Other Tourist Scams in Havana, Cuba
Timeshares, fake police, charity fraud, and miscellaneous scams targeting visitors. Below are the other scams scams reported in Havana — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Willemstad, San José, and Montego Bay.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
2
Other Scams Scams
10
Total in Havana
How it works
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 it works
Jineteros (street hustlers) near the Malecón and Old Havana offer "factory seconds" or stolen Cohiba and Montecristo cigars at a fraction of the price. The cigars are low-quality tobacco rolled in the right leaves, or filled with poor-quality filler.
See all scams in Havana
10 total warnings across all categories