Dooshbag in Havana Sept. 12-30. Leave me an e-mail adress and I'll contact you.

Had to reschedule for Oct. 10-28.

I'll meet you down there. Are you going to be in Havana?

Yep. Send me an hombremail and I'll reply with my Havana cell phone #. What are your dates? Where are you going to stay? Last time I saw you I dropped you off very wasted outside Amenecer, how'd it go in there for you?

You guys hooked me. I'll be passing on my late Dec. BA trip, and seeing Havanna instead. Should be arriving on the 26th, and staying through 1/1.

EZE

Eze: You should know that that week is the slowest time of the year for mongering in Habana. Cubans spend New Year's with family and friends. New year's eve in particular can be boring unless you plan ahead. All the biggest venues will have special New Year's shows, pick your best chica and go to your best show.

I would recommend you trying to hook-up during my Dec. 4-16 trip.

I appreciate the advice, but the soonest I can get away is after Cristmas. It seems that time of year is slow everywhere, but there's bound to be something I'll be interested in. I plan to make a return in February, but I don't have firm dates yet.

Thanks,

EZE

How is the Christmas season, starting around December 22-23 and running until new years'?

That's the only chance I got, since it's the only vacation my company gives me :-(.

What would be your favored travel agency for arranging the flight?

I checked Cubalinda.com and was quite surprised at how much rental cars cost. Are they worth getting, or can you walk everywhere you need to go in Havana?

Do you folks have any Casa Particular recommendations?

And are any of you going to be in Cuba around that time?

Finally, I am an avid photo hobbyist with professional grade camera equipment (Canon XL1, Nikon D100 digital still camera). Does this intimidate or impress the chicas? How high would my theft risk be and how would I minimize it?

I would love to bring back high quality pictures but wonder about the risks and the receptivity of the chicas to use of the conspicuously fancier equipment. I fear that it might look too much like I was trying to take professional pictures even if I was just going for professional /quality/.

D

PS A Canon XL1 looks like this:
Canon XL1
A Nikon D100 looks like this:
Nikon D100

It's always a good time of year to go. It is a bit slower around New Year's so plan ahead and pick your favorite chica and go to one of the many big bashes thrown at the better clubs. They don't care about your cameras. Protect your equipment as you would in any 3rd world country. Rental cars are very useful once you know how to get around. I don't recommend Casas as there are 1000's of them. I do recommend you stay at least the first 2 or 3 nights in Centro Habana and recommend the Hotel Telegrafo. Then look around and get a casa in the area you want to stay. All this is covered in detail in my Havana 101.

Try also www.cubatravelusa.com
www.cubatravel.com.mx

I noticed some mention of flights from Tijuana, but there seems to be very little information on the web about this alternative, which would superficially seem better than Cancun since I could drive down to San Diego, take public transport to Tijuana Airport and then be home free.

I was able to find a Mexicana flight, but it was almost as expensive as a flight to Cancun and then to Cuba.

Are there any other Tijuana alternatives?

D

Oops - never mind, I see it was your own message that I remembered from the Cubba Discussion board, so I should probably take my questions over there.

What puzzles me is that cubatravel.com.mx, the site you directed us to, has no mention of TJ, so I guess it's something you have to call them for and ask.

How would I protect my equipment? (I've never been to a third world country before).

D

Tens of thousands of photographers from around the world go to cuba every year to photograph it's beautiful scenery. Whatever kind of equipment you have, won't be so incredibly interesting to them. As far as protecting it, use you common sense, keep on you only what you need, don't hand your camera to a kid on a bike and ask him to take your photo, don't leave your stuff at a table when you get up to go to the bathroom. Common sense. Think about how you would protect you equipment in TJ for ex. Truth is you're MUCH safer in Havana than you ever will be in TJ. Try asking at your camera store.

Hey fellas, I'll be in Santiago, Cuba from Dec. 26th to Jan 2nd. I hear it's 10 times better than Havana, and cheaper and still relatively undiscovered. I've seen a lot of girls from Santiago and they're hot. I live in Jamaica and the guys here bring over Cuban girls as mistresses .There are quite a few here and i've hooked up with a few. Wow !
Well if anyone is going to be there let me know, I speak fluent Spanish (I'm Portugese/Venezuelan). It should be fun.

Outlaw,

Any plans on going in 2003? I am planning on hitting the island sometime between March and June.

