The first time I visited Havana five years ago, I felt completely lost when my classic American car taxi driver started meandering through the narrow streets of the old city, a historic part of Cuba’s capital.
Imagine five years later, I feel quite at home in the same streets, having been based there for long periods of time. I have also stayed in “all” the city districts, a variety of hotels and casa particulares, and private holiday home rentals.
I want to tell you all I know so that you can choose the best area for you to stay when you visit, and decide whether you want to stay in a hotel or a casa (which I recommend).
Where To Stay In Havana By Neighborhood
You will find a lot of casa particulares, boutique hotels, and high-end hotels in Havana, as well as various neighborhoods with different ambiances, from super budget to extreme luxury.
I will tell you a little about each district before I give you top-rated recommendations for great accommodation in each one.
A quick intro to the different city districts in Havana might come in handy when you are choosing where to stay. The most important city districts to know are:
- Old Havana,
- Central Havana
- The Vedado
- Miramar & Playa
- Habana del Este
- Plaza
Note: If you are an American citizen, be aware that there exists a list of hotels and institutions that are prohibited for you due to US regulations on travel to Cuba for Americans.
Map Of Havana
The Ambiance Of Old Havana
Old Havana, or Havana Vieja in Spanish, is the original part of Havana, a historic city.
You can walk straight out into the narrow streets, take in the old-city vibe, eat and drink, and try to notice all the magnificent details that are everywhere.
I was based in Old Havana for two years, and even though it is noisy and messy with lots of tourists, it is also very authentically Cuban.
Life in the streets and inside the house is intertwined, loud, and immediate.
Founded 500 years ago by Spanish colonialists, Havana and Cuba were built using the architectural styles popular in Europe at that period, which has given the city its intriguing ambiance.
Not only is Old Havana super charming, but it is also noisy and full of people and dogs, rubble, and art from early in the morning to late at night.
After midnight, though, Old Havana will be rather quiet as there are not a lot of nightclubs or party zones in this city district.
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Where To Stay In Havana Old City
Expect that the life of the streets merges with the life inside your casa particular when you are staying in Old Havana; you will not miss anything going on outside even if you wanted to.
You will be close to “everything”: all of the beautiful plazas, cafes and bars, old original fortifications, and museums and historic artifacts.
Luxury Option 1: Iberostar Parque Central
A beautiful hotel in a classic building situated on the verge of Old Havana, right next to Prado Avenue, is Iberostar Parque Central Hotel. The Parque Central is situated a stone’s throw away from El Capitolio, El Prado Avenue, and Old Havana.
The rooms are airy and delicate, and the rooftop pool, bar, and restaurant are a nice oasis for your afternoon siesta before you head out into the Havana nights.
Although this hotel is not among the newest and most modern in Havana, it is stylish, offers great service, and is in the middle of everything!
The hotel has a beautiful, airy foyer and several restaurants, and the rooftop restaurant, bar, and lounge area are perfect for winding down.
Luxury Option 2: Manzana Kempinski
Like a white marble sphinx, the Manzana Kempinski luxury hotel lies on the frontier between Old and Central Havana!
You find it just on the verge of the beautiful Parque Central and the start of the venerable Prado Avenue in Havana.
This high-end hotel offers a perfect location and is a tranquil oasis in the city of noise, music, and a Latin vibe.
From the rooftop bar and blue pools of the Manzana Kempinski, the city noise is just a whisper while still only a minute away.
At the Manzana Kempinski, you will lack for nothing: amazing restaurants, service, a pampering spa, a gym, and a variety of exquisite rooms.
The icing on the cake is the rooftop restaurant with the infinity pool from where you have amazing views all over the city.
Note: Be aware that US citizens can not stay in Cuban governmental-owned hotels and resorts.
Luxury Option 3: Gran Hotel Bristol Havana
Gran Hotel Bristol is still brand new, and everything about this hotel is modern and elegant!
