Havana

[RainmanSahut]

Hello.

I just got back from my 4th trip to Cuba over the past year.

This time I flew to Holguin, rented a car, ordeal and visited a smaller town Levisa.

Car rental is $100 +/ day. Fuel, very few gas stations open, plan accordingly, you are limited to 10 lites each purchase and Must pay with a Credit Card or MLC Card. Meaning You are screwed if from USA. Lucky GF mother has MLC card which I funded, I had no idea this process as she had paid when I-needed fuel each time as it helped communication, but on return trip home alone, I could NOT buy gasoline. Finally I found a nice Cuban man who let me pay cash to him for my 10 liters to get me to the airport.

Airport. Nothing available to eat or drink.

Food, OMG it is desperate. We had to drive 3 different cities looking for a restaurant near Levisa to eat. Basically 1 hours drive. The 1 restaurant we found had a very limited menu. Chicken or Pork. Pork is the basically the main course along with rice and beans. Believe me looked for open restaurants traveling dirt roads the pigs had forgotten. Yes, Havana has a Few nice restaurants. Some expensive. Basically the locals scavenge each day for their meals. Everywhere.

Girls, I was with a GF, but YES. Plenty plenty girls available. Many Free looking for Husband, Go to USA. As for Me, Someone shared my WhatsApp with multiple Cuban girls. So, Basically everyday new girls write wanting a boyfriend. All pretty and young.

My previous trip Havana November, I was contacted and told report to immigration. I had to go 2 different days' 2 locations, I had to explain Why I visited Cuba. Little scary. Each girl I've gone with I make them contact their mother and have her say it is OK their daughter go with me. Anyways I could prove seeing same girl and family several times to authorities. There are presently 116 guys detained Havana from these inquiries, they may have done other things. If you are contacted call US Embassy +5378394200 and report before attending interview. I was most uncomfortable with questioning. Remember, Sanitize your phone. No naughty pictures going into Cuba or Out. Best have phone with SD slot. Save pictures to SD and remove. I carry a spare phone exact to my personal. That IS my regular Cuba phone with blah blah blah on it Only. Yes. They went thru my phone. Remember. You have 1 day to report your location to immigration once you locate to an apartment or family house. Most of the time apartment owner does this for you in Havana. In Levisa I had to drive another city and it took more than 1/2 day interview paperwork with immigration. Mother took care of me.

As for ChrisH, I am glad everything was happy and good. He is much better at finding shops than Me as I have Yet to see such a shop in Havana selling water, candy and things. Maybe National Hotel or other nice hotels offer? I call myself traveling a lot. But never see such. I do know the main grocery store near embassy area is Empty. I would ask apartment owner to get me water as I have yet to see it for sale. Many apartments offer meals with rental. Works out pretty good.

Yes, I have seen girls ChrisH describes, Yes good hunting. Again somewhat sad as economy is So Bad. Many have boy friends and husbands, so really bad.

Anyways, there are lots of things to see, many pretty girls. Be careful on food. I've had food poisoning twice. Second time barely made it home USA straight to emergency room, salmonella, 6 days ICU, not so good.

Yes. I go back.

Rainman.

So, people are happy in Cuba!? You don't seem like a real monger but the Cuban government trying to trick people into visiting the island to spend money there, you remind me of when the Covid started and the Cuban dictatorship was promoting the island as a "safe heaven" against Covid. You are the one promoting FAKE NEWS. I never liked you, now I know why. And by the way, I'm Cuban and I'm in touch with Cubans (family and friends) and what they tell me is the opposite of what you're saying here. Do you know that in two years around 300,000 Cubans walked from Nicaragua to the Mexican-USA border. Do happy people embark in such a journey?

To those visiting Cuba just be careful there, the crime is getting out of hand, specially, but not only, in Havana.

