Question 1

What is the "Casa Particular "No Vacancy" Diversion" scam in Santiago de Cuba?

Accepted Answer

Booked casa particular owner claims your room flooded or there was a power cut and walks you 10 blocks to a "cousin's house" of much lower quality, sometimes outside the historic center. Original price stands. Get the casa's WhatsApp before arrival and message the host the day-of with your ETA. Refuse to leave the booked address; demand a refund through the platform if anything is wrong.

Question 2

What is the "Santiago Casa Particular False Breakfast Charge" scam in Santiago de Cuba?

Accepted Answer

Casa particular hosts in the residential neighborhoods surrounding Parque Cespedes and near the Basilica de Cobre road add charges for breakfast, towels, air conditioning, or luggage storage that were not disclosed during booking. Some hosts also charge a city registration fee that is a legitimate requirement but present it as higher than the actual rate and pocket the difference. Before confirming a casa particular, ask for the complete price in writing including any registration fees, breakfast, and utility charges. The city registration fee is genuine but should be at most a few dollars per person. Request a receipt for any registration fee paid.

Accommodation Scams in Santiago de Cuba

Casa Particular "No Vacancy" Diversion

Santiago Casa Particular False Breakfast Charge

Experienced a scam here?