Havana

[Lucky Nuts]

One thing which I am wondering about is, considering the extreme economic crisis in Cuba, will the police stop bothering foreign men dating Cuban girls? Especially with Western Union now shut down, will they decide that economics overrules communist morality? After all, I have a feeling that the majority of foreign visitors are single men who are not only looking for a nice beach. Cuba's main tourist attraction is a different type of natural beauty.

And then the main question is, if I am a first time tourist coming to Cuba for a month, with little knowledge of Spanish and no connections to anyone in the black market, will I be able to buy normal, good food, alcohol, hygiene products, medications (Viagra, Tylenol) etc. with a non-American dollar credit card? (I have Israeli credit cards.)

The majority of foreign visitors are Canadian I think going down for a week in the sun on the Veradero Beach. Second (again I think) are Europeans traveling to see and experience Havana the historic city that time has left behind. I never saw many other guys playing our game on my trips to Cuba but I'm sure there were at least a few.

You can quit wondering about the police pressure easing up that's not going to happen. And by the way it's mostly pressure on the chicas not the foreign men. The police are enforcing what the government wants and the new president has taken harder stance than Fidel and Raul.

I doubt Viagra exists on the island outside of the elite class having access. No one else would have money for that type of thing anyhow. Without spanish speaking abiity I would discourage you from having high expectations should you travel to Cuba. But you might want to go anyhow for the culture aspect and just to gain an understanding how difficult are the conditions there. And if you meet the right person like a bi-lingual local who wants to make some money and knows the scene anything is possible.

Rather than using your Israeli credit card to buy stuff have a debit card to pull cash out of the ATMs. Money talks in Cuba louder than anywhere on earth.

[DiavelLoco]

The cities with most blancas are located in inland Cuba. Away from the coast. I believe Holguin is probably considered the epicenter of white on isla Cuba. As you move further from there the ratio changes little by little. The problem with Holguin is how difficult the game is as the police have a iron grip on the place for some reason. I visited with like 8 or 10 apartment rentals to ask about working a deal of extra money to bring in a chica (guest fee) and all renters are deathly afraid of "the man". Chicas must be registered in their official book. Somebody told me the academy for training Cuba's policia is located in Holguin and that's why it's so hard ass there. So you would need good spanish skills and work the local scene to find a place to fuck any chica you find. For a few bucks someone would probably let you use a bedroom. That's how Cuba works you know.

Exactly Diave that's the beautiful thing about Cuba. Money talks so well and everyone is so open-minded about ways to make a CUC. It's the only place I feel comfortable walking up to regular chicas like I'm their own age and asking to hang out together. Normally the answer is "si papi" LOL.

I guess what we'd like to know is if a guy goes with "dollars, euros, or gold bars" (that IS a funny line!) could we find a place to buy beer? If I can't buy beer easily I'm not going. And could we find good paladars so we wouldn't come back home 5 or 10 pounds lighter than we arrived? I can figure out the rest thanks LOL.

I promise you that you will be able to find several if not many good paladars in havana that also sell beers. Take my word for it, if not, I will invite you for some beers at my home.

[HarryDubois]

One thing which I am wondering about is, considering the extreme economic crisis in Cuba, will the police stop bothering foreign men dating Cuban girls? Especially with Western Union now shut down, will they decide that economics overrules communist morality? After all, I have a feeling that the majority of foreign visitors are single men who are not only looking for a nice beach. Cuba's main tourist attraction is a different type of natural beauty.

And then the main question is, if I am a first time tourist coming to Cuba for a month, with little knowledge of Spanish and no connections to anyone in the black market, will I be able to buy normal, good food, alcohol, hygiene products, medications (Viagra, Tylenol) etc. with a non-American dollar credit card? (I have Israeli credit cards.)

[Lucky Nuts]

Where are the White skin girls for sex like Ana de Armas? I wouldn't mind fucking a ***** escort / working girl that would look like Lily Estefan You know?

