Havana

[KingSanto]

Weird that FAC was closed, though I've never understood the fascination with that place. Packed with tourists, the atmosphere isn't great for partying and the drinks are awful. It's super cheap though so I kind of get it.

Johnny Bar is for Thursdays and Sundays. Not the best for a Friday night. Since today is Saturday, I'd suggest LM Bar, Hola Habana or King Bar. In that order, but seriously don't miss Johnny Bar on Sunday.

At Salon Rojo en Capri hotel. Cold as an eskimos arse. Not sure what is going on!

[Tiny 12]

Isla de la Juventud

I went to the hotel at Colonia many years ago. It was dirt cheap. The diving was just OK. They had a night time spectacular with showgirls, one of whom developed the hots for me. There was a Spanish cardiologist who was trying to put the move on her, but she only had eyes for me, even though he was younger, handsomer, and had a more prestigious job. At the time I was acquiring little interests in mines, and Cuban cardiologists made about $20 a month. She probably figured a Yankee with mineral wealth was quite a catch. Better than a stinking cardiologist anyway.

I had night time conversations with the manager, who was also a party functionary. We debated economics. He took the party's position early on, but by the end admitted the system wasn't working so well.

I stumbled onto what appeared to be a military facility when hiking around with a camera. They shooed me away from there quickly. I rented a car and drove around, and remember going through a really sad town where I get a lot of stares.

I thought I had a flight booked on Cubana to get there, but turns out I didn't. So I got somebody in one of the old 1950's vintage autos to drive me to the south coast, to a ferry. We stopped along the way to eat in a restaurant, and the driver completely freaked out because I was chatting with some Russians who were lunching there.

Interesting times.

Did you stay at the same hotel there Hal? If so I'd be curious how the place is holding up.

[KingSanto]

1. AirBnB with a credit cards is how I do it. No hassles, very easy, very cheap.

2. Depends on how good your Spanish is and where you go. Can be anywhere from $0 to $100 depending on how generous you want to be.

3. Every guy pays a different price. I normally hang around 6000-7000 CUP. When I started I was paying 9000 CUP until I got hip to the game.

4. Very, very high if you're confident and are hunting in the right places. For example girls around the University or a normal spot where people like to hang out like the Boba tea spot. Less likely if you're picking up one from San Rafael Boulevard.

5. Pazillo Fresh for water, snacks, soft drinks and rum, the Licorería in the plaza of Hotel Libre or El Caminante for a better liquor selection, the market on Calle 19 and be for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Going to Havana in June. I am fluent in Spanish and have been many places. No issues getting around and talking to people. A few questions here.

1. Sounds like hotels are a no go, so a casa particular seems like the only option. I am from US so I have to have all this dialed in before I go since I cannot use plastic. When I rent the airbnb from home, I can use a credit card for that right?

2. I find girls to hang out with early evening. We hang out, get drinks, she spends the night and leaves in the morning. What is an average rate for that and / or top shelf like Cisco mentions?

3. Whats a average rate for a couple of hours, day or night time?

4. Take a girl for food and drinks, what's the chance of her coming back to my place for no additional funds?. Does that happen here?.

[El Griego]

Ask some questions, connect with the community. Somebody knows something. Definitely don't be in the dark about things. The locals know. That's why I prefer to go the local route rather than the Gringo route.

Taxi drivers always know which clubs are hot, at any one time.

La fabrica opens only from Thursday to Sunday.

[KingSanto]

1) How long has it taken y'all to receive your e-visa?

I submitted on Monday and still do not have a response other than the one confirming successful submission.

2) Do you snail-mail your money order to the embassy in Wachington to give it to them upon arrival?

Thanks in advance..

You should get an email with your Visa number, which you'll then enter into the the'Viajeros website which will automatically get you your full Visa. I took my first trip to Cuba in January and I'm gearing up for my fourth right now. I send the money order via snail mail. I'm going to be in Cuba very often so the $50 savings by going through the consulate adds up LOL.

[MongerHunger]

FAC is closed, not sure why. Went to Johnny club, loud music and not a pigeon in sight. Not sure if it is the weekend and the party has moved somewhere else.

Ask some questions, connect with the community. Somebody knows something. Definitely don't be in the dark about things. The locals know. That's why I prefer to go the local route rather than the Gringo route.

[Raw Deal]

At Salon Rojo en Capri hotel. Cold as an eskimos arse. Not sure what is going on!

FAC is closed, not sure why. Went to Johnny club, loud music and not a pigeon in sight. Not sure if it is the weekend and the party has moved somewhere else.

[Raw Deal]

FAC is closed, not sure why. Went to Johnny club, loud music and not a pigeon in sight. Not sure if it is the weekend and the party has moved somewhere else.

Going to Cuba Art Factory tonight, any other recommendations for pickup action in clubs? I don't usually do SW, so San Raf is not my thing.

