Havana

[Vendelo]

I will tell you those ecoflow batteries are worth more than gold these days in Cuba. If you really want to bring something of value then I highly recommend bringing a bunch of rechargeable fans with the light. Especially the ones that serve as battery banks as well. These are selling for 3-4 times the amazon cost price in Cuba due to the heat and power outages at night. Most folks are unable to sleep at night due to the heat. If you want to be a capitalist pig then you could sell them, or just give them out to the families, especially the ones with small children.

Sorry if I missed it but kindly post make and model. Thanks in advance.

[Huacho]

I will tell you those ecoflow batteries are worth more than gold these days in Cuba. If you really want to bring something of value then I highly recommend bringing a bunch of rechargeable fans with the light. Especially the ones that serve as battery banks as well. These are selling for 3-4 times the amazon cost price in Cuba due to the heat and power outages at night. Most folks are unable to sleep at night due to the heat. If you want to be a capitalist pig then you could sell them, or just give them out to the families, especially the ones with small children.

If you bring 'a bunch' of electronics items. Won't that raise issues at customs?

[CiscoMech]

I will tell you those ecoflow batteries are worth more than gold these days in Cuba. If you really want to bring something of value then I highly recommend bringing a bunch of rechargeable fans with the light. Especially the ones that serve as battery banks as well. These are selling for 3-4 times the amazon cost price in Cuba due to the heat and power outages at night. Most folks are unable to sleep at night due to the heat. If you want to be a capitalist pig then you could sell them, or just give them out to the families, especially the ones with small children.

[CiscoMech]

In response to a few posts below about running out of cash and using an ATM in Cuba. I want to share a workaround for countries THAT HAVE WESTERN UNION. Cuba does not as far as I know and I realize this is the Cuba forum; however, 'm sharing this in case you travel to other countries and run out of cash and for whatever reason your debit card does not work.

Once in Thailand my dumb bank blocked my debit card. A second time in Cambodia the ATM ate my debit card. Both times I had no cash and had tapped into my emergency cash.

So I sent money to myself using Western Union. All you need is an ID and the Western Union tracking number to collect the cash, which is immediate.

I recommend you download the WU app in case you're stuck without cash.

Another good option if you're in a bind is to use the same service that most of the cubans use and simply Zelle or Cash app the funds to a local POC that offers that service. You can find these POCs on FB or ask one of your trusted chicas and they can help you. You will probably take a 10% or less haircut if you opt to take the funds in USD vs PESO, but they will usually give you even exchange for pesos at or close to the current street exchange rate. Knowing what I know now I would never have cash issues in Cuba. You can also just send the money to your Airbnb host using the extra services feature on the app and they can give you the equivalent exchange rate. Or book your taxi for you. Work smarter not harder guys.

[Vendelo]

In response to a few posts below about running out of cash and using an ATM in Cuba. I want to share a workaround for countries THAT HAVE WESTERN UNION. Cuba does not as far as I know and I realize this is the Cuba forum; however, 'm sharing this in case you travel to other countries and run out of cash and for whatever reason your debit card does not work.

Once in Thailand my dumb bank blocked my debit card. A second time in Cambodia the ATM ate my debit card. Both times I had no cash and had tapped into my emergency cash.

So I sent money to myself using Western Union. All you need is an ID and the Western Union tracking number to collect the cash, which is immediate.

I recommend you download the WU app in case you're stuck without cash.

[CiscoMech]

I'm not sure I'd travel to Guyana to bang Cubanas. Still lots and lots of girls in Havana and no reason to travel to Guyana to meet some.

Plus from what the ones who have moved there from Havana have been telling me / posting on FB / etc. It's not nearly the improvement in their lives that they anticipated. Most are wanting to return home to Cuba but can't because their "sponsor" (human trafficker) confiscated their passport until they pay off the cost of their trip over.

So now they're stuck, fucking more guys than they ever did back home in Cuba every single day and probably have 6-8-10 months of that just to save up enough to get back home, maybe.

What a terrible situation to be in.

