Havana

[Adinga]

MRJibb. Alot of Cuban families in Havana have government permission to use their homes as restaurants.

I used to get great home cooked meals at these places back in 2017 - just ask any local if they know a location and they will point you in the right direction.

[MrJibb]

Wind for kiting? (I am dubious about the wind this time of year) what size kites did you bring?

Dubious? Just look at the forecast! It's evident.

I only brought my 12 but I've used it every day since I got to Varadero. 10 days now it's been windy enough for 9/10-12 m kites. Before that, it was stronger for a week. Now less next 4-5 days but it's incredible conditions here. And no one here, I'm almost alone on the water.

[John Clayton]

So I just arrive in Cuba again this year, this time staying 2 months mostly in Varadero to kitesurf and relax...

Wind for kiting? (I am dubious about the wind this time of year) what size kites did you bring?

[MrJibb]

So I just arrive in Cuba again this year, this time staying 2 months mostly in Varadero to kitesurf and relax. I went 1 month last year so I'm not a newbie and well prepared this time. Thought I'd give some intel how the situation is right now.

Land at the airport and getting through customs was nothing. Showed them the QR code for health check you need to fill in before, my tourist card and I was on my way. Turkish lost my luggage in Istanbul and spent a LONG time waiting, reporting it (again waiting, es Cuba) and then off. There's an outdoor restaurant to the left as you come out the arrivals on the street under the roadbridge that serve surprisingly VERY good food. They had a a daily special when I was there, had it again since I came back, 1000 CUP for a meal (very tasty pizza, or some rice thingie) plus a beer. That's dirt cheap! When I landed on October 19 the exchange rate in the street was 250 per USD / EUR, could well be 260 now. To my great surprise even this restaurant accepted foreign currency and changed for 250! Obviously not too much, but the meal 1000 peso comes to 4 USD, 1 USD tip, you give them 20 USD they give you 15 x250 in return 3750 CUP (which for many is a month's salary) which is a good start to buy little things your first day before you can change more in the street. Taxi to Havana cantral is about 30 EUR. As I visited last year I had already agreed with a contact to meet me for my keys to an apartment near capitolio. The apartment is private and nice and clean. The hosts and their family live on the same floor but brought girls there before, never any issue, they also don't mention anything about not having visitors neither do they check my passport. They're chill. I went back a few weeks ago too for 2 months in Havana and rented another place through Airbnb in another area. Also super private and clean and nice. It's easy to find on airbnb private apartments where you can do what you like. Just read the descriptions and reviews on airbnb.

Food is "easy to get" because we have money. Finding a really good restaurant is more difficult. Google maps is not always up to date, for example I went to a cafe for a date which had great reviews only 3 months ago only to find out they closed like 2 weeks ago to flee to the US as they got their papers. Things move fast here. Also many restaurants have a full menu but only limited items available depending on stock. Water, beer, sodas, things in general are easy to come by and you can get it anywhere in little windows on the street, people selling all sorts of rubbish they find / import. Half used batteries, 3 cigarettes, a random drive belt for some car, you name it. You need to walk around and look. Old Havana will get your constantly harrassed by people wanting to change money, sell cigars (DON'T EVER IN HAVANA), chicas selling themselves, taking you to music shows, wanting to practice english. It's quite frustrating really, hence I try to avoid it. As you venture further our west it's more chill, not people harrassing you constantly but the selection of places to go is less. Havana is a bit of a dump really, very hectic, dirty, crowded. Exchange money from USD / EUR to CUP and use that. Now it's probably 260-270 in the street, bring small bills too, 10's, 20's, 50's. Don't pay in restaurants with USD as you'll probably get way worse rate back, just exchange for a high rate and use CUP during your stay. Chicas want foreign money, so carry small bills if you decide to give that. You won't get change back from them.

