Havana

[RubMeister100]

Hey everyone.

Leaving Sat for a few days in Havana (again).

Anyone down there now and want to meet for a drink?

My old guide is on a government sponsored "vacation" and I'm looking for a new one.

Any contacts via pm would be appreciated.

Any recent suggestions would be great also. How is La Chorerra?

I'll post my report upon my return.

[Jack Monger]

I am heading down in May so I figured the beach action would be picking up then. I will be staying in Havana for part of my 2 weeks but was wondering about other destinations. I was down for 10 days in Jan. and had a blast had a novia for most of that time. She was from out of province so she did not want to go out much because of the police, so that limited our options at the casa. Which was OK by me. I found her around the Malecon and Prado intersection. There was a good selection down there as well as Obispo. I could have a at least 2 dates a day cruising up and down Obispo. I will be learning some Spanish before heading back down. I now realize this is a must. Well if anyone is heading down in May maybe we can get together and compare notes over a beer.

[Jack Monger]

I am heading down in May so I figured the beach action would be picking up then. I will be staying in Havana for part of my 2 weeks but was wondering about other destinations. I was down for 10 days in Jan. and had a blast had a novia for most of that time. She was from out of province so she did not want to go out much because of the police, so that limited our options at the casa. Which was OK by me. I found her around the Malecon and Prado intersection. There was a good selection down there as well as Obispo. I could have a at least 2 dates a day cruising up and down Obispo. I will be learning some Spanish before heading back down. I now realize this is a must. Well if anyone is heading down in May maybe we can get together and compare notes over a beer.

[Sunbeach1]

Having read some of your posts on havana, what are the hot spots in havana nowadays?

Any recommandation on a casa particular allowing chicas with private entrance close to the 'action' ?

Never been in Cuba before, Im new on the site, just getting some info on my next week's trip. Anybody there during same period to have some drinks with?

Thx

[Jack Monger]

I am heading back in May I had such a good time. Anyone interested in traveling with me?

[Ivon]

Have fun. I am planning to be in Havana during the middle of Feb. I think that you indicated that you spoke Spanish, so you should do fine. The language may change, but the game remains the same. It has been a long time since I was last in Buenos Aires, how are Black's, Newport and the bars on Supiacha these days? The last time I was there was just before the crisis and I've been thinking of going back. Sorry for asking this in the wrong forum, but since I have your attention.

[Moore]

I'm am now ready to purchase my air tickets. Everything going from Buenos Aires to Havana on AirCubana is booked solid thru February. So it looks like I'll take the 2nd best route which is on CopaAir with a connection in Panama. Probably purchase for early March since only full fare (about US1200) is available thru Feb. This ticket will cost only about 600.

I was thinking that may actually be a better time since it will be a bit warmer and I may get some beach time. My only concern is that that is peak spring break time. But college is not so far back for me and I dont remember lots of people going to Cuba so Im guessing that hasnt changed.

I wish to minimize any trace of my trip to Cuba so Ill be paying for my ticket in cash and also using my Argentine passport. I probably wont furnish my Continental one pass number (sister airline of Copa) either just to be 100% safe. Losing 10,000 miles there.

I was surprised to find out after calling Copa today that I need a visa using my ARG passport. Im not sure if any of you guys have needed this before. I checked out the local Cuban embassy website and it looks pretty simple. Supposedly I go there with my tickets, accomodation info and US20 and they give it to me right then and there.

Thanks again for your help.

Moore

[Wet Nose]

Hi Gringo,

My last visit was in August 05, and it was terrible. High police enforcement plus poor choice. Girls kinda avoid tourists in general now. When did you last visit Havana? Things have changed since then!

[Moore]

cuba mongers,

many thanks for your considered responses and pms. im still reviewing some of them along with older reports. this is very helpful. ive even read a few of fidel's speeches in my recent spare time just to prepare my mind & soul for landing.

moore

ps gringo loco, finally a place with bushy pussy - i love it! i dont think i even remember what it looks like. looking forward to this.

[Ivon]

Moore,

Fido Dido and Germanboy 2 have told you about everything you need to know, but I will add some things that weren't covered.

1) If you bring cash, Euros and Canadian dollars are better than U.S. dollars, travellers cheques can be good, because they can be replaced if lost/stolen, BUT they can be hard to exchange outside of major tourist areas and they may be an exorbitant commission involved. Bring a non-US Visa card as back up, as I have rarely used it, except for cash advances and buying cigars. I usually spend between 800 and 1000 CUC during a week for everything, except cigars.

