Havana

[Guillermo]

You only need to know 3 words to survive...cerveza, chica, pollo...foto is dinner at the americano cafe on galiano next door to the casa de musica.. 2 mojitos, 1 beer, camarones con arroz, total cost $9 cuc.

Couple more words might help; quiero, and the most important word for any monger, cuanto?

BTW - Is the local cerveza in Cuba any good?

[Bart1]

Hey Guys,

My Canadian buddy is planning a trip for us to Havana, both our first time going. Just a few questions:

I'm bring CAD to exchange but if I run out of the cash can I withdraw from ATM or Banks without 10% tax with my card?

Also not really fluent in Spainish what's are the locals like with their english skills? I assume I'm going to look like a juicy lamb chop to them, but will I be generally understood?

Thanks

There is no 10% tax on Canuck bank issued credit cards...Bank Debit Cards do not work in Cuba! Cash is king so bring Cads, Euros, signs in banks say no Aussie $, so beware you aussies. There are 2 Banco De Metropolitanos in centro, one on the prado and one on galiano with on the street atms, I have used both, max was $300 cuc per transaction. Poor english skills in la habana, beware any guys on the street who speaks english! You only need to know 3 words to survive...cerveza, chica, pollo...foto is dinner at the americano cafe on galiano next door to the casa de musica.. 2 mojitos, 1 beer, camarones con arroz, total cost $9 cuc.

[Bart1]

Landed at Varadero airport via Westjet air only, no package, from Vancouver mid April. I was probably the only person on the flight going directly into La Habana, others getting picked up by tour buses headed to the Varadero beach hotels. Viazul bus lines goes the 3 hrs into La Habana from the airport but only every 2 or 3 hours. There are a few tour buses going directly into La Habana, I wandered around the parking lot a found one with all german tourists going to the city, driver wanted $20 cuc, the locals pronounce the cuc as coos, the national currency as cubanos 25 to 1. Good deal took me directly to my hotel in Vedado where I stayed for 2 nites while looking for accommodation in centro. There is a new 3 cubano coin, value $.12 USD, same value as the paper 3 cubano note with che foto the new coin' new to me as my last visit 4 years ago, is the same size as the $1 cuc coin. Value $1.00 USD. Cubans can do the math..cubano coin value $.12 USD versus $1.00 USD, good profit margin eh? So now the really important stuff, Chicas...The Malecon from Prado de Marti 'centro la habana' west to near vedado border is a total right off.not sure about the vedado area of the malecon... Because of high police presence. I saw few chicas there and was told by others chicas I met elsewhere that they avoid the malecon area. There are chicas on the prado de marti and obispo. The best areas I found was on galiano, lots around the several block area either way from the casa de musica on galiano at neptuno. An excellent restaurant next door to the casa de musica is the "americano".

$1 cuc mojitos, excellent food and great prices, lots of cubanos, air con, and in 2 weeks I never saw another gringo in there. You can meet chicas on all the streets between galiano and parque central 'top end of the prado' about 6 blocks. The chicas like to wink you as they pass you on the street. Finding a casa particular with private entrance is difficult. I stayed in 5 different casas in centro and always some problems. Stayed 2 nites in a chicas home, her carnet card stolen so could not enter casa I spent a whole day with her going to 3 different offices getting a replacement, she had her sister and sisters 2 kids go to a novios house. Apartment had no running water, just a 45 gallon barrel, no frig, 2 burner gas stove, we showered cubano style, with a dipper into a 5 gal pail with water heated on the stove. This was near the Lincoln hotel on galiano. She was 19 and I am 60+ and wanted to get married. So what should a guy do? I left Cuba and am now in my favorite city Medellin, Colombia, but I sure do love those cubanas and will stop in La Habana on my way back to Kanuckistan, Canada.

[Velasco]

For me it will come down to just meeting one I find attractive and seeing if she would like to spend time with me. Not sure if she would be interested in my adventures but, its my vacation and I would make sure she was having an excellent time.

This website is an awesome wealth of information.

Thanks

I missed this part of your earlier message and I am surprised others did not chime in already. So you are thinking of finding a woman and having her accompany you on your backpacking / hiking journeys. I would probably recommend against it, because you are a first timer and like you said, you are just now learning Spanish through Rosetta Stone. There are so many things unique to Cuba out there that you have to experience on the ground, and that is just for a regular traveler. I suggest you adopt a wait and see approach. If you meet a Cubana that you feel comfortable enough to haul around, then good for you. However, the chances of you meeting a woman, asking her to accompany you and then living to regret it are pretty good.

A Latino friend of mine just came back from Cuba a few months ago. He had told his woman, a Santiaguera, that he was coming months in advance. He was planning to hang out in Havana for a day, head to Trinidad for about 2 days, then go to Santiago to spend time with her. Somehow, she talked him into having her meet him at the airport in Havana. So she traveled to Havana, met him at the airport and the whole thing was a nightmare for him although he had been to Cuba several times before AND was a fluent Spanish speaker.

