Havana

[QUOTE=MtVadose;2301663]Perfect thanks I have a European mastercard so will do this. Same in Morocco the rates are better at the ATM than the exchangers so it's the best option not just for safety reasons.[/QUOTE]Yeah I confirm: ATM offer the best rate if you're lucky enough to have:

1/ no exchange fee or foreign countries withdrawal fees.
2/ VISA or Mastercard from anywhere EXCEPT USA.

I never found an out-of-order or empty ATM, and I use them a lot. You'll find easily ATM in Cuba, at least when visiting touristic places. ATM will charge you a withdrawal fee of 3%. Type of notes available are always displayed on the screen (typically 20/50/100).

You can find attached a sample of recent ATM ticket (Feb 2019). Please note that even with an european card, you'll be debited USD, as shown on the ticket. Due to this 3% transaction fee that takes place with ATMs in Cuba, I found out that the CADECA (Casa de Cambio, which is governmental) rate is very similar or even slightly better when exchanging EURO notes (don't forget your passport).

Beware! When exchanging notes at CADECA, please DO take time to verify the CUC delivered, as it happened to me twice that few CUCs were missing... Also, they often give you an exchange ticket unreadable, due to the overdue ink cartridge of the printer. This is intentional, so you can't read exactly the figures. Don't tell yourself "Oh well... there are many other people waiting behind me...", and DO ask a well printed ticket, or the unreadable figures !! They also often change the note distribution vs the ticket list, to fool you (the ticket says 10 x 50 CUC, but they'll give you 50 x 10 CUC, wishing that you won't spend time to check, and see the few missing CUC aside...). These people need a lesson to be learned.

[QUOTE=NamasteParis;2301932]
Beware! When exchanging notes at CADECA, please DO take time to verify the CUC delivered, as it happened to me twice that few CUCs were missing... Also, they often give you an exchange ticket unreadable, due to the overdue ink cartridge of the printer. This is intentional, so you can't read exactly the figures. Don't tell yourself "Oh well... there are many other people waiting behind me...", and DO ask a well printed ticket, or the unreadable figures !! They also often change the note distribution vs the ticket list, to fool you (the ticket says 10 x 50 CUC, but they'll give you 50 x 10 CUC, wishing that you won't spend time to check, and see the few missing CUC aside...). These people need a lesson to be learned.[/QUOTE]Never happened to me in any of the CADECAs I went to. They always checked the bills with me.

Might have something to do with people thinking I was Cuban 'til I spoke (which made it harder to find willing girls unless I started talking to them), though they should know I am a tourist because of the passport.

[QUOTE=HSendatsu;2302031]Never happened to me in any of the CADECAs I went to. They always checked the bills with me.[/QUOTE]Indeed they count the notes in front of you, but when then ticket is unreadable, or the notes given do not correspond to the ticket, you are puzzled and inclined to move on, thinking they would not dare steal you anyway. You are wrong to think so. Missing coins happened to me twice at Trinidad, and I speak spanish very well. I agree that 1 CUC is not a big deal, but WTF! Imagine the amount stolen by the end of the month!

[QUOTE=NamasteParis;2301932]Yeah I confirm: ATM offer the best rate if you're lucky enough to have:

1/ no exchange fee or foreign countries withdrawal fees.
2/ VISA or Mastercard from anywhere EXCEPT USA.

I never found an out-of-order or empty ATM, and I use them a lot. You'll find easily ATM in Cuba, at least when visiting touristic places. ATM will charge you a withdrawal fee of 3%. Type of notes available are always displayed on the screen (typically 20/50/100).

You can find attached a sample of recent ATM ticket (Feb 2019). Please note that even with an european card, you'll be debited USD, as shown on the ticket. Due to this 3% transaction fee that takes place with ATMs in Cuba, I found out that the CADECA (Casa de Cambio, which is governmental) rate is very similar or even slightly better when exchanging EURO notes (don't forget your passport).

Beware! When exchanging notes at CADECA, please DO take time to verify the CUC delivered, as it happened to me twice that few CUCs were missing... Also, they often give you an exchange ticket unreadable, due to the overdue ink cartridge of the printer. This is intentional, so you can't read exactly the figures. Don't tell yourself "Oh well... there are many other people waiting behind me...", and DO ask a well printed ticket, or the unreadable figures !! They also often change the note distribution vs the ticket list, to fool you (the ticket says 10 x 50 CUC, but they'll give you 50 x 10 CUC, wishing that you won't spend time to check, and see the few missing CUC aside...). These people need a lesson to be learned.[/QUOTE]Absolutely great advise on the CADECA NamasteParis. This happened on a larger scale with me and my wingman on our first trip to Havana. We had to exchange cash because our cards don't work in Cuba. Be careful at the bank teller counter; count the money in front of them by laying it out 1 by 1 on the counter. We didn't do that and just gave the teller $1000 in a stack of benjis. He counted it behind his counter and gave us the CUC but the teller stole $100 and returned less than $900 CUCs. We asked to review the camera footage and they said it was broken. They are very swift at stealing your money even at the bank.

