Tourist Scams in Cuba

Unlicensed private car drivers and coco-taxi operators wait outside Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 at José Martí International Airport (HAV) offering rides to Habana Vieja or Vedado. They quote fares in USD at grossly inflated rates — often $50–80 for a journey that costs 700–1,000 CUP (~$28–40 USD equivalent) in an official Cubataxi metered vehicle. Some drivers claim the official taxis are full or on strike, which is false.

How to avoid: Use only the official Cubataxi rank directly outside the terminal arrivals hall — vehicles are yellow and metered. Confirm the meter is running before departure. Avoid anyone who approaches you inside the terminal or in the parking area. The legitimate fare from HAV to Habana Vieja is approximately 700–1,000 CUP; anything quoted significantly above this in USD is a tourist markup.

Men approach tourists in Habana Vieja claiming to work at a factory and offering premium Cohiba or Romeo y Julieta cigars at a fraction of store price. The cigars are invariably counterfeit, stuffed with low-grade tobacco or banana leaves.

How to avoid: Buy cigars only at official La Casa del Habano stores. If the price seems too good to be true, the cigars are definitely fake.

Cuban taxis operate under a dual pricing system; drivers charge tourists in CUP at the tourist CUC-equivalent rate or simply quote prices far above what Cubans pay. Mojito runs, airport trips, and sight tours are regularly overcharged.

How to avoid: Agree on the price in Cuban pesos (CUP) before getting in. Ask a trusted local or your casa host for guidance on fair fares.

Despite Cuba unifying its currency in 2021, some vendors still quote prices in the defunct CUC to confuse foreigners — a "10 CUC" mojito would actually be 240 CUP at the old conversion, or about 24x the local price. Counterfeit pre-2021 CUC bills are also passed as change.

How to avoid: Cuba uses only CUP (Cuban Peso) now. Refuse any quote in "CUC" or "convertible." Check change under good light in front of the vendor and reject any blue-tinted CUC notes.

Street sellers and individuals in Varadero town approach tourists offering genuine Cohiba, Montecristo, and Romeo y Julieta cigars at "factory prices" or claiming a relative works at the state factory. The cigars are invariably counterfeit — poor quality tobacco rolled in professional-looking packaging. Some sellers present official-looking boxes with fake government hologram stickers. Cuban customs also limits the number of genuine cigars tourists can export legally.

How to avoid: Genuine Cuban cigars are only reliably purchased from official LCDH (La Casa del Habano) shops and official state tobacco stores. Any street offer of branded cigars, regardless of how convincing the story, is almost certainly counterfeit. Be aware of Cuban customs export limits even for legitimately purchased cigars (50 per person without receipt, more with).

Cuba's monetary system has historically created confusion among tourists. Vendors and taxi drivers sometimes quote prices ambiguously or state them in a way that obscures whether they mean Cuban pesos (CUP) or a USD-equivalent tourist rate. Tourists unfamiliar with the scale difference can significantly overpay or, conversely, receive incorrect change. Some vendors deliberately exploit the confusion to overcharge.

How to avoid: Always clarify the currency and confirm the total in writing or on a calculator before completing a transaction. Learn the approximate exchange rate before traveling. When in doubt, ask your resort front desk to clarify current rates and typical prices for common transactions in town.

Jineteros — freelance touts — approach tourists in Varadero town, on the beach, or near resort exits and strike up friendly conversations in the tourist's language. They build rapport before steering visitors to specific paladares (private restaurants) and shops where they earn 10-30% commissions added invisibly to the tourist's bill. The "friend" often claims special knowledge of authentic local places that all-inclusive tourists miss. Prices at these establishments are inflated significantly above the Cuban norm.

How to avoid: Be politely skeptical of any local who initiates conversation in fluent tourist-language near resort areas. If you want to eat outside your all-inclusive, research paladares independently or ask your resort concierge for genuine recommendations. Do not follow strangers to restaurants. Ask to see the menu with prices before sitting down anywhere.

Locals near Plaza Mayor approach foreign tourists offering an "exclusive" tour of a private cigar workshop where they can buy at "factory prices." The cigars sold are counterfeit — typically used Cohiba bands wrapped around banana leaves and lower-grade tobacco. Real Cuban cigar factories do not sell to walk-in tourists.

How to avoid: Buy cigars only from official La Casa del Habano or Habanos S.A. retail shops, which always issue a printed receipt with hologram. If anyone offers cigars on the street or invites you to a "cousin's workshop," walk away.