General Info

[Mr Gogo]

Gents,

What's actual exchange rate for EURO and USD in CADECAS and in the street?

Last I exchanged I got 97-99 cuc per 100 USD in the provinces.

Gracias amigos.

Stick to the provinces bro if you get that rate. The best I do is 95-1 and I hear some guys are getting 1-1 but I haven't done that. Crisp new American 100 notes are in demand but work your way up the ladder.

[BrasilSoccer0]

Gents,

What's actual exchange rate for EURO and USD in CADECAS and in the street?

Last I exchanged I got 97-99 cuc per 100 USD in the provinces.

Gracias amigos.

[Mondo707]

Hey Mondo, sorry I was not clear. The second part was, the first part was not.

Hey BT,

No problema amigo, maybe next time I visit Cuba if you are there we can have a couple of Cristals or Bucaneros and pick up a couple of hot Cubanas also, LOL.

Mondo

[BeersTerry]

Hey Mondo, sorry I was not clear. The second part was, the first part was not.

[Mondo707]

Hey BT,

I don't know if your reply was directed at me, you didn't include a title on it. So, I'll go ahead and reply as though it's directed to me.

1. How good is your Spanish?
I am fluent in both Spanish and English

2. How much time are you planning to spend in Cuba?
If this directed to me, I usually go for a month or more.

If you have a girlfriend, you will have to communicate and spend time with her, otherwise you are buying yourself an arrangement of convenience. Which is not a bad thing.
I go for the girlfriend type of relationship. My last two trips I have hooked up with a couple of mulatas. One from la Habana and the last trip one from Baracoa.
Both of these chicas were not putas/jineteras and I've had them over at my place for extended periods. No money was involved both times and the one from Baracoa when I sent her back I paid for the bus fare (one of the tourist buses) and gave her a Casio watch for her son which was having a birthday.
Also, gave her some spending money for her trip back home (40 CUC)
Got to say we communicated for a while thru email until she got pissed off for some reason that still not clear to me.
I should say that my mongering here in the states (California) I am quite satisfied (love the Asian women) here in Socal, so when I travel to Cuba I am not looking mainly to monger with the chicas, my main goal is immersing myself in the culture and to try and meet a real "girlfriend" I have to say that is something I missed living here, specially the Timba/Salsa cubana musica.
Music is something that I enjoy when I go since sometimes here in Cali is not often that bands from Cuba stop by..

I don't know about rules for Cubanos living in other countries other than the USA, but like I mentioned on my former post coming from here they required us cubanos for either a special visa or a Cuban passport. This is something that if you are not Cuban are not required to go thru.

As far as FIA I never had to go thru that, sorry if you have been thru that experience. For those who enjoy the FIA, here in Socal we have a specialist that goes by "Walnut Saver" I you live in the Socal area and want to meet her just google "Walnut Saver" for her info.

I usually fly in from Cancun and it's my understanding that being Cuban and flying in from Miami the aduana makes it harder for you.

I've been going there since 1976, I think they pretty much have a historical on me. My luggage (including the spark plugs I took) hasn't been searched on my last 10 trips, it's search the 1st couple of trips back in the late 70's.

The only anomaly that I have encountered was a custom female agent asked me for a "tip" straight up, I just kept moving and ignored her.

Mondo

[SBeach25]

I'm planning a trip to havana from Aug 31 to Sept 8th. I just found out that the pope arrives I think on the 12th. I'm told that they might be cleaning house right now and there maybe slim pickings. Any one have intel on this? Suck because I have already booked flights to Cuba.

[BeersTerry]

1. How good is your Spanish?

2. How much time are you planning to spend in Cuba?

If you have a girlfriend, you will have to communicate and spend time with her, otherwise you are buying yourself an arrangement of convenience. Which is not a bad thing.


Cuba has different rules for returning Cubans. Like you have no tourist visa to show.
How did you like the anal probe from Aduana when returning ? They seem to always give returning Cubans special attention. I have witnessed it myself on too many occasions.
Same with auto parts, they usually flag those immediately and make you pay big time. I was waiting for luggage once with a diplomat once who brought a small car part and got flagged. He was mad at himself for not bringing it in through the diplomatic pouch as he forgot what a hassle it was to bring in normally.

