Cuba Accommodation: Where To Stay In Cuba From A Local (2024)

Are you a Queen or a Vagabond when it comes to requirements for your bed for the night? Wondering where to stay in Cuba for your holiday? Here are my best Cuba accommodation tips, listed by destination.

I have traveled to Cuba regularly for five years and lived “everywhere” in all destinations. In this overview, I will share with you the full range of accommodation options available.

Including places and city districts while staying in Havana and traveling around Cuba.

There is a wide range of hostels and casa particulars, as well as high-end hotels available in all destinations in Cuba. Find the one that is perfect for you.

Where To Stay In Havana

One of the best destinations to stay in Cuba is Havana, on the northern shores of the island, where you can “see” straight across to Miami from the Malecon boardwalk.

Whatever sanctuary you are looking for, you are going to find a place to love in the vibrant Cuban capital.

You can find anything from a shared room with a bunk bed for 15 dollars a night to a luxury hotel with a pool, gym, restaurants, Wi-Fi, and beds made to die for.

Five Stars Hotels In Havana

There are an increasing number of really good high-end luxury hotels in Havana, although you will not find the all-inclusive resorts here.

What you will find are elegant and modern hotels with great amenities, service, and locations within walking distance to lots of the most popular sights in Havana.

These are the hotels I can truly recommend for your Havana holiday.

• Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski in Old Havana by Parque Central (4,5) (Manzana Rooftop Terrace)
• Iberostar Grand Packard in Old Havana Prado and the Malecon (4,5)
• Iberostar Parque Central in Old Havana (4,5)
• Iberostar Parque Central Rooftop Terrace)
• Hotel Boutique Casavana in Vedado (5)
• Saratoga Boutique Hotel in Old Havana by the Capitolio (4) (Hotel Saratoga Rooftop Terrace)
• Hotel Melia Habana in Miramar (4)
• Hotel Memories Miramar (4) (my review)

If you would like more detailed information about some of them, you can also read my in-depth article about the best Havana hotels.

Four Star Hotels In Havana

• Havana Riviera by Iberostar by Paseo, between Vedado and Miramar (4.0)
• Hotel National de Cuba in Vedado (4.4)
• La Villa Teresa in La Vibora (4.8)
• Hostal B&B Tu Habana (4.5)
• Malecon 663 between Old Havana and Vedado (4.4) (Malecon 663 Roof Top Terrace)

Three Stars Hotels And Casas In Havana

• Quinta Avenida Habana Hotel in Miramar (3.6)
• Hostal Tu Habana
• Casa Buena Vista
• Hostal Colonial Esturias
• Elegancia Suites Habana
• Casa Randy
• Residencia Santa Clara
• Casa Mirador La Colina
• Casa Maura Habana Vieja
• Madero Bed&Breakfast
• Simone LÌtaliano Vero

Where To Stay In Varadero

Although known to be a Caribbean paradise in Cuba, the long, narrow peninsula of Varadero is not just an all-inclusive resort haven for luxury-seeking tourists.

Varadero is reputed for having some of the best luxury resorts in Cuba, but there are also other options.

There is the little city of Matanzas just across the mainland, and also Varadero Town on the peninsula, where you can find private lodging through Airbnb, Hostelworld, or several other apps.

Five Stars Hotels In Varadero

• Melia International Varadero all-inclusive (4,5) (my review)
• Melia Paradisus Varadero Resort & Spa (5)
• Melia Varadero (5)
• Royalton Hicaco Resort adults only (4,5)
• Iberostar Selection Varadero spa hotel (4,5)
• Melia Las Americas adults only / wellness&spa / golf (4,5)
• Paradisus Princesa del Mar Melia Resort & Spa (4)
• Mansion Xanadu Hotel Varadero Golf Club (4)

Casas And Other Accommodation In Varadero

• Melia Marina Varadero Apartments (3,5)
• Pedrito Hostal (5)
• Casa Yairi y Tito (5)
• Casa Carelia y Victor (5)
• Casa de Mary y Angel (5)
• Casa Ileana y Ray (5)
• Casa Marta Margarita (4,5)
• Casa Betty Mar (5)
• Casa Alexis (5)
• Casa Mayan (4,5)

Also read: Reviews Best All-Inclusive Resorts In Varadero

Where To Stay In Trinidad

Trinidad, a UNESCO-protected colonial city, is best known for its remarkably well-kept old city, where much of the architecture has remained untouched for centuries.

In Trinidad City, there is a myriad of casa particulares for rent, whether you pre-book or wander the streets to find a bed for the night.

Trinidad is not home to a vast number of luxury hotels. Still, there are some resorts along Playa Ancon Beach, a beautiful Caribbean white sandy stretch around 15 minutes from the center of Trinidad.

Five Stars Hotels

• Iberostar Grand Trinidad (Adults only, Trinidad center)

Other Accommodation And Casas in Trinidad

• Hostal Dona Cristina de Anita y Manel
• Hostal Casa el Ceramista
• Casa El Secreto

Where To Stay In Cayo Santa Maria

Cayo Santa Maria is one of the Cuban Keys, a triplet of small islands off the northern shores of Cuba, about 5 hours east of Havana in a direct car.