[Rebel Monger]

So, people are happy in Cuba!? You don't seem like a real monger but the Cuban government trying to trick people into visiting the island to spend money there, you remind me of when the Covid started and the Cuban dictatorship was promoting the island as a "safe heaven" against Covid. You are the one promoting FAKE NEWS. I never liked you, now I know why. And by the way, I'm Cuban and I'm in touch with Cubans (family and friends) and what they tell me is the opposite of what you're saying here. Do you know that in two years around 300,000 Cubans walked from Nicaragua to the Mexican-USA border. Do happy people embark in such a journey?

To those visiting Cuba just be careful there, the crime is getting out of hand, specially, but not only, in Havana.

Havana is definitely still popping. It's actually even better now, especially with more access to wifi, throughout the city, as long as you go to the right spots.

We stayed at our normal 6 bedroom 3 story house, with a terrace for partying, on the corner of Industria and Amistad.

The ladies are all over, especially in Prado, Central Park, the Plaza that leads to the Wifi Park, and the clubs. BTW, the wifi park isn't as busy as usual, probably due to internet accessibility being a lot easier. The Plaza area is bumping most hours, AM, PM, and the middle of the night. The ladies pop up out of no where, looking sexy and natural. There is definitely no lack of pussy availability in Havana, and never donating more than 30 usd. The ladies will be very happy with that donation, and that's even getting the ones out of the Clubs. Speaking of Clubs, I recommend V / S as the spot to go. Women all over the place, and more and more folks coming in the later it gets into the night.

Really never had any food issues. Seems to be more good options available now, since new restaurants have been opening up. No issues find water or beer. Every little shop has its own product, so you Judy have to stop in to the shops as you walk the streets. I did notice a price raise for rum, about $3-$4 increase. No big deal, at all.

All this talk of sorrow and how horrible and sad Havana is, is definitely Fake News. If you have ever been to Havana, you know the people are happy, and know how to go with the flow and make the best out of everything!

[Adinga]

Chris - 2 questions.

How was the Police presence in Havana?

Where did you get currency converted?

Thanks.

[HarryDubois]

Havana is definitely still popping. It's actually even better now, especially with more access to wifi, throughout the city, as long as you go to the right spots.

Thank you so much for the great report. I was thinking about Colombia however maybe I'll try Havana instead.

I would like to ask however. I prefer Latinas similar to Colombia not black or mixed black / white. Will I find girls of Spanish ancestry available in Havana?

Secondly, I hate condoms. Is BBFS on the menu in Havana?

[Chris H]

Havana is definitely still popping. It's actually even better now, especially with more access to wifi, throughout the city, as long as you go to the right spots.

We stayed at our normal 6 bedroom 3 story house, with a terrace for partying, on the corner of Industria and Amistad.

The ladies are all over, especially in Prado, Central Park, the Plaza that leads to the Wifi Park, and the clubs. BTW, the wifi park isn't as busy as usual, probably due to internet accessibility being a lot easier. The Plaza area is bumping most hours, AM, PM, and the middle of the night. The ladies pop up out of no where, looking sexy and natural. There is definitely no lack of pussy availability in Havana, and never donating more than 30 usd. The ladies will be very happy with that donation, and that's even getting the ones out of the Clubs. Speaking of Clubs, I recommend V / S as the spot to go. Women all over the place, and more and more folks coming in the later it gets into the night.

Really never had any food issues. Seems to be more good options available now, since new restaurants have been opening up. No issues find water or beer. Every little shop has its own product, so you Judy have to stop in to the shops as you walk the streets. I did notice a price raise for rum, about $3-$4 increase. No big deal, at all.

All this talk of sorrow and how horrible and sad Havana is, is definitely Fake News. If you have ever been to Havana, you know the people are happy, and know how to go with the flow and make the best out of everything!

[Uncle Volodya]

Hey all,

I was in Havana last week for the weekend did bumble and tinder for chicas no problem walking with the girls outside hand to hand even in front of police. Saw a few walking girls on malecon, la rampa and old Havana but my Spanish is dogshit. All the girls were happy with a cheap perfume or 50 usd. My Airbnb host arranged simcard with 4 g and money exchange at 1 euro to 160 pesos. Havana still popping.

