Havana

[QUOTE=RebelMonger;2513170]I think that $300 for a taxi ride from Havana to Ciego (round trip) is not bad at all, that's a long haul. But don't they have a bus for that? [URL]https://www.viazul.com[/URL].[/QUOTE]Haha yeah they have a bus for that. But I didn't want to turn a 4 hour trip into a 7 hour trip. Plus, you can stop and take a piss whenever you want to LOL. So all in all, I guess $300 is not bad at all.

[QUOTE=RebelMonger;2513172]

IMHO, no matter what others might say, and based on my experience, there's no need to communicate with the women you want to bed before you get there, and never after you leave. That always ends up with a money request or something else, and no, it won't count as a prepayment (no matter what people tell you).

Can you hunt a tiger before you get to the jungle? Of course not, right? Neither you can bed a woman before you meet her. In Cuba or any other country, hunt once you get there, that's where the fun is![/QUOTE]What a GREAT MESSAGE! ALL very true. No need for communication, until you are actually on the island, and done with it once you depart the island.

[QUOTE=TyDown;2513236]Haha yeah they have a bus for that. But I didn't want to turn a 4 hour trip into a 7 hour trip. Plus, you can stop and take a piss whenever you want to LOL. So all in all, I guess $300 is not bad at all.[/QUOTE]I've paid $100 CUCs to go from havana to holguin in 2012 with a a police officer I befriended. He stayed with us for the whole week and brought us back to Havana for another $100. I did pay for his food / clubs totalling another $200 cucs or so. Good old days.

[QUOTE=RebelMonger;2513172]That happens with (most) any Cuban you communicate with. They befriend you in Facebook, send you a couple of inconsequential messages and then the "life is too hard here" message hits you, even from people you know (even family). It's really hard there but a cell recharge or $100 is not going to change that.

So, to answer your question: is it a scam, hassle or true request? My answer is yes to "all of the above. " By the way, when they get a recharge, they can (and will) sell them.

IMHO, no matter what others might say, and based on my experience, there's no need to communicate with the women you want to bed before you get there, and never after you leave. That always ends up with a money request or something else, and no, it won't count as a prepayment (no matter what people tell you).

Can you hunt a tiger before you get to the jungle? Of course not, right? Neither you can bed a woman before you meet her. In Cuba or any other country, hunt once you get there, that's where the fun is![/QUOTE]I see this as an opportunity to teach capitalism and demonstrate that everything has a price. It also keeps things transactional and not social / emotional. I have gotten good results with chicas that understand the idea of receiving in proportion to what they provide. There are ways to get an indication what kind of person you're dealing with. Similar to a slot (****?) machine, don't put in more than you're willing to lose. Sending an amount that communicates a "tip" for facilitating vacation plans has gotten me good results. I look for a female "travel buddy" with benefits. "Amigos con derechos" as the Maluma song say. I have met several chicas that don't want cash. One memorable was one that put out every day in exchange for a trip to Cienfuegos.

[QUOTE=TxSnake;2516390]I see this as an opportunity to teach capitalism and demonstrate that everything has a price...[/QUOTE]I think they already know this.

Received this this morning from DING, I use them to recharge Cubacel.

As of January 1, 2021 all recharges to Cuba will be sent in CUP (Cuban Pesos).

Following the recent decision of the Cuban Government to withdraw the Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC) currency from the national economy next year. As of January 1, 2021, all recharges will be sent to Cuba in CUP instead of CUC, as defined by the Cuban Telecommunications Operator, ETECSA.

But don't worry, we've done everything necessary to ensure your refills are received as quickly and easily as usual.

All Cuban rates and any existing balance in CUC will continue to be valid and ETECSA will convert them to CUP according to the exchange rate 1 CUC = 25 CUP.

Therefore, you can enjoy the same benefits received so far for a recharge in CUC.

For example, with a 500 CUP recharge, you can buy a 2 GB Cubacel Data Plan as you did before with a 20 CUC recharge.

We will show you the value of the recharge in CUP and its corresponding price in USD or any other international currency, according to the exchange rate on the day of purchase.

