Home
Welcome  Cuba Travel
Havana  Hotels
Casa  Particular
First  Time  Havana
Life in Havana
Havana City Tour
Life in Havana Havana  Nightlife
Havana  Services
Best  Restaurants
Money in Cuba
Safety
Love  in  Havana
About Havana Havana  Beaches
Work in Havana
Shop in  Havana
Havana Trips
House in Havana
Havana  Pictures
Life in Cuba Salsa  Dancing
Photo  Gallery
Cuban   Sports
About Cuba Cuba Tourism
Attractions in Cuba
Cuba Government
Cuban  Cigars
Cuban  Rum
Health Tourism
Eco Tourism
 Cuba  Aid
Video  Gallery
Calls to Cuba
Cuban  Store
Business in Cuba
Cuba Culture Learn Cuban  Spanish
Cuban  Religions
Cuban Art
Havana University
Cuban  Films
Cuba History
Cuba Cities
Cuba Museums
Cuba  Food
Caribbean Clothing
Cuba Info Cuba Travel Forum
Havana Answers
Caribbean  Resources
Cuba Websites
Havana Updates HAVANA BLOG
Link to Us
Contact Us
 

Jineteras
Love, Marriage and Divorce

Love and Marriage in Cuba

Havana Jineteras:
Read what other visitors have said about a Cuban romance
click here

Jineteras, Havana Girls and Cuban Ladies

Tropical weather, exciting music, rum at every street corner and attractive and elegant women can make an exotic cocktail with love in the air.

Before the revolution Havana was the playground of the Rich and Famous, the Mafia was everywhere and corruption, gambling, crime, and prostitution were part of the daily life. The revolution cleaned up all these illegal and evil activities. The criminal organisations and prostitution were banned, and the poor people were promised a better life. Nowadays prostitution in Cuba is legaly forbidden and does in fact not exist.

Under the stress of the poor living conditions some young women (and men) are approaching the tourists. They are called jineteras, which can be translated as jockey: they make a ride on the back of the tourists (wallet). The Havana jineteras are in fact a kind of escort girls who offer company in exchange for a meal and a few drinks, a new jeans, a night out to a show etc. Needless to say, a lot of these encounters end with sex.

Most Cubans do not see the jineteras as hard prostitution. Keep in mind that the life in Havana can be difficult, or as they say: “no es facil” (it’s not easy). The extra money is more than welcome. The Havana jineteras “work” in the tourist areas, Old Havana and Havana Centro, especially Saturday and Sunday nights around the Parque Central (Central Park), Obispo and San Rafaël Streets, on the hunt for tourists with open wallets. At the same time the police is watching the Havana girls, because this practice is not allowed. Any jinetera walking hand in hand with a tourist can expect an identity check. The police will ask her for her “carné de identidad,” a small plastic identity card, and check if she has a record of prostitution. If affirmative she can expect a severe fine (50 CUC) and up to 3 years in jail, or she can be sent to a re-education school and be obligated to learn a trade such as hairdressing.

Since 1999 the police controls have been extended, and the police has received authority to check cars and “casas particulares” (accommodations in private homes)in search for Havana jineteras.
During the police controls, the tourists are not questioned and can go free, only the jinetera will be punished.

While there is no racism in Cuba, Afro-Cuban Havana jineteras and (white) tourists are most common. I recall the story of two Cuban neighbours talking and walking on the street, she a white woman in her forties with a foreign look and he a 20-year-old Afro-Cuban. The police stopped them for an identity check, because they suspected the young Afro-Cuban of being a jinetero, the male equivalent of a jinetera.

Cuban Love – part 1

Cubans are nice and attractive people, so it’s not unusual for tourists to fall in love with a Cuban man or woman. Nothing wrong with this, but a word of caution: some young Cubans want to leave the country and may try to escape poverty and better their family’s economic situation by marrying a tourist. Many of these romances are fake and only for the money, and this can be very frustrating.

Recommended reading:
Divorce in Cuba, avoid de pitfalls in the Cuban marriage
What are the signs of marriage fraud?

