked for, you can pick girls (chica) for one night without problem and without registration (better to ask in advance); they need to registate her for long staying due to evntual police control.
Of course it is better, for privacy, to get indipendent casa, or casa with indipendent entrance (price 20-30).
Price for girls range from 20 to 40, never give more than 50, non even for top model.
In general life cost is much expensive for turist in Havana than in surronding area.
During the day, for not boring, you can take the bus (name is "uaua") number 400 to go to GUANABO where there is a wonderful beach (about 25 km.). The bus-stop is near Cenral Station, about two hundred meter south from "Jose Marti" historical house. Price is inexpensive, less than 1 pesos (1$=26 pesos); by taxy will cost you 15$.
When you will reach the bus stop, ask loudly for the last in queue and follow him for boarding the bus (ask loudly: "ultimo?").
In Guanabo there is little action due to cops everywhere, but whit caution it is possible to find. The nearby place "Santa Maria" it is nice but there are only tourist, no local, no girls.
I think Guanabo it is the best for the day, Havana is the best for evening and for cultural things.
I've made also a trip to CENFUEGOS (3 hours by car, 20-30$, by bus 15$)
Very good place is disco "Costa Sur", packed and inexpensive; if you enter alone and wait you will be approached by a lot and young.
Also good it is disco "Benny Morè". Good action is, at evening, at walking area from city centre to Punta Gorda, in front of sea. But be caution for cops (for girls, not for you).
I've meet some guys, that have lost their girlfriends: the cops follow their, stopped it and carried the two girls to police station; I don't know their fate, but may be they are in prison now. No problem for the guys, one was driving withot license, but after some talking were released.
The problem in Cenfuegos is during the day, if you rent a car or a scooter you can go at beach "Rancho Luna" (about 15 km.), otherways the city is small and too hot during the day. I was lucky because I've meet that guys with car and I was travelling with them.
For any question, write your e-mail, I'll answer.
pippo01
Cuddhot,
check your hotmail for details!
The Cuban/Spanish name for bus is "guagua"
Pippo01 One of my good friends got back from Havana on Nov 21. He spent 8 days there and visited Johnny's. It is open and fully stocked.
Does anyone here have any comment about "Email/Joe Cuba"'s warning post in the General Info section? Sounds rather foreboding, yet no one in this section has mentioned any changes in perceived policy.
I was seriously contemplating trying a first-time visit (Havana) in February, but now i'm quite wary.... Please, convince me it's all okay....
Also, i thought i'd be able to get in through Cancun, but i found out that my milage program doesn't go there....Any other recommended portals from the US? I'd rather not have to go north, first, to Canada.....
Thanks.
Adam Bomb, Gentlemen,
Like you I am VERY disturbed by that "Email/Joe Cuba’s warning post in the General Info section”. Worried, but not overly harassed. I’m in the process of making a few calls. Due to the backward nature of the “Cuban communication process” it takes a few days for me to make contact with my contacts… I will keep you posted.
Jackson, not wanting to offer any insult whatsoever to the author of that email: if he can send you an email for posting, why can’t he join the forum, wait for acceptance and post for himself (unless off course he is in the process)?
I guess I’m disturbed not only because of my own forthcoming trip, but also because Cuba has been in my heart for many years now. I need to confirm these “new revelations” before I can believe them. Right now, they are still in my “in” box and thus unknown quantities.
Can I please ask any fellow Cuba enthusiasts who have contacts over there to start a discrete investigation…
Regards,
Havanaman
Adam Bomb,
Wow…….. hold that cancellation thought! I am looking into this, and should be able to give some initial third-party feedback in the next few days. Please excuse this delay; it takes ages for me to make the contacts. The problem is at the Cuban end….
Also, regardless of the “state of the nation” I have my tickets booked and my usual casa reserved… so without doubt I WILL be on the ground very soon: 11 – 13 Dec (just 2 nights), and then also 23 Dec for 10 nights. I will report back as soon as I hit Havana, you can count on it.
How can one convenience you? Simple:-
* Read the all the glorious WSG report. That should be enough.
* If “that” email is bothering you, wait for me and the other Cuba mongers to find out…
* Go anyway! Add to the adventure… LOL …but seriously you will enjoy it, first trip or not.
About your mileage programme: I should still go via Mexico. Hop to Cancun and skip to Havana. Best route possible in my view (but then I travel from Europe…). A lot of my USA friends take this route and love it. The number of USA travellers really does make you disappear in the crowds. You next best IMHO is Canada. I’ve never had a need to try this route and so can offer you no opinions… sorry.
Regards,
Havanaman
I e-mailed my casa particular landlady the other day to verify this new policy about guests begining Jan 1st 2003. She said she hasn't heard anything about it. She plans business as usual.
Fellow Forumites:
Pay no heed to "Cuba Joe" aka, "Gusano Joe" because he is a steaming pile of monkey shit playing into the hand of the right-wing Miami mafia. "Methinks he doth protest too much" as Bill would say. He first emphasizes that he is not a Miami gusano but then mimics their tantra. Believe me, all is cool in Cuba! Numerous trips to Cuba as recently as October lead me to say with certainty that nothing "Gusano-Joe" muttered comports with reality. Also, phone calls this evening to friends in Holguin and Habana confirm this assessment. But then he couched his apocolyptic epistle in term of pending events Besides, Cuba survives from money derived from tourism so it is counter-intuitive for the government to harrass tourists. Even a rock-stupid gusano can figure that one out. So please, any forumites planning on traveling there, do not be daunted by this sub-cretin moron "Gusano-Joe" who simply can't accept the fact that the embargo will collapse next summer and the shit-eating gusanos in Miami will be stuck with worthless deeds to property in Cuba they'll never recover. Eat shit and die Gusano-Joe!!!!!!!
Gentlemen,
Monkey shit indeed. I have now managed to contact 4 different people, in different cities: Havana, Varadero, & Cienfuegos. No one has heard / seen anything about what Joe Cuba was posting. Make your own conclusions about this.
I full agree with arecho66: Gusano indeed!
I’m still going on my trip. Nothing that has been posted by joecuba123@hotmail.com has put me off. If my contacts are wrong, then so be it and I will take my own risks… However it should be mentioned that Cuba’s economy is so reliant on tourism that joecuba123@hotmail.com must be wrong.
For anyone wondering what the situation is “on the ground” I will post regularly from there (my first stay is for 2 nights, second stay is 9 nights). In fact anyone who is in Cuba now, PLEASE post and update us all.
I believe this forum was intended for the sole purpose of sharing mongering information. I do not feel that this forum is appropriate to espouse ones political views…. Anyway: live and let live…
Regards,
Havanaman
Guys,
Regardless of how shit the book is, I thought I'd better mention the fact that JoeCuba posted exactly the same message on the Lonely Planet Thorntree web forum.
Regards,
Tomster.
Hello fellow WSG-ers,
I'd like to visit Havana for New Year's Eve. My initial plan is to meet up with some friends in Jamaica on December 29th and then fly to Havana, stay in a casa particulares and tour around.
I understand from some readings that this time of year is a heavy tourist season. How difficult will it be for me to fly to Montego Bay and then purchase tickets to Havana that same day? Should I purchase tickets in advance? If so, how can I arrange that? And is Air Jamaica a recommended airline?
My concern really is with getting my flights and tickets into and out of Havana. My friends are arranging our accomodations and some of the other details. I just need to get to Havana on the 29th.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Hello fellow WSG-ers,
I'd like to visit Havana for New Year's Eve. My initial plan is to meet up with some friends in Jamaica on December 29th and then fly to Havana, stay in a casa particulares and tour around.
I understand from some readings that this time of year is a heavy tourist season. How difficult will it be for me to fly to Montego Bay and then purchase tickets to Havana that same day? Should I purchase tickets in advance? If so, how can I arrange that? And is Air Jamaica a recommended airline?
My concern really is with getting my flights and tickets into and out of Havana. My friends are arranging our accomodations and some of the other details. I just need to get to Havana on the 29th.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
I forgot to mention in last post that all Cuban laws are identified and promulgated via a disciplined, codification process. That is, each law has a unique ID number with similarly identified sub-components such as articles and decrees.
For example, Article #17 of Law #87 was promulgated in mid-1999 and it delineates various penalties for varying levels of involvement in the "delito" or crime of "proxenetismo" or pimping. It is only logical then that a new law going into effect January 1, 2003 (as "Gusano-Joe" alleges) would have a similar codification ID and implementation date readily verifiable. This is especially true for any law that would have such a profoundly negative impact on the economy and more importantly on the informal sector which includes casas particulares and paladares which are often run jointly esp in places like Baracoa and Santiago. Moreover, with less than 30-days before the alleged date of implementation, owners of casas particulares would have been informed by now of this drastic change and attendant penalties for non-compliance. Owners of casas particulares I have contacted have heard nothing of this "new law."
I suspect Gusano-Joe is unaware of the fact that "El Codgo Penal de La Republica de Cuba" is posted on the internet. Gusano-Joe's big problem is that he thinks everyone on the internet including this forum is as stupid as he is. The null-hypothesis concept can be applied to the verbal-vomit spewed by Gusano-Joe. Once a single element of a therorem is exposed as crap, then by extension it can be inferred that the entire theorem is bullshit. So again I say to forumites, ignore this sub-cretin moron and go to Cuba and have the time of your life. Just be nice to the girls because I promise they will be nice to you. Peace.
I will be in Cuba just after Christmas and then for 3 weeks. Is it hard to find hotel rooms in Havana around this time of year? Should I be booking now? I am looking for a place close to the center of town that is not too expensive. What about the Hotel Lido? Of course I would rather have a private room, but I am under the impression that when arriving at the airport you need show that you are staying in a hotel and not at a casa particular.
Anyways, I hope it is as fun as it sounds!
Arecho66,
I'm not sure who is talking the most crap, you or him. But I do agree with your final sentence, treat the girls well and you will get the best from them.
Tomster.
Tomster:
FUCK OFF!
Now you're making sense :)
Why is an ad for overpriced, pimping, ******* involved Sosua Palace being put up on the CUBA page?
Shouldn´t this spam go where it belongs?
Green Machine - I entered once via Kingston. It was a prop plane in the afternoon. I made my reservations by calling down there and then purchasing my ticket the same day I arrived. Virtually no hand luggage is allowed because of the small size of the aircraft. The flight took 2 hours. I'd allow at least 2 hours in Kingston to get your luggage, clear customs, pay for your ticket and clear security again. Personally, I really prefer Cancun as my gateway.
Foosball - Tourism is way down right now; I doubt you will have any problem getting a hotel room. You may show a licensed casa particular on your visa. I show the license # and the address. If you need a casa particular, e-mail martavitorte@hotmail.com and mention me. If she's full, she'll know someone with room. Ask for the license number and address. Casa particulars are far cheaper than hotels and are chica friendly.
Just got back from Cuba on Tuesday. Girls were plentiful around the Havana Libre Hotel but you have to play cat and mouse with the police. Get the girl into a taxi and have it follow your taxi to your casa particular. Some girls want $40 but reduced to $30. Met a nice girl at the Jara cinema on La Rampa across from Havana Libre. There are some transvestites also on this corner who look cute. Look for an adam's apple to see if she was a he.
No action along the malecon.
Also tried Cienfuegos, but the girls and casa owners are very fearful of arrest, so I left the town after 2 days. Bennie More's was dead but I was there on a Monday night.
Recommendation is Gerona on Isla de la Juventud. Still laid back and the girls outside the disco are waiting sitting on the street curb. YOu can have any of them for $15 each. Casa particular is $15. Many casa owners will come to the airport to meet the flight from Havana, so no lack of casas.
npaul, were there many girls in Gerona? Are they available every day of the week or just at the weekend? When you say you can get them for $15 each, is that for short-time or all-night service?
Thanks in advance.
Every night at 10:30 the girls sit on the curb outside la Rumba. Sundays, MOndays, what have you.
There is also a fried chicken place across the street and another restaurant open a block away. The main street is 39th street at about 23d avenue.
$15 is for all night, some girls want $20. One natural blond with freckles and pink nipples demanded $40 and she was well worth it. The italian guys pay only $5 I have been told. I tried to pay a girl $3 once because she wanted to stop before I unloaded and she looked at me funny. Some girls only want you to buy them some clothes the next day for $20 or so. Each girl is different.
The last girl I met spent a week with me. I only bought her a dress for $38 and she was happy with me. I plan on seeing her again in January.
Hello guys, (especially El Colorado and Havanman),
Within 3 weeks I will leave for Cuba, and after reading the whole message-board, I cannot wait to go, after all the information from all you guys.
And I want to thank El Colorado and Havanaman for their regular updates.
I will send a nice and detailed update after my visit in january 2003.
However, I do have a few questions:
Colorado, please, can you send me an email (my adress is " out-there@planet.nl "). It has something to do with Marta.
Can anybody give me a quick update on the situation in Varadero? Where to go, is there a gf-friendly Casa Particular wich I can send an e-mail? (Or do they have telephone?) My plane arrives in Varadero, so I have to stay there at least a few nights.
Can anybody give a brief update on the global situation in Cuba? I read some news in this forum that there might be problems with the police etc etc.
Well, that's all folks, greeting from The Netherlands
WAS IN VERADERO LAST YEAR. NO ACTION. NO GIRLS. POLICE STOP GIRLS BEFORE THEY CAN GET ONTO THE PENNINSULA. THERE IS A POLICE STATION AT THE BEGINNING OF THE VERADERO PENNINSULA.
Question about US Green Card Holder & trip to CUBA
I have a buddy of mine who has been a US permenant resident for over 10 years. He is originally from PRC (People's Republic of China).
He told me that he has been wondering if there is any law that he maybe breaking if he visited Cuba. He has just put in his papers for natutralization.
But wanted to Visit Cuba before becoming a citizen. He is also into Hispanic chics in a big way.
Guys please post if you have heard anything as the guy is caught between a rock and a hard place.
I have been to Cuba three times so far. My first two trips were during 1996 and 1997 and then I was a Green Card holder. On my first trip, I asked the Cuban immigration lady not to stamp my passport. She winked at me and did not stamp it. I did the same at Pierson Airpot (Toronto) and they told me with a smile that they knew where I was coming from and they wont. Same happened during my second trip. I hope that will help your friend.
To stay with the topic: I agree with paul.... don't go near Veradero. No action there.
Stay either in Habana or go to Guanabo which is a 35 minute ride From Habana. Try to pick girls from beaches at playa del este or pinar del rio. Otherwise rent a car (the best and the most rewarding way while in Cuba) or rent a car with a driver and drive in between Guanabo and Habana. You will get many young and great looker non-pros that way and will cost next to nothing. Also dont forget to take T-shirts, chewing gum, soap, shampoo, chocolate, and toilet paper. I hope that will help you.
npaul can you please e-mail me. I want to chat about Cuba with you
humanpiranha@yahoo.com
Thanks, Catire, but for all I know you could be a US Treasury dept official who wants to track my email address and IP address and collect a fine. Please ask your questions on the board. No offense.
No, not an official of any kind, especially the govt.
e-mail me off a friend's e-mail then or do it off a yahoo or hotmail account which are completely private and protected by strict privacy laws.
I want to discuss something with you but this board isn't the proper place for it. That discussion could be more worthwhile for you than for me.
I am going to cuba soon. What is the latest latest on:
1. where to stay in havana. A casa particular that is at most 20 dollars.
2. where the girls are. Where the thick big breasted black ones are. I mean what cities and what areas in the city (streets, bars).
I am going alone. I am latino so I speak spanish with ease.
3. How much money is enough for 20 days. I am super cheap and simple. No luxury please. Just simple bed and food. No diving, hiking or museums. Just be around the people and T/A at night.
4. what cities are least tourist-full?
5. Do the banks help you break US dollars?
6. internet access?
How are Havana, Baracoa and Vinales? I was told those are "a must" by a married woman. :)
Any help will be appreciated. email me at [email]vze2wvqz@verizon.net[/email]
I will absolutely post a long report when I come back. ANY information is welcomed.
Wish me luck guys.
Hola, fellow cubaphiles and wannabee cubaphiles...or perhaps i should call myself an ex-cubaphile now...ive used a lot of the information ive gotten on this board in visiting several countries, and now it's time to give something back.
Ive been to cuba eight times over the past three years and have had several cuban girlfriends...i want to report one incident here, though, as a warning to fellow travelers. In May I met who I thought would be the next Mrs. ! A beautiful 29 y/o mulatta schoolteacher living in Vedado in Havana...I was sure that she was not a hustler (jinitera in cuban) because i actually pursued her and she was standoffish at first...also because she always ordered the cheapest items on the menu and did not ask me for anything....well, let me cut to the chase...a few months and a few visits go by, we get engaged (do i ever learn?), and i discover, thanks to my many good cuban friends, that she is still living with her boyfriend or husband who is a violent drug addict alcoholic, that he forces her to go out with foreigners to get their money, that both he and she are violent, and basically that ive been the victim of a very elaborate scam to get her and possibly eventually him out of the country....whew, i got myself out of this situation just in time....my warning is, she reportedly works this scam a lot and both she and the boyfriend are very dangerous...he is known to have killed at least one person already, possibly more...unbeknownst to me until later, the buzz around the neighborhood was how long the americano (yours truly) would last before the boyfriend got too jealous and hurt or killed him...
i don't need this shit, i just go to have a good time and i happened to fall for the worst person i could have...anyway, if you meet a beautiful mulatta with long hair named Yamilet that tells you her "ex boyfriend" is violent and that she can't be seen with you in her neighborhood, GO...do not look back! Ok, you stand warned.
In general, Cuba has become a real pain in the ass for hobbyists...the cops have increasingly been cracking down, and while they never used to bother tourists i myself was detained and questioned while walking with one of the girls...they are all afraid of the police and it's just more trouble than it's worth...yes, it's a little more pricey in costa rica but for the peace of mind and no-hassle you get there, for me it's worth the extra cost...im gonna give cuba a rest for awhile.....
but i hear brazil is really happening!?
1. for a $20 casa particular, go to the havana libre hotel on 23d and ave l. walk one block to the hotel colina. diagonally across the street is an apartment building. go upstairs to 310 and ask for daisy. she has nice room with ac and semi-private bath for $20, and she is guest friendly. you can swim and hang out by the pool of the havana libre at no charge. simply go up there and ask for a towel. tell them you are in room 1105. if you forgot your room key you give them a $10 deposit for the towel. no problem. there is high speed internet access at the business center of the havana libre, on second floor.
2. you can change your us money everywhere. it is their second currency. there are banks, etc. only your us bank credit cards will not work.
3. if you hang out in havana you will find more than enough girls of all kinds who want money and love sex!
4. try to bring $100-150 a day to cover every thing, including a girl overnight. in havana you may need to pay $40-100 for a girl.
5. i recomend you go to isla de la juventud. things are about half price. take the domestic flight from havana to gerona for $24. it goes 3x a day. girls are $15 overnight there.
docbill449's good post inspired me to relate my cautionary tale. Like docbill, I too have been to Cuba 8 times, except within a two year period. The motivation was a gorgeous, white 24 yo Cubana from Holguin Province in eastern Cuba. I met her on La Rampa (Havana) and while it was not a straight-up jinitera transaction, nor was it a Norman Rockwell romance. I sent her money regularly and of course brought her tons of gifts and merchandize on my numerous trips to visit her both in Habana and Holguin. On the second trip, she introduced me to her "parents" and other "family" members who turned out to be her husband's parents and family. The whole rancid lot were in cahoots to fleece the "yuma" (foreigner). In my defense, she was the only Cubana who had any effect of this sort on me and I have had more than 30 Cubanas. Ironically, one jinitera I picked up my last trip in front of La Copelia on La Rampa was also from Holguin Province. During our session together, I inquired if she had a boyfriend. She replied "todas tenemos novios" or "we all have boyfriends."
So be forewarned, they all have husbands and/or boyfriends who tolerate the foreigner for the money. This is the rule, not the exception. I know most of this falls under the "Duuuuhhhh" category and I realize most foreign guys, esp Americans do not travel to Cuba looking for a girlfriend much less a wife. However, you might meet a Cubana who is exceptionally nice, well-educated or just a joy to be with besides in bed. But do not, I repeat do not even think about bringing her home because Cubanas are notorious for ditching their benefactors within months of touching foreign soil. Luckily, my situation did not progress to this point. As with docbill449, some very good Cuban friends enlightened me to the truth with regard to my "girlfriend."
In short, the Cubanas are fun to play with but do not take them seriously for one second. Nonetheless, treat them nice because they will definitely be nice to you. Just remember that there is always a boyfriend or husband lurking in the shadows.
thanks so much, arecho66, for your story...it really helps to know i'm not alone...i thought after so many trips that i was hip to it all in cuba, but this one just blindsided me, i mean it wasn't just the sex, i really fell! but you are right, unfortunately the idea of bringing a cuban girl home is a risky long-shot...too bad, my problem is that i don't do well nor like very much american women...
anyway, i appreciate your counsel....and i wonder, if like me, you find cuba not worth the hassle these days?
stay strong & prosper!
to arecho66 - a clarification
foreigners are called "extranjeros".
"yuma" is a very specific term and it means American. or America
It is very United States specific.
And your general point about bf's and gf's are correct, thought it is possible to find a nice and good gf without a guy lurking in the shadows who is looking to rip you off. Btw - that kind of girl would never accept money to give you a blowjob, etc. They aren't working girls, period.
The problem really lies in the challenge of the long distance aspect of the relationship. Do you expect her to sit there and play with herself while waiting for you to come visit her for a week once or twice or even thrice a year?
And are you sitting at home in the US, or Canada, playing with yourself for the other 49 weeks or so at the same time?
Catire,
First of all, I don't recall saying or inferring that my routine was cool so back off. Note that I prefaced my post as a "cautionary tale." Nothing more, nothing less. Also, you don't know the frequency of my travels prior to the truth emerging so your bit about LD relationship is off-base. Finally, who the fuck would think that her fucking husband was essentially pimping her off? The mother-fucker went with us to Baracoa and stayed in the room next to ours in the casa particular while I fucked his wife's brains out day and night for several days in a very loud fashion. They had me thinking he was her "cousin."
I've come to the conclusion that Cubans are straight-up, across the board fucked in the head. I lived in Bogota for almost four years and even those fucks aren't as degenerate as Cubans.
Hello gentlemen,
This is my first post in a long time, however I have lurked for quite some time prior to my first visit to Cuba. I just returned Dec 21, 2002. I had a wonderful time.
Cheap flights from my hometown to Cancun, then purchaced a ticket from Cancun to Havana, $300. Airfare was in total $600.00 R/T. Havana was great. I did take a trip to Varadero, and what a mistake that was. It was like going from the forest to the desert. Very few girls, and muchas policias. I did hook up, but she was just average. I met one gal (in Havana) who I spent 4 of 7 days with and had the most incredible GFE ever. She didn't even ask for $$$. After the first night, the next morning I awoke to her ass grinding into my lap, she initiated sex almost every time. The chemistry was awesome. She was 19, I am 35. She did exhibit a little jelousy from time to time. One of the best fucks I have ever had. I even had to check myself back into reality, as I was fantisizing to bring her here. It just takes one head check to kill that notion, so don't worry I wouldn't follow through, but what a fantacy. She was mulatto, with muscular legs, medium tits, and a pussy that was beautiful to eat and fuck.
I had the help of a fantastic guide who saved me so much time and trouble I would recommend him to anyone staying in Havana. He negotiated for me, kept the Jinateros (males) away from me. Since I went alone he became a buddy, but he was so respectful of me, he is a humble guy. He found me a great casa.
If any are interested I will post his photo and tel #.
In8
In8 I am hoping to land in Cuba soon. Can you pass me the photo and number of the guy. Who should I say referred me? My email is down there.
Thanks alot in advance.
His name is Jorge. Actually it is Juan Jorge, but he goes by Jorge. Tell him that his friend who scuba dives sent you.
driedup3030 - I already sent you his picture and gave you his tel number. I am the same guy that you have been e-mailing.
Here it is again:
Jorge hangs out in front of the Hotel National, in Havana. He usually wears a baseball cap, and he is 25 y/o. He drives a moto taxi that is yellow and looks like a big tennis ball. His tel # is 8301396. Just tell him his friend the buseodoro. He'll know who I am. I spent my birthday with him his girlfriend, and my chica in December.
In8
[QUOTE]Originally posted by arecho66
[i]Catire,
I've come to the conclusion that Cubans are straight-up, across the board fucked in the head. I lived in Bogota for almost four years and even those fucks aren't as degenerate as Cubans. [/i][/QUOTE]
I think you have to try look at it from the Cuban's perspective. Colombia is fucked up in its own obvious ways but certainly NOT communist. I see the same sort of attitudes in Cuba that I recall seeing in East Germany and Bulgaria way back around the time of the collapse of Communism.
It would seem to me that living under Communism would drive anyone squirly! You have nothing and the gov't takes care of everything and many things don't work or make sense but you must simply accept it and learn to work the system. In comes a westerner that defies all these realities. Now, insteading of having to work the system to get what limited possibilities are available to you, you just have to work the westerner and the possibilities are much more open. I can't even imagine what must be going through their heads but I do know that their reality is MUCH different from ours.
In8
Thank you for posting up all the great info..I'm interested in visiting Havana..maybe in Feb 03'..Please send me the number of your contact guide. thanks!
Skyjuice70@hotmail.com
In8...Whoops!..I didn't see that you already posted the info.
thanks again.
I found a site on the internet, or rather I may have got the link from here of a site that has girls wanting partners. Tehy range in age from 17 to about 32 and most have downloadable pictures, sometimes several. Some nice looking women. But what I found strange was that some of them were nude or nearly so as if they had just had a session with the webmaster. Take a look.
www.havanacubaconnection.com
Thanks to everyone who's posted in this section--i've learned a lot.
Couple of specific questions tho:
1. Is this Jan 1st crackdown really significant if you're going to have fun, and only get laid as a side effect of enjoying the place? I'm not into pros, and I'm happy to shower the non-pros with whatever money and gifts, but I'm not looking for some purely transactional relationship. However, at the end of the day, if I get naked at some particulare, I want to know I'm safe.
2. Is it possible to prearrange a smart, cool woman guide who will take you around, cook a few meals, and generally make your life easier? Does anyone know someone who is truly bi-lingual and who you can pre-book rather than having to take your chances down there. I really want to have it done before I go so I don't have to worry.
I'm thinking of a last-minute flight from Montreal this week, so any info would help in my decision.
Any contacts would be fabulous. BTW, I am extremely generous when someone is genuine and helpful. In the Caribbean last year, I had a really cool chick who took me around, and I paid for everything and gave her a nice bonus at the end.
Thanks!
Tomas
Gentlemen,
Taking off a month was excessive I know, but it had to be done. My only regret now is that I’m missing the travelling. I’m at day 4 of the post-holiday blues. Shit happens.
I’m not going to repeat any of the usual information myself and others have posted, suffice it to say that Havana is still Havana and for me very little has changed ‘general people’ and chica wise. All the popular clubs and bars are still open and mongering is as easy as ever if youve been before.
HOWEVER: Please note. In all my years of visiting Cuba, this visit (Christmas period) showed the highest police presence it have ever been my misfortune to see. They were everywhere. Unlike previously, where I have seen single policemen standing on street corners, this time I did not spot a lone officer; they were always in groups of two or more. I can not explain this. My friends in Havana told me that this started at the end of October, virtually overnight: go figure. The mind of the bearded one works in mysterious ways…
The only respite from the overwhelming police presence was during Christmas eve, when I say about 5 officers the whole night (mainly outside the caboret nacional (right, out of the Inglatera hotel), and at the beginning of the Prado de J-M. It was the only night I hit the city centre due to an invitation from a couple of German dudes (no names, but thanks guys for an excellent meal! I’m still up for the Munich trip…). The Prado had about 15 chicas (mainly professional). Lack of police meant they were very forward indeed. That’s when it happened. I saw her, she saw me. She gets up, comes towards me and takes my hand.
I’m not going into the very specific details, but in 15 years of mongering I experienced a first. I now have evidence that this 20 year old mulata (from Santiago) was the prototype used by Mr. Hoover when he created his vacuum cleaner. This chica could suck a boiled egg through a straw. I said a first for me because when she finished the first BBBJ, she gets off me, walks to the bathroom, I hear her spit my population-juices down the pan. She comes back into the bedroom after a few seconds, stands watching me as I wipe off the remainder of my spilled gene pool, then proceeds to BBBJ me again! The second coming was holier than holy, I thought I might pass out! Being a gentleman I returned the compliment. Call me weak, but I doubled her ‘taxi fare’ to $40. Worth every one of those greenbacks.
OK, some practical information: In Europe cell phone are 95% SIM card driven (I say this to set the scene because of the hassle I subsequently experienced when I went on to Argentina…). Anyway If you need cell phone (mobile) access while in Havana, and your phone has a SIM, you can get excellent coverage (local and international!!) (but with a new temporary number) from C_Com. They have 2 offices in Havana: one at 3rd Ave Y 94, Playa (Miramar) (tel. Number 2642266), and another in old Havana, Tte Rey #19 Esg. (tel. 2642288). This last one is very near Benny’s Bar (an excellent hangout for semi-pros by the way). If you know floriditta, keep it to your right as you walk down the road.
Costs: $3 per day for the SIM. Call charges to Europe were $5.85 per min. A bit heavy but when you need to stay in touch you need to pay…. By the way, there is also Cubacel, but its shit all the way: service, personnel and coverage…
I hope the above is of use to fellow Havanaphiles. I have a confession to make. Regardless of my love for Havana, this post marks the end of a long and very happy love affair between me and Cuba. I have discovered Argentina. I have no doubt that I will be back here one day but for the near future this has now become my last visit. I just want to say what a pleasure it has been and if I can be of any help to fellow Cuba enthusiasts please don’t hesitate to email me. You can still get me on the Argentina board.
Regards and much pleasure.
Havanaman
[email]sedition2001@hotmail.com[/email]
(no, I’m keeping the name!)
CubaCurious,
The answer to your questions is yes. There are a number of such guides available. You can either sort one via one of the hotels, indeed for the right negotiation you can get one of the female reception staff…. I have done this. Please be very discrete, as they might get into problems…
I also have a contact for you, please email me for the details, you understand I don’t want to make this public…
Regards,
Havanaman
Sedition2001@hotmail.com
Thanks Havanman!
By the way, discretion is my middle name :)
There is a great last minute flight from Montreal this Sunday for $250, and I'm having a hard time turning it down, despite having nothing arranged.
Someone suggested to me a very respectable particular in Vedado, and the couple certainly has some steller recommendations.
But here's my problem: it says right on their faq that they won't allow chicas into the place. Reasonable, I suppose.
So, should I book with them for peace and quiet and security, and then negotiate another place on the side for any action that might come my way? Again, I'm not interested in pros, but I'm definitely interested in hook-ups, but I don't want any hassles or trouble.
Suggestions appreciated once again!
Tomas
CubaCurious,
I was there a few days back and had a terrific time.
I suggest you to contact http://cubabudgettravel.com/
I used them a couple of times.
The lady in charge of this site is reliable.
She knows many houses, apartments and B&B types of accommodation.
Caliente
Yo! CubaCurious. if you have a cheap flight, just go and check into Hotel Colina for the first day and it's only $50 (for 2 people). The hotel has a single public computer for internet access ($6/hr). I believe it's the cheapest state-run hotel. When you have checked in then go to http://cubabudgettravel.com/ to look for cheaper accomodation. Ask for casas that have private entrance.
Do not check into casas that have no chica policy. Why bother?
Go have have some fun! NOW! (Don't forget to bring US$)
Warning & recommendation:
Just came back from a brilliant stay in HAV. To all fellow hunters here´s my 2c worth: Keep your eyes open (and possibly doors closed) when in Quinta Avenida. There are "chicas" on 5ta that are not at all what they pretend to be. Males dressed up, and interested only in robbing the cash, watch and other items you carry. Having the strength of a man, they shouldn´t be underestimated. Although if you are interested in their service, they might as well give it to you.
Second, in one of my prevoius stays I had three ladies waiting, and once I stopped, they were in my car before I couldn´t even ask the prce. Well, it was 20 $ each plus 10 for the casa particular, and well worth it :-)) but if you don´t trust ending up with more than one keep the doors well shut before any agreement.
I might add, there is an excellent Paladar, that I hadn´t come over before, El Gringo Viejo, on eof the very few places thatt don´t serve food of the pollo/congri quality, but do have spices and red wine for the interested few. It´s a little hidden, but ok, located in Vedado, calle 19 entre E y F.
enjoy.
Are condoms easy to obtain in Havana or is it best to bring your own?
Bring your own condoms, you will thank me. The condoms available in cuba are chinese ones, that couldn't fit, and were slightly thinner than an inner tube, bring some durex and you will be happy
VIVA FIDEL!!!
Is there any known punishment for john's in Cuba when caught with a known working girl other than the obvious harrassment?
When I was stopped by the police with an obvious working girl in tow, the girl told me to give the cop $10 for his family. I was afraid to do so in case I would be arrested for bribing a cop. So I gave the girl $10 and she gave it to the cop. The cop left us alone.
Money talks, especially in Cuba where the cop probably made $10 a month salary.
[i]...do it off a yahoo or hotmail account which are completely private and protected by strict privacy laws. [/i]
Catire
Hi fellows -
I spent about 3 1/2 hours today reading the entire Havana forum, I am thinking about taking a vacation from Mexico....
But I just wanted to let Catire and everyone else know that an email account from Yahoo or Hotmail is not as anonymous as you might think.
Any email you send from these accounts will log the IP address of the computer that you are using to send the email. Anyone with a smidgen of technical knowledge can figure out quite a bit by looking at your headers, and then law enforcement could get a warrant to get your ID from your ISP....
Example email that I received from a friend (real identifying stuff has been stripped):
______________
Return-Path: <emailaddress@yahoo.com>
Received: from web20205.mail.yahoo.com (web20205.mail.yahoo.com [216.136.226.60])
Message-ID: <20030111151858.95953.qmail@web20205.mail.yahoo.com>
Received: [b]from [XXX.233.135.75] [/b] by web20205.mail.yahoo.com via HTTP; Sat, 18 Jan 2003 07:18:58 PST
______________
Anyhow the headers log your IP address - your IP address will lead someone to your Internet Service Provider, and then if someone were motivated to request a warrant, for instance, then AOL or whomever would have to say, "hmm, 135.75? let's see on the 18th of January, that was assigned to Bob Jones, living at 123 Elm Street."
If you want to be truly anonymous - you'll have to use one of the remailing services, or set up a free email acct and always use your acct at public access points - ie internet cafes, libraries, what have you.
I am not trying to make anyone paranoid, just thought that you should have a little less faith in a supposedly "anonymous" email account.
Hey, it seems that it is about time for driedup3030 to have returned, and give a report like he promised...well 3030, you back yet? Let's hear your report.
In8
re- emails etc.
If you're an a mass IP like aol or msn.com - all I can say is good luck tracking down that IP address to any person. But whatever, if the guy doesn't want to e-mail me, that's his prerogative, and perhaps his loss :)
btw - re www. cubabudgettravel.com or whatever it is.
$15 hr for salsa lessons?
You've got to be shitting me.
Most Cubanas would be [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] happy to teach you for $5 an hour.
Many will even teach it to you for free - though it can be difficult and learning it will require some time and dedication.
In a place where most people make $10 a month, or where $50 a month is considered better than who most can get their hands on (true, though every third Cuban gets money from abroad, family, boyfriend/girlfriend, etc)
to charge me $15 an hour for anything takes a lot of chutzpah.
Like I said - $5 is quite generous, whether for private salsa lessons or private Spanish lessons. Everyone in the neighborhood will line up to teach you whatever the hell you want at $5 an hour.
Also, since this site surely gets a cut off the rate, I think I'd actually prefer to have some jinietero or another local make a couple of bucks for finding me a casa (IF I'm going to pay a middleman AT ALL! ) - rather than some foreign Internet operator.
Of course, most people will follow the path of least resistance, which is why such "businesses" exist.
Hi, fellow hunters
with a little luck you might find some nice fotos in the WSG gallery soon, which I sent away to the admin recently.
enjoy and let me know your experiences, too..
snark.hunter
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Catire
[i]re- emails etc.
If you're an a mass IP like aol or msn.com - all I can say is good luck tracking down that IP address to any person. [/i][/QUOTE]
Again, I hate to post off topic, but someone with technical skills can find out quite a bit:
This is from a website statistics log:
Jan 21 19:32:36
xxx.1x7.8x.6
w5poolE25.albq.uswest.net
MSIE 6.x
Win 98
800x600
Okay, so I have this visitor's IP address, I know that they use US West as their ISP, they live in albequerque, new mexico and they are using Windows 98, that they bothered to download the most recent version of IE and their monitor resolution is set at 800x600, and therefore is most likely to be a laptop.
AOL makes similar identification in the statistics logs. Also don't forget the Earthlink and AOL both cooperated with the FBI for their Carnivore technology (which was going to be used to capture email of people - if the FBI had a search warrant).
No one on this forum is really advocating illegal activities, but still don't be naive about anonymity. If AOL or MSN can manage to bill your credit card every month, trust me, they can track down which customer was assigned a particular IP address.
I am not going to post anymore about this in the Havana forum. I will be glad to continue this discussion in the internet security forum, or via email: diablo_mactavish(at)hot mail(dot)com.
regards -
diablo
and the only way to have a truly anonymous e-mail account is to go to an internet cafe and use one of the "free" accounts. There is a "little" problem, though - I suspect that my MSN PW was "captured" by a "stroke reader" program and I only found out about it when some messages "bounced". Upon checking the headers, I found they originated in MX (Mexico) and lo and behold, I had frequented an internet provider some 3 weeks ago in TJ. So watch out
I have a huuuuuge favour to ask anyone who is in or soon will be in Havana.
I am trying to locate a very good friend named Miguel Rozas from Santiago de Chile. I met him in Havana about 3 years ago.
I have been trying to find him since I will be travelling to South America for the next 5 months. He had a good friend called Chino in Casa de Cultura. Don't know his full name, he went by the name "Chino" - a cuban, but he obviously looked chinese to cubans.
If anyone stumble upon Casa de Cultura and ask Chino if he know how to get in contact with Miguel Rozas, I will buy you the best garota in Havana.
I will be in Havana in the second half of April to honor the offer or I could transfer the money to anyone who could be bothered to swing by and ask Chino. This is very important to me.
I know it is a loooooooong shot, but I have to try :)
Contact me on tobeppe@yahoo.no
Contact me on
Beppe:
Are you fucking retarded or what???
Can anyone recomend a place to visit besides Havana? I have 2 weeks in Cuba coming up, my first time there. Thanks guys.
[Q]just go and check into Hotel Colina for the first day and it's only $50 (for 2 people). The hotel has a single public computer for internet access ($6/hr [/Q]
$50 a night? That's incredibly expensive isn't it? Am I to expect that of most hotels in Cuba? I'm use to travelling in countries where $5 a night is more common. And $6/hr for Internet also seems very overpriced.
Anyway how hard is it to score with a local chick (non-pro)? Are they open to date gringos? Or is it just too much competition from other gringos to make us all non-exotic?
And how about violence? Is Cuba as violent as Brazil? Do you have to watch your back all the time and not walk around alone outside after 10 pm?
50$ for a Hotel in Cuba is Ok. If you want cheaper, go to a casa particular (bed & breakfast) that should be around 25$ or 20$ in February in La Havanna.
As long as the police is away, you will always find chicas looking for contact. In La havanna Vieja, chicas are more professionnal.
Beside Havanna, my favorite Town is Cienfuegos, as it is not so big and you can't do anything wrong by hanging around the Malecon. The action is always there !
If you have time to go to Santiago, I liked this town a lot. A lot of action around Parque Cespedes and Hotel Casa Grande.
See you,
Latrell
Latrell> Even $ 20 would be outrageously expensive for a room, especially outside of Havanna. In Romania I found places for $ 10, and in Ukraine it wasn't too hard to find places for $ 4 a night. I heard Cuba is really poor and that Cubans hardly make any money, so how can Cuba be so expensive?
And no I'm not talking about hoes. I'm talking about normal chicas who would date you to get nice nights out or marry you for a Western passport.
yes it is possible to get rooms in romania etc cheap, however any respectable casa owner will be registered with the government as a business and will be taxed heavily for the right to have a private buisness. remember communism right. any illegal casa is at risk from the government as far as fines and right up to confirep001ion of the home, furnishings, etc. with risk comes expense. also it should be noted that the expense of fitting a room to western standards is considerable and thus any casa owner needs a return on their investment. also with supply and demand goes cost and you may indeed be able to find a cockroach infested lice ridden mattress or couch somewhere for 5 bucks but good luck. and you had better speak spanish for such a deal. cubans may be poor but they are proud. they will turn you down and hope someone with a little more money will show up. prices for a casa in havana will be 20-25 bucks per room per night. for this you can stay 1 star or 5 star but the price will probably be the same within 5 bucks. outside of havana expect 15 bucks per night minimum. budget accordingly, read the reviews and see for yourself what these things cost. a review of my recent trip to havana to follow.
our havana trip
we departed for havana on feb 2nd flying skyservice from toronto to veradero, cuba arriving at 925 am. this was booked last minute through sun holiday’s vacations in toronto and cost 550 tax included. this airfare was a little higher than we had hoped for but we booked a little early to ensure a seat on the early departing flight ensuing a full initial day and evening in havana. our arrival and time at the airport in to was uneventful, no problem due to our being severely overweight on the baggage restrictions which i’ll admit i was a little worried about. we arrived a little early in veradero and went through the regular routine consisting of a long wait in line for immigration followed by a scan of hand luggage by xray and examination, very thorough, of any electronics. everything went fine until our luggage was scanned by xray in the back and one bag came out with an alarm tag attached to set off the alarm at the gate for customs. we had brought a car cd player for our friend and driver and a scan of the luggage quickly determined this. this led to a very thorough check of all of the luggage and resulted in a duty of 52 us for all of the presents found. our friend was right on time waiting for us and we drove straight on to havana, a 1.5 hr drive. it should be noted that we put the name of superclub puntarena on our tourist cards (provided with our airfare). a tactic which avoids any unwanted questions.
we had booked a casa which we had discovered on a previous visit and enjoyed. we did this simply by emailing our friend and he went and reserved it. this is a private apartment in centro havana on the fourth floor of an apartment building. it has two separate bedrooms on either side of an adjoining bath, ac in the rooms, fans in every room, two fridges, a fully equipped kitchen and a main living space consisting of a living room/dining room combined with a tv, small stereo tape player and an electronic wall safe. the building had a full time elevator operator and a locked lobby with doorman in the evening. the bedrooms are nicely fitted with double beds, dressers, and full closets. the bathroom was also fully equipped and had an electric pump to supply plenty of hot water and water pressure. the building has a grocery store in the main floor and a bank. this casa cost 25 dollars per room per night and included a cleaning lady that would come as often as you wished. for breakfast we simply brought some instant coffee and a jar of peanut butter from canada, simple and sufficient, easy to prepare.
we spent the full seven days in havana mostly partying and sightseeing and spending time with our novias. venues visited were:
casa de la musica: a large cabaret type setup, stage, bar, seating areas and dance floor. the band was great and the crowd really was into it. we went to the matinee which starts admitting people at 400 pm.
we arrived at 530 and found seats right next to the stage. the show starts at 600pm. the tickets were purchased by our friend/driver before he picked us up and i’m not sure if for pesos or for dollars. he wouldn’t let us reimburse him. drinks were reasonably priced at a buck a beer. the show was great and ended around 800pm with the evening show starting at 900 and followed by a disco. i met one chica who said she worked the bar at night. the night show is 10$ admission and the crowd is therefore less cuban and more tourists and rich folk. i was advise to avoid it at night. right next door in the same building is the america theatre, check the bills to see what the action is.
la maison, the house of fashion: a huge renovated estate consisting of a large stately home containing a piano bar a very high end gift shop and a restaurant. out back in the garden is a large cement stage and runway for the fashion show surrounded by a bar and seating for the guests. the show starts at 10pm but dinner is served if you want it before hand. dinner was three options starting at 15$ and going up to 25$ per person for lobster. the show consisted of pre and post fashion show dance routines by a small cabaret style dance troupe. the fashion show was right out of fashion tv with model types strutting the runway showing off the height of cuban fashion, nothing to write home about. the models were hot and the band following the show was good and got the crowd involved. drinks were about double normal but after the show ended at midnight there was the option of an additional 10$ for all you could drink and dancing at the outdoor poorer section of the complex which also had a pool. all in all nothing special unless your into tall good looking women and didn’t mind paying over 100$ for the privilege.
various bars and discos were open but some of the usual were closed. chevrier which is an outdoor bar with a show and pool and all you can drink for 10$ was closed. this is a cuban hang out and usually a good time. in this case it was closed, no reason given. the rio club was a big let down. dead and overpriced this bar which has always been a good time in the past was nearly empty and only the most hardened of professional chicas were in evidence. 10$ to get in you have to take a girl in with you and the talent was lacking. there were a very few top ten women but only a handful and with expensive tastes and aside from them the quality drooped through the floor. our friends told us that this is due to the current well-advertised crack down ongoing. any girls found there with an id card from outside havana had best have a good reason for being there or its off to the slammer for questioning. in addition the practice is to write down names of cubans in attendance and this could lead to further harassment. there was a terrible rock band butchering the english language and bon jovi tunes playing too loud for entertainment and the dj sucked. as i said not the same place as it was just in july.
rosalia de castro, a disco in the building of the society of the same name is a low rent dive not for the faint of heart in habana veija. the clientele consisted almost entirely of old italian men and the girls which they favor. definitely not up to the havana norm for the quality of the ladies the dj was good. the tables and chairs were cast iron uncomfortable and dirty nearly one on top of the other and they wanted more money for you to sit down. 10$ was far too much to pay for this dump. the disco to the left of the hotel inglaterra was in full swing and jumping. the tunes could be heard pounding from outside and it looked interesting. havana club is still closed. turquino club is on the 25th floor of the hotel habana libre. entrance is 15$ american and i’m not sure of the quality as i refuse to pay that much for a night out. café cantante in the basement of the teatro habana is a salsa show with a live band, 10$ entrance with an open bar, and some food included.
prado and the malecon: dead at this time of year, even on the weekend. the prado had a swarm of police rousting everyone in evidence on the one night we walked it.
nightlife was definitely not up to usual standards this time down, whether this is due to the downswing in the economy or the current crackdowns you would think that in the colder months the bars would be busier not less. the entertainment value was certainly harder to come by this trip.
meal wise we have simple tastes and with the exception of one huge meal in china town we stuck to the usual ham and cheese sandwiches, and ham and cheese pizza. groceries were readily available and the stores seemed well stocked. times seemed tougher this time around, whether i’m just getting more attuned to the looks of desperation in peoples eyes or things really are more difficult i’m not sure. we didn’t hit the beach as we spent nearly our entire trip in july there, however it is a great option and we always took a mixed group of friends and girls and were never hassled. the foods at the beach are cheap but don’t expect to see many cubans there at this time of year. i’ve only been to the touristy beach at sierra del mar and would love some feedback as to the areas at each end.
music and drinking wise i recommend the café monserrat as my favorite bar in old havana. jump in a cab and ask them to take you there and sit and enjoy the nice ambiance and usually the best bands playing that day. from there take a right out the door and a few doors down you’ll find the flordita. take a picture and skip the over priced drinks and hang a right turn down obispo. spend the money you just saved stopping in each bar along the street and having a beer and listening to the great bands. when you hit the café paris you’ve reached my second favorite. sit in this little bar have a drink and listen, they also always have a great band. take a left here from obispo and the next block over is o’reilly, on this corner you have an open air bar under a big tree or 20 feet to your left the café oreilly itself. sit upstairs on the balcony and watch the street traffic. keep going straight and you hit the cathedral and adjoining square with café, bands, overpriced stores etc. the cathedral was even open! hang a right and you’ll pass one of the old forts on your way to the malecon and the best and by far the largest open-air market with the best selection of worthless tourist trinkets. buy you souvenirs here. now get in one of the many cabs and go back to your casa to sleep off your drunken state.
the departure was uneventful due to good planning but time consuming. arrive 3 hours early in case of problems at the airport. the usual lineups were very long. if you have an abundance of cigars be aware that only two boxes are permitted per person and that the bags will be x-rayed and 3 boxes will get you called down to the customs for some explaining. you had better have an authentic government receipt for them or they will confirep001e all but two boxes and fine you 50 bucks us. take two in your carry on and two in your checked luggage to avoid this problem, and if traveling in a group make sure all luggage containing cigars is not checked under a single name. at this point canada customs is your only problem.
the departure tax has gone up to 25$ and you line up to pay it. then line up again to exit immigration, again to have your hand luggage checked for fingernail clippers, and again to board the plane. be careful as the plane boarding is not announced and the boarding pass times can be very wrong.
we have the advantage of a friend in cuba with a car and email who is willing to do some legwork for us when we are coming and book our accommodations. also pick us up and drop us off for only the price of gas in veradero, which gives us much more flight options. hiring a driver is the only way to go, cheaper and safer then renting a car and you don’t have to drive, worry about parking etc. find one who speaks english and he can double as a guide and save you all kinds of time and money. 20-40 dollars per day depending on usage is not unfair and when compared to multiple cab rides a very convenient option.
as for the chicas, it was good times, as i have said a lack of enthusiasm on the part of the ladies to discuss buisness in daylight. all in all between me and my buddy we had 11 ladies over the course of the week from novias prepped on our last trip to the hard core pro’s, and everything in between. all 9’s-10’s.
i found all things were available as usual just much more circumspect. i highly recommend packing an extra 50-100 bills and hitting the house of fashion first. pick a model and play your cards right and you could be in heaven for your entire stay in havana.
all in all we had a great time mostly due to the great cuban people we met and talked to. don’t be to cheap to buy someone a beer and you can learn more in a half hour conversation then you can by 5 hours reading some guide book. there is something to do every night, and by the end of the trip i needed to come home to get some rest.
any questions just ask.
Hi,
I'm planing a trip to Havana for the first week of March. It's gonna be my first time, and learned a lot from the reports and tips of all of you guys, thanks!!
I saw some bothering messages though, that current times are not that good for chica hunters...
Can somebody been there recently ell if this true? Is it true that chicks are affraid more then ever to been seen with non cubans, and get arrested? I'm intersted in non-pros...
I heared also that the government is going harder and harder on casas P. owners.
I really want to go there, but having some second thoughts after hearing this, so will appriciate any news from all of you cuba experts!
Thanks a lot,
Shobel
In response to your specific questions about chicas in Havana let me say that the situation is very fluid right now. The crackdown is in full force in the smaller towns but it is more difficult to check on casas in Havana. There are many more casas around and I believe that the government is still wary of putting off the tourists too much. There are many fewer chicas from out of the city from what I saw. The normal bars were mostly open but the girls were not there in the usual numbers. Also this time of year school is in full swing and it will be more difficult to find the non pros which you seek during the day. The bars are frequented by pros and semi pros and I found the normal girls very hesitant to speak to tourists in the daytime. The definition of a pro in Havana is not what it is here. All girls are going to want something and your initial contact is going to be monetary. It is then up to you to find a way to break through the barriers and develop the relationship into something else. This is helped immensly by speaking a little spanish. The pro in Havana is the bar girl who does nothing else but work the bar, no school, no job etc. These are very prevalent in any area which a tourist is likely to visit. The good girls are more difficult to find and the Semi pro one or two night a week bars girls are almost indistinguishable from the hard core ones at first meeting. It should also be noted that they all lie through their teeth. Take your trip but if your hopeing to find a nice girl not interested in you for your money you'd better speak good spanish and have some good friends in Havana. As to the girls being more afraid to be seen with the tourists the problem is not in the bars or night spots but in the daytime walking around. It is possible to take a girl out in a taxi or car or meet a girl in a bar but much more difficult to meet a girl and spend time together during the day. I have taken many girls to the beach during the summer but as I said that is much less likely with school in full swing and the colder weather. Be discreet and bring lots of cash and you will have all the girls you could want. If you are with a girl protect her from the police and take taxis and you shouldn't have any problems like arrests. Note that the crackdown is still in its initial stages and that things could change any time. Avoid drugs or drugs users at all costs.
Thanks bluedrinker!
Well, I got my trip sorted out, and will post report soon as return.
By the way, I'm over in HAV on March 1st to 8th. If somebody is there, give me a buzzzz.
Shobel
shobel...
I will be in Havana fom 3/7 to 3/10
How do I contact you?
This is my first time in Cuba and would appreciate any advice.
In particular, I am looking for a guide (chica) who can show me around the city during the day and accompany me to the Salsa clubs at night. I speak Spanish fluently and can dance pretty well.
Can one find such a guide in local travel agencies or hotels?? I will be staying at the Habana Libre hotel....a little expensive, but a real convenient location and close to all the action.
Thanks in advance for all your suggestions. Based on what I have heard from this board, I am really looking forward to exploring la Habana. Of course, I will report back on my experiences as soon as I return.
Mambomn
Hey Guys -
I've traveled all over Central America, Dominican Republic and hae always used my Wells Fargo Debit Card, Master Card, and Visa. I'm headed to Cuba this summer and have heard that U.S. cards are not accepted due to the travel ban. Is this true? Can I use my cards?
Thanks
Clodbuster
clod-US cards of anykind don't work, because of the embargo. You could open a Canadian bank account, and withdraw funds with a debit card, or just use US cash. I think travelers checks are problematic as well. thor
Well I'm making my first trip to CUBA on the 21st of May. I booked the flight before coming on this site and reading up on all your posts. I'm regreting this trip already!! Everybody is talking about the girls scene not being any good right now and to be honest, thats the only reason I'm going. I'm 20 years old and speak perfect Spanish, I had heard that speaking Spanish would guarantee me tons of pussy! I was really excited until I read all the recent posts. I was hoping someone who has been there with in the past months can tell me where is the best place right now for girls. I am traveling with a cousin and we plan on renting a car so, I would apreciate directions to the "hot Spos" if they even exsist!!!
Also, do girls get in trouble for simply talking to a tourists??
And is it possible to pick up on girls from their colleges?
Thanks in advance for you help!
bone535@collegeclub.com
Hey there YaYa,
Even if the police crackdown got worse than it is now you will still be able to get all the pussy you can handle. You must realize that the reports you are reading are from guys who have been going to Cuba for years and it has changed in the last years, a lot. With all that said let me re-state that if you stay in Havana you will see, and sample many chicas. Your spanish will make a huge difference for you, as you can talk details, and chicas will trust you more.
I will be there April 1st if you want to talk over a beer or some lunch.
Let me know.
Thanks for the motivating reply!!! Unfortunately I will only be staying in Cuba until the 29th of March. If you’re there at the time I would love to meet up somewhere so you can share your knowledge on the whole Cubana scene with me.
What city do you usually visit?
Where is it better for girls?
Thanks Again.
I promise to bring back pictures and video of my adventures over there to share with you all!!!
last 4 trips to Cuba I got sick with a virus/bacteria infection starting with a sore throat. I probably got it from the girl I was with. Had to take antibiotics when I got home.
Wondering if anyone else has had this experience.
Maybe its from the ice cubes, brushing teeth, etc.
Hey npaul,
What kind of anti biotics did they give you for your sore throat?
Hi there NPAUL,
Nope never got URI while I was there in Cuba, but new flora and fauna will require you immune system to have to adapt.
Ya Ya;
I'll be on la Isla before the 1st so unless you are planning to visit la Isla we'll miss eachother. Maybe another time.
In8
Frequent Cuba travelers,
When flying to Mexico from CUBA are they really strict with the amount of stuff you bring from CUBA (t-shirts, posters, CIGARS ETC)? I'm from the US but will be flying into Mexico from CUBA and driving back through the border but I need to know whether customs at the Mexican Airport are strict on all the souveniers from CUBA. Thnx!!
Maybe Mister NYC should better learn the facts.
All Cuba travellers going thru Mexico, or coming to are specifically asked if they are bringing cigars.
You are allowed TWO BOXES only!
if you say yes, they will take your boxes and then hand deliver them back to you when you board your flight leaving Mexico (for those transit passengers)
If you managed to bring back a full suitcase you got lucky.
But know the law.
I have been in Havana 3 times for last year.
I have very good friend there
He usually rent a private car from his friends and drive me everywhere.
For half price of the government rental car I had car+
personal driver and personal guide.
Although he is religious he don’t mind
help me to hunting for the girls. He know good places where
to pick up pros and non-pros. He talk to girl and
after that can tell you how much you can trust this girl.
He also helpful and could be trustful practically in everything.
Finding casa particular, checking if cigars you buying is good quality or not,
driving you to beaches, finding good and chip restaurant.
Even in organizing the small business if you wish.
If you need details: [email]vmist10@yahoo.ca[/email]
Hola Cubaphiles!
I have only posted once here a few months ago about my last trip to Cuba in October of 2002. Now I need some help/advice.
I'm planning to return in April, but I am very concerned about travelling due to the Bush crackdown as well as the impending war with iraq. I used to go through Mexico City, and last time I actually went "legally" from Miami with a bought license, but that trip is a bit more expensive.
Can anyone tell me how safe it is to travel now without getting busted? Should I just buck up and pay the extra for legal travel?
Any favorite routes/methods of getting there? I'm in San Francisco, California.
One more question. Is there any truth to the rumor that it is now illegal for Cubans to stay in a casa with foreigners unless they are married?
Thanks in advance, brothers, for your input. I'll be sure to give a good post upon my return.
In8 and Ya Ya
I too was getting put off by the reports I have been reading. It has been an ambition of mine to go to Cuba for some time. I was concerned about the decreasing amount of "entertainment" and was about to choose another destination or to go back to Brazil or Argentina. How does Cuba compare to South America ?
Should I not cross Cuba off my list ?
Cheers.
Hey, Jack D,
If I were you I'd stick to South America or Costa Rica. The action in Cuba is near dead and hardly worth all the hassle with the police. It's gotten worse month by month. I've been there 8 times, and im only going back to see a girlfriend, and even that will be a hassle. As for hobbying, there are a lot better places to go right now.
BTW, I would still appreciate if anyone could give me some advice about travelling there now (see my post below)
Thanks!
Well I'll give you more than advice, I'll put my money where my mouth is. I am gone in three days...Cuba-bound. Police crackdown in full effect, I still say that there are no other places like Cuba for GFE. My last trip was in December.
I have one favorite Cubana that I'll visit, but I plan to tear up La Isla four days before settling into Havana. Haven't been there (La Isla) yet, but I hear that no police pressure there, or at least comparatively little pressure anyway. We'll see, and the worst is that I stay with my favorite Cubanita all week and fuck like crazy. This girl gets me off four times a day, and it's like the first time every time. Only in CUBA.
Report when I return.
Not sure about places in S.A. other than Cali Colombia. I was there in Oct 1999.
Colombia vs. Cuba???
Cuba wins, hands down, and definately the better of the two. I would not visit Costa Rica as it is over utilized by tourists.
I hear D.R. is good, just not as good as Cuba. my $.02
In8
On site report.
I am just back - spent a long week-end - Thursday to Tuesday.
Things are pretty depressed.
Still some good action is available if you have good contacts.
People are VERY worried.
In 8 years of travel to Cuba I never saw the Cuban like this.
It geting very hard to find a Casa that will accept guest.
The bad thing is that they will not tell you up-front.
They will wait until you bring company to advise you.
This happend to a couple of guys I met on this trip.
Cienfuegos area is now a place where its almost impossible to bring back guests.
I met an Italian who spent 6 week and he told me Camaguay and Trinidad are like that also.
One of my friend who came back yesterday from Santiago told me he had to find a house outside of the city because people are so afraid.
After Cienfuegos, I headed for Havana.
I was lucky to have an open minded casa owner.
These are difficult times.
I even saw police operativos, where they stoping rented cars with Cubans on board.
Over the years, I have learn that after a few weeks it will relax again. Hope it will be soon.
This was certainly the worst trip in many years.
Lets there reports roll in so we may know when it will go back as it was.
Caliente
hola, cubaphiles!
I am going to be in Havana from April 18 to the 25 and I need a casa particular in Vedado where i can stay with my cuban girlfriend. I hear that the authorities aren't permitting that anymore in many places, but I'm not sure about Havana.
I would greatly appreciate any info and/or recommendations, and will give a full report when I return.
Thanks!!!
docbill449,
I used http://cubabudgettravel.com/ many times in Havana.
I was always satisfied with their services.
They charge the street prices and are reliable.
Regards
Caliente
docbill449 - try Marta Vitorte. Beautiful, spacious 4 bedroom apartment for $35 per night per bedroom. All have private baths. Shared living, dining rooms and full kitchen. Large balcony on 14 fl of highrise overlooking Vedado and the city/ocean. On Ave de los Presidentes. Very secure. Marta speaks fluent English. She can be reached at 53-7-32-64-75 or e-mail at [email]martavitorte@hotmail.com[/email]. I've stayed there for the last seven years. Very chica friendly. She has an enclosed garage or can set you up with a driver if you need one.
Thank you so much guys! I will check out your recommendations and report upon return.
Many thanks!!!
I went to Cuba for the first time during the Spring Break. I am going to share my experience in the next few days.
I speak no Spanish at all. Only know a few words. It was a great experience. I don’t know what Cuba likes before. It was great for me. There are many cops on the street. But, it did not slow me down. I only wish I could speak Spanish. I am sure that I am overpaid and overcharged everywhere I went. I am going to learn Spanish and go back to Cuba again.
I prefer young (18-28) white (or light skin) girls. Your idea of hot chicks may be different than mine. I can easily mix in with the college student, even though I am out of school for years. Keep this in mind when you read my Cuba adventure.
I spent a few days in Havana and a few days in Isla de la Juventud. My experience in the Isla de la Juventud will be in Other Areas section.
I flied to Cuba through Cancun, so I can easily mix in the Spring Breaker crowd when I came back to US.
Havana Airport:
When I was at Havana airport, I was asked where I would stay. I showed my casa particular address. No problem there. I got a taxi for Vedado for $15.
My Casa Particular:
It was $30 per day, with its bathroom and entrance. The air condition is very noisy. Since this was in Cuba, I did not complain. It would be hard for me to find another Casa with my language problem. The owner speaks English. He did not ask for my passport or ID. I did not discuss with the owner if I can bring Cuba guests to my room. I just did it. No sure if owner knew or not.
Private Driver:
When I arrived at my Casa, I asked owner to find me a driver. What a mistake. He found a driver who doesn’t speak English. I should reject the guys right away, but I was nice to keep him. It costs me $35 per day. I only kept him for two days. It was not worth it. He took me to all of tourist traps and I spent more money than I should.
First of all, he took me a restaurant. This place is weird. It is in a residential area. There is a small sign indicating it is a commercial place. I forgot the name of the place. You have to buzz to get in. There are only 3 tables. The food is expensive for Cuba standard. It costs me over $30 for 2 persons. When we were ready to leave, the driver went to the kitchen to get his kickback. This was not cool at all. I should fire him.
Anyway, somehow I let the driver know I was looking for girls for the night. He drove around and found 3 girls he knew. I sat in the car and girls coming over to shake my hands. I let the driver know that I do like one of girls. So, two girls (one was for the driver) hopped in the car and we were on our way to Marina Hemingway. It was about 11:30PM. I saw many hot chicks on the street to wait for people to pick them up when we were on our way to Marina Hemingway. I wish I could speak Spanish to ask to the driver to pick up some more girls.
We arrived at Marina Hemingway and I paid $10 per person for all you can drink. This is a government owned place. So, my driver did not get his kickback here. The chick I picked was pretty hot. At least C or D cup. She is 24 and a student. When she saw me to look at her chest, she would shake them. I could not wait to get my mouth on these puppies. However, when I danced with her, I was disappointed. Her skin was very rough. A big turn-off (I am picky). She was a 9 when I just met her. She was a 6 after the dance.
When I was at Marina Hemingway, there were quite few girls eyeing at me. About 1:30AM, I was ready to go home. In the car, with hand and a few words, we started to negotiate a price. She wanted $100, I said no, She then said $60 and mentioned she has a baby. Another major turn-off for me. I reply with $40. She was a bit pissed and insisted on $60. That’s fine with me. I told the driver to drop them off and went home to sleep. Got to teach these girls a lesson.
The next day, the driver continued to rip me off. Took me a comedy club (I did not understand a word they said) and took commission on the drinks. At 12PM, I asked the driver take me home and told him the service was not needed anymore. By this time, I already knew my way around Havana.
Foods:
The Cuba foods are very bad. Even I paid for the tourist price, I did not get any decent food. The first of things I did when I came back was getting some decent steak at Ruth’s Chris Steak house.
Eventually, I set for the fried chick ($1 a piece) and pizza ($1.20) everyday at El Rapido (Linea street between L and M street at Vedado). This joint is for Cuba and there are very few tourists there. A bottle of water is $0.40. Other Tourist places will charge a dollar for a bottle of water.
how i got laid without speaking any spanish:
i was cruising on the 23 street near hotel nacional(la rampa). met a cuba guy who speaks excellent english. he was one of these street hustlers. what sets him apart with others is that he is very smart. anyway. i brought him a few drinks and became friend with him and other street hustlers in that area for the next few days. i told them what kind of girls i like or i pointed to them the girls i saw on the street. they would talk to the girl and negotiate. i paid $50 for girls. one of girls i paid only $30 (i was running low on the cash). these guys would escort the girl to my casa particular to avoid trouble from the police. for their service, i will give them $10 or buy drinks. i think it is great deal for me. i select the girls i like and they will do all of works for me.
there were two tall hot blondes (absolute 9) i saw on the 23 street on the friday night. i immediately asked if they were available. when the cuban confirmed they were working girls and i could probably get them for $30 each if he negotiate. according to the cuban, these two girls cannot talk but their hearings are fine. that’s perfect for me since i speak no spanish. i sent my guy to negotiate with their pimp (a medium height skinny black guy). however, i was late. apparently, other tourists already entered negotiation stage with the pimp. i wanted to do these two girls very bad. had anyone on this board encounter these two blondes with speech disability? i would love to know how they were in the bed.
the cuban’s name is freyred. he is white, 22 years old and about 5’5’’. his phone number is 053-07-530598. he speaks about 5 languages. you should be about to reach him in the morning. in the afternoon, he is taking computer class. anything you need, he can get for you(a driver, casa particular or girls). around 9pm, he always hung out around the cafeteria sofia (on the 23 street near hotel nacional, next to the jazz club) with several black guys. he knows all of cops in that area. at night, there is a white guy wearing a strange hat to direct car parking on that street (he pays cuban government tax). you can ask him where freyred is. he should be able to tell you. i think the guy can provide a valuable service to tourist. however, you should state clearly what you are willing to spend to avoid hassle later on.
i did see freyred helping 2 americans (both wearing reddish shirts) to get casa particular and girls the last night i was in havana. i saw freyred getting a private car with these 2 americans (he told me they are american). it was getting later. i did not stick around for the scope. if you guys with reddish shirts are on this board, let heard your experience with freyred.
Meet normal Cuba girls
It is possible to meet normal Cuba girls anywhere. One place not mentioned on this board is the Saturday night concert. Every Saturday night, there is a free concert right in front of American Interesting Building at Vedado. The location of concert is not coincident. There are plenty of political messages in this concert. It starts 7-8PM and ends around 11PM. Cuban government uses bus to load university students to attend this concert. When I was there, there are plenty girls making eye contact with me the tourist. Too bad I don’t speak Spanish.
Senior Citizen Needs Your Advice
Although I like variety, I think that I will be looking for a steady novia (girlfriend) when I travel to Havana next month. I am not looking for 24x7 together-ness, but I would like to fall asleep every night and wake up every morning with an affectionate cicha in my arms.
Where I need you advice is that, believe it or not, I don't want someone too young. I fear that someone too young will just be bored to death with me. I am not about to go out dancing until 4 o'clock in the morning every night. If fact, not even one night! Not even to 1 o'clock in the morning! My ideal evening would be dinner, and then some easy jazz played at a volume which does not hinder conversation, and then between the sheets and between her legs no later than midnight.
The idea is not to find a girl who can put up with my ideal evening, but to find one which wouldn't mind or might even enjoy such an evening.
I am guessing that a young girl found at one of the disco type places would not be what I am looking for. (Not to mention the fact that I'd probably feel really out of place in such a place.)
So ... any advice on where I can find a girl who I won't bore to death? Needless to say I am not looking for an abuela (grandmother). But 27 or 28 would be just fine.
Thanks, Bob
Bob,
Give Freyred a call. He is white, 22 years old and about 5’5’’. His phone number is 053-07-530598. Tell him exactly you wrote on this board. He can introduce ladies to you if you don't know anyone in Havana.
For some reason, I dragged my sad donkey butt down to Havana Cuba. Not a great place to be unhappy. One fine day I was walking into a shop in Viejo (old town) and spotted a tall, slender, dark-skinned woman who slowed at my advance. I followed her in, exited behind her and did a triple-take. She was ravishing. I quickly snapped her photo walked off into a crowd, when she began to question me in Spanish.
My Spanish is not as good as you might expect, actually it is not
good at all. It was unclear to me if she was asking what I did,
if she was threatening to turn me in to the authorities, or if she
was propositioning me. As it turned out, I think that all three were
going on, but the outcome was surprisingly pleasant.
She suggested that we take a tour of the Capitol. We wandered around and I listened to her describe things in ways that I did not understand. I found out her name was "Marilyn" and she told me her last name was not "Monroe." Of course, the trip had been filled with JFK references, and I did not need one more. After the better part of an hour was spent trying to understand the Cuban experiments with US-style democracy, and why they failed, we went to the outdoor restaurant. I bought her lunch and some sodas, took out my notepad and Spanish-English dictionary, and exchanged notes. This turned out to be the best way to communicate. The obvious downside was that our communications could be intercepted and used as evidence, so we destroyed them almost as soon as we made them.
I told her that she was 'muy linda.' We continued to flirt and seduce one another as the day warmed and ripened.
She asked how much i wanted to pay,
and put lines next to the following:
____$20
____$30
____$40
____$50
____$??
Not wanting to be either stingy or extravagant, I checked the $40.
she wrote "OK" next to it without hesitation, then grabbed the note and tore it. After finishing our sodas, we went down several grand flights of stairs and back into Viejo.
Through the streets she went, looking for a friend who had a 'casa particular' that was available. We were together, yet apart, constantly looking toward one another and ignoring one another in case the authorities questioned. Eventually, she found one in Pobre Peña, that added another $20 for an hour alone.
After going into the wrong building, she whistled me out, and put me in the right one. Then we paid the $20 for the room, $1 for the 'preservativo' (condom) and went upstairs, where I gave her US$40 and she gave me a sweaty, nasty good time.
We spun out on the street, and she helped to guide me back to the bus.
¡Cuba Libre!
[QUOTE]Originally posted by AllIWantisLove
[i]Senior Citizen Needs Your Advice
My ideal evening would be dinner, and then some easy jazz played at a volume which does not hinder conversation, and then between the sheets and between her legs no later than midnight.
The idea is not to find a girl who can put up with my ideal evening, but to find one which wouldn't mind or might even enjoy such an evening.
[/i][/QUOTE]
Well at least there are nice places for music (Jazz being played live in the Galeria Paseo, topmost floor, right opposite to the Melia Cohiba). If you are more for the slow, intellectual stuff, visit El gato tuerto, downstairs from the Ncional Hotel.
You will find your novia anyway. She will adapt to your needs, rest assured.
How come that more often than not tourists like being a laugh at a loud place where about everybody can see what´s behind the grey haired and the young beauty, trying to make him dance ...
Nevertheless, even whithout grey hair one can easily be spotted and that is distasteful, anyway.
For a good dinner try El Gringo Viejo, the only restaurant (paladar) actually serving interesting food apart from the usual. If she still wants pollo frito, it´s on the menu as well...
Have fun!
snark
Just back from Habana and here's my report as promised.
First of all, ditto to the guy who recommended El Gringo Viejo, that and El Alhibe are my favorite restaurants in Cuba. Excellent food by any standards!
This was my 8th trip to Cuba and I've spent a total of about four months there, both east and west. Since this board is about sex I'll simply invite anyone to contact me if they want general information. Geez, I'm getting recognized by people on the streets already!
Ok, let's talk about sex. If that is the primary purpose of your trip GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. Believe me!, it ain't what it used to be. Yes, there are still girls around, far fewer, way far fewer, but it is such an incredible hassle. Their families, the laws, the police (who are now detaining johns as well as the girls, and they don't care if you consider her your "novia.") no arrests for the guys, though the girls can and do get two years in a rehabilitation camp. This is especially prevalent with interracial couples where the Cuban is mulatta or black. Then there's the getting of rooms, paying people off, blah, blah, blah. I only went because I already have a girlfriend there, so I didn't have to deal with most of that shit.
Also, more and more casa particulares are being prohibited from allowing chicas in the casa, at all! We had to look for several days before we could find one. The casa's get punished by forced closure.
So, as I said, there are many reasons to see Cuba, and I highly recommend it for learning, experience and vacation, but definitely not for mongering unless you have no choice, the money you THINK you're saving is well offset by the hassle and risk.
Peace
DocBill is right!
I have been in Havana few weeks ago, and this is defenetly not the first place of choice, if sex is what you have in mind.
Girls are around, no problem; You can get girls in the street, in bars, in cafes, anywhere, but they are all hard pros, and those you can find in any other place.
It seems that the GFE type and novias all around days are gone, or at least in deep suspension.
I had no problem though, to bring chicas to my casa, as I had a separate entrance with my own key, and ususally brought the girls late at night when the casa owner was a sleep. You just need to find such a casa and then no problem to bring over chicas.
I had good time in Cuba. But if sex is the purpose of your trip go elsewhere. Brazil and Colmobia in LA are much better, so are Thiland and the Philipns in Asia and Germany (Best FKK clubs in the world!) and east Europe.
Adios!
Havana is not the place it used to be. Nightlife has diminished to the point that there is less going on than in a typical European city. Most of the discotheques outside tourist hotels have been closed. The only exception I know of is the Rosalia de Castro.
The bars are also being attacked and many formerly lively places are almost empty. There are a few foreign males wondering where the girls have gone !
Girls are still allowed in your room in Havana, but it is now very hard to find a nice girl. Most seem to be hardnosed professionals who will ask for $50-100 and not be worth $10.
Police are now fully prepared to hassle girls who are with tourists on the street, often just whisking them off to the police station. This is even happening to tourists who have long term girlfriends, unconnected with prostitution.
Have some questions on Cuba.
1. Is it true that Cuban girls are very hairy and do not shave? Who of them are the hairiest: black, mulatto, creol?
2. What are the places in Havana where mainly black girls go?
3. Is 1830 still open? If yes, what is the current situation there?
4. Has anyone stayed at Villa los Pinos (circa Santa Maria del Mar)? Is it possible to bring in girls there (with a bribe to security etc)?
Thanks in advance for any info available.
Yep, all of Cuba girls I encountered are hairy by US standard. One light-skin Mulatto are less hairy. All of others are white.
Just got back from a two-week trip in Cuba. I spent the first week in Nueva Gerona on Isla Juventud and the second week in La Habana.
Nueva Gerona is like an armed camp. Since the two highjackings there, the military and police are all over the place. The repression is in full force. You cannot be seen on the street with a chica unless in a large group either day or night. Cabs must be taken everywhere. At the disco, police watch your every move both inside and outside.
Fortunately, I had a girlfriend cultivated from my last visit in January when things were much more laid back. I had the whole second floor of my casa particular and hosted several private parties there. I also went to the Hotel Gaviota pool where things were OK.
Havana was the opposite. Since the arrest of the dissidents, the police now feel that all is under control and there were very few police on the street. We still took cabs at night, but were unmolested. A friend who came along has a girlfriend in Havana. He purchased one of the $100 letters from the Cuban Department of Justice (is that an oxymoron!) and the few times he was challenged walking with his chica, the cops backed off after seeing the letter. I had taken my Isla chica to Havana, but she was terrified to go out much. We did go to dinner most nights and a few nightclubs. She got in some shopping.
However, the government has cancelled the annual festival normally held around this time of year. They’re afraid of too many drunken Cubans assembling on the street.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to check out Johnny’s (Rio), Rodeo or any of the usual haunts for working girls.
The Cubans as a whole seem more depressed than I have ever seen them in the last eight years. There was very little tourism.
Hello all,
Since I'm so grateful to all of you for all the info that I've been able to obtain here, I felt that the least I can do is write a report on my last trip to Cuba (Habana), the last week of May 2003. I know it's been a long time, but I hadn't had time.
Overall, I concur with many of the other members, these days Cuba, at least Habana, is too much of a hassle and the girls are all about money. They all ask for ridiculous amounts (70 to 80 dollars at least, for a 2 hour session), and the service they give, is not the best, let's just call it that.
I'm not saying that you can't have a good experience, but the prevailing attitude, so to speak, makes you feel unconfortable.
So, let's get to the point. I found my girls at the hotel where I stayed. I had to stay there, since I was there on business and the company was paying for it, not because I did not know about the casas particulares.
1.- Hotel Copacabana (Miramar, just by the side of the Ocean). If you get to the lobby / bar at, say around 8 PM, you'll find several lonely girls, some good looking ( 7s 8s), some others not so good looking. They'll always ask for 2 or 3 drinks, and then they'll ask you to go to their "casa", for which they'll try to charge 30 USD, just for 2 hours! plus 50 to 60 USD as a service charge. Of course this is a rip-off, and you'd have to be stupid to accept, so you can negociate, and get them to charge 50 - 60 for the whole deal.
Beware of two girls:
Lidmay and Flora:
I did Lidmay, cause she's a good looking 21 year old brunette, nice ass, little but nice tits. On the other hand, Flora is fat, brown hair, round face and looks like she is in her late 20s, not very attractive. They wanted me to do them both, but Flora being so unattractive I decided to do Lidmay. Her fat friend just wouldn't leave us alone when we were trying to do our thing, she was a real pain in the ass. Tried to send her packing but she decided to stay anyway. When I was done, they tried to charge me twice the amount we had agreed on. I said "no fuckin way, I only did one of them, if the other one stayed it was because she wanted to." They didn't get off my case till I got in a cab and left them yelling at me.
It doesn't end there. Everytime I got out of my room I would find them there, waiting for me, and they would want me to buy them lunch, give them money, buy them things. They wouldn't let me go looking for other girls. In the end I just had to be rude to them and tell them to fuck off or I would call the police.
2.- "La Maison" There's a show there every night (stand up comedians and shit), and at the bar you can find many lonely ladies looking for action. I had a couple of girls from that joint, same price as before.
I have to go now.
(To be continued)
Earlier on, there was action of SWs off Quinta av. Last time I was there: nothing except a girl challenged in the tooth-section, that was really pityful, yet I refrained from accepting her offer. Some Transvestites, which I left out, of course. What about today?
.snark
It is nice to see a recent report. I will be going in August. So I am eager to read the rest of your report. Alexdude keep up the details, they are appreciated.
Ok, here we go again (this is the continuation of my previous post)......
Where was I? oh... yes, "La Maison". This is a bar where you can have a beer, and see the show (not very amusing, since it's all local Cuban jokes, hard to understand to anyone but Cubans). There are many good looking ladies, but on Saturdays you need to arrive early, or you'll never get a table, cause the place will be packed. It's always convenient to have a table, because it's easier to invite a lady to have a beer with you, or a drink, and they somehow seem to be more interested in men sitting down, rather than the ones at the bar. Many of the best looking working girls seem to hit that bar at night, say around 10 PM, (I noticed a couple that during the day used to hang out at my hotel's pool. Yes, they give the doorman a tip to let them work, and pay the fee to eat lunch and the right to use the pool, although it's almost impossible to take one of them to your room for the reasons already discussed in the forum). One more thing, at "La Maison", you have to be a really good negotiatior or they will, and I mean they will rip you off. Many of the good looking girls (8s, 9s) will ask for 100 USD. There is where your bargaining skills have to kick in. Buy them a shot of rum, if they're having a beer, start flattering her, tell her that you're not rich but like her so much, and how she's worth much more than that , but you don't have that kind of money on you, bla bla bla. For me it worked 80 % of the time, and I was able to have the girl for say 45-50 bucks plus the "casa" fee (never pay more than 15 bucks for this). If everything works, you can bang a great looking woman for two or three hours for 60-70 USD.
3.- There's also the "restaurant" or "cafeteria" action. If the locals see that you're a lonely foreigner having dinner, they will almost certainly approach you (men or women, men offering to introduce you to a female "friend" interested in meeting extranjeros, or the women themselves asking you to buy them something). This works too, and is a lot cheaper. One night I was having a beer and a pizza in a cafeteria right around the corner from the National Aquarium, (the place where you can see the dolphins), I don't remember the name, but it's a small place, the kind that has the chairs and tables bolted to the floor, not very expensive, out in the open air. Well, that night, this dude approached me, and asked if I was interested in " female company". I said yes, we had a few cold ones, and took off with one of his friends in an old Russian car. Then we arrived at his amiga's place, bought like 30 beers and started drinking (the 3 of us, in her house). We talked for a while (I'm fluent in Spanish). This girl was good looking, in her late 20's, great ass, blond hair, nice tits, tanned skin. When we were done drinking, she asked if I wanted to come with to her room, to watch TV. She said that after that, she expected a "regalito" (little present), a perfume, t-shirt, tennis shoes, or money, but she never mentioned a price. So, we did our thing in her room, and she was pretty good. The BBBJ was excellent, not rushed at all, she let me play with her all I wanted (put my dick between her tits while sucking it). We did doggie style, she rode me like a cowgirl and asked me to go down on her. She seemed to be enjoying it, and so was I! I used the 3 condoms I was carrying in my wallet cause we did it another 2 times. It was unbelievable, really. I gave her 50 bucks when we were done. After that , they called me a cab and I went to sleep to my hotel.
This happened on my last day in Cuba. It made the whole experience worthwhile. Had it not been for this, it wouldn't have been so nice. The weird thing is that it happened when I wasn't looking for it, I was just having my beer and pizza.
In conclusion, you can still have fun in Cuba, but you need to know where to look and have a bit of luck, because the police is such a pain in the ass, and most of the girls are money-oriented plus they want to rip you off. So I guess this time I just got lucky, considering this was my first trip to Cuba.
In this trip, I also went to Costa Rica. Hopefully I'll post the report soon in the Costa Rica forum.
Have fun and avoid rip offs.
Thanks for the really great reports on La Habana alexdude!
So what's your conclusion now: Don't go to Cuba for mongering purposes or just forget certain places in the capital?
You said you would leave for Costa Rica. I personally don't like the szene in San Jose too much but tastes differ I guess, reading the posts on the CR/SJO board...
What do you think: How does CR compare to Cuba?
Hey Charly and all of of you guys interested in Cuba,
To answer to your questions,
You can still have a good time in Cuba, but as you said, there are certain places to forget if you're looking for the GFE. The big, well known places, like discos and places like la maison, are full of girls who want to rip you off (who are well aware of the fact that you're a foreigner and that your wallet contains greenbacks). It can still be good (if you don't overpay and follow some of the general guidelines that in my humble opinion work), but will be strictly business (unless the girls actually likes you for some reason). But there's also the downside of having to deal with the police.
So, having that in mind I can answer your second question, how does CR compare? Well, you can also find good quality there, get a good deal, and do it freely (the girl can come with you to your hotel, you can be in out in the street with her no problem no one gets jailed !.... etc.). So, if you are more of a negotiatior and an experienced or not so experienced monger, shoot for Costa Rica!
On the other hand, if you speak at least some Spanish, and are looking for more personal treatment (plus you're willing to go through all the hassle, spend more time looking for the GFE), then Cuba is still an option, and you can have unbelievable experiences (like the one I told you about, I still can't believe it myself).
You also have to consider that going to Cuba is a whole new experience all by itself (whole different world), it can be interesting from the tourist's point of view, and it can be very annoying at the same time (you realize that Cubans are not free, you see all the hardship that they have to go through, and you can't use your credit cards! Don't bother to leave home with your Amex card, or with any card issued by an American bank, won't work so bring lots of cash or another non American card).
To wrap this up: Cuba's appeal as a sexual destination is disappearing, although being smart and with a bit of luck you might still find something really unique. If you just want to spend money and get laid, go somewhere else, Cuba won't be worth all the trouble.
Hope this helps.
All,
I see prices quoted in the last postings that are way too high and are surely going to raise the price-level for next mongers to come.
Just for comparison, I had one nice girl for a night in Santiago. We never talked about money and I just gave her 10 US$ + shampoo in the morning. I admit I had some remorse afterward and I think I should have given her 20$.
Just keep in mind that the average wage is about 223 pesos (US$10) per month, which includes teachers, engineers and carpenters. Doctors are slightly higher at US$15.
Cheers,
Latrell
Latrell,
Well, when did you last go? I have news for you: Price levels have ALREADY been raised. I agree with what you say about wages, but these girls seem to have noticed that they can charge what has been discussed. Believe me, I tried to negotiatie, and at least in Havana, there was no way they would do it for 10 + shampoo! At least not at the places I visited.
But maybe you got lucky and this girl you talk about wasn't a pro, and that is entirely possible like I've repeatedly pointed out. And there, it is 100 % up to you what you give the girl. From my personal point of view, I would have felt misserable if I had given the girl I told you about 10 bucks (and like you say, we never discussed price, and she never rushed me, could have stayed with her longer). But again, this is my personal opinion (I think she earned her 50 bucks, plus I took into account that these people are really poor and don't have many choices to make money, plus I was really grateful and happy).
[size=-2][u]EDITOR's NOTE[/u]: [blue]Posting of this report was delayed pending revisions for capitalization and punctuation. To avoid future delays, please refrain from using the "chat room" style of writing with no caps or punctuation. [i]Thanks![/i][/blue][/size]
I just want to totally concur with alexdude's assessment of the situation in Cuba and comparitively with Costa Rica. A couple of years ago I would've gone to Cuba hands down, but now there is no comparison, I would easily choose Costa Rica for mongering. The only advantage Cuba ever had was price, and as some have indicated that is going up. Add to that all the hassle and bs (see my post below) and this is not a difficult decision. The glory days of mongering in Cuba are over. Yes, you can and will have adventure there, but strictly speaking of sex it ain't happening any more.
@alexdude
I was in Santiago in January 2003 and the girl was a non-pro (I think). I must recognise I paid 25$ in Havanna for a girl from the "Emperador" bar (in Vedado) but that was the most expensive I ever paid in Cuba. The havanna pros are definetily good at bargaining but that does not mean you should accept their prices.
My feeling is that 50$ is way too high anyway. If the girl was a pro, the pimp got most of it anyway and probably had a good time with the money in some disco with his friends... They will try probably to get 70$ out of the next "Yuma" (Stranger) the next time....
cheers,
Latrell
Made it back from my first trip to Havana. There is nothing like Cuba in this part of the world! I had no reservations for flights from Cancun to Havana or for a place to stay before I left. No problems, I wrote down on the immigration form that I was staying at the National. Once in the cab, I asked the driver to find me a casa - which he did. I went by myself and I do not speak spanish.
Within three hours of being in Havana, a guy whom I was talking to for about 15 minutes was taken away by the police. When the officer asked for my papers and I told him I forgot my passport in my casa, he didn't make a big deal out of it, he just escorted this guy to a car with three other cops, two of which got in the car with him and drove away.
Things are exactly the way people on this board have described the situation in Havana.
I did have a great time - although I ran out of money. Five days before my return flight to Cancun, I realized I was VERY low on funds. Too many ladies, too many dinner guests at the resturant, and too many "drinks on me" at the bars really took it's toll. Prices for the girls was always $70 a night. I knew there was no way to have money wired to be, like Western Union or using an ATM, so I told my "live-in" girlfriend that I would be leaving the next day to come home - no money. She suggested that I have the money wired Western Union to her, and that way it would work - So, I get my hopes up that I'll be able to get some more money and I can stay longer. I email my brother in the States and tell him what to send the money and email a conformation number back to me. Of course it didn't work. The only way to send money to Cuba from the States is to the military on Guan. Bay. After reading his email, I head back to my casa, pack my stuff up within a few mintutes - taxi is waiting for me - I ask the landlord for the $ back for the days I had already paid for, and leave for the airport. I didn't realize just how close I came to getting myself in a VERY ugly mess! When all was said and done, I left Cuba with only a few dollars! I had just enough money to pay for the taxi, the 25$ depature fee, and the $25 fee to Areocarib for leaving a few days early.
Although I have many funny stories about my adventure, there is really nothing I can contribute to the board as far as any new info.
Thanks for all the replies to my questions I had before I left. Now, if I would just have followed all the great advice on the board my trip would have been all that more enjoyable.
Chris
Report from Havanna
goodness gracious, what are people doing wrong in Havanna? This place is buzzing with all the action you want right now.
If you don´t get laid right in your first night, it´s only because you´re pissed with too many mojitos.
Actually, nobody can walk for more than a few steps without getting "the eye" or something more substantial in terms of offers right now.
Pick up the "autostop" girls on 5ta avenida or just walk the Malecon will get you the most beautiful chicas you can imagine - as long as you´re not looking for blonde, white Farrah Fawcett Majors type girls (I never got the hang of it anyway, white american beauty fails me totally).
I had the most rewarding GFE there ever, and I travel frequently to the place. Cost me nothing apart from inviting her and her family to my casa, where I cooked oriental-style cuisine with flavours they´ve never experienced before (brought the stuff from home, and used imported beef/pork for the barbecue from the mercados diplomaticos).
In turn I was rewarded with flavours of the most beautiful, tight pussy you can lay hand (or anything else) on.
My advice is: get a car in the airport (and a good map) and be free to savour on the beauties. Sit in any of the national diners (pollo, pollo, pollo...) and pick the nicest lady to accompany you. Don´t be shy, lots of them aren´t either.
Still the love-life of cubans, and the mulatas and african-cubans in particular is really more relaxed than ours.
If you´re with a non-pro, a bbbj is something special and can´t be automatically expected. But with luck, some spanish (get the "hot spanish" phrase-book, if you can find it or bl**dy well learn the d*rn language) you´ll end up with the best sex you had for years. It´s so wonderful to hear and understand the words "te quiero", "quisiera sentirte como h()mbre ahora", "damelo duro". If I recall them right from the memory. I actually was concentrating on other things than language at the moment.
But hey, if you do it like I did (met this girl in an internet partnersearch-site), you might ending up married to her.
We had a lot of encounters and something happened to me I hadn´t known for 20 years: 4 to 6 hours of uninterrupted pleasure with few pauses and her having at least two (real, I swear) orgasms every night. Several were fake for my pleasure, I don´t mind.
She wanted to watch TV in my room (she said) and there was nothing else than a bed to make oneself comfortable on. Guess what....
BTW:
Why do women watch porn films right to the end? They wanna know if the girls going to be married to the guy in the end....
yours truly.
