Havana

[RacShack]

I too have my doubts but all things considered I pulled the trigger and am arriving in Havana this Thursday August 20th. I will report my experiences and if my expectations were met.

"Just do it"! Even if cost is on par with other mongering waterholes I love the adventure and experience of visiting new places and seeing for myself how things work.

The Tall Man.

I've said it lots of time, I keep reading people paying 10 cuc for 1 HR Internet, it's 4 cuc 1 HR hotel Capri just walk up to lobby desk and they sell the cards their, if you know how to travel, you will have fun in Cuba, the last report he was walking for 2 hrs looking for casa, he must of passed at least 99 of them in two hrs! Do your homework and you will have a blast! Good times,

[The Tall Man]

Hi,

From what it seems the us dollar is 1 to 1 almost with the cuc. For mongering that doesn't seem cheap to me. If the average girl cost 50 cuc that's 50 usd. What do I have it right. I read the forums and club girls go from 50 to 150 cuc and street girls range from 50 cuc? Can someone help me understand the price structure its inconsistent and can't make up my mind if the trip is worth it. If I go I will add a full report.

I too have my doubts but all things considered I pulled the trigger and am arriving in Havana this Thursday August 20th. I will report my experiences and if my expectations were met.

"Just do it"! Even if cost is on par with other mongering waterholes I love the adventure and experience of visiting new places and seeing for myself how things work.

The Tall Man.

[Dandyist]

First, thank you to everyone who offered advice and patiently read through my posts.

I planned on staying a week but left after two days. I arrived at my hotel in Vedado at about 3 pm on July 30 after a transfer from Varadero airport. The area was packed with people sitting on the steps near the libre hotel. It was scorching hot and most of the tourists packed the hotel lobbies. Lots of Cubans everywhere of all ages. Lots of nice looking girls for sure.

I told my casa owner in central I'd be arriving around 4 pm, so I decided to walk there right after dropping off my luggage. Mistake. Super hot outside, all the stores I walked in seemed to be out of water, so I ended up just drinking lots of juice. Anyways, long story short, I tried to walk down Neptuno street but got lost and it ended up taking me two hours to find the casa. Should have just took a cab. When I arrived, casa owner was there but he told me apt was rented. You guys said this was common and likely known well in advance, so when he tried to refer me somewhere else I declined. I took a cab back to my hotel as I had to use the bathroom. Toilet had no water, oh well could be worse. You get what you pay for. They did a good job of killing the roaches, but not so much sweeping them up. Es Cuba!

Initially I wondered if this hotel was chica friendly, as it was a real dive. No such luck. A lot of employees sitting around in the tiny lobby and the side door had security 24/7. I bought a couple beers and hung around the patio bar for a few hours. Only had 1 lady asking for milk for her baby the first day, and a ton of guys asking me where I was from. Oddly I never had a girl approach me once and I never even really saw many police. Most of them were near the malecon preparing for carnival the next week.

I went to a very nice paladar two blocks away called la Pailla the Fonda. I had a pork chop dinner with rice and beans and a cristal for 7 cuc. Very delicious. I figured I would start thinking about girls the next day so I just went back to my hotel for the night and watched a naked and afraid marathon on discovery. Only had two English channels and ESPN was the other. Slept like crap that night as it was a Thursday and the music was loud outside and there were car horns honking until 2 am. Thankfully they didn't start again til 7 am.

The next day I walked up and down 23rd from the trip down to the malecon. Had a 11 am meeting with my tour rep at the hotel St. John but they didn't show. At that time I still planned on staying a week so I was a little disappointed. Spent the afternoon walking, buying beers (avg was about two cuc a can along la rampa). Lots of people around vying for WiFi signals. Got a few more leche for baby women, and a lot of guys with nice cell phones asking me how I was doing. One guy followed me for four blocks after I left the cadeca near Coppellia park. Scared the crap out of me. He stopped to talk to me eventually and I asked where I could find WiFi, he told me the Libre, then asked for five cucs. I told him to bugger off. BTW, one hour WiFi there was 10 cuc. I got 74 cuc for 100 cad at the cadeca BTW. Bank machines there as well, and beside the zorro jazz club. My debit card worked no problem.