I had the pleasure of staying there on the first day of opening after the pandemic and several other troubles.
Once you enter the discreet small doors from a narrow old Havana street, the foyer opens in delicate white with a pleasant and service-minded staff immediately there to welcome you.
The rooms at the Gran Hotel Bristol Havana are also delicate and elegant. The bed is super comfortable, and the rain shower bathroom is excellent (water pressure can be a bit of a hassle in Havana).
The Gran Hotel Bristol has several restaurants, but my favorite is the rooftop bar on the 6th floor, where the pool is.
Only a stone’s throw away, you can enjoy an uninterrupted view of El Capitolio, where you will also have your breakfast. This is a perfect starting point and tranquil night oasis for a Havana stay.
Old Havana Stays On A Budget!
Budget option: Residencia Santa Clara
The Residencia Santa Clara is a boutique hotel with excellent reviews all around. Beautiful, eclectic interior details and elegant rooms are situated in Old Havana right next to Havana Bay and minutes from Plaza Vieja.
Continental breakfast is included, and there is a coffee shop, rooftop terrace, and bar. Guests can also connect to free WiFi in public areas, which is a treat in Cuba!
Cheap option: Hostel Mango
The highest-ranking hostel in Old Havana on Hostelworld is Hostel Mango, situated a few minutes from Plaza Vieja, the Old Square.
The Hostel Mango has a mixed dorm, private room, cozy common areas, and a lofty terrace for chilling in the afternoon.
And the cobblestoned streets, plazas, and nightlife are right outside your door!
Things To Do In Old Havana
✔️ Walking tours in Old Havana are a great way to get to know the city and learn about the history and special buildings and places in the old city simultaneously!
✔️ While in a city where music and dance are everywhere, why not take a dance class? The Cuban salsa-style Salsa Casino is super fun and will prepare you for a night out in stilettos later!
Central Havana Maze Of Old Streets
Central Havana, or Centro Habana in Spanish, is the first expansion of the original city towards the west along the Malecon. Havana Central district is very similar to Old Havana.
The difference is that the streets are narrower, the houses are more run down, and the ambiance is more of a local feel. You will see more decay all around, as Central Havana has had the same restoration effort as the old city.
In Central Havana, there are fewer tourists, more local markets, and more laundry hanging off of the balconies, and it is easy to get lost.
Surprisingly, some of the most spectacular restaurants in Havana, as well as the Casa de la Musica, are hidden in these conglomerate streets.
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Where To Stay In Havana Central District
Along the outskirts of Central Havana runs the Malecon, the city boardwalk with a number of hotels, some bars and restaurants, and a stunning view.
It feels more like a barrio, a local neighborhood, than a historic city.
Luxury option: Iberostar Grand Packard
Just on the edge between old Havana and central Havana is the stunning, light, modern hotel located on the brink of the Malecon Havana Iberostar Grand Packard. It sits on the corner of the end of the Prado, where the Malecon starts.
From the infinity pool at the Grand Packard, you see straight over to El Morro, the old fortress protecting Havana, as well as the Malecon and the Caribbean Sea horizon.
The list of amenities at the Grand Packard is long, with several restaurants, bars, a spa, and a gym.
Of course, there is also the elegant pool bar on the third floor, surrounded by delicate lounge furniture. Read my entire review of the Iberostar Grand Packard here!
Budget option: Malecon 663 Boutique Hotel
Closer to the Vedado along the Malecon, you find Malecon 663. This is a boutique hotel with several floors filled with colorful details, fun interior artifacts, and elegant salons with a Cuban touch.
At the very top is the rooftop terrace, sitting on top of the Malecon, where you can enjoy an afternoon aperitif or even dinner.
And, of course, try out the glass jacuzzi in the middle of the terrace, cocktail in hand!
Cheap option: Casa Zeila
In Central Havana, there are a myriad of casa particulares, so even if you have nothing booked, you can easily find a bed with a roof for the night walking the streets here.
