Many years ago ....
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.
It is hard to find a 100% reliable Cuban ...
But
we've found him!
Up from that time Pototo is partner of the Cuba-Junky website as "Our Man in Havana"
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 gives to you, he is not a selfish guy but 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 involved Cubans will have some more income besides the average of $12 a month they earn with an official job.
Read about what members of the Lonely Planet Thorntree Cuba have to say about Pototo
Below some examples of what Pototo can do for your trip to Cuba.
But if you have any other ideas or Cuba related question, let him know and he will give you an answer
Havana Tour
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)
A grand day out
We arrange a guided tour of Cenro Habana with Pototo over the internet. We got a prompt reply and at the agreed time our guide, Yariley, met us in our hotel foyer. We gave her a few ideas to what we wanted and then we were off! We spent the whole morning and part of the morning walking around an area few tourists see and ended up at the Hotel Nacional for a cold beer before saying our farewells. To quote Yariley "don't say goodbye, say until the next time" Our English holiday guide looked quite concerned when we told him where we had been. At no point did we feel intimidated as we had our guardian angel. When you've seen old Havana and the tourist sites give this a try it's well worth the time and money. We stopped for a beer at Pototo's and he's a very friendly welcoming guy. If you! want a reliable, friendly and knowledgeable tour service in Havana check out Pototo and Yariley they are absolutely first class.
Best wishes Carole and Geoff, Southampton, England XXXX
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?
Pototo will help you with this exciting experience.
Below you can read how it works, what's included and what you should do to manage your overnight trip from Varadero to Havana.
This is how it works
Contact Pototo through the reservation link below and make a reservation. No worries, completing this form isn't a reservation yet. You can also just ask questions and Pototo will answer you as soon as possible
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, or whatever you prefer seeing in Havana. The tour is personal and tailormade just for you.
A tour in a car around Havana Vedado and Miramar area
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 (Anja), 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, or one of our good friends, will take care of you to get you home safely ... 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.
If you have questions, don't hesitate but contact Pototo
Bring your own motorbike?
Jimmy's Review
'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'
Pototo's passion in life is cooking. He loves to cook for anybody who has a smile on his face.
Lots of people been there, done that! Pototo is the best cook in Habana and it is for a foreigner the best oppertunity to meet a Cuban family in real life. Pototo'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 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.
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..."
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 ;)
Any questions regarding love in Cuba?
Do not hesitate and contact Pototo
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. Even when you've found one which is not on our website.
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.
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 ...
