Sint Maarten / St. Martin vs Havana
Which destination has more documented tourist scam activity? Side-by-side comparison based on verified reports.
Overall Risk Assessment
Havana has higher documented scam activity than Sint Maarten / St. Martin
Based on weighted frequency scoring across 20 documented reports. Both destinations are safe with preparation.
Sint Maarten / St. Martin
Lower riskSint Maarten / St. Martin · Central America & Caribbean
Total documented scams10
Severity
High risk
4
Medium risk
5
Low risk
1
Scam types
Top scams
- Scooter and ATV Rental Damage Fraud
- Philipsburg Duty-Free Electronics Bait-and-Switch
- Unlicensed Water Sports Operator Damage Scam on Orient Beach
- ATM Skimming in Philipsburg
Havana
Higher riskCuba · Central America & Caribbean
Total documented scams10
Severity
High risk
3
Medium risk
5
Low risk
2
Scam types
Top scams
- Fake "Cigar Factory" Bargain Cigars
- Paladar Menu Price Inflation
- Currency Exchange Shortchanging at Informal Bureaux
- Fake Cigar Sellers
Scam Types Found in Both Destinations
These categories appear in both Sint Maarten / St. Martin and Havana. If you're visiting both on the same trip, these are the patterns to study first.
🚕Taxi & Transport
Sint Maarten / St. Martin: 2 reportsHavana: 1 reports
See all Taxi & Transport Scams worldwide →🍽️Restaurant Scams
Sint Maarten / St. Martin: 2 reportsHavana: 3 reports
See all Restaurant Scams worldwide →🏨Accommodation Scams
Sint Maarten / St. Martin: 1 reportsHavana: 1 reports
See all Accommodation Scams worldwide →🗺️Tour & Activities
Sint Maarten / St. Martin: 1 reportsHavana: 1 reports
See all Tour & Activity Scams worldwide →💰Money & ATM Scams
Sint Maarten / St. Martin: 1 reportsHavana: 1 reports
See all Money & ATM Scams worldwide →⚠️Other Scams
Sint Maarten / St. Martin: 2 reportsHavana: 2 reports
See all Other Tourist Scams worldwide →Sint Maarten / St. Martin vs Havana — Common Questions
Is Sint Maarten / St. Martin or Havana safer for tourists?
Based on documented scam data, Sint Maarten / St. Martin has a lower overall risk score. Sint Maarten / St. Martin has 10 documented warnings (4 high severity) vs 10 in Havana (3 high severity). Both are popular tourist destinations visited safely by millions each year — preparation matters more than the destination itself.
What scams should I watch for in both Sint Maarten / St. Martin and Havana?
Both cities have documented activity in: Taxi & Transport, Street Scams, Restaurant Scams, Accommodation Scams, Tour & Activities, Money & ATM Scams, Other Scams. If you're visiting both, these are the scam types to review first since the same tactics are used in each city.
Which city has more high-severity tourist scams?
Sint Maarten / St. Martin has 4 high-severity documented scams vs 3 in Havana. High-severity scams carry significant financial or safety risk and should be reviewed carefully before travel regardless of which destination you choose.