Best Airbnb In Havana: Flat In The Heart Of Old Havana
Want to do your legs a favour? Stay in this Airbnb for your first trip to Havana so you can be 100% sure that youll be in the best location. No need to walk to the centre, youre literally in the middle of all main attractions. Explore the lively streets, eat great food at the numerous restaurants and watch people rush by in one of the cute cafes.
Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski
This is was the first of the three new luxury hotels in Havana, and my personal favorite for its view of Old Havana, including the Capitolio, the beautifully-restored Gran Teatro de la Habana, and more.
It feels like an oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city, and is a favorite at all times of the day.
Sol Ro De Luna Y Mares
Located next to the sea in Naranjo Bay Natural Park, Sol Río De Luna y Mares is an all-inclusive resort and part of the Sols Hotels group, which means you can expect 5-star service here.
Its perfect for families as they offer family rooms and Junior suites. Children also have their own pool area and special diving classes.
Packages range from the family or couple packages, to the honeymoon and wedding packages. The latter two come with special rooms, secluded and exclusive dining areas as well as alternative locations for your guests.
If youre feeling nostalgic and decide to revisit your special place for your anniversary perhaps, special rewards are available for repeat guests.
Neighbourhood: Holguin.
Restaurants: You can choose from 9 à la carte restaurants and snack bars and 8 bars. Cuisine is distinctly Cuban but you have international options as well. The honeymoon and wedding packages will include special dining options with different menus.
Amenities: Mini club and baby club, kids pool and paddling pool, play area, kids corner, childrens menu, babysitting, daily activities programme for children and teenagers at the beach and in the pool, electronic games room, PlayStation, Wii, family coordinator, family room and connecting rooms, cots, beach access. Wellness centre with pool, hydromassage, tai chi, yoga and pilates. Beauty treatments. 24hr concierge.
Best for: Families with children, couples, honeymooners, weddings.
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Staying In Old Havana The Historic Centre
The feel: the oldest part of Havana is also the most visited and for plenty of very good reasons. Havanas historic centre, more commonly known as Old Havana , is pure colonial splendour, meandering streets full of colour and character and stark contrasts between beautifully preserved colonial buildings and the decay of crumbling ones in more neglected areas where the shabby chic allure has made the covers of many fashion magazines, from Vanity Fair to Vogue or National Geographic as well as long variety of travel publications.
The attractions: when it comes to the many things to see and do in this part of Havana, the list would be practically endless. We could go on and on. Old Havana is the epicentre of the Cuban capitals history and as such it has a lot of places in which to immerse in the islands history and culture. Still, well try and highlight some. Legendary landmarks like the birthplace of Daiquiri and the birthplace of the Mojito are all here, as are five beautiful squares including the one thats home to the stunning Catedral de La Habana, the happening Plaza Vieja with its popular microbrewery and the atmospheric Plaza de Armas with its wooden bricks street and open-air secondhand library and market of rare items . Other attractions that would add to a stay in Old Havana include El Capitolio, El Morro fortress and the Museum of the Revolution.
Best Hostels In Havana
These are some of our favorite Havana hostels for their incredible locations, views, and perks like breakfast included. If youre looking for a where to stay in Havana Cuba on a budget, make sure you check out our review of the best hostels in Havana, including booking tips and tricks for Cuba!
Hostel Mango Habana Cuba
Hostel Mango is perfectly located in the middle of Old Havana, in the best neighborhood to stay in Havana youll never be more than a few blocks away from anything youd want to do or see.
The hostel also has plenty of common spaces to enjoy, including a giant terrace with hammocks, which always makes for a great hostel, in my book!
No Limit Hostel
No Limit Hostel is another fantastic example of Havana hostels this one is located in Vedado, so youll be close to plenty of restaurants and bars to enjoy the evening.
Located several floors up, the hostel has some incredible balconies and views over the city that are worth the price of the stay themselves.
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Best Hotel In Trinidad: Hotel E La Ronda
Each room in this 4-star hotel comes with a balcony, flatscreen TV, aircon and an ensuite. Guests can enjoy a continental or buffet breakfast on the gorgeous patio in the mornings, and dinner in the restaurant in the evenings. The Church of the Holy Trinity and House of Music are on your doorstep, and its not far from some of Cubas stunning hikes and scenery.
Best Hostel In Trinidad: Hostal Escobar
Set in a classic Cuban house and with views overlooking the ocean, you really cant go wrong with this hostel in Trinidad. Breakfast is available for a small surcharge, and the hostel offers bike and car hire to help you explore the area. Bars are a short walk away, where you can enjoy live music and dancing each night. If you want to experience authentic Cuban life on your travels, this is the perfect place to stay.
