Havana

[KapnAmerica]

The taxis are the worst of the worst in Havana. Buckle up. Negotiate hard. Even then they try to change the price when you arrive at your destination. Cuba can be super cheap or the most expensive trip you've had in your life if you let them scam you.

I am glad this subject was brought up here, so I will be mentally and emotionally prepared to deal with it if I ever make it to Havana.

I was in Bogota about a month ago and I had a similar experience when I hailed a taxi rather than using Uber. The ride would have cost $15 k pesos at most on Uber. I stopped the taxi, told him where I was going, and asked how much it would cost. He said "viente" - 20 k. A little higher than I expected, but fair enough. We pulled up in front of my hotel and I gave him a $20 k peso note. Rather than thank me, he looks at it carefully and turns his cabin light on to inspect it. Then he turns slowly back to me and says, "trienta. " I told him he said the ride was $20 k. This happened at 9 pm at night and there was no traffic or irregularities that would have even remotely justified a delay.

The driver was an older man, into his 50's, seemed like a veteran driver who knew all the tricks of the trade. He looked at me menacingly and very slowly repeated, "trienta. ".

The way he said it and the way he looked at me really lit my fuse. Fortunately, I didn't argue with him, and I just said "gracias señor, feliz noche" and got out of the cab and left. I took an alternate route to the hotel to make sure I wasn't followed.

I am a large man (6'2, 250 lbs) and I very rarely have problems with people anywhere because 1) I am generally very friendly and 2) I do not appear to be the type of person that it would make sense to mess with. That is why the behavior of that taxi driver really caught me off guard. I can tell you I really wanted to knock his teeth out.

But being in a foreign country, not knowing if he had a gun, not wanting to deal with police, etc. Removing myself from the situation was the best option. But there is not one thing that has happened to me in Latin America that has upset me more than that taxi driver demanding more money than agreed. It makes my blood boil just thinking about it.

The difference in price? Less than $3. Didn't matter. It was all about the tone and the blatant disrespect for me as a foreigner. And I came pretty close to losing my self-control, when it should not have affected me much at all.

Needless to say, I now stick to Uber.

So thank why'all for preparing me, because if I do go to Cuba I will know I just need to take a deep breath and not take it personally when a cab driver tries to screw me over.

But truthfully, the best thing about Uber is both the tracking of the trip and not having to negotiate. So having to do that in Havana, along with needing to understand Spanish, are definitely two drawbacks for a pure gringo like me. Not to mention trying to figure out how to get there and how to leave.

[Marxh]

Should not be hard to find someone. There's a price for everything and every guy, grandmother, and such will sell you everything including tips on girls, cigars, best bars and club, where to eat, etc. They also are not 'selling' or 'want' anything from you like other Cubans, what a joke!

With that said, more people speak English than you think. I feel the college girls have a much better grasp of English as some they take classes and such compared to 18 year olds and uneducated girls who don't have access to classes. The same goes for older A little patients and common sense goes a long ways.

This is my experience currently on the ground with no Spanish and just winging it! No guide or anything.

I don't speak spanish well and know that most girls there do not. Can you find english speaking girls? I'm thinking of trying to hire a girl for a few days to act as a guide. Show me around the city, show me to some of the clubs. Anyone think this is possible? Would Badoo work to try to find a guide?

[Zeos1]

I have read 20 pages of responses and noticed a lot of complaints about the taxi drives. Mainly asking for 10 dollars to drive short distances. Is renting a car not an option in Havana?

I can't imagine that it is an option now. Cuba is not like other places.

In the past, yes, I think there were rentals. But even if there are I don't think it would be at all advisable.

[JimmyStreets]

I have read 20 pages of responses and noticed a lot of complaints about the taxi drives. Mainly asking for 10 dollars to drive short distances. Is renting a car not an option in Havana?

The taxis are the worst of the worst in Havana. Buckle up. Negotiate hard. Even then they try to change the price when you arrive at your destination. Cuba can be super cheap or the most expensive trip you've had in your life if you let them scam you.

[Explorer8939]

I managed it last year when I was there. You use a VPN.

Even with a VPN, the credit card company knows you are buying something in Cuba.

[DarrenGap]

I have read 20 pages of responses and noticed a lot of complaints about the taxi drives. Mainly asking for 10 dollars to drive short distances. Is renting a car not an option in Havana?

Buying Petrol may be an issue.

[Bravo]

I have read 20 pages of responses and noticed a lot of complaints about the taxi drives. Mainly asking for 10 dollars to drive short distances. Is renting a car not an option in Havana?

[JinaWrangler]

One answer is simple. Many people do not want to get their passport stamped by Cuba for security reasons and / or don't want to be bothered by customs upon return home. People in tech jobs whose companies pay big money for their Security Clearances risk getting the Clearance revoked due to visiting a communist country. Big money / job to lose, personally. This is especially true for people who work with military and Dept of Defense (DoD) contractors.

Not to burst anyone's bubble, but the belief that in 2024 an American can fly from anywhere to anywhere without the feds knowing it is very questionable. Name one reason Mexico would not share passenger information of US nationals with the USA considering the feds' unlimited expense account (especially the names of US citizens who have government security clearances). The same feds who buy user data from Google and Meta. Maybe if you drove to a Mexican airport and paid in cash for your ticket, but you'd still have the issue of Mexican security services sharing with the US feds. Between terrorism and drugs, all of our privacy is gone. Even Venmo and eBay and your brokerage account 1099 you. And those credit card purchase category codes are easily obtainable (which is one reason that senior members here send their subscription $ in cash). This is why the feds want a digital currency, BTW. So they can track everything! No matter how paranoid you are, it isn't enough.