Our advice:
If you fall in love with a Cuban girl or you have a close friendship watch for these signs: honest Cuban men and women are proud and will only accept a few drinks, a meal or an evening out to a show. Pay attention when more money is requested, watch out if she constantly expects new and expensive things - new clothing, a cell phone, money for her “sick” mother or baby etc.they can be inventive. These are early warning signs
RED FLAGS
that she’s a jinetera and does it only for the money.

Do You Have a Cuban Love Story?

Share your Cuban love story, the good and the bad! Did you marry a Cuban girl? or just met a jinetera on the streets? Was it a holiday romance or did you stay in touch? Share it, other vistors can learn from your experience, good or bad. You don't have to share your name or country if this make you feel more comfortable.
Anonymous is OK.


Enter Your Story Title

Enter your Havana Love Story [ ? ]

Author Information (optional)

To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.

Your Name

(first or full name)

Your Location

(ex. City, State, Country)

Submit Your Contribution

Check box to agree to these submission guidelines.


(You can preview and edit on the next page)

What Other Visitors Have Said about a Cuban romance

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...


RESPECT OTHER OPINIONS!
Comments with brutal or harsh language are not accepted!

Fairytale in Cuba   starstarstarstarstar
A few years ago I was enjoying my beautiful vacation in Cuba. I was visiting family as well seeing that I am half Cuban. The resort I was at was very ...

Cuban Love - Cuban Life  starstarstarstarstar
Our REVOLUTION is Manipulated our LOVE is no different

Over 15 yrs in & out of Cuba & relationships with Cubans.
I have spent 8 yrs of that 13 living ...

A man from Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
I BLESSED THE DAY I FOUND CARLOS- A MAN BORN FROM CUBA

I blessed the day i found Carlos, we met in the dating site, and from the start , i am not ...

Cuban Penis Compensation  starstarstarstarstar
May 16, 2009, I met a Cuban love. We had a long distance relationship for two years where I would go to Cuba 3-4 times a year. Like all couples we had ...

Cuban Love   starstarstarstarstar
Have you ever lived under comunism with not enough food and no freedom? Have you ever have that feeling you will never be able to see in this life what'...

married to a jinitera  starstarstarstarstar
I met and fell in love with a woman. We got married and things were great until she started disappearing for a week at a time. I live in Canada and I was ...

sex in cuba   starstarstarstarstar
MIRE!! People of both sexes that are YUMAS tourists cuba is a playground of jineteras jineteros, mechanicas, mechanicos, bisneras bisneros,
GROW UP have ...

no racism in cuba?  starstarstarstarstar
This is a response to jineteras and no racism in cuba. As an afro cuban/american, I know first hand that racism is rampid. Further saying that racism ...

CUBAN DATING WEBSITE  starstarstarstarstar
Does anyone know where one can meet Cubans (in Cuba) online, either a dating website or otherwise? There must be someplace but I can't seem to find it....

Ugly Stories in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar

these stories are like a plague! I'm scared and showing it.
I met her family that she lives with, and stayed a night. She didn't directly introduce ...

Love and Dust in Santiago De Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
Wish I had stumbled across this site earlier! Met Amaury (rasta) in Santiago in May. He is 39 I am a well preserved 50 year old going on 25!! He has no ...

Using a Cuban lawyer to obtain an exit visa  starstarstarstarstar
Just wondering, has anybody's Cuban visitor used a lawyer to help with the Cuban government's exit process?

I was surprised to find out that my Cuban ...

Broke and desperate in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
This is not a story however does anyone know the best way to divorce a cuban woman whom you have been seperated with for a few months here in Canada Some ...

married to a cuban decent man for 7 years now (varadero)  starstarstarstarstar
I am a South African I have lived in cuba now for the past seven years studying medicine, and I believe that its so disgusting how people compare cubans ...

Brainwashed in Cuba   starstarstarstarstar
Here are some sure signs that you have met a jinetera or jinetero. I'm speaking from experience, I married one.
The first and most obvious sign is ...