Let me know,

Concarne

I am going to Cuba on the 17th of January. Any expierenced hombres gonna be on the island then? Hit me on email to let me know. Also any advice to this newbie is very welcome.

Thanks
Srixon

PS
how can i be sure to hook up with Adriana? If i miss that I would be sick at myself!!

I am going to Cuba the end of February, early March. Anybody planning of going around that time?

Might see you down there. What dates are you considering. You can email me at DonGringo@hotmail.com if you'd like.

Anyone going to Cuba in April or May?

yes mann44 im a newbi and want to go to cuba in may. do you have any experience there???

Mann44
To answer your question; yes
Email me at DonGringo@hotmail.com and let me know your travel plans. Be sure the subject line says cuba in it

Jimmy9x
On another thread you mentioned you are planning to go soon. If my plans coincide we can hook up for a beer

DG

Does anyone here want to show a cuba newbie the ropes? If i can get on the St Louis to Cancun flight on monday (24th), then im going to head on down. If it is booked, then im heading down on april 3rd-10th, i have a meeting on the 1st that i cant miss. I was going to go to SJO, and would have been more than happy with the blue marlin and idem, but after reading all the trip reports from dongringo, i just cant imagine going anywhere else. If anyone is interested in pairing up for a trip, or inviting me to join a group, i would be happy to hear from you, i would postpone my trip for a week or so to match a schedule

Jimmy9x

No I have not been there yet for mongering. Hoping to hook up there with someone who can help point me in the right direction.

Update----couldnt put flights for cuba together for this week, so im going to SJO in just a little over 12 hours...Still very interested in a cuba trip for april...

I'm going to Havana by myself from May 22nd - May 27th. Does anyone have any recommendations on Casa Particulars or nightlife? I don't know much spanish, so it may be tough for me to find places that are not on main roads.

I hear central Havana is the best place to hang out?

Thanks.
D

I just spoke with a cuban buddy last night in Havana. He said that Rosalia De Castro is still open, but many others were still closed.
Every chance you get to chat with girls, ask them what their favorite disco/club is.
Good luck, have fun, and PLEASE post a report. I'm dyin for current info.
DG

Travelingmaniac

For latest on Havana see my report under TripReports.

Making my third trip in 4 months to cuba. Will be with 7 guys and 1 girl all from Los Angeles,
We will be in Havana from Oct.1, 2003 until the 6th.

always looking to meet people who love cuba and like to party!

Drop me an e-mail at info@pdtsinc.com and I will check my mail while in cuba and send you my cuban cell phone # when I get it activated.

also planning a trip for new years and during superbowl week.



purepitt

My Cuba XL gang will be back in Cuba for New Years! If you want to party with us give me a buzz.

Max

I am planning my first Cuba trip for Jan. 2004. No firm plans yet, but I'm thinking around the 5th to the 12th. I'm a dual citizen - US & Australia - so I can go legally on my Aussie passport. Will be travelling from CA via Central America. Would like to hook up with an experienced traveller while I'm there for the first time.

I'm headed to Havana for five days sometime in the next couple of weeks. Anyone going to be around before Christmas?

Gosh, Cuba seems to be alive and kicking again after the big crackdown 2000. I just love those hot college type girls!

Considering a trip in February. I'm 39, German, live in California and I speak some Spanish. Who's there at the same time.

I've been there three times, used to be married to a Cuban (not a Jinetera).

I'm also a Salsa fanatic, should be a good way of picking up women, don't you think?

The Cuba XL gang is back in Havana on the 26th of March until the 31st. There will be apx 15 of us, guys and girls.

Trying to put togethor an old fashioned pool party!

July 1-5 Havana Cuba XL Party!!!

Hey Max...what is the info on the Cuba XL gang?

Membership requirements?

I plan on visiting soon, fluent in spanish but would like to coordinate (at least briefly overlap) with other Hombres while there.

Would not mind pitching in to get the big party pad...let me know.

Thanks

Basically the Cuba XL gang is made up of a core group of 5 friends. I usually arrange the trips based on everyones availabilty. There is no membership fee. After each trip we meet at a resteraunt in Los Angeles and exchange photo CD's. Then we head out for a night of partying.

I rent out an entire hotel in Miramar, the last trip we had two hotels a few door from each other. Also in July I reserved both hotels again.

