Havana Tips And Tricks.docx - Best Cuba And Havana Guidebook

HavanaTipsandTricks:
InterestingFactsandTipsOnHavanaandCuba
-WithTrinidadBonusSection
Copyright©2016byFullCompassGuides
Allrightsreserved.Noportionofthisbookmaybereproducedorusedwithouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofthepublisher,
exceptfortheuseinbriefquotations.
FullCompassPublishingwww.FullCompassGuides.com
WrittenbyMarioRizzi
AboutThisGuide
Thissampleguideincludesalistoftips,factsandtrickstohelpyoubetterunderstandCuban
cultureanddailylifeinHavana.Theinformationpresentedinthisguidewastakenfromthe
bookRealHavana:ExploreCubaLikeALocalAndSaveMoney.Thisbookisavailableon
Amazon.comandvariousotheronlinebookretailers,andoffersacompletedescriptionofall
theinformationpresentedbelow.
IfyouareplanningtovisitCubaandwanttotrulyexperiencethecultureoftheisland,you
shouldconsiderpurchasingthecompleteRealHavanaguide.Youwillbeintroducedtothe
authenticCuba,whichisusuallyhiddenfromtheaverageforeigner.Youwillgaintheknowledge
andconfidencetoexploreCubalikealocal,notjustanothertourist.Moreover,theguideisfilled
withhundredsofmoneysavingtipsandfreeentertainmentoptions.Notonlywillyoube
immersedintherichculture,butyouwillalsosavehundredsofdollars.
IntheCompleteRealHavanaguide,youwilllearnabout:
●AuthenticCubancuisineandaffordableHavanarestaurants.
●Low-pricedmarkets,shopsandentertainmentoptions.
●MapsofHavanaandthesuburbs–GetoutofthecityandEXPLORE!
●Instructionsonusingcommunaltaxisparticularesandallthemajorroutes.
●Contactinfoandreviewsofover30casaparticularapartmentsinVedado.
●Fascinating,offbeatplaceswhicharehiddenfromforeigners.
●HundredsoftipsonsavingmoneywhileinHavana.
●Howtoavoidthemostcommontouristscams.
TheRealHavanaguidehasallthatinformationandmuchmore.Ithasbeendescribedby
industryprofessionalsasbeingthe#1guidefortravelerswantingtolearnabouttheauthentic
Cuba.That’swhyitisabestsellerandhasbeenatrustedresourcetoover200000travellers
since2010.
Wehopeyouenjoythisfree,mini-guideaboutCuba,andifyouareinterestedinlearningmore
aboutthecompleteRealHavanaguide,checkoutthewebsitewww.BestCubaGuide.comfor
moreinfo.OnthewebsiteyouwillfindhundredsoffreeservicesandtipsonexploringCuba.
Youcanfindandreserveyourcasaparticular(roomrental)inCubawithabsolutelyno
brokeragecost,andyoucanreserveallyourtaxisandtourguideservices.
TipsonUsingThisSampleGuide
InordertoviewhundredsofphotosandvideosofCuba,aswellaslistingsandpicturesofall
theCasasParticulares(rentalapartments)whicharereviewedattheendofthisguide,simply
gotothewebsitewww.BestCubaGuide.com.
Asapurchaserofthisebook,younowhaveafree,lifetimemembershiptothisfantastic
resource.It'spackedwithinformationonHavanaandCuba.
AnyquestionsyoumayhavecanbepostedintheForum,andwillbeansweredquickly.
Alltherentalpropertiesmentionedinthisguidecanbebookeddirectlyonthewebsite,andyou
canalsofinddozensofgreattaxidealsanddiscounts.Checkitout!
AboutFullCompassGuides
FullCompassGuidesareaimedattravelerswhowanttounderstandlocalcustomsandculture
sothattheycanexperiencedestinationslikealocal.Unlikeregulartouristguides,FullCompass
guidesarenotalistofattractionspopularwithtourists,andboringrestaurantandhotelreviews
thatareobsoletethemomenttheyarepublished.Withourguides,yougetsuccinct,useful
informationabouttheculture,peopleandgeographyofyourdestinationsoyouhavethetools
andtheconfidencetoexploreonyourown,experienceeverythingthatyourdestinationhasto
offer,andsavemoney.
Ourguidesarewrittenbyexperiencedtravelerswhohaveintimateknowledgeofboththe
locationandthecultureofthedestination.Theygiveyoutheexactinformationyouneedin
ordertomakethemostofyourtraveltime.
WithaFullCompassguide,youwillbeaknowledgeableexplorer,ratherthanjustanother
flash-happytourist.
AbouttheAuthor
Thismini-guidewaswrittenbyMarioRizzi,anawardwinningCanadianauthor.Hefirstvisited
Cubain2007andfellinlovewiththeisland.Sincethenhehasreturneddozensoftimesand
considersHavanatobehissecondhome.
Hehasexploredeverycorneroftheisland,fromthemajorcitiestoruralcommunities,andhas
becomeintimatelyacquaintedwithCubancultureandlifestyle.Someofhisclosestfriendsare
Cuban,andtheyhaveplayedanimportantroleinhisunderstandingoftheislandandthe
developmentofhisCubanguideseries.
Marioisanavidtravelerandhismostimportantgoalistofamiliarizehimselfwiththecultureof
acountrysothathecanexploreitlikealocalwould,ratherthanasatourist.Itoftentakesa
greatdealoftimeandefforttodevelopthisunderstandingandassuch,thriftinessisan
importantconsideration.
Inthismini-guide,MarioprovidessomeofthetoptipsandfactsaboutCuba.Complete
informationaboutallthetopicsinthisminiguideareprovidedinthebookRealHavana:Explore
CubaLikeALocalAndSaveMoney.
TableofContents
TipsonUsingThisGuide
GeneralCubaFacts
Education:
Religion:
SomeCommonCubanSlang:
HomeOwnership:
Property:
CubanExiles:
RegulationsandLaws:
CubanCurrency:
CurrencyAdvice
ExchangingMoney
ElectronicBanking
HowMuchMoneytoBring
PotableWater:
RestaurantScams:
Tipping:
CubanCuisine:
Beef:
FoodRationing:
AlcoholPrices:
CubanCigars:
Shopping:
WaitinginLine:
InternetUsage:
CubanPhoneCalls:
ForeignCarRentals:
MedicalEmergencies:
Donations:
Transportation
PublicTransportation:
OldCars:
PrivateTaxis(TaxisParticulares):
StateTaxis:
BikesinHavana:
GoingToTheHavanaBeaches(PlayasdelEste)
Accomodations
Hotels:
CasasParticulares:
CasaParticularApartmentsinHavana:
www.BestCubaGuide.com
TopTenCubaTipList!
CasaParticularGuide
GeneralCasaParticularNotes
TypesofCasasParticulares
PrivateRooms
IndependentRooms
IndependentApartments
DownloadRealHavana:ExploreCubaLikeALocalAndSaveMoney.
TakingaTripFromHavanatoTrinidad
GettingFromHavanatoTrinidad
TakingtheBus
HireaTaxi
FindingATaxi
ExploringtheTownofTrinidad
OldTown
EasternTrinidad
NewTown
CasasParticularesinTrinidad
GettingAround
InterestingPlacestoVisitandThingstodointheSurroundAreas
TrinidadNightlife
ThankYou!
GeneralCubaFacts
Education:
InterestingFact:Aftergraduationfromuniversity,moststudentsareofferedgovernmentjobsin
theirfieldofstudy.Theyareexpectedtoworkatthesejobsforatleast2years.Thisperiodis
calledServicioSocial(SocialService).Aftercompletingthistime,theyarefreetochange
profession,workindependentlyorgobacktoschool.
InterestingFact:UniformsareahugepartofCubanlife.Allstudents,fromprimaryschoolupto
highschool,mustwearspecificuniformseachday.Thefollowingisalistoftheuniformcolor
combinationsforeachlevelofeducation.
●ElementarySchool:Redbottomsandwhitetops.Years1-3wearbluescarves.Years46wearredscarves.
●SecondarySchool:Years7-9.Mustardyellowbottomsandwhitetops.
StudentsthenhavetheoptionofattendingeitherPre-universityortradeschool
●Pre-university:Darkbluebottomsandlightbluetops
●Tradeschool:Darkbrownbottomsandlightbrowntops.
Auniversityeducationisoptionalandthereisnouniformrequirement.
Religion:
InterestingNote:OnoccasionyouwillseemenandwomenwalkingaroundCubawearing
completelywhiteclothing.Sometimestheyareevenholdingawhitesunumbrellaorwearinga
whiteheadscarf.ThesearepractitionersoftheSanteriareligionandtheyarewearingwhiteas
partoftheirinitiationprocessofbecomingSanteriapriestsorpriestesses.Theymustwear
whiteforonefullyearandlimittheircontactwithpeoplewhohavenotbeeninitiatedintothe
religion.
SomeCommonCubanSlang:
Almendron:oldAmericancar
Baro:money
Bici:bicycle
Bici-taxi:bicycletaxi
Bodega:stateownedgrocerystore
Blumer:womensunderpants
Bisnero:businessman
Campesino:farmer
Camello:citybus
Carro:car
Carnet:Cubanidentitycard
Chancletas:flip-flops
Chao:goodbye
Chica:girl
Chopin:shopping
Cola:lineuporqueue
Cuarto:aroominahotelorhouse
Espejuelos:glasses
Fosforera:lighter
Frigi:refrigerator
Guayabera:officialCubanformalshirt
Jeva:woman
Jinetera:escortgirl
Jinetero:malebrokerorvendor(graymarket)
Máquina:oldAmericancar
Pinchar:towork
Pullover:T-shirt
Tenis:sneakers,sportsshoes
Yuma:Foreigner
HomeOwnership:
InterestingFact:Home-ownershipwasatenetoftherevolution.WhentheCastrogovernment
cameintopower,allprivatehomeswerenationalized,andtitlewasgivenovertothedwelling
occupants.Overnight,rentersbecamehomeowners.Landlordsultimatelylostdearlyasalmost
alloftheirpropertywasreleasedtothetenants.
Property:
InterestingFact:Inthepast,ifaCubancitizenwastoleavetheislandandseekexileina
foreigncountry,suchastheUnitedStates,heorshewouldforfeitallpropertyownedinCuba.
Thisproperty,includingthehomeandallitscontentswouldberepossessedbythestateand
redistributedtoneedyfamilies.Thisisnolongerthecase.Citizensarenowpermittedtoretain
alltheirbelongingsontheislandevenaftertheyseekexileinaforeigncountry.Theyarealso
permittedtoretaintheirCubancitizenshipandtofreelyre-enterthecountry.
CubanExiles:
InterestingFact:Contrarytopopularbelief,attemptingtoleavethecountryinordertoseek
exileinaforeignnationisnotconsideredaseriousoffensebyCubanlawenforcement.The
majorityofCubanswhoattempttoflee,andareunsuccessfulinreachingtheirdestination,are
simplyreturnedtoCubawheretheyarepermittedtocontinuelivingtheirlives,withoutany
incarcerationorpunishment.Ontheotherhand,thebrokersandspeedboatoperatorswho
attempttoprofitbytraffickingexilesandsmugglingCubanstoAmericaaretreatedmore
severely.Theirenterpriseisseenasunscrupulousanddangeroustothelivesofallboat
occupantsandpunishmentsareharsh.
RegulationsandLaws:
InterestingFact:Inter-provincialmigrationwithinCubaisstrictlyregulated.Inorderforcitizens
tomovetoanotherprovincetheymusthaveagoodreasonfordoingso,suchasforschool,
workorimportantfamilycommitments.Thislawservestopreventapopulationexodusfromthe
poorereasternprovincesintothericher,westernprovinces.Morespecifically,itpreventsa
massmigrationtothecountry’srichestcity,Havana.Manyyoungmenandwomenfromthe
easternprovincesjointhepoliceforcepreciselyfortheopportunitytoimmigratetoHavana.
ThereisverylittledesirefromHavanalocals(Habaneros)tobecomepolice,becausethereare
somanyothereconomicopportunitiesinthecity.
InterestingNote:InCuba,thetouristisking.InadisputebetweenaCubancitizenanda
foreigner,policewillalmostalwaystakethesideofthetourist.Althoughthisgivesforeignersa
distinctupperhandinanyargument,itisaprivilegethatshouldobviouslynotbeabused.
Commonsenseshouldalwaysbeexercised,and,generally,ifsomethingisillegalinyour
countryoforigin,itisfairtoassumethatthesameactisillegalinCuba.Ifyoucommitaserious
crime,regardlessofwhereyoucomefrom,youwillbeprosecuted.
CubanCurrency:
InterestingFact:Cubahas2officialcurrencies.TheCubanConvertiblePeso(CUC)isvaluedat
parwiththeUSdollar.Itisusedtopurchasemostcapitalgoodsandimportedproducts.The
MonedaNacional(MN)isvaluedat1/25thofthevalueoftheCUC.Moststateworkersare
paidinMonedaNacionalanduseitforeverydaypurchases.Touristscanuseeithercurrency
andwillfindthatiftheyusetheMonedaNacional,theywillbeabletosavealotofmoneywhen
purchasingeverydaygoods.
InterestingFact:TheCubangovernmenthasrecentlydecidedthatitwilleliminatethedual
currencysystem.TheyplantoeventuallymergetheCUCandtheMonedaNacionalintoasingle
commoncurrency.Atime-lineforthisunificationhasnotyetbeenestablished.Inpreparationfor
thismerger,manystatestores(restaurantsinparticular)havebegunacceptingpaymentfor
theirofferingsineithercurrency.Theexchangeratewhichmanyoftheselocationsofferis
usually1CUC=23MN.Thisisslightlyinferiortothe1:24ratechargedatstate-runexchange
houses.