Well It's time for another little trip to Havana, leaving the 23rd through Veradero. We always are met by our local buddy/driver and we stay at the same private 2bedroom apt for the week in Centro Habana at the Super Cake. No Family hassles, secure, no bribing sec guards, etc what a pain that must be. In Feb when we last went the Johny was already dead. There was plenty of action to be found at the Society of Rosalia de Castro, Hit the disco or just have a sandwich upstairs at the bar. Still plenty of street action, but the real beauties are running scared in the daylight. As always in such situations its always hit or miss, sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you can't find anything. Try the Casa de la Musica at night, or simply strike up a conversation with some gentleman who speaks english at one of the Malecon bars and let him do the work. If you want nice girls you are going to need a guide. Simply allow one to find you, walk the streets near the National, or over near the Hotel Habana Libre, or in Old Havana, be dicreet and find a guide for a couple of days. Be selective, you don't want some young punk. Most can save you days off your trip and hours of worry as to where to party and where to go. If your in a group get a driver for the week and save a fortune on taxis or a rental car. On our first trip we found a spanish classy looking gentleman who spoke some english and he found us our casa, driver friend with whom we still meet every trip. A guide will know tons of girls, dozens, hundreds, simply tell them your looking for a nice novia for the week and take a drive. Before you know it you'll be whistling at some girls door or picking one off the street. Don't let anyone push you around, stay away from the hard pros at the bar if you can, an average girl will be happy with a much smaller present a night as they haven't paid ten bucks to get in a bar, taxis, bribes bouncers, cops, they won't be sporting a cell phone, and they won't have the dirty little tricks.
The odds of meeting such a girl on your own is slim, unless you speak some spanish and get lucky. I've never had any luck on the Malecon at all at any time, nor on the prada, La Maison is full of Cubans having fun just like any 10 dollar all you can haul place, good luck finding girls there as they don't go there as there aren't any tourists, the swimming at night is nice though and its a good place to take your novia. If you want to high roll, hit the big Cabaret on the weekend and wait till the disco after, you'll see the hotties then, or hit the house of fashion and find a model after the show. Just wait outside right after the fashion show. I don't know if club impanema is still open, and there is a disco in the hotel accross from the Wakamba restaurant I'm not sure what nights. There is always lots to do in Havana, there is a lot less action now but you would have to be broken not to get laid twice or three times a day. It'll take 6 trips just to do everything once. Its important to be discreet, a car and driver really saves time and money let me tell you, and helps with transporting the ladies and yourselves. It will only take one three taxi trip around looking for an open club on a weeknight to see the value of your own driver. If your gonna pay a couple of grand on a trip whats an extra hundred for a driver/guide to make your trip a ten. Always ask to see ID, If she doesn't have one shes under 16 and your placing your freedom in her hands. Don't do drugs you'd have to be crazy, might as well play russian roulette. Any smart girl you meet will simply follow you back to your casa on the other side of the street or in a taxi or a block behind, get used to it its the way of life in Cuba. But if this is all to much hassle by all means go to Costa Rica or Brazil, more fun for me. I'll report back when I get back.
Just one more comment on immigration/import:
If you intend to bring one of the most wanted articles in Cuba to your GF, don´t bother. VCR sets are forbidden to take into the country. In the webpage of the aduana it says the regulation only applies to VCRs from USA or travellers coming in from the USA, but this is definitely not true: coming oin from Mexico, non-american passport, VCR produced in Corea got me a to be called violador and, of course the VCR being taken away.
Bet on it, it´s going to be sold on the street for at least 200 US$. Cost me in Walmart, D.F. well under 100 US$. Anyway, the laptop I brought for my sweetheart waqs not criticised, even while I was carrying another laptop for my own use.
yours, truly
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
A three part series on my two week trip to Havana
8/5/to 8/15/2003
Part 1# The Good
In my mongering travels to Costa Rica, Mexico and Cuba....the Cuban women were the most beautiful and passionate I have met. Hands down. The countryside is beautiful as well. True enough; the buildings in the city are in desperate repair. The everyday common people were very friendly and deeply sincere. Albeit much panhandling and scamming, but these folks are trying to survive. I imagine anyone with the balls to travel from the US to Cuba has enough street sense to handle this.
Also, thank you to Jackson and WSG as it was the most valuable resource I found. I even cut and pasted my favorite articles from the WSG Cuba site, printed them out and brought them with me. Lastly, if you are thinking about traveling there, the one book I would recommend is "Cuba" by Christopher Baker. Also, the most helpful thing I carried with me while in Cuba was a small spiral notebook and pen. I found myself using this all the time. Plus I wrote many notes. phones numbers, addresses and such.
Mongering
During my 15 day stay I spent intimate time with about 12 chicas. Ages 18 to 23. I am very, very choosy, I scout for 9's and 10's but will settle for an 8. I paid $30 to $40 for one hour get-to-together in my casa. So keep that in mind as you read.
1: Pan De La Paris...this little bakeshop is next to the Hotel Inglaterra and across the street from Parquee Central. I pulled five girls from here. You don't need to know Spanish or have an interpreter. Just USD's and a friendly smile. Just sit at one of the tables on the sidewalk cafe and they will start to walk by giving you the eye.
2: La Rumpa [aka Calle 23] between Presidente Ave and the Malecon. Even if you have a driver, walk this street at night around 11pm to 2am. With a driver I found it difficult to see the girls clearly as the street lights are not very bright. I pulled four girls from here.
3: Calle 5, Miramar: This is the main thoroughfare in Miramar, the most fashionable location in Havana. During the daytime there are many beautiful chicas waiting by the side of the road. They tend to want more money than the locations above. The police seem to have a hands off order regarding Miramar and the chicas. As I saw them standing near police without concern. Don't bother at night as this becomes the transvestite location.
4: The Malecon: I really don't recommend the Malecon, as it is two miles long and most of it is dark at night. Driving by at night it's difficult to ascertain exactly how attractive a woman is. So walking is the best method I found. Too much work for this ******.
5: Les Jardines: A open air bar 2 miles west of Marina Hemingway in Miramar. I was advised to try this by one of Fidel Castro's body guards. A friend of my drivers. One night there were several beautiful young chicas, but the second visit yielded nothing. Worth a try.
Of the women I met, all but two gave me bbbj and two even swallowed. Sometimes I needed to sweeten the pot with another five bucks to help motivate them. I evaluated their performances and the final score was 3x 10's , 3 x 9's , 5 x 8's and 1 x 0. Not bad for twelve chicas.
Scuba Diving
I was so fortunate to have a world class dive master. Alberto Delgado speaks English, is very professional and courteous. He is PATI and IANTO certified. I received my PATI open water certification from him. Only $250. That's a great deal folks. We dove at many different locations around Havana and the outskirts. By the way, if you're American, your certification will read either France or Spain, as to avoid problems. The dives ranged from 50 to 110 feet. The coral, shipwrecks and marine life were excellent. Water clarity was 75 to 150 feet. In comparison, the best I have experienced was the Marietta Islands in Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
I paid my driver $100 extra above the daily rate of $30 to drive me, Alberto and his girlfriend and my driver and his wife to the Bay of Pigs. The Playa Giron site. It's about 300 mile round trip. It was fascinating to see the Cuban country side and meet some of its people. Much more laid back then in the city. I enjoyed the trip, but really, as had been mentioned on this site before, the diving isn't any better than the sites in the Havana area. Alberto's email is aldel78@yahoo.com
The People
It quickly became apparent that the people of Cuba were the most beautiful aspect of my visit. The Cubans are a deeply sincere people and I found myself growing daily in admiration for their quiet, resilient attitude towards a life that is extremely difficult. The gentleman who set me up with my driver was a college professor of Physics at a University. His yearly income was $180. My dive masters' girlfriend is an English teacher at the high school level. Her yearly income was $120. My dive master told me he makes $70 a month. He is considered a very successful Cuban. True, you will meet your fair share of street hustlers and etc., but a "no gracias" generally does the trick.
Part 2# The Bad [but manageable]
The Food
The food is rough. However, having taken many notes from this site and various books I managed ok. I lost 8 pounds during my stay. Also, avoid street food. I got the runs and a five day sore throat.
1: Tres Chinitos: in Viejo...excellent food, good service, total for shrimp creol, flam desert, a glass of white wine and a tip $13
2: La Palenque: in Miramar: excellent food, very fast service, their roast pork is world class, I ate here several times. Total cost with two beers and tip $12
3:El Ajibe: in Miramar: excellent food, service varies from average to poor, roast chicken is excellent. Total $12 . Watch all the 50, 60 and 70 year old touristas with their hot 20 year girlfriends. I would estimate it was 50% of the restaurant and this place seats about 250.
4: Gringo Viejo: in Vedado calle 21, very good food, excellent service. total $15
5: Pan.Com: in Miramar, good fast food sandwiches, service good, total $8
6: La Fountain: in Miramar, good food, really lousy service, way too expensive total $45. I would not go back here.
7: Mamy's: in Miramar, a privately owned paladare, excellent food, average service, too expensive as the top 5 restaurant s above provide the same at much lower cost.
My Driver
My driver did an very good job the first week. After the trip to Bay of Pigs I felt like I was a part of his family. Herein lies my mistake. The next day I paid him the rest of the money due him for the remainder of my trip. His service began to drop off each day after that. I found myself waiting on the sidewalk with a guest for 30 minutes. Apparently he thought, "I have your money...so watta ya gonna do?". I could have complained to the police, but it wasn't worth the hassle. After a few days of this I fired him, thus losing my money, but such is life. I would recommend paying daily or two days at a time.
Johnny's Rio Club in Miramar
My issue with Johnny's is this: all these girls have cell phones, push-up bras and are definitely professionals. I prefer college students, non-pro or semi non-pro girls. I visited Johnny's twice. I would estimate that 20% of the girls are 8's or higher and they all want $100, though I believe you could talk them down to $70 or so. I found equally beautiful women in the areas mentioned above for $30 to $40. Plus Johnny's charges a $10 cover....however, I would recommend visiting at least once just to see it.
Part 3# The Ugly
The Police
I have traveled into the tundra of Canada where it snows in August, the jungles of Costa Rica where everything that swims has teeth. In fact, in the tundra we were so far north that we couldn't receive radio transmissions. As a result our float plane was three days late picking us up, and there we were not knowing what was going on.
However, the most disturbing foreign experience I have ever had was the dark and shadowy soul depleting police presence in Cuba. In a nut shell, it was the Latino version of the Third Reich. This is a Police State. No if's and's or but's.The two drivers I had during my stay were stopped a total of five times. They were given tickets on three occasions and talked to the other two times. From my vantage point, I honestly couldn't see any reason why these guys were stopped. According to my casa owner, the police stop the young people regularly . This is standard practice. Outright harassment. In each incident I offered to pay the ticket. The police are EVERYWHERE. They will not bother touristas, unless you date a chica under the age of 18. During my stay I was told of an Austrailian guy caught with a 16 year old girl. Off to jail ******. I advise you make a mental note of that.
I'm a pretty resilient guy, but after a week of this "Police State" it began to get to me. It's the hidden deep current that runs through the bottom of Cuban society. I decided before boarding the plane to leave, that I would not be coming back as long as the political situation remains the same. I imagine you WSG guys are allot like me, which is, "yeah, thanks for the advice......but I prefer to find out on my own". All in all, truly a wild and fascinating ride.
Rickster,
Thank you! By far the most comprehensive and enjoyable WSG-report on Havana I have had the pleasure of reading to date.
I have been to Havana well over 10 times over the years. Recently my travels have taken me to Suramérica where the latin chicas you talk of and experienced are abundant.
In general its good to see that not everyone is taken-in by the “Cuba is lost to mongering” feel of recent threads. However, I do agree with your comments regarding the police: its been one of the facts of life in Cuba since Castro lost his shaving-kit. That aside, your choice is your choice: but will you not reconsider returning? I had exactly the same thoughts as I left Havana at my first visit. Within a few months of returning (Europe…) I wanted to go back. So I did; never regretted it: life’s too short for regrets.
More power to you Rickster, thanks again!
Regards
Havanaman
Always wanted to share with you some pictures. Here´s my first (just to try this new feature).
THANK YOU JACKSON! YOU´RE BRILLIANT!
and another one....
Here are some of the beautiful chicas I met during my two week stay in Havana.
I posted ten photos taken in my casa particular in the Cuba photo gallery.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rickster
[i]Here are a few of the beautiful chicas I met during my two week stay in Havana. [/i][/QUOTE]
Where? :-)
Hey Rickster,
Wonderful report as previously stated, but where are your picks…? Really looking forward to seeing your chicas!
Regards,
Havanaman
Talosian - Talk about bringing sand to the beach!. Unless the woman you bring wants to share the bed with another chica, you'll miss the true flavor of Cuba. Why go?
The incidence of AIDS in Cuba is the lowest in this hemisphere according to the World Health Organization. It is seven times less than the US. All Cubans are required to have an annual physical to renew their carnet. This includes a blood test which is screened for HIV. If the result is positive, the Cuban disappears to a sanitarium (read camp).
If you're still not convinced, pick up one of those oral AIDS tests sold in Mexico that everyone on the other boards are talking about. Or walk your chica into the nearest hospital and wave a $10 bill in front of the nearest doctor. You'll have instant service.
Translating drivers are available anywhere and make great and cheap guides which cost less than a rental car.
I have a report from the end of August. We went for 7 days to havana as is our normal routine. We had a blast as usual. The mongering is still good in Havana, I am not sure about the other cities but things are normal in Havana with the exception of a greater police presence. From what I could see without actually entering every bar the Johny was dead. The ladies were for the most part very afraid of the cops there. The disco at Rosalia de Castro was crazy with Italians and the women they like. Not my cup of tea, but there were many hotties there as well. They all wanted to leave before the police changed shifts at 1 am, as they were afraid of some officer. I have heard since I've been back that Rosalia has since been closed. Can Anyone confirm or deny this? The new hot spot we found this trip was Chorrera, the outdoor disco on the Malecon by the tunnel. This place was great, 5 bucks for entry and a buck a beer. We spent several nights there and could have done very well except our Novias were very protective. We did manage to arrange a few next day nooners. Don't get suckered into Delirio Habanero, this is a piano bar with no hotties, expensive, etc. It did have the best band I've ever seen however. The mongering on the Malecon seemed easy pickings which was suprisiing as I've never had much success there. This may have been due to the fact it was summer break for everyone so they had every night to sit out. There were numerous hotties on La Rampa with tons of cops as well. This made for a very frustrating experience as the chicas were no doubt available but very very wary. We had a private two bedroom casa, not as good as our normal spot but not the worst. 50 bucks a night for the whole place. The police have certainly put a damper on the whole experience. The Casas are still available in Havana but I've heard rumors that that might change as well. Prices were average with amateurs being from free to 30 bucks and pros from 40 to 60. The 10's still ask for 100 off the bat but they all go for 50 to 60 for the night. Each to his own, cheap entertainment is available but some of us like the princesses. No problems at the airport despite numerous bags, they are looking for the electronics not the normal goodies. It is still 25 bucks to get out of the country. If anyone has been to Diablo tun tun I would love a review and similarly the Casa de la Musica at night. Its still not the cheapest trip in the world but for the cost of an air only ticket its certainly the cheapest place with readily available beautiful Latin women. I scored 2 tens, 2 nines and a 7 in 7 nights and always had a beautiful woman on my arm day or night. All in all the trip cost 1300 american plus air and thats sparing no expense, personal driver, private casa, all the chicas you can eat, and wineing and dining the ladies and friends non stop day and night. Not bad for a three hour flight.
Talosian
Many of your questions should be answered by my trip report, but I'll be specific. You will have a very hard time getting rid of the girls so don't worry. They all subscribe to a bird in the hand .... . If you want simply go to a disco on your first night out, find a chica who tickles your fancy and watch out for the hard eyed ones. After a seccond of eye contact she will be sitting next to you. Go through the negotiation process and if she settles for 40 or 50 bucks for the whole night, "Hasta Manana", until tommorow, then you've scored. I give your chances 90% on the first try. Then simply try her out and see if she is what you are looking for. Many girls aren't too keen on Multiple go rounds, so if shes not what you are looking for get rid of her. If your happy simply tell her you are looking for a novia and keep her for the week. After the first night you can expect the price to drop considerably. Simply throw her 30 or 40 bucks every morning and avoid the negotiation. Remember though that now you are responsible for her getting home and back everyday or two for clothes, feeding her, cover and drinks at the bar, etc. Simply consider her your girlfriend and treat her accordingly. Also be aware that she will not go sightseeing with you because she will be deathly afraid of the cops. You could take her to the Pool or the beach. I highly reccomend the pool at Marina Hemmingway, zero cops and 12 bucks per person 10 of which goes towards food and drinks. Another good trick is to buy her something in the numerous stores there instead of giving her money. Make sure you are up front about this. A couple hours shopping is a nice diversion, but can be expensive. Another good trick is to bring clothes with you from home, ie Sally Ann. The hardest part will be not falling in love with her, or getting a night out without her for some variety. Trust me you can't go wrong.
Talosian,
I agree with all of bluedrinker’s comments. Just go for it; you can’t go wrong. In fact you could prearrange your date, depending on when you want to go by using any one of the numerous pen pall sites. I have done this, admittedly with only very minor success from regular Cubans, as the cost for a local to use the net is prohibitive. However, if you want to aim a little younger than your sited age group: you will get a reasonable response via the university students. This method is tried and tested by a number of mongers in both Cuba, as well as other countries.
Ask and you will receive… that’s the key in Cuba. Simple. A friendly taxi driver (arranged by my casa owner) offered me a long stay GF once and so the potential must still exist. Just ask.
Regards,
Havanaman
Thanks for the great input guys. I looked at one site about staying in private homes and this seems the best, not just for price but to really get in with and meet the people. Will iI have problems having her stay with me all-night (I can pop a few extra $$s to the landlord if that helps)? I will stay at a licensed house only.
I'm getting the picture the Policia will really hassle a girl even if with me and I will "vouch" for her. Yes? Too bad because I want to see some of the outlying places also.
Another thing, and this comes to the "real World" side. How much $$ should I take as opposed to Thomas Cook Travelers Cheques? I don't want to wake one morning and find my $$ gone along with my "girlfriend." Suggestions here.
The reason I picked the age range I mentioned is because since I'm no spring chicken (though I don't yet need "V"), I don't want to look like just another DOM (Dirty Old Man), even if I am one. Where are the pen pal sites for maybe looking for a chica?
I'm figuring to get a car/driver for the week. What is a fair price for us both?
And when I know my travel dates, I'll post them and maybe some of you will be around then and I'm happy to meet buy a drink or three for you.
On bringing cloths, don't want the Immigration to think I'm going to be wearing them :) What size if I do bring some?
Thanks again.
David
If you want to have a girl stay over night it is not a problem usually in Havana. I would however recomend booking a private casa with at least a separate entrance. If you are truly looking for an all week commitment do not expect any trouble from a casa owner. Every owner knows the score. You should have no problem finding an older available women. However you won't find one at the disco as they are rapidly replaced by the 18 year olds. I would suggest a search of chat sights etc, but few people have email access of any durration. Poor you, you may have to settle for a hottie of 18-22. I would simply find a chica and ask if she has an older sister/cousin/friend, it shouldn't be a problem. Also every tout you meet on the street could hook you up as these women will not be in demand. For a casa I have had zero success with getting responses from casas online for reservations. I would try to book several and hope to get a response. Simply try that and if unsuccessful let me know and I will introduce you to a friend who has internet and a new car and who is reliable. You can also simply ask the taxi driver at the airport to bring you to a casa. My first trip the man who was supposed to meet us at the airport didn't show and we had a casa in about an hour. We then found another nicer casa through one of the everpresent guides around the tourist areas the next day. After your first trip you will have plenty of connections if your not afraid to talk to locals and buy an occasional beer. As for money I have booked private casas which included a digital safe. This is handy. I have also simply carried a big wad around with me if I was worried about my casa. Many casas have steel gates requiring a key to exit, gives peace of mind. All you have to do is have the Name ID# address of the girl and you needn't worry, the penalties for stealing from a tourist are legendary. I would say don't even think on it but you never can tell. I have never had a chica, and I've known dozens, ever attempt to take a dime from me. In fact no cuban national, they can help you spend your money better than you can immagine and will try to sell you everything, but not one has tried to steal from me. They are far more law abiding than us. I recomend cash and more cash with travelers checks just for emergencys if you only have american credit cards. Fair price for a car/driver is about 30$ per day give or take depending on what you do. As for clothes I only bring extra smalls, size zero or one pants are even often too large. They love those low riders. Running shoes are a big hit Good luck and go for it. You can't go wrong in Cuba because there money really talks. Don't sweat it.
Hey Bluedrinker -
So - a few questions - First, does this hold true for a guy in his late fifties?? I'm headed there in a couple months and would ove to "do it your way", but am in my late fifities!! Will the gals be receptive??
Second, are these "casas" comfortable - with air conditioning, and good beds?? I like the third world, but sure would like to enjoy the vacation with a few of the amenities.
Thanks for the great info.
Clodbuster
FYI: I found a site, www.acrosscuba.com which has a section on casas (private homes). I sent a question Saturday and the response was in my email box this morning. They have pictures of the rooms, prices (more than reasonable) and as you can see, responded very quickly. I'm still waiting for one reply from a lady here in California about going w/me. I'm assuming the chicas don't speak conversational English. I know, "who cares!" but sometimes it's nice. Also, I really want to do some sightseeing so having someone who can travel w/me around Cuba on day trips would be nice.
Living in the U.S., it's difficult to imagine a country where a citizen can not associate with whomever they want and travel within the country whereever they want. What is the "crime" for a Cuban woman simply to be with me for the day as a friend? Is this a stupid or just niave question?
Thanks.
David
i have met several men in there 50's who party in cuba regularly. i have met several chicas who speak good if broken english. you can easily book a casa in vedado which would be considered 4 or 5 star. ac private bath, meals provided for an extra fee. any chica seen with a tourist is automatically labeled as a pro. they are afraid but it is a fear of what could happen to them, like a two year jail term. think of how you react when you see a cop on the highway. you are wary and slow down. but how often are you really likely to get caught speeding compared to how often do you speed? most cops in cuba will avoid conflict with tourists but the danger is there. how often would you speed if there was a cop on every onramp? in cuba there is a cop on every corner. talosian if you wish to bring a date i would recomend a resort, all inclusive, it will be much much cheaper and would make more sense if you want to do day trips, have a pool and beach handy, etc. resorts are actually quite reasonable and the only reason to stay in a casa is to allow cuban nationals. also in a resort you would save considerably on food and drink. clodbuster i can't allay all of your worries, few casas have what i would call amenities other than running hot water, ac and a refridgerator. these are amenities however in cuba. its funny when i hear people say they are suprised when people are not free in their own country. are prostitutes free to work in the us or canada, people are free to do what they want in cuba, but harrassing tourists and prostitution are illegal as they are seen as bad for the tourist industry and the countries morality. you only need to read the lonely planet site to see how people dilike being harrassed. any law abiding citizen of cuba will not hesitate to spend time with you or talk to you. everyone is simply aware of the harsh penaltys for breaking their laws and therefore they are careful. you will have a great time in cuba, but go there with eyes open to the reality of the situation and when you deal with people try and see it through their eyes not your own, you certainly wouldn't want to get someone in trouble.
Bluedrinker: Thank you for the *excellent* and clearly well thought out response. I do see your points and will internalize them into my planning. I know a resort would be much less expensive but I really want to interact with the people. When I did Europe in 1971 (literally on $5.00 per day per person), my best experiences were when I stayed with the locals in their homes. I'm still courting a lady here who speaks fluent Spanish so maybe that will work out but if not, I'll go with my friend (much younger than me and he has different interests but I have known him since he was 7-years old). I'm sure I'll find some chica and will gladly opt for the few $$$s for a current HIV/VDRL test and have a week where I'm mentally and physically relaxed.
Another question: I know in some cultures, the women don't like a guy to go down on them. I love to do this for extended periods and one thing I know, younger woman (under 25) are usually very wet naturally. Any experiences here? Do the chicas like, dislike or couldn't care less about it?
Thanks.
David
Maybe a silly question but, on a 1-10 scale, what are the chances of finding a chica who does not smoke, or at least will limit if for the "right price?"
Also, anyone know about this "$100 letter" which will allow you to (I guess) register one chica as your g/f and you won't get hassled by the Policia??
Merci
David
Talosian - A friend of mine got one of the $100 letters from the Department of Justice for his girlfriend. They work. Most of the chicas know about them. Most pros won't be interested. If you are still looking for a licensed, beautiful casa, call Marta Vitorte at 53-7-326-475 or e-mail her at martavitorte@hotmail.com. She speaks English. The place is secure, with room safes on a high floor in the best section of Vedado. Check out my prior posts for details.
Most of us go for the younger women in Cuba because in my opinion, they seem to "wear out" at any early age. Age 25 is over the hill. They are under tremendous stress, don't have access to many cosmetics and generally smoke. Their nutrition is poor at best; most don't eat very often the second half of the month after their rations run out.
I'm in my mid-fifties and have no problems with the younger women there.
Sexually, they love everything. What will surprise you is how good they are at it and their desire for it. They are not sexually repressed like American women.
I agree with Bluedrinker, most casa particulars would be out of business if they weren't chica friendly. No additional tip should be necessary.
I go several times a year and have probably been with 300+ women over the last decade there. 3 or 4 didn't smoke, but many temporairly quit while I was there. Cigarettes cost $0.50 a pack. The average Cuban makes $8-10 per month. If you don't buy the cigarettes for the chicas, they frequently can't afford to smoke.
Four of my former "girlfriends" have been imprisoned in campos (hard labor, cutting cane for two years) for" talking" to tourists. No trial. They go in as innocent-looking teenagers and come out two years later looking 45 and talking like a sailor. It's a fact of life.
I've never had a security problem with a chica. One casa owner used to take their carnets (ID) and give them back in the morning if everything was OK. Getting caught without their ID is a major offense for Cubans.
A woman over 25 normally would be thrilled to be given a dinner. I doubt you'd need to pay her anything but cab fare. I stock up at the flea markets with small gifts that I fold into my luggage or take in in my carry-on. They love perfume, make-up and intimate clothing and most don't know anything about designer labels.
Relax. Have a good time and play things by ear. That's probably what you did in Europe 30 years ago.
Post us when you return.
Good lord . . Talosian . just go, man . . quit worrying about details . . . so what if a gorgeous 22 year-old chica, of the type and age you could never attract wherevever you are in the Euro-American world, lights up a cigarette after a passionate, amorous, adventurous session of mind-blowing sex . . . and who could deny such a woman who has just given you the experience of your life the simple pleasure of tobacco? Cuba is a land for sensualists . . .
As for chicas and policia . . . there is no law agains Cubans and foreigners meeting, chatting, having dinner together, etc. Nor are there laws against Cubans having romantic or sexual relations with foreigners. There are laws against prostitution. Here's how it works. Many of the hardcore pros in Havana are from provincial towns (I'd say most). They are staying in Havana illegally. If they are checked out by the police for anything, this will be discovered and they will be punished. Jineteras are not subtle - - you will see many women/girls in tourist areas like Vedado or Habana Vieja or parts of Miramar who don't dress like other Cuban women/girls. Every Cuban knows a jinetera when they see one. The police know that jineteras in these tourists zones are basically pros. If they see a jinetera with you, the chances are 50/50 that she will be stopped and questioned. The chances are 50/50 that the cops will escort her to some less pleasant company.
The conclusions I have drawn from my experiences in Cuba are these:
- - ask the chica where she is from (not where she is living). If she says Las Tunas or Camaguey (and the women from Camaguey are muy caliente!), then she will be extremely paranoid about cops. You have to decide what level of hassle you're comfortable with. Personally, I get tired pretty quickly of illegal cabs, hide and go seek, etc. etc. This kind of behavior can be a red flag of things to come (hurried sex, hurry to get a cab, etc. etc.)
- - if you pick up a Habanera in a tourist zone, it is normally fine to walk with her etc. She will know how to operate with the policia. Again, if your assignation requires extreme covert ops, I grow impatient quickly. Generally, if she is a habanera and you are in a tourist zone, things will turn out just fine with a minimum of caution.
- - try not to rent a casa too close to the hearts of the tourist zones. This only increases the possible paranoia and increases the chances of patrolling policia on the corner etc. Renting a casa in Centro Habana or farther out in Vedado (away from La Rampa) always induces for me the most comfortable vibe.
- - imho, it's true there are going to be dozens of beautiful chicas who will be interested in your company, short and long-term, but I prefer a GFE . . .hooking up with one less than hardcore woman for most of my stay in Havana . . . it's just more enjoyable and less stressful that way . . .this brings with it a whole other set of things to think about but on the whole these are less cumbersome than serial mongering. Also, with a GF, there's nothing to stop you from sampling the occasional flower here and there.
My last trip, my novia and I walked wherever we wanted and didn't worry about anything. She's not a pro or a jinetera and so would see any cop interference as ridiculous. We were never hassled. But also, we probably didn't look like the typical 50 year-old sugar daddy plus 21 year-old jinetera style couple . . .for various reasons (including that I haven't broken 40 yet and she's in her mid 20s with a job etc.).
The important thing is this: Cuban women are out-of-this-world. The main danger will be that you don't lose your heart to some young, lithe, sweet little gold digger. Also, Cuba itself and the Cuban people are totally addictive.
Go . . . don't worry . . .focus on what's important . . .enjoy . .and tell us how things went .. ..
Slainte,
ConorOC
To all who have responded to my posts:
Not to concern, I am going. Being the first (of possibly many trips), I want to have as much input from "been ther, done that" guys as I can. PlusI see so many different views here ranging from "Habana is where the chicas are overpriced and the cops everywhere and will hassle you to death" to the "You can find just about anything you want at a reasonable price and shouldn't get bugged by the cops much." And I know the first time is a learning experience for each of us. My big concern is going pretty much alone (with a friend who is 31 to my 64 and he will be doing his thing and I don't know if it will even include mongering). and not speaking the language but I do have time to maybe learn a few critical words and get a phrase book and note pad.
And if falling in love means more trips back to Cuba, well, I can handle that one :)
And I do appreciate all the input. I will also be taking photos of the lady (or ladies) and posting them along with a detailed account of my experience.
I absolutely would prefer the GFE and really liked the suggestion one monger gave that I should treat the girl as I would a girlfriend. I know I will feel much more comfortable with this approach rather than a 1-3 hour fun-fest with a pro or even a semi-pro. And I have no problem with a fair gift of $$ and/or clothing, etc.
And "yes," you're right about not fretting the little things like her taking occasional smoke (that's why tic-tacs were created).
So I'm going early December and will update on my experiences in getting advance casa reservation and other information.
Make it so.
David
Ok folks,
I went Havana last month, yeh Havana is a real paradise, tons of young beautiful girls. You just go to beha havana (old Havana) ad while going there you will notice 1000s of them walking on the beach, you dont need to approach them, they will approach you, carefully select yourgirl friend talk to her, offer her a drink and negotiate, rate is 30-70 US, depending.
The only poblem is that hotel dont allow these girls to accompany you. The solution, there are specia casas 1-2 room apartments, on 20 USD, take her there and have a good time.
Cuba: The Skinny (Trip Taken June-July 2003)
*The money amounts are in USD- the national Currency of Cuba.
Traveling (from The USA): You can go with Numerous Schools for Cultural Education (expensive). Or, the cheapest way: Go to a travel agency (most located in Miami) that gives Visas to Cuba (such as “mar azul” or “golden airlines”), and Claim that you have a relative that lives there (an Uncle, etc) that is sick. Provide a name and a faulty address, and claim it’s on your mother’s side of the family. Now, you have a “Tourist Visa” for about $45.
Flight (for USA): Will cost you from $279-$300 at the same place that you got your “Tourist Visa.” The Flight from Miami (FL) will take about 30-45 minutes. Before you depart there is a $50 tax.
Cuban Airport (for USA arrivals): Your made to wait in long lines at Immigration. Then if you bring allot of stuff it is taxed by the Cuban Government after it’s looked over. The taxes vary from $100-$299. Bringing in Electrical appliances is difficult. If you’re male, don’t bring Female clothes or you will be taxed. Also, travel light or prepare yourself to be taxed. The Government taxes those bringing in goods for the Cuban Population. So, only bring stuff that you have a reason to bring, and you can explain. On the way back from Cuba, they will tax you again $30 (departure tax).
TAXI: Always have the Taxi Driver turn on the meter before you get in the cab. If there is no meter, negotiate the price before getting in the cab. “Panataxi” is the cheapest meter taxi in La Habana. The only other cab that I would recommend is called “Coco Taxi”- an open cab that looks like a golf cart. Don’t pay anymore than $3.00 any which way. If you want to go to Varadero from La Habana, go to your local “Viazul” bus station it will get you there (for $15.00) and other places around Cuba from $3 (to the airport) to $65.00 to the other side of Cuba.
What to wear: You want to stand out as a tourist. If you blend in you won’t get any sex (skip out on the t-shirts and jeans). I recommend you use a Blazer or Sports coat, a polo shirt (tucked in), a pair of khaki pants, and a pair of casual shoes. Go as if you’re going to conduct casual business. If it gets too hot you can always throw the blazer (or sports coat) over your shoulder. Here’s an accessory to swing around: a water bottle.
Accommodations: Find a “casa particular”- There Hundreds of them all around the city. Do not pay over $25 anywhere in Cuba. If you choose a Hotel you will only spend twice as much money if you decide you want to conduct your business with some girl. Never pay the renter ahead of time (pay day by day).
Money: American credit cards and banks are void. So, if your American, bring Cash. Where to keep the money- if the place has a blue decal on the door it’s a registered “casa Particular” you can leave your money in the house. The “casa particular” owner is responsible for your valuables, if your stuff goes missing they can have their license revoked, be fined, and face a jail term. Here’s the catch- if you bring a girl into your room your responsible to keep your money and valuables well hidden from her. A good tip- is to take down her contact info (all Cubans carry identification by law) before letting her into your room. In case the girl you had sex with leaves with all your valuables, you can give the police a starting point.
Where and how To Find Girls (in La Havana)?- How about in a well air conditioned museum? I recommend- “el museo de bellas artes” (Cuban art museum not the European). Most women working in tourist areas will do anything for a dollar (ask them out to dinner, and take them back to your place). If that’s not to your liking, ask any “Coco- taxi driver” to help you find women, and they’ll drive you around the areas where the girls are most likely located, so that you can pick them out to your hearts content (ask him about the hourly rate it’s around $8-10). If you liked his service, have him come pick you up the next day at a certain time, and do it all over again.
The Girls: The majority of the females are Mulatto (black and white mix). If your not big on Black/ white mixed women you might want to try another country. 75% of the population is non-white. Allot of the Cuban-white community has fled Cuba and lives in exile (if you want white Cuban women, you might want to travel to Miami instead). The going rate in Cuba is around $30. If you befriend a female, wine and dine her, it is free of charge.
The Laws: The government prosecutes those who have sex with minors (including tourists). Prostitutes get 2 years if convicted. Pimps get 5 years if convicted.
Word of advice: Remember that you’re an Elitist! Everyone must work for your money. Don’t give your money away to people with their sad stories. You can’t save the world. Your rich, and they're poor- you can’t change that. However, if you let them rip you off, the Cubans will take the shirt off your back.
~the wonderful wizard of Cuba
The Cuban Kahuna
Talosian,
Having been to Havana a few times myself, I think that Conor and El Colorado are giving you excellent advice. Havana is really a unique place and after a day or two you begin to slip into its rhythm.
I think it is important to note that Havana is not only famous for its chicas but for many other things as well. It is the mecca for the cigar smoker not only because of all the famous brands but it is a great place to smoke one (the climate and the feel of the place).
Live music is everywhere and it is fantastic. A few of guys have mentioned Casa La Musica. There are actually two of them, one in Miramar (the exclusive suburb of Havana that contains the embassies) and a new one downtown. I have been to the one in Miramar. It can be a great place to pick someone up. Many chicas line up outside at about 10:00 to 11:00. Simply approach one that catches your eye, offer to pay her entrance fee and you have a companion for the evening. I found that the chicas who frequent the higher end clubs are generally classier and not necessarily pros - they may be there for the band (The Buena Vista Social Club played there regularily and many other of Cubas top groups) and happy to make a little extra money. Also around Miramar I found the casa particulars much better - and all the chicas know of them. Usually around these places you do not see many police in any at all. I have not been to the new one - I hear that it is the hottest club in town - but the one in Miramar is great.
Another spot is the disco at the top of the old Havana Hilton (I believe it is called Habana Libre). It is the tallest building in the city and it is located in Vedado. Same drill - lots of girls around the club who would love to go in. A chica cannot go into these clubs without an escort (the vast majority could not afford it anyway). It has a retractable roof and usually a great house band, singers, dancers etc.
The Tropicana is really for the tourists but there can be beautiful chicas there. The show is actually pretty good and worth seeing. You will find that the chicas would absolutely love to go with you. I think the show with a couple of drinks is about $60. I am told that it is possible to score one of the dancers in the show. For no other reason then to provide information to WSG my next trip I will make the attempt and provide the findings of my research. It will be a dirty job but someone has to do it.
There are also many hole in the wall bars outside. Just sit have a mojito (essentially for you Americans it is a mint julip with rum) and the locals will approach you. It will not take long for the news to get around in the area and some young lovelies will appear by magic. Wandering around the streets in Old Havana (few street lights and no neon) is a throwback to another time and surely it will change in the next few years.
If you are patient , stay in one place for a while and are well dressed they will find a way to find you. Especially if you are not in the obvious tourist haunts like the Malecon and the Prada.
The other thing about Havana is that almost anyone is available. Cuban women love to flirt. So play the game. It is amazing what a smile and a friendly laugh will get you. You can approach women - any women - in a way you could not in North America. They all love romance and their lives there are exceedingly boring. For an office worker or engineer or teacher you could be a great distraction. So do not think you have to limit yourself to the obvious pick up areas. A tour guide, a Banana Taxi driver (you will know what I mean when you get there), a museum attendant, a store clerk could all be possible. Maybe not 100% but very high percentage.
The fellas are right about the girls getting old fast on the island, but generally these girls are from the campo. The life in the city can be better.
Just some other thoughts - I hope they are useful.
One of the best "dates" with a chica is to take her for ice cream. Hotel Inglaterra is a good place - just off Park Central. They absolutely love it and it is really cheap. Good place to get to know someone and of course no police in your face.
Buy one of the very small Spanish English Dictionaires and a small notebook or pad. One that can fit in your pocket. Cubans write very well and it is a way for you to communicate. It is not the quickest way but if she is really hot - who is in a hurry? And you get huge points for making the effort.
One of the best gifts to give is a flashlight. There are constant brown outs in Cuba so it would be very useful and appreciated. Cubans also love music - all kinds - so CDs are very popular. You might also want to buy a couple of Spanish magazines to take with you (like Spanish People). They don't get much news and they love to hear about celebrities.
One very cool place that is off the beaten track is the old Havana Yacht Club - I think that it is called the Havana Club. It is beyond Miramar - get a driver from one of the major hotels, they will know - . It is actually a private club that many of the ex pats, embassy people, high end commies, belong to. It is possible to buy a day membership for you and your chica. There are a number of swimming pools, a gym, several bars, great shower facilities, massage - and a private beach. I am not a big one for the beach resorts but I don't mind a day or two. It is a great place - very classy - and not very busy.
If you are planning on travelling within Cuba your best bet is to go to one of the major hotels in Havana and use one of the local travel companies (like Cubanacan). They all have desks and they front desk will point you in the right direction. I tried to book a trip within Cuba (to Santiago) from Canada and it was a disaster.
It is possible to get frustrated in Cuba (and not everyone likes it). You have to leave the western idea of service at the airport. Go with the flow, be patient, smile and have fun. You will fall in love with the place.
It is really good to see some action on this board. The disco in the hotel Habana Libre is the Turquino club, 15 bucks to get in plus drinks. This is a little pricey and I don't know about the chica situation there because of it. This may be another bring your own chica venue. Good points about chicas from other cities, Bayamo and Camaguey are two of the most likely. As for color, the chicas are every color from your average african features to white european with most somewhere in between. There are many beautiful latin women and mulattos. I also recomend a casa in Centro Habana as it will allow walking to the busy Malecon areas, China town, Old Havana, and the tourist area of Vedado. You might have to settle for something further down La Rampa which will allow less mingling with cubans as the distances are farther, and more for taxis as you will quickly get sick of the long walk. I am still looking for a review of the Casa de la Musica at night as far as the chicas go, also Diablo Tun Tun which is above the Casa de la Musica in Miramar, perhaps a good choice as it will give you options for both bars. Anyone been to either? I can personally recomend La Maison the house of Fashion, 10 bucks entry, Dinner or just drinks available, a fashion show by hot Model chicks followed by a band and cabaret type show. Models available, some usually sit outside after the show, price is probably 60 to 100 bucks. This is also out in Miramar. I've never been to the tropicana show but tried to get in the disco once after the show, lineup was impossible even for tourists. The Chicas were fantastic however. I'm definately going to try it next trip. By the way cheap airfare to Havana on Air Canada for the Month of December, 440 Canadian tax included, three flights a week.
I am encouraged by the note from Lap Dancer that I may not be limited to the Disco/Bar scene to find some chica company. I know the young ladies are going to want the Disco/Bar scene until the wee hours but I would prefer something more like a dinner (show), a couple of drinks for her and then some R&R at the casa. Of course, whatever it takes will work. And I will as suggested, try to leave the idea of American service at the departure gate and not get uptight if everything doesn't flow perfectly.
I assume I should watch out for any more mature chica with a ring indicating she is married. Don't want those problems.
I am giving particular attention to the personal experiences I read here since a first-hand report is always the best.
Guess I'll stock up on size "small" thongs, flashlights, Advil, notebooks, etc. but I'll try not to spoil anyone for whoever comes after me.
Keep the info. coming.
Thanks.
David
This is a duplicate post.
In 100 words or less (or more), how can I tell a chica from a hard-core pro? I read about "hard eyes" but I don't understand the term?
Merci Dudes.
David
I would say that most younger ladies you will meet in Havana are available. Most that you will meet will be in a tourist area and will either be looking for a good time or specifically for a tourist. The dating of tourists is the passtime for every eligible chica in Havana. The difference between an amateur and pro is a very thin line. Most hard core chicas are as we've already stated are there specifically to date tourists and all will have a bar that they frequent or other spot where they meet tourists. This is a job for them and they are the breadwinners for their families as access to US dollars is what makes you a have or have not. What we would call the amateur is the Havana girl who has a home and life and family in the city and mostly does the chica thing when opportunity presents itself or part-time I guess. You can meet these girls but it will involve more time, more patience and spending time in non-tourist areas, walking hanging out, having a drink, etc. You have to remember that their lives are very boring and that tourist dating is a way for a young lady to enjoy experiences that she would never ever get to have as she could not afford it. Even an extra meal in a restaurant is something. These girls will still desire a present, to take home to mama, buy groceries, or something pretty, remember that food is rationed and extra food may be purchased but this requires dollars. The average Cuban cannot even afford a beer. I personally do not begrudge a girl money for her family in return for excellent companionship, never mind the obvious extra pleasures. Sex is a Cuban passtime don't forget. The hard eyed girls we speak of will be found in the tourist discos and you will know them as they are usually the best looking ones asking for 100 bucks and walking away if they don't get it. You will also usually pick them out from the sour look on their face. Avoid the best looking 10 percent, find the girl who is looking lost and lonely. You can also have good luck with girls found for you by a guide as they will be local girls who he knows. I have found girls by walking the streets of Centro Havana or by sitting in a Cafeteria frequented by Cubans. The bottom line is that all the girls you will meet will need your money. In other words they are all chicas but the difference is the attitude of the girl, is she looking for a one hour quicky and pay me, or for a good time usually the longer the better as she is concerned, and a present. Any girl alone or in a pack hanging around La Rampa, the Malecon, the Prado, Copelia, or simply walking the streets in Centro Habana or Habana Veija is a Chica and likely available. (If walking hand in hand or arm in arm it means they are not available.) They will be dressed in a pair of tight low cut jeans, and be hanging around for no obvious reason, and will make eye contact. Do not try and approach them in police presence.
I forgot to mention, very few of what we call discos are get up and boogie hip-hop dance clubs. Most have a sit down cabaret type format with a comedian, band/dancers, etc. The dancing will start late after the show and will usually be salsa. Avoid Chorrera or Rosalia de Castro, Rio Club(the Johny) as these are true discos if what you seek is a quiet night, all others will probably suit you very well. You will enjoy Delirio Habanero, either Casa de la Musica, La Maison( the house of fashion), any Cabaret. You may want to bring your own chica to any of the above but that will fit well with you expressed plans anyways
Hi Cuban Kahuna,
Do you have some more info or website on "Numerous Schools for Cultural Education"? how much do these cost on average?
If I get visa at “mar azul” or “golden airlines” does it mean I can legally board a flight from Miami directly?
Thanks!
To all the veterans:
I am going to Cuba for the first time in Late October. I will be staying at a casa particular. I would like to have girls sleeping with me overnight.
How do you keep your money and other belongings safe at a Casa.
Is there any incidence where the girl disappeared in the morning with all your belongings?
Thanks,
Lankan_Lover
Second and third to the advice to chat up any chica you find attractive . . . sure, you'll get rejected a couple of times but in general you'll do well. I was once in search of change to pay a taxi in the far reaches of Vedado . . . a cute young negrita was walking down the sidewalk . . .the taxi driver slowed down, I asked if she had change . . . she said no . . pause . .then indicated there was a gas station a couple of blocks away . . . I invited her in the car to show us where . . . and ba-boom . . .we were having dinner a couple of hours later . . . etc. The key is attitude - - to be curious and light-hearted and ready to joke around . .in my experience . . .
You can have chicas sleep over night. Just tell your casa owner that you want to make sure your novia can visit you.
I've only had one experience with theft in Cuba. It was really my stupidity and desperation to enjoy a cubanita my last night. I found a cute chica but harcore. At my casa, I showed her my mp3 player. The sexo was absolutely undistinguished. I took a shower. She left . .and lifted my mp3 player. Just put your money and/or other valuables somewhere out of the way - - under the bed, way back in a closet, etc. The penalties for prostitution in Cuba are severe - - for the chica. Theft is even more severe. Most girls just want the money you pay them; they don't want additional hassle, problems, and worries.
The visa you purchase from Marazul or elsewhere is a Cuban entry visa . . similar to visas you might need to visit other countries. You can buy one at the Air Cubana ticket counter if you're flying from Cancun/Nassau etc. The visa has nothing to do with the US Gov or Treasury Dept. It's only for the Cuban authorities. I.e. you can't travel to Cuba legally with a Cuban entrance visa.
Personally, I'd like to find out more about out of the way or local discos, bars, etc. If you have any names, locations, ratings, etc. . . please post them. Next time down, I'm looking to totally avoid the tourist zones (except maybe a couple of trips to my favorite Havana bar -- Monserrate.)
To All - I'm leaving for two weeks in Havana and possibly Nueva Gerona on Saturday. If any WSG mongers are there at the same time, post here to let me know if you want to get together.
I have a favor to ask of my fellows here: If anyone is going to Havana, at any time, my girlfriend there has a few letters for me (which obviously can't be mailed here), and if you would be willing to get them for me I would be most grateful. I'd be willing to pay for your time and trouble as well. Thanks guys.
I can be reached at docbill449@mindspring.com
You can mail letters from the USA to Cuba. No law against it. It is only going to or importing something from Cuba that is illegal. After a buddy and I went to Cuba in 2000 he carried on a correspondence with a girl for several years and had no problems.
DocBill,
Sorry to tell you that you are misinformed.
A girl from Manati used to write me letters all the times. Also, it does not cost them much to mail a letter to the US.
DocBill
I mailed a few poster cards to friends when I was in Cuba (dropping off at regular poster office). They were very fast to reach US. As a matter of fact, they were faster than what I mailed from Europe.
Also, it is very cheap to send poster cards to US. I think that it is 0.65 Cuba Perso.
doc,
if you want to send letters to cuba here is a site that will let you send letters to people in cuba and have an electronic response also. the cosy is $1.00 per letter.
the site is: http://www.escriba.com/. the only negative is that you have to buy $ 20.00 worth of letters transfer in your initial tranrep001ion. i hope this helps.
el cubanito
I've had a lot of experience with this and am far from misinformed; Letters to Cuba from the US sometimes get through and often do not. They are often suspected of having money in them and opened by various personel before ever reaching their intended destination. When I had a girlfriend in Guantanamo she would write me and I got about half her letters, never less than three months after she wrote them. My girl in Havana has written numerous letters and sent them and I haven't gotten one. She has saved copies and hence my request below. If you know Cuba you know that everything is hit and miss and nothing is reliable.
Gentlemen,
I have had all of the letter problems referred to here. You are all right to varying degrees: the actual answer really is “hit or miss”.
In my early days of exploring Cuba I even tried to make contact with a couple of airline people to help with postage… They took the letters out of Cuba, posted them from their hotels anywhere else. This worked to a degree (3 out of 10 letters got to me), however we all have our own priorities and the letter trail soon came to an end. My reply usually never arrived (confirmed by telephone...). As with everything in life: YMMV.
Finally I gave up on the idea, and now rely on the email system. Simple. Quick. No problems. The cost (by Cuban standards) for my 2 chica’s is admittedly high, but them I’m worth it! Seriously however, you can achieve a lot more by email than the traditional pen to paper…. By the way, I come form the pen-to-paper school of thought.
Regards, Havanaman
Ps. I’m thinking about going this November, probably in the third week. Hook-up anyone?
Havanaman,
I will be in Havana, Cuba from November 8 to November 26. I will be all over the Isalnd though. I will be in Havana, Ciego De Avila, Holguin and Santiago. Let me know where will you be.
El Cubanito
Havanaman!
I'm planing to be there during Thanksgiving Weekend. You think you will be there it will be great to meet some one who has been to Cuba many times. This is my first time going to Cuba, so I'm gathering as much info as I could.
[size=-2][u]EDITOR's NOTE[/u]: [blue]Posting of this report was delayed pending revisions to capitalize the word "I". To avoid future delays, please refrain from using "i" instead of a capital "I" in future reports. [i]Thanks![/i][/blue][/size]
GenCuster,
I know of a great casa with three bedrooms and a great landlady, right off La Rampa in Vedado. Chicas are ok. E-mail me if you are still looking:
Docbill449@mindspring.com
Going to Cuba....read a weep
“CLEARLY, THE CASTRO regime will not change by its own choice,” Bush told a gathering at the White House Rose Garden. “But Cuba must change.”
The president said that too many Americans were bypassing the restriction against travel to Cuba. They are using humanitarian relief work as a cover to go on holiday or “carry cash into Cuba,” he said.
“The Department of Homeland Security will enforce the law,” he said, adding that Americans also will be prevented from traveling through third countries or by private vessel.
The administration had been signaling for weeks that new steps concerning Cuba were being planned. A small group of advisers, including Secretary of State Colin Powell, were asked to provide advice on hastening what the administration calls the “inevitable democratic transition in Cuba.”
Some of Cuban President Fidel Castro’s most ardent opponents have criticized the Bush administration for not doing more to bring about democratic change in Cuba.
Florida, a vote-rich swing state, is one of the states Bush has visited most since becoming president. The votes of Miami’s Cuban-American community could be crucial in the 2004 presidential election.
Bush’s relations with his backers in Miami hit a low point in July when Washington returned 15 migrants to Cuba after receiving assurances they would not be executed for hijacking a government-owned boat that was intercepted at sea by the Coast Guard.
What is the current (October 2003) story?
I have been reading conflicting reports on Casa availabilities due to an alleged increase in the license/tax from $100 per room to something like $150. I was told many Casas have closed.
Does anyone here have any first-hand information which is reasonably current? Also, how about a recommend on a good Casa central to the action. I have sent notes thru some of the sites but no responses.
I never thought I would live to see the day when the American Government would not allow an American citizen to do what he/she wants outside of the country. I know we need to give up some individual "freedoms" for the betterment of our society but who is endangered by an American going to Cuba? Or are "we" right and every other country which does not resptric its citizens from free travel to Cuba wrong? Who is out of step and marching to a different drummer now?
George W. better take a lesson from California, it's not only a state governor which can be recalled in favor of someone who speaks straight and looks to help the "great unwashed masses."
OK, more than my 2-cents this time.
Spock.
4 WEB-SITES:
(1). Web-site for cultural education: http://www.insightcuba.org/index.cfm
{For those of you wanting to Travel legally to Cuba from the USA, Get ready to pay around $2,500 (8 days/ 7 nights) for an educational program to get to Cuba. The program doesn’t include the price of the “casa particular”, the girls, food, etc.}
(2). Marazul: http://www.marazultravel.com/
{For those of you wanting to Travel illegally from the USA, you can request a visa from this company. Inform them that you have never been to Cuba, but that you have close family (on your Mother’s side/ your mom is Cuban) who is sick, and you would like to visit them. You will need to Provide an address, and about $40 to get a legal Visa to travel to Cuba from the USA.}
(3). Condoms: http://www.trojancondoms.com/
{Condoms are rare in Cuba, the quality is horrible (made in China), so stack up on them before you go. And, Trojan Condoms is giving you a couple of freebies. If you don’t like paying for condoms, go to your local health center and they will give them to you for free.}
(4). Girls: http://www.havanacubaconnection.com/age171.htm
{If your wondering what the girls in Cuba look like, visit this site. I wouldn’t recommend paying for any addresses. Like I said before if Mulattas and negras isn’t your thing, go to Argentina}.
The wonderful wizard of Cuba
The Cuban Kahuna
Just got back from Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, and Ciego de Avila Nov 10th had a good time but just not like it use to be forget these areas unless you have something special already. The license/tax have increased here for casa owners as well even measuring square footage for extra taxes now about 140 dollars + per room per month. Would like to try Havana very soon. Vedado sounds good any three bedroom casas chica friendly that anyone could suggest?Posts here excellant La Maison sounds great are models on stage everyday of the week, difficult to deal with, bad attitudes?
Any advice appreciated.
[size=-2][u]EDITOR's NOTE[/u]: [blue]Posting of this report was delayed pending revisions to add a space between sentences. To avoid future delays, please include one space between sentences in future reports. [i]Thanks![/i][/blue][/size]
hi talosian,
now, regarding your question on the bush speech, if you want to call it a speech. it’s a joke, my friend. i watched the bush speech on our local news here in miami. i was laughing my friggin’ a-- off. listen, bush was doing one thing: telling a group of people what they want to hear – nothing more, nothing less. there will likely be no action behind the comments (this is how politics is played, and the reason i prefer to avoid it).
bush has a strong republican contingent in south florida unhappy recently with his lack of action on cuba, not fulfilling many of his promises prior to his election. there will still be no action, but with the "comments" he picks up a few votes again from many who may be thinking about voting for someone else.
the exiled cuban community in florida and their families create a very strong voting block that bush does not want to lose. my friend, if you want to become president (or our governor, or our senator, or our mayor), and you want to pick up the miami votes, all you have to do is come here like all the others have done and yell out:
"cuba si! castro no!"
and you get the vote – easy as that. of course, then you can sit back and not do a damn thing about it, just like all in the past have done.
this is why, in my opinion, politics is a joke. it’s a joke here, and it’s a joke in cuba (and most everywhere).
and that is why i in general i do not get into politics and you should not either. what you should be worrying is how to maximize this great vacation you are going to have with all of the chicas in cuba.
but please – please – don’t tell us about what came out of a politician’s mouth, instead tell me of some intering p***y you found in some corner of the world and how can i meet her. if you do not decide to marry her. strong pussies have been know to get guys marry.
el cubanito
talosian,
i agree with el cubanito's comments below regarding bush's speech. the purpose of his tough rhetoric is to placate the cuban lobby in florida.
i can't see how the us government can enforce the restrictions currently in place without you making a blatant cofession that you travelled to cuba without permission. how can they catch you?
there is no stamp on your passport. the cubans don't even use that weird bank stamp anymore. and i can't imagine us agents trolling foreign airports, say, mexico city airport, to see if they can catch americans "red-handed" returning from cuba.
if you think about it, his speech acutally benefits mongers tremendously. it will discourage and reduce the number of "casual" and/or "curious" travellers to the country. i noticed more of them last time i visited in august.
so, if you want peace of mind, take some small precautions (don't bring back 20 cohiba boxes, che t-shirts, hotel nacional receipts, etc.)
otherwise, i don't see bush's speech adversely affecting those members of this forum.
Aloo94, El Cubanito,
Forgive my delay: it’s breast cancer awareness month and I have been busy! (Inside joke…).OK.
Got my bookings: I’m in Havana for 4 days only from 11 November. As always, busy in the day (business etc), but free in the nights.
Hook up more than possible even if it’s just to shoot the breeze, have some beers and compare notes for a couple of hours. Email me where you guys are staying and I will contact you when we are all in Havana: sedition2001@hotmail.com
Talosian, I forget the dates you are travelling: my dates link with yours?
Regards, Havanaman
Any way for an American to make a living over there?
Just got back from a few weeks in Havana. There are fewer police on foot, but they’re still out there in patrol cars. There are more chicas on the Malecon than I’ve seen in the past few years. Several mongers I know sought them out on foot and did well.
There is a good deal of activity in and outside of club 1830. Johnnies (El Rio), according to friends who went there either was closed on some nights or had less than 15 or so hard core women. Club Las Vegas was also empty. It appears that many of the girls from the other provinces have been sent home again as a result of yet another crackdown. However, I did rather well in Barrio China. There were several young lovelies to choose from every time I was there and I did partake of some. The Chinese have their neighborhood under control. I never saw a single uniformed policeman there. The girls would all ask for $80-$90 and settle for $60 for all night. Some persisted to ask for more in the morning.
My regular driver had also scouted out some talent in advance for me and had me set up upon arrival with a young and very beautiful chica who I spent several days with.
I tried to get down to La Isla, but the planes were filled up for nearly a week in advance. I sent for my girlfriend there and she took the long boat ride over to the main island to meet me. I spent the last week relaxing with her.
Tourism is down and the girls are getting fewer customers. I guess they feel the need to make more per customer. There were a handful of Italian tourists and three or four gringos that I kept seeing everywhere. So few people were booked on my Aerocaribe flight back to Cancun that they cancelled the flight and consolidated it with another flight leaving in the afternoon.
The evening Aerocaribe flight out of Cancun now stops in Cozumel on the way to Havana. I guess that gives us another gateway city.
I heard rumors that Ceinfuegos is opening up again from the Italians. I may try to hit some of the eastern provinces the next time I return.
I used to go through Mexico City, because I figured it was safer than Cancun, which US Customs is well-aware of. The Bushies are cracking down, and a lot more people are getting questioned at Mexico airports. They later get a notice of fine of $7500, but as of yet I don't know anyone who has paid it and there is no system in place (YET) to enforce it. I'm too scared to go illegally now so I do it legal, which is a hassle but gives me peace of mind (and don't ask, I'm sorry but I can't say how). Be careful out there!
Hello El Colorado, neccessito information (just practicing my poor Spanish). Where is this 1830 club that you've mentioned? And where's the action in chinatown?
Noticed the updates and have a few questioins and one comment.
I will be there early December for 7 nights. Being a little (lot?) paranoid I don't want to give specifics.
I know the story about when tourism is down prices are up but I'm wondering of the $25-$30 per (all) night for a chica is still valid. I'm going to guess if there is more competition for the tourises that something is better than maybe nothing. I actually invested $9 for an address of a lady in Habana who it seems does "introductions" to chicas. I got the address and then signed up for a mail service in Canada which foprwards my letter to Cuba via email/fax and then prints it out and mails it to the addressee with a return envelope to them and they then send the response to me (fax/email). They also translate both ways. Cost here $6. Worth the gamble, especially since I want something outside of the usual chica (age 35+). Will let you know if this works.
I saw the report from DocBill449 and am wondering if there is some deal in place now with Mexico. Who is doing the questioning at Coz? The Mexican authorities? A representative of the US-INS? Seems Mexican authorities wouldn't have to question since they have access to the passenger lists. And I think the day someone reported personally being "interviewed" by the Mexican/US authorities after returning to Mexico, that would be very bad for the Mexican travel industry.
I think it's important to remember, with U.S. authorities, you have the 5th. Amendement. If I'm asked, I will simply say, "Going to Cuba is illegal and I'm not into breaking laws, especially Federal laws." If it goes past that, I'll just say I resent being interrogated and so either let me get on my plane or go home or arrest me.
I also did some research on the "Wall of Lawyers" who will represent any American pro bono (free) who is harassed and/or "extorted" the the U.S. Government for alleged travel to Cuba. Remember, the burdon is on the Government to proce not only you went but spent $$ there (I know the presumption, but it can be rebutted.). Yes, "safe" is always better than "sorry" however when we start letting our governmen take away some of our very basic rights (not for National safety but for political reasons) we are on a very slippery slope to losing those and other rights. And besides that, we can't live in fear or we will become prisoners of that fear.
"If life so sweet or peace so dear to be purchased at the price of slavery? I know not what course others take, but as for me (you should know the last 7-words)."
Spock
AlLostin Space13 - 1830 is on the far western side of the Malecon, just before the Miramar tunnel, but still in Havanna. It's on the ocean.
About a dozen restaurants in Barrio China back up onto a walkway closed to all but foot traffic. It's a great place to eat outside. The food is passable and cheap. The girls walk up and down this half-block long walkway, flirting with foreign diners. Take a table, order a drink and/or food and they will find you. There are also several chuchos (men who procure women) who work the strip. I once put an order in for a girl with one, describing exactly what I wanted. He went away and returned a half hour later with my take out order. She was not a street girl.
Hi El Colorado,
Thank you for the info on 1830 club. I know of the area that you are talking about, but I do not remember seeing this club. Is the club right after the swimming pool if you are driving toward Miramar? I am really interested since I will be there in a couple of weeks.
Talosian, I agree with you about rights and that what I beleieve that old Georgie W. Bush is trying to do. He is trying to scare everybody so much so that they do not see what they (Bush and his Goons are doing with the country).
Talosian,
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it! Almight God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
Havanaman
Havanaman:
Right, and I transposed words by accident.
Maybe one of these times we will hook up there since if things go nicely, I am not at all adverse to going back.
David
El Cubanito - It is several blocks west of the pool on the ocean side of the Malecon. There's a pull-off to the right just before the tunnel. Take it and you can't miss the place. A huge sign says "1830".
El Cubanito,
El Colorado is very right about the “huge sign”. It’s about 4 feet high, on front-top of the old small-fort (now converted to what we know and love… 1830..), glows neon-red / pink every evening that they are open. Missing it at night when it’s on is like missing the main advertising boards in NY.
Regards,
Havanaman
Hi Guys,
I will be in Cuba soon and I would like to know if anybody has a better contact then my when it comes to Renting a Car in Havana. I do know how to get around Cuba by using the cabs at the Bus Terminal (ie. it cost me $ 10 USD to go from Havana to Santa Clara in a taxi cab).
But I am guy who likes to drive and see and experiement by himself. I really would like to rent a car, but not have to pay $ 70.00 USD for a Toyota Yaris or $ 100 USD for a Audi A4. My contact in Havana got me a Audi A4 for $85.00 USD a day, but I still think this is very steep.
Does anybody have a contact in CUba that can get me a car decent car rental for $40 to $60 USD a day? I need a good car since I will be going from Havana to Baracoa. For you people that do not know that is one end of the Island to the most Eastern point. CAn anybody help?
El Cubanito
I also posted this in the mail forum but want it here specifically since this is where I'm going and most of us start.
Question/Suggestions:
I'm laying some groundwork to meet a lady (mature) in Haban. Believing "better safe than sorry," I would like to have her checked for HIV/VDRL. I read that there is only one hospital in Habana which does that. Anyone have any *first hand* information with details?
I saw the prior post about having a chica steal a money belt. I have two suggestions. Use a real money *belt* which is a regular looking belt with a zipper on the back side. Good enough to hold several bills. Also, use a "decoy" wallet. This is an old wallet with some old I.D. and put in a few pesos with a $5 on either side of the pesos. Usually someone who is going to lift a wallet will either take it and leave immediately or put it in a purse (assuming a chica) and then leave quickly before you find it's missing. Also, if the bathroom door has a lock, take you $$ w/you and if not, you can buy a portable door lock you can take w/you, they are cheap and simple.
Just my thoughts.
Spock
Sorry to be repetitive, but I still need someone to pick up some letters for me in Habana (Vedado). If anyone is going and can do this for me I'll be very grateful, and happy to reciprocate with info and resources on Cuba, having been there many time. Thanks!
sex in cuba?
at a recent briefing, president bush announced he was cracking down on travel to cuba because of the government's "brutal oppression" and to thwart what he called a "rapidly growing illicit sex trade" that is " encouraged by the cuban government."
cogo was surprised to hear the latter. on a trip last spring, there was no evidence of an open sex trade, let alone anything like the markets in downtown bangkok. in fact, cubans complained to cogo that they had to have a date to go to the best clubs -- a rule they said was to keep sex hustlers from seeking partners at clubs that attract foreigners. plus, advocates of the u.s. travel ban have long complained that cubans are prohibited from hotels and beaches frequented by foreigners.
so what's the evidence? the state department's 2003 "trafficking in persons" report, said white house spokeswoman claire buchan. the report lists 80 countries as having a human exploitation problem. cuba is on the list, as is the host of next summer's olympics, greece.
cogo turned to the world wide web and found that while sex is for sale everywhere, including cuba, sex tour operators most frequently extoll thailand and brazil. in the **** category, brazil, india and thailand lead the pack; brazil alone has a half-million kids in the sex trade, according to the group ecpat, whose full name describes its mission: end child prostitution, child pornography and the trafficking of children. cuba, ecpat said, has fewer **** kids in the sex trade than any country in the region.
u.s.-cuban relations were already shaky. the response to the latest accusation: "it's incredible -- a big lie," said lazaro herrara, spokesman for the cuban interest section in d.c.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/a42038-2003oct17.html
:d :d :d
DocBill449,
OK, I can help you. I am going to be in Havana from 11 November for 4 days. I can bring your mail back with me and post them from Europe which is my “base continent” (I think Tio Otto’s post is setting off my paranoia!). I will be back home on 19 November (going to be in other European country up to 19: not home). Here are the rules:
1. Letter (s), as defined by the standard “legal size” envelope, only. That means NO parcels or anything bulky.
2. You can email me the details of your chica (telephone / address) and I will initiate contact. She needs to be informed of this....
3. No money changes hands. You owe nothing for this gesture, but a contribution to WSGCharities would be nice.
4. In your email you will need to forward an address, for me to forward your letters. I would rather you used a letter drop address than your own. I do not want to know your address.
5. Your letters will be safe and honestly forwarded. Our leader Jackson can give me a honourable reference.
6. TRUST. Nothing illegal.
7. My email address is sedition2001@hotmail.com
Regards, Havanaman
OttoGraham, Gentlemen,
Do these right wing neowhatevers not realise that man can not live on bread alone?
Regards, Havanaman
DocBill449,
Actually I just found the private message system, lets use that for this thread...
Regards, Havanaman
I love America and would not want to live in any other country (though I did live in the Caymans for the better part of 3-years).
With this said, the more I read what our government tells us, the more I'm inclined to believe less than nothing it says. The Iraq WMD fiasco told the whole story and this B.S. about "sex trade" in Cuba is pure B.S.
Hello! What about the sex trade in Nevada? And what the hell is "sex trade" anyway? First, prostitution is the oldest profession. So what we are delaing with here is legislated morality.
No wonder people don't believe or trust our Government. But I still wouldn't live anyplace else.
Spock
HAVANAMAN:
I have been trying to contact the piano player you mentioned in your 10/20/2003 note to me. No luck.
You say you are going there in November and will be stopping in to say "Hello" to her. If you can get some more contact information I would love to communicate with her. She does sound "just up my street" as you commented.
Thanks.
Spock/David
Talosian / Spock / David, (Please explain your names!)
As I said in my original post, I should be glad to help if I can. I will be there in just under 12 days, have patients my friend. I will do my bit as promised.
I don’t know the method you are using to establish contact with “The Piano Player”, but can I suggest you call: Inglaterra, Havana, Paseo del Prado No. 416, San Rafael y San Miguel, Havana, +53 (0) 7 338 593 (If calling from the States: use a public call box with a high credit phone card: NOT your CC, home phone, office phone etc).
Every member of staff at the Inglaterra is required to speak a minimum of 2 languages. From personal experience I can tell you that 95% speak very passable English. Call them. Tell them you met her the last time you dined at the hotel (December, 2002) and would love to meet her again: is she still there, which evening of the week? Etc… (Sorry, not trying to teach you to suck eggs..).
Regards, Havanaman
PS. Gentlemen, any Havanaphiles in Havana right now reading this: can you help Talosian with the above by asking at the front desk? A simple request for our fellow monger.
Just spent a week in Havana, Cuba. I found a cheap 1-week all-inclusive Havana (Tropicoco) resort deal in Toronto. As soon as I arrived I took a $15 cab ride into Havana and checked into Marta's casa particular. Please note that a female American professor of some sort is legally in Havana and staying at the same casa for the next 9 months.
The Malecon is still the best place to window shop. Remember that you do not have to settle for second best. Keep looking until you find the one you like. The cops are everywhere, but if you are the one that initiates the conversation then it is okay. The Cubans people are not allowed to harrass tourists. Some still do, but if you make it clear that you don't want their company then they will retreat. This includes male hustlers or chicas. The most active section of the Malecon runs from the El Moro lighthouse for about 4-5 blocks. Then it gets quieter. I would suggest taking the chica to one of the roadside bars at the Malecon or to a club or disco to get to know her first. Or you could go directly to a casa.
I also visited the new Casa de la Musica in Vedado. It's actually located at the edge of Central Havana bordering Vedado. The neighborhood is horrible as Central Havana is full of run down buildings, although the Casa de la Musica itself is great. I believe it was converted from an old theatre because of the super high ceiling . Seats about 200. A huge stage and dance floor. Tons of girls to be had inside. But since they can afford the $15 entrance fee, they must be "working" girls. A bottle of water costs $2. It has a live band but the stage is quite far away and diminishes the live band feeling.
Might I recommend this place called Cafe Cantante. It's located at the Revolution Square. $10 entrance fee and great live band. This place is only a quarter of the size of casa musica but it's alive and the salsa music is great.
This was my 5th trip to Cuba but I didn't notice any increase in police presense. In downtown, there was 1 cop every 3 blocks (I counted while in a cab) but less and less once I get out of Vedado.
Oh! Almost forgot to mention. When coming out from Casa de la Musica and small crowd of Cubans surrounded us asking if we want taxis etc. and I felt a slight tug at my fanny pack. I looked and saw some kid trying to pick my pocket. I yelled at him but did not take further action because I was kinda drunk. Does anybody know how to say "pick pocket" in Spanish?
Also beware of illegal taxis. A friend of mine gave a $5 for a $3 ride but got a 10 peso note as change and the car took off!
Yes, there is at least one pimp at the Chinatown. If you want a quickie during the day, it's the perfect place.
Hi Talosian and Havanaman,
I am living for Havana next week. I will be in Havana and I will try to see if I can get a the phone number of the singer at Hotel Inglaterra. Guys, if I do see her, what do you want me to say to her.
Talosian, would you like for me to take a picture of her and post? or do you want to be suprise? Please let me know. I living on Wednesday.
El Cubanito
AlLostInSpace13
Did you rent a car? If you did, did you get any good deal on Price. I am trying to rent, but the cheapest I found is $88.00 a day with Insurance for a Mitsubishi Lancer. AlLostInSpace13, if you can help with any info I will appreciate.
El Cubanito
AlLostInSpace13
Nice update. Its good to have an up to date like this. I wish more did the same. I get loads of emails asking me for information, I reply, then the monger does not post an update. Your report is thus very valuable. Thank you.
If I remember right, a pickpocket is: el carterista, but I am not 100% sure on this.
Do you know the best day / time frame for Cafe Cantante ? With a $10 entrance fee, I guess it will have mainly hardcore?.
Also, a little more detail about your China town experience / specific area?
Your advice about legal taxis is very good. I take about $150 in “ones” on every trip for just this reason. Carry 20 notes (along with other money) just for fares. In any negotiation of price for private taxis, I just flash 2 notes and the deal is done. I’m not a cheap-skate, I just don’t like to be taken for a ride (excuse the pun). The sight of the notes, in any situation, closes the deal.
Interesting about the poilce numbers. It would seem that they are thining out. I wonder why.
Thanks again,
Regards, Havanaman
Havanaman, Cafe Cantante, like any other clubs/discos, starts at 11pm. It is worthwhile getting there earlier because there's usually a long lineup and some girls would come up and ask you to pay for her $10 entrance fee... It's a good place for shopping.
I can also suggest another disco more common for the locals. At the El Moro lighthouse, there's a disco which opens in the evening. Entrance fee is only $2. But the last time I was there, I did not see any single girls - all couples.
I went to Chinatown and was immediately greeted by this oriental guy who asked me if I was looking for chicas. I said I would be interested in a massage. After having lunch I went w/ him for 2 blocks and he introduced me to a chica. She claimed to be 19. The deal closed at $35.
This is interesting. On another occassion my chica and I were walking with another couple looking for a casa. We were stopped by policia across from the National Hotel. Of course, we claimed to be their novia, blah blah blah. In the end, the polica accepted a bribe of $10 to let us go. And we took off in a cab right away. I didn't think they take bribes!
Hi all,
Just got back from a one week stay in Cuba with 4 friends on a stag do. I have to say it was the best holiday of my life!
Firstly I have to say cuban girls are the best looking I have seen anywhere in the world, whatever your taste ie white, asian, black, mixed race etc they are all there and all stunning!
The best place we went to was Marumba, every night it was busy, with loads of single girls. Basically they are all "semi pros" ie students who are out to make some money on the side, or more established pros (who usually have mobile phone)
If you sit at a table and order a bottle (not cheap at 50 to 70 us dollars!) they will just come up and chat to you. Very few however speak English. Take them to dance and if you like them ask to go somewhere more private. Most will ask for 100 US dollars, but you can negotiate particularly if its towards closing time. I paid us 50 to 60. In addition you will need 30 US dollars for the casa familiar (basically a room rented out for the night). We were staying at the National and basically you cannot take girls back to the hotels. The one exception may be to the Hotel Commodore in Mirimar, if you get one of the pool appartments as its quiet and the girl does not need to go past any security.
Well I slept with 2 girls, in fact the 2 most beautiful I have ever been with in my 32 years on this planet.
The first one was 18 yrs old and had just left school. She just had the most amazing body but her english was very poor. The second one was 22 and was in university. She had a fantastic face and spoke good English, had a long chat about why she was doing this. A very nice girl actually, just making money to cover life in university and rent
One thing it is important to make clear before you go is how many times you will fuck them for the money. The first girl I had fucked me 3 times for 50us, the second fucked me only 1 for 60 us, and wanted another 60 to go again!
I wonder if the regulars could clairfy if this normal?
The other thing we experienced was the "hijack!". Basically every night we went to marumba, are taxis would be cut off by another taxis carrying girls. The first time this happened we were quiet scared and didnt really know what was happening, but basically its girls trying to get into the car with you and then go into the club with you. As in cuba girls cant enter a club without a guy. If you do get "hijacked" you can dont necessarily have to pay for the girls entry, as they will have money, but if you fancy them it might be an idea.
Also went to Valadaro for the day, cost 125us dollars in a taxis, but its got nice beaches. If you hang out on the beach you will find a fair number of local girls (who wont approach you, but you can approach them without a problem).
I would be very interested if any regulars could answer the following:
1) How much it would cost to rent a nice a/c appartment in Central Havanah and any contact tel nos.
2) What the correct going rate for the night is?
3) How to negoitate to get a girl for the whole week to enjoy the girlfriend experience, and how much to pay for it.
4) A good place to rent a car and preferable also a driver and appropriate rates.
5) the best time to go, as I plan to go again.
Hope this post helps
[size=-2][u]EDITOR's NOTE[/u]: [blue]Posting of this report was delayed pending revisions to correctly spell the words "you", "are" and "because". To avoid future delays, please refrain from using "u" instead of "you", "r" instead or "are", and "cuz" instead of "because" in future reports. [i]Thanks![/i][/blue][/size]
El Cubanito, no I did not rent a car. Sorry I can't help.
GenCuster, I was referring to Marta Vitorte (martavitorte@hotmail.com).
To All, I was told that the Sophia bar is a good pickup place after hours, when the policia is gone. But I was never there that late to confirm.
Also I went to bar Monserrate one night around 9pm. The doormen did a very good job in stopping any potential dates from enterring :-(
AlLostInSpace13,
That's what I was afraid of. How were you able to take care of business with said professora in Marta's place? I had her place reserved later this month (2 of the bedrooms at least), but am resigned to looking elsewhere unless you have some encouraging words.
Thanks.
GC
Of the 3 days that I was there with said professor in the casa, I only saw her once on the day that she arrived. So just keep to yourselves and you'll be alright. Just don't volunteer any personal information. Email me at AlLostInSpace13@NOSPAMhotmail.com and I can tell you why you have nothing to worry.
El Cubanito: Have a good trip.
I want to thank you for putting me in touch with Cesar. He gave me the email for a lady in Habana (I think that's is where she is) and we have been communicating in email, albeit neither of us speaks the language of the other. Still, her Father is a Professor of English at the university so that may help. Also, my friend here who is going w/me is helping translate our communication.
It will be interesting for me and I'm looking forward to it and to post a trip report but it may be very light on any mongering I do. Still, my freind is 33 and looking forward to meeting the chicas and I'm sure he will have some experiences to share and we both should have some photos.
So enjoy your trip and do let me/us hear about it.
Spock/David
Body search on entering Cuba?
OK, I got your attention and now I have a question about entry into Cuba and would appreciate responses from anyone who has actually been there.
I have several small items (hand painted Cayman Islands coins with gold bezels) which I want to bring to Cuba. They look GREAT! and I'm sure will impress the panties off any chica.
I want to simply put them in my pants pocket when I enter. My question has anyone who has actually been there had to empty their pockets when going into Cuba? If so, why?
I posted this on Lonely Planet and got a lot of comments about wearing them myself to get the in but only one person said he had his luggage searched carefully but didn't say why.
So anyone who has been there, and I know a lot of readers here have, please give me your experience on this issue or non-issue.
Thanks.
Spock.
Talosian,
Don't bring too much with you. Cuban custom will tax you if you bring in a lot of luggage.
Why wouldn't you put gold coins in your wallet? But really you should consider bringing something more useful for the lady.
AlLostinspace13: More useful as in? And I always thought women loved jewelry.
Everyone:
What's my best course for not getting ripped off in bars or such? I don't speak Spanish and have read that sometimes a guy will go into a bar, buy a couple of drinks for a chica and be presented with s US$75 bill and harassed into paying it. Any thoughts on this one?
Customs:
I have no say we had no problems at all. 2 flights arrived at the same time as us. We were all waved through by customs, bags were NOT searched.
So I guess it depends on your luck, how busy they are, etc.
Anyone know if Cuba is good around the Christmas holidays? I assume not too much is different. I may be there the week before Christmas if anyone else will be there. I haven't read the board in weeks but will check this section to see if anyone will be in Havana.
Thanks,
Saint
P.S. Hey Havanaman. You gonna be in Cuba anytime soon? I hope you're doing well and having fun.
Saint - Godless communists don't celebrate Christmas. Some of the black Cubanas are Santarian, but they seem to have their own separate holidays. Christmas is a great time to get down there. You might want to pack a few long-sleeved shirts and a light jacket or sweater. It will frequently be in the lower 60's at night and can fall into the fifties. One note - if it gets that cold, you won't see many chicas on the street.
Talosian - bring cheap perfume (I pick up small samplers at flea markets) and cosmetics. They're harder for the chicas to get and you'll get more mileage from less money.
I would love to visit Cuba, but America has placed an embargo on Cuba since the 60th. The U.S customs at the air-port are not to friendly to those who have Cuba stamp on the American passport.
Hi there,
I am a Canadian planning my first trip to Cuba and was wondering which resort would be best suited to my needs, i.e. lots of young Chicas as I probably would only have a week and want to make the most of it.
I have read some of these reviews and am getting conflicting reports and am hoping someone can please give me the best up to date information as I would like to go very soon.
Thanks.
Hey, Saint,
I'm going to be in Havana the same time you are. I arrive on the 23rd and stay through the 3rd. I think we've read each other's posts on the S. America boards, and you've been very helpful to me. I don't need help on Cuba, having been there 8 times, but I'd love to buy you a drink. Anyone else?
(Saint, DocBill449), Talosian, Gentlemen,
Saint! Cómo esta mi amigo?
Privately, many Cubans are Catholic (actually, the cathedral, and some of the impressive churches are worth a visit). They have a x-mas tree, attend mass and generally do the usual Christmas family thing. Openly, its just another day, especially for the Afro-cubanos & communists.
Both in Christmas 1997 and 2002, I saw some of the clubs either closed or very thinly attended by chicas (however, please note there may not be aconnection here betweenChristmas and the closing). In fact the whole tourist issue takes a dive during the Christmas week. However, I have always enjoyed it due to having pre-existing contacts. I wish that I had read your (…and DocBill449’s) posts a month ago! I’m in Havana on the 11 November for a few days, then BA for a week in December. I could easily have reversed this agenda and joined you guys!! Such is life. Depending on my chica friend in BA, I may contact you for one of your BA apartments Saint.
I agree with El Colorado about the cold. Be prepared. I have had excellent experiences at the bars on the Malecon in the day and early evening during the Christmas period. If you stay for el año Nuevo, join one of the many parties at ALL the major hotels. My favourite has to be the Inglatera which also gives you good access to the Parada and immediate surrounds.
Saint, in terms of the comparison between BA & Havana: be prepared for going from a 1st world country to a 4th world. No offence is intended here for a country and peoples I love. Its just a fact. If I say take your own toilet paper, you will get the drift. Communism sucks!
Talosian: you remind me of me when I first went to BA. Saint posted some excellent advice to me at that time. He said: "just go and enjoy it". I went, and I did. Forget fancy gifts. The VERY best thing you can do is to take the basics we gentlemen take for granted. Cheap perfumes / sprays, face / body lotions, cheap stocking-tights, small make-up items. I spend the equivalent of $60 on such items from European chain-stores like Aldi, Lidle, or indeed from the open or outdoor markets. Very cheap goods (like the above) are usually very well packaged so look nice. The average Cuban chica will not know about designer-good. (Aside: I also always take a stack of magazines and newspapers in Spanish: IN MY SUIT CASE not had luggage) for the owner of the casa particular. This allows me not only freedom, but also gets me in the good books of the proprietor for future needs. If you do bring any such gift items, take a few paper / plastic bags with you. Chicas do not like to carry these around after you have given them. Remember unlike in the West, the cheap bag is not as important as the cheap item in it… It’s the thought that counts. Trust me when I say that 3 or 4 cheap gifts will get you more return on investment than a single designer item costing a larger percentage of your flight cost.
Lastly, I have never been searched at customs. I always have one average size hard suit case, one very small backpack. I would suggest that if you go fully loaded or with oversized luggage you are more likely to get stopped. In that case, when asked about the gifts, just say: éstos para mi novia. BUT be prepared to back that up. In the beginning I just had a fake name & address ready in the event I was asked where my novia lived. Now I give her correct address: she does not have a phone.
Saint, such bad fortune we can not meet in Havana. When you next in BA?
Regards, Havanaman
Good info, Havanaman. Too bad I'll miss you this time around! I want to second what you said about the difference between Buenos Aires and Cuba. The difference couldn't be more extreme. Cuba is very inconvenient, at least fourth world, and yes, bring your own toilet paper. Don't expect anything to go as planned or to happen on time, if at all. Everything is a hassle and the food really sucks. Fidel himself once joked that the three failures of the Revolution are breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Having said that the Cuban people are my favorite on earth. They make the hassle worthwhile. They are also the best actors on earth, so be careful and guard your trust. If you can do that and still have fun you've got it down.
If you're going just to monger you will be disappointed, especially if you've been to other places like BA, Rio, Costa Rica, Dominica, etc. The scene has changed and it's not a good hobby spot anymore. Way too much hassle. I am only going because I already have a girlfriend there, and it might get serious. Otherwise I wouldn't bother with Cuba. Having been there 8 times the novelty and mystery of it has long worn off.
I agree about the cheap gifts. They prefer the magazines, especially the tabloids and gossip rags (in spanish, of course). Remember that Cubans get no outside information, no newspapers or decent tv, so they crave this stuff. You also won't have to pay a tax on bringing magazines, as you do with gifts.
Any gifts you bring in, even for your own girlfriend, are to be taxed at %100 of their value upon entry. They rarely check luggage, but if they do and you have obvious gifts you'll get hit with the tax. If you bring lots of luggage and you're alone you are pretty suspect. I just take all tags and wrappers off of gifts of clothes etc and make them not noticeable as gifts. One time the customs guy found some intimate apparel that I brought in for my girlfriend and wanted to charge me the tax since it was obviously a gift. I told him with an embarrassed look that I have this problem: "Senor, por dia soyhombre, pero por noche soy mujer." He gave me the wierdest look but he either bought it or didn't want to deal with me so he let me go through without paying!
Cubans don't need jewelry, they need medicines, magazines, shavers, and plastic bags (yes, there is a bag shortage). Bring bags.
DocBill; Havanaman and all:
I absolutely do intend to go and enjoy myself even though I am not near a card-carrying monger (per se).
I'm taking to heart about the "gifts" though the way I am, I enjoy giving special gifts to women, not specifically to "get laid" but simply I enjoy their smiles when they get something special.
I will also be on my guard to not be overtrusting but will give everyone there the benefit of the doubt. Remember, where I live, one doesn't make eye contact unless you know the person and here we assume when someone you don't know is even slightly friendly, that they want something from you. It's a sad state of affairs but the truth never the less.
I was told that I am allowed two checked bags on Aerocarib (20 kilos each) and one carry-on of 5 kilos. Can anyone confirm this?
I think I have connected with a lady of 35 years, single, no children, etc. Very attractive but I'm older than her Father but she doesn't seem to care. And not to worry, I am a realist and know she isn't a virgin and after I leave will not be waiting for my return. Still, if I can have the fantasy and return to it as a reality on another trip, I will enjoy it. And if things do feel good and it's a GFE, well, my position in life is such I can afford and feel good sending a little help now and then.
So I'll buy a lot of little goodies at my "99 Cent Only Store" and local swap meet and keep the receipts. I'm not going to sweat $50 in duty. I saw Midnight Express <smile>.
So I'm counting the days and will keep an eye on this Board as well as lonely planet which I do not consider in competition with this Board.
Oh yes, I'm also trying to learn at least some passible phrases in Spanish.
Spock/David
Hello.
As planned, I arrived to Havana, Oct, Sat 18, 6:30P for a very short stop of one night and half a day. I am of course armed with lots and lots of information from this site.
Last time I came to Havana was two years ago, but as things normally change, most of the persons I knew are no longer around, specially the girls.
Nevertheless, for my big surprise, I manage to contact a friend from Spain who basically lives in Havana. He stays 8 months in Havana and 4 in Spain during the year. Lets call my friend “J”.
To put it in mild words, J’s purpose in this life is to screw as much girls as he can, on a ratio of 2 per day.
Well, I told J, I was in town, and he immediately got me a place to stay. It was a nice apartment in Vedado, with a nice Sea View, very close to Galerias de Paseo (the shopping mall).
I checked in, took a bath and went out to meet J. Honestly the jet lag was taking a toll on me. But hey, I was to be only one night so I better make it worth.
I met J at the Jazz club in Galerias de Paseo, had a few beers, catch up a little bit. I started to review all the info I got from this site with him, and indeed, he confirmed to me that all the info was still valid.
Since I didn’t have much time to play the “catch me if you can” game with girls I asked him if he had some phones I could use. He was more than glad to call me a friend of his, Lili.
So after a couple of beers we went to meet Lili at the Casa Vasca (behind the Melia Cohiba hotel). 15 minutes later there she was, a young 19 years old hot Latina, just for me. She was 1.70 mts and about 50 kgs, more curves than the road to the Alps.
J droped us at my apartment and left, we started the chat, about what she does etc… It turns out that she is a dancer, in one of the Cabarets. I offered her some rum (Havana Club of course) and some chocolates I had.
It was getting late (11PM) and I was getting horny of just having this nice girl in my bed, so I started to undress and asked her to get more comfortable, so she did. Wow, what a knock-out.
We started to make out, and have some fun.
I think I will spare the sexual details.
I will just say that she was no shy in bed, very eager to please me, and I never got a “no” when I asked her to do this or that. We had sex, chat a little bit, had some more rum, had sex again, and again. Three times and she never told me to hurry up or that she had to go. She was enjoying it and so was I. It was a true GFE.
About 3 am, we finished, I asked her a taxi (Panatour, Tel 555-555) and send her home.
She never asked for money so I gave her a US $50 gift (regalito), plus US $5 for the taxi.
Back to bed and to sleep the Jet-Lag with a big bad wolf smile in my face.
I woke up next day 9 am, my head spinning and hungry like a Castaway.
I had two choices, either ask the owner of the apartment, who lives two apartments below for breakfast or go out and find a place.
I opted for the 2nd alternative. I ended up having breakfast at the Melia Cohiba.
A big breakfast, just what I needed to recharge batteries.
Then I called J, thank him for the nice girl he got me and asked him for more phones.
He gave me two numbers and told me that one was a Piel Canela (white with a very sun tanned skin) and the other was a Rubia (Blonde).
I opted for the Blonde and called her, I asked her to come to my place at 10:30 AM. Well, she was a no show.
So what would any respectable monger do in s situation like that? Call the other girl!
I asked her to come at 11:15 Am.
Her name is Yanislaidy, but people know her as La Gallega.
She arrived to my place just in time and with a very relaxed attitude. She was not shy but not pushy neither. She is 18 y/o, petit very thin body, with nice hips and breasts, about 1.60mts and 40kgs.
We started to chat a little bit and making jokes about her “credentials” given to me by J.
We went to bed and I asked her to get “comfortable” for me, which she did gladly. All clothes went off but the panties. Then I played some MP3’s from my laptop and asked her to dance for me. Men, this girl really knew how to move her body and shake her ass. That only made me very hot for her, so I “invite” her to bed and started kissing her, she corresponded, and as I started to fondle her breast she started to play with my best friend Mr. Happy. I took her panties off and, ups!.. for my big surprise, she had abundant pubic hair, with a big bold remark in the word abundant!. This is a very big turn off for me, and I told her so. This just made her more eager to please me, and oh yes…. She surely did. Here is where I stop and spare the sexual details.
All and all, it was a very good and satisfying experience. We had 2 rounds and, when I looked for my watch it was 1.30PM and I had to be at the airport at 2.30. Haven’t you noticed how amazingly fast time goes by when you are having fun?
I called her a taxi and one for myself, packed my stuffs and went straight to airport, with as smile like cat in front of a plate of milk.
She didn’t ask for money so I gave her a regalito US$ 50 and US$5 for the taxi.
Well guys, that is the end of this short stop in La Havana. Next month I am planning to spare one night in Venezuela/ Caracas. Wait for my report.
Mr. Chencho.
Hey DocBill,
I got your PM but when I responded I don't know if it went through to you. Anyway, I don't check my PM's that often on WSG. I haven't had time to read the board that much the past month. I've been so busy. Email me in the future at saintofba (at)h-otmail.com If I'm in Cuba I'd definitely love to hook up with you. I'm not going solely to hobby. I've been in the mood lately to just travel and see more of the world.
Good to hear from you Havanaman. I've been doing well and staying busy. I'm not sure when I'll be in BA next. Maybe end of December or January. I'm going on a European vacation in less than 2 weeks with my girlfriend. If she is still at my house next month I'll vacation with her. If not, I'll go to Cuba or somewhere else. Still not sure. I might travel around Brazil. I have 3 weeks of planned vacation.
Besides taking your own toilet paper, anyone else have any useful good advice? How does everyone deal with the money situation? I assume you have to bring in a ton of cash. Feel safe with that much cash on you? Thanks in advance.
Saint,
No, I didn't get your PM. I'll write to your e-mail address. If i get it wrong mine is docbill449@mindspring.com. Please let me know if you'll be in Havana anytime between 12/23 and 1/3.