[QUOTE=TadaiMaybe;2304238]Absolutely great advise on the CADECA NamasteParis. This happened on a larger scale with me and my wingman on our first trip to Havana. We had to exchange cash because our cards don't work in Cuba. Be careful at the bank teller counter; count the money in front of them by laying it out 1 by 1 on the counter. We didn't do that and just gave the teller $1000 in a stack of benjis. He counted it behind his counter and gave us the CUC but the teller stole $100 and returned less than $900 CUCs. We asked to review the camera footage and they said it was broken. They are very swift at stealing your money even at the bank.[/QUOTE]And that's why we exchange on the streets with our hook ups with no problems at all. Very smooth and honest transaction each and every time.

[QUOTE=TadaiMaybe;2304238]Absolutely great advise on the CADECA NamasteParis. This happened on a larger scale with me and my wingman on our first trip to Havana. We had to exchange cash because our cards don't work in Cuba. Be careful at the bank teller counter; count the money in front of them by laying it out 1 by 1 on the counter. We didn't do that and just gave the teller $1000 in a stack of benjis. He counted it behind his counter and gave us the CUC but the teller stole $100 and returned less than $900 CUCs. We asked to review the camera footage and they said it was broken. They are very swift at stealing your money even at the bank.[/QUOTE]Hey Tadai,

If I have it right by what you state in your post, you wrote, "gave the teller $1000 in a stack of benjis" , I take it you are from the USA So, if that's the case, let me question your assumption of them " stealing your money".

Whenever you exchange US dollars in Cuba legally, meaning at a bank, cadeca or another government institution you get 87 CUC in exchange for your 100 Benjis. In your case if you got less than 900 CUC my conclusion is no one ROB you.

Yes, some people will take advantage of tourists, that's something that happens anywhere in the world and not only in Cuba.

Mondo.

ps, I'd suggest you read thru the posts about exchanging money in Cuba in case you want to avoid the cadecas/banks. There are many post with good suggestions on how to get better than 87 CUC per 100 Benjis. I recently visited and got around 94/95 for every 100 US.

[QUOTE=Mondo707;2304720]Hey Tadai,

If I have it right by what you state in your post, you wrote, "gave the teller $1000 in a stack of benjis" , I take it you are from the USA So, if that's the case, let me question your assumption of them " stealing your money".

Whenever you exchange US dollars in Cuba legally, meaning at a bank, cadeca or another government institution you get 87 CUC in exchange for your 100 Benjis. In your case if you got less than 900 CUC my conclusion is no one ROB you.

Yes, some people will take advantage of tourists, that's something that happens anywhere in the world and not only in Cuba.

Mondo.

ps, I'd suggest you read thru the posts about exchanging money in Cuba in case you want to avoid the cadecas/banks. There are many post with good suggestions on how to get better than 87 CUC per 100 Benjis. I recently visited and got around 94/95 for every 100 US.[/QUOTE]You're absolutely right Mondo! Some taxi drivers as well as some of the chicas know where to get a good exchange on the street, I "almost" always get 95 CUC in Havana, outside Havana you can expect around 90 CUC. Cheers.

Last month I spent 10 days in Cuba, first (and last) time for me. The first week I helped and accompanied (like a tour guide) some old relatives to have a tour around Cuba (Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Playa Ancon, Santa Clara and Sancti Spiritus) then they went for a week of relax at resort in Varadero and I came back 3 days in Havana alone. In Havana I had a private apartment without host (so no one check for the girls) located in Centro just 500/600 m from the Capitolio and near San Rafael Boulevard.

I'm not speak much spanish but I can understand quite well, also I'm not a party man, so don't like to waste my time around in disco till late at night. Furthermore with only 3 days I didn't want to waste my time asking for phone number and make appointment with the risk of delays and no show. So I'm focused on daytime street action, well in my experience this is not good at all, here you must be very lucky for be in the right place at the right moment for meet the right girl. Alot of police around and the girls are obviously scared, so you must to pick up them quickly with little time for cost / service negotiation. You need to walk alot for find the right girl who is ready to follow you (at a distance) to your apartment, not much smile and eye contact around, the streets where I met and saw more girls are San Rafael Boulevard and Malecon at the corners with Campanario and Manrique. At the famous Calle L and 23 I didn't saw any freelancers.

Most girls (black, hispanic, white, mulatto) I met wanted 40 cuc for ST and refused my initial offer of 30 cuc (not a big problem), many of them offered a ST room for +10 cuc, no thanks I have my apartment. Some girls tried to ask 60 cuc ST and didn't want to negotiate but it seemed a scam because they wanted ST only their room.

They all disappointed me in the room, many tried to ask for money in advance (no way) so compromises must be found (like leave the money on the night stand or make 50/50 payment), with almost all of them I had to insist that they take a shower before the sex because they were ready for the deed without spend time in the bathroom. In the bed generally very poor perfomance.

