Havana

[Mondo707]

Very interesting report but, concerning the sim card from Etc, you can buy one one for 40 CUC which gives you your own phone number plus 10 CUC of calling time. I have to say that I don't know if no non Cuban can buy one as I put it in the name of my'girlfriend'.

Concerning the Cubans in Miami Beach, it will be interesting to know the price range, as to compare with the 'originals' back home!

Hey Coco,

I think Miami prices would be comparable to the going rate around south Florida maybe a bit higher since there's prob more dough in that area.

The Cubano hustler told me for a FOB Cubana would set me back $150 with a no clock watching rule in effect (maybe a selling point?) he showed me her pixs from FB and she'd be around an 8. 5.

As per the Sim card goes this will change soon here after since there is some competition coming with all the US providers getting on the island.

Mondo.

[BeersTerry]

Ya, I too love the music scene in Havana. Hate the weekends as it is always one of the Valdez brothers at La Zorra or Jazz Cafe. It would help if they changed their effing act once in a while.

[Coco Des Iles]

Hey BT,

Yes man right on. I just came back about 10 days ago and have to agree with you completely.

This post is mostly about a few things that I found while there not necessarily about picking up chicas since that was not the main reason that I went this time around.

Sorry, not much info about picking up chicas, in case you want to skip my post.

First, I spent about ........ For me having a phone to make calls, send texts within Cuba is a priority, so I rented a Sim card from the owner's nephew for $2 daily.

The way I did it I had my lost friend's daughter living in Tampa got me a recarga for $20 which Etecsa has every other week and which gives you an extra $30 bonus.

It cost me $20+the rental ($2 a day) total $80 for the 30 days and at the end I still had about $8 left.........

Very interesting report but, concerning the sim card from Etc, you can buy one one for 40 CUC which gives you your own phone number plus 10 CUC of calling time. I have to say that I don't know if no non Cuban can buy one as I put it in the name of my'girlfriend'.

Concerning the Cubans in Miami Beach, it will be interesting to know the price range, as to compare with the 'originals' back home!

[Mondo707]

Yes, it has gone way down hill. All those pretty Cubanas that used to be in Havana are now in MIami, Mexico and Italy.

You cannot go for the explicit purpose of mongering anymore or you will be disappointed. You have to have another reason to go and then monger as a side note.

Hey BT,

Yes man right on. I just came back about 10 days ago and have to agree with you completely.

This post is mostly about a few things that I found while there not necessarily about picking up chicas since that was not the main reason that I went this time around.

Sorry, not much info about picking up chicas, in case you want to skip my post.

First, I spent about a month and rented a one bedroom apartment which I had rented on previous visits right on the Malecon (Calzada & N) about a block from the US embassy.

This time I went for my Cubano music fix, which I got to say got fulfilled totally and a couple other things. One was meeting a gal that my mom raised and had not seen in quite a long time.

We shared some memories with her and her family, she's now married and and has 2 daughters. I needed to find out what was going on since out of the blue a couple of years ago started receiving emails from her so wasn't sure what the deal was.

I'll share a couple of things that might be helpful to some of you. For me having a phone to make calls, send texts within Cuba is a priority, so I rented a Sim card from the owner's nephew for $2 daily.

The way I did it I had my lost friend's daughter living in Tampa got me a recarga for $20 which Etecsa has every other week and which gives you an extra $30 bonus.

It cost me $20+the rental ($2 a day) total $80 for the 30 days and at the end I still had about $8 left.

Now so you guys know I didn't use this to yap away just to make / receive necessary calls / texts which in my book is a necessity.

Bonus for me was being able to use my Motorola phone which I am familiar with.

Also, I've been reading about Verizon and Sprint getting access inside Cuba and roaming being available too. Can't help you on that since don't have info on costs etc.

Second about the Cuba music scene, I left a couple of days before the Stones got there, not my thing so didn't miss it although I would have gone to the concert had I been there.

My thing is Timba / Son and I got my fix big time. My first 4 days I went to the 1st Timba / Salsa fest in El Bosque with the best Cuban bands (every day 3 top tier bands!

After that I went to different venues including both Casa de la Musica, whenever a band that I dug played. I well say the matinees are better than the night shift (cheaper too).

My friends husband is a journalist and I got invited to a couple of gigs which in my opinion are the way to go if one has some contact to get invited to this sort of event since there are no Jineteras and one has a chance to meet a real Cubana who is not trying to hustle you.

Third, for me Habana is getting more expensive however I found one huge bargain if anyone is like me about digging music. It's the Jazz cafe across the street from the Melia Cohiba.

Fridays and Saturday nights they have two really good ensembles playing there and the cover cjharge is $10 CUC. Once you get a table you can have drinks for your $10 or a decent Cuban meal for the same $10.

Don't know about you guys but for me whenever I go here in L. A. To check someone at a jazz club it usually runs me around $70 with dinner included so for $10 I get both dinner and great jazz.

I really wasn't looking for chicas necessarily but kept my eyes open and would hang at hotel Colina in the afternoon to have a Cristal or two and window shop all the foot traffic going by.

Had a couple of gals sit next to me and ask me about wanting to have fun, got a cute one phone # and a couple of days later called to come over to my place and she asked me upfront for $60, lost interest and told her so.

One irony, after coming back I made a pit stop in Miami Beach where a buddy lives and spent about a week there. While there met a couple of Cubano hustlers who offered me Cubanas of any size / color / shape.