If you're not going solely to hobby and it's your first time and you are at least a little adventurous you'll have a great time. It's a fascinating and exotic place, and the people are the greatest.
As for money, if you don't want to use all cash you have to get a Canadian credit card (if you still have time) or Canadian traveler's checks (though the latter can be a hassle to cash sometimes). OTherwise if you're American it's strictly cash & carry. I've been there eight times and never had a problem except once. I left the bulk of my cash with the owner of the casa I stayed at and that worked out fine. Last time I stayed at a different casa and I noticed some money missing from my suitcase. I was also pickpocketed of $100 on the street.
I would say if you're in a hotel use the safe. If you're in a casa you just have to be able to trust the proprietor, count your cash carefully and let him/her safeguard whatever you don't need at the time. Most Cubans are honest and trustworthy, and compared to other countries there is hardly any crime, but like anywhere else there are thieves too. Use money belts and keep cash in different places, and remember them! Obviously, if you lose it all you are totally hosed! Remember to save at least $25 for the exit fee at the airport. Finally, don't bring all hundreds, get a lot of small bills. Cashing large ones is a hassle in Havana, and Cuban banks charge a substantial fee for it.
One more thing: Bring a lot more than you think you'll need. Remember if anything unforseen happens you can't go to an ATM.
I noticed the excellent trip report from Mr Chencho and the photos. I was remembering a post some time ago about how much is appropriate to give a chica to show appreciation for her time. As I recall, the post said US$20-30 was fair and that anything past that point might "spoil" it for the next guy.
It sounds as if the ladies who Mr Chencho interacted with may have been professionals and if so, would this account for the difference between the suggested gift and the $55 given by Mr Chencho?
I know it's very subjective and was just wondering what others here think.
Do Thomas Cook Travelers Cheques work in Cuba?
Thanks.
Talosian - Aerocaribe allows one checked bag of 20 kilos. You are also allowed a carry-on which they may ask to weigh if they see it.
I always put all of the heavy stuff (and of course valuables) in the hand baggage. Before I go to the ticket counter, I either pass my hand baggage off to a friend or I check it in the rental lockers for $6. Since my hand baggage usually weighs around 50 lbs and the fine is around $1 lb, I save money.
Remember, all checked baggage gets x-rayed upon arrival in Cuba. If they spot anything interresting in there, you will be searched and taxed on any gifts. The hand baggage is run through a separate x-ray machine next to the metal detector, but they aren't looking for gifts. I frequently avoid searches and the 130% tax this way.
Doc Bill
the crossdressing story with the customs guy could be one of the funniest customs stories every!
Talosian, Gentlemen
Bad news my friend. The piano player is not playing at the Inglatera anymore. This information is from the reception staff. I did try! On entering the bar area, I heard the piano playing and thought of you! Only to be confronted with a bearded, balding chap on the old ivory. Sorry.
A fuller report when I get back, however the carnival seasons here and the whole of the malecon is closed to everything but the parades at night. If anyone is here right now, enjoy, but do take care. I was nearly pickpocketed whilst being broped by a chica. Nothing take, but I was left quite distraught.
More another time. I am here now up to Tuesday 18, so any mongers want to hook up can call me Havanan: 8739962
The experiment is going very well. I promise full details. Its been many years since I have had multiple GF´s at the same time. Exhilerating is not apprpriate enough a word...
Regards, Havanaman
A social/cultural query:
Do Cubans get formal vacations as in other countries? How about sick days?
I'm also wondering, say someone want to go to Cuba and have a GFE which would require the chica to spend days as well as nights w/him, how might this work?
I figure if one of you Mongers wants company for the entire week or month, how can that be done?
Just curious as to thoughts/experiences.
Spock
To Talosian:
Nothing simpler to do.
Just walk by around Havana and try to look foreigner (seems odd but it works).
Stay out of typical Turist Places since most of the pro's hang up there, and these girls are only for the money.
Go to normal places, like quick byte restaurants, to the beach, market, hang around the Havana University, etc, and if you like a girl, just tell her “Que bonita tu eres mami” (You are so beautiful, baby). She will smile at you guaranteed. Invite her for a beer or a byte. She won't refuse.
Remember that these girls have a very dull life, and dating you means having the fun they cannot pay for themselves.
If chemistry works, ask her to come to your place, plain and simple. No needs to go around the bushes. Voila! Have fun.
She will probably not asks for money, but a small "regalito" (gift) will be in order. Something between US$30 and US$50 will do the trick.
If you like her, tell her so, and ask her to be your date for the period you are going to be in the Island. Again, keep in mind that she will expect “regalitos”.
Cuban girls, like any other women in the world, likes small presents, so buying her things like a dress, shoes, or make up, will guarantee you a GFE during your stay.
Have fun, use condoms, and have a cold CRISTAL on moi!.
Mr. Chencho.
Hey Mr Chencho,
Thanks for the suggestions and tips. I will keep in mind. Is there a possibilty that you might pass contact info on Lili, she seems really hot. I guess it will be good for first day there to know someone already. Please contact me via a private message using the WSG Forum's Private Message service.
Gentlemen,
Returned and rested. OMG! Please stop writing emails to me reminding me that I owe a report. You know I’m good for it.
Here we go, my feedback.
This trip was never intended to be. As some of you will recall that last December I said goodbye to Cuba… and headed north to BA. However as you see I can not stay away. Some of the regulars will know why, so lets leave it at that.
Title:
An experiment to see how many GFE’s an ageing man of science was able to see, keep, entertain and generally have fun with, without “paying cold” cash to barracudas, for the total duration of stay n= 7 nights in Havana.
Abstract:
It was decided that the best way to make contact was to reply to 50 “profile” posts under the MSN People & Chat system, advanced search, by the country, namely Cuba:
(http://members.msn.com/find.msnw?rr=266811406).
As an example the “singles” page is:
http://members.msn.com/results.msnw?SearchType=1&DName=&FName=&LName=&Gender=F&Age=2&MaritalStatus
=S&Country=CU&Region=-1&City=
Only recently posted profiles were replied to. Only chicas aged 20 – 29 were replied to. Total duration of trial set-up was 5 months of communication with the chicas who replied (see results for full stats). 4 chicas were counted in the trial data. There was 1 exclusion due to the age factor. Total chica expenditure was $180 in Havana for food and drinks (for me and the chicas). Total cost for gifts taken was $75. Success was had all round. This trial shows what can be done when good planning meets efficient logistics.
Introduction:
The club scene in Havana is now so riddled with very hard core prostitutes (some have mobile phones! In Cuba!!) that I have decided that this is not the scene for me in Havana any more. This decision is final, and only applies to Havana and no other country yet. This trial has become multi-national for 4 other Spanish speaking countries.
The ideal action is GFE, everyone must agree with this. So the intention was to gain now, set-up for the future and maintain as much GFE as possible. This was learned from a previous mini trial involving a simple hand given letter containing a small amount of money, to an excellent prospect (waitress at a bar). The note at that time read simply: “I like you. I have no time now, but here is my email and can I see you when I get back” (in my bad Spanish).
If age has taught me anything it is that I need to get back some youth. I recall having multi-girl relationships at college, and wanted to experience it again. The stress of it, the joy of it, the shear animal love of it…
Materials and methods:
Ticket from Europe, Apartment casa-particular (unfortunately one of you dogs got my old apartment and so I had to settle for second best!). Gifts (body spray {mini cans}, lip-sticks, nylons, cheap perfumes, eye-cosmetics, nail-cosmetics, assorted small teddy-bear toys {!!!}, magazines in Spanish, visa and FAKE place of stay document (see discussions, especially in reply to the recent email: you know who you are, I will not use your name here..), 36-pack condoms, 1 box medi-wipes {needle size}, 1 box lemon flavoured-alcohol wet tissues. Own cloths in hard case. Money, cost to $100 per day {excluding accommodation, which was $140 for 7 nights}. Gum, mints (I like to use mints with oral sex). Own brand of smokes (OK, OK, so I have 2 bad habits…). Toilet tissue x 4 {just trust me on this one}. About 10, cheap plastic carry bags.
A general letter emailed to each selected candidate was thought to be the most efficient method of initiating a contact. The premis being to learn Spanish. NO LIES OR MALITIOUS INTENT WAS INVOLVED. This needs to be repeated (so don’t flame me….). I told no lies: I am learning Spanish. I am single… I am looking for fun… etc.
It was understood, as part of the trial protocol, that if money was asked for, the chica was dropped from the trial (after a paid-for session off course!).
Results:
It was assumed that n=10 active prospects would be advisable. However, my age, my dislike of Seldinafil, tierdness, available time and general contentidness meant that n=4 - 6 chicas was sufficinet. In the end n=4 were entertained. All chicas were of mixed race. 1 mulata (B & W mix), 2 were (hispanic & white mix). 1 was white (european and Ukrain). The youngest was 27. The oldest was 30.
Of the 50 chicas emailed, 15 responded back to me more than once. 5 continued to respond for the duration of my trial. 1 was 19 (confirmed by ID card), and looked 12. She was dropped after the first date which was a quick snack from the stand next to the cinema. Way too risky, regardless of age. Also, to be honest a bit young for me at 19.
My initial reply to their profile post was warm and asked for help with Spanish (genuine reason), offered help with English (genuine reciprocation). Only profiles with photo’s were used, and mine was posted to show genuineness. A real learning experience was had by both sides as well as obviously establishing raport.
Each chica was contacted on arrival. I had managed to get their contact numbers by giving my mobile number to them. In the event any collateral-damage: them trying to call me would be prohibitively expensive. A date was arranged to meet. The best spot for this I found was the “tunnel area” immediately opposite and left of the Inglaterra and just outside the theatre. A public place and one where you will not be disturbed by police as lots of people come and go in and out of the theatre, shops and adjoining post-office / telephone area (check out the blonds selling telephone cards!!!).
Rotating the chicas was a hit and miss to begin with, as some worked, others studied. 50% gave-it-up on the night of the first date. This was attributed more to the previous numerous emailing sessions, than ones own ability with women (life is hard, but the truth remains the truth!). GFE all the way. Multiple sessions and everything one could hope for. And I do mean everything.
50% (n=2) gave-it-up on the night of the second date. This was found to be the case due to: a) Natures / womens “problems” with one, b) shyness with the other. All chicas were into oral in a big way (see discussions). Only 25% (n=1 was into anal). For the nights of no-GFE, I paid cash for night #1 ($30) and beers ($10, I think) for night #2.
The only excuse (lie!) used for not seeing the same chica more than 2 times (apart from the impossibility of it) was that I told them I had a business meeting at the Nacional or in Matanza. This seemed plausable, due to my previous set-up emails.
Different resturants were selected for each chica and never repeated for the same chica. By far the best of these was the Italian opposite the Telegraph hotel on the Prado. Excellent value and excellent European food (I live in Europe and so I have agood standard to comapre with. However try to stay away from the fryed foods… go roast…).
The trial was a success. Youth has reappeared in my life, even if it was only for 7 nights. I have made some excellent contacts for future visits and am still in contact with each chica.
Discussion:
In general I do not like to go down the line of dishonesty. However, I needed to get a quick way of confirming accommodation. I went to the Hotel Nacional website: filled in their reservation form, added the comments that I would be pleased to accept the deal if it was negotiable and that they provided free city tours (they do not haggle and tours will cost), in the comments box. I then sent this to them (no CC numbers are required at this stage). I printed off this sheet and used it to prove that I was intending to stay at the nacional. This is the only “lie” in the whole scenario. It works every time and for all the main hotels. If the proverbial you-know-what hits the fan, then I will stay at the hotel under the conditions I made in the comments box… (for the first night any way).
The experiment worked. I saved a bundle of money. Payed next to nothing for the GFE’s at multi-sessions through out the 7 nights. Wonderful.
The Carnival caused some interferience, but was used as part of the expereince. Indeed after droping one of the chicas off home (her fathers house), I walked back to my apartment via the Carnival. Minor incident with a pickpocket (nothing taken). However I did stop for a cool one at the bar opposite the statue of General Antonio, on the Malicon. I met a drunk lady who was a real laugh and fun to be with (not part of the trial). Paid for drinks for her and a couple of her friends (men). My generosity was repaid by a lovely BBBJ to completion, when she walked home with me. This was done in the open (we were both a little drunk), in the corner of the entrance of the hospital (dark alley, open both sides). This was a never to be repaeted experience due to the dangers involved. I do not recommend it. It was enjoyable, but not worth the risk and I’m still feeling the hairs on my kneck stand when I think about the risk involved.
A comment which I must make. After many years of mongering in Cuba, it has to be said that these chicas are experts when it comes to the BBBJ. I think this is due to not wanting to get pregnant or may be that latino men just prefer this mode. I'm not latin and I enjoy BBJ as much as the next man, however the incidence of BBBJ has always been the highest for me in Cuba, relative to any country I have been to (I have no experience of the far east). Your comment s fellow Cubaphiles?
I have to state for the record that I have decided to go back in December. That’s right, back in the next 4 weeks. As soon as I know my dates Talosian, I will PM you to hook up. Anyone else, Saint, DocBill449?
There are dangers to this trial. I was concerned that the infatuation factor can set in. What would I do if I return to my casa and a chica is sitting at the door and already have one on my arm? I took the risk. This was based on generating acceptance of my excuses of conducting business. Still a danger, but the thrill was enjoyable.
Extra:
The police presence is very high indeed. I have personally seen the numbers go up almost exponentially. Also it should be noted that all the chicas pointed out to me that the majority of the police in Havana are not natives of Havana, but from other cities. They have less maners and are more forcefull appareneltly. I saw numerous men being stopped to have their ID’s checked: day and night.
I can not comment on the club scene. I did not use it.
I did not feel as asfe as I have in the past whiolst out very late at night. Maybe this is psychological due to the very heay police presence during the day.
More another time, gentlemen.
Regards, Havanaman
Havanaman:
I have recieved your PM and am ready for you answer. Thanks
To Aloo94,
Amigo, I am sorry to say that my PDA is on the shop for repairments. I have the "black book" with the phones there, so if you can wait for 3 weeks, and with a little bit of luck, I will be able to pull the Lili's phone for you.
B. Regards
Mr. Chencho.
Havanaman, LOL great report. Can I be on your dissertation committee? Last time I was in Cuba, the huge police presence was making things almost impossible. I have been thinking of renting a car and taking a small puptent with me next time...
Chuponalgas,
Thanks! Been there, done it. Now just an old man chasing tail, trying to recapture youth… I’m having difficulty getting tickets for December, but money talks with agents. In Europe I have come across situations of seats magically appearing…. (some poor “schmuck” gets his cancelled…), or indeed a last minute business class for the price of economy. I hate doing this, but it's in the interest of science!
It’s a forked-trail I blaze: BA frist, then Havana (or vice versa depending on the tickets). The trial is now truly multinational (randomised, double bind etc!). Mexico city & Columbia in June. Bolivia, Peru & Chile in December ’05. But Havana is always in my heart, so I’m negotiating time and money for a trip here and there. Concurred information about the police, and about the availability of el cuarto de baño… Did I mention toilet paper? LOL
Regards, Havanaman
Havanaman:
You have given your fellow mongers some fantastic advice for fun not only in Cuba but in all the Central and South American countries.
To quote the old line from "Pal Joey": Treat a w**** like a woman and a woman like a w****".
A basic friendship is essential to any heavy-duty coupling later. She isn't used to being treated like a queen, and she will show her appreciation later.
I am VERY bad with Spanish, but at least I try. They seem to be amused at my stumbling, and appear enjoyed to help me complete a sentence. There is much celebration when I actually do.
Unlike the French assholes (if you are considering trips to St. Bart's, Martinique or Guadeloupe), you aren't treated as a nobody if you don't speak their idiot language correctly. They are impressed that you are at least TRYING to learn their language, and they will be helpful.
I love the Spanish people, their friendliness and their sensuality, and I'm determined to keep that particular industry going and rewarding them well.
I have always been concerned with LE, which seems to relax south of the border, but I have read posts from guys in isolated spots where there seems to be a crackdown. Is this a normal bust, or are they singling out the monger?
This1GreatMan,
Thank you for your kind words sir. I agree with your every word about the Spanish speaking people (South American and to much a degree European Spain). I also think you have hit the nail on the head about the French.... Passionate, yes... bUT very arrogant too: I know, I face this at least 2 times a month... The e-pall method is sure fire dead loss in France...
I'm happy to answer your question ("I have always been concerned with LE, which seems to relax south of the border, but I have read posts from guys in isolated spots where there seems to be a crackdown. Is this a normal bust, or are they singling out the monger?"), however LE ?? please define.
Regards, Havanaman
Havanaman,
If I may, LE stands for Law Enforcement.
AlLostInSpace13, This1GreatMan, Gentlemen,
Please refer to the >Cuba>General Info board...
Regards, Havanaman
This is my first trip to Cuba. I would like some pointers. I am going to stay in Old Havana for about a week to 10 days in March. I have an appartment that I have booked. Will it be there when I get there? They have not asked for a downpayment. I would like to find a woman (18 to 25) to spend the time with (not interested in the one night/one woman thing, at least not this time) I do not speak one word of spanish, I already know that is a problem. How about finding an english speaking woman? easy or hard? I live in Canada so getting to Cuba is not a problem for me. Would it be possible to find a woman from here before I go. I love old buildings and want to take my camera and tripod to shoot some of them. Will that be a problem? I am sure I will have more questions as I get closer to going.
Rocky Mtn Man
Rocky,
You will not have any problem the girls are everywhere they will give you the look or walk right up to you and talk. Go to any disco in the capital at a major hotel around 11 pm and everything there is for sell. dont pay more than$50 for the whole night
With all due respect, I'm really wondering how anyone can make the blanket statement that essentially every Cuban woman is "for sale." I know there are some women who think nothing is wriog with prostitution (or whatever label you want to put on a woman taking $$ or something else of value in exchange for her "time") but I don't feel it is right to make the general statement they are all availabe. I received a note from one man on another Board who has a Cuban wife and took well-founded exception when in Cuba some man came up and propositioned his wife.
I also am going there and meeting a 35-year old woman who has made it clear she is NOT a prostitute nor will she trade "time/sex" for $$, gifts or whatever. And while I know necessity is often a great motivator, in this instance I believe her.
My personal feeling is that without putting a % on it, there are many women who have no problem with a "time for $$" arrangement and I personally see nothing wrong with consenting adults making these deals. I do think it's wrong to paint every woman in Cuba as being in this group.
Just my feeling and maybe worth what you pay for it.
Spock.
Rocky Mtn Man,
Batman is off course very right, there are many clubs, bars, hotel-discos and SW's you can go with.
HOWEVER, may I take the liberty of suggesting my method, as reported below.... Just think about it. Real women, real GFE, little or no bull, and this will be from day 1.... You might be able to rotate say 2 chicas for the whole duration. I'm not suggesting anything difficult or a full exploration of 7 - 10 different chicas (although that would be fun!), but this method will see your needs filled and then some. You will also save a small fortune...
As for your spanish, you get a good level by just learning infinitves of the basic words... dog, cat, door, in, out, man, woman, etc... I learned the other day that the NY-times, on average has between 700 and 1000 different words in the average daily edition. From now until you get there, you could learn, very easily this number of words... Try the Michel Thomas 8 hour course. It is excellent and really helped me. I'm now starting to read online Spanish after just 6 months... Yes it really is that good a course.
Regards, Havanaman
havanaman,
i actually took your advice two days ago and have started the same search you did. i got about 14 pages of results and have worked my way down to the g's. i sent the same email to all. no response yet. i am sure it will take a bit of time.
i would like to find one or two, maybe 4 days with each. next time i will go on a different adventure.
if i do find one i would like to spend time with, is it possible to go out with them? i have heard it can be very difficult for the chica's to be seen with non-cubans. like out for dinner, museums, etc.
i went into the havancubanconnection, but i am not willing to spend $9.00 us (real money, not that chicken crap we call canadian $) on the offchance one may write me back. seems like wasted time to me.
i am going to rent both rooms at the casa, i like my privacy. a bit more money, but worth it in the end.
what do i need at the airport when i land? will the address of the casa (it is a legal one) be enough? they have agreed to meet me at the airport to pick me up.
that michal thomas course sounds good. i will look at it.
by the way, the average newspaper is written for someone with a grade 4 to 5 education. that would answer why only 700 to 1000 words. and heaven help the average reader if there where to ever see the word "existentialism". (damn, no speel chicher on my compu, comper, cumpert, er, keyboard)
there is a lot of great info at the cuba>general info site.
thanks to all that respond.
rocky mtn man
Rocky, to answer your questions: Yes, the apartment you reserved will probably be there but your reservation may not. In a desperate society it's first come first served, so there's a chance it will be "full" when you arrive. If this happens, however, it will take you about 5 minutes to find another place of equal or better quality, so don't fret.
Not knowing Spanish IS a problem in Cuba, as most Cubans do not know two words of English. I agree with Havanaman, take a course before you go. It will pay off it's weight in gold for you, and the Cubans (unlike the French) do indeed appreciate an effort made. Do NOT expect to understand them much, because they speak their own bastardized form of Spanish, with many syllables and letters omitted (They omit all their 's's' and save them for poor service in restaurants!). They also speak very rapidly, and if you ask them to slow down they will just speak louder.
Finding a woman won't be a problem. Finding an English speaking woman will be, although there are a few.
Taking pictures of anybody or anything is definitely not a problem. Cubans love having their picture taken. Just be courteous and ask first. And make sure you do not try to photograph police, military personel, some government buildings or any military or security facility. I also suggest that you do NOT have your film developed there.
I hope this helps.
I'll be there the two weeks of Xmas and New Years. Anyone else?
DocBill449,
Please check your PM for my Havana dates. Hook-up?
Regards, Havanaman
To Mr Chencho,
Hi I have enjoyed very much your reports.
I plan 2 visit Cuba on January .
I will be happy to contact you on your private Email if you don't mind.
Thanks & regards
Mrx
Please contact me via a private message using the WSG Forum's Private Message service.
Havanaman,
Sorry I'll just miss you. I've been having a great time on vacation in Europe (Switzerland and Italy) and I'm looking forward to going to Cuba in a few weeks. I'll be there at least two weeks so that should be plenty of time to have fun. I might travel around a bit. All those that are worried about going should just do their own thing. My friend that goes often just went and said he had the best time ever this past trip. He said he didn't notice any increased presence in Nassau. He had great sessions.
It's funny that most people that are warning me against going to Cuba have never even been there! I'm not worried and looking forward to my trip. I have all my tickets and will be arriving on December 19th in Havana.
I'm going to brush up on my Spanish the next few weeks too. I understand Cuban spanish is different but I think I'll manage fine. Sounds like there is NO shortage of beautiful women in Havana. Looking forward to yet another adventure.
Saint
Saint, be sure to PM me so we can find each other there. I arrive on the 23rd for two weeks. Havanaman, did you get my message?
Hello to All,
Well, I just came back from a wonderful three weeks in Cuba. Have alot to say, so please pay attention. I arrive in Cuba on November 5, 2003. I flew from Miami, Florida to Havana, Cuba. The flight took longer to go up and down than it took to cross the waters.
Once in Havana, I pay my duty to Cuban custom of $150.00 since I was bringing alot of stuff (Medicine, Ladies Thongs and some of other stuff) and I did not want any hassel with Cuban Custom officials. Even though I pay that sum, I was still search because of the size of my bag and they said they wanted to check the contents of my bag. When they open my Bag, the CUban custom official close it right away because they had seen what had come up in the x-ray machines. My hairdryer!! My hairdryer look like a gun in the x-ray machine or so they claim.
After custom went right to my car rental and they gave me a Hunday automatic for $ 73.00 a day. What a ripoff!!! I had just rented a large CHrysler in Miami for $ 29.95 a day.
I got into my car when I was no more than 5 minutes into the Havana road side when I was approach at a Stop light by a very good looking and sweet college Student. She told me she needed a ride to Havana Vieja. I took her to Havana Vieja, but she let me know right away by her conversation she did not want me to drop her off she wanted to be with me the rest of the day. Since she was really a stunner (a 9 on my book) I stay with her. I went to Miramar to this casa particular, that I know. As soon as we were in the room, the fun started. She was excellent!!!! We shower and then we went to Havana Vieja by the where the Ferry take people to Regla. We had dinner at a Restaurant and we talked about a lot of stuff. After, the restaurant we went for a walk on Malecon. After Malecon, we went back to my room in the casa particular in Miramar and had a Great evening of non stop sex. Finally took her home around 7:00 AM and gave her $ 50.00 so she could buy herself a pair of Jeans like she said she wanted. I told her we would hook up when I come back from the East Coast of Cuba. SHe wanted to tag along, but I told her some bullshit story that I needed to go alone.
Gentlemen, even though I had a very nice score with this Girl. When I was walking around I saw alot of hardcore pro. Havana is no longer what it used to be as there are a lot of girls who just seem very hard and cold. Not the sweet country girls who use to come to Havana to make some money and bring it back home. If you want girls like the one I just had I really recommend that you go to the other providence of Cuba. Places like Ciego de Avila or Las Tunas. At both of these Providence I had a Great time with the local girls.
I finally settle in Santiago to meet the girl that I always see when I go to Cuba. She is really special and she is the one that I bring all of these things that I pay for at custom. I have no illusion of marriage or anything with this girl. But beside being great in Bed, we also have great convesartion and she is not bad to look at. If anybody that is going down to Cuba has any question, please contact me via a private message using the WSG Forum's Private Message service.
These are the providence that I visted on this Trip:
1. Havana
2. Santa Clara
3. Ciego De Avila
4. Las Tunas
5. Santiago
6. Guantanamo
7. Baracoa
I hope this helps.
El Cubanito
DocBill,
We'll definitely hook up at some point during our trips.
Havanaman,
I emailed you back and I just got done reading your report. Man, that seems like too much work to me to meet girls. To each his own. I have a tough enough time with the infatuation syndrome with these working girls. I can't imagine how bad it would be for meeting girls the way you are. I don't fault you for going through all that trouble though. If you have the time to do it then all the power to you.
I like being able to tell a girl that I'm going to "butterfly" and sleep with many different girls. I don't like to be tied down or feel obligated to be with one girl and I know I'd have difficulty of that with your method. I've met normal girls off the internet and I can tell you they have a higher level of attachment and emotional involvement.
I don't think meeting hot girls in Havana is rocket science. Sounds like many guys overplan. I'm sure meeting a total hottie that is willing to spend time with you for money is as easy as finding in any other Latin American country.
It's all about having fun. As long as you're having fun that's what counts.
Saint
Saint, DocBill, Gentlemen,
Got your emails / PM’s. That’s it I can’t take it anymore! I am going to join you & DocBill after my Buenos Aires trip! I have an over night in Mexico city (yes, the trial continues!). I can only be in Havana for a couple of days: running out of money, but it should be cool. I do not know where I will stay yet, but we can make arrangements to meet. LOL, beginnings of the HMA (Havana Mongers Association)? Please check your respective PM’s.
About my method: Saint, you will recall last year I had exceptional success with this method in BA, so much so you made the comment when we met, about me not doing many of the clubs! It works for me, and I have not been tied-down with the emotional baggage, so its cool. The beauty of it is that I get to enjoy the best of both worlds (pay & play / real GFE). You are right, it does have the drawback of serious time injection, but hey: no speculation no accumulation, right?
Thanks once again for your help in BA Saint.
Keep smiling everyone. Regards, Havanaman
Finally got back this week from my first trip to Havana. Whether it will also be my last remains to be seen, but overall I had a good time. If what I hear about Buenos Aires is true, I may hit there next, but I'm probably getting ahead of myself.
Went in through Cancun. No problem getting into Mexico with birth certificate and photo ID. The problem was in coming back there from Havana. Those bastards wanted $20 not to stamp the passport (they know that you couldn't have been to Cuba without one, so BC and ID is no good on the way back). Screw that. They can have their frickin' stamp. I showed BC and ID to U.S. immigration and sailed right through.
Got to Havana late at night. Cab ride to Vedado was $12. Saturday night, La Rampa was hopping with people, even at 3 in the morning. Plenty of women just sitting and walking around the streets waiting to be picked up. Took two cuties home for $50 total (for both for a couple of hours).
One thing I didn't know before going: you can have your pick from at least a few women sitting on the wall of the Malecon at any hour of the day or night (unless the sea is spilling over it). The later it gets, the more there are. Some of the best women I found were just hanging out, waiting to get pulled from there, and they sat anywhere from the stretch facing the Spanish embassy up through where the 1830 club is located. Had I known, I wouldn't have spent so much time, energy, and money at the various clubs recommended here (well, you do get a different calibre of woman, but more on that later).
All of the taxi drivers I met had no trouble cruising the Malecon for chicks, and several Cocotaxi drivers had women they knew (pulled 2 this way) whom they could set me up with. I can imagine how it must have been in the good old days - I'd never experienced such a phenomenon as starting from zero to being in a cab with a girl going home to get laid in a span of 5 minutes.
About the clubs: I don't know about the other clubs, but Macumba, Casa de La Musica (Miramar), and Johnnie's seemed to be chock-full of pros. Also, there are many pros hanging out in the Gallerias del Paseo/Jazz Cafe. Every woman in these places under the age of 25 was working. It blew my mind that these 8s and 9s (granted, they had cell phones and nice jewelry...that's the tip-off...in America, these would be girls just out to have fun at the club...I found no such thing in Cuba) were all there for the taking. The "taking" for these beauties ran from $50-100 for a single session, and forget all of you who say to haggle - these women walk if you won't budge (not just me, my two pals - decent looking all-American types - had the same experience), as they will find some Spaniard or other tipo to pay their way. Then after they're done with you, it's back to the club for the next victim. I nailed the two most beautiful women I've ever done to date who I found at Macumba but had WAAAAY more fun with the young playful Camagueyan chicas I got from El Malecon.
The downside: the cops started paying attention to our casa after the 3rd day, with several run-ins with chicas getting carded, which sucked. Also, some of the heart-to-hearts I would have with some of the ladies (hey, I'm not an animal) stirred a variety of emotions. Which brings me to my final view, which is that I have to agree with folks like DocBill and others that Cuba, for a variety of reasons, is just too much of a hassle if you're going there just as a monger. The people are surprisingly resilient, but it gets to you after a while, what they're going through. It was great to go once, and I've not had a vacation like it, but in all honesty, I don't see myself going back anytime soon.
A few tips for newbies going to Cuba:
1. Bring a lot more money than you think you'll need. Money flows like water through a sieve in Cuba, and unless you know exactly what you're doing, you WILL overspend, guaranteed.
2. There is probably no better gift for the ladies than those sample bottles of perfume you can get at flea markets. Wish I'd brought some with me. They LOOOOVE foreign perfumes.
3. If I had to do it again, I would have rented a car. The main areas you hit are really easy to navigate once you spend a day there, it's only tricky if you're going to clubs. Plus, that tourist plate is a magnet for the women.
4. Barrio Chino is the best neighborhood to eat on a budget for decent food. Chan Li Po is a worthwhile eatery there.
5. EVERYONE there told me it's much better to go during the summer, when the girls are out of school. Having toured the University, I can see why.
6. It's been suggested a couple of times, but do yourself a favor and bring popular magazines in Spanish (you can get them in Mexico) - People, Cosmo, anything with pictures of celebrities, fashion, etc. The girls eat it up (and will keep them from getting bored with your broken-ass-Spanish).
7. Confirm your outgoing flight from Havana several days prior and leave a full day before you need to be in the States. Aerocaribe (and I assume, Cubana) cannot be trusted to get it right, so the onus is on you to make sure things get done. You don't want to be stranded there on Sunday with work in the U.S.A. beginning on Monday morning.
Thanks for everyone's help, and I'll see you on the BA boards.
GC
Thanks for the report GenCuster. I'm looking forward to my first visit to Cuba in a few weeks. I'm sure it's like night and day to other places I've been in the past few years. Believe all the hype about Buenos Aires! I've hit that city over 10 times in the past year and a half and liked it so much I leased a few apartments there. It's a world class city full of beautiful girls.
I didn't rent a car yet and wasn't sure I wanted to rent a car my first trip. I'm staying in the Vedado area so I figured that is a pretty central part of town. How much did you spend on taxi's each day? Most car rentals are at least $50 a day with hassles of deposit, etc. Did you spend more than that in taxis? Seems unlikely. Yeah I'm going to hobby but I'm going to relax too. Two weeks is a hell of a long time to spend there I hear, but I'm really looking forward to it. The countdown begins.....
Saint
Saint:
I figure we blew $20-$30 dollars a day on cab fare ($2-3 each way to get to restaurants or around town, $3-8 each way to get to clubs [Macumba is way the hell out there]). We tried all-day drivers ($25-$35) a few times, but while the guys were excellent resources (and had nice cars), we didn't drive around enough to make it worthwhile to us (our days were blurs of eating, screwing, and sleeping, with a few hours of sight-seeing / clubbing / listening to live music thrown in for good measure) and they were college students with day jobs and generally had better things to do, so it wasn't a great solution for anyone.
With your own car, though, you can pull mad poonage from the hitchhikers that are everywhere, come and go as you please, and attract attention from exactly the kind of chicas you want to meet.
As a veteran monger, you are almost certain to have a great time. You'll have to let us know how it measures up to the other places you've been.
Later.
GC
Great report GenCuster.
Just a few basic questions to cover off.
Clothes. I am a real shorts, sandals, t-shirts and jeans kind of guy. What do I need for the night clubs? Can you swim in the ocean that time of year? Would you even want to?
I love to walk when I get into the big cities. Sometimes for hours a day. Is that practical in Old (or New) Havana? I know to stay out of the shadows at night.
Gifts. What should I take? Advice here would be towards things that will get me better sex. Also someone told me to take a bunch of Harley Davidson T-shirts. Yes or no.
I am going to get a hard sided suitcase and a short cable lock so I can attach it to something solid in the apartment. That should keep the honest people honest. And a small back pack for day trips.
Any point in taking my cell phone?
Personal items. What do I need that I just cannot find in Cuba at any price?
Rocky
Gentlemen,
I have been to Havana many times and never had the need to hire a car. I agree with GenCuster: there is definitely a chica-magnet advantage, but I must concur with Saint. The hire-cost, hassle factor and “unknowns” (accidents, break downs, theft etc…) make car hire very unattractive. I guess I would spend on average $15 on taxis per day in the city, with an absolute maximum of $30 per day for longer journeys.
The cost of car hire varies depending where you go. The most expensive I have come across (when I was interested in this…) was at the hotel Nacional ($155 per day). The cheapest was $85 at a rental place on the Prado (near the Arab league offices & Italian restaurant). You will get what you pay for... My heart wasn’t in it so I never bothered to pursue details. There will be cheaper options, and as always: negotiate. But ask yourself: is it worth it when you can get from one end of the city to the other for $5 in an open air coco-taxi, with no hassle, no risk? I would rather spend the same money on chicas…
GenCuster, your remarks about sorting out the return are very valuable. I have personally been caught out in this way. Now, the first thing I do when I am in my last few days is to confirm my return details. Because of my bad experience I now also get my agent (back in Europe) to ensure my return confirmation by FAX to Havana. This is a bit over the top, I agree, but you will understand about getting stuck / stranded… So GenCuster is absolutely right to bring up the issue.
Be aware of the “baby-milk” scam! I have received a number of emails recently (passively and actively mentioning this, from the perspective of charity or scam). Goes something like this: a women approaches you (with or without a baby in arms). Begs you to go and buy some powdered milk for the child, from a “$-only” shop. She may say she can not get into the shop. She becomes like a rash that just won’t go away. She will shout (for all to hear) that she does not want money, will not “fucky-fucky”: she just wants to feed the baby. The psychological issues here are very apparent, as are the social, with everyone looking at the loud farce unfolding on the streets. This is a scam. If you give-in she will just resell the milk back to the shop. Dry milk pack costs $5.25 in Havana. Enough said. This aside I love Havana, and will keep going back.
Happy days!
Regards, Havanaman
Havanaman,
I have to agree with you and also disagree when it comes to renting a Car in Cuba. It all really depends on what you are trying to accomplish on your "Mongering" trip to Cuba.
If you are just staying in Havana, then yes not renting a Car and traveling by the mean of taxis, coco taxi, Private Taxis (The cheapest form of Transportation in Havana. You can go from Miramar to Havana Vieja for $ 2.00 USD.) or even the "Camel Bus". But if you are going to other cities like I did on this trip than renting a car is a must. Like GenCuster renting a Car in cuba is like a magnet for the Local Chicas. Your dick will get more pussy then it would know what to do with. Believe me that what happen to me in this last trip. One chica in Santiago came up to my car and said " What do I have to do to you so I can ride in that car with you." Mind you I was with my regular chica from Santiago. So do not throw out the advantage of a car. One Chica from the country side of Ciego De Avila was so happy for the ride I gave her from Town to her house, that she took care of me 5 minutes after I was in her house. I did not pay her a cent. That save me money right there from $20.00 to 60.00 dollar. Granted the girl was only a 6.5, but a score never the less. So do not throw out the advantage of a car.
El Cubanito
Havanaman,
What were you trying to rent a BMW or an AUDI? Because the price range you are talking about those of the only cars in Cuba at that price range.
El Cubanito
Everyone is giving good input. Rookies or veterans..doesn't really matter. The point of these boards is to share information to ensure a good trip. I'll definitely post my take on Havana and Cuba maybe after I get back. I'm toying with the idea of taking my laptop so I can type a daily "diary". I'm there a long time so that will also give me something to do.
I noted on my reservation form from Nash Travel Agency out of Canada --- http://nashtravel.com -- that it says you can only bring about 40 lbs. of stuff into Cuba. Each additional pound is $1 us. Seems like a very low limit compared to the 70 lbs. most airlines will allow you. I usually pack a lot of stuff and was just curious if other guys encountered problems with this?
I still might rent a car for one of the weeks I am there. I won't need it two weeks. Most of the veterans that I know that hit Cuba monthly for years are telling me that it's a surefire way to meet some unjaded girls and also to explore. I'm not the type that sits in my room...I'm always on the go so a rental might be a good option for part of my stay.
I'm bringing an old cellphone which I'm told can be activated there. Rates I'm told aren't cheap around 50 cents a minute but a cellphone is essential there. I plan on giving out the number to any/all cuties that I come across. My friend told me to bring those yellow sticky note type pads and give the number to girls and they are almost always calling him back because it's free for them to call back. I'll try that technique.
I also plan on traveling to Varadero a day or two for the pristine beaches. I know buses run there but it might be just as easy to drive. I'll see how it goes. I'm not going to overplan this trip....I'm just letting things happen. Thanks to all that have posted in the past.
Saint
Havana is not Rio. There is no problem to walk around anywhere. As a tourist, you are the next best thing to God. Nobody will dare to rob you in open. However, do watch you pocket and backpack. Some thugs will pick your pocket or backpack without you notice. Don’t afraid to call cops if such things happen. You may not get your stuff back, but that guy would be locked up immediately. I saw it happened.
If you go to club, dress nicely.
Great report, GenCuster, and I'm really impressed with how much you grasped about Cuba on your first trip!
Regarding crime, it's virtually nonexistant. I walk alone all over Havana (even in the shadows) at all hours, with never a problem. The penalties for messing with tourists are just too great. Cuba is also not, unlike other latin countries, a violent culture. Women walk around all hours of the night with impunity.
Cars v. taxis: For me it's taxis hands down. I've rented cars there and it is, as previously mentioned, ridiculously expensive ($70+/day) and a great hassle with lots of scams. Taxis are cheap and the drivers very obliging. Havana is also a great walking city. I've spent hours and hours just walking in no particular direction. Adventures just come to you this way.
Cuban authorities prohibit bringing in some electronic equipment (vcr's, stereos, etc.) and discourage others (laptops). They will carefully inspect it and I've heard that they will capriciously hold onto it until you leave. At very least be prepared for a lot of questions at incoming customs.
Veradero is not Cuba. A couple of years ago a $2 toll was instituted to enter and the purpose was to keep Cubans out. I've never been, and I hear the beach is beautiful, but it's all tourists. You will not experience Cuba there. Nor will you find chicas, as they've had the biggest crackdown of all there several years ago after complaints of sex tourism.
I can't emphasize enough what Custer said about money. I always figure a high end of what I will need and then bring double that. I usually have very little left when I leave. Cuba ends up being very expensive, primarily because whenever you're out with other people you are expected to pay for it. I spent less in one month in Rio and Buenos Aires than I do in two weeks in Havana! If you're American, you're also totally screwed if you lose your money or get robbed, as there is no way to get any down there.
Lastly, I know I've said this before but it bears repeating: If you're new and thinking of a strictly mongering trip go somewhere else. If you'd like to experience a very unique and exciting culture with great people go for it. Hard pros are charging upwards of $50 because idiot tourists pay for it. I agree that it's a lot better to meet on the street, or a a cafe. You shouldn't pay more than $30 or $40 for all night.
Hasta La Victoria Siempre!
Help!
Have read your informative post and now want to take the Cuba adventure. The problem: I can't determine the Nationality of the notorious mongers that have visited. Being an American, I know that it is against the rules, but want a taste of Havana Heaven.
So, can anyone provide some recommendations for Cuba travel to an apprehensive American? What are the current rules of engagement with respect to the passport stamps? Will the Cuban officials stamp or not stamp the passport. If they are inclined to stamp, will they take a monetary "reward" for neglecting to do so. How best to provide this "reward"? Have read some of the earlier post on the subject, but that was before the most recent crack-down!
I am told that the Canadian Authorities are working in concert with the American authorities to catch wayward Americans, is that true? Have established Canadian bank account, with ATM cards, specifically for this purpose. How well are Canadian dollars ( Travelers Checks, etc.) received there? Want to take digital camera, but not sure wether a camera full of "Eye - Candy" photos will past customs, any thoughts? Anyone knowledgeable of Internet Cafes in Havana?
MarcoStraight
Your post of 31 August has gotten well over 17k hits, and for good reason. Perhaps you can suggest how I can find her while there; that was in '98 (Guanabo), is she a pro/semi-pro. If you can add any more, I would forever be in your debt!
Any and all information would be appreciated.
Eze
Macgoo,
There are many ways to go to Cuba for American. The most popular route is via Nassau if you live in the East Coast or Cancun if you live on the West Coast. When you get to either city you buy a visa for $15.00. Since you are American, the Cuban officials know not to Stamp your American passbook. My American passbook never gets stamp in Cuba. The Cuban officials always stamped the Visa.
Macgoo, I have been traveling to Cuba twice a year since 1999. I hope this help, if you have any questions drop me a line.
GenCuster, I do not know what happen in your case. Maybe they were trying to scare you and get money out of you, but they know that American Passport can not be stamp, even when the visit is a legal vist to Cuba like mine was. My Passport was not stamp.
El Cubanito
To Mcgoo,
I am not an American but if you don't mind I will suggest you to change the route.
Go via Cancun Mexico.
That way you wont have the American Gvmt breathing over your neck.
Don't take CAD's with you, take US$.
Don't worry about the camera, they don't review the contents.
Mr. Chencho
I got a few e-mails about this, so just to make it clear, I was referring to an entrance stamp from Mexico when I came back from Havana. The Mexican immigration official would not accept my U.S. birth certificate or photo ID (since the Aerocaribe flight was one of the first flights into Cancun that morning, and he knew I had my passport on me, otherwise I couldn't have flown in from Havana) and wanted the bribe not to stamp my passport. I had zero problems from Cuban immigration. Why worry about a Mexican stamp? If push came to shove and I ended up having to show the U.S. my passport instead of my other documents, they would have seen a Mexican entrance stamp for the same day I entered the United States, which would show I was in a third country.
GC
Your American passport can indeed be stamped by Cuba, and often is unless you specifically tell them not to. Many people have been detained and hassled for hours by US Customs upon return with that stamp, so be sure to ask them nicely not to stamp it. Of the many times I went only once was I asked for money from a Cuban officer to not stamp my passport ($5).
Also remember, to date not one single person has been convicted or forced to pay the fine for travel to Cuba. Payment is ultimately not enforced and I'm sure the US government would not want it tested at trial. So take it easy!
DocBill-
From what I read in all the guidebooks and from all the guys that go countless times they told me that Cuba passed a law not to stamp US passports. What you wrote conflicts with what is written in all the guidebooks and all the guys that have gone.
I really think people overreact or get overly worried about going to Cuba. Most of the people warning against going are guys that have never been there and probably will never set foot in Cuba. The biggest worry is probably running out of money, running into legal problems or even more so having a heart attack from having such a mind blowing session from a hot chica.
To All American Members,
To everybody here who is an American and goes to Cuba via Cancun, Nassau or Jamaica and one day might get caught by a custom official. DO NOT SWEAT IT!!! The Embargo law does not says that you can not go to Cuba. The Embargo law say that you can not spend money in Cuba without a written authorization from The US Department of Treasury. You can go to Cuba, but you just can not spend money in Cuba. So as long as they do not find a box of Cuban Cigars, Rum or Cuban Tee Shirt I would say that it would be pretty hard for them to prove that you did or did not spend money in Cuba.
Hell, you can have that chica that you might have ben shacking with say that she pay for your whole stay in Cuba.
But, let just say if they can have proove that you did spend money in Cuba. If you argue the summon and fines that the Custom official would wage against you. It would be pretty hard for the custom official to take to court and prove his case. You see in order for the Custom Department to take to court. The Custom Department has to take you to an Embargo court, with an Embargo Prosecutor. The only problem with all of this is that there is NO Embargo court or Embargo Prosecutor to prosecute you. The Whole Embargo Law is really a fiasco! The Treasury Department has not hire a Judge or Prosecutor to handle these cases. The Treasury Department has no budget for these types of cases.
I hope this help.
El Cubanito
Ponce de Leon, Gentlemen,
I must disagree with you Ponce de Leon. As is the case with many a traveller, time / circumstances / situations / published advice change. This applies to immigration officers also. I have met many an American who told me about getting their passports stamped, and many more who said they breezed through.
As yet the American administration (of every flavour) has not seen the “light” and whilst it illegally imposes {see full constitution} a ban on the freedom of movement of its people, it’s people need to be vigilant. I should therefore suggest using Canada / Mexico / Cancun / South America as possible “jumping” stops. The stamp is better off on your tourist card than on your passport. This being the case, it does not hurt to be nice to the immigration officers and simply ask for the stamp not to be placed.
I have no such worries (being from Europe), but many of my USA friends say it could be a serious issue. I must agree with DocBill449, I have come across fellow mongers who have been detained and harassed by US Customs. I guess at the very least they will keep files on people… especially since you know when.
Gentlemen, I don’t need to tell you that being nice to people, having a smile and generally being sociable goes a long way (with chicas and authority alike). Is it so hard to be these 3 simple things and just ask the guy with the stamp not to use it? A joke / humour at this point, at the expense of an administration that “does not understand” will get the immigration officer on your side and you walk through with no stamp…. All the way to “freedom”.
Regards, Havanaman
Ps. I would actively encourage everyone to go to Cuba.
Ponce de Leon,
I too must respectfully disagree with you. I find guidebooks to be often very wrong. I particularly like Chris Baker's Moon Handbooks on Cuba, but even he gives wrong information, like telling you it's ok to drink the tap water in Cuba (it's not, as I discovered the hard way!). You may speak from your guide books but I speak only from my personal experience. I have had my passport stamped a couple of times when I didn't ask them not to. As a result I "lost" my passport and got a new one and I am careful to ask now that they do not stamp it, to which they are happy to oblige.
I would not discourage anybody from going to Cuba. It's a wonderful place in spite of it's government. And I don't encourage over-reacting, but it doesn't hurt to be careful. And in case you haven't read my history of posts, I have been there many many times and I know what I am talking about through direct experience.
Macgoo,
Stamp or no stamp, just make sure you bring your US birth certificate with you. US immigration will accept that as proof of citizenship. So, if you forget to tell tell the Cubans not to stamp your passport, or if you end up with a re-entry stamp upon returning to Mexico or to The Bahamas from Cuba, you can just put the passport away and use your B-certificate to get back to the US.
Also, unless you are caught red-handed with proof you were in Cuba (i.e., an official stamp from Cuba on your passport, etc.), you must firmly, but politely deny you were ever there. Feign ignorance at any "irregularity" in the dates your passport may have in it
The immigration officer will know you were on the Forbidden Island, it's no secret. But if you say nothing he is not obliged to take any action. And there's a line full of people behind you he has to process. If you're just regular Joe Blow citizen, he'll let you go.
I've seen this happen at least twice.
Go and jave fun. And remember to follow the advice given in this forum on how to behave down there (where to go, what to bring, how much to pay, etc.) so that we can continue to enjoy this great place for years to come.
(climbing off the soap box now)
Y
It is getting to be more of a hassle for Canadian's to travel to the US. I will not get my passport stamped when I travel to Cuba just in case I need it for ID if I head State side. I dont need the grief of some customs agent asking me why I went to Cuba. As a Canadian, it is none of his buisiness, unless of course, he makes it his buisiness. Here is my idea. We get rid of Quebec (they dont want to be part of Canada anyway) and invite Cuba to become the 10 th province. Castro might be a dipshit, but no worse than any other leader that we have had in Quebec for the last 50 years. So we end up with a Province that is completly surounded by sand in the middle of the Caribiean, with lots of old cars that we can bring up here and use in parades and cruisin on Saturday night. Lots of underpaid and overworked professional's (Dr's, Dentists, etc) which we need because ours all heading the States for the big bucks. And lets not forget, Chica's, Chica's, Chica's. Or so I have heard from this board anyway. Best I go down and scope out the situation and bring back a full report to my fearless leaders in Ottawa. Oh Canada. Glorius and Free (or $50 for the night at least)
RMM
Hello to All American Members,
I would like to tell you on somebody that I met in Havana, Jose Marti Airport Last September 2002 when I was coming back to the United States from Cuba.
I met a guy by the name of Larry J., he was an American. You see Mr. J belongs to the Democratic Party and he belongs to a big Law Firm in Washington DC. Well, Mr. J goes to Cuba just about every six weeks and spends about two weeks in Cuba on the average. You see Mr. J does not go there just to meet the chica, but he goes there because he had a kid there with a local Cuban woman about 30 years ago. He found out about his son 3 years ago and now he is making up for lost time. Now, you must be saying why is this so important. Well, it is because everytime Mr. J comes back from Cuba he tells the Cuban Immigration officials to stamp his passport. The Cuban Immigration official tell him that his United State Passport does not have to be stamp. He forces the Cuban Immigration official to stamp his passport so that when he returns to the United States the United States Immigration official know where he has been, Cuba. I think that is what might be happening some our fellow American Mongers when they go to Cuba, specially you DocBill and others who have had their passport stamp.
One of the thing that Mr. J is trying to do is see if he is detained, so he can argue the Embargo Law. If anybosy is ever detained and needs the help of a Lawyer. Please call Mr. J. I will ask him if it ok for me to post his contact information on this site. I will have an answer shortly.
Jackson, Let me know if ok also by you to Post Mr. J information here on this site. He has said in the past to me that he would take these case at a low fee. He quoted me a $1.00, since he has some much personally to gained by the Embargo law being remove. Let me know Jackson what do you think.
El Cubanito
[blue]What you should do is post a message inviting anybody who is interested in Mr. J's services to contact you via a Private Message to obtain his contact info.
Thanks,
Jackson[/blue]
Fellow Mongers,
Thx a bunch for the insights and response to questions posed recently. I am honored to get real “on-the-ground” advice from experts, verses that read in the garden-variety travel guide. I have been emboldened by your advice and encouragement; consequently, Havana will now be added to my travel itinerary. Finally, I can relax and concentrate on the original purpose for traveling to Cuba: Mongering!
Since I don’t need my passport to re-enter the US when transiting Canada/ Mexico, my conclusion is this: If the Cuban authorities stamp it, lets say on page number “13”, that page and a few others for good measure, will be extracted – my dog ate them. Don’t want to destroy the whole thing since the chicks are often impressed by the extent of global travel as reflected on my Passport (whatever works!). However, that Visa suggestion was solid!
Rocky Mtn Man,
Good point, spent enough time in Canada recently to know that crossing the border has worsened significantly since: 1) 11 September, 2) SARS, 3) Canada’s stance on Iraq war, and 4) Canada’s liberal stance on Marijuana use. Consequently, transiting Canada to Cuba is rapidly loosing its “sex-appeal”.
El Cubanito
You make a good argument about the Embargo, and the Department of Treasury’s (DoT) authority to enforce it. But, I certainly don’t want to be that Test case.
As an aside, for you that didn’t realize it, up until about 3 weeks ago, our Government was on track to make it legal to travel to Cuba. Unfortunately, at the 11th hour, this new bill was stricken in order to get other legislation passed. Damn!
George was recently quoted as saying that he will increase his vigilance in going after those that travel to Cuba. I wonder if he’s going after the Florida vote, or really “putting his foot down”?
Havanaman
Realistically, it seems many factors determine whether my passport is stamped or not, I have no control over that. But, I too have found that simple kindness and lighthearted bantering goes a long way. Point well taken.
Ponce de Leon
While there have been excellent, yet contrary views on the validity of “guidebooks” from some of our more experienced Cuba Mongering brethren, I would like to learn more about those “legal” issues that you mentioned.
Thanks again guys, this has definitely been informative!
Regards
Hey Havanaman and DocBill -
No disrespect to you guys. I've never been to Cuba yet. I just know tons of guys that have been there. None of them have ever had any issues with stamps. I'm headed down there soon and not worried about stamps, water or anything else. I know it will be a great time. Good luck fellas.
Ponce
Don't forget the toilet paper.
Gentlemen,
http://nobodys-perfect.com/vtpm/ExhibitHall/Contemporary/AngelSoft.html
Enjoy! Laughing aside, it is an important issue.
Ponce de Leon, You are very welcome to join Saint, DocBill449 and I towards the end of December in Havana. You will love it. I do. In fact you will note from my posts that I am returning after my BA adventure... just for a couple of days.
Regards, Havanaman
I've been lurking for a couple of weeks and now it turns out I am headed to Havana for a few days in the next couple of weeks.
I'm quite sure it's going to be before Havanaman, Saint and DocBil449 go -- too bad.
I am a first time monger (hopefully) and pretty nervous. Not about travelling there because I'm Canadian (Others?) but I am worried about getting around the scene on my own.
Anyone got contacts or going to be around there over the next two weeks?
Tough guy,
I've been to many places, mostly due to work related travels and I never been to a place as great as Cuba/Havana. For me, it's the only place that I can travel alone, such as you, and feel completely safe, excited and top of the world. Your gonna be surprised how easily it is to make friends there. Just a simple "hello" will get you, home made meals, private houses and of course mucho bonita women. Write back in the next couple of weeks and tell us about your adventure, you'll see that I am not far off here.
Tough Guy
I'm going to be doing a couple of trips to Havana. PM me your dates. I will be in Havana from 12 December for a few days.
If we can communicate we can hook up.
Regards, Havanaman
Extending airline tickets on Air Cubana?
I'm heading down soon. In just about every trip I take I almost inevitably extend my trip. Can anyone that has flown Air Cubana tell me if you can pay a fee to change or extend your ticket or is it like a charter ticket where once you miss your flight it's a lost ticket and you have to buy a new one. I've heard different answers and I assume with a little money maybe a ticket agent in Havana would change it for a fee? Inquiring minds want to know.
Thanks.
Saint
Hello Saint,
You can get your ticket extended at HavanaTur office in Miramar in the Sierra Maestra building on 1st avenue. If you take a taxi and tell them to take you to Sierra Maestra building in Miramar, they will know where the building is.
As far as the fee go, if you do a fee change 48 hours ahead of time there will be no fee charge to you. If you do a change less than 48 hours of your travel date there will be a $30.00 Fee. Also saint if you stay more than 21 days in Cuba you will have extend your Visa. Visa extension for Canadians and American is $25.00 for 14 day extension. You have up to 3 additional extension. I hope this helps. I constantly ask for an extension because I end up stay more than the time I plan for.
Saint one of the thing that might stop you from staying in Cuba longer is money. Saint and other going to Cuba, if you are American one of the worst feeling is being in Cuba and running out of money. That why I have a Transcard. Here is the website:
http://www.cash2cuba.com/
With these folks you can use your Credit or debit card to send money to you in CUba in less tahn 24 hours. If you visit Cuba this is the best way to go.
Here is the phone number for transcard in Havana:
862-9900 ask for extension 1000. Her name is Ana and she will take real good care of you as far as you getting the Transcard and money.
If you have any question ask.
El Cubanito
Saint,
I can not answer your question directly, but I can suggest an idea. I can not recall where the Air Canada office is, but I would recommend going to the travel centre in the Hotel Habana Libre. There are some really nice people there, they will point you in the right direction. A place like Havana, money really does talk: loud and clear.
I often make this hotel a base (even though I don’t stay here). It has excellent facilities (food, net access {bit expensive at $3 15 min, then 15 cents per min thereafter}, information, travel, tours etc.).
Sorry I can not be more helpful.
Regards, Havanaman
Thanks Havanaman,
I asked my travel agent in Canada but I really want to talk to someone that has actually done this in Cuba. No biggie either way. Most one way flights back to Cancun are about $200 but no sense wasting money if you don't have to.
Thanks for the tip on the Hotel with internet access. Can you post the address of the Hotel? I'll definitely need to check emails at least a few times a week.
Is it possible for an American to open a Canadian bank account? What is involved with the process and how long does it take? If so, can you use that ATM card in Cuba or are there many ATM's?
Also, I hear from everyone and read about how the average Cuban makes only $20 - $40 US per month. Is this totally accurate? I wonder how much they make when you factor in tourism and the tips they receive in US$ and Euros. It's kind of hard to believe that most professionals and executives from USA and Europe make more in a few hours than a Cuban makes in an entire year.
Last question, I promise. "Jineterismo" sounds like a way of life there and most people don't seem phased too much by it. But what kind of resentment does the average local citizen have to working girls that are often times making more in a few hours than they do working hard all month? I'll post my thoughts on the local scene and my thoughts as usual after my trip but I'm curious to know this before arriving in Havana. Thanks in advance.
Saint
Hello Saint,
I hope you get this in time. I am still a Regular Member and my post take 24 to 48 hours to post.
Saint, I will tell you in refernce to my "girlfriend" in Santiago. Her neighbor try to make me believe that everybody in the neighborhood loves her. But she herself tells me. Everybody is being nice to me beause you are here and they do not want to be mean to me in front of you. There is a resentment for Cuban who have a way of getting the Tourist dollar. After going to Cuba now for the last 4 years at least 3 times a year every year. It is in this last trip (November 2003) when I am feeling that people are starting to open up a little bit with me. I also speak spanish very fluently.
There is a resentment, but I have not been able to get the level of it. Yet everybody want to have a Foreign "Novio" or "Novia".
El Cubanito
Saint,
I do not recall the full address of the Hotel Habana Libre, however, there is not a taxi dirver alive in Havana who will not know it. It’s that famous! The outside façade of the hotel is decorated by on of Cuba’s most revered modern-artists.. In fact if memory serves me, it is on the La Rampa, opposite Coppelia park and cinema. Actually, you may need to be on La Rampa, as 90% of the Airlines have offices on this main road (Malecon end {sea end}). If you are close to The Nacional, you can walk it in 4 minutes. Locality wise, it is between Vedado & Centro.
DO NOT RELY ON ATMS. I have only seen one ATM in Havana (I’m sure there must be more however), and that was in Mirimar. If you need funds, use a non-USA CC, take your passport (original, not a copy) with you: go to the Hotel Nacional. Upstairs, near the call centre they have banking facilities. Saint, in Cuba, cash is king. Tak plent of single $-bills (I take a minimum of 30 single bills for each day I’m staying: tips, taxis etc.).
A final thought on money. As I said, cash is the only way. I find that I spend quite heavily, but “mi gusta”. I budget for $150 a day, half the time, I come back with half this amount. As an emergency measure: make sure you leave $25 + food money in your passport for the exit-tax & airport refreshments. I can’t stress this enough. I have had difficulty with large bills, I have also had a young English-man borrow money from me at the airport for the TAX. For Westerners, our hearts bleed when we see a grown man with tears in his eyes because he does not have the TAX… The airport staff do not care. After all, we are rich are we not??
Your income estimates are OK, but a bit on the high side! I have a good friend in Havana and she is a consultant gynaecologist. She makes $22 a month… For absolute income, tips, private work etc: I would say she takes home no more than $30. Beggars belief doesn’t it? But it is nonetheless a fact for her. I know that non-professionals fall into 2 groups: the regular workers and the tourist-traps (including pay & play). The workers are very poor indeed. The tourist-trappers make relatively good money. There is jealousy. However, one thing I love about the Cuban people is that they have a high sense of tolerance. They firmly believe that each person has the right to do what they want to do. Everyone knows that the chicas who hang out outside the hotels and bars are there to make money on their backs, however people “turn a blind eye”. I have never seen any of the “clean-up” operations we see in Europe…
Happy days! T-1 for me. I’m on the plane at 0600 on Friday 12.
Regards, Havanaman
PS. Saint, go to the lonely planet guide website, and checkout the Thorn tree forum. Excellent! Some valuable information here:
http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/
Saint,
Another thing most of the Cuban population makes in the $6.00 a month range which is the equivalent of $ 170.00 pesos. My novia in Santiago she is a Surgeon, one of the best in Santiago. She makes about $595.00 pesos a month. She is often sent to Costa Ricas, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Argentina. Now what she makes in these trips she get to keep half of the money. But the last year and half since she is such a good surgeon the Cuban goverment has not sent her abroad because they know she is dating me and they are scare she might leave the country. What they are doing is having the customers come to Cuba she perform the operation in Cuba. Now because she perform the operation in Cuba she does not get any of the money that she would get abroad. That really sucks.
People in the tourist trade make a lot of money. My novia brother-in-law even get pay in dollar because he drives a bus for tourist. He makes about $20.00 a month plus another $60.00 in tips on the average.
I hope this gives you an indication of the salary system in Cuba
Thanks to all you guys. This is what it's all about. I hope there is more and more information shared on Cuba. Eventually Cuba will open up. It might be a few years but I firmly believe Cuba will change drastically in the future. I want to visit it before it does. It will be no different than going to Miami once that happens.
It us utterly difficult to comprehend just how little they make. I keep hearing it over and over and reading it everywhere the wages there but I still can't comprehend it and probably won't be able to until I see it first hand.
Havanaman, no worries on bringing money as I intend to bring enough. Heck, your daily budget is my daily budget just for chicas alone so no worries. I'm sure I won't spend anywhere near what i'm budgeting as sessions are cheap there. Still, I know the model quality girls go for alot more than the other girls. I won't post any photos of the chicas though. With the spead of the internet in Cuba I would think it's damn dangerous for the girls if you post their picture and the government or police have a way of checking it. My friends know girls that went to jail for working so posting pictures of Cuban girls probably isn't the smartest and nicest thing to do. Just something to think about.
I'm happy to hear that although there is resentment towards the working girls it's not extremely evident. Just hearing some of what you writes make me feel damn lucky to be living in the USA. We can gripe all we want about the situation here but we live in the best country in the world.
P.S. I just found this website and it looks pretty reputable. It looks like a good option for Americans. I'd appreciate any input from those that have tried it.
http://www.amigotravelcard.com
I'll be posting a trip report very soon but need some help now please.
I want to get a vaporizor to a lady friend who lives 5-minutes outside of Habana but of course I can't send it from "here." She has very bad asthma and the one she has can't be fixed and there is not another one to be bought that I or her family could find.
Any thoughts how I can get one shipped there?
Thanks.
Spock
Hi Saint,
Here is the phone number where BMW a rented in Havana. The only agency that has BMW to rent in Havana is Cubacar in the Marina Hemingway.
There phone is:
Tel: (53 7)-204-1707
Ask for Jose, he speaks English very well. If Jose is not available ask for anybody who will speak English. They ussually have somebody who speaks English, but Jose is a Good guy and he will get you a car real fast.
Saint, if you are planning to leave real soon give Jose a Call since BMW at this agency go real fast.
El Cubanito
I posted a trip report on the LP Board omitting what I will post here. If you’re interested, please check on LP under the same user name (Talosian) for the report.
By way of background:
I have wanted to go to Cuba for many years but never made it, not even when I lived on Grand Cayman. Also, I’m not a real Monger. My first and last pro, until this trip to Cuba, was when I was 17-years old (I’m now 64) and in the Army and went to Juarez, Mexico and had my first sex for $5. A very poor start.
Anyway, I went this time to see Cuba and meet a lady who I had corresponded with for about 5-weeks. A very straight lady, divorced 10-years, no children and that was nice (no sex though for now).
OK, now for the “good stuff.”
After three days in Habana I figured I was going to have to apply to the Guinness Book of World Records as the only straight male to go to Cuba and not get laid. And although I am not into the Monger trip, I decided to try. Oh yes, I was with my Honorary Nephew who is 33 and I have known his since he was 7.
I chose the Hotel Inglaterra as my home base since it’s pretty central. The pros and pimps are there en-mass from about dusk until very early hours. You can’t miss the pros; gold jewelry, sexy clothing and some cell phones. They walk back and forth in front of the hotel since they are not allowed into it (even the outside bar/table areas) without a tourist guest.
I was approached half-dozen times within 10-minutes as I walked about half-block looking for an Internet connection. Some pimps were low-key which was OK but some of the girls were close to a 3-4 and clearly offered anything wanted. I opted out of them all since first, none had any appeal for me and second, I wanted someone who spoke some English other than “fucky, fucky” and “Blow job OK in Cuba.”
So I was standing around at the entrance and this very attractive WSW makes eye contact. Young (I found later she is 21), blond, about 5’4” and 40 kilos. Find out she speaks decent English and is pretty smart. So we talk for a few minutes, after I invite her into the outside area for a drink. She is a good communicator and very smart. I had passed a few words with her the night before and gave her a mint and she remembered that and my name. She knew psychology and how to build a rapport. We make a deal to hook up the next night and I agreed to overpay at (OK, I don’t want to hear it) $60 which is about double what she would go for there. Why not just go then? Chicken I guess.
Anyway, We ended up making the deal for the next night so I show up and my friend and I sneaked her into my Casa, which, had no private entrance. My friend asked if I wanted a videographer but I opted out on that one. He leaves, I give her $$ and she makes a comment she wouldn’t take it except she needs it. Whatever. So she gets undressed. Talk about a great body if you like skinny. Killer.
At 21, small and no children, she was tight as possible. Of course I then had a problem I hadn't thought about really (might as well admit it to make this an honest post). Since I had not worn a condom in over 40-years (no typo, 40-years). We went every which way and she was only fair, more cooperation than participation. I didn’t do well with the condom but that was a requirement so after a lot of fun/work, I gave up without finishing. Bummer. She seemed happy and said she had cum (she swore it was the truth but I don’t think so).
The bummer part continued when she said, contrary to our agreement, that she had to go home since she couldn’t sleep in a strange place. Now that wasn’t our deal, she said she would spend the night. We agreed to do it again but I stood her up for the next date since even though she is really pretty (names Janet if you want to check her out) and tight, she isn't my type really. Her intelligence and communicative ability attracted me first.
Next experience was the best and interesting.
Me and Spencer (the friend) figured to find someplace inside and lo and behold, two pimps come up to us and ask what we want. I say “An end to hunger, World peace and a lady who speaks English.”
So these guys say for us to follow them (walking). We go about 15-minutes and I think we’re going to get mugged or such but finally end up at a warehouse looking place. The pimps are searched on the way up to the third floor but not us. Third floor and the pimps say there is a $5 each cover. They take it and we figure later there was no cover, this was their “fee.”
Lots of people and music in the decibel range that cooks food. So we sit down. I forgot to mention, I have a digital camera w/me, which spits out Polaroid shot and that’s the hit of everyplace we go.
So these two ladies (black) sit down and the one next to me says something in English. Yes! There is a God in this communist country. So we talk, and being shy as I am, after about 5-10 minutes I ask Spender to ask the lady how much she wants. It's not I couldn't ask in English but I am shy. So he talks into her ear and looks at me and says “Nothing.” I can afford that. Oh yes, and she doesn’t smoke and I don’t either. Good match.
So now were on our own since Spencer decides to stay a while and then go on his own. So because of my casa, we have to go to her place.
She lives in this terrible walk-up which except for the fact it has a phone, looks like something you would find in Beirut. Concrete everything and it looks as if they are doing demolition. My heart goes out to her. She is a nice lady and a schoolteacher.
Had a great time and she was a true pleasure. I think she really enjoyed it. Finally I said I had to go and she said she would like me to spend the night. That got me. I would have liked to but I didn't feel that comfortable and I wanted to get back to my casa, but I asked her for her phone number and said I would call. I also left her $30 and gave her a present.
The next one was more than funny. Long story short.
Spencer and I end up w/two girls, probably both around 20. I’m now in a new casa (wanted more privacy) and we take them there. Spencer wasn’t thrilled with his for some reason but I liked her and I said it would be OK if we traded. He asked his but she said no and mine said no also. Whatever. We had settled at $25, each which is good money for them in Cuba. So Spencer is in the living room and I’m in the bedroom. Me and mine are getting down and dirty (69) and suddenly the door opens and everyone but me is speaking Spanish at breakneck pace. Seems Spender’s girl asks him if he likes her and he says “not especially.” That’s it, she says it’s over so mine has to go w/her g/f and so she just gets up, gets clothed and leaves (sans $$). Really pissy.
So it’s not too late and we go out again. Hit a bar and after a few minutes one chica comes in (about 30 and a little overweight, which is what I really like), plops down on my lap and gives me a VDFK (Very--). OK, that got my attention. Spencer isn’t interested but I’m ready so we make a $25 deal and go to my casa. She starts in the shower with me and we go from there. She is good and I keep forgetting I’m that old but it doesn’t seem to matter. After the shower we hit another round in the bed and that’s it for me. Time for her to go home but she says she will be back at 1500 (it’s now after 0100). That idea doesn’t thrill me but I say OK. Oh yes, she is in love with me. Ah, true romance. She also looks for anything loose and asks if she can have it so I give her a couple of small gifts. Remember, my trash is her treasures.
So for my last night there I have Spencer call the one from the disco (I had left a message the day before) and ask if she can make it the next night at 1900. She says “yes.” Cool. Oh yes, she is about 5’10” and I’m 5’8” in boots on a good day.
Next day, we are walking down a street and Spencer spots these two real cutie pies. Neither pros nor chicas. He starts talking w/them in Spanish and I just stand around playing with myself. So I take a pic and give it to the one he is talking to. She is 19, 5’2”, white w/long blond hair and skinny. I give her an 8-9. Turns out, they are ballerinas in the Cuba ballet company and were out for lunch. We get invited to their rehearsal studio, which is a five-floor walk-up. We go up, spend about a half-hour taking pictures and Spencer is trying to set up a date with the blond. She says he can pick her up after rehearsal and her friend (another ballerina, 18-years old, slim and pretty) wants to go out with me. BUT, I have a date for the same time with my tall schoolteacher and opt to keep it. I mean, give me a break, an 18-year old and some ice water and I would be dead. Oh yes, this is about 1500. So we decide to do some errands and go back to my casa. I make sure it’s well after 1500 since I’m sure the one from the night before will be waiting at 1500. So we get there at 1600 and no sign of her. We go in and Spencer goes to his top floor and I’m getting ready. Knock on the door at about 1630. Right! It’s the 1500 girl who had been waiting. I give her a song and dance about leaving and pack her off with $5 cab fare and whatever she can scrounge.
1900 and my teacher shows up looking really great. So I take her to dinner at some very nice place (357 Restaurant on the Malacon??). This restaurant in a hotel will match any Beverly Hills place and the prices were reasonable. We have a really romantic dinner (hand holding and everything) for an hour and it's a true GFE. Never a word for or about $$$. A cab back to my casa (and the cab ride is an entirely different story on the L.P. board). We get there and it’s a great pleasure. Now we are comfortable with each other and there is no limit. You know short guys usually go for the tall ones. We try to sleep but there is so much noise from outside that there is nothing to do but do it again.
At 0300 I have to get up and ready for an early flight out so that’s it. I give her all the presents I had left and an advance Christmas present ($100 bill) which literally made her cry. She never asked for a thing and that made her very appealing to me from the git go.
Anyway, that’s basically my story. First trip. I’m planning to return in latter February for 10-days to two-weeks. I really want to put something together with the original “straight” one and see my teacher again.
I took a lot of pictures of the ladies but don’t feel right about posting them. The Internet is getting popular there and I wouldn’t want any of the girls to have problems. Hope you don’t mind.
I learned a lot on this trip and even though it sounds as if I did a lot, and I probably did, I’m not really a monger. I much prefer the GFE and if needed, I’ll “hire” a g/f for the entire time I’m there in February if she will play the part.
I want to thank everyone on this Board for all the input I got. I did what I was told by many and just wend and enjoyed myself. I had no problems at all either getting into and out of Cuba and into the U.S. Slick as Slick Willis.
So who knows what will happen next time but if there is anything worth reporting, I’ll do it.
Spock.
trip report (december 3-10)
i’m going to post about my “fantasy trip” to cuba with names omitted to protect the innocent or maybe “guilty” due to legalities (if you get the drift). anyway, i’m going to break this down into categories since the trip was very bittersweet.
my routing was us (west coast) to mexico city, cancum to habana. the can/hab part was done through a canada t.a. routing was not the best but only thing available.
customs/immigration going into cuba: no problem w/immigrations. no stamp on any passport. customs: i went to the “something to declare” lady and told her i had about us$15-$20 in gifts. she smiled and waved me out the door. no inspection, no fee, no problem. only about 25 people on my plane and no others there.
habana: i had been emailing a cuban lady (35 anos, single, no ninos, living w/parents and works for the postal system) and she and her mother/father met me at the airport. her father spoke decent english, as he is a retired professor of history/english at the university. he was sort of out tour guide for my trip.
the first thing i noticed was the all-present strong smell of diesel fumes in the air. 99% of the vehicles pump out black smoke and i am amazed that everyone living in habana does not have lung cancer (or maybe the do and don't know it). with no access to spare parts for most vehicles and import problems, there is no answer to this and so be ready to breathe this stuff during any time in habana centro.
buildings/architecture: classic and beautiful for the most part but with a few exceptions, 40-years without any decent maintenance and the high cost of materials such as paint, etc. has left most of the buildings looking as if they belonged in beirut. this is a sin. there are some beautiful buildings including a large catholic church in habana centro, which dates from, i think the 15th. century.
getting around: if i had been given a car for free, i would not drive in habana centro. the safety “equipment” of choice for 90% of the drivers is the horn. my “friend” arranged for a car/driver for us$25 per day plus fuel which figure to run $15-$20 per day depending on where you want to go. a very good deal since the driver knows where most thing are and will wait for you or return whenever/wherever you want. this worked out ok until after one long day and a trip outside of habana, the driver said the $25 per day was for in habana and a longer trip was $50. i didn’t like this since i don’t go for changing rules in the middle of the game, much less at the end. but it wasn’t worth a fight so i paid and told him to take a hike. from that point forward i used taxis.
if you want the best deal, use the “55” taxis and make sure the meter is on. you can sometimes get a “particular” (private) taxi and anyplace in habana goes for $2 - $3. just hand the driver $2-3 and that’s it. don’t go for more.
the coco taxis (yellow and look like bananas) are cheap and fun. use them for local and longer trips.
one interesting experience of many. took a lady to dinner at a very, very nice restaurant in a place called (i think). the 357 hotel/bar/restaurant. the ambience and service was as good at the best hotels in beverly hills. food was excellent plus and a great dinner for two with 2 glasses of wine was about us$44. and they had beef, which cubans just don’t get.
so at the end of the meal, i ask the server to call me a 55 taxi. get outside and the “doorman” (in an evening suit) waives up an unmarked car. i said, “no 55 taxi?” and he says “particular” meaning “private. ok. get in and it’s just a 48 ford but the timing is totally off and it has the original shocks. the car lurches and backfires for the entire trip to my casa. honestly, it looked and sounded like something out of a keystone cops movie. it was so bad it was funny. so we arrive and i get out and give the driver us$3. my original trip in a 55 taxi was us$4.15. so my lady friend and i are walking toward my front door and the driver comes up and says $5. right! i looked at him, smiled and said “loco” (“crazy”) and we went inside. no problem and he would have been getting a real deal if i had given him $2.
accommodations: my lady friend had booked a casa particular (like a b&b) in advance for me and it was very nice. us$25 per night. i could have had food if i wanted and actually the landlady wanted to give me breakfast but i declined since i didn’t want to eat too much. a very good deal and i recommend a private casa over any of the major hotels if you want a better $$ deal and to interact with real cuban people.
even though i had the casa for the week, for the last two nights, i opted to change casas to be in the building where my buddy (33-year old male) was staying. i wanted privacy and in the new casa, i had a private entrance so i could have company. in many casas, it is a problem keeping company with a cuban lady friend, the law will check out any cuban walking with a tourist. of course this doesn’t always happen but it’s always in the mind of the cuban. also, the new casa is in a great location being right on the malacon (at the ocean).
socializing with cubans: you won’t meet many average cubans at the major hotels other than workers. your average cuban is not allowed into the hotels unless they work there. sometimes a cuban may come in with a guest to the bar or restaurant but only if accompanied by a guest or tourist and the “host” is advised that the guest (usually a lady) is not allowed in the room. the hotel staff will tell you this; you don’t have to ask.
i spent a lot of time with my cuban lady friend and her family. i ate at their very small apartment twice and it was real cuban cooking. i went to the market and bought food since they have so little $$ and have a ration book for food where the ration usually runs out about week 2-3. i learned about the cuban people (the real cuban people) with and through this family.
one night we went to a friend’s very small home and there was a santeria (sort of a religion) celebration. candles, food and at midnight, everyone lit a candle and made a silent personal wish for the new-year. many people just sat outside the door on chairs in the street, or the “sidewalk.”
eating out: even the better restaurants are reasonably priced (see the details of my dinner date above) and you can get a great dinner for under us$10. go for the sandwiches from the street vendors for anywhere from us$0.25 to us$1.00. the ice cream on the street is good and cheap. watch out for the frying though, even at a good restaurant, i could have lubed my car with the grease from the chicken “steak” (dark meat). i didn’t see one chicken breast meal when i was there but i mostly had meals with the family i mentioned and on the streets.
if you do want a big splurge, do look at the menu in advance since there are a few places where you can get ripped off on food prices. desserts are very costly and you can get the same or better at a bakery on the street for 25% of what the restaurant will charge.
misc. note:bring t.p. many public places do not have it and what is provided (even in casas) is so paper-thin it’s almost useless.
gifts for cubans : almost anything is a gift except rice. your trash is their treasures, including even a half-used tube of toothpaste, and i mean this literally. i went to the local “99 cent only store” and got cosmetics, flashlights, notebooks, whatever, they need it all and it’s all appreciated. don't give out things on the street, it encourages begging.
outside of habana: it’s still run down but you can see beautiful landscapes and sights. don’t miss some day trips. book a tour if you have to but do get outside of habana, it’s a world apart.
touts and pimps: all over habana, along with a lot of “ladies of the evening.” forget the cigars from the “friend” who works in the cigar factory; fake. as for the ladies, the pros dress like pros, have lots of (fake) jewelry and some have cell phones. forget it. the semi-pros and usually trying to make a few dollars for food and clothing and sometimes they simply appreciate that they can have a nice meal (maybe the first one in many months) and some ice cream. remember, “don’t judge someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes.”
internet access. buy a card and go to the library next to the capitolo. or go to the hotel inglatera or telegrafo (next to each other), $5 for one hour or $2.50 for half-hour. i got a good connection with almost dsl speed.
the u.s. embargo. it has worked if the intent was to hurt the cuban people and help ruin their cities and economy as well as their lives. fidel is not underfed, has good clothing, cars, gasoline, electricity, etc. the cuban people haven't thrown him out in the 40 years of the embargo which continues to today.
remember, if you are an american going to cuba illegally, you are "trading with the enemy," so make sure you look at the faces of your "enemy" when you are there and you may learn something and that will be he/she is not your enemy.
back into the u.s.: if you are going to cuba from the u.s. without a license, just strip yourself of anything which, says you were in there and return. bc/dl work if you are american. i was asked what i did in cancun and said i visited chichen itza which, is the archeological site. the inspector said that was in miridad and i said i took the day trip and relived my trip there of 1971 with the smithsonian tour (true). i said a little cancun goes a long way. i got a nod of agreement and passed through. no problems.
recommendations: read this board for the last 3-months. chances are 99 44/100th. % you will get answers to most of your monger questions. if you want overall general information, there are other boards more directed toward those things. you will get a lot of varied opinions on any board and they are all probably correct for who posted them. look at first person experiences, as they are the best. use guild books to find out about the land, sights, etc. but for the scoop from the trenches, this is the place. as i was told here many times, “just go and enjoy.” i did and i did.
thanks to all who helped me here. i plan a return in february to try to move forward with a very nice lady. so call me a dreamer.
most important: learn some spanish or it can be a disaster.
spock.
thanks for the advice el cubanito. my travel agent did manage to get a car rental for one week but i have to return it after the first week. (i guess car rentals are extremely busy around christmas with all the tourists). i contacted that agency you listed but i'd rather go through a travel agent so i can at least put the rental on my credit card. rentals definitely are not cheap. a mitsubishi lancer is $70 a day plus $10 a day insurance. a bmw is $150 a day with insurance.
i'm doing a ton of research on cuba. from everything i'm going through i'm amazed how easy everything is. from the way some people talk they make it sound like cuba is a tough place to get to. very very easy. just make it to nassau or cancun and it's easy. from the us, you can easily book your airline ticket, rental car, and casa particular. lots of options.
fyi. i found out you can change your ticket on air cubana by paying a $50 change fee. i just changed my ticket and now i'm staying almost 3 weeks instead of 2. that should be enough time to get to know every square inch of havana. can't wait....
saint
p.s. spock, i also read your report on lp. you mentioned nice restaurants were very cheap. i've heard the opposite from everyone that goes saying the nice restaurants are comparable to us prices. did you come across any nice restaurants that raped you on the prices?
Spock,
Thanks for the great trip report. It was worth the travel in the end eh! I read you report on Lonely Planet as well, excellent job. When are you ready to go back?
My question for you and any others: what was the "warehouse-like" building where you met your schoolteacher? Did anyone give it a name or can you remember the location?
Grati,
Earl
I carry my lap top on trips.
Can I get internet in the rooms in Havana?
Must use my lap top.
you can get the internet in your room if the casa has a dial-up connection, otherwise you can get internet access at several of the hotels (inglatera or telegrafo to name just two) or at the library next to the capitol building.
i was very pleased with the speed at the telegrapho which to me seemed close to dsl.
enjoy.
spock.
You are allowed to bring in laptops but all luggage is inspected and they will "ask" you to declare your laptop upon entry. You MUST have it in order to leave the country. This is their way of ensuring that Cubans don't get computers.
Saint, Havanaman, how will I find you in Havana?!
Greetings from Copenhagen.
I’ve wanted to visit Havana for several yrs. but being a US citizen, I thought it was impossible until I discovered your posts and your excellent suggestions via a third country f.eks. Bahamas or Mexico. Especially Spocks report being informative, sensitive, entertaining and whom I agree 100% with.
Since I’m living in Denmark, don’t you think I have that opportunity now with charter flights from here including hotel (I prefer a casa particular). As long as my passport is NOT stamped, I will have no problems entering the US at a later date, correct?. I will still need a visitors visa from the Cuban Embassy here, correct?.
Any reply is greatly appreciated. Havana sounds incredible. Not just the women, but the friendly faces, food, music, their culture, architecture, Malacon and so much more. The thought of giving so little (gifts) and it meaning so much.
Be glad to help any member visiting Copenhagen.
Have a good one. Have many.
DocBill,
I arrive on Friday. I'm not sure when you're there. I'm meeting up with Havanaman on December 23rd. We can PM the location and time. You're welcome to meet up with us then. To be honest though...I'm probably going to be traveling around a bit for some beach time in Varadero. My good amigo arrives on December 24th for a few weeks. We'll figure something out.
Saint
NYC EXPAT: It is a great place to visit but make sure you go see things outside of Habana proper. Hopefully you either speak Spanish or will have someone w/you who does. I lost so much w/o speaking the language but still, it was an experience and I'm going back for longer and making sure I have someone w/me who Speaks the language plus learning some on my own.
Enjoy.
Spock.
Hi Spock
Unfortunately, I don't speak spanish. I plan on taking a course after New Years in preparation for my trip to Sosua for Easter and later on in 04 to Cuba. It's better than just a guide book under arm.
Happy holidays
NYC Ex
So coming to Havana with a lap top is a problem?
No. A laptop is not on the list of things you can't bring in. No problems. Check out the website listed below for what you can and can't bring in.
http://www.aduana.islagrande.cu/agr3.htm
Good luck.
Off direct topic, however:
So there is a trial coming up on the travel ban enforcement.
While this is a travel forum, it's also a classic example of the"Town Hall" for people to gather and have an exchange of ideas about travle and bordering on issues peripheral to trave.
So the travel ban may now be enforced, though I think this is a scare tactic which will probably work to deter some potential violative American visitors to Cuba and further hurt the Cuban people.
Is Castro a good guy? No. But any worse than many others the U.S has dealt with and deals with today? No.
In the U.S. it is said "When the reason for the law no longer exists, the law need not to exist any more."
As of today, what [b]useful purpose[/b] does the embargo serve? As of today, what detriment, other than alienation of the Miami Cuban vote, would removal of the embargo cause?
As I said in a reply, I would love to see a defense fund opened to lure a good Constitutional law attorney to overturn this oppressive and probably unconstitutional law/rule. I would like to see this case become a test of the rights of Americans to associate freely with whomever they choose. Let the public see the faces of the "enemy" we are trading with. Not Castro, but the school children and the old people. The U.S. is putting $80,000,000,000 into Iraq where the people are killing Americans at better than one a day and injuring them at the rate of at least 5 per day. The last American injury in cuba probably came from falling down after having too many beers. And unlike Iraq, the Cuban people actually act nice to Americans and are fascinated by our way of life. And believe it or not, there are some Cubans I spoke with who, although they live at what we consider below poverty level, who would not leave Cuba because it is their home.
Four decades of embargo and Castro is still in power. Does anyone think continuing the embargo will change that which has remained static for so long?
And no, after one week there, I don't know Cuba, I don't know the people, I don't know the government. I have not walked in a Cuban's shoes. But as I have said many times before, I have seen the face of what my Government tells me is my "enemy" and he/she is not my enemy. What I do know is as in all "wars" where there is an "enemy," it is usually the civiliam population which suffers and this is how it is in Cuba today. And to boot it all, this is a political "war" and nothing less.
OK, I ranted almost totally off-subject and I know it. I took some bandwith to vent and if I was really sorry, I would delete this but I feel strongly and sometimes things need to be said.
Thanks.
Spock (really out of character here)
Talosian,
Excellent post. The WSG has really come a long way since it's inception into cyberspace. It has become a place for people to discuss all aspects of a new destination. Just look at the Buenos Aires section where you can find out the best restaurants, clubs, etc.
Of course we come to WSG for a reason but I've always believed we can share a lot of useful information here.
I thought your post was right on target. I find the travel ban ridiculous and the government has lied to keep up this travel ban on Americans. As an American I believe it's our right to travel to any country we want as long as we aren't doing anything that will jeopardize the USA or it's citizens. Obviously the government is using scare tactics into getting people to settle and go away quietly. I hope people have the courage to stand up for their rights and freedoms.
I still doubt that anyone that pursues this and stands up for their rights will be in jeopardy of any major fines. Sooner or later the day will come when Cuba opens up and changes drastically. For good or bad that day will come.
A Casa recommendation and reply to Saint (in reverse order).
First, I must spell check my postings. Sorry about the typos.
Another Board member just referred me to a U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the travel ban. A perfect example of justice v. Law with Law prevailing. OK, I won't repeat what I have said before.
Recommendation:
I was asked in a PM for a casa recommendation. I will recommend where I was my last two nights in Habana. This was right on the Malacon. Now I was in the first floor apartment and I do NOT recomment that unless you are more deaf than I am. Too noisy.
On the other hand, my friend had the "penthouse" which is on the 8th./top floor. GREAT! view and a very large balcony. Private entrance, your own key and IMHO, a perfect place for a monger. The only downside may be that the elevator stops running at about 2200 or so since it's the old knid which is operated by a person. Of course this gives you the option of telling your chica that if it's after 2200, she has to spend the night since you're not going to go down 8 floors and up again at that hour.
You can contact claro_n@yahoo.com who takes the reservations. He speaks fine English and is a nice guy. You can tell him David, Spencer's friend referred you and maybe he will increase the price (just kidding).
Enjoy.
Spock/David
RE: The Travel Ban: I agree with all that's been said about it. I think it's a ridiculous law only in place to please two Florida congresspersons. However, any defense on the grounds that it is unconstitutional will fail. While it might seem counterintuitive the ban is not unconstitutional. This has already been argued by constitutional scholars: There is no constitutional guarantee of the right to travel and nowhere in the constitution does it imply that.
DocBill449: You are correct in part. The travel ban has been held constitutional on a couple of occasions but on limited grounds. That is not to say some other challenge will pass muster.
Also, in America, everything is legal unless made illegal. True, there is no reference in the Constitution for the specific right to travel but there is no prhoibition in it either. And what about "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?" That pursuit can be argued to include travel. To not allow Americans to travel is like keeping them in a prison, a nice one, but a prison none the less.
Some day (soon I think) the travel ban will be lifted and then god help the Cubans.
Spock
Ok Talosian, DocBill and Saint,
Here is my two cent on this subject: The Future of the Embargo
When the phrase Miami Cubans comes up, what images are put in your mind. The wild hysterical Cuban we all saw on TV dealing with the Elian Gonzales mess. Right? But let me tell you that image will be quickly changing about how Miami feels toward the Embargo. Bush and his advisers do not understand what is going on.
The Miami Herald conducted a study and ask if the Embargo should be remove and they broke down the data to Cubans that came before 1985 and Cubans who came after 1988. The Cubans who came after 1988 were either raise under Castro or at one time or another these Cubans sided with Castro. What they found in their Data was quite interesting to say the least. The Cuban who arrive to the United States before 1985, 88% said the Embargo should remain against Cuba as it stand. Now the Cubans that came after 1988, 92% of them said the Embargo should be lifted. The old guard wants the Embargo, the new Younger Generation wants the Emabrgo remove. If you examine things a little closer, there something very interesting happening in Miami. The old regime of Cubans, the one that came in the 1960's and 1970's are simply dying off and there kids have become Americanize and these kids do not give a rat a** as to what happens in Cuba. A perfect example of this Gorge Mas Casanova, son. Gorge Mas Casanova, header the Cuban National Foundation. When Gorge Mas Casanova die a couple of years ago, everybody in the foundation wanted his son to continue in his father footsteps. Junior simply told them, thank you, but no thank you. I am simply a real estate lawyer and I am very happy with what I am doing. He did not want to lead the Cuban American Foundation when his father die. He simply stated that it would take to much of his time and that he was simply a United State Lawyer and he had no interest in Cuba. Enough said. But the Cubans that came after 1990, they do care what happens because they have family and social ties to Cuba. Plus all of them or those that have been honest with me. They will tell you honestly when you get them talking that they DO NOT SEE Fidel as being Bad. They say that he has made alot fo mistake and he should give somebody else a turn at steering the car, but they do not fault him for what has happen to Cuba. On the contrary, they say he has liberated them, but that he is not a good economic policy maker. They see the Cubans of Miami as the one hurting the Cuban economy. So you see the Cuban people who are coming to the United State today are not coming to the United Sates beacuse they are against Castro Political belief. These Cubans are coming to the United States because they do not agree with Castros Economic Beleif. But as soon as they get a little bit of money they all go back home to help their families and their homes. Those of you in this board who have driven out of Havana have problably witness alot of construction going up. This construction is happening all over Cuba. Where do you think these people are getting the Money to build these homes. The Cuban Goeverment does not give anybody money to build these homes. These people are getting the money from people who are working here in the United States. You have to ask yourself how are these people getting the money to build all of these homes? A bag of cement cost $6.00 US DOllars. That is alot of money for people who live in Cuba. It take alot of money to build a house. Where are they getting it from? Do you know that Western Union states that over 1 billion dollar is being sent to Cuba since the US goverment let western Union open up shop. This is just wetern Union folks! This say nothing about Transcard, other Mexican or Canadian Money Agencies that sent Money to Cuba. So there is alot of money being sent home by the new Miami folks. The New folks guys! Because the old guard does not sent money to anybody in Cuba (a very small perecentage do, maybe about 5%). So waht will happen the new Cuban in Miami will one day very shortly replace the old guard. I am already seeing it when I go to Miami every year. Businesses that were own by the Old Cuban Guard are now own by the New Guard. Who do you think will have the money in a couple of years? That is right the new guys. Even Castro is getting into the act of helping these people. My Parenst have been visiting Cuba since 1988. Now for my folks to go to Cuba they would have to fill all kind of Paper work for the Cuban Goverment to go to Cuba. Fidel wanted to make sure any Cuban that he would let enter would not be a problem for him (terrorism, drugs, etc.).
