Havana

I posted a summary of my RTFF a few months ago. I was deliberating between Mombasa and Havana for a last minute trip, but I've settled on Havana. I'll be there next week.

Is anyone around? I'm flying solo so would be great to meet up with a fellow monger for a few beers and and some hunting!

KaizenCoitus, I tried to PM you but I don't think you have that facility.

[QUOTE=FlagRunner77;3024417]So, yesterday I posted a long summary of my RTFF, and now I have to re-post without some particular links!

I've been compiling my own list of places to visit, together with my own notes. The notes make sense to me, and I haven't tried to make them pretty for posting, but I wanted to share in case they help others. Hopefully, it will also buy me some good karma to ask some questions that I do have!

Thank you to KingSanto for your trip reports and helpful tips when it comes to restaurants, groceries and La Nave.

Thank you to CiscoMech for the goodie bag idea.

Thank you also to Jiniterinator, Nomars777 and Kstanb for their helpful recent trip reports.

As I say, I've just copied and pasted my notes in case they help others. I have added coordinates for all places to help people to find the various establishments.

ENTRY TO Cuba.

Viajeros - [URL]https://dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu/inicio.[/URL].

TRAVEL INSURANCE.

SolwaysCuba. Approved in Cuba for advanced charges.

.

MONEY.

[URL]eltoque.com[/URL] - to check unofficial exchange rate.

Try to get large denominations (500 and 1000).

[URL]https://t.me/CambiosUsdCa[/URL] - "Havana Money Exchange" telegram chat.

Get some initial money from Airbnb host (worse rate) then pick from telegram.

"Papi Rey" in Vedado. Between 7 pm and 11 pm can exchange. Tend to give small bills - "estoy aqui para cambiar?

APPS.

La nave. Cuban Uber.

Badoo / Bumble. See. $40 USD.

Google translate (offline).

Google maps (offline).

STREETS TO EXPLORE.

San Rafael from Parque Central to Parque Fe del Valle. Wander San Rafael street, heading west from Parque Central (entrance is Hotel Inglaterra / Teatro National corner), goes for a few blocks, go to the end, walk back, easily will see a few that you can evaluate closer and make a determination. - grab a table and a drink near Brule 66 and they wil come.

Prado. Start at the top, near to the other corner of Inglaterra (it's a different hotel, forget the name, but same block / building), walk down Prado, literally downhill toward the malecon. Avoid getting hit by the rollerbladers, skateboarders. Lots and lots and lots of choices.

La Rampa. Vedado - Ave 23 between Malecon and Calle E.

Old havana. Girls sitting in door stoops.

Parque Central.

(weekend) La Feria. On galiano between Simon Bolivar and Neptuno.

GIRLS.

Cedula = "carnet".

Tip 500 pesos for bike taxi.

Pedicabs. Drivers usually know chicas.

10 K generally not refused.

Consider 10 K and 'gift bag'.

"My advice to you is to first offer 10 K. Do not ask her how much first because chicas will always shoot high. If you don't know to negotiate then you might get taken advantage of and taken to the bank and maybe even spending more than 15 K. Pros can smell newbies from miles away. ".

Going rate can be 5-6 K with negotiation.

"The agreed-upon system is to make eye contact. Lead her off to a side street or to a darkened doorway. One or two sentences. Then move off to an absolute private spot where no one has eyes on you. That's where you make the deal. ".

BARS.

1 ra why 70 bars. See. $40 ($12 K CUP) for girls - 23.113397749694496, -82.43949166949865.

Bleco Bar. Expensive - 15 K rate more likely.

Cabaret Turquino. Card only - 23.13934442513061, -82.38207781774071.

Casa de la musica -23.139320502295504, -82.36370949225224.

FAC (only open Thurs-Sun) - 23.127690610812966, -82.41000276192055.

Hola Habana (Sat or Thurs) - 23.11544322883752, -82.41684948162967.

Johnny Bar (Thurs and best Sun) - 23.13005984165725, -82.41257743123313.

King Bar (Sat) - 23.134199956022425, -82.39027536931248.

La Zorra why El cuervo (1000 CUP entry) - 23.141530549479842, -82.38107628890467.