Friday was another super hot day and people were everywhere. My general impression was most people were just doing their everyday things and not really aware of the tourists. 99% of the time someone talked to me I felt like I was being hassled. It is my fault as I know very little Spanish and a translator app doesn't cut it. Spanish is a must. If I was going to get laid it would have to be with a hardcore and I would have to rely on her to find a place to go as well. Long story short. No Spanish, first timer, look like a solo traveler = not good. As I already felt unsafe in a few circumstances I didn't feel like taking any risks just for sex with a hooker. So I gave up on the idea all together. Most of the girls I saw that were obvious hookers I would have felt pretty sleazy with, and the other girls wouldn't look my way. I went to the libre and booked a flight home at 8 am the next day. Cost me more for that flight home then it did for my round trip + hotel for the week. Spent $1500 to stay for two nights but lessoned learned. I just did not feel comfortable. I negotiated a cab from Havana to Varadero airport for 85 cuc. Took 1 1/2 hrs but comfortable.

In summation. I traveled solo, single male, been to Havana before in 2004. Lots of hustlers, very hot, prices for everything have gone way up. There are police but not tons everywhere. Never felt like they were watching me. Lots of beautiful girls in Vedado and centro. Not once was I approached by a girl aside for milk money. Spanish is a must. This place is not for newbies, it takes work, patience, and lowered expectations,. I think Adinga is spot on with his assessments. I had some very good food, people always smiled but otherwise busy with everyday stuff. Plan your trip well, have lots of casa options, travel with a partner, and expect hiccups. I'm sure it could be paradise for some, but for me I felt. Off.

So that's it. Not the glowing report we usually see but honest nonetheless.

Thanks again to Gogo, Adinga, and Taboc in particular.

[Jorgesos]

Hi,

From what it seems the us dollar is 1 to 1 almost with the cuc. For mongering that doesn't seem cheap to me. If the average girl cost 50 cuc that's 50 usd. What do I have it right. I read the forums and club girls go from 50 to 150 cuc and street girls range from 50 cuc? Can someone help me understand the price structure its inconsistent and can't make up my mind if the trip is worth it. If I go I will add a full report.

[Combo]

My sincere thanks to Taboc, MrSoulo, Cubiche and SirMarjAlot for your reply's and suggestions.

You all sum up the beach scene the same, what a hassle. Even a bit of a struggle getting a SW or club girl back to the casa.

Having mongered in many countries as long as I have little expectations and view the travel as just another experience in life's journey, when I have this mind set I typically come out of the visit at the other end just simply enjoying the adventure of it.

It sounds like I need to keep this same mindset in my travels to Cuba next week.

I recall back in 1999 to 2002 I had to pick either Brazil or Cuba, yes I chose Brazil and had a great time on a number of trips. Times have changed, the scene has changed in both countries. If I had to pick again I don't know if I would chose any different EVEN knowing what I know now how vastly things have changed in Cuba during the past +/- 15 years.

Thanks again!

The Tall Man.

15 years ago, IMO Brasil was hands down the best pick. Not just over Cuba, but probably over anywhere. For Cuba, the glory days were the 90's.

[Finnish Fucker]

Thanks for sharing. I just pulled the trigger for my first time in Havana August 20 to August 29.

Question, which part of Havana did you stay in? One hotel or casa or different locations?

Also, how do you dress in the nightclubs? Are jeans and short sleeve button shirts acceptable?

You mention the Tropicoco hotel and the beach, did you check out the beach scene infront of the hotel? Would you recommend a day and early evening visit to the beach to check out the available girls?

Thanks,

The Tall Man.

I stayed in a casa in Vedado. As other mongers already wrote about dress code, jeans and short sleeve shirts or t-shirts are ok for the clubs. At the moment it is hot like hell in Havana so forget about long sleeves.