Cuban love in NZ  starstarstarstarstar
Has anyone else experienced the jinetero behaviour, by Cubans living in Wellington? Earlier this year I met a Cuban man, we became friends then months ...

Love and Trust in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
Is there a way to make things easier?
Thank you to so many honest stories on this website. I've learned lots about the circumstances anyone would ...

Cuba is safe and beautiful   starstarstarstarstar

Cuba is safe and beautiful ... a bit of petty theft and fraud is Ok I ended up befriending a Cuban musician in downtown Habana. He gave me the story ...

My Love Story in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
I went to Cuba after a bad breakup with my boyfriend. I went with some family just for vacation. I met a wonderful guy there and when I left we kept in ...

I had no idea about life in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
Until a few moments ago I was very excited about the man (27) I met in Cuba last week. I am very young (21) fresh out of university, and my family went ...

So Confused in Varadero Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
I came across this website as I was curious to learn more about Cuba.
But anyway I visited Cuba, with my family (I'm 17 years of age), for the first time,...

Be Careful in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
I met a gorrrgeous man in Cayo Largo, who immediately became my boyfriend, despite all the "he only wants you so he can get out of the country" comments....

scary stuff in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
OK, I know what everyone is going to say or think... I know that I deserve what I get... But here it is... this is my story....
I went to Cuba for a 3 ...

Never stay at a Cubans Private Home  starstarstarstarstar
There are many legal casa particulars all over Cuba. Prices range from $15.00 cuc per night to $$35.00 cuc per night depending on location and how nice ...

Airport Meeting Cuban Style  starstarstarstarstar
I will get right to the final details, A few years ago my best friend in Toronto brought his Cuban girlfriend to Canada and he met her at the airport and ...

Disappointed, thought I made friends in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
I went to Varadero with a group of friends, all females. Within minutes of our arrival everyone knew where we were from. Next day at the pool / beach they ...

Stupid in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar

Am I Stupid?
Just returned from a girls trip to cuba. Spent the first week in Varadero where I was completely turned off by the forwardness of all ...

Marriage in Cuba or Canada?  starstarstarstarstar
I need some information about Cuban law. I want my family to meet my fiancee before we get married but I have been told that she cannot leave Cuba unless ...

Just Watch out in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
Promise everything give nothing otherwise you'll be ripped off big time, all they want is to leave Cuba at any cost no matter what. They know everything ...

scammed in varadero Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
Watch out for a tall, dreadlock guy who speaks english and is very arrogant. He will smooth talk you into almost anything. He is good at it and only ...

The Night of Nights in Havana Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
It was love at first sight. Naively, I did not know she was a jinetera, I just thought she was beautiful--those brown eyes, those rubbery red lips--I wanted ...

Cuban Men - Cuban Love  starstarstarstarstar
About Cuban men, what you should know about a relation with a man in Cuba, read what other visitors said

Love Game in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
The "Te Quiero Mucho" Game: Modus Operandi

How is the "Te Quiero Mucho" Game played? There are as many playing styles as there are men out there, but ...

Love in Cuba with some Interesting Twists  starstarstarstarstar
I met a young lady some years ago and booked her into a local resort. Enroute we were stopped by the police and she was removed from the taxi and checked....

Does Castro Condone Sex Tourism ?  starstarstarstarstar
It Would Seem So As It's On The Increase

It seems that Sex Tourism in Cuba is on the increase, and the government is turning a blind eye to it. But ...

Real Relationship in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
I'm writing this because I find so many of the stories on here either (a) totally against relationships, or (b) written by people who have spent 2 weeks ...

Divorce in Cuba I need help!  starstarstarstarstar
I am legally married to a cuban national (I am Canadian and live in Canada). I will be returning to the country this January to see some friends (not ...

I was born in Havana and I am Canadian now .  starstarstarstarstar
Hi All ,

I just want to make a contribution to this web site and contribute my own comments from a cubana point of view. I was born in Havana and it ...

Fat Canadian Women in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
Fat Middle Aged Canadian Women Are Denegrading Cuban Tourism.


