Havana

[QUOTE=Thunder01;2060462]Don't ask them. I just got back again from Cuba and hooked up with so many Cuban hottest and only one was a pro. All others I just saw on the street and invited back to my house for rym. Non stop sex, full GFE. It is easy, every woman in Cuba will hook up with you. They do not want to be seen as a prostitute but will always want something in teturn. Just invite them over for dinner or rum. I also have taken the mobile phone chargers you can get and give them that gift. That has worked great. Those cost over $100 there.[/QUOTE]Really! I have a 4 yr old laptop that I don't want anymore that I planning as a gift that would bring about $200 if I sold it on Ebay. There's a driver I know in Santa Clara that charges me 1 CUC for every two kilometres, I was thinking of hiring him as a wing man. The spot I had in mind was a bus stop in front of a university.

[QUOTE=Thunder01;2060462]. I also have taken the mobile phone chargers you can get and give them that gift. That has worked great. Those cost over $100 there.[/QUOTE]What? Are you serious? That's crazy AF (as fuck)!. OK I'm blown now. Wow!

[QUOTE=TxSnake;2060826]Really! I have a 4 yr old laptop that I don't want anymore that I planning as a gift that would bring about $200 if I sold it on Ebay. There's a driver I know in Santa Clara that charges me 1 CUC for every two kilometres, I was thinking of hiring him as a wing man. The spot I had in mind was a bus stop in front of a university.[/QUOTE]A bus stop in front of a university, damn great idea.

Let us know how that goes, I might want to try Havana a second time. It has been two years next month from my last visit.

TTM.

[QUOTE=BlackLexus;2060644]Hey Ramone,

No way. Do not bring your passport if you are exchanging money on the street. You only need your passport to exchange money in the bank. Otherwise leave it in your room.[/QUOTE]Thanks for your help BlackLexus and Mondo707!

[QUOTE=TankNotMt;2052921] I have been going to Havana since 2002 and it has changed a lot in those years. Used to be that you rented a cheap car and cruised the streets or Malecon and swarms of Chicas would hop in for a 'ride'! Although there are still times and spots this will happen its far to risky driving there and chicas of quality are rare this way. There are always the Clubs and Bars; but there also many ask for a lot of dineros and typically not the GFE experience you expect. In addition, the Casa's you used to get for 25-50 cuc are now double and some have rules not allowing fun and games. What I suggest for Newbi travellers today especially if you don't speak much Spanish is to hook up with an experienced guide. They have contacts for restaurants, casas, taxis that won't rip you off and entertainment. Once you've experienced the true flavour of the city you can always go back on your own with or without the guide. For me; I don't mind spending the extra few cuc per day.

If anyone wants a good contact I can recommend one if you pm me.[/QUOTE]Thanks for your advice.

I am just wondering what is the age range of those non-pro prostitutes in Havana. I read somewhere that the age of some of prostitutes there is lower than 18. Is this true?

[QUOTE=Bfsie;2061227]Thanks for your advice.

I am just wondering what is the age range of those non-pro prostitutes in Havana. I read somewhere that the age of some of prostitutes there is lower than 18. Is this true?[/QUOTE]Always. Always. Always photograph their ID (Carnet). If you take the chica's word for it and she happens to be under 18, the penalty is 8 years in prison. Also, referring to a non-pro as a prostitute or jinetera could very well result in her walking away and wanting to have nothing to do with you. The word you are looking for is companion or compañera.

[QUOTE=RamoneAustin;2060924]What? Are you serious? That's crazy AF (as fuck)!. OK I'm blown now. Wow![/QUOTE]Actually it's not a bad idea but he didn't think it through. Unlike in other places Cuba doesn't have wifi connection in most places and the places that do have it is expensive. So girls in Cuba aren't spending all day on social media and the internet so their batteries shouldn't need a charge for the phone. Now if it's an older phone the battery is just going bad so a charger won't really help.

Someone suggested an old laptop but without the internet it's not that glamorous. I get dresses at the flea market for 5 usd and bootleg perfume and the girls go crazy over this.

Someone suggested pulling at a bus stop in front of the university and I'm against a gringo trolling a bus stop looking like a desperate monger. Even though the girls need money they don't want their friends and fellow students knowing they are tricking. Probably best to team with a Cuban guy who can talk for you and arrange things at a public high profile spot like the university. I have pulled a college girl near the university but it wasn't an easy task. First she wasn't keen on talking to a gringo so we spent 30 minutes sitting next to each using the WiFi we just purchased. Then I played dumb and she helped me log back in. I finally started a conversation and she said she doesn't drink or party. Another 30 minutes went by with her ignoring me as I had given up. She got up to leave and I brought up the conversation about the dresses and showed her the video and her eyes lit up.

