Havana

[Taboc]

Last year I was in the same situation as you. After over 20 trips to Thailand and basically Pattaya I started to be little tired of the land of smile. Don't misunderstand me; Thailand is still a very good tourist destination.

Both are great places, a monger life is not complete without visiting both the places at least once. I have been to both multiple times now, and here are some thoughts.

Girls.Cuba.

You get all kind in Cuba, white-black-mixed, Thailand only has the asian looks, may be the southern girls with a bit of darker shade, but pretty much all are same. The attitude and performance of cubanas in bed is more passionate. The asian slender look does have an attraction to many, some people love that asian submissive nature in bed, I take that into account, but still would say overall cubanas are better.

Accessibility. Thai.

Getting a girl in Thailand is like getting a MacD burger, and getting a girl in Cuba is like making your own burger. It is not just getting a girl, in Thailand I can take the girl to my hotel, take her with me for food, we goto a boxing match etc, no police problems any where.

Cost. Depends.

Travel cost in and out of the country will decide who is cost effective. If you are in North America then Cuba is better, from Europe both are same (thai may be cheaper) and for Australians and Asians Thai is much cheaper. You get cheap and expensive girls in both places.

Kinky. Thai.

If you want something out of the ordinary, then nothing can beat Thailand. Orgies, gangbangs, reverse gangbangs, dominant / submissive, role play you name it and you will get it including shemales and twinks if that is what you want. Getting a bunch of girls same time is no problem in Cuba, other than that everything is else too much of a hassle organizing.

Food. Thai.

Hands down, best Thai food, even if you do not like Thai cuisine, there is best food from all over, I have had best German sausage, US AAA Sirloin, Sushi, Burgers, any thing you want in Thailand. For me nothing beats the experience of banging the girl hard, and then go down the street vendor and get a hot soup, recharge, and then bang again. You also get all kinds of drinks in Thailand, even if you want a good bottle of Italian red. Ok, cigars are cheap in Cuba, guess what you get them in Thailand too.

Health. Cuba.

You never know what is inside a girls body, even if she looks very healthy. Cuba seem to have a good health care system, and I hear that if someone has communicable disease then they will not let that person walk away from hospital till cured. This may not be true, but all cubans look really healthy. Thailand is tropical too, so there are things to be concerned about even if it is relatively better than other Asian places and much better than Africa.

Safety. Cuba.

Never felt unsafe anywhere I went in Cuba, any time of the day. Thailand is safe too, but you can get into trouble.

Others. Cuba / Thailand.

The music and dance in Cuba itself is worth the trip. The Thai massage and getting a cheap or fake Rolex or designer stuff is worth the trip there too.

I can go on and write more, the bottom line is, both are good. It depends on individual taste and needs.

[Mr Gogo]

It's very easy to book a casa particular on Internet and you print out the booking confirmation you will receive from the casa owner to have with your travel documents if they ask you when you arrive in Cuba. The Security at the airport have never asked me about residence.

www.cubaaccomadation.com

www.casaparticular.com

www.mycasaparticular.com

And tripadvisor are good sites to find a nice casa in Cuba. In Havana I have stayed in Vedado close to the streets Avendida de los Presidente / La Rampa. This is a very nice area and here I can recommend following casas; Hostal Corazon Vedado. Casavana, Martha's guesthouse, Casa Jorge Coalla Potts, Dona Clara rent and La Casa de Ana. Google this casa on internet and you will find terms and rewievs from other visitors. I'm also Scandinavian (Norwegian).

Great info, but for me I took the hard route because I was very picky and cautious. If someone lives alone and is not used to average accommodations a casa particular can be scary. I rented a nice hotel for 60usd my first trip to use as a home base so I can explore the lay of the land. Luckily I met a streetwise girl who showed me the ropes my first trip.

