The best accommodations Cuba

Budget & Tips

Hotels. Cuban hotels are still struggling to meet the ever-increasing influx of tourists... Of course, since the thawing of diplomatic relations with the United States, many hotels are planned and some have already opened their doors, but the evolution remains rather slow while the number of tourists is still increasing at a high speed. However, the situation should improve soon with the construction of new hotels all over the country since nearly 80,000 additional rooms were - before the pandemic at least - planned by 2030

If the infrastructures are generally correct, even luxurious for some, the prices charged are often higher than the quality of the service provided. In the comfort category, the international Spanish chain Mélia is at the top of the list with more than twenty hotels scattered throughout the island. Adapted to international standards, it is certainly one of the best options. Then come the Cuban groups Cubanacan, Gran Caribe and Horizontes which form the bulk of the offer. Also noteworthy are the charming hotels that have sprung up in Havana's historic district under the direction of the Habaguanex company. Remarkable restoration work is involved

Roughly speaking, a hotel is at least equipped with a restaurant and rooms with air conditioning and television. The more you go up in the range, the more the facilities are extended: discotheques, tourist office, stores, swimming pool, water sports, sauna, car rental... As everywhere, prices depend on the season, the geographical location, the level of equipment and the number of stars

Finally, you should know that some establishments will not allow you to be accompanied by a Cuban man or woman, although this practice is becoming increasingly rare. In general, the receptionist will simply ask for the identity papers of your Cuban companion in order to register his or her details at check-in. The high level of prostitution in Cuba has forced hoteliers and casas particulares to protect themselves, as theft by prostitutes is frequent in the establishments where they spend the night.

Bed and Breakfast. This is the most economical option throughout the country. Bed and breakfasts are marked with a blue logo: an upturned anchor that can be seen on the doors of your potential guests. These are the famous casas particulares (casa particularin the singular). A good way to enter the reality of Cuban families. Expect to pay between 20 and 25 € outside the capital and expect to pay between 25 and 35 € in Havana (same price for one or two people). It should be noted that the level of taxation of the owners of these casas has increased considerably in recent years, as the Cuban government seeks to extract money from this lucrative business.

The casa networks. However, if lodging with a host family remains a very attractive solution, both humanly and financially, there are unscrupulous casa networks that inflate the prices, taking advantage of them in the process, and others that propose casas on their Internet site but change them at the last minute for a much worse one, presenting you with a fait accompli once you are there. So beware of the Cuban casa networks that flourish on the web. However, you can trust two serious networks that we have referenced in this guide, after having tested them several times: that of the Cuba Linda association and that of mycasaparticular.

Airbnb. You should know that Airbnb has been operating in Cuba for several years and the casas offered through this network are very good. For the payment you can proceed online as usual via the Airbnb website, but international money transfers to Cuba are still impossible, so 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, upon your arrival, the owner will ask you for your passport and your tourist card because he is required to register you on a register of entries and exits regularly controlled by the authorities. So don't be afraid, they are not trying to steal your passport! This procedure is completely normal. It was established by the Cuban State to avoid the sneaky renting and therefore the non-payment of taxes by the casa owners... If a renter forgets to register a tourist on his register and thus to declare him, he must pay a fine of nearly 1,000 € to the State! It is therefore easy to understand why casa owners are quick to ask you for your passport as soon as you enter the door.

Camping. Wild camping is prohibited. The campgrounds are in fact only bungalows. A 100% Cuban atmosphere is guaranteed, as foreign tourists still rarely use this type of accommodation. The infrastructure remains spartan and rudimentary.

To be booked

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

Do not book your casa at the last minute. The most beautiful casas are very popular and well known. To be sure to have a place, or even the nicest room, book at least one 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 are late, the owners of the casa will keep your reservation and will not rent your room to someone else. Indeed, some tourists do not inform them of their cancellation or their delay, the owners of casas

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

What's very local

Breakfast is never included when renting a room in a casa particular. You should therefore inform your host if you will 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. For example, if a room has two double beds, you will pay the same price whether you are one, two, three or four

For food lovers

In general, in the casas particulares, the breakfasts are as delicious as copious! It was often difficult for us to finish the breakfasts served! Tropical fruits, bread, butter and jam, juice and coffee are the main ingredients. Then, the variations vary widely from one casa to another. Breakfast is a sacred meal in Cuba!

Smokers

Smoking is generally prohibited in Cuban homes, both in casas and hotels. Outdoor 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 posted at the entrance of cities, at bus stations, met in the street but also for cab drivers and people who have a casa where you may have slept and recommend you 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 even simply stand in front of a casa and wait discreetly for the guests to arrive and, once they have entered the casa, they go to the owners and make them believe that it is thanks to them that the guests have taken a room in their house... And, therefore, they get a commission on your back. Make sure that there is no one directly near the entrance of the casa to avoid this kind of scam, which will also have the disadvantage of inflating the price of your room (since you have to pay the repo man)! To be on the safe side, you can simply inform the owners of the casa upon your arrival that you have come alone, without the advice of anyone, you will then pay exactly the price indicated in the guide. For the casa owners, it is a joy to see a tourist arrive who has found their address in a guidebook because there is no commission to pay, and they inevitably make more money than when a tout or another casa owner is in the loop.