Casa Particular Cuba – Complete Guide

Casa Particular is a term most first time visitors to Cuba may not have heard before. This guide will answer all questions you may have about casas particulares and will cast light at all aspects of this form of accommodation. Staying in a casa particular is hands down the best way to experience Cuba and it’s also the least expensive. Read this guide before you book a hotel or an all inclusive vacation as it can save you money and help you get the most out of your trip.

Casas Particulares Offer Inexpensive Accommodation That was Upgraded to Western Standards. This is Casa Particular in Santa Clara, Cuba. Photo: hellosputnik, Flickr

What is Casa Particular

In layman’s terms, Casa Particular is a room in a private house which an owner of the house has a license to rent out to tourists. For example if a Cuban family has a house with a spare room, they can apply with Cuban government for a license and once issued, they are able to legally rent it out to tourists. For a tourist, this form of accommodation is cheaper than an average hotel room and you will be staying with (and directly supporting) an actual Cuban family.

Casa Particular vs. Bed and Breakfast

Some people compare Casas Particulares to Bed and Breakfast as that’s the closest thing to what we’re familiar with throughout the western world. While it’s a pretty good comparison, there are certain significant differences:

• Each Casa Particular can have at most two rooms available for rent to tourists. This means that you won’t be in an overcrowded place and the family you’ll be renting from will not be too busy dealing with dozens of other tourists who are staying in their casa.
• Casas Particulares are always privately owned. You will be directly dealing and staying with the family that owns the house and the license to rent out the rooms
• Breakfast is optional. The price for casa particular includes lodging. Breakfast or supper are charged extra (delicious, generous and inexpensive)

Casa Particular in Havana. Photo: Jelle..., Flickr

Where Does the Name “Casa Particular” Come From?

In Spanish language, term “Casa Particular” means “Private House”. The term has been adopted throughout Cuba after 1997 when the Cuban government lead by Fidel Castro allowed native Cubans to rent out rooms in their own houses to tourists. Rather than “Private House”, this term now refers to “Private Accommodation” as it’s a form of paid lodging that’s entirely private operated.

What is Correct Plural of Casa Particular?

The correct plural form of “Casa Particular” is “Casas Particulares”. I don’t speak Spanish, but this much I’ve learned. You often see the plural mispronounced or mistyped even in hard copy tourist guides. The most common wrong plurals are “Casa Particulars” or “Casa Particulares”. I’ve also seen “Casas Particular’ used before. Those are all incorrect. Ask any Cuban. Correct grammar for plural of “Casa Particular” is “Casas Particulares”. There… glad I got that one off my chest

Who Operates Casas Particulares

Any Cuban national who owns a house and has a spare room in a condition suitable for rental to tourists is eligible to apply for a license with Cuban government to rent that room as Casa Particular. This ensures that only rooms that fit certain requirements are used as Casa Particular but at the same time it’s a completely private run business. Some families operate Casas Particulares as their primary occupation, others have it as a secondary source of income but almost always the staff includes family members who live in the same house. Either way, each family operating a Casa Particular strives to please their guests in every way possible with unprecedented hospitality and friendliness.

To Learn More About Casas Particulares, Choose from Following Topics:

• Casa Particular Standards
• Types of Casas Particulares Explained
• Casa Particular vs Hotel – Advantages Explained
• No Casa Particular in Varadero – Find Out Why
• Cuban Entry Requirements – Is Casa Particular Reservation Good Enough?
• Casa Particular Checklist – List of Things You Need
• Legal Casa Particular? This Sign Helps You Recognize (pic)
• Casa Particular Price Guide – How Much Do Casas Cost?
• Casa Particular License – How Much Do Cubans Pay?
• I Booked Casa Particular but Reservation was Dropped
• Illegal Casas Particulares