Havana

[Kafka]

If your street instincts are good you are going to find the location on the Malecon pretty fast there is a square near Persevencia and the Malecon with benches, and if the police are not cracking down the girls will be walking up and down anyway. Don't forget they want to meet you too. Just make eye contact and if they avoid you, then they're probably not working. If you suspect they might be don't approach them directly but hang around the area, they are really good at it and will probably make their way over to you. I've heard through a friend who lives there that things are pretty much wide open again but you're about to find out.

Not sure what you are expecting. But it is a cat and mouse game on the streets. Gals won't even look at you if there are police around. And they won't walk with you, generally don't want to talk very long. And they will not be obvious in any way.

Don't know if any of the music clubs are open, but other than that there are no places you can go to check local talent.

Rates I have no idea. I have not been there since before pandemic, and rates were in CUC which don't exist any more.

Are you fluent in Spanish? You will not find gals that speak English normally.

Cell service may be spotty or non existent. Same with wifi. Sometimes hard to find although if you stay at a hotel you can usually buy some time.

A local cab driver or tout of some kind may be able to hook you up, but you will pay. Anyone that talks to you wants something, usually involving money.

Sorry, but it's a tough place to work this game. But once you know your way around and can communicate well enough it can be rewarding.

[Zeos1]

Today I just got the visa, the flight is on 9 Feb! Can you please help me with some info? I check the forum and read that one of the most popular place to meet girls is Malecon. I guess our kind of girls are easily recognisable. But can you tell me any other popular places where I can check the local talent? And what are the usual rates for ST or whole night? I tried to find such an info bud sadly did not find any.

Expect full report with the actual places and prices when I come back.

Not sure what you are expecting. But it is a cat and mouse game on the streets. Gals won't even look at you if there are police around. And they won't walk with you, generally don't want to talk very long. And they will not be obvious in any way.

Don't know if any of the music clubs are open, but other than that there are no places you can go to check local talent.

Rates I have no idea. I have not been there since before pandemic, and rates were in CUC which don't exist any more.

Are you fluent in Spanish? You will not find gals that speak English normally.

Cell service may be spotty or non existent. Same with wifi. Sometimes hard to find although if you stay at a hotel you can usually buy some time.

A local cab driver or tout of some kind may be able to hook you up, but you will pay. Anyone that talks to you wants something, usually involving money.

Sorry, but it's a tough place to work this game. But once you know your way around and can communicate well enough it can be rewarding.

[Onojdi]

Today I just got the visa, the flight is on 9 Feb! Can you please help me with some info? I check the forum and read that one of the most popular place to meet girls is Malecon. I guess our kind of girls are easily recognisable. But can you tell me any other popular places where I can check the local talent? And what are the usual rates for ST or whole night? I tried to find such an info bud sadly did not find any.

Expect full report with the actual places and prices when I come back.

[MidLifeUsa]

Can you please share any good pickup spots in Camaguey & Holguin city?

[MidLifeUsa]

This information is pre-pandemic, but hopefully will still be helpful. I have used Viazul for trips to Ceinfuego, Holguin, and Vinales.

You are correct that it is virtually impossible to book Viazul tickets online. In the past, there was room on most buses, but my preference was to go to the bus station the day before I left and buy my ticket (s). They are inexpensive, but depending on the time, you may have a wait. You will need your passport.

Keep in mind that Viazul is designed for tourists. Cubans can use the national bus system (which is even cheaper) or Viazul, but mostly use the national system. The Viazul buses are a little nicer, although by American standards they are second tier. I have found them acceptable.

The Viazul terminal used to be across the street from the Zoo. Indeed, much of the internet information still references it as such. However, shortly before the pandemic, the Viazul terminal was moved into the National Bus Terminal, which is in Vedado. (Which I think is actually more convenient.) I suggest double checking on its location. Your taxi driver will know. Just make sure he understands that you are looking for Viazul (not just the bus terminal).

There will likely be a stop half way through your trip, wherever you are going. It will be much longer than necessary for a rest stop, as the bus driver will get a free meal for stopping there.

Viazul is a good way to see the country. Enjoy your trip.

Thank you. I was finally able to book tickets using a non US issue credit card. Availability of ticket does not seem to be issue nowadays. I can see tickets available for next day journey too.

[Eclectic]

How do I book Viazul bus ticket as a US citizen. Their website doesn't accept US issued CC.

Is paying in cash or asking somebody else to book on my behalf and paying a premium in Cuba a possibility.

BTW: I will be in Havana from Feb 4 - 6 and Feb 11-12. Any body else there. Would love to buy a beer and meet some of the senior members.

This information is pre-pandemic, but hopefully will still be helpful. I have used Viazul for trips to Ceinfuego, Holguin, and Vinales.

