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If you're about to rent a car in Cuba in 2025, you've surely asked yourself: "Is a security deposit required? How much do I have to leave as a guarantee? Should I bring cash or a credit card?"

The answer might surprise you: since September 2020, the security deposit for car rentals in Cuba has been completely eliminated.

Here is a clear, easy-to-read guide to finally clarify this often-confused topic.

What Was the Security Deposit and What Was It For?

The security deposit (or "guarantee") was a sum of money that was held or charged to the customer upon vehicle pick-up as a form of protection for:

• Damage to the vehicle
• Delays in returning the car
• Lack of fuel
• Various penalties

This deposit was returned upon vehicle drop-off if everything was in order. Until 2020, Cuba used two methods to collect the deposit:

• In cash (CUC/USD)
• On a credit card, via Cuban bank POS terminals

What Changed After 2020?

With the arrival of the pandemic, Cuba banned the use of cash at rental points for health reasons. From that moment, the deposit was temporarily held on a Visa or Mastercard via local POS terminals.

But a major technical problem arose: in many cases, the POS terminals were unable to refund the charge when the car was returned. This led to:

• Permanent holds on customers' credit cards
• Banking issues that could not be resolved on-site
• Complaints and protests from tourists

The Cuban Government's Decision: Abolition of the Security Deposit

To avoid further issues, in September 2020, the Cuban government decided to completely eliminate the security deposit system for car rentals nationwide.

Since then:

• No deposit is required anymore
• No credit card is needed for a guarantee
• No cash deposit is necessary

Everything is already included in the prepaid booking.

What Does a Complete Booking in Cuba Include Today?

The customer pays for everything before arriving in Cuba in a single, transparent rate that includes:

• Car rental
• Mandatory comprehensive insurance (read the dedicated article on insurance)
• Fuel included (find out how fuel works in Cuba)

No surprises, no extra payments on-site, no deposit to leave.

Don't Confuse the Security Deposit with Insurance!

One of the most frequent questions is: "But if there's no deposit, why do I pay for insurance?"

The deposit was a temporary guarantee, whereas the insurance is a mandatory coverage that is never refunded but protects you in case of damage, theft, or an accident. Read the full article on car insurance in Cuba.

What If an Agency Asks Me for a Deposit?

Be wary. If someone asks you for an additional deposit at pick-up:

• Ask for a detailed explanation
• Demand a signed document
• Immediately contact your customer service representative

With CUBACenter, you can rest assured: we do not ask for any security deposit, as we comply with the official Cuban regulations from 2020.

Advantages for the Customer

• No mandatory credit card
• No hold on your funds
• No risk of losing the deposit
• Everything is paid before you travel
• Maximum clarity and transparency

Conclusion

Since September 2020, the security deposit is no longer required for car rentals in Cuba. Your booking already includes everything, and you don't need to leave any additional guarantees.

If you want to learn more:

• Read the article on insurance here
• Read the article on driver's licenses here
• Read the article on fuel here

For a 100% transparent, secure, and surprise-free booking, trust CUBACenter.

info@cubacenter.com

www.cubacenter.com