Havana

[QUOTE=Zeos1;2762815]No need to use Airbnb. But you will be paying a commission one way or the other. But go for whatever works for you. In the past you could book a "casa particular" but it would take a couple of days to get confirmations as most hosts had no access to the internet. I suspect the operation of Airbnb in Cuba is similar in some ways.[/QUOTE]I used to use a particular website to rent a casa, but none of the properties have been updated to CUP. I emailed the guy a few months ago but never heard back, so I think the site might be done now. I can see why people use airbnb though. Not everyone has a network of people they can contact to rent a place ahead of time. I would love to not use airbnb and rather make sure the owner of the property gets to keep all the revenue, but without knowing anyone ahead of time, it's tough to book a reliable place.

If anyone has a site other than airbnb to see casas on, I'd love a link (not sure if that's allowed on this forum though). I'm hoping to be out there in May, so I'd love to find a place by March / April.

[QUOTE=Muzungufotsy;2762649]Funny how some people assume things are impossible when they are unable to do it themselves. First I know Airbnb and I used it before a few times so if you are smart it s easy to contact the owner directly. Every system has a weakness and I'm expert in finding them. Second I never use Airbnb in Cuba because I don't want to pay a commission to them and because Cuban owner has to pay them a commission. I got enough contact numbers to contact the owner directly without using any stupid platform. Good for me good for the owner. Talking about bringing girls to your place can bring attention to you even before you landed but if for you no problem be my guest. Me I'm looking for owners who don't register girls so I can change every day. I pay to change not to get the same girl every day because of some stupid rule else I go somewhere else. Many girls don't want to get registered anyway dude. Clear now?[/QUOTE]Muzung. You must be very smart to contact owners directly on Airbnb. I was a host for a few years and no one ever was able to do that. Until they booked my place.

As far as Cuba goes all bets are off. Most owners don't even have their own access to the internet so interesting that you have so many ways to do this. Now if you already know someone there, and they do have access to the internet, then perhaps you can do it. Most people don't have that option if they are booking from outside.

[QUOTE=EMode;2763568]I used to use a particular website to rent a casa, but none of the properties have been updated to CUP. I emailed the guy a few months ago but never heard back, so I think the site might be done now. I can see why people use airbnb though. Not everyone has a network of people they can contact to rent a place ahead of time. I would love to not use airbnb and rather make sure the owner of the property gets to keep all the revenue, but without knowing anyone ahead of time, it's tough to book a reliable place.

If anyone has a site other than airbnb to see casas on, I'd love a link (not sure if that's allowed on this forum though). I'm hoping to be out there in May, so I'd love to find a place by March / April.[/QUOTE]Just look fur Cuba / Havanna groups on Facebook.

I have found and contacted casa owners this way directly.

I have a few groups and even casa owners.

But this is all in german, so I think this will not help you.

You are so damn impressive. You're probably the first person who ever rented a casa directly from the owner / manager in Cuba. And then you got one chica on the bed and the other in the bedroom. Those airbnb people are such idiots it's crazy right? I highly commend and support you as a role model for all, primarily due to superior disposition that you're, frankly, not afraid to toss around.

[QUOTE=DzikaBomba;2762719]I really don't understand why you always need this Airbnb BS, especially in a country like Cuba.

This is sooo american.

I will arrive next year and I alreday have private contacts from casa owners or middle man, who can provide casas.

First Facebook Contacts, than Whatsapp and I make a private deal.

Why should I use an american company, which takes high commissions, only for renting a room?![/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=RainmanSahut;2762235]Cuban law requires All apartment owners that ALL guest are registered in addition apartment owner is required to send Your and I believe guest information to Cuban immigration within 1 day of check in.

So. The Airnb renter is not very likely to publish guest friendly. I will provide more information later. Uh.

Also know every apartment is checked 1 or more times each year No notice for paperwork and guests paperwork. Ouch!

Reason. Catch apartment owners cheating / renting off the books, not reporting rental fees for Taxes.

Yes, the old taxman again.

So. You pays your money and yous take your chances.

US Dollar still the King? At least in Cuba bar none.

Yesterday trading between 160-200 / $1. Unreal. Old Havana Square near Cathedral. Many hawkers asking to swap money or take you to restaurants..[/QUOTE]Dude, stop writing "CUC" and things like "Pay in CUC". CUC is over, it's CUP now, Cuban peso.

There seems to be a lot of people here writing and speculating how things work that don't have a clue so I (as a traveller who's now been here 4 weeks) thought I'd clear some things out. I'm euro, surfer, very experienced traveller all over the world to give you an idea of my preferences and how I think. I speak decent "street Spanish" from travelling, but faaar from fluent. If you're very different to me then you may look at things differently, but then that's you.