When it comes to chicas they are incredibly easy to get / approach / find or they will find you. Badoo there are hundreds you can contact and get with, as well as in the street. In Badoo you can find anywhere from 18-40 year olds of all shapes and sizes willing. They do trios, one on one, anything really. Some cocky young ones, 18-22 request 150 USD and would NEVER go below 100 USD they say they usually get, which is ridiculous if some schmuck is paying that. Many just as nice, possibly more inexperienced or desperate will happily meet for 10000 CUP (40 USD) and I had a special girl have her brother drive her an hour to my apartment for 5000 (20 USD). Stayed an hour then left with her brother again. I guess it depends on how desperate they are. Funny story is that the brother then sent me a text asking if "I wanted to be with him too", hahahaha. Appartently he was gay but his sister didn't know and couldn't find out. What a surprise. No thanks though.

I sat in a restaurant and made eye contact with a girl walking by with some guy. She stopped and stared at me, I smiled at her, as that's what I do when a woman looks at me, it's a nice thing. 30 minutes later when I left she was waiting for me around the corner asking if I wanted a massage, suck, fuck, whatever I wanted. I asked how much, she said I just need some food for me and my kid so maybe 5000 CUP? Might I add she was 7 months pregnant. I turned her down as I had plans that day already. But it goes to show how easy it is here, and how desperate they are, unfortunately I guess. Also it's extremelt safe here. No maffia, no cartels running girls, no brother or cousins protecting their sister, no switches being made, no pimps, none of that shit to worry about.

Havana is easy to get chicas anywhere. Badoo is SUUUUPER easy, in the street easy too, easy to approach anyone you want. You probably need to speak a little Spanish as most don't know a word of English. Some do, but 1 in every 100 probably. Some you can take out to dinner and drinks, give them some extra cash and they're happy. Some will just want the action and the cash straight up. All ages, types, shapes and sizes are available, it's very easy here and fun. Havana in general is a shithole but it has its good spots and places too, not too many though. I prefer other parts of Cuba, Vinales, Varadero, Cienfuegos and so on. More quiet, chill vibe, and you're able to find girls there too if you look a little harder.

[JinaWrangler]

No problems at all. This is my 4th trip this year, and NEVER any issues. It seems getting through customs is even easier and quicker, than before covid. You do have to go online, and fill out an entry to Cuba form. That takes about 2 minutes and it's free. You will get a QR code to show the nurses, then you are on your way.

Just FYI, when I was there in August, traveling alone, the immigration flack at Jose Marti grilled me for about 10 minutes about the purpose of my trip before letting me through (this took longer because of my limited Spanish. Again, Cuban government, have English speaking immigration flacks FFS). I assumed he was just stalling me so they could rifle though my luggage, which did, in fact, arrive last on the carousel. He was basically asking me about the purpose of my trip, which I dutifully parroted as "support for the Cuban people. " he was asking me about "donations," which I assumed was a subtle request for a bribe. Then I realized he was asking me if I was some humanitarian bringing donated items and money to Cuba (which of course the Cuban government wants their cut of because they care about the Cuban people so much, LOL). I assured him I was not there to make donations to the Cuban people, at least not by his definition, haha. He also asked me how much money I was bringing in, which I low balled considerably.

It made me a little nervous and paranoid, but I got through OK, and met my casa hosts, bought my Cubacel SIM, pre-paid ATM cards, and cervezas why agua (all at or near the airport) and I was on my way.

[Mondo707]

Oh, interesting! Is it the one on the corner of San Miguel and Galiano? Their website makes it look like a normal bar, but are there working girls there too?

I've heard that the Cuban Art Factory is another good club to try. Do you have any insight as to what happens over there? Do the girls in clubs ask for more than street girls? How much should I pay for a quick fuck or an overnighter? Thanks.

Not familiar with club VS, might check it out if you or someone else post about the location.

As far as FAC (fabrica del arte cubano) it's a place where it's mostly a place to take a date, not so many working girls there, although I've seem some there too. Lots of single girls in the joint.

