Havana

[Mondo707]

I'm no great Havana expert, as I've only been one time, but it seem like the place you are lookign at is too far West if your focus is Vedado street action. If that is your focus I'd stay within a few blocks of the Havana Libre Hotel.

However, you appear to be walking distance to some of the clubs like Don Cangrejo and Fabrica De Arte and much closer to clubs like Fantaxy and Mio why Tuyo than you'd be if you were down in Central Vedado. So if your focus is on the best clubs then your place might not be such a bad choice. I've never been to either one but it seems like our man Ramon had some good success at the former.

I could be wrong so maybe some of the more experienced Cuba hands can weight in.

Also a question: When I asked to arrange a ride form the airport my Casa owner told me that I'd be best off taking one of the official yellow taxis and that it would only cost me 30 CUC. Is that accurate? Last time I was in Havana my casa owner took me to and form airport and I can't remember what he charged me (I think it was 25-30 cuc).

Hey Uncle V.

I agree with your perspective on the location. I stay a couple of blocks from the Hotel Nacional on the Malecon and find it best for my mongering activities.

Now if on the other hand one rents a car then it's not so much of an issue as far as the location.

As far as airport rides, it costs $25 from the airport to the city and $20 going to the airport from Vedado, mid city area. Always get pricing in advance.

Mondo.

[Mondo707]

It has been reported this is a good spot to hang out during the daytime or early evening and meet some chicas.

Is that correct?

Amy more input about this?

Any other similar and also very good spots for this?

Thanks!

Hey MJT,

I quite didn't make it to Tablazo since the places in that area where heavily damaged from the water surge from Irma. I was told that water surged past a lot of the places that line the front of the Malecon in this area.

I went to the Jazz cafe a couple of Fridays ago after leaving La Esencia and the place was closed cause of damage to the A / C.

Maybe someone who's there this week can report more recent news for this joint.

Mondo.

[Mondo707]

To all of the veterans out here please be bare with me when I ask this but: Has anybody had a lot of success in these places recently (in the past few months)?

1. Bolabana.

2. El Tocoror.

3. Las Piedras (after hours spot. I heard it's good on Fridays and Sundays).

4. Shangri La.

5. Up and Down.

6. Centro Cultural*"El Sauce" (7. "Rio Blanco" on the 14th floor of Hotel St John's mentioned by Grownman1 (I heard Wednesday nights are good).

8. "Ribera Azul" disco at the basement of Deauville Hotel (Wednesday is Ladies Night).

9. La Esencia mentioned by Mondo707.

10. El Gato Tuerto (Vedado).

I know I know. RTFF. I did. TIA you guys.

Hey Ramone,

I went with another monger from this forum which we met in la Habana a couple of Fridays ago.

I was told as I have reported here before that Friday was happening and indeed it was. The thing is as you all know money (CUC) is hard to come by for the locals so on Fridays this place has a "happy hour" and the locals flock to this joint for the 1/2 price drinks / booze.

I think by reading your posts you have the game to score here since there are lots of civies in the joint, not necessarily the jineteras that you find at St. John's or other joints but with some game and an offer to buy her a drink or two I'm sure you'll be able to have some take out.

Just make sure to get there early since after the happy hour the younger crowd seems to thin out and hotness levels goes down.

Mondo.

[Mondo707]

Quick question, is any part of the Malecon closed due to flooding? I have been told that cars can't drive on the main road that goes up and down the Malecon, andrea the police are enforcing this. If this is the case, I wonder how it's affecting the crowds of people that hang there at night.

BTW, headed down on the 15th, can't wait!

Hey CH,

I just got back from Cuba last night and the Malecon is open for business, LOL.

I got there on the 27th and it was closed for about 4 days after I arrived since the water had seeped underneath and some of the pavement had collapsed. It reopened in about 4 days once they fixed all the pavement.

Mondo.

[Mondo707]

The best app for Havana, walking or driving is Maps. Me (android, not sure of IOS), it is incredible, at home in the USA I created my favorites and saved it in different categories, IE: monger, bars, restaurant, tourism etc. As you know google offline map doesn't work.