We first had sex at a casa particular that a friend of hers owned. It was 25usd and very clean. The first problem was the shower had a switch for hot water and electricity. She explained to us not to touch anything until the power switch was off. I forgot this and touched the faucet to turn the shower off and it shocked the shit out of me. Then there is no door, just a sheet covering the door. So you had kids playing in the living room and grandpa walking past trying to get a peak inside. Then you have to share the bathroom. You get no privacy.

The second place we had sex was at another friends house. The casa owner had a ashtray full of cigs and beer cans everywhere. Not a good place. Also all the casa particulars I've been don't have safes, so trust with the casa owner is important.

Each time I visited these casas I couldn't wait to get to my private hotel room and lay on my big bed and watch the flat screen TV alone. So I had a good break in period to experience casa life before I committed. When me and my girl went casa hunting walking one day, we found the perfect casa. It had a private entrance and was a separate apartment. The casa owner was cool and private also, with only a daughter (Sorry guys but I'm keeping it to myself).

Most adds for casa particulars advertise separate apartments but they usually have master gates that the owners control. The best way for me was to actually visit these casas and make sure I wanted to stay there.

My point is that if you are not sure about casa living then stay in a hotel a couple days till you can develop and search for the perfect casa.

[Ulfberth]

Most of the girls will be your girlfriend and show you a great time. You seem like a good guy who is respectful and wants to have a good time, so you will have a ball in Cuba. Cuba is amazing and the women are an extra. You know how you go to a museum to see ancient history and artifacts? Well, Cuba is one big museum being preserved for a limited few before it catches up with the rest of the World. Those who don't see it soon will always wonder what is was like before American money / American tourists started flowing in. Cuba will become the star of the caribbean and guys like you and I will be priced out as it explodes.

Cubans have more time than money and are proud of who they are and their country, so they will be glad to show you around. Cuba is the kind of place you leave always wondering why you didn't do more. Cuba only shows you one hole-card at a time, she teases you because she has a lot to offer and she is unique.

Hello,

Thanks for the kind reply and yes.

Am afraid its true when Il commandante is gone- there wil soon be " CocaCola" all over- and in way it is maybe good for the country it wil be opened up but on the other hand. It's wil be bad for people as us here.

There is a few places I nthe world where it is amazing cheap and nice to be. Where people stil have a heart and not forget who they are. But these places is less and less every year.

I don't understand, why so many think the " western way of living" is so great? Personally I am so tired sometimes to live in EU. All is about materialistic things and prices is up up up. The humans forget to live when life is here and now.

Thank you sir.

Where are you from?

Regards from Denmark

[Travel2040]

Hello sir,

Thank you very much for the reply. Reg. Casa Particular. Private accommodation? That wil say that I need to book that beside my hotel? Or I can just buy a ticket nad then find my place to stay by myself after arrival?

I ask this because in many tourist destinations, you have to write the name and adress of your stay on arrival visa / card.

If I must do this. Hotel + casa particular. Then I see it quite more expensive than for example Thailand.

25- 40 CUC is aproxm same in USD. Fair enough. But its quite cheap to buy a all inclusive trip here, but then not legal to bring in the girl hmm.

What would you recommend?

Thank you again very much for you kind answer.

Regards from Scnadinavia.

It's very easy to book a casa particular on Internet and you print out the booking confirmation you will receive from the casa owner to have with your travel documents if they ask you when you arrive in Cuba. The Security at the airport have never asked me about residence. www.cubaaccomadation.com, www.casaparticular.com, www.mycasaparticular.com And tripadvisor are good sites to find a nice casa in Cuba. In Havana I have stayed in Vedado close to the streets Avendida de los Presidente / La Rampa. This is a very nice area and here I can recommend following casas; Hostal Corazon Vedado. Casavana, Martha's guesthouse, Casa Jorge Coalla Potts, Dona Clara rent and La Casa de Ana. Google this casa on internet and you will find terms and rewievs from other visitors. I'm also Scandinavian (Norwegian).

[Mr Gogo]

Hello sir,

Thank you so very much for long and informative reply I read all with interest. And its very helpfull.

Yeah I gues cubans are more smart than thais. As we both know isn't very bright. And there is a dark side in LOS.

