Private house it is a type of accommodation. in a Cuban family home and that is the best way to experience Cuba and it is also the least expensive.
In simple terms, Casa Particular is a room in a private home that a home owner has a license to rent to tourists. For example, if a Cuban family has a house with a free room, they can apply with the Cuban government to obtain a license and once issued, they are able to law they rent to tourists.
For tourists, this type of accommodation is cheaper than a hotel room and they will stay with (and directly supported) a current Cuban family.
Some people compare Private Houses to Bed and Breakfast as it is the closest thing to what we are familiar with in the whole western world. Although it is a very good comparison, there are some significant differences:
• Each Casa Particular can have a maximum of two rooms available to rent to tourists. This means that you will not be in a crowded place and the family that you are going to be renting from not being too busy dealing with dozens of other tourists who are staying at your Casa.
• Private Houses are always privately owned. That it deals directly with the family that owns the house and the license to rent the rooms
• Breakfast is optional. The price of the private house includes accommodation. Breakfast or dinner are charged extra (delicious, abundant and cheap)
And where does the name «Casa Particular» come from? The term has been adopted throughout Cuba after 1997, when the Cuban government's initiative to Fidel Castro allowed native Cubans to rent rooms in their own homes to tourists.
Instead of 'Casa Particular', this term now refers to 'private accommodation' as it is a form of paid accommodation that is fully privately operated.
Every Cuban who owns a house and has a spare room in adequate condition is suitable for rent to tourists after his license to rent that room as a private home is approved. This ensures that only rooms that meet certain requirements are used as Casa Particular, but at the same time that it is a completely private business.