Important tip for people going. When you are at the airport, cross the street over from arrival and you will see shops, there are another set of shops behind these shops. You can't tell, but go behind it and you will see. Buy your internet cards here and your daily rental of sim card. This tip will save you hours trying to find internet card or paying double or triple from the hustlers. You can rent sim card for 3 cuc per day and min of 3 days. Also don't forget to put at least 10 cuc as a balance.

and its not easy to ETESCSA office.

Hey TNJ,

Good advice.

I'll ad that before this trip I used to rent out a Sim card from the place where I stay, happens that this time when I emailed them to confirm my dates they said the Sim rental was going to be $3 CUC daily (before they would rent it for $2 CUC daily). I thought to myself, fuck it and figured a way to get my own (actually not my own since it's on someone else name) I have a contact in la Habana and emailed him so he'd get a tele # line for me which he did so now I have my own # in Cuba which as long as I recharge before the end of the year (one year's time after I leave).

It cost me $30 for the line + $10 for minutes when you get the line. Since I stayed 15 days this time it's cheaper than renting the Sim card and from now on I have my own # contact.

Also, there is a place here in the states (prolly more than one) where you can recharge your # and for about $21 USD you get $50 added to your Cuba line #. You get $20 that last you a year and a bonus of $30 which last you around a month, after which if you don't use the bonus minutes expire.

In my case I have $30 on my line and they won't expired till the end of 2018 so this way I can manage and ext time I go back and don't need the hassle of having to do this in Cuba.

BTW, to get a permanent line in Cuba you have to be a Cuban national, that means living in Cuba or for some Cubans that keep their status as Cubans since they go back every so often in order not to lose their country privileges.

Mondo.

[Mondo707]

I have been to many countries over 75, know the monger scene well. I don't post here often, but since reading your posts I was looking forward to opening my laptop and heading straight to this forum to read about you adventures, since many things you have done I did it as well.

If you go to Coppelia park across from Habana Libre hotel, or any of the Wifi park its easy picking, they are not pro and happy with 20-30 CUC and they stay for hours. If they are takling to you its almost done deal, if they ignore you move to the next girl.

A poster asked where to stay? I would recommend Vedado to be more precise pick a place around Habana Libre, its close to Coppelia Park, and you can walk around the Melacon, restaurants and easy straight ride to old town or Miramar. You are also near Habana University, walk there and start talking to them at a small park and a bus stop front of the University. Must go to Colina Hotel very near the University and sit on the sidewalk Cafe and have a coffee or a beer and watch many girls walk by from the university.

Hey MJT,

Agree with you wholeheartedly about where to stay. Myself I stay by the Malecon near the US embassy and I walk to most places you mention with no sweat, well I should say with lots of sweat, humidity is a ***** in Cuba anytime prolly till the end of November.

Mondo.

[Mondo707]

I want all of our trips to Cuba to be as enjoyable as possible so please allow me to try to contribute to this cause as much as I can. So without further ado; Mony's Tips for Fellow Newbies:

1. Remember that we always have leverage over these chicks. The average wage is $20-$30 a month. Don't cave in when negotiating. Be firm and be prepared to walk away from a girl if you don't agree to their terms. Don't put pussy on a pedestal.

2. Logically the closer to the time that a club is going to close you probably have a better chance on getting a better deal from the girls.

3. Even if I never intended to hook up with these girl for that partifular night I tried to get as many #s as I could from them (girls) that I liked (with a brief description by their name) so I could try to hook up with them later on.

4. When negotiating on a price try to make sure that you both know what your expectations are of that girl. If you want two "leches" (orgasm 2 times) than be explicit and ask her if she is OK with that. Do the same thing for specific things like BBJ (if a girl says that she doesn't do that she is full of sh*t), anal sex, CIM or COF. Don't assume anything when it comes to what you are expecting from the sex. Always make it clear what you want from the girl.

