Destinations › Cuba › Havana › Scams
Havana, Cuba
9 reported scam patterns travellers run into in Havana, what they look like, and how to sidestep them.
No meters in the classic-car and coco taxi fleets, with fares raised on arrival and airport runs quoted at several times the going rate.
Currency confusion exploited at every level — quotes left ambiguous between dollars, euros and pesos, and change given in the least favourable one.
Counterfeit cigars sold as factory boxes on the street and through casa contacts, which are also a customs problem on departure.
Jineteros: a friendly approach offering a bar, a band or cigars, leading to a venue where the bill is many times the going rate and a commission is taken.
Excursion and Varadero transfer vouchers sold by street agents for services that do not run.
Casa particular bookings relocated on arrival to a different property at the same rate.
Milk-for-the-baby and medicine solicitations where the goods are returned to the shop for cash after purchase.
Paladar bills carrying unordered items, cover charges and per-person minimums disclosed only at the end.
Bands circulating a CD for sale mid-performance and treating the price as non-negotiable rather than a tip.
