Short-term rentals in Cuba, commonly known as "casas particulares," refer to private accommodations provided by Cuban citizens who have obtained a government license. This term translates to "Private House" and covers various setups, including a private room within a family home, a shared room setup similar to a hostel, or an entire apartment or house solely for guests. The concept has been in place but it became legalized and the name was introduced in 1997. Approximately 90% of these rentals are rooms within the host's own residence. Some casas particulares are listed online through platforms like Airbnb and Homestay. These accommodations may offer private amenities and often provide meals for an extra charge, locals often refer to these accommodations simply as casas.

Subletting in Cuba is illegal when it comes to

In Cuba, there is no national limit on the maximum length of stay for short-term rentals, though individual property owners may set their own limits to manage turnover and availability. In major tourist cities like Havana and Varadero, stays of up to 30 days are common, with extended stays permitted depending on the agreement between the host and guest.

As of November 1, 2022, Cuba has extended the standard tourist visa duration from 30 to 90 days. This means that, as a tourist, you can legally stay in the country for up to 90 days on a single entry. while there is no specific legal limit on the length of stay in a casa particular, your stay is generally governed by the validity of your tourist visa and the individual policies of the accommodation provider.

In Cuba, short-term rentals are called "casas particulares" (private houses), legally permitted since 1997 and subject to national regulations:

• Licensing: Mandatory government license required, with specific standards for habitability, safety, and hygiene. Licensed properties must display a distinctive sign (two blue triangles on a white background).
• Taxation: Fixed annual tax per room, with potential additional taxes depending on income/occupancy. Accurate record-keeping is required.
• Operational Guidelines: Strict hygiene and safety standards, guest registration with local authorities, and restrictions on room numbers/occupancy per room. Zoning laws may apply.
• Recent Developments: Increased regulations (higher taxes, stricter accounting, alignment with local development plans) due to economic challenges.

Yes, casas particulares in Cuba require a national registration and permit to operate legally. Homeowners must obtain a government-issued license, adhere to strict hygiene, safety, and tax regulations, and display a blue sign (blue anchor symbol) outside their property to indicate it is an authorized rental. The sign will read - 'Arrendador Divisa’. If the sign is in red it means that the casa particular is only for Cuban tourists.

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Cuba’s tourism system is state-regulated, and independent national associations specifically dedicated to STR (in the form of “casas particulares”) are not as common as in other countries. Instead, hosts may be loosely organized or advised through local owner cooperatives or state-sanctioned tourism agencies.

• There is an organization that plays a key role in supporting casa particulares (private accommodations), though it is not exactly a national association in the typical sense.

The Cuban Association of Private Workers (Asociación Cubana de Trabajadores por Cuenta Propia - ACTPP) is the primary body for self-employed workers, including those running casa particulares.

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