Logo Habana Vedado
If there had been environmentalists in 1870, they would surely have protested against the construction of the Vedado (the "forbidden") area, then a huge nature lot of mahogany, oak and cedar trees meant to form a barrier against attacks from pirates such as the French Jacques de Sores.

But no one wanted this vast land that sold for 10 cents a square yard. Eventually, Francisco de Frías y Jacott, Earl of Pozos Dulces (1809-1877) was the first to hire free workers (not slaves) to build up that unused land - he was honored with an unknown tiny park on Linea.

In 1901, an American "nutcase" built the first bungalow at number 504 of calle 9. Then other fatcats came to erect palaces; some photos.

In the late 40's, the forest cover had turned into a vast grazing for goats crossed by a railway line and slowly but surely concrete columns formed the first Cuban skyscrapers [seen on the horizon in the photo at top] enthroned in an orgy of modernism and extending well beyond the first two blocks of the new middle-class neighborhood : Calzada and Diecisiete (the 17th).

The rest is history.

TOP 10 MUST SEE
 • Established in 1871, Cementerio (Necropolis) Colon spreads over 56 hectares (140 acres) contains 500 tombs, chapels, vaults and family plots. The Habaneros wanting to make a wish come to pray at the grave of Amelia Milagrosa (Amelia the Miraculous). Corner Zapata and 12. Photos here.
• Museo de Artes Decorativas, with Eastern European art from the sixteenth to the twentieth century. Absolutely sublime, unparalleled in taste. (The lady was filthy rich !) Calle 17, corner of E.
• Galeria Haydee Santamaria, more than 6000 pieces of sculptures, paintings, prints, photographs and folk art. Calle G, between Quinta y 3ra.
• Casa de la Amistad, fabulous building with bar, cafe, boutique, terrace, restaurant, musical evenings. Paseo 406, between 17 and 19.
• Casa de ICAP (Cuban Institute for Friendship among Peoples), another nice building with bar, cafe, boutique, terrace, restaurant, musical evenings. Calle 17, e / H y Y
• Museo Napoleonico re-opened in 2011, the collection of "Sugar Baron" Julio Lobo. Calle San Miguel, corner Ronda.
• Plaza de la Revolucion its tower, its museum, its vistas and its two larger-than-life revolutionaries.
• The Universidad de la Habana and its calm campus.
• Hotel Nacional : its lobby and its neighborhood turistica (Coppelia, Habana Libre, Yara cinema).
• The area of the intersection of Calles 23 y 12 with the Cinemateca, small restaurants, the arts center, galleries and cinemas.

WICHY DE VEDADO, Havana's gift to DJ sampling : this video is named 23 y L (a street corner at the epicenter of young, hip and chill Habaneros in touristic Havana) where he performs, in front of the Habana Libre, Coppelia ice creams, the Yara cinema, etc

Get high at Parque Lenin over some of its 1800 hectares of green spaces, theme park, golf course, train ride, lake, restaurants, bars and galleries.

At Cementerio Colon, an angel charms admiring tourists and consoles the bereaved © zamorano, flickr
KMilo 100Fuegos (Camilo Cienfuegos) s'affiche lui aussi plus grand que nature
Plaza de la Revolucion, KMilo 100Fuegos (Camilo Cienfuegos) who now appears larger than nature like the Che with Camilo's famous words of support for Fidel's 1959 speech in the same plaza : « You're all right ». •]• The two revolutionaries reliving side by side since october 2009
The Universidad and its quiet campus. © sogestour •]• Centro de Estudios Che Guevara opened in 2006 near the zoo and Viazul bus terminal © sogestour
The Universidad and its quiet campus. © sogestour •]• Centro de Estudios Che Guevara opened in 2006 near the zoo and Viazul bus terminal © sogestour
la tête du Che — faite de voies ferrées fournies par le gouvernement français en 1961 © Floating Rabbit sur flickr
Plaza de la Revolucion, its tower, Jose Marti Museum, its vistas : here on April 16 2011 during the March of the People © roberto suarez, cubaenfotos.blogcip.cu •]• The Minint (Ministry of the Interior) with the Che's face — made with railway tracks donated by the French Government © Floating Rabbit on flickr
Hotel Nacional in its very turistica neighbourhood © sogestour •]• An art déco building along one of many grand avenidas © frankly.com
Hotel Nacional in its very turistica neighbourhood © sogestour •]• An art déco building along one of many grand avenidas © frankly.com
MP3 Gilles Peterson presents Havana

Casa de la Amistad of the ICAP (Cuban institute of Friendship), bar, cafeteria, boutique, musical events. Paseo 406, between 17 and 19. Son and salsa music 6 nights a week in a lovely Italian Renaissance-style garden.