5. I strongly recommend that you do your homework and pick a place that you can bring in multiple guests without any problems. I remember reading Trip Reports from some of the "old timers" (before AirnBnb was available for Cuba) how they had just to play it by hear once they are in Cuba (and maybe at one point we all still might have to in the future for one reason or another). Ideally a private apartment is what you are looking for. If you have a place that the owner is living in the same building you will have to get a feel of the owner to see how stringent they are when it comes to making your guests sign in (its required). I have read of some about laid back owners and have read of some that are strict (by the book).

6. If it turns out that you have can't bring in a girl (because that girl doesn't want to sign in) ask around for a "casa particular" so you can have a temporarily place to bang this chick.

7. Watch out for hustlers. If some jinetero you know is trying to you hustle just tell them no and walk away. Don't feel compelled to act that you have to listen to what they want to tell you. Just say something like sorry and walk away. Remember the hustle is always on in Cuba. Don't let these assholes try to get over you.

8. If getting change back back and you used CUC (chavitos) make sure that you get CUC currency; NOT CUPs.

9. IF you are in a club don't feel compelled to buy drinks for a "chupa chupa" (chick trying to get you to buy her and her girlfriends free drinks). Fuck that. You're not a walking ATM machine.

10. The more Spanish the better. Just the cold hard folks fellas. If you don't know any Spanish just like what Uncle Volodya said I recommend downloading a translation app that you can you use offline.

11. The app that helpd me tremendously to navigate Havana offline was an app called "Map of Cuba Offline" in Google Play. For iPhone users I am sure they have that for you guys. Even offline I was able to use GPS to help me.

12. Make sure all of your valuables are locked when you have a girl over. Don't let any girls give you drinks.

13. Once you are home with the girl I highly recommend that you show the girl the money that you will give her and than put away it somewhere because once they have their hands on the money they might not be feel compelled to service you as much as you want them to.

14. If during sex something happens and you have to send them home give them a portion of the total amount of the money you too agreed to. For example if you 2 agree to 2 "leches" for $70 and after your first leche she is bitching about going home than just give her $35 because she didn't fulfill her end of the bargain.

15. IF need be and you are in a conflict with a girl that you can't resolve you can always threaten to call the police and girl will think twice about whatever she is trying to do against you.

16. If you think you can pick up a girl without any help don't let some dip'shit there be pushy and talk to a girl for you cause he will be expecting a tip from you.

17. Don't neglect the day time game.

18. Go back and read other entries in this website for more advice.

19. Remember to keep the pimp hand strong.

Hey Ramone,

Excellent advice. Just got back and been reading your reports and others and seems like you hit the sweet spot of mongering in la Habana, LOL. Congrats.

One other piece of advice whenever you get in a taxi make sure you get a quote beforehand. Seems like common sense but since taxis there don't have meters, drivers tend to try and jack up their rates unless you get a quote.

Mondo.

[Mondo707]

I have been to this place several times. This is a cool place and the girls are top notch. If you walk in you cannot walk out within few minutes with the girl. The girl will be barred from entering. They want you to spend around 1 1/2 2 hours at the place, buying drinks etc.

Its a trendy spot, so dress nice, and people don't bother or judge you. The article is biased the outside courtyard can get crowded, however the security (many) will politely ask repeatedly throughout the night to keep it low and don't talk loud. There are signs posted all over the courtyard to keep quiet to respect the neighborhood.

However, the place gets lined up with the taxis and the residential neighbors can see it as a problem. I was very surprised to see this place and wondering how this can exist in the middle of millions dollars homes. I got the answer reading the articel.

Anyway, I would go there again, I like the place and security is tight, and the bartender, manager are nice people, no one bothers you. My last trip was around the time Irma hit Havana, prior to that I was there few weeks back. I am going for the 3rd trip next week. I went to Cuba 3 times in the last 45 days. Great place, tricky to navigate and understand the logistic and the layout.

Hey TNJ,

I just came back from la Habana and have to agree with your description of Fantaxy. I went there with another monger and the place was full of 7's and up on the hotness scale averaging around 8 I'd say.

Mondo.

[MjTravelLove]

Cafeteria Sofia on La Rampa has lots of girls. They have good live music too.

