Airbnb in Cuba: Characteristics and experiences

This article was written and published in Spanish and has been translated into English via Google Translate. Click here to read the original article.

Gone are the days of mere airbed and breakfast (inflatable mattress and breakfast), options offered by the first leases, back in 2008.

For most of those who are related, in some way, with the world of hospitality (managers and customers, travelers and tourists) Airbnb is "the platform". The one that began as an ideal marketplace to publish offers and reserve private homes, has expanded its services. Gone are the days of mere airbed and breakfast (inflatable mattress and breakfast), options offered by the first leases, back in 2008.

In 2016 they announced an expansion in their options and Airbnb ceased to be an exclusive hosting application to offer full services and experiences. The latter are defined in their official blog as "unique activities designed and organized by local hosts".

The main objective is for participants to know, first hand, the activities proposed by the host that should be part of their environment, of their daily lives. They are usually organized for small groups in order to ensure maximum enjoyment.

With the motto “Belong Anywhere” (Be from anywhere), the experiences began in cosmopolitan cities such as Los Angeles, London, Tokyo, Florence and Havana.

The key to success with an experience seems to be to escape or move away from the typically tourist, with customizable or customized offers according to the wishes and needs of travelers. Take advantage of the less known places, exploit the little visited areas, bring foreign people to cultural wealth (a mixture of rhythms and traditions), are some of the advice provided by those who are already expert "hosts."

Among the most popular in Havana are the city tours; cycling routes through emblematic places of the historic center of the city or residential neighborhoods such as Vedado; live music, photographic safaris; culinary experiences where while you live the elaboration process first hand, you learn the recipe and then have dinner.

Varadero and Viñales

Other notable options in Cuba are located in Varadero (Matanzas) and Viñales (Pinar del Río).

Details of the best rated by travelers

• Snorkeling a sunken ship in Havana: 232 reviews categorize it as 5-star. The host invites you, for 4 hours and a half, to swim with a mask and fins, on a beach in Havana, (Bacuranao) to find the sunken remains of a ship.
• A night of partying in the city: with this experience you will visit 3 to 6 bars with different style and atmosphere. In some of these sites you will receive information on the process of preparing authentic Cuban cocktails.
• Learn salsa and rumba with a dance teacher: 378 people have cataloged this experience with 4.85 points. During the two hours he plans, Cuban music is discussed and the basic steps to follow the Cuban rhythm are taught.
• Havana in convertible + photo session: with 343 evaluations and about 5 points, the hosts intend to star in a typical Havana postcard. They invite you to explore its streets in a convertible classic car of the 50s and you can take as a souvenir professional photos of the trip.
• Mix of cocktails at sunset: a host who loves to talk will take you to a “corner” bar of his favorites, to prepare reinterpretations of the 3 most recognized Cuban cocktails. Around 260 visitors voted with 4.9 points for this experience.

This article was written and published in Spanish and has been translated into English via Google Translate. Click here to read the original article.

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