Is Cuba Safe To Travel? 10 Cuba Scams To Avoid

Is Cuba Safe - Scams to Avoid in Cuba

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Is Cuba safe to travel? Yes, it is actually one of the safest countries in the world when measuring crime figures. However, years of financial oppression has resulted in the creation of crafty ways of making money, some aimed at tourists. While you may experience some of the following Cuba scams, they will be delivered with charm and while it can get annoying, just remember your position of privilege which allows you to visit Cuba. Let’s find out about the popular scams in Cuba so you can be cautious of them during your trip. Note: All of these scams happened to us or tourists we met during our vacation. We’re happy to talk and here to learn, please leave us a comment below.


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Cuba Travel Safety: Avoid These Scams in Cuba

I rarely say that tourists need to buy travel guides but Cuba is definitely a country you would benefit from having one. Check out the options below.


1. Fake Cigars in Cuba

One of the most popular souvenirs to take home Cuba has to be cigars.

However, not all cigars are created equally and fake cigars with no duty paid will be confiscated at customs.

Be wary of buying them on the street as the sealed box may contain banana leaves.

For the authentic cigars, buy from plantations or shops.

There is even a great difference in price between authentic Cuban cigars.

If you are budgeting, the finest Cuban cigars were cheaper (three times!) in the official shop in Viñales compared the official shop in Havana.

Viñales is a beautiful, lush town close to Havana. I highly recommend you spend at least a day there during your time in Cuba.

Finest Cuban Cigars I Cuba Scams

2. When Did You Arrive, Sir?

If you answer “today” expect the response to be along the lines of…

What a great day to arrive, it’s the national day of – whatever black market goods/service is being sold – at an overinflated price.

How To Avoid This Scam

Smile, give pleasantries and move on but don’t be afraid to ask if you need help with directions, finding casas particulares (renting a room in a local home, very common in Cuba) or a vintage car tour.

Financially, some Cubans work in groups.

One member of the group will source what you need and in return they receive some commission from the service owner.

For example, when we hired bikes in Trinidad, we found the bikes through asking a taxi driver who walked us to his friend’s house. From here, we set up the hire for the next day.

Out of curiosity, we asked the bike owner what the taxi driver got out of walking us to their house instead of pointing us in the right direction.

They explained the commission process which a clever way to make money while living in a country which has has been restricted by el bloqueo embargo.

It’s very similar to how bloggers make money.

We recommend services and products we love on our websites, newsletters and social media channels and when you click the affiliate link and purchase, we make a small amount of commission from company.

Another example of the referral process took place during our second visit to Havana.

When we arrived back in the city, instead of pre-booking accommodation, we asked a tuk-tuk driver to take us to a casa.

The first casa wasn’t available so he took us to another.

We agreed on a price with the casa owner and stayed for a few nights. The same casa also helped us sort a taxi to the airport.

Somewhere down the line, the tuk-tuk driver will receive a commission for the accommodation sale and the casa owner will get a commission for the taxi sale. Clever eh?

If you do not feel comfortable arriving without planned accommodation I recommend booking a hostel or hotel for the first two nights and then consider moving into a casa the third night.

Alternatively, book online before you arrive. Casas now advertise on Booking.com.

Just consider that apps like Airbnb don’t work when you are in Cuba so you won’t be able to contact your host through it.

Examples of casas:

3. Jinetero Chat

We’ve met two clever guys who fell for this one as well as having it tried on us!

A jinetero (hustler) will join in your conversation and once you’ve chatted for a while they will ask you to help them out financially.

In our case we were asked to buy milk (leche).

According to the guys who went along with the scam and our tour guide who explained the process, the jinetero will take you to a shop and the milk will be pre-packaged in a bag ready to go.

Instead of the price of milk you will be charged $20-30.

Once you leave the shop, the milk is returned and the shopkeeper and the jinetero split their money.

This seems to be more popular in Havana than other Cuba destinations.

Just be aware and have your wits about you. As soon as you are being led into a shop take your sympathetic ear away and politely say sorry.

Havana vintage car

4. $6 Coffee 

Coffee can be purchased for around 50 cents – $1 from the wee shop windows dotted around Havana.

However, some shops sell overpriced coffee to gringos.

Please don’t be surprised when a local kindly offers to buy it for you in local currency (CUP) at a fraction of the cost in exchange for a dollar.

If you are particularly gullible this scam will be extended.

Your new friend will now wander through the streets with you sharing friendly local knowledge.

Do expect a bill for a private tour at the end. This happened to a mature couple in Havana.

Unsure about Cuban money? Read our Cuban currency guide.

Coffee I Cuba Scams

5. Food in Cuba

Food in Cuba is a hot potato topic for tourists. Some meals will be great, others will be OK.

We first tried Ropa Vieja in Trinidad and make it often at home in Scotland.

If staying in a casa you will have to eat out, unless your host offers to cook for you for an additional charge.

Like in many countries, PRs will try to encourage you into their restaurant.

When a PR approaches you, take what is on offer with a pinch of salt.

Once you are seated, the menu might look at a little different and drinks might not be inclusive of the price as promised.

We fell victim to this scam in Caleton (Bay of Pigs). It was a little annoying because my partner is a really fussy eater and since Caleton is tiny, choice was limited.

However, don’t let this put you off visiting the Bay of Pigs if plan to dive. You can read more about diving in Cuba here.

Trinidad Food

6. Casa Particular Prices

On average, Cuban government wages are $28 per month, some would say this wage is relative to local prices, others would say it’s not.

To bump up wages, many Cubans rent out second houses or extra rooms.

This is all above board. Official casas have a specific sign outside of their homes and they record your details for government records.

Casa Symbol in Havana
Staying in a casa is part of the Cuban vacation experience.