Starting next year that will be changing. The Cuban goverment as of January 1, 2004 will allow Cubans who reside in the US to visit Cuba without having to pay $125.00 for their visas and wait 4 to 5 weeks before their visa would be process. Today, any other traveler who goes to Cuba only pays $20.00 for the visa and he or she gets the Visa at the Airport that the Travelers leaves from. Cubans Born travelers to Cuba pay $125 and have to wait 4 to 5 weeks. In order to combat the Embargo Fidel has drop this law. Why is Castro doing this you might be asking ? This is Castro way in fighting Bush with the Tightening of the Embargo or the possible removal of direct flights from Miami to Cuba.
I can go on and on but even this little info is quite long. If you guys want me to write more I can give you more info.
El Cubanito
Spock,
Good points, especially the last one ("God help the Cubans")! Reminds me of "Be careful what you ask for, you might get it!"
I think the argument would be that the president sets foreign policy and can prohibit us from going anywhere. The "pursuit of liberty, etc." hasn't and won't hold muster, nor would the idea that we are in a "prison." Too much of a stretch.
I heard that recently (yesterday?) an American who was caught travelling to Cuba (he admitted it at customs) is going to take it to court and challenge it. Has anyone heard any details? Should be very interesting. The courts would be the only way to circumvent the two Florida congressmen who are keeping this ridiculousness in place (travel ban, embargo).
I'll arrive in Habana on Tuesay, can't wait!
Doc,
Have a good trip. I was trying to see if I could meet you in Havana. But I have to much work and I could not get a cheap airfare. Everything is thru the roof. Enjoy your trip.
El Cubanito
DocBill;
That is exactly what I meant.
I truly believe the days are numbered for the travel ban. The purpose is long past, there are no positive results for either side and most importantly, I do believe there are constitutional issues which if properly raised, the Supreme Court will hear and decide in favour of travel.
Presidential poper foes have limits but can be effective until overruled. I think if there had been a challenge to Executive Order 9066, it would have fallen quickly (but maybe not uncer the circumstances).
I'm sending you a PM asking a favour when you are in Habana.
Enjoy.
Spock.
Glad to hear someone believes the travel ban days are numbered. I hope so. However the number of days calculate approximately to 365 times 5 as the present resident of the White House (and most likely the next term) plus his brother in Florida are not supporters of lifting the ban.
This forum is not a place for politics, but let’s be realistic on this subject. If you want to travel to Cuba legally asap, start petitioning in your area and/or write your congressman so this subject obtains the proper media coverage. There’ll be plenty of supporters in South Florida as starters. Only then with the right individuals with expertise in the constitutional laws as well as lobbying the supreme court justices (is that possible?) can a favorable decision benefit American travelers and the general Cuban population.
Many of you guys are incorrect.
It is not a travel ban. You have the right to travel there.
It is a ban on spending money in Cuba. Thats why your credit cards don't work there.
However if you go there it is presumed that you spent money there. You must prove you did not, which is hard to prove. Many of the guys who took boats to Hemingway marina and just got out to look around are being fined when they come back to Key West.
If you go you must take cash to spend.
Best approach is to bring nothing back in your suitcase and if questioned tell the immigration officer that you vacationed in the gateway country. They do not stamp your passport in Cuba so there is no evidence you went there.
Hope this clears things up.
Anyone can help with CIGARS information.
Where does one go to in Havana to get LEGITIMATE Cuban cigars, and not counterfeit.
What are the prices like?
Cigars are never to be bought on he street. Never ever. They are filled badly, and are not to be enjoyed. In the regular shops the Montecristo A (IMHO the very, very best Havannas) are priced 428 US $ a 25er box. These take you well through the best part of 2 hours, without tasting bad. I´ve heard stories of one of these babies costing 75 US$ in the states. Here in Europe, the prices vary, but they are never half as crazy as in the US of A. Reason for this being the embargo of course, therefore everything has to go through neighboring countries somehow.
Buy them in the Cigar shops in the hotels in Habana, the shops for expats (e.g. in Marina Hemingway) or when you leave in the "duty free" area. There is a Cigar shop in the old factory in Habana vieja, I think, but I´ve never been there.
Visit the factory in Viñales/Piñar del Rio if you must, and look at the tobacco fields and the Mogotes, too (strange hills). Take your chica there, most of them never left Habana, or only their hometown for Habana, and you might find yourself getting a BBBJ in a pond under a waterfall, like you always dreamed it would be in paradise. I did. Will be back January and definitely go there again. Some impressive caves (cuevas del indio) as well.
Ok, I got carried away, from the topic. Hope you don´t mind. Saludos a Clinton ;-) everybody knos you can get aids from sex, only he knows it can be the other way round.
Brethren,
As I plan my foray into Cuba I have read, and reread posts from the experienced amongst you. I am sure they will serve me well in Havana Heaven. Now I have some questions regarding the infamous police that maintain the separation of locals from the "valued" tourist:
Does the police wear recognizable uniforms, if not how would I recognize them? Are they typically on foot, in cars or horse back?
Assuming no obvious infraction, do they request to see one's passport when accompanied by a local chica (either her's or mine)?
Does the police request to see the passport of tourists when unaccompanied i.e. harass the tourist population that may venture into "local" areas?
Can anyone give me an overview of the attitude of the policia in Havana and perhaps some do's and don'ts while taking the chica into the "casa" for action?
Separately, I have read in earlier post where many have suggest the best way to get the chicas is by "looking like a tourist", yet the local woman -- I am told, get harassed by the policia if it is expected that she is "entertaining" a tourist -- what gives?
Does anyone know how prevalent the telephone is, cell or land? Note: its not obvious to me how one would rendezvous with a chica; perhaps its either sex now or never!
Damn, I was always told I had analysis paralysis!
Thanks
Macgoo
The policia in Cuba is very noticiable and in the Tourist area you will find a policia about every block. If you to Calle 23 by Havana Libre, every block has a policia in the corner.
As far as getting stop by the policia, They will ask for your passport if you are a foreigner. As soon as they see a American Passport the policia will leave you alone. Now, the chica who might be with you her info will be retrieve and her info run against the computer. If she has been busted before for jinetera (Prosititute), she will be in big trouble once she leaves your side. They will not bust her there in front of you, the policia will come to her house later and bust her then. This I have experience first hand. I help a chica out by going down to the police station and telling them she was giving me directions to my casa because I did not know how to get to my casa from Santa maria Beach in Havana. Aparently she had goten busted before and when they stop my car they took her info ran it against the compute and up she came. She wnated to treat me later on when they release her, but I told her no and I took her to her house.
Macgoo, I hope this helps.
El Cubanito
for snark hunter & man,
i think this is an entirely appropriate forum to discuss cigars. after all if you are going to napa you are going to sample some of the wine. cuba is simply an awesome place to smoke cigars.
the best place that i have found to buy legitimate cigars is the store in the hotel nacional. it has a great selection and a very nice lounge to smoke them. it is usually not crowded and the staff are quite knowledgeable. i have visited the cigar factory in habana viejo and i think nacional has a better selection. that store is usually crowded with tourists and touts swarm around it.
at the beginning of my trip i usually buy a number of singles and try them out. my favorite are romeos but it is all a matter of personal preferenece. the size and shape of a cigar will affect its taste. generally the longer and larger have a stronger taste especially as it burns down.
there have been a number of reports warning not to buy cigars that are hustled on the street. they all mention that they have some kind of relative working at the factory. some may in fact be legitimate but even if they are you could be searched at the airport and required to produce a receipt. if not they will be confirep001ed. i have heard that some are just dried banana leaves wrapped in tobacco.
prices are about 25-30% of canadian prices
for macgoo
the cops have cheap grey baseball caps and grey shirts and pants and are everywhere in the tourist areas. no horses, some have cars.
one suggestion about passports. if you are staying at a decent hotel leave it in your safe and carry around a photocopy. police will not hassle you if you are just walking around. the only time i had even a warning was when i walked too close to the us embassy.
if you are just picking up a girl to bang her then they will generally know where to go. sometimes it can be quite funny. i was out with a chica and the older couple she was living with. it was very late at night and we spent about an hour banging on doors in an apartment building. finally a middle aged woman answers the door and kicked her husband out of bed. he plopped himself down in front of the tv. his wife changed the sheet, the couple left and then we went at it. in my experiences police have never a problem.
for longer term i think that you will have to explore. someone could recommend a place and when you arrive in cuba you find that it has been closed. people will offer to show you a casa particular (for a cut) and you will have to negotiate what you are looking for up front.
i have not had an encounter with the police there but from my understanding the police are not after you. they do not want to be a problem for tourists (crucial to the economy), unless you [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] them off or are doing drugs. be careful of bribes - it could be taken the wrong way as some of these guys are real communists. the majority of the times you will be let go - some times you may have to go down to the station. be careful though that you are not with a minor - that could be a problem. most likely they will go after the girl and it will be severe. she has much more to lose than you do - so she will naturally be careful.
with regard to phones, they are not everywhere so sometimes when the girl gives you a number it could be a neighbour. your spanish will have to be quite good to make them understand.
all the best boys - great to see so much activity on this board.
Macgoo,
Most cops will not hassle a girl for talking to you. Public displays of affection may be something different, though.
In any case, you are asking questions that can easily be figured out once you land on the ground.
Just go, dude!
Yos.
I'm in Trinidad now. I've been keeping a daily diary. I don't have much time to post. Internet is very slow and expensive. I've been in Cuba a few days. It's totally different than anywhere I've been. Not mongering much. Funny I don't have too much desire here and I thought I would. It's a nice vacation though. I went Scuba diving this morning. Spending a few days in Trinidad then heading back to Havana. I saw 2 girls from Johnny's Rio Club. One was a 10. I'll post about her later. She was bad in bed though. A trophy score though. So far I'm not too impressed with Cuba. It's a good place to relax but I won't be running back to come back.
I'm still here over two more weeks. The food is horrible! Whatever low expectations you have multiple it by 100. It truly sucks. More later when I get back.
Saint
Sainty old boy, the commercial food in ANY Communist country is terrible. Now, if you met some real people in Cuba, not trixies, but some real people, such as small-time farmers, you could very well have quite a repast, especially if you would pony up the money to pay for it and allowed your hosts to do the marketing and cooking.
There are a very few semi-private restaurants in Cuba (apartments, really) which are reputed to have good classic Cuban cooking. But unfortunately I don't remember the place I read this (and even if I did, the police could very well have closed them down since then!).
If you want some really excellent Cuban cooking, I recommend.......... Miami. ;)
-Uncle Otto
Saint,
Let me know if you want to go to some good place for food in Havana. I will give addresses and Telephone number.
El Cubanito
Place to stay in Havana
Hi,
Can you recommend any hotel or casa particular in Havana which is:
A) Located centrally
B) Safe i.e. stuff doesn't disappear from your room
C) Liberal view of bringing chicas to the room
Regards
Jean
to whom it ma concern:
Even if I may have difficulties getting a seat next time I go there: Te Gringo Viejo is excellent for food. Very nice cooking, very small place, though.
Pedregal is good as well, Rancho Palco recommendable, even for wines. Credit cards welcome at least in teh last two places.
Enjoy!
El Cubanito
Why wait to post the info on the Havana dining ?
By the time he asks and you reply 2 days could pass.
Just thinking ahead.
Starfe
Gringo Viejo: calle 21 No. 454 e/ Ey F, vedado, C. Habana, Tel.: 831 1946
El Rancho Palco: calle 140 y 19 Reparto Cubanacan, Playa, Tel.: 208 9346
Enjoy!
Oh, well, I am going to share with you...
Prado y Neptuno (which is also the address), well known for authentic (YESSSS!) italian cuisine, a hard to find experience. One of the owners is often seen there (el Gordo, an entertainer which will be a top-experience for your chica, because he just never stops his jokes, even when eating/drinking, to understand him you really need to know the local jerga).
Here´s some description (although in spanish):
En este sitio cercano al Paseo del Prado, en la céntrica esquina de Prado y Neptuno, se ubica el restaurante del mismo nombre. Lugar donde floreció la Bodega de Alonso en el siglo XIX y en la primera mitad del XX, el elegante Café Las Columnas y el Restaurante Miami, más tarde nombrado Caracas y por último Budapest. Este legendario espacio, actualmente diseñado con audaz originalidad por el afamado arquitecto italiano Gottardi, se especializa en la comida italiana.
Entre sus platos fundamentales se encuentran la lasagna casera y el espaguetis a la carbonara. También sus postres, confeccionados en la Casa, como el exquisito Tiramisú, constituyen manjares del arte culinario italiano. El bar, por su parte, ofrece una amplia coctelería nacional e internacional. La música italiana e internacional en vivo ameniza su estancia. A Prado y Neptuno continúa brindando un genuino sabor, ahora con la propuesta de comer a la italiana.
If you made it all the way through this text, here´s a webpage to look at:
http://www.habaguanex.com/restaurantes/home.asp
have fun
Starfe,
You are right! He is a link that has a list of about 60 places to eat throughout Cuba. Here is the link:
http://cubanow.org/restorants/
My favorite place in Havana is:
La Cocina de Lilliam
Calle 48 No. 1311,
between 13 and 15 Playa in Miramar
Telephone 29-6514
Saint, I hope this helps you.
El Cubanito
first time poster, first time mongerer.
i recently returned from a cuban vacation. a couple of buddies and i did a 3 day havana/ 4 day resort type vacation package. this was just going to be a regular type vacation. we weren't really familiar with the havana sex scene. but it didn't matter what our intentions were. four late 30ish/ early 40ish white boys walking out of the hotel libre meant the cuban's assumed we there for one thing and they reminded us constantly that it was available. a cuban guy latched on to our group. these guys can be annoying, but when you find an ok guy, their services can be very valueable, especially if they speak english and you don't speak spanish and you don't know your way around.
we proceeded to an outdoor bar. a couple of young girls sat a couple of tables over from us. i noticed one of them was really cute and pointed her out to my friends. at that point, the cuban guy left the table. i thought he went to the can. next thing i know, the girl i was checking out was sitting next to me. she was just smiling at me and staring into my eyes. she was stunning! the cuban guy told me if i wanted her, she is mine. this is all new to me. i've never been put in this position before. i knew i had to take the chance. passing up sex is not an option for me. i'm a nice, quiet guy so getting laid back home is pretty much impossible.
the cuban guy, the girl and i walked towards a street running parallel to la rampa st. where he knew of a casa. this was close to the hotel libre area. the girl agreed to $30. she didn't really seem too interested in haggling over money. as we walked towards the casa, the cuban guy took the girls arm in his and told me to walk back around 20 ft. so the girl and i weren't seen together. when we got to the casa i tipped the cuban guy and payed the casa owner $25 and went to the room.
i was really nervous. i had visions of the girl just lying there staring at her watch, not being into the whole thing. i sat down next to her and couldn't believe it when she grabbed me and started french kissing me. she really seemed to be enjoying herself. we had a great time! not just the sex, but goofing around, having some laughs just like i was with a real girlfriend. it was a great experience. however there were some problems. after around 1 1/2 hours, the casa owner said time was up. we ignored him for another hour, but he kept knocking on the door. now that i look back, maybe i should of payed him after i was done.
another problem was that as we were leaving, we noticed around 5 policemen loitering outside the casa. the girl kissed me and waved me to go on ahead. i may as well have been invisible as i walked by the police. they hardly even looked at me. i walked up the street slowly, hoping the girl would be by shortly. i couldn't see her. i hung around outside the hotel libre for a while hoping to see her walk by but i never saw her again. i have to admit i was worried about her. to this day, i still feel guilty about me being able to just walk by the police and her having to fend for herself. i was high on booze and life because i had just gotten laid by a babe and i wasn't thinking straight.
anyway, that's my report. thanks for listening. it's probably pretty lame compared to the other reports. any feedback is welcome. in conclusion, i am dying to go back to cuba. i think the women are there and they are willing. the challenge is going to be finding a place to have sex with them. also i think there were quite a few girls that looked **** (16-17years) out there trying to hook up. i think i will be insisting on seeing id in the future. the selection of adult girls was too good to risk ending up in jail.
HAS ANYONE ELSE BEEN THIS STUPID?
Henry David Thoreau said: [i]If misery loves company, misery has company enough, [/i] so I'm looking for company here. While this is my story, it can apply to a woman also.
Before going to Cuba early this month, I started a correspondence with a lady whom I hoped to have a relationship with (not simply "get laid" as has been said).
We exchanged notes in email, albeit having to use translations since I speak no Spanish and she speaks no English. Still, she came on very positive and soon said she was looking for a "serious" relationship, aka most likely marriage. I had no problem with having this as a consideration as she came across in email as very sweet and her pictures were enough to revive the imagination of a dying hermit.
I arrived and met her and her family at the airport. Her family seemed and probably are sincere people who I believe to be very honest.
Although I had planned on touring Cuba for the week, I ended up hanging out with the family most of the time. This worked out OK, since the Father spoke decent English.
I tried to develop a relationship with the lady/daughter but it was a real problem with language, or so I thought.
I had no problem buying food for the family since they had me for dinner two times in their house. I also took them to dinner on two occasions at places where they could never go. I also took the daugher on a "shopping trip" since she needed clothing. All in all and without being asked, I spend close to US$500 for the lady and her family. When I left, I gave her a $100 bill as a Christmas present.
The interpersonal relationship I had hoped would start to develop never progressed past a few friendly kisses (cousin type, no emotional/physical response) and some hand-holding. I was never one to force any issue nor did I ever treat her with anything less than total respect.
Near the end of my stay, the daughter asked me to buy her a computer ($500) so she could use it at home although she has no internet connection. There now came more requests for "things."
Without going into more details, after I left and we continued to email, it became clear she wanted a lot from me and none of it had to do with a serious relationship outside of material things. It was the classic "carrott on a stick" game making vague promisses of "things to come" when I returned. In an email after I returned, she also said she had a lady friend who wanted to contact me for assistance having my lady "friend" get a letter of invitation to come to Costa Rica to work. Sound familiar?
I finally painfully concluded with the help of two objective friends, one of which was with me in Cuba and met and spoke with this lady, that I was being taken for a ride. I was used proving the old saying, "There is no fool like an old fool."
And defore anyone takes to tell me why they think I am negative, let me state one thing very directly. NO!!! I'm not complaining because we did not end up in bed. That wasn't my reason for going to Cuba or meeting her. My complaint is having been used or more accurately, allowing my trust to be used against me.
So has anyone here had a similar experience? Any I did read the "sad Cuban love story" and thought about it when deciding to write this novella.
Thanks.
Spock.
Hi Everybody,
I've read quite a bit of infos on Cuba. Would like to try it out, however, there's a legality problem. I'm sure you all know about US Citizens are banned from going to Cuba. What is or are my possiblities of getting around all of that political bs? Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.
Dran Reb:
Many of the girls in Habana are real pros but you sound as if you found a nice girl who may just enjoy sex as much as she need to make a few extra $$s. If you don't understand the economics of Cuba, check out the archives here or one of the other travel boards about the pay scale for Cubans and the cost of many necessary items.
If you want a private place and to really meet some Cuban people, next time get a casa particular (private home) which will run you about $25. Get a private entrance and your own key and you should have no problems. Much better and cheaper than any hotel. If you don't get a private entrance, simply ask the casa owner if it's OK to have a Cuban lady "friend" over. If "no problem" then no problem.
My most enjoyable experience when I was in Cuba in early December (this year) was with a school teacher who I met at a disco. 31 years old and doesn't smoke. Since I speak no Spanish and she only spoke a little English, I had my friend who speaks Spanish ask her how much to "get together." She responded "nothing." I could afford that.
We went to her place and had a fine time but my heart went out to her since her "home" looked more like an abandoned warehouse being demolished. I could only tell it was a residence because it had a working phone. When I left I gave her $30 and some presents small. She never asked for one thing. I took her number and on my last night in cuba took her out to dinner at a very nice restaurant which would rival any Beverly Hills place. We went back to my casa and enjoyed the evening. Never a word about $$.
When I had her leave at 0300 since I was also leaving to catch an early flight out, I gave her a Christmas present of a $100 bill. She started to cry. When I go back in February, it will be my pleasure to hopefully see her again.
This was a lady and a real jewel. Treat all the ladies with respect and it will come back to you ten-fold with a true GFE.
Spock
Dran Reb,
I never been to Cuba, because coming from NYC its hard and you risk getting caught. I've had similar experiences in Dominican Republic, Jamacia, Costa Rica & Singapore, some good, some bad, but you learn from them and move on. Some women treat you better and don't know if your going to see them tomorrow. Some treated me better than women in America who claimed they wanted to spend the rest of there life with me & have my children. Amazing, but I realized the money and gifts we give them is on a need and gotta have basis for some, not all, but especially if there uneducated with more than 2 children & no man at home. What can they do? (Then again I've met some girls I think if they lived anywhere else they would be stone cold freaks, just to damn good) One guy there told me that this is the life for them, so if he lives there and can say that so easily, then what could I do, except enjoy & treat them nice.
I've fallen hard, but since my partners I travel with have hearts of stone, they quickly brought me back to reality. Now I just have fun & when I meet a really nice one I try to go back and see her again & resist the temptation of falling for the sad sob stories. I could say more but not to waste space, you can say now I'm a pro having fun with the pros. IT'S ALL ABOUT GAME.
PS Photo of a pro who in America, I couldn't have gotten for $30 and breakfast. Would have taken alot more than a 15 minute conversation & a few beers. No buying any big material items & promises of love.
For Thai Diesel - There is tons of info on this board in the General Info section. You might also want to call A. Nash Travel in Toronto - Saint has posted the website - and they can give you advice.
For Dran Reb - Hey any report is interesting - you are now a participant!
Talosian, a hopeless romantic (I mean that in a good way) and a literary one at that!!
Without getting into the morality of the Cubans or the politics etc. and looking at the practical situation - I want you to promise us here and now, as a new year's resolution, not to be too hard on yourself. Obviously this situation got to you.
The reality is that many people walk away with those kinds of stories from Cuba. I know of a Canadian that worked in Cuba, married a Cuban girl and brought her back to Canada. Once she had her papers, divorced him, married her Cuban boyfriend and brought him to Canada. She had him fooled for over a year!
Are all Cubans like this - of course not (your second report shows how warm and kind they can be). But there are some that will come after tourists (if you are fishing go where the fish are). The thing is that there is not much to do on the island so that have lots of time to think up schemes and lots of time to practice. They are playing with a different rule book then you and I. It is all about survival. Also some foreigners are pretty rough on the chicas as well (Mexican, Italian etc.).
Let's face it they are good at the craft. They are warm and charming and some of the woman are truly gorgeous. It is not hard to be suckered in.
Also not all are like that - but there are some that seek out tourists to con - in small or large ways.
A real estate friend of mine once gave me this advice - when buying do not fall in love with one house - fall in love with two. I think the same thing applies to Cuban chicas. The thing is that you have options when you go there - lots of options. In your own country women may be difficult but in Cuba - a foreigner with a good heart is a serious catch for a large proportion of the female population - no matter age or looks. So you don't have to jump at the first one - another will be by (probably in ten minutes)
Chalk up the experience to a lesson learned, ($600 US in the grand scheme of things is not a huge amount - look at it as a university course), make yourself a mojito, and make a toast that you are going to be a whole lot wiser on your next trip.
And also take a bow for sharing your experience - for the good of all mongers!!!
Talosian,
Please check your PM in a couple of days RE: being stupid.. and no, you are not...
Regards, Havanaman
Gentlemen,
Having been away from the board for some time: not in a position to report (internet access, too busy and generally having fun…) I am now ready to report, but some general comments. Please: no one should take offence, it is not intended and so don’t flame me.
Talosian, Your first visit post was exceptional. I’m so happy that you had a good time in Havana, and I wish you luck with your future visits. I agree with your comments: there is good and bad in this city. The important thing is to compare it “like for like”. I’m sure that your next visit will be even more rewarding, now that you have seen “how the land lies” and have some contacts. PM me your next trip details: I’m trying to plan 5 days in Feb / March. Hook-up?
Saint: As always it was good to meet up with you at the Inglatera, even for that short time. Hey, what did you make of the chica who was with me? She was the anti-prostitution chica I have mentioned in the past, and the main prize of my trial in Havana: beautiful, extreme GFE, and get this: not interested in commitment. In her own words (excellent English) “…life is too short, lets enjoy today…”. As I mentioned to you, this chica exploded my world and it was worth returning to Havana for the 2 days with her.
Gentlemen: To make life easier for all of us, especially new people looking for Havana information, lets keep the posts on cigars, on the “general board”, and reserve this board for chica-reports / methods.
Regards, Havanaman
Gentlemen,
The original plan was to have a week in Havana, a week in Buenos Aires and then head home. However, Saint and DocBill’s thread got me so tempted I had to modify my plans to spend an additional couple of days in Havana. The intention being to hook-up with these gentlemen. Sorry Doc’: time and circumstances were against our meeting. Next time?
This trip was a continuation of The Trial (reported in detail earlier, so no need for basics here). In 7 nights, paid for a chica only once, and that was because my flight got in very late and it was not possible to meet any of my friends.
That first night was full of adventure: sexual and otherwise. OK, so its 1am, I’ve eaten, I shot a glance at the Cabaret Nacional (empty), walked La Rampa and the Prado (nothing tasty) in either. I’m walking home via the Malecon (land side) and just by one of the all-night bars make long distance eye contact with a young little thing. Passing her, a hand pulls my arm into the doorway. A beer later we take a taxi to my place. The taxi leaves, its now 2.30am, the adventure begins. At the front building entrance I discover that I have lost my keys. Shit. Stay cool, what now? After some considerable door knocking to no avail, we head to the nearest open bar. Its looking like not only am I not getting any action, I’m also going to be sitting in a bar all night. In my bad Spanish I negotiate the possibility of a room for the night. Exploitation exists in many forms and being a hardened “tourist” I expected it. $30 for the night. I found out after that the barman had got his family to move out of their home for me…. If this does not fully express the economic situation in Havana I do not know what will. If I had know this at the time, I’d have asked somewhere else, but I think the story would have been the same. Anyway, a bed for the night was had, a chica was on my arm and all was well with the world. Now, not having access to my own apartment meant not having access to condoms. My chica had just one which turned out to be from china and made from recycled bicycle-inner tubes. This thing was 2mm thick give or take a nanometer! So I opted for a night of BBBJ’s. By 7am, I was rested, serviced, ready to hunt-down the landlord, had a smile on my face and the chica had lockjaw. Chica $25 TLN. Expensive night in comparison to others to come, but nice nonetheless.
Contact made with my 2 best chicas from the trial back in November. At this point I must make a confession. I have lost the path of the true monger. These 2 chicas have taken my heart. As no money was involved: its real. OK, so we all pay in one way or another (food, gifts, travel etc.), but hey the act of getting everything (company, comfort and ‘freely’ given-and-received sex) I mean genuine GFE is something else. When you have more than one, its heaven indeed for any man. What more can I say? Is anyone else trying this “Trial” ?
Police: Again heavy presence, but nothing to be concerned about as a green-back carrying tourist. Stay within the law and walk with your held high. I normally do not carry my passport, just a photocopy. I would only ever produce the copy in extreme circumstances: why give out your details to the chica or the police if you don’t have to?
Weather: Nov. Dec. Starts getting cold and the rain-shower frequency increases. In both November & December I got drenched more than once. I hate carrying an umbrella, so ducking into a café or shop became a habit. This has its advantages as I made contact with many a regular chica at a social level. This is good for information, practicing my Spanish and off course has the potential to go to a higher level if I wanted. You just have to love the Cuban social style. They are very eager to communicate. I suspect this is more of a psychological function due to inherent restrictions imposed by the brutal and bearded regime. For nights, take a jacket in Nov. & Dec.
Politics: As a monger I would urge you not to get involved. Lets just say that there are “watchers” who watch the “watchers”. Yes indeed. The apartment I was in at San Rafael, just behind the university had a resident “watcher” who apparently reports on the activity of people in that street. This is quite common and something new to me. I was asked by the landlord to take care who I opened the door to and also who I spoke with in the building. Sound advice I think, for both him and me. I have no doubts that “times are a changing”. The locals that have become my friends all said the same thing. Tolerance of the tourists is higher than ever. We get away with a lot more, but so is the courage of the locals. This is very telling. I think that the global political situation is having an affect in Cuba, and from our perspective it is positive. A good time to invest here? Maybe. Certainly the hotels are full and the number of “tourist-guided” groups I saw was more than in previous years.
Immigration: No trouble at all. Even though this was my third visit in the space of 2 months. I was asked about this frequency and I just said I love the country, the people and besides I had a long term novia here. Simple smiles, general good social behaviour, attempting to speak Spanish (prefaced with telling them I was learning) did the trick and I was home free. The two baggage conveyer belts are a real pain when you exit. I went to the one labelled with my flight, only to find that 20 minutes latter my luggage was on the unlabelled one along with those of half my co-passengers baggage. I suggest standing between the two belts and keeping watch on both.
Clubs: Everything is open (second hand news), but the attendance is VERY low. Maybe due to the Christmas period. I could not say. But in the past, this period has had little affect on chica availability. Malecon is alive and kicking if you are on a tight budget. In fact it is an excellent way of meeting amateurs and regular chicas alike. You will either be approached by a “hola” or very distinctive sound reminiscent of loud kissing (I can not describe it any clearer!) or can start the approach with someone you take a liking to. It is that easy.
Cell phones: Now very common in Havana. The hard core chicas all have them and this is a sure sign to look for, however the cost of the phones is such that you know you will be paying through the nose for your date. I no longer use hard cores Attitude and service is ultra important to me and so amateurs / regulars is by far the best possible combination for the hunt. There is something to be said about chasing the normal “non-payment” chica: OK, we all pay but you know what I mean. I found that my easiest option was to organise for my home-provider to extend my SIM capability to incorporate Mexico. This allowed me to receive a signal in Havana. OK so it was expensive at the equivalent of about $10 per min, however for ease of communication and in an emergency it was fine. I used it twice to call Saint. No big deal, and it meant freedom from new contracts and hunting down CU-com in Miramar.
Costs: For me the mongering was almost free, excluding gifts and food. Apart from the single first night of mongering with a SW from the Malecon, I was with a novia every night. Yes indeed the Trial does have its rewards. HOWEVER, please note that I agree with previous posters, Havana is not cheap by any means. OK, so the relative cost is low, but are you really going to spend a few hundred dollars to save a couple of bucks on the mongering? The cost of living for a good “holiday” is high when you take into consideration ALL the elements (chicas, place to stay, food, drink and excursions / transport). Having said that the second and subsequent visits will always be cost effective as you will know more.
Food: I agree with the poster who commented on the Italian restaurant on the Prado, opposite the Telegrapho hotel. Excelent indeed. Also, I dined extensively in the open-air restaurant opposite the cathedral. Another “nice place” was the restaurant in the Plaza de Arms (Mirador de la bahia) a roof top place with exceptional views of the harbour.
I’m considering returning in a couple of months if all goes well. That’s how much this place has got to me.
Enjoy life to the max, our time is too short here.
Regards, Havanaman
back in havana. i've been traveling around a bit. i'm definitely glad i came to cuba but the hobby scene is not what i expected. i expected to see a more beautiful general population of girls but most of the girls i see on the streets, in the stores, everywhere are not that beautiful. there are a handful of beautiful girls. anyone that is considering coming here only for the action should forget it. if you want to see a beautiful country with wonderful people than by all means come and experience what cuba has to offer.
there are lots of girls in the streets but most i wouldn't do for free. the hottest girls are in the clubs. if you're coming here expecting to pay very very cheap for hot hot girls you can forget it. i have a ton of funny stories. i've been here over two weeks now. i've hit trinidad, cienfuegos, vinales, pinar del rio. most of those cities it's impossible to get action. i'll try to post when i get back. internet is painstakingly slow. those that reported fast internet connections were either high or don't use high speed in the usa.
i saw a beautiful 22 year old last night from la chorrera. it's a cool spot. she had a great body and the best session of the trip so far. $40 + $10 for a taxi and she stayed a few hours. she is a ballerina for the national ballet. she only makes $7 us per month with her job. the weather is great. went to playas del este yesterday but it was cloudy.
the girls are generally scared of the police and that makes things tough. i'd come back to cuba again for the people and the country but the hobby is tough. i don't like it when you can't go out and eat and drink with a girl without the girl being worried. my and my friends already got stopped by cops 5 times. we had a bet at the beginning of the trip how many times we'd get stopped. i guessed 5 so i guess i'm winning so far.
i'm going out with a beautiful girl tonight for new year's eve. i'm setting up my friends with her friends as i did the other night. still here for a little while.
life is still good.
saint
Havanaman:
I'll look for your PM. Right now, my plans are for approximately 15 Feb, 04 for 3-4 weeks. I'm meeting up with a member of both this Board and LP where I just posted my "Fool" question and got slammed a couple of times (Big deal!). We can talk in PM and I think I gave you my pvt. email. I will be doing a lot of travel time when I'm there since we are getting a car for a very good rate, US$65 including insurance for a mid-sized one.
Lap Dancer:
Yes, I am a romantic and I paid tuition but overall, I got my money's worth in both "education" and positive experiences.
I love your "Real Estate" analogy and it is actually very logical. I may try this on my next trip (February, 04) but I'm more of a "one-woman for the trip" kind of guy. I wish I had the abilities of Havanaman with the chicas. Not speaking Spanish does limit me to those ladies who speak some English. I am trying to learn some Spanish.
Saint:
Can you describe the ballet dancer? When I was there early December, my friend and I hooked into what might have been a large part of the company. We went to the practice studio (five flights up) and I took many pictures of them which I have. I would not post the pictures here but a good description might find her. They loved my Polaroid and I actually turned down a very attractive 18 year old since I had a commitment with a school teacher I had met before in a disco.
Also, what you said about looks of the chicas shows just how diversified tasts are when it comes to "beauty." I saw so many chicas/ladies who I thought were very attractive, including one who had to be in her late 30s to early 40s. I would post pictures but since all but 2 were "play for pay" ladies, I don't think it would be proper. I guess I could post those three just for reference. I'll do it later with stories.
ALL:
It's interesting, the difference in attitude between the people on this Board and others (LP in particular). A lot of LP posters are in line with thinking on this Board but are more reserved with their comments while some are really the "morals police."
I'm sure when I get back from this next trip I will have some (interesting) shories to share.
As always, I appreciate the input from everyone here.
Spock.
Thanks Lap Dancer, I'll check into it.
Happy New Year to everyone!
Havanaman,
Re: Cigars
Point taken and I will channel my enthusiasm to the general interest section - though Bill Clinton was able to combine the two!
Talosian,
The girl I saw is 22 years old. I've been checking ID's of all the girls now. Most of the super hot ones are only 17. Many lie and say they are 18 but I spot their age on their ID's before leaving with them. I started a diary but just got too busy. Still I think it's about 15 pages or so in Word format.
I really like this country. Again, not for the hobby but for the people, the places and the memories I'm forming. I'm also with one of my good friends that I've taken 5 international trips with this year and the other guy I met in Cancun has been hanging out with us the entire time.
Let me just say the police are assholes. Stand your ground. We got pulled over again last night but again we didn't pay the $30 they demanded. Now, I tell them I'm a lawyer that does business here. I tell them that if they want us to pay the fine I need a receipt with their names on it. That scares the shit out of them and they let you go. If you speak no Spanish at all you might have problems. The police generally pull you over for a variety of reasons but also if you are doing nothing.
I'm finding some better places to eat. My buddy left for Trinidad. I leave for Cancun tomorrow so I'm going to blow it out today.
Life is good.
Saint
I was just going through some of the old postings for my trip this Monday and I saw some posts about laptops. I brought my old laptop to my girlfriend. I had it as a carry on. They did check my luggage and found a battery charger, which they questioned me about, but they did not look at my carry on. So I was able to leave my laptop with her, which she loves.
Ok you pay for it one way or another.
[size=-2][u]EDITOR's NOTE[/u]: [blue]Posting of this report was delayed pending revisions for [u]capitalization and punctuation[/u]. To avoid future delays, please refrain from using the "chat room" style of writing with no caps or punctuation. [i]Thanks![/i][/blue][/size]
Hi Saint,
I’m really happy that you like Cuba. I think it will grow on you even more as time passes. I know well in excess of 30 guys that now love this place, as much as I do.
What a bummer with the police. I think it must be you, you look like a rich executive type! No seriously, I think it is part of the trend I reported a couple of reports ago, about the locals developing a little more courage than before. The times are a changin’, of this I have no doubts whatsoever.
Very good point about the ID check. The possibilities in not following your sound advice here are too terrible to contemplate… These might range from a “sting” to actual arrest…
Enjoy today to the max, who can talk about tomorrow?
Havanaman
Hello Havanaman,
I intend to go for Havana for a few days (probably 3), in early April and/or in early December 2004. Could you suggest to me:
a) A chica friendly private appartement (with a private entrance) within walking distance of "La Rampa" (or Calle 23);
b) A good, reliable and affordable private guide/private driver who could eventually, among other things, pick up chicas for me;
Hello All! I'm back, got in last night from a trip lasting 17 hours: Habana, Miami, Vegas, and San Francisco (home). I'm still kind of wasted so I'll delay my full report for a couple of days. I do want to say that as I've pointed out before, and Saint also states, Cuba is not the place to go for mongering, but it is a wonderful and fascinating country where adventures just come at you like nowhere else! It infects the soul, as I'm sure many of you would agree.
Spock, no you're not stupid and your story is all to common. What is stupid is when guys keep paying and paying and don't walk away when they realize what you've realized. Understand, I've spent a total of many months in Cuba, and they are the best actors and liars in the world. This is born of necessity and not meant to be perjorative. I can tell you all too many stories of "true love," where the Cuban (man or woman) ends up in the US and then splits to Miami solo. Of the many American-Cuban couples I know not one lasted when the man was Cuban. About half work out when the woman is Cuban. This is because Cuban women are capable of staying faithful, while Cuban men are not.
Anyway, sorry to ramble. As I said I'll post my full trip report in a few days when I recover from this "vacation!"
Peace
Hi all. Just left Cuba yesterday back to Cancun. It was nice seeing you again Havanaman. Regarding the police it's not just me. Both my friends with me got pulled over several times too. I think anyone there for any reasonable amount of time will have that problem. Many of you only go for long weekends or a few days. I was there 16 days so the longer you are there the higher the chances you will get pulled over. Remember, all tourist rental cars have a T license plate so the police know right away that you are a tourist. I saw many many many tourists getting pulled over. Especially in Miramar.
It's not just being in a car either. One night my buddy Seaman was walking just one block from Calle 30 to Calle 28 along 3rd Avenue with his girl. A cop standing around stopped him. He can't speak much Spanish and was nervous so he called me on my cellphone. The cop was obviously just looking for a bribe but even after my friend offered him $10 he said he didn't want money. I came over immediately and I saw the cop talking to the girl. Keep in mind the girl was a total no pro type. She looked sweet and innocent.
I immediately went to the cop and asked what the problem was. He told Seaman he radio'ed for a squad car to pick the girl up but that was 15 minutes earlier so I knew he was lying. I told him that Seaman came here to spend NYE with his girlfriend. I asked him why he was hassling them. Then the cop asks for my ID. Luckily I came prepared. I came over with my passport. Then the cop gets ballsy and tries to scare me. He asks me where I'm staying. I tell him the street but told him I didn't know the apartment #. It was clear he knew exactly which houses rent rooms. He named my apartment and said maybe he would stop by. I had left a chica to come over to Seaman and the problem was she had no ID on her. I called my friend and had him get the girl out of there.
The cop saw me calling someone and asked me who I called. I immediately pulled out a business card of a lawyer that I met in Cuba. I told him that I called my lawyer friend and handed him the business card. I think that freaked him out. He called the girl over and he took the $10 that Seaman was gonna give the cop. He let us all go. This is just one of the examples of cops hassling us. Don't be scared of them. The first time I couldn't do much but I learned if you stand up to them they will back down. Sometimes they put up a good show but if you can argue with them you'll be fine. If you speak no Spanish at least learn the phrase that you need a receipt with the cops name on it.
Most of the girls in the clubs are pros. I'm not saying you can't have a great time with them because you certainly can. Only a tiny percentage are professionals with degrees or completed university. There are a few rookies that came to the big city (Havana) to work. I got lucky and hooked up with a total hottie that was only in Havana 2 weeks from Camaguey.
I'm super tired. I typed up some thoughts on my laptop today while at the airport in Cancun.
Cuba is a special place. I HIGHLY recommend traveling throughout Cuba. Don't just stay in Havana. As others noted, Cuba is a totally different place outside of Havana. Rent a car and just drive. I plan to go back this year and fly to Santiago and drive all the way to Havana. More later.
Saint
Car Rental and Hitchhickers
I am traveling to Cuba in a couple of weeks and intend to rent a car and travel around Cuba for 14 days. I was wondering if any of the members had any information on the possibilty of any mongering action with hitchhicking females while traveling down the highways of Cuba. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. On my last trip I remember standing at a bus stop near the Havana tunnel and seeing many female hitchhickers trying to wave down cars before they entered the tunnel heading east around 5 PM.
Thanks in advance,
Caw199
Saint,
You will like Santiago. Santiago and Holguin are my two favorite providence in Cuba. You will like the drive across Cuba.
El Cubanito
Caw199,
You'll love the experience of driving around Cuba. Just make sure you by an excellent highway map and keep asking directions along your route everytime there is a fork in the road. There are literally NO signs to tell you if you are headed to your destination. It was frustrating at first but then we just laughed and asked people every fork in the road. Everyone is friendly and helpful.
There are tons of hitchhikers approaching every city. Keep in mind the vast majority of Cubans can't own cars so they are dependent on hitching a ride. You will rarely encounter any hotties. I'm selective but if you're not I'm positive you can find action on the highway. The entire road trip we only saw two cute girls hitching a ride but they were going the opposite direction.
We still turned around and asked them if they wanted to go back to Havana but they were going home for the holidays to spend with their family.
I highly recommend taking the scenic route if you're adventurous. The roads truely suck but it's more scenic than the boring highway. The route from Havana to Pinar del Rio we could have taken the highway but we took the scenic mountain route through La Palma-Bahia Honda-Vinales. The views were awesome! We didn't see any tourists on that road though so use your best judgement. Just make sure fill up your tank whenever you can.
Cuba is a totally safe country. The people were amazingly friendly and I didn't encounter any crime whatsoever. The only negative encounters were with the police but I refused to pay any fines after my 2nd encounter. Good luck.
P.S. Those girls at the tunnel often times aren't looking for a "ride". They are looking for another type of "ride" where they make some money. There are many Italian dudes that stay in Playa del Este which is heading in that direction. We saw some local girls at the beach in Playa del Este with tourists. The ones that were alone were being hassled by the cops and being asked to show their ID's. The police are a real pain in the ass here.
[quote]Originally posted by Saint
The police are a real pain in the ass here.
[/quote]
Well, excuse me for pointing this out, but it [b]IS[/b] after all, a totalitarian police state run by the Communist Party. This should not come as a surprise. And if you get in trouble by smarting back at a policeman, you could end up in a cell under accusation of being an American spy. Good luck asking the U.S. government to help you out of that jam. That trick will probably cost you all the money you have, to be paid in bribes.
-Uncle Otto
Oh Otto,
Leave it to you to show the way! A cop is the last person I would look to take on.
Starfe
ha, ha. otto. no offense and i do see your point in theory but unless you are there seeing what i saw and being there 16 days you'll see that the police are no real threat. in fact, the police are just looking for hand outs. it's clear to see that tourism is very important to the cubans. fidel has a strict policy of the police not being corrupt and bother tourists unless they have a really good reason. driving around minding your own business is no excuse for the cops trying to extort money from you.
people can say all they want about how cuba is scarey, dangerous to get to, full of risks, etc. traveling to cuba is one of the easiest things i have ever done in my journeys. just go via cancun and your chances of getting caught are almost none. cuba is not our enemy and it's only a matter of short time before the travel restriction will be lifted. i'm damn happy i got a chance to see cuba before it is lifted.
i still stand by my advice not to pay a police officer unless you are doing something seriously wrong. all the girls i talked to said the police are just looking for a few bucks. i'm glad i didn't pay anything after the 2nd run in with them. it might sound really ballsy to do what i did with them but in reality it's not. if you are conversational in spanish you should have no problems dealing with them.
as i pointed out before, make sure to check the id's of girls. all of them are required to carry them at all times. if a girl says she doesn't have it on her odds are she is ****. several hotties that i wanted to see claimed to have left it at home. one time, this girl that was setting me up brought over a totally hot blondie but the girl was only 17 so i passed. another time she brought another girl that claimed to be 18 but when i spotted her id i noticed she was lying and was only 17. on the front of the id there is a long number. the first two numbers are their birth year.
One suggestion about travelling around Cuba is to fly. If you are thinking of doing this you are probably better off booking your ticket in Cuba and not in your home country.
The major hotels all have travel desks (I believe Cubanacan is the biggest) that can coordinate flights etc. I had a bad experience booking a flight in Canada - Havana to Santiago return. The taxi driver took me to the wrong airport and the flight times had all been changed. My travel agent had an old schedule - but who knows how often they are updated. I ended up waiting for about 7 hours. The return flight was actually an Ailitalia flight that was coming to Havana after dropping tourists off in Santiago. I did book a flight in Cuba as well. They arranged a driver to the airport and everything went smoothly.
QUESTION TO ALL (especially Mongers recently in Cuba):
As to the best of your recollection, how many of the pros are fully or almost fully shaven?
How about those who are not pros, don't ask for $$ but will appreciate a "gift?"
How about those who seem to be "regular" girls who just enjoy a good time with a tourist?
Finally on this point (taking a survey here); do you prefer shaved, bikini shaved or more natural than not?
And before anyone aske, I prefer natural.
Finally, have you ever run into chicas who did NOT wear thongs or French cut panties and/or Victoria Secret type bras and underware?
Truly curious.
Spock.
Talosian
If found them to be well groomed. Completely or nearly completely shaved. Just the way I like it.
And in the thong/t-back too. Just the way I like it too.
CM
As to the best of your recollection, how many of the pros are fully or almost fully shaven? MOST ARE TRIMMED.
How about those who are not pros, don't ask for $$ but will appreciate a "gift?" IF YOU DON'T AGREE TO A CERTAIN AMOUNT THE NIGHT BEFORE, SOMEONE WHO SELLS WOMENS' CLOTHING WILL APPEAR AT THE DOOR THE NEXT DAY AND THE GIRL WILL EXPECT YOU TO BUY HER SOME CLOTHES.
How about those who seem to be "regular" girls who just enjoy a good time with a tourist? YOU ARE EXPECTED TO PAY/GIVE SOMETHING TO EVERY GIRL BECAUSE YOU HAVE LOTS OF MONEY COMPARED TO HER. RARELY WILL YOU GET PUSSY FOR NOTHING. YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO SET UP A BANK ACCOUNT FOR THE GIRLFRIEND WHEN YOU GO HOME AND WIRE MONEY, OR BUY HER A NEW BICYCLE. YOU WILL FEEL THE PRESSURE STARTING FROM DAY ONE TO HELP HER FINANCIALLY.
Finally on this point (taking a survey here); do you prefer shaved, bikini shaved or more natural than not? USUALLY IT IS UP TO THE GIRL HOW SHE KEEPS HERSELF, JUST LIKE UP TO YOU HOW LONG YOU WEAR YOUR HAIR.
And before anyone aske, I prefer natural.
Finally, have you ever run into chicas who did NOT wear thongs or French cut panties and/or Victoria Secret type bras and underware? MANY GIRLS HAVE CHEAP UNDERWEAR UNLESS THEY ARE VERY PRETTY AND OTHER MEN HAVE BEEN BUYING FOR THEM OR UNLESS THEY HAVE BEEN A PRO FOR A LONG TIME AND HAVE EARNED ALOT OF MONEY (RARE).
Re Saint: - Thanks for the info
I will be renting a car for 2 weeks and heading to Santiago from Havana with stops in Santa Clara, Camaguey and Holguin. I would like to make the turn around Baracoa but I will see how much time I have when I get to Santiago. I have heard a few good stories about the hitch-hickers but have also heard some horror stories about renting a car in Cuba. According to the Canadian travel advisory on Cuba, they say not to rent a car in Cuba. They say that the insurance they sell you is worthless and if you get into an accident, the government will not let you leave the country until everything is settled. Could cost you a lot of money, not counting lost income.
Anyway, "the Lord hates a coward" so I will still rent the car and see what happens. It may end up being my mobile casa.
Would still appreciate any added info on mongering on the road headed toward Santiago from Havana.
I have been to Cuba three times in the past, Cienfuegos once and Guanabo twice. I have always wanted to travel through the whole island. A little company on that lonely road would be enjoyable.
Thanks again
Caw199
I have been asked to compare Cuba with Cali, Columbia. After having taken over 30 trips to Cuba, I recently visited Cali, Columbia. I noticed the following differences:
In Cuba, virtually every woman is for sale. However, many are
semi-pros or amateurs. A GFE therefore is very possible or even probable. The women want to stay all night. That is what is generally negotiated for. The hardest thing to do in Cuba is to get rid of a chica. They don’t want to leave.
Professionals in Cali are very easy to find. The city is full of casas, and there are plenty of SW’s along Ave Sexta in the evening. Semi-pros were there if you searched, but didn’t seem as plentiful. In the casas and with many of the SW’s, everything is by the hour. You have to talk them into staying the night. The rest of the women wanted relationships of some sort. Dates with non-pros were easy to get, but you weren’t going to get laid the first couple of dates.
Sex is expected from the start in Cuba. I’ve actually seen women insulted if you didn’t go to bed with them. Maybe it’s because Columbia is very Catholic and almost all of the hundreds of women I’ve dated in Cuba had no religion.
If you go with a woman for an hour or less, Cali is now cheaper than Cuba. All night with a SW or semi-pro was also somewhat less than Cuba. All night with a Cali casa girl was double what they cost in Cuba.
The average Columbian woman is far more beautiful than the average Cuban girl. However, Cuban women will aggressively come after you. The Columbians are more reserved. The Cuban girls are wilder in bed IMHO, although Columbian girls seem to want to make out more. They like more foreplay.
Prices for drinks, food and lodging seem about equal. However Columbia has everything you would want to buy, while things are far more limited in Cuba.
There’s the political thing, too. In Cali, the police and military were there to help you, while the goal of Cuban police is to extort you and try to put your girl in prison without trial. I wouldn’t want to be a policeman in Havana when Castro finally dies. Everyone hates them.
In Cali, you’re free to roam wherever is safe; in Havana, your chica takes a big chance being seen with you in public. This was one of the major reasons for my Cali visit. I’m tired of skulking around or staying in with a girl who doesn’t want to go out.
Street crime seems more prevalent in Cali than Havana. Cuba has no guns. You can buy a handgun in Cali for about $40. (US). Cali streets that can be walked during the day must be traversed by cab at night. I have never had this problem in Cuba. Yet, with my guide, I always felt safe in Cali.
If you’re looking for a lot of different (and beautiful) girls for short time and very inexpensive, Cali would be the choice. If you crave instant GFE with a semi-pro or amateur, Cuba would be better.
I’m returning to Cali next week for another two weeks. This time one of my US friends is coming along also. I think I got the lay of the land well enough to have a very good time. I also cultivated a girlfriend if I care to go that route some of the time.
i just got done having a great steak dinner with a good friend. (thanks starfe!) he encouraged me to post my daily diary of my trip. i didn't get a chance to write in my journal every day. i have
an excellent memory though and reconstructed the days i didn't type in my journal.
if you've been thinking about going to cuba than bite the bullet and do it. don't let people scare you or tell you it's dangerous. it was easily the safest country i've been to. most of the guys that advise against it or warn against things have never even been to cuba. listen to guys that have been there a few times that can give you the flavor of this country. i'm no expert on cuba this being my first trip. i never claim to know everything and certainly don't. all of what i write no matter what city/country i'm reporting on is my personal observations. i always try to be objective and subjective with everything that i post.
as i posted before, don't come to cuba only if you are looking to hobby. there are girls everywhere but the sad reality is if you're looking for hot girls my personal opinion is there aren't that many hot girls. buenos aires and rio have a bigger pool of talent and it's easier to hobby in. come to cuba for the experience and not to hobby.
my diary and thoughts are below:
i will preface this report by saying i’ve always wanted to go to cuba. last year i almost bit the bullet and went. i even tried getting a legitimate visa just in case anything happened. no dice. it’s a long and tedious process and i just gave up and kept going to south america. south america is a long haul but there is no risk or hassle (besides the long flight). the flights are long but the time zone change is only 2 hours and the flights are at night so it’s not too tough. cuba was never far from my mind though.
i always take a 2-3+ week vacation in december/january. (last year i spent over a month in buenos aires and rio). i was thinking about going back down to south america and traveling through brazil with my buddy seaman. there were no award tickets for the dates that i wanted. a coach ticket was $1,700+. i started to think about it. i have visited south america over a dozen times in less than 2 years. i decided i’d go to cuba. i started my planning.
i could have used an award ticket on american to go through nassau, bahamas. i held the ticket. i heard there was some increased pressure from the government watching people going to cuba. i decided it was safer to go through cancun (which i’ve been to many times). no award tickets on american. i had to buy a ticket to cancun. probably better to save my miles since i’ve burned almost 250,000 mile this year alone.
i went ahead and contacted a travel agency in canada. nash travel. http://www.nashtravel.com there are several agencies but i liked them because they spelled everything out on their website. no hidden fees or gimmicks. they seemed to be straight shooters. i emailed them and martha emailed me back. martha@anashtravel.com or you can email jury@nashtravel.com or do both for quicker response. she told me the fees which matched the website. i gave her the dates and she said she would call back the next day to make sure the flights were available. next day she called and i gave her my credit card information and voila. the cost of the ticket was good at about $235 including the taxes and fees. also, important to note is that i had to change my ticket to extend it and paid a $50 change fee to nash travel. if you have to change dates at least you know it's an option. about a week later i received a confirmation in the mail along with a voucher to give to the air cubana ticket counter in cancun. very easy. however, i will point out that at times the emails from nash travel could be slow. they do have an 800 # though so you can call them and get ahold of them that way. i can't complain as they came through for me and for seaman.
next i wanted to book a casa particular since you can’t bring girls into hotel rooms. i would have preferred a nice hotel room but didn’t want to go through the hassles of bribes to get girls in. there are several people that said they had friends that could get rooms or recommended rooms but there were no pictures. i decided to do it on my own. there are tons of websites out there. so far this seemed easier than people make it out to be. beware that many say that you can bring girls only to say later after you book that you can’t. always only pay one day in arrears or at the end of your stay. never pay upfront. it is not required and is actually stupid to do.
one of the guys i met in rio and that have been to cuba several times gave me some good tips and advice. to be honest i didn’t really read all the trip reports of cuba but i did read a few. dongringo was good enough to call me and give me his take on the island. he gave me the email/phone number of his cuban friend, frank, that could pick me up and help me around havana if i needed it. i’m not big into using guides in places that are very easy to get around like rio. i planned on having him at least pick me up from the airport.
i emailed frank and he emailed me back within 2 days. he seemed to be a friendly guy that speaks/writes pretty good english. i emailed with him in english and spanish. he told me with my level i’d have zero problems there. i asked him if there was something i could bring from the usa for him. he told me it was unnecessary but if i had any old clothes or old shoes that would definitely be great. i was already bringing a ton of stuff and worried because the ticket voucher said there is a 40 lb. limit on air cubana and every additional lb. was like $1 or $2. still, i had a ton of nice clothing that i don’t wear anymore. i brought him some nice clothes. i highly recommend everyone that goes down to cuba bring an extra bag of clothes they don’t wear anymore. (not rags. give them good stuff. most of mine was really nice clothes that i barely wore. – ralph lauren polo shirts, blue jeans, etc.).
i’m conversational in spanish and i’d recommend everyone learn some before going to any spanish speaking destination. a good audio lesson program is the pimsleur series. there are no books involved. you just listen to 30 minute lessons in your home or car. there are 4 levels. levels 1,2 and 3 are 30 lessons. level 4 is 10 lessons. it’s not cheap at over $1,000 for the complete series but you can buy mp3 versions from various places for much cheaper.
before going down i bought several books on cuba. it is kind of hard to fathom how these cubans make it through life down there. it’s unbelievable that the amount some of us executives and professionals earn in 2, 3 or 4 hours the average cuban makes in a year!
down to the trip. i flew to cancun and partied there one night before flying to havana. cancun is a fun city that i’ve always loved. at the airport surprisingly there is no one at the air cubana desk until less than two hours before the flight. my flight was leaving at 4 pm so i got there at 1:30 pm since i didn’t know how bad the cubans are with organization. i’m glad i got there early. there was a long line forming and there was some worry some wouldn’t get on since yesterday the flight got cancelled for some reason.
while waiting in line i met a cool guy that lived in the us. he was relatively my age and we quickly found out we were both headed to cuba out of a desire to see the country and see some girls. let’s call him tad (took a day). we quickly learned you have to be alert 24/7 with cubans. they will try to extract money whenever they can. the guy in line that was giving the tickets looked shady and actually was. tad only had a fax confirmation that he paid for his ticket. the guy at the counter said that he didn’t pay for the visa yet and the security tax. tad thought he did but he said what i heard so many times on this trip. “what can i do, i have to pay”. then the ticket counter asked him how long he has been in cancun. i bumped tad to tell him something but he already answered. “yesterday”. the agent asks, “what time”. tad says 1 pm. the guy then says tad owes another $25 us. hint: always say you just got in today in the morning. if you’re in cancun more than 24 hours you have to pay an additional $25 security tax. they do not verify this and i think the guy keeps the money for himself.
in fact, when it was my turn i knew what to do. i also had my travel agent include that i paid all security taxes and for my tourist card. i recommend this because you can charge it on your credit card. pay for as much as you can with you credit card before so you can conserve the cash with you. he asked me the same thing about what time i arrived. i said i just got in earlier that day. he still tried to scam me. he gets on the phone and pretends to call someone about my tourist card. i just told him in spanish, “look! read the letter, i paid for everything. please issue my ticket, my friend is waiting”. you have to be firm with these people.
so you get in another line to actually get your boarding ticket and drop off your luggage. this was a long ass line. slow process. we literally were in line until 3:30 pm and the plane was originally supposed to leave at 4 pm. i knew my bags would be overweight since i was bringing a ton of stuff. tad was cool and didn’t have that much stuff. he offered to put one bag on his ticket. we did that and i was still over. you can have up to 30 kg. (66 lbs). anything over that is $2 per kg. then they give you a ticket that you have to go pay in cash to the other window where you got the tickets. they keep your passports and you don’t get it until you give the receipt. the guys tried scamming us with the security tax thing again but i said, “hey! you already tried getting us and i told you we already paid it. hell, they tried collecting it again from tad who just paid it.
predictably the flight was an hour late. before the flight, i called frank from cancun to tell him the plane was delayed and not to go to the airport. his sister answered and said she would tell him.
the flight was uneventful but i joked to tad that this was actually the one airline you want to pay attention to the flight attendant about how the flotation device works. it was funny during the flight the overhead bin drawers kept popping open. they were old planes that look like they have had their better days. still, it was a short flight at around one hour.
so you arrive. get in another long line and wait. i’m not sure why they are so slow into letting tourists come in and spend their money but they are. took a while to wait in line as another iberia flight arrived at the same time. definitely get the vip service that is available. ask at the ticket counter when you get your ticket issued. i asked some people if it was worth it. some said yes and most said no. don’t always listen to people. sometimes people let costs dictate their advice. definitely get the vip service option from cancun or nassau. seaman did it and didn't have to wait in any lines, had a few cuba libres free while waiting and they even got his bags for him. i would have gladly paid $25 for that. there might not be a time savings but who cares?! you don't have to stand around which is worth it for me.
customs let me right in. didn’t even ask what hotel i’m staying in. got the bags and were on our way. i told tad that we’d hook up that night at hotel havana libre at 11 and we both saw our drivers.
i meet frank and he seems nice. he does complain that he has been waiting 3 hours. i’m like huh??? i took the time and expense to call him from the airport in cancun to let him know the flight was delayed but he said that he left before then? huh? i called at around 4:30 pm that afternoon. i told him in multiple emails not to come to the airport earlier than 6:45 pm or so since my flight didn’t get in till 6 pm and it would take time to go through customs yet he still decided to come at 5 pm. it didn’t make sense to me but oh well. also, he didn’t help me with my bags and i had 3. apparently he hurt his leg or something. i’m not sure. a few times he forgot his cane and seemed to walk around just fine. it was no big deal but after flying and arriving with 3 bags it would be nice to get some assistance. especially when one of the bags was needed to carry his gifts in.
we get to my apartment and even though i asked ahead of time to the lady booking my apartment she said it was an “official casa particular”. it was not because there was no blue triangle on the door as the guide books said there should be. i didn’t care. it was clean but basically just a room. the bathroom was very small. also, believe it or not it didn’t have a toilet seat. many of the restrooms didn’t have a toilet seat. i’m glad i expected the worse before coming. whatever expectations you have about your casa cut it in half.
frank came up to the apartment and i gave him all the clothes, some socks that i bought that dongringo said he would like, and about 5 lbs of chocolate, gum and candy for his daughter. it really surprised me that he didn’t really even thank me for all that stuff. maybe he was busy, maybe his mind was preoccupied. good guy or not when someone goes out of the way to bring you a gift you say thank you and make sure the other person knows you appreciate it. he told me if i needed him to call him. i thanked him and told him i might call him tomorrow although this experience with him soured my opinion of him. oh yeah, i also paid him $15 for the ride which i'm told is the normal fee and later was confirmed when i took a taxi back to the airport.
the only reason i used him to pick me up was because this dude i met in rio said he was a good guy. frank's english was good and he probably was a nice guy but the bitching about waiting for me for 3 hours, mixed with no help with my bags, mixed with him not even saying thanks for the gifts i brought seriously soured my impression of him. i had to even pay extra on my bags because i was overweight. if i had to do it again i wouldn't have brought anything for a stranger. also, in the car i could tell he was disappointed that i spoke spanish as that probably meant i would be less reliant on him. he also called my last day bitching and yelling at me on my cellphone how i "forgot about him and why i wasn't using him".
i showered and met up with tad. i couldn’t reach a taxi or flag one down but i looked at a map and it didn’t seem far away. i just walked and asked people along the way. i cannot emphasize enough to learn some spanish before coming. personally i wouldn’t come to a country like cuba if i didn’t know any spanish. i met him at the hotel and he said up at the bar there wasn’t anything that early. we were both hungry. we didn’t have any of our notes or trip reports. all i could remember was “johnny’s rio club” was posted to have some hot girls.
we flagged down a taxi and told him to find us a restaurant or paladar close to johnny’s. he drops us off at a place that looked closed. i told him it’s closed and he tells me that it’s open to go in. hint: never trust people completely.. most don’t know what they are talking about. go with your best instinct. of course it was closed and we had to walk all the way around back to johnny’s i ask the front door guy if they have food in the place. he says no then directs me to ask some girls standing around. they tell me no and that the only food is a food stand around the corner in the park. hint: don’t eat food from those little places in the middle of nowhere. the food was truly horrible. hint: whatever low expectations you have about the food in cuba multiply it by 10. we ate quickly and i regretted eating that pollo “chicken”. oh well.
back to johnny’s. $10 us entrance. first drink was $5. there were many girls. some were hot. many 7’s, solid 8’s and a few 9’s. i saw one that i’d consider close to 10. immediately girls were all over us. i told them that we needed to relax a little. again, i can’t imagine not speaking spanish or be regulated to “si, no, $40, etc.”. tad couldn’t speak much spanish but he knew a couple phrases and seemed to understand quite well. i liked the scene here until i got some quotes of $100 us! all the super hot chicks were asking for $100 but you could counter down to $50 where you could take it or leave it. some hotties wouldn’t accept less than $100. this would be like the equivalent to the barbarella’s in rio. higher end girls that charged more than the other places. the 7’s and 8’s i think you could get down to $40 if you had good communication skills, the girl was somewhat attracted to you and the girl needed money. i talked to one that first asked for $100 then went to $80 then went to $50 all in the span of 5 minutes. i passed as she wasn’t up to my standards. many girls were around giving you the eye. i spotted one super hottie but she was the type that was hot and knew it. she was targeting all the dudes with money that were older or dressed nice. we made eye contact several times but i decided not to approach her. she looked like penelope cruz’s younger, hotter sister.
johnny’s closes at 2 am during the week and 3 am on the weekends. i thought if we waited till close to 2 am it would be better since the girls would be ready to deal. tad was a little unprepared as he booked his first night in hotel. it’s funny. one of the first questions the girls ask you even before your name is, “are you staying in a casa or hotel?” ha, ha! i told him he could go to a short term casa but he was on a budget. i think i gave him a scare in cancun when we were comparing budgets. my chica budget per day was more than his budget for everything. oops. i told him not to compare though since i kind of like to do things in extreme measures sometimes.
he ended up leaving alone the first night in cuba! hence the name (tad –took a day). tad was a very likable guy. we had a good time. he left me sitting with a new amiga i just met. she had a good body but it was hard to see her face since it’s dark upstairs. she was 19 years old. friendly. she asked for $100 and i only laughed telling her that i think she is sick. she laughed so hard she spilled her drink. i could comfortably communicate in and out of the clubs. i had no problems. i finally countered with $50 to which she accepted. she did ask for $3 so she could follow me since she was scared to go in the same taxi. no problem. her driver followed me and away we went.
the session was good. not great but good. bbbj and the usual that we’ve come to love and expect. she let me take some pictures of her with her clothes and bra and panties. i haven’t been taking pictures lately but i just bought a new digital camera and thought i’d break it in. while she was bbbj’ing the camera was laying there and she said i could take some without her face showing so i did. she was pretty enthusiastic but after a while she kept saying, “dame su leche –give me your milk” over and over. it was getting annoying. we finish up and then she starts asking if she can have a granola bar from the box i brought with me. . she starts collecting all this stuff i brought. (pack of gum, granola bar, fruit roll up, chocolate, pop tart, etc.) i had to limit what she could take. overall it was a good session.
i know people might question going to a place like johnny’s. keep in mind that i’m super picky and have never picked up a girl off the street. you might ask, “then why go to cuba???”. i didn’t just come here to hobby. i came to “experience” cuba. i’ve wanted to come here for a while.
day 2
tad and i decided to meet the next day where i was renting my rental car. as i posted above, i lost my wallet at the airport with my driver’s license before the trip. i figured it wouldn’t be a problem as long as i had my passport. wrong. hint: make sure if you rent a car you have your driver’s license. i prepaid with my travel agent and you can guess no refunds. i told him i’ll just have tad rent it. he looked a little hesitant at first but i said i already paid and he agreed. we put both are names on the contract.
in the meantime i thought i’d go activate my phone. i went to the cubacel office in vedado. it was closed. the guy at the door said the one in miramar is open in the melia havana hotel. this taxi driver is making a fortune carting me around. the taxi fares can add up. the guy was wrong. not only is there not a cubacel office in melia havana hotel (it’s across the street) but it was also closed. i had no choice but to go back to havana and wait for tad. another taxi fare. i spent $21 in taxi’s that morning.
i went to the hotel ingleterra and their internet was down. i went next door to the telegrafo hotel and their internet was also down. i had a sandwich at the café next to the ingleterra. there was some eye candy along the prado (the main street that has the hotels on it) but i had to go meet tad so i didn’t partake. it’s a beautiful part of town near the capitol. definitely walk around. havana is actually a pretty good walking city and if you speak some basic spanish you can ask directions. (of course, half the time the people don’t exactly know where a place is or they just give you a wrong answer).
i met up with tad and he agreed to put the car under his name. no biggie. i paid for the entire rental car, insurance, etc. he said he would pay for some gas which was fine. we got along very well as he was very laid back too. we decided to go to the airport to activate my cell phone. if you rent a car note that there are virtually no signs anywhere. you would think going to the airport there would be some signs on the road but there was not even one sign until we got very close to the airport. many streets don’t have signs. some have markers near the bottom of the intersection in stone. as long as you are comfortable driving in traffic or have rented a car in a foreign country you will be fine. some guy posted that he would never rent a car. if you’re used to traffic it’s very easy except for the no signs. keep in mind a car rental with full insurance during high season for a mid-size car is about $90 per day with full insurance and unlimited milage . it would take a lot of taxis to equal that amount. however, you have the freedom to go wherever you want whenever you want. i really enjoyed renting a car and had no problems whatsoever getting around. i’d highly recommend renting a car. taxi’s proved to be problematic finding other than the main touristy places like hotels.
we finally made it to the airport after asking about 4 people on the side of the road. you will notice tons of people hitchhiking. it boggles my mind how long and how far some of these people have to walk. use your discretion if you should pick them up or not. personally i wouldn’t pick up anyone except for a hot chic that needs a ride. there is no upside to drive some strange dude except the feeling to help him which could backfire on you. oh yeah, on the way a police obviously pulled us over because we had a t (license plate – tourist). we were following traffic yet he said we were speeding. it was obvious he wanted money. there is no radar that i noticed anywhere. how would he know if we were speeding? i told him i was following traffic. then he discovered that i didn’t have my driver’s license. he immediately dropped the speeding and all of a sudden driving in cuba without a driver’s license become a $40 us offense. no way in hell i was going to pay $40 us and i told him that. i told him that whatever fine i paid i was going to take a copy of a license after i got it to their version of city hall and get a refund. he acted like he didn’t know what i was talking about. then he said he could let us go for $10. i didn’t feel like arguing so i gave it to him but told him it just wasn’t right. he had me sign some ticket but he wouldn’t give me a copy. he kept it. of course, it was so obvious he was keeping it. he immediately becomes very nice and helpful after i paid the money. asshole. there wasn’t anything i could do since i was driving without a license. oh well.
i was irritated because i travel around internationally very often. i never let myself get scammed. i’ve been to rio seven times in the past year and not once have i been scammed.
the cubacel office is not located in the airport in terminal 2 where we were at. there is a small office near the cubacar rental office. i would highly suggest you activate your phone while you’re at the airport. the office hours were long at the airport. it turns out there is a cubacel office downstairs in the airport in terminal 3 where you would arrive. i was told it was free if you brought your own phone. wrong information. if you get the cheapest activation with no contract it’s $3 a day. if you rent the phone i think it was $5 a day. luckily the dude that rented me my car told me if you rent a car with cubacar they will give you a free phone (but you still pay the $3 a day. since i had my phone the nice girl waived the $3 and $5 a day fee. you just pay for your airtime which is highway robbery. it’s 75 cents a minute with no contract. this is what most guys will do unless you come to cuba a lot. even then it’s 50 cents a minute to call locally or receive incoming calls. you can deposit how much you want and they will activate your time asap. you get whatever you don’t use at any cubacel office before you leave cuba. that part is a good deal. however, i had a few dollars left and went downstairs to get a refund. the line was about 7 people deep and it wasn’t worth it.
we were on our way. we ended up taking a different way home but made it to vedado fine. again, no signs to tell you where you are going, so buy a good city map of havana. we decided to have a daiquiri at el floridita. it’s a cool spot to have a drink in. drinks were $6 us each. there are girls everywhere giving you the eye and the option is definitely there if you want it.
the ironic thing is that i wasn’t as pumped to pick up girls as i thought i would be. i guess after all these international trips it takes more to get me excited. still, i was enjoying havana. the weather was chillier than i would have liked. i didn’t pack warm clothes and it gets chilly at night. i emailed seaman and told him to bring warm clothes.
tad and i decided to meet in front of the ingleterra at 9:30 pm. wow. there was tons of action. several pretty girls but most weren’t my type. i had a coffee while waiting and many came to my table to talk. many girls also make a “hissing” noise to try to get your attention. it’s kind of funny. tons of jineteros everywhere. just ignore them and don’t even make eye contact or they will keep following you.
we hook up and i am tempted to leave him and go session in my casa. i decide to wait. price seems very negotiable although some hot girls were asking for $50 to start and i’m sure they would take much less than that if they knew you’d leave with them. we walked around the area for a while. we decided to go to casa de la musica in miramar. we passed it and some kids needed a ride so they agreed to show us where it was. at first we were thinking they were just conning us for a ride. nope. we took them to a concert in the park and they were exactly correct where it was located. we went to casa de la musica. it was dead. it was early so we left and were going to come back. the management said no problem. cover was $15 us.
we decided to go to the concert. there were tons of people. all locals. no foreigners that we spotted. there were maybe 900 people. i was surprised there were only about 3 police officers for such a scene. tad commented that there were no tourists to “protect”. he was right. still, i can see where a group that size drinking alcohol and possibly doing drugs can get out of hand. it was nice to see the locals so happy. there were listening to music and dancing around. they didn’t have a care in the world. what they lack for financially they make up for in spirit. cubans might not have traditional “freedom” but they have their own sort of freedom. most aren’t a slave to their job. they can do whatever they want for the most part. they sure seemed happier than the people i see going up and down the elevators making tons of money in the usa. people were always friendly. it was nice to be in an area with no jineteros. no one bothered us at the concert. a few guys asked if were we were going to casa de musica.
we left and went back to cdm. it was dead! i was seriously regretting coming here. i thought it would pick up but it was nothing like people previously posted. there was barely anyone there. to make things worse they only would make like 3 drinks. they couldn’t even make a mojito! what the *?+*!!?? tad ordered a jameson as it’s his drink and it was horrible. it was clear they poured something else in the bottle. they give you a drink menu then tell you they only have rum and coke’s or beer. horrible! hint: do not come here. this place has gone downhill which chicas confirmed to us later.
we decided to go back to the ingleterra area but by this time it was late. maybe 1 am. there was some action but nothing i’d pay for. we went to the habana libre hotel which has a disco on top. it was a $15 cover and we asked if we could look. he gave us 2 minutes to look. it was mostly couples or people staying at the hotel. the girls looked older. it was maybe 1:30 am at this point. maybe later. tad was going to go home and i told him there was no way in hell he was going to go two nights in a row and not see any girls. tad was easygoing. i don’t think he specifically came here to see girls but he did plan on seeing some. i told him if he wanted to go home fine but i’m going back to johnny’s. the only place i knew there would be some hotties. i know there was other places but it was late and i was horny. i was going to go look for the hot girl i saw the night earlier.
he relents and comes with me. we valet for the normal $1 that everyplace charges to watch your car. a nice surprise is they close at 3 am on the weekends. plenty of hotties. the girl i saw from the night before came over and said hello. tons of girls were all over us. i see the totally hot girl. this girl is 19 and looks like penelope cruz’s younger, hotter sister. totally beautiful and she knows it. i knew she would be horrible in bed but i kind of didn’t care. i call her over and we are joking around a lot. she is funny. she asks for $100 and of course that is too much. i counter with $50 knowing she won’t accept it. she said her minimum is $70 and she would rather go home alone and does many nights. i don’t doubt her for a second. i just wanted to have her. we stuck around a while. i bought her and her friend a drink and tad was going to go home alone because all the girls were “out of his budget”. but my girl, jenny, talked her friend into leaving for $50.
we all left together. i drove tad to his place with his girl and i went to mine. my girl was actually sweet but i think doing what she is doing jaded her. maybe i’m getting soft as i get older but i wouldn’t wish this job on any girls i personally know. probably not what you guys want to hear but i don’t care. we get to my casa and i give her one of the 18 toothbrushes i bought to go brush her teeth. she also showered. she wouldn’t let me take any pictures of her face or any good shots of her body. i got a few pictures from the side but they don’t show how beautiful she is. the session was mediocre at best and compared to some of the sessions i’ve had the session was very bad. at first she didn’t want to give me a bbbj. she says that this is her work. she asks me if i’m not careful at my job. i just bs and tell her, “amor, but i’m not your client. i’m your amor” and she just laughed and gave me a not so good bbbj. i have a lot of stamina and after about 25 minutes going at it she is complaining to “dame tu leche”. she says that i’m too big and that she hurts. then i tell her that i may not be sloppy in my job but i don’t complain to my clients while i’m working and asked her to shut her mouth in a nice way. that kind of put her in her place and although she did mumble to cum again she was clear i’d finish when i was ready. afterwards, she hung around and we talked. i still think she is a sweet girl masked behind a jaded attitude.
oh well. cuba is a totally different mongering destination. those that are looking to monger somewhere for the first time i would seriously talk you out of coming here. go to buenos aires, rio or sao paulo. and if you speak no spanish at all you can still get around but i just think you won’t have as much fun. keep in mind this is only my opinion. if you’re really into picking up street girls then havana probably is heaven for you. it’s not my cup of tea. no one is right or wrong. just not really my thing.
again i’ll mention that the food here really is horrible. i like going on vacation and eating well. do not come here expecting to eat well. the food really sucks. say that over and over and over again before coming. i heard it was bad but expected better. also, the funny thing is that many restaurants will have this extensive menu. i'd ask for something and they'd say, "we don't have that". i'd ask for something else. "we don't have that". finally i'd just ask what they had and it inevitably was chicken and pork.
many times we were in an area where we snacked in and almost every place had bocaditos (little ham and cheese sandwiches). we all got so tired of ham and cheese sandwiches by the first few days into the trip. one night we were driving around and in an area with not too many restaurants. we finally had to eat dinner in a gas station getting.... you guessed it -- bocaditos!
the city of havana is beautiful but could be so much more beautiful. it’s a shame that the government doesn’t invest in the upkeep of the building. it literally looks like a nuclear bomb went off decades ago and the buildings survived and they are in same condition. either that or there was a huge dust storm that blanketed the city and it's buildings with dust and soot. i was happy to hear an italian company has been hired to restore the malecon.
day 3
i woke up late and tad and i had talked about maybe going to cienfuegos and trinidad today since we would spend several more days in havana. i had to pick up seaman on the 24th so i agreed. i told my casa that i was leaving for a few days. they seemed ok with it and i left ½ of my stuff there. before coming tad puts an american girl on the phone and she asks if we will give her a ride. i wasn’t too thrilled but i thought why not? i picked them up and off we went.
of course we got lost on the way there. as usual there was no signs. and the one time there was a sign for cienfuegos i guess it was for a different cienfuegos. (there are two?). a guy offered to show us the way and got in the car. he went quite a long way with us. i gave him $2 at the end of the journey and he wanted more. the girl with us took it upon herself to give him all these magazines i had that i was going to read on the beach. i would have rather given him more money. oh well.
if you drive outside of havana, make sure you ask directions every 20 minutes or so to make sure you are going the right direction. there are a lot of forks in the road and there is no signage so it’s easy to get lost. none of these people speak english in the countryside so don’t even attempt to drive unless you are the adventurous type.
we stopped in cienfuegos and i bought lunch for the 3 of us. there was a really scenic restaurant at the end of the main throughway of town. there is a view of the water surrounding the restaurant. it sucked they only had 2 dishes though and they weren’t that good so we didn’t eat that much of it. the girl with us was an american “backpack” type. i don’t know how she was going to survive on her meager budget. she planned on seeing a lot of different cities. i guess one of the ways was by mooching free rides from city to city?? she was a nice enough girl though. she slept most of the way.
cienfuegos looked too small for us so we decided to go ahead and drive to trinidad. the view on the way there was very serene and scenic. there are tons of people hitchhgiking. i still can’t imagine what they do if they can’t hitch a ride. you forget how lucky you are until you come to cuba and experience everything we have that they don’t.
the drive only took about an hour from cienfuegos to trinidad. it’s about 75 km. like dumbasses none of us thought to make a reservation anywhere. trinidad is a very small town so many of the places were already booked. to make things worse, now we needed 3 rooms. we had this guy show us some places. i asked to be near the ocean. we couldn’t find a place with 3 rooms. i only asked that there be hot water for the shower and a good bed. we arrive to this casa and there is only two rooms. we reluctantly agreed as tad agreed to share a room with hitchhgiker girl (hhg). then i asked the casa owner if i could have chicas over and he immediately says no. then to make matters worse they tell us we must eat breakfast and dinner there or we couldn’t stay. that broke the camels back. too many restrictions. even if it was only for one night. we head back and i decided to ask another casa i saw. they had two rooms. it was a quaint place with hot water which sealed the deal. they also said we had to eat there but i didn’t care at this point. it was dark and the last thing i wanted to do was go through town and try to find a place to stay.
hhg was making phone calls trying to find a place but everywhere was booked. round about this time i knew it was a mistake to bring her. we couldn’t leave her hanging now. i told her to go back to the original casa that we refused. i drove her back there and i’m damn glad we didn’t book there. there was a baby crying and screaming and it was just chaotic. plus she was bitching about how havana is so much cheaper than trinidad. huh??? i told her to call me tomorrow and i’d drive her back into town to a casa particular that she booked on the phone. i asked her how much it was going to be and she had a worried look on her face since she didn’t ask. the casas are only like $25 a night in this town. i’m not used to traveling with people that think that is too much for a room. it was starting to get annoying so i’m glad we ditched her.
tad and i took hot showers and he rested while i typed all of this. we went to casa de la musica here in trinidad and it was open air outdoor music and dancing. mostly tourists. we were told there would be some girls but i sure as hell didn’t see any worth talking to. then we went to casa de la tropa. same story there with uglier tourists. we read about this cool disco that was in a cave. it’s called disco ayala or “la cueva”. we went there and it was a cool set up. us$10 admission which included any drink. it wasn’t that crowded with mostly drunk tourists and a few local girls but nothing to write home about. everyone kept saying it would pick up but we waited until 1 am and nada so we split. we drove around the street and not much action. i never thought i’d have a night in cuba that i didn’t hook up. first time for everything i guess. i actually don’t mind. i’ve only been sleeping like 3 hours a night and starting to hit the wall a little. especially with all the driving and not eating that often or well. did i mention the food here sucks? i’m going to bed. it’s about 2:20 am and i’m already in bed alone. how sad is that?
cuba might be cool for anyone that has only been to tijuana or a border town but i would no where consider it the major leagues of other world class monger destinations. plain and simple it can’t compare to the likes of buenos aires or rio. you shouldn’t even compare the two. totally different worlds.
i consider myself to have pretty good “game” with the chicas and i’m finding myself not even that motivated. i’m still having a good time enjoying cuba but the sex scene is totally overrated. whatever glory days cuba had i think are gone. i guess when we get back to havana i’ll see how the street scene is and also maybe get some phone numbers from frank. he called the other day but i wasn’t home. i don’t find that i need his guide services. i just need those phone numbers. more tomorrow.
day 4
tad and i had talked about going scuba diving so it was ironic when we were eating breakfast and the friend of our casa owner had a scuba shop. he waited for us to finish breakfast and then we went scuba diving. i had never been scuba diving before but he gave me an introductory course and then allowed me to scuba dive for about 45 minutes with him. it was nice and relaxing. there were some colorful fish but nothing compared to other places i’ve been to like curacao or hawaii.
cuba is a beautiful place. some people might think of coming for the girls but you might find yourself occupied by the people and the other things cuba has to offer. trinidad is a very small town but we were always doing something and keeping busy. we went into the city near the historic center. there is not much there but still a quaint and beautiful place to visit. it even had an internet café. we decided to go to playa ancon which is about 9 km from la boca where we were staying. we stayed just a hundred yards from the sea. it was nice and the people we stayed with were wonderful.
after the beach we came home and we sat in the patio and talked to the owner of the casa. he was such an intelligent guy. his kids are living in the united states and spain. he is very well spoken. my spanish is getting better and better to the point of being able to have detailed conversations about politics. it was funny whenever we talked about castro he wouldn’t say his name but would just make a “beard motion” with his hands. he explained life pre and post russian assistance, talked in details about the laws there and how he longed for change. people should note that things will change. i firmly believe things will change within the next 3 to 4 years and so did the owner. change is inevitable. i’m glad i got to experience life here before it does.
he also told me that casa particulars have to pay $400 us a month to operate their casas. that is such a high price and it boggles my mind. he said every few months the government makes it more and more difficult for casa particular owners as they are trying to drive tourists into the state run hotels so they can profit from tourism. now, the government only makes the $400 per month from the casa particular owner as opposed to the $100 a night from the nice hotels and the expensive meals.
i’m sitting here in my casa particular just relaxing and updating my report. this is one of the few downtimes i’ve had. i’ve brought about 7 paperback books and only am halfway through one of them.
i really am anxious to find some action now. i don’t know if i’ve ever been on vacation the past two years and not hobbied two consecutive days in a row. i hope this isn’t a first. stay tuned….
later that night – what an adventurous night. hhgg called us to see if we would meet her at casa de la musica. we met her for a drink and then we watched some dancing. we were determined to find chicas tonight. we went to a few places that the locals said were good. casa arte and a bar called chocolate. both were completely dead so we went back to cdm. we were getting a little frustrated on how difficult the scene here is. we even talked to this guy from mexico city that spoke english. he told us he has been to cuba 4 times and never had this much trouble in any town. he was leaving in the morning for las tunes. he was complaining how expensive trinidad was but i thought it was cheap. i’m not sure how you can expect it to get cheaper than $20 - $30 for a place to sleep. food isn’t that expensive. anyway cdm was still hopping.
when we arrived there we immediately ran into hhg. she was with two cubanas. one was really cute and had a nice body. she was just my type and was latina looking rather than darker. the other girl was black. hhg told me that she was coming to find tad and i to party with these girls. (i kept telling hhg i wanted to hook up with cubanas). then the cute girl says she can’t talk to me here in public. i tell her ok let’s go talk somewhere in private. she was a little surprised. i think she thought i might be the wholesome good innocent tourist type. nope. i tell her it would be even better if she had a place to go since she couldn’t come to our casa particular. trinidad is very very strict. she tells me that the apartment is $15 and she and her friend wanted $35@. i tell her that is too much and she lowers it to $25 @ for them. i was in no mood to negotiate. i was horny and it was hard enough to find action. i agreed. she went on to tell me that we need to follow them but keep a very good distance. we would eventually come to a private casa where we rent a room for an hour or so.
tad and i were now learning how things worked. earlier that night we noticed a girl starring at us but she wouldn’t talk to us. she kept looking back waiting for us to follow her. that is how it is done here. the girls will stare at you or hiss at you then you need to follow her if you’re interested so you can talk in private and negotiate. we arrive to a very dark street and the girls tell us to wait outside. a cubano let’s us in and they are all scared out of their minds. they keep peering out the door for a few minutes before relaxing. all the lights were off. i was never nervous but i just couldn’t believe the fear these people have. my girl later told me they get 4 years in jail if they are caught. yikes!
i went upstairs to a bedroom and tad stayed downstairs with his girl. believe it or not the girl’s don’t carry condoms for fear the police might find it on them so you better have some with you. thank god tad gave me one as i left mine at home. i had a great session. very gfe and dfk, bbbj and she just kept going on and on. 22 years old with a spinner body. her breasts were a little small but she was fine. afterwards i showered in very cold water. she told me she only works one or two times a week and that is enough to get by.
i waited for tad and he was happy with his girl too. he even commented how he was bummed we had no more condoms. (you should have seen his face when he muttered those words, "she might not be beautiful but she put her heart into it". ) ha, ha! i told him we can bum some condoms from the mexican guy i met. some norwegian guy gave us some and we were happy. we went around looking for some action. we went to fresca chocolate where there was not much action. there were a bunch of gay guys so we left.
when we walked out we bumped into our girls from earlier that night. i was surprised when my girl asked me for a ride home. she said she lived several miles away and didn’t have money for a taxi. i asked her why she was so worried before and now didn’t seem to be. i told her it might be dangerous for her and her friend but she didn’t seem worried. i asked her again and got the same answer. they got into our car and i told them i was hungry. she asked if i would buy them something to eat too. i told them sure but maybe it wasn’t a good idea to be seen with tourists. she said as long as we weren’t in the historic center it was fine. i was doubtful but i asked her about 3 times and she kept saying it was ok.
we get to this rapido (fast food joint) that is open 24/7. we order some sandwiches and we are joking around having a good time. tad and i are laughing about how trinidad has a big learning curve but we were happy to have figured it out. right around this time a cop outside motions for the girls to come out. the girls look scared. i’m thinking this might happen and that’s why i asked them 3 times if it was ok. the cop takes their id’s. i ask them if it will help if i talk to the police officer. she said maybe. unbeknownst to me the cop is not there. i figure out that there is a police station around the corner. i guess the cops told the girls to stop by the police station.
i go into the police station and explain to them that we were dumb lost americans that needed something to eat and they showed us. then the girls were hungry so we offered them something to eat. the cop clearly didn’t want to deal with me. his only words to me were, “are you her husband”? there was nothing i could do. the girls motioned to leave. tad and i felt terrible but i did ask the girls about 3 times if this was ok. the girls were stupid to do this. i think the police were just shaking them down. we talked to several girls throughout the trip that said the cops just wanted $5 or $10 whenever they can get it. horrible. the cops here suck.
i went to bed that night wondering if the girls were ok and hoping the cops didn’t search them because they would surely find the money we “donated” to them. i’ve never felt guilty for spending time with a girl and this wasn’t a good feeling.
day 5
tad and i were both sleeping horrible. the beds here pretty much all suck and the pillows are pretty bad too. i’m not used to “roughing it”. our casa owners were great though. nelson and narcisa were great people. narcisa was a great cook and her meals were the best food in cuba. we never had a bad meal in her house. anyone that is in trinidad should at least eat dinner/breakfast everyday there.
we decided to go to ancon early since it was sunny. the beaches are pretty good there. there were no cubans there except some selling pizzas on the beach and the one’s working at the hotel. tad took a brief salsa lesson. after a few hours we ran into hhg. she seemed to be everywhere we were. trinidad is small so you can expect to bump into people you see. i guess she shared a ride to ancon with some other backpacker types to save on taxi fare. she said taxi fare from trinidad to ancon was $8.
we thought about avoiding hhg but i had a plan to use her to help us tonight with hooking up with girls again. it’s easy for a female to talk to the locals but problematic for the male tourist. hhg wanted to bum a ride back to town. tad and i planned to shower then head to topes de collantes for a side day trip. we heard good things about it. hhg asked if she could go with us. sure. why not? the road there was dangerously curvy but not too bad. we did see one car that went over the cliff and an ambulance was at the side of the road.
