Havana

[Kalifornication]

Oh my god. That was some funny but true shit! You just made my day. What is even funnier is when the Cubans are pulling their scam shit and you call them out on it. When you yell them to stop treating you like Yuma. And then, . Watch them try to explain how they are not scamming or treating you like Yuma.

Mr. Gogo, as you know there is no bus ride in Havana that is 1 cuc, it is some ridiculously low amount, I think it is 5 pesos.

Taxi scam is another one most new mongers should be aware of. First the scam by taxi drivers who guide to a casa which is cheaper, but the ride back and forth is 3 times expensive. Second, by the chicas. It is fair to assume that most of them do not have a car in their family and all their travels are in local buses. There is no stigma as that is how over 90% of the cubans travel around. So, when we approach a chica and ask her to come over the next day, it is not a bad idea to tell her to take the bus, worst case, ask her to take taxi collectivo and not a private taxi.

The bottom line is this. Check any of the five applies to your situation.

- chica loves you for whatever reason.

- she believes that you will parachute her out.

- she believes that you will send her money every month.

- she believes that you are a regular, and will be coming over many times over the year.

- you have given her hope and made her believe that you will help her repair / build home.

If any one of them apply then you do not have to be that cautious with her.

If not even one of them apply, then expect to be scammed, screwed and cheated one way or other. This is just the rule of the game. Once you accept it then the trip is fun, you see the scam unfold in front of your eyes, you either stop it or let it happen as you wish.

Scam that I knew was happening but let it go.

1. One of the chicas put a nice face and said she wanted to work hard. She showed me her skills of pedicure / manicure. The only problem she had was no cuc to buy the Chinese made hair style device. I paid her 60 cuc for that, after a day or two she promptly gave it back to the negra seller and got the money back. She told me that the device is no good, and she is looking for a good one, offcourse she never found a good one.

2. This kid is studying in Univ of Havana, and an old laptop that will be thrown away here will be of great help to further career. Atleast that is what I heard. I did not say a word, my mate felt bad and gave an old laptop. It was promptly sold once he left. When asked, the guy said since it is old, he had given it for repairing.

3. Once an old lady said she can make 10 shirts for 40 cuc. There is no doubt in her skills as she altered one of my suits to perfection. Except that she only made 5 shirts, which are made from totally different material than what she showed and I could never be able to wear them. Also the material is in short supply. So I left it as she said she will give it next time. Too bad next time she was not working as the policia caught her working this way (4. Casa owner said the community watcher is not happy with chicas coming in and out of the casa, and so it would be nice to present a bottle that I have brought over from dutyfree.

5. One guy said he could find the best normal chica for me. Lets go around looking for one. After 2 hrs running around and paying 20 cuc to the driver, the guide did his errands, met his distant relatives and gave ride to his ex novia to where she wanted to go. I got nothing. Oh well he bought me coconut water, sugar cane juice and kept me entertained all the way.

So, in my next trip I expect to be scammed too, also expect to score a new cubana who will make that scam hassle nothing. That is Cuba for me.

[Jean You]

Which area can you recommend for a first time visitor.

I say Vedado, good clubs around and You can walk to Old Havana. And safe.

[Mr Gogo]

You are correct Taboc. She said it was 1 peso and she caught three buses from Santiago de Las Vegas. Great info. The scams are part of the landscape and are easier to spot with time and experience. I just wrote a report below about respecting the casa owners below.

[Taboc]

Mr. Gogo, as you know there is no bus ride in Havana that is 1 cuc, it is some ridiculously low amount, I think it is 5 pesos.

Taxi scam is another one most new mongers should be aware of. First the scam by taxi drivers who guide to a casa which is cheaper, but the ride back and forth is 3 times expensive. Second, by the chicas. It is fair to assume that most of them do not have a car in their family and all their travels are in local buses. There is no stigma as that is how over 90% of the cubans travel around. So, when we approach a chica and ask her to come over the next day, it is not a bad idea to tell her to take the bus, worst case, ask her to take taxi collectivo and not a private taxi.

The bottom line is this. Check any of the five applies to your situation.

- chica loves you for whatever reason.

- she believes that you will parachute her out.

- she believes that you will send her money every month.

- she believes that you are a regular, and will be coming over many times over the year.

- you have given her hope and made her believe that you will help her repair / build home.

If any one of them apply then you do not have to be that cautious with her.

If not even one of them apply, then expect to be scammed, screwed and cheated one way or other. This is just the rule of the game. Once you accept it then the trip is fun, you see the scam unfold in front of your eyes, you either stop it or let it happen as you wish.