First off, CUC is no more, it's CUP now, Cuban Peso. You can exchange it with cash at the CADECA [URL]https://www.cadeca.cu/[/URL] around most towns, and the rate changes daily with exchange rates. They accept most larger currencies and give you different rates. Because the people want USD / CAD / EUR / GBP they will give you a higher rate on the street. You find these people everywhere offering, but you risk getting ripped off and getting "fake money", so if you want to do this, make sure you find someone reliable, maybe someone your landlord or similar recommends. USD is not "king", many want EUR too. You can pay most things with EUR / USD, even in restaurants (if you find them) and they will give you change back in peso according to whatever rate they tell you there, which sometimes is same as CADECA, but less than on the street (obviously). So bring lots of cash but also smaller notes if you want to "keep" your currency. You pay drinks or dinner for 5 USD with a 50 you get 45 USD x the CADECA rate or less at the bar, which you could have taken to a guy on the street for more CUP.

Food and everything is sometimes scarce, and even finding a restaurant can be difficult, unless you stick to Old Havana, but I'm a traveller and want to explore the city, by foot. There's a shopping street behind Capitolio, and also a mall 10 minute walk from Old Havana and they have "everything" there, so you can find what you need, if you just search. I rented a place near the Viazul bus station, main station in Havana and walked 40 minutes before I found an (open) restaurant at 8 pm a Wednesday night. Some were closed, some were open but without food, drinks, and very few to choose from. Old Havana is better, there are a few good ones but you will get harassed with cigars, hustlers and so on more frequently, constantly. Bottled water you can of course drink, I have not drunk tap water but don't see the point as there's always bottled water around somewhere. I haven't gotten sick or even had any stomach issues from any food in 4 weeks and I eat with my dirty hands sometimes, haha. The food, if you find it, is clean as far as I've experienced. I've eaten from local joints, restaurants, on the street. A meal is anywhere from 400-1000 CUP, you do the math with your rate Beer is 200-300, or found as low as 90. Cocktails 100-300.

Regarding chicas. I've spent a few nights in different "Airbnb's" which is a casa particular / hostal / hotel, they call it pretty different, but it's more or less the same. I book through Airbnb because I can pay with my credit card and hang on to my CUP, but with this comes a fee to airbnb of course and all that. I'll rather pay that, and also they give you some safety and guarantee. You can also choose online, depending on location, reviews and such. It's absolutely possible to figure out how to contact the hosts outside of Airbnb, it's not difficult to figure it out, just think and be smart when you send them a message. But this takes extra time and effort, something maybe I'd like to spend on other things. Use a VPN for most things here on your phone. Wifi is more or less non-existent everywhere, so get a Cubacell sim, and also this can be very slow. Most hosts reply very fast as first of all most Cubans have SIM-card with 4 g and can reply, secondly, it's not uncommon it's their children working in and running the account from Europe or US and the parents are at the house to receive you, hand out keys and such.

The first one was stern "no visitors" and I'm sure they would have kicked me out if I broke that rule. I booked this through [URL]hotels.com[/URL], but it was a room in a casa particular.

The second one was a room in a "hotel / hostal" but it was a casa particular. I wouldn't have brought a girl there as it was next to where the host lived.

Third was an apartment in a building, private, but the parents to the host lived in the apartment next door. I brought a girl there daytime, just a girl I got in touch with on Badoo, we had drinks, a snack, and fucked. She just wanted to fuck a hot Euro surfer I guess Not all girls are prostitutes or want money, some just want fun. I picked up a girl at a marina in Varadero where a band was playing, had sex the next day. No payment, just wanted to have fun. Both Cuban and did not speak English but as long as you speak little and try and you're not a dick it's all good. Rest of Varadera / Santa Marta / Matanzas / Cardenas there are probably very few chicas to buy, but many to contact on Badoo and either go on a regular date (something I prefer as I get to practice Spanish and I don't know if there will be sex or not, and that uncertainty is exciting), or some want money. Forget Tinder, it's rubbish. Badoo has plenty of users and easy to get in touch. I've picked up girls on the beach too, but obviously it helps I'm a "sexy kitesurfer" but it's definitely possible to just approach girls, and not having to pay for sex, just drinks and be a nice guy. They are people and want to be treated as such. Girls in Havana you can pick up for as little as 2000 peso, and they will contact you and offer, pretty much all over the city, but obviously depend on many factors. I'd rather pay a bit more for "quality", but no more than 5000 You can also pay them in Euro or USD, but then you comply with "their" exchange rate" and make sure you have change because they won't have it. Smartest is to exchange to CUP for a high rate on the street, then pay the chica in CUP which you've bought for a high rate. The girl wanting 2000 CUP may want 20 USD if you have that. At 150 USD / CUP you would have gotten it cheaper, now you're loosing money paying her in USD. Same goes for all transactions. Many girls don't want 5000 CUP because it could be 50 100 CUP bills or 250 20's which is a stack.