there is a little rest stop on the way to topes. definitely stop here and walk up the stairs. there is an area where you can see the entire area. it had breathtaking views. we arrived at topes and most of the hiking trails were closed since it was getting dark. i noticed the general population here was ligher skinned and more euro looking. there were tons of kids walking home from school. everyone looked happy. we headed back to trinidad.
that night tad and i had the best dinners of our trip. the dessert was fabulous too. we headed to casa de la musica to listen to the live music and scope out the action. there were a lot more tourists out since it was a little warmer. the girls really didn’t do too much for me. a few cuties but few and far between. tad spotted a cute blonde with a great body. tad made eye contact with her but then she danced with someone. tad and i were wondering if girls just come here to dance. the answer is no. the majority of the girls that are here are here to work. it might not be obvious and you may even think for sure a girl isn’t working. some have good covers. one girl that was there said she was a professional dancer. she was an awesome dancer and in fact might have been. she was there with her “brother” who also danced. she was here every night and he always escorted her. we always would see them come and go and then later saw them in fresca chocolate looking for tourists. just make eye contact with a girl and motion for her to follow you and you’ll be set.
tad’s blondie was dancing and tad and i decided to just walk around. before you knew it the blonde was behind us a few blocks down. she was with a very ugly girl. the downside was we would often see a hot girl with an ugly girl. many times they weren’t willing to separate. this was one of those cases. this blonde girl was a total rookie “farm girl”. she had no clue where to go. i inquired about prices and she just told me that she “isn’t one of those type of girls”. then i asked her if she knew of a private place we could go to “talk”. she told me no. i made it clear that tad wanted to see her but she kept trying to talk to me. she wouldn’t leave her ugly friend and tad was getting frustrated and just wanted to leave. i was more patient and saw a more fruitful outcome. i found a nice guy on the street and asked him if he knew of a private place to rent. he said yes. he was super cool and never asked for anything.
the girl was still difficult and wouldn’t leave her friend. finally tad and i drove away. we went to fresca chocolate and when we came out she was there waiting with her friend. she was crying though. the cubano guy helped us talk to her. the police came and parked right in front of the girls. i told the cubano to tell the girls to meet us 2 blocks down around the corner. we waited and the blondie showed up. tad was still frustrated but i told him we could make it work. there was no way i was going to session with her ugly friend but i offered to wait with her. we couldn’t bring the girls back to our casa so i suggested we just stop by our casa and grab some blankets and go to the beach.
we went to the beach where i explained to the ugly friend that i didn’t want to session with her but we should let our friends have their fun. the funny thing is tad’s girl tried giving me a note with her full name, address, phone number, etc. i asked her why i needed this since she was tad’s girl. it was clear that she wanted to start some sort of long distance relationship with a tourist. the ugly girl was very offended that i shunned her. she wouldn’t even get out of the car. there was no way in hell i was going to wait 1 hour or more in the car so i grabbed my blanket and layed it on the beach and rested while tad and his girl had their fun.
it was funny because tad’s girl came over to me at first. i told her to go back over to tad. i’m not sure if she thought we were going to both expect action. i couldn’t fall asleep and the sad thing is that the rocky beach didn’t feel much different than my bed in my casa. it was awesome on the beach. it was so dark and the stars were so bright and you could hear the ocean waves crashing on the rocks. i was a real trooper. i waited until tad yelled that he was done. i think we were there at least an hour or so. it was late by the time he was done. maybe 3:30 am.
he called me over and i asked him how it was. at first he said, “not good”. then he explained it was fine but that he couldn’t concentrate. i guess the girl was lactating. she claimed to have a 2 year old but i guess she was still breast feeding. he said at first it was a novelty but it just kept gushing out and i think it freaked him out. he had milk all over him. i was dying laughing. we had to drive the girls back to the ugly girl’s house in trinidad. it was funny because the girl now gave tad the note with her info on it. i wondered to myself how many times she gave out this information. she never asked for any money. tad gave her about $25 and she never even looked at it. she simply said for him to write her and she walked away. we were cracking up the whole way back to la boca. i was calling him the milk man. the first thing tad did when we got back home was take a shower.
day 6
we woke up early. we both liked trinidad and could have stayed longer but i had to come back to havana to pick up seaman who was arriving later that afternoon. we had an uneventful trip back to havana. i really enjoyed driving through cuba. we took turns driving and had some good conversations about cuba. i think tad was falling in love with cuba just as i was.
we arrived in havana and i had to rush around and do some errands. i dropped tad off so he could find a place to stay. i had to rush home and then meet havanaman. he was in buenos aires staying at my apartment and brought some money for me. it was extremely nice of him to do that. i met him at the ingleterra and he was with his amiga friend. she was a pretty girl that seemed intelligent. havanaman asked me to fib and tell her that i was a colleague from the states. no big deal to me. i hope he had fun with her.
i had to rush and pick up seaman. as i was nearing the airport i got pulled over yet again by another police. i wasn’t doing anything wrong but he asked to see my driver’s license. of course i didn’t have it. remember to always have your driver’s license with you if you rent a car. i think this is one of the easiest ways for cops to make money. i told him i wasn’t going to pay a fine. we sat there arguing for at least 20 minutes. he wanted a $30 fine. i told him i didn’t have that much anyway. i told him that i was going to be late and i was starting to get pissed. he said that he would have the car towed away. i knew he was lying but i now running late picking up seaman. i offered him $10 and told him to take it or leave it. he immediately started being nice and i called him a ladron (thief) to his face as i was pulling away.
i picked up seaman and he wasn’t ready. he was up at the vip lounge finishing his drinks. it was good to see him again. we last saw each other in rio just a few months ago. he activated his cellphone service and we were on our way.
of course we had to ask for directions on the way back to havana. i think seaman got a sense of what cuba was like when we asked this group for directions when we were on the road for only about 15 minutes. he forgot to lock the back doors and this group of drunken guys and one girl gets in. they were obviously drinking all day as it was christmas eve. believe it or not, 4 of them fit in the backseat along with their 2 big bottles of rum. seaman and i were ok with it at first until after about 3 minutes they were obnoxious and i kicked them out.
we make it to havana and seaman gets checked in to the same apartment as me. we both showered and headed out and met tad at the ingleterra hotel. we had a few mojitos then headed to casa de la musica near there. there are two cdm’s. the cover was $15 but there were plenty of girls outside. i told them i just planned on hooking up with one of them outside of the club. tons of girls were asking to pay for them to enter. i told them i wasn’t here to listen to music. i was here to hook up. i went to the restaurant next door with a cutie but she wanted like $70 or so. i took a pass as her attitude seemed too pro. i hooked up with this girl. she seemed nice. seaman also hooked up and we drove to our apartment.
back at the apartment i start sessioning with the girl. first sign of trouble is she wants the money up front. we negotiated for $50 since they knew we were saving $15 from entering so it was more like $35. i told her that i wasn’t going to pay and she could leave. i didn’t want to ruin the moment so i told her half now and half later. the start of the session was ok but only after about 30 minutes she is saying to finish. i tell her to be quiet. then she tries this routine of saying she is ****. yeah right. she says i could get in trouble with the police. i told her to call them and kept going. then i told her she was free to leave with ½ her money. she quickly shut up. she actually started getting into it and we finished but i noticed that the condom broke at some point. we both freaked out a little. i took a shower and so did she. she kept bitching and it was actually her fault since she used one of her shitty condoms. i asked to see the condoms and they were shitty condoms that looked a few months past their expiration date.
she kept bitching how she wasn’t on the pill. i just wanted her to leave at this point. it was about one hour after she arrived. i gave her the other half of the money. she said she was leaving with seaman’s girl and i told her to just leave alone. she went and got the other girl and we were all sitting in my room for a while. it was kind of awkward since the two old ladies we were staying with couldn’t sleep and they were in the other room watching tv at about 2:30 am. they tried to call for a taxi but no dice. they just left.
seaman and i joked around for a while after that in my room but we both decided to find a new place the next day.
day 7
seaman and i did our best to sleep in. he succeeded. i didn’t. the traffic noise from the street on linea was a little too much to handle for me. seaman had a guy from the uk staying next to his room and i guess seaman accidentally locked the bathroom door they shared so i had to wake him up to open it.
we ended up all having breakfast together. “m” from the uk was a really cool guy. this was his first trip and he had never hobbied before. he assumed cuba was this easy place where model quality girls were willing to sleep with you from the clubs for pocket change. everyone makes cuba sound like this easy place with tons of hotties but it simply is not. “m” had the same opinion as i did that the quality of the general population of girls here isn’t that great. he was dating a brasilera in the uk so he was used to hot girls. he was also a younger good looking dude. i showed him some trip reports and told him about wsg and ch. he was amazed and was studying them like a good novel. seaman and i were laughing. i told him maybe we’d hook up later in the trip and he did call a few times but i was always busy with a chica. (if you’re reading this “m”, sorry we couldn’t hook up).
seaman and i hooked up with frank and took him to ingleterra for a few drinks. i kept telling frank i wanted to move to miramar but he said everything was full. after drinks i told him that i just wanted to go to miramar and we would find something. tad bumped into while we were having drinks so we all went together. we ended up talking to a guy that knew a guy that had a place. that is usually how it is when you’re looking for a place. all of the casa particular owners help each other with referrals. it’s a nice system of you scratch my back and i’ll scratch yours.
we saw several nice apartments and we all decided to book our places. tad had the nicest apartment but he was sharing it with a fruity looking gay italian guy. my casa owners were by far the coolest. i was super happy with my place. we were going to travel in a few days and we negotiated a deal where we wanted them to hold our casas while we were gone. we paid about $35 a day while we were there and $25 a day while we weren’t. it was a good insurance policy for me. we were planning on traveling 3 nights and then coming back for nye.
at the ingleterra we tried calling some girls but couldn’t get through to many of them. i think i left a message at one of the girls place because she called me back. i asked her to bring a friend for seaman and they arrived shortly afterwards. my girl was a hottie and seaman’s girl was cute too. his girl had an awesome personality. she was funny as hell. i stayed in my apartment and seaman went over to his place a block away. tad decided to take it easy and wait till the night.
seaman and i had killer sessions. after about 2 or 3 hours we called each other and decided to eat with our girls. i told seaman to walk over to my apartment. after a few minutes seaman calls me to tell me there is a problem. he was walking with his girl when they spotted a cop and they did something that probably wasn’t too smart. he walked away from the girl which probably signaled to the cop they were scared. seaman tells me the cop is talking to her and he asked seaman to go back and get his passport. i tell him to call me back in a few minutes with a progress report. he calls me back and tells me the cop says he is radioing for a car. i figure it’s all bullshit and tell him to wait there. tad comes over to my apartment and i tell him what’s going on. he hangs out with my girl while i grab my passport and head to talk to the cop.
i arrive with seaman looking frazzled. i go over to the cop and ask him what the problem is and why he is harassing my friend. i told him seaman flew here to spend nye with his novia of 6 months. the funny thing is he was probably like me and couldn’t remember our “novia’s” names. seaman tells me that he offered the cop a $10 bribe which he didn’t accept. then the cop plays hardball with me asking me where i’m staying. i tell him the street but not the apartment # but he starts naming all the addresses on calle 28 that rent rooms. i immediately call tad and have him get my girl out of there as she didn’t have an id on her and there was some question on her real age.
the cop asks who i’m calling and i whip out a business card of a lawyer i had met. i told him i have friends in cuba that are lawyers. at this point i could sense he just wanted to get the hell out of there too. the last thing these cops want is attention or to get in trouble. he tells seaman and i to go stand away while he talks to seaman’s girl. i guess he demanded the $10 from seaman’s girl and not us. he didn’t want us to know he was doing that. asshole.
we all walked off together and got in my car and went to my place. tad was alone and we drove around to find my girl. we found her walking home alone a few blocks away. we all were in the car laughing and joking. the girls wanted to eat with us. my girl suggests this restaurant but she was shaking on where it was so we end up driving around a good bit. it turns out it is right near our casas. it wasn’t a cheap place but we had a great time. it was hilarious in the restaurant because seaman and i were convincing tad to ask one of the flute players to sit down and join us. tad thought she was cute.
we are the only ones in the restaurant and the singers are serenading us and making up songs about us. it was funny. then i ask the head waiter to ask the girl to join us. i think she was shy and another couple walked in around this time so she had to continue playing her flute. i would have loved to see tad score with her. the bill wasn’t cheap as me and my date had steak and lobster. i think my portion with tip was around $90 or $100 that included several drinks, appetizers, dinner, dessert and coffee.
during dessert i ask seaman’s girl if she has any friends for tad. she says of course. she goes on to say that the girl lives far away. i tell her if it’s a problem we can just forget it and hook him up later. i thought she said it was too far but we ended up driving all the way to this girl’s house which was a good 25 ride towards the airport. it was comical. picture this. we drop the girls off. they tell us to wait. we are waiting outside for a good 15 minutes. i guess the girl was sleeping. they woke her up and got her dolled up and all walk up to the car. i saw the girl’s mom in the doorway and i wondered what she thought about all of this. i later found out by asking several girls and their mothers knew what they did and didn’t question it. many of these girls support their families this way so it’s a don’t ask don’t tell policy with their families.
tad’s girl was cute and had a killer body. he was very pleased. at this point it’s after 1 am and we decide to head to our apartments. i had another great great session with my girl and she fell asleep in my arms. seaman’s girl claimed to have to wake up early at 6 am but around 10 am i get a call saying she had to leave and we rounded up the girls. i had to wake tad up with a phone call and he and his girl came over.
i was kind of in a difficult situation because at dinner my girl who was a total non pro was asking me why i gave her money earlier. when tad was rushing her out i told him to give her some money. so she was asking why i was giving her money. i’m not sure if she was playing a game or being serious but she didn’t seem happy. i told her it was taxi fare but taxi’s didn’t cost $35. the next morning i didn’t know if i should have given her more but i stuck another $10 in her purse. she never mentioned money to me. i wanted to leave more but didn’t want to offend her.
we found out later that tad gave his girl $35 or so and a few days later the girls told us the girl wouldn’t repeat for that little money again.
day 8
after the girls left we all showered and agreed to meet back at my place. we were going to do some sightseeing. we went down to havana viejo and walked around a good bit. we went to the street vendors with all their old books. it was really fascinating to see all the old relics that they were selling.
i seemed to always be hungry this trip. i think part of it is that the food isn’t really that filling there. i eat very well in the usa and when i travel so my body wasn’t used to these shitty smaller sized meals. seaman and tad joked throughout the trip how i was always hungry or eating. we had some drinks in plaza de san francisco and i of course had a salad, fries and a pork sandwich which was actually pretty good.
we ended up driving around a bit. my mind is a little fuzzy for some reason on day 8 during the day. one thing i do remember is the day after i saw the girl from casa de la musica somehow she got my cellphone number. i think she was playing with my phone and dialed her cellphone so she had it on caller id. i never gave it to her. she ended up calling me and asking if i wanted to see her again. she had a “y” name too and at first i thought it was another girl. when i figured out it was her i hung up on her. seaman and tad were laughing. i went on to see her later in the trip and she asked me why i hung up on her. my only response was she was the devil.
that night i think we went to la chorrera which was where i had the best luck. there were several cute girls that night. the funny thing is there are several girls in the parking lot hanging out. when we were getting in our car a group came over. one girl had a very pretty face and amazing eyes. her body seemed pretty good but hard to tell. i think her name was correlia or something like that. she seemed really shy. she said she was 22 years old. she was wearing jeans and this aqua blue shirt. she later became known as bsg (blue shirt girl) because every single day she wore the same shirt. poor girl. seaman was deciding if he should session with her or not. i told him the classic line, “if you don’t i will” which usually always does the trick.
bsg got in our car and we were going to drop seaman off at his place with his girl. she was really nervous and her hands were shaking. i was sitting in the backseat with her and trying to put her at ease. i can imagine how nervous she was sitting in a car alone with for all she knew were 3 perverts. there was another cute girl there that tad liked but when he inquired her age she was only 17. he took a pass. we saw that girl too several other nights. she was always usually drunk but always had a smile on her face.
we dropped off seaman and tad and i decided to try going to macumba. it was very difficult to find but we finally arrive. it was funny along the way a white mercedes pulls up to us asking if the girls can enter with us. we tell them we don’t even know if we are going to go in. i kind of just wanted to see it. we get there and i tell the girls i don’t think we are going to go in. i went in to look at it looked dead so we took a pass. the girls were bummed because they can’t enter with out a male escort. they get in our car and we drop them off where they can flag a taxi. it was funny because tad remembered one girl from two nights before when he was at casa de la musica in havana. tad ended up picking up a girl that night from that place. i think he paid like $40.
so it’s late maybe around 2:30 am or so. i’m not too tired but tad is so i drop him off at his apartment and i go back to la chorrera. i didn’t even have to go in as there were girls mulling about the parking lot. i flirted with one and we were off. she was really pretty and a little shy at first. she stayed several hours and she ended up falling asleep there. it was maybe 5:30 or so when she left and i slept very bad that morning. we were leaving for our little side just a few hours later so i had to get a few hours sleep. i think i paid her $40 + taxi fare home.
day 9
we had to renew the car rental that day and figured we would go early and get a good start on driving to viñales. we get to the rental car place and there are 5 guys sitting around not doing much of anything. such is life in cuba. people are employed by the government even if they have no primary functions or responsibilities. rental cars were impossible to find this time of year. i got lucky into getting the week long rental i had and my travel agent said that was only due to a cancellation. the guy i rented it from told me no problem getting it renewed on december 27th. i trusted him.
so we are in the office and these clowns said no way we can extend it. i say to get the main guy on the phone. he says he needs to talk to his manager then says it’s impossible. i refuse to take no for an answer. in the meantime we are calling all these other agencies. there is not even one car available to rent in all of havana. i finally get him back on the phone and now he is saying it’s possible but to come back at 2 pm. this shot our plans as we wanted to leave early.
we decided to go to chinatown and eat. there really is no real chinatown. it’s all of 3 blocks or so and there aren’t any asians there. we only saw one guy that was the manager of the restaurant. it’s not real chinese food but kind of a hodgepodge of ingredients. we all got the same thing and the order was huge.
we get back to the car rental agency and now it’s possible. yeah! we extend it and add seaman’s name to the contract. now, all three names were on the car contract. we blow out of there and head to viñales. we are on the highway and seaman and i want to take the backroads as the view from the autopista is not that great.
we drove through bahia honda – la palma – vinales. seaman missed his calling. he could have been an indy car driver. the problem is that these roads weren’t made for racecar drivers. they are windy and the roads in certain spots are in very poor condition. a few times we were airborne and one time we lost some tread on the tires. i think tad and i were kind of wondering to ourselves if we were going to get into an accident. i was sitting in the front seat and decided to put on my seat belt.
the views were breathtaking and amazing. i wanted to take pictures and so did seaman but tad was very nervous about it getting dark. i had never seen him get nervous. i kept saying we’d be fine, no worries. seaman didn’t seem to be too worried either but that was part of the reason he was driving so fast. we didn’t want to be on this shitty road when it got dark.
i would highly recommend driving along this route. it was amazing some of the things we saw. there were mountains in the background nestled with palm trees and sugar cane fields. certain parts of the drive approaching bahia honda there were great views of the bay.
we made it to viñales and it’s a very very small town. we had to drive around looking for enough rooms for 3 people. we all wanted our own rooms. we finally managed to find 3 places. i kept asking people about the chica scene and they kept saying there were girls. let me tell you something…. there are not any girls in viñales.
we showered then met at the only restaurant in town. it was decent. then we began exploring. the town like most towns in cuba had a casa de la musica. we went and it was filled with teenagers. we left and went to two bars that were packed with tourists but no locals. we then went to the caves where they had a bar but it also was dead. we got one drink then left. i asked a few guys there were all the action was and they told me café “arta”. turns out it was café artex and that was the shitty bar that we already went to. we were in disbelief. we kept walking around the main stretch but there were only very young kids out. it was like an alfred hitchcock movie where all the adults in town were eliminated. i only saw young kids. we were all in disbelief. seaman and i wanted to hobby. i would have been fine if i didn’t but i would at least like the option to. there was zero action in this town and we decided to leave the next day.
day 10
we decided the night before to meet at 10 am after breakfast and head to piñar del rio. first we drove around viñales a little and snapped some photos. my casa owner was pretty and probably would have been a site to see ten years earlier. it was a shame she was married and her husband was home when i came back home. she was sweet and gave her the name of her friend in piñar del rio.
we arrived in town and went straight to zoima. she was this spunky 28 year old with a pretty good body. i was flirting with her but she too was married. her room was booked but she went all over helping us find 3 rooms. she was great. we kept confirming that we could bring chicas home and each place said no problem. we were excited. this town seemed like it had a life and it was bigger.
instead of giving zoima some money we decided to eat dinner at her house that night so she could make some money that way. i flirted some more with her and she was taking things well joking around. we went off exploring the city and taking some pictures. we spent several hours eating and drinking at a neighborhood outdoor bar. so far i wasn’t seeing any hot girl which was worrisome. i still held out for hope though. in the bar we saw this nerdy looking american with this big black lady. that was at least a good sign.
i needed some rest so i decided to just try to relax a few hours before we ate dinner. my casa owner was super cool but the problem is their neighbor had a loud dog that kept barking all afternoon. i wanted to kill that dog. i got zero rest. i knew i couldn’t stay there more than one night. the bed also sucked which was common in every place we stayed.
i walked up one flight of stairs to seaman’s pad. his casa owners were super cool. they had a cute daughter that lived in havana studying in university. we all speculated if she saw some tourists on the side but my guess is no. we had a few cocktails then headed to dinner. at dinner i joked around with zoima that we wanted to hook up. i asked her to set us up with her friends. she promised to the next day but said that at this late notice she couldn’t. we had a decent meal and joked around with her. it’s funny that many of these people have very little money but several places we went had these big ghetto blaster type stereos.
we were feeling good and decided to go to the place everyone said was good. café pinar was the name of it. it was predictably dead since it was still rather early. it might have been around 10 pm. here is where the story gets interesting. i see a lone girl in the street. it’s obvious she is “working”. she is cute so i go talk to her. i learned that you session when you can. i joke around with her and she kind of follows us as we walked down to the corner store to get some booze. i tell the fellas i’m going to go session with her. she gives me the scoop on pinar del rio. she tells me it’s extremely difficult to work here because the police are very strict. she told me all the girls are scared to work. then i asked why she wasn’t scared and she simply told me she wasn’t a working girl. yeah, ok. she went on to say that no girl would go to a casa particular because they write down their id # and the police regularly check the log books. no wonder all the casa owners were saying it’s ok to have girls. none would come over! i ask her how much for a room and she says $10 plus another $25 for her. no problem. then she tells me to wait while she tries to find a room. i see her walking down the street. she comes back after about 5 minutes saying she can’t find a room. she asked me to please wait there. she was going to check on another room. i waited around for a while but she never came back. seaman, tad and i were kind of flabbergasted. everything was set and i was ready to session and we wondered what happened to her. i was sure she didn’t get another tourist as there were none. i worried that something happened to her. she was very eager to work. the ironic thing was the next day as we were going to leave in our car we saw her. she walked by us without saying anything and she was crying. we speculated the night before the police saw her talking to me and they might have taken her for a night. after seeing her the next day i’m almost sure that is what happened.
so, after this we hear about another place that has girls. we were originally told it was 5 blocks away. we kept walking and walking and walking. we’d ask directions and they kept saying further and further. by this point we’d just killed about 35-45 minutes. it was about a mile away but we finally made it there. i just wanted to go to this disco that the girl from seaman’s casa was going to with her friends. she was all dressed up and looked pretty good. anyway, we’re at this hotel and it looks like a total tourist hang out and we didn’t see any girls so we don’t even pay the cover. i flagged a taxi and we went to the disco club.
we get to the disco and there is a very very long line and they are not letting many people in at a time. we waited but ended up leaving to check the street action again on that one street. it was dead! not a girl in sight. tad was getting tired but i told them there is no way in hell i was going home without at least trying. we took a taxi back to the disco and the line was still there. we waited and waited. we offered bribes to the doormen and believe it or not they didn’t accept it. there was cuban american from miami there visiting his friends and he was drunk but also annoyed they wouldn’t let him in either. cubans were climbing the fence to get in but that did little good because there was security at the front door. i couldn’t believe it. here we were in cuba and the doormen wouldn’t take a bribe to get in. ridiculous!
finally we gave up when they said they are definitely not letting anyone else in. at that point i didn’t even care about anything. i just wanted to see the inside of this place. i couldn’t believe it. we went back to the street and it was still dead. we agreed to leave the next day. there was some talk between tad and seaman about hitting some other city. i politely asked them to drop me off in havana on the way to wherever they were going.
it was about 2 am when i got home. i came home and finished one of the books i brought called the pilot’s wife. it was actually a good book but it was kind of surreal to believe i was in cuba at 2 am and reading a book.
day 11
we woke up semi early and got packed up. i went over to seaman’s place and the family he was staying with was talking to us. they were totally cool and their casa was nice with a nice balcony where you could sit and have drinks.
tad picks us up in the car and as we are waiting for seaman i happen to see the girl that i originally was going to see the night before. i just didn’t understand it what happened to her. she saw us and walked by and she was crying. i suspect that maybe she spent the night in jail or something along those lines. she clearly looked a little scared and didn’t even talk to us this time. just think that she got into trouble just for talking to us on the street. imagine what would have happened had she gotten caught after sessioning with me. this is the part of cuba i didn’t like. any guy can say what they want about how fun cuba is, how it has hot girls, yadda yadda yadda. the simple truth of the matter is that the police do have the right to arrest girls for prostitution. can you imagine a girl you just sessioned with getting 4 years hard labor for spending time with you?
we head back and seaman is deciding if he wants to go to matanzas with tad. i could give a rat’s ass what they did. i only requested they drop me off in havana on their way. seaman told me that he also wanted to head home to havana. that left tad stuck in havana as seaman and i were paying for the rental car.
we decided to take the same route we took to get here. it was a shame we couldn’t stop and take photos earlier on our way here so this would be our 'redeeming' chance. the views were amazing driving back once again and this time i took lots of pictures. i just got 5 rolls of film developed and almost every one is great. cuba is a very photogenic place. we stopped a few times to try to get bottled water but it was tough finding it. most places only had carbonated water in the small towns. we finally did find some in one town where tad and i went in. the funny thing was some cuban guy in line was apparently trying to impress us with the wad of cash he had. he must have had at least $500 on him. his clothes were soiled, he looked like he hadn’t showered in weeks, his hands and face had dirt on it but somehow he thought he would impress us with his wad. i found it interesting more than anything. he was getting two sodas and first pulled out a $100 bill. the cashier said he had no change so he pulls out a $50 then a $20. finally he ends up paying for it with two $1 bills. it was kind of comical.
we get outside and seaman is in the car talking to some cuban dudes. the guys are trying to ask us if we want girls but i told them i want a model hot girl that is skinny. one dude said that he knew some girls in a casa but they were a little on the bigger side. he said, “chicas son chicas”. (girls are girls). we were on our way to bahia honda.
we joked around on the way home. seaman and i have bonded on a few trips this year but it was nice that seaman and tad got along very well too. we were all pretty like minded individuals. different in our own ways but still had things in common.
we arrived at la palma to eat and have lunch. no restaurants were visible from the main road so we decided to have pizza which we saw everyone eating. there was a line for pizza because they were making it fresh. it’s not the same kind of pizza we have in the us. it’s more like bread made in cast iron skillets and had a little tomato paste smeared on with lots of cheese. it was actually pretty good. the cost was 5 pesos. (26 pesos = $1 us). i got two pizzas and told her to keep the change because i doubt she would have given me any. she clearly knew the exchange rate though as i told her in spanish 26:1 and she nodded yes.
we walked around a bit and the city had some cute girls. one thing i noticed here is many of the girls had green eyes and were lighter skinned. we went to a grocery store and got some water and some snacks. the people here are all friendly. we were a novelty as there were no tourists in town. this town is not on the main highway so i doubt many tourists come here. no one has any intention to scam that i noticed. even when we bought bananas on the street here there were no signs with prices. tad gave him a 50 centavo convertible coin which is equivalent to 50 cents us. we only grabbed a few bananas and they guy looked at the coin and kept trying to give us more bananas. it was funny.
another funny banana moment was in piñar de rio after dinner the lady didn’t have dessert but gave us bananas. when we weren’t hungry she tried giving us the bananas to take with us. i joked that we were going to the bar to meet girls and unless the girls liked bananas we had no use for them. we all started cracking up on that one. sometimes i crack myself up. is that so wrong? ha, ha.
we make it to havana and it felt good to get back here. we saw some sw’s on calle 5 in miramar as we were driving home. on the way home i called this girl that frank had given us the number for. i can’t remember if i posted it before but she came over another night with two friends. the problem was that one girl looked super young and when i asked her age she was only 17. the girl was totally cute. when i told her of the problem with the **** girl cosita was joking around. her english is decent. she was joking around saying, “illegally blonde 3”. her other friend looked of age but didn’t have an id which was suspicious and usually signals under 18. they gave us an all or non option which we passed on. the girl’s name was cosita and she was cute but not really my type. i had to pay $10 taxi fare for them to get there and i think seaman gave them $10 to leave.
anyway, i called cosita as we were approaching havana. i told her to come over with two friends but make sure both the girls are at least 18. she promised she would make sure. i also told her all the girls needed id’s.
we showered then met up at this place along 1st avenue along the beach for drinks and to grab something to eat. tad and i were deciding who would see whom. seaman was going to see the girl who cosita brought last time with no id. i was either going to see cosita or her friend. it was a gamble for me. we flipped a coin who would decide. i won. i could either pick cosita who was cute or take her friend. i decided to gamble and said i would take her friend.
we get to my apartment to meet them and i have to go pay the taxi $10. the girls weren’t using panataxi’s and it was more expensive. i see the girl and she has a booming body. her face is cute enough and i’m happy with my gamble. the problem starts back in my apartment. the one girl that came last time upon being carded isn’t 18 yet even though she claimed to be and didn't look like she was ****. seaman refused to see her. tad wasn’t willing to risk it either. we were told by another girl that you can see a 17 year old if there is less than a 15 year difference in age of the older guy. i never knew if this was true or not. tad wasn’t interested in seeing the new girl. i was the peacemaker and took it for the team. i wasn’t attracted to the younger girl but i just wanted to make things work. i would have seen seaman’s girl though if that kept things happy. prices were never discussed as frank told us the going rate for a short term session was about $30 to $40 max.
i had a really good session and she was very affectionate. i was contemplating another round when i get a knock on the door and it’s cosita who looks pissed. she asked me if i am done. my answer is, “i guess i am now”. i ask her what happened and she said that tad is crazy and only wants to pay $30. i ask her how much she wants and she says $100. i look at her as if she is crazy and told her she is crazy. my girl i’m with doesn’t ask me for any money. i had a good session so i’m not really bothered by things but i do feel bad for tad. i just wanted cosita out of my place. i called tad and he is surprised she is there as she told him she was going home. even after they disagreed on price he was a cool guy to keep her there so she wouldn’t bother my session. i think it was about an hour or so.
i took a quick shower to rinse off since i just sessioned. seaman calls and said that he had problems with his girl too. oops. i told him to come over and the girls needed to leave. cosita was a b*tch! seaman’s girl was a b*tch. my girl was just clueless and not a pro. my girl still never asked me for money and i gave her $40 and kissed her goodbye.
after we kicked them out we met up and compared notes. i guess seaman had a decent session but then the girl started asking about money and wasn’t happy with what seaman was going to give her. she demanded $50 and he gave it to her. at least he got to finish. these bitches tried taking all these snacks i had and i noticed that cosita stole all this change i had in a jar after they left. i hate carrying around change so i just put it in a cup every time i returned home. while i was showering she must have stolen it. it wasn’t a lot of money but more of the point of what she did.
tad was totally turned off by this whole process. i think he was expecting tons of beautiful model type girls that were all over and not jaded. that is not the case here. the guy from the uk that we met was expecting the same thing and he was severely disappointed too. one thing you have to remember is that normal girls don’t have the opportunity to go to nice places. there is usually a cover fee at most nice places. what girl that isn’t “working” can afford to pay the amount many people make in a month???
the rest of the night is kind of a blur but i think we went to la chorrera and i hooked up with a girl from there. i think seaman picked up a girl from the parking lot and so did tad.
day 12
went to playa del este and it wasn’t sunny but had a nice time joking around as usual. seaman and tad were good company. we tried picking up girls on the way home but it’s not as easy as you would think. i’ve personally never picked up street walkers and it’s not really my thing.
i called seaman’s girl and set him up for a session and he said it was greater than ever. (he even shaved her). tad didn’t session in about 3 days and seemed content. he didn’t really come here to hobby although he was expecting to hook up once a day if he could.
i think there are many guys out there that expect to hook up with some farm girl and buy them a few drinks and have the girl happily session with them. this might be possible but not in havana. the days of sessioning with a hot girl for a coke and a smile are over forever here.
my girl was supposed to hook up with me and i told her to bring a friend for tad. she said she was anxious to see me.. she wanted to come over earlier but i was at the beach. when i called back she seemed to be having family problems. i waited a while and seaman and tad went to eat. finally i just said enough of this. i walked to where they were eating (which was great by the way). y calls saying she wants to come over. i tell her to come to the restaurant and she says ok. 15 minutes. then when i get there she wants me to pick her up. it was just too much. i told her that we could do our own thing tonight and we were planning on going out for nye together.
we started at the parking lot of la chorrera which is at the end of the malecon. you don’t read much press about it but it is a solid lead for girls inside and outside waiting to hook up. seaman and myself both picked up girls in the parking lot as we were leaving. it’s hit or miss.
anyway, i left with them to casa de la musica near the prado and it sucked. i was going to go in with tad and seaman but the lines were long, the girls were aggressive and fowl, and i just didn’t feel the vive with anyone. i took my own taxi back to la chorrera. i felt good. got a drink and had to chase some girls away but one of them in a cool manner told me she thought i was attractive. we started to talk price and she just asked me to throw something out there. that’s what these girls do. they want to see how much of a moron you will be. some guys might through out $100 when a girl will go for $50 or less.
my goal that night was to see someone hot and get a great session. i accomplished both. this 22 year old blonde in great shape approached me. we both threw compliments at each other. i don’t care if a girl is lying or not. the important thing is that she makes me believe it. it all happened quickly after that. she told me to throw out an offer. i said $40 was fair for a few hours. she said $60 was the going rate for a professional hottie. we joked and we were having a fun time and agreed upon $50. that included that taxi fare home too so i didn’t have to pay anything extra.
she was excellent! she was from santa clara and was going home for the holidays the following morning. however, she did give me her phone number and invited me to call her in a few days when she returned.
day 13
we did some touristy stuff today. saw more of the city and took lots of pictures. havana is a great walking city. however, i would highly recommend renting a car. it isn’t a cheap option but you have the freedom to go wherever you want whenever you want. it’s an easy city to drive in since there are not too many cars on the road. the only problem is if you go outside of the city since there are virtually no signs to direct you where to go.
we walked on the malecon and decided to stop by a café. it turns out it was a chinese restaurant believe it or not. some young kid was pestering seaman. seaman was taking pictures and this 18 year old kid followed him down to the malecon. when he came back to the café he was asking us if we wanted girls. seaman and i decided there was no risk since i confirmed if the girls were ugly we would take a no risk pass. the kid agreed. shortly thereafter he brings up a really pretty mulatto girl named mariela. she claimed to have been 18 although she said she left her carnet at home which is never a good sign. the three of us encountered many girls that were really cute but either said they were 17 or told us they were 18 and we noticed on their carnets they were 18 and passed.
anyway, we bought the kid a cuba libre and seaman bought mariela lunch and drinks. she had a good attitude but we assumed she was a total pro when we saw her two gold teeth. it’s funny because you’ll see all these girls with two gold teeth. i asked mariela about it and she said it’s the current fashion trend among (working) girls.
one way we kind of goaded each other into sessioning is we would say, “if you don’t session with her i will”. it wasn’t said out of a dare it was more of a “threat” that if the guy didn’t decide then and there the other would pounce on her. she wanted $50 but i helped negotiate it down to $40 for a short time session. seaman left in a taxi with her.
tad and i walked around and took more pictures. we had a drink at the café next to the ingleterra. it was slow since it was nye. there were a couple girls mulling around but neither of us was really going to force anything. tad was a good influence on me as i never had the desire to see tons of girls. if i saw someone i really wanted i’d act on it.
i ended up talking to seaman and he was pleased with his session with mariela. he confirmed our suspicions that she was a pro. she wasn’t gfe but she knew what she was doing and aimed to please. which begs the question whether you would you rather have a gfe session with bad sex or a total porno type session that drains you dry with no gfe? when i posed the question to seaman our minds were thinking alike when he said why not have both that day. ha, ha.
the girl i was going to spend nye with was acting flaky and appeared to be having family problems. i guess what can you expect from someone that just got out of high school?? honestly i prefer girls a little older. i like 20, 21, 22, 23 year olds. havana seems to have a huge pool of talent that is in the 17-19 age range. most of the girls we asked were only 18. i talked to seaman’s girl and she confirmed her plans to show up and meet us at my apartment. i told her to bring 2 of her hot friends. she said no problem.
tad and i had to decide who would see who. we had this problem another night. i gave him the option to take the first or last girl that walked in. he chose the first. when the girls arrived i thought about just cutting them loose. we planned to spend nye at macumba for one of the hottest gigs in town. one of the hottest bands in cuba was playing. (charanga habanera). i figured worst case we could pay their entrance fee and then drink a little and leave. we were told it was a $20 cover to enter. when we got to macumba there was a line. i bs’ed and said we had reservations. they weren’t letting anyone without reservations in. many people were walking away. we made our way to the front of the line and i lied and said we had reservations. i guess it was impossible since they weren’t taking reservations just for the entrance. only if you had their nye dinner special you were allowed on the sacred list. in any case they told us to stand to the side and this rude bouncer told us to go back to the line. seaman was especially pissed but couldn’t really argue in spanish so kept telling me to. i tried a few times to talk to someone in authority but the bouncer wouldn’t let me in.
i figured money talks and bull shit walks. i had the telephone number and called the club on my cell phone. i told the lady that answered that i was in line with 5 of my friends and i had $100 to spend to get us in asap. seaman put in $50 and i put in $50 and we essentially bought our way into the hottest gig in town without reservations. the cover was $40 per person instead of the $20 that they advertised. so besides the $50 @ bribe it was $80 per couple to get in. oh well, like anything else in cuba…. what can you do??
unfortunately only seaman’s girl was cute. my girl had a cute face but her body was not my type. truth be told tad’s girl was downright scary. it turns out the two girls were cousin’s of seaman’s girl. tad and i thought if we drank heavily that would solve our problems. as predicted, it did not. my girl was session worthy but just had a bad attitude. i tried pulling out all the punches to butter her up but it wasn’t happening.
it was getting late and tad and i decided we must leave and look for girls. honestly i didn’t care if we hooked up or not. i just wanted to leave these girls. it wasn’t a good situation. seaman’s girl is bright and figured out we just weren’t interested. i told my girl that i had a stomach ache and had to leave. tad didn’t make any excuse. he barely talked to his girl as he didn’t want to give her any hope whatsoever. they just asked for taxi fare home. we each gave them $20 and i explained to seaman’s girl that there were many drunken italian dudes and i’m sure the girls could hook up if they put their hearts to it. (i was happy to hear the next day from seaman that both girls hooked up with drunken italians. i’m sure the guy that hooked up with tad’s girl woke up regretting coming to cuba).
by this point it was very late. it was 3:00 am on nye. the chances of hooking up were not in our favor but we took a taxi ride to la chorrera. predictably there were very few good girls left. i almost forced a session just to session but i came to my senses. i talked to a girl with a good body but a not so good face. i just threw out a $20 offer and i was surprised and kind of backed into a corner when she said yes. i politely told her that i was too tired and invited her to go find another dude. i gave her $1 and apologized. i did see a semi cute girl but she wanted something like $70 and i didn’t even have the energy to negotiate. tad and i decided to cut our losses and just go home. it was after 4 am at this point.
day 14
the gang all did the best we could to sleep in. we decided today would be a relaxing day. it was tad’s last night and we let him decide what we were going to do. tad was a great guy to hook up with. we spent over two weeks in cuba together and he was a good traveling companion. it felt good to know i made a new friend. he had never been on a “hobbying” trip and he really did a good job of turning this into more of a trip enjoying the country. i would probably have never gone to trinidad if he didn’t suggest we go. seaman was skeptical when i emailed him telling him i met a cool guy but seaman got along with him really well too.
we walked around havana viejo and then decided to walk the malecon for some sunset pictures. i got so many great photographs this trip of the city. i really started falling in love with havana. it’s a totally different destination that really takes some time to get to know but once you do it will get under your skin. i really will miss this place and don’t want to leave in a few days.
seaman’s girl from the day before called him and she was interested in a little session. she said she was with her friend. we happened to be in the area where she lived so i gave her our location and she said she would meet us. shortly thereafter she arrives with her friend. her friend was nothing to write home about. i originally was going to session with her hot friend but it turns out her hottie friend was stuck with family and couldn’t make it. i told mariela that no one wanted her friend. i asked seaman if he would repeat and then asked tad and both said they weren’t up for it. of course i was horny and she looked fantastic so we agreed upon the same $40 + $6 for taxi from miramar back to havana central.
i knew going in that she wouldn’t be super gfe. i didn’t care. she looked great and seaman said she was great in bed. we arrived and as predicted she wasn’t gfe but she was awesome in bed. that girl had some moves! she let me take lots of pictures. at first only with her clothes on. then i started showing her how great they looked and she asked me to take more with her clothes off. she was very photogenic. she stayed a while then showered and left.
i hooked up with the fellas and we went to dinner at this awesome restaurant next to la chorrera. you can’t miss it. it’s at the end of the malecon before you hit the tunnel to miramar. it’s not a cheap place and fancy but the food is good. tad was nice enough to pick up the tab for dinner, a bottle of wine and drinks. he said he appreciated all that seaman and i had done. i was sorry to see him go. it would end up being our last night together since seaman decided to drive to trinidad alone the following morning.
i should mention that seaman saw the bsg (blue shirt girl) as usual in her predictable spot. we grew to kind of feel sorry for her. she always had on the same blue shirt every single day that we were in havana. seaman saw her and wanted to give her a new year’s present. he stopped and gave her $10 at the side of road near the entrance to la chorrera. as he gave her the money some dude whistled to signal that the cops were behind in a car. she scurried away scared. we were right at the restaurant parking lot and parked. tad was driving. he didn’t have her driver’s license on him. the cops were looking for another bribe for not possessing a license. we all had had enough. we said we weren’t paying but the cops wouldn’t leave. my spanish is totally decent and i didn’t have problems communicating with the police. they asked for $30 and i told them that was ridiculous. finally i confidently told them i was a lawyer that did business in havana. i told them i had many coworker friends that were lawyers here. i said that tad would be happy to pay the fine but that i needed a receipt with both of their names on it. as soon as i said that they both got scared and said they would never demand money and that we didn’t understand them correctly. bastards. we laughed about it afterwards.
if you rent a car and stay in miramar and are in havana for any significant time you will get pulled over by the cops. just don’t show fear. that was the 6th skirmish with the police. i was getting good at avoiding shakedowns. seaman also got pulled once. he also was motioned to pull over by police on foot. we just ignored the police if they didn’t have a motorcycle or a car. there isn’t really anything they can do. sure they could radio ahead but they are just looking for a bribe. do not pay these as it will only encourage them to keep doing it. i’m sure many guys pay it as they can’t speak spanish or are scared. make sure in miramar you don’t make a turn anywhere you aren’t supposed to. for some stupid reason you can not make a turn on many of the streets. you have to wait for a major intersection or just go around the block and find a street with a light.
after dinner we went behind the restaurant to los jardines for a “fashion show” that was going on. it was horrible. some of the girls were hot but the clothes were hideous. we had one drink and left to go next door to la chorrera. in the parking lot tad saw the girl that we saw almost every night. most nights she was just drinking and hanging out. i never saw her leave with anyone. even last night when we were there around 4 am. we had to convince him to go with her but he finally did and we bid him farewell.
seaman and i entered la chorrera. there are many girls that ask you to pay for their way in. do not pay for them to get in. we always told them if they have their own money they could come in with us but the majority was looking to find some guy to pay their $5 entrance. i’m not entirely sure the girls couldn’t enter on their own. some places they couldn’t enter without a male escort but i don’t think this was one of them. if you want to be a nice guy and pay their cover that’s your prerogative but in essence you’re just paying their way to get in so they can hook up with someone else. if you want to score with her just negotiate and leave with her before you enter the club. you’ll save yourself the cover fee.
seaman and i walked around a bit. it was about 12:30 am and i was getting tired from a lack of sleep so i wanted to hook up. i decided to go with this cute girl. not a stunner model type but very cute and a good personality. she had a cute sister that i wanted seaman to hook up with but he was off chasing some other girl he said he saw on the malecon one day. i wished him good luck on his trip and we said goodbye. it was another great trip with seaman. this was our fifth international trip together in only one year. we had so many good laughs and good times this trip as usual.
i took a taxi particular home with my girl b. she was a nice girl. she made it a point to hold my hand on the way home in the taxi. nice touch. these girls can be very affectionate. i negotiated a $4 taxi ride home. the session was pretty good but her body wasn’t as good out of clothes as they were in them. still, i had a good session then sent her off. it was only about 2 am at this point so maybe she went back to the club. in the club before we left we negotiated $50 for a few hours plus i gave her $5 for a taxi. i’m sure she would have left for less but i didn’t feel like arguing over a few bucks. i asked for $40 and she wanted $60. she wasn’t a hottie quality to get $60 but i was getting tired and there were a lot of dudes so i’m sure she could have gotten it. i didn’t see too many great quality girls. as i posted before, it really was a struggle to find a hottie that was my type here.
day 15
i tried sleeping in but woke up at a reasonable time. seaman and tad were both gone. i had various calls from other dudes that wanted to hook up throughout the trip. hopefully these guys understand my desire to kind of do my own thing. i haven’t been motivated to meet a ton of new guys and i’m content traveling with the good friends i’ve already made.
i tried getting a taxi on calle 5 in miramar to no avail. believe it or not it isn’t too easy to get a taxi unless you are in front of a big hotel or in a touristy area. even when you call the panataxi # of 555-555 it is usually busy or not available. if you’re staying in miramar it is essential that you have a rental car. it was a beautiful day so i decided to walk as far as i could down to the melia cohibe hotel. i assumed i’d be able to flag down a taxi but there simply were none that didn’t already have people in it. it was a little hike but manageable. i wanted to see what stores were in the galleria mall next to the hotel. there was nothing there that any tourist would need.
i decided to walk around havana viejo some more. i wanted to take some more pictures in the plaza de san francisco which i really liked. it was the most uncluttered area that i noticed. there is a good outdoor café with good food. i had lunch there and walked around the area for a few hours. something that i noticed is that instead of a bag or backpack i carried around my camera and stuff in a plain plastic bag that the convenient stores give out when you buy something. i didn’t even have one tout approach me for anything. maybe it was a coincidence.
i took a panataxi from the ingleterra hotel all the way to calle 28 in miramar and it was $6.14 so don’t ever negotiate to pay more than this. always round up and give them the change.
shortly thereafter one of the girls i hooked up from la chorrera called me and i had her come over to my apartment. it was very convenient since she lived in miramar. had a mind blowing session that was better than the first time. we showered together then she left. i really like my apartment here in miramar but i miss having the car here. seaman took it to trinidad. i tried renting a rental car today but they are all still sold out. after my girl left i went and checked email at an internet café at the corner of 28th and 3rd in miramar. i had to wait a little bit since they only have one working computer. it didn’t work that well. i only was on 20 minutes when i got tied of waiting for pages to load. there was a girl waiting and i gave her the rest of my card which had 40 minutes left. she was very happy. the cost of 1 hour access card is $5. this is the minimum time you can buy.
i walked down to this ocean front bar that the fellas and i frequented near our casas. i had a few mojitos then decided to come home and made a few phone calls. i was trying to reach one of the girls and i accidentally called stu’s girl that he hooked up with a few times. be careful storing numbers in your phone. 90% of the girls we met had names starting with y. it was kind of comical. even girls with names like jessie were spelled yeissy. anyway, since she answered i thought i might as well see if she was available. seaman said he wouldn’t repeat with her again so i didn’t see it as a problem. she wasn’t exactly my type but she had a great personality and was really funny.
she came over in a little more than an hour and stayed for several hours. i was going to try to hook up with one of the guys from ch. i didn’t talk to him till about 11 pm when seaman’s girl left. anyway, he said he would be at cheverre. i took a taxi there. the scene didn’t look that good and i couldn’t find this dude plus his cellphone didn’t work so i waited about 15 minutes then went to johnny’s. johnny’s was absolutely dead. about 40 italian dudes and only 10 girls and the girls were all bad. i decided to walk to la chorrera. the place was packed with guys but again not too many girls. it wasn’t looking too good. i told myself i’d go to the bathroom then leave. as i was walking this stunner grabbed me. she was definitely my type. she looked out of place because most of the girls in the place that night were darker and heavier. she had a booming body. we flirted some and then i said let’s go for $40. she laughed. she said, “let’s go for $60” and then i laughed. as others pointed out before, the money issue isn’t a huge deal. it sets the tone for the session and let’s them know you know what you’re doing. we settled for $45 but she was clear to tell me that some of the stupid italians would pay up to $100 but she said they are a pain in the ass to deal with. i told her that i have been to cuba many times and she didn’t doubt it. in fact, i knew havana better than her. she has only been here two weeks. she is from camaguey. i definitely want to hit this town as it seems to produce a lot of the stunners.
she wasn’t a hard core type. i really do think she has only been here two weeks. she didn’t know where my apartment was in miramar and most of the pros know calle 28 or calle 30 well. no tattoos, no piercings, no gold teeth, no cellphone. she was very affectionate and we made out for a long time before getting into bed. the session was outstanding. i loved her body. i prefer girls on the thin side. afterwards we showered together and i gave her my last toothbrush. she let me take before and after pictures. she looked hot in and out of her clothes. she was 19.
it was damn hard getting through to a taxi. the panataxi number never works from being overloaded. when she finally did get through they said it would take an hour and a half. i just told her to flag one down on calle 5. i offered to go with her but told her the cops might stop us. she seemed a bit clueless about this. i just told her to pretend we were boyfriend/girlfriend and let me do the talking if they stopped us. we saw one cop and i did the most instinctive thing i could think of. we started making out like mad lovers and the cop walked past us. i finally flagged a taxi down for her on calle 5 (the main throughway through miramar). we kissed and i wished her a happy new year.
i was literally drained of energy. 3 long sessions in a relatively short amount of time. it was 3:30 am by the time i got back home from walking s. you know what? i had a big smile on my face the entire walk back home. it was a great trip and tonight was just a great ending to a great 16 day trip.
i’m in cancun now. my room isn’t ready so i’m typing this in the lobby of the hotel.
final thoughts
no trip report or no guide book could have prepared me for what cuba was going to be like. some of the trip reports are a little misleading. cuba isn’t this totally easy place with tons of hotties that are willing to sleep with you for next to nothing. sure there is action everywhere but the very attractive girls have figured out they are a commodity that is valuable. also, the hassles and the fear the police command with the girls make hobbying here more problematic. i never did pick up a “true street walker”. call me old fashioned but i like to at least get to know the girl a little first. i like inviting them to have a drink, dinner, lunch, etc. here the girls are nervous to even talk with you on the street. i’ll never be a sw type of guy. i’m so not shy and love talking to girls but picking girls off the street just wasn’t my thing.
there were many european guys here. (mostly italian). i found most of the italians to be very obnoxious. they usually traveled in flocks and were very loud in the clubs. even on the malecon i noticed they are the ones that honk their horns making a big scene trying to pick up girls. they weren’t discreet and it looked like some of the girls were uncomfortable with the ruckus they were making. i’m not sure if they overpay or not. most of the girls told me that they didn’t like them but there were just so many of them that come to cuba so that is their main supply of funds. also, it’s important to note that several of the girls told me the only time they got ripped off was from italian guys. i have nothing against italians though as they didn’t affect my ability to pick up a girl.
i didn’t notice too many americans here. the ones that i did notice seemed to be rookies that had no clue about the scene here. some of them looked like the nerdy type that thought cuba might be an easy place to pick up girls. let me be the first to say that there are so many other easier places to go in the world if you only want to sleep with a hot girl. i would seriously advise not to come to cuba if you are only coming for sex. i know i keep pointing this out throughout my report but it’s important to note. it’s actually hard to believe that a guy would pick cuba as a place to come for a first time in the hobby. granted, the close proximity to the usa is a huge draw but unless you can speak spanish it will be more difficult than so many other places.
one thing i was very surprised at is that there is virtually no people begging for money or giving you the line that they have no food. it seems like no one is starving here. for those that travel to latin or south america you’ll notice many people begging for money for food. the entire trip i maybe had one person begging for money. the whole idea of socialism in theory is good but it just doesn’t work. the cuban people as a whole seem to be a very happy and proud group of people. music defines their society. there is music everywhere. it is in the streets, restaurants, cafes, and the beach. for example, in playa del este on a 50 meter stretch there were maybe 3 separate groups all playing music.
it was kind of interesting to see that the men aren’t the only ones that come to cuba to hobby. i saw several middle aged and older women with young cuban guys. hopefully these ladies aren’t deluding themselves into thinking these men really care for them. i saw many older men with young girls. it was interesting when i brought up this topic of conversation with several of the girls. many told me that they had many chances to marry middle aged or older italian or american men and they would rather live in cuba then be in a relationship where they had no attraction or love for the other person. almost all of the girls i saw had no interest in dating cuban guys. they are looking for an opportunity at a better life. all of them loved their country but what future does a girl have when the most she can make even in a professional job is $30 us a month.
i’m sure finding love in cuba is very possible but in the end you have to stay realistic. one day tad and i were having coffee at the café next to the ingleterra. an older guy that spoke almost no spanish was sitting with a girl. the girl didn’t speak english. i didn’t find her attractive but she seemed nice. she was holding hands with the guy and they were sitting with a tour guide. she told me that the guy was her fiancée and that she was going to be married in a few months. i guess the guy was supporting her. i’m not sure if he knew it or not but we saw the girl working and spending time with senior citizens almost every day the rest of our trip. i guess love is blind huh? remember that these girls are like monkeys swinging from tree limb to tree limb. they are content swinging on the branch but they won't swing over to the next tree until there is a steady branch to support them. we as men are the branches. once they get bored they swing to the other branch. i've literally met hundreds and hundreds of girls traveling around. many wanted to date. i only met one girl out of hundreds that i found was completely honest.
on the topic of cops. they are harmless. keep in mind it's their job and a good job at that. they make more than doctors. a cop isn't going to risk anything to do something stupid and lose their job. there are police everywhere and people are scared of them but to tourists i viewed them just like the mosquitos that i kept getting bitten by. more of a nuisance that you couldn't really avoid and not really going to hurt you.
most of these police are useless like many of the other "state" employees. kind of like the useless rental car agents that were useless. we went to the rental car place to renew our contract and there were 5 guys there that couldn't do anything. they literally told us to come back at 2 pm when the one guy that could make decisions came in. they were just trying to stay/look busy. they were watching the cable tv which was connected to the hotel and one guy was even sleeping in the back office in the middle of the day. the police are just on the streets trying to stay busy. i imagine they are one of the highest paid employees with the occassional shakedown of tourists.
be careful in the clubs. la chorrera gets packed and you are literally brushing against people to walk to the bathroom and in the other room. one of the last nights i had two piles of money in my jeans. one side had bigger bills like $10's and $20's. the other had a ton of $1 bills. i noticed when i got back home that night my $1's were gone. i thought maybe i was careless and it fell out but i'm usually careful. i now found out from seaman that that night he "lost" his wallet. i think someone stole it from his pocket. it's hard to imagine but you're brushing up against people and it wouldn't be too difficult for a skilled thief. just be careful at all times like you would anywhere else you would travel to.
i will miss cuba and everything i experienced. i could have done cuba alone but it was so much fun with seaman and tad. i made another great friend in tad and i’m sure i’ll see him somewhere in the world on another adventure.
life is good.
Saint What a great Cuba report. It will really help me next week on my first trip. From Cancun airport to Havana. How are you finding the girls in Cancun?
Great Report Saint,
Although I have never been or probably never will visit Cuba, but I did enjoy the report and read every word of it. Almost felt like being there. Good writing and good info on mongering as well as the place.
Saint,
That is an excellent report.
El Cubanito
Hi Saint,
Excellent report! Best I have ever read!
Although, I have not been to Havana for a couple of years you brought back some very fond memories. You are very correct, "it is the people". I hope to get back to Havana in the next 6 months or so. I have been spending all my time and energy in putting together something in Gambia. There again, also it is "the people". I really love the place. If you haven't experienced Africa yet Gambia is the place to try.
It is a shame that you did not review ALL the post about Havana. Back on 9-25-02 I posted about some great paladars. Like I said earlier I have not been there for a couple of years, the good paladars will still be there. The bad ones will go away. These should all still be there. I have been to Havana maybe 100 times, but usually only for one night at a time because of my job. You are correct, for the first three years of going there I found the food in the government establishments to be really bad. It took me some time to find the good paladars.
Once again, excellent report.
Peterman
Saint the best report on Cuba ever posted on WSG. Just one thing, I guess you must have loved the adventure of exploring Cuba in a rental car. I found it easier for to haggle for a flat rate from a taxis driver. I paid about $30 per day including gas as long as I stayed in Havana. That way I got a guide as well.
Surfer
I've been going to Cuba for the past several yrs. I've never had a bad trip. I've made many terrific friends; in general I've found the ppl to be kind and generous.
The poverty is a bit overwhelming at first look. However, as I began to meet more ppl I soon realized that most ppl supplement their income on a secondary market. Whether it’s the cop looking for a bribe to let you off the ticket, the Taxi driver pocketing the cash cab fare, Prostitution, even medical care goes more smoothly if you grease the Doctor for the operation, the nurse for better attention and so on. But for sure these bribes are expected of tourists and Cubans alike. It’s the secondary or black market if you will, and it’s the only way most ppl make ends meet. In fact many ppl are so proficient in the secondary market that they manage not only the necessities but a few luxuries too, like cell phones and such, I even know a couple very industrious individuals who drive Mercedes. Now a Cuban is very limited on what the government allows them to own. In general they are not even allowed to own a cell phone or car, but the meet foreigners who will allow the Cuban to use their name for registration. Very creative.
As for the “Sporting Life”, To some extent it will depend on which city and when you happen to visit. The government periodically will crackdown on prostitution in a particular area. They’ve made such a crackdown in Veradero lately. They’ve been as successful there as anywhere. Since Veradero is one of Cuba’s crown tourist destinations they want to “clean it up”. Even in Veradero however Capitalism prevails, and if your diligent you can find purveyors of nocturnal entertainment. Nonetheless, if your primary objective is the “hobby’ you’d have better results in another City, If you show up in Cuba and find that the pressure is on in your location, just ask around and you will find another City that is wide open. It’s an easy matter to relocate for the betterment of you vacation.
That having been said, Habana (Havana) is generally a safe bet. Its all there, ST, LT or GFE and just about anything else to satisfy you personal proclivity. You’ll find an abundance of SW and Disco/Bar, pro, simi and amateur action. Cuban women are arguably among the most beautiful in the world. However, over the past year or so it seems to me that the quality of the average pro/semi has declined substantially – IMHO. Don’t get me wrong; the true beauties are still available. It’s just that it has been taking longer to find them. They’re almost becoming needles in a haystack. While in times past it may have taken a matter of minutes to find my dream GF, recently it’s been taking a matter of hours. On the bright side, even though it has taken some time, I haven’t ended up empty handed yet.
I don’t think ill get too deep into the pricing because it’s accurately available in prior posts. Here’s just a basic guideline.
ST - US$50.00-US$100.00 (pro/semi)
LT – US$100.00 and up (pro/semi 24 hrs)
GFE = Dinner and up
This is just a general guideline. As usual your cost will depend on negotiation and (never to be under estimated) your chemistry with your date.
IMHO the GFE is Cuba’s real attraction for the monger. In my experience my GF du jour “almost” never asks for $. But we generally spend a few days together. Maybe travel to another City for the weekend, of course dinning, drinking and dancing. The same stuff you’d probably do with any other GF.
In the final analysis, I really love Cuba and Cubans. I will be returning there for the rest of my life. Great food, drink, cigars and of course the women. I do believe that Cuba is getting more commercialized and will continue to do so. The prices are going up, fast. And the beautiful women are either getting out of the business or getting snapped up by foreigners IMHO. As Cuba continues to change, one day it will be known as a family tourist destination. Which is fine and I will visit then too for the drink and cigars.
That being the case I’m looking for some new monger grounds. I’ve found lots of great posts on WSG. So I’ll be checking out Colombia, Peru and Brazil among others this year. I hope to hook up with some fellow “Sportsmen” share some tales and cocktails.
If you need details like casa particular, driver or guide, pm me for the local tel numbers.
CM
** The daily diary is finished. I edited it to include all days now. Previously Days 8-11 were not completed. It's done now.***
I agree with China Monger about the ability of Cubans to find other ways to supplement their monthly salary from the government. I find it very hard to believe the average salary in Havana is only what the government gives them. Maybe it's that low in the small towns I went to but certainly not in Havana. It seemed like almost everyone in Havana had some side gig to make money. Also, remittances from family members living in the USA must be astronomical. I often wondered just how many millions of dollars a year flow into Cuba this way. It seemed like everyone had family living in the USA.
It's ironic but I didn't find the Cubans to be that "poor". They were one of the happiest groups of people I saw. Sometimes no matter how much money you have it doesn't equal happiness. The Cubans prove that. They just want to improve their lives and are waiting for Castro to die.
I do disagree with China Monger when he said that "Cuban girls are amongst the most beautiful in the world". Maybe a very small handful but in the overall population mix the super hot ones simply aren't there. I found much hotter girls in Buenos Aires and Brazil. We all have different tastes but I think it's fair to say overall there are much hotter girls in other places.
Another thing I noticed is the girls seem to be younger in Cuba than other places I've been to. Most of the girls you'll meet are between 17 and 20. It seemed like most of the hottie girls 21-27 either moved to another country or got married to some tourist and got out of Cuba. Still, I don't know where some of those young girls learned their moves in bed. Some of them were great. I guess it's like their ability to shake their bodies while dancing.
On the matter of rental cars. I would much rather prefer to have my own rental car. True, it's more expensive than hiring a guide with a car but remember that guide can't be with you 24/7. If you speak little to no Spanish definitely get a guide. If not, then just do it on your own. I loved the ability to do whatever I wanted and go wherever I wanted anytime I wanted. Good luck.
Saint
saint,
i love your 'samuel peeps' style diary. excellent read.
i agree with all your points, including the age range and your conclusions about the hotter chicas being matrimonially bagged by rich tourists. beauty is in the eyes of the beholder at the end of the day, but i agree that ba has an exceptional supply of very beautiful chicas. however, i must confess that in terms of bedroom experiences: for me havana has yet to be beaten. these chicas are very well trained indeed, don’t as me how!
i still maintain my original views on the car-rental front: the abundance of taxis: both legal and particular is such that it makes the whole ‘rental-deal’ just not worth it… but again, its an individual thing.
sorry to have had to ask you to ‘fib’, that chica was and will remain a prize worth telling a ‘little white lie’ for… i’m planning another trip in a couple of months just to see her. omg, something is happening to the hunter / sportsman in me…. have i found “the one?”!!
regards, havanaman
Havanaman,
No problems on the fibbing. I'm sorry if I slipped a little but I couldn't remember what I could/could not say. Good luck with whatever it is you are looking for. The key thing is being happy and if you are honestly happy then all the power to you. Just remember though that any relationship starting with lies probably will not survive long term. JMHO. Good luck though.
I honestly think the hottest Cuban girls don't live in Cuba anymore. Hot girls will find a way to either marry some Italian, Canadian or American dude or find a way to get out of Cuba on their own. Still plenty of gorgeous girls. Through all my adventures though it's hard to beat a Brasilera in bed. Those girls LOVE sex as much as any girl on the planet. The hobby scene in Cuba can't compare to Buenos Aires or Rio. It's like comparing night and day. Two totally different types of places. Just for the hobby itself I wouldn't consider Cuba to be comparable to places like Rio.
Regarding rental cars, it probably doesn't make much sense to the average guy only going for a few days. If you're staying in Havana Viejo or Vedado you probably don't need one but don't let people's comments about "an abundance of taxi's" fool you. Besides outside of major hotels Havana does not have an over abundance of taxi's. Even in Vedado I'd have a tough time sometimes getting a taxi. Good luck calling Panataxi on 555-555. The number was almost always busy. Other taxi numbers were busy too. If you're staying in Miramar which I'd highly recommend you simply must have a rental car to make things easy.
I ran into a lot of "budget" travelers that thought they could get by in Cuba for really cheap. You can get by cheaply here. No problems but if you blow it out and see a few girls a day, pay entrance fees of $10 - $15 per place, eat well once in a while at nice places, rent a car with full insurance and unlimited mileage you can still drop some money here.
Saint, China...excellent reads!
I've stumbled across this website several months ago and I love reading about everybodys experiences. I have been to Cuba many times in the last 7 years. I'm totally in love with this place. Last years visitation was one of my best, reason being is that we travelled to the south of the Island (Cienfuegos, Pinar Del Rio). We stayed at beautiful Casas (homes) and we had a personal chef that cooked us the best meals I or my budiies ever had. Salad, rice, potatoes, fish, lobster and home made ice cream, all for $10.00. I've had many, many home cooked meals (lobster) in Cuba and this chef was the best. Several years ago I went out with a girl down there for 1 year. I'm 36 yrs she was 26 yrs, total model material, but after some time I decided to let things go. But seeing and staying in her small town, was the life. I rented a house on the ocean for $15.00 a night My next door neighbour was this guy from Panama. He bought a 2 story home for $5,000. He married a Cuban girl and this allowed him to purchase this house. He is actually also married in Panama and spends 3 months a year in Cuba. Last year we had a whole bunch of us went down cause my buddy was marrying a girl down there, God what a party. One of the girls I met, begged me to put it in her ass! She wanted it in her ass more then her puss. We would at it then after about 2 minutes she would stop and place it in..God what a fantasy manifesting itself.
Anyways, we had no problems with anything. Everybody knows a private house where you can go, this last trip was the worst or best for the women. Worst in a cynical way of saying that they were everwhere and all over us. Since my friends and I have been down there so many times we make sure to treat these wonderfull people with respect and dignity. You show a Cuban girl a little class and be prepared. It's a total "mans" world down there. Every one of my Cuban male friends married or single have 2-3 girls. That's just the way it is and everbody knows it.
My friend who got married last year, after we all went back home he stayed on for another 2 more weeks. The girls 2 uncles took him out for a ride and brought him to an apartment with this nurse waiting for him. He said "what are you guys doing, are you nuts I just married your niece?" This is part of Cubas culture. The Cuban women hate it but there is nothing they can do about it, unless abstinence comes into play.
The culture is fantastic and I never seen people with so little yet so easy to smile. I'm from Canada so visiting this island is hassle free. At this moment, all inclusive for $370 cdn (plus tax) Check out www.sunholidaysca.com and www.itravel2000.com. All those Dominican Republic guys on the other board would go crazy to see the prices for all inclusive to go down there. Starts at around $400 cdn. Last year we rented a car for the week and stayed at the Casas $20 / night including a fresh breakfest. Were fortunate that we have made so many friends that everthing is taken care of regarding places to stay, eat, and the women, well thats never a problem.
We went to this great out doors club in a park in Cienfuegos. The entrance fee was $2.50 ea to get in and when you walked in you receive a bottle of rum and 4 cokes for each person! This is something that you will not find in Havana. As much as I love Havana, especially the "old" part the smaller towns are just to great. This club in the park (sorry, I forgot the name) had so many women and we were basically one of the few tourists there that night, (plenty of locals), that we all felt like one of the Beatles.
Another small town called Cardenas is where you'll get smothered with girls. After reading Saints posts, I know that if he experienced my trips that most of his impressions would be totally different. My opinion is to stay away fron the tourists spots, or use them (hotels) as a destination, rent a car and go exploring. Cuba is totally safe! It's one of the few places that no matter where you, find a small town, in a couple of hours you'll have a great group of friends...for life.
Saint - That's one of the best reports I've ever seen. Some pictures would have rounded out the report, and made it perfect.
The best thing about the report is the full aspect of Cuba. Not just "find the chicas and bang them", but the downfalls to going to a repressive country, dealing with the cops and the pitfalls of dining too.
It seemed you treated Frank a bit too kindly. If I had hauled that much stuff, a genuine thank you would have been nice.
Cuba doesn't seem to be an economy destination. Given your report, I might try it for a week sometime, but I think for longer trips I'd stay in the more economical Thailand or Argentina.
Jaimito,
Thanks for the compliment. I did post some photos in the photo section. I'm sure the vast majority of guys aren't interested in seeing non-chica photos but Jackson can delete them if he sees fit. I won't be offended.
I like posting vivid details on places I go. I must be getting older because I haven't really felt like seeing 3-4 girls a day like I used to. I have been enjoying getting out and seeing the places I'm visiting and doing more touristy things.
Yes, I avoided Frank after that first bad experience. I don't like people like that. Plus we found him annoying and everytime we asked him to help us with something he seemed like he was going out of his way to do it. On the positive side he did speak English pretty good. For all I know he is a good guy but I didn't want to spend too much time with him after that bad experience. I'm sure he can be very helpful with helping get girls. I just prefer to do things on my own sometimes. To me, having a guide find all your girls takes away from the experience. I still laugh at the guys in Rio that basically have their hands held while a guide takes them from terma to terma. To each his own.
Cuba is actually a cheap destination. Much cheaper than other spots for things like housing, food and some other things but things like taxi's were higher at $5 or $6 for some destinations. Girls prices are about equal to some popular destinations for hot hot girls. You can get streetwalkers for much less I'm sure. I wouldn't know. The costs of renting a car can add up.
The funny thing is because you're forced to bring so much cash you are constantly worried you'll run out. I found myself counting my cash every couple of days even though I brought more than enough money. Bring double of what you budget just in case.
I still have yet to find a place as easy and wonderful as Buenos Aires, Argentina. BA has it all. Great apartments/hotels, great restaurants, great clubs, great architecture, good shopping, great nightlife and the costs of taxi's is very very cheap and plentiful. If you're going somewhere just for sex it's hard to beat Buenos Aires. Good luck.
Saint - I actually like the locale pictures. When I go to a place, I of course go to relax and meet chicas. However, it's the whole atmosphere, people and food that make a place really unique. I can find streetwalkers in my city for $20-$30. I'd say $700 on airfare, and 20 hours in an airplane if all I wanted was a quick release.
I understand your reasons for editing your chica pictures, but it *does* drive me crazy. Those Stephen King lookin' zombie pictures. I keep looking for Cujo in the background.
Saint,
Really enjoyed the trip report. Thanks for the detail and the experience. Also, enjoyed the non-chica pics (as well of course as the chica pics), especially the view from your Vedado balcony, which brought back the experience of waking on a balmy Havana morning and drinking coffee on a different Vedado balcony.
The disco you seemed to like, La Chorrera, is it adjacent to Club 1830? on the Malecon shortly before the tunnel to Miramar? Because I was staying nearby, I once scoped out Club 1830 on a slow night but didn't make it to La Chorrera. What's the crowd there like? Young? Mixed? Tourists? Cubans?
Earl
Cuba is relatively expensive place to visit, especially in Havana. Girls are not cheap at all. Considering Cuban economics, a fair price should be $30. Outside Havana, girls are much cheap. At La Isla de la Juventud, girls are $15-$30.
No access to cash is a pain in the ass. One has to budget how much to spend. In other countries, I just use ATM or credit cards when running out money. In Cuba, I have to worry if I run out of money soon.
Bringing $6000 cash to Mexico could be trouble at U.S. airports. I used to go to Mexico for business a lot. At U.S. airports, there were U.S. custom agents with dogs checking people boarding for Mexico. Apparently, Mexico drug cartels use carriers to bring cash back to Mexico. If one brings a lot of small bills, such as me, dogs could be confused. Dogs do not know the difference between $100 bill and $1 bill. Even though bringing a few thousands dollars is not illegal, Custom agents may wonder why normal person brings so much cash to Mexico. So, balancing out how many bills to carry will save the explanation to U.S. Custom. A wrong explanation to a U.S. government agent in a court of law could be a big trouble. If you can avoid it, avoid it.
A big part of fun to visit Cuba is these hassles. A very interesting place to visit.
[quote]Originally posted by CaptainNemo
Even though bringing a few thousands dollars is not illegal, Custom agents may wonder why normal person brings so much cash to Mexico. So, balancing out how many bills to carry will save the explanation to U.S. Custom. [/quote]
While you shouldn't volunteer information if not asked, honesty is the best policy when answering questions about why you're toting a bankroll. Tell them you're taking the cash down Mexico way to pay for two weeks of tequila, mujeres, i fiestas! Partying isn't a crime, in fact, if you laugh about it, the customs guy is going to laugh with you and not give you a hard time. (A vacation filled with wine, women, and song is what all men dream of!) Now, if it is a customs girl......... ;)
-Uncle Otto
P.S. - I wondered if I needed to say this, but I guess I should: [lecture mode on] If you bring big money with you on a trip abroad (more than $10K), DECLARE IT on that stupid form. There is no penalty to carry this much cash out of the country. And if you only do it once or twice a year, there will surely be no tax/IRS consequences. But if you don't declare it and get stopped, there certainly will be a problem! And finally, NEVER, EVER bring dope through customs, not even a joint or two. [/lecture mode off]
Earl,
Yes, La Chorrera is next to Club 1830. We ate at the restaurant 1830 one of our last nights. The food there was good and they had decent wine too. We went in back after dinner to Los Jardines and it sucked. I found the girls to be ugly. La Chorrera had a diverse mix of girls from black girls to lighter skinned girls. Some were dog ugly and some were beautiful. There was something for everyone there. It got VERY crowded in the main level. It is FULL of Italian dudes. I'd say the majority of guys in Havana that I saw were Italian. I could tell right away from hearing them speak Italian. I really didn't see too many Americans. The Americans are easy to spot as they usually are the ones that don't know how to dress.
__________________________________
VERY few people will have a need to carry over $10,000 with them anywhere in the world with the ease of ATM's. That was the only thing that was a little unsettling is leaving all that money locked up in the casa when you left for the day/night but the casas are very secure.
Make sure if you go to Cuba you bring plenty of smaller bills. $10,000 in $100 bills doesn't take up much space but thousands of dollars in $1's, $5's, $10's and $20's takes up some room. Bring a lot of $1 bills as you will use them often, especially if you rent a car. Everywhere you park you have to pay $1 for them to watch your car. Some days we paid up to $7 or $8 a day because we went to so many different places. It's good to have smaller bills like $5's and $10's because of course girls never have change. Either do taxi drivers. You'll never need to walk around with more than $200 at a time anyway. Just carry some $20's, $10's, $5's and $1's.
I heard that $2 bills were a novelty and I brought about 100 of them. I guess they are a good luck charm or something like that. People always smiled when I gave them one. Even in the Floridita the guy gave a big smile and gave me a thumbs up.
Anyone that does drugs in a foreign country is a fool. Many countries don't mess around if they find drugs on you. Even if it's a small amount. My entire time in Cuba only one jinetero asked us if we wanted to buy some "Charlie" (cocaine). I looked at him like he was crazy and told him I NEVER do drugs and he got this scared look and walked away really quickly. There is no US Embassey in Cuba so if you get arrested for drug possession you're screwed and you probably deserve it for being so stupid. (Hell, even on my Zurich flight less than 2 months ago there were agents and drug sniffing dogs upon landing here in the USA). I have no sympathy for those that do drugs and get caught.
There are police everywhere. If you are driving around for any significant amount of time you WILL get pulled over. I talked to Seaman on the phone today. He was in Cuba 3 days longer than I was and he told me he got pulled over 3 more times while he was there. I'm proud of him. He never payed anything all 3 times. As I posted before, do NOT pay a cop if you aren't doing anything wrong.
The cops actually could be very friendly and helpful when you asked them for things. They were some of the few people that gave accurate directions. Even when you wanted to make an illegal U-turn if you asked them they would say go ahead and do it. Heck, Seaman picked up a cop hitchhiking that had to work at the airport. Seaman told him the only thing he didn't like was the corrupt cops and how they hassled us and the cop chuckled and said it's a way of life there. He kind of said that the cops are only looking to make some additional money. If you refuse there is nothing really they will do.
Bring lots of snacks as it's hard to find good snacks in the stores there. I brought a whole carry on bag full of granola bars, fruit roll ups, pop tarts, gum, candy, chocolates, cheese in a can and crackers. Also bring high protein food like beef jerky. The girls loved the snacks and candy and always asked to have some.
I also always travel with a ton of extra toothbrushes. Upon arriving at my casa I always give them one and tell them they can brush their teeth, shower and freshen up. It's kind of a polite way of telling them I want them to brush their teeth and showering. Every girl in Cuba took her toothbrush with her when she left. I also gave TAD some of them. He looked at all the stuff I brought and was amazed.
Also bring plenty of candles and I like to bring some light smelling incense too. Target sells these little packs of incense and holders that come in a little case. Bring an Ipod or CD walkman and bring some external speakers. It is much better than having no music in the room. EVERY single destination you go to will have tons of CD's you can buy. Cuba was no exception. Music is their life there. If you have room you can also bring a laptop with DVD player.
Bring a good camera with tons of film. I've found you don't need an expensive camera. On every trip I always bring a Canon Elf APS camera. It is very small and compact and the results have always been steller as you can see from my pics. I just bought a new digital camera. I got the Olympus C50 5 meg camera as it got great reviews on www.eopinions.com and was dubbed the world's smallest 5 meg camera. Quality is very good. Only disappointing thing is you have to close the shutter everytime you want to view the picture you just took. I found in Cuba every single girl wanted to stop and look at each picture you took rather than waiting for you to take 5 or 6.
I'm looking forward to returning to Cuba and driving from Santiago to Havana and spending more time in the smaller towns. I found the people friendlier, the scenery more beautiful and you got a better taste of Cuba.
Saint
And speaking of pictures/cameras, I took my Captiva which is 2.1mp but it also gives me the option of printing out a shot (Polaroid) on the spot. I swear, the chicas and every other Cuban love these. You can get outdated film on eBay and I have had no problems w/it. Runs about $0.65 per print but the positive response from everyone is great. Plus of course, you can give them the picture and keep the digital.
Just passing my experience on.
Spock.
Read em and weep guys. Sometimes it is good to be living up north. And now seriously - Toronto to Varadero one week all-inclusive in Mar del Sur Hotel $312.00 plus tax Canadian funds Deal is with Hola Sun Holidays!
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Saint,
Great non-chica photos. Really got the feel of Cuba. I'm leaving in 4 more weeks and counting.
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Found this on another site. Info for some of you U.S. travellers. This is not my trip.
"Anyway... On my way out of Havana, I met a man from the US who runs tours to Cuba from the US. His site is www.cubatravelexperts.com. He was on the aerocaribe flight in front of me (surrounded by 5-6 American men on their way back from unlicensed trips) and was explaining how he could get travel licenses for travel. He seemed to indicate you didn't have to do a group trip but I have no idea. His website looks like he offers tours. He seems connected and legit about the license part. He claimed to have spent 6 mos in jail in 1996 (???) for his cuba travel work. Not sure about that. Oddly enough, after spending a few days in Mexico, he was again on the same plane with me back to the states AND on the same shuttle bus to the remote parking where we both parked. Spookly? A "sign"? Just kidding.
What I found most interesting was his comment that staring Jan 15 of this year, Mexican airlines will be sharing passenger manifests with the US. Has anyone heard this and this date? I am hoping to not go back unlicensed again but I found this interesting"
Guys--
There is no reason to have all that cash in Cuba. It is true that you can't use an ATM or credit card, but what you can do is sign up for the Amigo Travel Card. Essentially, it is a debit card based in Canada. You load it up with however much you want, and it acts as an ATM card for you in Cuba. You can take it to the bank and get cash. Whatever you don't use, they mail back to you.
This was all on the up and up, as this is precisely what I did on my trip over the summer. Here's an address--
http://www.amigotravelcard.com/
Gentlemen,
I like the idea of the Tran$Card suggested by umgman. In principal it would seem to be an ideal solution. He’s tested it and so another door opens. A few of considerations:
1. Will this card leave a trail? This may be something to think about in these days of “excessive restriction”… (Please note: USA mongers CAN travel to Cuba… they just CAN’T spend the greenback).
2. Taking-out a non-USA credit card is another useful option, but again a trail is left, and ‘home-address’ restrictions may be a problem.
3. I always take cash, budgeting around $200 per day. I ALWAYS have change.
4. If the “sh1t hits the fan” and you get robbed / mugged (VERY RARE, but can happen), or otherwise end-up having lost your cash you can use the simple money withdrawal (cash) method I have discussed in the past. Simply take a NON-USA credit card to the Hotel Nacional along with your original passport and draw cash. If you do not have a NON-USA credit card: well, life just became very hard indeed… “Mister, you wanna buy cigars?… chica?…!”. For this instance, keep a couple of large bills hidden…
5. When I first started to go to Cuba I drew cash every second day as I was worried… As with any travel, even in my home country, I keep a few large bills hidden for security. Having found that Cuba is a relatively safe country, I now always take cash.
6. You can take large bills and get them changed in any respectable hotel / restaurant: with the exception for $1 bills, I do this.
I agree with Tio Otto, there is nothing wrong in declaring your cash if questioned. A couple of my USA friends have done this and had no issues at all. In fact I like the idea of being up-front and making a joke of the whole money idea with any Joe-authority officer: not only will they respect you, but your passage through will be that much more enjoyable.
The amount of cash Saint took for his first trip (one of many I hope, Saint!) was sensible. Cuba is NOT a cheap country. Please be advised. Yes there was a time when you could get a “BJ and burger to go for under $10”, but those years have long gone in the bigger cities.
The “market” has been somewhat inflated by many factors, including my European brothers (…and I’m sorry for this, but they just do not negotiate… DON’T FLAME ME… I’m European too!). Remember the “Prime directive”? (Help Spoke / Talosian!) lets not change the mongering-rates by agreeing to pay ‘way-over the top’ prices…
Just my CU-peso’s worth!
Live long (…and prosper!),
Regards, Havanaman
Havanaman & all:
I think the money-belt idea is excellent if for no more than peace of mind. You're not going to lose your belt or have it stolen and it can easily carry $2,000 in $100 bills. Got 2 on eBay for $20 plus they look good are are well put together.
I must confess to having slipped one time into a "parallel universe" when in Cuba. I met this "SW" who I gave a 8.75 in looks (my opinion), white, 21, 5'4, 90#s, long blond hair. So we talked (she spoke English well) and forgetting I was in Cuba, I made her an "offer" sans negotiation of $80. Accepted of course. I now know she would have been happy as anything for $40 or even less as it was late. Sorry.
When I return in February, I'll let everyone know about the debit card situation as I'm going that route.
Enjoy.
Spock (Live Long and Profit. Ferengi motto).
Transcard is fine. My friend got one before he arrived to Cuba. He could use it in the nicer state run cigar store in Miramar no problems. Supposedly several bigger places like hotels will take them. One bigger restaurant that was supposed to take it didn't want to. The only thing I would use it for is emergencies. It is good peace of mind to have a few thousand dollars in it in case you lose your money. Of course, keep it at home in your suitcase. One of the last night he lost his wallet and it had the transcard in it.
Trip Report:
Well, I got back last week to a crashed computer so forgive my lateness in this report.
Havanaman, Saint, sorry we missed. Maybe next time. Spock, I'm sorry but I got your PM request too late. Please forgive me.
In short, I still love Cuba: The people, first and foremost, then the music, the dancing. I'm considering spending a month there later this year to study Spanish at the University. A good way to have fun, learn a lot and lose weight too (The food still sucks!).
Being a Cuba-savvy vet I was able to avoid all the scams and many of the hassles already discussed on this board. As soon as people realized I wasn't a newbie tourist they got real or left me alone. Having learned some Cuban slang went a long way for me there.
After one night I had a falling out with my novia and was on my own for a week, until we got back together for the last couple of days. It didn't matter, I still had a great time. Saw Pupi, Van Van and many other great groups and musicians, and met some great new and old friends.
Having said the food still sucks there is good food to be found, and cheap too, usually at the paladars as opposed to the state-run restaurants. Some of my favorites: El Alhibe, Los Amigos, Gringo Viejo, Las Mercedes, Ristorante Hanoi, to name a few. I had some black market lobster at friends homes, and boy do those Cubans know how to make a lobster!
I spent a couple of days in Matanzas, took the Viazul for seven bucks. It's a beautiful port town about two hours out of Havana. I went to see my "Babalao," as I was inducted into the Afro-Cuban religion a couple of years ago (known mistakenly here as Santeria). My best times, however, were in Havana and there was plenty to keep me busy.
Girls: The trend of heavy-handed police intimidation is increasing, although they still don't bother tourists, at least not me. The girls told me that they are indiscriminately putting them in rehabilitation camps for two years if they are caught more than once cavorting with foreigners. Paranoia, understandably, runs rampant. No more hand-holding in the street and we had to take cabs everywhere, even very short distances. I found the best and cheapest action on the streets, although as I've said on this board before it ain't nothing like it used to be. The best spots for picking up chicas are:
1) The Malecon
2) The Prado, a tree lined boulevard in Centro Habana
3) The area behind and west of the Hotel Nacional at night, where all the rappers hang out.
La Rampa is dead, unless you're gay or into trannies. Somehow they seem to go about with impunity, unlike the girls. Maybe they wouldn't know what jail to put them in!
The club scenes remain major ripoffs. I got tired of hunting, though and went to Club 1830 one night. I picked up a gorgeous mulatta from Camaguay and we spent an hour for $60, plus $20 for the casa (she wouldn't come to my place). Yeah, I know, too much, but I'd had it at that point and just wanted to get laid. We did it upstairs in a house while the owner, a new mother, waited downstairs with her infant. Not exactly romantic or comfortable.
Another night I picked up a blond on the street and had a great time, multiples, for $35. As I and Saint have pointed out, however, Cuba is not a good place for mongering these days. If you go, go for other reasons and let the sex be incidental. For sex Rio is infinitely better, as is Buenos Aires, Costa Rica and Dominica.
Having seen much of Cuba over time the decay, both political, economic and physical, is apparent and getting worse. Now that
I am seen as trustworthy by many Cubans they were free to tell me how angry and depressed they are. The New Year's wish I heard most frequently (however whispered) was that they hope this year Fidel will kick the bucket. It pains me to see these great people suffer because of him, but forgive my digression.
I also find that the more I go to Cuba, the less I understand, and strangely that is part of the attraction. It is a place that infects the soul and never lets go, and I suppose I will be attached to it forever.
Sorry for the paucity of sexual news here guys, but that's the way it is.
Cheers.
Havana,
I will be in Havana between the 22 -29 of January. I anyone will be there at this time and is interested to meet/talk, pls send me a private msg.
Cigars-question:
I live in Europe. Will be in Cuba and afterwards in the Dominican Republic. My way back home is via the USA , just a few hours transit in Miami. What if I buy cigars in Cuba and enter the USA. Any problem with customs ? Is that a big problem? I can always say and demonstrate by showing my tickets that I bought then in DR and not in Cuba.
Pls advice
MrX
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Hey all,
I just got back Friday night. I had a great time. Ended up blowing off the girlfriend (or did she blow me off) still trying to figure it out. Her mother is telling me she is just immature and give her time. She thought I was mongering (ok so I was), but it worked out well.
This was my 3rd trip to Habana. It was much easier. Flew into Nassau and just bought a ticket for Habana. Did not have a reservation, no problemo. The guy said should never need reservations on Mondays.
Got into habana, cab no problemo to Nuevo Vedado. 18 bucks. The casa was nice and woman was very nice to me. I met hot rubia near 23 and L. Oh note for all: 23 ave is what is called la Rampa. If you follow it down hill you hit the Malecon. The Malecon is long but it seems this is the area to go. From here to where the statue of the guy on a horse is (make a right) (thanks Havanaman) I met quite a few chicks here. Only did the blond. She said she was a dancer with the ballet company. Not sure if true, but she was fantastic in bed. All kinds of moves and great BBBJ. (I got BBBJ everywhere)
Then I had two strange and wonderfull experiances. I walked the streets behind the statue, back and forth, just checking the women out. Saw one, waved, said hello. Told her she was hot and that I would love to do her. She said ok! Took me to a friends apartment (paid 10 bucks to owner of apartment) and did her. She was GFE, and she got into it. Nice and tight, I loved it.
The same day, was walking same area, saw hot chick in doorway. Said hello and waved. She smiled, but her mother saw me and waved me in. She asked me about myself and if I liked her daughter. I said yes. She was saying that if I wanted to go upstairs with her daugter, it was ok with her! I was not sure I understood correctly (my spanish is not the greatest) then the mother went upstairs and then came down and said its ok now. I went upstairs with the girl, still not sure what was going on. And yes, we had great sex, with the family downstairs. I gave her 20, she was very happy. The mother asked if I liked her daughter and would return. I said I did and I would.
I met a third girl the same way. Almost no police in this area. It was strange. One guy I met (Cuban) told me it was safe, just remove all my gold. I wonder if others have done this? There were many who wanted me, but I was looking for hot and flaca. The oportunities were the best.
I will try to get a place near the Central area next time. My return was great, no problems. Used my birth certificate, so no stamps showing I came and went the same day. Used passport for Cuba only. Funny thing was they all thought I was Mexican. Most places I go I fit in and no one can tell I am not a native, as long as I do not speak too much. Here they all knew. My mother is of mexican decent.
Anyway this week is Ecuador again, and next will be Peru again. I have interviews set up for the novia situation. Peace out all. I will try Habana in a month again.
Thanks for all the information.
Chaz (NYC)
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mrx,
the helms-burton stuff doesn´t apply to non USA residents, only if you plan to sell them in the states should you have problems to my knowledge, given you don´t exceed any customs threshold. If your imports are like 25 Montecristo A you shouldn´t meet any problmes. I took these to the states and made some people very happy.
But tell that to the immigration officer, I haven´t got a clue where they grow this type of people anyway ;-)
The bad news is, that the USA have yet failed to deal with the fact that their international airports might be used as a hub, without people wanting to imigrate. This failure leads to you having to go through the whole immigration process, pick up your luggage, carry it some 20 meters to register it into your next planes checkin - even if you just want to transfer to Europe.
This is cumbersome but maybe even the states will develop a better way of dealing with transfer passengers.
Ok, this means, that it´s important to not exceed the import thresholds.
DocBill449:
Thanks for the report and no problem with my request.
Too bad you lost a week with your Novia (Bummer!). I guess it's one thing when you are both living in the same place but when you're not, a week is a long time.
I found the most pros walking in front of the Inglatera and right at the corner in front of the Hotel Telegrafo. And if the pros are not there, you will find their pimps waiting to introduce you to the girl of our dreams.
I keep trying to get the time to reduce the size of some pics I took but am overloaded but will do it.
Take care.
Spock.