LM Bar (Sat) - 1000 entry - 30 K bottles service (for table) - 15 K rate likely. May be good for a 'Plan Z' - doesn't fill up until around 2 am. Check instagram for specials for VIP table (arrive before 11.30 to choose table) 23.096361184993274, -82.42137677745995.

Pazillo Bar (Thurs after 8 pm. Arrive before 10.30 for seating / eating) - closes at 3 am and busy right until the end - 23.137315403711018, -82.40353376006888.

Salon rojo del capri - 1000 CUP entry - 23.14261518532986, -82.38234097356093.

V&S (Tuesdays after 11 pm) - most "straight up" pros - 23.139352753808232, -82.36371300610016.

SHOPS.

Pazilla Fresh. Good for essentials - 23.138429258223, -82.40313255081081.

Market on Calle 19 and be for fresh fruits and vegetables - 23.13458, -82.39426.

Dong Te. Boba Tea spot. Miramar - 23.13857, -82.38262.

RESTARUANTS.

Alta Casa - 23.11505, -82.39659.

Bar Maximo. Recommended for dinner - 23.14377, -82.35506.

Cafe FM. Burger / shake joint open 24 h - 23.14217, -82.39054.

Cafe Fortunada Joe. Reocmmended - huge portions, cheap prices - 23.14274, -82.35458.

Cha Cha Cha - 23.14064, -82.35644.

Corner of lampparilla and bernaza (breakfast spot) - 23.13624, -82.35667.

The'Next. Recommended - 23.13572, -82.35686.

El Biky - 23.138, -82.37854.

El Bleco. No sign, look for big blue steel door - 23.1412, -82.37411.

El Cafe (havana vieja) - recommended - 23.13643, -82.355.

El Idilio - 23.13991, -82.3905.

El Tablazo - 23.14265, -82.39936.

Fajoma. Recommended - 23.13784, -82.35414.

Gusto Italiano (expensive) - 23.14333, -82.38374.

Habana Blues - 23.13915, -82.38854.

Havanas 21 (vedado) - 23.14206, -82.38233.

Jota Jota - 23.1299, -82.41353.

Mimosa - 23.13348, -82.36806.

La Floresta - 23.08638, -82.46231.

La Guarida. Recommended - expensive - 23.13835, -82.36847.

La Republica. Recommended - 23.14188, -82.35353.

La Vitrola. Can money exchange - 23.13542, -82.35024.

Ley Seca speakeasy - 23.13808, -82.35352.

LOS Nardos. In front of Capitolio on 2nd floor - 23.13461, -82.35829.

Restaurante Brasserie 255 (breakfast) - 23.09613, -82.37463.

Restaurante La Maravilla (corner of Cristo and Amargura) - breakfast - 23.13615, -82.35553.

Sabarita. Recommended - next to Harris Brothers supermarket on O'reilly - 23.13802, -82.35705.

CASH EXCHANGE.

Tienda that exchanges cash and sells Cristal. Corner of Tejadillo and Villegas (around corner from chahaha) - gives el toque rate.

GENERAL.

Revolico. Cuban Craigslist.

GIFTS.

Sugar is a hot commodity also and they love that Goya Sazon. Some other items to consider bringing are: Badia Sazon Completa, Salt, Pepper, Canned Tuna, Spam, Dry Pasta, Rice, Red Beans, Lentils, Chocolate, Disposable Shaving Razors, Bar Soap, Make Up, Body Spray, Sour Candy like Sour Patch Kids, Blow Pops or Chupa Chupa, Tooth Brushes and Paste, Wash Clothes and anything to do with Finger Nail Maintenance. These have always been a hit with the chicas so you can't go wrong with them. This is just a partial list. I usually bring more items for more success.

Panties.

Perfume testers (amazon).

Amazon has these 10-packs of both lip gloss and nail polishes, and you can give one or two of each from the pack to a chica as a parting gift, very economically.

Scrunchies.

THINGS TO BRING.

Power brick.

USB lantern.

Napkins / paper towels.

Band aids.

Wet wipes.

Money belt.

Uno.[/QUOTE]