Santiago

[Member #4366]

The mongering situation in Santiago is now very, very bad when compared with five years ago (when I had a great time). As others have posted already, there are now cameras all over town and there is a particularly heavy police presence. It was even worse during my visit as I arrived at the time they were preparing for Chavez’ and Raul’s visit for the celebration of 50 years revolution. Fortunately, I could still fall back on a few old contacts of earlier visits. If not, it would have been really difficult for me to find any action. I did see a few black girls making contact with tourists in the open air cafeteria near the Plaza Dolores but they looked very professional. There were hardly any girls in the streets at night – a striking contrast with the good availability five years ago. And if you see any, they tend to avoid eye-contact. For the moment, Santiago is definitely a place to avoid.

[Maxima Man]

I will have to agree with most people before me that Santiago is not a good place foe sexual escapades anymore as not only Police is getting vigilant but also locals. I have had a situation myself a few weeks ago when I banged a young woman at night. I checked her into the hotel I was staying at around 9:00pm and let her go home in the morning. In the afternoon, one of the people I know from her neighbourhood told me that the girl was chastised by some of her neighbours. The girl was so distraught that she turned her face the other way when I drove by her house that same afternoon. Mind you that she was not a Jinetra. I worked hard for a couple of days to get her to join me at my hotel. So mongers beware when approaching girls in Santiago.

[Kdogg21]

I was in Sasntiago in may 2008 and I sensed a difference from may 2007. More police and they were hassling people a lot more. Much more difficult environment now.

[El Rey De Pollo]

Method, thanks for that update. I was a week in Santiago this June, and it was sure a lot worse than on my trips there previously. Was thinking about giving it a shot this January, but just crossed it from my list. Thanks for saving me the time and money.

[Methos]

I got back from 7 days in Santiago last week. Things have really changed. Paranoia is running rampant. They put up cameras all over the place and the people think they are being watched 24 hours a day. I can't see them really doing that, but it doesn't matter because the Cubans think they are.

I met one random girl who wouldn't talk to me for more than a few seconds and then followed me back to my casa. She was ok and I gave her 15 plus she picked up a couple of 1 cuc coins on my table. That's about average.

One girl I've seen on my past couple of trips is now in jail. I contacted another one I knew from a previous trip and pretty much spent the rest of my week with her. She would barely go out of the casa with me.

In my many trips to Santiago I've never seen anything like this. In the last few years it's just gotten steadily worse. When I first went nobody seemed the least bit concerned about a tourist with a Cuban. I bought a ticket for my next trip before this one but if I hadn't I don't think I'd be going back for a while.

[BeersTerry]

Great thing about Havana police (ones from Havana)....they are always willing to look the other way with a little incentive.

[PincheCabron]

I can validate what was said. When I went last october it was pretty bad as even the steady I had there was very paranoid about being seen out in the streets with me. There's still action to be had but it has to be on the down and low. Unless you got cash to grease everyones palms you're better off in havana. It should get better come july when all the festivals start.

Santiago Sucks Big Time. Most girls are in prison for up to FOUR years, the rest are ugly as hell and every potential babe is scared shitless. Not even money seems to be able to motivate them any more!

I would stay out of Oriente (Santiago, Guantanamo and even Bayamo) completely and stick to Havana. That will save you time (900 km journey; 15 hours!), money (bus is 55 USD) and the bullshit hazzle with police and the bitches.

Police are extremely faithful (non-corrupt) to the communist cause and enforce the anti-prostitution law harshly. Ordinary people likewise as the keep on informing the PNR and Immigration on your activities. You cant even walk the street with an ordinary girl (they're to scared), as she will most definately get picked up/fined by the pigs of the PNR (Policia Nacional Revolucinario).

As you can see I'm VERY negative, was there for two weeks and that was 14 days to long.

[Juanjuan]

Santiago Sucks Big Time. Most girls are in prison for up to FOUR years, the rest are ugly as hell and every potential babe is scared shitless. Not even money seems to be able to motivate them any more!

I would stay out of Oriente (Santiago, Guantanamo and even Bayamo) completely and stick to Havana. That will save you time (900 km journey; 15 hours!), money (bus is 55 USD) and the bullshit hazzle with police and the bitches.

