Havana

Definitely will try this for the next trip.

[QUOTE=KingSanto;3014977]Pro Tip for the guys that need a Visa for Cuba (you'll love me for this one). There's a travel website named "NovelaCuba" that will do your E-Visa for $22 Euros. If you have a card with no foreign transaction fees, it'll come out to $25.74 roughly. That's a $75 savings per trip and yes, this works for Americans I just did it. Don't say I never did anything for you filthy animals.

Happy Hunting!

King Santo.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Jiniterinator;3014736]A reminder for those who want to buy a SIM card, you can pre-pay for it on Suena Cuba and pick it up at a local Etecsa office (they have one at Jose Marti airport and several in Havana). They will try to sell you the tourist SIM if you just walk in there, which is a bad deal even if you are staying less than 7 days since it expires in a week. The permanent line is a great gift (or barter if you're cheap) if you are leaving and not returning within a year and you still have data on it.

[URL]https://suenacuba.com/phone?card=cubacel[/URL]

It's always a good idea to ask them to test the SIM in your phone and make sure it works before you leave the store. I've found that it helps to switch between 3 G /2 G / LTE sometimes if you're not connecting somewhere.

Reminder that Cubacel does not use eSIMs and so if you have a modern US edition iPhone (13 was the last US iPhone that had physical SIMs), you might want to buy a cheap android, which prudent mongers should have for travel anyway. If you do have an iPhone with a removable SIM, you can switch between your own line and the Cuba line in the cellular settings without removing the card, assuming you use eSIM for your regular line at home.[/QUOTE]Will they sell a non-cuban a permanent SIM card on that site? I thought only Cubans could buy a permanent SIM? I could be wrong.

Yes, foreigners can have their own permanent line. You can do it via the site that he posted or buy it in person at the airport ETECSA for $35 USD. I recommend getting it from the site though because ETECSA likes to move the goal posts. January they didn't accept cash, June they did accept cash. Who knows what the rule will be when you arrive.

[QUOTE=JimmyStreets;3015047]Will they sell a non-cuban a permanent SIM card on that site? I thought only Cubans could buy a permanent SIM? I could be wrong.[/QUOTE]

I just purchased my Cuban SIM online; the cost was USD 46 and includes 250 pesos loaded; someone told me to buy a little more to not run out during the trip. Another 250 or so, definitively less than 1000. I will pick it up from Vedado, from FOCSA building.

Depending on your phone model, you will need a tool to open the SIM card tray; it would be a good idea to test opening it before you leave home; or watch a youtube video on how to do so.

My phone opens with a paper clip, which I am packing for my trip. I am set.

Question: is there any additional configuration that needs to be done to set the line?

Would I still see my stuff in the phone? Whatsapp, facebook, contacts, etc? Or would this card replaces my info while it is active?

[QUOTE=MongerHunger;3014756]Cristal is good and I notice a lot like to drink Hollandia also, it's ok. As for myself, I like to drink Bucanero Fuerte.[/QUOTE]The point about Cristal is that it has always been a reliable Cuban staple going back at least 20 years when I first visited the island, simple to find. The fact that they suddenly can't keep them stocked in stores is yet another sign of how the country is deteriorating.

Two nights ago I had a visit from one of my regular little spinner flakitas. There's a scale in my place and she is 88 lbs. Fun!

Saw one of my regulars last night with the most ridiculous body (a flaka with see cups). She jokingly calls herself Barbie, but it's no joke. One thing about Cuba, no matter what is your type, you can find it here.

Unfortunately I had 2 power outages while I was sleeping last night. That's a first. Things are getting worse. If you go, bring power banks and some USB fans.

Last night here. Going to see my thin white thang to paraphrase Santo. Bright blue eyes that always amaze me.

I leave tomorrow, back in two weeks, ojala.

There are no permanent chips anywhere on the island right now not even Cubans, tourists sims are scarce but you might be able to find one if you get lucky, yes this is new!

Hey guys, what would you say is a good amount to have preloaded into the La Nave app? And is the app in English?

[QUOTE=Cabroncito;3015150]There are no permanent chips anywhere on the island right now not even Cubans, tourists sims are scarce but you might be able to find one if you get lucky, yes this is new![/QUOTE]I just chatted with Suena Cuba support:

"They are not selling it on cup.

In Cuba.

But the sales online continue as usual.

So looks like you can still buy one online. ".

[QUOTE=FurJacket;3015151]Hey guys, what would you say is a good amount to have preloaded into the La Nave app? And is the app in English?[/QUOTE]Not sure what you mean by "pre" loaded. You do need an active Cubacel # to create an account, and you can only get that in Cuba.

There is an English setting in the app. But you will still have to talk to the driver in Spanish jajaja.

Why not pick it up at the ETECSA Office across the street from the airport so that you have internet right away? Maybe you have your reasons. If you change your mind, you can still pick it up at the airport. Hopefully you're getting in early because Vedado FOCSA can be a real *****. It's on the second floor and then once you get inside, there's a waiting area with maybe 4 or 5 rows of chairs. 6 chairs in each row I think.

