General Info

[John Jr]

I am going to Cuba in October . One week in Varadero and one week in Havana . I would like to be in contact with locals (girls in particular) What is the best way to get in contact with some girls ?

Chat rooms I presume. Which ones?

Are there any websites for single cubans that have proven results. There are so many but they all charge and it looks like hit and miss.

John Jr

[Jacaré]

Thanks Doc Bill for the info. I'll certainly PM you before my trip.

Cheers.

[Doc Bill]

The cops sometimes hassle the girls if they are with you, and sometimes they don't. Your chances are higher of them hassling her if you're white and she's black. As for a casa, don't worry about danger, there is very little crime in Cuba and foreigners are a lot safer than Cubans anyway.

You can simply ask the taxi driver for a casa when you arrive. Don't feel obligated to take the first one you see. You should pay between 20-40 US per night for a really good casa. PM me if you want referrals for some excellent casas in Habana. Good luck!

[Jacaré]

Thank you gentlemen for your feedback. Much appreciated.

Tastase,

What is/who are Roscoe and Enos ? Do you mean the local cops?
Is it still a problem for local girls to be seen with tourists? I remember reading on these boards a while ago that girls are hassled and even at times can be arrest if they are seen with foreigners. Is that still the case? If yes, how does one cope with it?

As far as getting a private casa, is that something you would suggest to a first timer? Isn't it a bit dangerous when you don't konw the area? Or is it ok for me to just get the air plane and then once I get there, look for a casa. And how easy is it to find a casa once I get there? What are the price ranges for that that I should be looking at?

That's all for now. Thanks for your feedback.

[Organicgrowth]

Lap Dancer , Doc Bill:

The Havana/Santiago journey can be a nightmare: it's just pot luck. Hitching (piggybacking off international flights) serves the majority of this route. This builds into the journey not only expectations of delays but also potentates them. Sadly we have to live with these possibilities, but then pot-luck means one man may get a trouble free journey, and the other may get a serious stop-over…

Agree with you Doc Bill, the best ticketing office is the main office at the end of La Rampa. In fact, as it is set along a line of other airways you really can not go wrong… I personally do not like the hotel booking office scenario. I used the main office in the Habana Libre (and it is an excellent office), however the staff are so busy doing multiple jobs mistakes can occur. I prefer “personal attention”.

Just my euros worth.

Regards, Havanaman

[Doc Bill]

Lap Dancer,

You're right, delays in Cuba can and often do happen. I was once stuck in Santiago at the airport for four hours waiting for a later flight back to Havana when my original one was cancelled. Other times, though, it was a breeze, an hour each way. I always buy my ticket at the Cubana/Aerocarribe desk at the foot of La Rampa, and never had a problem there.

[Lap Dancer]

Doc,

I think saying that Havana/Santiago is a one hour flight is a little misleading. Internal travel in Cuba can be a bit of an adventure. Flights can be delayed for many reasons. Some of the flights Santiago Havana are piggybacking off international flights like Ailitalia. When I went to Santiago it was a full day both ways. On the way there my original flight was rescheduled for 6 hours later and stopped in Holguin for two hours. On the way back to Havana I sat in the airport for 4 hours.

My recommendation for internal flights is to book them through the travel desks (like Cubanacan) in the large major hotels (e.g. Hotel Nacional or Habana Libre) when you get to Cuba. I had my best experience doing this. I booked my flight to Santiago from Canada so that could have been my mistake.

[Doc Bill]

1) Visiting Havana is a must, but most people make the mistake of not taking the one-hour flight over to Santiago for a few days. The two cities are like two different countries, and both in their own ways are wonderful. For mongering, I believe Santiago is your best bet right now, in terms of price and quantity. There is less police hassle there. All sex with Cubans, in my experience, has been GFE, so no need to worry about that. As for Spanish, even fluent speakers have trouble with Cuban spanish, so brush up as best you can before you go. Your Portuguese should help you learn Spanish fairly easily.
2)Depends on the experience you want to have. If you want to be closer to the locals and have a real Cuban experience get your own casa. There are many, and if you want recommendations feel free to pm me and I'll give you some names.
3) I believe you'll need a visa, but I'm not sure on this. If you do need one you'll need to get it before you leave for Cuba. This can be done at the airport or the nearest Cuban embassy or consulate.
4) I went last year for Christmas and New Years and it was great. The weather is just perfect then too. Anytime is good, except the months of July and August, too hot for me!
5) Jinitera literally means "jockey," but its common street usage means prostitute, and it is perjorative, so be careful how and where you use it. Main gathering spots are the Malecon, Prado and La Rampa.
6) Cuban pesos are worthless. You have to use US Dollars or Euros. Euros are pretty new in use so you're safer with dollars and can use them anywhere. In general things are not less expensive, particularly for the newbie who doesn't know how/where to shop. Dollar stores are not cheap.

