Dealing with Tourist Touts in Cuba

Areas heavily frequented by tourists are often targeted by touts or hustlers known as jiniteros in Cuba. They might offer to help you find a place to stay, some suspiciously cheap cigars, or even some company for the evening. Unless you are interested in any of their wares, and there are many reasons why you shouldn’t be, then you’ll probably want to get rid of them as soon as possible.

Even if you don’t speak Spanish, it’s important to say something. Unless you make it clear that you don’t want to buy, the touts can become increasingly insistent. Try telling them you’ve already bought everything you need, and they’ll soon leave you alone. If not, a polite smile and a firm “no, gracias” goes a long way if it’s delivered convincingly enough.

In some cases you might want to buy something, but there are a number of products you should avoid. Never buy cigars or alcohol from a tout. Everyone has a cousin who works in the factory who gets a good deal, but most are bootleggers that substitute tobacco and rum for other substances.

In other cases, you might need to get somewhere you would find difficult to arrange yourself. For example, if someone offers to buy you a bus ticket for a sold-out bus, you might decide it’s worth paying a couple of dollars extra to grease the wheels. As always, trust your instincts to read the situation.