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A Mexican tourist reported on social media the traumatic experience she had in Havana after arriving at an Airbnb accommodation, where she claims to have been deceived by the supposed host and exposed to an unsafe situation in the street.
Her post, shared in the Facebook group “Tips for Traveling to Cuba”, generated over 300 comments from users alarmed and concerned about the deterioration that, according to many, the Cuban capital is experiencing.
The traveler, identified as Sonya Ruiz, reported that she had booked a room for December 6 in a property located on Consulado Street, first floor, between Genios and Cárcel, in Centro Habana. Since her arrival, she says she sensed that it was "an unsafe and very dirty place," with a dark porch and stairs permeated with the smell of urine. Nonetheless, she decided to knock on her host's door, but what she found left her paralyzed.
According to her account, a man came out "in very small shorts, without a shirt and with a very angry expression," yelling at her that she could not enter "unless she paid in cash a fee much higher than what she had paid through the app." The tourist claims that the man denied having any connection with Airbnb and demanded an additional payment to allow her passage, even though she had already paid for the reservation from Mexico.
“I was a bit scared and at the same time felt very upset,” Sonya wrote, recounting that the man insisted she had to pay him a made-up fee and would not allow her to stay. Fearing for her safety, she decided to leave the place with her luggage “very confused” and not knowing where to sleep.
She explained that she contacted Airbnb to report what happened, but the immediate solution did not come from the platform. Eventually, she managed to book a room on her own at a small nearby hotel. “I can’t even imagine what would have happened if I had ended up alone, cut off, at night in a completely unfamiliar country,” she wrote.
The experience left the tourist with "a bad impression and a huge scare," although she clarified that her intention was not to harm the country, but to warn travelers so they wouldn't go through the same thing.
A heated debate: "Most Cubans are not like that."
The report sparked a wave of reactions on Facebook, where many Cubans expressed their sorrow over the situation and asserted that the host's behavior does not represent the people.
"I regret everything that has happened to him; not all Cubans are like this," wrote one user, while others insisted that the city is experiencing a decline that affects its own inhabitants. "I barely recognize my people anymore; most have lost their empathy," commented another group member.
There were also warnings from tourists who experienced similar situations. One recounted that a man in Old Havana tried to demand payment "by force" for a supposed favor, while another lamented the rise of small scams that particularly affect those visiting the country for the first time.
Several users agreed that the location chosen by Sonya may have worsened the incident. "Who would think of renting in the worst part of Havana?" commented one internet user, while others suggested looking for accommodations in areas like Vedado, which offer better conditions and more reliable hosts.
There were also those who defended the platform and reminded that there are thousands of responsible hosts in Cuba. “Your host is one of the few exceptions; I hope Airbnb takes down their listing,” commented a rental provider who regretted what happened.
"Not to generalize, but to raise awareness."
Sonya Ruiz's post has sparked a conversation that intertwines concerns about security, scams targeting tourists, social deterioration, and the economic impact that has led many Cubans to engage in abusive practices.
While some ask not to judge the country based on an isolated case, many others insist on the importance of alerting foreign travelers to take precautions, research the areas where they will be staying, and check recent reviews before making a reservation.
The tourist, for her part, expressed gratitude for trusting her instincts and leaving the place before the situation escalated. “I really hope you all exercise caution when traveling,” she concluded in her message.
Airbnb has not made any public statements regarding this case, but according to several users, when incidents of this nature are reported, the platform typically responds by removing the listing and penalizing the host.
The complaint has become an uncomfortable mirror reflecting what many describe as a more tense, impoverished Havana with fewer safe spaces, where even a tourist trip can turn into a major scare.
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