The beach scene is a hit and miss. Policia, policia is an obstacle. Don't expect too much for the beach, just enjoy it as a beach and find your prey elsewhere.

[Taboc]

From central park you can take the air conditioned coach to Playa de Este, for 5 cuc return. Runs from 9 am to 6 pm every 40 minutes very comfortable and takes around 20 minutes also stopping at the fort on the way.

This bus is very comfortable, and better than the commuter buses in LA. It is also 5 CUC only for a return, actually I believe it is a day pass. Here is another option who are a bit adventurous. There are taxi collectivos running between Havana and the Playa at Tropicoco. They start from the corner of Havana train station which is about 5-10 minute walk from El Capitolio or about 15 minute walk from Parque Central. During the weekends, there is a taxi collectivo every 15 minute or so. During weekdays, not many, may be one an hour or many times none at all. However there are many of them going to Guanabo, so you can get off at the bus stop on Via Blanca. Just tell the driver you are going to the Playa at Tropicoco. You will probably the only yuma in the taxi as it is meant for Cubans. It costs 20 moneda national, or little less than 1 CUC one way. It is not the lesser cost that makes the difference, rather it is a cuban experience and the possibility to getting to know someone. On the way back, there are enough taxis during the weekend that start from the road parallel to playa or from the parking lot across. Same cost. During weekdays, you need to hike up the road to Via Blanca. After being in the sun, swimming, drinking a lot, I find it difficult to do on the return journey. So end up waiting for a taxi straight to Havana, or to Via Blanca and then flag off taxis returning from Guanabo. It is a hassle, for me it is worth it.

I can also write about a bus (#400) that costs 1 moneda national or I guess 4 cent US (my mind is going crazy doing this conversion, probably less than 5 cent) to the Via Blanca stop mentioned earlier. You can take this bus from a stop neat El Capitolio. Just ask people there, tell them bus numero 400. It would take forever to reach, getting seat during a weekend is like winning lottery, it is a little too much, so don't do that, I still do, you decide.

Just one more thing if y'all dont mind me saying this. All this cheap service is at the cost of those hard working cubans. By taking a bus, we are taking a seat away from a cuban who can only afford this to take his kids to the playa. So, please be mindful of this and be generous whenever you can. May be buy peanuts or sweets or whatever from the lady selling in a park, buy a beer for a guy who gives you good directions, if you are eating in the cuban window restaurants then tip the lady working there.

[The Tall Man]

My sincere thanks to Taboc, MrSoulo, Cubiche and SirMarjAlot for your reply's and suggestions.

You all sum up the beach scene the same, what a hassle. Even a bit of a struggle getting a SW or club girl back to the casa.

Having mongered in many countries as long as I have little expectations and view the travel as just another experience in life's journey, when I have this mind set I typically come out of the visit at the other end just simply enjoying the adventure of it.

It sounds like I need to keep this same mindset in my travels to Cuba next week.

I recall back in 1999 to 2002 I had to pick either Brazil or Cuba, yes I chose Brazil and had a great time on a number of trips. Times have changed, the scene has changed in both countries. If I had to pick again I don't know if I would chose any different EVEN knowing what I know now how vastly things have changed in Cuba during the past +/- 15 years.

Thanks again!

The Tall Man.

[Mr Gogo]

I went to a few clubs and there was no dress code, I wore sandals shorts and short sleeve shirt, simply because it was too hot to wear anything else, inside sangria la etc it is air conditioned.

From central park you can take the air conditioned coach to Playa de Este, for 5 cuc return. Runs from 9 am to 6 pm every 40 minutes very comfortable and takes around 20 minutes also stopping at the fort on the way.

It passes the Tropicano, the beach here gets packed. The last stop is the quietest Marazul or something it is called. There is a little hut that sells lovely pina colada for $1 - umbrella plus lounger was 4 cuc.