CurrencyAdvice
MosttouristguidesdismisstheimportanceoftheMonedaNacionalcurrencyandrecommend
thatforeignerssimplysticktousingtheCUCcurrency.Ifyouarestayingatanallinclusive
resortorplantospendallofyourtimeintouristyareas,thenthisisfine.If,ontheotherhand,
youareplanningtoexploretheislandorvisitnon-touristyareas,itwillbemuchmore
economicaltousetheMonedaNacionalcurrencyformostofyourexpenditures.
TheCUCcurrencyisusedintouristresorts,highendhotels,fancyrestaurantsandtorent
apartments.Furthermore,itisusedinlargestate-runsupermarketsandstoresandtotake
certaintypesoftaxis.Whileinsomesituations,youmustpayforyourgoodsandservicesin
CUC,therearemanyotherinstanceswhereyoucanshopatlocationswhichsellidentical
products,atafarlowerprice,inMNcurrency.Thisguidewilltellyouaboutmanyofthese
locations.
Note:Sometimesyouwillhearthewordpesoused.LocalsusethetermtorefertobothCUC
andMN.Anycurrencyamountof1canbecalledapeso.Ifthecurrencyisnotspecified,itis
besttomakecertainbeforebuyingsomething.Justaskthevendorifhemeans1pesoMN,or
1pesoCUC.
ExchangingMoney
Unlikeothercurrencies,thereisnointernationalexchangemarketforCubanmoney.Youwill
onlybeabletobuyandsellCubanpesosinCuba.Thereareseveralwaystoexchangeyour
foreigncurrency.
CADECAs
InCuba,youcanchangemoneyinstate-operatedexchangehousescalledCADECAs.These
locationsareusuallyclearlyindicatedonstreetsignsandcanbefoundinallcitiesandtowns
andatmostairportsandhotels.TheCADECAslocatedincitiesusuallyofferbetterforeign
exchangeratesthanthoseathotelsandairports.Itisadvisabletoexchangejustabitofmoney
attheairport,uponenteringthecountry.Thiswillgiveyousomepurchasingpoweruntilyoucan
locateaCADECAofferingbetterrates.
CADECAofficeswillexchangealltypesofforeigncurrency.Themostcommoncurrencies
exchangedareEuros,BritishPoundsandCanadianandAmericandollars.Youcannotconvert
allcurrenciesinCuba.Forexample,Australiandollarsarenotaccepted.Toexchangesome
currencies,youmighthavetovisitamainCADECAofficeratherthanasatellitebranch.
Afulllistofallthecurrencieswhichareacceptedforconversionaswellastheirdaily
conversionratescanbeseenathttp://www.bc.gob.cu/English/exchange_rate.asp
ForeigncurrenciesareallconvertedfirsttoCubanConvertiblePesos(CUC).Ifyouwant
MonedaNacional,youcanconvertyourCUCcurrencytoMNona1:24basis,aspartofa
separatetransaction.
Contrarytosomebeliefs,tellersatCADECAofficesareveryhonestwhenexchangingforeign
currency.Scamsattheselocationsareextremelyrare.Inordertoexchangeforeigncurrency
youwillbeaskedtoprovideapieceofID,usuallyapassport,andyourinformationwillbe
enteredintoacomputer.Theclerkwillcountoutyourmoney,confirmingtheamountwithyou,
andthengiveyouaprintedslipindicatinghowmuchCubancurrencyyouwillreceiveback.The
clerkwillthencountouttheCubancurrencytwotimesbeforepassingittoyou.Youarefreeto
takeyourtimetorecountthecurrency.Generally,clerkswillrefusealltipssoastoremain
completelyimpartialinthetransaction.
Note:ItisbesttoconvertyourforeigncurrencytoCubancurrencyatseveralintervals
throughoutyourtripratherthanconvertingeverythingatonce.Ifyoufindyourselfwithalotof
Cubancurrencyattheendofyourtripandwanttoconvertitbacktoyouroriginalforeign
moneytherewillbesubstantialforeignexchangecharges.Thismighteasilyreducethevalueof
yourcurrencyby5%.Furthermore,takingalargeamountofCubancurrencyoutofthecountry
isnotpermitted.Afewdollarsisfine,butifCubancustomsfindsthatyouhavemanyhundreds
ofdollarsinCUCasyouexitthecountry,itcanbeconfiscated.
Banks
Anotherwaytoexchangeforeigncurrencyistouseabank.Thereareseverallargebank
brandsoperatinginCuba,andallarecapableofexchangingforeigncurrency.Althoughbanks
might,onoccasion,offerslightlybetterexchangeratesthanCADECAs,itshouldbenotedthat
thelineupstogetintoabankareoftenverylong.Inaddition,whileabankcanexchangeyour
foreigncurrencyintoCUC,theyarenotpermittedtoexchangeCUCintoMN.Theonlyplaceto
dothisisataCADECA.Generallythebestoptionistoavoidusingbanksunlessyouhaveno
otherchoice.
OtherForeigners
Oneofthecheapestwaystoconvertcurrencyistoexchangeitprivatelywithotherforeigners.
ThisstrategyworksbestforthemostpopularcurrencieslikeCanadiandollars,Euros,and
Americandollars.Thebestlocationtomeetforeignerslookingtoexchangecurrencyisatan
airportCADECA.Youwillusuallyencountermanyforeignerswhohavejustcompletedtheirtrip
inCubaandareeagertoselltheirleftoverCUC.SinceCADECAsusuallychargeanexchange
feeofatleast5%,youcanofferaslightlylowerrateandbuytheseCUCdirectlyfromthe
foreigners.Youwillbothbenefitbysavingthestandardexchangefees.
ElectronicBanking
CreditCards
CreditcardusageinCubaisveryrare.Theonlyplacesthatareequippedwithcreditcard
processingequipmentarelargetouristresorts,andhotelsinmaincities.Restaurantsandstate
storesalmostneveracceptcreditcards.
Ifyouareplanningonbringingandusingacreditcard,makeabsolutelysurethatithasnot
beenissuedfromanAmericanbankinginstitution.AllAmericanbasedcreditcardswillbe
refusedbecauseoftheAmericanembargoontradewithCuba.Mostothercreditcards,
especiallythoseissuedfromEuropeanorCanadianbankscanbeused.
ATMs(cajerosautomaticos)arerare.Afewcanbefoundinsomehotelsandverytouristic
areasinlargecities,andatmajorairports.Youshouldneverdependonthesemachines.
Breakdownsarefrequentandwithdrawallimitsarelow.Insomecases,evenifyouareusinga
creditcardissuedfromanon-Americaninstitution,youmaystillrequiretheassistanceofa
banktellerinordertocompleteyourtransaction.
Personalchecks,traveler'schecks,andbankdraftsarealmostcompletelyunheardof.
PayPalAndOtherPaymentTransferServices
Itshouldbenotedthatduetothetradeembargo,youwillnotbeabletouseanyAmerican
basedmoneytransferserviceswhileinCuba.Iftheseservicesarewebbased,suchas
PayPal,youwillbeabletoaccessthewebsites;howevertheactualpaymentwillbeblocked.
ThisappliesevenifyouarepayingforsomethingwhichiscompletelyunrelatedtoCuba.Simply
attemptingtoinitiateatransferviaacomputerbasedinCubamayleadtothetemporary
suspensionofyouraccount.TheAmericangovernmentenforcesthetradeembargovery
vigilantly,especiallywhenitcomestointernationalmoneytransfers.
Note:DespitethethawingofrelationsbetweentheUSAandCubaandtheresultingincreasein
Americantourismtotheisland,asofearly2016thetradeembargoisstillinplaceandfinancial
transactionsbetweenthetwocountriesarehighlyrestricted.Americanbasedcreditanddebit
cardswillstillnotfunctioninCubaandtheuseofserviceslikePayPalisnotpossible.American
touristsareadvisedtobringenoughcashtolastthedurationoftheirtrip.
HowMuchMoneytoBring
Ifyouhaveprepaidyourvacationandarestayingatanallinclusivehotel,youwillnotneed
muchmoney.Youwillmostlyusecashtogivetipsortobuysmallitemsandsouvenirs.Theonly
instancewhereyoumightneedtospendmoreisifyoudecidetotakeascenicexcursionoffthe
resort.Thatmightcosttheequivalentofafewhundreddollars,dependingonthespecificsof
thetrip.
Ifyouarenotstayingonaresort,yourexpenseswillobviouslybehigher.Detailedbudgeting
informationisprovidedintheRealHavanaGuidebook.Inthemostgeneralsense,Cuban
regulationsstatethatforeignersmustbringenoughmoneyintothecountrytoreasonablylast
thedurationoftheirstayontheisland.Thisishighlysubjective,butisusuallyunderstoodto
meanapproximatelytheequivalentof$100USDperday.Fortheaveragevisit,thiswillbe
morethanadequate.Afterreadingthisguideyouwillseethatyoucaneasilylivelikeroyalty,
whileonlyspendingafractionofthatamount.
PotableWater:
InterestingNote:Therehave,inthepast,beenafew,verylimited,choleraoutbreaks,usually
affectingnomorethanhalfadozenpeople,andalwayslocalizedintheextremelypooroutskirts
ofthefareasternprovinces.Thesewereproventohavebeencausedbypoorsanitationwithin
crowdedlivingquartersratherthancontaminatedwatersources.So,unlessyouanticipate
sleepingonthefloorofacrowdedghettoinaremotevillagelocatedattheeasterntipofthe
island,youshouldhavenoworryatallaboutcontractingcholerawhileinCuba.
RestaurantScams:
TheRealHavanaguidelistsdozensofcommonscamswhichforeignerswillencounterinCuba.
Thefollowingisasmallsampleofwhattoexpect.
CommonScam:Themenusatallstate-runrestaurantswilleitherbepricedinCUCorMN.
SometimesthefoodwillbepricedinMNwhilethedrinks(especiallythealcohol)willbepriced
inCUC.Thisisnormal.But,therewillneverbeonemenufortourists,pricedinCUC,and
anotherforlocals,pricedinMN.Furthermore,themenuwillalwaysbetypedout,never
handwritten.
Noteaboutscams:Farandaway,themostcommonsmallscamsoccurinrestaurantsandbars
whentouristsaredistractedandnotpayingattentiontothemenuorbill.Aslongasyoupay
attentionandrealizethatyoucanalwaysdemandtospeaktotherestaurantmanagerorbossif
thereisanymajordiscrepancy,youwillbefine.InCuba,thetouristisking.TheCuban
economyiscompletelyreliantontourismandthegoalofallstate-runcompaniesisto
encouragetouristenjoymentandrepeatbusiness.Ifyoueverthinkyouarebeingconnedand
feelyouhavenootheralternatives,simplythreatentocallthepoliceortheauthorities.Thiswill
usuallyputaquickhalttothescam.Ifthescammereverthreatenstocallthepoliceonyou,for
example,ifyourefusetopayanobviouslyinflatedrestaurantbill,neverhaveanyfear.Evenif
thepoliceweretocometoinvestigatethesituation(highlyunlikely),theywillalwaystakethe
sideofthetouristovertherestaurant,simplytodefusethesituationandendtheconflict.
InterestingFact:Mostscamsareperpetratedbyindividual,smalltimeconartists.Theirmain
goalistomakeafewdollarsperday,asthiswouldequatetoaveryhighsalarybyCuban
standards.LargercrimesorrobberiesareveryrareinCuba.
Tipping:
InterestingFact:Regardlessofthetypeofrestaurant,tippingisneverobligatoryorexpected.
ThisgoesforanyserviceinCuba,whetheritbeforhousekeepingatahotelorarideinataxi.
Thatbeingsaid,itisstillcommonforforeignerstoleavesmalltipswhentheyreceivegood
service.Leavinga5%gratuityona10CUCmealbillwouldbeconsideredaverage.Handing
thehotelbellhopaquarterfordeliveringyoursuitcasetoyourroomisalwayswellreceived.
CubanCuisine:
InterestingFact:EvenwhentheaverageCubangoestoarestauranttoeat,simpleCuban
cuisineisstillthemostpopularitemonthemenu.Thisisnotonlybecauseitisusuallythe
cheapestitem,butalsobecausemostCubanshavebecomeveryaccustomedtoeatingthe
samemealsonadailybasis.Somepeople,especiallythosefromtheoldergeneration,would
notconsideramealcompletewithoutagenerousservingofriceandbeans,orasmallfilletof
friedpork.Mostrestaurantscatertothispreferencebyalwaysincludinginexpensivetraditional
Cubandishesontheirmenus,underthetitleofofertas,whichmeansspecials.Thesespecials
arealwaysconsiderablylessexpensivethanothermenuoptionsandincludeportionsofporkor
chicken,aswellasrice,beansandasmallsalad.
Note:Somestatecafeteriaswilladvertisecheaphamburgers,sometimesforaslowas4
pesos.Thesearenotqualityburgers,asthemeatisusuallynothingmorethanathinsliceof
breadedporkcroquette.Youarebetteroffpayingafewpesosmoreandorderingfroman
establishmentwhereyoucanactuallyseetheburgersbeingpreparedandcookedasyouwait.
Beef:
InterestingFact:Killingacowisanactualoffenseandarelativelybadone,too.Evenifthe
causeofdeathisaccidentalorofnaturalcauses,itistheMinistryofTheInterior’sjobto
conductafullinvestigation.SomeCubansjokethatitisagreatercriminaloffensetokillacow
thanitistokillanotherCuban.