Why I mention this, well cause I think a lot of the Jineteras have been moving on to the mainland and now the Miami Cubanos that use to denigrate them when they were in Cuba are stuck with them in Miami / Dade, LOL.

Mondo.

[BeersTerry]

Yes, it has gone way down hill. All those pretty Cubanas that used to be in Havana are now in MIami, Mexico and Italy.

You cannot go for the explicit purpose of mongering anymore or you will be disappointed. You have to have another reason to go and then monger as a side note.

[Tacoma101]

I agree about the scene in Habana going way down hill. But, the scene in the smaller towns like Holguin are still amazing. I can't wait to see that town again. Amazing talent and incredible prices. Chicas start their bidding at $40 USD! I'll be there in 5 weeks!

[Coco Des Iles]

I visited La Habana once in the past. I have to say comparing to service in Colombia, mongering in Habana is really a dead action. $90 for 2 HR, police all over the place.

I was planning to stop mongering by writing things down, so I can know how I spent (wasted) my time in the past. Writing blogs about Habana just reminded me the old days.

For those of you who is interested in visiting Havana after embargo fully lifts, below is my blog post on details about my past Habana trip (from my blog). It is written in Spanish but you can use Google translate or just briefly read the highlights.

https://chicamunda.wordpress.com/201...a-la-habana-3/

I read your blog on Cuba with much interest and having been in Santiago 5 years ago and 3 times in Varadero-Playas del Este in the last 14 months, I can say that I had very good experiences at very lower prices. Mind you I never tried to look for chicas in Havana itself so this could be the difference between our respective experiences. As I understand you speak fluent Spanish just like I do so I am surprised you did not get better and cheaper access to the chicas, even in Habana. Also it seems to me that the Police is a major factor in Havana compared to places like Playas del Este which includes Guanabo. But yes, it can be worst in Varadero where I landed and where I only stayed for a few days but was lucky enough to meet one 'jinetera' in my hotel and a friendly 'chulo' who provided me a hotty the day I left (this guy got caught afterwards and spent four months in jail!, now he is retired.) I can only compared Cuba to Dominican Republic where I have been many more times. Police is less of a problem, but girls are no cheaper than in Cuba and obviously don't offer the variety you get in Cuba. Now, Colombia seems to be another story.

[Hierophant]

I visited La Habana once in the past. I have to say comparing to service in Colombia, mongering in Habana is really a dead action. $90 for 2 HR, police all over the place.

I was planning to stop mongering by writing things down, so I can know how I spent (wasted) my time in the past. Writing blogs about Habana just reminded me the old days.

For those of you who is interested in visiting Havana after embargo fully lifts, below is my blog post on details about my past Habana trip (from my blog). It is written in Spanish but you can use Google translate or just briefly read the highlights.

https://chicamunda.wordpress.com/201...a-la-habana-3/

[Mr Gogo]

So what's the point going to Panama to find mostly Dominican and Cuban girls. They went there to make money so obviously prices will be higher than in there respective native countries! It looks like Colombia has much more to offer with local girls.

Exactamente amigo. Plus they use the American dollar in Panama and everything is based on American prices. Any place that is already Americanized is not good for our hobby.

[Coco Des Iles]

And Cubanas!

So what's the point going to Panama to find mostly Dominican and Cuban girls. They went there to make money so obviously prices will be higher than in there respective native countries! It looks like Colombia has much more to offer with local girls.

[Combo]

No doubt, I have to open my mind and investigate. As far as Panama is concerned I have good info that the country is getting invaded by Dominican girls. Is this true?

And Cubanas!

[Coco Des Iles]

I agree with you on Central America and the Caribbean. I've traveled there also. The best thing that I've noticed about these places over Cuba is the lack of the two 'P's. No pimps and no Police bothering you.

No doubt, I have to open my mind and investigate. As far as Panama is concerned I have good info that the country is getting invaded by Dominican girls. Is this true?

[Xkalibur80]

I agree with you on Central America and the Caribbean. I've traveled there also. The best thing that I've noticed about these places over Cuba is the lack of the two 'P's. No pimps and no Police bothering you.

Second that! I will PM you about Brazil.

[BlkPanther]

Been to Havana a number of times and most recent was last August. I do have to agree that South America has surpassed Cuba. I would say Panama is where it is at if you want south American and to a degree, Central American / Caribbean diversity.

Planning a trip to Brazil come May.

I agree with you on Central America and the Caribbean. I've traveled there also. The best thing that I've noticed about these places over Cuba is the lack of the two 'P's. No pimps and no Police bothering you.

[Xkalibur80]

Dude! Without going into a lengthy rant, I'll give you a hint. If you haven't explored South America yet, do yourself a favor and try it. I've been to Medellin, Colombia and Copacabana, Brazil so many times I'm almost a native South American. An apt rep in Medellin asked me why hadn't I moved there yet, and I didn't have a good answer. There are chicas of every shape, size and rating in these countries and no police screenings / hassles to spoil your fun. And don't forget Bogota, Co. And Argentina. I could go on but I'm sure there are fellow mongers that will agree. (Another hint: I'll be flying back to Brazil in four days!

Been to Havana a number of times and most recent was last August. I do have to agree that South America has surpassed Cuba. I would say Panama is where it is at if you want south American and to a degree, Central American / Caribbean diversity.

Planning a trip to Brazil come May.