Havana

[Trinpaul]

Anyone ever come across a rather busty "blonde" girl with flower tattoos on the right shoulder down to right cheek? Lost her number when changing phones and I am trying to get back to Havana next month, for the first time since 2015, for a couple of weeks and hoping she is still around Plaza Vieja (memorable BJs and willing)

[Mondo707]

I do have pm.

As far as the place on Linea why M is concerned, I think I'll stay at my regular place in January and maybe take a look at yours for future trips.

Hey Griego,

Just sent you the info. Check your pm folder.

Saludos.

[El Griego]

I think that would work, I only use Whatsapp when I go to Cuba since it's installed on my phone so I guess we can communicate before going over. Let me know if you have access to PM and I can send it to you or you can send me your number by PM.

I'll let you know if I rent the place by the Malecon, then I can hook you up to the place on Linea & M, it's prolly about 4 block from the place you mention where you stay. It's 35 USD or Euros daily.

Complete 1 bedroom indy apartment with kitchen and very clean. As far as the owner, he's kind of nosy but won't bother you. 1st time there he told me to be careful if I brought a girl over, mentioning about the risk of being ripped off but no other objections. But again, don't get your hopes up, like I said I'd need to book the Malecon location 1st if it's available, then I'd give you the info on the other place.

I usually book my trip to arrive a few days before the fest starts. Waiting to score a good fare from my location. I stay for 2-3 weeks. As far as music goes, I'm into the whole Habana music scene, to me it's like being a kid in a candy store analogy when I get there. Where I live, we hardly get any Cuban music.

Mondo.

I do have pm.

As far as the place on Linea why M is concerned, I think I'll stay at my regular place in January and maybe take a look at yours for future trips.

[Mondo707]

The festival is January 26th to February 2nd.

I haven't bought tickets yet, but I was thinking January 15 to February 4th. That would be give me two weekends of non-jazz concerts before the festival starts (I love all cuban music, menos reguetand jijiji).

I borrow or "rent" a local number every time, but it's different from trip to trip, so I couldn't give it to you in advance. But I have a whatsapp account connected to my greek number and I could give you that.

I stay in Vedado too, on 25th between K and L, one block away from Habana Libre. It's pretty basic, but cheap, 25, and I don't spend too much time in, so I don't mind. If you, or anybody else, can suggest another place in the area (say between 21,25, M and J) I would be interested. Up to 35 and chica friendly. A small kitchen with m / w would be nice, to warm up cajita lunches.

My Cubana's sister works in Venezuela as a nurse. I'the have to ask for sexy friends jijiji.

I think that would work, I only use Whatsapp when I go to Cuba since it's installed on my phone so I guess we can communicate before going over. Let me know if you have access to PM and I can send it to you or you can send me your number by PM.

I'll let you know if I rent the place by the Malecon, then I can hook you up to the place on Linea & M, it's prolly about 4 block from the place you mention where you stay. It's 35 USD or Euros daily.

Complete 1 bedroom indy apartment with kitchen and very clean. As far as the owner, he's kind of nosy but won't bother you. 1st time there he told me to be careful if I brought a girl over, mentioning about the risk of being ripped off but no other objections. But again, don't get your hopes up, like I said I'd need to book the Malecon location 1st if it's available, then I'd give you the info on the other place.

I usually book my trip to arrive a few days before the fest starts. Waiting to score a good fare from my location. I stay for 2-3 weeks. As far as music goes, I'm into the whole Habana music scene, to me it's like being a kid in a candy store analogy when I get there. Where I live, we hardly get any Cuban music.

Mondo.

[El Griego]

Hey Griego,

I'm down, jjj.

Hopefully we'll be able to find some Cristals / Bucaneros. This past February it's hard for me to find Cristal and ended up drinking Coronas that my host had stocked in the fridge.

I still don't have an arrival date yet, so I'll let you know.

Couple of questions? Do you have a local number in Havana? I have one but don't know if it'll be good by the time I arrive.