Guidebooks and websites recommend you budget $10-30 per night.

We never paid more than $10 per person (plus breakfast) after the first casa.

Be cautious of how much you pay for casas, there isn’t always that much difference between the properties.

You can read everything you need to know about casas particulares here.

Should you buy gifts for locals?

Good question and one we get asked often.

We didn’t and were never asked for any.

My good friend, Laura, did feel that there was more of an assumption that tourists would have gifts in the south of the island or possibly because she was part of an organised tour and not travelling independently?

If you do want to bring items, pack items they may actually need such as toiletries or toys for kids.

Casas Particulares I Cuba

7. “Lo siento, no tengo cambio”

When paying street traders and some shops with notes, expect there to be little change.

You have two options here.

One, accept being short changed.

Two, listen out for “no tengo cambio” which means, I have no change.

Advise the shop keeper that you will go elsewhere if there is no change.

Learn the language!

We have survival Spanish but struggled, luckily for us we were travelling with a fluent Spanish speaker.

Purchase a phrasebook at the very least.


8. Buses in Cuba 

There are two bus companies that travel throughout Cuba, Viazul and Conectando.

Viazul has a website where you can book seats making it more popular with tourists.

The journey times are also available on the site.

I suggest that you take a screenshot of the trips you intend to make because no one ever knows the times of the buses.

The reason for this is unclear.

It could be because regardless of schedules, buses run on ‘Cuba time’ anyway or possibly as casa owners would prefer you stay another night which is what they asked us to do in Caleton near Playa Larga at The Bay of Pigs.

Another reason could be because there are taxi colectivos which do the same route and by selling a ride, commission is made.

Taxi colectivos are shared car rides.

It is very common for tourists to hire collectivos to get between towns in Cuba.

You may also be asked to swap cars during long journeys so don’t be spooked if this happens!

Cuba Car Mogote Vinales

9. Holiday Romance in Cuba 

It is not uncommon to see mature Western women with young Cuban men, salsa dancing in the night clubs of Cuba, specifically in Trinidad.

However, if you meet a local who picks you up in a cafe or while sightseeing and the police takes a keen interest in your date, it might be time to consider your options fast.

We met a young Irish high school teacher who set up a date with a waitress of the same age in Trinidad.

He became concerned when the cops were showing her as much interest as he was.

The police understood, only his pride was challenged.

However, in Havana, a huge group of us joined another traveller who was invited by a local to see a cool live band.

The best advice is to have your wits about you and read the situation.

The below image is a bronze sculpture by Cuban artist Roberto Fabelo called Fantastic Voyage.

According to our Havana tour guide, it symbolises all the young Cuban women who have sought another life with foreign men.

Roberto Fabelo I Cuba Scams

10. Shop Shut!

This scam is not unique to Cuba but we did experience a good attempt to get us into a bar and away from The Revolution Museum.

An older couple told us that it was their anniversary! Congratulations, we rejoiced.

After a bit of chat, they asked where we were going… Alas, the museum is closed today but you should check out this bar!

We said our goodbyes and turned a corner to an open museum. They get a commission when you step through the bar door.

This is a common scam in many countries, especially with taxi drivers advising you that hotels/hostels have closed down.

Havana Revolution Museum I Cuba Scams

Final Words

Now we are not saying Havana is ‘scam city’ and I’ve definitely fell for worse during my travels, Istanbul note scam I’m looking at you!

Be equipped, avoid these tourist scams in Cuba and you’ll have a fun trip. Even if you do fall for any of them, it’s a story to remember.


Any scams to add? Tell us in the comments below

151 thoughts on “Is Cuba Safe To Travel? 10 Cuba Scams To Avoid

  1. james says:

    Cuba is the most scamiest country I have ever visited. We were travelling solo and had just been through a 6 month stint in South America, so thought we had a handle on it. Anyway, by the end any strager that came up to us we just poilitely said please go away, you are probably a good person, but we have been scammed so many times that unfortunately we don’t speak to strangers anymore. One of the more elaborate scams in Havana (when we were there in 2012) was someone came up to us and said they hadn’t got their food rations for the week and could we possibly buy them a bottle of milk. Sure, of course we can. Then when we were in the store they grabbed an entire create of milk and thanked us then ran off with it. We refused to pay even though the store owner was super hostile, and when we got back to our Casa we were told this is a common scam and that the perp and shop owner share the profits after the perp brings back the crate of milk. So glad we held our ground and didn’t pay the pr*ck. Anyway, one of my favourite countries I have ever visited but it is such a shame that so many people are out to get you that you need to stay on your guard all the time.

    • Gemma | Two Scots Abroad says:

      Thanks for sharing your experience, James! The milk scam, or variations of it, seems to one many tourists see.

    • Oran Peter says:

      I visited in 2019, and the two currency system they used this to scam you, and the taxi driver were worse, for it. Got charged 10 CUC for a drive which was 10 mins and would cost 1 CUP on top of that he wanted a tip. Hope this one currency will correct this.
      I love tipping and giving out money when i travel because i understand the struggle, but when cheated because of being a a tourist ( which did not think i was because of my look and colour until i spoke) it takes the biscuits.

      Still looking to go back after pandemic.

      • Gemma | Two Scots Abroad says:

        I know, it’s not a nice feeling when you are duped. It happened to me when I first arrive in Istanbul while trying to pay for a taxi. My friend told me to think about it as the first-day tax.

  2. dave says:

    We were scammed by the horse cart driver in Varadero. He took us everywhere and waited patiently for us when we were in the bars or markets. It was only when we were finished our tour that he took us back to where his “buddies” were, then showed us the small sign that he had kept covered which stated 10cuc per hour- per person!!! Always agree a price before-hand.

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