We walked to my crib and I keep all the dresses folded neatly on the bed to see the surprise in the girls eyes when they walk in. She picked one and she went home with a meet for dinner later in the evening. She was worth the wait and she hit me yesterday on IMO asking for 10 cuc. I told her I will be there in a few days and I have more than 10 cuc for her.

My point is you got to get lucky and set things up smoothly. It might take some time to get these non pro girls to loosen up, usually a gift and dinner. Outside of Havana everything lightens up but while in Havana remember everyone is watching.

[QUOTE=Thunder01;2060462]I also have taken the mobile phone chargers you can get and give them that gift. That has worked great. Those cost over $100 there.[/QUOTE]Do you mean the charging cable and wall adaptors, or the extra battery sticks you charge for later use?

Going to Cuba next week and have been trying to figure out what to bring.

[QUOTE=MrGogo;2061353]Actually it's not a bad idea but he didn't think it through. Unlike in other places Cuba doesn't have wifi connection in most places and the places that do have it is expensive. So girls in Cuba aren't spending all day on social media and the internet so their batteries shouldn't need a charge for the phone. Now if it's an older phone the battery is just going bad so a charger won't really help.

Someone suggested an old laptop but without the internet it's not that glamorous. I get dresses at the flea market for 5 usd and bootleg perfume and the girls go crazy over this.

Someone suggested pulling at a bus stop in front of the university and I'm against a gringo trolling a bus stop looking like a desperate monger. Even though the girls need money they don't want their friends and fellow students knowing they are tricking. Probably best to team with a Cuban guy who can talk for you and arrange things at a public high profile spot like the university. I have pulled a college girl near the university but it wasn't an easy task. First she wasn't keen on talking to a gringo so we spent 30 minutes sitting next to each using the WiFi we just purchased. Then I played dumb and she helped me log back in. I finally started a conversation and she said she doesn't drink or party. Another 30 minutes went by with her ignoring me as I had given up. She got up to leave and I brought up the conversation about the dresses and showed her the video and her eyes lit up..[/QUOTE]LOL! IDK how old you are my good sir but you got, what the kids call, "some game"! Play on Playa! LOL! I'm definitely buying some perfume from the Dollar Store / Flea Market & buying a few cheap dresses sounds like a good idea. Did you change all of your $ in CADECAs? Thanks for the info Mr. Gogo.

[QUOTE=Centurion200;2061363]Do you mean the charging cable and wall adaptors, or the extra battery sticks you charge for later use?

Going to Cuba next week and have been trying to figure out what to bring.[/QUOTE]Hey Centurion200,

Are you going to stay at an independent Casa particular or at an Airbnb place? Excited for you bro! I'm going on the 28th next month!

[QUOTE=RamoneAustin;2061438]Hey Centurion200,

Are you going to stay at an independent Casa particular or at an Airbnb place? Excited for you bro! I'm going on the 28th next month![/QUOTE]Have an Aibnb independent apt. Booked. First timer so I liked the idea of reading reviews of the hosts.

Very excited to see a new place. Already packing. Just have to get through one more loving week at the office first.

[QUOTE=RamoneAustin;2061437]LOL! IDK how old you are my good sir but you got, what the kids call, "some game"! Play on Playa! LOL! I'm definitely buying some perfume from the Dollar Store / Flea Market & buying a few cheap dresses sounds like a good idea. Did you change all of your $ in CADECAs? Thanks for the info Mr. Gogo.[/QUOTE]I've got a very good spot in Habana to exchange money for .95-.98 on the American dollar. It took three trips and a good hookup to get this connection with crisp 100 dollar bills being the premium. Everything in Cuba is done through connections, its hard going solo and be tuned into the local scene. The clubs rotate, they open and close regularly so that connection can save you some time and point you in the right direction. The girls are plentiful but you might need that connection to make the intro to get into her group. The connection has access to casas that are low-key and don't advertise on the internet. Me and Grownman go to spots with our connection where we are the only foreigners.

As far as the street black market never let your money go where you don't. The guy counts the money out in front of me then we do the exchange, none of that I will be back be shit. One time we were with a Cuban friend and he took us to this huge mansion by the airport. They were rich guys but they had no American deniro for an upcoming shopping spree in Miami (CUC are not accepted in the States) so they gave us one to one on the dollar. I only exchanged 300 usd because I didn't want to do a big deal and when I ran out the next day the guy was already in Miami so I went to my guy in Havana and he gave me. 92 because I only had 20's and no 100's.