The cities with most blancas are located in inland Cuba. Away from the coast. I believe Holguin is probably considered the epicenter of white on isla Cuba. As you move further from there the ratio changes little by little. The problem with Holguin is how difficult the game is as the police have a iron grip on the place for some reason. I visited with like 8 or 10 apartment rentals to ask about working a deal of extra money to bring in a chica (guest fee) and all renters are deathly afraid of "the man". Chicas must be registered in their official book. Somebody told me the academy for training Cuba's policia is located in Holguin and that's why it's so hard ass there. So you would need good spanish skills and work the local scene to find a place to fuck any chica you find. For a few bucks someone would probably let you use a bedroom. That's how Cuba works you know.

I am more than happy to share my local knowledge with you guys especially on the paladars. The hunting part, you have to explore and find them yourself. Just remember that Cuba is working girl house. To me at least, all the girls are fidel's bitches. You know your way around, almost all of them are for the taking. Last week, I found this local florist nearby where I live. The girl selling flowers looked fuckable for me so I asked for her number. She is there every day selling flowers and I am sure that she is not a pro. Told her to let me know when she is free for me to have a cita and 40 cuc later, we are in a casa particular. My point is you don't have to go to the usual hunting ground. See any girl you like, ask them nicely for their number and make your move from there. Always remember that Cuba is never the same this month and few months back. The country is always changing all the time. Go with the flow and you will have a good time here. I might not be an expert in everything but I am certain I know enough to get by and to make your visit more meaningful.

Exactly Diave that's the beautiful thing about Cuba. Money talks so well and everyone is so open-minded about ways to make a CUC. It's the only place I feel comfortable walking up to regular chicas like I'm their own age and asking to hang out together. Normally the answer is "si papi" LOL.

I guess what we'd like to know is if a guy goes with "dollars, euros, or gold bars" (that IS a funny line!) could we find a place to buy beer? If I can't buy beer easily I'm not going. And could we find good paladars so we wouldn't come back home 5 or 10 pounds lighter than we arrived? I can figure out the rest thanks LOL.

[Penetrador]

I am more than happy to share my local knowledge with you guys especially on the paladars. The hunting part, you have to explore and find them yourself. Just remember that Cuba is working girl house. To me at least, all the girls are fidel's bitches. You know your way around, almost all of them are for the taking. Last week, I found this local florist nearby where I live. The girl selling flowers looked fuckable for me so I asked for her number. She is there every day selling flowers and I am sure that she is not a pro. Told her to let me know when she is free for me to have a cita and 40 cuc later, we are in a casa particular. My point is you don't have to go to the usual hunting ground. See any girl you like, ask them nicely for their number and make your move from there. Always remember that Cuba is never the same this month and few months back. The country is always changing all the time. Go with the flow and you will have a good time here. I might not be an expert in everything but I am certain I know enough to get by and to make your visit more meaningful.

Where are the White skin girls for sex like Ana de Armas? I wouldn't mind fucking a ***** escort / working girl that would look like Lily Estefan You know?

[DiavelLoco]

I am more than happy to share my local knowledge with you guys especially on the paladars. The hunting part, you have to explore and find them yourself. Just remember that Cuba is working girl house. To me at least, all the girls are fidel's bitches. You know your way around, almost all of them are for the taking. Last week, I found this local florist nearby where I live. The girl selling flowers looked fuckable for me so I asked for her number. She is there every day selling flowers and I am sure that she is not a pro. Told her to let me know when she is free for me to have a cita and 40 cuc later, we are in a casa particular. My point is you don't have to go to the usual hunting ground. See any girl you like, ask them nicely for their number and make your move from there. Always remember that Cuba is never the same this month and few months back. The country is always changing all the time. Go with the flow and you will have a good time here. I might not be an expert in everything but I am certain I know enough to get by and to make your visit more meaningful.

[DiavelLoco]

OK. I stand corrected. My experience is a couple of years back, and yes, there were paladars where you could use CUC and sometimes get good meals, but I didn't see much on the shelves in any of the stores where you could buy stuff. Groceries, etc.

