Havana

[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

[Ty Down]

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!

Tablaza is near the UP and DOWN CLUB, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQgsmBxJsfM.

EDIT; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCwlyZbbA48

[MjTravelLove]

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!

[RamoneAustin]

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.

[Ty Down]

Hi Gents,

Looking forward to visiting Havana in November with my friends, and I will post a trip report. I have read the last 60 pages of the forum, and it seems there are several areas within Havana one can stay such as Vedado, Miramar, La Habana, Old Havana, etc. I think we narrowed it down to Vedado as a good area to stay as it seems many of the discos, clubs, and bars seem to be located in Vedado or Miramar other than a handful like Salon Rojo which are near the eastern part of Vedado. We found a nice place and considering pulling the trigger, it is on the border of Miramar and Vedado near Avenida 1ra and Avendia 3ra, by a restaurant called Rio Mar. We are uncertain if this area is not convenient for daytime action as my friend thinks its best to be near Avenida 23 where the Malecon meets as he read there are plenty of street activity and people there. My feeling is that we can take a cab to that area during the day if we had to. But at night we should be near the clubs if possible. We are pretty confused as Vedado is rather large itself from east to west. Can anyone narrow down, the best streets to be close to for being central to the action to stay in? Our criteria is proximity to nightclub and day spots where girls hang out, plenty of restaurants, safe neighborhood. Thanks for your help.

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/

[StudBucket]

Hi Gents,

Looking forward to visiting Havana in November with my friends, and I will post a trip report. I have read the last 60 pages of the forum, and it seems there are several areas within Havana one can stay such as Vedado, Miramar, La Habana, Old Havana, etc. I think we narrowed it down to Vedado as a good area to stay as it seems many of the discos, clubs, and bars seem to be located in Vedado or Miramar other than a handful like Salon Rojo which are near the eastern part of Vedado. We found a nice place and considering pulling the trigger, it is on the border of Miramar and Vedado near Avenida 1ra and Avendia 3ra, by a restaurant called Rio Mar. We are uncertain if this area is convenient to nightlife and action. Would anyone be able to comment if this is a good location ? Can anyone narrow down, the best streets to be close to for being central to the action to stay in case we are too far from the action ? Our criteria is proximity to nightclub and day spots where girls hang out, plenty of restaurants, safe neighborhood. Thanks for your help.

[RamoneAustin]

I came across this night club while online and was just wondering if anyone has heard of it before. It's on the same block as Dos Gardenias (Calle 28 and 5 ta. Avenida)? I am guessing it's nothing special. Any Intel on this place?

[RamoneAustin]

Wow you must have Big nuts! I enjoyed the report. I've never seen a first timer so well-prepared.

Thanks Grownman1 and Ee2002. I appreciate it. All of the past posts from all you guys were very invaluable to me. "BIG UPS" to all of you guys! And Ee2002 I bet you had a pretty audacious kick ass trip. Big nuts? More like shit for brains but I got some good advice in that aspect of my preparation. Please remember to keep the pimp hand strong fellas.

[GrownMan1]

Sammytheman means Adderall (metamphatamine). I took about 3 pills with my "Molly" and had them in wallet. Thanks man I appreciate it. Remember to "keep the Pimp hand strong".

Wow you must have Big nuts! I enjoyed the report. I've never seen a first timer so well-prepared.

[Ee2002]

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!

I just recently returned from there. The Malecon was closed when I arrived, but by mid Sunday (10/01) it was back in business. I walked the whole route from the National Hotel to Old Havana and it's back to normal. Looks like some section of the wall had been repaired. You can see some damaged buildings along the route, but not too bad. The two outdoor restaurants across from the Malecon just east of Galiano were closed due to damage. The first couple of nights the police were conducting sweeps pushing people away from the Malecon and up La Rampa, which affected the action on La Rampa. Lots of police presence, but it was the typical cat and mouse game. Some chicas played the game and some just chilled.

Not too many tourist in Havana. The flights to and from were less than half full. Still able to get action on La Rampa and the Malecon in the same price range 25-40 cuc. Not much to report as far as my activities, pretty much stuck to La Rampa and the Malecon. After a saga like Austin, mine can't even compare. BTW, great trip report Ramone Austin.