FoodRationing:
SpecialNote:TheLibretaSystem-ThetinyrationbookhasbecomeavitalpartofCuba’s
culturesinceitwasimplementedin1962.Atfirst,itwasawayfortheCubangovernmentto
showit’scommitmenttothepopulace,byensuringthatregardlessofsocialoreconomicstatus,
eachCubancitizenwouldreceiveabaseamountoffood;enoughtoensureadependable
nutritionalintake.Duringthespecialperiod,thelibretatookonevenmoresignificance,asmany
Cubans,facedwithdireeconomicconditions,cametorelyonthefree,staplefoodsprovided
bytherationbookastheirlargest,ifnotsole,sourceofnourishment.Duringthedeepestparts
ofthespecialperiod,theaverageCuban’sdailycaloricintakedroppedtoanalltimelowand
malnutritionwasaseriousproblem.Nevertheless,thebasefoodprovidedbythelibretasystem
wasenoughtopreventstarvation.Cubanscanusetheirlibretastogetmonthlyfoodrations
fromanetworkofstate-runfooddepotscalledbodegas.
AlcoholPrices:
InterestingFact:InCuba,thecheapestrumsometimescostslessthanbottledwater.There
aredozensofdifferentvarietiesandbrands.
InterestingFact:In1982acanofbeercost0.60pesos(MN).Thatsamecanofbeernow
costs18pesos(MN).
CubanCigars:
InterestingFact:Whilesomeofthemostpopularcigarssoldinofficialtobaccoshopscancost
upto20CUCperunit,therunofthemillcigars,whichareverypopularwithlocalCubans,
usuallycostonly1peso(MN)each.Theyaresoldatalmostallcafeteriasandsmallstate
shops.ThemostpopularbrandnameisReloba.Youcanunderstandnowhowlucrativeitcan
betospendtheefforttore-brandandrepackagethesecheapcigars,andthensellthemto
unknowingforeignersatahugemarkup.
Shopping:
InterestingFact:Inmanycases,youmustcheckyourhandbagsbeforeenteringstoresin
Cuba.Thisisaneasyandsafeprocess.Therewillalwaysbeaguardabolsa(bagwatcher)
standlocatedbesideorinsidestatestores.Simplydeposityourbagsandaclerkwillhandyou
anumberedstubasaclaimslip.Sometimesyouwillbeaskedtoleaveyournameorapieceof
ID.Thisissoyoucanretrieveyourbagevenifyouloseyourclaimstub.Thisserviceisfree,
butatinytip(apesoorafewcentavos)isalwaysappreciated.
ImportantNote:Remembertobringyourownplasticorreusablebagswhenshopping.Large
statesupermarketsandgasstationswillusuallyprovideyouwithaplasticbagafteryour
purchase,butmostothersmallstoreswillnot.Sometimestherewillbeabagsellerinthefront
ofsmallstoresormarketssellingplasticbags(jabas)for1peso(MN)each.
WaitinginLine:
ImportantFacts:ThelineupinCubaiscalleda“lacola.”Thereisalineupforalmosteverything
inCuba,soevenifyoudon’trememberalltherules,youwillbeeducatedintheprocessrather
rapidly.Mostimportantly,somepeoplereceivespecialconsiderationandalwayshavea
guaranteedspotattheheadoftheline.Theseincludewomenqueuingupwithsmallchildren,
andvisiblypregnantwomen.
InternetUsage:
InterestingFact:ForeignexpatslivinginCubaareallowedtousetheinternetfromtheirhome.
Theypayamonthlyfeeofabout50CUCforthisoption.Theyarenotpermittedtotransmitthe
signalviaWIFI.SharingthisinternetlinewithCubancitizensisnotpermitted,butthisruleis
oftenbrokenwithoutconsequence.
CubanPhoneCalls:
InterestingFact:Duetothehighcostofcellphonerates,Cubanshavedevelopedaninnovative
waytocommunicate.Ratherthanusingcellphoneslikeregularphones,mostCubanssimply
usethemaspagers.Forexample,aCubanmightusetheirhomephonetocallafriend’scell
phone.Insteadofansweringthecellphone,thefriendwilldismissthecallandthenfindacheap
publicphonetocallbackfrom.Thisway,thecellphoneisneverchargedbecausethecallis
neverinitialized.
ForeignCarRentals:
VERYIMPORTANT:Itcannotbestressedenough-BeextremelycarefulwhendrivinginCuba!
IfyougetintoanaccidentinCuba,evenaminorone,youwillbeforcedtoremainontheisland
untilanaccidentinvestigationiscompleted.Thiscansometimestakemonths.Thisisoneofthe
mainreasonsforeignersarediscouragedfromrentingvehiclesinCuba.Therearedozensof
storiesoftouristswhorentedcars,hadminoraccidentsandwerethenforcedtostayinCuba
whileapoliceorcourt-orderedinvestigationwasconducted.ThisprocessispartofCubanlaw
anditcannotbemodifiedorchanged,evenwiththeinterventionofforeignembassies.
Furthermore,itshouldbenotedthatifyouareinvolvedinaserioustrafficaccidentinCuba,
whichresultsinbodilyinjuryordeath,thereisagoodchancethatyouwillfacesomejailtime.
Theconceptofa“nofault”vehiclecrashisnotpracticedinCuba,andtheexcuseofacollision
being“accidental”willnotbeaccepted.Driveatyourownrisk.
MedicalEmergencies:
SpecialNote:Ifyougotoalocalhospitalandanticipatepayingincashforyourtreatment,
alwayswithholdyourpaymentuntilyouhavereceivedtreatmentandthen,onlypaytheactual
doctor,andnotothermembersofthehospitalstaff.Doctorsandtrainedmedicalpersonnelare
usuallyveryprofessional,butthesamecannotalwaysbesaidfortheorderlies,techniciansand
receptionstaff.Ifanybodyasksyouforanupfrontpaymentjusttoseethedoctor,itislikely
thattheyaretryingtoscamyou.Youshouldimmediatelydemandtospeaktothehospital
administrator.
Donations:
SpecialNote:Althoughalldonationsarewelcome,youshouldbeawarethatdonationsofsoap,
shampoo,toothpasteandtoiletpaperareamongthemostcommon.Mostlocals,especially
thoseworkingwithtourists,havemorethanenoughoftheseitems.Furthermore,Cubanscan
purchasethemveryinexpensivelythemselves.
Transportation
PublicTransportation:
InterestingFact:Duringthe1990’sCubasufferedatransportationcrisis.Therewasagreat
needforpublictransportation,butthegovernmenthadlittlemoneytospendonpurchasing
buses.TheCubangovernmentsolvedtheproblembyconstructingrudimentarybusesoutofold
machinery.Fundamentally,theyusedlargetractorrigstopullaroundpassengercarts.These
transportswerecalledGuaguasbecauseofthechuggingsoundtheymade.Thesearestill
usedonalimitedbasisinsomeoftheeasternprovinces,buttheyaremostlyobsolete,having
beenreplacedbymodernbuses.Smaller,antiquebuses,datingfromthe1950’sarestill
commonontheroadinmostcitiesduringoffpeakhours.ManyCubansstillusetheword
Guaguawhenreferringtoanybus.
OldCars:
InterestingFact:Anymotorizedvehicle,nomattertheageortype,isconsideredaprized
possessioninCuba.Oldvehiclesfromthe1960’sarecommonlylistedforsalefortensof
thousandsofdollars.Thereasonthesevehiclesareworthsomuchisbecauseoftheincome
potentialtheycanprovideastaxis.Whiletheaveragestatejobmightpaynomorethan$30per
month,ataxidrivercanpotentiallymake$30perday,ifheownsandoperateshisownvehicle.
Thiswouldequatetoabout$10000peryear,analmostunheardofsumofwealthinCuba.All
carsarecherishedandrigorouslycaredfor,passeddownfromonegenerationtoanother,
usuallysustainingthelivelihoodofseveralfamilies.
PrivateTaxis(TaxisParticulares):
ImportantNote:InCuba,thewordparticularusuallyreferstosomethingwhichisprivateor
independent.Ataxiparticularorausoparticularbus,simplymeansaprivateorindependently
ownedbusortaxi.Itissimplyawaytodistinguishthesevehiclesfromthetypical,state-owned
busesortaxis.TaxisParticularesareconsideredcommunaltaxisandsometimesalsocalled
colectivos.Theydrivealongafixedroute,pickingupanddroppingoffpassengers,almostlikea
bus.Theyareverycheaptouse,butyoumustlearnthetaxiroutesfirst.Theprocessofusing
oneofthesetaxisandthedetailsofthemajorroutesisexplainedintheRealHavanaGuide.
InterestingFact:Achildcanrideinataxiparticularforfree,aslongastheyareseatedonan
adult’slap.Furthermore,forsafetyreasons,childrenmustalwaysrideinthebackseatofataxi
particular,whethertheyareaccompaniedbyanadultornot.
StateTaxis:
InterestingFact:InthecityofHavana,state-operatedtaxisarecommonlyreferredtobylocals
asCincoCincotaxis,whichmeans“fivefive”taxis.Theyaregiventhisnamebecausethe
telephonenumbertoreserveataxiinHavanais8555555.AsatouristIwouldnotrecommend
reservingastatetaxiaheadoftime,consideringitissoeasytofindoneinalmostanylocation.
BikesinHavana:
ImportantNote:IfyouplanonusingabikeinCuba,alwaysremembertobringagoodlockwith
you,sincebikelocksarealmostimpossibletofindinCubaandtheftishigh.Evenifyouhavea
goodlock,thebestwaytobeabsolutelysurethatyourbikewillbesafeistoparkitinsecure
facility,calledaParqueo.ThroughoutHavana,whereverthereisaparkinglot,youwillnotice
attendants,dressedinstate-issued,redandwhiteuniforms,keepingwatchoverthecars,
motorcyclesandbikes.Foranominalsum(halfapeso(MN)perhour)theattendantwillguard
yourbike.Thesmallcostiswellworththepeaceofmind.
GoingToTheHavanaBeaches(PlayasdelEste)
ImportantNote:Ifyouareleavingthebeachlateatnight(after10pm)itcanbemoredifficultto
findataxiparticulargoingtoHavana.Inpeakbeachseason,it’susuallynotaproblem,butin
thelowseason,itcansometimestakeafewtriesbeforeyousnagaride.Intheworstcase
scenario,youmighthavetopaythedriverabitextra(afewCUC)toswayhisdecisioninyour
favor.
SpecialNote:SomeguidesmentionthattheHersheyTrainisanexcellentwaytogetfrom
HavanatothePlayasdelEste.Thisismisleading.Ifyousimplywanttoexperienceatrainride
inCuba,thiscanbeafunouting,butifyourintentionsaretogotothebeacheasilyand
cheaply,thiswillnotbethebestchoiceofroute.Asmentioned,ataxiparticularwilltakeyou
fromHavanatoGuanabobeachinabout30minutesandcostyou50pesos(MN)(about2
CUC).TheHersheytrainwillcostyouslightlyless(1.40CUC),butyouwillhavetotakeaferry
toCasablanca,andthentakethetrain,andhopethatbothoftheseservicesareoperational.
Forgettingaboutalltheothercommondelays,thetrainridefromHavanatoGuanabousually
takesover45minutes,andtheactualtrainstopislocatedinanemptyfield,severalkilometers
outsideofGuanabo.Itcaneasilytakeyouanadditionalhourtowalkallthewaytothebeach.
Ifyouwantanadventure,itcanbeafuntrip.Ifyoujustwanttogettothebeach,it’sahassle,
anditcantakemorethan2hours,onagoodday.
Accomodations
Hotels:
ImportantNote:Contrarytocommonmisconceptions,Cubancitizensareallowedtostayatall
hotelsontheisland,providedtheyhaveavalidreservationandhavepaidthenightlyfare.The
hotelfareforaCubanisexactlythesameasthatforaforeigner.
CasasParticulares:
InterestingFact:ThroughoutCubathereisahighlydevelopedprivatehouseandroomrental
network.TheseaccommodationsarecalledCasasParticulares(privatehomes).Theyoffer
someofthehighestqualityandlowestpricedaccommodationsontheisland.Moreover,since
youwillbestayinginsideanindependently-owneddwellingwithaCubanlandlord,youwillhave
anopportunitytolearnaboutthecultureupclose,fromthevantagepointofaregularcitizen.
Mostcasasparticulareshaveawhiteandbluesignpostedoutside,indicatingthattheyare
registeredwiththegovernmentandhavealicensetolegallyrenttoforeigners.
InterestingFact:Itisusuallybesttonegotiatepricesandbookyourstaydirectlywiththecasa
owner,ratherthanthroughareservationsbroker.Thebrokerwillalwayschargeafeeof5CUC
pernighttomakeareservation,andthiswillinevitablybeincorporatedintoyourcasabillviaa
highernightlyroomprice.IfyouhaveabasicknowledgeofSpanishyouwillbeabletolocate
yourowncasainmostmajorCubancitiessimplybysearchingonlineCubanclassifiedpages
suchasRevolico.com.
InterestingFact:SomecasaparticularsinHavanaofferfreeinternettotheirguests.Thisis
usuallythecasewhenthelandlordsareexpatsfromforeigncountriesandhavespecialinternet
servicesinstalledfortheirpersonaluse.Someofthesecasasparticularesarementionedinthe
RealHavanaguide.
CasaParticularApartmentsinHavana:
TheguideRealHavana:ExploreCubaLikeALocalAndSaveMoneyhasdetailedreviewsof
over30apartmentswhichcanberentedinHavana,mostcostingonlyabout$20pernight.If
youaregoingtoCubaandwanttolivelikealocal,youshoulddefinitelycheckoutthecomplete
guideandreserveoneoftheseapartments.
InordertoviewhundredsofphotosofCuba,aswellaslistingsandpicturesofalltheCasas
Particulares,simplygotothewebsitewww.BestCubaGuide.com.Asapurchaserofthe
completeRealHavanaguide,younowhaveafree,lifetimemembershiptothisfantastic
resource.
-------------------------
Needhelpmakingtravelarrangements?Gotmorequestions?