Nomars is not capping about Guyana. I experienced it first-hand. Went to Guyana to go see one of my all-time favorite Havana girls. She was living in a one of the many entertainment bars doing the types of volume I probably couldn't imagine. I still had a good weekend spending time with her and her sister though. Multiple pops all weekend. Celebrated her birthday and just wanted to take care of them for a bit. I really feel sorry for those girls. The pimps definitely take their passports and put them to work. She swears she still loved Guyana, but I think the novelty will wear off soon enough if it hasn't already. Another hot spot for them is Surinam. Honestly I like travelling throughout the Caribbean just as a bucket list thing to do. But I wouldn't recommend going all that way for Cuban girls when the water is freshest at the source. Yes, the infrastructure and food might be better but crime is worse. Why take a 4 HR flight to Guyana and then hour drive to Georgetown when you can just take a 30 minute flight to Havana.

[Muzungufotsy]

The real problem is not to ask owners if they allow visitors or not. The real problem is are they going to register them or not? Because most girls refuse to come if they have to be registered.

[Nomars777]

If the rules don't say anything, or just say, "no parties, no commercial photography", whatever, then I go with it.

Remember that while technically against the law, the Cuban culture is 100% ok with pay for play and nearly every host knows this. Obviously some are trying to maintain a certain level of decorum or nicety with their places, one host explicitly told me "my kind of visitor" wasn't allowed in their type of establishment when I messaged to ask if my female friends could come over.

That's the other option, message and ask if visitors are ok. I say, "Hey, I have been to Cuba many time and have many friends, both men and women. Is there any problem if my female friends come over to visit me? They will know right away what you're alluding to and will indicate clearly if that's against their rules by telling you so in their response.

Most have responded to me with these responses:

Hello Nomars, you are welcome. Yes, you can have friend over for visits. Thanks for inquiring.

Or.

You can receive visitors as long as they are of legal age.

Or.

Hi Nomars, how are you? You can have visitors without any problem, but they shouldn't stay overnight. If you write in the reservation that 2 people are going to stay in the house, that's how it should be. And in case you want to host someone else, please send me a photo of their passport. We have no problem with you receiving visitors, everyone is welcome If you are going to play music, it has to be at a moderate volume.

So write to them and ask if the rules don't clearly state they are prohibited. Or you can go with the "ask for forgiveness vs. Permission" and just wing it. .

Hello,

Planning my first trip next week. Would like to stay in vedado.

Reading the house rules of various Airbnb it appears all have rules against guest. More or less explicit.

How to make sure I get a Airbnb that allow nada doesn't cause problem for guests?

Or so you guys use a different platform?

Hurin.

[ThatGuyHurin]

Hello,

Planning my first trip next week. Would like to stay in vedado.

Reading the house rules of various Airbnb it appears all have rules against guest. More or less explicit.

How to make sure I get a Airbnb that allow nada doesn't cause problem for guests?

Or so you guys use a different platform?

Hurin.

[Nomars777]

I'm not sure I'd travel to Guyana to bang Cubanas. Still lots and lots of girls in Havana and no reason to travel to Guyana to meet some.

Plus from what the ones who have moved there from Havana have been telling me / posting on FB / etc. It's not nearly the improvement in their lives that they anticipated. Most are wanting to return home to Cuba but can't because their "sponsor" (human trafficker) confiscated their passport until they pay off the cost of their trip over.

So now they're stuck, fucking more guys than they ever did back home in Cuba every single day and probably have 6-8-10 months of that just to save up enough to get back home, maybe.

What a terrible situation to be in.

The younger girls and college students with half a brain have left Cuba. Guyana is the new hotspot.

[JoeStressFree]

[QUOTE=Nomars777;3073952]US based cards do not work in Cuba, so there's no ATM access for me there. That said, I wouldn't want to use them anyway as you're going to get the official Cuban gov't exchange rate.

When I go I take approximately $400-500 USD per each day that I plan to be there. This is generally DOUBLE what I end up actually spending, so I always come back with cash, but the last thing I want is to end up in Havana with zero cash and not have a reserve. So take extra.

