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Who is this guy?
By
surfing the internet we found a Cuban Discussion Board, one of the best Cuba related discussion boards on the
web. The members of this board were people who: travel often to
Cuba, working in Cuba, got married to a Cuban, exiles, or just
interested in the Cuban culture, so not just a touristical forum
but "Cuba-Junky's" who like to discuss Cuba. One of
the members at that time (2001) was Pototo a very relaxed, hard working guy who lives
in the center of Habana together with his family.
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His house is the headquarter of many foreigners and friends
IN Habana and open for tourists who need help on location.
Besides
the services Pototo can give to you, he shares his commission
not only with friends but also with many people around his
place. Cubans who have a really difficult life. Pototo has
contacts all over the island, by asking the help from our
friend Pototo, all those Cubans also will have some more
income besides the average $12 a month they earn with an
official job. |
Tip
Remind,
Pototo is a self supporting person who is pleased to figure
all things out for you. It would be nice when you tip him
for his work when you are in Havana. |
What can Pototo do for you?
Some examples ....
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Havana Tour with a local guide
Most foreigners visit Habana Vieja, the very beautiful area
of Havana which is also a very touristical area ... What
alot of people miss is the REAL Havana Tour, a walking tour
around Havana Centro the real Havana barrio where you can
see how people live their daily life, 8 families in 1 house,
children playing baseball in the streets, men wispering
piropos (romantic oneliners) to passing women ...
Whatever kinda tour you want, Centro or Vieja, you can discuss this with Pototo
Pototo
can help you with a safe and good organised tour around
both areas, you will be able to make pictures, videos and
enjoy the atmosfere of one of the most interresting parts
of Havana. This tour is only 35 CUC (USD 35)
It
is also possible to combine this tour with a few hours of
salsa dancing or a visit to a Babalao who will explain all
about the Cuban religion to you.
- Make a reservation for a guided Havana tour >> |
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Overnight trip Varadero-Havana
The real experience
A
personal day trip to Havana without a tour bus fully packed with at least 30 other tourists, guided
through Havana by a local Cuban, Having dinner in a paladar
and a free mojito in a real Cuban home in Havana
Centro ... that is what you want right?
Well here
we go step by step ... |
- Contact Pototo through the form below and make a reservation
- Once in Cuba; make
a reservation for the Viazul
bus the night before your departure at telephone
number: 61 48 86, or go to the Viazul
bus station and buy tickets for the next
day
- The
next day, be at the Viazul bus station 1 hour before the
bus departs, this is because otherwise they sell your
tickets.
- Pototo
or 1 of his crew will be waiting for you at the FIRST
exit in Havana Vieja (after the tunnel) with a sign.
- A
walking tour around Havana Vieja and Havana Centro
- A
tour in a car around Havana Vedado and Miramar area
- Dinner
in a Paladar
- You
will stay the night in a Casa Particular
- Next
morning, back to Varadero by Viazul bus
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- Make a reservation for a Havana Overnight Trip from Varadero >> |
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Traveling solo to Cuba?
Some
solo travelers are a bit nervous to stay on their own in
Habana, and the
rest of Cuba, which we of Cuba-Junky, Pototo and I CJ , do understand. Pototo has options for very safe and trusty casas,
and when you don't like to walk alone at the streets at night,
Pototo will take care you get home safe ... no problem!
When
you want to travel between cities with the Viazul bus, Pototo can manage somebody picks you up at the
next Viazul
bus station.
Pototo's friends are all over the country.
- Contact Pototo >> |
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Want to bring your own motorbike?
Jimmy's experience with Pototo:
'Pototo
has been able to successfully help me to import a motorbike,
and do all the paperwork required to have it running under
a temporary tourist licence ...
I need to thank him very
much, and recommend his services to anyone'
- More Testimonials >>
- Contact Pototo >>
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Dinner at P's
Lots
of people have been there, done that! P is the best cook
in Habana and it is for a foreigner the best oppertunity
to meet a Cuban family in real life. P's fish cocktail is
the best you ever taste in your life!
All
pizza's in Cuba taste like s**t...but once eaten a pizza
of our friend Pototo you keep coming back for more...no
doubt!
Remind
that even when Pototo invites you for dinner, don't be cheap
and leave him a tip and/or bring enough beers as a present.
Life is not easy for a Cuban.