2) If you can always stay in a casa paticular, try www.cubaparticular.com, I know the guy who runs it and find him reliable, he is a cuenta propista, he makes his living leveraging his internet access with casa owners than don't have internet access. Remember to insist on an independent casa, or a private entrance at the least and always ask what the landlord's policy on "guests" in advance in order to avoid any potential problems. Casa are always offered to you or if you look/ask around for the triangular blue and white sticker, this means that it is licensed. Don't forget to bring a plug for the bathtub, just in case. You generally need some sort of reserved accomodations when you land (casa/hotel) to avoid being marched off to the accomodation desk for 2 nights at a hellhole like the Kohly or Colina.

3) If you are centered in Havana, go to Viñales. Fido Dido is right about Veradero, great beach, but not really Cuban in feel; chicas and illegal casasare available. Trinidad is great for sightseeing and is reasonably close to Cienfuegos, where there is a hobbyist scene. Pay the fee and tour the Partigas cigar factory, if you buy cigars, you can learn alot and avoid being scammed when purchasing cigars. It will also kill an afternoon and is right next to Barrio Chino.

4) Not much beach action at this time of year, too cold, waves are too high, if you do go weekend afternoons are your best bet. Last time I was in Guanabo at this time of year, it was slow, only a few Italians running around.

5) Casual dress works, business casual for going out, I think some clubs have a dress code i.e. no running shoes and shorts and a shirt with a collar. Comfortable shoes are a must because you may have to do alot of walking.

6) Everythings been covered, but for general advice, don't believe everything you hear and take everything with a grain of salt. Check carnets of the chicas if you think they look young, if you get pinched, you are screwed. Learning a bit of spanish goes a long way in Cuba, since most Cubans don't speak english, you may find educated older Cubans (30+) that may speak german. When I hear Cubans speak to me in decent english, my jinetero alarm starts to go off.

[Gringo Loco]

Hey Moore,

Looks like you've already received some sound advice from some of the other experienced Cuba hands, but I'll throw in my dos centavas anyway. If you've only got a week I'd recommend sticking to Havana. Vedado is the best neighborhood to stay in -- close to the action and safe.

Here are some casa particular websites:

http://www.casaparticular.info/

http://www.geocities.com/vedadohabana/list.html

I had good experiences at Casa Galeano on 17 between G & H. The host, Alejandro is young, friendly and english speaking. His place is chica friendly, but it is not an independent apartment. Independent apt.'s are available if you just walk around town and look, but avoid the touts (jineteros) because they'll just increase your costs.

I've had way better experiences with "buena chicas" than putas in HAV. If it's purely putas you're after, Colombia is far superior (and much closer to your home base). But the ease with which even an average spanish speaker, using a bit of charm and a compliment or two, can hook up with a novia is simply unparalleled. In Colombia for example, it seems that 2 dates is the sweet spot. In Cuba, try 2 hours! Hit on the store clerks, try scoping out the girls en La Universidad de la Habana (near the Hotel Habana Libre), that sweet young chica walking down the street arm in arm with her mom... "que bonita es tu hija." Don't be shy. If you're approach is suave your success rate will be very high.

As far as putas, they're easy to spot. In fact, they'll spot you first. If they make the 1st approach -- puta. Hot young chica with a celular -- puta. I'm sure it's the same in Argentina. Don't get me wrong now, I like putas and have certainly had my share. But if your spanish skills are halfway decent you won't need them after the first night in Havana. Good puta hunting places:

Obispo St. in Habana Vieja (daytime only, it's dead at night)
La Rampa (23) in Vedado
Both Casas de Musica (Miramar & Centro)

In fact, if you hit the Sunday matinee at Casa de Musica in Miramar it's more like the casa de putas! Almost every girl is working. Was there once with my mongering compañero and some aggressive puta had him unzipped and was pulling on his johnson at the bar within 15 minutes! And if you buy a chica a drink there she'll probably order a mojito or cuba libre and a pack of cigs as well..... watch your cash. There is certainly a caste system in place wherein the hotter cellphone toting rubias will command more $$ than the mulatas or negritas. Some, especially at the hotel clubs or pools will even have the temerity to ask for as much as 70 or 80 CUC. Forget it! I've never payed more than 30 and 20 to 25 is more the norm. Let's not inflate the prices gentlemen. This is Cuba, not the USA!

I've found that if you venture outside of town a bit there are some great discos near Parque Lenin and in Rancho Boyeros w/ $3-5 cover and $1 beers which are full of sweet young friendly chicas not looking for a quick payday. And damn can those girls shake their asses to the reggaeton! Totally different vibe as well. As a gringo, you'll be noticed but not necessarily approached unless you make the first move. But when you do, it'll be muy facil. So drink your cerveza, survey the scene, find your target market and then swoop in for the kill!

Moon Handbooks puts out a great guide to Havana. Lot's of good info on paladares, sites of interest, etc. w/ decent maps. Time Out publishes one too; decent but not as comprehensive.

