Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Common Tourist Scams… Especially in Havana
Unfortunately, due to the stressed economic situation in Cuba and the prevalence
of relatively well off, and often naive, tourists, scams perpetrated against foreigners
are common. These are mostly minor scams of opportunity which result in the tour-
ist losing only a few dollars. The schemes are self-serving, but never inherently
malicious. Nevertheless, you should always be vigilant and aware that the possibil-
ity of small time fraud is present. If you are in Cuba for a few days and you clearly
look like a tourist (backpack, fair complexion, large camera, speaking any lan-
guage other than fluent Cuban Spanish), you will likely be approached by a scam
artist, or witness another tourist being scammed. Since Havana is the largest, most
populous city and has a high concentration of tourists, scams are especially com-
mon there. Below I have described some of the most common cons to look out for.
The Helpful Guide
The helpful guide is a friendly stranger who will approach you on the street and
strike up a conversation, usually beginning with the line, “Hello my friend,” or
“Where are you from?” Their goal is to gain your confidence and then offer to show
you around the city or escort you to whichever destination you are interested in vis-
iting. If you strike up a friendship, they will usually broaden the scam by telling you
a sob story about a sick relative who requires expensive medicine and needs
clothes (usually completely false). Their ultimate goal is to get you to buy them a
few drinks or a meal, or give them whatever gifts you have brought to Cuba. This is
a common scam, and it may cost its victims a few dollars, but it is relatively harm-
less.
The Best, Cheapest Restaurant in the City
This con requires just a bit more sophistication than the one mentioned above.
Usually the approach will be the same - a friendly Cuban greets you and tries to
strike up a conversation. After a while, he (these scams are usually perpetrated by
men) tells you about a great local restaurant (paladar) which is extremely cheap
and offers the best food in the city. Once inside the restaurant, the food and drinks
will usually arrive at your table very rapidly, sometimes even before you've seen
the menu. At the end of the meal, an outrageously expensive bill is presented to
you. The scammer's goal is to rope you into the restaurant and have you eating,
drinking and enjoying yourself before you realize that the prices are exaggerated.
Usually, the scammer will even eat with you and reassure you that the meal is in-
expensive. In return for his effort, the con artist receives a commission from the
restaurant, and a free meal. The restaurant prospers by making a huge sale. The
tourist is left holding the bag for a lobster dinner and cocktails costing 50 CUC or
more. Always check the menu and prices before ordering any meal!
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