Havana

Thanks for the info. I will use it certainly.

Also where is the best part of town to stay in? I am particularly fond of SW's. I guess with that in mind I should stay near the Malecon where is seems there are SW day and night.

Also no one has compiled a list of clubs and massage parlors. Is it best to find a reliable (if there is such a thing) taxi driver and ask him?

Showdown.

[QUOTE=Mondo707;2044102]Hey Show,

I'll mention a couple of things and maybe by RTFF you can figure out the rest.

To exchange USD you go to a cadeca or a bank. You'll get the official rate which is for 100 USD you get 87 CUC. (CUC is the official currency visitors use).

If you have a connection you can get up to 97 CUC or sometimes 1 to 1 but you a need connection for that to happen. Also, you might take a chance on the streets but I wouldn't chance it if I were you.

As far as STD's the rate is low, but again, if you use a hat that wouldn't be an issue, and as far as BBBJ, in my case I wouldn't be worried about it, just my take.

The standard fare from the airport to downtown Habana is 20 CUC. There are lots of private and state cabs outside the airport terminal. You want to make sure to discuss the rate before you get in the cab. If it's a state cab it might be more expensive, I do not have knowledge on those, maybe someone can chime in on that.

Remember to exchange some currency in the terminal before catching a cab since other countries currencies won't help you to pay for the cab. There is a cadeca before you exit the terminal.

If you want to check historical sites or take a trip somewhere you can hire a cab to take you there or go by bus (pretty good buses) google "Viazul" and this way it's a lot cheaper than hiring a taxi, so it's up to you which way to go. Usually around La Rampa there are lots of taxis and inside the Habana Libre hotel they sell tours to different historical sites. Last time I went (February) I got a rate of between 60 to 70 CUC for 8 hours in la Habana, if outside the city it will be higher.

One more thing I only carry enough money to last me for the day and don't flash too much cash around, not that someone is going to hold you up or anything just a precaution I use anytime I travel anywhere.
BTW, before I leave for my trip from home I make a copy of my passport and once I arrive at the casa / hotel I stash my passport in the safe and only take it out when I need to exchange currency, that way there's no chance of it getting lost / misplaced. Also, when you exchange currency that's the time you need the passport with you otherwise you'll not be able to do the transaction. I only carry a copy of my passport, unless I'm exchanging money.

One more thing, 2 things to avoid when going to Cuba are porno and drugs. So, if you take any of those and get caught at the terminal when going thru security you prolly will be sent back to where you came from.

Hope this will help you out and like you promised make sure to write a report when you get back.

Mondo.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Showdown;2044158]Thanks for the info. I will use it certainly.

Also where is the best part of town to stay in? I am particularly fond of SW's. I guess with that in mind I should stay near the Malecon where is seems there are SW day and night.

[/QUOTE]Right at the start of the Malecon there's a long street with a plaza in the center going down called Paseo del Marti. Lots of young women sitting on the stone benches will whistle and cat call you. You're supposed to go meet them off to the side so the cops don't see. That's the closet I've seen to SWs in Havana. No hooker outfits. Most of the time no makeup because they can't afford it. I've also had women open up their windows as I pass by a residential building and they would holler: 'Hey beautiful!

[QUOTE=YippieKayay;2044170]Right at the start of the Malecon there's a long street with a plaza in the center going down called Paseo del Marti. Lots of young women sitting on the stone benches will whistle and cat call you. You're supposed to go meet them off to the side so the cops don't see. That's the closet I've seen to SWs in Havana. No hooker outfits. Most of the time no makeup because they can't afford it. I've also had women open up their windows as I pass by a residential building and they would holler: 'Hey beautiful![/QUOTE]

Is it from the Malecon down Paseo del Marti to Fuente de la India o la Noble Habana?

[QUOTE=Mondo707;2044090]Hey C200,

I think you'll enjoy your trip, if this is your 1st time a couple of things: 1st, experience counts as far as Cuba (this applies to almost all places one visits for the 1st time) goes and it might be advisable to go Airbnb to make things easier. For more risk takers I'd suggest to google "casa particular" or Cuban Junky and you'll find lots of places to peruse and it'll be cheaper than Airbnb.

2nd, don't wait for the 10% gravamen to go away anytime soon. Not before your trip anyway. Cuba's government will not drop it until they can freely use USD, and that won't happen till the embargo is dropped.

Having said those 2 things, just enjoy your trip and report back your adventures both good and bad when you get back.

Mondo.[/QUOTE]Thank you for your response. Excellent stuff.

[QUOTE=Showdown;2044171]Is it from the Malecon down Paseo del Marti to Fuente de la India o la Noble Habana?[/QUOTE]I want to think he means Prado. It runs from Parque Centro to the malecon.

