Best way to book a casa particular?

Have you read FAQ #20 on this site? It is the one specifically about how to book a casa in Cuba.

I really do not know. I always booked our accommodation anywhere by an AIRBNB site.

Air BNB most efficient option for Cuba and they have great properties.

There have been reports that Airbnb have not been getting the money to the casa owners. And that many casas are on Airbnb and also other websites - and frequently cheaper on the other sites. Also Airbnb requires you to make a declaration regarding the US OFAC - meaningless, I know, but why get involved with that when you don't need to.

Air bnb,the biggest middle man ripoff and driving up the cost of casa prices.

We booked our casas with https://www.cubaccommodation.com/ We emailed them our dates, and they gave us some casas to choose from. They can also arrange transport

The best way to book a casa is to enlist your current casa host to recommend and arrange for a place for you to rest your head on your next stop. Key advantage is that you are not locking yourself into a fixed travel schedule and can take advantage of the flexibility that Cuban travel normally provides. Another advantage is that there is no prepayment so you have the ability to personally check out the facility before you commit to stay there. Just never leave a casa host holding a room for you and being a no show.

No opinions on how you arrange in advance for your first night in Cuba as I have those places I always stay in both Holguin and Havana for that first night.

FWIW, my one and only internet reservation was made over 45 trips ago in 2010. They had already rented my room to someone else when I arrived one hour late so have never bothered with internet reservations since.

Always remember that internet reservations are not normal in Cuba. Do things the Cuban way and you will have a enjoyable time. Try to pound a square peg into a round hole by insisting on doing things the way you do them at home and Cuba will frustrate the hell out of you.

CubaJunky worked well for us. The casa owner in Havana also mentioned he likes working with them. You can see photos, reviews, languages spoken, and communicate directly by email with the casa owner. Pay in cash on arrival.

clearly Bob has his system and works great for him...for us average tourists I can assure you that many of the casas owners are very much into internet reservations and I found that the absolute best way to do business...directly with the owner...did that for Vinales. Sure t here are 100s of casas maybe many with no internet but things are changing in that respect fast.