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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.
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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]
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cigars
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 .
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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)
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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
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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?
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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???
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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.
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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
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Can someone give me a brief rundown of what some of those strange rules in cuba are?? Thanks!
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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.
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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?
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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....
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When does it cool down and the humidity let up?
And can someone PLEASE respond to my other 2 posts?
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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....