Places to stay:
The “Casa Particular” is a figure of a cheap accommodation in Cuba that was authorized by the Cuban Government for the same residents of Cuba, after fulfilling certain conditions, coul provide their own homes as lodgings for tourists. The price is much cheaper than a hotel (130 CUC) and you will have the opportunity to actually live with a Cuban family!
Casa Rosa (Official Casa Particular)
House located on ground floor. It has double rooms with independent entry, air conditioning, fan, fridge, TV and private bathrooms each with shower and hot water. Each room has telephone area, table and chairs for breakfast and dinner. The main house has a large portal and garage. It is located 5 minutes drive from Airport, 3 km from the Golf course, 1.5 km from the Crystal River Resort, 4 km from downtown La Biofa, 500 m from the Rehabilitation Hospital in July Days, 30 minutes drive from Old Havana.
Price: 20-25 CUC per night, includes Breakfast and Meals.
The Family of Casa Rosa speaks English
You have to complete a form to reserve the stay there, here is the link
http://www.casecuba.com/live/foldercase/cs-form.asp?id=HAV701
Casa Yolanda (Official Casa Particular)
Double room with air conditioning, ceiling fan and private bathroom with shower and hot water. The house also has a lounge with TV, telephone, kitchen fully equipped with fridge and porch with ornamental, table and chairs for relaxing or other activity. It is located in a central tourist area, 100 meters from the Malecón Habanero and Restaurant 1830.
In order to reserve the stay:
http://www.casecuba.com/live/foldercase/cs-form.asp?id=HAV301
You hate booking? Let’s visit Orlando and Lisset, they have an apartment in the heart of “La Habana Vieja”, at Aguacate St. 509, apartment 301, third floor. The cost is 25 USD per night (approximated).
If you want to pay less there is only one option, get a map and start to walk! The people will approaches to you if they have a place for you to stay! Remember that the Casas Particulares non approved by the government are illegal.
La Habana is a beautiful place with a lot of options! The obligated places to visit are:
-El Malecón: One of the most famous maritime promenades of the world
-Habana’s Christ (Cristo de la Habana)
-Castillo de los tres reyes (Castle of the three Kings)
-Tribuna Antiimperialista (Anti-imperialist Tribune)
-Heladería Coppelia: Calle 23 and L.Vedado (23 Street) One of the most delicious ice-creams of Cuba, the strawberry and chocolate are the most required flavours, you can’t miss those!
-Plaza de la Revolución: in tribute to the Revolution, located in the Aranguren Avenue
-Castillo de la Punta (La Punta Fortress): Ancient Fortress located in La Habana Vieja
-Parque Central de la Habana (Central Park of Habana): Located in La Habana Vieja, Malecón Boulevard. The Central Park of Habana Was built in 1903. It’s a large park surrounded by some of the best restaurants in Havana.
-Museum of Fine Arts of Cuba: Located in Trocadero and Agramonte Street.
-East Beaches: Located 30 km from La Habana, you can get there bi taking the 64 bus that stop near the Cinema “La Rampa” (23 Street and O Street, close to the “Heladería Coppelia” and the de 162 in the “Estación Central” (Central Station). Those beaches are one of the most beautiful en Cuba, obligated stop!
Interesting things to do in La Habana
-Eat at the “Paladares”, cheaps and delicious places to eat.
-Take a “cocotaxi” (coco-cab)
-Take a “mojito” at “La bodeguita del medio” (In the corner of Cuba and Empedrado Sts.).
-Take a daiquiri at “La Floridita”, the cot of the daiquiri. Anyway, avoid the food there: it is really expensive and not delicious!
-Visit the train station, a nice place where you don’t have to pay for seeing!
-You want to be a great salsa dancer? Let’s visit Alina at the National Hotel of Cuba (Tejadillo Street, between S. Ingano and Cuba St.) a cheap and funny way to learn salsa! If you want to get out dancing salsa ask Alina, she knows the best places to dance salsa.
-Bough the “Granma”, newspaper of the Revolutionary Government. The name Granma comes from the boat that brings the revolutionaries from México to Cuba
Important: Don’t buy rum or tobacco at the street, those are generally imitations and you can suffer a bad experience. Purchase those in the enabled stores!
Transport:
The best way to travel inside la Habana (and the cheaper one) is the public bus. You could travel not really comfortable but Chico, that’s the Cuban lifestyle!
When you want to get out of the city you have to get the train, that almost always have delays. If you want to get out of the city by bus, buy the ticket with advance!
Well, we have got a general idea of La Habana, let’s continue with our trip!