Where do you stay? I stay in the Vedado section, a couple of blocks from the Hotel Nacional, I have 2 places both independent apartments. No issues with either one.

Saludos.

Pd, does your Cubana has a sexy sister or friend? Jjj.

The festival is January 26th to February 2nd.

I haven't bought tickets yet, but I was thinking January 15 to February 4th. That would be give me two weekends of non-jazz concerts before the festival starts (I love all cuban music, menos reguetóand jijiji).

I borrow or "rent" a local number every time, but it's different from trip to trip, so I couldn't give it to you in advance. But I have a whatsapp account connected to my greek number and I could give you that.

I stay in Vedado too, on 25th between K and L, one block away from Habana Libre. It's pretty basic, but cheap, €25, and I don't spend too much time in, so I don't mind. If you, or anybody else, can suggest another place in the area (say between 21,25, M and J) I would be interested. Up to €35 and chica friendly. A small kitchen with m / w would be nice, to warm up cajita lunches.

My Cubana's sister works in Venezuela as a nurse. I'the have to ask for sexy friends jijiji.

[Mondo707]

Hey Mondo,

I've been going to jazz plaza for years, since 2010.

I plan to go in 2025 again.

I'm not much of a monger these days, I stay with my regular Cubana, but I've been to known to stray every once in a while.

If you're going to the jazz fest, let's meet for a cristal or two.

Hey Griego,

I'm down, jjj.

Hopefully we'll be able to find some Cristals / Bucaneros. This past February it's hard for me to find Cristal and ended up drinking Coronas that my host had stocked in the fridge.

I still don't have an arrival date yet, so I'll let you know. Couple of questions? Do you have a local number in Havana? I have one but don't know if it'll be good by the time I arrive.

Where do you stay? I stay in the Vedado section, a couple of blocks from the Hotel Nacional, I have 2 places both independent apartments. No issues with either one.

Saludos.

Pd, does your Cubana has a sexy sister or friend? Jjj.

[JinaWrangler]

Great report, Bindestrich. Yes, Cuba is amazing, so long as you do it right, as detailed by many here.

I don't vape, but I bring a ton of food (I don't eat the local food when in Cuba). I even bring injectable meds with syringes. They really don't care.

Those La Llave coffee bricks are available in local Havana stores for a bit cheaper than I found them on Amazon (one store on San Rafael always has them). Buy them with pesos and save some room in your maletas. I'm even seeing American candy (eg Snickers, Milky Way, Twix) as well as potato chips (Lays stackables). I think the greatest gifts are things that are hard or impossible to get in Cuba. Good underwear comes to mind. Think Walmart. And of course they have to try them on to make sure the fit jjj. Also, girls go crazy for perfume and body sprays, but Havana has those too. They always want to use my cologne and I try to explain it's for men not women jjjjj.

WRT the airport hassles, on the way in, I pay for the VIP lounge access and sit and chill in the lounge and they bring me my bags. It's like $35, a rounding error for me considering how much I blow on these trips haha. It typically saves you time if there are long lines in immigration, and you sit and chill in an AC'd lounge instead of standing around the luggage carousel. They even have cold beer. BTW there is an Etecsa store in the airport if you need to activate a phone.

I wish I were leaving tomorrow for Havana. Salud, aceres!

[Bindestrich]

I was a read only user but want to give some of my experiences to the questions below:

I have electric cigarettes and brought 10 packs of sticks with me. I use them everywhere. No issue at all.

After landing they check temperature before entering the airport building.

Directly after entering the building and passport control there is a scan for carry on luggage and metal detector. Bypassed it just walking directly to the luggage belt. So no issue (at least for me).

2 hours waiting for luggage was terrible in the middle of noisy and nervous Cubans. Got my suitcase and they just checked the luggage tag when leaving the area but nothing more. Had some wine, milk for coffee, plenty of chocolate, medicine and others which might give some trouble. But luckily not for me this time.

