Where to stay in Cuba
(Last Updated On: 20. February 2018)
Although the access to accommodations in Cuba has not the same level like in the other countries, of course, you can choose between different options. Those depend on you and your preferences where to go and where to stay in Cuba. You can use hotels, private rooms, called “casa particular” or, if you have the budget, book a suite in a resort. In this article I will give you some information, so you get a first overview to make a decision.
Hotels in Havana
Havana is usually the first destination in your mind when you are looking for a place to stay in Cuba. Therefore, I will give you some information about the hotels in Havana. Of course, there are hotels in other cities too, but we will concentrate on the capital of this country.
Although you will find a couple of hotels in Havana, don’t expect a plenty of variety. Also, you need to be realistic and keep in mind that even the 5-star Hotels in Havana don’t have the same level you know from your country. The reality is, what in Cuba is considered as a 5-Star-Hotel you will probably consider it a 3-Star-Hotel. But nevertheless you would need to pay the price of a 5-Star-Hotel. Hence, expect prices about $400 to $600 per night in these hotels.
If you ask me for my opinion, this is a typical rip-off of tourists. Besides that, these hotels are quite outdated and the rooms maybe have been up to date in the 80ies or 90ies. The pictures you will see on the internet will usually show you the facility from outside or at most the common spaces like the lobby, the pool, etc. Now you know, why… If you nevertheless would like to stay over in one of these hotels, I give a small list of the most familiar hotels in Havana:
- Melia Habana
- Melia Cohiba
- Tryp Habana Libre
- Memories Miramar Habana
- Memories Jibacoa – Adults Only
- Starfish Montehabana
- Hotel Saratoga
- Hotel Nacional de Cuba
Casa Particular
Actually, casa particular is the same thing like Airbnb. In those “casas particulares” the locals rent a room in their households to travelers. Usually, you would share the common rooms with the family. But I have heard about houses which are fully reserved for tourists. A casa particular is a source of additional income for the Cuban people and is legalized since 1997. If you would like to rent a room in a casa particular, you can check out one of these websites:
Resorts in Cuba
Cuba has several resorts where you can stay over. The advantage of those is that they are less outdated and in some cases even brand new. But of course, they could be a little bit more expensive than a normal hotel or a “casa particular”. Here you will find a list with the resorts. I’ve been in Varadero in the hotel called “Melia Americas” and can fully recommend it.
Resorts in Cuba:
- Cayo Coco
- Cayo Guillermo
- Cayo Largo
- Cayo Levisa
- Cayo Santa Maria
- Cienfuegos
- Cuba Tours
- Gibara
- Guardalavaca
- Havana
- Holguin
- Isla de la Juventud
- Jardines De La Reina
- Jibacoa
- Pinar Del Rio
- Santa Lucia
- Santiago De Cuba
- Trinidad
- Varadero
- Vinales
Each of these resorts has its own characteristics, so the best way to inform yourselves and to book a room in one of these resorts is to contact your travel agency.
Okay folks, I hope, I could give you some useful information about where to stay in Cuba and if you have some questions, just leave a comment and I will answer as soon as possible.
Hi Max,
Many thanks for all the info. One question, as we are planning to go to Cuba this January. What is the average price of casas particulares for double rooms. Also, are people willing to bargain, or that is not the thing to do? Many thanks for your help!
Hi Anabela,
for double rooms you should pay about 25,- CUC per room (means one room for two persons). If someone is telling you about 25,- CUC per person, I’d consider this a classic rip off.
Yes, you should absolutely bargain. At least we did this all the time, e.g. when we took a taxi. In general, my feeling was that Cuban people cannot really estimate, how high the budget of the tourists from the western countries is. I had the impression that they think the money is groing in the trees in our gardens. I hope, I could help you, Anabela.
Thank you! Max, that is very useful! 🙂
What about Cuban pesos, did you get some, and were you able to pay for small things with it?
Thanks!
As a tourist, it is not easy to get this. In a bank, at the airport or in the hotel, you would always get the tourist currency CUC. So you need to know someone to get Cuban Pesos instead of CUC. Maybe you could ask some locals as they are usually friendly and helpful. I hope, I could help you.