I was there on New Years and the hotels ran out of money and guys on the street dropped to. 90 sensing our desperation so if its a holiday don't wait till the last minute. Hope this helps.

Hello everyone,

Longtime lurker. First trip report. I want to give a shot out to Grownman who has been a big help who provided me his Cuban brother Alex contact information. Wait until you see him again Gman. He dyed his beard blond to look like a tourist. LOL I also want to give a shout out to all who provided trip reports in the past. It's hard work keeping track of what you did LOL. I'm not a writer but I will tell you my experiences. I went to Havana, Holguin and Santiago the first week of July. It was hot like everyone said but I wouldn't say it was any hotter than Panama and Thailand in July. Except for the last two days in Cuba. It was so hot that the locals were complaining LOL.

I booked my flight on United airlines. I contacted Alex a week before I flew out. He told me to email him my flight details and how many days I needed an apartment for. I was staying in Havana for 4 nights and then fly out to Holguin. He found an independent apartment for $40 a night. I will try to upload some photos. I was flying out of Newark, NJ with a straight flight to Havana. Arrived at the airport on a Saturday and went to the end of the airport where they were issuing the Cuban visa which cost $75. They didn't ask no questions. (Just like Grownman said they wouldn't) Just showed my passport, purchased the visa, checked my bag and off I went. This was the first time where I seen an airline charging to watch movies. Luckily I already had some movies downloaded on my Ipad. Flight was about 3. 5 hours long. Touch down and exited the plane. The sun was strong and when you entered the building it was like Antarctica. Now, there are two conveyor belts. What the airlines failed to mention is to check both conveyor belts for your bag. Its not like in the US where its digital and tells you the flight number and what carousel your bag is on. We were all waiting at one belt for a while and then I saw someone check the other belt and found their bag. So I decided to do the same and sure enough my bag was on the other belt. Meanwhile, I called Alex and he assured me that he was still outside waiting but when I went outside I couldn't find him so I called him and finally found him. Real cool peeps. I haven't received my cell phone bill yet but I know its going to be ugly.

Hopped in Alex in ride which was an old box shape car. I couldn't tell what it was but he was telling me he was going to sell it. We left the airport and took about 25 minutes to get to the independent apartment. Which was about 2 blocks from the Capitol. When we got there. There was a beautiful white girl standing at the doorway. I asked Alex was that the owner of the apartment and he said yes. I fell in love at first site. Her name was Denisse but everyone called her Deni. I told Alex if he found me something like that. I wouldn't be going home empty handed. We take the elevator up to the 5th floor where the apartment was. She showed me around the apartment. I loved it. It was perfect. The only downside is that it didn't have a safe but I was cool with that. I know how to keep my things safe. Never had a issue with anyone stealing. Alex had to go run an errand and he told me he would catch up with me later. So I paid him for the ride from airport and he left. I stayed talking with Deni for like an hour. I was so falling in love with her until she broke my heart and said she was married LOL. She even drew a map of the area which was pretty accurate. I paid her for 2 nights because there was a little mix up with the amount of nights I was staying. Alex sworn he told her 4 nights but she thought it was only for 2 nights. She was one of the nicest people I have met. If I had any problems she told me to call her no matter what the time. She even had money to exchange for dollars but it was at the bank rates which absolutely killed me on this trip. The next time I would be Canadian dollars which would be better.

From the map she drew I was able to found the store and walked to area where the WiFi is. In Cuba, WiFi is only certain places. Its not everywhere like other countries. She told me it was possible to find a WiFi card for $3.00 CUC but I can only find one for $5. 00 CUC. Which had a username and password on the paper card and it was only good for 1 hour. For some reason my Skype would not work. So I could my fam at home to let them know I made it to Cuba safely. I bought a couple bottles of water which was a $1.00 CUC per bottle and a couple of bottles of Presidentes. Cristal was the local beer but I wasn't ready to try it yet. Got back to the apartment. I was going to dress up but decided to keep what I had on and get ready for the night. I was so excited. Alex already told me it was cost me between $5 - 10 CUC to go to Sofia's restaurant using one of the old cars. Here is where I encountered my first deceit in Havana or at least I thought. I will continue tomorrow.

