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Havana (Spanish: La Habana) is the capital city of Cuba, and one of the fourteen provinces of the Republic of Cuba.

The Catedral de San Cristobal, La Habana Vieja (Old Havana).

Understand edit

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Sleep edit

Online services: Airbnb | BBinnVinales | cuba-junky

There are 3 main areas that travelers generally stay in: Old Havana is the liveliest (some would say hectic and dirty), Central Havana is slightly quieter and parts can be a bit seedy, and Vedado is the quietest with more greenery, and is the place to find the large hotels and nicer casas particulares.

Hotels vary. Do not be surprised if you have no hot water and bad TV-reception in a hotel that still goes to the effort of having an in-hotel doctor and hosting extravagant shows of synchronized swimming in the hotel pool.

List of casas particulares edit

  • 1 Casa "Todo de Aitana", 14 street, #1063, between Linea Ave. and 11 street, Vedado (building in the corner of Linea Ave. and 14 street, 6th floor). Full appartment for 2-3 guest. The apartment is very nice, quiet and clean, with views to the sea and sunsets. 1 bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, nice balcony. You can reserve on Airbnb https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15798248/ 35-50 CUC per night (depends on season).
  • 2 Ana y Chuchi, Aguacate 513, Havana Vieja (/e Sol y Muralla (between streets Sol & Muralla)), +53 7 861 1877, . Very central place with a great host who gets out of her way to make people comfortable. Three rooms of different sizes. Small windows overlook patio, breakfast and dinner are enormous. 25-30 CUC inc. breakfast.
  • 3 Casa Mabel, Industria No. 270 (altos), between Neptuno and Virtudes, Centro Habana (One block from Parque Central and Prado. Close to Malecon and Havana Vieja.), +53 7 8635706, . A very friendly family home. 2 comfortable rooms with balcony and great view for rent. 25 CUC.
  • 4 Jorge Leon de la Hoz, Neptuno No. 1218 (altos), e/ Mazon y Basarrate, Vedado Plaza (Close to the University end of Neptuno street), +53 7 870 7723, . A very friendly family home, close to the Universidad de la Habana. Room rates are negotiable depending upon the length of stay.
  • Señores Elsa y Julio Roque, Consulado No. 162, apto. 2 (between Colon and Trocadero), +53 7 860 1257, . A very friendly couple rent rooms in their centrally located house, and help find other houses in case they're full. Both speak good English and offer helpful information. Reservations can be made by e-mail either in English or in Spanish
  • 5 Casa Olga, Galiano No. 206 e/Virtudes y Concordia (just around the corner from Hotel Lincoln), Centro Havana), +53 7 863 5547, . Olga rents her entire 2nd floor including full kitchen, living room and three beds (one double) for 25-30 CUC. She's extremely friendly and not pushy like other casa owners can be.
  • Casa Lopez (situated in a very central part of the city, just a few blocks from the Capitolio and Old Havana.).
  • Señora Ivette Flores (Centro Habana, near the Casa de la Música. 213 San Nicolas / Concordia y Virtudes / Centro Habana), . Rents out three private rooms with air conditioning and independent entrances ppn: 25 CUC including abundant breakfast.
  • Casa Mireya, 47 Ave. #5211 (between 52 and 54, Playa), +53 7 209 13 54.
  • Casa Mra Cristina & Guillermo, Calle 21 e/N and O - Building #15 Apartment 7-A, Vedado (Near the Hotel Nacional), +53 5 270 8449, . A very friendly family home with two university-aged children who speak English. 2 comfortable rooms with balcony and great view. Ask for "mi cafecita" in the morning on the balcony. 35cuc.
  • Casa de Jesus y Saida Valdez,Calle 24 #262, Apt #5 (between 17 and 19, Vedado), +53 7 830 7279.
  • 7 La Casa de Ana, 17 St #1422, Apt 1 (between 26 st and 28 st), Vedado, +53 7 833 5128, .
  • Alicia Beaton, Havana, CRESPO No. 10, e/ San Lazaro y Malecon, Vedado, +53 7 863 9616. This is very convenient hostel, located close to the Malecon and near the Park Central area. The pristine house and bedrooms are located on the third floor of the building. The owners to turn off the air conditioning if you are too cold. 20-25 CUC per night.
  • Casa Nora, Havana, Calle 64 No. 4105 e/ 41 y 43, Playa. Living room, bedroom and compact kitchen. George speaks wonderful English and has a wealth of information. 35 CUC.
  • Casa Nora, Havana, Calle 27 No. 954 e/ 6 y 8 apt 4, Vedado, Habana, +53 7 830 9800, . Casa Nora is a lovely apartment right in the heart of Vedado. Her wonderful, friendly family makes you feel at right at home. Very safe area. The rooms are very big with AC and television, and they have an incredible view of Vedado and the ocean. Great food as well. 20–25 CUC.
  • Sra. Ivón de los Angeles Acosta, Central no. 2 entre Conil y Tulipán, Nuevo Vedado, Plaza de la Revolucion, +53 7 879 1223, . Nice roof terrace just for you, great meals and super friendly hosts.
  • Casa Tere, Consulado no. 303, entre Neptuno y Virtudes, Havana Center (Near Park Central, Capitolio and Paseo del Prado), +53 8642689, . 25 CUC/night, 1 room with air con, 2 single bed.
  • 8 Casa 1932, Campanario 63 bajos entre San Lazaro y Lagunas, Havana Center (Near Havana's sea wall), +53 8636203, . 30 CUC/night, 2 room with air con, 2 single bed & one double bed.
  • Casa Milagros Diez, Calle Manrique No. 208 (bajos) (Left entrance of the building, groundfloor; between Concordia and Virtudes. Centro Habana Havana's Music House neighbourhood.), +53 53905001, . from 25 CUC/night, 2 double rooms with en suite bathroom accessible for people in wheelchairs.
  • Casa Xiomara Hernández (Near National Capitol Building.), +53 7 8639398, . Calle Aguila No. 506 Derecha 2do. Piso -right entrance of the building, second floor; entre San Jose y Barcelona. from 25 CUC/night, two double rooms en-suite.
  • 9 Casa Lázaro, Villegas #427 between Teniente Rey and Muralla (Near Capitolio), +53 78625657, . Old construction, very well preserved. Offers breakfast, dinner, taxi, and laundry services among others. 20-25 CUC per night.
  • 10 Hostel Carpizon, Street San Ignacio corner Obispo (Walking to sea direction starting from Floridita Bar), +53 78610443, +53 52988568, . The hostel is composed by two houses each one located on very centrical places. Also you can enjoy of very comfortable rooms which include terrace and backyards. 25 CUC per night.

