Tips on Avoiding Hustlers and Scams in Cuba
Enjoy Colourful Cuba & Avoid Havana Hustle and Hassel
Nov 28, 2008
Scams in Cuba range from a small overcharge on a restaurant bill to convincing offers of hospitality and friendship to gain your confidence and acquire your money. Single travelers will notice receiving a lot of attention from Cubans of the opposite sex keen to strike up a relationship and reap the benefits a foreigner can provide including marriage and emigration.
Common Scams
- Exchanging money in the street is illegal and exposes tourists to scams, the main one being passing off Cuban pesos (27 to the USD) as convertible pesos which have the same value as the USD. Offers from friendly locals offering to exchange money at a good rate should be declined. Also be aware of what the convertible peso (CUC) looks like.
- New friends seem easy to come by in Cuba. Hustlers will strike up a conversation and say they know of a nice, cheap, restaurant or a bar playing Buena Vista Social Club music or selling cheap drinks to gain the victim’s confidence. If the visitor goes to a bar, restaurant or music venue they will most likely be presented with an inflated food or bar tab and moreover be paying for all their new friends.
- Overcharging is common so always order food and drinks from a menu and make a note of the price.
- Rental vehicles parked in the street will almost certainly be broken into. They have distinctive number plates making them a target and as there are many guarded parking places available for only a couple of USD, there is no need to take a risk.
- Avoid taking unregistered taxis especially from the airport when laden with luggage and valuables. Registered taxis are easily recognizable as they are modern cars and have a meter.
- Hassle occurs more when visitors are an easy target. Be firm and say "No gracias".
Casa Particulares (Private Homes)
Casa particulares are private houses which operate like guesthouses and are a good way to meet Cubans, get an insight into the people and culture and help out locals financially. They can be larger places with several rooms offering 2 meals a day in a central dining area or just a room in an apartment. Cost per night ranges between USD25 to USD50.
- Beware of casa particular touts who wait for tourists at bus stations and offer to take them to a casa particular. The touts take a fee, about USD5, which is added to the bill. To avoid dealing with these pests book ahead and at the same time arrange to be picked up at the airport or bus station. Your host family can also book the next casa particular.
- Unregistered casa particulares operate illegally and pay no taxes. By staying in one guests are not breaking the law but they are not necessarily cheaper, and if there is a problem the authorities will be unsympathetic. A registered casa particular displays a blue symbol (see photo below)
Crime & Safety
Cuba is one of the safest countries in Latin America with annoying hustlers being the main problem. Petty, rather than violent crime, like bag-snatching or pick-pocketing occurs, so slinging bags across your body and keeping valuables out of sight is good practice.
Enjoy your stay in Cuba as it is a fascinating destination with a distinct music culture, fine architecture, grand hotels and a colourful history. Being aware rather than paranoid should keep most visitors out of trouble.
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