I have 10 rooms at our main party hotel and 8 rooms at the other. I am thinking I will have close to 25 people on this next trip. So the over flow will have to arrange their own rooms thru my friend who is a travel agent in Cuba. And the main question can you have guests in the hotels?
yes!!!!!!

More and more people especially women are calling me about joining us on our trips. So I put a basic web site www.cubaxl.com

send me your email address and I will send you a link to our photo pages.

Max

Hi everyone,
I'm new to the board.
In mid July, a couple buddies and I are going to Costa Rica for 10 days, and we have made arrangements to go to Cuba for a couple nights. We have never been there, and I need some advice as to where we can stay that will allow us to bring back our "Special friend". Any help would be greatly appreciated as well as any info on where to go for the "Hunt"
thanks

Medicobueno...

do you travel to Latin America often? On medical missions that is? If so let me know...thanks

Concarne,
I travel to Costa rica often on business. I'm not a doctor, that's just a nickname given to me in college.
Can you help me with my question above, or send me in a direction of how to find lodging that will allow chicas?

Newbie needs guide

newbie heading for cuba for a weekend in October, Looking for an experienced mentor, Anyone there that month my dates are flexible

thx
iadogrules

Cuba Xl gang back in Havana May 20-30

I admire your courage. Let us know how it goes. You guys always seem to have a good time.
DG

I returned for the first time last week. Entry was no problem via Nassau. The currency exchange rate of a 10% surcharge on us currency sucked.

Not a lot of americans, police everywhere. But it seemed like business as usual. But my main purpose is that I have a business in the Bahamas that does business with Cuba. Other than that I would be in Brazil or PI.

Dongringo
I hope you get your site up soon. What would be a great first video, our Adrianna taking it in all three.

If you can find Adrianna, I will be on the next filght, with my camera in one hand and my full sack in the other!
Have fun down there and kiss the girls for me.
DG

I will see what I can do, send me a photo and I may be able to find her. Also Frank says hello.

I think if he can find Adrianna there will be quite a few heading to Cuba including myself as she is the best looking girl I've seen on CH.

I've seen the goods in person. Nice.

Going to Havana, CUBA. Cuba Newbie, making my first trip Aug. 29-Sept. 7. Looking for some guys to hang out with. Also if anyone has any recent info on Chica friendly Casa's, exchanging money, going rate for Long and Short Time, good inexpensive music spots, authentic restaurants, or any info on Cuba, please Post, Thanks Guys, D

The place I always stay at (for the last 5 trips) is Henry's - he's located just behind Hotel Presidente in Vedado, in a gorgeous old colonial house. He charges CUC 35 a night and can pick you up from the airport.

He also speaks English fluently and will not register the girls. No hassle at all, he's totally cool. I highly recommend him. He can be contacted at 011-53-7-831-0887.

As for exchanging money, bring Canadian dollars or Euros. You'll win out a bit compared to using US$. Going rate for ST - ranges from $20-$40, depending on the girl. If she likes you, then maybe free.

*THE* hot place, as of Aug 05, is Rosalita de Castro, close to the Capitolio. Previously closed, but now reopened. Easy to pick up, lots of milk/dark chocolate candy - go for it. Make sure you bargain.

If you have richer tastes, then another place is called Yur-nay. The neon outside calls it the Casa del Jazz. Girls will ask $60-$90 b/c most of the prettiest/whitest girls hang out here.

Another potential pick up place is Barrio Chino and the Malecon - which is where I picked girls up. But varies depending on the law enforcement.

An outstanding restaurant is La Guarida, but you have to reserve 3 days in advance for dinner. Lunch is easier to get in. A little pricey, but it serves the finest food in Cuba. If you're hankering for chinese, try Restaurante Tien Tan. Pricey but good...to my suprise. Aljibe is also a good place for all-you-can-eat chicken but make sure you go in the evening. (I found the chicken dry during the day) Potential pick up available too.

Also, you need to know at least basic spanish. Absolutely essential.

If you're going, ask Henry if you can bring double bed sheets instead of paying cash. He'll really appreciate it.

looking to book a flight in cub first week of april staying in havana. looking for a casa 1 bedroom, info or contacts welcome, somthing with close proximity and maybe walking distance to action is preferred. Im 29 male, someone else from the board gonna be there would be intresting. thanks in advance