The fourth Airbnb was a private apartment, but having that said, the walls are paper thin and on the other side of the bathroom was the landladys bedroom. This is difficult to see and figure out booking on Airbnb. Surprisingly she didn't take my passport or asked for a signature when I checked in which all other places have been very thorough about. Nevertheless I would not have taken a girl and "made noise" in that house. Luckily I had my "friend" visiting me, travelling around (and fucking) so I didn't need to search for anyone, but none of us where registered checking in at this place. So even if you book a "private apartment" you can still be "connected" with the host, or very close. It also has to do with respect, I personally don't want to get anyone in trouble just cause I want to fuck a girl, but I'm well mannered Euro so maybe the yanks don't give a fuck and that's why people dislike them everywhere because they always want respect but never show any.

My last night in Cuba is on Friday and I'm renting in a new location, private apartment so we'll see how private it is and what I feel comfortable doing and what the host indicates.

Any questions feel free to ask and I'll answer when I can.

[QUOTE=MjTravelLove;2764329]You are so damn impressive. You're probably the first person who ever rented a casa directly from the owner / manager in Cuba. And then you got one chica on the bed and the other in the bedroom. Those airbnb people are such idiots it's crazy right? I highly commend and support you as a role model for all, primarily due to superior disposition that you're, frankly, not afraid to toss around.[/QUOTE]Thanks!

And because I'm so impressive and you are so thankful I will tell you something more!

You can also use Telegram with fake location to join groups in Havana and find groups with people offering casas.

You can thank me later.

And yes, of course those Airbnb People are crazy, I already said that.

"I'm well mannered Euro so maybe the yanks don't give a fuck and that's why people dislike them everywhere because they always want respect but never show any. ".

Excuse me? How dare you, a foreigner, refer that way to your sovereign lords and masters, Americans of the US of A?

I am not a young handsome Euro surfer boy, I guess Better to call me an ugly American, who tries to be good and nice to everyone.

I have many more weeks on the ground in Cuba than You cite, mostly in Havana and each time registered properly in an nice Airbnb apartment on the Malecon, not some flea bag room or hostel and each time I had permission for girl as guest. Yes, I had a girl every night and yes I registered them. There is No problem how you arrange accommodations for your stay, but you better make sure you and she are registered with immigration if the law comes knocking. The apartment owner is supposed to do this within 1 day of rental. Yes, I know first hand about police / immigration inspections and they do happen, more so to catch apartment owners renting OFF the books and not reporting income, than to catch you with some girl. Yes, You will be in trouble if they catch you unregistered to an apartment along with the owner.

I do not care what the money is called CUC or Cup but you are crazy if you think the banks or any other business comes close to giving You the black market exchange of 200 pesos to $1 usd presently, especially while the government ratio is 25 pesos to $1 usd. I would estimate I have exchanged over $20,000 usd on the streets and only got 1 counterfeit bill returned to my knowledge. Yes, the US Dollar is KING. The Euro and Canadian money is accepted, but, not as freely. Note, where are All the desperate Cubans trying to flee? Dang sure is not Canada or Europe, it is the Good ole USA, specifically Miami. Yes, read this article in Reuters? Is that an American news source? ([URL]https://www.reuters.com/article/cuba-economy/cubas-dollar-shops-stoke-anger-division-amid-economic-crisis-idUKL1N2UY27G[/URL]). They must be misinformed also about the USD in Cuba, you need to enlighten them. I just left Havana last week. As an example, The 2 outside restaurants at the Havana T3 Airport terminal had a total of about 18 hamburgers at one location and a bag of juice being sold by the glass. No water, No beer, No soft drinks, NADA. The other location had Nothing. Yes the mall you cite takes the MLC card. I do not have such, but, it is in USD increments, not Euro or Canadian basically only the upper class of Cuba has such card. Remember US credit cards or Bank cards are not accepted on the island. Everywhere I did spend USD, I got USD in change basically. Basically there are no stores open for food; water or necessities, also cited in article above.

I guess we visited different planets Buddy?

Finally if cheap food is so easy to find, please help all the other Cuban people standing in the streets for hours on end to get a morsel for their families Buddy.

Forgive me, you must have been wearing some of those a Elton John Rose colored glasses.

Cuba is in a sad state of affairs.

God have pity and bless these people now.

Rainman.

Maybe you can afford a membership after your trip.

There seems to be a lot of people here writing and speculating how things work that don't have a clue so I (as a traveller who's now been here 4 weeks) thought I'd clear some things out. I'm euro, surfer, very experienced traveller all over the world to give you an idea of my preferences and how I think. I speak decent "street Spanish" from travelling, but faaar from fluent. If you're very different to me then you may look at things differently, but then that's you.