Police are extremely faithful (non-corrupt) to the communist cause and enforce the anti-prostitution law harshly. Ordinary people likewise as the keep on informing the PNR and Immigration on your activities. You cant even walk the street with an ordinary girl (they're to scared), as she will most definately get picked up/fined by the pigs of the PNR (Policia Nacional Revolucinario).

As you can see I'm VERY negative, was there for two weeks and that was 14 days to long.

[Member #4167]

Anyway, about the photos I actually like to take video footage also and I prefer to get it clarified beforehand. I pretty much managed it with most girls I had.

Hey Donny - I would love to see your videos. You can get a free account at ( w w w . yourfilehost . com )

On other forums, I have seen guys upload their videos to yourfilehost.com and then post the link to the video here in this forum.

I would sure love to see your videos!

Waterboy

[Donnylad]

Hi guys. Just a response to the posts below. I found the carnet situation interesting. My experience was pretty symmetrical. The places I stayed in Havana and Santiago insisted that the girl had her carnet but they didn't register them (punto, as they called it). Santa Clara and Cienfuegos on the other hand did and would definitely want the punto thing. This is what caused me to change casa in S.C.

I appreciate your advice about the interesting situation I was in. I thought it might have been more serious than that. Anyway, about the photos I actually like to take video footage also and I prefer to get it clarified beforehand. I pretty much managed it with most girls I had.

DL

PS if you want more info about the casa, PM me. The only thing is I don't remember the address but I may be able to work it out.

[Member #4167]

2. A guy tagging along. Always a bad sign. I always make a point of never involving cubanos in my exploits with cubanas. If they are around when I meet her, I get rid of them. If they come around after I've met her, I tell them politely that their services are not needed. Is he her boyfriend? Her chulo? her bodyguard getting a cut? Or all of the above? I can't tell.

Yes TG, I have made the mistake too many times. Every time I have involved cubanos in my exploits with cubanas, it was a mistake.

The cubanos that I have let tag along, have universally committed the following sins:

1.) Getting drunk at my expense
2.) Eating massive amounts of food at my expense
3.) Monopolizing the conversation, hampering my abilities to woo the chica.

Furthermore,I am sure that if I did score with the chica they would gossip it all over town and ruin her reputation.

The exception to this rule is with cubanos that you know really well, your 'freinds'. Many of them have been an aid.

[El Rey De Pollo]

Donny, thanks a million for the long, well-written and very informative report. Havana is my turf, and as Santiago is not I am always eager to learn more about the city.

Well, judging what went on is not easy not having been there. But certain things does stick out to me:

1. The girl approached you, not the other way around. Definate proof she is a semi-pro to pro jinetera.

2. A guy tagging along. Always a bad sign. I always make a point of never involving cubanos in my exploits with cubanas. If they are around when I meet her, I get rid of them. If they come around after I've met her, I tell them politely that their services are not needed. Is he her boyfriend? Her chulo? her bodyguard getting a cut? Or all of the above? I can't tell.

3. If the old guy you were staying at were supercool with all the other girls you brought around, why would he make a case out of this one? I see no other obvious reason than because she did in fact rip of a previous tenant. Off course, there could be other reasons, but none I can guess from your report.

This casa, by the way, did the owner want carnet from the girls and did he write down names? I am looking for a super chica-friendly casa for my next trip to Santiago as I stayd in a shitty casa last time around. This was actually in May, so about the same time as you. Who knows, maybe I bagged that fat girl after you let her go, LOL.

Again, this is a much appreciated up-to date report. Thanks for taking the time.

PS: Sounds to me like you inquire about photos upon meeting and negotiating with the girls? Why not wait and just take out the camera when you're in the casa laughing it up with her and she knows you're a cool guy? This is my tactic at least, and seems to work fine. I get no's to nudes, but never to normal sexy photos.

Cheers

[Donnylad]

Hi there. Apologies for the very long delay in this section of my report regarding my trip in Apr/May. This section follows straight on from my report in the Santa Clara section.