Casa in Vieje is great. Additional security gate only for me ensures that girls won't leave my house with some of my valuable stuff while I am in shower. As long as taking the key always with me. Perfect! No issue at all with bringing guests here. Nobody cares. Really. They have seen it all many many times.

For chicas: I didn't take any from the streets. Thanks to the your former reports I've downloaded Badoo with premium and its like candy shop. All sizes, colors and ages with additional attributes like having kids, smoking or not, and so on.

Girls are more than happy for chocolate, underwear (costs me 8-10 bucks each) or vitamins. Have a 20 yo girl with unbelievable body. Zero body fat and very attentive behavior in and out of the bed. A professional athlete from what I've understood. Sex is really like a porn movie. In between some others during day time after sightseeing (need some pics to show at home). Usually I stick the money for taxi (mostly 3 k CUP each trip makes 6 k CUP or 20 Euro) and another 50 Euro into their handbag. They smile. Never had any complaints from them. My sport chica told me that she is enjoying my hot shower here. In her house she uses cold water from water bucket for cleaning herself.

Some of you stated issues with police and girls. I had none of them.

For the nerv torturing guys on the street: When I walk alone I put my EarPods in and voila: wonderful quiet. Since day 2 no one approached me anymore.

Shops are mostly empty. Only some in Vieje sell things you might need but prices are higher than in our countries. So, best to bring what you thing you might need with you.

I have WIFI in my casa which works 70% of the time well. For the other 30% and outside of casa I use eSIM. Bought 2 data plans. 1 from GigSky with 1 GB and another 1 with 3 GB from Kolet. Only data, no Cuban phone number. Would recommend it and also having VPN makes things easier.

A 2 hours trip with an old Chevrolet costs 50 Euro. But be warned. It stinks from petrol and is noisy. Still good for making some memorable pics.

For money: I've exchanged some at my casa owner after arrival as most of you did and do.

Cuba is really amazing. If you blind out the hard economical situation. Being a bit generous with tips is a win win. They pay it double back. I don't want to interfere the discussion with 30 or 40 or 100 Euro for chicas. Was already enough said. Would really recommend it as an alternative for Asia. Much better in terms of chicas than Colombia or Brazil because everything is quite safe.

Hope this helps some of you. Now last Cuba Libre and Cohiba on balcony and then lights out.

P.S. some Spanish is indeed helpful. But also possible to survive with Google translator or checking in Badoo for English speaking ladies.

[El Griego]

Hey man, just a heads up.

Just read your post below and thought I let you know that I travel every January for the Havana Jazz fest. It takes place at the end of January yearly for the whole week.

Some of the best music and musicians from all over the world and Cuba.

Don't know if you are into music, mostly Jazz and home grown cuban@s music.

In case you want to meet let me know and we can exchange notes, no pun intended, jjj.

Found info on the Jazz fest, link below.

https://www.globalartslive.org/cuba2025

Mondo.

Hey Mondo,

I've been going to jazz plaza for years, since 2010.

I plan to go in 2025 again.

I'm not much of a monger these days, I stay with my regular Cubana, but I've been to known to stray every once in a while.

If you're going to the jazz fest, let's meet for a cristal or two.

[Mondo707]

Hey man, just a heads up.

Just read your post below and thought I let you know that I travel every January for the Havana Jazz fest. It takes place at the end of January yearly for the whole week.

Some of the best music and musicians from all over the world and Cuba.

Don't know if you are into music, mostly Jazz and home grown cuban@s music.

In case you want to meet let me know and we can exchange notes, no pun intended, jjj.

Found info on the Jazz fest, link below.

https://www.globalartslive.org/cuba2025

Mondo.

[Mondo707]

I email Aduana de Cuba and it is NO because it may contain cannabis. The same apply to food and beverage. My question to you guy is. When you arrive, do you have to a go to metal detector. Do they put your carry on bag through the x-ray?