Yes, the Inglatera had some ladies around too. That's in the Prado area. I'm not sure the guys are "pimps" in the normal sense. I think they are boyfriends or friends who run interference for the girls since the cops are too heavy-handed with the girls, it's too risky. One day on La Rampa I did a double-take for this gorgeous mulatta, walking holding hands with her Cuban boyfriend and when they saw me he asked me if I wanted her. I said no, that she was his girlfriend. When they started to deny it I told them how many times I've seen this scene, and they just gave me a look of acknowledgment and moved on. I enjoy this "hobby," but I really don't feel good about screwing someone else's girlfriend, even with their permission.
Just booked (Monday) a 2 week stay return ticket on Cubana to Havana from Toronto on Sunday Jan 18/04 for $249 +136 tax. Canadian Dollars. The agent said that there were at least 6 seats left. Her computer only tells up to 6 seats available. Could be thirty or more. Cubana now allows 2 bags of 70 pounds each = 140 pounds checked baggage and 22 pound carry on. Would like to tell you the agency but don't know if it is allowed on this board.
Could be considered as spam.
Caw199
The Ingleterra had some pretty girls some nights and others not so good. Overall I think the % of hot girls wasn't that high. Most of the girls in the Ingleterra area are totally pro though. You can score some GFE but with the super hotties it's tough.
I saw two totally hot girls walk by. When they asked if they could sit at my table I said yes. When the girls attempted to sit with me the waiter wouldn't let them unless they payed a bribe to them. I'm not sure why he did this because I didn't have problems sitting and drinking with other girls. These two were the hottest I saw in the Ingleterra area. A few minutes later strangely the police showed up and ID'ed the girls. Then they called a squad car and took them away.
I also saw many guys offer their girlfriends. I'm not up for that either but the sad reality is that a large majority of the girls that you think are single are either involved with someone or have a "benefactor" overseas. Guys shouldn't be deluded into thinking they are the only ones. I'm not saying in every instance but I think in most cases that is true. Many of these girls don't look at themselves at prostitutes as much as opportunists. Maybe they aren't "working girls" in the true sense but they will try to capitalize on a chance meeting with a foreigner. The dudes that meet a girl and then claim, "but my girl is NOT a working girl" and then sleep with the girl 24-48 hours later and then buy her gifts, etc. shouldn't delude themselves into thinking that they posess some magic charm and the girl never did that with another tourist before.
Reality is reality. It's what keeps me grounded. Having fun is what it's all about. Don't confuse fun and sex with love, committment and devotion.
Also, be careful. One night one of the girls I sessioned with from the Ingleterra area I caught going through my wallet. After we sessioned, I took a shower and I remembered my wallet was in my jeans pocket. I kept the water on and came into the room. I caught her with my wallet in her hands. She claims she was looking at my ID to see how old I was but I seriously doubt it. I took my wallet and called her a thief to which she kept denying. There wasn't much money in it but keep ALL your money locked up. Sometimes I can be too trustworthy with girls. I've never gotten ripped off.
Well put, Saint, I couldn't have said it better!
Another spot I forgot to mention is in front of the Casa de la Musica in Centro Havana, before the evening shows. Lots of young hotties, some just looking for a way into the show, since they don't allow single women in.
Saint,
The same thing happen to me two years ago (June 2002) in Havana Vieja with a girl from Regla. Most of the girls that Hang around Malecon or Calle Obispo are from Regla.
It was around 2:30 AM and the action at Johnny or Macumba had nothing that caught my eyes or my dick for a matter of fact. So I drove around Havana by myself. I was almost ready to go home since I had driven to Boyero, Nuevo Vedado (Local sophiticated Cuban chicks), Miramar, Santa Fé, and Marianao. I saw girls, but of the ones that I saw excited me. I was having no luck so I was almost ready to go to my casa by myself. Then lighting hit, I saw this cutie by the Entrance to the Tunnel and Malecon. She was a 10 and she was exactly what I was looking for. I wanted her in the worst way. I stop by her (she was alone standing by the entrace to the tunnel) since she did not wave to me or anything. I asked if she needed a ride or anything else. She said she needed a ride and she wanted to talk to a foreigner. I said to myself, "YES". Since we were by the tunnel, I knew of this Bar/Cafe by the Regla Ferry Boat Entrance. We ate some snacks, drank some Crystal and yes we talk. After about an 1.5 hours of all this we both decided to get a room. Since Havana Vieja was so close and I knew of a couple of apartments that can give you a room for $5.00 for the whole night, we decide to come here. The casa I was staying is call now Casa Antigua or Casa Marta. Guys, do NOT STAY IN THIS CASA. The owners Marta and Horacio have high contact with Cuban Generals and Fidel himself. I met Fidel in this Casa on this trip. So consetquently the owners do not allowed any foreigners with Chicas into their casa. The House is one of the Best Casa in Havana. The Apartments was illegal, but I know the people so they put us up. When we got to the room, Gissel did this I Dream a Genie sort of Dance. This girl was hot and she was full of feminity, in another word she really knew how to get a guy very hard. She hard great curves in her body, 36 C Tits, and great eyes. I love eyes. She wanted to make me hard and she had me hard within 10 seconds.
Well, we had all sorts of fun for the next two hours. The room had no air conditioning just a fan and we were genearting tremedous amount of heat, so we were covered with sweat from top to bottom. We fell asleep after all of that fun and we awoke about 8:30 AM. We awoke we went at it again. Again, the sex was great , each time she made me come very, very hard. I told her that since she was having so much finacial difficulty I was giving her a "gift" of $90.00 ( I know that this is too much, but for me she was worth every penny since she had given me great service).
We decided to take a shower together, but I notice that she came into the shower about a good 3 to 5 minutes behind me. Well, when I went to check my money in my pant pocket ( I just wanted to see if everything was there) I notice that it was considerably short. She started crying right away as I finsih counting the money, she had given herself away. She show me the $300.00 she had taken from my pant pockets. I asked her why she did this to me and she stated that she have never seen that much money in her life. I had $ 600.00 on me. She told me she was hoping that I would not notice, but her family was in a real, ral bad shape. She gave me back my money and she asked me if I was going to call the cop. At first I was [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url], but I kind of understood her and I told her I would not call the cops. I asked her with whom she live she told me with a Boyfriend, her Mother, her 1 year old kid and Step Dad all of them live together in this shack in Regla. She asked me if I was disappointed with her. While talking she kept on crying with tears coming down her cheeks and nose. I told her that I was very very disappointed. I had given her a lot of money and she was stealing from me. She was hurting herself. I told her how did she know if I would not help her more finacially in the future or next couple of days. She also kept on saying that it was a great, great "gift". I did not want to make the situation any worse so I let it go and told her to get dress and to come with me to eat breakfast. I took her to breakfast and we talk some more about her life and stuff.
After breakfast, I drove her to her home in Regla. I met her Mom, 1 year old kid and the Step Dad. I was there for 10 minutes, when the Boyfreind/Husband shows up. I mean during this whole time she was holding my hand and introducing me as her Novio to her family. As soon as the Novio shows up, she winks at me and tells me to keep quite. I am frighten out of my mind. I tell the whole family some bull that I have to leave because I am driving to Santa Clara. At this point I just want to get out of that house. She walks me to the car and tells me to come back whenever I am in Town and that she will "treat me" good for ever.
Amazingly enough, whenever I am in town and I do call her, she does treat me very, very good. I can always count on Gissel for a good time if I can not find anybody else. Sometimes I give her gift, sometimes I do give her a dime and she never, ever complains. The "gift" amount that I do give her when I give it is in the range of $ 10 to $ 20. I try not to take advanatge since she is in such finacial stray. You know since that incident with her, every time we get together I leave two $50 bills in my pockts to see if she takes them, but no she never has. I do not know if she has learn her leson or what, but she has not stolen any more money from me.
This past year I went to Cuba 3 times and each times I have brought clothes and a small toy to her kid. The clothes are clothes that my kid boy does not ware anymore. She is very happy with what I do for her and her child. She knows of my Cuban "Novia" in Santiago, but when she is around my Cuban Novia she treats me as a friend. Whenever we are alone she treats me like a woman should treat a man. By the way guys, Gissel is still a 10, I just saw her this Past November and she is still great.
Moral of the story, do not tempt these girls with large amount in your pockets or wallets.
El Cubanito
El Cubanito (and all)
You say not to tempt the chicas with large amounts of $$ in your pockets or wallet but remember, unless you have been flashing the money around, they don't know if you have $10 or $10,000 with you. The fact that they go searching tells you at that point what they are. After this point where we know what they are, it's now only a matter of how much they will get.
In my situation, my "Novia" (NOT!) milked me for more in gifts, etc. than she could have taken from my pickets.
You showed yourself as a very forgiving person. I have to tell you, if I found anyone blatently stealing from me, I would call the cops. Stealing from someone AFTER they have gifted you a very good amount ($90 is damn good for Cuba) is not within my range of forgiveness. But I guess to each his own and I'm not saying you were wrong, just I would have done different.
As to Casa Antigua, I had communicated with them before my first trip and it came across very clearly that the owner (the man) figures their place is for the "elite" and made it clear no Cuban guests, chicas or otherwise, maybe on the patio but that's it.
Hopefully my "luck" will improve when I go in February.
Spock.
El Cubanito,
Thanks for sharing that story with us. Like I said, whether we want to admit it or not most girls are living a story differently then they portray. Rarely have I met a girl in this line of work that didn't fib a little. I have met several girls out of hundreds that were honest girls that never lied. Never carry that much money in Cuba. Keep it in your suitcase. I think the most I ever walked around with was about $300 on New Year's Eve because most of the places were expensive.
I do the same thing as you do El Cubanito with leaving money out sometimes. I only do this with girls I have a great time with and want to repeat with in the future. I often leave out a $50 or $100 bill in the open and see if they take it. Not one time has a girl ever stolen it. One time (in Rio - see report from January 2003) I thought a girl took money I left out but it fell on the floor. I ended up dating her almost a year.
Talosian,
No offense but you can only get "milked" if you let yourself get scammed. People think they can have a real relationship with someone they can't really communicate with. That isn't logical. I often read on Lonely Planet about men and women that exchange a few emails with someone in Cuba. They think they have a relationship, go to Cuba to visit a few days, meet their new *lover* and start thinking about a serious relationship. Again, I'm not saying this isn't possible but it takes a lot of time to get to know the other person. I posted this on the LP board. If you're serious about wanting a REAL relationship with someone from a foreign country you need to have them live with you in your house or you need to live with them in their country for at least 3 months.
You might say, "but I can't afford it, I can't take off work, they can't get a visa to come here, etc." If you can't afford to take off 3 months to go live with them then you can't "afford" to start a serious relationship and possible marry this person. If you're serious about a relationship you have to do something drastic like that. As usual all is just my humble opinion.
Saint
SAINT: No offense taken and in fact, you are 100% right. What happened is that since I'm only half-Vulcan, my human half took over and I thought and acted illogically. You know, there is no fool like an old fool. I also say that even negative experiences have a positive value since they add to your frame of references.
If I wanted I could go to Cuba for 2-3 months but that isn't my culture and I could not live in a police state after all my life in the U.S. And I can't bring a woman back here for a "visit" as far as I know. So I'll take whatever there is for whenever it is.
I learned from my experience and really didn't "lose" much. I still enjoyed the time in Habana, gained an insight into spending time with a Cuban family in their home and seeing things from another point of view. And now I'm going back next month a little wiser.
If I meet a "nice" lady who speaks some English, I am more than open to a close relationship but I will be realistic. I will be glad to help her and her family and when I return, if she is waiting for me, it will be "Don't ask, don't tell" on both sides. That should work for me if I find someone. And maybe with a little help from my friends, I will.
Film at 11 (in March when I return).
I just heard in the news (the BBC) that Castro has banned internet access from ordinary citizens effective January 10.
It appears the only people allowed internet access will be civil servants, party officials, doctors, & other authorized persons.
If this is true, it could pose a problem for those of us trying to book casas via e-mail or those of us who have been maintaining electronic dialoges with friends over there.
Has anyone heard anything about this?
Yos
glad no offense was taken. i'll post my last little story and then let you guys post stories on your adventures in cuba. first of all, i had very very little downtime in cuba. we were rarely home. not everything i posted in my "diary" were the only events that occurred. so much happened it would be impossible to remember everything.
one story i forgot to mention is that i really believe cubans are seriously looking for a way to better their lives. the easiest way to do this is probably through an 'extranjero' (foreigner). case in point: tad's casa owner in miramar had a young granddaughter. we saw photos of her rep001tered throughout his casa. she looked young. turns out she was 18. tad is a younger dude in his early 30's. on new year's eve his casa owner was having a fiesta with their family and they brought the granddaughter over. this girl was kind of shy from what tad told me. i was waiting for him downstairs and i saw the girl looking out the window starring at him. i waved up. then the girl came out and walked down the street giving tad a chance to talk to her. he didn't as he thought maybe she was walking home.
we were waiting for some chicas to come over to my place. (i was staying next door to him). apparently the girl knew we didn't leave yet since our car was still parked. the girl actually came over to the back of our casa in the guise of wanting to pet the dog. our door was open and i told tad she wanted him to approach her. he spoke no spanish and she spoke no english so it was tough. she was cute but not gorgeous. anyway, our chicas were about to arrive so we didn't really want to start talking to her. it was obvious she was a "good girl" and wasn't looking for money. as i mentioned before, i found most cubans to be "opportunists".
his last night there we decided to blow it out. he gets this note from her in broken english (apparently she spent all day with a dictionary translating it). it basically said that even though you are 30 something and i am only 18 i like you. i think you are attractive and a nice guy. i would like the chance to start a relationship with you. please write or email me.
this shows you the mindset of a typical normal cuban girl. guys that are not used to attention from a pretty girl could easily get wrapped up in a situation like this. also, it was clear that her grandmother gave her tad's birthday as you must submit your passport upon renting a casa particular. her grandma knew tad was seeing girls yet she still wanted to see her granddaughter hook up with a foreigner.
it is possible to meet a normal girl in cuba. i'm sure of it. the thing is though that a lot of guys are like talosian. they could never live in the "jail" that is cuba. so you bring back your young hottie to the usa. ok. then she is living in the usa and out of the "jail". she sees the freedom and opportunities of the usa. she has young guys hitting on her. i can promise you that if she isn't 100% in love with you she will move on to greener pastures...
good luck all.
Saint,
I have a "Novia" in Santiago. She is a Doctor very, very pretty, but I am with you. I would never ever bring her here to the United States. Mind you I am 43 years old, but most people say that I look like I am between 31 and 35 and I am in great physical shape (Play alot of Basketball and Tennis). My Novia is a little older she is 29 years old and very mature for her age. But I would never ever bring her here. I will just keep this going until like Talosian say she sends me a Dear John Letter from Miami. Stating that she met someone else and has dump me and she is already here in The United States.
El Cubanito
The reason there is a paucity of girls over 25 or so is that most of the hot ones have landed foreigners and left. This is the main goal of most Cubans. The most oft-repeated prayer I heard on New Years was that Castro would die this year and they could leave the prison isle. The other girls over 30 are working and have families to care for, so you're not likely to see them hanging out in clubs or on the streets.
I have long struggled with the issue of being used as an exit ticket. I have concluded that Cubans are quite capable of loving you and using you too, but it's really, really hard to tell, and as Saint pointed out it's real easy to get caught up in the attention and affection and lose sight of reality. If she loves you then let her use you. The economic differential makes that a harsh reality. It will always be there. For me I just decided to get over it and accept it as part of the package.
It took me two years to know that my novia really loved me. She didn't even want to leave Cuba. But that took me two years and a lot of visits. I even had her investigated by a babalao! Unfortunately there are other issues that came up that I believe will prevent us from being able to work things out. Life goes on.
Saint & DocBill449
Again, I'm glad for the input and to see others have experienced situations similar to mine, now I don't feel like such a dolt.
I guess what surprises me is that "my" girl, who is 35, could have had a lot more from me if she had played her hand (and body) right. I'm a slow starter and never did anything inappropriate with/to her.
A friend of mine (met on the Boards) just says she was "STUPID!!" for looking for a quick fix of some cloths, gifts and getting some $$. She still emails me professing "love" (though we never spoke one word directly to each other in the whole week I was here) but in the same note asks for either $$ or something she needs. Now I am feeling very negative toward her for allowing me to make a fool out of myself.
I have told her I am coming back in February and if she wants to go farther, it's time for her to spend some time ("days and nights") together, just the two of us. I don't think she will but even if she bites the bullet and does, she gets one night and then I'm gone. The sword of "using" cuts both ways.
I hope to run into a nice lady there were we can put it together for when I'm there. Win/Win works for me.
Take care all and enjoy each day as if it is your last, never know when it will be.
Spock.
Talosian,
Don't be afraid to make her prove her feelings. If she is asking for $ or gifts right off the bat she isn't for you. She is a user. The true sweethearts I've met around the world have never asked me for anything. In fact, quite the opposite. Some even didn't want to accept $ for the P2P but I always do.
Your girl is stupid. Don't feel like an idiot. Don't waste your time. There are too many sweet girls out there to waste your time with a greedy girl. Hell, if you want a greedy girl just date a girl in the USA! Good luck.
Saint
Spock,
I have to agree with Saint. Cut your losses and move on. There are too many fish in the sea. She has ALREADY proven herself! What I found about many of these Cuban girls is that they are mercenary but not smart enough to fool some of us. Let it go, I've been there (recently!).
DocBill449 & Saint,
That is what I keep telling Talosian. I told him that as once as she see Talosian down in Cuba. She will try to have sex with him to lure him back. I told him have sex with her and move on. We are planning to go to other parts of Cuba anyway.
El Cubanito
Yossarian,
Yes Castro has put new restrictions on the internet. Part of a general crackdown that has been going on for sometime. One bit of good news is that there are increasing reports that Castro, who is 77, is in very ill health. A news item today I read said a Colombian politician who just met him says he is clearly in decline and it was hard to understand him when he was talking.
Talosian,
Just the mere fact that you STILL might want anything to do with this girl after what she does tells me you're a romantic and a softie at heart. You wrote, "I don't think she will but even if she bites the bullet and does, she gets one night and then I'm gone."
This to me signals that you are still kind of grasping at some chance to have some sort of relationship with her. Cut your losses and move on! Sometimes girls are like buying a bad stock. We've all been there. You buy a stock, keep it in your portfolio even though it's a DOG. The stock is a loser, you're losing your ass on it. It really has no long term potential but you essential 'fell in love with it' and you keep it around hopeing, almost praying it comes back. The prudent thing to do with stocks and girls like this is cut your losses and move on.
Sex is just sex. A person's actions and words are all they have to be based on. As far as I'm concerned what you described is trash.
FYI. If you plan on traveling around Cuba by car note that hobbying is very very very difficult in many towns. Hopefully you're not planning on hobbying too much. It is possible but not so easy.
Saint/DocBill449/El Cubanito
I have cut my emotional ties, I just would like some return on my investment plus, she has an appealing body. Hell, I may post her picture here. But trust me, I'm not investing any more positive emotions with/on her, that is a promise. I just want the last words, and I want them to be, "Damn, I enjoyed that. Good by *****."
And as to the stock analogy, my only response is "eConnect." Former symbol ECNC, then ECNC.ob and who knows what now.
And when I go there, I am going to find a worthwhile and willing Cuban lady and enjoy it for the day, week, month or whatever. I listen well to the objective voices here.
And as i have said before, I am not near a card-carrying monger, I'm strictly a "looking for a long-term lady" kind of guy.
And besides all the above, I will have my "chaperone" with me to make sure I don't stray back into "incurable romantic" mode. I think if I seem to be going astray, he will kick me back to the right course <smile>.
And there will be a detailed trip report on my return.
Thanks.
Spock
Hello All,
I must say that this particular board has a nice appeal & lots of maturity is shown as to regard to information & personal experiences. The NON-CHICA photos are great. I usually post on the Dominican Republic board, but this board has a great bunch of guys so I read your posts everyday. I wish I could go to Cuba, but I'm a little weary of going, even though many of my friends have taken the plunge to Cuba, but I'm usually the guy who gets caught. I've had similar experiences as you guys have had, even though its two different islands. I don't know if this is the right forum for these questions, but I'll ask anyway.
My first question is if you did find a great woman, why not invite her here or to your prospective country? I live in NYC, I went out with a girl that is Cuba, great person & loved her to death. I'm not sure how her family got here, but if she hadn't come here I would have been graced with her presence. Lets say you meet a woman who you can tell is a victim of circumstance, not really all too happy with the whole PFP thing. There are some woman I've met in DR that even if they were here in the states would be straight up freaks and enjoy every minute of the sex plus get paid, these woman don't count. The hit it & quite it types don't qualify either, you know the ones right after the last sperm cell has left your body you want to kick her out.
Why not help a person do better if you can?
I met a woman on the plane who was married to an american and just received residence status after waiting 10 YEARS!!, a woman whose just after money won't be willing to wait that long. That was before 9/11, I cannot imagine how long it would take now.
Why not give a decent woman and her family a better chance at a new life? Or at least take her to another island, so she can see a different culture first hand, not what they see on T.V. Take her out of her surrounds, because when were in Cuba were on there turf. Take her to place where she has to work hard to learn the language and function in a different society. After a week or two there, you'll know is she's a good candiate. Plus after 10 years you guys might not want each other anymore, so why not cut down on wasted time and money, lol.
Well, I'm a little long winded and you get the idea. Please fell free to answer any way you see fit.
Mas Tarde,
Juan
Talosian,
One suggestion for your trip to Cuba in February is to visit Santiago. It is smaller than Havana and has an entirely different atmosphere. It is still a sizable city and still offers many interesting things to see (historical sites, revolutionary history, close beach, Sierra Maestra mountains, Tropicana Club etc.), but it is more low key. There are still lots of quality chicas but less police, tourists, pros, touts, etc. It might offer you more of what you are looking for. I actually found it a much more beautiful city than Havana - but much more activity than a place like Trinidad or Camaguey.
You could arrange a flight from Havana (not too expensive) and stay at the Casa Grande (a Gran Caribe) hotel right downtown.
Estoy,
I have been to Cuba many times and I will be returning in 3 weeks. I have also dated a girl there. I'm 36 yrs, she was 26 yrs. I would have loved to taken her off the island and show her the rest of the world, the problem being is that her government will not allow her or anybody else to leave. Thats the whole problem with the situation down there, thats why you have so many beautiful women in Cuba after you, your (foreigner) like a lottery ticket. The problem for us tourists is trying to establish the real good girls from the ones that just want to get off the island. And after many visits to Cuba, you can't blame them for wanting to leave. It's a hard life there. The girl you met in N.Y.C. from Cuba, someone in her family is probably married to a guy from the states. You use to be able to "sponser" a cuban person for a work visa and/or a visitors visa for 3 months but the Cuban gov't put a stop to that since so many people were leaving the island and not returning. The only way off now is through marriage, unless your also some extremely talented musican who will be allowed to tour and other persons who fit this idea of specialty.
Because, Estoy Negro, in order to bring her here you have to apply for a fiance visa and promise to marry her within 90 days of her getting here. You also have to sign an affidavit of financial responsibility for TEN YEARS, which means that even if the relationship doesn't work out you're still financially responsible for her. I've heard a lot of true stories about girls who came here and then took off with a Cuban to Miami, leaving the American slob on the hook for a long, long time. That's why.
I have a freind (Canadian) who meet and feel in love with a Cuban woman. He spent close to $30,000 to get her and her child out of cuba and bring her back to Canada. She was with him for 5 years then left for greener pastures. His cost did not stop at the $30,000 either. Did she love him and plan on spending the rest of her life with him? Or did she see him as a vehicle to get her out of Cuba? We will never know.
Rocky
Estoy Negro,
That is a noble ideal. But in reality you have to know the person real well before before you can bring here. If you want proof of what I am talking about. Just look at these two sites. The Holguin Club in MSN. This site is full of Canadian women that go down to Holguin or Gualdalavacca for a weekend or a week. They end up meeting some of the Hotel workers (Life Guard, Entertainers, Public Relation Specialist) and then later they found that their new boyfriend has hook up with the next airplane load of canadians that have come to the Resolts. Their have been some real Cat fights bewteen these two Canadians women who are fighting over this Cuban Stud who works as a Entertainer.
I personally have been to this resort and have met most of the workers. One of my good Cuban Friends in Holguin tells me that the guy these two women is fighting over, is gay. Boy are they going to be in for a rude awakening. When their little toy does not want to play house with then an drun offs with the next gay guy he mets in canada or goes running to his husband in Miami.
Their also another Canadian woman who dated this Cuban guy for six years. SHe would go to Cuba every 3 months to visit her Cuban Boyfriend. Well, after six years she marries the guys and spends a ton of money to bring him to Canada. After a year and a half, the Cuban husband arrives. He arrive in early May. When winter roll around he said he was leaving and going to live for six months. SHe asked him why she needed her husband next to her. Well the guy gave her the bull that he could not handle the winter. Finally, after many fights he told her that truth and the truth was that he miss his cuban novia or wive, plus his son with her. She was [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url]. SHe went down to Cuba all of those years, spoke spanish. Yet, nobody, nobody ever told her that this guy had a wive and a kid.
Estoy Negro if you do go to Cuba be careful with this regard because those women in Cuba will do just about anything to get off that Island. While I am at it, the Cubans do not want to get off because they do not love Castro, on the Contrary after they finish talking all of the bull-shit about Castro. If they relax around they will tell you how much they like the guy. They will blame the Miami Mafioso for their Economic downturn. Trust me on this I have spent long period of time in CUba and to a man everyone love Fidel. They want to leave because of the economic situation, not the politics. You know what the sad part is that we keep on helping Castro.
Well, that is my two cent on this subject.
El Cubanito
Guys,
Think LONG and HARD about taking on the burden, expense and more importantly the responsibility of the fiance visa process. I've never even thought about it but I know others that have. As I posted before. Unless you are willing to go to the girl's country and live with her for 3-6 months before starting this process I really think you're being foolish.
Let me give you a true life scenario. My buddy that went to Cuba with me was flying back home from Miami. He met a girl flying to the same city as he was. She was a hot girl that could speak English. I don't want to give out too many details but I'll give enough. The girl found out he went to Cuba and they started joking around about why he went there. It soon became clear that the girl was 'working"' in another country. She met this American that got her a fiance visa. Meanwhile she gives my buddy her phone number and asks for his # even though she is "in love" with her fiance. Only three days after returning home she calls my buddy and asks why he didn't call her. He gives her the obvious response, "because you're engaged."
The girl then goes on to tell my friend how her fiance is out of town and asked if he wanted to "meet". The funniest thing is that on the plane she was showing him her fiance visa and they were high-fiving one another. First the girl said her fiance was a young 35. Then when he found out she was working she admitted that he was 45. My buddy saw this guy after they went through luggage and said he wasn't a day younger than 55. The girl was 24.
My friend also was telling her of a strip club in town with a lot of Latinas. The girl asked if he knew the name and phone number. Clearly all of these things show you that the girl had no intentions of staying with her fiance. She used him and he got suckered.
I'm not saying this will always happen. There are some sweet girls out there that are honest and genuine. Trust me...I know from experience. However, guys shouldn't be deluded and totally trusting. I recommend if you are in a serious relationship you get some kind of spyware software and load it on your computer. I know it sounds horrible but at least you can find out if the girl is lying to you about anything. I had a friend that just did this and he busted his girlfriend.
Love can be blind. Good luck.
Saint
P.S. We live in one of the best countries in the world. People can badmouth the USA all they want but the simple truth of the matter is that the USA is wonderful. Sure I'd love to live in another country but the reason I haven't is because there is no country that offers the opportunities, freedoms and income that the USA does for most of us. Sure, if you're wealthy it's not a concern but most of us couldn't begin to make the kind of money we make somewhere else. I know several guys that moved to Brazil but now reality is hitting them and they are moving back here. It's VERY tough to make money in countries like Cuba, Argentina and Brazil. Part of the reason we have so much fun in these places is because we have money. Never forget that some of these places are like an adult Disney World.
Saint,
It very funny that you mention that story Saint. On my last trip from Cuba, I was coming back via Havana to Miami. Well, when I was going down, I met this beautyful Cuban Girl who was marry in Miami to a Peruvian. Man this girl was a 15, she was so hot!! She stop every guy in the Miami Airport as she went by with her Husband and child. Every body was so amazed that this girl had a kid and look so good. She was a Jennifer Love Hewitt clone. For those of you that do not know how Jennifer Love Hewitt looks like look the picture below. She had arrive from Cuba 4 years ago and had Married this Peruvian dude she had met in Miami. They had a Daughter after a year of marriage. The Peruvian Husband was very worry that she was going back to Cuba to visit her Mother and that she was travelling alone to Cuba by herself with their daughter. Well, we were standing in line in the Miami Airport by Terminal E and the Peruvian Husband was really stressing about all of the Bags, plus the child that she was takening to Cuba.
I personally felt bad for her, with all of the bags and all. Plus she was not bad to look at and she would beat any old lady or guy the airlines might sit next to me in this flight. I also have kids of my own and have travel with them when they were toddlers and know how difficult it can be when travelling with toddlers. I told the Peruvian Husband that not to worry that I would help his wife once we got pass the Miami security check and when we landed in Havana.
When we were getting on the airplane and getting off the airplane in Havana, I help the Cubana (Her name is Misdalesys) and her child as I promissed I would. I also help her through Immigration and Custom in Cuba. When we got outside Havana Terminal 2, Misdalesys Mother and sister were waiting for her. She introduces me to her family and thanks me for helping her so much. The car Misdalesys Mother brought to the airport comes around, but we see that the car is to small for her, the child and all of the luggage.
So I volunteer to take some of the bags on my car rental. I told them if they could wait until I got my car, that I would be happy to take them to Misdalesys Mother House in Santa Fe. Misdalesys Mother is from Santa Fe, Havana. Santa Fe is by Helmingway Marina. For those of you that do not know where Helmingway Marina is it in the westen most end of Havana, right on the outskirts of Havana. Well I took her to her Mother House and I was happy to take her and see that all of her family was happy to see her, plus happy to see Misdalesys child. When we arrive at Misdalesys mother house, Misdalesys old ex-boyfriend was also waiting. When he went to greet Misdalesys the guy put a NICE wet one on her lips. I said to myself well these guys are ready for a room and I was also schock because 4 hours ago she was saying good buy to her Husband. Now she was saying hi and a real special way to her ex-boyfriend, supposely. So I was trying to say my Goodbye because I wanted to get to my Miramar casa and start my vacation. Well, the mother wanted me to stay for dinner and she was not going to take no for an answer. To be honest guys, I stay because I said to myself if the ex-boyfriend is going to get some. I want to get some too. Well, what they had in plan was not for me to get some of Misdalesys ass, but to get some of her sister ass and see if I would fall for the next sweet thing in their stable. Her sister was another cutie, not as hot as Misdalesys, but she was hoy in her own right. The only reason I did not go after the sister that night was that her sister age was 17 years old. I did not want to go to jail (My father had spent to many years in a Castro Jail because he was a political prisoner and I did not want to keep that tradition going) so I acted stuppid. Ate dinner and left when I finished. But her sister kept coming on and on to me. So I left Misdalesys mother house and went to my reliable girl in Regla.
On my way back to Miami, I was standing in the Havana Airport with my Novia from Santiago who ha dcome to Havana to say her good bye to me. Well, guess who was standing behind me in Line when i was leaving from Havana, no other then Misdalesys, Misdalesys daughter and Misdalesys Mother. We started talking small talk about both of our trip here and how fast time went. My novia did not like this girl from the word go. I told my Novia you have nothing to worry about, I am all yours honey. But I guess my Novia knew better or smell something she did not want me to associate with this girl. On our flight back, I do not know how but we were sitted next to one another. We started talking and we exchange cell phone numbers. Man this girl was hot an dI guess she could tell I wanted her. Well, I pass through Immigration and custom in Miami and saw her Husband when we exited the secure area.
After a couple days of being here in the United States, guess who calls, but Misdalesys hereself. She starts saying how come I have not call and when I was coming to Miami. She started saying again how bad she had it with husband finacially and how she wanted more out of her life. I said to myself she is going to dump this poor fuck. She also wanted to know when was my next trip to Havana. I was like wow! Here is a girl who Marry somebody here in the US, but she does not like his financial standing. She wants to move up the latter or get me hook up with her sister.
That is my story.
El Cubanito
El Cubanito,
Ha, ha. That is funny! That is the thing about life. Half the things that happen to me or my friends I wouldn't believe it if I didn't know them. My friends that know me can't believe my life and all the things that happen. If they didn't know me they wouldn't believe it.
Thanks for posting that story. Great! Take care.
EC, great report, thanks for posting it. I assume you are Cuban and not surprised by any of this. I find it not surprising but scary. Let's see, there are the girls who come here and outright dump the American and head to Miami, the girls who stay with him, maybe have a kid, and leave later when the timing is better, the girls who stay indefinitely and just screw other guys, including their novios in Cuba during visits, and the ones who just use us as a means of getting here and then getting their Cuban boyfriend or husband here. I actually know of two couples, American men and Cuban women, who have been together here for a few years, seem to be truly in love and have had no problems, and their sincerity is apparent to me. I do not know of one single couple where the guy is Cuban where it has worked out. They seem incapable of being faithful. I'm sick of these "liberal" white American women who want to rescue a poor black boy from the third world and show him off to their liberal friends in the states as a kind of status symbol. They deserve what they get. But I digress. EC, your thoughts?
Here's my report on a one-week stay in Havana at a hotel near the Parque Central. Because of my trip companions, my options were severely limited: I could only absent myself for about 1.5 hours during the day. Nonetheless, anytime I wanted to connect with an attractive young woman there was never a problem. All I had to do was to hang around that end of the Parque Central nearest the beginning of the Paseo del Prado and the Hotel Parque Central and try to make eye contact. If no one was in the Parque itself, I'd stroll over towards the Hotel Inglaterra and try to connect with girls walking in front of it. Or stroll towards the beginning of Obispo. Most of these girls are amateurs just trying to supplement their incomes (I hooked up with students and nurses, mainly). Going rate = $20-25 for FS (what you get besides that is hit or miss, and again whether you get more than one cup of coffee depends on the blend--overall about a 50% GFE ratio). Many girls didn't even know where to go for a room, so we had to ask around. Much better if you speak Spanish. I thought most of the girls were really more interested in an extended affair: dinner, dancing, and then bed (but I explained that I was "apurado" and couldn't hang with her for that long--so, as one of them said, a jump in the sack was a good way to "become friends" quickly). Rooms will cost you from $5 go $20 for an hour. Try asking around for someone who "alquila por horas". Cubans are all very cool about this, and no one seems much embarrassed by it--one girl I was with just dropped in on an old high-school friend in the area and asked to rent the main bedroom for an hour. Bring condoms--the girl might not have any on her.
MAKES ONE REALLY THINK.
With all the things I read here about guys marrying Cuban girls (as opposed to "women"), I wonder if any of the "Bring them back alive" girls stay with their American husbands long. Of course the divorce rate in the U.S. is 50% so who knows.
Still, I think and agree that any guy, including myself, who thinks he can go to Cuba or any other country and get a "wife" 20 or 30 years younger than he is, is deluding himself thinking she will stay with him for very long.
I see now that when I was there I could have probably had my pick of the litter of 18-25-year old girls, and I'm going on 65. They all tell me "age doesn't matter in Cuba" and that's probably right but the operative term is "in Cuba."
You want a beautiful young Cuban girl for your wife (official or not), then keep a home in Cuba unless you are close to their age, speak fluent Spanish and know and practice the Cuban culture. If you keep them in Cuba, they will always be your woman (when you are there) but bring them to the U.S. and your relationship is probably heading for a "crash and burn" ending.
Yes, for those of you who have followed my saga, both here and on the L.P. Board, I went there seeking a "relationship" with an attractive Cuban woman (35-years old, single, no kids) and quickly found she was just looking for $$ and gifts. Even an old dog can learn new things.
So while there may well be the occasional Cuban "lottery winner," just rmemeber the odds.
Just my 2-pesos worth.
Spock.
Hi DocBill,
You know I listed that story so Estoy Negro member would get an ideal as to what some people will go thru to get off the Island. Plus to let Saint know that a similar situation had happen to me like his friend. Just as there are people who want to leave Cuba. There are Cuban people who are very confortable with stayng in Cuba and those Cubans have no desire to leave Cuba. If one day we can coordinate our travels Doc, just you and me. I will introduce you, Doc to those Cuban people or families.
Also, I want to add that sometimes we only spread negative news and the positive news is never spread. I personally know of 4 couples (Foreigners who have been to Cuba and who have married Cuban Women) that are doing very well with their relationship of marriage to a Cuban Lady. The Cuban wives are helping their Husband with their lives here in the United States. Talosian, like said it is not impossible to find a good Cuban woman and bring her here to the United State and have a good life with her. But like Saint say, you have to know that person very well.
El Cubanito
It has been over 10 years since I went to Cuba.
The only experience I have had with Cuban woman marrying US men was this: I meet this man in Cuba. He was 68ish she was 29. They got married in Cuba. He applied to bring her back to the states. The US Government gave him some grief about travel to Cuba. After 2 years of legal issues, and her milking him for cash, she makes it to the states. She stays with him for a couple of months in South Dakota. Then she disappears and reappears in Miami.
He had the marriage dissolved, she reappears in SD when he dieds seeing if she gets anything from the will, which she did not.
I will be leaving in a few weeks for a trip to Russia on a wife shopping tour.
Email me if you want an update on how it goes. I'm sure their will be some 50 something guys on the tour.
As for me going back to Cuba - no way.
Go to Brazil if you want a young wife. Better looking, better selection, better additude. I have meet many older man in Brazil (from other countries) who have Brazilian wifes. Many dumped their wives and moved to Brazil.
For CT,
I am sort of in the same boat as you. I want to get away for a week and was considering both Cuba and the DR. I have not been to either. I have read this board for a few months and have decide on the DR as a result of the research I have done here. It seems the airfair is the same for both on average and the price of staying in a hotel in Sousa and a Casa in Old Havana is pretty close to the same. I am going to stay at the Palace. It seems like a nice place and I have had good email contact with the owner. The reason I decided on the DR is mostly because I am going down for the whoring and it seems to be easier in the DR. I am not interested in the LE situation in Cuba. If I meet a woman I want to spend a bit of time with, I dont want to be looking over my shoulder every time we go downtown for a coffee. On the upside, there are a lot of very attractive women in Cuba. I am working on getting away for the first week of March and will let you know how the whoriday goes.
Rocky
Live and learn, Spock. I'll tell your mother you're "feeling" fine!
Great, great stuff guys, I knew I would get real answers & real life suitations. I often read this particular board because of the positive things said & the beauutiful photos, reminds me of my old girlfriend. Reading the message boards in the DR1 newspaper is informative, but at times gets into a name calling match when one person insults the other & the actual topic is lost. In those message boards the talk of the whole prospective of living, dining, earning money in DR. Lots of input from women which we'll never get because were talking about women.
At first going to DR & Jamacia, you get caught up with them saying they love you, but if you go alot & with friends your bound to sleep with a girl your buddy did, then your thoughts on the girl will change especially if claims to be a good girl.
Then again, I'm 38 & it takes 10 years to get her here, I don't think it would be her fault if she says she doesn't love me anymore.
I might not either...lol I won't be able to get to Cuba, so my island of choice has been DR. I said before when it comes to going against the grain & going to Cuba would be,
I WOULD BE THE ONLY GUY CAUGHT...lol
Thanks guys
P.S. Rocky MTN Man, PM me, so I can tell you some good places to go, Don't want to clog up this board of talk of another place.
Lacking the patience to arrange a trip to Cuba, but stuck in the middle of a cold, cold Northern winter and dreaming of soft brown skin and bright white smiles, I set up a week-long trip to the DR (The North Coast, Sosua/Cabarete). The chicas there are nice looking, friendly, and sweet (for the most part), plus the scene is very easygoing. However, got to tell you, it ain't no Havana and it ain't no Cuba. I may go back again to the DR, but Cuba will always be mi numero uno destination for women, culture, amigos, etc.
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Estoy Negro,
Do you want to go to Cuba or not? If you do want to go then you should not be so negative, make your plans and go. The problem is coming back to the united states. If you are so sure that you are going to get caught then spend a day in Cancun, Toronto, Nassau or Montego Bay. This way US custom will not be able to say that you came back from Cuba. You will not have any problems. If you have any doubts at to how many Americans go to Cuba, just hang out by the Inglelatera Hotel. You will be shock as to the numbers. I am constantly bumping into Americans in Cuba. I met a an American who has move to Cuba. The guys makes about $10,000.00 a month. So he lives year round in Cuba. His Visa is for 90 days, after 90 days he hops on a Plane from Havana to Nassau and comes back the same day on the same plane back to Havana. The guy has been living in Cuba for the last 3 years. He is not bull shitting either because the casa owner is a relative of mine. So if you want to go, then go. But man do not live in fear. Your name Estoy Negro sounds spanish. I am assuming you are Spanish? Where are you from Estoy Negro? Puerto Rico? Dominican Republic? Venezuela? Columbia? Maybe Cuba?
I am just curious and if you need help let me know.
El Cubanito
Thanks for the info, now I know how to go about it. I'm not afraid, I just don't want to be made an example of. The way you advised, I'll follow. I will talk to my friends & one weekend of this year we'll do it, not only for the women, but for the experience of seeing the country. The women will just be a benefit. It will be nice to see what you've seen in books and now in real life.
Thanks again
I'm a black american, just a regular guy from NYC.
Gentlemen,
I'm in a bit of a stress, and would request some comments.
A number of fellow mongers have asked about places to stay and indeed I need to organise a place to stay for my April visit. Guess what: ALL my contacts have failed to reply to my emails within the past 3 weeks. Something is happening. Direct calling has also failed to make contact.
Is anyone else finding this or is it just me from Europe?
Montreal Friend please check your PM.
Regards, Havanaman
Havanaman,
Check out this web site http://www.cubanonet.com/greenscreen/. It's an excellent site that many people from all over talk about there Cuban experiences. You'll find a section called "casa particulars" and hopefully you'll be able to establish some new contacts. This site is totally non-sexual, by the way.
Hi, quick info from Jose Marti Airport just before checkin.
La Habana is buzzing as ever, just a few comments on the changes. Since August 03, the economical sitaution has deteriorated (it does not seem possible, but yet it has). Even in the Feria there are no sexy clothes to be found anymore, nor in the dollar shops. Therefore, if you want to do your girl (s) a favor, bring lots of sexy stuff from the street markets in your town. Just pick your preferred size (36, 38...).
5ta Avda. does not offer anything for mongerers. The policia presence near the embassies forbid it, its nearly completely gone.
But don't despair: There's much action on Linea, La Rampa etc. including all sorts of hustlers.
Will update when I have more time.
Havanaman,
it is nearly impossible to call Cuban numbers for no obvious reason at all. Even when calling via GSM from Habana, I had nearly never success in calling. If you want, I'll PM you some addresses which are recommendable, but these casas are 30$+ and most of them are chica friendly if you restrain from having more than one show up. Fines are 1500 US$ for unregistered cubanas for teh dueños, and therefore, most of them don't appreciate a daily change.
snark
Please read this post that I received! It is from a service I subscribe to for information.
Prostitutes arrested in Havana and Pinar del Rio
HAVANA, Jan. 26 (www.cubanet.org) - More than 40 prostitutes plus their pimps
have been arrested in roundups in Havana and Pinar del Rio.
The arrests in Havana occurred Jan. 16 in the municipality of El Cerro where
more than 20 prostitutes were picked up.
According to residents of the area, the women came from the interior and did
not even have the necessary residents' permits to allow them to live in the
capital. The residents had complained to authorities about the illicit
trafficking at the intersection of Primelles and Santa Catalina Avenue.
Reports from Pinar del Rio said more than 40 prostitutes, between the ages of
17 and 20, were also arrested there and were sentenced to two to four years
for harassing tourists. Their pimps were reported to have been sentenced to
six years.
The sentences were to be carried out in the "Jardín" agricultural prison.
I guess we can look at this message two ways:
1. Watch your ass.
2. Just think how many are out there if they are making this type of a sweep!
By email, nice report.
Your comment about pubic hair hit home with me since it clearly points how "different strokes for different folks" is really true. I prefer pubic hair. Wonder if it's my age (almost 65).
I would like to take a survey. Any comments (preference/age)?
Going on the 16th. for a second time. This time much more travel.
Take care all.
Spock.
AS promised a little updating doesn´t hurt. Well, the chicas (SW) come often in pairs, they wait in front of the traffic lights, these days ("cold" in Cuban terms), they wear more stuff than when it´s "warm". Anyway, it´s easy to confuse them with just another hitchhiking person. If you agree to one to join you, you have to be quick to avoid the second one getting into your car, as normally only one does the "work" properly.
Wait until they ask you (for non-spanisch speaking ppl: wait for the words mamada or pompino = BJ) then you know for sure you received an offer. In case someones just wanting you to take her to someplace, you might just switch into GF-mode: eating out, dancing whatever. You might as well get lucky.
If you don´t rent a car, any hustler outside Habana Libre will be willing to help you (L and 23). Just wait and see, everything passes by...
Bye4now
Hi guys,
I am a french citizen currently living in Texas.
I would like to know if European citizen need a visa to go to Cuba or to Dominican Republic ?
Also I am looking for someone to go there with as I am a really new monger and never been to any of these places nor speak any spanish (sounds bad for me, huh).
I will probably go around the 15/18 of April.
Let me know
Thanks to whoever can help me out
KR Man,
I presume that you have a French passport; you will need a tourist visa (tourist card), get this from you ticket supplier in the country you use to "hop" in to Cuba. In fact all entry into Cuba is by a visa for both business or tourism. Going by Mexico is your easiest, safest and best bet.
Ensure you are careful about the immigration issues: see previous posts here and in the general section.
From your dates, we will unfortunately not be able to meet, I’m in Havana a week before you.
Regards, Havanaman
Hi sorry guys I have made a mistake on my dates. I'll go there around 15th/18th of MAY.
I apoligise.
If it suits any of you guys, let me know.
Havanaman,
It sounds like you are going to be in Havana around the Easter holiday season. Do you or anyone else think this is a good time to go? Is it busier than normal? Does everything stay open(bars/clubs)? I hope the girls don't stop having sex because it's a religious period. I am planning a trip early April to take a spanish course, do some mountain biking, and hopefully meet some nice Cuban girls. Any info/advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Hi guys,
I've been in hav last year. I was in Johnny Rio Club. You can't get in alone. Hopefuly there are girls outside waiting for customers. 10$ fee admission. The girls are expensive above 100$ to 150$ for all night. You can bargain to 80$ but less it's very difficult. The girls are very beautiful there (up 7) and there are decent (many don't drink-smoke) and well dressed. I saw one who looks like a Russian girl.
You need a casa particular to bring girls for the night. Does anyone can report an action from this club and the price, and if can share a adress of a good casa particular, por que I will be in Havana next month.
LR
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Dran Reb,
I’m going Easter time because for me it was the first available holiday period. No other reason for picking this time slot.
As to chicas, man they are there all year round: pro, amateur and non-pro, just read the past reports.
The fact that it will be Easter will NOT stop you having an excellent experience. Remember, that Cuba is a communist country and although there is a high level of Christianity it is less open than in the west. Bottom line is it will not hamper your enjoyment.
PM me your dates and depending on whats happening, we might be able to hook up.
Regards, Havanaman
La Rond,
Johnny Rio Club, has always been known as a Club with good looking girls. I can not comment what the action might be now, but back in 2002 when I visited the place the place was always good for 3 or 4 chicas in the 9 or 10 range. The price you quote are very high for what I pay back in 2002. But I guess inflation is jacking the price of the Cuba Chica. BTW, I pay $50.00 for 4 hours of staying with me.
Ramon
Johnny's has also always been known as a club full of rip-off hard core pros, many of them drug addicts (yes, there are plenty of drugs in Cuba). Anybody paying those prices at that place for those girls is crazy in my book.
On another subject, travel, does anyone know whether it would be better (i.e. shorter, cheaper, less hassle) to go through Cancun or Mex. City? I'm starting from San Francisco. I've been going legally from Miami lately but that's gotten too expensive. Thanks!
DocBill449, Gentlemen
I’m with you all the way.
“Johnny’s” / “Rio Club” / “rip-off joint” (best name for it really), has gone down hill over the years. OK, some excellent lookers can be found there, however, being of the barracuda variety (which is rare for Cuba in general) do not perform well on par. This is generalised I agree, however on the many occasions, in the past I used to frequent this place, this was my experience (see Archived reports).
There some excellent alternatives to the “tourist-trap” clubs, ranging from the Saturday night university parties (need to have contacts to find them…) to the local hangouts, local to where you might be staying. Just ask: its that simple. The owner of your casa (always go for the guy on this one!) will help. Cubans are lovely people and will never turf you out.
Sorry DocBill449, I can not comment on your route from SFO… However, when I have been in the States, I always return MEX – HAV – Europe.
Regards, Havanaman
Anybody going to be around Havana from 14th to 22nd Feb? PM if so and meet for a beer?
Andyj
I just saw some messages, I also can't reach any telephone in Cuba. It would be a great help when somebody now what is going on there. I was there begin of January and only for 5 days. All girls i got where asking for about $50 for the night,but could also get thim down more. For multiple days its even less, and my girl did not even ask for anything, bought some food for the familie and some shirts and other little stuff so came out to $25 a day. Actuelly I got a full time taxidriver and he nows his way around and when I saw a girl I did like he would get here in the car so I could talk to here a. A little bid different then Dominican, but I could feel home here to.
Hey P Jack.
Thanks for the "Chicas a la sale message" Hope Cuba is fun for you, and hope to see you again in Panama.
Believe it or not, going legally, which I've been doing, has become an expensive pain in the ass. I'm thinking of going back like I used to, through Mexico. Can anyone recommend a travel agency (Canadian, I would guess) that can book me straight through to Havana? I've been in touch with Nash Travel but they seem pretty flaky, not returning calls or e-mails.
DocBill449,
I used Nash Travel to fly from Cancun to Havana in the spring of last year. They fax you a voucher that you redeem at the counter in Cancun for a ticket. Yes, you are correct, they aren't the quickest on returning calls or emails, but I think this is because they run a very small staff to keep costs low. The lady I finally talked to on the phone was quite helpful, but sounded very overworked.
LS
Longstroker, thanks so much for that feedback. That lady at Nash would be Liliana, right? Ok, I'll be a little more patient with them since they seem to come through allright. Thanks again.
Looking to head over to Cuba in April. Anyone can give me the low down, I would appreciate it.
Need to know where to stay where the girls are, how much they charge etc.
Thanks!
GhettoC,
Backtrack a few months on this board and you will find all the answers.
Regards, Havanaman
Can anyone help me out with a Canadian travel agency that can get me from San Francisco to Havana at a reasonable price? I've already tried Nash Travel and they are as expensive as they are flaky! Thanks!
What's up Doc?
Why not go through Cancun? I believe it would be cheaper and faster from San Fran.
Give Dan Snow a call @ 512-458-4940. He is a travel agent out of Austin, TX. He has been to Cuba hundreds of times. He also has a web site cubatravelusa.com. I used him a few years ago and was very happy with the results.
Have a good trip and post a report on your return.
Peterman
I find that using last minute travel package from Canada is the cheapest way to travel to Cuba. The only disadvantage is that you have to spend a week minimum. Just take a one-week "air-only" package from a travel agency. There are many you can search on web. Try this.
http://www.travellastminute.ca/LMT-VaraderoCUBA.html
I saw one for $179 RT from Toronto-Varadero. You can take a $10 AC bus from Varadero to Havana. Also, Varadero has excellent beaches and I think it is a good place for a day or so. Not my choice but logistically, it is a cheaper way to travel. That is how I went last year. You can find many cheap flights from US to Toronto or take southwest upto Buffalo/Niagra falls. I used my 25K Frequent flyer miles upto Toronto.
I did not see any news of Isla De la Juventud in a while. This is my favorate place. Can anybody post an update?
Hi,
How much should I expect to pay a girl for a night? What about something like 6 hours?
wehre is the bvest place to meet them?
Thanks for your help guys.
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Anyone going to Habana from the U.S. in the next couple of weeks? I would appreciate it if someone could take some photos I tookl last December when I was there and give them to a lady there. You can PM me.
Many thanks.
Spock/David
Guys,
I need your help. Please help me.
I am hesitating between going to Costa Rica and Cuba?
In terms of price, which one is cheaper for long stay, like couple of hours or overnight, with a girls?
And friendlyness, as I don't to be with someone who will rush so she can leave .
Thanks for your help.
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KR Man, I strongly suggest that you read the back reports and archives, and you will find your questions answered here. They have been covered many many times.
As for Cuba v. Costa Rica, it is apples and oranges. Strictly for sex Costa Rica is easier and more expensive. Good luck!
KR Man,
I agree with DocBill449: read the board for the various price options! I also agree with him about CR for just sex (but remember the cost issues).
However, I would urge you to try Havana as it is today, at least once. It changes every day, so one day (as previously discussed, and no I’m not starting that thread again…) you may wish to have seen it under the last bastion of “western” communism.
Regards, Havanaman
Hey guys,
I will be in Havana from March 15th to 22nd. Anyone want to meet up there as I am a rookie monger?
Hey guys,
I have been reading previous post as advise bu doc and Havanaman.
I have read in many post that it is not as easy as it used to be to monger in cuba as the local police enforce locals not to hang with foreigners.
Is it still a good place to monger or is it harder and harder as I don't wnat to waste too much of my time there trying to hide?
I love cuban ladies and I want to get laid with some tru hotblooded cubans girls.
Thanks
KR Man,
Again, please read back posts, as this subject has been extensively covered by many, including myself. It is true that Cuba is no longer a mongering haven, and the police do hassle and often arrest Cubans for just being with foreigners. I can't even walk the streets there with my girlfriend of two years. Yes, we do a lot of hiding and I am sick of it.
If you just want to have sex with cuban ladies go to Miami, it's easier. But as Havanaman says, Cuba is an incredible place to visit overall, and it won't last much longer, for better and worse.
KRman,
I will be in Cuba form March 31 to April 12. If you want mongering without the hassel go to East of Cuba. I just sent you a PM, please read.
El Cubanito
Hey Doc,
When are you leaving?
El Cubanito
Hey, Cubanito,
I'm leaving May 5 for ten days, going through Cancun this time. I usually travel (quasi) legally, but it's too expensive. As for the east of Cuba, you might be right but I heard that the situation in Santiago is even worse than Havana in terms of police hassle.
I was in Havana for 12 days a few months ago for a conference. Went legally. Have been going there for the past 12 years, though not as much in the past 4 years.
Things have definately changed. Meeting ladies has become much harder, but I did get picked up by a few cuties on the Malecon and just walking in Old Havana. Did not rent a car because I wanted to be able to have a few beers and drinking and driving there is not a very good idea any more. Ended up with 7 girls over 12 days. Was able to walk around with them without problems from the police. If they are not known hookers, I haven't had a problem.
I don't go there for mongering any more because it is just too much work, and I've gotten spoiled by Brazil, Thailand, and Costa Rica. Don't expect any significant changes in the near future.
Snook
El Cubanito,
Our dates cross. Hook up? Check your PM.
Regards, Havanaman
Havanaman,
I will not be in Havana on this trip. The furthest west I will be in Cuba will be Santa Clara. Havanaman why don't you come east of Cuba if you have the time?
El Cubanito
PS the attach pic is the reason why I am going to Santa Clara
Hey El Cubanito,
I haven't visited the Cuba section in months but it was nice to hear you have a sweetie from Santa Clara. I also met a cute girl from there. She was pretty and really sweet. Have a great time.
Just got home from one week in Havana March 4th to 11th here is my assessment of the situation as of present. Flew Air Canada rate was $375 Canadian + tax last minute is usually cheaper than booking ahead. Private casa's are plentiful personally I recommend Vedado area good central location in Havana. Got a decent room in the casa for $25 US per day very good rate usually more it was near the University of Havana. In Miramar you pay more but really nice casas here. You can travel by taxi for 3 dollars just about anywhere you need to go from this location. Cubans passed a new law (there are many) where the owners of the casa's must live there and so they can only leave you alone in the casa for part or most of the day. You can always rent a illegal casa if you want there are many as well. The police presence is plentiful the fulltime hookers are nervous around them and the police know who they are generally just look for the cell phone. At night it is a little more relaxed for the negotiations. Club Macumba Diablo Tun Tun were both closed due to drug busts the Manager and staff were in prison is the story by the Cubans I know that hangout. Casa de la Musica in Centro Havana was closed for electrical work being done. The best two bars when i was there was La Chorrera and Club 1830 both beside each other on the Malecon just before the tunnel to Miramar. La Chorrera has a few 7's 8's and 9's they start high each one is different but they will go for 50-70 dollars entrance here is 5 dollars. Johnny's Rio Club is in Miramar the women here are greedy the lower level is for the working girls the upper level are not available. They all start at a hundred here got one for $70 I would rate her a 8 session average to good. La Maison is near Johnny's in Miramar a fashion show and music show after the models are available. 10 dollar entrance fee per person it starts around 10:30 music show around 12:00 the models are outside where you first come in but off to the side and it's dark heck you probably could use a little flashlight to get a better look at them. If you like one ask the waiter for her name it will help when you go out front to get her. The models are nice but not 10's really wasn't overly impressed nice bods of course if your into skinny tall women and want to pay 80+ give or take had a 8.5 here good session. 23rd Ave in Vedado at night has many working girls they will go much cheaper many from other cities some desperate for cash. Havana Libre Hotel has a bar on top of the building with action. Many of the best looking working girls i saw actually eat and hang out in restaurant main floor with windows overlooking 23rd Ave. Got hit on by a 9 as i walked in around 11pm she was 18 suddenly i wasn't hungry anymore and left with her. It's a hit and miss story if you see something you like get her cell number she works cheaper during the daytime. Old Havana is good during the day good restaurants Prado y Neptuno in Parque Central is quite good. Lots of Cubans trying to get you to eat somewhere else to get there commission never listened much to them. They always start with where are you from my friend nice people very nice people the Cubans i have to say. Tres Chinitos is very good as well this is in China town same area off to the side of Parque Central on Dragonose Ave Dragon in English. One entrance is for the Chinese food other for Italian food many many Cubans here at the Italian side just up the stairs. The food is cheap and good a rare combination in Cuba. Good food in Cuba prevents those rough days spent half on the toilet. My young Casa owner a cool guy introduced me to a local pimp is what I would call him excellant guy really he knows virtually hundreds of women i ordered my type like a dinner the last 3 days with good results generally ladies that don't go to the bar anymore who knows why. Difficult to find the really really hot ones in Havana Brazil and Argentina is a little better for quality check Rio's www.ciaplus.com or chasemodels.com.br or karlamodels.com.br for fun there are many others as well. I had a 10 in Santa Clara Cuba for 1 1/2 years it was great until the Italian found her and took her home within a few weeks wasn't really surprised they want out big time at least the people i have met. I spent $1200 US in one week spared no expense never do on holidays. Marina Hemmingway out past Miramar also worth going to especially if it's hot and you need a swim very nice facility here. Anyway that's my two cents i had a great week it's not as good as it use to be in the old days due to the Cuban police and the countless laws which the Cubans themselves hate however it's quite a safe and friendly country.
Hi Saint,
I read your Cali trip reports and after reading I might go there after I leave Cuba for 5 days. I know that does not sound like much, but what do you think?
El Cubanito
That is how long I was originally going to go for- 5 nights. I ended up extending and stayed 10 nights. I almost extended again but I had to come back to work. I'm leaving for the French Riviera this week so I had to get a lot done before going.
I think since you are fluent in Spanish and sound like you have some "game" you will like it. Cali is not a beautiful city. In fact, the city is pretty much a dump. The beauty, much like Cuba is with the people. The locals were the friendliest group I ever met. The girls in Cali are more beautiful than any place % wise I've been. Walk around Chipi Chape mall on a Friday or Saturday night and you'll be in heaven. I made a new girlfriend there and I'm planning on flying her to Lima to go to Machu Picchu with me.
I really didn't like hobbying in Cuba and won't return to Cuba for the girls. It will be for the country and the wonderful people there. Hobbying in Cuba is depressing when you think about what could happen to the girls if they get caught. Also, I didn't find Cuban girls over all to be that hot. Much hotter girls in other places I've been.
I guess I won't be hobbying in Peru. Oh well. 5 days is plenty. Have fun amigo. Let us know how it goes.
Saint
Fast Hand,
Thanks for the report. Some fasinating stuff there. I took alot of notes for my upcoming trip. I can't believe there is that amount of action around the Hotel Libre still. That area is crawling with cops.
I am paying $750 Canadian total for airfare but I booked 6 weeks in advance so you got a great price.
It's been a while since I have posted here but something Saint just said really struck a cord.
If you go to Cuba and have a great GFE, chances are 99 44/100% that you won't see her again if and until you return. But as Saint points out, get a great GFE someplace else and she can probably accompany you on any trips you want (assuming you over the expenses). To me, this would carry a lot of weight in choosing a destination.
I also agree though that Cuba has a lot to offer in many ways and my comment above is on the single issue of having the freedom to take your new found g/f on trips with you.
My two pesos worth.
Spock.
Talosian
Check your email I have sent you two emails.
El Cuabnito
Just to add to Spock's good point, don't expect to be able to travel with your girlfriend WITHIN Cuba either. It used to be difficult but is now near impossible. If you're lucky it would only be a major hassle with numerous authorities, and good luck finding a place to stay outside of Havana or Santiago.
As for bringing someone out of the country, the only way I'm aware of doing that is the fiancee visa, a process that takes about a year and (technically) requires marriage once she gets here (US). I'm actually doing this now.
On a different note, I'm going back in early May and for reasons too boring to go into I'm not staying at the same casa particular in Habana. Can anyone recommend one where I and my girl can stay with some reasonable privacy? Vedado preferred. Thanks guys.
Hi DocBill449,
You can stay at 588 Calle C, between calle 23 and 25 in Vedado, Havana. The owner of the house is a lady called Tomasa. Unfortunately, she does not have a telephone number. But you can tell your Novia since she lives close by to go to her house and make arragement for May. SHe is a great lady and she will take care of you. Her house is right next to the school on Calle C. The rooms she has are really great. You have your own private bathroom. The bathroom and room are really great. SHe rents two rooms, you can take any of the two rooms you will not be incovenience.
Docbill, I can also give you the address of a house in Miramar if you want to stay in Miramar. The owners are great people and I have never had any problems with them as far as having chicas in my room. The house is even better then the one from above.
Guys, maybe because I speak spanish (But I do not think that is the case since I always rent a car in Cuba, local know what cars are tourist by car by the plate) but I have never been hassle with my novia in Cuba.
Did any body see the Movie on Cinemax last night called Balseros. The movie is actually a documentary of the life of these group of Cuban who left Cuba in 1994 and what has happen to them in the last 10 years of their life in the land of the "free". Most have found that they had it better in Cuba because they have not been able to adopt. Out of 5 families that the documentary follows, one only "made it". The movie is worth following.
El Cubanito
About two years ago I made my first trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina. I fell in love with the city and the people there. It broke my heart to see so many people less fortunate than us. There are many children that don't have adequate clothing or food. Shortly after my first trip I had a goal of starting a non-profit foundation or charity to help out these people. I was surprised when Jackson (owner of WSG) was at my apartment in BA and told me that he was in the final stages of starting the same type of charity. I was amazed and touched that we had the same idea. There really was no need to redouble my efforts.
The news media likes to talk about a side of the hobby that the majority of us aren't a part of yet they don't talk about the other aspects. I'm not quite sure how much WSG Charities has raised over the past year but I'm proud to say that many guys have contributed. Some have made very generous donations of $1,000 or more. I think that's wonderful! There are so many guys that receive benefit from WSG. Directly and indirectly. I posted the following below and I would ask you to read it and make a contribution.
Maybe Jackson will decide to branch out and help feed the poor of other cities. There is so much good we as a collective group can do. There is nothing better than helping someone less fortunate than yourself. Please give generously.
I know some of you will have the response, "yeah, I already donate to charities in the USA" or make up some other excuse. Many of us donate to charities in the USA as well but I'd ask that you consider helping out this cause.
________________
"Hi amigos. Some of you may be aware that Jackson has taken the time to start a charity to help feed the poor of Buenos Aires and the surrounding communities. It's ironic because we both had the same thought about trying to do something to help the poor of Buenos Aires. He was much further along and took a lot of time and effort to put it together. Several of you have emailed me over the past several months asking if I still had plans to start something like this. There is really no need to double my efforts as we have the same goal.
I am asking all of you that have received benefit from my posts in the past and all of you that have received benefit from WSG to make a donation. This probably includes just about everyone reading this forum. Even if you have no plans to visit Buenos Aires you have probably received an indirect benefit of living vicariously through members from this forum. I'm not asking you to contribute a huge amount although if you could that would be great. With the sheer number of guys that read this board all it would take is a small donation of $10, $15, $20, $25, or $50 a year to make a big impact. If you can afford it then donate a few times a year.
I'm sure many of you could care less about the poor of Buenos Aires. If that is how you feel than so be it. I strongly feel that everyone can afford to contribute AT LEAST $10 or $15 to this cause. Several of us at the Thanksgiving Dinner last year contributed money to help with this cause. I hope that in the next few months I see more and more people with a designation under their handle that says they have donated. I didn't even know Jackson was doing that but it's probably a good idea. I would personally feel offended if I'm down there and out hobbying with some of you and you didn't contribute at least a little to this charity.
I feel like I've taken time to contribute through my posts and I've never asked any of you for anything. This is the first time and I hope you can find it in your heart to help out. You can make a donation with Paypal.com and that is probably the quick and easiest way. (To make it easy for him you might want to include your handle with your paypal.com donation). Please keep in mind that this is Jackson's project and he is the one that took the time to put it together. I know he probably didn't want to solicit donations and he never asked me to. I'm asking on my own behalf. Thanks in advance for your generosity!"
Saint
www.wsgcharities.com
i have done a little research on the possibility of havana - cali, columbia mini trip. i find an airline that seems to be really good.
copa airlines (www.copaair.com) has flights between havana to columbia everyday both ways via panama city. flight time is about 5hrs 30mins. the price is only us $ 396 total. they seem to have an office in miramar.
has anybody bought a ticket from copa air in havana in miramar? how is this airline in terms of safety record?
i am going to havana from april 23rd - may 4th. i want to see fidel’s may day rally and speech in havana. does he do that every year? i would like meet fellow members of this forum in havana.
If you want to got o Cuba, and your whole point of the trip is mongering... Fly to dominican Republic. Spend a day or two ther eget a little tan get prepped up and then fly to Cuba from there. And do the same ont eh way back, fly from cuba to DR, spend a couple of days in Dr then fly back to the states. That way if you bought some cuban cigars you can try and pass them off as dominican knock offs.
Lankan_Lover,
I have used Copa, they are OK, nothing special. Be warned about booking in Havana. The agents will tell you they are full, and try to sell you a business class ticket… It’s a common scam in Havana, I’ve been stung by it, so make all your bookings from outside of Cuba. I had a couple of days in Panama on this route, nice place, but limited time for me to monger.
See PM: I have seen Castro speak many times, but I’ve not been in May so can not comment. If you stay for the full presentation / talk, you deserve a medal!
Regards, Havanaman
Come on guys, help me out here: I still need a chica-friendly casa to stay at next month. Got a recommendation from El Cubanito but no phone to make a reservation. Anyone know of one that you'd recommend? Vedado preferred. Thanks.
DocBill449,
We are in the same boat! I’m going to wing it… Back to the old taxi-recommendations for me for my first night in early April. I will PM you with what I can find.
Regards, Havanaman
DocBill,
I will get the phone numbers on those two houses in Vedado and Miramar. I have been extremely busy. I have had to postpone my trip for March31 until April 14. I simply have to much work which I cannot turn away considering the economic conditions the US is in right now. I will have phone numbers for you by Friday.
El Cubanito
DocBill & Havanaman,
Have you tried martavitorte@NOSPAMhotmail.com ? Nice rooming apartment in vedado.
Thanks guys!
I was in DR about a month ago and had a blast, met some excellent girls and enjoyed the company of some fellow punters.
I want to pass on the comments of some American ex pats living in Sosua that I met. They said they would not go to Cuba now because they were concerned that the Dominican Republic authorities were passing on information to US authorities, such as travel manifests.
I am the last one to discourage punter travel, especially to Cuba. I am just saying to be careful and check it out.
Quifhunter,
Your warning is very justified. I have no doubt that in this day n’ age of extremist stupidity (of every ilk…) every airline passenger manifesto is being scrutinised by the powers that be.
I guess that they are concentrating on known names and patterns of travel, rather than the solitary trip now and again. However that still means ones name has been “made” every time one goes to Cuba. Shit happens and with this one we have no control.
Big brother rules, always has and always will... In fact its all SSDD.
Regards, Havanaman
I just returned from Havana after ironing out the casa problem. Things went perfect. TJ to Mex City to Havana. Not only do they not stamp American passports, they don't stamp anybodys. And they would not take my 20$.
The girls were all 18 to 25 and easyest way to meet them was right on the street in the day time. In Central Havana there are three main streets, the Prado and the Malacon(sea wall) to meet girls. Never pay more than 25$ and any one you see no matter how beautiful? Just ask her her name in spanish. If she answers, you're pretty much in. But do keep an eye on them at all times and don't go for the twosome because for sure one will be snooping and stealing. Bring cheap presents, panties, make up, dollar store stuff. They'll love it. They have nothing.
Oh, the casa problem is Fidel wont let the girls in the hotels. You could say its your girl friend but then your stuck with one. The casa is the only way to go, but you have to find one were the owners give you your own key. I did 11 different hot little mice in 16 days (keep a couple more than one day) and as soon as I figure out how to log photos on I will. You will be amazed.
I am I international bunny hunter home based in San Diego and the cuban girls are very beautful and are hot as any other countys have to offer, way cuter then most of the ones I've seen logged.
[size=-2][u]EDITOR's NOTE[/u]: [blue]Posting of this report was delayed pending revisions to add standard [u]capitalization[/u] throughout the text. To avoid delays in future reports, please refrain from using the "chat room" style of writing with no capital lettering. [i]Thanks![/i][/blue][/size]
This is my first time on this board, however I have been getting excellent information from all the "mongers" on this board for about 3 years. I have been to Cuba the summer of 2002 and 2003. I have no experiences in other countries, so I cannot make comparisons.(Brazil, DR,AR, etc.)
I have had great experiences, the first time, and even the second time, felt like a kid in a candy store. I got my casa particular reservation through the internet, however when I got to the airport, the driver convinced me go to another "casa" with some bullshit about my choice being bad. (Bad that he wasn't getting a commission). I ended up being happy about the choice. The following year, August 2003, I returned to the same casa, which I highly recommend.On my first trip, the casa owner volunteered to be my driver for $20.00 a day, driving my rental car, a bit much, but it was my "primera vez en cuba" as the cubans say, and I didn't know better. He did take me to the turist spots, Varadero,etc. And to Playas Giron, which is about 2.5 hours from Havana. (I highly recomend this place as there are some very nice private spots that you can take your chica to and do her "Blue Lagoon" style). I think I left my condom there between the bushes. Red trojan.If anybody doubts it I have the pictures to prove it).They also have a swimming hole called " La cueva de los peces". And a nice hut type restaurant, where you can get either a lobster plate or a "carne de cocodrilo" plate(for you Spanish Challenged guys) is Alligator meat. For about $15.00 a plate. That will be $30.00 including the chica.(I was hoping she ordered a cheese sandwich, but no luck).
Part 2 later, fellow adventurers. "Hasta la Vista" as my new Governor will say.
Good Evening,
I will be heading to Cuba April 1st for a few days and need your help desperately, the wife is away and I am off to play!
I am heading into this blindly in Cuba. I need a decent place to stay in Havana, with no restrictions on girls ages etc.. I want full in and out priviledges so to speak. I am used to staying in 5 star hotels such as Four Seasons and Ritz but obviously there isn't these properties there.
I understand from reading these posts that even if I chose a 5 star property I may not be able to bring the girls into the hotel.
I need advice fast and surely appreciate any direction you can offer.
I am not concerned with the prices etc..
I'm rich! hehehe!
Thanks in advance!
I Will be in Havana April 8th for 5 nights.
anybody wana share fun and cost? I see lots of good casa but 2 bedroom, it will be nice to have a naigbor with similar intersts.
Good report, Rabito, and you did Havana well for a first (and second) timer! Guys, I want to thank you for your casa recommendtions. I have a room reserved with Marta, so thanks again. I'll be there May 7-17, so if any of you others are coming let's hook up for a drink. Spock? Havanaman?
I wouldn't be too terribly concerned about traveling to Cuba. I mean, if the government really wanted to get the information on who is traveling to Cuba they could get it. Another thing that I found funny is I have been emailing with HHG (hitch hiker girl) from my Cuba trip. She is this granola girl American chick that we picked up. Nice enough girl but not the sharpest tool in the shed. She told me that coming back from Cuba she put on her customs form that she went to Mexico AND CUBA. They pulled her aside, searched her bags and she was on her way.
Not only that but she went on and on about how she loved Cuba and is going back soon. Did she get arrested? Nope. It was really stupid of her to do that but she didn't want to lie on her form. The US government knows there are a ton of people going there for vacation.
Going to Cuba via Mexico or Bahamas is quite easy and relatively hassle free. Good luck.
Saint
P.S. DocBill, if you want I'll email you some apartment info on Miramar. I'm not sure if you want to stay that far out though. I don't think you rent a car so that might be tough but I really loved Miramar and the casas we all stayed in were great.
Just to put some perspective on this issue: Not one person has ever been prosecuted and convicted for travelling to Cuba. Not one, in 45 years. So take it easy. If caught do not lie, because making false statements is another, more prosecutable crime altogether.
Saint, thanks for the offer, but I prefer staying in Vedado.
First want to say thanks to Saint for all his contributions to the many baords.
Here is someone caught that was seen first hand. I have been to Cuba with a friend that has been 15 times. In my experience before coming back they ask if you have been anywhere else besides bahamas. Of course we always say no.
Well this, not so sharp, girl ahead in line was at an Aids Conference in Havana and she says yes, Cuba. They say I'll ask you again anywhere else. She says yes I told you, Cuba, I an with the World Health Organization (WHO) and was in Cuba for a conference. The man gives her a long look, shakes his head and says you can't go to Cuba. She says oh but I am a French Citizen. He says, yes but you are living in the US with a Visa, I am taking your Visa, for conspiring. The girl goes hysterical and starts crying saying she lives with her Fiance in Atalanta what is she going to do. I could tell these guys don't want to bust anyone. But she was clearly breaking the law. While not an American Citizen he busted her right in front of us.
One of my 5 trips to Cuba thru Nassau resulted in my suitcase being searched for "hoof and mouth disease items." I never bring back cigars or other items from Cuba, but this time I brought back one can of "Tu Cola", Cuba's version of Coke. Fortunately the guy did not find it when looking thru my bag as it was wrapped inside my swim suit to keep it cool.
When they ask where I was I always say I stayed at the club Med on paradise island in the Bahamas.
Haven't been back for a year or so. Hope it is the same or better! Cheers!
Hello to all,
This is my first time posting on the board, but I have been in the scene for some time now. I just got back from Havana via Mexico City. I know of a travel agency in Mexico who booked my travel from Mexico to Havana. You can pay by AMEX or send a check. Although many have said that it is better to stay in a casa, I prefer the Melia Cohiba. I just then asked around for the casas particulares. Here is my report of Havana.
I just got back from Havana, and the street action on Calle 23 has decreased very much from previous years. I stayed three nights, from Thurs-Sun, and every night there was a lot of LE on the street corners. I don't remember the name of the cafeteria on the corner, but it is a nice place to have some beers and watch. The LE both on the streets and at the beach (Santa Maria) were checking identification of many, many people. As stated in previous posts, this must have led to the decline in girls. To all those wondering, there are still many girls out there, just decreased in the amount. Mocumbo's disco is now closed and a couple of the other popular one's.
Thursday night we decide to hit the area by Casa de la Musica and hotel Inglaterra. We pass up the Casa and it didn't seem to have much so we went in front of the hotel Inglatterra. As soon as we start walking around, in comes a guy with his sister. Let me tell you, this girl was amazing. College girl, 20yrs old, tight ass, beautiful body and nice tight skin. We walk together to a bar that he recommends (her brother) and have a drink. I believe the bar is called Dragones, or something like that. Small place, but I liked it because there was not a lot of tourists. The girl, Taiza, starts dancing doing salsa and man can she dance. My friend ends up going with her to a casa for about 80 plus the house's 20. I end up going in a taxi to Calle 23 and the intersection that is the same street as Habana Libre is on. There, about one block from that intersection, was about 6-8 girls there everyday after midnight. I took by picking of one, and brought her back. She was great. Ball sucking, BBBJ, and CIM all for a $50. I was happy and went back to the hotel. Fri and Sat. on the next post.
part 2-friday night.
due to the excellent recommendations of my fellow friends, i decided to try some of the restaurants they said. i went to palenque which was excellent. it was funny because it has excellent food with very reasonable prices, $4-10 and when i asked the hotel concierge, they hesitated and finally agreed it was a good place. we all know why they did not want to recommend the place, they want the gringos to go to expensive places that rip you off. afterwards we went to the local beach (maria) which was fairly busy. weather was great with strong breeze. the problem was, you would be out there for hours, and because of the breeze, you didn't realize you were baking in the sun. two to three days later, i was peeling! oh well. after a quick nap, it was back to the malecon searching. at the malecon, there was a lot of mulattas, but that is not my cup of tea. so we end up going to turquino, which is in the hotel habana libre. it was rather boring there, and it has quite changed since i last went to havana 2 yrs ago. nevertheless, i recognize one guy who hooked me up with a couple of girls last time. he goes by the name alexander, and he actually remembered me! he ends up having a friend with him, a nice petite, 22yrs old, with a small ass. i end up going with her to a casa and was able to do everything i wanted. we had bbbj and she had the best dsl you could imagine. i ended the session with a cof and was gone after about an 1 1/2 hrs. earlier i had gotten alexander's number, and he promised 3 girls for saturday night for my friend and i. now i would report to you how my friend did, but i really don't know because i was so caught up that friday night. lol.
Part 3-Saturday:
After a long Friday night, Saturday turned out to be even longer. We woke up earlier today, because we wanted to hit the beach early (Santa Maria). We get to the beach at about 11am and are greeted by the guy that rents chair. He then exclaims to his friend, what a good client I was and to take care of me. All this just because I had tipped him a $1 a day before. One thing about these people in Havana, is that they are the most appreciable people I have met. We lay out there for a couple of hours and hit the bar that serves the best chopped chicken sandwiches on the beach. They put some vinager dressing on it, and it tastes so good. On the way to the beach, you can't imagin how many girls are on the side of the road waiting for a ride to the beach. We saw a lot of those girls stroll in to the beach 1 to 2 hours after we arrived! Next time I am there, I will definitely rent a van so you can pile in the girls. After chatting to a couple of girls, we decide to get together later that night. That night we call the girls and decide to get together at the Havana Libre. Most hotels you are not allowed to bring in the locals, but at the Hotel Havana Libre you are allowed in the bar area and then you can bring them to the disco. While talking to the girls, we realize that we had promised Alexander that we would get together with his three girls. We had forgotten and now we were in a bind. What to do? There is only one solution, take the girls, have a session and go back to the hotel to meet Alexander. That is what we did, for $40 a piece. My experience was uneventful, just the norm. My friend though did get lucky with the girl doing Greek and CIM. Needless to say, I was very jealous when we compared stories. (I did get payback =)
We then proceeded to call Alexander and get together with the three girls. The girls were all nice looking and two of them were 8's and one was a 7. We headed to the Turquino, had a liter bottle of Stoli, and had a great time dancing and joking. Just as the night was ending, the girls turned up the heat. I was with two of them and my friend with the other. Now you can understand me when I say at that point in the night after many, many drinks, I really was very horny. I proceeded to take both girls to a casa, where they started negotiating. They had the nerve to ask for $150 each. Even though I was buzzing from the drinks, I settled on $100 each and proceeded to have a threesome. It was the best experience of my life. The girls did anything, I mean anything. BBBJ by both at the same time, ball sucking, they both went down on each other and we finished it off doing doggie while one was eating the other one out. To say the least, I was very satisfied. We said our goodbyes and were on our way. The next day was my flight to Mexico City and it was already 6am, so I called it quits.
To all those concerned, my two visits to the Turquino was not exactly what I wanted, but after going to the Casa de la Musica and seeing it dead, and hearing that Macumbo's and Club 1847 was closed, I had to settle for it. I hope this was informative for those who read this.
came back last week after nine days in habana. that's a little too long to be in one city, but i had a buddy that had never visited before, so i did not want to drag him all over.
i was last there 8 months ago, and things have changed. la chorrera (the spout), which is that little fort next to the 1830 restaurant has turned totally pro. we arrived friday night, and the place was full of mongers and girls. we took two back to our casa and had a great time with them, but the gfe was lacking.
the girls that we found there last august were amateurs, a little shy, but hot looking. i miss those types. if anyone knows where that scene can be found in cuba these days, please share.
the 1830 restaurant next door was also a wild place. there were much more "normal" locals, guys and girls, and the cover was just $3. the key is to find the clubs with $5 cover or less. there'll be lots of amateurs and semi-pros there. cover at la chorrera next door was $5.
i would definitely go back to 1830 for amateur action. be careful when entering both places, though, as there were lots of locals hanging out in front ready to pick our wallets as we tried to sqeeze through the crowd to get to the gates.
these were the only two places we really visited for girls. last august i found a club near the capital building that i wanted to visit. this "club" was just a warehouse with a makeshift bar. when i walked in back then, 10 hot girls immediately attacked me. there must have been 50 girls and just 5 or six guys there that night. i'd say half of them were hot.
when i returned to the same spot this time, it had already been shut down. a victim of its own success. when i asked my taxi driver who was responsible for closing it, he smiled at me, put his hand on his chin and stroked it back and forth, signifying the "bearded one."
if you are into cuban jazz, definitely go to the jazz cafe, across the street from the melia cohiba hotel. the cover was $10 (cheap, when you consider the live jazz music), but that amount goes towards your food and drinks, so it's a great deal.
this trip, we stayed in vedado. i recommend this area if you don't plan to rent a car. everything was so close. our casa was literally one block away from the havana libre hotel. there is a club every block or two in this neighborhood, and on the weekends, they really rock with locals (well-off locals, since the cover is a relatively high $5). the clubs are usually small (100 people or less), but they have a good vibe, and you can walk from club to club.
if you are from the states, are flying home via cancun, and are bringing back lots of cigars (like me), you can avoid mexican customs by taking the aero caribe flight from habana to cancun with a 30 minute stop-over in cozumel.
some of you coming back into cancun straight from havana may have been harassed by mexican customs if you have more than one box of cigar. if you lie and tell them you have no cigars in your luggage, and they decide to search you, they will confirep001e all the boxes they find and let you keep just one.
however, if you come into cozumel first, they will make you de-plane and go through mexican immigration, but they leave your luggage on the plane, and you don't have to go through customs. i guess it's too much trouble for them to take your crap off the plane and put it through inspection. anyway, after about 20 minutes, they let you get back on the plane, and it takes off and lands in cancun 15 minutes later as a domestic flight. which means no more immigration check and no customs check. no one inspects your bags in cancun.
i'm not sure, but i think the mexican rule is that you can't take more than one box of cigars into mexico for fear that you may sell them for less than what the mexican merchants are selling them for. if this is the case, than i think it's ok to take back all the cigars you want from cuba, so long as you board another flight and leave cancun with those cigars. just don't leave the airport and go into town with them.
sorry for dwelling on the cigar issue, but it's my passion. i was in habana for the cigars, the people, and the culture as well as the mongering. i enjoyed every minute of the trip. i'll lament the day when all this changes (maybe in a couple years?).
vedado is such a lively area that all i had to do was sit on the steps in front of my building for a few minutes, and the girls just walk up. i met the girl below that way. she was only 18 and had a great body. can't wait to return.
recommendations:
go to 1830 restaurant (but visit the club in the back. the food is upscale, but i've never eaten there). watch your pockets.
go to la chorrea (the spout) next door. watch your pockets.
check out the jazz cafe. not a monger scene inside, just good cuban jazz. although there will be girls outside waiting to "harrass" you when you arrive and when you leave.
check out the night club in the meliha cohiba hotel across from the jazz cafe ($10 cover charge assures that only pros will be inside, and some waiting outside).
stay in a casa in vedado (near la rampa, if possible).
check out the small clubs that are all over vedado on the weekends.
bring with you a small boom box and some spanish language magazines. (i got this from this board, and it was a great idea).
bring with you some small parting gifts you can hand out to the girls.
that's it for now. thanks to all on this board who provided so much info.
Yoss,
I have to respectfully diasgree with the recommendation for the club in the Melia Cohiba.
I travelled to La Habana with my girlfriend. We flew from the states, and connected through Nassau. We stayed in Miramar at the Melia Habana. I prefer to stay in Miramar, as it is more upscale and I can get away from the craziness. Besides, there is good street action in Miramar.
I was pretty disappointed with the Habana Club. While the band was pretty good, the service was lacking and the environment was a bit bland / somewhat non-descript. It was evocative of an American version of a Cuban nightclub.
Now, we all know that these are not the reasons that mongers are flying to Cuba. But the girls were disappointing as well. The chicas there were not particularly attractive. If I compare it to a similar club in Rio (say, Help) or in Santo Domingo (say, Jaragua), the talent level was considerably inferior.
We went to playa Santa Maria, which is more of a locals' beach. the talent THERE was great. I saw tons of gorgeous girls on the beach, and when I wandered away from my gf , I was able to engage some women in pleasant conversation. I guess they don't meet too many young black men from America.
Is La Chorrera that place on the Malecon before you go down into the tunnel? We saw a very nice dance show there, and we had an enjoyable evening.
I've posted a couple of pics, but please PM me if you have a desire to see any more.
Chicas on the beach.
La Playa.
Hi Everyone,
I have few questions would like to ask but I am afraid they were posted here before. So please forgive me.
I was in Cuba (Veradera & Havana) on vacation back in Oct 2001 but I didn't get any action because I was by myself, didn't speak a word of Spanish, didn't find any girls on the street. Worst, a local told me there was a "cleanup" in Havana few days before I got there :-(
I am thinking to go there again on April 10 with a friend. We will get one of those last-minute 7-day all-inclusive packages (I'm from Canada).
Here are my questions:
1 - Should I go to Veradera or Havana? It seems Veradera is "dead" now. Can we still can some actions there if sex is only a secondary priority?
2 - Is all-inclusive paackage a good idea? How could I bring girls back to the hotel? I remember there were "many eyes" at the lobby/front door.
3 - Can we "hire" a girl (or girls) as a "translators" and get her be with us all the time? Would this let her/them stay with us in the hotel?
4 - How to approach them?
5 - Last time when I was in Havana, I was chased my few guys asking for money and since I was just one person....i was kinda nervous. What's the best way to keep them off my back?
6 - Where can we find those Casas (hotel)?
Thanks a million! (I hope we will not be Lost in Cuba, haha)
C.
Member #1727, I'll try to briefly answer your questions and I also suggest you do a search/read the archives as they have been extensively dealt with here.
First of all,i f you're just looking for sex, go somewhere else. If you still want to go to Cuba and you really want to see Cuba then I would avoid Varadero. It really isn't Cuba, it's a resort of and for foreigners. My understanding is that there is virtually no action there anymore anyway.
You can't, anywhere, bring girls to a "hotel." Don't even bother trying, you'll waste your time. Some casa particulares (although much less these days) will allow you to bring girls in. Always ask first. Also be respectful and discreet if the situation calls for it, for example if you're staying with a family with kids.
You can probably hire a girl to translaste fairly easily. Just ask around. Start with the casa owner if it seems appropriate. And no, again, you won't be able to bring any Cuban to your hotel room, for any reason.
I have found since last year's crackdown on Cubans mingling with foreigners much less people hounding me for money. My guess is it won't be too big of a problem now. If it is a firm "No me moleste, por favor" usually does the trick. In any case it is almost certain that you will not be physically harrassed. They go to jail for a long time for that, and Cubans in general are not a violent people.
You can find Casas in Lonely Planet, Moon Handbook (much better overall than Lonely Planet), researching this board, or asking your cab driver when you get there. Don't be afraid to turn down one that doesn't meet your liking.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
I came back from a trip from Havanna & Varadero a while ago, I must admit that I had high expectations about meeting cuban girls for a nice time, at the beginning of the trip our travel guide even warned us male tourists that prostitutes would be all over us everywhere... yeah right, I wish it would have been like that. Sure there were quite nice girls around, but the heavy police presence in the Havanna downtown area was keeping things down. Obviously one place for street girls is Parque central across the Inglaterra Hotel, when I walked by in the middle of the night I could hear pssst sounds and some girls even openly flirted with me, but there were so many men around, too that it made the situation just too scary for me.
So, on a tuesday night I jumped into a cab, and wanted to go to either Havana Club disco or Cabaret Papa's, only to be told by the taxi driver that they were closed. He took me to a disco called 'Rio Club', and that place was dead. $10 for entrance, only to find the club practically empty, with some couples sitting there. The bartender said that usually there were girls there, obviously this was not my lucky night. On the way there I had spotted a place called 1830 on the way, so I decided to go there. On the way I spotted a couple of street girls, and after arriving at '1830' I rushed there. Two turned out to be transvestites, and one girl was not attractive enough. Later I spotted two girls on the Malecon nearby, they were better, so I picked one of them, she was a young-looking brunette who couldn't speak a single word of english. We took a cab and went to this casa where I had to pay $10 for the room and $40 for her, only had $30 left for her, and she settled for that. We had a good time, and I was kinda satisfied, she didn't feel like a pro, was clean and horny. Later I saw an even better looking girl there, but as I had run out of money, I had to walk back to my hotel.
So, Havanna was definetely a disappointment, but I was glad I got at least some fun because next I went to Varadero which was totally dead as far as sex for money is concerned, but I guess that came as no surprise.
Hey Delusio, thank you for your post. Nice to know that HAV is still breathing. As we have learned, whenever going to Havana, always bring extra cash. Either for yourself, or to lend to your friends when they run out. I know for a fact, a friend of mine left Cuba with a bigger smile on his face because I loaned him $50 and he used that $ to land this gorgous blond. On the night before our flight back. She was so beautiful, I should have charged him interest...
Cuba is not cheap. I am leaving for Cuba on April 14 and will be there for two weeks and I am bringing cash and my Transcard in case I run out. With my Transcard I can access my funds in the United State via the state and make cash transfer to my Transcard. Alot of guys in the past have told me that the Transcard service is too expensive to use. I rather pay that 8 to 12 percent (THe rate is base on the amount you transfer. The higher the amount you transfer the lower the number get)Then to be stuck in Cuba with no money. After I leave Cuba on the 26th I will be in Blackbeard in Sosua, Dominican Rep for a 5 day test of Dominican Republic. I have not been in DR in 6 years or since I got divorce from my ex. I will post reports of Cuba and DR.
El Cubanito
AlLostInSpace13,
Cuba must be contagious in the way tourist help other tourist. I remember being stuck in Cuba on one of the very first trips that I went and having no money. My $20 tax money to leave Cuba somehow I lost it and they told me that I could not leave Cuba without paying this in Cash. I told the official that the only thing that I had was my credit card. Well this American guy who was behind me in the line overheard what was going on and he lend me the $20 until I we got to Miami. I pay him as soon as we got to a ATM in Miami Airport. Man was I scared.
