Independent Accommodations
for Independent Travellers
for Independent Travellers
www.
YOUR
casaparticular.com
What are e benefits of an independent accomodation in Cuba (Casa Particular)?
Why should I stay in a casa particular?
What is a casa particular?
- More privacy
- Don' t need to step into the landlord's living room to reach your room.
- Easier to spend quality time with Cuban friends, boy-friends and girl-friends
- You will not have to share restroom, kitchen and living room with the landlord
- Possibility to cook and eat at home at very low prices
- Don' t need to step into the landlord's living room to reach your room.
- Easier to spend quality time with Cuban friends, boy-friends and girl-friends
- You will not have to share restroom, kitchen and living room with the landlord
- Possibility to cook and eat at home at very low prices
- A casa Particular can be very cheap, with prices starting from the equivalent of 20-25 usd per night for the whole flat, in some locations.
- In contrast Cuban hotels (which are state owned) are notorious for being overpriced. They are usually old and in need of maintanance. As a result, a casa particular (which is privately owned by definition) offers a much better quality/price ratio
- You will have a more authentic Cuba experience
- In your independent casa particular you will have more privacy as compared to hotels and to typical rented rooms located in the house where the landlord lives with his family
- In contrast Cuban hotels (which are state owned) are notorious for being overpriced. They are usually old and in need of maintanance. As a result, a casa particular (which is privately owned by definition) offers a much better quality/price ratio
- You will have a more authentic Cuba experience
- In your independent casa particular you will have more privacy as compared to hotels and to typical rented rooms located in the house where the landlord lives with his family
How can I book an accomodation through this website?
Booking an independent Casa Particular through this website is very simple. Just follow the simple steps outlined in the slideshow below. Please note that prices listed on our website are listed in CUC (pesos convertibles), but you will make the reservation down payment in US Dollars, converted at the fixed CUC-USD exchange rate permanently set at 1:1 (1 usd= 1 CUC).
How do I pay for my accomodation?
To reserve your independent Casa Particular, you will need to make a down-payment of about 20% of the total price of your stay. You will be able to pay by PayPal using your credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). As an alternative, you can use Bitcoins. This transaction will be in US Dollars (converted at the fixed international exchange rate 1 USD = 1 CUC). So if your total bill is 100 cuc and your down payment is 20 cuc, you will need to send us 20 US Dollars by PayPal.
When in Cuba you shall pay the outstanding balance (80 cuc) directly by cash to the landlord in local currency (CUC). The amount due to the landlord will be indicated in the confirmation email we will send you after the down payment. If you do not see any confirmation email, check your SPAM Inbox.
When in Cuba you shall pay the outstanding balance (80 cuc) directly by cash to the landlord in local currency (CUC). The amount due to the landlord will be indicated in the confirmation email we will send you after the down payment. If you do not see any confirmation email, check your SPAM Inbox.
What is the currency system like in Cuba?
In Cuba two different currencies are used: Convertible Pesos (CUC) and Cuban Pesos (CUP).
The former (CUC) is the main currency used by tourists and allows to pay for the vast majority of goods and services purchased on the Island. This applies to your accomodation in Cuba too. The value of the CUC is artificially linked to the value of the USD. For the sake of simplicity, we can state that 1 CUC=1 USD. This means that the conversion rate between the CUC and any given currency (eg: the Euro or British Pound) will vary as the USD appreciates or depreciates versus the currency at hand.
The latter (CUP) is the currency used by locals to pay for the vast majority of goods and services sold and distributed by State-owned retailers. Eventhough tourists should have no access to CUP, in reality it is always handy to have some Cuban Pesos in your pocket.
The former (CUC) is the main currency used by tourists and allows to pay for the vast majority of goods and services purchased on the Island. This applies to your accomodation in Cuba too. The value of the CUC is artificially linked to the value of the USD. For the sake of simplicity, we can state that 1 CUC=1 USD. This means that the conversion rate between the CUC and any given currency (eg: the Euro or British Pound) will vary as the USD appreciates or depreciates versus the currency at hand.
The latter (CUP) is the currency used by locals to pay for the vast majority of goods and services sold and distributed by State-owned retailers. Eventhough tourists should have no access to CUP, in reality it is always handy to have some Cuban Pesos in your pocket.
Is it safe to make a payment to www.yourcasaparticular.com?
Yes it is 100% safe. The transaction will not take place on our website. In order to guarantee you maximum security and protection of you credit card data, you will carry out the payment through PayPal, which is the market leader in the payment processing business. As a matter of fact we will never have access to your credit card information.
What is your refund policy?
Where can I change and withdraw money?
The best places to change money is one of the so called Cadeca de Cambio (money exchange). As an alternative you can go to any bank. In both cases you should avoid changing USD in Cuba, because they carry an exchange penalty of 10%.
