General Info

[Kalifornication]

Hi. Just found out that at very short notice I have to go to Cuba. Never been before and do not speak the language sadly. Trying to sort out some accommodation for 4/5 nights. I see everyone rents casas. Can someone point me towards a good website with English that lists Casas? Tried revolico but no English version. In extreme haste so any advice gratefully received.

Google casa particular for the city your going to. There are several websites, pick your poison.

[WhizzKid]

Hi. Just found out that at very short notice I have to go to Cuba. Never been before and do not speak the language sadly. Trying to sort out some accommodation for 4/5 nights. I see everyone rents casas. Can someone point me towards a good website with English that lists Casas? Tried revolico but no English version. In extreme haste so any advice gratefully received.

[Kalifornication]

All in all, I think it may take at least 8 years for Cuba to at least move forward from total destitution to poverty.

Raul Castro is 85 years old and his "vice-presidents" are about the same age. So it won't be long until the fuckers get too old and tired to be in charge. Younger Cubans who are in power (even the Castros' children and grandchildren) don't seem to be interested in keeping the Marxist system.

The Cuban Adjustment Act will also end with the embargo, so the poorer Cubans will remain trapped in Cuba (no US visa for them). Some will probably flee to other LatAm countries, but unfortunately it will take years before the lives of the average Cubans improve considerably.

Are you serious? Define poverty. I've seen more homelessness in one US city / small town than in Cuba. More gangs, more guns, more drugs, more violence more poor education / mis-education abroad than in Cuba. Cuban children are safe in their homes, their streets, their schools and public spaces. Not too many countries can say the same. Cuba in fact ranks higher in terms of literacy in comparison to most "first world" countries. Notwithstanding, compare Cuba to like islands, they are so much better off in terms of quality of life. Anyone who has ever traveled to DR, Ecuador, or South Central LA and Cuba, can attest to this fact. 50 plus years of an embargo and they have maintained their people. I doubt Canada would survive 24 hours if the US were to cut off all economic ties. Cuba has, and given its economic reality in a world that has been generally hostile to its existence, has amazingly survived. I think the Cubans are sophisticated enough to not surrender their ideals as we have. Viva la revolution.

[Mondo707]

Gents, don't take to much CUC with you if you leave Cuba next time. It might loose its value.
Here's an interesting article about the announcement to eliminate the CUC:

https://www.cubanet.org/destacados/e...imatum-al-cuc/

"The 2017 must start with the total elimination of CUC. Since, discreetly, for months we have been implementing measures to be declining circulation and go recovering the excess cash in the hands of the population. We are talking about figures exceeding one hundred million dollars and not go through the banks, "says an official of the National Bank of Cuba.

Hey El Grande.

Thanks for posting. I think it's good advice on your part. Last time I was in Cuba in March I thought about exactly this and bought a bottle of Havana club at the airport instead of bringing the currency back with me as I usually would do on previous trips also bought some cigars until I had no CUC left.

One thing though about this article and where it's originating (Miami) I would take their info with a grain of salt if you know what I mean. I don't think ANYBODY knows when this change will take place much less predict with certainty when it'll happen.

Mondo.

[El Grande]

Gents, don't take to much CUC with you if you leave Cuba next time. It might loose its value.
Here's an interesting article about the announcement to eliminate the CUC:

https://www.cubanet.org/destacados/e...imatum-al-cuc/

"The 2017 must start with the total elimination of CUC. Since, discreetly, for months we have been implementing measures to be declining circulation and go recovering the excess cash in the hands of the population. We are talking about figures exceeding one hundred million dollars and not go through the banks, "says an official of the National Bank of Cuba.

[Gentleman Travel]

Correct, the cities away from the capital you are less likely to find a girl who speaks English but that not a problem. Google translate is a great app to solve that problem. I use the Internet girls for info and connections not necessarily for fucking. Most Like to play the good girl role to throw you off. Tagged, Latin America Cupid are all worth a months subscription to establish contacts.

Thanks, I use LA Cupid and Hi5, which have a decent number of chicas, but again, hard to find those with decent English. I just wondered if I was missing something.

And I guess a lot of girls in Cuba don't have good access to the internet? So I guess I have to get out there and work the bars and cafes!

GT.

[Mr Gogo]

I want to go to Cuba, from Dominican Republic. The round trip ticket is about $500 US from here.