The beach here is very nice, lovely clean warm sea too.

I had one beauty walk pass me look round and smile, further down the beach she waved me to follow her, but not want to lose my base. But opportunities on the beach were far and few between, for me.

Man I love that hut that sells the piña coladas. The bus in front of Ingleterra hotel is 5 cuc as he just posted but it seemed like the ride was about 40 minutes but very comfortable.

Talking about weird shit with the beach; my first girl in Cuba I met at Santa Maria beach. She was there with another girl and a dude and they were playing in the water in front of me but completely ignored me. A dude who worked there saw me checking her out and asked if I wanted him to call her over. I responded no because I don't like dudes I don't know involved in my pussy hunt but as I'm saying no he invites her over. She said she was independent and just spending the day at the beach with friends and the guy was a cop. About 30 minutes later the girl and I were on the bus headed to her Casa particular in Centro Havana. Over the next 3 visits I would often see her working Prada and this made me think. Before the guy at the beach called her over she wouldn't even look my way but she is a known pro in Havana; was this the police following me to set me up with the hooker test to get someone close to me for my first visit to Cuba to gauge my intentions there? Another trip the cop popped up at a bar she and I were at and sat down to chit chat about my life in America. I asked about racism in Cuba and the girl said yes there is racism but the cop over talked her to cut her off to disagree which let me know they weren't on the same page completely. I later cut the girl off completely but I can't help but wonder if I was set up from the get go.

[SirMarjAlot]

Thanks for sharing. I just pulled the trigger for my first time in Havana August 20 to August 29.

Question, which part of Havana did you stay in? One hotel or casa or different locations?

Also, how do you dress in the nightclubs? Are jeans and short sleeve button shirts acceptable?

You mention the Tropicoco hotel and the beach, did you check out the beach scene infront of the hotel? Would you recommend a day and early evening visit to the beach to check out the available girls?

Thanks,

The Tall Man.

I went to a few clubs and there was no dress code, I wore sandals shorts and short sleeve shirt, simply because it was too hot to wear anything else, inside sangria la etc it is air conditioned.

From central park you can take the air conditioned coach to Playa de Este, for 5 cuc return. Runs from 9 am to 6 pm every 40 minutes very comfortable and takes around 20 minutes also stopping at the fort on the way.

It passes the Tropicano, the beach here gets packed. The last stop is the quietest Marazul or something it is called. There is a little hut that sells lovely pina colada for $1 - umbrella plus lounger was 4 cuc.

The beach here is very nice, lovely clean warm sea too.

I had one beauty walk pass me look round and smile, further down the beach she waved me to follow her, but not want to lose my base. But opportunities on the beach were far and few between, for me.

[Cubiche]

You mention the Tropicoco hotel and the beach, did you check out the beach scene infront of the hotel? Would you recommend a day and early evening visit to the beach to check out the available girls?

Thanks,

The Tall Man.

The beach scene is VERY different these days in regards to available girls. It used to be that all you had to do is sit under an umbrella and wait for the parade. If someone interested you, you would invite her to seat with you. Many of the fotos posted by me were pulls from the beach. That is no longer the case. Now, while still possible, you have to be very discreet. Police, both uniformed and undercover are always present, along with manned observation posts. Girls that approach a yuma, unless they have an arrangement with the police, are asking to be pulled to the side and questioned. Going into the water is a possible way to meet but the police with binoculars on the observation posts could be watching.

Off the beach, there are several kioskos selling food and refreshments possibly with some ladies hanging around.

The ongoing stifling of opportunities to meet chicas has caused several of my friends from returning to Cuba.

[MrSoulo]

Thanks for sharing. I just pulled the trigger for my first time in Havana August 20 to August 29.

Question, which part of Havana did you stay in? One hotel or casa or different locations?

Also, how do you dress in the nightclubs? Are jeans and short sleeve button shirts acceptable?

You mention the Tropicoco hotel and the beach, did you check out the beach scene infront of the hotel? Would you recommend a day and early evening visit to the beach to check out the available girls?