As for use of dollars and what you can buy. I'll take your word for it as a resident. My experience as a lone "tourist" staying in casas particulares was not that of someone with connections. But I was not a typical tourist staying in resorts and I found it very difficult to find anything much. Of course the stores where they sell the rationed food supplies are off limits, and the few cash stores I went in did not have any real selection. And this was in good times.

I totally understand where you are coming from. Yes, it was during good times here in Cuba. Right now, I would say Cuba is at its lowest ebb. You won't believe me if I say this, I have more things at home right now than 2 years ago. Its hard to explain but it seems that more things are available in the blackmarket from the left during this hard covid period when Cuba was in lockdown. I am flying out next weekend for some fresh air and we were making list of things to buy to bring back to Cuba. I am shocked to see the list that we prepared during the last few days is not as long as it used to be when we were flying out of the country, every single month. Just to remind you again that our last trip outside Cuba was in March. I have made so many new contacts during the covid lockdown that I can survive living here without flying out of the country for the next couple of months. Strange but that is the reality for most of us foreigners who are well connected with the local cartels.

[Lucky Nuts]

Hello folks. No intention to start a debate here with anyone. Just to clear up on few things mentioned regarding Cuba.

Awesome "on the ground" report Diave. Thanks so much. I think we all appreciate your posts and wish you would relay first hand experienes more often both the good and the bad. Many of us former visitors have found other places to enjoy the fruits but are often thinking about returning to Cuba at the right time. Not sure what makes the right time LOL. But your reports sure help give us a feel for the situation. One of these days I'm going to "just do it" again. It's been a few years now for me.

[John Clayton]

...This video is pretty close the state of affairs in Cuba. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RjRqS5vl-Q.

Great video; however, I don't think I would ever post a video of me getting hauled in over the tailgate of a truck like he did. Too embarassing. He looked like beached pilot whale.

[Ty Down]

BBQ in campo, small town outside of Ciego de Avila.

[Ty Down]

Hello folks. No intention to start a debate here with anyone. Just to clear up on few things mentioned regarding Cuba. FYI, I have been living here in Cuba for 2 and a half years now. I have my family and kids here too with me. My family and I are all happy here. Probably the stories of struggles are from the point of view of the locals. As a foreigner here in havana, our quality of life is wonderful. No way can I have 2 helpers at home and a driver for my wife, back in my own country. Yes its true that sometimes you have difficulties finding eggs and other stuff. Did we die in hunger? No we didn't. Why is that? Because with money, you can find almost all the basic things you need from the "left" as how the say it here.

My hat is off to you DiavellLoco. Four or five years ago I even considered buying or leasing a house in Guanabo beach area. I thought it would be a perfect winter time getaway from the winters here in the States. But after looking into the legal aspects of doing that, it was off the table.

Back in the day (15 years ago), I worked for the University of Ghana in a joint research project with an American University. After about a year in West Africa, I came to love the life there. I had a pocket full of money, a University provided Toyota 4 x4 Land Cruiser, a place to stay in Accra. Life was good. By this time, I had become completely immersed in the local culture. Friends and family back home thought I had lost my everlasting mind! Ghana is almost the complete opposite of Cuba. In Ghana, the food is plentiful and fantastic! Best food I've ever had. But the living conditions in West Africa is harsh. Contrast this with Cuba, Cuba has beautiful architecture but the food is horrendous, (to me, maybe not others). And the weather is great. (in the winter) I ended up spending 8 years in Ghana, some of the best memories of my life. I still miss the food.

My experience in Cuba, 5 years ago it was a great place to visit, and then around 2018 things started to go downhill. FAST. I was there back in March of this year, and most of the stores in Havana were either closed, or had limited hours of operation, and if they did open, very limited supply of basically anything, a stark contrast to the good days of 2015 - 2016.

Thanks DiavelLoco for sharing your experiences with us.