Scam that I knew was happening but let it go.

1. One of the chicas put a nice face and said she wanted to work hard. She showed me her skills of pedicure / manicure. The only problem she had was no cuc to buy the Chinese made hair style device. I paid her 60 cuc for that, after a day or two she promptly gave it back to the negra seller and got the money back. She told me that the device is no good, and she is looking for a good one, offcourse she never found a good one.

2. This kid is studying in Univ of Havana, and an old laptop that will be thrown away here will be of great help to further career. Atleast that is what I heard. I did not say a word, my mate felt bad and gave an old laptop. It was promptly sold once he left. When asked, the guy said since it is old, he had given it for repairing.

3. Once an old lady said she can make 10 shirts for 40 cuc. There is no doubt in her skills as she altered one of my suits to perfection. Except that she only made 5 shirts, which are made from totally different material than what she showed and I could never be able to wear them. Also the material is in short supply. So I left it as she said she will give it next time. Too bad next time she was not working as the policia caught her working this way (4. Casa owner said the community watcher is not happy with chicas coming in and out of the casa, and so it would be nice to present a bottle that I have brought over from dutyfree.

5. One guy said he could find the best normal chica for me. Lets go around looking for one. After 2 hrs running around and paying 20 cuc to the driver, the guide did his errands, met his distant relatives and gave ride to his ex novia to where she wanted to go. I got nothing. Oh well he bought me coconut water, sugar cane juice and kept me entertained all the way.

So, in my next trip I expect to be scammed too, also expect to score a new cubana who will make that scam hassle nothing. That is Cuba for me.

Guard up.

Taboc and Vedadofun make excellent points. I posted a few months ago about where I met the casa owners niece and she became a regular. I arrived in Cuba last week and decided to stay at a new casa in a new area because I like to experience new things and keep the old things for later. Plus I don't like being predictable. The old casa owner asked for a blood pressure monitor so I purchased one in the States to take to him. Well I went to the older casa and the owner wasn't there but his wife was and it wasn't his wife from the last trip. I asked about the niece but the new wife wasn't helpful at all so I left.

I happened to see a girl from my first trip and we hit the new casa and had sex. I gave her 30 cuc and said come back later and we will hangout and she could spend the night and I would have more money for her. She completely fucked that up by asking for money to buy clothes to wear that evening. She gave me an ultimatum to either give her clothes money or she wasn't coming back. Needless to say I never called or saw her for the rest of my trip. I went to the other casa hoping to locate the niece but the wife wasn't helping me. As I left the first wife walked up and gave me a hug. She went in the casa and made three phone calls and the niece was on the way. The two wives didn't like each other and argued over the 15 cuc I left for the nieces private car. I would later find out from the niece the she caught the bus for 1 cuc.

When I went to meet the niece she was at a restaurant with the first wife and some new dude. We had drinks and they grabbed a menu and lights went off in my head. My 40 cuc drinking bill was about to become 80 cuc if I don't put the brakes on, which I did. I paid the 40 cuc drinking bill but I was pissed that the niece was willing to let them milk me dry. At the casa I explained to the niece that I have money for her not her friends. We spent the next two days having sex and I gave her 70 cuc and sent her home. I really wanted to give her more but I was still pissed.

Later that night I'm sitting alone at an outdoor bar drinking mojitoes when the first wife and the guy walk up. They sit and talk but I never offer them anything. They would run inside to the bar every few minutes. I'm ready to pay 9 cuc for my three mojitoes when the waiter hands me a bill for 21 cuc. I said WTF. I explained to him I had 3 mojitoes and not the four Cuba libres added to the bill. He calls the wife over and she agrees to pay. I smiled a fake smile hugged the wife and left. I understand times are hard in Cuba but they go over board with some of the bullshit.

[Mr Gogo]

I applaud what you did. They try to pull this shit, because it works a good percentage of the time. Most guys, unlike you, don't have the balls or the language ability to fight it. Or they just don't feel like bothering for 10 or 30 bucks. It's not just about saving money. It's about setting a precedent for the next time.

I think so many girls are caught in the "Gringo hustle" that they really miss out on a profitable meeting. One thing that I think saves our ass is that the police don't play and the casa owner has their info. One girl my first trip waited till we got to the casa and demanded the money up front (never do that), then she said a covered blow job also. I said pack your shit and headed for the door and she went quietly. In the DR she would have grabbed something and made a scene. The last thing these girls want is the police involved, so that protects us.

