The best accommodations Cuba

Budget & Tips

Hotels. Cuba's hotel industry is still struggling to keep up with the ever-increasing influx of tourists... Admittedly, since the thawing of diplomatic relations with the United States, a large number of hotels have been planned, and some have already opened their doors, but progress has been slow.

While the infrastructure is generally decent, and in some cases even luxurious, the prices charged are often higher than the quality of the service provided. In the comfort category, the international Spanish chain Mélia leads the way with over twenty hotels scattered all over the island. Adapted to international standards, this is certainly one of the best options. Next come the Cuban groups Cubanacan, Gran Caribe and Horizontes, which make up the bulk of the offer. Also noteworthy are the charming hotels that have sprung up in Havana's historic district under the management of the Habaguanex company. Their restoration work is remarkable.

Roughly speaking, a hotel is at least equipped with a restaurant and rooms with air conditioning and television. The higher you go, the more facilities you'll find: discotheques, tourist office, boutiques, swimming pool, water sports, sauna, car rental... As everywhere, prices depend on the season, geographical location, level of facilities and number of stars.

You should also be aware that some establishments will not allow you to be accompanied by a Cuban man or woman, although this practice is becoming increasingly rare. Generally speaking, the receptionist will simply ask for the identity papers of your Cuban companion, so that she or he can be registered at check-in. The high level of prostitution in Cuba has forced hoteliers and casas particulares to protect themselves, as theft by prostitutes is a frequent occurrence in the establishments where they spend the night.

Bed and breakfast. This is the most economical option throughout the country. Bed & breakfasts are identified by a blue logo: an upside-down anchor that can be spotted on the doors of potential hosts. These are the famous casas particulares (casa particularin the singular). A great way to get up close and personal with Cuban families. Expect to pay between €20 and €25 outside the capital, and between €25 and €35 in Havana (same price for one or two people). It should be noted that the level of taxation for casa owners has risen considerably in recent years, as the Cuban government seeks to extract money from this lucrative business.

Casa networks. However, while home-stay accommodation remains a very attractive solution, both humanly and financially, there are unscrupulous casa networks that inflate prices, taking advantage of the situation in the process, and others that offer casas on their website but change them at the last minute for a much less good one, presenting you with a fait accompli once you're there. So beware of the Cuban casa networks that flourish on the web. However, you can trust two serious networks that we've listed in this guide, after testing them several times: that of the Cuba Linda association and that of mycasaparticular.

Airbnb. Airbnb has been operating in Cuba for several years now, and the casas offered via this network are very good. For payment, you can proceed online as usual via the Airbnb website, but as international money transfers to Cuba are still impossible, Airbnb has organized itself and found reliable relays on the spot. It sends cash via one of its employees directly to the owner of the casa the day after the arrival of the tenants.

Passport and tourist card required. In all casas, as soon as you arrive, the owner will ask you for your passport and tourist card, as he is obliged to register you on an entry/exit register regularly checked by the authorities. So don't worry, they're not here to steal your passport! This procedure is perfectly normal. It has been introduced by the Cuban government to prevent surreptitious renting and therefore non-payment of taxes by casa owners... If a renter forgets to register a tourist, he must pay a fine of almost €1,000 to the State! So it's easy to understand why casa owners are quick to ask for your passport as soon as you've crossed the threshold.

Camping. Unauthorized camping is prohibited. In fact, camping sites are limited to bungalows. A 100% Cuban atmosphere is guaranteed, as foreign tourists still make very little use of this type of accommodation. Infrastructure remains spartan and rudimentary.

To be booked

Important: what can you do to avoid becoming a victim of the guest house overbooking system? Many Cuban guesthouse owners have the annoying habit of overbooking. The result: you arrive at their casa on the day of your reservation and they tell you it's full, but they've found you another one that's apparently just as good... But most of the time, the house in question isn't as good - don't dream. So how do you react and, above all, how can you avoid finding yourself in this kind of situation?

Don't book your casa at the last minute. The best casas are very popular and well-known. To be sure of getting a place, or even the nicest room, book at least a week in advance, or even more in high season.

Confirm the day before. Call your casa to confirm your reservation the day before and give your arrival time. If you're late, the owners of the casa will hold your reservation and won't rent your room to someone else. Indeed, as some tourists fail to notify them of cancellations or delays, casa owners have got into the habit of renting to other people rather than being left stranded at the last minute...

If, despite these precautions, this happens to you... If you are offered another casa when you arrive, even though you confirmed your reservation the day before, don't let it happen. Simply change casas! You'll usually have at least a few casas available, and a good one at that, even at the last minute. And you'll have the time to visit several casas to choose the best one, rather than settling for the one you're offered at the last minute because of overbooking. If you really don't have a choice, sleep in the casa you've been offered, but only for the first night, then pay the next morning and find another one.

What's very local

Breakfast is never included when renting a room in a casa particular. It's a good idea to let your host know if you'll be having breakfast the next day, and if so, at what time. Good to know: the price of a room does not depend on the number of beds in it. So if a room has two double beds, you'll pay the same price whether you're one, two, three or four.

For food lovers

Generally speaking, breakfasts at casas particulares are as delicious as they are hearty! In fact, we often found it hard to finish the breakfasts we were served! Tropical fruit, bread, butter and jam, juice and coffee are the main ingredients. The variations vary widely from casa to casa. Breakfast is a sacred meal in Cuba!

Smokers

Smoking is generally prohibited in Cuban accommodation, both in casas and hotels. Outside areas (balconies, terraces, gardens, etc.) are usually set aside for smokers.

Tourist traps

Warning about the commission system for guesthouses. Many Cubans offer to take you to a casa particular. Just be aware that they systematically take a minimum of €5 commission (and often much more) per room and per night. The price of your room is increased accordingly... This is the case not only for people stationed at city entrances, bus stations and people you meet on the street, but also for cab drivers and people who have a casa where you may have stayed and recommend an address in another city. Their help is never free, even if they seem nice and are often sincere in their recommendations.

Some smart guys will even simply stand in front of a casa and discreetly wait for guests to arrive. Once they've entered the casa, they'll go and see the owners, making them believe that it's thanks to them that the guests have taken a room in their house... And so they discreetly earn a commission on your back. So make sure there's no one directly near the entrance to the casa to avoid this kind of scam, which also has the disadvantage of inflating the price of your room (since you have to pay the tout)! To be on the safe side, simply inform the owners of the casa on arrival that you've come alone, without anyone's advice, and you'll pay exactly the price indicated in the guide. For the owners of the casas, it's a joy to see a tourist arrive who has found their address in a guidebook, because there's no commission to pay, and they inevitably make more money than when a rabatteur or another casa owner is in the loop.