I went there one day to pick up a router (which is literally just a cellular router that you put a SIM card in. Real wired WiFi isn't a thing in Cuba) and I was like 5th in line and waited for an hour; but I was there first thing in the morning. By the time I was done (I didn't get the router because unlike a SIM card, the pickup location DOES matter for routers. Had to get with SuenaCuba to switch my pickup location because I wasn't going all the way back to the airport to pickup a fucking router) the waiting area was full and there was a long line of MORE people by the stairs. Holy shit they probably waited for hours. That's actually where I witnessed my first Cuban fight. Some guy in his 20's got heated and literally Spartan kicked the Security guard in the chest like the movie 300. The Security guard was like 60 for Christ's sake.

Anyway, you're talking about the SIM card tool. I keep one in my phone case. It's good to have one with you but every ETECSA Office has them so opening your phone slot won't be an issue. There is additional configuration required for it to start pulling down actual data but they will do it. Just make sure your data works before you leave. Everything else on your phone stays the same.

Oh and put 360 additional pesos on your phone (that's the max you can put every 30 days) so that you can get the highest data plan available which is also 360 pesos. Hopefully they aren't assholes about it and don't say that the original 250 that you get with your purchase counts against that 360. In that case you'll only be able to add 110.

KingSanto.

[QUOTE=Kstanb;3015108]I just purchased my Cuban SIM online; the cost was USD 46 and includes 250 pesos loaded; someone told me to buy a little more to not run out during the trip. Another 250 or so, definitively less than 1000. I will pick it up from Vedado, from FOCSA building....[/QUOTE]

Believe it or not I actually really like Cristal. In DR I only drink Corona because Presidentes taste like dog shit but I was very pleasantly surprised at how good Cristal was when I tried it on my first trip.

Hope your trip has been a great one and that your "thin white thang" put on a great performance. It's always good to go out with a bang, no pun intended LOL.

[QUOTE=Jiniterinator;3015149]The point about Cristal is that it has always been a reliable Cuban staple going back at least 20 years when I first visited the island, simple to find. The fact that they suddenly can't keep them stocked in stores is yet another sign of how the country is deteriorating....[/QUOTE]

Idk. It depends. I put in $100 ($96 plus a $4 service fee) and that got me 38,885 pesos. I used it for 32 trips before it ran out of money; lasted 5 days. I'll probably put $125 or $150 for my upcoming trip; who knows. Do with that information what you wish.

If your phone is set to English, then the app will automatically be in English (with some Spanish sprinkled in of course but nothing crazy)

[QUOTE=FurJacket;3015151]Hey guys, what would you say is a good amount to have preloaded into the La Nave app? And is the app in English?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=KingSanto;3015182]Idk. It depends. I put in $100 ($96 plus a $4 service fee) and that got me 38,885 pesos. I used it for 32 trips before it ran out of money; lasted 5 days. I'll probably put $125 or $150 for my upcoming trip; who knows. Do with that information what you wish.

If your phone is set to English, then the app will automatically be in English (with some Spanish sprinkled in of course but nothing crazy)[/QUOTE]Thank you sir! I appreciate you!

[QUOTE=KingSanto;3015175]Why not pick it up at the ETECSA Office across the street from the airport so that you have internet right away? Maybe you have your reasons. If you change your mind, you can still pick it up at the airport. Hopefully you're getting in early because Vedado FOCSA can be a real *****. It's on the second floor and then once you get inside, there's a waiting area with maybe 4 or 5 rows of chairs. 6 chairs in each row I think.

KingSanto.[/QUOTE]I chose Vedado because I am coming at night and I thought maybe it would be more relaxed to go pick it up early next morning.

Based on your feedback, I will try to pick it directly from Varadero airport.

How new? Newer than two weeks new? Because when I rolled in on July 4th they had them. I already had mine so I didn't need one, but they were certainly available.

[QUOTE=Cabroncito;3015150]There are no permanent chips anywhere on the island right now not even Cubans, tourists sims are scarce but you might be able to find one if you get lucky, yes this is new![/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=KingSanto;3015175]Why not pick it up at the ETECSA Office across the street from the airport so that you have internet right away? Maybe you have your reasons. If you change your mind, you can still pick it up at the airport. Hopefully you're getting in early because Vedado FOCSA can be a real *****. It's on the second floor and then once you get inside, there's a waiting area with maybe 4 or 5 rows of chairs. 6 chairs in each row I think..[/QUOTE]I also wanted to point out that when I selected the Cuban SIM card, there was no option to select "Varadero Airport" as a pickup place. This option was available when selecting Tourist SIM card.

Maybe they don't have Cuban SIM cards in that ETECSA office?

I am worried if I try to pick it up in Varadero they might give me a tourist card.