Casa de las Americas where Art and Literature are promoted
Casa de las Americas : Art and Literature at their best, calle 3ra (tercera), corner of G

Museo Napoleonico : a must-see, renovated, reopened Spring 2011. World-renowned personal collection of sugar baron Julio Lobo.

Calle San Miguel, corner Ronda — by the university campus.
Museo de Artes Decorativas, European and oriental art of 16th to 20th century. Calle 17, corner E. Extraordinary private home Countess of Revilla Camargo, née Mella.
Galeria Haydée Santamaria, contemporary south-American artists.

Calle G, corner 5 >
Cementerio de Colon, built in 1871 Cementerio de Colon, built in 1871, spread over 56 hectares (140 acres) with more than 500 mausoleums, chapels, vaults and family plots.

Like Cubans, make a wish on the tomb of Amelia de Milagrosa.

Corner Zapata and 12.
Video encounters with Havana artists — HERE
PALADARES
Amor, calle 23, entre B y C; Azotea de Elda, calle 23 #759, entre B y C; El Bistrot, calle K, entre 7 y Malecon; Gringo Viejo, calle 21, entre E y F; Huron Azul, Humboldt, corner P (closed); La Palma, 27 de noviembre, entre M y N; Los Amigos M y 19; Marpoly, calle K #154.

RESTAURANTS
Fabio Ristorante e Pizzeria italiana, Pastas 5,25-6,50cuc; Pizzas 3,50-6,25cuc calle 17, corner of J; open 12 to 12 Ground level : bar (takeout) and dining room; upstairs is chic & pricey, a bit "tourist-trappy". Tel (7) 55-3716 La Torre, on top floor of Edificio Focsa, quite dear, calle 17 and M; Union Francesa, on the ground floor, first floor and roof (for grilled specialties) of a colonial casa, calle 17, corner 6, across "Parque John Lennon" ;

callejon de hamel © sogestour

mural yemaya © cubabrasil
EVENINGS, DANCING, MUSIC AND SHOWS
Atelier, shows at 23h30, disco follows, calle 17, corner 6; on Sundays between 4 and 8 p.m., Discotemba for Habaneros (and tourists alike) who just wanna dance (to recorded music from the 70's and 80's) and have fun. A place where foreigners looking for chicks should not be welcome. Barbaram, son the way we like, Trova type. Not dear but far, calle 26, e/45 y 47; Café TV, shows and karaoke, decor celebrates Cuban TV history, packed weekends, 17 edificio FOCSA, e/M y N; Casa de las Americas, concerts early evening weekdays, 3ra, corner Presidentes; Casa de la Amistad (see above), shows on the terrace, 5cuc; Café Fresa y Chocolate, inner court of ICAIC, rock and marginal groups. Calle 23, e/10 y 12; El Gato Tuerto, famous with intelligentsia in 70's and 80'. Now filin, jazz and bolero music speak with their notes. Calle O #14, e/17 y 19; El Gran Palenque of the world-famous Conjunto Folclorico Nacional de Cuba. HQ of the rumba. Matinees on weekends. Calle 4 #103, e/Calzada y 5ta; El Karachi, at midnight pop meets rap. Techno on Sundays, 16h-21h. Calle K, e/15 u 16; Huron Azul / UNEAC (Union of writers and artists of Cuba), 17h-2h, trova, son and rumba. Calle 17 #351, e/G y H; Bar-Club Imagenes, traditional and bolero shows from 23h, bar and restaurant. Calle Calzada, corner C; Jazz Café, HQ of Chucho Valdes, Irakere and the like, 20h and 23h. Disco follows. Galerias del Paseo, corner 1ra; La Fuente, mini bar and garden on calle 13, corner of Los Presidentes (Calle G). Cheap; Las Bulerias, español decor, dancing on musica cubana, Midnight to 4h, calle L e/23 y 25; Las Cañitas at the Habana Libre : salsa bands, disco, jazz. Muy popular. Calle 23 corner L; Opus Bar, top floor of Amadeo Roldan, conversations with a view. Calzada, corner D; Conjunto Folclórico - Patio de la Rumba Calle 4 e/Calzada y 5ta. Cuban dancing in its unique roots : Africa Tel. (7) 830-3939 Shows on Saturdays in the open air patio. Get there early, not a large venue.