But I think it was you Combo who talked about protecting the casa owner, and I agree. My first trip I was running chicas in and banging the girls on the block. This is a negative if you have a casa you really like. Cubans want their houses respected and don't really appreciate neighborhood skanks being in their home. The skanks will usually invite you into their home once they know you but I still keep that playground a few blocks from where I'm staying. I had drama when a neighborhood skank was upset with another girl I was banging for not telling her I was there.

Another thing guys is don't let the girls use the phones in the casa. They will get comfortable and spend hours calling relatives and friends with no shame. I tell them we can't use the phone. Also they will call someone and retrieve your casa number and start bothering you and the casa owner. The phone is off limits. Also guys if a girl refuses to walk the streets with you its because the police know her reputation.

Cuba takes many trips to figure out but with every trip you figure out the lay of the land. My current girl lives in Santiago de las vegas and keeps begging me to come meet her family, but I never meet family. But I want to go scout the place so I would know how to catch the Bus around and see what's really happening in these places. If I could find a bar and post up and people watch that would be cool. After five trips I'm ready to leave Habana and try somewhere cool that is only a few hours away. Anyone ever been there?

[Combo]

Guard up.

Taboc and Vedadofun make excellent points. I posted a few months ago about where I met the casa owners niece and she became a regular. I arrived in Cuba last week and decided to stay at a new casa in a new area because I like to experience new things and keep the old things for later. Plus I don't like being predictable. The old casa owner asked for a blood pressure monitor so I purchased one in the States to take to him. Well I went to the older casa and the owner wasn't there but his wife was and it wasn't his wife from the last trip. I asked about the niece but the new wife wasn't helpful at all so I left.

I happened to see a girl from my first trip and we hit the new casa and had sex. I gave her 30 cuc and said come back later and we will hangout and she could spend the night and I would have more money for her. She completely fucked that up by asking for money to buy clothes to wear that evening. She gave me an ultimatum to either give her clothes money or she wasn't coming back. Needless to say I never called or saw her for the rest of my trip. I went to the other casa hoping to locate the niece but the wife wasn't helping me. As I left the first wife walked up and gave me a hug. She went in the casa and made three phone calls and the niece was on the way. The two wives didn't like each other and argued over the 15 cuc I left for the nieces private car. I would later find out from the niece the she caught the bus for 1 cuc.

When I went to meet the niece she was at a restaurant with the first wife and some new dude. We had drinks and they grabbed a menu and lights went off in my head. My 40 cuc drinking bill was about to become 80 cuc if I don't put the brakes on, which I did. I paid the 40 cuc drinking bill but I was pissed that the niece was willing to let them milk me dry. At the casa I explained to the niece that I have money for her not her friends. We spent the next two days having sex and I gave her 70 cuc and sent her home. I really wanted to give her more but I was still pissed.

Later that night I'm sitting alone at an outdoor bar drinking mojitoes when the first wife and the guy walk up. They sit and talk but I never offer them anything. They would run inside to the bar every few minutes. I'm ready to pay 9 cuc for my three mojitoes when the waiter hands me a bill for 21 cuc. I said WTF. I explained to him I had 3 mojitoes and not the four Cuba libres added to the bill. He calls the wife over and she agrees to pay. I smiled a fake smile hugged the wife and left. I understand times are hard in Cuba but they go over board with some of the bullshit.

I applaud what you did. They try to pull this shit, because it works a good percentage of the time. Most guys, unlike you, don't have the balls or the language ability to fight it. Or they just don't feel like bothering for 10 or 30 bucks. It's not just about saving money. It's about setting a precedent for the next time.

[Mr Gogo]

Guard up.

Taboc and Vedadofun make excellent points. I posted a few months ago about where I met the casa owners niece and she became a regular. I arrived in Cuba last week and decided to stay at a new casa in a new area because I like to experience new things and keep the old things for later. Plus I don't like being predictable. The old casa owner asked for a blood pressure monitor so I purchased one in the States to take to him. Well I went to the older casa and the owner wasn't there but his wife was and it wasn't his wife from the last trip. I asked about the niece but the new wife wasn't helpful at all so I left.

I happened to see a girl from my first trip and we hit the new casa and had sex. I gave her 30 cuc and said come back later and we will hangout and she could spend the night and I would have more money for her. She completely fucked that up by asking for money to buy clothes to wear that evening. She gave me an ultimatum to either give her clothes money or she wasn't coming back. Needless to say I never called or saw her for the rest of my trip. I went to the other casa hoping to locate the niece but the wife wasn't helping me. As I left the first wife walked up and gave me a hug. She went in the casa and made three phone calls and the niece was on the way. The two wives didn't like each other and argued over the 15 cuc I left for the nieces private car. I would later find out from the niece the she caught the bus for 1 cuc.