And yeah, definitely go. If you're not a US citizen, try staying in one of the hotels. They *usually* / generally have power and some folks have reported being able to bring girls in no trouble. I think Hotel Kempinski and Parque Central would be pretty easy to get girls in because they've got big lobbies and the elevators are close to the entrance/QUOTE]Thanks for your reply! Ya I totally forgot about govt exchange rate and great! I was thinking of bringing legit cash to cover all expenses and not take the risk of losing access to money if ATM aren't available.

MY god your going swimming in that barrel with your eyes closed! Ill keep an eye out for your reports!

FYI if someone is wondering you can use this site for street rates if you want peso instead of USD eltoque.

Thanks!

[Nomars777]

US based cards do not work in Cuba, so there's no ATM access for me there. That said, I wouldn't want to use them anyway as you're going to get the official Cuban gov't exchange rate.

When I go I take approximately $400-500 USD per each day that I plan to be there. This is generally DOUBLE what I end up actually spending, so I always come back with cash, but the last thing I want is to end up in Havana with zero cash and not have a reserve. So take extra.

And yeah, definitely go. If you're not a US citizen, try staying in one of the hotels. They *usually* / generally have power and some folks have reported being able to bring girls in no trouble. I think Hotel Kempinski and Parque Central would be pretty easy to get girls in because they've got big lobbies and the elevators are close to the entrance. But I have zero experience with this, so do not take my word for it.

As CiscoMech said, bring 2-3 rechargeable fans, depending on how much capacity they carry, mosquito repellent, 2-3 rechargeable power bricks to be able to charge your phone if the main goes out, and be sure to get a true Cuba SIM card from ETECSA at the airport. With those, you should be in good shape. I saw a post on social media somewhere that if you get water bottles and freeze them (when the power is on, keep some in your unit's freezer), then you can place the frozen bottles behind the fans, or in front, and this creates a mini-AC type setup.

Currently have a list of 25 chicas that are on the hook to meet up with me next week, doubt I'll get through them all and I'm sure I'll end up instead getting some from the street or wherever I run into them.

They also must be sharing my phone and FB profile between them because I'm getting all kinds of WA messages from people I do not know stating that they know I'm coming and would I like to meet them.

Shooting fish in a barrel at this point!!

Cheers!

Been reading your stuff for a while and giving me hope to visit and at least support the populous with our hobby.

[Adinga]

The younger girls and college students with half a brain have left Cuba. Guyana is the new hotspot.

[Combo]

I have a nice roster of girls, they treat me amazingly well, and are now referring friends, primas, hermanas and others to me, all of which is great, but they know that I consider them friends and will not hesitate to ask for money when things get tough, and they are SUPER tough right now. I've helped here and there, but I think I'm just telling all of them this trip that I won't be sending any more Zelles to anyone.

But I agree also that the value there is ridiculous. Just today I had a 53 year old lady on Facebook tell me that both of her daughters are available and willing to spend the night with me. One's 18, the other 24. Jesucristo, what a situation when the mom is selling her daughters to get money.

That is Cuba is July 2026!!

That sounds like it was 30 years ago. My inauguration in this hobby.

[JoeStressFree]

I have a nice roster of girls, they treat me amazingly well, and are now referring friends, primas, hermanas and others to me, all of which is great, but they know that I consider them friends and will not hesitate to ask for money when things get tough, and they are SUPER tough right now. I've helped here and there, but I think I'm just telling all of them this trip that I won't be sending any more Zelles to anyone.

But I agree also that the value there is ridiculous. Just today I had a 53 year old lady on Facebook tell me that both of her daughters are available and willing to spend the night with me. One's 18, the other 24. Jesucristo, what a situation when the mom is selling her daughters to get money.

That is Cuba is July 2026!!

Be there next week Wednesday, I'll give a report when I'm back the following week.

Been reading your stuff for a while and giving me hope to visit and at least support the populous with our hobby.