[Mondo707]

Now that I contributed bit more to the thread, I'd appreciate if someone can give an advise on my previous question on this page. So is there LT / GFE to be had in Cuba (hopefully with not so pro girls)?

Hey D13,

I'll give you my take on this issue.

First as you know there were a lot of Rusos in Cuba until the break up of the USSR in the early 90's, I never been to Rusia but I guess you probably know a Ruso or two that either lived in Cuba or mongered there, right?

From a cultural point of view if you know anybody that fits the above description asked them about their experience and I'm sure you'll get a good picture of what to expect with Cubans.

Now for the LT / GFE part, as you prob know Cuba is a poor country (standard of living) compared to most countries so Cubans have resorted to "resolver" the only way that is available to most, that is "meeting" mongers like you and me to make ends meet.

I know one guy here in California that has just what you describe (LT / GFE) now in his case this is how he goes about it.

He's in his 50's and not that good looking as to have a woman fall over him so he's set up this "arrangement" with the Cuban.

When he goes to visit, usually very other year, he spends a few weeks at a time and the chica is with him throughout his stay. And he tells me she treats him like a king. He even stays in her house sometimes with the stamp of approval of the familia.

He tells me he sends her on average $100 a month (that's US dollars) plus sometimes he ships other stuff they ask him for. Last time I visited he asked me to take a box of spark plugs for her. I did and that's how I met her. I gave her some money he had sent plus the spark plugs.

As far as the chica she's totally HOT, not a hard core puta / jinetera, probably late twenties.

So, back to your question, yes it's possible but I think realistically it'll cost you.

Another way that some Cubans go after is "marriage" I think this is a way for them to leave the poverty they find around them and once in another country try and help their folks back home.

Now with this route you run the risk like you would bringing a Filipina, Vietnamese, Thai to the States, if you go this route plan on starting over after they get their green card.

Hope some of this helps out, maybe someone here can add more on your question.

But be careful, once you taste GFE from a Cubans you won't go back to Rusia. Haha.

Mondo

[Mondo707]

Never give up your passport. The casa owner needs to record the information from your passport but does not need to have it or keep it. If he tells you that he / she does, it is bullshit.

They do need to have your entry visa to go to the immigration department to register you, though.

The issue with illegal casas is potential of theft with no real resolution for you. Yes you can report the illegal casa to the police. The illegal casa will be in trouble but the police will generally be more interested in prosecuting the illegal casa than recovering your stolen stuff.

Hey BT,

I am with you on the illegal casas, I would not stay or recommend anyone here visiting Cuba staying in an illegal casa for the obvious reasons you stated and others.

However, one other thing, I might have not explained fully. The last two times I went both times when I checked in those houses I needed to show my passport upon meeting the owners or their reps. That's standard fare with casas or hotels. Not only in Cuba but anywhere in the world when one checks in one have to show your documents whatever applies to you.

In my case it's a passport or the special visa.

Now I am guessing you are not Cubano, I am. So, when I travel I need a special permit to go into the country. In my case instead of getting this visa which is good for a couple of years (I think) I applied for a Cuban passport which I use once it's been validated and it's good for six years.

You have this political thing going on with Cubanos residing in the USA and visiting the island, I think that's why they are super careful when any of us visit.

Now both times after arriving in the casa I showed my passport. Both times they wrote down the info and informed me they needed to take my passport itself to the an office where they register it the next morning, so being a late riser I acquiesce to letting them have it overnight, in other words I was not "forced" to give up my passport. Since both times I arrived late and wasn't going out that night and would not be interested in being waken up early in the morning just to hand them my passport.

BTW, when I woke up the next day they gave it back to me since they had already registered with such office.

Hope this clears my previous post.

Mondo

[Dart13]

I don't remember hotels in Varadero holding to the yellow entry form TBH. I'm Russian and don't need tourist card, but still have the yellow piece of paper. An entry form. It might be different for you, but I doubt it.

So after checking in to the hotel, just take your passport, entry form or tourist card and go to whatever casa you want. They'll take down your details and might take your card for a day (they need to register you), but next day you have it back. The fact you're booked on a package holiday doesn't mean you're chained to your hotel, you are free to stay wherever you want.

From what I can remember, all of the casa owners (I've only stayed in the legal casas, except one where the one I was heading to was full and the owner whom I knew well accommodated me at his cousin's or smth flat) took down the passport details. I honestly don't remember if any of them took the actual passports, I think one in Havana did.