First off, CUC is no more, it's CUP now, Cuban Peso. You can exchange it with cash at the CADECA [URL]https://www.cadeca.cu/[/URL] around most towns, and the rate changes daily with exchange rates. They accept most larger currencies and give you different rates. Because the people want USD / CAD / EUR / GBP they will give you a higher rate on the street. You find these people everywhere offering, but you risk getting ripped off and getting "fake money", so if you want to do this, make sure you find someone reliable, maybe someone your landlord or similar recommends. USD is not "king", many want EUR too. You can pay most things with EUR / USD, even in restaurants (if you find them) and they will give you change back in peso according to whatever rate they tell you there, which sometimes is same as CADECA, but less than on the street (obviously). So bring lots of cash but also smaller notes if you want to "keep" your currency. You pay drinks or dinner for 5 USD with a 50 you get 45 USD x the CADECA rate or less at the bar, which you could have taken to a guy on the street for more CUP.

Food and everything is sometimes scarce, and even finding a restaurant can be difficult, unless you stick to Old Havana, but I'm a traveller and want to explore the city, by foot. There's a shopping street behind Capitolio, and also a mall 10 minute walk from Old Havana and they have "everything" there, so you can find what you need, if you just search. I rented a place near the Viazul bus station, main station in Havana and walked 40 minutes before I found an (open) restaurant at 8 pm a Wednesday night. Some were closed, some were open but without food, drinks, and very few to choose from. Old Havana is better, there are a few good ones but you will get harassed with cigars, hustlers and so on more frequently, constantly. Bottled water you can of course drink, I have not drunk tap water but don't see the point as there's always bottled water around somewhere. I haven't gotten sick or even had any stomach issues from any food in 4 weeks and I eat with my dirty hands sometimes, haha. The food, if you find it, is clean as far as I've experienced. I've eaten from local joints, restaurants, on the street. A meal is anywhere from 400-1000 CUP, you do the math with your rate Beer is 200-300, or found as low as 90. Cocktails 100-300.

Regarding chicas. I've spent a few nights in different "Airbnb's" which is a casa particular / hostal / hotel, they call it pretty different, but it's more or less the same. I book through Airbnb because I can pay with my credit card and hang on to my CUP, but with this comes a fee to airbnb of course and all that. I'll rather pay that, and also they give you some safety and guarantee. You can also choose online, depending on location, reviews and such. It's absolutely possible to figure out how to contact the hosts outside of Airbnb, it's not difficult to figure it out, just think and be smart when you send them a message. But this takes extra time and effort, something maybe I'd like to spend on other things. Use a VPN for most things here on your phone. Wifi is more or less non-existent everywhere, so get a Cubacell sim, and also this can be very slow. Most hosts reply very fast as first of all most Cubans have SIM-card with 4 g and can reply, secondly, it's not uncommon it's their children working in and running the account from Europe or US and the parents are at the house to receive you, hand out keys and such.

The first one was stern "no visitors" and I'm sure they would have kicked me out if I broke that rule. I booked this through [URL]hotels.com[/URL], but it was a room in a casa particular.

The second one was a room in a "hotel / hostal" but it was a casa particular. I wouldn't have brought a girl there as it was next to where the host lived.

Third was an apartment in a building, private, but the parents to the host lived in the apartment next door. I brought a girl there daytime, just a girl I got in touch with on Badoo, we had drinks, a snack, and fucked. She just wanted to fuck a hot Euro surfer I guess Not all girls are prostitutes or want money, some just want fun. I picked up a girl at a marina in Varadero where a band was playing, had sex the next day. No payment, just wanted to have fun. Both Cuban and did not speak English but as long as you speak little and try and you're not a dick it's all good. Rest of Varadera / Santa Marta / Matanzas / Cardenas there are probably very few chicas to buy, but many to contact on Badoo and either go on a regular date (something I prefer as I get to practice Spanish and I don't know if there will be sex or not, and that uncertainty is exciting), or some want money. Forget Tinder, it's rubbish. Badoo has plenty of users and easy to get in touch. I've picked up girls on the beach too, but obviously it helps I'm a "sexy kitesurfer" but it's definitely possible to just approach girls, and not having to pay for sex, just drinks and be a nice guy. They are people and want to be treated as such. Girls in Havana you can pick up for as little as 2000 peso, and they will contact you and offer, pretty much all over the city, but obviously depend on many factors. I'd rather pay a bit more for "quality", but no more than 5000 You can also pay them in Euro or USD, but then you comply with "their" exchange rate" and make sure you have change because they won't have it. Smartest is to exchange to CUP for a high rate on the street, then pay the chica in CUP which you've bought for a high rate. The girl wanting 2000 CUP may want 20 USD if you have that. At 150 USD / CUP you would have gotten it cheaper, now you're loosing money paying her in USD. Same goes for all transactions. Many girls don't want 5000 CUP because it could be 50 100 CUP bills or 250 20's which is a stack.

