travel guide
& casa particular
Havana city is a fascinating mix of crumbling architecture and vibrant culture along with vintage cars and cigars all thrown in. Its greatest asset however, is the local “Habaneros” who give the city that unmistakable Cuban charm.
Hotels in Havana city range in both quality and price. If you’re traveling on a budget, the best option is to stay in one of Havana’s casas particulares (private rooms) - they’re everywhere!
A casa particular in Havana or as well called casa de renta are the economic lodgings in the city. There are a lot and for a cheap price you will get a private room.
Although the city has its problems, it still retains a faded elegance and grandeur - along with a struggling, yet proud and welcoming population that you can’t help but fall in love with.
The most important parts of Havan are the districts Habana Vieja - Old-Havana, Centro Habana (Capitolio), Vedado (Culture, Nightlife and green residential area), Miramar (elegant residential area) and Playas del Este - the beaches of Havana.
In these districts you find the majority of all the hotels and private lodgings - casas particulares in Havana.
Life isn’t easy in Havana - buildings have fallen into ruin and, water supplies are uncertain and it’s badly polluted. Yet, the local Habaneros remain gracious and outgoing.
Hotels in Havana offer all the usual tourist facilities but staying in a casa particulare in Havana is the best way to integrate with these exuberant and friendly people. This derelict and romantic city is certainly the coolest spot in the Caribbean.
Some of the best beaches to the east - the Playas del Este - include: Santa Maria and Guanabo. These are the largest and most popular, with fine white sands and crystal clear warm blue waters.
Santa Maria stretches for over eight kilometers and offers pristine sands and glistening warm waters. Facilities include - hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars - everything you’d need for that easy beachside vacation. You can rent out jet skis, go sailing, take catamaran rides etc. or just laze in one of the many beachside bars and soak up the sun.
Guanabo is the most visited of Havana’s Eastern beaches (Playas del Este). It’s 27 kilometres away from Havana. During the summer months it gets jam-packed with holidaymakers and sun-seekers. Facilities include - restaurants, shops, bars and nightclubs. Strangely, there aren’t that many hotels in Guanabo. You can however, find plenty of houses to rent in the area.
Go further east and you’ll come to the stunning Jibacoa, Tropico and Puerto Escondido Beaches - with glistening sands, clear waters, lush green vegetation and massive cliffs (up to 100 meters).