This change will be executed between 10 PM (Cuban time) on December 31 and 8 AM (Cuban time) on January 1, 2021. During this time all ETECSA systems will be interrupted and therefore no recharges can be sent To Cuba.

We kindly ask you to send your recharges to Cuba starting at 9 AM (Cuban time) on January 1, 2021.

Don't be gullible, the market rates are much higher than 24:1 on CUP.

[QUOTE=Questner;2517215]Don't be gullible, the market rates are much higher than 24:1 on CUP.[/QUOTE]Yep, it says 25:1. But your point is not that. When you say market rates you mean black market rates. So tell us what is the black market rate.

I want to go, but would like to hear from some people that have been lately. I understand the 3 day quarantine. But is decent food, cold beer available without having any hookups or great Spanish? I have 2 chicas I'm very anxious to see that will quarantine with me.

[QUOTE=SmotPoker;2517341]I want to go, but would like to hear from some people that have been lately. I understand the 3 day quarantine. But is decent food, cold beer available without having any hookups or great Spanish? I have 2 chicas I'm very anxious to see that will quarantine with me.[/QUOTE]They won't let you have a quarantine with girls stop dreaming! A doctor comes to check on you every day.

[QUOTE=SmotPoker;2517341]I want to go, but would like to hear from some people that have been lately. I understand the 3 day quarantine. But is decent food, cold beer available without having any hookups or great Spanish? I have 2 chicas I'm very anxious to see that will quarantine with me.[/QUOTE]I would recommend that you wait until this covid shit is over. You will not be able to see your chicas, tourist cannot contact any Cubans other than the workers at the resort that you will be confined to. BTW. The workers are also confined to the resort, nobody can leave, except for your bus ride back to the airport.

*Travelers visiting Varadero are required to have COVID-19 insurance and must bring proof of their hotel reservation. All tourists are required to stay in the 'safe tourist corridor' zone. *.

More here - [URL]https://cubatravelservices.com/notice-for-travellers-covid-19/[/URL].

This Canadian guy just got back from Cayo Coco. [URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsa-nN2CcLA[/URL].

[QUOTE=Zeos1;2517240]Yep, it says 25:1. But your point is not that. When you say market rates you mean black market rates. So tell us what is the black market rate.[/QUOTE]I don't know of a reputable site yet, like for Venezuela or Argentina. Yes, the market rates are more than double the official, and Cubans post in ads the rate for the day they can exchange in an old fashioned way. The official rate has no chance to hold and never had. I expect it to go up at least five fold soon, but we shall see.

[QUOTE=Questner;2517467]I don't know of a reputable site yet, like for Venezuela or Argentina. Yes, the market rates are more than double the official, and Cubans post in ads the rate for the day they can exchange in an old fashioned way. The official rate has no chance to hold and never had. I expect it to go up at least five fold soon, but we shall see.[/QUOTE]Yes you are right. I'm thinking Cuba in its current political form, is doomed. The Cuban Peso is worthless. What international trading partner will accept Cuban Peso's? None. Nada. They won't, that's why there is a mad scramble in Cuba to acquire USD. It's going to get crazy in Cuba.

As a side story, and completely unrelated to what's going on now. Before my last trip to Cuba, I asked my main chica that I wanted about one hundred 3 peso CUP's notes. It's the one with Che Guevara picture on it. I had noticed that they were bringing about $15 USD here in the States. When I got to Cuba, she had about one hundred and twenty of the 3 peso notes. She just gave them to me because she knows they are worthless in Cuba. The End.

[QUOTE=SmotPoker;2517341]I want to go, but would like to hear from some people that have been lately. I understand the 3 day quarantine. But is decent food, cold beer available without having any hookups or great Spanish? I have 2 chicas I'm very anxious to see that will quarantine with me.[/QUOTE]I believe that someone on this site must bite the bullet, take one for the team and make an expeditionary trip to Havana as soon as possible to discover the new world of post covid lockdown: the currency situation, black market rates, food, lodging, everything. Think of it as like being a new Columbus, sailing into the unknown in search of chica treasures. Perhaps the National Geographic Society will sponsor this intrepid explorer?

