Havana

[Edye Minetye]

Cuba is safe, but not incredible save.

Three things happened to me and my fiancee last year.

1. Pickpocked in Tikoa.

For the first time in Tikoa with two chica's on a Saturday night with lots of people in the bar.

Upon arrival we stood in the corner near the toilet.

I went to the bar to buy beer, and walked back among the crowd while simultaneously holding 3 cans of beer in front of my stomach in both hands.

We drank our beer and a girl asked me to buy cigarettes.

Then I missed my purse that was stolen while I came back with the beer in my hands.

The purse was in the front pocket of my jeans while my shirt hung over the jeans.

I took a taxi to my home in Havana Viega to get new money, and to lead the second time to Tikoa with the same taxi and the same girls.

Again three beers but now two beers in one hand and one beer in the other. With my arms down, in front of my pockets.

As I walked back among the people to the girls, a person lifted my shirt to reach the pocket of my jeans!

2. Stolen Celurar in Neptuno.

I bought a celular for my novia and a few weeks later her bag containing the celular was stolen by a chico on foot at 5 pm in Neptuno at broad daylight.

Before she realized what was happening, the boy had disappeared in a side street.

I think the boy saw that she was using the phone and putting it in her bag.

3 Attempted theft with knife.

I was at the Prado in Asturia that Tuesday evening.

The good days of Asturia are over, so little chicas are present and not of the desired quality.

After closing Asturia I walked to my house just 3 blocks away.

Two blocks on the Prado and one block in a side street.

In the side street I heard footsteps behind me from running people.

I didn't look back because I felt completely safe in Cuba.

Then two chicos grabbed me and tried to pull me down.

They hung around my neck but were not strong enough.

I weigh 90 kg and the young boys maybe 60 kg.

I dragged them on while they were hanging on my neck and I screamed as loud as I could.

One of the boys said "No grita" and I screamed louder.

One held his hand over my mouth and his finger came between my jaws. I bet his finger with all the power that I had.

In the meantime I had towed them 8 or 10 meters and we arrived at the Consulado intersection. Around the corner two Cubans were sitting on the doorstep of their house.

When the chicos saw the Cubans, they fled.

At home in my room I saw some blood on my bed. I wondered where that came from and then I noticed that I had two stab wounds. One at the front at the height of my heart, and one at the top next to the spine.

Because of the adrenaline I did not feel the wounds.

I did not want to leave the house to go to a medical post and the next day I went to the police who took me to a hospital where the wounds were stitched. They were not that deep.

It was a small knife and the boys were not professionals.

In terms of safety in Cuba, the following applies:

Havana is safe during the day and in the evening.

At night there is only safety in the main streets, where people almost always walk, or sit in front of their house.

The side streets are dangerous on weekdays from 12 am.

And on weekends from 1 o'clock in the night.

Then you always have to be transported by taxi or bicitaxi.

I walked from Asturia to my house almost 100 times and nothing ever happened.

But then I always had a chica by my side.

[Muzungufotsy]

He got "accused" of having sex with a couple girls. Real young girls. That's all it takes.

https://www.cp24.com/news/benjamin-t...wyer-1.4568132

First time I hear about this kind of accusation in Cuba. Setup or not? Weird anyway.

[Mr Gogo]

Hey Chris,

Man, amen to your post. Btw, I'm heading down for the Habana Jazz fest in January. Let me know if by chance you'll be there, I'll buy you a Cristal.

Mondo.

Hey Mondo,

Can you give more info on the jazz festival in January. Thanks.

[Chris H]

Hey Chris,

Man, amen to your post. Btw, I'm heading down for the Habana Jazz fest in January. Let me know if by chance you'll be there, I'll buy you a Cristal.

Mondo.

I will definitely reach out if I am there in January. Can never get enough of Havana!

[Chris H]

I agree that some Mongers may not find Cuba worth the "risks" involved. But these risks have more to do with wasted time and opportunity costs (as I, Chris H and many others have iterated this is not Point and shoot like Thailand) than with risks to personal safety. Liek Chris was saying I have never felt unsafe in Havana.

But with these risks can also come nice rewards too.

