Beginners Guide to Cuba

First, are you allowed to go there? If you are American and you want to see what your government says about it, click here:

http://www.state.gov/www/regions/wha/cuba/travel.html

These sites have some more information on who can go to Cuba:

http://www.cubalinda.com/English/Sections/FAQ.asp

http://www.globalexchange.org/tours/cubaTravelQuestion.html

On the way down, my plane was full of a bunch of old hippy looking freaks. They all belonged to the "Radical Marxists of America", and had obtained a US travel visa to attend a convention in Havana. One of these Radical Marxists was a professor from a prominent Ivy League university who used to be an entrepreneur, but had since had a change of heart. It was his 6th trip in 3 years. By strange coincidence, I ran into him during my trip. He was with a delightful young socialista, enjoying a daiquiri at the bar Hemingway loved. The work of a Marxist is never finished.

I met another passenger who was on a "fully hosted" tour (see above link to the state department). He had paid $2000 to join a Canadian travel agency and was going to sell travel packages to the international travel community. This nice Canadian agency was hosting his trip so he could see what he was selling.

Another passenger I met was from the USA and he confided to me that he was traveling without a visa. He said that Cuba "usually" doesn't stamp your passport - they just insert a tourist visa into your passport instead. He said he has flown to Havana from Nassau, Cancun, San Jose and Venezuela. He went on to say he generally stays several hours or even overovernight before each leg of his trip so he can get out of the airport and relax or get a massage between flights. That sounded very like a very pleasant way to get away from the airport and all of those security personnel with their inspections and cameras.

Because of the embargo, no American companies can do business with Cuba, and no American credit cards will work there. Cash is the only way to go.

If you were interested in purchasing a ticket to go to Cuba, you may want to contact a travel agency in Canada or the Turks and Cacos Islands and use your credit card. Canadian Travel agents may even be able to get you a better price on a car rental, which can be paid using your credit card too. That beats taking an extra several hundred dollars in cash with you.

This link has some vendors that offer help:

http://cuba.com/travelchoice1.htm

So now you've landed in Cuba. Better be ready to tell the Cuban officials where you're planning to stay or they might just reserve you a room at one of their swanky state-run hotels for $100/night. Even though you're paying big bucks to these hotels, for your safety you're not allowed any guests.

If you would like to entertain during your trip, you might prefer to stay in a Cuban "Bed and Breakfast", or Casa Particular. Some allow guests, and some do not, so be sure to ask. Most do not include breakfast, or offer it at an extra charge. If you're particular about your accommodations having a/c, hot water, phone, private bath, a secure place to park your rental car, or even a private entrance, be sure to ask. Mine had all of the above and was very comfortable at $30/day. Also, it was conveniently located about 2 blocks from the Malecon and LaRampa, which was very convenient for meeting people.

These links offer casa particular information.

http://www.casaparticular.com/provhouselist.asp?pID=1

http://www.housecuba.com/english/index.htm

http://www.habanarenta.com/default_eng.asp

Remember the Sienfeld episode where Jerry tells the rental car clerk "You know how to TAKE a reservation, you just don't know how to HOLD a reservation"? I've heard that it may be a good idea to print out some of the information on a few different casas just in case you arrive to find yourself in Jerry's shoes.

So now you're settled into your comfortable accommodations with your valuables secured by a lock on your suitcase, and it's time to start your vacation. From my VERY limited exposure to the country, I've learned the following:

The more Spanish you speak, the further you'll be able to blend into Cuban society and meet friends. I speak very little espanol, so I resorted to offering rides to friendly hitchhikers. If you were conversational in Spanish, you might visit an ElRapido (fast food joint) or some stores to chat with the locals. They myth has been circulated that those who speak Spanish might find it easy to meet all sorts of Cubans from many different walks of life who are willing to personally entertain them while there…I wish I knew spanish. Much has been written about the Cuban Discos - I tried and they looked either vacant or full of hardened pros. YMMV.

In Havana, one might expect to pay $30-40 for shorttime, and not much more (if anymore) for longtime. Beyond Havana, those numbers may be reduced by up to 50%?

Makeup, shaving cream, razors, bandaids, pain relievers, scented soaps and shampoos and perfume are hard to come by in Cuba. They make nice, practical gifts. In your room, having some American snack foods, wine, cheese, chocolates, and a CASE OF CHEWING GUM might be a good idea too.

The legal age of consent is 18. When a Cuban turns 16, they are issued a carnet which they must keep on them at all times. If your new friend claims she doesn't have her carnet she might be under 16 with no ID, or under 18 with no fear of the police. Either way, you might prefer to give her a quarter and tell her to call you in a year or two.

Speaking of police, they're everywhere you look. Once while walking around in LaRampa, I noticed a lovely cubana walking toward me and I winked at her. When she smiled and winked back, I thought we'd stop and chat, but she just kept walking right on by. I waited a moment or two before turning and following her for 2 blocks off the main street and into a residential area without streetlights. There we talked for a moment before she took my arm and we began walking together. In less than 2 minutes, she was my new novia.