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Ruppert
from Germany wrote us:
"Now we are back in Germany and I want to thank Pototo.
He helped us very comfortably and I recommend to eat his Pizza!
It´s really the best in Havana!! So, thanx a lot,
see us again next year..."
- More Testimonials >>
- Contact Pototo >> |
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Love in Cuba, Novia/Novio?
Want to get married with your Cuban girl- or boyfriend in Cuba?
Or do you need advice on how to devorce your Cuban esposo(a)
Pototo can point you in the right direction on how to do both ;)
- Contact Pototo >> |
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Casa Particular
Or do you like to stay the night at a Cuban family home in a casa particular?
Check
out the lists of Cuba-Junky's casas and tell Pototo what you prefer.
He will make a reservation for you in ANY casa you like.
- Casa
Particulares >> |
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BrianCanada
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| Booking accommodation through Cuba-Junky (Pototo) |
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We are travelling to Cuba
in mid-August. Rather then stay in a hotel, we thought
it might be interesting to stay in a Casa Particulares
(private home). Cuba-junky.com has a contact form on
their site for a fellow named Pototo, who is in the
business of connecting travellers with these private
home owners.
Pototo was very prompt at responding with the details
of a home that he thought would meet our needs. My question
is, has anyone else used this service. Any commendations
or concerns would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks! |
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greslogo
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| 1. |
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| Pototo is very reliable. |
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cubafish
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| 2. |
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Let me qualify my reply
by saying that I have never personally met Potato, but
I do know several people who have. Also, while I do
not personally know Poster #1 above, I have learned
over the years to respect his opinion. Of the several
people I know who know Patato, all speak highly of him
- both of his knowledge, his helpfullness, and equally
important in Cuba, his honesty.
There is another Poster who frequents this BB by the
name of wanderinddog, who is also very good in helping
travelers in Havana and elsewhere. |
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Wanderingdog
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| 3. |
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Thanks cubafish for
the credit.
But I not only enter this thread to thank, but also
to honor Pototo, or at least the Cuba-Junky connection.
I know few people who have arranged their staying in
cuba via that link and it worked pretty fine for them.
Of couse, I've never used it; I haven't need to -I live
here.
WD
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"Reality is the most tangible fantasy of our
minds" |
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Wanderingdog
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| 4. |
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With 'few' I mean 'ALL the people' I know who used that link ended
up pretty fine. Sorry for my poor command of the English
language.
WD
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"Reality is the most tangible fantasy of our
minds" |
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CheersTerry
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| 5. |
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Pototo rocks. You couldn’t
be in better hands.
I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting Wandering Dog,
but he has helped out a few acquaintances and he got
a big thumbs up too.
Cheers,
Terry
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Eat like a lion, drink like a fish, ride fast motorcycles... |
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girlgoneworld
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| 6. |
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| Cuba Junky is an amazing
site, by the way. I've also heard of Pototo, he arranged
some Veradero housing for a group of us last winter.
I never met him but the housing he set up for my friend
and our group was WONDERFUL. |
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Kissmiss
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| 7. |
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Pototo was an encouraging,
knowlegeable presence in my horrific experience, the
last time, when I escaped. I am quite sure he had so
many other "irons in his fire", that I was
greatly reassured by his willingness to meet with me.
He had no ox to gore or potential upside with me, but
he showed up, anyway. I admire him for at least that.
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Es Cuba |
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BeardoUK
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| 8. |
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| I have never used Pototo's
professional services, but have met him several times.
He's a great guy. I know a number of people who have
used his professional services - all speak very highly
of him. |
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JackWebb
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| 9. |
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Pototo is a great guy -
and seeks to please. He also knows his way around, in
most situations you are in. He also gave me a peso phone
card, should I ever get into a jam of any kind, to call
him, and he would be there. He was always always prompt
in the meetings we set up for pick up and for a drive
around with his crazy but very charming sister (she
can sure motor around with her VW bug). A very very
reliable and straight up kind of guy. Highly recommended!!!
You can be assured you are in the right hands with Pototo.
Now where is my cut for this great write up on Pototo?
LOL Seriously- Pototo is the best! A 5 star guy!
All the best.
Jack
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Anyway
...
Anything
... I said ANYTHING you need to make your trip a success ...
- Contact Pototo >>
See
You at Pototo's!
Many,
many tourists had a great time with this guy ...
Testimonials
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