Stay horny my friends.

Uncle-V.

P.S.: I will be back in Havana / Cuba November 14-23.

See you there. I will be in Havana, November 8th thru the 16th.

[Uncle Volodya]

I still believe that Cuba is not worth the risks. I can find better somewhere else.

I agree that some Mongers may not find Cuba worth the "risks" involved. But these risks have more to do with wasted time and opportunity costs (as I, Chris H and many others have iterated this is not Point and shoot like Thailand) than with risks to personal safety. Liek Chris was saying I have never felt unsafe in Havana.

But with these risks can also come nice rewards too.

Stay horny my friends.

Uncle-V.

P.S.: I will be back in Havana / Cuba November 14-23.

[Mondo707]

I completely agree with you! Cuba is incredibly safe, and definitely safer than Columbia. People always on here trying to scare people away. SMH. I have been to Havana 12 times, about to make 13, and NEVER, EVER had any worries. I walk the streets alone all the time at night, with great results with the chicas. No issues with police or the locals. Scary cats stay away, that's more pussy for me and my boys!

Hey Chris,

Man, amen to your post. Btw, I'm heading down for the Habana Jazz fest in January. Let me know if by chance you'll be there, I'll buy you a Cristal.

Mondo.

[MjTravelLove]

Hey guys, what are your preferred pickup spots for daytime and night?

La Rampa and Malecon have been noted.

Any specific bars? Clubs?

Anywhere in centro you think is good?

[Chris H]

I know some foreigners who got Cuban residence and live in Cuba for many years. I also know some guys who went where and never had problems, except minor problems with custom control. I remember 12 years ago in Caracas in the center of the city, two policemen demanded that I show them my bag. When they found there tylenol pills against headache, they claimed that it was drug and wanted took me into police station. I was lucky that my Venezuelan friend was nearby, he argued with police and they left me alone. Such shit never could happen in Cuba. If you was born in Cuba, then probably yes, you actually can have more risks than foreigner, because Cuban official tend to kind of think and treat you as you are still Cuban.

The same with me. I feel in Russia there I was born, less safety than foreigners who go there, although I know better about dangers places.

I completely agree with you! Cuba is incredibly safe, and definitely safer than Columbia. People always on here trying to scare people away. SMH. I have been to Havana 12 times, about to make 13, and NEVER, EVER had any worries. I walk the streets alone all the time at night, with great results with the chicas. No issues with police or the locals. Scary cats stay away, that's more pussy for me and my boys!

[Ty Down]

What happened to this Canadian guy?

He got "accused" of having sex with a couple girls. Real young girls. That's all it takes.

https://www.cp24.com/news/benjamin-t...wyer-1.4568132

[Muzungufotsy]

You're right about everything being known in Cuba, specially where foreigners are involved, you can bet that they even have cameras in the houses you people stay (1984 at its best).

I know Cuban women are hot and all, but with so many places where we can find hot women (Colombia comes to mind: beautiful women, cleaner and cheaper), Is it really worth going through all that hustle just to have sex with a woman?

I have more reasons than must of you to go Cuba (families and friends) and it'd be easier for me to monger there, but I don't go, in my view is not worth the risks, one day they might need you for "something" and if you refuse, you could end up like that Canadian guy they just gave 10 years in jails for something he didn't do, because you don't need to something to get in deep trouble in Cuba, all it takes is for them to say you did!

Be careful out there guys!

What happened to this Canadian guy?

[MjTravelLove]

Guys, where are the best places to look and find nice chicas?

Assume I know the usual spots on La Rampa (gruta and all of the other spots. Lots of chicas, but even more police which sort of ruins the fun), Esencia, King Bar (both seem better for regular girls), and some other places in Vedado.

Obviously the Malecon is a great spot on weekends.

But what bars / areas / etx are you all finding the best chicas these days? I am looking for some new places to roam.

I am especially interested in where in Centro you recommend? I know it is a bit "raw" in Centro, not many foreigners and rough around the edges, but that's what I like about it. There are a lot of hot girls there, but usually walking in the streets. Is there anywhere people congregate? Where should I go?

I'm just looking for the new best spots in Havana.