Well, that'll get you there, and on your way to a good time.

Here's some more sites with more general cuba links:

http://www.hihard1.com/cubalinks.htm

http://www.cubatravelusa.com/house_rentals.htm

http://cuba-travel.com/links/afrocubaweb.htm

The Cuban people are really great. My trip combined the best of general tourist interests and hobbying. If you're ready to get out of dark bars and enjoy a beautiful, unspoiled Caribbean island, try Cuba. Bring lots of gringobucks in small notes - tourism is the biggest industry in Cuba and you'll help the Cubans etch out a living with your little gifts.

I'm told the girls I enjoyed there were "pros", but I'd hesitate to compare them to the hardened pros in HongKong, Cebu, Vancouver, SanJose or (of course) the good ol' US of A. I've always enjoyed the spirit of older Americans who have lived through the Depression and WWII. They're thankful for the little things and very appreciative for anything more. Adversity creates a resilient spirit and a resourcefulness that is lacking in many other more developed countries. It is for this reason that I had to get to Cuba before the embargo was lifted. Without the embargo, things will definitely change down there. The Cubans will enjoy the changes, however it will quickly mean the end of "HobbyCuba" as it is now.

AnalProbe

AP,

Just checked out the photos-INCREDIBLE. I had no idea there was that kind of quality available.

Great report too.

HC1

A very comprehensive primer there, mate ! Did you happen to see Germans,Italians and fellows from EU ? Ya know, look at DR, where EU dominates because gringos hesitate to venture off-the track ">

this is the best report on this site, hands down. I'm glad I purchased a membership for Club Hombre.

I've been told by others that sometimes it's not necessary to pay the girls, just gifts (clothes for them or male relatives (boyfriend), perfume, medicine, etc....) will do. But at $40 a session this is still a great deal.

Did you have any difficulties with toiletries? (I've been told by my socialist friends who've visited the island to take plenty of toilet paper with you)...BTW the lady who used your toilet and stunk up your room is the funniest episode I've ever heard.....

They (my socialist friends) have asked me to join them on their cuban tours at $3K, but who wants to hang around with a bunch of 50 yr old gringas with all the Cuban beauties around?

Thanks,

when's the next trip?

Dude this was a fantastic report from a place very little known. I would like to thank you for enlighting me.

Do you think you were lucky to score with so many vixens or is it easy to find them? Did you pick them all up in the same area in that Malecon street or other areas as well?

Were there a lot of Euros hombres so you felt comfortable the whole time?

You mention cops, how did you travel with chicas? Is it ok to have chicas in car? Did chicas walk with you to the casa together?

I also noticed chicas seem to stay short time only until the last one. Was it on purpose or chicas are not into tln. Or is $40 ST? then how much is it for LT/TLN?

Also you mentioned a guide, is a guide necessary and how did you find him?

I am headed to Cuba early next year so I have to get back to studying Espanol.

Thanks again mate
Athos

Looks like no 65-81 and 96-111 is the same 10. My fav pic is no 67.

Hey all, glad you're enjoying the report. It really did take me a week to settle down after visiting Castroland, I was just friggin' pumped after meeting soooo many sweetie-pies in 6 days.

I've invited Senor "Dooshbag", who is a cuba veteran extraordinairre, to join our board to answer your questions. Doosh tells me that I was a little "above-average" for my first trip to Havana, however, honestly guys, every girl you see posted here was standing on the street looking for a ride. I did spend a few hours cruising the streets to find them, but they are there if you are willing to invest the time looking. (A cooler of beers and a cuban cigar makes the hunt that much more bearable

Also, if any of you are considering going there, I'd be happy to share my guide's information with you. He is a legitimate tourguide, but a young man who understands our hobby as well. He is NOT a jinetero(pimp), but he will set you up with a great casa particular, meet you at the airport, show you around, help you out etc...and at a reasonable rate.

You can email me at AnalProbe@hotmail.com if you'd like his contact information.

AnalProbe

Update:
Dooshbag aka Doosh has joined the board.
All of you who have asked questions, please be patient. I could try to answer, and I will tackle some of the simpler questions, but you'll get sooo much more outta the Doosh...just keep checking back, or look for his posts. Who knows, he may even have a guide of his own coming out...

Pach: gifts are nice, however, "it's the thought that counts" doesn't pay the bills. Cubans earn jackshit and so hard cash rules. Give 'em both cash and gifts. I took my own TP butt never needed it at my upscale casa in Havana.

Athos: I picked them all up from the streets. Never saw many tourists there from anywhere, let alone the EU. It's ok to have chicas in your car. As for walking with them, I think that's higher risk for the chicas? Doosh?? Regarding ST/LT/TLN, I prefer to sleep alone. Some girls offered to stay at no extracharge. Brooke stayed because we had no strength left .

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cuba.html

This is the latest tourist/travel info available from the US State Department. It's a long read but offers remarkably accurate insights to what a tourist can expect in Cuba.

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http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rls/fs/32275.htm
http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rls/32276.htm

The above links spell out in graphic detail the Bush administration policy towards Cuba. It's practically an open declaration of war.