To the Cubans: I am willing to pay for a nice good girl for sex but alos for friendship. Sorry if I explained myself wrong, but I don't want to pay a Thai working girl. Which I can not use for any conversation, cause they don't know anything about the world around them and are not interested. Thais are not interested if you can 5 different languages or you want to show something from you country. Forget the.

Then. They are to brainwashed.

I would be okay to take care of a good smart lady, with a brain and with whom I can discuss anything, cause she know something.

Most of the girls will be your girlfriend and show you a great time. You seem like a good guy who is respectful and wants to have a good time, so you will have a ball in Cuba. Cuba is amazing and the women are an extra. You know how you go to a museum to see ancient history and artifacts? Well, Cuba is one big museum being preserved for a limited few before it catches up with the rest of the World. Those who don't see it soon will always wonder what is was like before American money / American tourists started flowing in. Cuba will become the star of the caribbean and guys like you and I will be priced out as it explodes.

Cubans have more time than money and are proud of who they are and their country, so they will be glad to show you around. Cuba is the kind of place you leave always wondering why you didn't do more. Cuba only shows you one hole-card at a time, she teases you because she has a lot to offer and she is unique.

[Ulfberth]

Very interesting Sir. I read your your previous 3 posts to better understand you and was very confused about your sudden interest in Cuba. You said you weren't against sponsoring a Thai for a relationship, but now you appear bitter and are searching for new adventures. Don't get me wrong; I've been to Thailand and experienced the same problems you had there. So I feel you bro. What I find interesting is that you have gone from having the up and downs with Thai girls and wanting possible sponsorship to now wanting cheap black girls in Cuba.

Please understand that Cubans are very good at the game you are trying to play, deception. They will size you up and play you out. If you are only going for the supposedly cheapness, you will get hardcore girls that won't be cheap. They will match you for game. The casa owners can be your best friends but they will assume you are only there for game and send you girls with game. Just be real bro because the casa owners will act accordingly..

Hello sir,

Thank you so very much for long and informative reply I read all with interest. And its very helpfull.

Yeah I gues cubans are more smart than thais .as we both know isn't very bright. And there is a dark side in LOS.

To the Cubans: I am willing to pay for a nice good girl for sex but alos for friendship. Sorry if I explained myself wrong, but I don't want to pay a Thai working girl. Which I can not use for any conversation, cause they don't know anything about the world around them and are not interested. Thais are not interested if you can 5 different languages or you want to show something from you country. Forget the.

Then. They are to brainwashed.

I would be okay to take care of a good smart lady, with a brain and with whom I can discuss anything, cause she know something.

And also is interested to know about you. Your country and life etc. I am well aware as soon am out of Cuba again she wil have a new costumer. But if I can be close with her. When am there 2. 3 weeks or more then its fine for me.

I read what you say, about be more carefull there cause they are smart. Wel yeah its their country and that's what we can expect.

Just if I don't have the feeling they cheat on me to much. And don't steal from me, as I read from others experiences here. I have to say I never lost anything in Thailand. It is so sad and so hurting. When you have good kemi to a person and then they do this kind of things.

I see many of the pictures from Cuba and wow this country is runned down! Huh- but these brown ladies has really salsa rythm in their bodies and very good bodies. Not so big arses as many African girls has. And bodies are much better. Faces to I guess it is the mixes.

Is it possilbe to find a nice one, who can be your companion there for some days. Who maybe help you with different things. As a GF. I am not just for the cheap sex but I will pay for quality and look for the good honest lady also.

I allways try to be kind, friendly. Give people a smile. Give an extra tip. And you wouldn't have any problems anywhere.

Thank you again.