Backpacker Hostels edit

  • 11 Hamel Hostel, 308 Hospital Street (near the University of Havana). Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. 12 bed dorm. CUC per person..
  • D Robles Hostel, Escobar 161 E/animas Y Virtudes. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. four-bed dorms 7 CUC per person..
  • 12 Enzo's Backpackers Hostel, 20 De Mayo Avenue 426 10th floor. Apartment 101. Check-in: 7AM, check-out: noon. a dorm with six beds 9 CUC per person.

Mid-range edit

  • 13 Hotel Inglaterra. Paseo del Prado, Old Havana. A popular hotel with a restaurant for those wanting to stay closer to the action yet still in the comforts of a hotel. Rooms from US$80.
  • 15 Hotel Telegrafo, Prado and Neptuno, Old Havana. A popular hotel just around the corner from Parque Central, right next to Inglaterra. Renovated and now really nice inside, a welcome haven of peace away from Vieja. US$80–120, cheaper if you book ahead with Opodo..

Hotels edit

  • 16 Tryp Habana Libre Hotel, Calle L (Just off the Malecón in Vedado), +53 7 8346100. A Havana landmark in a good location, it's popular with tourists and journalists, has a good 24 hour cafe on site, and a business center with decent internet connections.
  • 17 Hotel Habana Riviera. Paseo and Malecón, Vedado. Located along the Malecon, Havana's waterfront boulevard, this elegant hotel is considered a classic among Cubans. Its proximity to the historical-cultural center of Havana, makes this hotel the perfect place from which to explore the city. In the night time the Riviera offers excellent entertainment featuring both the exclusive Copa Room Cabaret and one of Havana's top restaurants.
  • 18 Hotel Nacional, Calle 0 esq. 21, +53 7 836 3564. Calle 21 and O, Vedado. Overlooking the ocean on the Malecón, this hotel is legendary, having hosted international VIPs for 30 years. Many years of neglect, coupled with an only partially successful renovation, have left the Nacional a step below its former glory. That said, some stay here and rarely leave the hotel, enjoying the restaurant, terrace, frequent live performances by renowned Cuban musicians, and enjoying the views while sipping Mojitos. But did you come to see Havana, or hang out in a hotel? Maybe some of both is called for. The hotel also has an excellent, albeit expensive business centre featuring CNN, internet access and a bar. Rooms from US$150.
  • 19 Hotel Saratoga, +53 7 868 1000. Corner of Prado and Dragones, Old Havana. Opened in November 2005, it is regarded as one of the higher quality hotels in Cuba.
  • 20 Hotel Parque Central, On Neptuno (between Agramonte and Paseo di Marti), +53 7 867 1037. Similar to the Saratoga in quality, and has a beautiful ground floor lobby as well as a rooftop swimming pool. The Torre wing may have the best rooms in Cuba, at least by Western standards. The lobby of the Torre is very good, in keeping with the main hotel lobby, but the accommodation rooms can be dreadful. Housekeeping can be very good, or very poor, with some rooms missing basics such as a shower door. Don't be surprised if the coffee machine has no coffee!
  • 21 Hotel Conde de Villanueva, Calle Mercaderes esq. Amagura, Old Havana. A beautifully restored colonial home, this hotel is the ultimate destination for a connoisseur of Cuban cigars; each room is named after a tobacco plantation, and, of course, all rooms permit smoking. Boasts an impressive cigar shop in the hotel, in addition to a (reasonably average) restaurant. Be warned, though: if you like to sleep late, there is a peacock that wanders around the courtyard that begins to make noise as soon as the sun comes up.
  • 22 Hotel Ambos Mundos, Obispo esquina a Mercaderes. Writer Ernest Hemingway stayed and wrote most of For Whom the Bell Tolls here, a fact which adds historical charm to this well-located hotel in Old Havana. The Plaza de Armas is a few steps away, and the establishment has an elegant and lively lobby where piano and jazz musicians perform.
  • 23 Hotel Park View. Colón 101. A popular hotel in the 1920s, the Park View is a small establishment just off Prado, close to the colonial centre of Old Havana and the seawall. It does not share in the historical or decorative charm of other Old Havana properties, but it is certainly a practical option for anyone interested in exploring Old Havana and traveling on a tighter budget.
  • 24 Hotel Plaza, Ignacio Agramonte No. 267. The Plaza is one of Havana’s oldest hotels. In addition to a beautifully restored interior and a great location near many places of interest in Old Havana, the hotel also has some interesting anecdotes. Albert Einstein once dined here, and Babe Ruth stayed at one of the suites, today a museum (where his bat has been preserved).
  • 25 Hotel Santa Isabel, Baratillo 9. Considered Old Havana’s flagship hotel, this establishment is one of the classier – and more expensive – colonial-era options in this part of town. The long terrace overlooking the Plaza de Armas, shared by 10 west-facing rooms, is one of the hotel’s most evident charms, as are its colonial appeal and a magnificent location.
  • 26 Hotel Meliá La Habana, Ave. 3Era. E/ 76 Y 80 Miramar. A modern five star hotel with very big and comfortable rooms, and possibly the biggest swimming pool in Havana.

