I am thinging of visiting Cuba in november 2001, so I am starting this area to get all info available by then!

does any one know whats up in cuba now?
i want to head over in about a week.
is anybody out there?
email me
mikesemailforlife@yahoo.com

I was in Cuba a couple of months ago for 8 nights. It's nothing special. The people are dirt poor, the 4 star hotel in La Habana was a joke (tiny room, crappy furniture) and the beach resort in Varadero (4 nights each place) was like a beach resort anywhere (nice, but sterile, no character). The food was horrible, bland, no spices, no salsa, I had to ask for salt and pepper.

Did some mongering, 3 girls, cheap, nothing remarkable. Prostitution is illegal, so you have to sneak around, which I don't like.

Did a package trip out of Taino Tours in Zona Rio for $900.

Castro fucked the place up, IMHO.

I'd stay away and spend your money in Mex or Central America.

ldv

Not about Cuba, just wondering if anyone knows of any action in San Juan, P.R.? I have an amiga (PR native) living there with an invitation to visit... She's cool (bi as many chicas are there from what I've heard) so I'd have some time for other action.. (if it exists)..
ag

Altogringo, thanks for the post about Cancer. I
may be able to put those herbs to good use.
The action in San Juan is not too good as all
the great places of the past have been closed
down by the police...and what action there is
is expensive. However Puerto Rico is only
56 miles from the Dominican Republic--lots and
lots of action at good prices. It should not
cost much to fly to Santo Domingo from San Juan...

Gracias DG...

Whoa, what country was that Dolce Vita dude in?

The idea of having to sneak around for whores in Havana is laughable...the Malecon teems with them, beautiful girls in multi-shades of color from jetblack to cafe au lait. Under $20
In the countryside it gets a lot better, cheaper, nicer girls, MANY possibilities for shack-ups.
My guess is, when you do package tours to sterile beach resorts, you end up seeing the same thing everywhere and don´t have a clue about the country you are in.
Don´t take this dude's word for it. Havana is an exciting place loaded with great pussy at bargain rates. Guys come there from all over Europe. You just have to have your head at the proper end of your physique.

Does anyone know when the Carnival in Cienfuegos, Cuba is? I believe it is in March sometime but I don't know the actual dates. I want to plan a 10 day trip and i would like it to coincide with the festival.

Hey Cabazo - write a trip report!

just a web page i came across
for those who been there will chime in on its value not me.
http://www.salon.com/people/feature/2002/02/07/cuba_milk/index.html

I just returned from Santa Clara Cuba about 1 weeks ago. I traveled in Cienfuegos and Trinidad as well. The crackdown seems in full effect. I saw police take girls from discos in SC and in Cien. There were police each night on the streets stopping tourist cars with girls in them as also. I was still able to find some more hard core girls in the Malecon though at night time. They all wanted $20 and wanted to go as soon as possible. I returned through Havana so I spent 1 night there. I went to Johnnies but it was also dead. Overall, Cuba is not what it use to be anymore. I have seen crackdowns in the past, and expect this to last for at least 4-5 more weeks, maybe more before it starts getting any better.

I was in Havana, Santiago de Cuba, and Trinidad in March of this year (2002). Beautiful girls were plentiful. The catch is that Cuban girls don't want to fuck you, take your money and leave - they want to be your girlfriend. You're expected to treat them as such, buy them nice things, treat them like ladies. Avoid the obvious whores - they've probably got HIV. No-one knows the real rate of HIV in Cuba, but it's a lot higher than the government admits, so wear a raincoat.

Regardless of where you are, if you're looking for action, find yourself a jinitero (street hustler) who knows the area. These guys make their living by taking tourists around and collecting commissions. The usual way they work is to chat you up as though you're a long-lost friend and invite you to a bar. They get $1 from each overpriced drink you buy. Or, they'll find you a place to stay and collect $5 or so. Watch your back - these guys are hungry for dollars.

Offer to cut out the middleman and pay him a salary for acting as a tour guide. He'll probably know tons of girls in his neighbourhood who would be glad to meet you.

It's VERY rude to offer the girl money or insinuate that she's a puta. You're insulting her and you're insulting the aquaintance who introduced you. Take her dancing, ply her with drink, take her shopping - from my experience, Cuban women are just as good at it as north american women. So much for communist values.

Remember that there's no way in hell she'd sleep with you if her economic situation were better so be nice and don't be a jerk. I saw enough fat old assholes with beautiful women on their arms to last me a lifetime.

I was just in Havana for about 9 days (2 days longer due to the hurricane) and the police crackdown was prevalent but the discos were still in full swing. The police crackdown has really affected the once great freelancer areas of the Malecon and La Rampa. Playas del Este had hundreds of cops in a small area. I'll put more details with pictures in my report. I now have a thing for black chicas (90% of the jineteras in Cuba are black) and I have realized that Cuban food is the worst in the world.

I'm curious, were you able to score much outside of the discos or are we talking "bone dry" here?