RealHavanaisheretohelp!
Ifyourequireadditionalinformationorassistanceinmakingtravelarrangements,eitherbefore
orduringyourtravelsinCuba,youcanpostaquestionontheRealHavanaTravelForum,
locatedatwww.BestCubaGuide.com/Cuba-and-Havana-Forum/
Theforumisactiveandquestionsareansweredveryquickly.
Allservicespromotedonwww.BestCubaGuide.comarecommissionfreeandquality
guaranteed.
Wehavenegotiatedexclusive,lowcostdealsfor:
CasasParticulares
Longdistancetaxis
Airporttransfers
Havanacitytours
ProfessionalHavanatourguides
Aswell,ourknowledgeablemoderatorsandforumuserscanansweralmostanyquestion
aboutHavanaandCuba,andwehaveateamofexpertsinHavanaatalltimeswhocan
personallyassistyouandensurethatyourtripgoesperfectly.
BrowsetheBestCubaGuidewebsiteformoreinformationandmakeyourtaxiorcasa
particularreservationtoday!
www.BestCubaGuide.com
-------------------------
TopTenCubaTipList!
1)Alwaysnegotiateprices.Asaforeignerinarelativelypoorcity,mostofthelocalmerchants
willseeyouasacashmachine.Ifyouaretakingataxi,buyingabike,browsingsouvenirsor
rentingacasaparticular;wheneveryourequestapriceforaproductorservice,vendorswill
immediatelythrowoutahighnumber.Donotfeelshyaboutmakingalowcounteroffer.You
cansometimessave50%ormore.Mostimportantly,don’tworryaboutwalkingawayfroma
vendoriftheaskingpriceforsomethingistoohigh.Thistacticwillalmostcertainlyswaythe
sellertobecomemorereasonable,asmostvendorshatelosingsales.
2)Inconjunctionwithtip#1:Ifyouactlikeatourist,youwillbetreatedlikeatourist.Ifyouwalk
downabusytouriststreetwearinganoveltypanamahatandCheGuevarat-shirt,speaking
EnglishloudlyandcarryingalargeSLRcamera,everyjineteroinHavanawillapproachyouto
strike-upaconversation.It’snotnecessarilyabadthing,butyouwillbehoundedbymoneyseekersconstantly.Regardlessofyourcolor,nationalityorlanguage,youarefarmorelikelyto
blendinasalocalifyousimplydressmodestly,similarlytohowyouwoulddressonadaily
basisinyourhomecountry.
3)Besafe.Thebestwaytodothisistoexercisecautionandcommonsense.Ageneralruleis
thatifyouwouldnotdosomethinginyourowncountry,thenyoushouldnotriskdoingitinCuba
either.Forforeigners,theriskofrunningintotroubleincreasesdramaticallywhenheavy
drinkingisinvolved.Moderationandgoodjudgmentwillhelpyouavoidmosthasslesandensure
aproblemfreetrip.
4)UseMonedaNacional.MostCubansreceivetheirsalaryinMonedaNacionalandthisisthe
mostcommoncurrencyused.Thereisnoreasonthatyoucannotuseitaswell.Forsome
goodsandservicesyouwillhavenochoicebuttouseCUC.Thisisespeciallythecaseina
largecitylikeHavana.Butthisshouldbetheexceptionandnottherule.Ifyoumakeaneffortto
onlybuythingswhicharepricedinMNyouwillsavealotofmoney.Furthermore,youwill
immerseyourselfintheCubanlifestyle,sinceyouwillbevisitingthesamestoresandshopsas
locals.
5)Treatyourselftoagood,sitdownmealeveryday.WhileyoucansurvivewellinHavanaby
simplyeatingstreetfood,itisagoodideatohavesomethingslightlymorefulfillingatleast
onceperday.Afullmealatarestaurantonlycostsabout4CUC,andthegenerousservingof
healthyfoodwillgiveyoutheenergythatyouneedtoexploreeveryinchHavana.Despitebeing
delicious,moststreetfoodinCubaissimplyfilledwithemptycarbohydratesandprovideslittle
nutrition.
6)Appreciatetheculture.Cubaisreallydifferentfromalotofotherplacesintheworld.You
willespeciallynoticethisifyouarefromamodern,westerncountry.InCuba,peoplehave
differentattitudestowardsmoney,family,communityandentertainment.Observingthelocals
andmakingafewfriendswillreallyhelpyoutounderstandtheCubanwayoflife.
7)Keepanopenmindandletgoofanypre-conceivednotionsaboutCubaorHavana.Contrary
tosomeclaims,everythingisnotallaboutpolitics.TheaverageCubaniswell-informedofthe
broadthemesaffectingtheircountryandtheworld.Atthesametime,theyareprobablyfar
lessconcernedwiththesemattersthanyouwouldthink.Whilethemostvocalmembersof
societywillimmediatelysharetheiropinions,thatdoesnotmeanthattheyspeakforeverybody.
Ifyoutalktoavarietyofregularpeople,youaresuretogainaclearerperspective.
8)Exploreeverything.Mostguidebooksprovidelistsofhundredsofdifferenttouristattractions
tovisit.Whiletheseplacescanhelpyoulearnhistoryandfacts,theygiveyoualmostnoinsight
intodailylife.ThebestwaytodiscoverCubaistoleaveyourmapathomeandsimplygetlost
asyouwanderaround.Cubancultureisveryopen,andyouarealmostguaranteedtomeet
peopleandseefascinatingthingsasyouwalkaround.InHavana,thisisespeciallytrue.Ifa
doorisunlocked,youshouldconsiderthataninvitationtoenter.
9)Don’tgetboggeddownbysmallproblems.InCuba,inconveniencesarenormal.Buseswill
breakdown,reservationswillbechanged,lineswillbelong.Thesunwillburnyou.Theweather
willmakeyousweatandthemosquitoeswillmakeyouitch.InHavanaparticularly,youmight
evengetscammedoutofafewdollars,despiteyourbesteffortstoavoidit.Don’ttakethese
problemspersonally;theyhappentoforeignersandlocalsalike.Don’tallowthemtosouryour
trip,oryourimageofthecountry.
10)Enjoythecheapentertainment.TherearealotsoffunthingstodoinHavana,andmostof
themareeithercompletelyfree,orcostjustanominalprice.Iftheaveragelocal,earningjust
$30permonth,canfindwaystohavefun,thenyoucansurelykeepyourselfentertainedona
tightbudget.Don’talwaysexpecttogosomeplacespecificandengageinaparticularactivity
foramusement.InCuba,thegreatestpleasurescomefromrelaxingandinteractingwith
interestingpeople.Considerthisanopportunitytoslowdownyourlifeandenjoythemoment,
ratherthansimplyjumpingfromoneplantoanother.
TakingaTripFromHavanatoTrinidad
Trinidadisasmalltown,locatedonthesouthcoastofCuba,nearthemidpointoftheisland.Itisone
oftheoldesttownsinCuba,withahistorydatingbackmorethan500years.Thetownisverywell
preserved,withmostlyoriginalarchitecture,tight,windingstreets,pavedwithcobblestones,anda
picturesquesurroundingofhills,valleys,farmsandevenanearbybeach.Itisoneofthemostpopular
excursiondestinationsfortouristsvisitingHavana.
Stateorganizedbustours,usuallylastingadayortwoareofferedbymanyCubantouroperatorsand
canbepurchasedinmosthotellobbies.Officialexcursionpricesrangefromabout200CUCtoover
400CUCperperson,dependingonthedurationanditineraryofthetrip.Withalittlebitofplanning,
youcanorganizeyourownTrinidadexcursionforconsiderablyless.Ifyouareeagertoviewa
charming,oldworldtownthathasbeenlistedasaUNESCOWorldHeritagesitesince1988,then
Trinidadistheplacetogo.
GettingFromHavanatoTrinidad
TakingtheBus
Despitebeing365kilometers(225miles)awayfromHavana,itisrelativelyeasytogettoTrinidad,
evenforanovicetraveler.YoucaneasilytaketheViazulbusservice,whichoperatesdailyroutes
fromHavanatoTrinidad.Ifyoubookaheadoftime,youwillhavenoproblemgettingaseat.The
ViazulbusterminalinHavanaislocatedatthecornerofAvenida26andAvenidaZoologico,inthe
NuevoVedadoneighborhood.Youcanbookyourticketsdirectlyattheterminal,anditisadvisedto
bookatleastafewdaysbeforetraveling.Anevenbetteroptionistobookandpayforyourtickets
online,atwww.Viazul.com.Onthedayoftravel,yousimplyarriveatthebusterminal30minutes
beforeyourdeparturetimetocheckyourbags(ifyouaretravelingwithluggage)andyouwillsoon
beseatedinamodern,airconditionedbus,makingyourwaytowardsyourdestination.Thebusride
costs25CUCperpersonandthetriptakesabout6hours.Thebusmakesstopsatmostmajortowns
alongthewaytodropoffandtakeonnewpassengers.Thisisthemainreasonfortheextendedtrip
duration.OnceinTrinidad,thebusterminalisjustbesidethetowncenter,withineasywalking
distancetomostpopularlocations.
HireaTaxi
HiringataxitogetyoufromHavanatoTrinidadismoreexpensivethantakingthebus,butthe
advantageisthatyoucansetyourowndeparturescheduleandyourtraveltimeisreduced
significantly,withmosttaxismakingthedirecttripin4hoursorless.Yourtaxioptionsarevaried
anddependonwhatkindoftripyouwanttoexperienceandhowmanyotherpassengersyouare
travelingwith.Taxisalwayschargebythecarload,soitismoreaffordabletosharetheridewith
othertouristsandsplitthefareaccordingly.Ayellow,airconditioned,moderntaxicarwillusually
makethetripfromHavanatoTrinidadforabout160CUC.Thisisthemostconvenientoptionfor
mostpeople.Sharedbetween4passengers,thiswouldonlybemarginallymoreexpensivethanthe
Viazul.TherearealsooldAmericancartaxiswhichdothetripforroughlythesameprice.The
disadvantagewiththesevehiclesisthattheyarenotairconditioned,andthewindowsareusually
rolledallthewaydownforthedurationofthetrip,forventilation.Foralongdistancetriplikethis,it
canbecomeunpleasant.Furthermore,asthesevehiclesareold,thereisanincreasedriskof
breakdownonthehighway.Ifyouaretravelingasalargergroup,youcanalsoconsiderhiringa
minibustotakeyourgrouptoTrinidad.Anairconditionedminibuscanusuallyseat10to14
passengersandthetrippricerangesfrom220CUCto300CUCtotal.
FindingATaxi
ItislikelythatanytaxiyouseeinHavanawouldbewillingtoquoteyouapricetodrivetoTrinidad.
Ifyouarelookingforabetterdeal,agoodplacetosearchisneartheViazulterminalinHavana
(cornerofAvenida26andAvenidaZoologico,intheNuevoVedadoneighborhood).Thereare
usuallydozensoftaxiswaitingoutsidethebusstationanxiousforlongdistancefares.Ifyouare
travelingalone,thesedriverswillevenhelptofindothertouriststosharetherideandthecost.
IfyouareplanningyourtriptoTrinidadaheadoftime,youcanbookyourtaxionline,at
www.BestCubaGuide.com/Taxis.Thewebsiteofferssomeofthelowestpricesavailablewithmany
differentvehicleandtripoptions.Amodern,airconditionedtaxi,fromHavanatoTrinidad,withupto
4passengers,isonly160CUC,withdoortodoorpickupanddrop-off.Inlowseasonthepriceiseven
lower.
ExploringtheTownofTrinidad
OldTown
TheTrinidadtowncenteriscommonlyreferredtoastheOldTown.Itisveryeasytoidentifyand
mostforeignerswhovisitTrinidadspendmostoftheirtimeinthisarea.Thestreetsarepavedin
unevencobblestones.Thehousesandbuildingsarealmostallhundredsofyearsold.Thiswasthethe
firstpartofthetownwhichwasconstructedwhentheareawasoriginallysettled,over500yearsago.
Ithasbeenwellpreservedandovertheyearsmanyofthebuildingshavebeencarefullyrestored.
TherearestrictpreservationlawsenactedbytheCubangovernmenttoensurethatanyrenovationsto
thebuildingswithinthisareamaintainthearchitecturalintegrityoftheoriginalstructures.Effectively,
theOldTownisagiantmuseum,andthisiswhatmakesitsuchastrongtouristdraw.TheOldTown
isalsogatedofftovehicletraffic.Onlywalkingandbikingispermitted.
ThestreetsintheOldTownaretightandwinding,toaforeigneritcanseemchaotic.Despitethe
smalloverallareaofthisneighborhood(lessthan500metersindiameter)itisveryeasytobecome
disorientedandlost.Thisplanwasbydesign,inordertoconfuseandimpedepirates,whichregularly
invadedthetownthroughoutthe17thcentury.
TheOldTownisbuiltonagentlyslopinghill.Atthecenteroftown,locatednearthetopofthehill,is
thePlazaMayor,thecentraltownsquare.Theplazaissurroundedbydozensofhistorically
significantbuildings,mostofwhichhavebeenconvertedtomuseums.Ifyouenjoyhistory,youwill
findthisanideallocationtoexplore.InfrontoftheplazaistheimposingChurchoftheHolyTrinity
(IglesiaParroquialdelaSantísimaTrinidad).Totherightofthechurch(oneblocknorthoftheplaza)
istheChurchandConventofSaintFrancis(IglesiayConventodeSanFrancisco).Thischurch,with
itstall,brightlypaintedbelltowerisoneofTrinidad’smostrecognizablelandmarks,prominently
featuredonadvertisementsandpostcards,aswellasonCuba’s25centCUCcoin.Alsointheareayou
willseeseveraloutdoorstreetfairswherelocalsellershavesetupstallssellingcrafts,linens,
souvenirsandclothes.