Comments and suggestions webmaster @cubacasas.net
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HEED THE HINTS IN THIS FINE PRINT
::: Make sure that in your first email or phone call you specify that you want to book a room in that particular casa and that you will reconfirm your booking on arrival in Cuba. Unless you only want a room in any house which may be of the same quality, not the specific casa you booked through photos on these websites ::: So as to not abandon expecting owners with empty rooms, reconfirm (or call ahead to cancel) your booking by phone as soon as you can after arriving in Cuba ::: Please write or phone a casa owner to cancel a booking. As late as it may seem, it allows them a chance to rebook. ::: Children under the age of 16 may share a bedroom with adults for free. Specify the child's age when booking. ::: Since October 2010, maximum bedroom capacity is not limited to two adults ::: Also, large casas are not limited to renting only two bedrooms per night. ::: At the end of the casa name, the V signals the casa was suggested by travelers or owners but not verified by the website staff. If you try it and like it, write us about it. ::: Unless otherwise mentioned, the average room rates and service prices are : 20-25cuc per bedroom per night [up to 40+ for 4 in a room]; breakfasts 3-5cuc, dinners 7-10cuc. ::: Note : monthly taxes have increased 15-50% for owners; this may be reflected on the aforementioned rates. ::: Any casa particular anywhere in Cuba must have a hot water shower, otherwise it cannot have a permit to rent.

::: On certain occasions in the past year, overbooking may have inadvertently hurt some travellers, some casa owners and some webmasters more than would appear and this prompted this webmaster to overreact by generalizing about individual realities; having hurt most casa owners, this webmaestro's self-righteous attitude [all action, no talk] was uncalled for. Lo siento mucho I am truly sorry and apologies given, Marcos 070112 ::: Please share your Complaints, comments & suggestions webmaster [@]cubacasas.net
BOOK BY PHONE
• From Canada and the USA : 011 53 (+ phone # preceded by 7 for Havana) • From Europe, Great Britain, Scandinavia and Mexico : 00 53 (+ phone # preceded by 7 for Havana) HOW TO DIAL A CUBAN PHONE NUMBER HERE


BOOK BY EMAIL : Click on logo to open a message addressed to that casa in your email application; or right-click to copy address showing at bottom of browser window. Spanish vocabulary here.
Click photos to see each casa's page and description. Locate casas on Center of Vedado map here or this map (Plaza de la Revolucion)..
See all casas in sequence.

Move to next casa by clicking this logo.
ANGELA MUÑIZ RUBIO
Two bedrooms, one with private bathroom
Calle San Miguel 1116, entre Mazón y Basarrate. Very close to the Universidad and Calle Infanta. Tel. (7) 879-6851 Locate on this map.

ANGELA MUNIZ RUBIO
MERCEDES GONZALEZ
Two large bedrooms, each with private bathroom
Calle 21, # 360 appartement 2-A upstairs, entre G and H, corner of avenida de Los Presidentes. Tel. (7) 832-5846 Locate on this map.

MERCEDES GONZALEZ
MIRTHA y JORGE
Two aircon bedrooms, each with ensuite bathrooms
Calle Luaces No. 16, entre Salvador Allende (Carlos III) y Lugareño near a Habana Bus Tour stop and close to Quinta de los Molinos Park in Plaza de la Revolución area. Tel. (7) 878-2837 Locate on this map.

CASA MIRTHA DIAZ DOMINGUEZ © SOGESTOUR
MADELEINE SILVA
Two-bedroom apartment : kitchen, living, dining ...
Calle J # 255, ground floor, entre Linea y 15 near a produce market, front of bakery, near Coppelia, UNEAC, Museo de Artes Decorativas. (7) 832-7480 or cell (015) 292-2391 Locate on this map.

MADELEINE SILVA

CASA LETICIA
Three-bedroom colonial-like, ensuites, two patios
Calle Valle 212, e/Mazon y Basarrate à deux pas du Parque Aguirre three blocks from Universidad. Locate on this map. Tél. (7) 873-3470
PEDRO GIL GONZALEZ
Two bedrooms, each with private bathroom
Calle 23 (Rampa) #668, entre D y E, near Parque Mariana Grajales. Tel (7) 832-3775 Locate on this map.

DR PEDRO GIL GONZALEZ

CARMEN SUAREZ
Two bedrooms, private baths; one with terrace
Almendares No. 110 entre Bruzón y Desagüe, Plaza de la Revolución, behind Astro Bus Terminal. Tel. (7) 870-0664 Locate on this map.

