Casa Particulares in Cuba
Since 1997
the Cuban government allows residents to rent 2 rooms in their houses
to tourists, they are called Casas Particulares.
The owners
of the Casas help to promote their homes by distributing business cards,
and by advertising on websites such as www.Cuba-Junky.com. You often will
get these cards while traveling around Cuba. |
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Cubans
with a special license can rent up to two rooms in their homes
to foreigners. You can recognize them from the street by seeing
the blue signs (see picture), Casas owners must post this sign
on their front doors. The signs will read: 'Arrendador Divisa.
If
you choose to stay in a Casa Particular, you'll pay average 20
cuc a night; meals are extra. E.g. Breakfast is 3 cuc, and dinner
is about 7 cuc, however, prices will vary between cities and towns.
The owners of the blue or green triangle (see the sign above)
Casas pay the government 50 cuc per month for the sign, and in
addition, pay between 100-250 cuc as a tax to the government,
depending on its location.
Send us your casa particular review |
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What does a casa particular charge per night?
Average
prices of casa particulares in CUC
(convertible pesos) per room lodging only
Breakfast is around 3 or 4 CUC pp and dinner 10 cuc max.
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| Havana 25-35 |
Baracoa 15 -20 |
| Trinidad 20-25 |
Holguin 15-25 |
| Vinales 15-20 |
Santiago 20-30 |
| Santa Clara 20 |
Cardenas 25 |
| Cienfuegos 20-30 |
Varadero …
no legal Casas Particulares ! |
Remind,
its all about value, the better the casa the more you will pay of course.
Could be the casa has a shared bathroom with others, or a private bathroom.
Just 1 room or a whole private appartement with livingroom and kitchen.
A better area of the city or a very nice view ... All depends ...
Cuba-Junky strives to offer the better casas, with airconditioning and
private bathroom |
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How to make a reservation?
There are many casa particulares around the web with their own or other websites who can help you with a reservation. However, many casas change from email address frequently so the reply to your email will take some time or they do not reply at all.
In this website you will find the casa particulares by city and region. Click the casa for its details and make your reservation online and your request be answered by Pototo our man in Havana who will give you a quotation.
One
more thing about reservations ...
Casa
owners really want to have their rooms full everyday if possible of course
It happens when you enter the casa you reserved and it seems occupied
by other people who showed up earlier that day or wanted to stay some
extra nights ....
I agree,
it is not a proffesional way to do business but please do not blame the
casa owner, but understand such things happen because:
- The casa
owner have to pay a huge monthly tax to rent out rooms, some 300 cuc
per month, they have to pay this tax even if they have guests or not!
- Many tourists
make a reservation but do not show up since you do not have to pay in
advance
When such
a thing happens the casa owner will ALWAYS have an alternative for you
which has at least the same conditions you are looking for and sometimes
even better. Don't worry you will get a great place to stay.
Be smart
and call 1 day before or the same day early in the morning to confirm
your stay.
Cuba-Junky Specials casas have made an
agreement with us when booked through Pototo, they always will keep the reservation for Cuba-Junky clients.
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We
strive to do "business" with the more proffesional casa particulares.
The Cuba-Junky Special casas are casa particulares with whom we have a very good relationship, trusty casas we know and work with for a looooong time and have proven themselves.
You will recognize these casas all around our website marked with the image as shown on the left
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How do I find a casa particular by myself?
You will mention, by entering each city, some Cubans will ask you if you need
a casa. Mostly these are the so-called jineteros, they get a commission
for bringing you to a Casa.
However, it also can be really disturbing to have these "jineteros" around you all the time ...
Another alternative can be ... buy our Casa Particular Directory. In this handy wire-O book we have listed over 500 addresses of casa particulares, lost of them with phone numbers and some even with their GPS details.
Casa Particular Directory |
Illegal casa particulares
In lots of
cities in Cuba you also can stay in illegal casas, mostly these casas are much cheaper than the official registered casas. Remind that you can
get kicked out in the middle of the night when they get a visit from official
people who check the casas from time to time for their casa licensee. Besides this, the owner
risks his house because this is one of the fines in Cuba when having
an illegal casa particular ... Cuba-Junky personally, when staying in
a casa particular in Cuba, does not want to be responsible for such thing
happening ... we do not list neither recommend illegal casa particulares.
Cities like
Varadero do not have legal casa particulares because the Cuban Government
does not give permission in this area to start one, so all casas you will
get offered are illegal. In Varadero
you better stay in a hotel or the most nearby legal casas are in Matanzas
and Cardenas
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Is this page usefull for you?
If not, let us know why, contact Cuba-Junky
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