[DoubleDouble]

Going to Cuba Art Factory tonight, any other recommendations for pickup action in clubs? I don't usually do SW, so San Raf is not my thing.

In your area, I have heard there are 6 or 7 bars / restaurants right near the Grand Muthu hotel and there is a lot of music. I do not know for sure. Also heard that the V and S bar on Galiano has friendly girls and its a bit more relaxed. Supposedly there are girls out front looking to go in with someone, Its about a 12 minute ride along the Malecon into town but it puts you near the center of town, a bit north of San Rafael, not to far from Parque Central. As I said, no personal experience, just friends who had been there relaying info to me. Hope you have a great night.

[Raw Deal]

Going to Cuba Art Factory tonight, any other recommendations for pickup action in clubs? I don't usually do SW, so San Raf is not my thing.

[MongerHunger]

I fly from the west coast with a layover in Houston..

If flying from Houston to Havana the Visa is $85 USD. Go downstairs (not to the Airline Ticket Counter) and there's a set up for Travel to Cuba. They will need that electronic QR code to process the Visa. They will help if needed.

[Raw Deal]

I just got into Habana today, from Miami on Delta.

They provide a tourist visa at Miami airport, takes 5 mins.

Good luck!

If you are flying out of Miami there'd be a booth where you'd pay for the visa. If you are flying from another airport then you need to have your visa in order for them to let you go on board.

I fly from the west coast with a layover in Houston and they had the same set up as in Miami before you could board the plane to la Habana, that's in IAH.

Again, this was this last February, so make sure to check for current regulations regarding the visa now.

Mondo.

[Mondo707]

1) How long has it taken y'all to receive your e-visa?

I submitted on Monday and still do not have a response other than the one confirming successful submission.

2) Do you snail-mail your money order to the embassy in Wachington to give it to them upon arrival?

Thanks in advance.

KB.

If you are flying out of Miami there'd be a booth where you'd pay for the visa. If you are flying from another airport then you need to have your visa in order for them to let you go on board.

I fly from the west coast with a layover in Houston and they had the same set up as in Miami before you could board the plane to la Habana, that's in IAH.

Again, this was this last February, so make sure to check for current regulations regarding the visa now.

Mondo.

[HumbleHal]

Going to Havana in June. I am fluent in Spanish and have been many places. No issues getting around and talking to people. A few questions here.

1. Sounds like hotels are a no go, so a casa particular seems like the only option. I am from US so I have to have all this dialed in before I go since I cannot use plastic. When I rent the airbnb from home, I can use a credit card for that right?

2. I find girls to hang out with early evening. We hang out, get drinks, she spends the night and leaves in the morning. What is an average rate for that and / or top shelf like Cisco mentions?.

1. US credit cards do not work in Cuba. Its the "trading with the Enemy act". Only Canadian bank credit cards will work. You must bring $100 bills in cash, a lot. So don't get robbed, but Cuba generally is safe. Hide your money, but I have never had the girls look around to find my hidden money, in my room.

2. Top shelf girls in Cuba, just like in the US, are picky. You may want them but they may turn up their nose to you and tell you "no". Generally in Havana you would need to spend $50-70+ for a top notch overnight.

3. A couple of hours is probably 20-40 depending on the girl. Overnight varies also. And condoms are required for everything. The government TV has indoctrinated the girls on condom use.

4. Women need money, so for $0 you probably will get nothing. You will need to offer some money. You are not there permanently to start a relationship, and the girls know it, so they have to pounce on you for all they can get. Cubans are very industrious about getting foreigners to part with their money. And you will be asked for a monthly remittance from each girl, $100 a month for her to be "kept" exclusively for you, but this is a lie, she will screw anyone with money.

5. There are private stores where they sell everything to foreigners with dollars or euros. The government stores are for the Cuban people and only have rice, beans, garbage vegetables. Cubans can shop there 3 weeks of the month, based upon their ration card, things are cheap to free. Now they are cutting back much more and have less to give the Cuban people. Some rations have been ended, I have read.

[HumbleHal]

1) How long has it taken y'all to receive your e-visa?
I submitted on Monday and still do not have a response other than the one confirming successful submission.
2) Do you snail-mail your money order to the embassy in Wachington to give it to them upon arrival?.

Why are you bothering to get a US visa? Just go thru a 3 d country, like Bahamas or Mexico and you do not need a US visa. You pay $10 at the airport for a Cuban tourist card, which they stamp. There is no stamp on your passport, so there is no evidence you were in Cuba. You can buy your Cubana airlines ticket online, like thru a Toronto travel agency (Nash Travel was the one I used) and pick up your ticket for the connecting flight to Havana at the Cubana ticket county in Nassau. I have only been there about 7 times. No hassles coming back and re-entry into Nassau.