[zanetti]

So I recently came back from 5 days in Havana.

I had a pretty good time because i'm interested in Cuba's history, political system etc but based on my experience I would not recommend Havana if your main interest is girls - I can't comment on the rest of Cuba.

The biggest problem is that it is not allowed for Cuban girls to be seen in the company of tourists and that if this happens they run the risk of being arrested.

In spite of this there are a lot of pro's and semi-pro's who normally hang out in the more upscale clubs and bars (basically all the ones you have to pay a cover charge for). These girls range from cute to fairly hot but i didn't see any foreigner with a cuban girl i would rate over an 8. The really hot ones I saw were always with Cuban men.

On the first night we went to a club called Salon Rojo which is close to the Havana Libre hotel and Hotel Nacional in Vedado. I spotted this totally hot girl there but when I walked over and said hi how are you in spanish she immediately walked off to the other end of the club. I later saw her in the arms of some ugly ass 60 year old Cuban guy. A Cuban dude i befriended in the club later told me that the police sometimes put undercover operatives in these clubs to watch who girls are talking to and once upon exiting another club I actually witnessed a police truck with at least 20 or so cops in it who were pulling over taxis with couples in them who were leaving that club.

The hottest girls i saw were in the playa santa maria beach area, about half an hour out of Havana, especially the bit in front of the Tropicoco hotel. These girls were always in the company of affluent looking Cuban guys or older men, never non-Cubans. I did see a fair amount of Italian guys there who were all with black cuban girls who were okayish looking but nothing to write home about

You also have to keep in mind Cuba is quite an expensive country for tourists because of the dual economy (tourists have to use a different currency compared to locals) which in practice means that a lot things cost almost the same as in western countries. e.g hotels, food, drinks at the better bars and nightclubs.

Places I checked out were Salon Rojo in Vedado, La Cecilia in Miramar, Casa de La Musica (the one in Miramar is better than the one in Centro) and Disco Torquino in the Havana Libre hotel.

I haven't been to the Dominican Republic yet but from reading about it on this forum i would say that that would be a better bet for getting laid (with non pro's) than Cuba.

[Gringo]

I've wanted to go to Cuba for years and will get there soon. Is the nightlife any good? Are there enough people with money able to go out and enjoy themselves?

One of the things I've heard about Cuba is that EVERYONE wants something from you, usually money.

[Dash Global]

sounded like ur trip was def not a good experience with the chicas....

soo you didnt get laid once in cuba?

[lavidaloca]

I think the report was probably a little bit infavourable in part because every bar he went are notorious working girl hangouts. I assume they would be the equivalent to what you talk about in LDV and Elektra in your recent report Dash. However, there would be some well to do Cubans sprinkled in. Those old guys you see them with that were Cuban are Cuban Americans. Hence, those olds guys have a DHV beyond the same language.

They have clubs and discos all over the place in Havana. A simple internet search and you will see their are hundreds. I can't comment on what is good and what isn't but I know that there are definitely some places to cater to locals. However, the quality of girls also likely will drop off significantly. He's definitely right about the police though. Those guys are everywhere it seems. I swear half of the country must be police officers. I'll be their from June to August. I'll let you guys know what I find in Havana.

[tomtud]

Befriend the locals or those in the hotel and you can go their spots.... Cuba is a police state regarding keeping an eye on interactions amongs tourists and locals. This is evident in Varadero and Havana but not so much in other parts.... You as a tourist can talk to locals without any penalty,, its just that if a secret policeman is watching they can hastle the local.... If you are with a girl and decide to keep her for a girlfriend this is legal. You both will have to register at the police station so that she won't be given any flack when she is with you.... this is done to help curb prostitution. If she is caught with another man, she is going to jail.

In Cuban resorts and much like other all inclusive ones, there are the entertainment (animacion) group as they are called. Typically after their show ends say around 10 30 ish, they usually get together with some hotel guests and go to a disco. The advantage is that they get in for free literally as the discos want the tourists to come. So, with this, you get to chat up the entertainer gals (bailarinas) and get to meet their friends.

[Lumiere]

Yeah when I was there they told me a local joke. To get the joke you need to already know that the population of havana is 2 million people.

The joke is 'what is the population of havana?'

punchine? '2 million. 1 million civilians and 1 million cops'

The girls get far less hassle when you get to the smaller towns. I saw no hassle like this in Pinar Del Rio for example although the nightlife scene even there is loaded with semi pros. Typically cute local girls who got banged up by their cuban bf who then left them.