Day 6/Sat - Following the long, horrible overnight coach ride from Santa Clara, I arrived in Santiago around lunch time. As explained before, I had felt forced to book a proper hotel here in order to get my visa. I had booked the Casa Grande and got a taxi there. The taxi driver had an old guy as a passenger and they were both trying to talk me into staying at his casa particular. I kept the card anyway. For those who do not know, the Casa Grande is a colonial style hotel on the main square. First of all, the room wasn't ready. I got the impression that there was a power cut. Thus, the lift wasn't working. However, upon entering the room I realised there was no main light, except for 2 bed side lights. Admittedly wanting to find some fault, I kicked up a fuss about this. To cut a long story short, I ended up getting a taxi to the local agents office. Lucky to catch them even if they were closed, they told me to get my stuff and leave the hotel and find some other accommodation. They assured me they would sort things out and that I had to return on Mon. So, I got my stuff and went to that old guys place. Really nice family with a kid. Really got me interested in the baseball. Room was ok too.

At some point, a guy who said he lived nearby introduced himself to me and said he could arrange girls for me. Unfortunately, despite searching for him I never did get to take advantage of this offer. I saw him once on his way to work in the morning and he once came looking for me when I wasn't in.
If my memory serves me right, in the evening I went to a bar on a street between the main square and another square called 'el baturro'. It was quite empty and this chunky, younger black girl helped me out. She started talking to me and was soon kissing me etc. She wanted to go back to my place, but as it ws early I resisted. I ended up arranging to meet up with her there at 1pm on my last day there (Tues).

If my memory serves me right, I ended up on a wild goose chase looking for women. It culminated in going to the square (can't remember the name) near the main one. I got a guy to search for a woman and had to pay him for his trouble. We were sat at the bar that's beside the square when this tall, dark, slim, young chica shows up. He talks to her and I negotiated with her. I think she wouldn't do sex or something and definitely not anal. Back at the room, she kicked up quite a fuss about the photos but eventually agreed, using a scarf as a blindfold. She was decent at what she did. Says she goes to England to see her boyfriend sometimes and teaches dance. Said she was 19.
The old guy stayed up till she left but was cool with everything.

Day 7 - Sun - Took a taxi ride (arranged by the old guy) to the Gran Piedra. The driver was cool and started talking to him about chicks. He mentioned his step daughter who was single etc. Naturally said she was not a ***** etc. Took me to meet her and another chick who he said might be interested in a good time. Met her but didnt stick around and went to his daughter instead. She came away with us and we went to a bar. Lunch and drinks ensued followed by a trip to my room. Despite loads of talking all I got was a couple of kisses as she was a tough nut to crack so decided to cut my losses.

Not sure if it was that night when I was in one of the bars around the main square. A group sat near me. There was an older lady (must have been at least 50) who was dressed all sexy and was thin as a stick. Had this look that I find dead sexy. She was blonde and white but tanned. There was also a gorgeous younger chick in her early 20's and a younger white guy with them. Turns out it was mother, son and daughter. The guy started a conversation with me and turns out they live near where I was staying and know the owner. The weird thing was that I'm sure he offered me his sister!! Later he said I could come to their place for drinks and snacks etc. Can't remember if I actually said that I wanted his mother, but I was thinking about it!! Anyway, I smelled a rat and they left before me. The kids both spoke good english.

The main action came from hanging round the main square. Dodging polic was tricky. I attracted the attention of 2 girls. One light and the other dark. Both were quite young but the darker one was younger. I said I wanted the older one. We agreed on DATY/BBBJ/FSWC for about 30 CUC. We arranged for my taxi to pick her up just off the square. Back at my place it turns out that she knows the owner. They chat for a while and he waits up as before. In the room she changes her mind about photos and kicks up a bit of a fuss. Eventually I backed down but we didn't part fully amicably. More about this later. Service was ok otherwise.

Day 8 - Mon - Got my accommodation issues resolved. They provided a written statement for me to send to my agent at home in order to get a full refund of my hotel costs. The night before on of the taxi particulars I had used started talking about women. They said they could offer a really nice 19 year old the next day. I arranged for them to bring her around about 6pm. True to form they did come and she was a bit of a stunner. However, she would not accept taking photos and to this day I regret letting her go.

The night was another long one and ended up in getting a taxi to the big hotels. On the way back we spotted a black girl walking on her own. She was thin and a bit of a freak. I'm pretty sure she agreed to everything for 20 CUC. She was pretty good in the sack and also allowed photos only after using the blindfold as before.