[QUOTE=BlackLexus;2061556]Hello everyone,

Longtime lurker. First trip report. I want to give a shot out to Grownman who has been a big help who provided me his Cuban brother Alex contact information. Wait until you see him again Gman. He dyed his beard blond to look like a tourist. LOL I also want to give a shout out to all who provided trip reports in the past. It's hard work keeping track of what you did LOL. I'm not a writer but I will tell you my experiences. I went to Havana, Holguin and Santiago the first week of July. It was hot like everyone said but I wouldn't say it was any hotter than Panama and Thailand in July. Except for the last two days in Cuba. It was so hot that the locals were complaining LOL.

I booked my flight on United airlines. I contacted Alex a week before I flew out. He told me to email him my flight details and how many days I needed an apartment for. I was staying in Havana for 4 nights and then fly out to Holguin. He found an independent apartment for $40 a night. I will try to upload some photos. I was flying out of Newark, NJ with a straight flight to Havana. Arrived at the airport on a Saturday and went to the end of the airport where they were issuing the Cuban visa which cost $75. They didn't ask no questions. (Just like Grownman said they wouldn't) Just showed my passport, purchased the visa, checked my bag and off I went. This was the first time where I seen an airline charging to watch movies. Luckily I already had some movies downloaded on my Ipad. Flight was about 3. 5 hours long. Touch down and exited the plane. The sun was strong and when you entered the building it was like Antarctica. Now, there are two conveyor belts. What the airlines failed to mention is to check both conveyor belts for your bag. Its not like in the US where its digital and tells you the flight number and what carousel your bag is on. We were all waiting at one belt for a while and then I saw someone check the other belt and found their bag. So I decided to do the same and sure enough my bag was on the other belt. Meanwhile, I called Alex and he assured me that he was still outside waiting but when I went outside I couldn't find him so I called him and finally found him. Real cool peeps. I haven't received my cell phone bill yet but I know its going to be ugly.

Hopped in Alex in ride which was an old box shape car. I couldn't tell what it was but he was telling me he was going to sell it. We left the airport and took about 25 minutes to get to the independent apartment. Which was about 2 blocks from the Capitol. When we got there. There was a beautiful white girl standing at the doorway. I asked Alex was that the owner of the apartment and he said yes. I fell in love at first site. Her name was Denisse but everyone called her Deni. I told Alex if he found me something like that. I wouldn't be going home empty handed. We take the elevator up to the 5th floor where the apartment was. She showed me around the apartment. I loved it. It was perfect. The only downside is that it didn't have a safe but I was cool with that. I know how to keep my things safe. Never had a issue with anyone stealing. Alex had to go run an errand and he told me he would catch up with me later. So I paid him for the ride from airport and he left. I stayed talking with Deni for like an hour. I was so falling in love with her until she broke my heart and said she was married LOL. She even drew a map of the area which was pretty accurate. I paid her for 2 nights because there was a little mix up with the amount of nights I was staying. Alex sworn he told her 4 nights but she thought it was only for 2 nights. She was one of the nicest people I have met. If I had any problems she told me to call her no matter what the time. She even had money to exchange for dollars but it was at the bank rates which absolutely killed me on this trip. The next time I would be Canadian dollars which would be better.

From the map she drew I was able to found the store and walked to area where the WiFi is. In Cuba, WiFi is only certain places. Its not everywhere like other countries. She told me it was possible to find a WiFi card for $3.00 CUC but I can only find one for $5. 00 CUC. Which had a username and password on the paper card and it was only good for 1 hour. For some reason my Skype would not work. So I could my fam at home to let them know I made it to Cuba safely. I bought a couple bottles of water which was a $1.00 CUC per bottle and a couple of bottles of Presidentes. Cristal was the local beer but I wasn't ready to try it yet. Got back to the apartment. I was going to dress up but decided to keep what I had on and get ready for the night. I was so excited. Alex already told me it was cost me between $5 - 10 CUC to go to Sofia's restaurant using one of the old cars. Here is where I encountered my first deceit in Havana or at least I thought. I will continue tomorrow.[/QUOTE]I enjoyed your first day experience / report, keep them coming!

I too have visited Havana once and next month will be two years already. It was certainly hot in August! I rented a private casa in Verdado (spelling?) area by the Ramp.

Look forward to reading more.

TTM.

Thanks Tallman. Please bear with me. Working two jobs is a ***** but I do have a lot more to write. Can you or anyone tell me how to post pics? I tried but I keep getting error messages saying the picture is too big.

Thanks for your help.

Lex.