[Heretic]

I'm actually thinking of going just to kick back and relax for a few nights. Shit has been busy where I'm at and Havana is only two short flights away. What I'm simply asking is, were you glad you went? Places to rent down there are inexpensive and I just plan on getting drunk on mojitos, rocking linen in the humidity with the possibility of hooking up with some locals or other tourists.

[tomtud]

If you want a simple place where you can bring chicas back, go for a casa particular... It is a standard rate throughout the whoe country that will cost you 30 CUC a day which is 30 USD approx.

[lavidaloca]

(05-03-2011 05:59 PM)tomtud Wrote:  

If you want a simple place where you can bring chicas back, go for a casa particular... It is a standard rate throughout the whoe country that will cost you 30 CUC a day which is 30 USD approx.

30 CUC isn't the standard, I know you know this already but just to warn the above poster. 30 CUC will get you your basics in Havana. You can find places for anywhere from 15 CUC to 2000 CUC per night...think historic mansions where famous Cubans used to live. In Havana though you should be able to easily find a place for 30 CUC. If you want to splurge you can rent a place with a pool. If your like Mixx or G you can rent one of the historic mansions. If you want to splurge the places on this site are listed at 12-1500 CUC per night. http://www.cubaluxuryrent.com/ Probably hugely gringo priced and could be had for well south of that most likely. For more normal casas including casas with pools which will cost more check out this site. http://www.casaparticularcuba.org/ Keep in mind if you book online the listing is probably $5 higher than if you booked in person when not factoring in discounts through bargaining. This is because money goes to the website operator or whomever brought in the business. This is why you will have people trying to help you find casas. Thats 5 CUC per day by the way...not one time.

[zanetti]

you can't bring girls back to a casa particular (unless they're ok with being registered) but only to an illegal casa particular

you need a local tho to inform you where these can be found

[Moma]

(05-02-2011 08:00 AM)Gringo Wrote:  

I've wanted to go to Cuba for years and will get there soon. Is the nightlife any good? Are there enough people with money able to go out and enjoy themselves?

One of the things I've heard about Cuba is that EVERYONE wants something from you, usually money.

They want something from you in ALL third world countries. Whether they are white, pink, brown, blue or purple, human needs are the same across the board.

The sooner you come to terms with that, the easier for you to flow.

[lavidaloca]

(05-04-2011 09:06 AM)zanetti Wrote:  

you can't bring girls back to a casa particular (unless they're ok with being registered) but only to an illegal casa particular

you need a local tho to inform you where these can be found

If he speaks fluent spanish and looks the part, he could possibly find a legal casa particular owner that allows him to bring girls back without signing them in. This would have to be very discrete and would likely be somewhat sketchy. If your a white, blue eyed, blond haired "Yuma" it will be a lot more difficult to find. The locals all know where illegal casa particulars are. They take you to one and they get a 5 CUC fee that is essentially added on whatever the price you pay for the room. It's a pain in the ass because they will kick you out of these places before day break aka 630AM or earlier!

[Gringo]

(05-04-2011 10:07 AM)Moma Wrote:  

They want something from you in ALL third world countries. Whether they are white, pink, brown, blue or purple, human needs are the same across the board.

The sooner you come to terms with that, the easier for you to flow.

Many poor countries I've been to I haven't been hassled at all, no ones tried to scam me, get money out of me, nothing. I've heard from a number of different people that in Cuba almost every single person you come into contact with will want cash from you. Lots of stories of seemingly friendly people having a simple chat with you then outright asking you for money even though they haven't provided you with any sort of service or product.

[CrackerJack]

(05-04-2011 02:50 PM)Gringo Wrote:  

(05-04-2011 10:07 AM)Moma Wrote:  

They want something from you in ALL third world countries. Whether they are white, pink, brown, blue or purple, human needs are the same across the board.

The sooner you come to terms with that, the easier for you to flow.

Many poor countries I've been to I haven't been hassled at all, no ones tried to scam me, get money out of me, nothing. I've heard from a number of different people that in Cuba almost every single person you come into contact with will want cash from you. Lots of stories of seemingly friendly people having a simple chat with you then outright asking you for money even though they haven't provided you with any sort of service or product.

Egypt has to be the worst for that. I had dudes come up and just plain tell me "give me five dollars." It was kind of amusing initially, got tiring after a while.

[Gringo]

Yeah I've heard Egypt can be really bad. I've never experienced anything so direct as that in South America or Asia.

