Travel Questions and Advice

[Jaredd01]

Hello,

Am I reading the new regulations correctly for USA Citizens traveling to Cuba? From what I gather, as long as you say that you are going to Cuba for one of 12 reasons, you fall under the General License, and therefor you do not need to do anything. One easy way is to say "I am there to support the Cuban people", and you are okay.

"6. Do travelers who fall within the scope of a general license need to submit a written request to OFAC for permission to travel or conduct transactions?

No. No further permission from OFAC is required to engage in transactions by a person who meets all criteria in a general license. Individuals wishing to engage in activities that may fall within the scope of a general license should review the relevant general licenses contained in the CACR to determine whether their travel-related transactions are covered by such general licenses. Persons subject to USA Jurisdiction who wish to engage in any travel within the 12 categories of activities specified in the CACR that does not meet the requirements of a general license will need to apply for a specific license from OFAC. "

[MadMax9336]

Hello Gents,

I tried to search the threads for a consolidated / summarized version of Cuban slangs or phrases that the seniors / experienced mongers use while soliciting non or semi-pro chicas.

Its inconenient to use the offline apps on the phone while conversing with chica and not sure if its really translating my point or sense of humor.

Basically, I am looking for some opening statements when you see a non or semi pro chica to get the deed. I am more concerned about asking with converted statement from the translator app which might offends the chica if she is not interested or non pro.

Kindly, provide any link or statement that you guys frequently use to close the deal.

[MrSoulo]

Hey fellow mongers,

Don't know if this is the proper place for my question!

I was wondering if anybody here has knowledge as far as using their cell phone in Cuba or what is needed to do so?

I'm currently using Verizon as my provider and have an Droid kitkat 4.4 and live in Los Angeles, Calif.

I'm planning on going either in March or April. I've been to Cuba several times and last time (2 years ago) I couldn't get my phone to work there.

Any help is much appreciated.

Mondo

Your best bet is to go to a Cubacel office and buy a local phone. A brand new Alcatel smartphone will cost you $54 CUC and it comes with a $10 credit. So the physical phone is only costing you $44 CUC. This is a lot easier for you to keep in touch and communicate with the locals. You can also make international calls with it but that is quite costly, it's about $1 CUC per international text.

[Mondo707]

Hey fellow mongers,

Don't know if this is the proper place for my question!

I was wondering if anybody here has knowledge as far as using their cell phone in Cuba or what is needed to do so?

I'm currently using Verizon as my provider and have an Droid kitkat 4.4 and live in Los Angeles, Calif.

I'm planning on going either in March or April. I've been to Cuba several times and last time (2 years ago) I couldn't get my phone to work there.

Any help is much appreciated.

Mondo

[MrSoulo]

Only 1 post within the last 2 years on the Santiago page. WOW! Does anyone have any intel they would be willing to share?

I'm going there from Jan 15th-25th and would appreciate any updated info on restaurants, bars / discos, shows, casa particulars, hotels, chicas, etc.

Thanks in advance.

[Jebapaf]

Just curious if the chances of being caught have increased recently. I went in 2000 and 2002. Anyone have any first hand news of people traveling from the USA being busted and paying a big fine for doing so?

Jeb

[Bart1]

I posted this a while back, and I think it still applies. A few thoughts, and these are things that will be appreciated by ANY Cuban. I have mentioned this here before and I will mention it again. I think the BEST gift you can give a Cuban is a set of towels (Face, hair and body). Second would be a set of bedsheets and pillowcases. I think most beds tend to be doubles. Other ideas.

1- I would say some toiletries like good quality makeup / nail Polish. Cubanas are pretty savvy about this stuff, so don't bring cheap crap. Nail Polish REMOVER too. Soap is good, but is pretty heavy when you are talking about airline luggage. Toothpaste is never a bad idea.

2- A nice purse will go a long way. I have picked up some knockoff bags that earned me quite some goodwill.

3- Sneakers, even if they are your own. Ask her if she knows someone who could use them. If not, she can sell / barter them.

4- Baseball hats.

5- Tylenol / ibuprofen and other painkillers.

6- Bras, though the problem is you don't know the size of the woman you are going to meet. I once brought bras to a Cubana on a return trip, but she was unaware of her bra size and they were too large. They probably ended up with one of her older sisters. She has two older sisters that are bustier. In her defense, I once saw a magazine article stating that over 30% of women don't really know their bra size.

Remember, there are occasional shortages of some pretty basic stuff in Cuba. So whereas you might find there is toothpaste in Santa Clara today, there may not be any for several weeks in January. Your gifts will definitely be appreciated.

