Quote: (12-13-2010 08:56 PM)tomtud Wrote:
Quote: (12-13-2010 05:39 PM)lavidaloca Wrote:
Avoid varadero its just a tourist dive.
I would have to agree and disagree with your statement and opinion. Varadero has a beautiful long beach, and is quite safe as its difficult to get into from the entrance.
On the other hand, you are correct, lots of tourists, and if you want to hang with locals it ain't so easy as it is frowned upon by the police to see locals interacting with tourists for many reasons such as prostitution etc. Yes, exceptions do exist. As well, if you venture outside of Varadero you will see a different Cuba, and interact more freely.
I have been to Cuba a few times, and can tell the original poster that during NYE the temperature albeit is better than Toronto, it can get chilly at night and swimming in the water can be cold.
As for using your debit card and visa etc,, I was able to withdraw money from a Cuban bank ATM, it was multi-lingual and gave me a better exchange than the hotels. However, my visa didn't work in one store, but worked in the ATM go figure....
Salsa dancing in Cuba, well you'll learn from the pros.... In Toronto, salsa lessons cost in the range of $60 per hour, while in Cuba, the monthly salary ranges from $20-$30 per month. Now, if one is interested in doing an intensive salsa regiment to learn it, it'll be wayyy cheaper than in Toronto. What is the price you are paying for salsa lessons and website?
As for meeting girls, you will have guys who can find you them, or you can just find them yourself by being friendly. Ask around, where is the hot spot to party on any particular night and go from there.
If you venture towards playa Matanzas, there is a place called La Salsa. Lots of girls. My buddies went on a Saturday night, and girls outside were asking them to help pay their cover, thinking they would get some easy action, well in the end of the night the did. However, when they walked in the club, there were many more girls and even hotter ones, so buyer beware!!!
If hes asking guys to find him girls. Its 99% likely the guys are just gonna bring local girls who are his friends or hes seen working the night shift. (Both of which are prostitutes) Reason being is that way he gets a commission. Now you might think you can get around this by offering the guy a commission yourself in exchange for him finding a normal girl. Well hes just going to take double commission and get you that same prostitute. If you wanna meet good girls new years eve is fantastic. I've been twice for it and normal people come out to party in droves. Definately is the best night I've been to for partying in Cuba and I've been valentines day, christmas and new years. Day game is king here. Night game is shoring for the most part with the exception of holidays when normal people also party. On a side note. I'm going to be living in Cuba this summer and will be able to give you guys all a better run down of everything beyond just little provinces where I have typically been.