Havana

[RamoneAustin]

What's in the below link has been implemented:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nati...136024378.html

I made my trip in January and went to Santa Clara. The owner of the casa I stayed at told me that in November 2017 all casa owners in Santa Clara were summoned to a mandatory meeting telling the owners that owners, sexual service providers and customers will be penalized if caught participating in prostitution. I talked to other casa owners and they confirmed this information. The likely tourist penalty would be a 3,000 CUC fine, and being held in jail until paid or one year, whichever comes first. I asked if I should stop coming to Cuba. The response was no, because being a generous boyfriend is one thing, participating in prostitution is another. What this means is that selecting one chica that you like and staying with her for your entire trip is one thing, having several chicas is prostitution. You could probably even get away with two, but you had better have a good story how you had a fight with your "novia" or "querida" and met someone new. I knew I had to choose carefully, so I spread the word around that I was lonely and over about three days, I get visits from several girls for "company". I finally met a cute, skinny, white 18 year old chica. When I made her an offer, she had to go ask her mother, who was apparently a friend of the casa owner. The girl reminded me that she has only been with one guy in her life and I needed to be careful with her..

With all due respect what are you talking about? I never had a problem with multiple chicas in 2017 or even the beginning if this year. Were you just in Havana? I'm confused here. Could you please clarify.

[TxSnake]

What's in the below link has been implemented:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nati...136024378.html

I made my trip in January and went to Santa Clara. The owner of the casa I stayed at told me that in November 2017 all casa owners in Santa Clara were summoned to a mandatory meeting telling the owners that owners, sexual service providers and customers will be penalized if caught participating in prostitution. I talked to other casa owners and they confirmed this information. The likely tourist penalty would be a 3,000 CUC fine, and being held in jail until paid or one year, whichever comes first. I asked if I should stop coming to Cuba. The response was no, because being a generous boyfriend is one thing, participating in prostitution is another. What this means is that selecting one chica that you like and staying with her for your entire trip is one thing, having several chicas is prostitution. You could probably even get away with two, but you had better have a good story how you had a fight with your "novia" or "querida" and met someone new. I knew I had to choose carefully, so I spread the word around that I was lonely and over about three days, I get visits from several girls for "company". I finally met a cute, skinny, white 18 year old chica. When I made her an offer, she had to go ask her mother, who was apparently a friend of the casa owner. The girl reminded me that she has only been with one guy in her life and I needed to be careful with her. I offered her 20 CUC for each occurrence of bareback. She was able to muster up to three times a day, but on some days asked if I would be satisfied with a day of companionship for no charge to let her body rest because she was sore. She spent most nights with me and I took her to Cienfuegos for three days as well. She had never been out of Villa Clara in her life and she told me that visting Cienfuegos was a dream come true for her.

I did indeed have an immigration officer come by and verify that I only have one guest stay with me during me entire stay.

[Mondo707]

This is very useful info. Thanks for posting.

Once you are in the Collectivo will he let you off anywhere along the route? Or only at fixed stops?

Hey Uncle,

If by colectivos you mean the Almendrones, they will pull over and drop you off once you tell them to. If on the other hand if by colectivos you mean the "taxi ruteros" they do have regular stops along their route just like buses do.

I understand there are certain areas were they are not supposed to stop (Almendrones) to pick up or drop passengers but for the most parts that is not the case.

Mondo.

[Uncle Volodya]

Not sure that the collectivos go to Habana vieja per se but they run from La Rampa through el centro along two routes. One runs up the prado and I think the other veers off to go up Galliano.

Just say Prado. They will ignore you or say no if they aren't going up the Prado or they will no yes if they are.
You can flag the collectivos down just about anywhere along their routes so long as it isn't a cluster fuck of a stop. They will ignore you and drive right by if they are full, if there are 3 people waiting and they have 1 seat or if they just don't feel like stopping.


Just get out somewhere along the Prado. Prado is the border between vieja and centro.

This is very useful info. Thanks for posting.

Once you are in the Collectivo will he let you off anywhere along the route? Or only at fixed stops?

[BeersTerry]

Is there a way to know what route they go? I suppose the answer is no because I saw a lot of locals flagging down the almendrones then not getting in. If I wanted to go from Avenida 23 to Habana Viejo, or vice versa, what would I look for?

