General Info

[Macgoo]

Maxx,

Considered the same scenario with transit to and from Detroit/Windsor. However, was advised against it because, yes, the US and Canada; as well as Mexico were coordinating efforts to close these departure points to Americans.

Only my experience - do not let this deter you!

Ez

[Maxx]

I've done some homework on this board and I'd appreciate it someone can give me their thoughts on my plan.

I live in NY so I'll drive to Montreal, take an Air Canada flight to Cuba. I figure that if they stamp my passport in Cuba, it wont matter because I dont need to show it on my drive back over the border from Canada. I could always say I lost it and get a new one.

Would the Canadian authorities ever alert the US as to my travels? Thanks for the info. MAXX

[Organicgrowth]

Monger22,

See my reply to your PM. Have a good trip & report back to share...

Regards, Havanaman

[Monger22]

MY first trip is next week Jan 11. Help guys, only there for 3 nights

[Thai Diesel]

Skin Two

I'm looking into going to Cuba too and it will be my first time as well. Do you want to coordinate the trip? If you do PM me with the dates and where you'll be traveling from.

Thai Diesel

[Skin Two]

First time.

I am new to this site, wow what have I been missing!

I have just been reading all the reports of Cuba as I am going there on my first trip in four weeks time, any tips, do's and don't do's?

I have a preference for the more mature lady, 30-40, have I less chance in that age group ? Plus I just luv black women, are there many in Cuba?

Sorry for all the questions, but I would really appreciate help from all you 'regulars' to Cuba.

Many thanks.

Skin two

[Saint]

Here are some very helpful websites that have ticket prices and time schedules, gateway cities, car rental information and prices, FAQ and other helpful information.

http://www.nashtravel.com/gateways.asp

http://www.cubatravelusa.com

http://www.amigotravelcard.com

http://www.aduana.islagrande.cu/agr3.htm

http://www.state.gov/www/regions/wha/cuba/travel.html

http://www.cubalinda.com

http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/categories.cfm?catid=14

http://www.geocities.com/vedadohabana/list.html

http://duales.com/eng/Content/home.asp

Good luck!

Saint

[Organicgrowth]

Monger22,

Cash is the best option. You can haggle in Cancun, even for your ticket if you show the colour of your money. I did this once, got a few $$$ off from a local “air-ticket bucket shop” (I’m from Europe, I don’t know what these are called in America). I used Mexicana.

Best thing for a place to stay is a casa-particular. Hotels are not chica-friendly: in fact if you look at ALL the reports you will note that Cubans are not allowed into the hotels, other than to conduct business (and I don’t me mean pay & play!).

From the taxi stand at the airport, speak to a driver, tell him what you need. He will give you a tour of a few casas and you take your pick. He gets a kick-back for doing this, so other than a couple of dollars tip for this help, don’t pay any more. Expect to pay $15 - $30 per night for a casa. the upper range is my prefered price as it affords a better place to stay.

Price of chicas: read the board! Negotiate to the bone.

Enjoy.

Regards, Havanaman

[Monger22]

First time to Havana. Will be in Cancun early Jan. Want to make 4 day trip to Havana. Do I buy Air Ticket in Cancun? What Airline? Cash so USA does not know? Price? Girl friendly moderatly priced hotel in Havana? Cost? Price of girls?
Any help or steer me in right direction for info would be appreciated. My mongering has mostly been SE Asia till now.

[Organicgrowth]

if anyone has anymore input into this thread please post: it’s a big issue for sure, and i thank this1greatman for bringing it up.

allostinspace13, this1greatman, gentlemen,

we live and learn. thanks allostinspace13, much appreciated. in europe we use a number of references for le (bluecoat, finest, officer, patrolman, patrolwoman, peace officer, police, policeman, policewoman, cop, copper, law, bulls, copper, flatfoot, fuzz, gendarme, heat, man , bobby, constable, peeler, pig…, and others even less savoury). le not being one of them in regular parlance. enough already!

so, returning to your question this1greatman: i have also heard the same, i.e. the police are really cracking down all over. not only in numbers but also undercover (a new one on me, but so say my friends in havana…). i think this is indirectly connected to mongering.

the incidence of prostitution has rocketed over the last 10 years. the direct approach would kill tourism in cuba, so they (see above list!) go for the soft option: the chicas. and some of the lesser pimps. i have no doubt that there will be mongers who get “taken down” but very few will get any form of punishment ~ read if any.