You are correct that it is virtually impossible to book Viazul tickets online. In the past, there was room on most buses, but my preference was to go to the bus station the day before I left and buy my ticket (s). They are inexpensive, but depending on the time, you may have a wait. You will need your passport.

Keep in mind that Viazul is designed for tourists. Cubans can use the national bus system (which is even cheaper) or Viazul, but mostly use the national system. The Viazul buses are a little nicer, although by American standards they are second tier. I have found them acceptable.

The Viazul terminal used to be across the street from the Zoo. Indeed, much of the internet information still references it as such. However, shortly before the pandemic, the Viazul terminal was moved into the National Bus Terminal, which is in Vedado. (Which I think is actually more convenient.) I suggest double checking on its location. Your taxi driver will know. Just make sure he understands that you are looking for Viazul (not just the bus terminal).

There will likely be a stop half way through your trip, wherever you are going. It will be much longer than necessary for a rest stop, as the bus driver will get a free meal for stopping there.

Viazul is a good way to see the country. Enjoy your trip.

[Rebel Monger]

I would think that busy air routes would mean lower prices.

There are a lot of stupid Cubans in USA paying those prices, why lower them?

[MidLifeUsa]

How do I book Viazul bus ticket as a US citizen. Their website doesn't accept US issued CC.

Is paying in cash or asking somebody else to book on my behalf and paying a premium in Cuba a possibility.

BTW: I will be in Havana from Feb 4 - 6 and Feb 11-12. Any body else there. Would love to buy a beer and meet some of the senior members.

[HarryDubois]

There are more people going from Miami to Cuba than from Tel Aviv.

I would think that busy air routes would mean lower prices. I am wondering if it's the opposite: Due to US imposed restrictions there are few passengers going from Miami to Havana while from Madrid to Havana there are many more. (My flight would be Tel Aviv. Madrid. Havana.)

https://www.valuepenguin.com/travel/...more-expensive

I am not bothering to check my facebook profile anymore because I am overwhelmed with hot Cuban girl friend requests. I don't have time to bother with them. If even one in ten are real, then I am ready to go. But first I want to see some good detailed reports from mongers on the ground. How much money do the girls want? How are casa owners reacting to female overnight guests? Are the police chasing girls always from foreigners?

For what it's worth, this Facebook photo gives a very positive impression and mentions the exact location of the festivities.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...20000..&type=3

[Rebel Monger]

...I can fly more cheaply to Havana from Tel Aviv than you can fly to Havana from Miami. I don't get it.

There are more people going from Miami to Cuba than from Tel Aviv.

[Rebel Monger]

...second most vaccinated country in the world (after the UAE), and 99% of Cubans wearing masks, inside and outside, I would have been pretty unlucky to test positive. LOL.

Vaccinated with what and for what? If their vaccine were any good, they would be selling it to anyone, they've been trying to dupe countries from the beginning when they said they had the cure (interferon).

My daughter, after the third shots, got the virus real bad. Most of my family got it too and, four people I knew personally (among them a dear friend from my youth) died from it. In the other hand, in the country where I live, with the higher number of cases (infections and death), I only know of a few cases of infections and one death. To be in the safe side, do not believe everything the government there says. They tend to be a whole lot better on "paper" than in real life. My daughter is ready to go to Haiti if she could. She scared me the other day, she told me "if I find a reliable about, I'll be on the way, no second thoughts. ".

[SilverFoz]

As things start to return to normalcy I'm keen to establish which Havana bars / clubs are already back in operation and busy with local interest. I have a trip planned for end January, and whilst I still have a list of spots from previous visits (last one in 2018) I'm aware that some of these will probably have shut down altogether, others may not yet have reopened, but new ones have sprung up instead. Could anyone point me in the right direction for the best bars in have to find some high quality action in the next couple of weeks please.

[DiavelLoco]

Hey what's up man! We will be there in early March. Me and probably 3 other dudes. I don't think you met any of them, but of course we will be looking for and having a great time! You know how we do!

Super! Hit me when you're here! Would be nice to catch up again.

[DiavelLoco]

No cash? Would be hard for a us citizen because no credit card or debit would work over their, must be places that except cash no? Any and all information will be greatly appreciated.

Official ones can only be paid using card, its a strict no cash policy. Clinica siboney will accept your card. Mine is blocked everywhere in the country except clinica siboney. Don't ask me why, its Cuba.

[RacShack]

Go to clinica siboney. Its around usd30 and payment must be made with credit card or debit card only. Results out the next day.

Went back to your old and excellent reports buddy, you still living their all this time? The place you mentioned for testing coming back to us, that only takes CC or debit, is their other places that take cash or how are Americans working around this? Thanks,