[Ulfberth]

Last year I was in the same situation as you. After over 20 trips to Thailand and basically Pattaya I started to be little tired of the land of smile. Don't misunderstand me; Thailand is still a very good tourist destination. Now I have booked my third trip to Cuba and is very happy to visit this beautiful Island in the Caribbean. Cuba is more complicated than Thailand and you will need more advance knowledge before your first trip but when you know the game you will enjoy your time in Cuba. Cuba is a very safe travel destination (probably the safest in Latin-America) and the people are very easy to be in contact with. The girls are very beautiful (much higher quality compared with Thailand) and you will find all type and colour. The nightlife in Havana is very good and you will enjoy clubs like Salon Rojo, Casa de la Musica, La Maison, Jhonny's, El Gato Tuerto, La Cecilia, Don Cangrejo, Dos Gardenias and others. A very good advice; rent a casa particular (it's a must) where you can bring girls without to pay the Securitas guard that you have to do in the most hotels in Cuba. It's very easy to find a nice case particular in the price category 25-40 CUC.

Hello sir,

Thank you very much for the reply. Reg. Casa Particular. Private accommodation? That wil say that I need to book that beside my hotel? Or I can just buy a ticket nad then find my place to stay by myself after arrival?

I ask this because in many tourist destinations, you have to write the name and adress of your stay on arrival visa / card.

If I must do this. Hotel + casa particular. Then I see it quite more expensive than for example Thailand.

25- 40 CUC is aproxm same in USD. Fair enough. But its quite cheap to buy a all inclusive trip here, but then not legal to bring in the girl hmm.

What would you recommend?

Thank you again very much for you kind answer.

Regards from Scnadinavia.

[Mr Gogo]

Hello,

I am just new to this very interesting forum. And very helpfull.

I have been to Thailand many many times. But it begins to be a boring place where the people aren't that much smiling any longer just try to rip you off, or milk the cow for as much as possible.

So its time to visite new places and the latinos has allways attracted me.

I recently have been reading a lot about Cuba. The beauty of the country, and for sure the beautifull ladies offering (cheap?) sex is the place for a single man...

Very interesting Sir. I read your your previous 3 posts to better understand you and was very confused about your sudden interest in Cuba. You said you weren't against sponsoring a Thai for a relationship, but now you appear bitter and are searching for new adventures. Don't get me wrong; I've been to Thailand and experienced the same problems you had there. So I feel you bro. What I find interesting is that you have gone from having the up and downs with Thai girls and wanting possible sponsorship to now wanting cheap black girls in Cuba.

Please understand that Cubans are very good at the game you are trying to play, deception. They will size you up and play you out. If you are only going for the supposedly cheapness, you will get hardcore girls that won't be cheap. They will match you for game. The casa owners can be your best friends but they will assume you are only there for game and send you girls with game. Just be real bro because the casa owners will act accordingly.

My experience was that I had a regular girlfriend that I spent time with. Actually we were walking one day checking out casas and she found this one that I liked. I thought her and the casa owner were cool but the casa owner had her own agenda for me. She saw that I wasn't having multiple hardcore pros and sized me up (my plan). Next thing I know, she started having beautiful girls at her casa in the evening to introduce to me. These were the top girls from the neighborhood looking for opportunity. They were educated, didn't hangout out night, spoke English, and had an innocence that boarded on nerdy. I planned dates around the time with my regular and slowly figured out the game. They wanted a way out and were keepers for the right guy. Even though I was a foreigner with a little money, they wanted a man who was serious. Unfortunately for the girl and casa owner, the girls in the neighborhood who were semi-pros had zeroed in on me without my knowledge. They saw opportunity also but on the short term. They figured out my schedule without me knowing. The gringo who had a girlfriend also liked to go out alone at night and came home around 2am. Long story short; A tall brown Cuban girl with long hair who I had seen always sitting at her stoop made conversation and she became my late night regular.

My point is to don't play yourself as a guy who wants cheap, frequent pussy, act like the good guy on vacation.

[Travel2040]

Hello,

I am just new to this very interesting forum. And very helpfull.

I have been to Thailand many many times. But it begins to be a boring place where the people aren't that much smiling any longer just try to rip you off, or milk the cow for as much as possible.

So its time to visite new places and the latinos has allways attracted me.