Do not forget the kids. Lots of the girls will have a kid or a sister with some kids. On a previous trip my chica's sister asked for running shoes for 4 year old, so on my last trip I brought a pair that lights up when you walk, he was the star on his street. He thought more of those shoes that I bought in a used clothes store for $2. 00 than if I had bought a canadian kid an Xbox. Westjet allows you two 20 kg bags free, I buy a bag in a second hand store and fill it with chica clothes, kid clothes, on my last trip I had 20 used baseballs a baseball playing friend had given me, new soccer balls, $5. At walmart.

[Paul393]

Thanks Velasco.

These sites are very inspiring and there are excellent advice.

[Velasco]

I posted this a while back, and I think it still applies. A few thoughts, and these are things that will be appreciated by ANY Cuban. I have mentioned this here before and I will mention it again. I think the BEST gift you can give a Cuban is a set of towels (Face, hair and body). Second would be a set of bedsheets and pillowcases. I think most beds tend to be doubles. Other ideas.

1- I would say some toiletries like good quality makeup / nail Polish. Cubanas are pretty savvy about this stuff, so don't bring cheap crap. Nail Polish REMOVER too. Soap is good, but is pretty heavy when you are talking about airline luggage. Toothpaste is never a bad idea.

2- A nice purse will go a long way. I have picked up some knockoff bags that earned me quite some goodwill.

3- Sneakers, even if they are your own. Ask her if she knows someone who could use them. If not, she can sell / barter them.

4- Baseball hats.

5- Tylenol / ibuprofen and other painkillers.

6- Bras, though the problem is you don't know the size of the woman you are going to meet. I once brought bras to a Cubana on a return trip, but she was unaware of her bra size and they were too large. They probably ended up with one of her older sisters. She has two older sisters that are bustier. In her defense, I once saw a magazine article stating that over 30% of women don't really know their bra size.

Remember, there are occasional shortages of some pretty basic stuff in Cuba. So whereas you might find there is toothpaste in Santa Clara today, there may not be any for several weeks in January. Your gifts will definitely be appreciated.

[Kelowna]

Going to Havana in January staying at a small hotel as part of a package tour. Any advice for finding a girl (s) would be great. Costs, websites etc.

[Paul393]

Hi,

Time progressed. Many Cubans have iPhone. Some recent contributions is to know that in Havana and some girls price went up. What currently carry gifts? After what is today the demand? Still apply soap, thongs, stockings etc?

Thanks

[El Cubanito]

Coming thru MIA I notice on the flight board several flights to Cuba. 1 being AA and 2 other small airlines. I thought you couldn't flew out of the US to Cuba? I have been waiting to one day visit but I want zero to do with disobeying uncle Sam. Are the flight new or am I getting my hopes up to high. I tried to thru to AA but I get nutin.

Hi,

What you saw are charter flights to Havana, Cuba from Miami. The Charter service that uses AA plane is ABC Charter (http://www.abc-charters.com/) Go to the website and call thm. They will inform you what you need in order to travel out of Miami into Cuba.

[MrSoulo]

Can anyone recommend a Driver w a Van to take 5-6 of us from Varadaro Airport to Havana next week?

Contact Nash Travel, http://www.nashtravel.com/category/transfers/. They are located in the suburbs of Toronto, Canada. I booked transfers with them over the phone for my last trip in August from Varadero airport to Havana and it only cost $25 US per person. Canadians are charged $25 in Canadian Currency.

We were only 3 guys but they showed up with a big, new 40 passenger bus with great AC. Service was prompt and quite efficient. Someone will meet you at the front exit of the airport with a sign that has your name on it.

This is your best bet as it's a North American company with certain standards that some of the locals do not have. The last thing you want is to book transportation with a local Cuban person or company and they don't show up on your day of arrival or the price increases mysteriously or they show up with a small, broken down 4 passenger Lada that reeks of Fuel. Welcome to Cuba.

Plus you can pay Nash Travel with your American / Canadian / European credit card without any problems and should they screw up for whatever reason (which is highly unlikely) you can always dispute the charge when you get back home.

Hope this helps.

[Tank Not Mt]

Can anyone recommend a Driver w a Van to take 5-6 of us from Varadaro Airport to Havana next week?

[Mr Gogo]

Coming thru MIA I notice on the flight board several flights to Cuba. 1 being AA and 2 other small airlines. I thought you couldn't flew out of the US to Cuba? I have been waiting to one day visit but I want zero to do with disobeying uncle Sam. Are the flight new or am I getting my hopes up to high. I tried to thru to AA but I get nutin.

That's for the families and the chartered tours. Havana airport code is HAV, but no where on the American internet can you find that this airport even exists. No one in America is even allowed to speak anything about Cuba. That's what is making Cuba even more exotic; that most people have been made to believe its taboo.