Thanks,

The Tall Man.

Jeans and short sleeve shirts are acceptable in nightclubs. So are t-shirts and Polos. As long as you look clean and don't look like shit you'll be fine.

The beach in front of Tropicoco is very popular with the locals. Best day to visit the beach is Sunday. This is typically the day all the Cubans go to the beach. You will have a bigger variety to choose from.

[Taboc]

Also, how do you dress in the nightclubs? Are jeans and short sleeve button shirts acceptable? You mention the Tropicoco hotel and the beach, did you check out the beach scene infront of the hotel? Would you recommend a day and early evening visit to the beach to check out the available girls?

I would wear sleeve button shirts if the club is open space as it can be humid during August nights, I remember wearing a full shirt and sweating so bad even before reaching the club. Some days the breeze does come in, but I would not take a chance. I have seen mongers wearing Ts / denims and also wearing shirts / trousers like they are going for a job interview. I try to be in the middle, nothing too formal or casual.

There is always a police patrol in the playa across Tropicoco. The cops walk the playa as well as stand on the wooden elevator and watch with binoculars. So, the chicas are very cautious. There are some hardcore ones, often negras who care a damn about the cops and approach you. Otherwise, it is not something great for mongering. Keep in mind there are places around Tropicoco where you can scout talent. I prefer taking a taxi collectivo to go there simply because there is a possibility of meeting someone. Also, I would get off at the Via Blanca stop and walk down hill to the playa. It is a slope down, so an easy walk and during weekends there are a lot of chicas walking the way. There are quite a few eateries that have popped up around the playa. You can meet chicas while buying food there as well as the CUC mercado in front of Tropicoco. Important, chicas are not standing there to meet mongers, you just have to give them a look, smile and make an effort.

If you know spanish or can atleast have a conversation, and willing to go for a long hunt then you will be ok. Otherwise, just go there and enjoy the playa.

[The Tall Man]

Thanks for sharing. I just pulled the trigger for my first time in Havana August 20 to August 29.

Question, which part of Havana did you stay in? One hotel or casa or different locations?

Also, how do you dress in the nightclubs? Are jeans and short sleeve button shirts acceptable?

You mention the Tropicoco hotel and the beach, did you check out the beach scene infront of the hotel? Would you recommend a day and early evening visit to the beach to check out the available girls?

Thanks,

The Tall Man.

Some thoughts of Havana bars and clubs and eastern beaches after spending last week in Cuba.

1. Casa de La Musica (Centro). Visited on a Sunday night. Place was not packed. Good aircon, decent lineup. Took a negrita to my casa. This place apparently has a disco in the afternoon as well, some girls were hanging around the entrance waiting for guys to take them in at 17.00 in the afternoon.

2. La Cecilia. A Friday night visit. Big outdoor club in Miramar. A bit far away from Vedado and prepare to pay 15-20 CUC taxi one way. 20 CUC entry, some "famous" Cuban music group was playing. The place was packed. Many non-pros and a decent selection of pros. The putas were mostly skinny white skinned type. Reminded me of the romanian hookers in German FKK clubs. Some decent looking mulatas in the mix. Best looking girls were definately the non-pros. It was a hot and humid night, no wind, and of course no ventilators to ease the pain. I did not take any puta out that night.

3. Shangri-La, Bolabana, Up&Down. These Vedado / Miramar bars are new and all similar to each other. Small places, not so many people on those nights I visited. Lot of non-pros, some odd putas in the mix, not nice quality ones. Good aircon, that's all good news. IMO not worth visiting, poor ambience.

4. Melia Habana hotel lobby bar. Small hotel bar, handful of putas, mostly jaded ones. Asking 100-150 CUC for one hour, no thanks.

5. La Rampa bars near Tryp Havana hotel, Tikoa, Sofia etc. These places are dump. Not attractive girls, crap service from the staff. Need some dynamite to improve. Avoid!

