Havana

[Member #4239]

Fatboy:
Thanks to Castro's police who are in every corner, Habana is extremely safe. Do not worry too much about crime. I walked the city even at 4 AM and felt completely safe. The only thing you need to worry about is not falling into one of those HUGE holes in the streets or side walks, and of course hurricanes(two of which hit western Cuba within the past 10 days).
I do not agree however with the other post saying that this is one of the best places to vacation, and it is not that cheap by any means. Habana is a poor, depressing city, and most of the girls are quite average. But, you'll see for yourself. J.G.

[Organicgrowth]

Fatboy,

Congratulations in picking one of the best places to vist for your holiday. You will enjoy the city, the people in general and specifically the chicas. The mighty dollar in your pocket will go as far as you can take it with your negotiations, without a doubt it will go further than any other latino country.

I reply to your questions:-

1. Very difficult to take chicas back to the inglatera, and indeed 99% of hotels in Cuba (I was there in June -July this year: the risk to the hotel satff is too great and even for money they can be reluctant, which is a real ***** if you have a chica on your arm....). (But then where there is a will, theres a way... be careful with this, you do not want to have to answer the door, with a hard-on and butt naked to a group of security and mangers....). If you are comitted to stay at the Inglaterra as part of your travel-deal then you might have to take a casa on the side (lots near the Ingaletrra). However if you are still free to pick a place to stay, I would say spend a couple of nights at the Inglaterra to "find your feet" in Havana and at the same time look for a good casa....

2. Exactly opposite the Inglaterra is the central park, that is acorss the road, (read small city square here: the kind you get in Rome, but smaller). At all hours of the day, and especially when its dark, there are lots of chicas who hang out there. So no problems there. (In the day, just go sit under a tree: I promise that you will be approached by a chica with 15 minutes: have some good chewing gum ready to break the ice....).

Like wise, and with your back to the Inglaterra, turn right and immediately right again (about 5 meters form the front enterance of the hotel Inglaterra) go down that road for a further 3 meters (yes, its very close....) there is, on your right a small, but very well lit door to the Caboret Nacional. Nice little club, very easy, very laid back, no preassure: any evening of the week. Wednesday nights is for locals but you will still get in, but the "prices" will be VERY cheap indeed. I did a 3 chica marathon on one Wednesday night here.... (not at the same time unfortunately, I took one back to my casa, poped her in the mouth, sent her away, went back for some drinks... got another etc...: slept most of the following day!)

Now, if you trun left out of the Inglaterra and walk about 30 meters, you will be at the begining of the prado. This tree lined avenue is a nice (and very cool walk during hot days). You get a good asortment of chicas here also (both in the day and night).. Take care here when you approach the chicas, as back in June-July, I saw about 5 police officers, every day, just standing right in the middle of the walk-way, spaced evenly along it..... At night there were no police (after 10pm), and the place was full of chicas. In the day, just sit on the marble benches....

3. Safety: Listen, this place is safer than wherever you live. Trust me on this. When the police catch a theif or rough tourist-molester, they beat the living day-lights out of him, then send him to do hard time in a Cuban jail. (Have you seen the film "Midnight Express"? The jails in Cuba are a lot tougher than that!) this is not from personal experience you understand (!), I have a doctor friend in Havana and he works at the jail.... You will be safe in the day and also at night. However, even when chasing chicas can I suggest that you first think with the head on your shoulders, before using the head in your pants (no insult intended, but you get my drift, right?). At night, the lights and number of people on the streets keeps you safe.

Any specific questions you can email me: sedition2001@hotmail.

Hope it helps and good luck: remember to post the latest information.

Regards, Havanaman

[ConorOC]

I'm thinking about switching Casa Particulares next time I go to Havana. Anybody got any suggestions for good CP's? In fact, I think we should start a list of novia/girlfriendly CP's. Email me with your candidates: conoroc2002@yahoo.com .

Thanks.

ConorOC

[ConorOC]

Fatboy,

You won't get Cuban guests into the Inglaterra. It is always possible, when stopped trying to accompany a guest to your room, to suggest that you'd be willing to "tip" whoever is stopping you. I don't think the Inglaterra is one of the places where you'll have as much luck with this.

You'll meet plenty of women around the Inglaterra, especially in the streets surrounding the hotel. And, especially, in Parque Central across the street from the Hotel. Personally, I like the Prado - - a couple of blocks toward the harbor - -as a place to meet interesting people - - especially women. Or, the Malecon after dinner - - around 9 or 10 p.m.

Havana is a very safe city. But, it's still a city. I've walked all over Havana into the wee, wee hours of the night and never had a real problem - - at least not of the personal-safety-in-jeopardy type.

Enjoy.

ConorOC

[ConorOC]

Massages: Most good hotels in Havana offer massage service, at least those that also offer fuller amenities like exercise room, pool, etc. The massages are above board and not sexual. They are however extremely satisfying. Just ask the hotel front desk or the person at the tour desk about massages.