Thanks guys!

MjT.

[Ty Down]

You're right about everything being known in Cuba, specially where foreigners are involved, you can bet that they even have cameras in the houses you people stay (1984 at its best).

I know Cuban women are hot and all, but with so many places where we can find hot women (Colombia comes to mind: beautiful women, cleaner and cheaper), Is it really worth going through all that hustle just to have sex with a woman?

I have more reasons than must of you to go Cuba (families and friends) and it'd be easier for me to monger there, but I don't go, in my view is not worth the risks, one day they might need you for "something" and if you refuse, you could end up like that Canadian guy they just gave 10 years in jails for something he didn't do, because you don't need to something to get in deep trouble in Cuba, all it takes is for them to say you did!

Be careful out there guys!

Thank you Rebel. You're probably right about traveling to Cuba, as in, "don't go there". A couple years ago, I seriously considered never going to Cuba again. You can dig through some of my post here where I was ranting about the Police harassment.

I've have made several friends in Cuba, and have one main Chica who I really like, she is very beautiful and takes good care of me. I have met her family, good people. I'm going to try Cuba one more time this fall, if I don't feel comfortable, I'm done with Cuba.

Speaking of Colombia, I have been to Medellin a few times. Planning another trip to Cartagena for News Years. Just for the record, I feel safer in Cuba than I do in Colombia, as in the general population. But, I do not feel safe from the Cuban Police, if you get caught up in some kind of scam in Cuba, you're fucked. At least in Colombia, you do have a fighting chance.

[Lenin]

As long as you feel that way, keep going to Cuba with no worries!

I was born there and I don't feel safe in Cuba. The island has way too many criminals and you being an outsider they know that you have what they want (money), one day you'll go into the wrong alleyway, or end up like Benjamin Tomlin, and you'll find out the hard way that Cuba is not safe. How do you know that Cuba is safe? Maybe because they do not broadcast it on the news? Maybe because of the abundance of police where tourists hang (stick to that area, but then again you have to draw the jineteras from the hardened, controlled by the police ones)? Nothing over there is what you (as an outsider) see.

Colombia is perceived to be "unsafe" because people still judge it from the Escobar's era. I didn't feel any safety issued when I was there and I went to the "not so good areas," you know, where easy women were to be found.

I still believe that Cuba is not worth the risks. I can find better somewhere else.

I know some foreigners who got Cuban residence and live in Cuba for many years. I also know some guys who went where and never had problems, except minor problems with custom control. I remember 12 years ago in Caracas in the center of the city, two policemen demanded that I show them my bag. When they found there tylenol pills against headache, they claimed that it was drug and wanted took me into police station. I was lucky that my Venezuelan friend was nearby, he argued with police and they left me alone. Such shit never could happen in Cuba. If you was born in Cuba, then probably yes, you actually can have more risks than foreigner, because Cuban official tend to kind of think and treat you as you are still Cuban.

The same with me. I feel in Russia there I was born, less safety than foreigners who go there, although I know better about dangers places.

[Rebel Monger]

Are you talking about Canadian Benjamin Tomlin? I think such cases is very rare. Mostly, the Cuban police is very respectful to tourist. Also big advantage that Cuba in generally much safer than SA. You can walk alone at night and nothing would happen. I think you can get into much more others troubles in Columbia than in Cuba. Even much more in Venezuela.

As long as you feel that way, keep going to Cuba with no worries!

I was born there and I don't feel safe in Cuba. The island has way too many criminals and you being an outsider they know that you have what they want (money), one day you'll go into the wrong alleyway, or end up like Benjamin Tomlin, and you'll find out the hard way that Cuba is not safe. How do you know that Cuba is safe? Maybe because they do not broadcast it on the news? Maybe because of the abundance of police where tourists hang (stick to that area, but then again you have to draw the jineteras from the hardened, controlled by the police ones)? Nothing over there is what you (as an outsider) see.

Colombia is perceived to be "unsafe" because people still judge it from the Escobar's era. I didn't feel any safety issued when I was there and I went to the "not so good areas," you know, where easy women were to be found.

I still believe that Cuba is not worth the risks. I can find better somewhere else.