Not sure that the collectivos go to Habana vieja per se but they run from La Rampa through el centro along two routes. One runs up the prado and I think the other veers off to go up Galliano.

Just say Prado. They will ignore you or say no if they aren't going up the Prado or they will no yes if they are.
You can flag the collectivos down just about anywhere along their routes so long as it isn't a cluster fuck of a stop. They will ignore you and drive right by if they are full, if there are 3 people waiting and they have 1 seat or if they just don't feel like stopping.


Just get out somewhere along the Prado. Prado is the border between vieja and centro.

[Fun Luvr]

Hey,

There are a couple of places where you'll see locals mainly flagging these Almendrones down. ...
Mondo.

Thanks for the info, Mondo. I may go back some time this year. A chica I met there wants me to return, but I haven't decided yet.

[Uncle Volodya]

Hey,

There are a couple of places where you'll see locals mainly flagging these Almendrones down. If you are going to Habana Vieja you'd want to catch the ones that go by the Malecon. So, right outside the Sofia or a couple of blocks towards the Malecon they'll pick people up and will head over to Habana Vieja. Once you are near where you want to get off just tap the driver and he'll stop and then handing him 10 CUP bill. In case you have no CUP hand him 1 CUC and he should give you back change worth 60 cents CUC or sometimes they just give you change back in CUP, in that case it's 15 CUP.

What you see locals asking for is the location they are headed and if it's not what they need they let it go. In your case you ask for Habana Vieja.

Coming back you find the street where locals are flagging down the cars and ask for Coppelia or La Rampa, pretty sure most go that way.

Mondo.

Great Info! I will gather up my stones and use these next trip. The gouging and haggling for basic trips around town is getting annoying.

I noticed that a lot of them stop outside the Havana Libre. I guess you have to ask the guy where he is going before jumping in?

There are sometimes some smoking Chicas taking these things. Asking where it goes is a great way to break the ice.

[Mondo707]

Is there a way to know what route they go? I suppose the answer is no because I saw a lot of locals flagging down the almendrones then not getting in. If I wanted to go from Avenida 23 to Habana Viejo, or vice versa, what would I look for?

Hey,

There are a couple of places where you'll see locals mainly flagging these Almendrones down. If you are going to Habana Vieja you'd want to catch the ones that go by the Malecon. So, right outside the Sofia or a couple of blocks towards the Malecon they'll pick people up and will head over to Habana Vieja. Once you are near where you want to get off just tap the driver and he'll stop and then handing him 10 CUP bill. In case you have no CUP hand him 1 CUC and he should give you back change worth 60 cents CUC or sometimes they just give you change back in CUP, in that case it's 15 CUP.

What you see locals asking for is the location they are headed and if it's not what they need they let it go. In your case you ask for Habana Vieja.

Coming back you find the street where locals are flagging down the cars and ask for Coppelia or La Rampa, pretty sure most go that way.

Mondo.

[Mr Gogo]

Is there a way to know what route they go? I suppose the answer is no because I saw a lot of locals flagging down the almendrones then not getting in. If I wanted to go from Avenida 23 to Habana Viejo, or vice versa, what would I look for?

I always start my night out about 8 pm walking from my casa in Havana Viejo to Sofia's on 23 Avenida. It's a beautiful 50 minute walk passing the lively people hanging out on the malecon. A taxi back is usually 5-7 CUC.

As far as catching one of the old cars late at night, not my thing. I like the taxi's that drive the old square Fiats. Those guys that drive the old Americano cars are not the friendliest IMO. One ran out of gas and still wanted me to pay him, I just walked away. Another claimed I gave him the wrong cash denomination. Trying to save 1-3 CUC at night dealing with hustlers is not worth it to me on vacation.

Mondo is correct that some have designated routes for locals. But unless you are a veteran traveling during the day I don't think they are worth it. Just pay 5-7 CUC at night for an air-conditioning ride directly where you are going.

[TwistedGreens]

Is it an issue getting girls to register their ID documents when inviting them over? One the airbnbs I am checking out is saying it needs to be done. It is great price and location, but if I can't bring chicas back. What's the point LOL.