I had actually advised him against the idea of his chica meeting him at Jose Marti airport when he was in the process of planning his trip. He said he missed her so much and wanted to maximize the amount of time they would spend together, now he never wants to see her again. He told me that his trip would have been better of she had just met him at the Viazul bus station in Santiago. Es Cuba!

[MrSoulo]

Hello gents,

I'm planning to go to Cuba in September of this year.

The forums have been an excellent way of learning from members good and not so good experiences. I have looked through at least fifty pages of previous reviews and have learned a lot. I do have questions though. I would really like to hike and wander the country side and if things go in my favour meet some lovely women. Its not my main motive for Cuba, but companionship while traveling alone would be fantastic. I have been learning spanish through rosetta stone, although I don't see myself being fluent.

From reading members post and attached pictures I have noticed something. All the women posted tend to be very thin / athletic. For me this is a tad worrisome. I tend to like my women thicker, darker and a little more fluffy. I would assume there are all different shape colour an sizes of woman in Cuba?

I will most likely get a package deal from toronto, and use the hotel as a base. I'd really just like to explore. I tend to just throw a pack on my back and just walk in a direction till I'm lost. Perhaps get a room for rent for the night while backpacking? I normally would not do this in a country such as Jamaica, but have done it in Europe. Is it safe enough to do in Cuba?

Much appreciated.

Cuba is very safe and the women come in all shapes, sizes and colours.

[Onibmab]

Locals don't speak good English where I've been to in Cuba, although I've never been to Havana. Everybody's English there is pretty shitty. People understand numbers though.

I have withdrawn cash from a Cadeca (currency exchange booth) using a Canadian MasterCard. You will pay a $5 fee and then you will pay the CAD-USD exchange rate difference + %2.5 (or whatever your credit card charges for forex transactions).

You will also pay a little fee. E. G I took out $100 CUC and to take that out they charged my credit card for $103.25 USD, which got paid in Canadian.

But YMMV. It is Cuba, there really aren't rules and the money system is fucked up.

As the other poster mentioned, bring more hard cash than you need. If you are brave, bring USD and exchange on the street.

[Guy Lafleur]

Hi,

I took a VISA credit card cash advance from a bank on the main street Obispo in Old Havana. The machine had the VISA sign on it and I had no problems. Not sure if it would work for a bank card though. I would bring mucho cash and use them as a last resort. Call your credit card company regarding fees.

You should have no problems with your limited Spanish, just use the same caution as you would anywhere else.

Guy

Hey Guys,

My Canadian buddy is planning a trip for us to Havana, both our first time going. Just a few questions:

I'm bring CAD to exchange but if I run out of the cash can I withdraw from ATM or Banks without 10% tax with my card?

Also not really fluent in Spainish what's are the locals like with their english skills? I assume I'm going to look like a juicy lamb chop to them, but will I be generally understood?

Thanks

[Ewe52]

Hey Guys,

My Canadian buddy is planning a trip for us to Havana, both our first time going. Just a few questions:

I'm bring CAD to exchange but if I run out of the cash can I withdraw from ATM or Banks without 10% tax with my card?

Also not really fluent in Spainish what's are the locals like with their english skills? I assume I'm going to look like a juicy lamb chop to them, but will I be generally understood?

Thanks

[AngryMime666]

First to Questner, the guy seems to be more interested in hiking than backpacking. It is uncommon, but not necessarily dangerous. I feel like the tourism system is set up to discourage backpacking, especially since there is no network of "Hostels." There are individuals who still try to pull it off but it is not easy and you will have to do your research...

Hey,

Thanks Velasco for the reply.

I googled backpacking a couple of weeks ago in Cuba and came up with a lot of positive results. Its just not that common of a outing or activity as you said; but I'm also a safety concerned traveler, hence the question to people who have been before. I guess most of the gentlemen that have vacationed don't do the back packing hiking getaway.

Thanks for the references, Ill check them out.

Phew. I was getting worried going through the pics before, since I like a thicker woman with a big booty. For me it will come down to just meeting one I find attractive and seeing if she would like to spend time with me. Not sure if she would be interested in my adventures but, its my vacation and I would make sure she was having an excellent time.

This website is an awesome wealth of information.

Thanks

[Velasco]

First to Questner, the guy seems to be more interested in hiking than backpacking. It is uncommon, but not necessarily dangerous. I feel like the tourism system is set up to discourage backpacking, especially since there is no network of "Hostels." There are individuals who still try to pull it off but it is not easy and you will have to do your research.