[zanetti]

yeah if you don't like people coming up to you trying to sell you stuff, asking for money and wanting to have a chat, then Havana will quickly drive you loco

i was staying in the old town where i guess it will be worse than say centro or vedado but it literally is non stop; every 10 seconds or so we would hear anything from "happy holidays", "where d'you from", "cigars sir", "taxi?", "hello sir, how are you", "welcome to my country"

it's even worse when you get lost and have to look on your map; locals will immediately come over; i'm sure some of them were genuine, helpful people but a lot in the end were just interested in $

the only other time i've ever experienced anything like this was in pattaya and kho samui, thailand with all the bar girls constantly going "hello, sexy man", "good for me, good for you"

having said that, i don't regret going to Havana at all since i was warned about this and also because i already knew the girl situation wouldn't be great

[Moma]

(05-04-2011 02:50 PM)Gringo Wrote:  

Many poor countries I've been to I haven't been hassled at all, no ones tried to scam me, get money out of me, nothing.

Can you name these countries, please? I'd be interested in visiting.

(05-04-2011 02:50 PM)Gringo Wrote:  

I've heard from a number of different people that in Cuba almost every single person you come into contact with will want cash from you. Lots of stories of seemingly friendly people having a simple chat with you then outright asking you for money even though they haven't provided you with any sort of service or product.

Once you know the score, you will be prepared. They caught me unawares initially because I forgot I was no longer in Kansas...

On a side note, it was EXACTLY the same in DR but maybe it is because they saw me coming out of a resort.

I had an argument with a guy because I didn't want to go into his shop to buy fcuking mamajuana and cigars. I just wanted to go and exchange some money, I felt like a ho walking through a jailhouse, men constantly hollaring for me to buy shyt and at night, women constantly coming up begging for sex..

[Gringo]

Countries where I haven't felt hassled: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Brazil, Argentina, Bolvia, Peru, Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria to name but a few. All have many poor people but never did I encounter constant begging, hassling, asking for money etc.

[maestrobaires]

can't agree about cambodia and peru. others yeah are pretty cool

odds for being attacked by a bunch of beggars in brazil and argentina are like anywhere in the west

serbia and bosnia - only gypsies in certain areas tend to hassle you

OP, golden era of cuba is long gone. back in the day i was swimming in pussy in cuba

[Gringo]

I don't recall ever being bothered in Peru and I road tripped all over Peru going to all sort of poor shit holes that tourists never visit. People were great, they gave us food, fruit, advice and beer.

[rudebwoy]

Wow Golden days off Cuba are long gone. I was there over 10 years ago and I gave a girl $20 for a "taxi" home and she was elated. Friends of mine who went say around 15 years ago use to say $5 would get you the same thing.

I hear a town like Trinidad in Cuba is the spot to go these days.

[sylo]

My gosh sucks for you man the 3 nights I stayed in Havanna was literally the time of my life. Chicks were smoking and both my friend and I got 4 notches. And now were eskimo brothes.

[lavidaloca]

(05-07-2011 06:03 PM)sylo Wrote:  

My gosh sucks for you man the 3 nights I stayed in Havanna was literally the time of my life. Chicks were smoking and both my friend and I got 4 notches. And now were eskimo brothes.

Hes also being realistic though. The reality in Cuba now adays is that the best looking girls are working and the girls not working are not that readibly attainable by non cuban-american tourists or atleast non fluent spanish descent tourists. While I don't doubt 4 girls in 3 days is possible still, I would imagine that most people including posters on this forum would have difficulty attaining that amount of chicks non-working in that time span in Cuba nowadays. Thats 1 girls ever 18 hours! Assuming you sleep 8 hours per days thats 1 girl every 10 hours! It isn't what it was in the early 2000's. Still a great time though and I would never advise anyone against travelling to Cuba. I should have some good tips and insight after I spend 2+ months in Cuba this summer. My spanish is pretty good though as well. Atleast compared to most "self proclaimed spanish speaking tourists I've met."

[Luckystar]

(05-05-2011 10:15 PM)rudebwoy Wrote:  

Wow Golden days off Cuba are long gone. I was there over 10 years ago and I gave a girl $20 for a "taxi" home and she was elated. Friends of mine who went say around 15 years ago use to say $5 would get you the same thing.

I hear a town like Trinidad in Cuba is the spot to go these days.

I think the golden days of Cuba are gone, but I do know a few guys who regularly backpack thru the Cuban countryside. If there is any fun to be had its probably not near the resorts or even in Havana anymore.

[sylo]

Assuming you sleep 8 hours per day[/quote]



No way man maybe half that. I was in Cuba I didnt have time for sleep! You staying in Havana this summer? Once I est a sustainable living here in MX Im def comming to see you