CARMEN SUAREZ FOSALBA
PRISCA y RAUL V
Two bedrooms, each with private bathroom
Calle B No. 707, entre 29 y Zapata, Plaza de la Revolución, near Teatro Nacional, close to Centro. Tel. (7) 831-2783 Locate on this map.

PRISCA y RAUL
CARLOS y NEYDA V
Two bedrooms, each with private bathroom
Calle F  #305 apto. 3, entre 13 y 15, near Linea and Avenida de los Presidentes, two great streets to catch a cab (3 - 4cuc) for Habana Vieja. Tel. (7) 833-5992 Locate on this map.

CARLOS Y NEYDA
ELVIRA GOMEZ V
One private-bath bedroom with independent entry
Calle B, no 716, upstairs (Altos) entre 29 y Zapata, Plaza de la Revolucion some 15 mins. walk from the Malecon. Tel. (7) 830-4682 Locate on this map.

CASA ELVIRA GOMEZ
ELENA TARAJANO V
Third floor, two aircon bedrooms, ensuite baths
Calle 21 # 62, corner calle M, apto 6 In vicinity of Nacional, Habana Libre and Victoria hotels. Locate on this map. Tel. (7) 832-0495

Casa Tarajano
VILLA LOS FAROLES V
Two-bedroom apartment, private bathrooms
Calle San Juan Bautista # 74, entre 35 y 37, Nuevo Vedado, near the Plaza de la Revolucion, behind the must-see Cementerio. Locate on this map. Tel. (7) 833-4348
ELIA y MARY V
Two aircon bedrooms, private baths
Calle San Rafael 1217, entre Mason y Ronda (which goes round the Universidad). four blocks from the famous Cine Yara. Locate on this map. Tel. (7) 878-3604

www.particuba.net •|• Habana Vedado • Ana Elia y Mary
GEORGINA PORTILLA VICH
Two bedrooms each with private ensuites
Calle San Rafael 1165, entre Mazon y Basarrate in neighbourhood of the Universidad. Locate on this map. Tel. (7) 878-3604
CASA LILLY V
Three aircon bedrooms, private baths
Calle G (avenida de los Presidentes) 301 entre 13 y 15 near Hotel Presidente, Apto 13 on 13th floor. Tél. (7) 832 4021
LUIS ALBERTO y MILY V
Ground floor one-bedroom apart, living room
Calle 15 # 305, entre H et I, close to Malecon and near hotels Nacional & Habana Libre. Locate on this map. Tel. (7) 836-3954
CALLE 13 V
Three aircon bedrooms, two baths, patio, bbq, pool
Calle 13 # 1361, entre 24 y 26, 5 mins. on foot from Malecon, near hotels Riviera and Melia Cohiba. Locate on this map. Tél. (7) 860-0848 cell 05 273-2877



CASAHABANA V
Four bedrooms, three baths, two floors + roof terrace
Calle D# 555, apto 3, entre 23 y 25, facing Parque Mariana Grajales. Locate on this map. Tel (7) 833-1438 cell 05 289-7813
CASA MAYKEL V
Three floors up, one a/c bedroom, ensuite
Calzada 305, entre H y I, two blocks from Hotel Presidente and the Casa de las Americas and two from the Malecon. Locate on this map. Tel. (7) 833-2706 cell 05 293-3887



 MARISELA DE COLORES V
Two floors up, three a/c bedrooms, each with ensuite
Calle M #451 apto 2, entre 27 (Vapor) y Jovellar, one block from Hotel Colina and the Universidad Locate on this map. Tel. (7) 835-0810

244 km / 151 miles
10 km / 6 mi.
25 km / 15 mi.
102 km / 63 mi.
65 km / 40 mi.
335 km / 208 mi.
140 km / 87 mi.




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Updated 07.01.2012
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Es Cuba is a poignant and passionate travel memoir
Unsollicited advertising — A Cubacasas.net suggestion
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A seasoned traveler and a discerning observer, Aschkenas never strays from her acute awareness that there is no way to separate her foreignness (intensified by U.S.-Cuba relations) from the complex mix of emotions—devotion and rejection, enrapture and apprehension—that she develops toward the country and its people.

This is conveyed through her relationship with Cuba, her access into the inner lives of the women she meets, and her budding love affair with a young Cuban named Alfredo. As her story unfolds, readers are taken on an unforgettable journey filled with beautifully woven descriptions of Cuba and the customs and habits of its people.