I have just returned from Varadero and I have to say I feel ashamed to say I am Canadian....

child support laws in cuba  starstarstarstarstar
A few friends and I went down to santa lucia, cuba last summer. We had a great time. One night at a beach party I met this pretty woman. She spoke a little ...

Jinetera or Not?  starstarstarstarstar
Her description: Low 30's dark, long soft hair ($150 every month in a half), expensive make up for economic level (Macy's or better)...tummy tuck, fake ...

Cheap Visa Out of Cuba!  starstarstarstarstar
Lengths To Which The Cuban Lazy Workshy Loafer Will Stoop, In Order To Gain A Visa Out of Cuba
He will home in on you when he spots you in the Casa ...

Disgusted Love in Cuba   starstarstarstarstar
This is a reversal of all the "love" stories I've been reading on this site and it's not even about me.
I was in Cuba for the first time and staying at ...

February 23/06 My Life in Cuba   starstarstarstarstar
After being widowed for a while my friend's convinced me to go with them to Cayo-Largo Cuba, and to shed my black robe's and start living again.I was hesitant ...

First Time in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
I just got back from Santa Lucia this past Tuesday. I spent the first 5 days on the resort trying to be a good boy but when the evening's entertainment ...

Warning To Women Travelling To Havana Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
This is not a 'Havana Love Story' but a warning to female tourists travelling to Havana.

There'a a new breed of Jinetero targetting you, and these ...

I fell in love in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
Almost 3 years ago I touched the soil of Cuba for the first time. As a small boy I would listen to the stories of the struggle of the Cuban People and ...

Seven days in Havana  starstarstarstarstar
I am a 27 year old Asian girl who traveled Cuba .......
THIS POST IS DELETED ON REQUEST OF THE
POST STARTER.
Note: all inappropriate links will ...

'Mi Mujer' - Two words as Toxic as 'Te Quiero Mucho' in Cuba!.  starstarstarstarstar
In a relationship based on love and trust any woman would love to hear the words 'My Woman' or 'I Love You'.

Not in Cuba.

When you hear the words ...

Why Is It Only In Cuba That The Words 'I Love You' Have A Hollow Ring?  starstarstarstarstar
I have just read the thread 'More Love Than Common Sense' and it made me think about those three words... 'I Love You'.

Why is it that only in Cuba ...

Should I Find My Own Accommodation When I Return To Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
I met my friend when travelling in Cuba last year. He is from Mayari which is not conveniently located near any airport and is off the beaten track so ...

More Love than Common Sense ?  starstarstarstarstar
Let's get real! How many single people on vacation in the tropics AREN'T looking for a fairy-tale love affair? Three? Frequently, common sense takes it ...

Stop Moaning! About Love in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
Hello there. I visited cuba many times and I am actually in love with a cuban girl. She's probably a bit "un-cuban", that means quite serious and thoughtful ...

Very Difficult To Know What Is Real and Who Is Genuine in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
I've met some lovely people on my travels around Cuba, some genuine some hustlers. You can always tell when they approach you with a 'Where You From My ...

The Cuban Matriarch!  starstarstarstarstar
She's Fifty, Feisty and as Ferocious as Hurricane Ike!.

God Help you if you cross her!.

She will floor you with a look and deafen you with her roar....

Motorcycle man's story is missing  starstarstarstarstar
Just being curious, but what happend to the numpty who posted the other week who was bragging about him having a good time while he was on his motor bike?...

MY FIRST PASIONATE LOVE IN CUBA  starstarstarstarstar
I met my girlfiend 3 years ago and she was the first Cuban girl I met and our relationship is wonderful she is half my age and I am made to feel like a ...

Enlightning in Havana Cuba   starstarstarstarstar
I visited cuba and knew of all the scams because of the situation and lives of the country. I was introduced to a family through a friend of a friend and ...

My Cuban Love I cannot sleep ,eat, train, think I only have her in my heart and brain! help please  starstarstarstarstar
Hello all,

I met a girl we fall in love and now she's gone and I only have her full name and mail adress.. :(
The time with her was so nice that I ...