Not to mention the various problems and inefficiencies that unfortunately exist in Cuba. The Centro is really very dirty and noisy all night long. Last but not least the city (specially Old Havana) is full of beggars, street vendors and scam artist who are very pushy, insistent and sometime very arrogant, after a while all this is annoying and unbearable.

Hey all,

Young 30's male going to Havana with a friend.

I've been to Havana a couple years ago and the club scene was like this:

1) Bolabana was the place to be. Beautiful talent.

2) Mio Y Tuyo was a great afterhours club.

3) Fantaxy was just opening up but was looking good.

4) Las peideras was a club literally full of birds. This place closed down. Probably for that reason.

I understand Mio why Tuyo and Fantaxy are still around. Is there any other clubs worth checking out? How's Don Congrejo?

Any clubs similar to Las Piederas where you walk in and it's literally 30-40 birds starring at you?

Pricing isn't an issue. We're here for a good time but don't want to be spending every night at Fantaxy or Mio why Tuyo if there are other places we should be seeing also.

Thanks in advance!

[QUOTE=Hyrul;2306152]Hey all,

Young 30's male going to Havana with a friend.

I've been to Havana a couple years ago and the club scene was like this:

1) Bolabana was the place to be. Beautiful talent.

2) Mio Y Tuyo was a great afterhours club.

3) Fantaxy was just opening up but was looking good.

4) Las peideras was a club literally full of birds. This place closed down. Probably for that reason.

I understand Mio why Tuyo and Fantaxy are still around. Is there any other clubs worth checking out? How's Don Congrejo?

Any clubs similar to Las Piederas where you walk in and it's literally 30-40 birds starring at you?

Pricing isn't an issue. We're here for a good time but don't want to be spending every night at Fantaxy or Mio why Tuyo if there are other places we should be seeing also.

Thanks in advance![/QUOTE]Best way to get a sense of where the action / fun are. Is to talk to a Cuban taxidriver (preferably a younger one though not necessarily. They will KNOW ALL. As transportation has always been a huge issue in Havana and remains so.

I suspect that mio why tuyo are still going. Too much money has been spent on the place. The owners are too connected LOL.

But scenes change. Ask. (if you cannot speak any Spanish, get someone who can ask for you).

My Cuba trip is all planned and booked now for next month, I will predominantly be in Havana but will visit Trinidad also. I'm going there mainly as a tourist, but is there any known spots / clubs for girls there. Not seen anything on the forum regarding Trinidad.

Thanks.

[QUOTE=Hyrul;2306152]Hey all,

Young 30's male going to Havana with a friend.

I've been to Havana a couple years ago and the club scene was like this:

1) Bolabana was the place to be. Beautiful talent.

2) Mio Y Tuyo was a great afterhours club.

3) Fantaxy was just opening up but was looking good.

4) Las peideras was a club literally full of birds. This place closed down. Probably for that reason.

I understand Mio why Tuyo and Fantaxy are still around. Is there any other clubs worth checking out? How's Don Congrejo?

Any clubs similar to Las Piederas where you walk in and it's literally 30-40 birds starring at you?

Pricing isn't an issue. We're here for a good time but don't want to be spending every night at Fantaxy or Mio why Tuyo if there are other places we should be seeing also.

Thanks in advance![/QUOTE]The Piano Bar on Neptuna blows away all the clubs you mentioned. You got to check it out, Thursday thru Saturday nights. Happy Hour at 3 am, club closes at 6 am, I believe, full of chicas!

[QUOTE=ChrisH;2306499]The Piano Bar on Neptuna blows away all the clubs you mentioned. You got to check it out, Thursday thru Saturday nights. Happy Hour at 3 am, club closes at 6 am, I believe, full of chicas![/QUOTE]Perfect, thank you for the suggestion.

Maps. Me shows me a bunch of piano bars but 1 on Neptuna and Avenida de Italia (Galiano) -- is that the one?

[QUOTE=Hyrul;2306511]Perfect, thank you for the suggestion.

Maps. Me shows me a bunch of piano bars but 1 on Neptuna and Avenida de Italia (Galiano) -- is that the one?[/QUOTE]Yep, that's it. It's upstairs, long staircase, with a white sign, that says Piano Bar.

[QUOTE=Hyrul;2306152]Hey all,

Young 30's male going to Havana with a friend.

I've been to Havana a couple years ago and the club scene was like this:

1) Bolabana was the place to be. Beautiful talent.

2) Mio Y Tuyo was a great afterhours club.

3) Fantaxy was just opening up but was looking good.

4) Las peideras was a club literally full of birds. This place closed down. Probably for that reason.

I understand Mio why Tuyo and Fantaxy are still around. Is there any other clubs worth checking out? How's Don Congrejo?

Any clubs similar to Las Piederas where you walk in and it's literally 30-40 birds starring at you?

Pricing isn't an issue. We're here for a good time but don't want to be spending every night at Fantaxy or Mio why Tuyo if there are other places we should be seeing also.

Thanks in advance![/QUOTE]Fantaxy is closed for few weeks already and I heard maybe closed permanently. Check out piano bar as per Chris h suggestion. You won't be disappointed.