Cuban Beaches Where You Should Watch Your Wallet

5. Santa Maria Del Mar

Known for its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, Santa Maria Del Mar always lives up to its reputation, with seductive neighborhoods providing the foundation for lavish hotels. But even with all the splendor, there is still a threat of crime looming. Reports range widely, but the theme is fairly consistent: thefts tend to occur near the beaches and in populated areas. This is presumably due to the ability for criminals to blend in with the crowd and avoid detection. Furthermore, some disparities exist. It is not uncommon for purse-snatching to take place in broad daylight or even in front of dozens of witnesses. The treat is so real that, at its core, some tourists may feel too intimidated by some of the stories they hear. In all fairness, it is a statistically rare occurrence, but it’s enough of a problem to create stereotypes about the area. In any case, the region remains a beautiful attraction with a shady underbelly that persists even with law enforcement.