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Old Havana Where To Stay In Cuba For A First Visit
Old Havana is the beating heart of the city. Located on the Bay of Havana, this section of the capital is where youll find the core of the original city. Made up of narrow streets and cobblestone lanes, Old Havana is bursting with charm and character.
Old Havana is also where youll find many of the citys historical and cultural sights. From picturesque fortresses to castles and frescoed cathedrals, this region of Havana is a must-see for anyone visiting Cuba for the first time.
Enjoy the colourful colonial houses, gigantic mansions, and fascinating natural scenery as you explore this urban time capsule.
Viales Valley And The West
The Viñales Valley is a unique destination in Cuba dedicated to nature lovers.
It is such a pity that drones are not allowed in Cuba.
Why?
Because I would have loved to film the limestone cliffs rising in the Viñales Valley like an archipelago of islands in an ocean of tobacco plantations spaced out by random palm trees. Just so beautiful.
Add the fact that many of these mountains hide humungous caves that you can explore with the help of the locals guiding you through the labyrinth of entrances and halls. In one of them ,you can even have a swim in a natural pool .
How can you visit this area?
Simply by horseback riding or just renting your mountain bike for a day .
I personally prefer the bike to the horse, especially because you are free to explore as you wish without any pre-planned program including visits to tobacco plantations, coffee shops etc.
Very important tip: download maps.me with the Cuba map. This is an amazing app with an offline map made with the most detailed cycling and trekking paths. I never got lost with it
Another plus of Vinales is the proximity to the Playa de Cayo Jutías, an impressive beach with one of the bluest seas I have ever seen in my life. Obviously, there are tourists around but most definitely not overcrowded like Varadero, in fact, you can find even isolated corners.
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Educate Citizens Of The World
Are you traveling with kids or you want to learn by yourself the real life and culture in Cuba? Go to the island and get involved with local people is the best way to do it, an opportunity know the real cuba and the cuban charm.
In a casa particular you can share with Cubans as a family if you want to. At the end of the trip, you and your family will be more open mind and understanding about the different cultures. This is one of the best lections you can give to your children.
After reading this post we are sure youll find more reasons why you should stay in a casa particular in Cuba. Tell us what you think about it. Are you ready to book an accommodation in Cuba? Contact us.
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Must Visit Places Around Vinales
- Cueva del Palmarito to have a swim inside the cave in a natural pool
- Cueva del Silencio for the amazing size and incredible labyrinth
- Cueva del Indio, the most touristic cave however also the only one with a river inside
- Cueva de San Miguel, for a cocktail and some live music at night
- Viewpoint to the Vinales Valley for the spectacular sunset
- Centro Cultural Polo Montañez for some great live music till 2am
- any of the restaurants along the main street, especially the ones with the tables on the pedestrian area
Any activity can be booked at your accommodation, just ask. The price is the same wherever you go. If you are in a group of 3 or 4 people ask for discounts.
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Things To See And Do In El Vedado
Catch the colourful, lively and vibrant drag show at Cabaret Las Vegas.
Dance the night away at Club Tropical.
Drink, dance and enjoy the view at Pico Blanco.
Enjoy a delicious meal at 3D Café.
Excite your senses at Gabanna Café.
Feast on amazing Latin American fare at Atelier.
Let the rhythm move you at Café Cantante Mi Habana.
Listen to great live jazz at La Zorra y el Cuervo.
Sip hip cocktails at Café Madrigal.
Take a relaxing stroll through the lush Quinta de Los Molinos.
Visit the Fabrica de Arte Cubano for an amazing night of drinks, art and culture.
Best Airbnbs In Havana
Both guest rooms and entire homes are available for rent in Havana via Airbnb. Some of these are real gems you can encounter friendly locals who have great personal stories to share and local tips to make the most of your vacation. But, scams are also unfortunately common for unsuspecting travelers. Try to thoroughly read any reviews before booking and stay smart!
Also, keep in mind that air conditioning is almost non existent for airbnbs. Sometimes, even toilet seats are scarce!
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What To Expect When Arriving At A Private Home
A homestay in Cuba can be slightly different from a bed and breakfast in any other country. The atmosphere has the essence of the Caribbean people, and travelers can feel it since the very first moment.
Tourists would have a warm welcome when they arrive at the home. The host will show them the house and their room, where theyll have a private bathroom. The guest will receive the keys so they can come and go whenever they want.
There would be a place to eat for the guests. But, if they want, they can ask the host to have breakfast or dinner with them. And this will be a nice moment to chat and learn about their culture.