And I've really enjoyed the food in chinatown. Never had a bad meal there, and always under $5.
If you're burned out on normal food and feel like splurging, go the the Floridita Bar and eat at the restaurant. They make a shrimp flambe that will curl your toes. Pricey, but good.

Not completely bone dry outside of the discos but you selection was limited and a lot of underage girls. Even the discos were half empty because the police will not let any girls into the discos without a male chaperone. Many of the girls had their pimps (chulos) take them inside which meant the girl and her pimp were already $30 down and guess who makes up the difference. I just could not be with a chica, knowing full well that most of her money went to some Haitian looking guy whom had more jewelry than her and was abusive. The police crackdown has made the chulo business rampant.

I did eat several times in Barrio Chino and the food was pretty good but Criollo food leaves very little to enjoy.

Good work posting Blazers! I put in my own nickle's worth where I had something to add.

Blazers:

Presuming you flew via some Mexican airline, what was your arrival time in Havana?

In the afternoon

Blazers thanks a million for opening up the threads on all the good places in Havana. Just what I needed. And having the Doosh's opinion will spur me on to see how I fare at these places myself.

Dongringo,

I have a couple of specific questions about lodging and contact info. My email is ezeamante@yahoo.com, please drop me a line when you get a chance.

Thanks,

EZE

I am thinking of going to Cuba in December and was wondering if anyone has been there lately. Sounds like there is a crackdown and was wondering if anyone had recent info. Also, Dooshbag mentioned he is going to Cuba in December and would consider hooking up with anyone going at the same time. Dooshbag, if you see this drop me a line at rl@mantid.com or on this board.

What is the best/cheapest way to get to Cuba. I assume via Mexico? Can you fly to Havana from TJ? (If so, what airlines?)

The only info I have is from http://www.cubalinda.com/ -- they fly RT from Cancun for $280, but it can be expensive to get to Cancun.

Any info appreciated - thanks!

It all depends on how much time you are planning on spending there. If time allows you to travel Sat-Sat check out the travel agent next to the taco carts in front of AB. They usually have a promotion that includes RT airfare, hotel, transfers, and if I remember right, your visa into Cuba for around $670. I took it once and except for the first day stayed in a casa particular (you still pay for the hotel). But this is cheaper than the last time when I flew there when airfare alone cost $890 ($190 was related to other travel in Mexico, not related to traveling to Cuba).

Otherwise, just check some of the major travel sites like Orbitz, travelocity, or use Sidestep.

You can fly to Havana via TJ using the Saturday charter from Taino Tours mentioned above, or any night of the week on Mexicana connecting thru Mexico City. Go to:

www.cubatravel.com.mx

They are a TJ based travel agency. Ask for Carolina or Isis. (619) 247-7174

Thanks, guys. It looks like your options are pretty much via Cancun, Mexico City, or various places in the Caribbean. What a pain... ;-D

Bill,

Depending on where you are, you can also get there via Toronto.

DG

That's true, Gnomes, and a good point. Unfortunately, I'm in Tucson, AZ

>> fucking republicans... and their goddamm Cuba vote... The goddamm (18th Century, elitist) electoral college is the ONLY reason I have to put up with this fucking travel ban...

Bill:

Fuck the travel ban and just go like tens of thousands of other Americans. You want to get there BEFORE they drop the travel ban, not after. After it'll be just another Costa Rica. Filled with hardcores and rip-offs.

Doosh - I know I can go there, it just sucks that I have to go through either Canada, Mexico City, Cancun or somewhere in the Caribbean - all expensive and time-consuming options for a country that is 90 miles from the US...

here's another TJ travel agency:

viajes Petra
viajespetra@hotmail.com
Tel +52 664 684-8431

MrBill,

there are some Travel Agencies that have charter flights from US cities (probably the closest one to you is LA) to Habana. These charter flights have Uncle Sam approval but are also expensive. Send me a message to my CH account if you want more info.

...on another note,

do the Cuban vets of this board have any knowledge of a Habana neighborhood called "Santos Suarez"?

I want to know if it's safe to venture there?

thanks

I've been there. The usual dump. It's as safe as the people you're with. If they're OK you'll be fine. If they want to jack you, you'll get jacked.

Mr. Bill
How many days will your trip be?

Sounds like a great excuse to go to SanJose and spend a night at the DelRey, complete with a trip to IDEM, before getting up the next morning and taking a quick flight to Havana. You'll arrive more relaxed, and refreshed from the excellent attention of Roberto's girls at IDEM.

DonG - I've considered that option. Apealling, but still expensive. I'd have to get from Tucson to ??? then to CR then to Cuber (as Sen. Kennedy would say). All adds up to a lot of dough.

I would think that leaving from TJ would be easiest given your local. This is also a trip that i have been giving some thought to. Therefore I have done a little research. TJ is actually a pretty good airport to fly out of also.
Slick1

I have heard of people renting a boat out of florida and using a gps just sailing over there after going to a near by island first to throw off someone that is watching them like a hawk. Anybody else heard this or did this?