Credit cards can be used at banks and Cadeca de Cambio to get a cash advance. You can use both Visa and Mastercard.
ATMs are another option but they are not always working. Moreover, it is common to wait in line for a while before being able to carry out the operation. At ATMs Visa works fine, but the same cannot be said about Mastercard.
Credit cards can be used at banks and Cadeca de Cambio to get a cash advance. You can use both Visa and Mastercard.
ATMs are another option but they are not always working. Moreover, it is common to wait in line for a while before being able to carry out the operation. At ATMs Visa works fine, but the same cannot be said about Mastercard.
There are two circumstances under which you will be given a refund: 1) you cancel your reservation at least 14 days before check-in date. Transaction costs will be on you 2) The property you booked online turns out not to be available when you arrive in Cuba. Transaction costs will be on us. The landlord who caused you such a disservice will receive a warning and eventually will be erased by our website in case we receive a second complain. Both in case 1) and 2), please contact customer service by email ([email protected]) as soon as possible.
Is cuba safe?
Is it allowed to bring home for the night Cuban boys/girls?
Yes, it is. The Cuban law allows this and the majority of landlords we selected have nothing against this. However, when you read that a Casa Particular is "Ideal for families and couples" it means that the landlord does not want his customers to bring home random local boys and girls every night. However, for the sake of your personal safety, you are adviced to talk to the landlord to figure out what is the best way to manage guests' access into your casa.
Yes, it is. Cuba is one of the safest countries on the planet. Unlike other countries in the area, gun crime is practically non-existent and so is drug-dealing. The police is always very helpful and takes good care of tourists to protect them. In any case, also in such a safe place it is a good idea to avoid risky behaviours, such as flashing expensive objects, walking alone at night in dark streets and engaging in roudy and/or drunken behaviours.
In any case, street scams are the most common risk that the typical tourist will run into. Most common ones involve purchasing cigars at rock bottom prices "just stolen from the factory" or changing money in the street at an advantagious exchange rate. To avoid losing your money, buy cigars only in legittimate shops and change your money in an official Cadeca de Cambio or in a bank
In any case, street scams are the most common risk that the typical tourist will run into. Most common ones involve purchasing cigars at rock bottom prices "just stolen from the factory" or changing money in the street at an advantagious exchange rate. To avoid losing your money, buy cigars only in legittimate shops and change your money in an official Cadeca de Cambio or in a bank
How do I extend my Cuban Tourist VISA?
What are the VISA requirements to visit Cuba as a tourist?
What should I do in case I get sick in Cuba?
Why do I have to pay an extra 5 US Dollars when I make my down payment on PayPal?
What are the situations I should absolutely avoid when I am in Cuba?
What is the best way to travel around Cuba?
If you intend to visit various cities in Cuba you have essentially three options: car, bus and domestic flights. Trains should be avoided due to the awful conditions of the Cuban railway system.
Domestic flights are a good option for tourists who have only a few days at their disposal. The national airline Cubana de Aviacion has regular flights that connect the Capital to the eastern provinces (Holguin, Camaguey, Las Tunas, Santiago de Cuba, Bayamo and Baracoa).
If you prefer travelling by bus, the state-owned company Viazul connects all the main destinations of touristic interest at reasonable prices. Buses are clean and punctual.
Finally, if you want to travel at your own pace while having a deeper contact with Cuba, you may want to travel by car. An option could be to rent a car from one of the state owned car rental agencies (such as Havanacar). However, this solution can be expensive, potentially troublesome (Cuban cars often break down, no road signals, roads in poor conditions, easy to get fined...) and even risky (in case of accident with damages to things or people you won't be able to leave the Island untill you settle down the situation with local authorities). For these reasons many travellers prefer to hire for one or more days a botero (a Cuban citizen with a license that allows him to drive around tourists using his private car). If you are interested in having a car at your disposal or need airport pick-up,please contact us by email ([email protected]) or specify your interest in this service when filling up the "Check Availability and Booking" form during the reservation process.
Domestic flights are a good option for tourists who have only a few days at their disposal. The national airline Cubana de Aviacion has regular flights that connect the Capital to the eastern provinces (Holguin, Camaguey, Las Tunas, Santiago de Cuba, Bayamo and Baracoa).
If you prefer travelling by bus, the state-owned company Viazul connects all the main destinations of touristic interest at reasonable prices. Buses are clean and punctual.
Finally, if you want to travel at your own pace while having a deeper contact with Cuba, you may want to travel by car. An option could be to rent a car from one of the state owned car rental agencies (such as Havanacar). However, this solution can be expensive, potentially troublesome (Cuban cars often break down, no road signals, roads in poor conditions, easy to get fined...) and even risky (in case of accident with damages to things or people you won't be able to leave the Island untill you settle down the situation with local authorities). For these reasons many travellers prefer to hire for one or more days a botero (a Cuban citizen with a license that allows him to drive around tourists using his private car). If you are interested in having a car at your disposal or need airport pick-up,please contact us by email ([email protected]) or specify your interest in this service when filling up the "Check Availability and Booking" form during the reservation process.