Anybody knows how to find cheaper rent in Cuba, under the table?. I would like to stay for 2 months but rent costs is what keeps me from going there.

Respectfully speaking Sir but casas run about 25-30 CUC and most include breakfast, how much more cheaper do you want it? The Cubana flight from santo Domingo flies only on Thursday and Sunday's and is expensive. If you check my post below flights are running 99-150 from the states. So find a cheap flight to Miami and then book Cuba but you will still pay for both legs over. Also keep an eye on PAWA the Dominican airline for specials.

[CarM44]

I want to go to Cuba, from Dominican Republic. The round trip ticket is about $500 US from here.

Anybody knows how to find cheaper rent in Cuba, under the table?. I would like to stay for 2 months but rent costs is what keeps me from going there.

[CarM44]

All good things end as they say, the 20 cuc all night chicas who also did my laundry in the mornings without asking will now be gone forever for us canuckers😥128546;.

All in all, I think it may take at least 8 years for Cuba to at least move forward from total destitution to poverty.

Raul Castro is 85 years old and his "vice-presidents" are about the same age. So it won't be long until the fuckers get too old and tired to be in charge. Younger Cubans who are in power (even the Castros' children and grandchildren) don't seem to be interested in keeping the Marxist system.

The Cuban Adjustment Act will also end with the embargo, so the poorer Cubans will remain trapped in Cuba (no US visa for them). Some will probably flee to other LatAm countries, but unfortunately it will take years before the lives of the average Cubans improve considerably.

[Mr Gogo]

Hey fellow mongers.

Just read the articles on the links below. Wanted to pass along these so you'd be aware of the new regs.

One has to do with new flight announcements and the other one with end of restrictions on how much rum & cigars one can bring back.

http://cubajournal.co/obama-lifts-al...an-rum-cigars/

http://cubajournal.co/southwest-airl...-from-florida/

Mondo.

Yes Sir. I booked for 149 usd last nigh Havana for New Year's Eve and in April. I also heard Casa de musica Havana is closed but miramar is open. For 150 it's a no-brainier. Now let's see if prices in the DR adjust to the low fares.

[Mondo707]

Hey fellow mongers.

Just read the articles on the links below. Wanted to pass along these so you'd be aware of the new regs.

One has to do with new flight announcements and the other one with end of restrictions on how much rum & cigars one can bring back.

http://cubajournal.co/obama-lifts-al...an-rum-cigars/

http://cubajournal.co/southwest-airl...-from-florida/

Mondo.

[Mr Gogo]

What internet sites do you use? I have not yet been to Cuba (going soon) but my experience in other Latin American countries is most web-sites might have decent numbers of girls in the capital, but very few in secondary cities. And of course many fewer outside the capital who have any English.

Correct, the cities away from the capital you are less likely to find a girl who speaks English but that not a problem. Google translate is a great app to solve that problem. I use the Internet girls for info and connections not necessarily for fucking. Most Like to play the good girl role to throw you off. Tagged, Latin America Cupid are all worth a months subscription to establish contacts.

[Gentleman Travel]

Exactamente amigo, that's why I now go to those destinations outside of Havana... I'm booked for Santiago / Hougin for early October and the girls from the Internet are already begging for my time.

What internet sites do you use? I have not yet been to Cuba (going soon) but my experience in other Latin American countries is most web-sites might have decent numbers of girls in the capital, but very few in secondary cities. And of course many fewer outside the capital who have any English.

[Mondo707]

Hey fellow mongers.

This is mostly for those who reside in Socal. Just found out a while ago Alaska Airlines will commence direct flights from LAX to Jose Marti International airport (la Habana) beginning this January.

I was trying to go for a music / dance festival this coming November 20 and was hoping to get a direct flight but no luck till January.

Anyway, this makes it a lot easier now for those of us here in Socal.

BTW, if you want to check this out go on Alaska Air website start your search for flights on the 2nd week in January and you'll find out details about flight time, etc.

When I checked round trip on economy was a bit under 5 Benjis, not bad.

Mondo.

[Combo]

In my experiences going through Panama and Mexico, they wouldn't let you on the plane until you'd bought the visa. It was right there and very convenient. I would think this would be the case if traveling through Miami, but I suppose things aren't always done logically.

I'm very much looking forward to members' reports about departing directly from a US City.