EasternTrinidad
Walkingsouth-east,outofthegatedOldTown,youwillsoonbeenteringadecidedlypoorerarea.
Althoughthestreetsarestillpavedwithcobblestones,youwillnoticecarsdrivingoverthemandalot
fewertourists.MostofthehousesinthisareamaintainthesamearchitectureasthoseintheOld
Town,butlackrestoration.
ThisneighborhoodofeasternTrinidadisagreatareatoexploreifyouwanttogetawayfromthe
touristcrowdsandseehowthelocalslive.ThemostprominentattractionintheareaistheIglesiade
SantaAna,facingalargesquare(PlazaSantaAna).Thechurchisinruins,butthereisasmall
museumandrestaurant/barnearby.Thesquarehashistoricalsignificance,astheformerlocationofa
largeSpanishprison.
ThestreetsineasternTrinidadallgentlyslopeawayfromtheOldTownandtowardstheocean,
which,onaclearday,canbeseeninthedistance.ThesmallporttownofCasilda,locatedabout4
kilometerssouthofTrinidad,connectedbyasmallhighway,canalsobeseen.
NewTown
IfyouareenteringTrinidadbytaxiorbus,thenthefirstneighborhoodthatyouwilllikelypass
throughistheNewTown.Asthenamesuggests,thisareaiscomposedofmostlynewerbuildings,
whicharenotasarchitecturallyornateasanythingintherestofthecity.Ifyoudonothaveafixed
destinationinmindwhenarrivinginTrinidad,itiscommonfortaxidriverstodropyouoffatthe
ParqueCentralCespedes.Thisisasmallplaza,locatedinfrontoftheIberostarGrandHotelTrinidad,
(oneofthemostprominenthotelsinthecity).Thisareaisgenerallyconsideredastheborderbetween
theNewTownandthebeginningoftheOldTown.
Whilethereisnotmuchofhistoricimportancelocatedinthenewerpartoftown,itcanbeagood
placetoexploreandpeoplewatch,asthisiswherethevastmajorityoflocalsliveandspendtheir
days.Streetfoodvendorsandsmallpaladaresalsolinethemainstreetsinthisareaandpricesfor
foodanddrinksareafractionofwhatyouwillpayintheOldTown.Ifonlyforthat,itiswellworth
spendingsometimeinthisneighborhood.
Note:Trinidad'sstreethustlers(jineteros)arenotoriousfortheirbrazenness,persistenceand
organization.ThesituationisfarworseherethananywhereelseinCuba,includingHavana.Itis
highlyadvisabletobesuspiciousofanybodyyoumeetonthestreetofferingyouassistanceoradvice
relatingtobars,restaurants,entertainmentoptionsorcasasparticulares.Theyalmostcertainlyhave
ananglewheretheywillbeabletoscamabitofmoneyoutofyoubytheendoftheday.Although
thesescamsaregenerallyharmlessandpetty,theycanbetedious,timeconsumingandoff-putting.
Oneofthemostcommonscamsoccurswhentouristshavejustarrivedinthetownandaresearching
fortheirpre-bookedaccommodations.HustlerswaitattheViazulterminalandgreetunsuspecting
tourists,astheyexitthebus.Theyexplain,usuallyinwellspokenEnglish,thattheyweresentbythe
casaownertoescortthetouristdirectlytotheircasa.Inevitably,ifyoufollowoneofthesehustlers,
youwillarriveatanentirelydifferentcasathanthatwhichyoubooked,andthehustlerwillalways
makeahealthycommissionfromyourmisfortune.Thehustlersaresowellversedintheirtradethat
theysometimesevenscamCubantaxidriverswhomightgetlostinTrinidad'swindingstreets,
convincingthedriverstodropofftouristsatthewrongcasas.Alwaysconfirmthatthecasayouare
stayingin,isinfacttheactualcasathatyoumadereservationsfor.And,ifyoumeetsomebodyatthe
busstationwhoclaimstobesentfromyourcasalandlord,nevertellthemyournameandcasadetails
first.Iftheyweregenuinelysentfromthelandlordtoescortyoutothecasa,makethemconfirmyour
detailsfirst.
CasasParticularesinTrinidad
AsTrinidadisaverypopulartouristdestination,andhasbeenformanyyears,thereisanabundance
ofgoodcasasparticularesthroughoutthetown.InthehistoriccenterofTrinidadmanyoftherental
unitsarelocatedinsidehistoricmansions.Thesemansionsretainmostoftheiroldworld
architecturaldetails,includingstonecolumns,vaultedceilings,woodenbeamsandmoldings,and
expansiveinnercourtyardsallowingnaturallightandfreshcrossbreezestoflow.Inthesemansions,
whileyouhaveaprivateroomwithitsownlockingdoor,youwilloftensharethecommonareasof
thehousewiththelandlordsandotherguests.
Outsideofthetowncenter,therentalpropertiestendtobenewer.Thesecasasareoftenindependent
roomsorapartments,whereyoureceivethekeytothefrontdoorandcancomeandgoincomplete
privacy.
Regardlessoftheageofthecasaparticular,theyalmostalwayshaveairconditionedbedroomswith
modern,en-suitebathrooms.Furthermore,mostcasashaverooftopterraceswhichofferpicturesque
viewsofthecityandsurroundingmountains.
ThereareenoughcasasinTrinidadthatareservationisusuallynotnecessary.Youcansimplyarrive
inthetown,walkaroundforafewminutesandlocateasuitableplacetostay.Therentalproperties
areallclearlymarkedwithsignsabovetheirdoors.Evenifonelandlorddoesnothavevacancy,they
willquicklycallupfriendsandfindanearbyplaceforyoutostay.
Ifyouwanttobookaccommodationsaheadoftime,youcansearchonline.Thereisalsoagood
selectionofrentalpropertiesonthewebsitewww.BestCubaGuide.com
Note:YoumightarriveinTrinidadandwonderwhytherearesomanyelegantmansionsinsucha
smalltown,locatedratherfarfromHavana.Whiletheabundanceoftourismiscurrentlydrivingthe
Trinidadeconomy,therearealsosomeveryimportanthistoricalfactorsforthehighrelativewealth
intheregion.AsoneoftheearliestsettlementsinCuba,andsurroundedbyfertilefarmland,Trinidad
wasthenexusfortheisland’searlysugarindustry.Yearslater,potteryandclaytilemanufacturing
boostedeconomicactivity.Andinpresentday,tobaccoprocessingisamajorindustrythroughoutthe
area.
GettingAround
Trinidadisarathersmalltown,lessthan2.5kms(1.5miles)wide.Theeasiestwaytogetaroundthe
mainareasisonfoot.Withinthehistoriccenter,nocarsarepermitted,sowalkingisthenorm.Bikes
arealsoused,butgiventhatthestreetsarepavedinroundedcobblestones,bikingcanbechallenging
(mostcasasparticularescanarrangebikerentalsatacostofabout3to5CUCperday).Evenwalking
onthecobblestonescangettiring,andassuch,manystreetshaveanarrowcementsidewalkalongthe
side,which,despitebeingcrowded,isoftenthebestoption.
Inthenewerpartsoftown,thestreetsareasphaltandaccommodatebikesandcars.Bicycletaxisare
abundantandcantakeyoufromoneendoftowntotheotherforabout3CUC.
Ifyouhaveabike,youcaneasilyuseittogettovisitsomeoftheinterestinglocationsoutsideofthe
maintown(thesearelistedonthefollowingpages).Yellowtaxisarealsoplentifulandarethe
quickestwaytovisitplacesontheoutskirtsoftown.Therearealsosomecommunaltaxiswhich
operateroutestothelocalattractions.Whilethesearecheaperthanyellowtaxis,theycanbedifficult
tolocate.Lastly,therearetourbuseswhichhaveregularroutesfromTrinidadtothesurroundings.
Mostlythesearereservedforforeignerswhohavebookedexcursionpackages.Sometimesthereare
extraseatsavailableataffordablefares.Youcanvisitoneofthemanytouristinformationoffices
locatedthroughoutTrinidadoraskyourcasalandlordforhelpinmakingthereservations.
Thereisalsoarestoredsteamtrainwhichoperatesinthearea.Thiswillbediscussedinthefollowing
section.
InterestingPlacestoVisitandThingstodointheSurroundAreas
Casilda-Thisisasmallporttownlocatedabout5minutesdrivingdistancesouthofTrinidad.You
caneasilygettherebytaxi,bikeorwalking.ThetownoverlookstheBayofCasilda,whichisa
popularareaforsnorkelingandagoodplacetofindanoutfitter,ifyouwanttogosportfishing.The
townitselfismodest,althoughthereareafewrentalpropertiesandacoupleofrestaurants.Casildais
agoodplacetostayifyouwanttoexperienceTrinidadfromalesstouristyperspective,whilealso
beingclosertotheocean.
PlayaAncon-OntheothersideoftheBayofCasildaisthelovelyPlayaAnconbeach.Thebeachis
locatedonalongarchipelagothatshieldsthebay.Theroadleadingtothebeach,fromCasilda,
sweepsaroundthebay.Alltold,PlayaAnconisabout10minutesdrivingdistancefromTrinidad.You
wouldbeabletobikethereinabout30minutes.Thebeachissandy,wide,andabout8kms(5miles)
long.Therearethreelargeresorthotelsalongthebeach,locatedataboutthemidpointofthe
archipelago.Butoneithersideofthosehotels,therearevastexpansesofrelativelysecludedbeach,
offeringtranquilityandseclusion.Itisveryeasytofindahidden,privateareaonPlayaAncon,and
youcouldeasilyspendadayinthesun,sandandsurfwithoutseeinganotherperson.
ValledelosIngenios-EastofTrinidadyouwillfindthesprawlingValledelosIngenios(Valleyof
theSugarMills).Originally,thisareawastheepicenterofCuba'ssugar-tradeeconomy.Currently,the
lushvalleyisspottedwiththeruinsofdozensofsugarmills,abandonedsugarwarehousesand
historiccolonialmanorsandslavedwellings.Thebestwaytoseethevalleyiswithahorseback
ridingtourwhichyourcasalandlordwillbeabletoorganize.Pricesareapproximately20CUCfor5
to6hourtour,coveringmostimportantsightseeinglocations.
ElMiradorRestaurant-About5kms(3miles)eastofTrinidad,alongtheCircuitoSurhighway,is
theElMiradorrestaurant/bar.Theestablishmentisperchedonahillandoffers360degreeviewsof
theValledelosIngenios(ValleyoftheSugarMills).Drinksarecheapandfoodismoderatelyprices,
butitiscompletelyfreetosimplywalkupthelongflightofstairstotherestaurantandenjoythe
viewsofthevalleyfromtheopenterrace.Itwilldefinitelygiveyousomeperspectiveonthe
grandiosityoftheareaandtheimportancethatsugarproductiononcehadforCuba'seconomy.
AntiqueTrain-Afunwaytoexperiencethevalleyistotakearideontheantiquesteamtrain.The
traindepartsfromTrinidadandslowlymakesitswaythroughthevalley,goingthroughseveral
tunnelsandoverafewironbridges,eventuallystoppingatthefamousManacaIznagaestateandthe
haciendaGuachinango,whichwillbediscussedinthenextsection.Althougharideonthisantique
engineisenjoyable,thetrainishighlyunreliable.Thetrainhasscheduleddepartureseveryday,
leavingTrinidadat9:30amandreturningat2pm.Thischangesoften,duetobreakdownsandweather
events.Roundtripticketscosts10CUCandcanbepurchaseddirectlyatthetrainstationinTrinidad,
locatedattheintersectionofCalleAntonioGuiterasandGeneralLinoPerez,inthewesternendofthe
town.
ManacaIznagaEstate-Continuingeast,alongtheCiruitoSurhighwayafurther10kmsfromtheEl
Miradorlookout,youwillfindtheManacaIznagaestate.The18thcenturyplantationwasownedby
PedroIznaga,oneoftherichestmeninCubawhomadehisfortunemostlyinslavetrafficking.The
estateiswellpreservedandoneofthemostpopularsightseeingdestinationsinthearea.Themain
drawistheIznagaTower,whichis45meterstall.Itwasusedtooverseetheslavesintheplantation
andasasymboloftheIznagafamily'spowerandwealth.Originallythetowerhadalargebellatthe
top.Thisbellisnowondisplayatthebaseofthetower.Thecosttowalkuptothetopofthetoweris
1CUC.ThecolonialIznagaestatehousefacesthetowerandhasbeenconvertedintoarestaurant.
Alsoontheestategroundsaresomeslavedwellingsinoriginalcondition.Mostofthesmallhouses
besidetheestatewereformerslavedwellingswhichhavesincebeenrenovatedandarecurrently
occupiedbytownlocals.Theantiquesteamtrainhasastopjustbesidetheestate.
HaciendaGuachinango-Thisisawellpreservedplantationranch-housewhichcurrentlyoperatesas
arestaurant.Itislocatedinthevalley,about2kmsawayfromtheManacaIznagaestate.Itis
surroundedbylushfarmlandandthereisasmallriver(RíoAy)thatwindsthroughthesurrounding
fields.Theantiquesteamtrainstopsdirectlyinfrontofthehouseeverymorning.Youcaneasilywalk
totheManacaIznagaestate,alongthetraintrack,inabout30minutes.
TopesdeCollantes-About5kmsnorthwestofTrinidad,connectedbytheCircuitoSurhighway,is
themassiveTopesdeCollantesnaturalreserveparkwhichencompassestheEscambrayMountain
range.Withinthepark,themainattractionsarecaves,waterfalls,clearbluelakesandriversandthere
isampleopportunityforhikingandtoseeindigenousplantsandwildlife.Giventheunpredictable
weatherinthemountainsandthesteepslopingroads,specialvehiclesarerequiredtodrivetothe
highestattractionsinthepark.Certaintaxidriverswilloffertomakethetripforanadditionalfee,but
breakdownsarecommon.Itisbesttovisitwithanorganizedexcursion.Accommodationswithinthe
reservearealsoavailable,atareasonablecost.
