Havana

[RacShack]

Damn this thread is deader than a doornail. Havana used to be one of my favorite destinations. Great atmosphere, lovely people, and very safe. Though at times challenging with the cat and mouse game played between Chicas and the Policia.

Hopefully, Chris H, who is a seasoned Havana pro, will be able to give us some news on what it's like down there these days.

Blast from the past, hope all is well, you were a treasure trove full of information for me in the past! Royalty! You traveling? Married? (LOL) hopefully Cuba soon if I hear good stuff, until then I've been sticking to Colombia and Thailand you? PM me if you want to catch up! And yes hopefully Chris H fills us in on what's going on over there!

[EMode]

I'm hoping this thread beces a bit more active as we go into the spring. I'm hoping to go to Havana at the end of April or early May with 2 buddies. Hoping to have a great week. Any updates on how things are going there? Do restaurants have supplies? Are the chicas out and about?

[Uncle Volodya]

Damn this thread is deader than a doornail. Havana used to be one of my favorite destinations. Great atmosphere, lovely people, and very safe. Though at times challenging with the cat and mouse game played between Chicas and the Policia.

Hopefully, Chris H, who is a seasoned Havana pro, will be able to give us some news on what it's like down there these days.

[Zeos1]

When you say tough, you mean the pandemic has made it worse?

Pandemic perhaps, not getting help from Venezuela. Etc. A major source of foreign currency was Canadian visitors (pre-pandemic) with estimates of 70% of foreign currency coming from Canadian tourists. And pandemic it dropped to 0. So this means less foreign currency to buy oil, etc.

[Sma202]

I would recommend a casa in Vedado next to the Melia Cohiba hotel.

The hotel has a business lobby for travelers which has computers, coffee and food -- the fees are reasonable.

My former casa proprietors have left Cuba temporarily due to commodity shortages.

Its very tough in Cuba now. You may want to wait until things pick up.

When you say tough, you mean the pandemic has made it worse?

[Chris H]

Thinking of going this week (First time). What days will you be there? I wouldn't mind meeting someone who's been there before to show me a few things.

I will be there on Thursday the 12th. Hitting the ground and ready to roll. If you are in town on that day, feel free to hit me up.

[Adinga]

I would recommend a casa in Vedado next to the Melia Cohiba hotel.

The hotel has a business lobby for travelers which has computers, coffee and food -- the fees are reasonable.

My former casa proprietors have left Cuba temporarily due to commodity shortages.

Its very tough in Cuba now. You may want to wait until things pick up.

[Zeos1]

Thinking of going first time to Cuba. Would you recommend it over Rio or Medellin (been to both). Besides the Latinas, I also like the history. I'm intermediate in Spanish.

How long is good to spend in Havana? Is the best place to stay in Old Havana? Any places of interest to visit to outside the town?

It will by many times harder than anywhere else you have been. Cat and mouse game for meeting chicas, finding a coffee in the morning will be next to impossible unless you are in a hotel with a restaurant, and any given good or service may or may not be available on any given day. Things like electricity, water, any given food item, etc. Etc. There are some higher end tourist hotels in / near the Old Havana part of town, but for the money you may find they have very limited services / amenities. I've never stayed at any, and they will not likely be chica friendly (as that is illegal) but they may provide a certain level of comfort. I've stayed in other parts of the city, and out of the city, and in casas particulares (similar to Airbnbs). I would have nothing to recommend, but I found it interesting, and challenging, not easy, and with an element of thrill with some of the places I met up with chicas. Places that would have fit into an Apocalypse movie set.

[Sma202]

Thinking of going first time to Cuba. Would you recommend it over Rio or Medellin (been to both). Besides the Latinas, I also like the history. I'm intermediate in Spanish.

How long is good to spend in Havana? Is the best place to stay in Old Havana? Any places of interest to visit to outside the town?

[FoolOnTheHill]

Seems like you have a decent plan ready to be executed. When in January will you be there. I will also be there for 4 days that month. It will be my 17th time to Havana, so I will be happy to show you the true ropes and how it really goes down in Havana. I have been to most the cited you mentioned you been to, and I can tell you, Havana is definitely near the top, if not THE top. So, if we are there at the same time, let's link, we will have a blast, and you won't need no short time hotel, the case we stay at has plenty of rooms, for some fun!

Thinking of going this week (First time). What days will you be there? I wouldn't mind meeting someone who's been there before to show me a few things.

[RainmanSahut]

Help!

Does anyone know how a US citizen can rent a car in Cuba. Preferablely Holguin 6 Jan to 20 Jan? How to pay from USA?

I have Found many girl contacts in Holguin from Tinder.

Will share to interested LTR mongers.

Yes they are real. Young and pretty.

Desperate.

I Have Already visited few.

Thanks!

Rainman.

PM Me?

[Big77]

Just talked to someone that had been in Cuba a couple of weeks ago. Cuba has possibly never been in worse shape according to what locals were saying. Basics are in very short supply. Very limited gasoline and diesel fuel, electricity is often off, etc. I doubt there is much celebrating. Everything is breaking down.

I bought nonrefundable tickets months ago. I'll be getting there on the 17th, It's going to be my first time in Cuba so I hope there is some fun to be had.

[Zeos1]

Just curious if anyone was out in Havana for New Year's. How was it? Any big celebrations at all? Just looking to live vicariously through anyone else until I can get back out there this summer.

Just talked to someone that had been in Cuba a couple of weeks ago. Cuba has possibly never been in worse shape according to what locals were saying. Basics are in very short supply. Very limited gasoline and diesel fuel, electricity is often off, etc. I doubt there is much celebrating. Everything is breaking down.

[EMode]

Just curious if anyone was out in Havana for New Year's. How was it? Any big celebrations at all? Just looking to live vicariously through anyone else until I can get back out there this summer.

[Mondo707]

This will be my second trip to Cuba, my first post-pandemic trip. It seems like there have been some changes, particularly with the current unrest. That said, I lost contact with my driver and moneyman (currency trader). I have to start all over with my contacts. If there are any people here that can help me with some information and contacts, I would appreciate it. Also, I would not mind if we hangout somewhere while in Havana.

Hey,

I'm almost in the same boat as you, nonetheless I have my hopes up regarding a contact I had pre covid. Anyway, I'm going mainly for the Havana Jazz fest which starts on the 22nd for the whole week.

In case you want to meet up I'm arriving late on the 18th so It would have to be on the 19th at the earliest for me. Let me know if that works for you.

I'm planning on getting a sim card at the airport so can't give you a local number till I get one, in case you have one shoot me a PM.

Mondo.