6. Salon Rojo. I visited this club on Thursday night. It was packed with people. Full of putas even though they can't enter the club alone. Decent quality of the girls. Took one slim morena to the casa. Hit or miss place.

7. Hotel Inglaterra. Few pros in the hotel bar and also outside the hotel looking for a prey.

7. Don Cangrejo. I visited this place twice, both on Saturday night. Place was packed both times. Mixture of pros and non-pros. Some great looking girls, unfortunately all of the best ones were non-pros, not available. Putas are sitting in the back area close to the sea. Many white skinned slim ones, I saw some same faces in La Cecilia. It was hot like hell even though it is an outdoor club, no wind to cool things down. I took a mulata back to my casa one night. IMO maybe the best club in Havana.

I also visited the beaches of del Este. Santa Maria del Mar and Guanabo. Lot of people on Santa Maria, also a lot of police. Difficult to pick up girls. Besides the beach there is nothing in Santa Maria. Some old shitty hotels like Tropicoco. This place must have been brought from Tshernobyl.

Guanabo is a small town, a real shithole in my opinion. Guanabo beach is not as nice as Santa Maria but there were some putas available for a fuck. I took one skinny negrita to my casa. Nothing to write home about. There are also a few putas on the streets and bars. Some lie their age. I tried to bring a hot morena to my casa one night. After looking on the ID of the girl, the mama of the casa said this one is only 17 and sended her away. Then commenting to me that these dumbass hookers don't even know how to calculate. Made me smile.

There are a lot of people on the Malecon in Havana during evening and nights. Some putas in the mix but mostly normal people having a drink. And a lot of teenagers under 18 so be cautious.

The food has not improved a lot since 2,5 years of my previous visit. Some new Paladars and private bars which had decent quality of food had arisen though. I made a stupid mistake and ate food from street grills on my first days and thus shitted water for the rest of my trip. A piece of advice, bring in a bag full of Imodium to Cuba, they don't have proper medicine for diarrhea in the farmacies.

I should have brought some gifts for the putas. They tried to rip me off from everything in my room. After shave (for men!) Sun lotions (I need that! Cosmetics etc. But after all I paid them fairly well so be at ease.

I got a 600 Euro bargain for flight tickets with russian airlines Aeroflot and thus made it to Havana. This was my second trip to Cuba and probably the last. I got sick and tired of all the bullshitting, jineteros, crappy service in the restaurants and bars, taxi drivers ripping you off, all the duplicitous people trying to fool you and asking for money for nothing. I felt like the seat cushion for two fat people at a football game. I am sure the yanks will bring in some improvements after the borders will open for free tourism (if this happens). Anyhow I will not go to Cuba to witness this, still so many other interesting mongering places to visit in this world.

[Amigo of King]

You're welcome, gained quite a bit of knowledge from here, so only good I should pay back with some of my own experiences.

I speak a few words of Spanish, been learning via.

https://www.duolingo.com/

Which makes it quite fun, addicted to this app now and can download to mobile phone, but need an internet connection to at least download the new lessons then can use offline.

Yes, she spoke very good English. So made it a lot easier. She was a dancer and ballerina. Very slim and fit body. She has travelled to Europe before and been back a few months.

Made me a little suspicious she has done this sort of thing before, maybe has foreign boyfriends and or sponsors. Don't know. I not want to get involved though, lovely girl as she was.

I wanted some variety. I was in Havana for 15 nights..

Thanks for the tip about duolingo.com.

I am going to Santo Domingo DR for 8 months starting in September and I have started using the program in advance of going. It will help give me a start before going there. I will also be taking an intensified course of Spanish at Univesidad APEC. Just $60 for 8 weeks of 4 hours a day,5 days a week of Spanish. During that time I will have applied for my dual citizenship as I am married to a Dominican and all ready have my temporary residency. I hope then to travel to Cuba using my Dominican passport. I haven't checked yet but there must be flights form Santo Domingo to Havana.