TrinidadNightlife
CasadelaMusica-Anoutdoormusicanddancevenue,locatedonasteep,slopingstreet,justoffthe
PlazaMayorintheOldTown.Drinksarecheapandthemusicplaysdayandnight.Therearetables
andchairsscatteredaround,andmanypeoplesimplysitonthestepsleadingupthehill.The
atmosphereisveryrelaxedandoffersagoodchancetomeetupwithlocalsandpracticeyourdance
steps.Thereisnoentrancefee.Justwalkaroundandenjoyyourself.
CasadelaTrova-LocatedoneblockeastofthePlazaMayor,thisindoormusicanddancehallhosts
nightlyshowswithpopularCubanmusicalgroups.Thereisalargeoutdoorterrace,usuallyfilled
withlocalsandtourists.Theentrancefeeis1CUCforforeigners.
DiscoAyala-Locatedabout6blocksnortheastofthePlazaMayor,onasmallhill,besidetheHotel
LasCuevas,justontheoutskirtsoftown.DiscoAyalaisalargenightclubbuiltinsideanaturalcave.
Enjoysalsaandreggaetonasyoudancethenightawayinthiscavernoussetting.Theentrancefeeis3
CUCandincludes1drink.
CasaParticularGuide
Thefollowingisalistofsomeofthebestandcheapestcasasparticularesin
Havana.Theseareindependent,privatelyownedapartmentsandroomswhichcan
berentedthroughoutCuba.Overthelastdecade,theyhavebecomeverypopular
accommodationoptionsforforeignersandtouristsvisitingtheisland.Notonlyare
casasparticularescheaperthanstayingatstaterunhotels,buttheyalsoofferthe
opportunitytoeasilyinteractwithCubanhosts,whilestillmaintainingprivacyand
independence.
AllrentalpropertiesinCubaundergostrictgovernmentinspectionsandmeethigh
qualitystandards.Safetyandcomfortarethemainpriority.Casasusuallyhaveair
conditioningineachbedroom.Bathroomsaremostlyrenovatedandmodern.
AllthecasasparticulareslistedinthisminiguidearelocatedwithintheVedado
neighborhoodofHavana.Thisisafantasticneighborhoodforforeignersbecause
theapartmentsarewellmaintainedanddespitebeingclosetotheHavanaaction,
Vedadoismuchlesstouristythanotherneighborhoods.Byrentingoneofthecasas
particularespresentedinthisguide,youwillhavetheopportunityofexperiencing
Havanalifefromalocalperspective,avoidtouristtraps,andsavealotofmoneyby
notrentingaroomatanoverpriced,state-runhotel.
Additionalphotosforallofthecasasparticularesmentionedinthisguide,aswellas
guestcomments,reviewsandnewadditionscanbefoundonthewebsite
www.BestCubaGuide.com.
GeneralCasaParticularNotes
Inalmostallcircumstances,Cubancitizensareallowedtoaccompanyforeigners
intocasasparticulares.Sincethecasaisrentedbythenight,andnotbytheperson,
nosupplementalfeesarerequired.ThecasaownermightrequirethatCuban
guestssignaguest-bookbeforebeingallowedentrance.Insomecases,theguest
willbeaskedtoshowidentification.Thisisstandardprotocolandisdoneasa
precaution,toreducetheriskoftheftfromthecasaandfortheforeigner’s
protection.Ifyourentacompletelyindependentcasathenthiswillnotbeanissue,
asyouwillhaveyourownfrontdoorkeyandcanenterandleaveincomplete
privacy,withwhomeveryouwant.
Mostcasasalsoofferlow-priceddiningoptions.Preparedbreakfastscanoftenbe
hadforabout4to5CUC.Lunchanddinnerpricesareusuallyhigherandvary
accordingtothemealselected.
Uponarrivalatacasaparticular,theownerswillaskforyourvisa.Yournameand
thedetailsofyourstaywillberecordedinaregistrationbook.Yoursignaturewill
alsoberequired.Thehouseownerwilltakethisinformationtobeprocessedata
localimmigrationofficeandyourvisashouldbereturnedwithin24hours.
Ifyouarestayingatacasaparticularforanextendedperiodoftime,itisalways
advisabletopayininstallments(forexample,4nightsatatime).Thiswillensure
thatifthereareeveranyproblemswiththecasa,youcaneasilycutyourstayshort
andfindotheraccommodations.
Youareneverrequiredtopayforyourcasaparticularstayimmediatelyuponarrival.
Takealookaroundthecasaandmakesureyouaresatisfiedwiththeconditionof
theunit.IfyouhavenotexchangedyourforeigncurrencyintoCubancurrency,and
itisalreadylateintheevening,don’tworry.Youcanrelaxforthenightandjustpay
thenextday,whenyouhavehadachancetouseamoneyexchangeservice.
Forforeigners,allcasaparticularstaysarepricedinCUCcurrency.Forthosewho
areunfamiliar,CUCisthenameoftheCuban“convertiblepeso”currencywhichis
usedontheisland.TheCUCcurrencyispeggedtotheUSdollarata1for1rate.
Forthepurposesofforeignersrentingapartments,youmustalwayspayinCUC.
TherearecertaincasasparticulareswhichacceptpaymentinMonedaNacional
(theotherCubancurrency),however,thesearereservedforCubancitizensonly.
Asaforeigner,thesewillnotbeavailabletoyou.
Almostalltouristcasasparticularesareindicatedwithablueandwhitecasa
particularsignwhichispostedonthefrontoftheapartmentorhouse.Ifyouever
findyourselfinCuba,searchingforalastminutecasaparticular,simplylookforthis
signandenquirewiththelandlordifthereisvacancy.
InterestingFact:Itisusuallybesttonegotiatepricesandbookyourstaydirectlywith
thecasaowner,ratherthanthroughareservationsbroker.Thebrokerwillalways
chargeafeeof5CUCpernighttomakeareservation,andthiswillinevitablybe
incorporatedintoyourcasabillviaahighernightlyroomprice.Ifyouhaveabasic
knowledgeofSpanishyouwillbeabletolocateyourowncasainmostmajorCuban
citiessimplybysearchingonlineCubanclassifiedpages.Or,justgothethiswebsite
andbookyourcasa,commissionfree.
TypesofCasasParticulares
Thereare3maintypesofcasaparticularesinCuba:Privaterooms,Independent
rooms,andIndependentapartments.Theyallhavesubtledifferencesandeachwill
bedescribedindetailintheirrespectivesections.
Inageneralsense,privateroomcasasareoneswhereyouaresimplyrentinga
roominahousewithaCubanfamily.Yourroomisprivate,buteverythingoutside
yourroom(livingroom,diningroom,kitchen)isshared.
Independentroomcasasareslightlydifferentinthattheroomsaregenerally
removedfromthemainhouse,thustheyofferabitmoreprivacy.Independent
roomsarenotfullapartmentssincetheydon’toffertheirownkitchensofliving
rooms.Youcanthinkofthemasroom-sizedstudioapartments.Themaindoorto
theseroomsusuallyleadsdirectlyoutsideorintoacourtyard.
Independentapartmentsarethemostprivateaccommodationoptions.Theyare
large,completeapartmentswhichhavemultiplerooms.Usuallytheseapartments
areslightlymoreexpensivethantheothercasaparticulareoptions,butaregreat
forpeoplewhoneedlotsofspacebecausetheyaretravelingwithfriendsorthose
whowantcompleteprivacy.
TheCasaParticularGuide
ThefollowingisalistofsomeofthebestandcheapestcasasparticularesinHavana.Theyareall
locatedwithintheVedadoneighborhood.AllpricesareinCUCpernight.Thereareno
supplementarycostsforhavingextraguestsstayintheroom.Asmentionedbefore,allrental
propertiesinCubaundergostrictgovernmentinspectionsandmeethighqualitystandards.Ihave
personallystayedatallthepropertiesinthislistandIcanconfirmthattheyareallfantasticlocations,
certaintofurtheryourexperienceinHavanabyallowingyoutolivelikealocalandsavemoney.
AllrentalpropertiesinthislistarepartoftheRealHavananetwork.Special,lowrateshave
beennegotiatedwiththelandlords.Therearenomiddlemancommissionstopayatthesecasas.
Thiswillpotentiallysaveyouhundredsofdollarsinbrokeragefees.
Manymorecasalistings,aswellasphotosforallthecasaslistedinthisguide,canbefoundon
thewebsitewww.BestCubaGuide.com.Youwillalsofindcasasparticularesforthe
neighborhoodsofCentroHavanaandOldHavana,aswellasthecitiesofVinalesandTrinidad.
Youcanusethiswebsitetoreservethecasasparticularesdirectly,online,atnoadditionalcost.
Ifyouarecontactingthecasasparticularesbyphone,besuretomentionthatyousawtheir
listingintheRealHavanaguide,inordertogetthespeciallowpricing.
Additionally,a“Map-View”ofallthecasasparticularescanbeseenatthefollowing
link.
PrivateRooms
Thefollowingaccommodationsareforprivateroomswithinashared,enclosed
house.Theguestshavetheuseofsomecommonareas,suchasthelivingroom,
balcony/terraceandkitchenfacilities,andhaveexclusiveprivateuseoftheirown
room,whichhasalockonthedoor.Inmanycases,theguestwillalsobegivena
keytothemainentranceofthehousesoheorshecanenterandexitatwill,without
havingtodisturbthehouseowner.Somehousesrentasingleroom,whileothers
renttwoormore.Thesecanberentedoutalltogether,forpeopletravelingin
groups,orseparately,forsingletravelersandcouples.Allroomshaveawindowand
airconditioner.Mostroomsalsohaveaprivatefridge,anen-suitebathroomand
offereitheraprivateorsharedtelephoneline.Inallcases,Cubanguestsare
permittedtoenter,freeofcharge.Sometimestheyareaskedtosignaguestbookto
ensurethesafetyofboththelandlordandthetenant.Specificdetailsforeachcasa
areprovidedbelow.
1)CasaTomasa:
Twoprivateroomsforrent,eachwithfridgeandairconditioner.Verymodernand
spaciousrooms(200sq.ft)locatedinsidearestoredmansion,offeringahostof
modernamenities.Eachroomhasanen-suitebathroomwhichisimmense,
spanningalmost100sq.ftwithwhitemarbleandtilework.Thehousehasahuge,
sun-filledterraceinfront,locatedjustinfrontofalargeparkandonly50feetaway
fromLaRampa.Landlordasks35CUCpernight.Clickhereforpictures,orto
bookthiscasaonline.
2)CasaPastorita:
Pastoritaisacharming,olderwomanwholiveswithhernephewinthisverylarge
andsunnysecondfloorapartment.Sherentsasingleroomwhichisspaciousand
hasitsownprivatebathroomadjacenttotheroom.Thesellingpointofthis
apartmentisthehuge,sunlitbalcony.Furthermore,thereisanimmenseterraceon
theroofspanningover1500sq.ftwhichisreservedforguestuse.Sitbackand
enjoysomebeersandcigarsasyouoverlookVedado.Friendsandguestsarevery
welcome.Pastoritaoffersyouthekeystotheapartmentandyoucancomeandgo
asyouwishthroughoutthedayandnight.Youcanalsousethekitchen.Forall
intentsandpurposes,youwillexperiencecompleteindependenceinthisroom.
Landlordasks25CUCpernight,or30CUCwithalargebreakfastincluded.Click
hereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.
3)CasaCarlosandJulio:
Threelargeroomsavailable.Inadditiontotheirprivatequarters,guestshave
accesstoafrontroom,filledwithplantsandartwork,andawell-equippedkitchen.
Thisapartmentislocatedonthesecondfloorofamansionandtheownersliveon
thethirdfloor.Theownersarealwaysavailabletoofferadviceortipsonexploring
thecity,butmostlyyouwillhavecompleteprivacy.Allroomshaveen-suite
bathroomswhicharehugeandmodern.Plantsfilltheapartmentandgiveanatural
warmthandcharm.Landlordasks35CUCpernight,perroom.Clickherefor
pictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.
4)CasaNancyandEnrique:
Ahuge,double-sizeroomisofferedatthebackofthemainlivingareaofthis
classicallydecorated,modernapartment.Thereisaqueenbedandasecond,
singlebed,canalsobeplacedintheroom,makingitidealforgueststravelingwith
children.Theroomalsohasaprivatebathroomandaprivatediningareaadjacent
tothebedroom.Apartitionseparatestheguestareafromtherestoftheapartment.
Enriquegiveshisgueststhefrontdoorkeysotheycanenterandleaveasthey
please.Althoughtheroomiswithinthemainapartment,itoffersalotofprivacy.
Guestscanalsousethemainkitchenandlivingquarters.NancyandEnrique
respectguestprivacy,butarealwaysavailabletogivetipsandadvicewhen
requested.Landlordasks30CUCpernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthis
casaonline.
5)CasaCecilia:
Oneverylargeroomforrent,withamassiveen-suitebathroom,inanoldmansion.
Notasluxuriousassomeoftheotherroomsonthislist,buttheadvantageisthat
thisroomisverylarge(over250sq.ft)andthepriceisabitcheaperthansomeof
theotheroptions.Cecilialivesinaseparatepartofthemansionandgivesher
guestscompleteindependenceandprivacy.Keysareprovidedsoguestscancome
andgoastheywish.Amassivelivingroomanddiningroom(over300sq.ft)are
alsoreservedexclusivelyforguestuse.Ceciliaisrarelyhomeso,mostofthetime,
guestswillhavethewholehousetothemselves.Thereisnoprivatefridgeinthe
bedroom;guestscanshareacommonfridgewithCecilia.Theapartmentislocated
justafewminutesawayfromthecornerofAve.deLosPresidentesandLaRampa,
oneofthemostpopularspotsforyoungpeopletogatherfordancing,drinkingand
socializing.Landlordasks30CUCpernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthis
casaonline.