[QUOTE=HarryDubois;2518427]I believe that someone on this site must bite the bullet, take one for the team and make an expeditionary trip to Havana as soon as possible to discover the new world of post covid lockdown: the currency situation, black market rates, food, lodging, everything. Think of it as like being a new Columbus, sailing into the unknown in search of chica treasures. Perhaps the National Geographic Society will sponsor this intrepid explorer?[/QUOTE]I was in Havana from Dec 24 - Dec 29 // here's a quick report:

Travel:

- Delta is not flying to Havana so took a Delta form ATL. Miami and American from Miami to Havana.

- Paid $32 esh dollar online for covid test* at Havana. Please keep the receipt handy as American airlines* had* no idea of if I paid the fees as the agency which manages Cuba travel at AA does not talk to American system. * I had to show the receipt to avoid repaying.

- American is a fucking ripoff and charges 100 for Havana visa. Paid that in Miami before the check-in process.

- While not required but I had taken a covid test before flying to be on safer side.

Havana Airport.

- After getting off the airport everybody was lined up to get a PCR test. We had to fill up a form (in Spanish)* with the address in Havana and Phone number for casa owner.

- Everyone was wearing mask and even though social distancing was not being followed but I felt safe with a face shield and a mask.

- Immigration check had no issue and took less than 5 min after the PCR test.

- Getting checked in bag took around 15 minutes and in general there was chaos as most of the people in flight were there for meet family for Christmas / new year and lot of bags checked in.

- Getting through custom was easy // they recognized me as a tourist asked me if I had anything to declare and simply asked me to go through green channel.

- Please note that Cuba is not allowing the private car / pick up by casa owner at airport and I had to take a yellow taxi to my casa in old Havana.

- Taxi charged me 30 CUC. I didn't had CUC with me so paid 30 USD.

Quarantine.

- Doctor visited me after I checked in the casa. Apparently there is a 3 day quarantine period in which they are suppose to visit you daily (in the morning) to check the temperature and symptoms while waiting for test results.

- Doctor didn't showed up on day 2 but knocked in the morning on day 3 to check. Plan your day around the doctor visit.

Currency:

- CUC is being phased out and USD is being accepted everywhere.

- In Havana most of the restaurants and cab driver gave me 1:1 rate. I didn't haggle a lot even though I knew the actual is higher.

- I stayed in Guanabo from 26 - 29th and got 1 USD to 1. 40 from a local restaurant called Rico Rico.

Havana / Guanabo and Chicas:

- Everybody wears mask, doesn't matter what time of day. Cuba is safer than states right know in terms of # of cases and people following basic hygiene of masks and hand sanitizer.

- Its depressing to see most of the restaurant and known establishment being closed because of covid.

- As a tourist I never had a issue finding anything I. E water, liquor, food.

- I was staying at Obsipo street and it was practically empty most of the times. Almost no nightlife in old Havana. For most of the local it was life at usual and there was lot more traffic near capitol and behind National hotel where I did saw few tourists.

- Found a black chica on first day while wondering on the streets after few beers.

- She was a fucking ripoff, charged me 40 USD and gave me a handjob after some fingering and other stuff.

- Found a light skin chica while sipping beer at a restaurant called ramp o something in front of main coppelia / theatre.

- Charged me 80 CUC (I paid in USD) for 24 hours. It was more GFE experience. She stayed with me in my apartment, we went for dinner and had 3 -4 sessions between evening, night and morning.

- Moved on Guanabo and spend few days visiting the beach (I thinks its called playa blanca and is much more cleaner than Guanabo beach).

- Met few chicas roaming around the Wi-Fi park, asked them to join me for a beer and then took 2 of them to my casa. Paid 25 wach and few gifts for a threesome.

- I had bought few fits such as lipsticks, perfume, panties etc and gave them as tip to server and chicas during my trip.

- Took a yellow cab back from Guanbo to Airport and paid 40 CUC (around 29 USD).