It is also about one and a half hours from the important revolutionary city of Santa Clara. On these little keys, after driving across the pedraplen to get there, there is nothing but large hotels and resorts.

The only thing missing is a town; nobody lives in Cayo Santa Maria. If you want to explore other destinations in Cuba, you need to cover some distance.

Five And Four Star Resorts in Cayo Santa Maria

• Melia Las Dunas
• Melia Buenavista
• Royalton Cayo Santa Maria Adults Only
• Gran Memories Santa Maria
• Memories Paraiso Beach Resort
• Starfish Cayo Santa Maria
• Valentin Perla Blanca
• Iberostar Selection Ensenachos
• Playa Cayo Santa Maria
• Angsano Cayo Santa Maria
• Grand Aston Cayo Las Brujas
• Melia Cayo Santa Maria
• Melia Sol Cayo Santa Maria

Read my more in-depth reviews of 3 wonderful resorts in Cayo Santa Maria if you want more information.

Also read: When Is Hurricane Season In The Caribbean?

Where To Stay In Holguin

Holguin is the fourth largest city in Cuba. It is located in the eastern part, around a two-and-a-half-hour drive north of Santiago de Cuba.

It is an inland city, but it will take you less than an hour to drive to the beaches and beach towns on the northeastern shores.

The special features of the coasts of Holguín are that the beaches are often located between rocky compounds, creating unique stretches of white sand between them.

Five Stars Hotels In Holguin

• Paradisus Rio de Oro Resort & Spa (5)
• Sol Rio de Luna y Mares (4)
• Iberostar Selection Holguin (5)
• Hotel Playa Costa Verde (all inclusive)
• Hotel Playa Pesquero Resort Suite & Spa (Eco-friendly)

Cayo Coco & Guillermo

Cayo Coco, with the small satellite islet Cayo Guillermo connected with a bridge, is a wonderful tropical destination for a luxury beach getaway.

These two islets are situated on the northeastern shores of Cuba, a few hours’ drive from Santiago de Cuba and the Sierra Maestra mountains.

Five Stars Hotel In Cayo Coco

• Royalton Cayo Santa Maria
• Grand Muthu Rainbow Hotel Cayo Guillermo
• Melia Cayo Coco (all inclusive)

FAQs Cuba Travel

Why are US citizens not allowed to travel to Cuba?

This is NOT correct. US citizens ARE ALLOWED to travel to Cuba.

Americans can choose a reason for Cuba travel among 12 pre-approved reasons for traveling to Cuba, determined by the US government.

Can US citizens travel to Cuba as a tourist?

Technically, US citizens are NOT allowed to travel to Cuba as a tourist. Americans choose between 12 pre-approved reasons for Cuba travel, among which the most common one is “to help the Cuban people”.

American citizens still need to buy a tourist card, also called a tourist visa, to enter Cuba.

What are the 12 requirements to travel to Cuba?

You can read about the 12 pre-approved reasons to travel to Cuba for US citizens here.

The easiest and most common reason for Cuba travel is “to help the Cuban people”. There is no paperwork or application process connected to this; you just choose your reason and state that reason if anyone asks.

What happens if a US citizen travels to Cuba?

Nothing happens if a US citizen travels to Cuba apart from hopefully, the US citizen will have a fabulous holiday and encounter Cuban culture.

US citizens need to choose one of the pre-approved reasons to travel to Cuba and need to buy the PINK Cuban tourist card, also called a tourist visa.

Selected airlines sell this visa/tourist card, or you can buy one online.

What documents do I need to travel to Cuba?

You need the following documents to travel to Cuba:

• Passport valid for 6 months after the date of entry
• Cuban tourist card / tourist visa
• Proof of travel insurance, including health insurance
• Fill out the d’viajero.cu digital document before your journey

Do Americans need to be vaccinated to enter Cuba?

No, there is no requirement for specific vaccines prior to entering Cuba.

Your country’s health department probably has recommendations for what vaccines you should consider before entering Cuba.

How Do I get a tourist card for Cuba?

You can buy a tourist card online from Easy Tourist Card, or from the Cuban embassy in your country.

You might also be able to buy a Cuban tourist card from your airline or at the airport prior to departure.

It is possible to buy a Cuban tourist card at Miami International Airport at the check-in counter with American Airlines and Delta Airlines.

How Do I Get A Tourist Visa For Cuba?

A tourist visa is the same as a tourist card for Cuba. You can buy it from the following places:

• Buy one online from Easy Tourist Card
• Buy one from your airline if they offer this
• Buy one at the airport of departure if they offer this
• Buy one from the Cuban Embassy in your country

Is Travel To Cuba Allowed Right Now?

Yes, Cuba travel is allowed right now.

American citizens need to, in addition, choose one of the 12 pre-approved reasons for traveling to Cuba (Americans can not travel as “tourists”) and follow some simple guidelines for traveling in Cuba.

Wrap-Up Where To Stay In Cuba!

This is an extensive overview of the best places to stay in Cuba in the most popular destinations and across the star spectrum.

Hopefully, this has not made it more difficult for you to choose!

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