That said, there are several options for hiking. There are several national parks and places where you can go hiking. There is the Vinales area east of Havana, the Sierra Escambray just outside of Trinidad, the famous Sierra Maestra and the El Yunque area of Baracoa. Those are just the best known places, and I have done some hiking at some of these places myself. There are offices or individuals that will arrange transportation to and from the park from the nearest town. The good thing about hiking in Cuba is that the country is small enough for you to get a good hike followed by a shower and a clean bed at the end of the day.

This being Cuba, you cannot just show up and walk into the park to hike by yourself in these places. You may be required to pay for a park ranger to accompany you. Maybe some of the other smaller parks may allow you to go on your own, but I do no know of any. I recommend you get a guide book like Moon Books or do more research elsewhere online.

Yes, there are all sorts of women in Cuba, you will meet more than your share of black women if that is your thing. Black women are very under represented on this site, if you ask me. You will have no problem meeting black women similar to the following actresses and singers: Jordin Sparks (American Idol fame) , Kimberly Elise, Jennifer Hudson (Before the weight loss) , Naomie Harris (007 fame) , Anika Noni Rose and even Queen Latifah.

Heck, I would even throw in Cuban actresses like Christina Milian, Gina Torres and Rosario Dawson. Judging by the pictures people post here, some may need to google the names I have just given. Good luck!

[AngryMime666]

I will bite this one. 'Hiking and backpacking' is uncommon and dangerous. Your ass will be picked up by a police patrol guaranteed. Walking alone on an empty highway on a rainy sticky September day? Insane! City walks in most cases are safe.

Thanks, I appreciate the information. Disappointing indeed, but safety first.

I may need to rethink since this may put a damper on visiting. I don't do well with sitting around, I like to wander and explore. I guess I could wander through havana. I'm going to use google but if any members here have anything that they think would be of note worthy interest while on foot exploration I would listen.

Thanks Questner. You may have saved my bacon.

[Questner]

I will bite this one. 'Hiking and backpacking' is uncommon and dangerous. Your ass will be picked up by a police patrol guaranteed. Walking alone on an empty highway on a rainy sticky September day? Insane! City walks in most cases are safe.

[AngryMime666]

Hello gents,

I'm planning to go to Cuba in September of this year.

The forums have been an excellent way of learning from members good and not so good experiences. I have looked through at least fifty pages of previous reviews and have learned a lot. I do have questions though. I would really like to hike and wander the country side and if things go in my favour meet some lovely women. Its not my main motive for Cuba, but companionship while traveling alone would be fantastic. I have been learning spanish through rosetta stone, although I don't see myself being fluent.

From reading members post and attached pictures I have noticed something. All the women posted tend to be very thin / athletic. For me this is a tad worrisome. I tend to like my women thicker, darker and a little more fluffy. I would assume there are all different shape colour an sizes of woman in Cuba?

I will most likely get a package deal from toronto, and use the hotel as a base. I'd really just like to explore. I tend to just throw a pack on my back and just walk in a direction till I'm lost. Perhaps get a room for rent for the night while backpacking? I normally would not do this in a country such as Jamaica, but have done it in Europe. Is it safe enough to do in Cuba?

Much appreciated.

[Chotu]

Just came from 7 day trip to Havana. Havana is destination for everything. Music, beach, rum and good looking chicas. Chicas are everywhere. I found chica in old Havana, malecon (central Havana) and across Mehlia cohiba. I also went to La Cecilla and personally thought the prices of girls in the club were high. My average cost of girls was 35 CUC.

[Bart1]

Day 8:

Roxana: I return to Habana and decide to spend the night there before I go to Vinales and explore the area.

I go for a late lunch and start chatting with a funny cuban guy who had been in Italy before and worked there but was homesick and returned to Cuba.

I tell him I will stay for the evening and leave. He says he has a cousin who 'may be interested in me'. If we want we can go out together with him and another friend and then I can agree with his cousin Roxana if I want. Deal. We meetup and go dancing.

Roxana is 24, Mulata, not at all beautiful, a bit chubby, fat ass, a bit hairy arms and very shy.

I like fit girls so for me she was a 5.

I think it was a waste of time, I can't stop thinking of Ebelyn but I don't want to call her as I don't want to be sentimentally involved.

At some point of the night she teaches me Regetton and I get very horny. I ask her how much she wants to come with me and she replies 100 Cuc.

I smile and say the Golden rule.

OK 30 Cuc for all night. Done.

Now. What Roxana doesn't have in terms of beauty. She definitely compensates in sexual skills.

Boy oh boy, after 2 hooker experiences and 2 unexperienced GFE. This one deserved a full 10 in terms of sex.

She gave me a perfect BBBJ. I love being rimmed and she noticed it as she was exploring the lower part of my genitals.

The more she explored, the more I was groaning of pleasure.

She spent a full 20 minutes cleaning me up before she started riding me.

She was very skilled at that too. She knew very well how to move and swirl and touch me.

I turned her around doggy style and came after pumping her very hard.