...cpa

I have a business associate who's parents are very wealthy and sail their sailboat to Cuba for a month every winter. They are American citizens and sail from Florida, actually he sails, she flies and meets him there. Supposedly it takes less than 24 hours to get there. I didn't ask the how to's, but got the impression it isn't difficult to arrange.
Sman

Sailing in sounds great, what about sailing out? The cuban coast guard/navy tends to frown on that... ;-)


BS

Remember, Americans are not prohibited from visiting Cuba, only from spending money while there. If you want to take a boat to Cuba, you must demonstrate that you can live aboard the boat with your own food, water etc...

The biggest obstacle to going there with an American vessel is insurance. No US company will pay for a claim in Cuban waters.

There is a blimp called "Fat Albert" that monitors the Florida Straights between Key West and Havana. Boaters who return to the Keys can count on being greeted by US Customs and having their vessel thoroughly searched. (After a month in Havana, if they frisked me they'd find hardly any seamen in my vessel)

Dongringo,,I thought, as far as the US State Department is concern, with a few exceptions US Citizens are not allowed to travel to Cuba.
Or are you speaking about Cuban laws?
Thanks.

Rb1:

Read-up on the Helms-Burton act and travel ban. DonGringo described correctly. There has been much discussion of this on the C. America board, and hopefully Hombre will get around to cutting and paisting that onto this board to answer FAQ's like yours.

RE: Boating to Cuba

Sailing to Cuba without an OFAC license is a sure-fire way to get your boat siezed by the US. US Coast Guard monitors all sealanes and communications. The second you radio to Cuba Coast Guard for port clearance you are under USCG watch and will be stopped and boarded upon return 100%. If you want to go to Cuba, go the way tens of thousands of other US citizens go every year: on a plane via a third country.

....for those of you worried about getting in trouble with Uncle Sam over travelling to Cuba:

http://www.salsateachersassociation.org/

This site claims the following: "We travel under a U.S. Treasury Department License that allows direct access form [sic] the U.S. to Cuba."

They have charter flights out of LAX and the cost is about two grand....good excuse to take up salsa dancing!

Pachangero
Three trips to Havana including airfare, hotel, transfers to and from the hotel, breakfast daily, total cost for those items @ $2800. One trip for $2000? I'll take my chances with a fine, I've already saved over $3000. In all fairness I did use frequent flyer miles once and live in an area where you can get charter flights to Cancun for $200-$300 r/t.

Okay; I've decided to take my first mongering trip, to Cuba. Assuming, that is, I can arrange travel successfully; I've emailed a couple of the agencies and haven't heard back from them. I wonder if the problem could be a tight time frame and my travel dates - sometime between 21 and 31 December.

I've heard a few vague mentions of people having expensive and disappointing experiences in Cuba, but only one actual account. This account (earlier in the thread) seems to be from someone who stayed in tourist spots and didn't make an effort to reach out to the Cuban people.

From my reading, it looks like if you're keen to communicate with Cubans, select a Casa Particular instead of a hotel, and are open to new experiences, there's virtually no way you can fail to attract a fun chica or two.

I am reading a couple of Spanish tutorial books and hope to at least be able to take a stab at communicating in that tongue, although I know that for a native speaker my efforts will be laughable.

Does anyone have an example of a trip where they obeyed the above simple rules and did not have a great time?

Many thanks for all your advice!

D

If you're trying to email cubatravel in TJ, you're much better off just calling Isis on the phone (619) 247-7174. She speaks English. All your other questions will be answered if you read my Havana 101 Trip Report.

I just love email, that's all; I guess people outside the computer biz don't love it nearly as much :-).

I'll call her today during lunch.

Thanks for all your great help and reports!

D

Davidd
Just read the reports on this board, pay particular attention to Dooshbags's and DonGringo's and you will have fun. My last report can alert you to some of the scams that you will encounter in Cuba. Also the other topics in the Cuba Discuss section have a lot of information from Blazer. If you like I could provide the name and phone # of a guide in Havana who speaks perfect English and has a car, if it is still working.

I'll be in Cuba , Santiago, from December 26th until Jan. 2nd (2003). If antbody is going to be in Santiago at this time let me know. I also speak fluent spanish. I've been to Havana last year ,had a great time.
my email: nickoftime26@hotmail.com

I'm planning a trip to cuba March 3-11 2003 any tips on what sgency to use? what country to enter from etc xidus1@aol.comI have never been to cuba, but ive been to colombia, brazil,dominican,venezuala etc i need to know who i need to contact for a decent place to stay and how do i enter the country with no problems? any help would be appreciated.

I'm going to cuba for 1st time February 22, 2003
for 7 days. Can anyone recommend good Casa Particular in Vedado near Malecon. This needs to be legal Casa that customs will accept reservations. I'm also looking for recommendation for a Driver who has all the right connections and knowledge to help guide me to the best food, chicas & sights to see. send to JSDREAMS@AOL.COM