Day 9 - Tues - My last day in town. I hadn't forgotten my date with the girl at El Baturro. However, I was hoping not to have to use that as she was scary. Anyway, it started raining from around 12pm as I headed out to my rendez vous. I decided to go to that bar near the square where I had picked up on the first night. To cut a long story short, I ordered lunch and soon after a stunner of a young, blonde chick sat in a table nearby and ordered her food. This was a very strange experience and would like anyone'e interpretation of what went on.

Due to the rain, she started up a conversation with me. Before I knew it she was at my table and we were both having drinks. She made it a point that she had quite a bit of money on her. Anyway, soon a guy shows up and they greet each other etc. The story is that they study together at college part time and are friends. She says her father is in the USA and she is going there soon on holiday. We had already touchedabout relationships etc. Anyway, at some point when we are on our own we end up kissing. She carries this on in his presence too. Whilst we are all drinking at this point, he sticks to soft drinks only.

During this, disaster strikes. The girl from el baturro tracks me down there!! To make it worse she has a big black guy in tow. I make up an excuse about the rain etc. Anyway, they insist I pay them and after a lot of arguments in which my new friends try and help, I end up paying something silly like 5CUC. By this point, we had agreed to go back to my place just to 'talk' before I had to catch my coach. We have trouble getting a taxi and end up in a private vehicle. Back at my place, the old guy says 2 things. Firstly, something about a girl causing trouble about photos. I don't understand this and decide to leave this till later. More importantly, he says he doesn't want her in the house as he knows she is trouble etc. The upshot of this is that my little head has taken control and I suggest going to her place. She is a bit nervous about this but agrees. I prepare by not taking money or cell phones with me, despite the old guy's warnings. Anyway, it is still raining and time has got on and we decide to leave it. Getting a taxi was another factor. She was such a hottie that my heart sank. We kissed passionately before she left with him. It struck me as strange that he had to come with us everywhere.

Speaking to old man later, it turns out that sh ripped off a previous guest of his. I wasn't convinced with this excuse for not letting her in the room with me in broad daylight with everyone around. With regards to his other issue, he was saying that the chick from Sat nite came around looking for me as she was unhappy about the photos. She was talking about going to the police etc. The surprising thing was that she was the coolest of the 3 girls I had and it was the one on Sun who was talking about things like that. Needless to say that he was pretty shook up by that and I was slightly worried too, but nothing came of it as I left Santiago soon after.

Now, as a cynic, I presumed that the incident on the afternoon had to be a scam with the guy being her boyfriend. However, I struggle to see what they would have got out of it except for a couple of drinks, especially as we were going to my place. Also, the behaviour of the old man was a bit strange. Let me know what you think about this. The other paradox is that I wonder what would've happened if I had just made my rendezvous as planned and had that black girl instead? Mightve been a nightmare considering her general attitude.

DL

[Member #4167]

The good thing about cuba is that they have some of the most beautiful mulattas in the whole world: I have seen a a few dark-skinned girls with european facial features. Very nice. Exotic.

Things are the same there-dark skin girls are more aggressive while the lighter skinned girls are timid.

This is so true.

Does anyone know why?

[Member #4167]

Baracoa is a beautiful spot, very out of the way and hard to get to, but if you are in Santiago, you must go there, as a side trip (it is not that far - maybe a 100 miles). I saw more tourists in Baracoa than nearly anywhere else in Cuba. If you come from Santiago, you definetly want to see the north side of town. Take the road again back out of town (the road towards Moa) - go appx 25-30km towards Moa and you will see some of the most beautiful country of your life. This is like Tahiti.

As for mongering, Baracoa, like all of Cuba has the standard rules against jiniterismo. Baracoa seems especially vigilant about this. I was told by the police that if you have a cubana gf she has to register BOTH at the police station as well as at the hotel/casa. First time I heard of this in Cuba. As for mongering, I didn't see any dedicated pros walking around. I met a few locals who seemed very interested, mostly they were in the campo outside of Baracoa town proper. However I was off the market and didn't partake. Baracoa city proper has minimal prospects, (the cityfolk seemed to scared of talking to extranjeros) - your best prospects will be in the surrounding campos, where the chicas are more friendly.

I don't think Baracoa is a mongering destination, but there are prospects for those who are in Baracoa for other reasons. The best reason to visit Baracoa is for tourism, and is definetly a must for all visiting Santiago.

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