BFE in Cuba?

[12is12]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking for an English-speaking (at least basic-medium) guy to accompany me in Havana and/or Vinales.

Does anyone know someone to recommend?

Where and how do I search on my own? Apps / websites? Middlemen?

Is the whole idea too naive?

Is it impossible because of the prohibition against hosting a local im ny accomodations?

 

Thanks

(-:

 

[SolaceSoul]

If you don’t get a hotel, and you stay in a casa particular or an AirBnB, then if the host / landlord has no guest restrictions (some have them), you won’t have a problem having a Cuban local stay with you. Hotels in Cuba, however, will give you a big problem, as it is literally illegal for a Cuban National to stay at a hotel as an unregistered, non-paying guest. And no Cuban wants to go to a Cuban prison, especially not for something so easily avoidable.

Regarding a recommendation in advance, you can try emailing the “Gay Cuban Tour Guide” Luis at his official work email: luis@gaycubatourguide.com . This was his publicly advertised email, so I do not mind posting it here. Make sure you use an email account that won’t be rejected under the USA - Cuba embargo. If that email does not work or if it bounces back, then I can privately give you the last private email account I have for him (in DM).

Luis knows English very well, but he is a gay tour guide, and he does NOT double as a Rentboy or a pimp service, like the ones always discussed in the Dominican Republic. He may be able to introduce you to someone who can do this for you, however, if you hire him for a legitimate gay or nongay tour.

Luis also knows the owner of Casa Aleido, an older lively Cuban queen who runs the “gay casa particular” that is also another option for you to meet someone for you to “spend time with or show you around”, as there are always gay or gay friendly local guys at the casa or at his disposal for his guests. Or you can jut stay there or contact him yourself by email:  http://www.cuba-junky.com/havana/casa-aleido.htm . But as I know nothing about you or your tastes, I can’t recommend the place or his regular denizens to you. It and his crowd may be your cup of tea or it may not be. 

Or you can just show up in Havana and meet someone there who will probably be glad to spend time with you and show you around for the entire time you are there, for a pre-negotiated rate. 

[12is12]

Thank you VERY much SolaceSoul for your very helpful response. I'll probably use the contacts therein.

One follow-up question regarding the last paragraph: any particular way to "just show up and meet someone" who speaks at least a little English?

[SolaceSoul]

47 minutes ago, 12is12 said:

One follow-up question regarding the last paragraph: any particular way to "just show up and meet someone" who speaks at least a little English?

Probably the simplest way is to show up to one of the several gay hot spots (listed in the more detailed Cuba threads), like the discos, bars, cruise spots, and start meeting guys. Let them know you don’t speak much Spanish and you’re hoping to meet someone who speaks English. More than likely, you’ll eventually find someone who does — or they might approach you. Whether or not they will be to your liking, well that’s another matter.