When I went to meet the niece she was at a restaurant with the first wife and some new dude. We had drinks and they grabbed a menu and lights went off in my head. My 40 cuc drinking bill was about to become 80 cuc if I don't put the brakes on, which I did. I paid the 40 cuc drinking bill but I was pissed that the niece was willing to let them milk me dry. At the casa I explained to the niece that I have money for her not her friends. We spent the next two days having sex and I gave her 70 cuc and sent her home. I really wanted to give her more but I was still pissed.

Later that night I'm sitting alone at an outdoor bar drinking mojitoes when the first wife and the guy walk up. They sit and talk but I never offer them anything. They would run inside to the bar every few minutes. I'm ready to pay 9 cuc for my three mojitoes when the waiter hands me a bill for 21 cuc. I said WTF. I explained to him I had 3 mojitoes and not the four Cuba libres added to the bill. He calls the wife over and she agrees to pay. I smiled a fake smile hugged the wife and left. I understand times are hard in Cuba but they go over board with some of the bullshit.

[Taboc]

No problem, we are all here to help. I am between my contract works and have time to kill so read forums of places I have not visited yet for time pass, and hence come here often these days.

First thing, goto youtube and watch some Spanish lessons. Learn atleast to say Hello, I do not know spanish, are you ok, I like you, numbers, food etc. Make some effort before going.

If you are thinking about discos where university students frequent like in developed world, there is no such thing in Havana, some one else can correct me on this. There are times students will get together in the campus or in small streets right next to them, someone will bring big speakers and blare music and students will dance with cheap rum. I do not know when it happens.

In short, looking for 'real' students means a bit of work or good connections (real is the keyword). Like BeersTerry said there is always a luck factor, and if you believe in that then try it and don't forget to share it with bros here.

Many thanks. Last question. If I hang out discos near University of Havana, how is my chance to find some chicas speaking some English. I speaks no Spanish at all.

Taboc! You are such a help. Really appreciate it.

[BeersTerry]

Spanish ain't spoken in any disco, near the university or not. You just have to get lucky.

I really don't understand the pricing of Guanabo casas. Then again, it is August and the demand is high from both Europeans and locals.

[StrawBoy]

Many thanks. Last question. If I hang out discos near University of Havana, how is my chance to find some chicas speaking some English. I speaks no Spanish at all.

Taboc! You are such a help. Really appreciate it.

Stay in Tropicoco the first night, so you will land peacefully knowing where to sleep, plus you a have hotel name to write on the immigration form (not that they check, you can always wrote any other hotel name too).

Goto Guanabo discos and pick your chica and then ask her to recommend a taxi and casa, tell them you need the casa not for few hours, but for 24 hours (important). The casas south of Via Blanca are cheap, you can get them for 20-25 cuc a day. The casas on walking distance to Guanabo beach and to discos are expensive. But remember if you take the cheaper casas you have to always pay a taxi guy 5 cuc for a ride to Guanabo. Assuming you goto playa once a day (10 cuc return) and then to the disco (10 cuc return), it is 20 cuc a day for taxies. So even if the casa is going to cost you 50 cuc right on the beach, and walking distance to the beach then it is worth it as compared to a casa. The taxi drivers would always show you a casa further away to get more business. Stay firm and say you need a casa within walking distance to discos, which in turn means walking distance to beach.

Once you found the casa, use it and if you are feeling good, you can goto Tropicoco, check out and go back to your own casa.

[Taboc]

Stay in Tropicoco the first night, so you will land peacefully knowing where to sleep, plus you a have hotel name to write on the immigration form (not that they check, you can always wrote any other hotel name too).

Goto Guanabo discos and pick your chica and then ask her to recommend a taxi and casa, tell them you need the casa not for few hours, but for 24 hours (important). The casas south of Via Blanca are cheap, you can get them for 20-25 cuc a day. The casas on walking distance to Guanabo beach and to discos are expensive. But remember if you take the cheaper casas you have to always pay a taxi guy 5 cuc for a ride to Guanabo. Assuming you goto playa once a day (10 cuc return) and then to the disco (10 cuc return), it is 20 cuc a day for taxies. So even if the casa is going to cost you 50 cuc right on the beach, and walking distance to the beach then it is worth it as compared to a casa. The taxi drivers would always show you a casa further away to get more business. Stay firm and say you need a casa within walking distance to discos, which in turn means walking distance to beach.