I recently have been reading a lot about Cuba. The beauty of the country, and for sure the beautifull ladies offering (cheap?) sex is the place for a single man.

Now there is so many different opinions and reviews about and from Cuba am a bit confused.

Is it safe there?..

Last year I was in the same situation as you. After over 20 trips to Thailand and basically Pattaya I started to be little tired of the land of smile. Don't misunderstand me; Thailand is still a very good tourist destination. Now I have booked my third trip to Cuba and is very happy to visit this beautiful Island in the Caribbean. Cuba is more complicated than Thailand and you will need more advance knowledge before your first trip but when you know the game you will enjoy your time in Cuba. Cuba is a very safe travel destination (probably the safest in Latin-America) and the people are very easy to be in contact with. The girls are very beautiful (much higher quality compared with Thailand) and you will find all type and colour. The nightlife in Havana is very good and you will enjoy clubs like Salon Rojo, Casa de la Musica, La Maison, Jhonny's, El Gato Tuerto, La Cecilia, Don Cangrejo, Dos Gardenias and others. A very good advice; rent a casa particular (it's a must) where you can bring girls without to pay the Securitas guard that you have to do in the most hotels in Cuba. It's very easy to find a nice case particular in the price category 25-40 CUC.

[Ulfberth]

PM I can help you with this.

Hello,

I am just new to this very interesting forum. And very helpfull.

I have been to Thailand many many times. But it begins to be a boring place where the people aren't that much smiling any longer just try to rip you off, or milk the cow for as much as possible.

So its time to visite new places and the latinos has allways attracted me.

I recently have been reading a lot about Cuba. The beauty of the country, and for sure the beautifull ladies offering (cheap?) sex is the place for a single man.

Now there is so many different opinions and reviews about and from Cuba am a bit confused.

Is it safe there?

Is it that rip off place many descibe it as? (communist countries are often like that)

Am well aware the exchange rate is 1:1 Cuban to USD.

But am searching for how much money is needed as pocket money. For fun, food on restaurant and a girl. Every day?

Is $50-70 USD per day enough? (hotel is paid in advance)

What is the price for a few hours with a 20 something girl?

Is it needed at book a private accommodation. If I want have a lady with me at night?

For example is it possible to have a very pretty black lady for 30 USD? Plus room to fuck her?

Can I bring in condoms and viagra?

Any advise wil be very much appreciated.

Thanks so much,

Regards,

Ulfberth viking

[Primusduvel]

Does anyone know of a contact in Havana that can set me up with accommodations and a bit of a tour guide / driver? It will be my first time in Cuba and I could use some help.

PM I can help you with this.

[Mr Gogo]

I always get from $92CUC to $96CUC when I exchange $100 US. Why, because I exchange with the Cubans, not the cardeca. This is the "black-market" exchange. You can find these guys outside most cardecas. In havana they are more difficult to find. Casa owners can also recommend a friend that needs american currency. But they will always try to give you less than what I've attained on the black market.

Good luck

Thanks Sir, great info. I'm planning on traveling to other areas outside of Havana later this year. When I venture out and explore I hope you don't mind if I pm you later for info. Also thanks Velasco for the valuable info.

[Kalifornication]

Happy Holidays Velasco. Here is the answer to your question; If someone wants to travel with the least exposure, exposing your passport to exchange money for currency of a place you have never been, might draw a flag and bring unwanted attention in the future.

I called the exchange place here in the States just now and this is what they told me. They said on 100usd, you can get 99 Canadian plus a 3usd fee. The more you exchange the better deal you get naturally. Okay, now when you exchange the Canadian dollar for CUC the rate was 92-94 in Havana. So after all this exchanging money in the States and risking exposure then getting hit in the CUC exchange, you probably saved 2-3 percent. To me its not worth it but I respect what you are saying. I agree Sir Canadian dollars are better but for me I just take the hit and call it a loss.

I'm sure the guys that promote the black market will be posting next so let me say something about that. I will never give 1000usd to some guy on the street who promises me a great rate. Fake bills, robbery or anything can go wrong. I go into a hotel / bank that has a camera. I keep my receipt. And I look at my watch to remember the time before exiting. But to each his own.