The fourth Airbnb was a private apartment, but having that said, the walls are paper thin and on the other side of the bathroom was the landladys bedroom. This is difficult to see and figure out booking on Airbnb. Surprisingly she didn't take my passport or asked for a signature when I checked in which all other places have been very thorough about. Nevertheless I would not have taken a girl and "made noise" in that house. Luckily I had my "friend" visiting me, travelling around (and fucking) so I didn't need to search for anyone, but none of us where registered checking in at this place. So even if you book a "private apartment" you can still be "connected" with the host, or very close. It also has to do with respect, I personally don't want to get anyone in trouble just cause I want to fuck a girl, but I'm well mannered Euro so maybe the yanks don't give a fuck and that's why people dislike them everywhere because they always want respect but never show any.

My last night in Cuba is on Friday and I'm renting in a new location, private apartment so we'll see how private it is and what I feel comfortable doing and what the host indicates.

Any questions feel free to ask and I'll answer when I can.

[QUOTE=MrJibb;2764457]There seems to be a lot of people here writing and speculating how things work that don't have a clue so I (as a traveller who's now been here 4 weeks) thought I'd clear some things out. I'm euro, surfer, very experienced traveller all over the world to give you an idea of my preferences and how I think. I speak decent "street Spanish" from travelling, but faaar from fluent. If you're very different to me then you may look at things differently, but then that's you.

Any questions feel free to ask and I'll answer when I can.[/QUOTE]Good info. I'll be there in a couple of weeks. I'm going the airbnb route. Seems like it's hit or miss when trying to find a place that's chica friendly. I see many that allow guests but you bring up a great point, if the landlord is next door it may not be the best environment to bring chicas over.

Airbnb is a convenience that you end up paying more for. A lot of the casa particulars can be had for a fraction of the price and they often advertise locally and on airbnb. Try sites like revolico and look for apartments for foreigners. You will have direct access to the owners plus at decent prices.

Ask your cab driver to find you a place. They get their cut but they have stacks of business cards and contacts. Always good to have a driver that can hook you up and help you navigate the lay of the land on your first visit. Of course that comes at a cost but it's part of the Cuban initiation for first timers.

There are so many wrongs on this reply I don't even know where to start. But! It's obvious you either didn't read, can read or understand what I wrote, looking at your reply to it.

Also you not even caring what the currency of a country is named (not called) shows utter disrespect and arrogance toward the country and the people in it, yet you proceed to pretend like you're the messiah helping them with a "God bless" at the end? Give me a break.

We probably were on different planets. I, on planet reality and you in an astral projection. What I wrote is correct, very simple, starting with the fact you don't even know what the name of the currency is 😂 come back here today and try and get 200 CUP for your USD and see how that goes. That was perhaps then, it changes daily, and I'm guessing you don't even know why, but I do. Also people can check the cadeca website and it's nowhere near 25 CUP per USD. But We already made that conclusion that you can't read so I understand you didn't comprehend that clear information on the website.

Aloha amigo.

[QUOTE=RainmanSahut;2764610]I am not a young handsome Euro surfer boy, I guess Better to call me an ugly American, who tries to be good and nice to everyone.

I have many more weeks on the ground in Cuba than You cite, mostly in Havana and each time registered properly in an nice Airbnb apartment on the Malecon, not some flea bag room or hostel and each time I had permission for girl as guest. Yes, I had a girl every night and yes I registered them. There is No problem how you arrange accommodations for your stay, but you better make sure you and she are registered with immigration if the law comes knocking. The apartment owner is supposed to do this within 1 day of rental. Yes, I know first hand about police / immigration inspections and they do happen, more so to catch apartment owners renting OFF the books and not reporting income, than to catch you with some girl. Yes, You will be in trouble if they catch you unregistered to an apartment along with the owner.

I do not care what the money is called CUC or Cup but you are crazy if you think the banks or any other business comes close to giving You the black market exchange of 200 pesos to $1 usd presently, especially while the government ratio is 25 pesos to $1 usd. I would estimate I have exchanged over $20,000 usd on the streets and only got 1 counterfeit bill returned to my knowledge. Yes, the US Dollar is KING. The Euro and Canadian money is accepted, but, not as freely. Note, where are All the desperate Cubans trying to flee? Dang sure is not Canada or Europe, it is the Good ole USA, specifically Miami. Yes, read this article in Reuters? Is that an American news source? ([URL]https://www.reuters.com/article/cuba-economy/cubas-dollar-shops-stoke-anger-division-amid-economic-crisis-idUKL1N2UY27G[/URL]). They must be misinformed also about the USD in Cuba, you need to enlighten them. I just left Havana last week. As an example, The 2 outside restaurants at the Havana T3 Airport terminal had a total of about 18 hamburgers at one location and a bag of juice being sold by the glass. No water, No beer, No soft drinks, NADA. The other location had Nothing. Yes the mall you cite takes the MLC card. I do not have such, but, it is in USD increments, not Euro or Canadian basically only the upper class of Cuba has such card. Remember US credit cards or Bank cards are not accepted on the island. Everywhere I did spend USD, I got USD in change basically. Basically there are no stores open for food; water or necessities, also cited in article above.