He's already coming from Cuba to Canada, how?  starstarstarstarstar
I met Yordanis while on a one week trip with a friend. We hit it off for the three days we knew each other. He wrote me a letter and gave it to me as ...

SECOND LETTER FROM MY WIFE TO HER BOYFRIEND IN CUBA  starstarstarstarstar
dime porque te sientes mal cada ves que llegas a mi
> casa?
> te tratan mal o que? , que pasa?
> yo me siento mal y estoy deprimida porque no te tengo
...

She might be a jinetera, but what a jinetera she is.  starstarstarstarstar
My Habana love story started back in 2000 and actualy is more a Cuba love story. What a country and what a great people. So the girls want your money? Who ...

true love or fake love in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
I went to Cuba in April met a cuban on the resort I was staying at. We talked daily, even when he was not working. He never told me that he loved me ...

Cuban Marriage - Cuban Brides  starstarstarstarstar
Cuban marriage, read what other visitors said about love, brides and scams, in Cuba

How I Met a Jinetera in Havana  starstarstarstarstar
A few years after the death of my wife, I was still single and decided to make a trip to Havana Cuba.
The second day I was strolling on Obispo street ...

Cubans the good and the bad  starstarstarstarstar
I have been reading stories all over the net and it took me some time before sharing mine. Let's just say that i have been going to Cuba for a long time,...

Help! Love S.O.S. in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar

Help! at a cross-road to presue love, should I chase?
Hi insiders and outsiders. My story is I went to Cuba a found a sweet strong cubana. I'm not ...

la cubanita My Cuban Dream  starstarstarstarstar
I am a Spanish Mexican American in my dreams I want to marrry a Cuban girl, my grandfather was Cuban, I came from cuban blood. It is my dream to be with ...

An Unequal Society in Cuba  starstarstarstarstar
Communism - a sociopolitical movement that aims for a classless society structured upon communal ownership of the means of production and the end of wage ...

DONT DO IT in Cuba   starstarstarstarstar
I married a Cuban man, only find out that he had a wife and 1 year old son after the fact he married me and sponsered him to my country, and his cuban ...

please do not make the mistake of marry a cuban  starstarstarstar
Ladies, gentlemen, please do not marry a Cuban, they are all trash, and nothing but trash. Burry yourself alive instead of marry a cuban. They all just ...

Cuban Love Don't Do What I Did   starstarstar
Don't do it !!!!!!! No matter what !!!!!!! In my case I was duped. I'm the idiot !! Some signs were there. My honey was honest, she was sincere, her ...

marriage to a cuban girl  Not rated yet

Speaking from experience DO NOT DO IT! Very simply it will never work. If you beleive it will be ok then give yourself a shake and face the reality ...

my opinion about cuban girls  Not rated yet
People who never staied to cuba think that the cuban girl is completely uninibhited and it's very easy to go with her if you are a tourist. Some people ...

I am a Cuban Girl   Not rated yet
I met in 2006 a dutch man ..we are still together and we will if he want me for the rest of his life , we
met in Obispo ...yes ,in Monserrate ...yes, and ...

it is not easy  Not rated yet

Thanks Diane and Vic for the comments. And about the cat I believe it is not what we need do not feel lonely. I don't really need a man to make my ...

Klaudia the jinetera in Cuba  Not rated yet
I travel to Cuba often enough and in september of this year I met a beautiful girl on the resort only to find out she was Cuban and on vacation with her ...

The cubans I know  Not rated yet
I have been involved romantically on and off with a Cuban woman I met here in Canada for the past 12 years. I have voluntarily been in this relationship ...

Cuba I miss it   Not rated yet
I miss the aura that the sea gave at sun dawn I miss the smiling faces and the laughter I shared with my friends. I miss the love I share with my family ...

I Was In Santiago de Cuba on 9/11  Not rated yet
It's strange how some dates are indelibly printed in your mind.

I was a child when I heard the news of John Lennon's death. I can still recall huddling ...

Taken for a fool at the iberostar laguna azul  Not rated yet
see this post on utube

www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2asOOi6Z9
This link doesn't work!
Please, correct or mention the video title. (Webmaster)
this ...

