-Jineteros: The Spanish word for hustlers. These people were everywhere!! In your face!! Trying to get you to stay at their places, eat at their restaurants, grab a taxi, drink at their bars etc. You get the point... But in some places such as in Vinales and Trinidad tourists were seriously outnumbered by these jineteros (1:20). They would literally would not take no for an answer and would follow you on the streets. Moreover, they would try anything, including making up stories. Once when they've asked me where was I going and I just invented a restaurant name. They told me: "It's fully booked". For a name I invented.
In other cases, they would tell you that the casa owner where you've booked is dead. Or would carry a big sign pretending they are from the place where you reserved online (these jineteros have all read Lonely Planet and know the names of the most recommended places).
Most of the times not only that they want you to eat at their restaurants or sleep in their casa, but would charge you extra for taking you there (somewhere around the area of CUC 5-15, the equivalent of USD 5-15). Some tourists I met from Germany told me that when they arrived to Havana almost in front of the hotel, these jineteros pretended to be bell boys from the hotel and offered to carry their luggage. When they arrived in front of the hotel, the jinetero asked for USD 10 tip.
-Tipping and ripping off system. While in Cuba, I definitely felt that the high costs endured every day by Cubans would definitely be passed onto tourists. They would try to squeeze out money of you for everything. When taking the national bus, at some of the bus stations they would ask me for USD 1 tip for putting my luggage on the actual bus (which is something that would have happened regardless). At some point, I refused to pay for that. They still put my backpack on the bus regardless. However, this Serbian couple I met said they were afraid to refuse each time people were asking them for propina (=tip). Moreover, accepted every price without negotiating. As an example, I negotiated a taxi fare to the airport for CUC 18. They ended up paying almost double, CUC 30.
Another clear difference was between prices paid by tourists and prices paid by Cubans. As an example, to get to Playa del Este from Havana which is 10km away Adelina and I were asked for CUC 15 one way. We met some Cubans on the way and they told us to go with them. We ended up paying CUC 1 cab fare.
-Men. This is a very sensitive topic. As a girl travelling alone, I unfortunately was many time harrased by Cuban men. Before I dwell into this topic, I need to make an important point: never for a second did I feel threatened. Cuba is one of the safest countries I have visited.
Now, back to the difficult topic. Basically, 95% of men I have interacted with during my whole stay in Cuba tried to make a move on me. And they do not know how to take no for an answer. At some point, being exasperated, I felt like I want to run to the countryside and hide in a room literally not to be harrased by them. Flowers, love songs, marriage proposals, following me on the street were on the daily schedule.
Moreover, I speak Spanish. That definitely did not help at all. As I already said, Cubans are very innovative. They literally tried every way to hit on me. The moment you exchanged more than 2 sentences, here it was. "Eres linda" (you are beautiful). "Tienes novio?" (Do you have a boyfriend?). "Quieres salir conmigo?" (Do you want to go out with me?)
Some of them were funny. But unfortunately other experiences were off limits and absolutely creepy. I remember that in Playa Larga this random guy pretended to be the owner of the casa and that he will help me book the tours I needed only to have me talking with him to tell me how he is arrogant and different than all of the other Cubans. After 2 hours of chat, he couldn't stop with invitations: massage, go bathing together etc. I literally had to go next door to get rid of him. And he still wouldn't help me with my tours. When I got next door, the other owner started chatting with me, I've asked him to help me with booking my tours. He did help me and kept on coming to the beach every 5 minutes. At some point, he invites me for a Pina Colada and tells me that all he wanted the whole day was to see my beautiful boddy and I ever considered... (did I mention he was in his 50s??). Suffice to say that Playa Larga was not the best experience for me.
Another bad example that I heard is that in Varadero, the most touristic resorts, Cuban men go to receptionists, ask which ladies are single staying at the hotel and then ask to point them on the beach. Then... attack!!
Many couples I've spoken with told me that guys were hitting on their girlfriend with them being present. Absolutely no limits!
But since the assaults were so prevalent, I had to find out the reasons as I have never encountered something like this in my life. Thus I did challenge some of the Cubans I met on my way why are they so crazy. The reasons were many. "Cubans are romantic and sexual", explained one. "Cubans are looking for a visa to get out of the country. It's because of the poverty. They would do anything", another said. Also, I understood that there is still a clear line between locals and foreigner. One of their wildest fantasies is to be with a foreigner. Preferably white skin and blonde and who speaks Spanish.
However, another reason that simply was outrageous to me was actually the encouragement on behalf of the foreigners. This 50 year of French lady claimed that she enjoys coming to Cuba and being picked on as nobody does that to her in France. Other cases I've heard with foreigners is that they pay them to get their... services.
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