Casa Zeila is a top-rated casa located in Central Havana’s heart, just around the corner from Casa de la Musica. From the balcony, you also have a view of the Malecon.
Breakfast is included, and the casa has air conditioning for the hot Havana nights!
Things To Do In Central Havana
✔️ Experience an incredible Buena Vista Social Club tribute concert
✔️ Have a night at Casa de la Musica
✔️ Have dinner at La Guarida rooftop terrace dining
The iconic Buena Vista Social Club and music venue from the 1940s where the famous Cuban band that took their name is honored in a show at the Legendarios del Guajirito, one of the most popular venues in the Cuban capital.
The Vedado In Havana
The Vedado is constructed differently than Old and Central Havana, with wide avenues, open spaces, parks, and plazas.
The Vedado “downtown” is considered the modern district; here, you find shopping malls, restaurants and bars, nightclubs, and foreign embassies.
The Vedado was originally built as a military district, reflected in the name, as vedado means forbidden in Spanish!
If you want to live in a more modern, uptown sphere with a downtown ambiance and still be connected to the city vibe, Vedado is the place for you.
Where To Stay In Havana Vedado
Luxury option: Havana Riviera By Iberostar
Located within walking distance from the Museum of Decorative Arts, as well as several bars and restaurants, are Havana Riviera by Iberostar Hotel.
The Riviera was designated a National Monument of Cuba in 2012, and you can still experience the preserved dome of the old casino, the epicenter of Cuban glamour.
You will find a more aged but elegant ambiance, and it is still considered a luxury hotel.
The Riviera is between Miramar and downtown Vedado, sitting on the Malecon with beautiful views of the sea, a taxi ride away from Calle (street) 23 in Downtown Vedado, also called La Rampa.
Mid-Range Option: The Luxury Neptuno Apartment
The Luxury Neptuno Apartment in the Vedado is a casa particular, in a more high-end modern style than most you find in Old Havana.
The Neptuno has two bedrooms, offers in-room WiFi for a charge, and beds that most guests love!
There is staff to help you on-site with tour bookings or advice, 24-hour front desk, satellite TV and kitchen amenities, and a long list of amenities at a reasonable price!
Budget Option: El Cuarto de Tula
Casa particular El Cuarto de Tula is situated a couple of minutes from the University of Havana and the Malecón close to downtown Vedado.
There is a restaurant and a shared lounge, and every room has a TV, AC, minibar, and 24-hour room service, but no kitchen amenities.
El Cuarto de Tula is a great cheap option in one of the two most popular areas of Havana.
Things To Do In The Vedado
✔️ Take a tour of the Christopher Columbus Cemetery, El Colon
✔️ Spend an evening at the magic Tropicana Cabaret!
✔️ Visit the Almendares Park located right next to the Almendares River, also called Parque Metropolitana or even an “urban jungle”.
✔️ The Parisien Cabaret was opened on the Malecón below the Vedado in Havana in 1930 and has since then been the venue for cabarets bringing together the influences of Hispanic, African, and Indo-American culture on stage.
✔️ Take a walk around Calle (street) 23 in Downtown Vedado, also called La Rampa. see the Cine Yara cinema, try out the famous Coppelia Ice Cream Parlor, and visit the University of Havana campus, the oldest university in Cuba.
Miramar And Playa
Miramar and Playa (often referred to as one district) are the westernmost highest-end districts in modern Havana.
This is where the Cuban VIPs live; there are large conference hotels here, international hospitals, and lots of space, parks, avenues, and embassies.
The Miramar and Playa area is calm and tranquil, not within walking distance to almost anything, but then again, the distance with a taxi to Old Havana is really not that far.
Where To Stay In Havana Miramar And Playa
Luxury option: Melia Habana in Miramar
At the Melia Habana in Miramar, you will get the resort feeling while still in an elegant urban hotel in Havana!