Once you found the casa, use it and if you are feeling good, you can goto Tropicoco, check out and go back to your own casa.

Thanks. I now understand. It is about comfort level. Chicas must feel comfortable to go to Tropicoco, and the security guy at Tropicoco must feel comfortable to allow the chicas in.

Therefore, Tropicoco is not really a desirable option as a "base" becauseI have to pay for the casa any way all the time. I should use a nice casa with air conditioning and hot shower.

Many thanks.

[StrawBoy]

Thanks. I now understand. It is about comfort level. Chicas must feel comfortable to go to Tropicoco, and the security guy at Tropicoco must feel comfortable to allow the chicas in.

Therefore, Tropicoco is not really a desirable option as a "base" becauseI have to pay for the casa any way all the time. I should use a nice casa with air conditioning and hot shower.

Many thanks.

Can I bring a girl from Guanabo Club / Guanimar back to the Hotel Tropicoco? Of course, I have to pay the 20 CUC bribe to the security.

I do not think it is going to work. The chica may not want to come to Tropicoco, the security guy may not allow as he does not know the chica. Also you must have heard that the security will always knock on the door by early morning and ask the chica to leave. I have never done taking chica to Tropicoco and do not know anyone else who has done this. So I will let others to answer.

Can chica spend the night at the hotel? Is there a logistic problem for this? I am familiar with the bar scene at Bangkok and Sosua? Is there any difference? I would imagine I do not need to pay salida or barfine to take a chica out of the club.

Big difference, like day and night.

-Girls do not work for the bar, so no bar fine in Cuba, infact no one there even heard this word. No such thing called lady drink.

-There is no mamasan, the bar servers might do 50% of mamsan work if you are lucky, but you do not need them to get chicas.

- It is a police state, Chica's are scared of the cop. If your chica is not scared of them, do not think you are lucky to have got a brave one, as she is a hardcore puta who is paying regular bribes to cops or her protector pays bribes to cops.

I am just not comfortable to sleep at the Casa that driver / chica prefers. Not want to be mugged.

Comfort is a personal thing. I never heard of any one being mugged. The small streets, sometimes poorly paved roads thru some fields and the macho drivers can scare someone who is not a bit adventurous. But if you are my brother, I will tell you to go and stay in a casa without any worries in Cuba.

[Taboc]

Can I bring a girl from Guanabo Club / Guanimar back to the Hotel Tropicoco? Of course, I have to pay the 20 CUC bribe to the security.

I do not think it is going to work. The chica may not want to come to Tropicoco, the security guy may not allow as he does not know the chica. Also you must have heard that the security will always knock on the door by early morning and ask the chica to leave. I have never done taking chica to Tropicoco and do not know anyone else who has done this. So I will let others to answer.

Can chica spend the night at the hotel? Is there a logistic problem for this? I am familiar with the bar scene at Bangkok and Sosua? Is there any difference? I would imagine I do not need to pay salida or barfine to take a chica out of the club.

Big difference, like day and night.

-Girls do not work for the bar, so no bar fine in Cuba, infact no one there even heard this word. No such thing called lady drink.

-There is no mamasan, the bar servers might do 50% of mamsan work if you are lucky, but you do not need them to get chicas.

- It is a police state, Chica's are scared of the cop. If your chica is not scared of them, do not think you are lucky to have got a brave one, as she is a hardcore puta who is paying regular bribes to cops or her protector pays bribes to cops.

I am just not comfortable to sleep at the Casa that driver / chica prefers. Not want to be mugged.

Comfort is a personal thing. I never heard of any one being mugged. The small streets, sometimes poorly paved roads thru some fields and the macho drivers can scare someone who is not a bit adventurous. But if you are my brother, I will tell you to go and stay in a casa without any worries in Cuba.

[StrawBoy]

Can I bring a girl from Guanabo Club / Guanimar back to the Hotel Tropicoco? Of course, I have to pay the 20 CUC bribe to the security.

Can chica spend the night at the hotel? Is there a logistic problem for this? I am familiar with the bar scene at Bangkok and Sosua? Is there any difference? I would imagine I do not need to pay salida or barfine to take a chica out of the club.

I am just not comfortable to sleep at the Casa that driver / chica prefers. Not want to be mugged.

Just one clarification. Taramar can be a hit or miss too. Last time it was closed too.

[Taboc]

Just one clarification. Taramar can be a hit or miss too. Last time it was closed too.

This is great for a newbie like me. Many thanks.