Dont expect to have internet access at this houses. Just a few houses have wifi and connection is very deficient in Cuba. And sometimes the signal comes from a public hotspot located close to the accommodation. In any case, is not free to use it. You will have to buy a card to have internet access.
This doesnt have to be a problem for you. Because if you want to find information about what to do in Cuba, remember you are staying with Cubans. The owners of the accommodation can provide all the information you need to know. If you need to book a casa particular in another town, they can also help you with that.
Do you want to share a local drink or eat real Cuban food? Ask the host if he/she knows how to prepare a mojito . This is another reason why Casas particulares are the best places to stay in Cuba.
Best Airbnb In Centro Havana: Cuban House By The Beach
A colonial traditional white house that is located on the famous seafront El Malecón-Havana, and offers stunning views from the Havana Bay. The apartment is perfect for 2 guests with one bedroom and bathroom. The decor of the house includes, among other things, some 19th-century Cuban furniture and huge mirrors from the 50th, combined with others of contemporary design and natural fiber fabrics.
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Bonus: 4 Important Things To Know Before Visiting Cuba
Now that you have chosen where to stay in Cuba, its time to learn about some quirky aspects of the country which are essential to know before visiting. Cuba has some different rules and regulations to other nearby destinations and thats why I would like to give some information that will be helpful for you to know before your trip.
1. Be prepared to be offline for a whileIn Cuba, you wont be able to find free Wifi in cafes. In some hotels, they offer free wifi but make sure to check with the hotel in advance if this is a necessity as a lot of accommodations do not have internet access.
Currently, there is also internet access in some of the major areas of Havana where you can use the internet for a certain price. Here is a map that shows all WiFi spots in Havana that you can check when you need internet access during your trip.
2. Credit cards are not accepted in CubaIn Cuba, US credit cards are not accepted and while cards from other countries can legally be accepted, they rarely work in the machines. This means you will need to have cash money.
To make matters even more confusing, until 2021, Cuba had two currencies. One for local people and the other for travelers . Thankfully now there is one unified currency which is the Cuban Peso . You can exchange CUP at the airport to make sure you have some cash when you arrive.
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El Vedado The Coolest Neighborhood
El Vedado is a nice residential area located 3 km south of Old Havana. It is a trendy area known for its modern style, vibrant nightlife. In El Vedado, you will find old buildings that are transformed into cool bars, funky clubs, restaurants, and also charming coffee shops.
El Vedado is still within walking distance of major landmarks of Havana, so you can start your day discovering the Havana streets then having a good Cuban dinner in one of the nice restaurants in the area before hitting the bars and clubs. If you are looking for a more modern area you should definitely stay in El Vedado.
There are many great casas particulares and hotels in this neighborhood. Before talking about them I would like to remind you to make your booking as early as possible to not miss your ideal place. Here are the best places to stay in El Vedado, Havana.
- Have a nice breakfast at Belview Art Cafe
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Why We Recommend This Hotel
Melia Cayo Coco has all the ingredients of a romantic getaway in Cuba.
Not only does it exude a serene and romantic vibe, but its also home to some of the most lavish hotel suites in Cuba.
And, like most of the top rated hotels in Cuba, this hideaway overflows with luxe amenities.
Theres an alluring swimming pool, beach, game room and several dining choices.
And, it has on-site bars that are suitable for bachelorette and bachelor parties.
Cubans Cant See Some Pretty Things You Can See
While travelers can stay in some of the Varaderos luxury resorts and hang out on one of the most beautiful beaches Ive ever seen, unfortunately, Cubans cant share the same experience. And Im not talking about the issue of affordability of the resort, but the beach itself.
In Varadero, theres only a small amount of public beach. While officially, beaches in front of resorts dont belong to them, locals arent allowed to go there. If they try, the police will take them off the beach immediately, as they dont want locals to hang out with tourists. While some visitors want to enjoy a high standard of accommodation and would prefer to see only the fake bubble of Cuba within the borders of the resort, Id ask myself a question: why go to Cuba then?
This is also why I recommend staying in casa particular over a hotel, as you can get to know and talk to some locals, support them financially, save more money , plus the standard of casas is usually high.
Line at the store in Havana
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What About Homestays In The Rest Of Cuba
Outside of Havana, you’ll find the homestays are slightly cheaper, and you tend to get more for your money. In Trinidad, we stayed in a lovely home called Casa de Carmen which was a beautifully restored old house painted in bright colours. The whole of the top floor was taken up with two bedrooms and a roof terrace with some old rocking chairs, with amazing views over Trinidad, the mountains and all the way to Playa Ancon in the distance. We paid £15 a night!