This place is highly recommended if you have some game, even if that's not the case it's quite an experience to check out.

After all, Obama and his entourage made a visit back in 2016, so you know the place is happening.

Let's know your experience when you come back.

Saludos.

[Ballin69]

That's the name of the club, VS.

Oh, interesting! Is it the one on the corner of San Miguel and Galiano? Their website makes it look like a normal bar, but are there working girls there too?

I've heard that the Cuban Art Factory is another good club to try. Do you have any insight as to what happens over there? Do the girls in clubs ask for more than street girls? How much should I pay for a quick fuck or an overnighter? Thanks.

[Chris H]

Good to hear! Maybe an elementary question, but what does VS stand for?

That's the name of the club, VS.

[Ballin69]

Just returned from a 2 night trip to Havana. Once again did not disappoint. I was just there in August, so not much changed, just docent Chicas to choose from and the exchange rate was even better, 250 cup to $1 usd. There was plenty of options of women, and even the Malecon had some choices late night on Monday. VS was jamming until 5 am on Sunday night, with a ratio of about 3 to1, women to men.

Don't let the Debbie Downers on this board discourage you, Havana is a GREAT time!

Good to hear! Maybe an elementary question, but what does VS stand for?

[Chris H]

Chris did you have any issues with transportation in and out of Cuba?

I may get back to Havana but my contacts have all disappeared since Covid.

No problems at all. This is my 4th trip this year, and NEVER any issues. It seems getting through customs is even easier and quicker, than before covid. You do have to go online, and fill out an entry to Cuba form. That takes about 2 minutes and it's free. You will get a QR code to show the nurses, then you are on your way.

[Zeos1]

You might not like my comment, but I don't know what is "hypocritical" about them. Spanish is universally taught in US schools BTW. Many countries teach English, because they want to trade with the USA. Every commercial airline pilot is expected to speak English because that is considered the universal language of air traffic. And yes, the one country that complains incessantly that the US has an embargo that is 90 miles away would be better served if its inhabitants spoke and understood English. Of course it is much easier for the Cuban government to mislead their populace if they can't read western news (E G, Cubans in Florida love Trump, but Cubans in Cuba do not).

Anyway, yes they should teach English in Cuba if they want English-speaking tourists to go there with their US greenbacks!

Same reason Americans should learn Chinese I guess. It would be economically good for them to do so.

[Adinga]

Chris did you have any issues with transportation in and out of Cuba?

I may get back to Havana but my contacts have all disappeared since Covid.

[JinaWrangler]

Wow! Just wow. Questioning why English isn't taught in Cuba. I love Americans and how they think everyone should speak English.

You might not like my comment, but I don't know what is "hypocritical" about them. Spanish is universally taught in US schools BTW. Many countries teach English, because they want to trade with the USA. Every commercial airline pilot is expected to speak English because that is considered the universal language of air traffic. And yes, the one country that complains incessantly that the US has an embargo that is 90 miles away would be better served if its inhabitants spoke and understood English. Of course it is much easier for the Cuban government to mislead their populace if they can't read western news (E G, Cubans in Florida love Trump, but Cubans in Cuba do not).

Anyway, yes they should teach English in Cuba if they want English-speaking tourists to go there with their US greenbacks!

[Chris H]

Just returned from a 2 night trip to Havana. Once again did not disappoint. I was just there in August, so not much changed, just docent Chicas to choose from and the exchange rate was even better, 250 cup to $1 usd. There was plenty of options of women, and even the Malecon had some choices late night on Monday. VS was jamming until 5 am on Sunday night, with a ratio of about 3 to1, women to men.

Don't let the Debbie Downers on this board discourage you, Havana is a GREAT time!

[Hilfinger]

Just back from the weekend about, San Rafael's loaded with girls as is the rest of all Old Havana. Just be friendly and approach whoever you're interested with a smile. All the girls were super nice and none more expensive than $40.

Do you pay them in US or in CUP, and the 40 is after market conversion?