ConorOC

[Fatboy]

I will be making my first visit to Cuba in a few weeks.
Can you tell me if I am likely to be able to get 'guests' into the Inglaterra Hotel.
Also, am I likely to meet girls around that location or where would you suggest.
Finally, is it fairly safe to walk around at night, or should I taxi everywhere.
Any help appreciated.

[Peterman]

Something I've never seen on any of the Cuba boards is info on a place to get a good massage and maybe a little "extra service". A few years back there was a great health club that was about a $3 taxi ride west of the Melia Cohiba. There was a lady that worked there that gave a fantastic regular massage. Could never get her to do anything else. Anyway, I hadn't been there in a while and I ended up deciding to go one afternoon. The place was closed down and was being remodeled. I just remembered the place was close to La Mason. Maybe some one might know where this lady is working now? Or can anyone give a good recomend on a place to get a good massage? And, if "extra service" was available that would be a plus. (email B747Plumber@hotmail.com)

Thanks in advance,
Peterman

[Eberhard]

Hi all,

after 4 years of absence I will be again at Habana at the beginnig of november. For me and my 4 friends I'm searching to rent a house or spacious flat to avoid all these problems with the hotel security.
Who can help me?
Please write me an email spassundabenteuer@hotmail.com

Thanks a lot

[DownUnder]

JG was pretty accurate about the cuban women, about half are black and most are average (7's). The interesting thing was I was actually turned down by a few of the real hotties (9 's). I 'am 32 and average looking, I guess they were waiting for the 55 year old Europe guys who are willing to fork out $150 a night. In fact that's my prob.with Cuba, it's like a all you eat buffet- it's for those who perfer quantity over quality.

[Peterman]

Sino,

If you mean Peterman instead of peter, no never been anywhere in Cuba other than HAV. Universidad de cienfuegos does not ring a bell. Why?

Peterman

[sino]

hey peter have you ever been to cienfuegos?because if you have does universidad de cienfuegos ring a bell?

[Member #4239]

Now to my second post.
If you breathe, you can score in Habana. Talk to any single girl that you're interested in. Just ask them up to your apartment for a drink. No one will turn you down. Most girls in Habana are black and average looking at best, but you will find a few stunning beauties from time to time, especially in dance clubs(my favorites are Oasis and Casa de Musica). The reason of course for the ease with which you can pick up a girl is Cuba's immense poverty. And understandably most girls, although not all, will be interested in what you can do for them "economically". Most of my girl friends seemed more interested in smoking, drinking "mojitos", listening and dancing to Salsa, going to restaurants,etc, than having sex with me. Also because of Cuba's liberal sexual culture, most of even the younger girls, have had at least dozens of partners and possibly an abortion or two. By the way, the police never bothered any of my girl friends, but they will most certainly hassle them if they suspect them of being prostitutes. However, I do not recommend initiating a conversation with a "cubana" when the "policia" is nearby. Also, do NOT even think about having sex with some one below 18 years unless a stay in a Cuban jail is part of your travel plan.
Cubans are a fine and patient people, but they are also very gloomy and depressed secondary to living in a society where there are no freedoms, no opportunities, and no hope. Habana is a city stuck in the 1950's, with degenerating buildings, and HUGE holes every where in the streets and side walks. A visit to the so called "markets" with their limited supply and selection was enough to make me depressed every time. One word about the "paladares": make damn sure that you ask the price or see the menu BEFORE you eat or you can get ripped off big time as I was once.
Also as you have recently heard, hurricanes frequently rip through and devastate parts of the island. You may want to avoid visiting the island during the hurricane season if your travel plans are flexible.
J.G.

[Member #4239]

Back from Habana. I would like to make two posts, the first one being about the apartment which I rent when in Habana.
The location is "el edificio super cake, calle Belascoain No. 452, esquina Zanja, piso 7". The owner is Jorge Luis and you can reach him at (537)-879-0432. His own apartment is actually two doors down the hall.
This is a two bedroom, completely independent, extremely comfortable and well decorated apartment. You can have it all to yourself or share it with friends if you like. You can bring 100 girls there if you wish. No one will care. It is pricy for Cuba. I was charged 50$/day, but I can assure you that it is worth every penny. In fact, the apartment seems to stay occupied all the time. Every thing in the apartment is functional, and it gets cleaned every day. Anyways, check it out if you're interested.
J.G.

[Sman]

Peterman
Great information, I am going to print out your posts and take them with me when I return next month. I agree with you, anyone who has thought that they might like to go to Cuba should be doing it before things change, or as a friend of mine says "before they build a bridge to there from Key West." I really appreciate the list of places to eat. the last time I was there that was my major complaint, the food. Hopefully I will learn some new things this time, so I can share them with the board when I return.
Sman

[Peterman]

I believe it is just steak and lobster that are illegal. Not sure. Never had sushi lobster. Had several fish meals in paladars. I've been offered steak and lobster in paladars. Who knows. I guess it is whatever they can get away with. I also understand they are officially limited to 12 seats. Most of them I saw many more than that.