Thanks for the info. Good to hear some (good) news from Hsvana!

[Zizou23]

Hey all,

I was in Havana last week for the weekend did bumble and tinder for chicas no problem walking with the girls outside hand to hand even in front of police. Saw a few walking girls on malecon, la rampa and old Havana but my Spanish is dogshit. All the girls were happy with a cheap perfume or 50 usd. My Airbnb host arranged simcard with 4 g and money exchange at 1 euro to 160 pesos. Havana still popping.

[RacShack]

Damn this thread is deader than a doornail. Havana used to be one of my favorite destinations. Great atmosphere, lovely people, and very safe. Though at times challenging with the cat and mouse game played between Chicas and the Policia.

Hopefully, Chris H, who is a seasoned Havana pro, will be able to give us some news on what it's like down there these days.

Blast from the past, hope all is well, you were a treasure trove full of information for me in the past! Royalty! You traveling? Married? (LOL) hopefully Cuba soon if I hear good stuff, until then I've been sticking to Colombia and Thailand you? PM me if you want to catch up! And yes hopefully Chris H fills us in on what's going on over there!

[EMode]

I'm hoping this thread beces a bit more active as we go into the spring. I'm hoping to go to Havana at the end of April or early May with 2 buddies. Hoping to have a great week. Any updates on how things are going there? Do restaurants have supplies? Are the chicas out and about?

[Uncle Volodya]

Damn this thread is deader than a doornail. Havana used to be one of my favorite destinations. Great atmosphere, lovely people, and very safe. Though at times challenging with the cat and mouse game played between Chicas and the Policia.

Hopefully, Chris H, who is a seasoned Havana pro, will be able to give us some news on what it's like down there these days.

[Zeos1]

When you say tough, you mean the pandemic has made it worse?

Pandemic perhaps, not getting help from Venezuela. Etc. A major source of foreign currency was Canadian visitors (pre-pandemic) with estimates of 70% of foreign currency coming from Canadian tourists. And pandemic it dropped to 0. So this means less foreign currency to buy oil, etc.

[Sma202]

I would recommend a casa in Vedado next to the Melia Cohiba hotel.

The hotel has a business lobby for travelers which has computers, coffee and food -- the fees are reasonable.

My former casa proprietors have left Cuba temporarily due to commodity shortages.

Its very tough in Cuba now. You may want to wait until things pick up.

When you say tough, you mean the pandemic has made it worse?

[Chris H]

Thinking of going this week (First time). What days will you be there? I wouldn't mind meeting someone who's been there before to show me a few things.

I will be there on Thursday the 12th. Hitting the ground and ready to roll. If you are in town on that day, feel free to hit me up.

[Adinga]

I would recommend a casa in Vedado next to the Melia Cohiba hotel.

The hotel has a business lobby for travelers which has computers, coffee and food -- the fees are reasonable.

My former casa proprietors have left Cuba temporarily due to commodity shortages.

Its very tough in Cuba now. You may want to wait until things pick up.

[Zeos1]

Thinking of going first time to Cuba. Would you recommend it over Rio or Medellin (been to both). Besides the Latinas, I also like the history. I'm intermediate in Spanish.

How long is good to spend in Havana? Is the best place to stay in Old Havana? Any places of interest to visit to outside the town?

It will by many times harder than anywhere else you have been. Cat and mouse game for meeting chicas, finding a coffee in the morning will be next to impossible unless you are in a hotel with a restaurant, and any given good or service may or may not be available on any given day. Things like electricity, water, any given food item, etc. Etc. There are some higher end tourist hotels in / near the Old Havana part of town, but for the money you may find they have very limited services / amenities. I've never stayed at any, and they will not likely be chica friendly (as that is illegal) but they may provide a certain level of comfort. I've stayed in other parts of the city, and out of the city, and in casas particulares (similar to Airbnbs). I would have nothing to recommend, but I found it interesting, and challenging, not easy, and with an element of thrill with some of the places I met up with chicas. Places that would have fit into an Apocalypse movie set.