I have been traveling the world for several years now and the only bad thing that has ever happened to me was getting pick pocketed at Classicos In Sosua in 2007. It was my fault because I had three girls dancing very close and rubbing me, but it was only for 80usd. My point is that I'm super cautious when traveling.

Happy New Year to all and safe travels.

I always get from $92CUC to $96CUC when I exchange $100 US. Why, because I exchange with the Cubans, not the cardeca. This is the "black-market" exchange. You can find these guys outside most cardecas. In havana they are more difficult to find. Casa owners can also recommend a friend that needs american currency. But they will always try to give you less than what I've attained on the black market.

Good luck

[Rhada12]

I will begin telling the story with the characters, we all found out we were user of this forum and other ones that made this trip posible.

I have been going to Cuba for around 5 years, in total more then 130 trip so I know Havana quite well, the funny fact is that I always stay in my apartment but whenever I want to party I ended up looking up Jonesie casa advice since 4 years ago and thanks to him I have been staying in Alberto house but I have never encounter more mongers until November if you read Alejandro casa reviews you will understand that people always leave the door open of the elevator and it won't move until they close the door correctly, that how I met the first monger which turn out to know Jonesie from el castillo, at first I was pissed off because of him the door was stuck on the 16 floor, one floor from where I was staying, he came down the stairs to tell me the elevator was stuck. And it was stuck because he didn't close the door, we will call him paisalover because I don't know his username LOL, anyways I ended up inviting him to party in Don Cangrejo if you are in Havana on a Thursday always go to Don Cangrejo sarao is making the best parties for Thursday in Havana, and you will see a lot of lovely ladies, he didn't know how it work in Cuba so he was slow approaching the girls but the next day he got the hang of it when we ended up in la Cecilia, one after another we just kept interviewing them, the ones we didn't like we ask them if they like anal and a lot of them reply no so that how we got rid of a few LOL that night he ended up going with a tiny spinner which he kept for like 3 days, the one I pick was a really hot mulata from Holguin that I have been wanting to fuck for a few trips but always ended up picking up another one.

Third day was pretty relax hanging out in Tarara and trying to get normal girls in another sarao party, paisalover and me love prostitutes but me and him are 28 years so sometimes we can get free pussy I know its almost none existent in Havana but we were lucky enough to find some during the trip.

Four day I just ended up calling a girl I met from the past and paisalover hook up with the same girl from Friday.

That day I had to leave so I ended up going to Mexico and coming back a 8 days later what I found out was even more funny paisalover found another monger in the building we will call the third monger the power ranger, he was hitting girl after girl and paisalover or me we couldn't figure out his taste he bang from white girls to black girls to anything in between mulata, Asian from fugly to drop dread gorgeous. Anyways that how we call guys who fuck just about everything because like a power ranger there always fucking up monsters.

So while I was in Mexico I heard all there mongers stories they ended up in Dos Gardenias, they tried to get girls in Sangri La 21 why 42 in playa I recommend this bar for Tuesday Leoni Torres will be playing you won't find any jineteras but you will see the hottest non hookers girls in Havana go, you won't be able to fuck 99% of them but just looking at a Cuban girl who is not a jinetera and being so hot its worth the 5 cover fee try to get there before 11pm or you won't get in, its always super pack.

When I got back paisalover got a girl just out of the bus like we say in Tijuana, he got a really cool looking pinarena with the most amazing tits I have seen in a while, the words of the paisa lover were anti gravity boob she was like 18 perfect 32 C cup almost a D cup that look perfect with a tiny dress she had, I didn't get to see them but I know they were perfect LOL.

So after I return to Cuba I ended up meeting the 4th monger another German like the power ranger that read about Alejandro house so we recruited him, quiet guy but at the end of the trip the luckiest guy of the 4 of us.