6)CasaLeoandIvelis:
Thiscasaofferstwolarge,firstfloorroomswithinahuge,modernlydecorated
mansion.AlthoughthecasaislocatedonCalle23,veryclosetoalltheaction,the
roomsaresituatedatthebackofthehouseandareveryquiet.Theroomsare
about200sq.fteachandthereisalsoalarge,en-suitebathroomwhichmeasures
over100sq.ft.Theroomscanberentedtogetherorseparately.Guestsalsohave
accesstoaprivatelivingareameasuringover300sq.ftandashared
entertainmentroomwithalarge,flatpaneltelevisionandsoundsystem.Inaddition,
thereisaterraceinthefrontofthemansion.Thelandlord,Ivelis,isanEnglish
professorinHavanawhoisalwaysavailabletoanswerquestionsorgiveadvice
aboutthecity.Landlordasks30CUCpernight,perroom.Clickhereforpictures,or
tobookthiscasaonline.
7)CasaAlexanderandMargarita-PrivateRooms:
Beaguestinthismassivecolonialmansion!Therearetwoverylarge(over250
sq.ft),secondfloorroomstorent,eachwithitsownbathroomandfridge.The
roomscanberentedtogetherorseparately.Themansionhasbeencompletely
restoredandisfilledwithartwork.Floorsarecoveredinperfectlypreserved,marble
tiles.Noexpensewassparedintherestorationofthishistorichouse.Thereisa
largeterracewhichisreservedexclusivelyforguests,aswellasaprivateliving
roomarea.Alexanderlivesonthefarsideofthemansion,soheoffersalotof
privacytotheguests,butisalwaysavailabletoanswerquestionsorgiveadvice.
Thehouseislocatedinaquietarea,veryclosetodowntownVedadoanditisonthe
sunnysideofthestreet,sotheroomswillalwaysfeelbrightandairy.Guests
receivethekeysupontheirarrivalandcancomeandgoastheyplease.Alexander
alsohasaccesstoavehicleandcanoffercitytours,taxiservicesandeconomical
transportationtothecountrysideorotherCubanprovinces.SomeEnglishis
spoken.Landlordask40CUCpernight,perroom.Clickhereforpictures,orto
bookthiscasaonline.
8)CasaLuis:
Asecondfloorroominalarge,modernlydecoratedapartment.Theroomisrented
withthekeys,soguestscancomeandgoincompleteindependence.Thereisa
largeterraceinthefrontoftheapartment,adjacenttotheguestroom.Insidethe
room,thereisaprivatefridgeandkitchenarea.Thebedroomalsohasanen-suite
bathroom.Intotal,theroommeasuresabout150sq.ftandofferseverythingto
makeyourstayinHavanacomfortable.Thelandlord,Luis,isalwaysavailableto
givetipsortoanswerquestions,butguestshavecompleteprivacywithintheirown
quarters.TheroomislocatednearthecornerofCalleG(Ave.deLos
Presidentes),verycloseto23.SomeEnglishisspoken.Landlordask30CUCper
night.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.
9)CasaMaribel:
Twolarge,firstfloorroomsforrentwithinarestoredcolonialmansion.Bothrooms
areabout150sq.ftandareequippedwithtelevisions,airconditionersandfridges.
Guestshavetheuseofasmalloutdoorterraceattherearofthebuildinganda
largeyardandterraceinthefront.Maribelisacharmingolderwomanwhorespects
theprivacyofherguestsbutisalwaysavailabletoanswerquestionsorgiveadvice.
Theroomsinthishousearemodernandfullyequipped,andarepricedvery
affordably,asthelandlordpreferstohavethemrentedasmuchaspossible.Make
yourreservationinadvance,toensurethattheseroomsareavailable.Landlord
asksonly25CUCpernight,perroom.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasa
online.
10)CasaAzul:
Two,largeroomsforrentonthesecondfloorofthismansion.Theroomsarewell
equippedandmodern.Eachroomhasaqueenbedwiththeoptionofaddinga
singlebedforextraguestsorchildren.Roomsalsohaveprivate,en-suite
bathrooms.Guestscanusethediningareaandthesunnyterrace.Thelandlord
livesinaseparatepartofthehouseandgiveshisguestscompleteprivacy.The
roomscanberentedtogetherorseparately.Thisapartmentisverycloseto23rd
street,butitisextremelyquiet.Itisjustoneblockawayfromoneofthelargest
farmersmarketsinVedado.Landlordasks35CUCpernight,perroom.Pricesare
negotiableforstayslongerthan1week.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasa
online.
11)CasaGladys:
Threeroomsareforrentinthismassive,2000sq.ft,sunfilled,secondfloor,
penthouseapartment.Thismodernlyfurnishedandcompletelyrenovatedapartment
offersaluxuriousatmosphereinVedado.Theroomscanberentedseparately,or
thewholeapartmentcanberentedtogether.Eachroomoffersitsownlargeand
modernbathroom.Alaundrymachineisalsoavailableforguestuse.Themainliving
areahasagorgeouscornerbalconywhichoverlookstheintersectionofCalleD
and17.Gladysisanactive,middleagedwomanwholivesaloneintheapartment
andneverinterfereswiththeguests.Sheisalmostneverhome,soyouwillbasically
havecompleteindependence.SomeEnglishisspoken.Landlordasks30CUCper
night,perroom.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.
12)CasaYamila:
Twoverylarge,secondfloorroomsforrent(200sq.fteach),withen-suite
bathroomsandsharedphone.Akitchenareaiscurrentlybeinginstalledinone
roomandshouldbereadyshortly.Locatedonaquietstreetinamodernbuilding,
veryclosetoalltheactionofdowntownVedado.Guestsaregiventhekeyssothey
cancomeandgoastheywish.Thereisalargelivingroom(250sq.ft)locatedatthe
frontoftheapartmentwhichisalsoforguestuse.Theowner,Yamila,livesina
separateareaatthebackoftheapartment,whichisclosedofffromtherestofthe
livingarea.Landlordasks30CUCpernight,perroom.Clickhereforpictures,orto
bookthiscasaonline.
IndependentRooms
Thesecasasparticularesareroomswhichareprivateandcompletelyindependent,
withverylimitedinteractionbetweentheguestsandthelandlord.Theyarenot
simplyroomsforrentinahouse-theyhavetheirownexteriordoorandguests
aregiventhekeys,sotheycancomeandgoincompleteprivacy.These
IndependentRoomsofferabitmoreprivacythanthePrivateRooms,listedabove.
Cubanguestsarealwayspermittedtoenter,freeofcharge.
1)CasaMiriam:
Twolarge,independent,firstfloorroomsforrent.Eachroomspansabout200sq.ft
andismodernlydecoratedwithamplesunlight.Bothroomshaveaqueenbedas
wellasasinglebed.Thismakesitgreatforfamiliestravelingtogether,orifyouplan
onhavingguests.Eachroomhasitsownindependententranceandrentersare
providedallthekeys,sotheycanenterandleaveasneeded,incompleteprivacy.
Theroomscanberentedtogetherorseparately.Mealsareavailableandguests
alsohaveaccesstothesharedkitchenarea.Eachroomalsohasaccesstoa
large,privateterraceandyard.Acarportisalsoavailableforguestuse.Miriam
liveswithherhusbandinanisolatedpartofthehouse.Landlordasks30CUCper
room,pernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.
2)CasaElBosquecito-PrivateRoom:
Alarge,private,firstfloorroom,nestledwithinthegroundsofarestored,colonial
house.Theroomiscompletelyindependent,withitsowndoortotheoutsidewhich
opensontoalargeterrace,surroundedbyalushgarden.Theroomhasalarge
queenbedaswellasasmallerdoublebed.Childrenarealwayswelcome.Allkeys
areprovidedsotheguestscancomeandgoastheyplease.Thisisagreat,
economicalroomwhichisguaranteedtopleaseguestslookingforprivacywhilestill
havingtheoptiontointeractwithalocalCubanhost.Thelandlord,namedPello,is
anoldermanwhopasseshisdaytendinghisgardenandlovestellingstoriesand
sharingjokeswiththeguests.Theroomcanalsoberentedalongwithanadjoining,
large,privateapartment(CasaElBosquecitoPrivateApartment),toformamassive
2bedroom,4bedhouse,withkitchen,livingroom,terraceand2bathrooms.
Landlordasks25CUCpernight,fortheprivateroom.Clickhereforpictures,orto
bookthiscasaonline.
3)CasaVivianandLuis-PrivateRoom:
Thisisacompletelyprivateroomwithit’sownprivatebathroom,fridgeand
television.Theindependententrancetotheroomislocatedwithinasafe,inner
courtyard,butyougetthekeytothefrontgatetoo,soyoucanenterandleaveas
youwant.Theroomisabout150sq.ftandislocatedveryclosetotheVedado
action,butonaquietandsafestreet.Thisroomislocatedonthesamepremises
astheCasaVivianyLuisPrivateApartment.Ifneeded,thetwounitscanberented
togethertoformaverylargeandcompletelyprivatehouse,withatotalof2
bedroomsand2bathrooms.SomeEnglishandFrenchisspoken.Landlordasks25
CUCpernight,fortheprivateroom.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasa
online.
4)CasaEmma:
Theownerrentstwoseparateandcompletelyprivaterooms,locatedatthebackof
themainhouse.Eachroomisaccessiblebyitsownprivatefrontdoor,openingup
toalarge,outsidecourtyard,wellremovedfromthestreetandenclosedwithinthe
groundsofthemainhouse.Inordertogettothecourtyardandrooms,youmust
enterthroughthemainhouseandwalkthroughthecenterhallway.Althoughthe
roomsarecompletelyprivate,andyouareprovidedyourownkeys,youmustring
thedoorbellofthemainhouseandwalkthroughthehallwayinordertogettothe
rooms.Theowner,Emma,prefersthissetupforherownsafety,assheisasingle
woman.Ifyouareawomantravelingalone,thiscasawouldbeideal,becauseitis
extremelysafewhilestillofferingcompleteprivacy.Youhaveuseoftheshared
phonelocatedinthemainlivingareaofthehouse.Oneoftheprivateroomsislarge
(about200sq.ft)andincludesaqueenbedaswellasadoublebedlocatedona
mezzanine.Theotherroomisjustfractionallysmallerandhasnomezzaninearea.
Bothroomsarecompletelymodernizedwithnewbathroomsandflatscreen
televisions.Landlordasks30CUCpernight,perroom.Clickhereforpictures,orto
bookthiscasaonline.
IndependentApartments
Thefollowinglistingsareforcompletelyprivateandindependentapartmentswhich
canberentedintheVedadoarea.Thesearewholeapartments,whichusuallyhave
abedroom,aprivatelivingroom,diningroom,kitchen,bathroomandbalconyor
terrace.Allapartmentsincludeanairconditionerandafridge.Mostalsoincludeda
kitchenandaprivateorsharedtelephoneline.Inallcases,Cubanguestsare
permittedtoenter,freeofcharge.Sometimestheyareaskedtosignaguestbookto
ensurethesafetyofboththelandlordandthetenant.Detailsarelistedinthewriteupsprovidedbelow.
1)CasaVivianandLuis-IndependentApartment:
Offeringacompletelyindependent,firstfloorapartment,withonebedroom,asmall
yard,driveway,terrace,kitchen,bathroom,andlivingarea.Yougetthekeyandfree
useofthewholeapartment.Locatedonanextremelyquietstreetwithinwalking
distancetoeverything.Youalsohaveaprivatephoneintheapartment.Ifyouneed
tworooms,thisapartmentcanberentedtogetherwithCasaVivianandLuis
PrivateRoom,givingyouaccesstoanotherseparatebedroomwithitsownprivate
bathroom.Landlordasks30CUCpernight,forthemainapartment.Clickherefor
pictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.
2)CasaIrina:
Ahuge,privateapartment(1000sq.ft)locatedinanart-decostyleapartment
building.Themodern,twobedroomapartmentislocatedonthe4thfloor
(penthouse)withbeautifulviewsofVedadofromeveryroom.Bothbedroomsare
large,andhavetheirownprivatebalconies.Theapartmentiscompletely
independent.Bedroomscanberentedtogether,orseparately.Yougetyourown
keystothefrontdoorandyoucancomeandgoasyouplease.Theowner,Irina,
livesinanotherapartmentinthebuildingandsheisveryhelpfulifyouneed
anything,butshegivesherguestscompleteindependence.Theapartmentis
locatedonthe4thfloor,anditisawalkup(noelevator).It’snotadifficultwalk,butif
youdon’tlikestairs,thenitmightbeanissue.SomeEnglishandRussianisspoken.
Landlordasks35CUCperroom,pernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthis
casaonline.
3)CasaSilvia:
Completelyprivate,onebedroom,firstfloorapartment,perfectforguestsseeking
completeindependence.Youhaveyourownyard,terrace,livingroom,kitchen,
bathroomandlargebedroom.Youaregiventhekeysandyoucanenterandexitas
youwish.Thestreetisquietandthelargeterraceinfrontiscompletelyenclosed
withornate,wroughtirongrills.Thisapartmentisperfectforfamilieswithyoung
childrenastheywillbeabletoplaysafelyontheterraceorintheyardarea.An
extratwinsizedbedcanalsobeaddedinthebedroom,forfree.Whilethe
apartmentitselfdoesnotofferluxury,itisperfectlycleanandremarkablylarge(over
600sq.ft).Theownerlivesinaseparateapartmentatthebackofthebuilding.Note:
Thehotwatertendstorunoutbylateeveningandthebathroomisnotmodern,
althoughperfectlyfunctional.Overall,whenconsideringtheprice,size,privacy,
location,comfort,andlargeterrace,Ibelievethistobeoneofthehiddengemsof
Vedado’scasaparticularmarket.Landlordasks30CUCpernight.Clickherefor
pictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.