At the Melia Habana, you have a tropical garden outside with three lush palm-strewn pools, bars, and a chill ambiance.
After a long day out, you find a spa and fitness center returning to the Melia Havana, several restaurants and bars, and if you want a little extra, book your stay with The Level Service!
Budget option: Alahabana Boutique Hotel
The Alahabana Boutique Hotel in Miramar is a lovely 4-star highly-rated bed & breakfast with access to an outdoor pool, a beach bar, fast wifi, and a stunning rooftop terrace for guests.
Beautiful modern, spacious rooms to come back to at the end of the day, and a lovely garden outside.
The rooftop patio is perfect for morning coffee and an afternoon cocktail, and the service is rated top-notch!
Cheap option: Almendares Hostal
Almendares Hostal is a super cheap option located in a beautiful colonial house just across the Almendares River on the Miramar side, in one of the best residential neighborhoods in Havana.
The hostel has a garden, patio, and terrace, and you can order breakfast for an extra fee. This is a great cheap option in a very quiet and nice part of the city.
Things To Do In Miramar & Playa
✔️ Visit the Fusterlandia art center at the edge of Miramar & Playa, a block decorated in tile art
✔️Spend an afternoon at the Marina Hemingway in Miramar & Playa. Cuba’s main recreational port has a tranquil atmosphere, with leisure and sports boats docked around the canals.
There are several restaurants, cafés, shops, and watersports operators in the surrounding area, and you also can book trips like scuba diving or snorkeling from Marina Hemingway if you feel like exploring!
✔️ Spend an evening at the Fabrika de Arte Cubano! Possibly the best night venue in Havana for culture, where there is always a new play, jazz, contemporary dance show, concert, or exhibition.
Fabrika de Arte is not just a club; it is a phenomenon of cultural diversity in Havana!
East Havana | Habana del Este
Habana del Este, east Havana, is in the suburbs of the capital.
There are not a lot of tourists here, but there are several hotels and Casa Particulares for rent. Habana del Este is a district where Cuban barrios, follow along the shoreline towards the east.
Of all the villages in East Havana, Guanabo is the main one where some tourists find their way. In Guanabo, there are hotels, Casa Particulares for rent, and a variety of bars, restaurants, and clubs.
None of these can be classified as luxurious, but they have a pile of authenticity if you want to experience that part of Cuba.
Best Places To Stay In East Havana
Luxury option: Luxury Villa with Pool
Among the few high-end options in East Havana, the Luxury Villa with Pool, Jacuzzi & Sea View is among the top-rated properties.
Amenities include barbecue grills, a picnic area, a private pool, and even a private rooftop spa tub.
There are four bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and a dining area, and the house is within walking distance of Guanabo Beach!
Budget option: Villa al Eden
Among the top-rated budget stays in Guanabo, East Havana, you find the Villa Al Eden. This is a private home rental with free continental breakfast, a roundtrip airport shuttle, and a free daily manager’s reception.
There is also a pool, WiFi, AC, kitchen, and outdoor space, on-site spa services, and the property is very close to Santa Maria del Mar Beach.
Free in-room WiFi is available to all guests, along with a terrace and a garden to enjoy.
Cheap option: Villa With Oceanview Terrace
In the heart of Guanabo, you find the Villa with Oceanview Terrace, a nice budget option in East Havana. Here, you have your own kitchen, outdoor space, and AC.
The property is close to Boca Ciega Beach, Guanabo Beach, and Casa Quinta (K5) nightclub, which stays open until the last guest leaves!
Things To Do In East Havana
✔️ Go clubbing in Casa Quinta (K5) in Guanabo with local Cubans until the morning hours
✔️ Spend the day at one of the beaches along the Playas del Este beaches.
Plaza City District In Havana
Lastly, you have Plaza, where the only thing you are really close to is Plaza de la Revolucion, which is also between the airport and the city center.