[QUOTE=Showdown;2044171]Is it from the Malecon down Paseo del Marti to Fuente de la India o la Noble Habana?[/QUOTE]Paseo del Marti. That street. It's got a plaza going down it. Go there around sun down and you'll get lots of chicas cat calling you.

[QUOTE=YippieKayay;2044188]Paseo del Marti. That street. It's got a plaza going down it. Go there around sun down and you'll get lots of chicas cat calling you.[/QUOTE][URL]https://goo.gl/maps/7L3zkCgdvQF2[/URL]

Its a long street. When you say plaza what do you mean? And it seems that this street has a side that runs north and one that runs south. Which side?

Also if anyone has an AirBNB recommendation I would appreciate it. The ticket has been bought and I will be off to Havana soon!

Showdown

[QUOTE=Showdown;2044189][URL]https://goo.gl/maps/7L3zkCgdvQF2[/URL]

Its a long street. When you say plaza what do you mean? And it seems that this street has a side that runs north and one that runs south. Which side?

Also if anyone has an AirBNB recommendation I would appreciate it. The ticket has been bought and I will be off to Havana soon!

Showdown[/QUOTE]Drag the little google street view guy from the bottom and you'll see some dots on the green zone between the two streets. That's the plaza running down.

I can't be anymore descriptive. Good luck.

[URL]https://hereishavana.com/2017/05/28/inside-a-cuban-posada/[/URL]

Showdown.

[QUOTE=YippieKayay;2044193]Drag the little google street view guy from the bottom and you'll see some dots on the green zone between the two streets. That's the plaza running down.

I can't be anymore descriptive. Good luck.[/QUOTE]Ok I have figured it out. It is the corner of Malecon and Paseo de Martí then go south to Neptuno and Paseo de Martí,. In between those two streets appears to be a green space in between both sides of Paseo de Martí,.

Showdown.

Hi All.

I know Havana very very well, and places like All of Old Havana / Esp near Obispo, Prado, Malecon, La Rampa, etc are good spots to meet working girls. I am curious, though:

1. How much have you all been paying and for what services?

2. Also, do you find that BBBJ is common or uncommon?

I am trying to get a general idea of prices and whether BBBJ is common.

So, please, ALL OF YOU chime in!.

Thanks in advance and will report back post-trip!

MjT.

[QUOTE=Showdown;2044234]Ok I have figured it out. It is the corner of Malecon and Paseo de Mart then go south to Neptuno and Paseo de Mart,. In between those two streets appears to be a green space in between both sides of Paseo de Mart,.

Showdown.[/QUOTE]Hey Show,

Just want to make sure you and everyone here know this.

I you ask for Paseo Marti I'd be willing to guess 99% of cubanos will give a blank stare back, in La Habana it's known as Paseo del Padro or plainly el Prado.

Mondo.

Had a couple of days of Turista, so that cut into my time quite a bit, and I was afraid to move around too far for 2 days, which sucked, but can confirm that Casa de la Musica is indeed better during the week with no US weekend crowd. Went to Don Cangrejo for the first time in a long time too. I was shocked when they told me the entry was $25 CUC, but I had my first timer friend with me and we wanted to go so paid it. Havana Club girls with free samples just inside the door. Live music started even later than it used to at 1:30 am, but the club was full of gorgeous girls. Staring price was $100-120. Snort. Guffaw. Chortle. I'm afraid I might have laughed too hard and she stalked off and then I became persona non grata to her little circle of friends. My wing pulled a girl for $60 but I left empty handed. One interesting piece of info was that a couple of the girls said that when they don't work Don Cangrejo they work at the Tocororo club, which is one that I don't know. If anyone knows about it or can check it out would love to hear about it. These were really good looking girls and I'm betting prices are much better where the guy doesn't have to subsidize the ridiculous entry fee. Of course it was a special event night, but still.

As a side note the Capri is now selling internet cards at $1. 50/ HR, which is decent. El Litoral still makes an excellent meal and the California Cafe makes a pretty decent meal relatively cheap (tropical shrimps excellent). Water issues all over Vedado at the moment.

The current USA President has decided to announce his new Cuban policy on June 16-2017. Its the location (Miami) that should have us a little worried about this new policy. He wants to make his announcement before the South Florida Miami Cubans. Don't expect anything good but let's hope he doesn't chop the tree completely down.

[QUOTE=MrGogo;2046290]The current USA President has decided to announce his new Cuban policy on June 16-2017. Its the location (Miami) that should have us a little worried about this new policy. He wants to make his announcement before the South Florida Miami Cubans. Don't expect anything good but let's hope he doesn't chop the tree completely down.[/QUOTE]Does it matter¿. I've been going to Cuba roughly every other year since the late 90's and I've never had a problem. Honestly, we'd be better off with less amateur gringos around.