Maybe you can expand on why Cuba travel would make you a security risk when it is legal to do so. Maybe if you are seen walking into a Cuban government building in Havana. If I were the DEA, I'd be more interested in your travel to and from Mexico.

I believe tickets cannot be purchased thru Expedia because it is an American corporation -- read up on the Cuban Trade Embargo.

United and AMERICAN Airlines are American corporations. I think there is special licensing required by the US government that only airlines can certify with the travelers (e. G. , "support the Cuban people. ") I can't even book to Cuba from Chase Travel, which sucks because I get a lot of credit card points that way.

Its important to remember that there are no ATMs and credit cards are not accepted at most major establishments.

The exception I would add: When I activated a cellphone on Cubacel they asked for a US credit card because they sign up via the Web, at least at the Etecsa store I go to next to Jose Marti.

Also, you might need a US credit card to buy your visa at the US departure airport (e. G. , Houston), so at least bring one on your trip for that purpose. The visa sellers next to the Cuba desk at IAH wouldn't take cash!

[ChiTownGuy2018]

I don't speak spanish well and know that most girls there do not. Can you find english speaking girls? I'm thinking of trying to hire a girl for a few days to act as a guide. Show me around the city, show me to some of the clubs. Anyone think this is possible? Would Badoo work to try to find a guide?

[Chris H]

The question I have for anyone who's been here is, outside of San Raphael / prado is there another area for daytime action? I'm not a fan of the talent over here and was wondering if there were any better options. I did go to LM bar last night and the women in there were beautiful so if I have to keep hunting at night I know I at least have that option.

You can find some day action in the University area. We just walk on campus and begin chatting with the ladies. Been invited to a few college parties. As for fucking them during the day, not sure about that, but you will easily be able to set something up for the evening.

[Marxh]

In the ground now in Cuba and I only booked a few days in Havana before leaving the USA. I have been using Airbnb here since arriving with no issues with a VPN. One casa owner I messaged with a few questions and she was ready to put the room on hold so I can pay onsite as she presumed I was an American. She was surprised when I paid online. Doesn't seem many people are doing the VPN trick much in Cuba.

I do the same when traveling throughout Cuba booking Viazul bus online with a VPN. Paying for a Viazul Bus on site in CUP is much cheaper. I think 3 days ago I got 300 cup to the dollar rate from them. I'm pretty sure who ever is taking payments are just making up their own rates.

Thanks for the tips. Sounds like the CC processor is in USA so yea that makes sense on booking before you go with a US CC. Have and will use a VPN for my phone.

[Eustisflman]

Thanks for the tips. Sounds like the CC processor is in USA so yea that makes sense on booking before you go with a US CC. Have and will use a VPN for my phone.

[John Clayton]

..Remember, in case you want to switch or get another place once in Cuba, you won't be able to use your c/c there because of the embargo / bloqueo in place by the US Gov...

I managed it last year when I was there. You use a VPN.

[Mondo707]

If there is someone from the USA that can confirm these things for me. I did read a lot, but a lot of info is pretty old as well.

Can I book an Airbnb from the US with a US Credit card? If so, is that all that is needed after arrival (IE, do I actually pay in cash when I arrive?) If not, how does one book in advance?

How does one book a private casa in advance if I have not been before and have no contacts?

Thanks for the help in advance. One is use to booking / reserving with a CC and with Cuba and a US bank account, things are a little different.

Last year I booked thru Airbnb from the US. (the apartment I usually book was not available at the time) I just checked their website and sure enough, they have ALL their listings. I'll include their link below for la Habana area. In case you have a different city / destination just put it in their search box.

Yes, I paid with my c/c for the rental here in the US b4 leaving to Cuba. Remember, in case you want to switch or get another place once in Cuba, you won't be able to use your c/c there because of the embargo / bloqueo in place by the US Gov.

You'll need USD once there, so I'd take at least 100 USD minimum daily (I usually take $200 daily, no problem if I have money left over) big problem if you run out of money! On my last trip this past February I met a couple of mongers who didn't take enough $$$'s and their trip was almost ruined.

In case this is your 1st trip there, I emphasize there's a learning curve that every one goes thru unless you find a wing-man with experience there.

In case you want a rental in the Vedado area send me a DM and I'll give you his info. It's a private small 1 bedroom apt on the 3rd floor. Usually $35 USD daily.

Mondo.

https://www.airbnb.com/s/Havana--Cub...complete_click

[Evac305]

I'm here right now and I booked my Airbnb in the US with an American CC. You can also use Airbnb to book tours in advance as well.

The question I have for anyone who's been here is, outside of San Raphael / prado is there another area for daytime action? I'm not a fan of the talent over here and was wondering if there were any better options. I did go to LM bar last night and the women in there were beautiful so if I have to keep hunting at night I know I at least have that option.

If there is someone from the USA that can confirm these things for me. I did read a lot, but a lot of info is pretty old as well.

Can I book an Airbnb from the US with a US Credit card? If so, is that all that is needed after arrival (IE, do I actually pay in cash when I arrive?) If not, how does one book in advance?

How does one book a private casa in advance if I have not been before and have no contacts?

Thanks for the help in advance. One is use to booking / reserving with a CC and with Cuba and a US bank account, things are a little different.