So as soon as I landed I call them up we ended up hanging out in Melia Cohiba, they were with my driver so after a few drinks we went to La ceclilia, Mr paisalover was with the hot pinarena with the perfect boobs, so it was power ranger, quiet guy and me on the hunt for la Ceclilia, it was a reggaeton night with a 5 cuc cover fee it was great more girls go since the cover is cheap.

The power ranger always in the hunt picked up a nice mulata, I picked up a really hot blond who said that she wouldn't fuck me 2 times so I ended up leaving her and graving another brunette hot hot super hot the funny thing is paisalover loves spinners but since he was with his pinarena he couldn't get the phone number, in the end I send one of my Cuban friend to pick up the girl and get the phone number since she was so fucking hot and I just got rid of the blond so I decided to sacrifice myself and fuck her instead of paisalover to get her the next day, the quietguy picked up also a hot mulata who only fuck him once so we had to teach him the next day to always negotiate what he wants before going to the house.

The story of that day still hunts my wet dreams I was fucking her so hard in every position and in the end when I had her doggy style she was screaming in orgasm please fuck my ass, I couldn't believe what I just heard either I have to ask for it or negotiate the price but this girls was so fucking horny she ask for it, it was the best experience I slowly started with finger then 2 then 3 and finally home fun I was all in feeling that tight asshole until I exploded in a really good orgasm.

The photo is from one of my regulars girl from La cecilia, she only likes to do it once. So I don't call her that often but she has a perfect body with amazing boobs.

The next day the 2 German guys ended up hitting Dos Gardenias and doing touristic stuff, paisa lover was with the pinarena which he met outside of salon rojo but have been with him for 5 days and not charge him anything he was really lucky and after 6 days after his last day he gave her all the cash he had left like 300 for 6 days we all think he got a pretty good deal and we left the girl in the bus station maybe faking to go back to pinar del Rio but apparently she is in love with my paisalover friend. One of the reason paisalover is coming back with me to do another trip to oriente next.

Part 2 to be Continued the next few days currently in Colombia.

Part 2 = the german guys, my driver and me in Camaguey, Bayamo and Pilon.

[Mr Gogo]

Mr. Gogo's advice is good but limited. If someone is looking for basic travel information that applies to every tourist, it is a good idea to look at TRAVEL sites or the latest guidebooks. Mr. Gogo, I beg to differ with you on the issue of the exchange rate. In looking at other travel sites, there are individuals that have arrived in CUba with US and Canadian currency, and there is always a better exchange with Canadian $$$. It is really not hard to get hold of Canadian currency. If you are from the US and going through Canada it is a non-issue. You can also get Canadian currency in transit cities like Nassau and Cancun. I have personally exchanged US for Canadian currency in Cancun and Nassau in the past.

I have a question for you. Why did you back out when they asked for your passport?

Happy Holidays Velasco. Here is the answer to your question; If someone wants to travel with the least exposure, exposing your passport to exchange money for currency of a place you have never been, might draw a flag and bring unwanted attention in the future.

I called the exchange place here in the States just now and this is what they told me. They said on 100usd, you can get 99 Canadian plus a 3usd fee. The more you exchange the better deal you get naturally. Okay, now when you exchange the Canadian dollar for CUC the rate was 92-94 in Havana. So after all this exchanging money in the States and risking exposure then getting hit in the CUC exchange, you probably saved 2-3 percent. To me its not worth it but I respect what you are saying. I agree Sir Canadian dollars are better but for me I just take the hit and call it a loss.

I'm sure the guys that promote the black market will be posting next so let me say something about that. I will never give 1000usd to some guy on the street who promises me a great rate. Fake bills, robbery or anything can go wrong. I go into a hotel / bank that has a camera. I keep my receipt. And I look at my watch to remember the time before exiting. But to each his own.

I have been traveling the world for several years now and the only bad thing that has ever happened to me was getting pick pocketed at Classicos In Sosua in 2007. It was my fault because I had three girls dancing very close and rubbing me, but it was only for 80usd. My point is that I'm super cautious when traveling.

Happy New Year to all and safe travels.