i got stopped a few years back (my taxi was pulled over by le in a car) and i offered to pay the 2 ‘peelers’ (lol) my fine directly to them and walk away. cost me $30. the chica and i walked. talk about fear; the whole evening was shattered and i couldn’t get it up that night. lesson learned. i in no way encourage the bribery of any flatfoot (!), in a place like cuba, if “done wrong” you are going to be looking at handcuffs: of this i have no doubt. especially now that the majority of constables (!) are not native to havana.

to be direct with you, i no longer venture into isolated spots alone. a couple of guys, sure. alone, no. i believe we are seeing the last of the really free days (if one can use such an expression) for cuba. time and circumstances have meant that risk-taking in cuba (by the criminal element) is at an all time high. many of these elements have mucho dinero. the police know this and so make “hits” at the lower end to score some greenbacks, maintain their arrest quotas. i also think that taking some of the chicas away is a ply to get the pimps to pay up. that being said, i also think there will be a strong nationalistic feel to the police job (couple this with jealousy, envy… call it what you will against the tourist) and you know you are at risk.

so what is the answer? be safe, stay in the light, stay where there are people. don’t carry too much cash. leave your rolex / tag at home: use a timex…

this subject is too important a subject to leave. information here is vital to monger safety and possible continuity...

regards, havanaman

[Organicgrowth]

Talosian, Gentlemen,

I just discovered this site:

http://groove.gmxhome.de/cuba.htm

Exceptional is a good description. It brought back excellent memories, a few laughs and many sighs! Gosh, I’m so looking forward to being in Havana again. Just a few short days to go.

This author, Roman Virdi, (not a monger) has put together a sort of non-travel guide travel guide (you will know what I mean when you read it). It is his account of his trip, good and bad, along with some excellent photographs. See the chica on the havana university page? Classic picture, muy verdad. In term time these steps are teeming with chicas age range 19 – 23.

For first time visitors it would be worth looking at the picture section as a lot of what is described in our reports can be readily identified along with his narrative (with the exception of the mongers view…). Enjoy.

Regards, Havanaman

[Yossarian 99]

Lap Dancer,

Could definitely count me in for a WSG convention in Habana next year. March or April time frame is good for me.

Nothing beats the feeling of sitting in the couryard at the Hotel Nacional, mojito in hand, cohiba in mouth, Cuban jazz in background, and a gorgeous girl with smiles only for you.

Also would like to see reports from anyone who has travelled through Mexico post "crackdown."

Any notable changes in enforcement?

Yoss

[Talosian]

Question/Suggestions:

I'm laying some groundwork to meet a lady (mature) in Haban. Believing "better safe than sorry," I would like to have her checked for HIV/VDRL. I read that there is only one hospital in Habana which does that. Anyone have any *first hand* information with details?

I saw the prior post about having a chica steal a money belt. I have two suggestions. Use a real money *belt* which is a regular looking belt with a zipper on the back side. Good enough to hold several bills. Also, use a "decoy" wallet. This is an old wallet with some old I.D. and put in a few pesos with a $5 on either side of the pesos. Usually someone who is going to lift a wallet will either take it and leave immediately or put it in a purse (assuming a chica) and then leave quickly before you find it's missing. Also, if the bathroom door has a lock, take you $$ w/you and if not, you can buy a portable door lock you can take w/you, they are cheap and simple.

Just my thoughts.

Spock

[Organicgrowth]

Gentlemen,

I just got an email form a friend in Havana right now. Nothing really special to report other than he had his money belt stolen by a chica from his room, while he washed. There is a lesson here for all of us. Luck was on his side and he still has his wallet, and thus c-cards; he can get cash at the Nacional (you need your passport if you want to do this, and the CC must be NON-USA...). I asked him if she was worth it? Reply: yes but not $325 !!

I have also read about the theft of an MP3-palyer by a previous reporter here. Gentlemen, invest in a hard-shell suit case, the kind with combination locks & snaps with keys. You can keep all your stuff safe. From previously hiding my cash in the room and in fact once under the bath behind the panel (!) I now use this hard-case method for all my travels. I still carry a hundred on me (different pockets), and always leave a couple of C-notes folded under the leg of the bed (just my personal paranoia in case my case gets lifted).

Regards, Havanaman

[Lap Dancer]

Talosian, I think you owe the fellas a very detailed review of your adventures in Cuba. You certainly are going down there well informed!

It is great to see the Cuba board picking up - and such literary and educated contributions as well!! I was wondering what everyone thought of holding a WSG event in Havana sometime next year like the guys do in Buenos Aires.

Cigars, rum, soca, chicas, beach etc. - Could be lots of fun.