If you're into art and handicrafts, there's a great outdoor market near la Catedral in Habana Vieja. It's open during the day I think from Wed to Sun. You can get some great oil paintings, wood carvings and shell & bone jewelry real cheap. Also happens to be an excellent mongering location! I also met an artist who does great abstract oils and engravings. He doesn't exhibit in the market, but he has his own gallery on Obispo St. I've spent a couple of evenings at his house eating, drinking and buying some pieces that are hanging on my walls today. Here's his website:

http://www.israelglez-artecuba.com/x_ingl_index.html

Lastly, outside of the puta community the shaved bush is a rarity. In fact, the road to glory seems to be a common attribute amongst cubanas. So if hairy pussy turns you off bring an extra razor!

Suerte Moore and happy hunting!

[GermanBoy 2]

Hello moore

Fido dido told you a lot, and everything is right. So I can tell you

1.) Money: traveller cheques from visa or thomas cook are okay, but you need some time for changing them, a lot of papers. Credit card (master, visa) is a bit more compfortable cause you can change money in big hotels in havanna too, they do not exept traveller cheques there. Cash (euro) is the best, of corse the most dangerous too. At the airport of havanna you can change ONLY cash, no card, no cheques.

5.) Beach: Normal cubans do not go to the beach at winter, means from November to February.

Transport: for travelling from big city to big city you can do all by viazul, the big bus-company. The busses are good and well on time, from havanna to santiago it is 52 cuc and takes 15 hours. Many stops between. Inside a city, it is hard to make a 20-kilometer-trip, therefore a rented car is great, but thats expensive.

Have fun

Germanboy

[JPF]

1) euros are your best choice of currency. Besides credit cards don't take traveler's cheques drawn on a US bank (i.e. American Express); Visa or Mastercard are okay

3) Varadero is best for all-inclusive travel packages and is reportedly not good for mongering

4) There were not many people on the beach in November so I think there would be fewer now

Fido Dido's answers were very good

[Fido Dido]

Hello Moore

Hope to provide some answers to your questions:

1) Money. How much do I need? Should I bring US$ or Euros/other? What FX rate will I get? Will my Argentine bank/ATM card work there or must I bring cash only? How can costs be as high as they are if avg Cuban earns $20/mo?

From what I know do NOT bring US$. For US$ you pay 10% extra when changing to CUC. I would NOT use an ATM. Might swollow your card. Bring a credit card from a NON US-bank. Read more on Cuba related web-sites. Not so hard to find.
Basic list of costs (accomodation, food, taxi, beer, women):
Casa 25-35 CUC / day
Chicas 25 CUC /day
Beer-food-transport 50 CUC/day

2) From what I read I should stay in a casa? How do I find one? Do I reserve in advance or can I find one easily upon arrival?

Do a search on the internet. Look for the words "casa particular havana"
Reserve for a few days. If you like it stay. If you don't like it: go. Ask for independent casa with privacy. Agree by email if you can have "visitors".
NEVER NEVER NEVER pay up front. Always pay afterwards.
Once in Cuba it is easy to find another casa.

3) Where should I go? Ive heard Varadero is good but dont even see it on the map...Havana, other?

Varadero is a place 70 miles east of Havana where they put all the turists. No Cubans allowed. Much police control I have heard.
Maybe you are confusing Varadero with Vedado. Vedado is a quarter of Havana. West from Havana Veija.

4) Do people hang out at the beach in Jan/Feb?

Don't know. I think for Cubans it is too cold in those months.

5) Dress. What should I wear?

Dress low profile. Not as a tourist.

6) Other words of wisdom.

* Do more preparation/reading. From your questions I conclude you don't know much about the place.
* Good that you know spanish and have mongering experience
* Have fun

http://www.InternationalSexGuide.inf...d.php?p=373200

[Moore]

Hello Fellow Mongers,

I am planning a trip to Cuba within the next month and would appreciate your input. Ive read over the last month+ of posts but have various questions. About me, Im American but have lived in Argentina for several years. My Spanish is good and I have extensive experience mongering and traveling in Latin America. Cuba is a unique place though. I would will fly Air Cubana nonstop from Buenos Aires and probably spend 1 week there.

My questions are (if theyve been answered please refer me):

1) Money. How much do I need? Should I bring US$ or Euros/other? What FX rate will I get? Will my Argentine bank/ATM card work there or must I bring cash only? How can costs be as high as they are if avg Cuban earns $20/mo?
Basic list of costs (accomodation, food, taxi, beer, women) please...

2) From what I read I should stay in a casa? How do I find one? Do I reserve in advance or can I find one easily upon arrival?

3) Where should I go? Ive heard Varadero is good but dont even see it on the map...Havana, other?

4) Do people hang out at the beach in Jan/Feb?

5) Dress. What should I wear?

6) Other words of wisdom.

Thanks!

Moore