El Cubanito
Doc Bill.
What are you doing on Cuba whithout having sex? For me it´s the paradise for that kind of art. Of course you have to know about cat and rat- play whith the Fidels army. But the girls still are everywhere, especially in the weekends whwen they must to earns some extra money around the Central Park, Obisbo and in front of Inglaterra where I always are staying in a girlfriendly particular with my own key.
Who said I'm not having sex? I have a girlfriend there and it's nonstop sex from the moment I arrive! If I did not have her, I would definitely pick other places to go for mongering. I'm not saying that girls aren't available, but it has become too big of a hassle. If you've been there before the crackdown a couple of years ago you'd know what I mean. It's a lot easier and cheaper in other countries. As Saint has pointed out, Cuba is a great country to visit for the people and the culture, but not for this "hobby."
I can vouch for Doc, his girl friend is my girlfriend also.
I have the pics to prove it :-)
Can anyone help me with a good privat casa in Havana. I want to stay in Havana Bieja but other alternativ is ok. I am a swedish guy who will stay in Havana for a week and after that go to to Santiago and I need a casa there too. Please help me. The casas need to be guest friendly.
Thanks
DocBill,
It's like day and night to go to Cuba GFE- ing or mongering. I have heard and red about this crackdowns every year since my first trip in -97. And of course it´s true, but altough the chicas still are whisperings to you wherever you go or sit down.
I agree whith you that it´s much more easier to pick up a BG and pay BF in Thailand (where I recently come back from five weeks mogering) and some other asia countries, but it´s definitly not so exciting and charming as it is on Cuba. And in my opinion they like the acts much more as well. But where is it cheaper? I don´t complain when the rates are between $10 de una mas juventud y hermosa chicas de Nueva Gerona, Baracoa y Cienfuegos - to $100 for a ballerina de Tropicana. Thailand is cheap - but not cheaper.
Even sorry to say, I`m not going to Cuba for it´s culture, food or even the people as following you all the time and asking where you come from, but just for this "hobby".
Excuse for language, as you understand, english is not my first or even second language.
Klamydia.
You've got a mail on a casa particular in Vieja.
Doc Bill wrote:
"Just to put some perspective on this issue: Not one person has ever been prosecuted and convicted for travelling to Cuba. Not one, in 45 years. So take it easy. If caught do not lie, because making false statements is another, more prosecutable crime altogether."
I know this will start something on the board, but I am a lawyer that deals with people that have been interdicted coming back from Cuba. There are three Administrative Law Judges now hearing cases in Washington, but as Doc Bill has said no people have been criminally prosecuted. This is true. The government has turned these violations into an administrative fine and not a criminal issue. At the present time it is approximately $1,875.00 to settle the issue with the Office of Foreign Asset Control. If you demand a hearing the OFAC has judges to hear the cases. Please have a great time in Cuba as I love the place too but make sure you have no incriminating things in your luggage when returning to the US.
Thanks for the info, Johnny! Last I heard, one could simply ignore the fine since there was no system in place for hearing cases. Apparently, if you're right, the Bushies have changed all that. What about the group of attorneys, I think they're called Lawyers Without Walls or something like that. Are they involved in this? I'd also like to know if you know how many people, or better yet what percentage of those caught actually end up being forced to (not volunteer to) pay the fine.
I'm going through Cancun in a few weeks. Do I need to worry? You guys who've gone this way, how do you explain the Mexican entry & exit stamps on your passport? If from the US, can you just use a driver's license?
One final question: I'm going to be in Cancun for about eight hours. Is there anything to do there in that time?
Thanks!
DOC BILL:
You know, Jonny Diver can't say too much about who he is or what group he may be with since as an attorney (officer of the court), he is not allowed to encourage anyone violating the law.
JOHNNY DIVER:
Isn't it true that 99% of the persons "caught" caused their own problems by either opening their mouths when they didn't have to (or simply refuse to answer) or were stupid enough to keep evidence of being in Cuba such as ticket stubs in their names?
The OFAC is not the IRS which is similar to the SS and KGB which were laws unto themselves. The OFAC must still prove a prima facia case (Right J.D?) before the victim has to say anything.
So enjoy, sanatize when returning and keep your trap shut.
Just my 2 pesos worth.
Spock.
I just got back from a 9-night trip to Havana. This was my first trip alone anywhere for the possibility of meeting women for some casual mongering. I arrived real late the first night so no action. I did manage to get laid every night the rest of my trip by 5 different girls. I was surprised how well I did. These numbers are probably unimpressive to the hardcore mongers but I was quite satisfied.
I met all my girls just walking around the Malecon or La Rampa Ave. There weren’t a lot of girls but then again there weren’t a lot of mongers in my opinion. I keep hearing about the good old days. I wasn’t in the hobby back then but I can just imagine the Malecon from Vedado to Old Havana lined up with around 100 beautiful Cuban girls all dressed really sexy just sitting there waiting. Now for example on a Monday to Thursday between 9:00 to 10:00pm on the Malecon I saw maybe 5 to 8. Usually the same ones every night. However things seemed to pick up on the weekend.
One of the things I really loved about Cuban was the hunting, the sneaking around, meeting in dark alley ways, using hand signals etc. It was very exiting. I would walk by a girl and make eye contact and say Holla. Then I would keep walking and look back. I would keep looking back until she new I was interested. Then I would head towards an area were there weren’t any police. There are tons of little alley ways all along the Malecon to meet and talk. It’s a great feeling when your walking and you look back and you see the girl following you. It kind of reminded me of going fishing.
I planned to go to some clubs but didn’t go to any. Just wasn’t comfortable going alone and I was told they would be dead on weekdays anyway. Also it was so dam hot. Putting on long pants and stepping outside within a few minutes I was sweating like a pig. I would have liked to have learned more about club mongering. Whether that is where the girls hang out these days and whether it is safer than street walking for the girls. If it is safer I would make more of an effort to go to the clubs in the future.
The police were everywhere but they just seem to stand in one spot. I never see them doing any real scouting or patrolling. They do seem friendly with a lot of the working girls. I seen them asking a lot of guys for I.D. but don’t think I saw them asking to many girls. I always made it clear to the girls that I met that I would do what needed to be done to keep them from getting into trouble. They were cautious but didn’t seem overly concerned. This is a subject that makes me question whether I should be even going to Cuba at all to monger. I tried talking a lot to the girls to get their take on the situation. It seems if they are from the Havana area and they don’t have a record they are fairly relaxed. They will even try and hold your hand while walking around but I didn’t feel comfortable with this. I must say the police were fairly nice to me. I committed several traffic offences while mountain biking but was never given a ticket or asked for a bribe.
I always here people say they love Cuba because of the people. Sure, there were people I thought were nice and honest: my casa owners, the guy who rented me my bicycle, my Spanish teacher, the staff at my favorite restaurant Siette Mares, but I honestly still think there were a lot of Cubans who only wanted to swindle me any way they could. As far as the girls were concerned, man do I have a lot to learn. With the 18 and 19 year old girl I met I knew were I stood. Sure they wanted me for the money but they still seemed to enjoy being with me and having sex. I’m 40 but the Cubans were guessing I was in my late 20’s. I’m probably considered at least OK looking and I am in fairly good physical shape. When the 19 year old gave me her number and said I could call her the next day, I knew it was only because I was an easy gig for her and she could do so much worse. I'm not repulsive looking, I smell good, and I had a nice, safe, clean casa to hang out in. Now the 22, 25 and 26 year girls I met were a different story. I have to say I kind of enjoyed their company a bit more. They were very affectionate. The way they looked at me had me thinking they kind of liked me. They would ask more personal questions like if I had a girl friend in Cuba or back home. I wonder if they were just playing me to get another gig? Probably. I mean mongers were pretty scarce and I was probably considered a good catch. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not looking to get married or have a serious relationship. I’m realistic. I would be happy with a girl who likes me say 50% for the money and 50% for me just the way I liked some of the girls 50% for them and 50% for the sex. In Cuba I would consider that the start of a dream relationship.
In conclusion I am kind of thinking about an August trip. Not sure. I mean I haven’t even tried the clubs, Old Havana the Prado/Parque central strip. Maybe an 18-19 year old to start for a simple one nighter. Then I wouldn’t mind meeting a nice older girl, maybe 25 to actually go out on a date to a restaurant or a club and maybe hang out for the week. Unfortunately I’m not sure this is even possible anymore. But I have no desire to go anywhere else right now. I like the Cuban women.
Havanaman, sorry I didn’t get to meet you. They changed my casa at the last minute so the info I sent you was void. Not sure if you tried to contact me. Maybe another time. Hope you had a good trip.
I have a question for you guys with Cuban girlfriends. Just wondering if you were once a customer of theirs or do you look for girlfriends who don't do tricks. Thanks.
Dran Reb,
Nice report, and an enjoyable read. Yes I was in Havana at the same time as you, and I did call number you gave, but they said they did not have any English speaking guests… Next time Bro!
You are very right in what you report about mongering the police. For me the whole hunt is part of this Cuban experience; maybe it’s the youth in me trying to get more adventurous, but it is a buzz no less. Having said this, other readers must remember what I and other reporters (e.g. DocBill et al) have said in the past if you are going for the sole reason of mongering go somewhere else (I recommend BA, Brazil or DR).
Unlike in previous visits this one for me was unusual in that I spent 90% of my time with one chica. Yes indeed, one chica. The remaining 10% was with the niece of the landlady of the casa I was staying in… She does not normally charge for play, but we were both drunk and I said how lovely she looked and the next thing I know is I find it difficult to speak because she has her tongue in my mouth. Cost me nothing other than a couple of bottles of hotel shampoo (you know the free mini-bottles), some lip-stick intended for my chica and some mini-hotel soap. No I’m not a cheapskate I just happen to keep the free stuff form hotels! The $10, in single bills was also anice gift. Anyway it was an enjoyable time: BBBJ + CIM, followed by DATY (we should always return the favour), then some real nice back-door pleasure.
I shit myself the next day when my chica met her. But I had nothing to worry about. This girl was not going to upset her aunts illegal casa situation with a scene between us.
I’m already planning my return trip. This time for some fresh chicas: yes indeed the trial continues.
Dran Reb, as to your question: Please refer to my previous reports about the trial I have got going: it yields free, and I do mean FREE chica action. You can always interplay some pay-for-play action into this.
Regards,
Havanaman
Havanaman, you're becoming all-too-well "Our Man in Havana!" For anyone, I'll be in Havana May 7-17 if you want to hook up. If my girlfriend behaves herself I'll be with her the whole time; if she doesn't I'm going to town!
Again, if someone could answer my questions about traveling through Cancun (Saint?):
1) How do you get around or explain the Mexican exit/entry stams on your passport when returning to the US, or can one just use their US driver's license?
2) Since I'll be stuck in Cancun for about eight hours, is there anything I can do there besides sit in the airport?
Thanks guys
Talosian said:
"The OFAC is not the IRS which is similar to the SS and KGB which were laws unto themselves. The OFAC must still prove a prima facia case (Right J.D?) before the victim has to say anything."
The big problem is that this is not a criminal offense only a civil one. You have to prove that you did not go. Or you did go with a proper license. Be very careful as the OFAC is issuing prepenalty notices to people that they have very little information on. Once that is issued you have to demand a hearing and then negotiate. You have to remember this is not a criminal issue where the level is beyond a reasonable doubt. It is only a proponderence of the evidence level! Totally different! I love Cuba and the people there! I have friends that I miss but until this is sorted out I think I am going to the DR! or CR!
Doc Bill wrote
"I'd also like to know if you know how many people, or better yet what percentage of those caught actually end up being forced to (not volunteer to) pay the fine."
To get an idea of who has been fined please go to the Office of Foreign Asset control that is part of the Treasury Department website. They do list the names of people that have been fined or negotiated a settlement on the site. I am linked to it at my office and I keep a close eye on it. I miss Cuba and my friends. All of you can make a difference! Vote and write your Congressmen! Also join some of the cuba web groups that help you monitor whats going on!
Be careful!
Gentlemen,
I live in Europe, so I am not too hot on the laws of the USA, however I did read many years ago, and indeed more recently, that the issue of travel and Cuba is not one of going but one of spending money ~ specifically the greenback. Am I mistaken here?
If I am, then sorry.
If I am not, then anyone paying for a ticket in the USA to MEX, then paying in MEX for Cuba will not have broken any laws. Thus, if asked, one might openly say that one has visited Cuba, but not spent a dime. “I lived with my friends their, they paid for everything. I’m innocent until PROVEN guilty. Do you have any proof…” Is this being too naïve or would it need serious brass balls?
Doc Bill: thank you for your kind words: I’m sure my profile fits what Graham Green was thinking about when he started his story (well, that and a couple of extra pounds!). Sadly, work has to be done… I’m already planning another trip but not hat soon: I’ll keep you posted and we might coordinate a visit perhaps. Also sorry I can’t comment on the entry-exit stamp from MEX: that’s a new one for me…
Regards,
Havanaman
Gentlemen,
Maybe I was being a little naïve, I just learned from the British Medical Journal:
http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/328/7445/914-a?etoc
that the “Administration” prevented a large group of medics (70)attending a world famous academic conference in Havana.
Get this, the grounds for refusal were that attendance at such academic conferences did not constitute a valid reason to go to Cuba. Those in the world of medicine know that Cuba has one of the highest standards of medicine and research on the planet (specifically neurology and surgery), albeit a lack of medication (…and we all know why that is…).
If anyone from the so called “Administration” is reading this: then GET A GRIP on reality. Research conferences are the best forum for the sharing of ideas and experiences in medicine i.e. the foundation of scientific communication. Perhaps if politicians communicated more we would not be in this sorry state.
Anger vented, I would exhort my USA brothers to let their feelings be felt by November…
Regards,
Havanaman
I note below where it is said in an administrative hearing you will be liable wher it is found by the "proponderence of the evidence." The operative word here is "EVIDENCE!l"
If you keep your mouth shut (what any attorney would tell you in this case) and you have sanitized yourself of paperwork, what is the "evidence" against you? I say again, most people are sunk by either their own words (coming from their open mouth) or some paperwork they retain. Talk too much or don't clean up after yourself paperwise, and you will give the OFAC their evidence.
Anyone disagree?
Enjoy.
Spock
Talosian,
I Agree 100%. The burden of proof is at the doors of the OFAC. Like you said, dump all the associated, expired and now useless paperwork in any airport trash bin, and fly stress-free.
One doubt: If more people use the "where is your evidence?" argument, maybe the "Administration" will find other means to trap people. Maybe even actually start making examples of some people.
Best thing is probably to stick with getting in and out of Cuba with as low a profile as possible. Some of my friends are going via Canada: longer haul if you live in the far south or west USA, but safe nontheless.
Regards, Havanaman
I hate to bust your bubble, guys, but they don't need evidence. The actual law is against spending money there, and the burden of proof is on you, not them, to prove that you were "fully hosted," which is near impossible. I think our lawyer friend can attest to this as well.
I'm going through Cancun; Can I just use my license (American) to get in and out of Mexico? Anybody who's gone through Cancun had any problems or heard of any?
On a recent trip to Cuba, I made sure that I got my (European) passport stamped by immigration guy in Havana airport upon arrival. He seemed a bit surprised, but after the indescribably rude way in which I'd been treated by a bunch of ignorant cops in Newark "Liberty" airport (pass me the sick bag, please), a few days before, I was thouroughly hacked off with US immigration and in no mood to co-operate. Sad to say, on return through MIA, the official didn't even notice the stamp. Oh well, one small blow for freedom went wide...
For all you good folks with US passports, I'd be real careful -- I heard some stories about some guys being hung out to dry by the administration upon their return to mainland USA.
BTW, I bought my ticket through Nash travel in Toronto and can recommend them and their services -- they were friendly, very helpful and right on the button with everything.
Nash is ok, but one of the girls that works there is rude. Use the Ukrainian guy. They have a hard time making connections, this is the difficult thing. Plus they cannot book Cubana directly. They must make a call and wait for a day or two until Cubana calls them back. So you give Nash a couple of days when you want to go and then see what they can get for you. Then you book your connecting flights and hope there is a seat at a reasonable cost to where you connect to Cubana. Bush is an asshole, #1 world terrorist and worse than Fidel to make people's travel so difficult.
Doc Bill;
You are right about the fully hosted "problem" however before it even gets there they need to show you were in Cuba. If you don't have anything to ndicate being there and don't say anything, there is little chance of getting busted.
Cancun seems to be the best route. I know one guy who made a (non-confirmed) reservation at a Cancun hotel and then printed out the "confirmation" page and had it ready in case he was asked, which he never was.
And if asked where you were, it's always good to say you were with your friend "Jose Cuervo" or Sr. Frog and smile.
My two pesos worth.
Spock.
Thanks, Spock! I guess the Che Guevara t-shirts will have to wait. Actually, do you know the name of a hotel in Cancun I can say I stayed at? The only other issue I'm a little paranoid about is the Mexican entry/exit stamps on my passport when going to/from Cuba. How to explain that, if asked?
At any rate, I'm going, May 7-17. Anyone else?
Hello, will anyone be in Havana next week? Care to meet up and combat together? I watch your back and you watch mine.
Hi all,
I am going to Havana tomorrow morning (April 23) for 11 days.
So like many of the older and experienced mongers, I am counting the hours to be released from the Sex Prison. I have about 36 hours left.
Hi there fellow mongers,
I am currently living in Canada and I am planning on visiting Cuba this year for the first time,can anyone point me in the right direction as to where is the best place to go for chicas as I will only have a week and want to maximise my time without doing to much guesswork,any information would be much appreciated.
Thanks to all and safe and happy mongering..........:)
Is it true that some chicas will accept hosiery, and in return "be with you" all night? I will be going to Varadero, and if this is the case, then I will be doing some "shopping" before I leave.
You can take down the whole Hanes factory and you won't get laid in Varadero, except maybe by some vacationing Canadian housefrau. It's a dead zone.
Light out for La Habana at the first opportunity. I don't know any chicas that will sleep with you for hosiery, but if you're a decent guy you'll find some chicas that will sleep with you and appreciate the hosiery.
I have been to Cuba many times, although with a treasury license. I have not been as much the past few years because there are other places easier for mongering and Cuba has just lost the appeal for me.
I agree with sanitizing the paper work. "Lose" your passport in Mexico and go back through with a birth certificate and DL. There is one piece of evidence OFAC can use, which is more difficult to sanitize. Customs and foreign governments, including Cuba, can share information on a flight's manifest, including names and passport numbers. This is being done to fight drugs and terrorism. Chances are OFAC will not go to the trouble, but the information is certainly out there.
Go and have fun. I wouldn't sweat it at all.
Snook
Montrealer,
In general the answer is yes. However it is by no means restricted to an single item: all cosmetic type products are welcome. I must tell you however that its not as simple as it sounds, obviously you need to be reasonably as a man, be ready to be the gentleman etc… and may still need to pay something.
As to your going to Varadero, forget the above. Locals seen to be fraternising with tourist risk a lot and so, even if you come across any genuine locals (!) it is going to be hard mongering. For pay for play, I have no doubts that every master here will tell you the same: Varadero is NOT the place to go. Venture into Havana for a couple of days (a few hours by taxi particular, cost about $50 US, cheaper if you can negotiate) and your mongering will be made a little easier.
Please remember what knowledgeable masters like DocBill and others have said in the past: Cuba is not a good place for mongering. Reading past reports will also tell you what you need to take, specific gift wise.
Best wishes, Havanaman
And by the way, if you haven't noticed, Cubanas don't wear stockings. With legs like that they don't need to!
Here a girl I met in 2002 in Havanna.
Hi DocBill,
I just came back from Cuba on April 21. Doc, I really would like to meet you in Havana on your May Trip. I plan on going from May28 to June 16. Will you be available. Talosian, I try two times to bring the pic to your girlfriend house but nobody was around. I try to bring the picture on April 14 at about 5:00 PM when I landed in Havana and on Tuesday night on April 13. Both times your girl or family was not around. Talosian, I will be going next month to Cuba again. I can return the pic to you or will you want me to bring them with me when I go back to Cuba. Please PM and let me know. Talosian, here is a pic of something very sweet that you miss on this trip. Boy, was she sweet!
El Cubanito
PS I met her in cienfuego. Very sweet girl in Bed
Hi,
Here is another pic of same girl later on that night.
I am in Santiago de Cuba now. I landed in Havana on April 23rd. I stayed in Havana for 3 nights. I would say that quality and quantity of the girls in Havana have gone down. Any way I got laid on the first three nights in Havana. The second night was the most memorable with a sweet 19 year old girl from Camaguey. On the last night in Havana, while infront of the La Chorrea, a bunch of policias came to the location suddenly and started to ask for the ID of the girls and the pimps. Nobody was arrested. I left the place for the old Havana, where all the girls were hard core pros. Fouth day, I took the overnight bus to Santiago.
Santiago is the place to be. There is no police harassment here.
Last night I had the best sex in my 28 year old life with a girl 4 years younger than me. We walked around the old Santiago, No problem with the police. We went to the Casa de Musica.
She provided me with the sex, love and affection more than a wife or gril friend could offer. I am probably meeting her tonight. Life is good.
Hi guys,
I am going to Cuba for the first time ever within the next four months. The problem is, I don't know when I should go. Logic suggests May, although I'll have to delay starting my new job, which will be a big hassle. The time I am truly free for a while is late August. However, I have no doubt that it will be incredibly hot then. What's your advice?
Thanks,
Syl
Sylvan,
It's all about what you are used to / where you are from. I live in Europe and its mostly cold here, so the heat of Cuba for me is a blessing. However even I can not enjoy the “hot as hell” August sun. My best times have always been in December, Jan, Feb, March, April. The days are excellent and the nights a little cooler: you might need a jacket when on the seaward side (malecon etc…). You also should get a place with AC.
I personally would want to go ASAP, but then I know the place! In the summer there are more tourists and thus more hard-core chicas; that’s something I do not like. However, a real gift is that in the season, you can get lots of very nice non-pro action from chicas who come to Havana from far and wide to make a few $$.
Your decision is your own regarding the job hassle, however consider this: go to Havana ASAP, enjoy this time and then take another week off when you can go again (having worked for a few months) and this time knowing what is what and where is where etc…
All the best.
Regards, Havanaman
Sylvan,
August is also the start of hurricane season in Cuba. I really would recommend you go in May. It is the low season and there are not that many tourist in Cuba. So you will have your pick of the casa particular in Cuba. What part of Cuba are you intersted in going to Havana, Holguin, Santiago, Camaguey, Trinidad or Cienfuegos? Each part has a different types of girls.
El Cubanito
Sylvan and Havanaman,
If you think Havana is hot in July and August, go to the East of Cuba that is when this part of the country really gets Hots.
El Cubanito
Cuba is always hot, it doesn't matter when you go! In terms of weather, however, I would avoid the months of July and August, especially if you're planning to visit the east (Santiago). The weather is tolerable the rest of the year (Stockings, Jesus Christ!).
As I've said, I'm off next week, so if any of you guys need any deliveries made I'll be glad to help.
Santiago is brutally hot during the months of July and August. Last year I stay in Santiago from July to September and man was it Hot. Brutally Hot. I had alot of fun though.
I went to Baracoa, Hoguin and Manzanillo (If you think Santiago is Hot this place is brutal. More Humid then Hell!)
If you like heat then July and August is for you in Santiago.
Or I almost forgot that is the tourist season in Cuba also and every casa is occupied. You only get the bad one because all of the good ones are taken.
El Cubanito
Interesting story (link below), about how the US Treasury Dept. (OFAC) spends a lot more resources hunting down Americans traveling to Cuba than terrorists.
"More Agents To Track Castro Than Bin Laden"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55131-2004Apr29.html
Hey Doc,
Have a Great trip, to bad I will not be able to hook up with you. If you prolong your stay I will be able to see you.
El Cubanito
Ten days in Havana.
I spent a long ten days in Havana at the end of April. All I have to say is that the weather is wonderful this time of year, not too hot and not too humid. The search for prime ladies however is a different story. It certainly pays to be a regular and have several ladies available any day a phone call away. The gems are still out there, but not easy to find as they were over the holidays. There has obviously been a crackdown on chicas from the provinces as the only ones available are from Havana. Chorrera is dead, The Johny is dead, Rosalia is still closed, The Casa de la Musica is completely dead. Turquino is closed to Cubans as is the pool at Marina Hemingway. Papas is closed. The indoor disco at Chevere is the new chica hangout, but is small, crowded, and lacking in good talent. Cafe Cantante and Delirio Habanero at the Teatro National are now chica spots, but not like the good old days. Maybe things will pick up after schools out! China town was also dead by the way. Times have obviously been tough the last few months. Still a beautiful country but things are not getting any easier. Other spots are probably better for mongering, especially if you are new to the city/country.
For those of you knowing both, and Chicas in mind only - Cuba or DR?
Thanks,
S.
S
Just asked El Cubanito ...
Hi guys,
I lived in Cuba almost one year, and I have been in the past 6 years more then 30 times.
I think I know cuba very well and I think there is no better country (and I have been in many places) then Cuba for nice and good sex, and not only that, the nice thing in cuba, is that you can find easily a “jinetera” which will behaviour exactly like your girlfriend.
I would like to tell you , that it’s obvious that the girl comes with you for the money, but the way she “pretend she is not “and the way she can fake it it’s so delicious which you will have an amazing time.
I think it’s very stupid go in touristy places and get a prostitute which will ask you between 50 and 100 dollars, it’s not the right way to live cuba, you don’t need that.
In Cuba, the first rule, is always get a casa particular, there are many very comfortable at 30 dollars and if you good even 20.
If you go in hotel you cannot appreciate the real Cuba, and plus you will be limited in the number of girls which you could bring up, and most of the time you need to tip the door guy about 20 dollars.
Why do that? Why spent all this money and the girl need to leave before morning? You could spent a beautiful night with no rush in a nice house and no extra tipping.
The cost of the girl if you know where to go, it’s about 20 dollars a night, this is the maximum which you need to pay, if she is really good, and you don’t mind you can tip her extra, if she was really good.
To achieve this goal avoid f all the touristy places and just go in Cuban bar and club, which you pay maximum 1 or 2 dollars and not 5 or 10!
In Habana it’s essential to have a car.
I usually suggest a particular, a private taxi 24 hours, I pay 30 dollars a day fuel included with unlimited miles, a rent car will cost you 50 or 60 plus fuel and the reason of a personal driver it’s much more then saving money believe me.
Obviously you need to have somebody you can trust, I have this friend for about 6 years now, he pick me up at airport and take me trough all my holiday can go everywhere, I am always safe, and I am able to pick up any girl I want on the street, with no money most of the times I don’t need to pay 100 dollars!
That was all thank to him and his advise, of course now I am like a Cuban and I can do anything but all my knowledge and my experience came from this friendship.
I sent a lot of friends to alexy (this is his name) if you guys need any help with Cuba just ask I will love to help you out , anything you need with Cuba, house, girls, or taxi, just contact me I will be back in agost for a month if you are around let me know I have some nice mulatta you might like, hehe.
This forum it’s very nice I discovered last year and was very helpful for my travel in Poland, Lithuania and Estonia, I will try to post more often and contribute as much as I can, you guys are fantastic source on information, that’s why today I decide to contribute as well.
My email is [blue][Email Address deleted by Admin][/blue]
I am Italian, but I leave in England and a bit everywhere.
See you
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I don't think Italian fucked up anything in Cuba, I think simply which are the one that more have an undestanding of the situation, becouse of the similarity in the culture and the language, most Italians speak Spanish.
Be carefull with the guide most of them are porfessional jinetero, and if they are not known they will make money on anything I will do, from the house to the beer which you buy in any bar of L'habana.
If you need a very good house with a trustable landlord I can give the address of the villa where I go, when of course I am not there. It's a nice 3 floor villa, on the sea for 30 dollars a day, you can get food if you want and a maid 24hours a day.
My email is [blue][Email Address deleted by Admin][/blue]
See you.
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Tony Pilot - Thanks for a great report. I too have been to Cuba over 30 times, but it spans the last 9 years. I remember the good old days before the repression.
I would be interested in checking out the villa you spoke about. Is it a licensed casa particular? What is the address and the landlord's name. Does he have a phone number and/or e-mail address?
Thanks
Hi everyone,
I want to share my first visit to Havana Cuba with the forum. My experience seems to be a sum of the bits and pieces of all the previous posts I have read here. This report is probably most useful to people (especially Americans) who have not gone to Cuba yet but would like to. I am an American and flew in to Nassau and bought a ticket to Havana at the Cubana ticket counter. To my surprise, it was no big deal. I walked up showed them my U.S.A. passport and paid the $220 and they gave me ticket and a tourist visa. One thing, sometimes they only have small planes on some days and you might have to spend a night in Nassau. The flight is about an hour, on the ground at the customs, they will ask you where you will be staying at a hotel or casa particular. The Cuban official wanted me to show him a print out of my reservation. I explained to him that I had not made a reservation yet, but I would be staying in Vedado. He did not make too much of it and said, "Welcome to Cuba." And do not worry. he only stamps the tourist Visa and not the Passport. Thank goodness. Well, I stayed 13 days in Havana at a casa particular for $30 dollars a day. I had no problems with bringing in girls. The owner said," No problema." I did a lot of walking and saw all of Vedado. First day, walked to Coppelia park(this is next to Habana Libre the hotel) a place famous for ice cream for tourists and Cubans alike. I picked up a spanish girl and her friend a black spanish girl. They were waiting for the bus. I looked at them and I saw her eyes light up with excitement. I motioned for her to come to me and the spanish girl did. She asked me in Spanish, if I had a girl friend and where I was staying. I speak spanish and I replied. The three of us took a cab and went to my casa. They actually talked prices first. They wanted 20 U.S. for each, I said yes. In short, Cubanas fuck very well,GFE, they take pride in their abilities. I was kissing one, while the other was giving a great blow job, I almost screamed out loud. I fucked for about 2 hours, alot of doggy. They almost gave up, because my stamina that day was good. The spanish girl finally got me off with her mouth and hands. It was a very good first cubana experience. By the way, they both said they were 18 years old. They could have been younger. Watch out, these girls always want a gift, a "regalo." So, hide anything you do not want to give away. They even want condoms. I saw 7 girls in total. I had the knockout pro, the seasoned escort, couple of regular girls, and a girl friend type. I paid as high as 70 dollars for all day to low as 15 dollars for a good 2 hours of enthusiastic sex and a good conversation. All the girls were pretty and ages 18-22. Next time, I will pay 15 to 20 dollars because you will find girls that are cool with it. Once you find a girl that is cool with 20 bucks ask her to hook you up with her friends. Warning, I f a Cuban male comes to chat with you, it is because he wants to hustle for a free meal, a mojito ( a drink with rum, or make a commission somehow. I had a future Doctor and lawyers from Habana University scam me. Well, it is a scam because you will end up paying for everything. They do not even have taxi fare. For me that was alright in the beginning, but they will say all sort of lies to you because you are a tourist. But, I was well informed because I had many of the previous posts on Cuba. Yes, the Lies really made me sick. Well, went to Casa De La Musica on thurday night. I was solicited to go by an Italian looking gentleman dressed very well, wearing a watch better than mine right inside Hotel Melia Cohiba while he was talking to the policia. Cuba like every is full of Hypocrisies. Everything is legal, depends where and by whom. Cuba is a safe place, policia every where. They even have undercover kops. Hell, I saw almost all of them try and pick up the working girls to. Do not worry , the policia sees you as the cash cow and will leave you alone. They know a single Tourist male is looking for sex. Well, Casa De la Musica in Miramar, a city close to Vedado is a must go. Pay 3 dollars for Taxi from Vedado. Taxi guys sometime do not turn on there meter and hope you will overpay. Remember the only way a Cuban can get U.S. dollars is from a Tourist. Their peso currency is worthless. But, all in all their scams are petty. I can respect poor people, but I dislike Liars rich or poor. I am new to this travel and P2P. In Casa De La Musica, There is a stage where salsa group will play and about 20, Young girls , 19-20, beautiful 9 to 10's. REally. They walk around looking for tourist with money. I have high standards myself. It was out of sight for me. Cubanas can dance and will shake that ass with the best to fuck you for cash. In summary, Cuba has beautiful girls, great live salsa bands, the girls are clean because they have socialized medicine and is a very interesting place. I plan to visit Cuba again many times in the future as I have made contacts with girls. The Cons are that the Food sucks at the local places. Except, at certain tourist restaurants that cost 25 doll. for lobster. One advice, do not be too nice to the girls, in term of money because their game is to squeeze the cash cow for what they can get. They will always end up going home with more than the agreed upon money. They know this all temporary. For Americans, on my way in to the U.S. through Nassau the U.S customs guy did not ask me if I had been anywhere else besides the bahamas. But, I think he knew. He looked at the stamps at the back of my passport. It had two entry stamps in to the Bahamas. So, you figure that out? But, I think they really do not care. Unless, you tell them. Ciao. I tried to post a pic, but too many bytes.
Nice review, but please use paragraphs next time. It's tough on the eyes.
Any news on Varadero's scene?
I am looking for some advice from you Cuba experts.
I will be there for two weeks at the end of the month half in Havana, half in Varadero. The catch is I am with the GF so playing away will be difficult. I may be able to get away for a few hours, so would like some advice for the best places to get a quick pick-up if possible. I will be staying in the centre of Havana near the Parque Central
I would also like to know where the best clubs to dance salsa with locals are at the moment. I want to dance with locals not tourists, there is absolutely no substitute for a Cuban chica when dancing salsa!
Thanks
WW
WickedWilly,
The report by Your Dog, tells you where you can pick up girls without any problems. But you the quickest way pickup will be girls are standing by the entrace of the Tunnel in Havana Central. You will be able to pick up nice good looking girls there. I have in the past.
Your Dog, excellent report and it looks like you had a great time in Cuba. I am leaving in two weeks also on May 27 for Cuba. I to am a United State Citizen, but will be traveling to Cuba legally.
WickedWilly, want to meet in Cuba?
El Cubanito
Was in Cuba last year and had a great fun. This year I was thinking to go either again or to the DR, and eventually decided to go back to Havana.
I will be there on the 29th for a week.
El Cubanito, WickedWilly - would like to hook up while there?!
Last time I stayed in a great casa with a private entry, chica friendly and great home food. Only down side was the location in a quite place (not far away from plaza de la revulocion) which was fine, but too far from the action.
Can someone recomand a good (25-30USD) casa in Vieja, chica friendly and with private entrance? I would also like to get a private car and a driver this time, so if someone had a good experiance I would appriciate the contacs.
Cheers,
S.
Gentlemen,
Its only out of turning green with envy that I write this! All the regular Cuba “Masters” are in Havana over the next 8 weeks and I’m stuck in the rains of Europe, still waiting for my holiday dates…
Have an excellent time El Cubanito & DocBill.
Regards, Havanaman
Doc, is laready down in Cuba. I have tried sending him an email to seee what is going on in Cuba, but have not heard nothing. I try calling yesterday but could not get thru.
El Cubanito
El Cubanito,
Thanks for the info on the tunnel If I get the chance I will try.
Guys I would normally love to meet up but as I am with GF may prove difficult! However we can try. Can send me a message with your e-mail and I will let you know when I am in Cuba, by return.
WW
WickedWilly,
I sent you a PM.
Hey Doc, If you see this let us know what is going on in Cuba. I would like to know.
El Cubanito
Hi, fellow mongerers,
any news on the situation today over there? My people tell me about hundreds protesting (unorganised) in the streets, and a great political unease underneath the surface, more than normal. Has the bearded one died? Is there a worse situation than before? What´s happening???
later...
Snark:
I'm a bit of a news junkie so I know why there were protests. The US gov't recently released a report outlining ideas to end Castro's regime. Mind you, every administration since Fidel took power did this, so this isn't a Bush-ism. One idea was to curb the flow of $$$ to Cuba from families living here in the States. Fidel didn't like the idea so he ceased the use of the dollar in Cuba. Many Cubans were flabbergasted by the sudden devaluing of their main currency and want to know why. Well...using the time-tested method of deflecting blame, you get protests against the US policy.
On a side note: isn't it ironic that Cuba, a communist country, needs the currency of a capitalist nation like the US to be economically viable? Makes me wonder what will happen to the nation when the bearded one takes the long ride to Stalingrad.
thanks starfleet! good explanation, I was looking for that.
What will be the influence on mongering, I wonder? Even more difficulties than before? Is anything of this going to affect the streetlife?
yours
P.S.: Every communist country I´ve vistited, and almoste every non-communist tyrant-run country with limited access to foreign currency as well is in one way or the other using a second-source economy whichever way, methinks
Snark.Hunter
The mongering seen I believe will get better in Cuba because things will be even more mest up. The Black Market will be the one place where everything will be purchase and the Black Market is not cheap.
El Cubanito
I would like to travel to Cuba this summer ( I know it will literally be about 100 degrees!). In any event, how diligent is the US government in enforcing the travel restrictions. I know that travelling via Canada, Mexico and Bahama's is possible, but what is the probability of getting caught in light of the rhetoric war that is being waged by the US government. Is it better to travel via Caracus?
I traveled to Havana two years ago. I found the hunting to be very easy even with a very limited amount of spoken Spanish. I over paid in part becasue I felt bad for most of the girls. The local bars and cafes around the Libre were excellent, while Rampa was a cat and mouse game with the police. The prices about two years ago were as follows:
Casa - $25 - $35
Woman - $70 - $40
Food (per Day) - $15 - $35
Taxi/ Other / Drinking - $10 - $20
Are these estimates still accurate?
Hello fellow Cuban lovers.
I will be in Cuba from May 27-June 5. I will be staying in Habana, Santa Maria , and Varadaro. Are there any resent reports on good casas , places to eat discos ect. I am also wondering what the crack down will do to the monger seen. Do you think prices will jump or go down.
Any one going to be around at the same time , let me know and we can maybe meet for a drink.
Chow LS
Hello all,
I just walked in from ten days in Habana. I'm super-tired and will write more about it over the next couple of days, but I had a hair-raising experience today that you all shoud be aware of.
I know that all of you who downplayed the risk of travelling, esp. through Cancun, meant well, but I believe the situation has changed for the worst. As I came into Cancun this morning from Habana the Mexican immigration asshole, after stamping my passport for entry, handwrote under the stamp in my fucking passport "Entered from Havana via Cubana" in big black letters. This may represent new pressure on Mexico from you-know-who. I was panic-stricken and dreaded every moment of the ride to Miami. All I could think to do was to tear off that note on my passport page (which was fortunately right on the bottom of the page) and concoct a story that if asked I would say that I caught my passport on my briefcase zipper and a piece tore off. Fortunately there was no comment from US Immigration in Miami, but I never want to have those jitters ever again. That ride from Cancun to Miami seemed like ages, and not at all pleasant ones. I will not be going that way again, and so offer a word to the wise.
On the situation in Cuba, I was there for Fidel's massive rally in response to Bush's proposed actions. Thanks a lot, George, for playing right into Fidel's hands and giving him a new surge of power and popularity with the Cuban people when he so desperately needed it. What a fucking idiot we have in the White House.
More later.
Hi Doc Bill,
Welcome back! I am glad to see you went down and came back ok. Sorry, to hear about the incident with that stupid Mexican Immigration official. I have a couple of questions for you:
1. How crazy are things in Havana?
2. Did you go to the Supermercado in Miramar? If you did was the place still stock with food or is there a waiting line to take whatever is available?
3. From speaking to my girl in Santiago, the whole country of Cuba is going crazy thinking the United State is ready to attack. I told her Asshole Bush did what he did to make Miami Happy and he needs them more than ever if he is going to get elected. I also told them that Bush has enough worries with Irag and that he is losing alot of support here in United State over Irag. How are things in Havana with realtion to this?
Finally, tell us how the mongerinh see is in Havana? Or is everybody worry about closing of the Dollar store and the US attacking?
El Cubanito
By the way Doc, you are right what a fucking asshole we have in the White House he keeps on playing to Fidel Cards.
El Cubanito
Doc Bill wrote:
"As I came into Cancun this morning from Habana the Mexican immigration asshole, after stamping my passport for entry, handwrote under the stamp in my fucking passport "Entered from Havana via Cubana" in big black letters."
The above is heavy shit. To avoid this aggravation, place $20 bill in passport and tell Mexican immigration official before handing passport to him "favor no poner estampilla" or "please don't stamp my passport." If he sees the bill and hesitates, quickly throw down another $20 bill (do not hand it to him). That should take care of it.
You were very lucky they didn't jack with you in Miami. Good luck y'all. Where are the photos?
hello all, i was actually in havana about 2 weeks before doc bill, but i was not too happy with my trip and therefore took this long to write about it. when i purchased my plane ticket, i realized that it would coincide with the may day parade/speech and perhaps security (read policia) may be heightened, but i decided to take a chance because i was in need of a vacation and that was the only opening on my calendar. never again will i visit during may 1st again. along the malecon, there was a cop(s) every 50 feet! i tried to avoid the hardcore pros but it was impossible to meet any regular chicas.
it was impossible to spend any money on chicas. at one point i was actually worried that i might break a record on the least money spent during a vacation.
more to come.
Dear Mongers,
Well, I arrived in sexprison for two weeks and this is the very
first time in probably twenty-five years that it took us, at
least 1 1/2 hours to get out of US Customs ... they checked
everyone bags. I first thought since I told them came from
El Salvador and Argentina that I was the only one who was
asked all kind of questions, but not, just about every pax
was asked and they have to open their bags ... Well, I really
do not know, the only thing was that I play cool !!!
Cubanito: Whats the latest on Cubita La Bella !!! any
news from Santiago.
In regards that asshole from Cancun, Mexico all he had to do
is put that fucking US$ 20.00 inside the passport and no
questions asked. Thats the way they work in Mexico ...
The first reason I didn't bribe the official in Mexico was that what he did was totally unexpected, and has never happened to me or anyone else I know before. The second reason is that I'm not willing to take a chance on being charged with bribing an official, yes, even in Mexico. That could potentially put me in a lot hot water than travelling to Cuba. I also wonder if part of the reason for what happened is the deteriorating relationship now between Mexico and Cuba. This may be Mexico's way of sticking it to Fidel, by hurting his tourism. At any rate, from now on I go strictly legally, even though it costs more (and please don't ask me how).
As for the situation in Cuba, no, the people are not all up in arms nor are they expecting an attack. The Cuban people are very intelligent and most of them understand that Georgie is just kissing up to the "Miami Mafia." Life went about as normal, with some added grumbling about their own government closing the stores. These people have lived with a lot worse, so this is not phasing them much. There were lines at some of the hotel stores, but nothing much appeared out of the ordinary. People grumbled about having to go to the big rally last Friday and how it was such an inconvenience. Like the Elian rallies, one of which I attended a few years ago, it is all a big show put on by showmaster Fidel Castro. I would say that 90 per cent of Cubans couldn't care less about what Bush said and resented having to put on another show for the world, just as they secretly felt Elian would have been better off staying in Miami. You would not know this unless (as I have) you have spent a lot of time in Cuba and gained their trust and confidence.
As for the sex scene, it actually seemed a bit better than my last few trips, with some good pickin's along La Rampa, El Prado and the Malecon. I still strongly recommend against Cuba as a sex destination, though...way too much hassle. My girlfriend went to her mother's in the suburb of Aguacate one night and I found this gem of an 18 year-old on the Malecon who rocked my world for $40, plus $15 for the casa. I wasn't about to bring her to where I and my girlfriend were staying. Those women can smell another one from miles away, and if you've never experienced the jealousy of a Cubana pray that you never will!
I went to Salvador's Alley Sunday afternoon for the Rumba show and one of the performers, a very hot negra rumbera, made herself clearly available to me, and not for a price. Man, was I tempted, but I don't juggle women well and couldn't deal with a new "relationship," while I was trying to sort out the one I had, but man was I tempted. If this woman was half as good in bed as she was dancing rumba she would have killed me, and I would have died happily.
I actually found some good food in Havana. My favorites are Gringo Viejo, Hanoi, La Chancionner (sp. ?), El Alhibe and Los Amigos, all in Vedado except for Hanoi which is in Havana Vieja and El Alhibe in Playa.
I had a great show and dinner at La Casa de Amistad (Paseo between 17 & 19, Vedado), and saw a kick-ass show by Los Van Van at Casa de la Musica in Centro. As I mentioned earlier, Salvador's Alley (Callejon de Hamel) has a great Rumba show on Sundays at noon and there are lots of pretty ladies available there.
A good place to swim and lie in the sun if you don't like the sand is the swimming pool at the hotel in Marina Hemmingway. Twelve bucks gets you in and includes food and drink up to the price of admission. Well worth it.
Of course the best part is always the kindness and hospitality of the Cuban people. They can't be beat.
If I've left anything out feel free to ask. Happy trails, my friends!
Doc,
Where did you pay the $12.00 for getting in into Marina? I always go there but had to pay more for my food. I do like it there? Can I bring my GF there also? Last time I was there some part of the Marina were not available to the locals. I could go in but not local cubans.
El Cubanito
Did you find the 18 year old in the Malecon by the Tunnel?
I keep telling guys the Tunnel is the place to pick up girls. I once pick this hot, but hot 21 year old by the tunnel. She was awsome, I have never been able to find her again. I took her home, but Ihave never been able to find her house. She use to work as a dancer in the Kohly Hotel. The town she lives in is Alamar. Great looking girl with great leg, Ass and Tilts, the whole package.
I wish I could find her on this trip.
El Cubanito
EC, I'm sorry I don't remember the name of the hotel, but you make a left once you enter the Marina and as you go down the road you see the huge pool and snack bar on your left, just past some of the boutiques, you can't miss it. Yes, you can bring Cubanas, no problem with that, and no police. I'm sure if not the taxi driver the entrance guard to the Marina could tell you exactly where it is.
I found my 18 y/o on the Malecon near Prado, not by the tunnel. It seems that from Prado west about a mile is where most of the girls hang out. On the Malecon as well as any other place, they will generally not approach you, for fear of the police. They'll just smile as you walk by and it's up to you to approach them and initiate contact. The good part of this is that they don't climb all over you wherever you go like they did a few years ago, and it's easier to avoid what you don't want.
With regard to Bill's experience in MX, I was indeed shocked that MX officials would do that. Well, may I suggest using other gateways such as Bahamas, Jamaica or the Cayman Islands. They're all very close to Cuba and there are regular flights to and fro to Havana.
A return ticket on Cayman Airways costs US$240 and there's absolutely no hassle at all. Cayman relies heavily on tourism for its bread and butter and is not about to screw things up.
I was in Havana at the same time as Doc Bill (but much shorter period) and unfortunately my experience was soured when I learnt that the last girl I was with stole money from me, despite how well I had treated her. Took her out dancing, bought her favorite brand of cigarrettes, bought her ice cream, paid her $60, etc etc.
But then again...she probabably needed it much more than me (I mean, c'mon, $40? Doesn't even buy a decent lapdance in good ol' USA)
Chalk it up to experience I guess, this is the first time it happened to me. I normally hang out with 1 girl and because of that let my guard down on this trip.
Overall, I support what Lostinspace said...Cuba as a monging destination is really not worth the time or effort. To get the maximum mileage, you do need a good facility in Spanish and plus have some flexibility. It's not the place to go where you can point at some girl and she'll just follow you to a room. Thailand it is not.
The food is also nothing much to write home about - scarcity of good fresh produce and spices being the reason.
It's also not very fun because at any given time, the police can stop you and the girl and demand identification. Girls can get in lots of trouble for being seen with you. I just hate to get girls in trouble. Can't bear the guilt.
If you really want to go, however, go as soon as possible. Things change in Cuba all the time. It could change for the worse, who knows???
A casa I can recommend is Marlen's. She lives in a high rise just next to Hotel de Los Presidentes and charges $30. View of the Malecon from the patio plus locking closets for security. Good hot water plus very comfortable surroundings. Also chica friendly. PM me if you want details...
By the way, Cubanito, is Tunnel a name of a club or is it the actual tunnel between Vedado and Miramar?
I haven't visited this section in a long long time. I didn't read too many posts but did read about what happened in Cancun. That is really shocking to me! I've been in Cancun about 8 times in the past 10 years. I only went to Cuba once from Cancun but had no problems.
I highly advise NOT to pay money to the officials at the airport. It only encourages more corruption. This is a no no. I think the mistake you guys are making is even mentioning the stamp in the first place. Just don't say anything. By mentioning it you are signaling to him/her that you are a scared American that isn't supposed to be there in the first place.
Even if they stamp your passport again and you have two Mexico stamps. So what? Unless you are doing something severely wrong or bringing in crap that you aren't supposed to, most US immigration officials won't hassle you. Hell, most of us probably have several stamps in our passports. I have so many damn stamps good luck trying to find out when I entered and left.
Call me overly optimistic but I'm not worried about going back to Cuba. I'll go via Cancun again and you can bet that I won't try to pay a bribe. I've never heard of any Mexican authorities doing anything like that. Don't encourage this type of behavior by paying them bribes or they will keep doing it.
Just my humble opinion.
Cuba as a hobbying destination is simply not worth it. As I posted in my original report a few months ago... go to experience the island, the wonderful people and the horrible food. There are too many better places with less guilt, less hassles, hotter girls and better chances of meeting a sweetheart without worries than Cuba. Whatever "glory days" Cuba had are now over if you're simply going for girls.
Most of the hottest Cubanas have made their way to Europe, USA and other locals. Also, I find that other latinas are classically more beautiful than Cubanas. Colombianas are some of the hottest!
Buenos Aires
Brazil
Colombia
Peru
and many, many other places are better for the hobby. People worry a lot about Colombia but much of that worry is unjustified or exaggerated. The girls in Colombia are not jaded and much more beautiful than Cubanas. GFE's galore and not expensive. I visited Cali a few months ago and was blown away by the beautiful girls on the street. Havana by contrast was the exact opposite for me.
Saint, I don't think you read what happened to me. It had nothing to do with the stamp, and I was not, nor did I appear nervous. The guy HANDWROTE under the stamp: "Entered from Cuba via Cubana." I suspect this is a result of deteriorating relations between Mexico and Cuba lately. Go ahead and try it if you'd like, but once burned is good enough for me!
We have to keep in mind that the situation is very fluid right now. I mean , who knew that Mexico and Cuba would be falling out. Things change fast, and what worked one week easiily may not the next. Count on nothing! Welcome to the third world.
Saint,
I am thinking of going to Colombia, what hotel or casa do you recommend? Also, it good to hear from you have not seen you in the other boards for a while. I though maybe you marry that Colombian Girl you were talking about
El Cubanito
Doc Bill,
Wow! That sucks. Oh well. I'll still go through Cancun. I'll just bring a black sharpie marker with me. Ha, ha. Kidding aside. They never really even look through my passport. So many Americans go to Mexico. It is troubling though what they did. I might go there in a few months so I'll keep everyone posted.
El Cubanito,
Hmm. I've been quite active traveling around like crazy. I've posted reports on most of the places I'm going to. Check out Lima, Peru. Cuzco, Peru. Amsterdam, Prague, Czech Republic. I've posted detailed reports in all those cities.
I did go to Peru with my Colombian novia but I figured out that a model hot uneducated 20 year old that speaks no English is not all it's cracked up to be. Sure, she is fun to look at but for a long term relationship I need someone that can challenge me not only sexually, but emotionally, intellectually, physically, etc.
I had a blast in Europe as usual. If I settle down with anyone and get married it will be to my Brazilian novia that I have been seeing off and on for the past year and a half. In fact, I'm flying her in again for a month and she arrives to my house tomorrow. This is her 6th trip to my house. Wish me luck.
Life is good.
P.S. To answer your question, I'd recommend the Intercontinental Hotel for you. You are fluent in Spanish so there is no need for you to stay somewhere that isn't that nice. I recommend Hostel San Fernando for those that don't speak Spanish because the owner, Rigo, can help you with so many things. Honestly though, when I go back I'll just stay in the Intercontinental or the Dann Carlton next door. I don't think it's too expensive at around $75 a night. Rigo's place is comfortable however, the security system is too much of a hassle for me. I like coming and going and having a key to the front gate and they don't provide that there. Also, I got bit by tons of mosquitos there and at least one time there was no hot water.
Cali as I mentioned dozens of times isn't a beautiful city but hobbywise it probably is comparable to Cuba in the good years. In fact, the people are even friendlier in Cali with Americans than Cuba. Plenty of private casas. Granted the chicas aren't model hot in the cheaper casas but check out some of my pictures there. For the same prices as some of us are paying in Havana now you can get GFE sex from a model type girl that is sweet and unjaded in Colombia. Good luck.
Hello.
I mentioned that I was in Havana during the May day parade and policia presense was like I've never seen before. I looked for chicas for 3 days with no luck. And on the fourth day, I kept looking into the night and even fell asleep on a park bench - yes, life was tough. When I woke up at 2am and started to walk back to my casa, I saw this chica saying hello to me. Only 6 on my scale but I wasn't gonna say no. We had a good session for $30. But when I let her out the front door, there was a copper standing right there and she was stopped by him! The cop wanted $5 special administration fee to let her go. I was so angry... That was the time when I thought to myself that Costa Rica or even D.R. might be much better places to be in. I did not sleep well that night.
The next evening I was walking along the Malecon and was talking to the fishermen using my broken Spanish. I even offer a Cohiba to one of them, which he accepted gladly. Perhaps I'll bring my fishing gear on the next trip. We talked about fishing and it was a very good conversation. I then appreciate how warm the Cuban people could be. Btw, no luch that night either.
The next evening I basically extinguished all hopes and just sat in a roadside bar drinking. I ran into these crazy ladies. I offered to buy them drinks. And then later on a friend of them dropped by after work and I really hit it off with him - as a friend, I mean.
The next night he took me to the Chevera (sp?) club and I had a great time, not to mention I picked up a cute chica. The next night we went to see Los Van Van...
From him I learned about his life as a Cuban. His many girlfriends. It seems that being a Cuban is fine as long as you have a steady job. Of course, luxury things are impossible, but girls are easy. And isn't that all we looking for anyways?
Anyways this trip I made a friend, I think. And I will be back.
AlLostInSpace13
That is the appeal of Cuba. Great Sex with the Chicas and meeting very interesting people. I have meet alot of people in the last 5 years that I have been going to Cuba. I have also made alot of friends from one side of the Island to the other. I have a Casa owner in Santa Clara who is a very good friend of mine. The guy lets me stay in his home as much as I want and then I can pay when I arrive here in the United States. He tells me that he does not want me to get caught with little money in Cuba. I also have other friends in money-hungry Havana just like my friend in Santa Clara.
I aslo want to show that their is two side to every nickle. I have had my run ins with a couple of Casa owners who are very, very stupid. There is a Casa in Vedado called Casa Antigua. The casa is in Calle 28 between 23 and 21. The Husband Casa owner, is a very very cool guy, but the wife she is very condosending to all Cuban that a foreighner might bring to the casa. The lady name is Marta. She treats everybody like crap and thinks that everybody is beneath them because they have a good business and one of the best casas in Vedado. I will say this their casa is one of the best Casa in Vedado, but her attitude toward the local Cuban who are hanging with the foreigners sours your experience in Cuba for you and the chica you might be with.
The lady pounds her chest high and mighty because she say that her daughter is not doing any tricks on the street. BTW, her daughter is something to look at though, she has a great, great Ass and Legs on her. Her daughter aslo look like a drop dead clone of Cameron Diaz. If you are into Cameron Diaz looks, go to this house and if you can score, please let me know. I personally have not try to make a move on her daughter because of my family past political history in Cuba and that the owner of the House has a pipeline straight into Fidel himself. I was staying there in June 2002 when all of suddenly Fidel Castro drop in to visit her! Man there were so many Guards in that house and when the guards found out I was a Cuban from the United State they went nuts. Finally the Husband step in and he told them I was a guest in the house. Man I was coming out of the shower with this Chica when Fidel and his Guard got there. What a freighting site for me! I though I was being thrown in Jail. The chica got sick to her stomach.
I just thought I pass this onto you guys.
El Cubanito
Holy sh*t El Cubanito! That is a GREAT story. You have a lot of great experiences. I would love to meet Castro someday. The closest thing to it was crossing the street corner near my apartment in Buenos Aires while he and Chavez were getting out of their armored cars at the Four Seasons last year.
I would love to meet that "Cameron Diaz look alike" girl you talked about. Ha, ha.
I am hearing from a bunch of guys the police are out stronger than ever. I wasn't a big fan of picking girls up off the street to begin with in Havana. This makes it much much more difficult. It's a shame no one has made sort sort of private escort board for Cuban girls. The best method now is probably to refer girls and their phone numbers to guys that you know or at least trust. There ARE some sweethearts in Cuba but like I said..the glory days are over.
El Cubanito,
That is one "Jewel" of a story! Don't think I would have been able to get it up after that. Maybe so, but I would have been paranoid as hell. Boy-o-boy, what we do for sex.
Marta the owner of Casa Antigua, her Uncle is one Fidel Top General. From what I hear and seen, Marta and Fidel are real buddy buddy.
Macgoo, I was scare out of my head. To answer your question, yes I had a very hard time getting it up that night. But I found a sweet thing later on who get up the Dead.
Saint, I do agree with you later on. I though to myself I should have try to hang with Marta and her special quest in the kitchen. Marta house is by far one of the best houses in Vedado. In fact two blocks away from where she lives, Raul Castro lives. One of Marta cousin he is head of the secret police in Cuba. So Marta is somebody I would not want mad at me. Since then also guys, I have not stay at this casa. Most of you will agree and understand why I do not go back there.
El Cubanito
Hey guys,
This is my first post on the board as my membership just got added but I have recently gone through the havana forum and I can see that u guys really have a good thing going here, I would probably be lost for sure on my trip in august if it wasn't for this board, but one question i want to ask is if someone could share their expense breakdown to kinda give me an idea of how much i'm going to spend and should bring.
Thanks muchos,
Cubana Man
Cubana Man,
In terms of expenses, I may be overcautious but I figure out very liberally how much I will need and I bring double that. If you're a US citizen (as I am) I suggest doing that because if you get stuck/robbed/etc. there is no way to get more money while you're there, and Cuba is not a good place to be stuck with no cash! Also keep your cash in different places (and put it there sober!).
General breakdown of daily expenses (for one person):
Casa: 25-40 (up to 150 if you stay in a hotel)
Food: 20-50
Taxis: 10-40 (depends where you want to go and how often.
Take Panataxis, they're the cheapest)
Clubs/Shows: 0-25
Chicas: 40-90, plus all the shopping you're gonna do if you get
a girlfriend (and it's expensive!).
Incidentals: (cigars, rum, souvenirs): whatever
Am I leaving anything out, guys?
As with anywhere else, a lot of it depends how well you want to live there, on the continuum between rich tourist and "a lo Cubano."
As soon as I arrive there I take $25 and put it in a separate place in my wallet or suitcase. That's what it costs to get out when it's time to leave.
Good Luck.
Cubana Man,
Doc Bill’s budget estimates are correct, indeed very similar to my own. I always take double what I think I will need, and also my (non-USA) credit cards: drawing money from the cash-desk at the hotel Nacional if I need it (very rare for me now considering the number of times I go to Cuba). I recall a post about USA members being able to organise Canadian credit cards (or am I mistaken…?).
Keeping your money in separate bunches is the only way to store it as DB point out. Have lots of single-$ bills. I used to come back home with single-$ bills that I got from change and the “quality” of the bills was so poor I would guess they formed the remaining batch of a now deleted series. This aside, you will need single-$ bills for taxis, tips etc.
Keeping your airport tax ($25) to one side is one of the best things you can do. I can not agree more with Doc Bill on this one. No tax money means major issues at the airport. I have personally bailed out a young man in this situation: he was begging for change at the airport…
For security in your casa / hotel take a non-zipper hard case. Keep photo copies of your passport & tickets.
You realise off course that you are going at a time of year (August) that is ultra hot! I should take some sun screen / block.
I would reiterate to you the wise words of many a Cuba-traveller: this is not a mongers country. Sure you will get as much as you seek, but you will not get the same number of choices / freedoms / food / places to go etc. as you might in any “free” nation. That aside, I think every one, and I do mean everyone, should visit Cuba at least once to get a feel for this lovely country and warm and spirited people before things change.
Little more to be said. You will find a load of important information by back-reading these pages.
Regards, Havanaman
Gentlemen,
Perhaps the expenses may be a bit more than that. Don't forget that buying cigars from the factory will cost about $100-$150 per box.
Also if you make any Cuban friends and you guys go to clubs then you should really pay for them as well because ordinary Cubans can't afford the entrance fees.
Furthermore, depending on your negotiation skills and the degree of (your) drunkenness, chicas may be more expensive.
A good seat at the Tropicana show costs $90, and you normally don't want to go alone.
It's becoming more and more probable to run into situations that the policia will ask for a bribe to leave your chicas alone.
Internet access is $6 per hour. And edible food is not cheap either.
Yes, it's good to bring double the $.
Al
Guys,
Again, thanks alot for the info. I guess since I am Canadian, I will have a little leeway as havanaman mentioned I could go to Nacional to take money out if needed. From reading the prior posts in the forum, I kinda got the impression that Marina Hemmingway pool area was the best place to bring a chica because the lack of police presence there; but, I was wondering what you guys think about that and if there are any other places that stood out for u as a safe bet so to speak. Also, would it be better for a Canadian to keep a lower amount of money on hand and resort to withdrawing from a credit card to reduce the chance of it being stolen or.. ?
Thanks guys,
Cubana Man
Hello all
I want to take this time to thank all the fellow board members for the help I have received by reading all your posts. I am leaving for Cuba Tuesday May 25 for the first time and staying 9 days. I had never intended to visit Cuba but due to work, I found my self on the way and looking for help. I am a member of a board called TERB, and it is a review board for fun and things!!!. In looking for past reports of Cuba the web page for here came up and I took a look.
Cant say how glad I am I did. Instead of being a clueless wonder wanting to head to Varadaro and stay there, I am landing In Havana (3 days) then off to look around the top part of the country. Because of this board I have made several great contacts and established a very helpful network of Cuba people to introduce me to the real Cuba. I will be staying in Casas, hotels, and all-inclusive. Eating in nice restraints, with families and out of stalls in the streets. I will be heading to Discos, bars, shows and sporting events. I may find a one-time girlfriend walking down the street or a couple of pros by the tunnel. Ice cream, rum, cigars and mojos, I will try all due to your help. How to avoid trouble with the local and the police, what to bring, how to act and the most important thing you all have taught me, to expect the unexpected and enjoy.
Buy this time on Tuesday I will be touching down in Havana , getting ready to head to my Hotel-Casa and start my 9 days of HERE YOU CAN FILL IN THE BLANKS.
So thank you all very very much, I will take lots of pictures and can send them to all those who need help just like I did. Wish me luck, and a special thanks to the following
El Cubanito, Tony Pilot, Doc Bill, and Saint,
And especially rubmister and iceman.
Lance Storm
I'm leaving Wednesday for 15 days between Havana and Nueva Gerona on La Isla. I promise to post upon return.
Cubana Man,
My Trip ussually run me between $3500 to $6000 for a 2 weeks to 4 weeks trip. Here is the breakdown at the above spent money:
1. Casa Rental - anywhere from $20 to $40 a day. The providence of Santiago or Eastern Providences of Cuba will charge you $20 a day. Havana Miramar section (Where I ussually stay runs me about $35 to 40 a day, depending on which casa I stay)
2. Car Rental - $80 to $125 a day. I ussually rent a BMW from Cubacar or Audi A4 from Rex Car Rental. The longer I have the car the cheaper per day the cost get.
3. Chicas - ussually anywhere from $50 to 75 a girl per night. Most girl that I grade a 7 will get the $50 and the one rated a 10 will get $75 and that is to spend the whole night with me. Ussually if you pay these girls this kind of rate they will give you "freebies" the next day.
4. Food - I average about $15 to 20 a day per couple (Me and whatever chica I might be with me)
5. Entertainment - I will go to the typical high end spot for at least one night. That being Macumba, House of Music (casa de Musica), Tropicana and any other Hot spot. $30.00 per couple and drinks about another $40.00.
I add all of the above and I bring with me another $1500 on my transcard for "Just in Case".
I hope this helps.
El Cubanito
EL Corado,
I am leaving on Friday and I wanted to make a quick stop to the Isla. I will be looking for your post to see how is the action on the Island. Let me know.
El Cubanito
Hi guys,
I land in Havana at 11 p.m this Sunday night from Toronto. Any suggestions on where to go on a Sunday night ? I've been to Cuba several times, but I'm always outside Havana (Guanabo/Santa Cruz de Norte/Matanzas) visiting family. I'm hoping to get into something on Sunday night before heading out to the country on Monday morning. Any suggestions on a club, a casa, and a chica? Is anyone down for hanging out and prowling the streets on the night of the 30th? Thanks in advance for the direction.
Peace.
I will be there on Sunday night the 30th, but how do I get a hold of you. I tell you what I will send you a PM with the phoen number of the casa I will be staying at. How about it?
El Cubanito
I recall a post about USA members being able to organise Canadian credit cards (or am I mistaken…?).
I would really like some information on getting Canadian credit cards. Thanks
Katokay,
Establishing a Canadian bank account (checking) is very easy to do, just like in the States. I suggest that you open a bank account first and get a debit card in order to access cash while in Cuba. Getting the desired credit card is a simple matter once banking relations is established. I know this from personal experience. The only problem I have is getting ready-access to cash in Canada; it takes about 3 weeks for a deposited check to clear. That is assuming the deposited check is from the US. If you need access to cash immediately, the best way to do that is a simple wire transfer from your US account into your newly established bank account in Canada.
Now if only I had the "balls" to make the trip to Cuba.
Hey Guys,
Does anyone know which night is open bar night at club 1830?
Thanks,
Cubana Man
Cubanito,
Have a nice trip and keep up dated with all your
Chicas ...
[b]El Cubanito[/b],
Have an [red]excellent[/red] trip. How long will you be in Havana? Finally I have managed to cut some free time: I’m trying for the first week in July.
Comments about the Malecon scene appreciated. Also, if you get a chance please update on the dollar shop story, are they open again, stock? Etc. Much appreciated.
Regards,
Havanaman
Havanaman,
I am also planning to visit Cuba in July; however, it may be
by the middle of July for the Carnaval en Santiago. In fact,
we are planning with El Cubanito to visit. Can you make it
during that period of time.
Alboroto,
Please see PM.
Regards, Havanaman
Speaking of carnivals, I believe the Havana carnival runs every weekend from mid July to mid August of this year. Has anyone been to one of these? I would imagine there would be lots of girls (no school) but also lots of police. I think it would be a good time to go regardless of chicas. However I sure wouldn't want to end up in a situation like AlLostInSpace13 had during the May day parades - 3 days, no chicas, man.
If anyone has any carnival experience, please share, thanks.
I'll be in Santiago the first week of July, I never being in this city, all my previous trips being just in the other side of the isle including Havana of course. What about some suggestions to start there? What about the situation about just one girl in the casa privada? Where are the best places to pick up semi-pro's? (I don't really like the hard one's). Thanks a lot for any input.
Razor
Havanaman,
The Malecon is alive and well. Nothing near like the old days, of course, but there's a pretty good selection. When I was there most of the girls were on the stretch from Prado about a mile back toward Vedado. Also some pickins on Prado itself.
As for the dollar stores they have reopened, with prices increased 30% or more. Thank you Fidel Castro, and another "bend over and take it" to the Cuban people.
Doc Bill,
Thank you, good information.
I finally managed to convenience the authorities that be to let me have some free time before I need psychiatric help. I’m finding that I need to travel more and more, is this addiction? Help!? Anyway, I got my dates for early July, splitting my time between Havana and a couple of European counties on the return leg. Yes it is addiction… Help!?
+30% price increases? Shit, that is really driving the coffin nails in deep. I got an unusual request from my (now) steady chica: she wants me to bring over as many small solar-cells as possible. The plot thickens, she never struck me as an electronics nerd…
Regards, Havanaman
Gentlemen,
I just got off the phone from a monger friend and fellow Havanaphile. He said it took him over 3 weeks to get a visa from the (UK) Cuban consulate.
He used one of those visa-touts (agents), and they reported back to him that the consulate, which normally turns over a visa in half a day, wanted to “make enquires…” before issuing this tourist visa.
This is unheard off in all my years of travelling to Cuba. Indeed I would have thought that Fidel was crying out for tourist $, £ and E…
Has anyone heard about this or can shed light on it? My friend is a professional, impeccable record, rich and has travelled to Cuba 7 times over 3 years. I have never experienced any problems, but as I am about to get my own visa, my mind is racing.
Regards, Havanaman
Gentlemen.
Life is good. Period.
It is Sunday 30th of may, 9 o’clock and I am sitting in the patio of this nice house where I am staying. It is located in Paseo de Vedado, walking distance to the Melia Cohiba and to the Malecon.
It is a two story house, colonial type, BIG. The owner is a helpful negro, and he is charging me $35 per day for the whole fucking house.
Well, let’s get back to what matters.
Friday afternoon, I called my friend J, a Spanish guy who lives in Havana. I couldn’t connect with him, but I left a message saying when and where I would stay.
I arrived to Havana Saturday around 8Pm, rented me a car (kind of expensive, $120 per day if you include the petrol), never mind. I went straight to the house.
When I arrived the casa owner told me that he had a message from J.
I was to see him in Restaurante LA CAZONA in 3ra and 8, and also a phone number for a chica, “T” from now onwards.
Well, I called “T”, and a sweet voice answered the phone. We arranged to meet a LA CAZONA at 9:30. I asked her to dress sexy for me. So I took a shower, tried to shake off the jetlag the best I could and went to the place.
Once there, I met J: he and three more Spanish friends where having dinner, each one with a chica, all of them very beautiful. So I thought, this looks promising.
9:30 sharp, “T” showed up. She was astonishing. Caucasian, bronzed by the sun, about 1.60mts, blond hair (painted), thin (zero fat) and full of curves.
She was wearing a Jeans Jacket, and sexy white blouse underneath, with crisscrossed straps around her chest that showed how beautiful, and rounded her breasts (natural) are. By the way, this is what I like about Cuban girls, they are very natural… no surgery enhancements, ok, but lets continue.
She was wearing a very short RED miniskirt and high with shoes, that reveals her trimmed waist, long and sexy legs. Better, impossible.
Well, we ordered something to eat and to drink. I had a blast of time with “J” his friends and all the girls in the table. We were making jokes, drinking some wine, and afterwards some Havana Club Rum. “T” tuned out to have a fantastic personality, and she can keep the conversation flowing. I like that in a girl.
All the time I was sitting next to her, caressing her legs, her back, and laughing. She did the same to me. We had a great time.
At 12 o’clock it was time to say goodbye to “J” & Co, and head back to my place.
We got into my car, and the sexual tension was obviously high. I liked her and she seamed to like me too. As soon as I got seated, she started kissing me, deep and wet. I started to touch her naked legs while kissing and got my hand under her blouse and into her panties. She was wet. Her breasts where very soft, with hard nipples. She also sampled my tool and apparently I passed her quality control.
We got my place, and I took some pictures and had some fun with that. Then we got to bed, and started kissing and fumbling again. Things got very hot, I laid her on her back, took the panties off (very sexy ones) and gave hear a good DATY, while kissing her inner thighs (women like this tongue play on her thighs). She got really hot; I played with her breasts and clitoris for about 5 minutes until she came. It looked like a very honest orgasm to me.
Then she retuned the favour back, I got on my knees and she got in four legs doggie style to give me a BBBJ. There was a big mirror behind her, So I had to views, one of her lovely face and hot lips treating my dick and one of her slim waist, hips and hot pussy. Lights were on, so the view was perfectly clear.
I blow my load and she took it nicely, she was a swallower, so she kept sucking me hard while I was cuming, and a bit more afterwards. I can’t tell how strong the shockwaves where.
We laughed about how nice it was for both of us. My stamina was good (the rum maybe?) and I didn’t loose my erection and she was excited about that. I got a condom on and went on to do some serious drilling.
I got her missionary and teased her clit while shagging her. She liked that a lot. The way she moved her body under mine was amazing, and the way she touched herself, mmm…
I got her doggie, and the mirror again gave me a nice view of her face and breast while from the other side I enjoyed her nice heart shaped ass, all this time she was touching her clitoris.. Since things where going great, I decided to sample her backdoor. I started touching it gently with a finger, and she moaned positively. Yes!. I have found a girl who likes anal sex. So I shagged her some more doggie and after minute or so, I went for the prize, same position. She lifted her ass a bit more to give me a better entrance and guided my dick in. Mmmmm… nice and tight. I started pumping, slowly at first while she was fingering herself. The moans definitely showed that she was a woman in heat. At some moment I stopped pumping and whispered to her, “if you want more of my dick, you shake that ass and fuck yourself”, and she did… she starting ramming her ass against my pelvis and balls, getting my entire dick inside her ass. She had another shaky orgasm and I could see how her bronze skin flushed red. I also came hard and strong, and when I finished she took my condom off and licked my dick clean, nice and slow.
Now this is a girl who really likes sex.
We had sex one more time during the night and one more this morning. Same quality.
No money asked. It is definitely the ultimate GFE.
I am a lucky bastard I say.
More to come later on a next report.
Mr. Chencho
Day 2.
I dropped “T” close to her place, and went for breakfast to a place she recommended.
It is located in 7ma and 26, the name is “Pan.com” (Pan punto com). Very good recommendation.
It is very cost efficient and if you are on budget, this is the place to go. It is opened from 7AM till 1AM. A 12inchs Baguette, cheese, Ham, and bits of Pork, plus Coffee and Orange Juice, 4US$..
I was supposed to see my friend “J” this afternoon. so after I finished my breakfast I went for a drive back to my place. I never made it.
On 5ta and 20, there were to ladies asking for a lift. I actually drove passed them, but you know how it is, I had a second thought and turned back and gave them the ride.
I asked them immediately if they were up to a beer, and guess what… they were.
Their names, “Y1” and “Y2”. They were not really hot babes, more like a 5 and 6 in my scale. But anyways, I decided to play along and see what goods come from it.
We ended up in a small beer place in front of the Melia Cohiba on Malecon.
Had something like 3 beers each, and during the conversation, they let me know that they both like rum. Hey, my kind of girls.
We went to the store that is behind the beer place on the gas station and bought 2 litres of Havana Club, some Cola, some chips and nuts, etc, etc. and we went off to my place.
Once in there, around 1PM, we sat on the house patio (by the way, the house has a small pool) and started hitting the bottles. We started to chat and make jokes and laugh. Once the first bottle was over, it was very hot outside so I suggest the get into the pool, and so wee did. They both took off their clothes and bras and got into the pool, and I joined them.
We open the second bottle and start drinking in the pool. Well, they both got a bit drunk, just enough to be completely relaxed.
So we started kissing and fondling, the three of us. It was fucking great.
I said, hey, this deserves a picture and I went for my camera. I took some “nice” pictures, and when they saw them, they got really excited.
They started to do more hot and sexy, even kinky poses and kept shooting. They really liked it.
Then one said, I want a picture with him, well guys, I teach them how to shoot the camera, and it went crazy. We had crazy sex on the pool, no holds barred.
I have no words to describe it. And all the time while I was doing one, the other was taking pictures. Just for your piece of mind, don’t worry, I used condoms.
We took a brake and moved the fun to my room. I did more pictures there and the same fun continued.
We finished around 11PM, we have been doing the hoola-hoops for about 10 hours.
Afterwards we went for some food (pan punto com again) and we parted there.
All and all, one of the craziest shits I have ever done.
Some of the pictures are on the Photo Section, however, I have air-brushed the ladies faces, since in Cuba they can get in really serious problems if somebody rats them up.
Cheers,
Mr. Chencho
Travel Tip.
For my US citizens amigos.
You can fly Delta from Atlanta, Continental from Houston or Newark, American Airlines from Miami, Copa Airlines from Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando or New York (JFK very soon) all of them direct flights.
Then connect with Copa Airlines to La Havana. They have 2 daily flights.
I recommend that you buy the Panama-Havana-Panama portion in Panama.
Here is the link http://www.copaair.com
That way, when going back to the US, and they ask you where have you been, you can say, I have been to Panama. Nobody will write anything in your passport about being in Cuba. Besides, you can always monger a few days in Panama
Cheers,
Mr. Chencho.
Hey amigo (Mr. Chencho),
Glad you had a fun time in Cuba. Sounds like you had a great time. That's what it's all about. Do you think the fact that you are fluent in Spanish effected the outcome with "T"?
Thanks for sharing your report. Sorry we couldn't hook up in Prague. Another time. Safe travels amigo.
Saint
Hey Saint.
Of course while being in Cuba, speaking some spanish will help. However, "J" told me that "T" speaks good enough english.
I didn't try it myself, I was too busy having sex.
Mr. Chencho
Mr Chencho,
Two excellent reports! Yes indeed you are a lucky man. To date I have not managed to get a sandwich session in Cuba, and I have been many many times. I’m convinced that you have a gift!
Your secret?
Regards, Havanaman
Havanaman,
The Secret? I don't know amigo. I just treat them like persons and not like objects and give them enough Booze and smokes.
Havana club 7 years do the trick.
Cheers amigo,
Mr. Chencho.
Thank you Mr Chencho.
I have tried to PM you, but your mail-box is full and the PM system is not forwarding to you. Can you please clear some of the old mail; I have a number of questions for you.
Thanks once again for your great reports and excellent pics.
Regards, Havanaman
If anyone is going to be in Havana soon and would be willing to pick up some letters for me I'd be most grateful.
Doc Bill,
I will make a pit stop in Havana and Camaguey; however,
not until next month ...
Doc Bill,
First week of July for 1 week. All spent in Havana. Back in Europe 11 July. Any good to you? PM me.
Regards, Havanaman
Gentlemen,
Some days ago you may recall I reported on a friend and his attempts to get a visa from the UK Cuban consulate:
[quote]He used one of those visa-touts (agents), and they reported back to him that the consulate, which normally turns over a visa in half a day, wanted to “make enquires…” before issuing this tourist visa.[/quote]
It took him 3 weeks in total, via an agent. My own would also seem to have disappeared in the “works”, its been 10 days… The agent says that the embassy is taking longer and longer to process things unless they come from known ticketing agents! This preferential treatment is designed to give the “tourist” a first-pass go. Strange. I would have said that we were all tourists.
I know this is a small battle compared to the problems of our USA brothers, but non the less is still worrying. Is anyone experiencing any such problems? I would bet a months salary that it is relating to the current global problem…
Regards, Havanaman
Greetings,
I'm an italian student going to Cuba in july to take university courses, and will be staying in a hotel in Vedado and going to Universidad de La Habana.
I wanted to know where to go to find some non-pro girls preferrably (nightclubs, specific areas etc.)
I was also thinking of maybe getting in touch with a girl in cuba before going there, so to have a reference of sorts.
Does anyone know any website where I can meet Cuban girls online. chat, exchange messages etc.?
I speak some spanish too, which should help ;)
Thanks to all
Aurelio
I just got back from two weeks spent between Havana and Nueva Gerona on La Isla.
First, the situation in Havana is desperate. Fidel just increased all the prices in the dollar stores 20-30%. This has largely eliminated nighttime entertainment except in hotels and a few other areas. A short recap of various locations follows:
Havana:
Johnnies (El Rio) - has now been converted into a Cuban jazz club where musicians can jam. Few or no girls were present.
Macumba is closed. Even the restaurant and pool are closed during the day.
Barrio China had the most girls I saw. Probably 10 to 12 girls who will settle for $70 for all night (the better looking ones). The cops chase them back and forth along China Blvd, but as soon as you ask them to sit with you, the policia leave them alone. They mainly harass them to extort money and/or sexual favors. I sessioned with a few girls from here.
Pool at Bosce - This is in Playa, right below one of Fidel’s homes. The pool is great and chica friendly. At night they have food and drink specials and a DJ for dancing. There were half a dozen girls outside waiting for a knight in shining armor to pick them up.
Casa de Musica
(Mirramar) - is open. $15 cover charge. A few hard core pros (with cell phones) waited in front. A few more along 5th Ave nearby with their p**ps.
Club Almanacer - was dead. No one was there.
Rodeo
(Parke Lennin) - is closed.
Club 1830 & El
Castillo - these are the clubs at the tunnel entrance on the Havana side of the river. There were a number of women waiting along the Malacon wall in front of these places. I didn’t go in.
I didn’t check out Casa de Musica in Centro; I think their cover charges are too high.
I mainly survived by calling up chicas from past visits. I also happened to meet an old girlfriend at Playa Santa Maria.
There are fewer cops on the streets because there are fewer people going out. There don’t seem to be too many places( discos) left to go out to.
There was still a strong police presence at the beach and I saw a handful of girls taken away by them. Since I had my driver with me when my old girlfriend showed up, I had her claim that she was a niece of my driver. She was not harassed.
I did not have any police waiting for me to return in front of my casa particular as I have experienced in the past.
Carnival has been canceled again this year in Havana. They don’t want any groups of drunks getting together.
Things seem to be pretty desperate in Havana. Everybody is running out of money. Tourism is way, way down.
The quantity of girls to choose from is a small fraction of what it once was.
Cubana Airlines no longer runs jets from Cancun to Havana. They are using props that hold maybe 70 people. The ticket agent now will negotiate the airfare. She tried to hit me for $300 RT and I told her I was quoted $200 over the phone. She immediately said “OK” and lowered the price. Cash only.
Havana is now more expensive than Colombia or Thailand and has only a fraction of the quantity of available girls that these other countries have. I have no plans to go back to Havana soon.
La Isla:
I no longer saw any military presence anywhere in Nueva Gerona or elsewhere on Isla Juventud. The 50 cal. machine gun nests at each end of the runway are now gone. Loaded shotguns and assault rifles are no longer pointed at arriving and departing passengers. The aircraft they use to get you there is ancient and falling apart. Seats are broken and the air conditioning begins working just as you land. You will still be searched two or three times before you board the plane in either direction.
The discos were far emptier than last year. As many people wait outside as enter because they can’t afford the $1 cover. There wasn’t much of a selection of women. I believe that I was the only American on the island. There were about 6 Italians; I knew three of them from past visits.
I was with my Isla girlfriend the entire time. There were not many police present in the evenings. This may be a response to fewer people going out. They did not bother us so long as we were in a bicycle taxi or walking in a group of people. More police were out during the daytime. When we went anywhere during the day, we took cabs and were unmolested.
I took my girl and two of her amigas to Hotel Colony on the western side of the island. The view of the Carribean from there was beautiful. However, the pool and the public men’s room were broken. We, along with two policemen, were the only people on the beach which hasn’t been cleaned in some time. The police did not bother us. The discos, restaurant and all of the shops at Hotel Colony were closed. There was a snack bar open. About 8 European scuba divers were staying at a hotel that has at least a hundred rooms.
Casa particular rates, and their charges for breakfast/dinner were unchanged. Beer, soft drinks and rum had increased about the same percentage as Havana.
I helped my girlfriend get a Cuban passport while I was there. She wants to leave. So does just about everyone else I talked to.
A $5 bill folded into my passport prevented it from being stamped upon my return to Cancun
Havana and La Isla are no longer prime mongering locations. Considering the risk one takes in going over there, it’s not worth the effort and expense
EC, great report, thanks! I appreciate all the specifics and I'm not surprised. Things have been pretty dead for mongering for a few years now, and only destined to get worse. I was there when Fidel raised the prices last month, and I knew this was coming: More desperation, hopelessness and despair. It is very sad as the Cubans are such wonderful people. I won't be returning soon.
I'm curious, how did you manage to get a passport for your girl?
Hey everyone,
I'm an italian student going to Havana in july to study at the university.
I wanted to know any info on what nightclubs are "in", and where the girls are to be found (non-pros too).
I'm staying in a hotel in Vedado.
Cheers to all
Doc Bill - She just applied for it and paid the fee (around $65). I heard that if harrassed, you can pay off $300 for guarenteed issue, but that wasn't necessary on La Isla. Next we work on a visa.
Greetings Fellow Travelers (Hmmm, not the right term).
Just for fun, I'm still communicating with a chica in Habana who played me like a violin when I was there (never got any) but I'm gonna turn the tables next trip.
I bought a house in Mexico (Lake Chapala area, an hour out of GDL) so I will be able to get to Cuba easier.
I was "quoted" US$50 to get a passport for a Cuban chica. Of course what good does a Passport do if they have no letter of invitation to go someplace and $$ to get out.
I'm thinking it might be easier to get a chica from Cuba to Mexico than the U.S. Of course getting her back is another story. Anyone ever try that?
I get notes saying how bad it is financially in Cuba now but I wonder if when it has gone from bad to worse if it can go from worse to worse. Too bad.
Take care.
Spock
Spock, good to hear from you! Yes indeed, having just been there I can tell you that things are getting from "worse to worse," thanks to El Commandante and the idiot Bushies playing right into his hands. I think it is harder to get a Cuban into the US than out of Cuba. Mexico might be easier, but who the hell wants to live there?!
I knew a cubano who paid off a mexican embassy official to get a two week tourist visa to Mexico. Cuba then gave him an exit visa.
He traveled to a border city and paid a coyote to drive him over the US border. He then walked into immigration and turned himself in, thus beginning his one year wait for automatic residency. He now lives in Las Vegas.
Doc Bill (and all).
Who wants to live in Mexico? Right now, me for one. I'mr eally tired of the crime, pollution and congestion in So. California plus it's a nice jumping off spot to Cuba and more of So. America.
Plus the economy is going to tank in the U.S. when (not "if") the next terrorist strike comes.
Plus, I can live in a house in Mexico which would cost $1M plus here for literally 20% of that. I can have a maid, cook, gardner, pool service, etc. for a couple hundred $$ per month. Climate is great. Anyway, I'm old and want to relax and never know when I might run into some nice Senior-eater down there. The economy isn't as bad as Cuba (few places are) so never can tell if there will be some mongering ops there.
Oh, and thanks to Ramon for making my delivery.
More later.
Spock
Gentlemen,
The passport / visa scenario is one I fully intend to ignore. I for one have no wish to marry or have a “serious” relationship and absolutely no intention of bringing a chica to my home. For me this is not worth the hassle. Much more sensible for me to go to her / them (!).
I know a guy who organised a chica from Thailand to come to France with him (OK, not from Cuba, but the principal is the same). A couple of weeks go by and she turns into another illegal immigrant statistic, vanishing with her suitcase and a pile of his money.
I guess it all comes down to trust. Now for me, the majority of my Cuban friends are trustworthy: I have known them over many years. I would say that if you are serous about the whole importation of a chica thing, then a long, regular relationship has got to be the baseline start point. The last thing anyone needs is a knock on the door from the immigration services… Take care.
Regards, Havanaman
Spock,
What an excellent decision to get a place in Mexico. A short hop skip and jump from Cuba and indeed South America. No legal issues of coming and going anywhere for you: nice move!
I wish you luck with the “violin player”; I’m sure you appreciate that a little more assertiveness on your part will get her to play a different tune, and in all of your favourite movements!
Regards, Havanaman
El Colorado, Gentlemen,
Excellent report: thank you. I’m so looking forward to my next short break: in a few weeks time.
As many of the Cuba masters have pointed out the mongering scene is dire compared to other countries so the clubs closing etc are not such a loss. However for those with chica friends it does become more and more difficult to find things to do, places to go in the evenings etc. This is a loss indeed. After all some activity (other than the obvious!) is necessary to enjoy oneself.
Having said this I have found that a number of clubs will close and then a few short weeks latter they open again either under new management or with a new lick of paint. It becomes all very repetitive. In saying this we still need to keep an observant eye out in these times as changes are afoot. The beginning of the “end” is nigh in my opinion. I know a monger who has made a “futures speculation” in Cuba in property (please don’t ask me for the details…) in the hope / certainty of such changes.
I’m inclined to say that things will go from bad to worse, to very bad and extreme. Financially, this has already started and the portions of rice and beans are getting smaller… To this end I have decided (and I think so have some of the masters here {no names}) to take care of our chicas by offering long term support. For me this is the only way forward now. Enough of my rambling.
El Colorado, you say that tourism is way down. Is this is total numbers form your experience or from specific countries, I’m thinking about the USA now? It would be interesting to get a feel about this.
Anyone in Cuba right now comment on tourist numbers?
Regards, Havanaman
Aurelio, you're going to study in the university and you're asking where to find girls , something doesn't sound right! Don't you think that you'll be right in the middle of a honeypot!?
Guys, about Cuba going from "worse to worse", it doesn't have anything to do with USA and/or Bush, the problem is "the cuban government". If the people of Cuba were allowed "to look for" a solution to their problem, they would find it. If allowed, the Cuban people would supply all its food needs, and more. The Cuban people is very resourceful, but they lack freedom to carry on!
Let's hope for the end of the "nightmare" and for a better tomorrow, but then, be prepared to deal with the Cuban people in a "leveled field" because the cuban government treats its citizens as "third class citizens" where you (foreigners) and even me (a Cuban living abroad) are treated way above them (the Cuban people), and quite a few of us see and treat them as such. Once the "chain and ball" is gone, would they resent us? Let's hope not!
Anyway, enjoy Cuba and its women, but please, treat them right, they are human too. Who knows, maybe your next "hunt" could be my niece or my cousin!
Thanks Rebel.
Are there really a lot of chicks at the University of Havana? I hope they are open to foreigners in general, I also speak some spanish in fact.
I really would prefer to have a non-pro, normal cuban girl. I've even heard that pro-customers from Italy have been subject to legal proceedings in Cuba because of their hobby! Is that a likely thing in your opinion?
Anyway, I'll see what comes up when I'm there. Any particular tip on cuban girls?
Cheers ;)
I just feel compelled to give a big "right on" to Rebel Monger." Anyone who thinks the U.S. is responsible for Cuba's problems doesn't know squat about Cuban history or Cuban-American politics (and I'm no fan of Miami Cubans, by the way!). Sorry for this totally nonsexual content but I had to add my voice to that.
Havanaman - Total tourism was way down in Havana, but especially tourism from the US, Mexico and Canado. I saw a few Italians, but not as many as are normally there
I agree with you 100%. I found chicas who never thought about going back to school after they turned 16, now taking English and computer classes in the evenings. Many others are talking about leaving. The slogan atop the tunnel entrance needs to be changed from "Socialism or Death" to "Socialism is Dead".
Havanaman;
I think I have your outside email someplace and if I can find it, I'll send you some pics of my place in Mexico. The location is great and I can have a house which would be at least $1M + in California of 20% of that. And yes, I will want to jump off to Cuba since it will be easier than from Calif.
I am not (too) stupid about the idea of bringing a chica my place however I sure wouldn't let her near anything valuable. But now what I think of it with my head (and other parts of my anatomy) clear, I think it's best for me to just go there, enjoy the time and then leave with a promise of "I'll try." Remember, this is the one who played me very well for a week and a few hundred dollars last time without putting out at all. OK, this one I want plus, I want to see a very nice teacher I met there also. She was very much a GFE and we write often. Heck, life is to enjoy and I will treat them all nice except for those who take me for an (old) fool. Remember, make a mistake once, it's a mistake. Make it twice and it's a habit.
I noticed though, there is NO monger action in my (new) neck of the woods. Guess it's too small a place.
I'll be down for a couple of weeks starting on the 30th. of June as I'll be driving down there and then have to get my dial up (can you believe that!) connection up and running.
Take care.
Spock/Talosian/David
Talosian,
Where at Lake Chapala is your home? I'm considering moving to Mexico and wondered what life is like at the lake? Is there any life? There are many towns aroud the lake adn I wondered if some places are better than others.
Aren't there some ladies at Lake Chapala that would do a "live in" and be your novia - and house maid?? Am I dreaming?