You will be close to the revolutionary square, Plaza de la Revolucion, but also be dependent on taxis to go or do almost anything else.
I have never spent a lot of time in this area, but you will be able to find budget accommodation for your stay in Havana in this area.
Where To Stay In Havana Plaza District
Budget option: Casa Vera
The Casa Vera casa particular right at the Plaza de la Revolucion, is a budget accommodation option in the Plaza District.
From here, you can walk to the University of Havana, and the property offers AC, laundry service, a small kitchen, and breakfast is available for a fee.
Things To Do In Plaza District In Havana
✔️ In the Plaza district of Havana, you can visit the Plaza de la Revolucion and the Jose Marti Memorial Tower! The memorial tower is 142 meters high, which makes it the tallest structure in Havana.
The tower has a museum, and you can climb the 567-step staircase to enter the viewpoint for an unsurpassed view of Havana or pay a small fee for the luxury of the elevator!
Where To Stay In Havana: Casa Particulares By Budget
You will find places to stay in Havana that are of all categories and standards across the city and in all districts.
If location is not that important to you, but standard, amenities, or budget is dictating your accommodation, here are my tips.
What Is A Casa Particular?
A casa particular is a privately owned home rented out by a Cuban family, where you can live like a Cuban, closer to the real Cuba!
Where To Stay In Havana: Luxury Accommodations
Some of the best luxury 5-star hotels in Havana have already been mentioned earlier, but the private market has a lot to offer on the luxury side as well.
For American travelers, many of the high-end hotels are also not accessible, as they are on the US restricted list and not in any of the 12 categories under which American citizens can travel to Cuba.
Private casa particulares and boutique hotels can provide an amazing stay; some offer extra service, attention, and a personal touch in amenities and details.
Paseo 206 Boutique Hotel In The Vedado
In the heart of the entertainment district, the Vedado is a small boutique hotel called Paseo 206, which is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World and truly provides a sense of private luxury.
All rooms here are individually furnished, there is 24 hours room sevice, hypo-allergenic bedding, Frette Italian sheets, Tempur-Pedic beds, and a pillow menu. The Paseo 206 also has an onsite Italian restaurant, in-room wifi, and spa services.
They will make you an included continental breakfast in the morning, and there is even an art gallery and a coffee shop on-site!
Malecon Casa De Lujo
Walking distance from downtown Vedado, the beautiful vacation home Malecon Casa de Lujo has elegant standards.
Exquisite rooms, a lovely terrace for breakfast or aperitifs in the afternoon, and concierge service for guests.
On site, you can enjoy a jetted tub, rainfall shower, kitchen, and free WiFi. A flat-screen TV with digital channels in your room, dry cleaning, and laundry facilities make your vacation life super easy!
Where To Stay In Havana: Mid-Range Accommodations
When looking for places to stay in Havana in the mid-range, you will probably find that choosing a casa particular rather than a hotel gives you more value for the buck.
Even in Central Havana, you will find amazing places for a decent price, with great personal service and amenities with a touch of luxury and splendor.
La Villa Teresa Casa Particular In La Vibora, Havana
In La Vibora in the Municipality of Diez de Octubre, Havana, is an exceptional colonial-style house called La Villa Teresa listed as a B&B.
Unique features and ancient greatness have been restored here, with beautiful details. The eclectic interior is exquisite, with each room featuring stunning details. The gardens are immaculate, with plants, a patio, and a delicate pool.
It is a bit out of the central parts of Havana, but La Vibora also offers sights, restaurants, and bars for visitors.
Vapor 156 Boutique Hotel In Central Havana
One of the hidden beauties of Central Havana’s architecture is Vapor 156 Boutique Hotel, right on the edge of Central Havana towards the Vedado, within walking distance from the Malecon.
The interior and the rooms are beautiful, and the Vapor 156 offers free breakfast, a stunning terrace and garden, spa services, free in-room wifi, and a coffee shop on-site!
