Cuba's Casa Particulars

Posted 2nd November 2015

What are they?

Casa particulars, or homestays, are privately run accommodation akin to B&Bs. Considered one of the best ways to truly see Cuba, this choice of accommodation will bring you close with local families and provide a snapshot of everyday family life.

Just as every family is different, no two casas are alike. Most commonly, guests will rent a room from a family and be invited to eat, share and swap stories with locals in a relaxed, homely atmosphere.

A fantastic alternative to state-run hotels, your modest accommodation costs will go directly to the family with whom you are staying.

History

The idea of homestays may seem curiously capitalist for a government that prides itself on state-socialism but the legalisation of casa particulars was something necessary to prevent Cuba from falling into financial ruin.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union and an ever present US trade embargo, Cuba found itself close to the brink of financial collapse. In 1997, Casas were just one preventative measure chosen by the government to overcome these financial woes.

Offering homestays provide an additional source of income for families, who in turn are required to pay a monthly tax to the Cuban government. Fidel Castro managed to argue that this tax would help dilute the capitalist notion of private enterprise.

What can they bring to your Cuban experience?

Homestays allow you to immerse yourself in Cuban family life. Guests are made to feel like family members when they sit around the table and share traditional food and drink.

Talking to locals is the best way to learn about the culture and day-to-day life of Cubans; doing this in the comfort of a family’s home only adds to this experience.

Because this way of accommodation is subject to government rules, each casa is required to offer a minimum standard of service. This means that each homestay is clean and offers a service that won’t be available to you in a hotel (such as kitchen access and private entry). A casa proprietor is only allowed to rent out two rooms meaning that you really are treated as a guest.

Providing an authentic Cuban experience and fascinating insight into Cuban family life, it’s no wonder that most visitors to this country choose casas as their preferred accommodation.