She smiles shyly and we chat for a bit. She says she can give massage too.

I had the last Body Cream with me and ask her to use it.

Perfect massage from back. Turns me around and does the front too. Concentrates on my little boy who says: I'm ready and she again performs her oral special.

Another 20 minutes of very sloppy heaven and this time I push her down to see how deep she can go. She could handle deepthroat pumping without gagging once.

Perfection!

As we start the proper action, I take her many positions and while she is in doggy she asks, shyly. Do you want to put it behind?

Damn. She is asking me if I want anal. Of course!

I don't last long in her ass and come after a few minutes.

We fall asleep and the next morning I must leave for Vinales.

We wake up, she smiles, drinks some water and I tell her we must leave.

She asks: do you have 10 minutes before shower?

Oh yes. Again please!

This time she spends almost the entire 10 minutes deepthroating me as she saw I liked it.

When I am about to come she takes it out and makes me come all over her face, rubbing my dick on her lips.

I really think she would be a great pornstar if only she was prettier. She did everything so naturally and so well.

Day 9 and 10.

I go to Vinales and explore but I don't feel like going with anybody.

Day 11 and 12, 24 hours of sex before I go.

Ruby, Yany, Ebelyn.

After 2 days ignoring girls and taking it easy (Roxana had really emptied me and gave me a great experience) I decided to spend my last 2 nights in Habana and have fun again.

After dinner I go for a walk nearby Habana Libre. I have eye contact with more than one girl but they were obviously pros.

Nothing special or interesting so I decide to walk back home (I was staying in Vedado) and call some numbers I had.

I call Roxana, nothing. I call two more numbers, nothing. Ebelyn's number stands in front of me but I really don't want to call her. Afraid of having feelings for her.

I decide to take an Amendron (the old cadillacs) and return to Habana Libre for a pro. On the amendron are two girls, A chubby mulata who is 20 and Yani, a very dark black girl with big boobs and very slim body. Not beautiful not ugly. Normal face.

They start chatting with me while on the taxi and decide to go for a walk and a drink with me.

We have a couple of drinks in calm place, chat, buy a bottle of aged rum for 4 cuc and drink half of it.

I start flirting with the black girl and tell her she is very beautiful and has a great set of boobs.

I invite her home and she says no, she cannot as she must be home tonight.

I ask her why and she says she promised her mom she would return home.

Her mom is a doctor and she studies medicine.

I tell her I am going to the beach 'playas del est' the next day so we settle to go together and she gives me her number.

She kisses me with passion and leaves.

I am very horny so I go to Habana Libre, walk down the street and find 3 girls sitting down. One beautiful mulata with curly hair and a miniskirt, a fat chubby one who is the pimp and a ffake blond very young one who seems half asleep The pimp says hey, this girl is for you, available, you want her.

I look at the sleepy girl she is pointing at and tell her I prefer the other one.

She says this one is only 20 (maybe she didn't work enough that night) but that one is 40.

I say I can pay 30 for that one but I don't want this one.

OK. They tell me to walk to my place and they will follow me.

All 3 of them follow me home, the beautiful curly haired one called Ruby follows me home.

I was very horny so everything si very mechanic and rough.

After BBBJ. 30 minutes later I come and tell her to leave. She does it quietly.

The next day I go to the beach with Yana and her friend. I pay for the drinks and for a sandwich and we return home together.

She says she wants to be with me. So I fuck Yana and concentrate on her boobs. She lets me put my dick between them and cum in her mouth. I spend an couple of hours with her and tell her I have an appointment with some friends as it's my last night.

She leaves, smiles and says it was fun. She doesn't even think of asking me money!

She leaves and I rest a bit. I get a call from the owner of the casa particular saying I got a call from Roxana, from another girl and from Ebelyn.

They must have had my number recorded on my mobile.

Damn. Ebelyn. I call her back and she says she would like to see me again. 'como novia'.

My last night. Ok.

I take her for dinner, we go dancing and we don't stop kissing.

I spend my last night with her and we spend all morning in bed.

When It's time to go she is sad. She tells me she hopes I return to Cuba because all the Cuban guys she goes with are violent and hit her. I am the only one who treated her gently.

We exchange emails and take pictures together.

I try to give her money and she refuses. So I put 40 Cuc in her bag while she is not looking.

We are currently exchanging emails and I'm still dreaming of returning to Cuba.

If I do. I will try to explore the eastern part of the island and ask her to come with me. 'como novia'

Surely she will go with other guys but. I'll go with other girls too.

Really enjoyed your 3 reports, thanks for taking the time to write in such detail. I am arriving Havana next month and will make use of some of your info. I last visited Havana 4 years ago, far too long an absence, but the chicas in Colombia kept me coming back to Colombia. Do some of the chicas in Havana still wash your clothes in the casas sinks without even being asked?