The outdoor cafe at Hotel Colina also attracts some girls as well.

A stroll up the Prado will also get you cat calls from working girls. But it will be hard to find anyone that is really attractive. At least IMHO.

Again, this is going on just my experience from one trip and I'm sure I am missing many good places.

Yes, those are all good spots. They used to be even better, although I get tired of hearing people say that. So I apologize -- let's enjoy it for what it is.

Colina is OK, but mostly older ladies who are fun to drink with but not as fuck to get with. Just my experience.

I am looking for more off the beaten path options, bars, neighborhoods, etc.

Somebody saiud TABLAZO is a good spot. Is that even true?

[Adventurer1]

Also a question: When I asked to arrange a ride form the airport my Casa owner told me that I'd be best off taking one of the official yellow taxis and that it would only cost me 30 CUC. Is that accurate? Last time I was in Havana my casa owner took me to and form airport and I can't remember what he charged me (I think it was 25-30 cuc).

Some months ago I paid 25 cuc (no official taxi) and when I returned paid 20 cuc but he was my driver for the past days.

[Uncle Volodya]

Agreed. I really wish we could get more advice and input and reports on here.

Promise to do my part after my next trip.

For now, can people report the BEST EARLY EVENING SPOTS for picking up chicas?

Cafeteria Sofia on La Rampa has lots of girls. They have good live music too.

The outdoor cafe at Hotel Colina also attracts some girls as well.

A stroll up the Prado will also get you cat calls from working girls. But it will be hard to find anyone that is really attractive. At least IMHO.

Again, this is going on just my experience from one trip and I'm sure I am missing many good places.

[MjTravelLove]

This thread is like a ghost town all of a sudden.

Agreed. I really wish we could get more advice and input and reports on here.

Promise to do my part after my next trip.

For now, can people report the BEST EARLY EVENING SPOTS for picking up chicas?

I hear Tabalzo is a good hangout.

I know of all the spots and 23rd La Rampa.

But where else?

[Uncle Volodya]

This thread is like a ghost town all of a sudden.

[Uncle Volodya]

Thanks for the tip Ty Down, the location is very central. We did find this unit as I said in my post which looks really modern and nice, but I hope the location is not too far west. Thanks.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1967781...en=0&infants=0

I'm no great Havana expert, as I've only been one time, but it seem like the place you are lookign at is too far West if your focus is Vedado street action. If that is your focus I'd stay within a few blocks of the Havana Libre Hotel.

However, you appear to be walking distance to some of the clubs like Don Cangrejo and Fabrica De Arte and much closer to clubs like Fantaxy and Mio why Tuyo than you'd be if you were down in Central Vedado. So if your focus is on the best clubs then your place might not be such a bad choice. I've never been to either one but it seems like our man Ramon had some good success at the former.

I could be wrong so maybe some of the more experienced Cuba hands can weight in.

Also a question: When I asked to arrange a ride form the airport my Casa owner told me that I'd be best off taking one of the official yellow taxis and that it would only cost me 30 CUC. Is that accurate? Last time I was in Havana my casa owner took me to and form airport and I can't remember what he charged me (I think it was 25-30 cuc).

[StudBucket]

Hey there Stud, been to Havana several times, this is my own personnel top rated place to stay in Havana. Casa Alejandro - https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...ince_Cuba.html.

It's more or less private, 3 bedroom apartment on the 16th floor right on the Malecon, and about a 2 minute walk to the Melia Cohiba Motel. When I say "more or less private" that is to say that Alejandro and the house cleaner come by every morning around 9 am to clean and cook breakfast, if there are any chicas still hanging around they will ask for their ID, and any self respecting chica don't play that game, if you get my drift. The upside of this, is the fact that Alejandro and the cleaning lady leave around lunch time. Then it's on like a neck bone!

http://bestcubaguide.com/portfolio-i...ent-apartment/

Thanks for the tip Ty Down, the location is very central. We did find this unit as I said in my post which looks really modern and nice, but I hope the location is not too far west. Thanks.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1967781...en=0&infants=0