I hope this helps. Cuba is a wonderful country. Crime is almost nonexistent, but false friendships abound, so take care.

[cuerno]

Jacare go to the Havana section and read Petrolero's last post. All your questions are very basic so just keep reading past posts in this forum.

[Tatase]

Jacarè,

I've been to Cuba 10+ times, so maybe I can help.

1) Best city. There is no best city, but I'd suggest La habana for a first timer. Simply walk up and down the Malecon (the seaside road) or in Calle Obisbo, and make eye contact with the one u like, follow her, and speak to her where Roscoe and Enos cannot spot u. Try to stay under 30$.

2) Don't get one of those package. They'll end up with jailing u in one of those heavens with no *real* cuban sex available, only hard pro's available for 50$ and up (see Varadero, or Cayo Coco)

3) I don't know, but I bet u need a yellow card (25$)

4) Best time in my opinion is March through June/July. Other periods are too hot, or rainy (as now). Well, it's Cuba anyway, not London, so if ur dates are already scheduled, don't worry.

5) Jiñetera = girls who tries to get tourists for living (yes, It's the same as Garota de Programa in buttland).
Malecon = every sea city of Cuba has one. It's the (usually) main road directly on the sea. Usually full of "life" we all are looking for.

6) Go down with US$. They'll do the trick. Don't bother with cuban pesos unless you want to go a level up and play the camajan role (camajan = tourist who knows everything about Cuba and its "mechanica")

Have fun and stay out of Roscoes down there.

Bye.

[Jacaré]

Hello Gentlemen,

I'm considering taking my first trip to Cuba sometimes soon. I've been reading these forums for about a year now, which are simply a wealth of information. I've been reading the Brazil section frequently. I have a few questions about Cuba for my up-coming trip that I'd like to have answered and given any pointers, tips and other advices on it from the experts in here.

1) Which is the best city to visit Cuba for a first timer? A while back while reading these forums, one would get the idea that Santiago was the best place for fun with girls. However, reading the recent reports from Havana make it look very interesting as well. So gentlemen, where would you recommend for meeting nice ladies to have fun and hot steamy sex with, preferably GFE?

I do understand Spanish and speak it I'd say, moderately as I understand Portuguese.

2) Since it's going to be my first time in Cuba, would it better for me to get into one of those all inclusive package deals? Or just get an air plane and then, find my own Casa Particular? Are these casas safe?

3) Do Canadian citizens need a visa to enter Cuba?

4) When is a good time to visit and enjoy Cuba? I'm thinking of somewhere either in mid-late October or around Christmas/New years. If I were to go during the Holidays of the end of the year, are prices down there going to be hiked up like say in Brasil?

5) A couple of easy questions:

Jiñetera: is that the equivalent what is called in Brasil a GDP (Garota de Programa aka provider)?

While reading the Havana section, I saw a lot mention of the Malecon. Is that the main joint's name in Havana just like Copa is in Rio? (well, at least for tourists as Rio is simply A LOT more than just Copa but that's another story... ).

6) Money matters: should I exchange my $$$ into the local currency before getting to Cuba or once i get there? What's the current exchange rate of the Cuban Peso with the US $? And how do the prices compare there? Am I right to assume that things should be a lot less expensive in Cuba?

That's my questions for now. Hoping to get as much valuable feedback from the experts in here.

Jacaré

[Organicgrowth]

Gentlemen,

Enough already! Lets get back to discussing and sharing information about the place we all love: Cuba… This tittle-tattle gets everyone nowhere.

Regards, Havanaman

[Alboroto]

Doc Bill,

You are correct. My own personal point is that as much as I do
wanted to travel to Santiago for the carnaval, did not wanted
to take a chance ... Even my intimate-friend dumped me, but
thats okay with me.

[Petrolero]

When you mentioned your expertise, you meant the expertise you demostrated getting duped by the putana-fiance who strung you along, for how long?

There are a lot of sportfuckers who could be in Tijuana, Bangkok, Sosua, San Jose or Rio and be just as satisfied, as long as the bollo buffet table is set. They don't give a shit about the country except how the politics determine the ease for their orgasms for the week.

I have little interest in the Oscar Mayer Variety Pak of counties. My stomping ground is Cuba, and to be more specific Havana. My choice in women is just as narrow. Something you would have learned before the hacer a pala you experienced, if you were an expert. I would be laughed out of the house and committed to the Mazorra extra looney wing of the psych unit, if my choice in the ladies was careless.

If you're a Cuba expert, tell me where can I get a ST Cubana for $5 and a 20 peso <$1 room?

[Doc Bill]

I can say whatever I want to say, guy, and readers can take it or leave it. Those who read this board know about my expertise on Cuba and I'm not about to defend anything I say to the likes of you. You don't want to believe me? Fine, you are free to your own opinions, and so am I. The hostility is not necessary. Good luck to you with yours, and may we all enjoy the pleasures of Cuba!