Where To Stay In Havana: Super Cheap Accommodations!
The cheap options for where to stay in Havana are most easily found in Old and Central Havana as well as the outskirts of the city.
Remember that when you go all-in on the super cheap side, in Havana, the quality and standard will be accordingly. This is for anyone who really just needs a bed for the night, and anything else is a positive surprise!
Casa Lili Y Dani
One of the absolute cheapest hostel options in Havana I have found is Casa Lili Y Dani, rated as exceptional, where you can book shared accommodation.
At Casa Lili Y Dani, you can enjoy a rooftop terrace, breakfast (surcharge), laundry, towels, great coffee, help to organize tours, and at one of the lowest prices in Havana.
Hostel Corazon del Mundo Central Havana
The recently restored Hostel Corazon del Mundo in the Central Havana district has shared dorms and private ensuites with a minimum of 3 beds at super cheap prices.
Corazon del Mundo has a terrace, AC, and towels are provided, and you can walk from here to both Old Havana, the Vedado, and the Malecon.
Wrap-Up Where To Stay In Havana
Hopefully, this article has given you a wide array of options on where to stay in Havana so you can make an informed choice as to what is the perfect holiday home location for you!
If not, do not hesitate to contact me for any further information or advice.
Things To Do In Havana Province
You can easily find your own way around the array of things to do in Havana. and visit various sights and activities by yourself in Havana if you want to.
Whether you like to explore on your own (you better know a bit of Spanish!, or go on an organized tour in the city (plenty to choose from), I am sure you will not leave Havana untouched!
Just be aware that it might be a bit more challenging than other destinations due to the small online presence, booking, ticket systems, updated information, language, and “transportation system,” which is very unlike a system at all.
Things often are a bit more complicado in Cuba.
Tour companies operating in Cuba:
Civitatis is a UK-based tour company that operates a large number of tours across Cuba in Spanish and English.
I have done day trips and multi-day tours with Civitatis in Cuba, which has always been of great value. Civitatis generally get high scores in their tour reviews.
G Adventures is a small group tour company that offers multi-day tour packages in Cuba. Book your own flight, and they will organize everything else.
G Adventures offers adventure tour packages in hundreds of world destinations and generally has great reviews. I have done the Inca Trail and the Lost City hike with them, both epic!
Tours In Havana
Explore Hemingways Havana!
Get to know Hemingway’s Cuba! The Cuba Hemingway Tour includes visiting La Vigía, the house Hemingway bought in 1949. Here, you can see his boat, Pilar, a name inspired by the Pilar Beach that he used in his famous novel The Old Man and the Sea.
You will also walk through Cojímar, a fishing village with protected coastal areas and the natural landscape of the Cojímar River Valley.
You’ll have a coffee and Cuban rum at Las Terrazas, see the Ambos Mundos Hotel where he used to live, and finally visit his regular places, La Floridita and Bodeguita del Medio in UNESCO-protected Old Havana, at the end of the day.
Visit The Biosphere Las Terrazas
Take a private day trip to Las Terrazas, a scenic community in the heart of an unspoiled outland designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
After a welcome cocktail upon arrival, you will visit a 19th-century coffee plantation farm before heading to the Hotel Moka, where you can experience the lovely gardens and historic Cuban architecture.
Then you can explore Las Terrazas, have lunch, and maybe do an exciting zip-line ride before a dip in the San Juan River?
Wrap-Up Where To Stay in Havana!
Wow, that’s a lot!
I have tried to present to you the various city districts of Havana and various options for places to stay in each one.
This is for luxury seekers, budget-aware travelers, adventure travelers, and backpackers who just want a bed for the night.
If you did not find your perfect home away from home in Cuba here, check out the accommodation page for the ultimate overview. Here, you will also find accommodation options for other Cuban and Caribbean destinations.
Related blog posts:
8 Top-Rated Casa Particular Old Havana By A Local