4)CasaGustavo:
Acompletelyindependent,secondfloor,onebedroomapartment,juststepstothe
UniversityofHavana,anddirectlyadjacenttotheBiologyDepartment.The
apartmentisabout400sq.ft,offeringalargelivingroomwithakitchen,andan
equallylargebedroom,withen-suitebathroom.Youaregiventhekeystothe
apartmentandcancomeandgoincompleteprivacy.Itislocatedabout2minutes
walkingdistancetotheHabanaLibrehotel,whichoffersinternetaccessandWIFI.
Intermsofprivacyandlocation,thisapartmenthasitall.Despitebeingclosetoall
theaction,thissunnyandairyapartmentissurprisingquiet.Thereisaprivate
phoneintheapartment,aswellasatelevisionandmodernairconditioner.Asan
addedbonus,thereisasmallcafeonthegroundfloorofthebuilding,serving
wonderfulsandwichesduringtheday.SomeEnglishisspoken.Landlordasks30
CUCpernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.
5)CasaEnrique:
Acompletelyindependent,1bedroom,secondfloorapartmentwithanimmense,
privatebalcony.Theapartmenthasalarge,openlivingroom,anequallylargedining
room,andabedroomatthebackwithamodernen-suitebathroom.Theapartment
alsohasawellequippedkitchen.Atelevisionandsharedphoneisprovided.The
totalareaoftheapartmentisabout700sq.ft,andthebalconyis150sq.ft.Guests
aregiventhekeysandcancomeandgoastheywish.Thelandlord,Enrique,lives
inanadjacentapartmentandgiveshisguestscompleteprivacy.SomeEnglishis
spoken.Landlordasks40CUCpernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthis
casaonline.
6)CasaBorisAndNora:
Acompletelyprivateapartmentlocatedonthesecondfloorofarenovatedmansion.
Theapartmenthasamassiveprivateterrace,spanningover1000sq.ft,
overlookingtheVedadoneighborhood.Theapartmentitselfconsistsofalarge
bedroomwithalarge,en-suitebathroom,aswellasalivingroom(totalsize400
sq.ft.)Thereisalsoakitchen,locatedbesidetheapartment,whichopensoutonto
theterrace.Despitebeingacompletelyindependentapartment,thelandlord,Nora,
prefersnottogiveoutthekeystothemainfrontgateofthehouse.Shewillopen
thedoorforyoueachtimeyouenterthemansion,evenifitislateatnight.Shehas
noproblemdoingit.Thereisasharedphonelineintheunit.Ifneeded,thereisalso
anotherprivatebedroom(150sq.ft)locatedonthesecondfloorwhichcanbe
rentedinconjunctionwiththemainapartment.Alsonotethatthereisasmallcafe
operatingthroughoutthedayatthehouse’smainentrance,socheapfoodisalways
availableandduringthedayyoucanusethecafeareatowalkinandoutofthe
propertywithouthavingtoringthedoorbell.SomeEnglishisspoken.Landlordasks
30CUCpernight,perroom.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.
7)CasaMara:
Acompletelyindependent,secondfloorapartment,intheheartofVedado.Youhave
yourownfrontdoor,withyourownsetofkeys.Aspiralstaircaseleadsyoutoa
largeandelegantlydecorated,onebedroomapartment,locatedwithineasywalking
distancetoalltheVedadoattractions.Theapartmentisnewandextremelyclean.It
spansatotalofapproximately300sq.ft.Theseisalotofcompetitiontorentthis
apartment,soguestsshouldmakereservationswellinadvanceoftheirtrip.Some
EnglishandFrenchisspoken.Landlordasks35CUCpernight.Clickherefor
pictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.
8)CasaIvelis:
Amassive,thirdfloor(penthouse)apartmentoverlookingthewholeVedado
neighborhood,withalargefrontbalconyfacingsouthandwindowsineveryroomof
thehouse.Theapartmenthasover1200sq.ftoflivingarea.Itiscompletely
independentandprivate.Thelandlordlivesontheothersideoftownandhasalmost
nointeractionwiththeguests.Therearetwobedroomstorentinthisapartment.If
youarerentingonlyonebedroom,Iveliswillnotrentouttheotherroomtoa
differentguest.Thisensuresthatyoualwayshavecompleteprivacy,regardlessif
youtakebothroomsoronlyone.Ifyourentjustoneroom,youwillhavecomplete
useofthewholeapartmentforthedurationofyourstay.Theapartmenthasawell
equippedkitchen,alargebathroomandasmallerpowderroom.Thelivingroomis
equippedwithaprivatephone,television,modernsofas,andapiano.Privacy,
luxuryandelegance,thisapartmenthasitall.Landlordasks40CUCperroom,or
60CUCforbothrooms,pernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasa
online.
9)CasaMaximo:
Twolarge,completelyindependent,groundfloorapartments.Thefirstapartment
hasamassive,enclosed,privatelivingareawithtonsofnaturallightandseveral
modernrockingchairsandbenches.Attheback,thereisalargebedroom,agood
sizedbathroomandakitchenarea.Thesecondapartmentislocatedwithinthe
mainhouseandincludesalargeprivateloungespace(150sq.ft)plusacompletely
independentbedroomwithen-suitebathroom.Youcanrenttheroomsseparatelyor
rentbothunitstogether.Themajorsellingpointforthiscasaisthehuge,semienclosed,atriumlivingspacewhichgivesyoualltheprivacyandindependenceofa
livingroom,whilestillprovidingthesunlightandfreshairofanoutdoorterrace.The
landlord,Maximo,alsohasamoderncarandofferscitytours,taxiservices,and
economicaltransportationtothecountrysideorotherCubanprovinces.Some
Englishisspoken.Landlordasks35CUCpernight,perroom.Clickherefor
pictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.
10)CasaAlexanderyMargarita-IndependentApartment:
Acompletelyprivateandindependent,twostoreyapartment,locatedinamajestic
andbreathtakingmansion.Thisapartmentusedtobethecoachhousewherethe
chauffeurofthemansionlived.Ithasbeencompletelyrenovatedandmodernized.
Onthefirstfloorthereisalargelivingareawithafridge,sofasanddiningtable.
Upstairsthereisamodernbedroomwithen-suitebathroom.Theentireapartment
isabout350sq.ftandiscompletelyindependentfromthemainmansion.The
guestsgettheirownkeysandcancomeandgointotalprivacy.Thereisalsoa
largedrivewaywhichtheguestscanuseasanoutdoorspaceortoparkavehicle.
Thelandlord,Alexander,alsohasaccesstoavehicleandcanoffercitytours,taxi
servicesandeconomicaltransportationtothecountrysideorotherCuban
provinces.SomeEnglishisspoken.Landlordasks35CUCpernight.Clickherefor
pictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.
11)CasaElBosquecito-IndependentApartment:
Acharming,1bedroom,independent,firstfloorapartmentwhichhasalargeliving
room,kitchenandbedroom,aswellasagatedyardandterrace.Thebedroomhas
aqueenbedandadoublebed.Totalapartmentsizeisabout400sq.ft,notincluding
theprivateoutdoorspace.Thecasahasayardwhichissurroundedbyshrubsand
smalltrees-itisaquietandsafelocation,justminutestoalltheaction.The
landlord,namedPello,isanoldermanwhopasseshisdaytendingtothegarden
andlovestellingstoriesandsharingjokeswiththeguests.Allkeysareprovidedso
theguestscancomeandgoastheyplease.Thisisagreateconomicalcasawhich
isguaranteedtopleaseguestslookingforprivacyandindependence,whilestill
havingtheoptiontointeractwithalocalCubanhost.Theapartmentcanalsobe
rentedwithasecond,independentbedroom,whichisabout150sq.ft.Landlordasks
30CUCpernightfortheapartment.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasa
online.
12)CasaTaniaMendezCalas:
Alarge,1bedroomapartment,locatedonthesecondfloorofamodernbuilding.
Veryclosetotheaction,yetstilllocatedonaveryquietstreet.Thebedroomhas2
queenbeds,soitisagreatoptionforcouplestravelingwithchildren.Theapartment
hasafulllivingroom,kitchenandlarge,glass-enclosedbalcony.Thebedroomhas
anen-suitebathroom.Intotal,thelivingareaisabout500sq.ft.Theapartmentis
completelyindependent.Guestshaveallthekeysandcancomeandgoasthey
wish.Thelandlord,Tania,livesjustdownthestreetandisalwaysavailableto
answerquestionsorgiveadvice.SomeEnglishisspoken.Landlordasks35CUC
pernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.
13)CasaLiubayAlejandro:
Thisisaverylargeapartmentlocatedonthesecondfloorofahuge,colonial
mansion.TheapartmentisveryquietandfacesoneofthelargestparksinHavana.
Ithastwohugebedrooms,measuringover300sq.fteach,eachwiththeirown
privateterraces.Thetotalapartmentsizeiswellover1000sq.ft.Thereisan
independententrancelocatedonthesideofthemansion,soguestscancomeand
goincompleteprivacy.Thetotalterracespaceisabout800sq.ft.Thisisdefinitely
oneofthelargestcasasparticularesinVedado.Theroomsintheapartmentcanbe
rentedseparatelyortogether.LandlordspeakssomeEnglishandFrench.Landlord
asks35CUCperroom,pernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasa
online.
14)CasaElvira:
Asecondfloorapartment,locatedonaquietstreet,only5minuteswalkingtoallthe
actionofLaRampa.Theapartmentconsistsofalargebedroomwithaqueensized
bed,aswellasasmallerbedforchildrenorguests.Thereisalsoanen-suite
bathroom.Guestsaregiventheirownsetofkeys.Thetotalsizeisabout200sq.ft.
FromtheapartmentstepsyouhaveagreatviewofthePlazadelaRevolución.The
landlordspeaksEnglishandabitofFrench.Landlordasks30CUCpernight,and
longertermstayscanbenegotiated.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasa
online.
15)CasaJulioCesar:
Totallyindependentapartmentonthethirdfloorofahugemansion.Theapartment
has2bedroomswhichcanberentedtogetherorseparately.Totalapartmentsizeis
about800sq.ft.Itincludesalongterrace,alargeopenconceptlivingroomand
diningroomandawellequipped,modernkitchen.Roomsarelargeandhaveair
conditioning,televisionsandafridge.Locatedonaquietstreetwithlittletrafficor
noise,butonlyoneblocktoLaRampa.Averymodernlookingapartmentfora
fantasticprice.SomeEnglishandFrenchisspoken.Landlordasksonly35CUC
pernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.
16)CasaEstelaNavarro:
Thisapartmentislocatedonthesecondfloorofarestoredcolonialmansion.Ithas
itsownentranceandiscompletelyindependentfromthemainhouse.Theguests
receivethekeysandtheycancomeandgoincompleteprivacy.Theapartmentis
about350sq.ftandincludesalargebedroomwithatelevisionandfridge.Thereisa
livingroom/diningroomandasmallkitchen.Theapartmenthasitsownphoneline.
ThebestpartaboutthiscasaisthemassiveterraceoverlookingAve.Paseo,witha
viewofthePlazadelaRevolución.Theterracemeasuresover1000sq.ft.Thereis
alsoanoutdoorlaundryareabesidetheterrace.Thiscasareallyhasitall.The
landlordspeakssomeEnglish,French,ItalianandRussian.Landlordasks40CUC
pernight,butthepriceisnegotiableforstaysover1week.Clickhereforpictures,
ortobookthiscasaonline.
17)CasaMyrna:
Anapartmentofabout400sq.ft,withonelargeclosedbedroom,aswellasaliving
area,bathroomandkitchen.Inthefront,thereisaprivateterraceandagatedyard
area.Forallpracticalpurposes,thisunitiscompletelyindependentandguestsare
providethekeyssothattheycanenterandexitatwill.Thelandlord,Myrna,livesin
acompletelyseparatepartofthehouse,locatedattherearofthebuilding.Dueto
thelayoutoftheunit,theguestsshareacommonfrontdoorwiththelandlord.This
apartmentisnewontherentalmarketandoffersadegreeofeleganceandcharm
whichisrareinHavana.Thelocationiscentralwhilestillbeingveryprivateand
quiet.Landlordasksonly30CUCpernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthis
casaonline.
18)CasaMaryandArmando:
Verywelllocated,secondfloorapartmentwithlivingroom,kitchen,bar,one
bedroomanden-suitebathroom.Thisplaceismodernlydecoratedandveryprivate.
Thereisalsoalargeterraceonthefirstfloor.Theapartmentislocatedonthe
secondfloorofthemainhouseandhasitsownindependentstaircase.Itisrented
withthekeys,soyoucancomeandgoincompleteprivacy.Armandoalsohasa
fantastic,oldAmericancarthatheusesforgivingcitytours.Thiscanbearranged
separatelyifdesired.Theapartmentisveryquietandlocatedjustafewblocksfrom
theHabanaLibrehotel.SomeEnglishisspoken.Landlordasks30CUCpernight.
Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.
ClosingNotes:IfyoueverfindyourselfinHavanawithoutacasareservation,Isuggestcallinganyof
thecasasparticularesonthislist.Thelandlordswillalwayshelpyoutofindaccommodations,evenif
theythemselvesdonothaveavacancy.
Asmentionedbefore,toviewphotosofallthecasasparticularespresentedinthisguideandto
quicklyandeasilybookallyourreservations,simplycheckoutthewebsitewww.BestCubaGuide.com
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