Valuables left in casa partivulares

Replies: 8 - Last Post: Jan 21, 2013 10:11 PM Last Post By: dream_cuba

← Back to topic list

Jan 20, 2013 6:05 AM
Posts: 143

Valuables left in casa partivulares

Hi folks
I read somewhere that one's valuables e.g. passports camera etc are not as safe in Cuban hotels perhaps as in other countries' hotels. Therefore, do most hotels in Cuba have safety deposit boxes?
What is the situation in casa particulares? I have heard they are safer in this respect.
Thanks

bobmichaels

Jan 20, 2013 7:05 AM
Posts: 1,010

I always feel very comfortable leaving valuables in a casa particular. If I do not already know the host, I will specifically ask them (i.e. tell them) about valuables, mentioning what I have in specific terms. Then I know they will guard them with their life.

I avoid hotels for a number of reasons, one of which is security. Several people in that hotel have to know how to open the locked safe. And once more than one person knows, you can never tell how many others know. I have never had a bad experience in a hotel, just cautious.

RayitoG

Jan 20, 2013 8:19 AM
Posts: 600

Spent 2 months there, always left passport in CP unless I needed it at the bank.

paramatanzas

Jan 20, 2013 9:07 AM
Posts: 63

I believe they are safer in CP's, once I left an open suitcase with $500 canadian in it and because I was late getting back for checkout, they had to take all my stuff out of my room to clean for the next guests. Not even a nail clipper was taken.

vballf

Jan 20, 2013 11:11 AM
Posts: 264

I feel Casa's are GENERALLY safe. However, I have had money stolen twice--once it was returned when I informed the owner. (Supposedly the mail was fired). Usually I hide what I leave, and I always leave my passport in the room---I carry a copy with me.

spa_trip_is_on_me

Jan 20, 2013 12:19 PM
Posts: 464

Ditto vballf. Unless you know the casa owner and have a long standing relationship then I would rate legal casas as generally safe.

That means you'll be fine so long as you lock up your valuables so no crimes of opportunity have a chance of happening. (It's not the casa owner who will rip you off, it's the cousin visiting from out of town who has 30 seconds of opportunity while the maid is in the bathroom..)

Cheers,
Terry

johnabbotsford

Jan 20, 2013 3:35 PM
Posts: 3,392

I have always left passport and most money/credit cards in casas (in locked bag and usually cable locked to furniture). Also search "pacsafe".

southamericansky

Jan 20, 2013 4:20 PM
Posts: 143

Thanks everybody

dream_cuba

Jan 21, 2013 10:11 PM
Posts: 44

Just make sure you lock everything up well. What you don't want is to leave an opportunity for a worker, they can end up in jail for taking something minor and when a foreigner believes it was taken they'll likely be believed and the person will lose their job at a minimum. What if later you realize that you misplaced something. Anyway, if you don't know the people yet lock up temptation, like perfume, and certainly cash.

← Back to topic list