I'm going to be in Havana 2nd week of April if any of you are around and can show me the ropes LOL.

[Fun Luvr]

These cars follow a set route so no asking for an specific address but if you are mainly going to La Rampa, Habana Vieja, Miramar along 3rd avenue or other routes you hop in (they usually carry 5 passengers) and the ride will set you back 10 CUP, that's. 40 cents USD, I've even payed the fare with CUC and get back the change in CUP!

Is there a way to know what route they go? I suppose the answer is no because I saw a lot of locals flagging down the almendrones then not getting in. If I wanted to go from Avenida 23 to Habana Viejo, or vice versa, what would I look for?

[Fun Luvr]

Great info!

I'm tired of getting gouged by the taxis every time.

How do you exchange CUCs for CUPs?

Will it work if your Spanish sucks and you are obviously not a local?

Go to one of the cadecas. The banks may also exchange CUP's for CUC's, but the line at the cadeca is usually shorter. I used the cadeca next door to a bank on Avenida 23, close to calle J. My Spanish is bad, and I surely don't look like a local, but I had no problem exchanging.

[Uncle Volodya]

Hey Grown / everybody.

I kind of guess most of the old time mongers know this strategy. For those who don't here it goes.

Almendrones, those are the mostly American relics from the 40's and 50's that have set routes on the most travel streets and run mostly thru the main streets in la Habana, I. E. Linea, Calle 23 and so on.

These cars follow a set route so no asking for an specific address but if you are mainly going to La Rampa, Habana Vieja, Miramar along 3rd avenue or other routes you hop in (they usually carry 5 passengers) and the ride will set you back 10 CUP, that's. 40 cents USD, I've even payed the fare with CUC and get back the change in CUP!

They have never ever asked me if I was a Cubano or foreigner, so no worries there as long as they get paid. I always exchange some CUC's for CUP's.

Cadecas or banks will exchange your money, no questions asked.

They run around the clock but frequency drops late at night since there is not much demand.

Also, there is a minibus called Taxi rutero that does the same thing but charges only 5 CUP and runs on a set schedule.

Hope this helps some of you mongers willing to mix it up with the locals. LOL.

Mondo.

Great info!

I'm tired of getting gouged by the taxis every time.

How do you exchange CUCs for CUPs?

Will it work if your Spanish sucks and you are obviously not a local?

[Mondo707]

The gringo text is anywhere between eight to 10 cuc per ride. It doesn't seem like much but when you're only driving 3 to 5 miles you understand how they get over. Hell we even decided to take the horse one day and they still wanted to charge us 10 cuc for a five minute ride. I told the guy only if he gives the horse a break and ride us on his back for 15 cuc.

Hey Grown / everybody.

I kind of guess most of the old time mongers know this strategy. For those who don't here it goes.

Almendrones, those are the mostly American relics from the 40's and 50's that have set routes on the most travel streets and run mostly thru the main streets in la Habana, I. E. Linea, Calle 23 and so on.

These cars follow a set route so no asking for an specific address but if you are mainly going to La Rampa, Habana Vieja, Miramar along 3rd avenue or other routes you hop in (they usually carry 5 passengers) and the ride will set you back 10 CUP, that's. 40 cents USD, I've even payed the fare with CUC and get back the change in CUP!

They have never ever asked me if I was a Cubano or foreigner, so no worries there as long as they get paid. I always exchange some CUC's for CUP's.

Cadecas or banks will exchange your money, no questions asked.

They run around the clock but frequency drops late at night since there is not much demand.

Also, there is a minibus called Taxi rutero that does the same thing but charges only 5 CUP and runs on a set schedule.

Hope this helps some of you mongers willing to mix it up with the locals. LOL.

Mondo.

[GrownMan1]

How cheap or expensive is 15 minute taxi ride? I heard it is cheaper to rent a van if you have a 8 person group and hire a driver. Is that true?

The gringo text is anywhere between eight to 10 cuc per ride. It doesn't seem like much but when you're only driving 3 to 5 miles you understand how they get over. Hell we even decided to take the horse one day and they still wanted to charge us 10 cuc for a five minute ride. I told the guy only if he gives the horse a break and ride us on his back for 15 cuc.