I guess we visited different planets Buddy?

Finally if cheap food is so easy to find, please help all the other Cuban people standing in the streets for hours on end to get a morsel for their families Buddy.

Forgive me, you must have been wearing some of those a Elton John Rose colored glasses.

Cuba is in a sad state of affairs.

God have pity and bless these people now.

Rainman.

Maybe you can afford a membership after your trip.

There seems to be a lot of people here writing and speculating how things work that don't have a clue so I (as a traveller who's now been here 4 weeks) thought I'd clear some things out. I'm euro, surfer, very experienced traveller all over the world to give you an idea of my preferences and how I think. I speak decent "street Spanish" from travelling, but faaar from fluent. If you're very different to me then you may look at things differently, but then that's you.

First off, CUC is no more, it's CUP now, Cuban Peso. You can exchange it with cash at the CADECA [URL]https://www.cadeca.cu/[/URL] around most towns, and the rate changes daily with exchange rates. They accept most larger currencies and give you different rates. Because the people want USD / CAD / EUR / GBP they will give you a higher rate on the street. You find these people everywhere offering, but you risk getting ripped off and getting "fake money", so if you want to do this, make sure you find someone reliable, maybe someone your landlord or similar recommends. USD is not "king", many want EUR too. You can pay most things with EUR / USD, even in restaurants (if you find them) and they will give you change back in peso according to whatever rate they tell you there, which sometimes is same as CADECA, but less than on the street (obviously). So bring lots of cash but also smaller notes if you want to "keep" your currency. You pay drinks or dinner for 5 USD with a 50 you get 45 USD x the CADECA rate or less at the bar, which you could have taken to a guy on the street for more CUP.

Food and everything is sometimes scarce, and even finding a restaurant can be difficult, unless you stick to Old Havana, but I'm a traveller and want to explore the city, by foot. There's a shopping street behind Capitolio, and also a mall 10 minute walk from Old Havana and they have "everything" there, so you can find what you need, if you just search. I rented a place near the Viazul bus station, main station in Havana and walked 40 minutes before I found an (open) restaurant at 8 pm a Wednesday night. Some were closed, some were open but without food, drinks, and very few to choose from. Old Havana is better, there are a few good ones but you will get harassed with cigars, hustlers and so on more frequently, constantly. Bottled water you can of course drink, I have not drunk tap water but don't see the point as there's always bottled water around somewhere. I haven't gotten sick or even had any stomach issues from any food in 4 weeks and I eat with my dirty hands sometimes, haha. The food, if you find it, is clean as far as I've experienced. I've eaten from local joints, restaurants, on the street. A meal is anywhere from 400-1000 CUP, you do the math with your rate Beer is 200-300, or found as low as 90. Cocktails 100-300.

Regarding chicas. I've spent a few nights in different "Airbnb's" which is a casa particular / hostal / hotel, they call it pretty different, but it's more or less the same. I book through Airbnb because I can pay with my credit card and hang on to my CUP, but with this comes a fee to airbnb of course and all that. I'll rather pay that, and also they give you some safety and guarantee. You can also choose online, depending on location, reviews and such. It's absolutely possible to figure out how to contact the hosts outside of Airbnb, it's not difficult to figure it out, just think and be smart when you send them a message. But this takes extra time and effort, something maybe I'd like to spend on other things. Use a VPN for most things here on your phone. Wifi is more or less non-existent everywhere, so get a Cubacell sim, and also this can be very slow. Most hosts reply very fast as first of all most Cubans have SIM-card with 4 g and can reply, secondly, it's not uncommon it's their children working in and running the account from Europe or US and the parents are at the house to receive you, hand out keys and such.

The first one was stern "no visitors" and I'm sure they would have kicked me out if I broke that rule. I booked this through [URL]hotels.com[/URL], but it was a room in a casa particular.

The second one was a room in a "hotel / hostal" but it was a casa particular. I wouldn't have brought a girl there as it was next to where the host lived.

Third was an apartment in a building, private, but the parents to the host lived in the apartment next door. I brought a girl there daytime, just a girl I got in touch with on Badoo, we had drinks, a snack, and fucked. She just wanted to fuck a hot Euro surfer I guess Not all girls are prostitutes or want money, some just want fun. I picked up a girl at a marina in Varadero where a band was playing, had sex the next day. No payment, just wanted to have fun. Both Cuban and did not speak English but as long as you speak little and try and you're not a dick it's all good. Rest of Varadera / Santa Marta / Matanzas / Cardenas there are probably very few chicas to buy, but many to contact on Badoo and either go on a regular date (something I prefer as I get to practice Spanish and I don't know if there will be sex or not, and that uncertainty is exciting), or some want money. Forget Tinder, it's rubbish. Badoo has plenty of users and easy to get in touch. I've picked up girls on the beach too, but obviously it helps I'm a "sexy kitesurfer" but it's definitely possible to just approach girls, and not having to pay for sex, just drinks and be a nice guy. They are people and want to be treated as such. Girls in Havana you can pick up for as little as 2000 peso, and they will contact you and offer, pretty much all over the city, but obviously depend on many factors. I'd rather pay a bit more for "quality", but no more than 5000 You can also pay them in Euro or USD, but then you comply with "their" exchange rate" and make sure you have change because they won't have it. Smartest is to exchange to CUP for a high rate on the street, then pay the chica in CUP which you've bought for a high rate. The girl wanting 2000 CUP may want 20 USD if you have that. At 150 USD / CUP you would have gotten it cheaper, now you're loosing money paying her in USD. Same goes for all transactions. Many girls don't want 5000 CUP because it could be 50 100 CUP bills or 250 20's which is a stack.