Connect edit

The city code for Havana is 7. Prefix with 0 or 01 when calling from within Cuba.

Internet cafes can be found at ETESCA (the state telephone company) offices, in Hotel Habana Libre, Hotel Inglatera (cheapest but slowest), Hotel Nacional and at the Capitolio.

Wireless Internet access - some high-end hotels such as Hotel Parque Central sells wi-fi scratch cards at the rate of 8 CUC per hour, which can be used inside the hotel and works well with iPhone/iPod Touch.

The emergency number is 116. The information number is 113.

Stay safe edit

Havana is quite safe for a large city. Heavily dependent on tourism, Cuban police are everywhere and pay especial attention to spots where travelers congregate (Habana Vieja, El Malecón. etc.), so you don't have to be afraid of being accosted in the daytime. Prison sentences for crimes involving tourists are extremely harsh, a fact which residents are well aware of, which adds an extra layer of deterrence. At night, however, there have been muggings in the dark streets of Centro Habana. While this part of town is perfectly safe to explore in the daytime, and can be crossed safely while going to Habana Vieja or Vedado, it's best not go there at night. If you are going to walk, do so along El Malecón, where there are lights and a lot more people.

Be wary of hustlers (jinteros/as) offering to show you a nice bar or restaurant, or offering a tour of the city, as you'll be stuck paying hefty prices to cover their commission. Just walk away and continue walking—soon enough they will leave you alone. There are a few well established scams you should learn about in order to be prepared.

In local restaurants, ask for menus or prices before ordering anything; there can be special 'tourist price menus' that get pulled out after you have consumed food or drink.

When paying, it is recommended to give the exact amount of cash. If you don't have it, it is wise to state clearly how much money you are giving and how much you should get back. Otherwise, they might try not to give you your change back.

If you're male, expect to be accosted regularly by prostitutes and/or their pimps, especially in Habana Vieja. While technically illegal, erstwhile mandatory jail time for prostitution filled prisons so quickly that the government had little choice but to start looking the other way. The result is a steady, depressing stream of solicitations that can wear down even the most cynical traveler unless he's prepared for it. Particularly disheartening are the offers from young girls, some no more than 11 or 12. Accept this situation as a fact of life in modern-day Cuba—and don't contribute to it.

People on the streets try to sell you cigars, especially in Havana Vieja. Often they say (after asking when you arrived in Havana) that the "Cigar Festival" is on today or that there is a "Cigar Cooperativa", where people sell cigars in their homes for half the price. These are usually fake cigars and they try to push you to buy a whole box of cigars even if you just want to buy a few.

The air in Havana is very polluted because of old cars and factories. This will cause respiratory conditions to some visitors.

Cope edit

Embassies and High Commissions edit

  •   Canada, Calle 30 No. 518 (esq. 7ma) Miramar, Playa, +53 7 204 2516. M-Th 8:30AM-5PM, F 8:30AM-2PM.
  •   Japan, Centro de Negocios Miramar, Edi, 1-5 to. Piso, Ave. 3ra, Esq. a 80, Miramar, Playa, +53 7 204-3355, fax: +53 7 204-8902.

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This city travel guide to Havana-hotels is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.


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