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Cuba
33 scams
After the opening up of Cuba, you can now see the iconic Revolution Square, walk on the cobbled streets of Havana, as well as enjoy some of the prettiest beaches.
However, as tourism picks up, there is an increasing number of tourist targeted scams to watch out for.
Note: vast majority of trips are trouble free and there is no need to be paranoid. That said, it always pays to be aware, careful, and prepared.
Emergency numbers
- Police: 106
- Ambulance: 104
- Fire: 105
Travel resources
Cuban pesos, convertible confusion in Cuba
7 0How it works: Situation: Cuba has two currencies, the Cuban Pesos (CUP) and Cuban Convertible (CUC). The CUC is equivalent to USD, and one CUC goes for 24 CUP. Opening:…
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Buena Vista Social Club performance scam in Cuba
6 0How it works: Situation: the Buena Vista Social Club (BVSC) was a group of old Cuban musicians playing old fashioned music of pre-revolutionary Cuba which became a hit in the…
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Classic American car ride scam in Cuba
6 0How it works: A trick is to quote you a price which you think is the total for everyone on the ride, only to be told that it is per…
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Horse carriage ride scam in Cuba
6 0How it works: Similar to the classic American ride scam in Havana, you think the price quoted initially is the total for everyone on the ride, but will be told…
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Name engraving souvenir scam in Cuba
6 0How it works: Opening: a stall owner claims to or gives you a “free gift” (e.g. a pouch) to get you to his stall, then he asks for your name…
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Fake cigars, cigar festival scam in Cuba
6 0How it works: Opening: street touts claim that there is a cigar festival today where cigars are sold at a discounted price. Set-up: he either tries to sell some to…
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Salsa festival, national day scam in Cuba
6 0How it works: Opening: Version 1: a local tells you how lucky you are, as the annual salsa festival is happening today and he is happy to bring you there!…
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Kissing women photo scam in Cuba
5 0How it works: At Old Havana, there are dressed up women carrying flower baskets who offer to pose for a photo with you for free. While posing, she kisses you,…
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Fake event, attraction tickets in Cuba
5 0How it works: A tout offers a discounted ticket to an event or place of attraction but which is actually fake or invalid. Places to beware: Havana: Old Havana What…
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Bici taxi in Cuba
3 0How it works: Situation: also known as bicycle taxis, bici taxis are 3 wheeled pedal powered taxis. It costs ~1 CUC/km, but drivers will not take you anywhere for less…
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Coffee plantation, shop scams in Cuba
3 0How it works: Opening: a local offers to help you buy coffee beans at local prices (can happen at shops or at coffee plantations). Set-up: what you get is probably…
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Unlicensed taxis in Cuba
3 0How it works: Version 1: claiming that there are no buses or no cabs or that there’s a long queue and pressuring you to accept their inflated flat fare. Version…
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Unofficial guides in Cuba
3 0How it works: Opening: a helpful local approaches and offers to show you around, or claims that a place is closed due to an annual festival and he knows somewhere…
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Unofficial carpark attendants in Cuba
3 0How it works: When you return to your car, self-appointed car park attendants claim to have looked after your car and will demand a tip. Places to beware: Trinidad: Ancon…
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Familiar face scam in Cuba
3 0How it works: Opening: some girls chat you up and ask where you come from, where you are staying, etc. Set-up: a little while later, someone else approaches you claiming…
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