First time visitor to Cuba  Not rated yet
I am a New Zealander and am planning to visit Cuba at the end of the year. I am a divorced, older woman and I will be travelling with a group of friends ...

What could of been in Cuba  Not rated yet
I was so exhausted after the flight, I decided to ditch my friends to check out the sights so I went to a bar that was outside. From there I was just thinking ...

Our Lady of Charity Cuba  Not rated yet
Our Lady of Charity - Virgen de La Caridad del Cobre. Is That How They See Us?

I laughed when I saw the post entitled 'Our Lady of Charity', because ...

It's Rare But There is Real Love in Cuba  Not rated yet
Just back from Havana, third time, visting my girlfriend, I have read the stories on this website, and indeed real love is hard to find. But it's not so ...

United States and Cuba   Not rated yet
In december 26 , 2010 I went to cuba aha . Not to long ago . Well I went there to meet my family because I haven't seen them since I was 6 years old . Now ...

This is for Vic  Not rated yet
Hi Vic, This is not a story, but just something that I feel I have to mention.

I love your site, and as you know I post on a regular basis, but I get ...


Want to comment on other topics? Go to CUBA TRAVEL FORUM

Cuban Love – part 2 - Cuba Marriage

On the brighter side, you found the love of your life, you’re engaged: congratulations! If you want to invite him/her to your country for a vacation, that’s all very well, but it takes some red tape.
WARNING:

all the information about documents, procedures, and prices are guidelines, and differ from country to country. Check with the Cuban embassy in your homeland for the latest information.

INVITATION

A Cuban citizen who wants to travel abroad needs an official invitation from a person or institution outside Cuba. This letter of invitation is an official document delivered by a Cuban notary. The document mentions the identity of the person who invites the Cuban and the identity of the Cuban citizen who is invited. The “ inviter” declares that he /she will take full responsibility for the Cuban and agrees to pay the total costs of the invitation including travel costs, hotel or housing costs, medical insurance etc.

The letter of invitation is valid for one year starting from the issue date on the document. The cost of this document in Havana is 140 CUC, with special request form available at the Cuban embassies: costs about 200 US dollar – 200 euro. Additional documents

Depending of the regulations of the country of the inviting person additional documents may be needed such as:

A medical examination certificate
A document stating that the inviting person earns sufficient income to support the invited Cuban.

In order to receive permission to leave the country, the Cuban citizen has to go to the Cuban Migration Services to apply for a travel permit (vigencia de viaje) and a Passport. Before departure the Cuban has to apply for a visa, which will be stuck in the Passport and has a validity period of 30 days. An extension of up to 90 days is possible.

MARRIAGE IN HAVANA (Cuba)

To marry in Havana (Cuba) the following documents are needed:

For the NON Cuban citizen

- a birth certificate - an official document stating your identity and civil status, mentioning whether you are single, divorced or widow/widower. In case you are a widow/widower a certificate of your previous marriage and a copy of the death certificate will be needed.

An official (sworn) translator must translate all the documents into Spanish. Both, the original certificates as well as the translations should be certified and officially recognized by the authorities of your country.

All above-mentioned certificates must be certified and stamped by the Consular services of the Cuban embassy in your home country.

For the Cuban citizen

Identity card (carné de identidad)
In case of divorce: certificate of the divorce (certificacion de sentencia de divorcio)
In case of widow/widowers, certificates of the previous marriage and copy of the death certificate will be required (certificacion de matrimonio y defuncion del conjuge).

When the documents are delivered both partners go in company of two adult witnesses (who are not family members) to a notary who will conduct the ceremony.
Cost of the ceremony
525 CUC: marriage ceremony
140 CUC: invitation
300 CUC: legalisation and protocol

DIVORCE IN CUBA

Seventy per cent of all Cuban marriages end in a divorce. You better take some measures before the marriage in order to prevent you from a financial and emotional disaster.

Not found what you're looking for?
Search for more detailed info in HAVANA-GUIDE
Custom Search

Return from "Havana Jineteras" to "Havana-Guide" home page

custom counter