[Zeos1]

Hello folks. No intention to start a debate here with anyone. Just to clear up on few things mentioned regarding Cuba. FYI, I have been living here in Cuba for 2 and a half years now. I have my family and kids here too with me. My family and I are all happy here. Probably the stories of struggles are from the point of view of the locals. As a foreigner here in havana, our quality of life is wonderful. No way can I have 2 helpers at home and a driver for my wife, back in my own country. Yes its true that sometimes you have difficulties finding eggs and other stuff. Did we die in hunger? No we didn't. Why is that? Because with money, you can find almost all the basic things you need from the "left" as how the say it here. Do I make lines to go to the shops? Never, because I have my helpers and driver to do it for me.

BTW we had a party at home last weekend for 30 adults and 18 kids. There were champagne, nice wines, gin tonics, rums, beers, great meat from Argentina for bbq and abundance of other food for everyone. Just like anywhere else in the world. We even hired 3 waiters and a bartender so that hosting will be easier for me and my family. What I'm tryin to say here is don't believe all the info that you gather from all your sources. Yes, this country has its own problems and never-ending issues. But not having gas for the car and no food at all is just nonsense.

I have also another example to share. Probably 2 months ago, I bumped into ana de armas and ben afleck somewhere in miramar. This was during havana's toque de queda. These 2 celebrities rather spend months of quarantine here in Cuba than any other places in the world. Sounds crazy? I don't think so, because they have money and they know the right people to have a pleasant time here despite all the madness happening in the world.

OK. I stand corrected. My experience is a couple of years back, and yes, there were paladars where you could use CUC and sometimes get good meals, but I didn't see much on the shelves in any of the stores where you could buy stuff. Groceries, etc.

As for use of dollars and what you can buy. I'll take your word for it as a resident. My experience as a lone "tourist" staying in casas particulares was not that of someone with connections. But I was not a typical tourist staying in resorts and I found it very difficult to find anything much. Of course the stores where they sell the rationed food supplies are off limits, and the few cash stores I went in did not have any real selection. And this was in good times.

[DiavelLoco]

Hello folks. No intention to start a debate here with anyone. Just to clear up on few things mentioned regarding Cuba. FYI, I have been living here in Cuba for 2 and a half years now. I have my family and kids here too with me. My family and I are all happy here. Probably the stories of struggles are from the point of view of the locals. As a foreigner here in havana, our quality of life is wonderful. No way can I have 2 helpers at home and a driver for my wife, back in my own country. Yes its true that sometimes you have difficulties finding eggs and other stuff. Did we die in hunger? No we didn't. Why is that? Because with money, you can find almost all the basic things you need from the "left" as how the say it here. Do I make lines to go to the shops? Never, because I have my helpers and driver to do it for me.

BTW we had a party at home last weekend for 30 adults and 18 kids. There were champagne, nice wines, gin tonics, rums, beers, great meat from Argentina for bbq and abundance of other food for everyone. Just like anywhere else in the world. We even hired 3 waiters and a bartender so that hosting will be easier for me and my family. What I'm tryin to say here is don't believe all the info that you gather from all your sources. Yes, this country has its own problems and never-ending issues. But not having gas for the car and no food at all is just nonsense.

I have also another example to share. Probably 2 months ago, I bumped into ana de armas and ben afleck somewhere in miramar. This was during havana's toque de queda. These 2 celebrities rather spend months of quarantine here in Cuba than any other places in the world. Sounds crazy? I don't think so, because they have money and they know the right people to have a pleasant time here despite all the madness happening in the world.

[HarryDubois]

This video is pretty close the state of affairs in Cuba. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RjRqS5vl-Q.

However I thought that there were restaurants which accepted CUC and had good food; at least before COVID.

[Ty Down]

So you're saying that outside of the all inclusive resorts, the shops and restaurants may be empty, regardless of whether you have CUC, dollars, euros or gold bars?

Cuba and bring dollars, either in cash or an Israeli credit card.).

It doesn't matter what kind of Passport you have, Cuba will let anybody in who has any dineros. Whatever you watched on TV, is a lie.

The hard cold truth about Cuba is, there is NOTHING there, except pigs, chickens and sugar cane. Maybe a patch of Tobacco here and there.

This video is pretty close the state of affairs in Cuba. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RjRqS5vl-Q.