Thanks,
CB
Aurelio, there are more women at the university than you could handle, and yes, they are very open to foreigners. I did hear that Italians do not have a good reputation in Cuba, so you'll have to prove that you're different. As long as the woman is of legal age, you won't have any kind of problem there.
If you want to find a non pro girl, just conduct yourself as you would in your country. Enjoy your stay, have fun and be a nice Italian!
El Colorado,
Thanks for the information. I’m saddened by the decline of USA and Canadian tourists. They would have been bringing in much needed $$ in larger amounts. I guess current global issues are affecting everything including mongering and regular vacations.
Interesting what you say about the chica students: I agree, “times, they are a changin’…”. Without wanting to sound anti-mongering, which as you all know is not me…, it is a shame that a lot of these chicas will become hardcore very soon. Understandable as it is in the circumstances it dose sadden me. I guess this is a result of my trying to bet away from the barracuda-hardcore pros, and aim for the regular chicas. But hey, each to their own. Anyone had any new success with regular / armature chicas via pre-communication online?
Regards, Havanaman
Spock/Talosian/David,
Lucky man! The cost of MEX to HAV is so good you can make it a regular run. Fantastic.
Pity about the lack of mongering action in “your neck of the woods”. It may be a good thing actually, you know what they say: “never spit on your own door step…”. You always have Mex. City for regulars / amateurs & pay for play, and Cancun for barracudas if that evr takes your fancy.
Regards, Havanaman
Hello all Cuba mongers,
I will be coming to Havana for a batchler party (mine) the weekend of July 10th. I am looking for a chica friendly place to rent and some help on finding the interesting places to visit. Any assistance you can give would be most helpful. I will be traveling through the Bahamas. I have always wanted to visit Cuba and need to do it before I get married. Any help on making this trip better would be appriciated. Feel free to PM me.
FL Wingman
Wingman, what a great place to have a bachelor party! Just read through this board and you should get all the info you need. PM me if you need casa recommendations. By the way, all, I highly recommend the movie "Miel Para Oshun." I posted about it in the general info section.
Hi Colorada,
Great report with very accurate information.
Just as a small add on from a newbi: The two casa de la Musicas (Miramar and Centro) both charge USD 15 for the nightshow and drinks are USD 5 for cuba/libre. Try the Matinee show which starts at 5 pm is is geared for the locals wich entrance only USD 5 and drinks USD.
2 . Also great place to pick up local talents (centro better than Miramar IMHO) as not to many tourists there.
How about Rosalio de Castro and Tunnel? Any action there ?
Saludos,
Kiko69
Hey guys,
After reading recent posts, I'm kinda worried about my trip in August. Some have mentioned that clubs have shut down. Any idea on which clubs in particular? And regarding places to bring your chica, which places are you referring to that have gone dry. I understand marina hemmingway is a good place, is that closed!? Any feedback would be MUCH appreciated.
Cubana Man
Greetings,
I'm staying at the Nacional hotel in Havana in July, and I wanted to know if there are problems in bringing non-pro girls in to visit
Thanks
Gentlemen,
3 days and counting. Barring another baggage handlers dispute at CDG, I will be in Havana on Monday. Anyone on the board out there then? PM me if you want to hook up.
Regards, Havanaman
Cubana Man
I will see what I can find out for you. However you have the excellent, and up to date post from El Colorado dated: 06-15-04.
Also let me tell you that nothing beats just going there armed with information from the board and making your own way. The surprise of it, the adventure, the learning: it all adds to the excellent time you will have.
Your chica friends will know exactly where, when and how to go anyplace, and trust me that in the final analysis you will be glad to have just gone and seen Cuba the way it is now (assuming its your first visit off course!).
Regards, Havanaman
Cubana Man,
I am in the very same situation, and after reading the latest
and talking with my attorney have cancelled my trip this
month. I do not want to take any chances on getting a
US$ 7,500.00 from the US State Department. If you are
a US citizen think about it and if you are not chances are
that the next time you are about to visit the US, two things
can happen, either you are a denied a visa or if you have
already have one they can always denied entry.
Cubana Man,
I was at the Hotel Nacional 4 months ago, and after striking up a conversation with the security officer in the lobby, he felt comfortable enough to offer me the chance to bring up a girl.
These were the conditions:
1. I had to bring her in to the hotel after ten o'clock, when the day shift was gone. And
2. I had to pay him $80 so that he can split it with his boss, the head of security, and some of the other security guys working the perimeter of the hotel. And
3. I had to get her out of the hotel before the day shift came back on duty.
I did not take his offer because I was checking out and into casa. But just to let you know, you can bring girls up. Most of the other hotels have the same scam.
Yos
Alboroto, Cubana Man, Gentlemen,
I must respectfully disagree with your comments:
1. I have not heard of anyone actually paying any US State Department Cuba-visit related fine. Indeed I have a friend who got a letter about 3 years ago, never paid and has not to this day been pursued. He is a USA monger and has travelled at least 20 times in the last 3 years.
2. Clearly if my USA friend can go in and out of the States, either the emigration officers do not care (unlikely these days) or can not prove anything. Either way he is free to move wherever and whenever he likes in accordance with the constitution.
3. My passport has a couple of the old “small bank” stamps on it. Any emigration officer who knows his job would be able to identify that I have been to Cuba. I have a European passport and have not had any problems with entering the States on the 8 times I have visited. In fact I would say that those trips were amongst my best as far as being dealt with was concerned: the politeness, courtesy and welcome was very nice, so much so I’m telling the board about it!
My friend, I respect your views, however, it is worth seeing Cuba now before any changes occur: the last bastion of “Western Communism” with all that this means. Cuba is not a mongers paradise, far from it. However you will have noted from the many Cubaphiles here that they develop a sort of affection for the place and the people. It is with this in mind that I say make at least one visit. This is also the reason that many a gentleman here will “country hop” to get to see Cuba and meet its lovely people.
Cubana Man, I would recommend you give Cuba a try.
Regards, Havanaman
The new Bushie regulations on Cuba, which include a tightening on the travel ban, went into effect yesterday. I do believe this changes things. This, in light of my recent experience coming back from Cuba (see post in May), would strongly dissuade me from going back illegally. In fact I won't do it. I'm still worried about getting a fine letter from Treasury, and it's not paranoid because people are getting them. The times they are a changing, my friends!
My only hope is that this will actually [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] off enough Miami Cubans to tip Florida into the Kerry column and get us back some reason.
Havanaman,
I do respect your personal opinion and this Forum is to
exchange experiences. Let me ask you ... Did you know
that Ry Cooder received an invoice from the Treasury
Department in the amount of US$100K and also there is
another monger who received one in the amount of US$ 7,500.00\
and BTW I will bet your friend soon will received another one
with interest and penalty. And, tell him that that the Treasury
Department charge interest on a daily basis.
Well, As far as I am concern do respect the US laws, even
thou I do not agree with them, plus my interest in visiting Cuba
is music and thats all MUSIC ... but I just do not want to
disobey the law.
Best of luck to you ... and rather visit some other countries,
if I waited over 40 years to visit Cuba can wait another few
months until things changed.
Doc Bill,
The Miami Mafia as is called in Cuba is doing a good work
behind all this. Cristina and the Estefan Mafia bet are
very happy, but they do not know that whos suffering
are the cuban people.
I was thinking about going to Cuba through say, Mexico City, but tnow I am not sure. I do believe that anything is possible with this administration and if some of the posts are true I would not be suprized. GW and his gang want to further reduce Americans right to travel. Americans have no civil rights nowadays.
Alboroto, I would like to alsk you where you get this information about Ry Cooter and the fines throught the Treasury Department.
Doc Bill I wold like to ask you the same thing so I can do my own reaserch.
HavanaMan, I want to ask you if your freind is an american citizen and if so is there anyway to contact him? If you are European then I think that there is no restrictions on getting into or paying fines to the Treasurey Department. I would really love to hear further comments on this supject from you.
Yes, true, but this time it's only the hardcore in Miami that are happy. Regular, and in particular younger Cubans are not happy with this, and I hope it reflects in the voting booth!
Member # 2001
I am just going to answer one question. Yes, you could always
fly to Cuba via Mexico; however, here are the latest: Even thou
you place a US$ 20.00 bill between pages of your passport
for the Mexican Immigration Officer not to stamp your passport,
coming back from Cuba.
Guess ... The mexicans always claims that they do not "kiss the
US ass", now days Mexicana de Aviacion gives a copy of all the
passengers that travel to Cuba; therefore, the Treasury
Department can bill you latter.
Please do not ask the source of information, as for me, its
a matter of confidentiality. Thanks in advance. If you want/need
source of information, please do your own research, this is
part of my share personal information with all mongers to
avoid payments to the Treasury Department.
Also, do not contact Gloria Estefan, her husband or Cristina
and mentioned my name.
To All - On the subject of flying to Cuba through a third country. Use Cubana Airlines. They are cheaper than Aerocaribe and presumably don't report to the US government. Their flight schedules returning from Havana to Cancun are better than Aerocaribe. Their flights are available from other latin american cities also.
Right, Cubana does not report, but the Mexican authorities do!
Doc Bill & El Colorado,
Either way we are "fucked". Best thing to do ... do not fly
right now, also we can always wait for El Cubanito's
report. In fact, we have not heard from him in a while.
I am wonder about him ...
Hi everybody,
Please look at the photos section.
I'm looking for that girl. I met her two years ago.
She is from Havana (near prado).
Anyone knew her?
Please help me.
Many thanks.
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Hey yall,
I have not been back to Habana in 2yrs is Club Tikol still on La Rampa and is $20 going rate? I like dark girls.
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Fellow Mongers,
I just returned tonight from a 10 day trip to La Habana. Awesome!! I flew via Cancun on Cubana. My return flight with Cubana was 8 hours late, causing me to miss my connection in Cancun. Cubana was not very accommodating -- typical. Was treated very rudely by Mexican Customs upon reentry. They insisted that I present my US Passport when I tried to use my license & birth cert., then stamped my passport. No problems with US Customs. I just showed them my license & birth cert. and wasn't questioned at all. As far as the chica situation, great! Had a few GFE's and several putas in between. No problems with the police. Even befriended one cop working the beat near Hotel Habana Libre who assessed the relative merits of chicas passing by: "buen culo!, muy caliente!, te gusta?" All in all, another excellent time in Fidel's island paradise.
Hi,
I have not been to Habana in 2yrs. I used to go to a club on La Ramapa named Tikol. Lot of girls. Is it still there? Is the going rate still 20.
KW Kids
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KW Kids,
The name of the club is Tikao and it's still there. Unfortunately, it's a "couples bar" and singles aren't allowed in it. That bar was superb in its heyday but alas no more.
Mrgreek :)
I watching CNN last night I heard something about cuba, like tighter sanctions. More travel restrictions and the inabality to send money to the island. THey also said that there is about 150 million dollars that americans give to relitaves to Cuba and that will no longer take place. I could say something about bBush and sanctions, but I wont.
Anyway I was thinking that there has got to be a better way to get into and outof Cuba safely. Has anybody ever considered going to Venazuala and the to Cuba? I know that relations are not that great with them now (no suprize). I think they must not report the travel logs of americans going to the island, bu tI am not positive. Is there anyway to check this stradagy out?
I would like to hear the opions of people that have been there or are living in latin america.
Hi everyone,
Is Habana a good mongering city, and if so where? I have not been in 2yrs but would like to go back in September. I used to find it everywhere. I never paid more than 20 for allnite, and it was good. Is that still possible? If so, it is the best deal in the western hemisphere.
KW Kids
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Member #2001,
The information that you reference is relatively old "news'. Now for the true Cuba watchers out there, the world is watching developments just off the coast of Cuba. A large Spanish oil exploration company is probing for oil with pretty good prospects for a sizable find. If true, any U.S. Administration will have to adjust its hemispheric policies toward Cuba. Perhaps allowing more travel, not less.
Macgoo,
I can actually confirm that. A large Canadian company, Sherritt has been drilling for oil near Varadero. Sherritt controls the nickel mining (amongst many other things) in Cuba.
Lap Dancer,
Strange name, but of course you dance for the opposite sex, right.
Anyway, I thought it was a Spanish concern. Knowing how the Canadians can squeeze sugar outta S#%@^t, that just might be better. Regardless of the company's origin, I hope they hit it big -- soon. This could change everything!
If they find oil in Cuba, tourists won't be needed anymore. Remember, when the old USSR was castro's sugar daddy, very few tourists were allowed in, and we Cubans could NOT socialize with them at all. Well, maybe finding oil would be a good thing after all!
Greetings,
I'm leaving for Havana tomorrow:
Wish me luck with the chicas!
Aurelio
Well its official, I just got my refund check from my travel agency. My yearly trip to Cuba is cancelled , flight to Cuba from MIA is cancelled. My visa is cancelled, and worst of all since I went last year, I cant go for 2 more years. Man, aside from the fact that I cant take my family meds,I cant go to my cousins wedding or his sisters quince, all that fine Poon that my cousins had lined up for me at their house on the beach in Miramar is also cancelled. I am a republican, but sometimes I wonder who is worse Bush or Castro. What a bummer !
Todad, I feel for you man.
Here's my suggestion: you could get a flight from MIA to Cayman Islands (45 mins south of Havana) for about $300 (I think), then fly Cayman Airways to Havana for US$240. Life's too short to miss a party. Somebody's only quince once in their life.
Cayman is keeping mum about Americans travelling to Cuba. The flights to Cuba are so popular that they've recently expanded flights to 4 times a week and it's really helping the struggling airline.
PM me if you care to share some info about some nice girls, alright?
Well, hopefully you and other Cuban-Americans will wake up and smell the Cubita come November!
I think we all know what the problem is with Cuba and its ain't the communists there.
Wet,
The problem isnt getting there, its getting back. If you get there from the Caymans, and when you get to Marti and they stamp your passport you are screwed. Not to mention the fact that now the Caymans, and Mexico, and Bahamas report all travel logs and passport IDs to the INS, and Dept of State. But there is hope! I heard on the news today that their is a new form to fill out for emergencys etc. if I hear anything else will keep the forum posted.
Tha J to Da D
Hello Felow Mongers,
In order to avoid any kind of problems, just do as I did
cancelled my trip. Its not used to pay US$ 7,500.00 and/or
5 years in jail. All the airlines, repeat all the airlines are
given the US State Department a list of the passengers
that travel to Cuba, those included Cayman, venezuelan
as well as panamenian flag airlines. Do not take a chance,
lets wait ... or better yet let the "pussy" wait for us.
If you guys like inexpensive and good pussy, go to
Argentina ....
Looks like Bush is being more public today about ruining the party!
"Bush Says Castro Welcomes Sex Tourism"
"The regime in Havana, already one of the worst violators of human rights in the world, is adding to its crimes. The dictator welcomes sex tourism," Bush said...
Hoping this does not spell into even more pending State Dept. actions against a place I really wanted to visit for chicas and the culture.
Gentlemen,
I am not American, and I feel sorry for you so you are supposively the most free country in the world yet you can't go to Cuba. This is what I would try to do. I would go to nice long vacation to Canada. I would head straight to Toronto and I would buy the round trip ticket from Cuban airlines to Cuba. I'm sure that they won't report you US authorities. I hope that my suggestion could be realized and that it helps.
Cheers and happy hunting.
I'd like to know: since when is sex tourism a crime? Only paedophilia is a crime, and travelling for it is a crime. But since when is travelling and meeting a consenting adult for sex (albeit paid) a crime?
Is he somehow confusing paedophilia and sex tourism?
[blue]Actually, it's a crime for any American Citizen to travel to a foreign country for the specific pupose of engaging in activities that are illegal in the USA. This includes engaging in prostitution, consuming drugs (both drugs that are "illegal" and "not yet approved" in the USA), undergoing illegal (in the USA) medical procedures, etc.
In the USA, we have perveted the concept of democracy to what it now means to many people: That 51% of the people have the right to tell the other 49% what they can and cannot do.
Jackson[/blue]
I think it's more like 2% telling the rest of us what to do, and that includes Dickhead & Co. in the White House (see Patriot Act, see restrictions on travel and money to Cuba, see Enron, see Haliburton, see Fox News Channel).
Since prostitution is legal in some parts of the US (see Nevada), I wonder how that would apply. At any rate, the target of law enforcement (as of this writing!) is only sex tourism for minors, not other adults. I also believe, and I may be wrong, that the age of consent is 18 (for US visitors), even if the legal age is younger in the destination country.
Bush is full of shit , as usual.
Much more sex tourism in Brazil, Argentina, Thailand, Ukraine, etc., but bashing those countries doesn't get votes from the Cuban-Americans, and the loony far right. If they found oil in Cuba, you can bet it would be "regime-change" time, and of course Halliburton would get all the contracts.
I heard on Fox News Channel last night that the BushMiester was told by God to decree that it is illegal for Americans to travel to Nevada because they pander to Sex Tourism!
The BushMiester also wanted a full report on the link between Reno and 9/11, because he had heard the two mentioned together on some TV program.
Please read the following article:
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?040315fa_fact
zde,
Well, just be prepared. Since you are not an american,
just in case: If you have a visa to enter the US, bet the
very next time, you will be asked a lot questions. In
regards the airline you are flying from Toronto make sure
its not TACA Airlines a salvadorean flag airline, because
they do provided the US Government with a list of all the
passengers that fly such an airline, and of course, passengers
flying into Cuba are "Numero Uno" on their list.
Best of luck ...
Fellow Mongers,
I just could not believe what I was told by an employee of
the El Salvador Post Office, in the other hand, do give him
all the respect and admiration for being such an honest
person. Last Monday, since I was right next to the P.O.
when in and asked this postal employee a formal question:
Did asked him if I could sent a package to Cuba, since I did
cancelled my trip to Cuba, well I could not believe what he
told me: He thought my question was for the "robo" purposed and he told me that "ALL" the correspondence, regardless
comes to the US prior to send it to Cuba, and said ... WHAT !!!and
he in a very nice, honest and sincere manner told me: As you
know we "work" directly with the Government of the US and
all pieces of mail goes to the US first. My only guess is that
Gloria, Emilio and Cristina reads all the mail that comes from
El Salvador and they okayed such a mail.
Could you believe that crap ... no wonder the very same person
told me that a package could very well take up to six months to
arrived in Cuba, and told him but TACA has four non-stop flights
from San Salvador to Havana and he said in a very polite manner
Yes, I know but there is no mail in those flights.
Another one, and I am glad I am into music and sports of
Cuba, not politics ... nor religion, and yes "Pussy"
Sounds like a lot of Americans will not be going to Cuba for a while. How is Mr. Castro going to deal with this financial shortfall?
And this board is going to be very much quieter. Yo! I already miss you guys!
Some years ago I was in Havana and I ran into an American couple that got there on their yaught! The man said he just recently bought a gps and off they went. Well, 90 km from Key West isn't that far.
Well, I don't think many people can do it this way, but just thought I'd mention it.
I'm planning my next trip to Havana - 1st week of November. I miss my cigars! November is a long time away, but I thought I'd try to put some excitement into this board. Too much negativity lately. Think positive, guys. Sooner than you think, the bearded one would kick-the-bucket and the next American President will strike a deal with whomever in power and Cuba will become the next 51st state. And we all live happily ever after.
When (okay, IF!) Castro finally croaks, there will be a three day party in Miami which (if all goes well....) will turn into a month-long party in Havana. God, I hope I can attend BOTH!
If Castro REALLY wanted to annoy the USA and Bush, he'd legalize pot and steal all the drug-tourists from Amsterdam.
Jammer
[quote]In the USA, we have perveted the concept of democracy to what it now means to many people: That 51% of the people have the right to tell the other 49% what they can and cannot do.[/quote]
Ummm...isn't that the definition of a democracy?
Last I checked, America was designed NOT to be one for that very reason.
[blue]Perhaps you missed the point: Even in a democracy, the majority does not have the right to trample on the rights of the minority, including the right to the persuit of happiness, which is guaranteed in the US Constitution.
In other words, democracy is not 9 wolves and a sheep deciding what's for dinner.
Thanks,
Jackson[/blue]
Are you kidding? That's just another nightmare scenario. If you've ever been to Havana you would understand all the charm that will be lost when the US gets their hands on it. There is actually a t-shirt in Miami, showing the Malecon in Havana filled with McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, etc. Makes me sick.
Doc Bill, you are absoluely right. It would be the worst scenario ever and one of the last paradises would be lost for ever.
The world do not need a bigger America with all what that means. So for me "el chefe" is not the guy no one of my favorites but there is one who is much, much worse. Guess who.
Jammer,
I do not know how old you are; however, there is a formal
report that Fidel is going to live 120 years. And, I do believe
it, furthermore, they are already working on some kind of
health issue in which you can live up to 150 years old. Just
wonder if Fidel will get that treatment.
Doc Bill,
And do you know who is going to own those fast-food
restaurants? Oh well, yes Gloria, Emilio and Cristina.
Guys,
While I agree that the latest Cuban development is a serious and important subject I am missing the mongering news lately. Maybe the setup of a new subject like "Cuba and politics" or "Cuba and the US" or whatever seems appropiate and we can focus here on other issues.
Just my 2 cents !
Kiko69
I rather like the look of Hotel Nacional and certainly like the history of the place. Would it be a good place to stay in Havana? Does any member of the forum know if it is girl friendly(even at a price).
I could not find any recent mention of this hotel but apologise if this information is already published.Thanks for your help.
You got it! There is a joke in Cuba, about a team of visiting archaeologists, who present Fidel a live dinosaur egg as a gift. El Jefe demurs, and kindly replies that he simply cannot accept such a gift. When asked why, he says: "Well, this egg will hatch in what, 3 or 4 years right?" "Yes," reply his guests. Fidel: "And then there will be a live dinosaur, and they live, what, maybe 50 or 60 years, right?" "Yes," reply his guests. Fidel: "See, that's the problem with having pets - you get so attached to them and they die on you so early!"
I don't mean to rub it in. Really. With all the American brothers on tight leashes, I wonder if the prices would go down for the rest of us? Simple laws of demand and supply. Same quantity of "supply", but now that the "demand" has gone down, shouldn't that translate to lower prices? And/or better selection?
In a strange sort of way, part of me is actually rooting for President Bush!
Shoot! Air Canada seat sale just finished!
Robert the Brave,
Girlfriendly hotels do not exists in Cuba. Some hotels I stayed in you can take la chica up to your room, but it costs. You have to pay the nightpersonal $ 10-20 and they are calling you and want her to leave after a short while.
Casa particulars are much better but even there you might have problems with registrations of the first girl and then they can say no to a another second one. But there are some where you got your own key and they never watching you when come and leave. It depends but hotels es muchas problemas.
Robert,
I stayed at the Hotel Nacional 7 years ago and it was definitely not girl friendly. A female friend tried to come to my room, but they post security at the eleveators and would not let her come up. It is a nice hotel with excellent service. Remember if you are American, it's all cash, no credit cards.
Hello,
I am French, speak spanish, and will be in Havana on next 1st october for 10 days. Any recomendation, places to visit, casas or paladares. I'm not interested in tourist places and interested in meeting interesting people.
How does an American get into Cuba? I want to visit, and the price for playing seems great? Can anyone help?
Patrolman2
Mojito, first read this section and including the archives. You will find the answers to all your questions. Second, buy a copy of Moon Handbook's Cuba travel guide, written by Christopher Baker. It's a great book, best one out there on travel to/in Cuba. Avoid Lonely Planet.
Mojito Rubio, casas and paladares are tourist places ;-).
Bakers books are ok (better for you is Havana not the Cubabook), but reality is changing every month in Cuba.
So I'm reading here that all airlines, including from Mexico, are telling the U.S. Government who is going to Cuba. My question is:
Has this been confirmed and/or admitted by the airline (formally) or is this possibly a rumor without foundation?
Does one actually need a U.S. Passport to go from Mexico to Cuba and return to Mexico? And what about an American living "permanently" in Mexico on a Mexican visa?
It will be interesting to see what happens after the election.. If Bush wins, I think a lot of people will be moving away.
Spock
My pop works directly with, ATF and the state dept. He was told by them directly that all passenger manifests are given to them by the FAA, and any airlines that flies to any country and touches ground on US soil must provide every daily manifest of all their flights. In other words its a lost cause. He told me to unpack my bags after I purchased my ticket in Feb., and he was right. He also said that they would not be leniant on violators and that this is gonna be taken very seriously. Dont know if I should have posted in the politics section but I am sure Jackson will move it if neccessary.
Thank you for the recomandation about the Baker's book, I will buy I know from friends that everything is moving very fast there. On my return I will make a report of what I saw and discover.
One more thought.
Many Americans are going to Cuba through Mexico/Cancun and taking Cubana airlines. As I recall, and please correct me if I am wrong, Cubana is the National Airline of Cuba. I don't think the Cuban Government is going to turn over the passenger lists of people coming in from anyplace, to the U.S. Government.
I saw a post on another Board where it was asked if a person living in Mexico on an extended visa (5-years) can use that instead of a Passport to get a flight to Cuba. I wonder if Cuba would accept a Visa from Mexico as valid identification.
Any thoughts here?
Spock.
Talosian
"If Bush wins a lot of people will be moving away"
That's a nice, well thought out comment. I hope you are one of the "lot of people"
Moving away from the USA will solve all your problems.
Tao,
The US authorities don't need to get a passenger list. They have people that wait in the lobbies and see who is getting off the planes. Yes, they have their people in Mexico. They also have other ways of finding out.
They have even more people in Canada. Most of the time, a US citizen is actually processed through US Customs while still in Canada before going on to the US.
You should be ready to be stopped at anytime and be ready to resist questioning if you have been to Cuba. Needless to say, it would also be very stupid to have anything in your luggage that would give you away as well. Not just cigars but even small stuff like napkins with a hotel name imprinted on them.
Flashman, thanks for your nice, well thought out comment. A true asset to this board and real helpful insight.
Talosian wrote:
<Many Americans are going to Cuba through Mexico/Cancun and taking Cubana airlines. As I recall, and please correct me if I am wrong, Cubana is the National Airline of Cuba. I don't think the Cuban Government is going to turn over the passenger lists of people coming in from anyplace, to the U.S. Government.>
All airlines must submit flight manifests containing detailed info regarding passengers and cargo to the destination airport authorities (i.e., Mexican government) who then SELL the manifest to U.S. Treasury officials acting on behalf of OFAC (Office of Foreign Asset Control), the U.S. subagency in charge of Cuban travel ban enforcement.
Mojito Rubio,
I PM you, if you need some good adresses in Cuba.
PM me back if you need.
A bientot!
Arecho66: If this is true and manifests are sold, then why are there not thousands of demand letters being sent out to Americans? We know a lot of Americans go and only a small percentage get demand letters.
And if that is truly the case, why didn't I get a letter when I went?
Who knows, just thoughts.
Doc Bill and Flashman: IMHO, your comments are worth their weight in toilet paper. Expressing an opinion is fine, simply attacking someone doesn't show much mental ability or quality of the person. Have fun, I won't bother to reply to any more flames. I am glad people like you are in the minority and there are others who think about things and express their opinions, thoughts and suggestons as mature adults.
Spock.
Having just sent a pm to Talosian, I thought I would clarify on this forum that my comment was intended as a dig at Flashman, who insulted my friend Spock with his inane and useless comment. I apologize if it was understood any other way!
AN APOLOGY:
I misread the post by Doc Bill and thought it was supporting Flashman. I sincerely apologize for my error. Doc Bill has ben very supportive of my right to express opinions here. Hope I can buy him and some other a few drinks one time in Habana.
Spock.
Just read a few old reports on the Cuba board and I want to tell you guys something. Probably you know it already but here we go:
NEVER, EVER trust a Cuban girl, they are ALL lying, they have all boyfriends/pimps.
Never believe them when they are saying: "I have cancer" or "I have a child from a Spanish tourist and he left me alone and then they are starting to cry. They can cry on command.
They are all very intelligent, they know when they need to look away when there other tourist in the neighbourhoud.
They try very hard too convince you that you are the only one.
Here I qoute NPaul who wrote:
She is a nice young girl. not sure about our future. wants me to send her money each month. bought her a new bike for $130 and felt like i was hustled though she kept saying money is not
important. like us saying sex is not important
In the beginning they are telling you money is not important and of course you are impressed, but THEY know afterwards you give them more: a bike, a television, a refrigerator, clothes, jewels, a TRANSCARD, money each month.
When you try to check her it is impossible because everyone on this fucking Island is lying.
I finally know the truth about my novia. When you tell her that she will deny it very, very hard. Even the family and the neighbours.
Please guys think about this, a nice, young women who can find 2 or 3 tourists who send here every month money is not only smart but also VERY, VERY rich.
So guys pay only 20, 30 USD not more, fuck here and LET her go.
Maybe it's difficult, but listen to me I lost more then 4000 USD with my last novia.
Going to Cuba for 8 years I thought not with me, but you see the result.
Does anyone have an actual current report on La Habana? I'm curious as to the actual, current situation.
Gentlemen,
I will finally be heading to Havana on Friday via Toronto and just wanted to check back and thank you all for the enormous help you've been, I don't know where I'd be without it. I'll be sure to submit a report when I return, I know the board has been hurting for one recently. If there are any new suggestions as to places to check out, I would definitely welcome them. Anyway, can't wait til Friday!
Cubana Man
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I just returned from a 1 week trip to Havana. My goal was to get laid 7 times in 7 nights by 7 girls. I instead ended up spending the week with the same girl but did manage to sneak away 1 night for a quickie with another girl. So I basically had all the sex I wanted for 7 nights but fell short on the variety. I still had a very enjoyable trip. This forum has helped me greatly in the past so even though I was doing the girlfriend thing, I always tried to keep my eyes open for any information I could pass on here later.
Havana Carnival - When I arrived Sunday night the carnival was on at the Malecon near Prado Ave. Live music, hundreds of Cubans partying and drinking, lots of girls and extra police of course. I figured I'd hang out and enjoy the festivities for a while and not rush and hook up with any girls too early. So when a few girls approached me I didn't pay to much attention. As time went on I started to notice that in proportion to the amount of girls that were at the party there just wasn't that many girls looking to hook up. Fact was I later couldn't find anything I really felt comfortable hooking up with for one reason or another. It's possible it could of been the extra police presence. I think it was more that the girls that were there just seemed to be more interested in the party and not really into hooking up. Don't get me wrong. You can still meet someone there. It's just that if you see something there you like at least show your interested early on so you don't have to panic like I did and start walking around like crazy to other areas drenched in sweat forced to just try and meet anyone so I could get laid that first night.
Prado Ave - I took a walk up Prado Ave where all the girls sit on the benches in the center of the street. I really felt that it is just too dark here and what you think you are getting may turn out to be not what you get. I kind of started thinking that maybe the less attractive girls sat here because the darkness might help them look better. I preferred walking off to the side next to builders on the same side as the Hotel Caribbean. There always seemed to be a few good looking girls hanging around outside the bar entrances and yes it was well lit. As you walk down the street girls from the benches will signal out to you. Once again, be careful that what you see in the dark might not be what you get. Once you signal her over it is kind of an awkward situation when she turns out to be a dog.
Malecon - The carnival was only on during the weekend on the Malecon. It was back to normal during the week. I took a walk on the Malecon around the Central Havana area on a Wednesday night. Central Havana towards Old Havana is where the action is as far as I'm concerned regarding the Malecon and girls. In April I enjoyed prowling the Malecon looking for girls. There weren't a lot of girls then and only a few Cubans hanging around during that month but I always managed to hook up and had a lot of fun doing it. This time the Malecon was packed with people even very late into the night. In amongst the people there were a pretty good number of girls. However I must say I really felt awkward and like such a pervert walking up and down the Malecon in front of all those Cubans. It would have been different if there were more guys like me out there to take some of the pressure off. I think the Cubans get a kick out of coming out and sitting back, relaxing and watching the tourists try and hook up with the girls. So I definitely felt there was an acceptable number of girls hanging around this area. I imagine it would probably be pretty good all during the summer while the Cubans were on holidays and probably any day of the week too. I just found it very difficult to make a move with all those people hanging all around. I like being anonymous while going on one of my chica patrols.
Other Possibilities - I went with my girl to Casa De La Musica in Central Havana. A nice place to take a date but I didn't see too many girls looking to hook up on a Thursday night. However both the girls I met I found just hanging around out front of the vicinity of this club. Also as I stated before there were girls hanging around outside the clubs along the Prado. When I was in Havana in April I felt trying to get laid in the daytime was hopeless. Every girl I seen just seemed too busy. Now in the summer there seemed to be many more girls looking to hook up during the day. I was approached a couple times when I went to have a meal at restaurants in Old Havana and Vedado. These girls seemed to prefer to hang around the type of restaurants that have an outside seating area. They will just come over and ask if they can join you. If you're not interested in sex you can just buy them a drink and they will keep you company while you eat. It's a good way to practice your Spanish or maybe make a friend that you can possibly run into in the future. I did also see a pretty respectable amount of girls on the Malecon once while riding my bike. This was in the afternoon sometime around 4:00pm. They were hanging around the Central Havana area where the road takes that curve. I'm pretty sure you would need a car or taxi to pick up these girls. However a couple of them did signal out to me when I drove my bike by. Not sure what they expected me to do. One other thing I noticed that a lot of these girls were wearing a red top. Not sure if that means anything.
Police - On the weekend during the carnival they hauled in extra army trucks packed with police. Despite this I really didn't see any police hassling any girls or anyone else during the course of my trip. The girl I spent the week with assured my that there would be no problems for us to go out and be seen together. We must have walked past at least 25 police holding hands (we were holding hands, not the police) and they never bothered us once. As a matter of fact they seemed uninterested. Some advice I received on this trip was to take a more aggressive stance in front of the police. Sneaking around and walking separately may actually make things worse because you look like you got something to hide. Perhaps the fact that we walked around slowly and casually holding hands like we were just out for a stroll made us look like a serious couple. When we encountered a policeman we never altered our course. I am still not totally sold on this direct approach. I guess it depends on the girl's past and whether she is a local girl. My girl did have one fear and that was taking a walk with me on the Malecon. I asked why and all she said was that it was very complicated. Perhaps she had problems there in the past but she denied this.
Girls - The average price I heard during this trip was around $40 for an average looking girl. If the girl is comfortable with you expect them to try and hook up with you for the rest of your trip. One of the things I liked about the girl I hooked up with was that she invited me to go for a drink to talk and get to know me before she even mentioned sex. This makes me think she was an amateur /opportunist type. These type of girls are probably good if you are looking for a girlfriend for your trip. I just don't think semi-pros do this. Be advised. These girls are so nice you will have a hard time getting rid of them. I recommend setting some ground rules before hand if you don't want a Cuban novia.
Final Words - I think there are definitely more girls around during the summer months and a lot more girls available during the day. However I really seemed to have a hard time of it I must say. For example when I escaped the one night from my girl to look for some action I was actually right at my door step ready to pack it in and go to bed alone because I couldn't find anyone. Can you imagine that? Luckily there was a girl nearby outside my doorstep I just signaled over. Maybe I was just too picky. Possibly it was that I always thought there was just something a little better waiting around the next corner until I ran out of corners. I think the Havana Carnival attracted more girls but also more police and I think it was actually a hindrance in meeting girls on the Malecon. I think a normal summer weekend night would have been better to meet girls on the Malecon. I think the best advice I can give you guys is that if you find something you like grab her right away. I think this is where I went wrong.
There has been a lack of reporting here, I am usually a lurker, but I feel I owe it to you all to update you with my latest journey.
Having spent the last 9 days on the island I can tell you that all there is just fine.
I spent time at Macumba, Jazz Cafe, Casa de Musica, and a few smaller bars.
Only Jazz cafe had solo chicas. At the bigger clubs I would highly recommend that you bring your own with you, it is simple to do.
Just walk or drive on Malecon or La Rampa (23rd by Havana Libre) talk to someone that appeals to you respectfully and invite them to dinner and/or the disco. You will have the time of your life.
Hola. I just returned from my first trip to Havana. I don't have time to post a full report tonight, let alone scan photos, so just a few words.
First off, either things have changed a lot recently, or the reports calling Cuba dead are just flat wrong.
I had a great time, and had to beat the girls off with a stick.
General observations:
1) You can't swing a dead gato without hitting a jinetera on the Malecon at night. The place is packed, chock full, every night, until 4-5 in the morning. Most are *not* afraid of the police as I have read everywhere. Only one girl I hooked up with was afraid (yet she did come with me after we went to get the car, and she got in right in front of a policia), but they were all over the Malecon, and the main drag in between the Malecon and La Floridita on most nights. Several times, I saw jineteras chatting it up with the police. I had three. All were hot and my type (waify and young, 18-20). One was a disappointment, a clock-watcher, despite her seemingly great attitude on the Malecon. The second was sweet and hot, but all-business. I liked her, and would call her again, but she didn't rock my boat because although cute and nice, she was after all a pro. She did want to see me again, but I had other fish to fry. Finally, the last night on the isla, I found the all-star jinetera. It must have been 4 AM, a desperate, 11th-hour try (my companion made a huge error that night I won't go into - let's just say a failed blind double-date). She was an adorable little thing, the one who was scared. I was with a Cubano friend (my companion's cousin) wandering the Malecon, bullshitting and drinking Cristals, when I saw her. Just had to have the 95-lbs waif. Anyway, she was scared so we went to get the car and she hopped in. She was great, just great, as close to GFE as a pro can be. Being drunk, but with the Blue Pill on-board, I took over an hour to finish, and even took a break and asked her if everything was OK (other pros would have been getting quite perturbed, "c'mon mayng!"). She said "yes" with great enthusiasm. In fact, I got her to moan a lot, and I believe she wasn't faking because she only did it when I did certain things. Great sex, blue-collar work ethic, great attitude, and seemed to enjoy the sex. Oh, I almost forgot. I had told her in advance that she would be paid commensurate with her performance. Having had a bad experience before, I made it clear that I wanted a tranquilo GFE experience, not a clock-watcher. Well, she came through. Afterwards, she wouldn't tell me how much she wanted! She made me decide! Let's just say I paid her a lot better than the others, and she got some nice gifts. Funny thing, I kept asking her in my shitty Spanish to stay the night with me, and I couldn't understand why she wouldn't agree to do so. Then I figured it out - It was fucking past 7AM (All my windows were blocked out, so you couldn't tell the time of day)! The night was gone, and so was my chance to sleep! So my last night I had like an hour of sleep, after dropping her off. And no, I won't give her name, LOL. I'll be seeing her again in the winter, and I want to limit her mileage so she stays sweet. With the jineteras, attitude is everything. Unfortunately, it is hard to tell up-front. The bad one seemed to have a good attitude up front. You just have to play the jinetera lottery! Oh, and be nice to them, even if they are scammers. The more pleasant you make the experience for them, the better the chance they will play nice.
2) As far as GFE, had that too. Mi compadre and myself picked up two girls hitchhicking, and had a nice night with them. Mine was a sweet little thing with a great body, although she was loud and bossy and annoyed my compadre, LOL. We took them to a couple of outside bar-cafes and just drank beer and chatted, even danced on the patio outside the little 24-hour store (cruicial to find beer sources open all night). The funny (sad) thing is that I saw a stunningly hot Cubana there who smiled at me, and I was like "Fuck! How can I slip her my number without the other one seeing?" She was just absolutely gorgeous, can't believe she got away. FUCK! Anyway, we took them home, and both my companero and myself had smiles on our faces the next morning. I can't emphasize enough the importance of getting a car and cruising Havana for regular Cubanas who are hitchhicking (even if they aren't just pull up next to them and say hello). Clearly, GFE is the preferred way to go, but it is harder. First, you have to find the chicas you like, approach them, and be able to converse (see #3 below). It takes considerably more subtlety than with jineteras of course, but the payoff is worth it. If you can get a cubana to go out with you and have a few beers, chances are very, very high that she will do you at the end of the night. Just have some nice gifts for her afterwards.
3) Functional espanol is a must, at least for GFE. I need to work on mine for next trip, but fortunately I was with a Spanish speaker (two on most nights, my countryman and his Cubano cousin). My Espanol is a 2-3 on a scale of 1-10.
4) A car is crucial. Expensive (~$60/day +$200 deposit for a piece of crap), but you need it to cover as much ground as possible. So much easier to pull over and meet chicas. Everyone hitchhikes in Cuba, including hot chicks who love to meet foriegners. Be sure your car has air conditioning and a working radio (cubans LOVE music). Also, get a diesel if you can for mileage. Gas is extremely expensive.
4) The amount of absolutely gorgeous Cubanas wandering around Havana is amazing. Look, I have high standards. I was blown away at the amount of hot chicks, and oh yeah, it is so damned hot they all dress in skimpy clothing. My situation was so many chicas, so little time. I would have loved to have stayed 3 weeks instead of one, and I wanted to cry in Jose Marti airport (just missed the hurricane or I could have stayed!). Unfortunately, I was with someone who had other agendas than just chica-chasin, i.e., his family lives in Havana, so he spent a lot of time with them. We also are into cigars, and did some tourist stuff. Nonetheless, I had 5 hotties in 7 days (one neighbor of the casa I was staying at, 3 jineteras, and the GFE hitcher). This, with only 20% of my time in Cuba spent on the hunt. I feel that on my next trip, I will spend 80% of my free time on the prowl, and I know with absolute certainty that I could hit 14 in a week, with a little help from the nice people at Pfizer (I tend to drink a lot on vacation).
5) Don't go in August. Too fucking hot and humid (this wasn't my choice, trust me). Just too oppressive to wander around during the day, the best time to find regular cubanas and set up a date for later.
6) Before you go, go to a 99-cent store and get soaps, body sprays, lotions, and nail polish, make-up, anything smelling good (like generic/counterfeit perfumes). All chicas like this stuff.
7) I was amazed that in my 30's, I could sleep 3-4 hours/night, and still drink and party all night, for a full week. The food might be crappy, but it is high in carbs, which helps. Also, bring caffeine pills! Next time, I am filling my gawddamned suitcases with Red Bull.
8) Research casas particulares exhaustively. I stayed with my friend's family, off the beaten path (15 minutes from Malecon), and they were quite poor. They were sweet and great hosts, but it was too much "roughing it" for me. Next time, I find a top-rated casa, with a separate entrance to my room! Also, air-conditioning and private shower. Oh, and BYOP (bring your own pillow).
9) I was greatly aided by having a Cuban guide (my friend's cousin) to accompany me. Although he was hassled ocassionally by the police (regular Cubans are strongly discouraged from bothering tourists), we managed to convince the policia that he was my host. He was crucial in keeping the scammers (1,00s of them) away. It's almost like they exhibit professional courtesy, LOL, "oh, that Yuma is already being scammed, so I won't bother him." My point is, if Yumas walk alone, they will be constantly bothered by scammers offereing cigars, sex, and gawd knows what else. Trust me, you can find legit cigars and great sex without the aid of these assholes. One fucker hit me up to buy cigars 100 feet from the freaking Partagas factory, where the world's greatest cigars are made. Uh, no thanks asshole, I just bought legit Cohibas right over there. Point is, having a guide that I could trust was huge, a great deterrent to the scammers. This is especially true since there were so few Yumas on the island. I only saw like 2-3 other groups of Yumas the whole week!
I honestly felt that I was held back only by my travelling companion, who wasn't focused enough on chicas, and by time (only there a week). Gawd, the damage I could do there next time! If I had another week (that wasn't 90 fucking degrees and 100% humidity) dedicated solely to chica hunting, I'd *easily* hit 2 a day.
Final thought: Those of you who are calling Cuba dead are full of it. Just absolute fucking bullshit. It is an awesome, awesome place to go (for mongering and cigars, not food or weather), and I can't wait to go back. Unless you are a totally ugly, fat doad with no Espanol or social skills, anyone can get the chicas in Cuba. I loved it and would go back tomorrow if I didn't have to work. I'd stay 4 months if I could afford it. Maybe I should start writing like Hemingway so I can stay forever.
Pictures later.
Dran Reb, thanks for the great report. I couldn't have put it better myself. The police thing is iffy; My girl insisted on no hand-holding and avoiding the police at all costs, and she was so terrified of them I couldn't argue. A lot of it depends on color: If the girl is white there is much less chance of the police detaining you. That probability goes up exponentially as her color gets darker. Racism is alive and well in Socialist Utopia!
A big thank you to Cubanoob and Dran reb. It's good to hear things are getting back to normal in Cuba.
I was there in August last year for two weeks and I also thought there were many chicas available during the day and night. I am beginning to think that summer is a very good time to monger in Cuba.
True enough, the summer weather is hot and humid especially during the day. But the scuba diving is excellent and makes for a great daytime diversion.
Doc Bill....regarding racism.... my Cuban driver told me that Cuba is 20% black but the prisons are more than 50% . Not very different from the USA, where the general population is 12% black and the prison populationre is 50% . Interestingly enough,Brazil which is a large multicultural country, is 25% black and more than half the prison population is black.
Is this racism? Or is there another explanation?
Rickster, not to divert too far from topic, but the answer to your question, both in Cuba and the US, is "both." It's racism and racial policies (official or not) which make it more likely for black people to commit crimes, get caught and be prosecuted than whites. Cuba doesn't have the systemic or violent racism that still exists here, and I credit Fidel with that success. However, in more subtle ways white Cubans are extremely racist, including the police, who, ironically, are often from Oriente and as such are dark themselves.
Cubanoob,
I speculate the reason why you had a good time was because July and August are school holidays. Lotsa girls from everywhere flock to Havana for fun & a little spending cash and also lots of Habaneras aren't as occupied. Good to hear you had fun though. August is also slow tourist season because of hurricanes, etc.
So combination of high supply plus low demand = opportunity!
Should have gone this month but got other plans instead. DR baby!
Hi Wet Nose
I went to DR in early July, I had a girl everyday. I was not that all impress with the quality of the girls. Mostly they were in the 5-6 range. I did find an 8 who was good in the sack, but she was constaly telling me she had to call her kids. Now, I do not mind if a working girl calls her child to see how is the child is doing if the child is sick. But with her is was out of control, calling every 30 minutes. I got turn off and left her the next morning. From what I could hear I think she was not even talking to the Baby Sitter.
I like the action in CUba, even though is a pain in the Ass getting there.
El Cubanito
Cubanoob - What city did you enter Cuba from? What airline did you use? Were you stoped or hassled in any way at any point of entry or exit to any country?
Thanks,
El Colorado
Cubanroob and Dran,
Thanks for the reports. Sounds like Havana is still an interesting place to visit, and I will probably in November (for my 5th time).
Ciao companeros,
Earl
Hey guys,
I'm planning a trip to HAV the 1st week of Nov. Does anybody wanna hook up? Pm me.
So, to return to an old and still valid topic, how are my fellow Americans going to Cuba these days? Or are you just not going in the present climate? Or do you throw caution to the wind and hope you're one of those that don't get caught? Or are you finding ways to go legally (not easy!).
I have friends who recenly went through Jamaica. They were questioned a litttle about the extra (Jamaican) stamp on their passport but got lucky and pleaded ignorance, the line was long, so they let them go. My sources tell me that now all airlines in Mexico, Cayman, Jamaica, Bahahmas and maybe more are passing on passenger lists to the authorities, which means that you may (or may not) get a notice of fine for $7500. Hearings are now officially in place to hear the arguments about the notce.
Bottom line, you won't know you got caught until you've been home for some time
Just returned from yet another totally satisfying trip to fantasy island. I had a GFE from a previous trip waiting for me when I arrived (much to the dismay of my mongereing partner who doesn't speak any spanish). Sweet, young (22) white girl with thick dark hair and a huge rack. Very sexy! Had to switch casas midway through my trip because they had a reservation. So feeling like busting loose, I told my chica that we were going home. Freedom! It didn't take long to find a new one even hotter than the one I just cut loose. 23, mulatta, long dark hair, athletic body with a great set and a perfect culo. She was strolling on Galiano with her mom. I told her mother that she had a beautiful daughter and asked her permission to call on her. Met her and her parents at their apartment later in the evening, hung out to chat for a while, then took her to dinner at a nice paladar. There was a great fireworks display and concert on the Malecon that night and then it was back to my place for some very hot passionate sex. Primero con preservativo, despues sin. Stayed with her for a several days before it was time to go on the hunt again. I gave her a couple of Victoria's Secret thongs & tops (gotta hit those clearance sales!) and bought some groceries for her house. Even my bonehead buddy managed to snag a sweet GFE towards the end of our trip after first wading through a bunch of jineteras. I burned 100 Pimsleur cd's for him, but he only got through about 10 of them and retained very little. We both faced nothing more than perfunctory questioning by US Customs upon reentry. I came home with some great artwork, a few lovebites and scratches that I'll have to hide from my girlfriend and of course amazing memories!
I think most Americans will kinda avoid Cuba for the time being. For those that have a safe way to reach Cuba, they will not talk about it in the public. So since there's less demand, I think chica prices will go down.
For my next trip, I plan to check out the matinee at the casa de la musica.
With all the Americans laying low, I feel very lonely on this forum. I'll be in HAV in 2 months. I would like to plan ahead but have been very busy. My only planned activities so far: cigar, reading and matinee at Casa Musica.
I'm thinking of changing casa particular. Getting bored at Marta's condo. Too quiet all the time. Can someone suggest an c-frieldly casa? (pm me)
Come here azere, gimme a hug. I read you're going in Nov. I'm going sooner in Oct.
This is from another website. I don't know the casa, but I have a buddy who lives and works within chipping distance, and others a little further away. Right in the middle of all the action of Obispo and Prado. A chick wrote this piece, but maybe Mercedes can procure some action for you with some of her socias. I like to lay my head in an area with more tranquility, but if high foot traffic is what you're after, this section of Havana is ranks. Nothing bettter than asking one of the counter girls at Harris Brothers to take a trip back to your pad less than a block after work.
Havana - Casa Mercedes - O'Reilly No. 506, 1 er piso, entre Villegas y Monserrate, Habana Vieja(e-mail jormer506hotmail,(537)863 4493
I can't recommend Mercedes and Jorge enough! This place is beautifully kept, clean and in the heart of old habana. Mercedes is amazing and so helpful. She said she was our mum in Cuba and she was. Nothing was too much trouble for her, whether booking us bus tickets, giving us names of her contacts in other cities we were travelling to, checking to make sure we got ther okay, booking us taxis, boiling water and refigerating for us...! She did this not for money, but because she wanted to help us. She even got up at 4 am to say goodbye to us despite finding out the night before her uncle had died. She farewelled us with a smile and a tear. I will forever remember the kindness of Mercedes and Jorge.
Gringo Loco,
Sounds like you had an excellent time, more power to you. However:
[quote][red]Primero con preservativo, despues sin.[/red][/quote]
You serious? Please take care for all our sakes: you, me, other brother mongers and possibly even the single mother consequence…
Regards, Havanaman
Hi,
Can anyone tell me of any nice hotel? One which I can access all amenities ie shops, beaches and janiteras very easily.
And also bring them into my room if possible.
I will be going to Havanna in November and want to book a hotel in the prime location. ie pussy galore.
How easy is it to pull a girl from Cuba.
What are prices fro the night on average for a decent woman.
Can't afford A class, i'm on a budget. Need as much Fucks/$ as possible.
Also, what currency do janiteras deal with?
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How about American girls in Cuba. Do they come to Cuba with sex on the mind. I wouldn't mind shagging one. Preferably anal.
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Kader,
If the beach is the main priority, consider Tropicoco, west of Havana, east of Guanabo. Sometimes there are low-ball one week rates out of Toronto and Montreal. You can invite a tourist to your room, or you to her room, but not a Cubana. That's why guys rent casas so you can.
The security at Tropicoco used to split $10 between them for a 12 house cubana room stay.
Omar, security doorman at the Hotel Telegrafo has let me take girls up to a room in the wee small hours of the morning.
You are more likely to hook up with a Canadian chick on a package deal. I've met chicks at the beach by Tropicoco from Toronto and Moscow and had good times with them for a week
Beware of any cubana drinking a $2 mojito. She is telling you she is expensive and you will make you pay dearly. The girls will want $20-30 to $80-100. Take the DogBoy approach and shoot for $10. Or tell her you'll keep her on a ST retainer for $5.
Hi all!
I'm an Italian boy who will enjoy his 28th birthday in La Havana! I'll arrive there on Sept 15th, and I'll stay there for 10 days. Who would like to know each other and have fun together?
Contact me as soon as possible!
Alessandro
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Hello,
Me and two frends are travelling to Havana in November, we would like to know the names of the best discos to visit for chicas.
Danielson
RTFF
Regards, Havanaman
Danielson, feel free to pm me for any information that I can help you with.
Thanks Petrolero.
What exactly is a casa / casa particular. Are they apartment I can rent or are shagging cabins I can rent for sex (how long?)
Do anyone now of any good apartment I can rent in Havanna, that is close to the pussy and will also let me bring women home. (decent priced pussy ie no more that $25)
What about the tourist girl. are the easy to fuck. Do they come to cuba to get liad?
From what I've been reading, you don't have to look for girls, they look for you. Is this true?
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Hi everybody,
I just discovered Havana where I will fly again on October 1st, any nice adresses and places?
Will inform you and make a report when I will come back.
Kader,
Sometimes the casas are independent apartments, and they also can be rooms beside the house. Some guys even rent a hotel and a casa so their stuff can be safe no matter how drunk and forgetful they may become.
Check www.casaparticular.info or cuba-junky.com for a list of rentals. You can take girls back to the rooms and also ask for a short term if you meet a girl on the beach. Going back to the house of the girl isn't a bad way to get to know about Cuba. I don't have a hell of a lot of experience with rentals since I stay with friends and family.
Don't pay more than $20, you really don't have to. The price hasn't changed on the upside for the past 7-8 years. They get $30-$100 because guys are lazy and willing to pay it. You can even get down to $15 or $10 if you're willing to say no and walk away from a deal. What do you know she's on Calle Obispo the next day and she agrees to your price.
Short term can be had south of the Capital for $5 if you speak Cuban and can pass for Cuban; with rooms going for a $1. I say Cuban because it's beyond, or short of being Spanish. Blending in as Cuban is sometimes, being very American. Most Cubans I've met, want to be me. They envy that I can come and go and can buy a beer at will; without consideration of a loss of dinner.
Get beyond the romantic shroud of these girls and look at them as shrewd businessmen. No they don't have dicks. Havana is wide open for action---keep your eyes open and pay attention. It's easy to determine what girls are in play and ready to play. Sometimes they are alone, in pairs or three of them together. Sometimes with a pimp close by following on the street or seated on another bench.
Be creative and ask girls who might not appoach you. There are a lot of retail girls you run into on a daily basis. Very hot there and there's nothing better than a cold beer during the day. Don't listen to anyone who states it's a bad time to go to Cuba. It's a hell of a rush, and a lot more exciting than the modern world for whatever reasons. Very few have cars and this is perfect chemistry for girl watching. Park your ass somewhere and enjoy the scenery. No better way to get to know the scene. Carry some cigs
Tourist girls are best picked up on a plantation hotel with a captive audience, Cayo Coco, Varadero, Guadelavaca, ect. Tourist girls in Havana: Independent, renting a casa, are more likely looking for a Cuban guy to screw. Most anything is possible with the hot hot heat.
Hello Friends and Hobbyists
I'm on October, 21 for 1 night in HAV.
Is anybody there to stroll around together
Kader and Mojito Rubio,
I can recommend you the "Casa del Medico" in HAV.
It's located near the cemetery. The house is well equipped, msot rooms with private bathroom, some with shared bathroom between two rooms. The atmosphere is absolutely privat.
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Thanks Eberhard and Petrolero. You've been really helpful?
Regarding the "Casa del Medico" in Havanna. Can you tell me where abouts in Havanna it is? What about the women? Are they within easy access. I would appreciate it alot.
Also in Havanna ther is Central, Old, Vedado and Miramar. Which ones are the best for cheap quality pussy?
I hear transport is a problem in Havanna, that's why I want some easy access.
What about the Malecon. Are ther any rooms there. Ive heard the
action is around these areas.
Has anyone been hassled lately by US officials upon ariving in Cancun from Havana? Any other problems with any other gateway cities? Is everyone using Cubana Airlines to go over?
W Kader,
The one big cemetary is in Nuevo Vedado. It is a bit aways from the action. It is in the quiet part of town but you would probably need a taxi to get around.
El Colorado,
Do you mean Cancun back into the States? There should not be any U.S. officials waiting in Cancun.
Quackup
been in havana few months ago.
for me cuba was a mixed experience.
i had some fun. not enough and it took me a lot of effort.
i you want to get laid in cuba this is no problem.
it depends on what you are looking for and what you are willing to pay.
i found in havana the following women:
1) hard-core putas: too dangerous for little me.
2) professionals: ok if you want a quick snack.
professionals in the centre of havana ask up to $40.
i did not even take the effort to ask for the prices of the professionals in the lobby of hotel telegrafico and hotel nacional.
from a principal point of view i am not willing to pay more than $25 for a snack.
also i am not willing to negotiate for a woman through an aggresive pimp.
3) semi-profs/amateurs/gfe.
they can be nice and ask reasonable prices. $15 in havana is possible even for a unexperienced, non-spanish speaking starter like me.
however: hard too meet, certainly if you don't speak spanish.
if you are lucky to meet them the language still is a problem.
sometimes i am a romantic. please don't blame me for this.
for some weird reason i think it is nice to talk a little bit before and even after a fuck.
and during the fuck it comes in hand if you can give some instructions.
to my opinion a problem in cuba is the security system they have there.
upon arrival in the county your passport is recorded in a central computer system.
then the owner of your casa registers the data of your passport.
i have read postings on this site that casa owners also register the data from the carnets of the girls that are visisting you.
so this virtually means that you can be linked to all the pussies that you have met in cuba.
and who nows what other information is put into this system.
i don't like this idea.
also take care for ****d girls.
always check their carnet (=id) for their age.
if they can't show a carnet (watch out some carnets are fake or lend from somebody else) then the certainly are not 18 yrs old.
getting caucht can mean years of prison for you.
maybe i should have taken the advice of petrolero and take even more initiative than i did. sometimes suddenly an opportunity appears leaving you a 15 seconds time to decide. if you are not too drunk or it not too late, meaning it is not too dark too have a good look on the girl, and if it seems ok take this opportunity.
El Colorado,
No sign of US officials in August of this year. Cubana is the best way to go.
W Kader
When I was in Havana and I went out on an evening chica patrol, I would start around the Hotel libre in Vedado, walk down La Rampa Ave to the Malecon, walk the Malecon through Central Havana to Old Havana, then walk up Prado Ave then turn around and go back. These are all prime locations for meeting girls on the streets. If you are in relatively good physical shape, you can do it too. You will have a good time meeting all kinds of people, taking in the atmosphere and checking out the girls. There are lots of little places to stop and have a beer too. Or you can take a water bottle full of rum and coke like I do. Just grab a cab when you find someone you like. I think it would definetly be a good idea to get a place fairly close to the Malecon. Vedado is probably best for a new guy. Always count your change if you go to the variety store at the Hotel Libre. Have fun.
Hi all,
Thanks for your replies.
I think I have a good rounded picture of Havanna.
Does anyone have any ideas of the action in ChinaTown.
Most Chinatowns I have visited in different countries, always seem to have some sort of action.
It seems to me that most casa owners and female. Are these women
hookers on the side? In which case, should I try it on?
Or maybe they can bring the pussy over.
Fido Dido! What does hard cores putas mean?
Should I be scared?
Gonna definitely try that route Dran Reb.
Kader,
A hard core puta will jack you off with one hand and claims ownership to your wallet with the other, once she gets into your car or hops on the back of your scooter. And pretty much helps herself to any of your cosas when she gets back to your place.
Chinatown is usually loaded with them at one end and the other. Hire a bicitaxi to do your cruising.
If you are into an older woman fetish, you're in luck with the casa operators.
Kader, when are you going? I'd pay to be your jinetero for the comic relief.
Good report Fido Dido. You put in some dues paying.
Hello guys,
Dran's report put me in mind of my last visit to Havana, for reasons that will become aparent I mean 'last' in more ways than one. I posted this report on a rival forum but thought you might like to share it, it's a little bit long I hope you do not mind. My trip was last June, a little break from the Dominican Republic, I flew Cubana from Santa Domingo, no problem with that except for the ugly grumpy stewardesses, Jeez only communists could look for hostesses for the national airline of Cuba and pick such a collection of mangy old hounds!
I had visited Havana twice before and found it to be monger heaven so I was really looking forward to my trip. I prepared myself well, booking a casa with separate private entrance through havanarentals.com and they were surprisingly efficient. I got a one bedroomed place with aircon located near the Havana Libre at about $30 per night. When I arrived at Havana airport I booked a room in the Havana Libre, well let's face it you don't want to spend your entire trip in a casa, just the nights or parts thereof. I then headed to my casa, met the landlady, a pleasant woman, filled out the forms paid the rent and collected the keys. She couldn't care less that I was actually staying in a hotel.
I should add that at Santo Domingo airport I bought a selection of miniature perfumes, well you know how a few cheap knick knacks can make all the difference to a chica's attitude. Like I said I knew what to expect so I was prepared. Anyway that night Iwent to the terrace bar of Hotel Inglaterra to have a few cold ones and scout the territory. It took the usual half hour to attract the waiter's eye and for him to bring me a warm beer, but my spirits were good so I put up with it. Not much appeared to be happening so I went for a walk around the square, I got one or two 'psssst's from a couple of unlikely looking prospects who were wisely lurking in the shadows. I was also approached by three or four pimps; now I think most people here are like me and regard pimps as lower than the lowest form of lowlife. I truly loathe them and never felt the need to use them in Havana so I declined their services.
Well, by about eleven I was surprised to still not have a companion and not entirely surprised to see alot of cops about, so I went back to the Hotel. I hadn't stayed at the Libre before so wasn't sure of the score but decided to check out the top floor night club. Nada, absolutely bloody nada, and no sign of anything coming either. I was fed up and tired at this stage so decided to go to my room and order a bottle of wine, after ringing room service five times and getting no reply I went down to reception. Room service is busy she prissily told me, he (yes he, one guy in a hotel that size!) was serving other residents, I went to the bar bought a bottle of overpriced [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] and took it with me to my room.
Next day I wandered along the Malecon hoping to grab a little afternoon delight, nothing much besides alot of young men swimming around the rocks. I did encounter two girls about 6.5/7 each, I chatted to them and explained I was going for a beer and for them to join me, no they replied but could I give them money? Well I gave them a couple of dollars to which they replied 'Gracias y adios!' Wow things really seemed to have changed in Havana.
That evening I just decided to look for some kind of Commodoro action, remember the overpriced disco where you could at least be guaranteed some hot if expensive lookers? Well the cab took me to a night club I am assured is the best in town. You will, I hope forgive me for forgetting the name, it's ten bucks to get in but drinks are then free. Outside is a terrace area which you pass on the way downstairs to the toilets so some of you might know the name. Anyway the place was well filled but the girls were a rather glum looking, not especially attractive bunch. Quite a few had some gold on them, always a bad sign on a hooker, like medals on a soldier it means she's seen alot of action. I eventually met a 23 year old blonde student, face 7 body 5, she asked for $80 clearly under the impression she was working in Vegas. What really put me off though were her two black eyes, she said she fell when drunk - yeah that would be right, just after her boyfriend/pimp punched her I suppose.
Next day I strolled around town again passing two pretty young girls who gave me the look, but they were way, way too young so I passed. As I walked further I saw a European woman with a tv camera crew filming something so I paused to watch and lo and behold she went over to talk to the aforementioned girls. Now I don't know what was going on but I guess some sort of documentary about the iniquities of the flesh trade in Cuba, thank God I hadn't even acknowledged the girls! I went to the cafe beside the Inglaterra and ordered a burger, it only took 45 minutes to come and rest assured whatever was in it was completely innocent of any association with beef, I was still tasting it six hours later.
That night I checked out a bar in town, not much happening just a load of earnest American girls trying to dance, easily recognised by their lack of make up, sensible shoes, long floral pattern skirts and handbags slung over both shoulders held tightly by their sides as well as their total inability to dance. Now why the hell do these types come to Cuba? Anyway I went to the bar to get another mojito when I was told to wait as inspectors from the Economy Ministry were checking the bar's records. Sure enough there were two hatchet faced bitches poring over receipts and grilling the staff, at ten thirty on a Friday night! This lasted more than an hour, Christ what a government.
On my last night,a Saturday, I walked Dran's route feeling sure that I must score something. No such luck, results for the walk, a good couple of miles I'd say were three 'pssst's from hardcore ho's, four approches from pimps and about a dozen cops. I eventually stopped for a beer at a little bar on the street behind Inglaterra across from the theatre. I was immediately accosted by a tall, leggy mulatto girl in a short skirt with a not too bad face and lovely hair. Slightly tough but I really needed some action so we went to club on Las Ramblas, she danced alot and I was sold, she was a stunningly sexy dancer and I was getting very horny watching her so I decided to take her back to the casa.
On the way back she asked the taxi to stop as she spotted her friend and wanted to chat to her, fine, then we went on home. Back at the casa with the lights on she did seem like she had seen better days but was still a looker, but then she opened her purse and took out the crack cocaine which she had obviously bought from her 'friend' and started to smoke it. That just about put the tin hat on it for me, next day I left for the DR, I gave the perfume to my landlady, she was the nicest woman I had met in Havana.
I have a memory from my second trip to Cuba, I was having dinner at a restaurant on the street, when a blonde, fortysomething, really foxy woman strolled by with her beautiful twenty year old daughter. They smiled over at me clearly indicating they would like to join me, well you know how it is, I was hungry and not in the mood for conversation and anyway it was Havana such encounters were a dime a dozen, so I declined. Now I know years from now that as I lie dying on my bed, the hoarse breath rattling from my weak old lungs and death's clammy grip tightening on my heart my final thought will be 'What the fuck was I thinking of!?!' But that's all Cuba is right now; happy memories. For me Cuba's finished. Apart from the shit food and crap service can anyone really call a place a monger's paradise where all there is are pimps, overpriced underperformers and crack heads, and where the figure standing under the streetlight is a cop? You may as well stay at home for that, currently I am in Indonesia of all places and I find that the spirit of old Havana is right here. As for Cuba, in the word's of my two girls on the Malecon 'Gracias y adios!'
W Kader: a hard core puta is just what Dorman describes. It is a hooker doing crazy things. For instance using coke (in Cuba stay far away from drugs). Or treathening you. Most often they are wearing a lot of gold. It is true what Dorman says: the gold on a hooker is like the medals on a soldier.
When you see a hard core puta you recognize her.
The route Dran Reb is describing is I think the best in Havana. Although the Prado and the Park Central are pretty commercial. I did try to contact girls at the University for a nice GFE experience but had no succes.
Sometimes, suddenly you can have luck in Havana. But you must decide quickly. Whatch out for taking too young girls, as they sometimes offer themselves. Always check their carnet or it may cost you a lot of years in a Cuban prison.
And do not pay too much.
$25 should be sufficient.
And avoid pimps.
Anyone having any suggestions on meeting University girls?
Fido
Great report, Dorman. Yours and others below just continue to confirm what I´ve been saying for about two years now, that Cuba is no place to go for mongering. I´m here in Brazil right now and there is no comparison. I don´t know why some people find this hard to believe. I love Cuba and the Cuban people, but if it´s sex you´re looking for there are lots of better places to go.
Guys,
This is precisely what should be happening. The US President says that Cuba engages in sex tourism. And so the Cuban President cracks down on it. We go from one extreme to the other. And hopefully there's a happy medium somewhere in there.
Hows it going all,
Petrolero, I will be going in December. If anyone is there at the time please let me know.
My friends haven't got the instincts of a true monger. So another monger will be most welcome.
Dorman, you're story has made me a bit sad. The only reason i am going to Cuba is for the pussy.
Hopefully Dran Rebs routes will work for me. I need to be optimistic.
Why did you buy perfumes for the girls? Is that normal to do so?
What is legal age in havanna? Is it 16 or 18?
I'll stay away from the hardcore putas. I'm not really into proffessional. I like the semi pro women.
Is there an ethnic seen in cuba ie chinese, indian, etc or are most of the pussy local.
Is Viagra sold in havanna and is it legal?
w k, i bought the perfumes as little presents, cuba is in a trade embargo, they have a serious economic problem consequently the girls have great difficulty getting the little things most women in our country take for granted. when you can give them a cheap little present they are delighted and the resulting improvement in attitude can be out of all proportion to the cost of the gift. someone else hear recommended visiting your local 99c shop and stocking up on stuff like nice underwear, cheap perfumes, deodorants, earrings that sort of stuff, you will seem like santa claus. obviously don't fill two suitcases full of the stuff just a few little knick knacks.
on the subject of ages i would advise extreme caution, there are some ****rs hanging about, they are supposed to have id but usually borrow their friends or sisters. my friend i make no judgement on why you would ask such a question but be warned cuba is an authoritarian police state. right now they are coming under attack from the us for allowing sex tourism, and are in the middle of a crackdown. you can see how a few well publicised arrests of sex tourists would be just the sort of thing to show the world how seriously they were taking the issue.
dorman,
thanks for the advice.
i'm not a peadophile. but legal age as i know it is 16 years.
i don't know about cuba. i've heard that the penaltys a severe for **** sex, thats why i was asking. i like my fresh 18 year old pussy but nowadays you can't tell the age.
thats why by knowing the age i can give myself 2 years leaway.
don't want to go to jail. might end up being the janitera for some big hairy animal.
First time poster. I need the "low down" on Cuba.
I came accross this forum some 7 years ago and most of the info then was dated, recently came back and suprised to see timely reports, and improved user interfaces. Sometimes better than the "other" board. Great stuff!
I've been researching cuba vs costa rica now for the past week and am still undecided. Cuba, according to DORMAN's lastest report, does not sound so monger friendly without much effort. Other reports here in the last 3 months indicate otherwise. Seems to me to be a big risk. Always having to look over your shoulder, finding casa friendly places, etc. Not my idea of a relaxing R&R.
Costa rica, on the other hand, seems not to have missed a beat since last I was there a few years back. I had a great time there then. I believe I will have a good time again if I go now.
I like trying new places, new venues. Hence my interest in Cuba. I seemed to have missed the window by 2-3 years.
The cost difference for 7 days is about $450 - Cuba being far cheaper - thats for everything: air, hotel, food, taxis, mongering. (Most of the difference, I figure, is in the later).
So my question to my fellow mongers is, is Cuba (given the political climate now) worth the risk / reward ratio, or should I go for the sure and tried (more expensive) venue. I have a week to 10 days to kill before Christmas.
Thanks for any replies.
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you're right kader, you don't want to go to jail in cuba. don't go with anyone under 18. generally speaking, the cuban police will not bother tourists unless they are with an **** girl or around drugs or are fighting/causing a disturbance.
there are foreigner pharmacies in havana but viagra is not available at them.
as dorman says, havana has changed over the years. but it is still an incredible experience. as they say "today is tomorrow's good old days".
havana is not as good as it once was but i have never ever had any similar experience to his last trip. i tend to meet people in general and then make connections that way. also i do not hesitate to strike up a conversation with a nice girl i meet and treat her like a normal human. i have never been turned down for dinner, lunch or a cappucino. it has always led to sex. great sex. as has been said many times before, every woman is available in cuba. you just have to work it the right way. treat the semi-pro's like ladies and you'll go a long way.
GIRLS IN LA HAVANA
Hello guys,
We have planned to go Cuba for the first time in the end of october and will stay 5 days in La Havana.
We would like to have sex with some hot caribbean girls. Our last trips were in Ukraine and Russia, and now, we need some heat, some nice latinas and black girls.
We are interested in semi-pros. But if it's too difficult, we can think of pros.
Could anyone give us some advices ? Districts in the city to check ? Some bars or discos ? Where do the girls look for the tourists ? What is the average rate ? Is Vedado the right place ? Or old Havana ?
Thank you for your answers.
ddphil,
Remember, you cannot take the girls back to your hotel. You will probably need to rent a casa.
Quackup
DD Phil,
I have been to Havana 3 times in the last year. I only know pay for play in Havana but I have read the reports from other countries including CR. From what I can tell alot of guys want to get their moneys worth when they travel so they want 2-3 girls throughout each day. If you are one of these guys you may be disappointed with Havana.
You will see hundreds of girls every day going about their business but if you look at their faces they all seem so focused at just trying to get to where they are going. (school, work etc.). I personally think the daily commute for a Cuban is their biggest hell. Approaching a woman should be no problem if there are no police around but all you can really do is make a date for later on or something. They just can't drop what they are doing to go with you even though they would want to. The exception is July and August when the girls are on holidays. They usually have nothing to do during the day. The reports you read from 3 months ago are probably during this time.
Another problem may be that even if you have a casa with a private entrance, you may have problems bringing a girl back during the day. There usually seems to be a little room in front of your private entrance that is used by the casa owners during the day. The casa owners don't want to keep you from having a good time with your girl but bringing a girl over infront of them puts them in a difficult position. They are obligated by law to take the girls name and personal information if she wants to stay (bad news for the girl). But if it's at night they can just say they were sleeping and didn't see her come in. This is just in case you get drugged or she steals something and the police get involved. They will want to know why the casa owners don't have the girls information.
Now if you are like me and aren't really interested in sex during the day but would rather do other things, you will probably enjoy being in Havana. I enjoy walking around doing touristy things always checking out the girls. I love having that feeling, you know that feeling of anticipation knowing that your are getting layed later on that night by some beautiful, young chick. I love having that feeling all day, just letting it build up. I NEVER have that feeling in Canada. I love it.
I also enjoy when it starts getting later on into the day and early on into the evening. You start to notice the girls look a lot more relaxed. You will notice that they are starting to notice you more and are starting to make prolonged eye contact with you. Perhaps they have tomorrow off or it's Friday night and they are looking to hook up. Evening times are great in Havana.
Don't expect to find a ton of girls around in the evenings looking to hook up. But then again don't expect to see alot of competition from other mongers. I just don't think most guys can be bothered with the extra effort it takes to get a girl back to your casa compared to other countries. It is definetly a challenge. I go to Havana knowing it is challenging. I don't know Havana during the good old days when it wasn't a challenge. I think I kind of enjoy the challenge and all the leg work involved, the walking around, probing here and there and all over, talking to people, checking out new areas. If you like this sort of stuff then you may enjoy Havana. Personally I think just walking into a massage parlor and ordering a BJ would be kinda of dull.
I hope this information helps. I am really trying to be as honest as possible. I am heading back to Havana later on this year myself but I kinda know it is time to move on. Perhaps this will be my farewell tour.
Quackup,
Yes I know hotels are not girl friendly in Cuba.
Dran Reb,
Thanks for the detailed reply. I like taking advantage of what the city offers in the day time before taking advantage of the night life.
Haven't tried the multiple girls multiple days scenario. Though it sounds like fun. Don't mind putting in effort as well.
Still sounds like an adventurous risk to me, now that you point out that its now back to work from summer holidays for the girls.
An excellent report Dran,
You and I appear to have similar ideas on the hobby. I hope you enjoy your trip and would be fascinated to hear how you got on, I'd like to know did I just have a bad run of luck or whether the shocking decline in standards is general. Another poster here (can't remember his name) takes it very personally when you criticise the scene in Havana. He insists that it's fantastic, all you need is your own place, fluent Spanish and a car, well that kinda proves the point for me, it's just not worth the effort anymore.
As I mentioned I'm in Indonesia now and discovering the same old magic of picking up in bars and restaurants, scoring in shopping malls and even getting freebies. It's a real eyeopener, this being a predominantly Muslim country.
I'm a newbie to the Cuba scene as I have spent the last 8 years living in Thailand. I just got back from my first trip to Havana this weekend. While certainly not remotely like Thailand either in the availability or quality of girls (the latter based purely on personal preference), I still managed to have quite a good time and didn't have any trouble meeting pro-am freelancers rather than simply hardcore hookers.
Saturday afternoon was spent roaming around Obispo street where my buddy and I met a couple of girls at Cafe de Paris who took us around various cafes to listen to salsa before returning to our casa in Playa. I will admit that we had to walk behind them whenever we left a place because of the strong police presence. But, there was no hassle once we were sitting down in a bar. My girl was a totally Hispanic 21 y.o. kindergarten teacher and my buddy's girl worked in a daycare center. I don't know if this is typical. But, we noticed both on Saturday and Sunday afternoon that there were still plenty of girls around old Havana, including the Malacon in the cafes across from the old Castillo who made eye contact with us and in some cases even waved and blew kisses.
On Friday and Saturday night there were plenty of girls available from about 10 pm at a little snack bar on Calle 28 at #3 in Playa. Saturday night I met a mulatto university student there, who really wasn't too concerned with money so much as just having a good time. Her friend, a nurse went with my buddy both Saturday and Sunday. Emphasis seemed to be on just having fun, getting a few gifts and a little cash. My buddy saw his again on Sunday night and my student called me again on Sunday night wanting to come around the casa for another overnight stay. Although I declined because she wore me out on Saturday/Sunday morning, I feel that her motivation to call again was at least somewhat genuine interest and not just monetary.
BTW, we had a nice Casa on Calle 36 in Playa for $35. Very girl friendly. They even served my buddy's nurse friend breakfast this morning and didn't show any prejudice against her for spending the night. They treated her and us like family.
I've read many recent laments about the good old days being over in Cuba. If that's true, one can only imagine what that was like because it still seems to be a lot of fun and pretty easy to meet girls who aren't cold-hearted putas only after your wallet. Unless we were just lucky, I'd say that there are still lots of real GFEs to be had in Havana.
I will add that I'm 52 and my buddy is 60. We're not young bucks. But, I will also add that we live in the Bahamas and are aware that many Cuban girls want to meet expats living in the Bahamas because it's easy for them to come here and be live-in GFs for anywhere from 3-9 months. With the quality of life here compared to Cuba, I understand at least some of the reality of our attraction for Cuban women. Having said that, I still feel that there must be other Cuban girls who aren't solely mercenary.
I am planning a trip to Havana Cuba in November, Can someone PM me with some girl-friendly casas and information. This will be my first trip to Cuba.
I go to Costa Rica and would gladly be able to help anyone who is interested in information regarding Costa Rica.
Thanks
Someone asked about Viagra in Cuba.
I don´t think you can get that overclassdrug in this country but if you go yo the pharmacia and ask about PePeH you get the same effect. The older cubans take it for figi- figi. It´s normaly for the heart but your little friend like it as any other new western sexmedical.
Hi Guys,
Is anybody out there, planning to travel from Havana to Santiago by car, step by step.
I intend to do that early November and I'm looking for company. Taxi may be a bit expensive.
Any advise please PM me.
Thanks. VanFenchel
Why not take the touristbus with aircon?
I spent three days and nights in Havana in July. Booked the trip at the last minute, and got a casa on the internet. It was in Vedado, right by the ,and was OK but I would have preferred something with a private entrance. Book ahead, next time!
Got in Thursday night and checked out the area around . Picked up a sexy black girl, who performed marvelous PSE. Wasn’t the greatest looking, but had an outstanding ass. Pounding her doggy style facing a mirror with that beautiful black ass looking up at me was a pleasure.
A while back, somebody on the board said not to expect to find a fresh, innocent country girl in Havana. True for the bars, but who knows what you might pass on the street. Friday afternoon, I was walking past the Capitol when I saw this absolutely gorgeous young thing. Pretty face, tight little body and a pair of tits that looked like they could stand up all by themselves. I gave her my biggest smile and friendliest “Ola”, and she stopped to talk. She didn’t speak a word of English, and was a university student in the city, commuting in from the country. With my bad Spanish (she spoke no English) we managed to communicate sufficiently to make sure she was over 18 (she looked rather young) and we were off to find a room. After getting her out of her clothes, her body did not disappoint! This girl was a real sweetie, and had never been with a foreigner before. Afterwards, I bought her a new pair of shoes and got her address and phone number. I will definitely look her up, the next time I’m in town!
Went to the Casa de Musica in Centro, that night. Not much in the way of talent, but had a laugh talking, drinking and dancing with two nice Cuban couples. Walked home that night with a definite zig-zag to my step, after far too much to drink.
Saturday night I headed to the Marina. Checked out but nothing too impressive, so over to . Certainly some lovely talent here. Had two girls motion me over to their table, one a cute mulatto and the other a gorgeous Spanish. The mulatto tried to convince me to take her or both of them, but my eyes were fixed on the beauty. Made the famous mongerer mistake of picking the beauty over the more enthusiastic. She was a bit of a dead fish in bed, but lovely to look at.
I’d been to Cuba before for a beach vacation, but this was my first mongering trip. It isn’t Bangkok or Rio or Cartagena, but its worth the trip!
Havana Moon,
What you trying to do, kill me. Figi Figi might give me a heart attack. Might try to take some viagra with me. If its legal. Not that i'm impotent. Just feel like i need to get my moneys worth.
This rooms been fairly quiet. Anyone with any fresh news?
Is there any Indian Girls/ Chinese girls in cuba? Are they worth going for?
Looks like theres gonna be a 10 % tax for US dollars from 8 November.
Hooker prices might be affected.
Does anyone know what type of Electrical plugs are used in Cuba. Are they the same as the US? What Voltage also?
Are the Salsa joints a good place to pick up women? Are they more expensive down there?
Can anyone recommend any particular place in havanna to pick up bargain hookers?
I spent three days and nights in Havana in July. Booked the trip at the last minute, and got a casa on the internet. It was in Vedado, right by the ,and was OK but I would have preferred something with a private entrance. Book ahead, next time!
Got in Thursday night and checked out the area around . Picked up a sexy black girl, who performed marvelous PSE. Wasn’t the greatest looking, but had an outstanding ass. Pounding her doggy style facing a mirror with that beautiful black ass looking up at me was a pleasure.
A while back, somebody on the board said not to expect to find a fresh, innocent country girl in Havana. True for the bars, but who knows what you might pass on the street. Friday afternoon, I was walking past the Capitol when I saw this absolutely gorgeous young thing. Pretty face, tight little body and a pair of tits that looked like they could stand up all by themselves. I gave her my biggest smile and friendliest “Ola”, and she stopped to talk. She didn’t speak a word of English, and was a university student in the city, commuting in from the country. With my bad Spanish (she spoke no English) we managed to communicate sufficiently to make sure she was over 18 (she looked rather young) and we were off to find a room. After getting her out of her clothes, her body did not disappoint! This girl was a real sweetie, and had never been with a foreigner before. Afterwards, I bought her a new pair of shoes and got her address and phone number. I will definitely look her up, the next time I’m in town!
Went to the Casa de Musica in Centro, that night. Not much in the way of talent, but had a laugh talking, drinking and dancing with two nice Cuban couples. Walked home that night with a definite zig-zag to my step, after far too much to drink.
Saturday night I headed to the Marina. Checked out but nothing too impressive, so over to . Certainly some lovely talent here. Had two girls motion me over to their table, one a cute mulatto and the other a gorgeous Spanish. The mulatto tried to convince me to take her or both of them, but my eyes were fixed on the beauty. Made the famous mongerer mistake of picking the beauty over the more enthusiastic. She was a bit of a dead fish in bed, but lovely to look at.
I’d been to Cuba before for a beach vacation, but this was my first mongering trip. It isn’t Bangkok or Rio or Cartagena, but its worth the trip!
Easy all, It's been quiet in here. Maybe because the site has been so slow.
Havanna Moon, What are u trying to do to me? I wanted viagra not something which will give me a heart attack.!!
Is there an oriental or indian scene in havanna? Where is it?
Ive just seen Buttmans Bendover Brazillian babes 3 and I've got exited really
excited about cuba. I Hope cuban women have the same South american Booty.
How are the Salsa Bars. Are they a good place to pick up women. Is the quality good there? and also are they cheap.
This is not a mongering report but I agree with past posters that you go to Cuba for the country, the people and with that in mind, the mongering usually comes to you.
I went to Cuba to see my girlfriend in Santiago. I had a couple of days to kill in Havana waiting for my flight to Santiago and the flight to Cancun. I did not monger because I was with her sister who lives in Havana.
I did notice plenty of girls that were giving me the eye while strolling between the park where Coppelia ice cream is sold and the Hotel National. By the way, Coppelia is a good place to park and enjoy some good ice cream.
Here are a couple of restaurant recommendations. In Miramar, El Ajibe located on Avenida 7 between 24 and 26. For twelve dollars it's all you can eat chicken, rice, beans, bananas and some salad. If your plate of chicken is empty, just asked the waiter to bring you more. For those of you who live in L.A., it is similar to Versailles restaurant.
Gringo Vieja, not sure of the address but it is in Vedado. You will spend about $15 per person here. The food is good but since this is a paladar there is only about 5-6 tables. The rest of the time, my girlfriends sister cooked for me.
In Havana I stayed in the Nuevo Vedado area which is a nice quiet neighborhood, for $35 a night. If you want quiet, this is the place to be but to get anywhere, you do need a taxi.
Hope this helps,
Quackup
I have never been to Havana, and would like to go next week.
Are they Internet savy? Are there interenet cafes in the city?
What hotels do you recommend, and how do I get in touch with them?
Thanks
Since it is your first time and you are going next week you are probably best to stay at least one night in a hotel and look for a casa particular for the remainder of your visit. I once read on this forum that you must have a licensed casa or a hotel to stay at when you present yourself to customs officials. The last time I went I did not have time to get a response to casa requests so I just filled in the Hotel Inglaterra on the Customs form and stayed there the first night. I had a wonderful casa arranged by 10:00 the following morning.
Regarding internet, there are not as many as other places but they are available. The one I used was on Obispo in the heart of the tourist area of old Havana.
i have never been to havana, and would like to go next week.
are they internet savy? are there interenet cafes in the city?
what hotels do you recommend, and how do i get in touch with them?
thanks
man,
in general (compared to any other country) cubans are all literate. their internet skills are restricted to students and those who use computers as part of work. this is not an issue of lack of academia, rather a lack of money and equipment, not forgetting unfettered access.
there are no internet cafes as we would understand the term, there are however public access internet points in the library and almost every hotel in havana, fees vary, as do connection speeds.
i would recommend just about every hotel in havana, they are all ok, offering the guest many wonderful features. however, as you will see from historical posts: hotels are not chica friendly!!! if you still want a hotel, just go online, do a search for havana+hotel and you can book rooms very easily. i would suggest a casa particular if you are going on your own: ask any taxi driver when you exit the airport and you will be able to get some really nice choices this time of year.
have an excellent trip.
regards, havanaman
ps. i just realised this is my 500th post! i must book myself in for a bbbj in celebration!
Hello Everyone,
What impact has the ban on US Dollars had on the hooker prices. Do they accept Dollars now? Or have they got more desperate and if so will I be able to get them at a cheaper rate. (Has Xmas Sales come Early for me).
Any one know about an Asian scene in Cuba.
What about anal? Nobody has mentioned Anal. Are Cuban women up for a bit of Back door Action. Been watching too many buttman in Brazil movies.
I know this aint brazil but if the women are only half as randy, i'm in for a good time.
Going to Havana early next year.
So how do I get a "casa" (private house).. What should I expect to pay? I would like one central. Any ideas from experienced visitors?
Any help appreciated,
Jacko
Hi,
Nobody mentions anal in these posts. Do cuban women take it up where the sun don't shine.
Why has this forum gone quiet.
I will be going in 2 weeks. I'll let you know the score. I think that i have enough information to start my filth
Hi!
I am going to Cuba for the first time in mid-December with two friends, and I understand that there are no girlfriendly Hotels in Cuba. We have booked a Hotel for the first nights, the plan is to move into a "Casa particular" after a couple of days.
I would be glad to receive recommendations both for Casas and nice areas in Havana. A friend told me about a few hotspots (some Years ago) called Copacabana Club, Marina and Commandore. These places still in business?
Thanks for any good advices...
Norehead,
Go to vedado in havanna. Its where the hustle and bustle is.
Also near the malecon (strip of road by the sea). Thats where you'll find the pussy action.
Hello Kader,
It's not easy finding anal sex in Havana. This is mostly because almost all of the girls have a university education and understand the dangers of overexposure to this form of pleasure.
It is most likely that you will have finger in the ass action and even some analingus. But most of the girls won't allow that banana in the backdoor.
I have not met any fellow mongers who were able to arrange this kind of action. If you do please let me know.
Alan
I once had a beautiful, sexy 18 year old Cuban girl actually ask me to do her in the ass. I was pleasantly surprised. I also banged a university girl from Havana in the ass. I spent 3 days with her. I figured she owed me some anal and I think she was comfortable with me so she didn't object. It was hilarious watching her bite into the pillow and seeing her eyes bug out. However, I think you will find more misses than hits when it comes to anal with Cuban girls.
I'm not really a huge anal fan. I'm actually kind of embarrassed to ask girls if I can do it to them in most cases. I find though that with Cuban girls if their not into anal, they will let you down in a nice way that won't ruin the mood. I think if your a big anal fan you should just ask. I've also just tried sticking my finger in their ass to see their reaction. When they didn't like it they just lightly brushed my hand aside and just kept on going with what they were doing. It didn't ruin the mood.
It has been dead around here lately. I should have a Havana report next month. Will see if the girls take my Canadian money. Later
Alan, I might be wrong but I doubt that those women, having sex with foreigners in Cuba, are university educated, well, maybe a couple of them are. And even if they were, there's no such a thing as "sex education" in Cuba. Besides, if they were that educated, they wouldn't be having sex with men who go from country to country to have sex.
Did it occur to you that they don't engage in that kind of pleasure (!?) because (1) it's not really a pleasure and (2) they don't like it?
Please, don't get me wrong. I'm not different that you, I'm just another "sinner" (and love it). The difference is that I tend to (not) believe what those women say. And if they believe what I say, then I'm GOOD!
Peace!
[QUOTE=Genghois]...A while back, somebody on the board said not to expect to find a fresh, innocent country girl in Havana. True for the bars, but who knows what you might pass on the street. Friday afternoon, I was walking past the Capitol when I saw this absolutely gorgeous young thing. Pretty face, tight little body and a pair of tits that looked like they could stand up all by themselves. I gave her my biggest smile and friendliest “Ola”, and she stopped to talk. She didn’t speak a word of English, and was a university student in the city, commuting in from the country. With my bad Spanish (she spoke no English) we managed to communicate sufficiently to make sure she was over 18 (she looked rather young) and we were off to find a room. ... [/QUOTE]Buddy, if she went to a room with you a few minutes after meeting you, she is NOT fresh and innocent, she just knows how to act as such! But maybe you were her first foreigner indeed.... that day!
Peace!
What's the best, most frugal way to get to Havanna? I saw some flights, but they were too expensive. i'm on a budget.
Cyranatic,
Where are you flying from? Without this information it is difficult to make suggestions.
Regards, Havanaman
Anybody can give some details about flying to Cuba from Cancun?
A guy who posted a long time said he was able to negotiate the price down to 100$. How is the deal right now?
When I went in late August, I flew on Aero-Carribe which is a subsidiary of Mexicana Airlines. The cost was $268 round trip, I bought my ticket in Tijuana. Hope this helps.
Quackup
Anyone know details on the alleged TJ to Habana flight?
Mexicana has a flight that connects into MC
Daily except Sat Depart Mexico City 9.30 a.m. Arrive Havana 1.10 p.m.
Sat Depart Mexico City 7.05 a.m. Arrive Havana 10.35 a.m.
Daily except Sat Depart Havana 2.10 p.m. Arrive Mexico City 4.05 p.m.
Sat Depart Havana 11.35 a.m. Arrive Mexico City 1.30 p.m.
[QUOTE=Doc Bill]Anyone know details on the alleged TJ to Habana flight?[/QUOTE]