Tourists in Cuba enjoy freedom and are protected by the police. Still, there are situations that inevitably lead to troubles and dire legal consequenses. No matter what happen to you, stay away from drugs and do not engage in sexual relationships with boys/girls under the age of 18.
The Cuban healthcare system and Cuban doctors are famous all over the world. In case you have any health issue you should visit one of the clinics for tourists (clinica internacional). There is one or more of them in any major touristic destination in Cuba. These facilities are comparable to European hospitals.
Tourists must pay for healthcare services received. Then, they can claim back medical expenses to their medical insurance (which is compulsory for all foreigners who travel to Cuba).
Moreover we reccomend bringing to Cuba your medications and medical prescriptions because local pharmacies are often poorly stocked.
Tourists must pay for healthcare services received. Then, they can claim back medical expenses to their medical insurance (which is compulsory for all foreigners who travel to Cuba).
Moreover we reccomend bringing to Cuba your medications and medical prescriptions because local pharmacies are often poorly stocked.
A couple of days before your VISA expires, you should go to the Immigration office of the city where your hotel or Casa Particular is, to apply for VISA extension. In order to apply, you will need the following: 1) Tax stamps for a total value of 25 CUC. You can buy them at local banks 2) Medical insurance covering the whole VISA extension period. 3) Payment receipt of your current Casa Particular. The landlord will issue this document. Canadian tourists can extend their VISA up to 6 times (6 months). European tourists can extend it up to 3 times (3 months)
Cuba issues Tourist VISAs on arrival at the airport (up to one month, with the possibility to extend it as expiry date approaches). The majority of tourists (EU, Canada, Australia, UK among others) just need to show to the Immigration Officer three things: 1) medical travel insurance (compulsory for the whole duration of your stay) 2) Tourist Card, also known as Targeta del Turista, which can be bought in any travel agency in your country 3) Return flight ticket.
Those 5 US Dollars are needed to cover the transaction costs that PayPal will charge us. We apply a flat transaction fee, meaning that 5 US Dollars will be added to your down payment, no matter what money amount you are sending us. This means that, unlike other websites, the more you stay in our Casas, the more you save. If you need to book more than one Casa, you can make your down payment in one shot, saving some money :-)
- A Casa Particular is the Cuban equivalent of a Bed&Breakfast; or Guesthouse. By definition, a casa particular is privately owned by a Cuban citizen, who got a license that allows him or her to rent out a property or part of it to foreign tourists.
- In order to get a license, the landlord must make sure that his property meets stringent quality standards such as the availability of air-conditioning, hot water, TV and refrigerator. As a result Casas Particulares offer a high level of comfort.
- 95% of Casas Particulares only offer one or more rooms (with or without personal bathroom) in the same house or flat where the landlord lives with his family. We focus only on independent accommodations, meaning that you will have an independent entrance and you will not have to share any part of your accommodation with the landlord.
- In order to get a license, the landlord must make sure that his property meets stringent quality standards such as the availability of air-conditioning, hot water, TV and refrigerator. As a result Casas Particulares offer a high level of comfort.
- 95% of Casas Particulares only offer one or more rooms (with or without personal bathroom) in the same house or flat where the landlord lives with his family. We focus only on independent accommodations, meaning that you will have an independent entrance and you will not have to share any part of your accommodation with the landlord.
Is there any alternative payment method?
Yes, there is also the option to pay through Western Union. The total amount to be paid, which includes down payment and 5 usd for transaction costs, must be converted in Euros (at the daily exchange rate).
Costs related to Western Union services are on the customer. As a result this solution is more expensive than regular PayPal payments.
For more information about this payment option, please drop us an email at: [email protected]
Costs related to Western Union services are on the customer. As a result this solution is more expensive than regular PayPal payments.
For more information about this payment option, please drop us an email at: [email protected]
Following the instructions shown below, you will be able to make your down payment and open a PayPal account at the same time. The process is simple, very similar to what you do when you make any on-line payment with your credit or debit card
I don't have a PayPal account. What can I do?
I am a US citizen. Can I visit Cuba?
Yes you can. Untill January 2015 it was very complicated to do it legally; as a result many US citizens had no chance but flying to Cancun or Panama first ,and from there to Cuba.
However, in January 2015 the Obama administration passed new regulations that make things much more simple for US tourists. More detailed informations on travell and VISA arrangements for US citizens can be found at
However, in January 2015 the Obama administration passed new regulations that make things much more simple for US tourists. More detailed informations on travell and VISA arrangements for US citizens can be found at
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