The fourth Airbnb was a private apartment, but having that said, the walls are paper thin and on the other side of the bathroom was the landladys bedroom. This is difficult to see and figure out booking on Airbnb. Surprisingly she didn't take my passport or asked for a signature when I checked in which all other places have been very thorough about. Nevertheless I would not have taken a girl and "made noise" in that house. Luckily I had my "friend" visiting me, travelling around (and fucking) so I didn't need to search for anyone, but none of us where registered checking in at this place. So even if you book a "private apartment" you can still be "connected" with the host, or very close. It also has to do with respect, I personally don't want to get anyone in trouble just cause I want to fuck a girl, but I'm well mannered Euro so maybe the yanks don't give a fuck and that's why people dislike them everywhere because they always want respect but never show any.

My last night in Cuba is on Friday and I'm renting in a new location, private apartment so we'll see how private it is and what I feel comfortable doing and what the host indicates.

Any questions feel free to ask and I'll answer when I can.[/QUOTE]

It was a fun trip as usual and happy for this forum to let us know the current state of affairs. This is my 5th trip I think, my last was 2019, just before Covid.

As I only had 3 nights there, I tried to prearrange meet ups in advance. I wasn't as successful, since I only started trying about 3 days to the trip. I had a few contacts from before on whatsapp but they were either now with a baby on their status or wanted new blood. My Jibbs report was pretty much bang on with what I noticed. Tried Tinder and even registered as a platinum member, found it was a waste of time, as teleporting to Cuba yielded almost no one. Tried Badoo which had a lot of chicas in Havana. Good thing with Badoo, unlike Tinder, one can message directly without even matching. Yielded no results too, as like someone mentioned, they don't stay on 24/7, so I did not get any replies prior to my trip.

I arrived from Canada into Varadero. Options to Havana as Usual is Taxi about $80-120 USD or taking the Viazul (long distance bus) . I was willing to wait for few hours to share the taxi and if not take the Viazul. The only guys I met from Canada were not willing to pay that much to share, so we all took the Viazul together. It usually arrives and leave just after 4 pm. The ride is just under 2 hrs. I showed the bus driver my address in central Havana and he advised I get off somewhere (in old Havana) . Since I am comfortable moving around I did not mind, first timers should better off just take a taxi direct to their hotel. Since it was getting dark and due to having to take another transport. My exchange rate was about 170 CUP to 1 USD with my landlady. I think I got about 130 CUP to 1 USD at the airport. I changed just a small amount there, so that I can at least have something prior to getting to my apartment.

From Old Havana, I decided to take my favourite mode of transportation, the BICI taxi. I just simply like the spacious and airy sitting. I also love the leg room. The guy was able to carry my 1 large baggage and carry on with no problem. The taxis were quoting about 1200 CUP, but I paid about 700 to the BICI guy.

I decided to roam with my cellphone on my first day, just so that I could be able to communicate with any chicas or even my landlady prior to getting a local sim card. That costed about 15 CAD.

I think there's been some back and forth about privacy and what not. What I discovered is that quite a few landlords somewhat know that many people cherish their privacy, either because they do not want to stay in a room in the same house as the landlady or they just need space in general to do whatever. So just looking for any listing that says private. Not shared. Or whole apartment etc would be suitable for bringing visitors over privately. My first stay in Cuba few years ago was in a room with private bathroom in the same house as the landlady. Most of the ladies did not mind being registered. Only a few did not want to do so. The only problem is, as I got attached to the landlady, I did not want her knowing I was bringing in different chicas every night. I was beginning to portray myself as a gentleman. Also most importantly, though she said she did not mind, she had to get up every night to open the door for me, sometimes at 1 am LOL. To have the girl registered. I over the years actually liked that, as I did not have to be overly security cautious bringing strangers over, since the chicas identity was recorded. They even used to ask me the next morning if everything was fine before letting the girl out.

My last few times, has been in a whole apartment of my own, with the landlady staying a few houses down the street. So in this kind of arrangement, the landlady did "not see anyone" so she did not have to "record or registered anyone."