Yep, you have to go thru a metal detector. As far as food goes, I was there about 5 months ago and brought mix nuts 2 1/4 pounds (Costco), also, dry figs (part of my diet) espresso coffee, since I make my own cafe con leche (cappuccino) in the morning.

Heads up, for those of you traveling to Cuba and wanting to make a lasting impression, bring espresso brick packs (that's what I take) and gift 'them to your fave gal or someone you like there. For Cuban@s coffee is a ritual (like afternoon tea in Britain). I usually bring 6 packs (10 ounce each) In the states, go to the coffee aisle in the market and you'll find them under the La Llave, Bustelo and many other name brands. Also, you can find them in all Hispanic markets. Just a caveat, if / when you buy brick packs make sure they are, pardon the pun, brick solid, if they are soft they'll no longer will be fresh when you use them.

Mondo.

[NiteRiderCal]

I email Aduana de Cuba and it is NO because it may contain cannabis. The same apply to food and beverage. My question to you guy is. When you arrive, do you have to a go to metal detector. Do they put your carry on bag through the x-ray?

[EMode]

I'll have to post my trip as it's already been a few months!

Let's see the report!! I'm jonesing for more stories. I'm looking for stuff to tie me over till I can get back there in April.

[NiteRiderCal]

Can you bring your vape into Cuba? I google "vape Cuba" the info was all over the place. Some people reported that they got confiscated at the airport and have to pay a fine. Other say that it is OK. There is article on Medium saying that it was OK. This is a deal breaker for me.

[JinaWrangler]

Mi Espanol es mas a menos, but I don't typically tell them I can't speak it well until they show up (why talk them out of it?) and I ask them to hablas mas despacio and to use the translator for the more complex language. I have never ever had some muchacha leave over my meager spanish (they sometimes will laugh). It's not a date where she wants to get to know you. Well some do, but that's on the rarer side and not a deal breaker for a gringo with dinero.

As EMode said, Badoo is your friend, especially if you aren't looking for 10's as you said haha. Just translate PM's with them and get them onto Whatsapp ASAP, because eventually their data plans go poof and so do they. I was in Cuba 20 years ago before the ubiquity of smartphones, and then Spanish was a problem and my translator was a human (a Cuban relative of the guy I went with). But in the era of smartphones, you'll be fine. I am astonished how well my iPhone picks up Cubanas' machine gun, skip-syllables Espanol.

BTW, since you like dancing, several times on weekends I've seen some dancing lessons on the Prado. Maybe invite a Badoo chica along for a partner.

Don't talk yourself out of it. Just go, have fun, and post a report. I'm envious, as I just can't get away from work until January.

It's my time for 'that' stupid question.

I've unexpectedly found myself with 2 weeks between jobs in a few weeks time and I want to take a trip to Havana, for the first time since 2009. I love salsa and son music and that is my primary reason for visiting (lessons) but I also of course want to monger.

My Spanish is pretty much non-existent. So much so, that it is best to assume none. I wasn't planning a trip so soon, so I've been intermittently doing the Michel Thomas course and I can say basic phrases involving tener, querer, necesitar, ir, ver, etc. But no conversational. I'm planning to link up with an online tutor in the next few weeks to focus purely on conversational and maximizing my time by focusing on the basic interaction conversations that I haven't been doing.

That being said, I'm curious. Assuming zero Spanish. How much of a wash out is this likely to be? Am I stuck with a few hardened jiniteras? If that's the case then so be it, as it isn't my main reason for visiting. But it would be good to know to not waste my time trying to find ladies I'm attracted to, only to find that the lack of Spanish is a deal-breaker.

FWIW, I don't generally go for 10's (my genetics and general sloth don't allow for that!) My sweet spot (in SEA at least) is 30-somethings, that I would rate 6's-7's, perhaps 8's. I prefer older, relatively speaking.

I'm early 40s, overweight and balding, to compound the turn-offs!

Thanks.