How it works
A house is listed only after I visit it. And every booking goes through me, so nobody charges you what they shouldn’t.
What I check on every visit
- That it’s the ownerOr a family member who lives there, with ID.
- The rental licenseValid, with its number noted.
- The photosEvery bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and the front, taken by me that day.
- Power and waterWhether it has a generator or batteries for blackouts, and for how many hours.
- Real bedsHow many people it truly sleeps.
- The priceWhat’s listed is what’s charged, nothing added.
How to book
- Message us on WhatsAppFrom the house’s button, with your dates filled in.
- We talk to the ownerAnd confirm if it’s free.
- You pay the depositOne night, to the owner or here if they can’t take payment. Taken off on arrival.
- You get address and contactThe owner’s, to arrange your arrival.
What I never do
- Add a markupYou pay the same as going straight to the owner.
- Use internet photos for a houseEach house’s photos are mine, from the visit.
- Ask for money another wayThe only official numbers are +53 5261 9791 and +53 5800 1957. If someone writes to you in my name from another one, don’t pay and tell me.
Cancellation policy
It applies to the one-night deposit, the only thing you pay before arriving. Based on Airbnb’s “Limited” policy and its major disruptive events policy.
- 24 hours to change your mindIf you booked more than 7 days ahead, cancel within 24 hours and get the full deposit back.
- 14 days or more before arrival: full refundWe refund the whole deposit.
- Between 7 and 14 days: halfWe refund half the deposit. Or, if the owner has free dates, you move your stay once without losing anything.
- Less than 7 days or no-show: no refundThe owner keeps the deposit for holding the house for you.
If the owner cancels
- Only for a serious reasonDamage that makes the house unusable, or a serious health or family emergency. You get the full deposit back and we offer you a similar certified house, if there is one.
- Without a serious reason, the house is removedAn owner who cancels without reason loses the seal.
If something serious happens in Cuba that nobody controls
- A prolonged area-wide blackout, a hurricane with a Civil Defense warning, no water in the area or official restrictionsWe tell you as soon as we know and you choose: keep the booking, move the dates for free or get the full deposit back.
- What this doesn’t coverProblems on your side (a cancelled flight, an illness): the policy above applies.
Refunds are made by whoever received the deposit, the same way it was paid, within 7 days.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book a house in Varadero here?
Pick the house and your dates and tap “Book”. WhatsApp opens with +53 5261 9791 and the message already written. We confirm with the owner and close the booking with a one-night deposit, taken off on arrival.
Do you add a markup?
No. You pay the owner’s price. The owner pays Stefan a commission for each guest; you never pay extra.
How do I know the house is real?
Stefan visited it in person, met the owner, checked the rental license and took the photos that day. Each house has a code (VR-001, VR-002…) listed on the “Verify us” page. If you are in Cuba, you can go and see it first.
What are the official numbers?
There are two official WhatsApp numbers: +53 5261 9791 (bookings, Idania Landa) and +53 5800 1957 (Stefan Castro). Both are on Instagram @_stefan_castro. We never message first and never change the payment account by chat.
When do I get the address and the owner’s contact?
Once the booking is confirmed. Before that you see the approximate area on the map.
What if I cancel?
Cancel 14 or more days before arrival and you get the full deposit back. Between 7 and 14 days, half. Less than 7 days or a no-show, the deposit isn’t refunded. If you booked more than 7 days ahead, you have 24 hours to cancel for free.
What about a major blackout or a hurricane?
If something serious happens that nobody controls (a prolonged area-wide blackout, a hurricane with a Civil Defense warning, no water in the area, official restrictions), we tell you as soon as we know and you choose: keep the booking, move the dates for free or get the full deposit back.
Can an AI assistant book for me?
An AI assistant can find the house and draft the message for you, but we always close the booking ourselves on WhatsApp, with your code. Nobody else can charge you in our name.