Do not stay in illegal casas. Not worth the risk of having your stuff stolen. In legal casas, I always felt very safe.

Now that I contributed bit more to the thread, I'd appreciate if someone can give an advise on my previous question on this page. So is there LT / GFE to be had in Cuba (hopefully with not so pro girls)?

[Dandyist]

Never give up your passport. The casa owner needs to record the information from your passport but does not need to have it or keep it. If he tells you that he / she does, it is bullshit.

They do need to have your entry visa to go to the immigration department to register you, though.

The issue with illegal casas is potential of theft with no real resolution for you. Yes you can report the illegal casa to the police. The illegal casa will be in trouble but the police will generally be more interested in prosecuting the illegal casa than recovering your stolen stuff.

The thing is, I booked a package deal with an airline. I am supposed to be staying in a hotel in Havana, however, I only plan on checking in there to store my bags. Then I will be heading to a casa. What should I be doing in this case as far as my tourist card goes?

[Vedado Fun]

Never give up your passport. The casa owner needs to record the information from your passport but does not need to have it or keep it. If he tells you that he / she does, it is bullshit.

They do need to have your entry visa to go to the immigration department to register you, though.

The issue with illegal casas is potential of theft with no real resolution for you. Yes you can report the illegal casa to the police. The illegal casa will be in trouble but the police will generally be more interested in prosecuting the illegal casa than recovering your stolen stuff.

Terry's an old Havana veteran like me and what he says is 100% correct. It is very risky to be staying in an illegal casa and it's also risky to be sneaking chicas into your casa without the owners knowing. The casa owner looking at the carnet and maybe writing the info down is for your own protection. The casa owners normally just write this is a separate book or on a scrap of paper plus they may hold on to the carnet until the chica leaves. If a chica doesn't have her carnet with her and you don't have a lot of previous experience with her it's best not to take her back to your casa. Always think with the big head. Not the little one.

[BeersTerry]

Never give up your passport. The casa owner needs to record the information from your passport but does not need to have it or keep it. If he tells you that he / she does, it is bullshit.

They do need to have your entry visa to go to the immigration department to register you, though.

The issue with illegal casas is potential of theft with no real resolution for you. Yes you can report the illegal casa to the police. The illegal casa will be in trouble but the police will generally be more interested in prosecuting the illegal casa than recovering your stolen stuff.

[Mondo707]

Ah, I was confused because my casa owner said he had to register me with the authorities.

On previous trips I have stayed on casas and this is my experience with documentation.

About three trips ago I stayed at a casa in Miramar, 94th and 2nd ave, a friend had recommended the place since he stayed there before.

BTW, there is not much action around there and it sucks when you need to go to La Rampa where a lot of the action is.

Pros; it was separate from the main house with its private entrance. It's also cheap $25 CUC for the 1st week and $20 CUC for the 2nd week.

He introduced me to a couple of gals which weren't much to look at but with one of them after inviting her for a drink and telling her what my tastes were introduced me to a co-worker which was super hot.

Cons; This casa was not legal, in other words the owner was not registered to do business since he had no licencia / permit. Also the owner was a peeping Tom (no kidding).

He had a set up that I discovered by accident and I had to block the view after I found him out.

The last couple of times I've been staying near the Malecon which is the area I like to stay and this last time I found a nice casa (35 CUC) on the top floor, 8th which is independent even though the owner lives in the same floor.

Both apartments have different entrances, problem here is the place is rented most of the year by Italians that work in Havana.

Now, back to documentation, the last two times the owners or the people that handles the place for them asked me for the passport and then the next day they go somewhere to register the guest staying and how long.

My understanding was that if they are doing legit business (have a license) they need to do this.

Hope this helps.

Mondo

[BeersTerry]

Previous to the loosening, you always had to have a casa address to show Aduana. It may have been fake, but you had to know your chit. Now, there is not even a line on the entry visa for a casa address

AS I understand it, companies like airbnb are in a tough situation. There are (American) companies providing services but they still are illegal, it is just that USA Authorities are not prosecuting at the moment. As you have suggested, that may change with a new administration.

As far as the casa owner having to register customers, my understanding is that they have something like 48 hours to register their customers. The issue may be the casa inspector and the casa owners relationship with them. And what kind of Christmas and birthday presents they had been given.