I spoke no Spanish, so it was a challenge but google translate usual did the trick all the time, so it was also awkward having any meaningful conversation but somehow I pulled it through. The only person I met that did not know how to type Spanish was an old cowboy who took me on a tour around Havana on a horse. It was loud, so I could not use the direct speech translation and he was quite illiterate. He did not understand I spoke zero Spanish and kept on talking non stop in Spanish LOL.

I spent 3 nights and ended up banging 4 girls with a repeat visit on 1 of them. I usually negotiated with a BICI taxi for a 1 hour "tour" of the city, the tour ended up "magically" turning into "chica fishing" and of course, the driver was always willing to help. I always added a little tip after. I usually negotiated between 1000 to 1200 CUP and just tipped about 500 CUP extra after.

As for the girls, they were usually between 21 to 25 years old as per request but due to time constraint, I couldn't really be picky as such, so I usually settled for a 6-7 out of 10. I usually like my girls with more boos or ass and a lot of Cuban girls don't usually have that in abundance. I can see someone grading them a 7-9 easily.

Wasn't too pleased all of them had kids, either due to they telling me or just flat out seeing the tale tale signs. One even had a 6 month old. I like some milk here and there as I don't fuck without sucking but she had A LOT too much LOL. I paid a range of 4000 CUP to 6000 CUP. So, 40 USD was about the max I budgeted for. Thanks for this forum. I had kept the same 1 or 2 girls, I could have paid a lot less than that, as it was beginning to look more like a friendship with benefits than more of a strict money transaction. So I could usually have given about 2000 CUP and some gifts I brought with me.

For food, my landlady gave me meals for free morning and night. The old arrangement was $5 USD per meal, so I just tipped her roughly the total after. She also had a spare SIM, which I just loaded about 350 CUP for about 5 g (not sure) and about 20 texts. I wasn't too interested in calls, since I did not speak the language.

Hello everyone after a long internal debate I've settled on going to Havana in January for a few days and just want to layout my plan. I decided to stay at a hotel (yes I know you can't bring girls here) and keep my stuff there and when I find a chica go to a short term hotel with her I've read reports on here that there as cheap as five dollars an hour. Is that something others have done like will the girls know of one or could this turn into a problem. All the other questions I'd have been answered I"ll be flying American and know I can buy the visa at the gate for 100 dollars so I'll do that. The thing guys don't talk about much in there reports where to find ladies but my take on this the action is everywhere so it's just not worth mentioning. I saw a few ages back and even going back 40 or so pages a reports of bar and clubs etc I'll check those spots out to see if they are still open.

Overall I'm excited about this trip because it will be different I've done DR Panama Mexico Peru a few other latin countries and I live in an Asian Mongering city now so I've been around a bit overall my plan is to just do two ladies a day for 3 days and return home I'm bringing 1200 dollars is that enough thanks.

I just returned from Havana and can provide a good update with recent info.

First and foremost the girls are plentiful in San Rafael, Central Park and to an extent Obispo. You can find some at all hours in these areas but your best hunting time will be after dark. All this area is foot access only and maybe 10 minutes walking from end to end. In the evening you can easily find 40-50 girls around 18 years old sitting on the benches on San Rafael and Central Park. They will call out to you etc. They will only want payment in US dollars and start high asking for $80-100 USD. Tell them that's really high for the area and counter with $40 and they will prolly counter with $50 as their lowest or agree to $40. Almost anything you can imagine can be had including 3-somes for $50 each chick. You can literally decide hey I want a blonde today and go find a blonde.

I found the best way for me because I don't speak Spanish was to exchange their WhatsApp and message them and negotiate and then send them my address to meet me once we agree on price and have them walk in their own. They won't walk with you anyway, they will want to follow from a distance as it was not uncommon to see 50 or so police and military in the area watching the girls, stopping them ID'ing then and at times taking some away. That said in 6 nights they never said a word to me and I spent hours each night out shopping and sitting in the park etc.

I highly recommend you get a Cuban SIM card for your phone so you have data and WhatsApp. Also the exchange rate varies but sim for 160 pesos per dollar. You will really only be able to use pesos in restaurants but it's cheaper for you to do this. That said every restaurant I went to presented bills with pesos, US dollars and euro prices listed on them so you can pay in any of those no issues just expect to get change in pesos and not a great exchange rate.

For a great meal go to kilometer Zero it's very close to the hunting grounds and has great food and people watching.

I have only used an Airbnb where I have the place to myself. It's going to complicate things if you don't have a place within a few blocks of the hunting grounds. There are tons of Airbnb's around Central Park. When looking at Airbnb look at the house rules. Some say no guests. If it was unclear I would message the host and ask hey if I meet a girl while out dancing or something is there any issue with me bringing her back for a couple hours and several will say no problem.

It's an easy trip from the USA. You really just need a passport, a visa and a ofac reason which most say support of Cuban people.

I'm sure I'm leaving things out, any questions let me know.