Old Havana ::: www.cubacasas.net •|• La Habana Vieja

Send a Habana Vieja postcard © Nestor Marti ohch.cu/postales

OUR CASA LIST BEGINS HERE

VIEJA MAP HERE

Habana Vieja (Old Havana) harbors the port (with regular cruise ships), the capital's main train station, half of the city's museums, 25 public places, parks and squares, twelve churches and twice as many hotels, all in buildings totally refurbished since 2002.

This part of the ciudad comprises some 300 buildings rejuvenated by the office of the Historiador, Eusebio Leal and his team — is a UNESCO World Heritage site brought back in time by a quarter century of monk-like hard work.

The biggest difference with the past is that many streets are for pedestrians only. When town authorities elsewhere on the island saw the success of the walking streets in the old quarter, they soon adopted the same locally so that in less than 5 years, all of Cuba's large towns have a bulevar.

It has given old Havana a newly-found youth, all the while respecting citizens living there before. They were put up in temporary quarters while their apartments were refurbished.

Today, the lively creative spirit of its heyday when it was known as the largest colonial architecture ensemble of the Americas is back.

We have divided Habana Vieja in 6 zones

Complete Map here •••• Each zone below :

1 • Canal de Entrada

2 • Plazas : de Armas, Catedral, San Francisco

3 • Plaza Vieja

4 • Plazuela de Paula

5 • El Capitolio

6 • Parque Central

Huge and detailed Habana Vieja map here

• What's on in Old Havana — Opus Habana here

• There are of course Swimming Pools in Havana

• And lots of Museums or Museos, whatever (50+)

• Have a look at our list of Small Hotels, mostly in Vieja

• Web site of the Havana Historian — HabanaNuestra

• Across the bay — Visit Museo de Regla [Santeria]

• Get outta' town — Visit Parque Lenin

• Guillermo Jimenez - Los proprietarios de Cuba, 1958

English-speaking Habana Vieja tourist guide recommended by Elisa Surini from London UK. (25cuc for 2, half-day). Martha Perez (7) 861-6284, e-mail marthica1121 @yahoo.es

Get a real honest-to-goodness massage
performed by Yoany Caballero Sanchez, daughter of casa owner Raquel on calle Cristo. She (or partner Martin) can come to your casa anywhere in town. Choose from Masaje tradicional or Masaje Tui-Na or Masaje Shiatsu Nami Koshi or Masaje de Energía or try them all : inexpensive and soooo beneficial. Call now, operators are standing by (7) 867-5026

Bicicletas Cruzando Fronteras, a longtime bicycle rental service has now closed; it was located in the shopping mall named Manzana de Gomez, almost facing Edificio Bacardi.

EVENINGS
Wander from plaza to plaza or look in the many new hotels, most small and charming, which are all animated at sunset. Also : Café de Paris, live music, 11h-23h, where most hustlers gather. Calle San Ignacio 202, corner Obispo; Casa de la Cultura-Vieja, shows every evening (except Monday) at 20h. Themes : bolero, son, afro, reggae. Calle Aguilar 509, e/Amarguara y Brasil; Edificio Bacardi, with a mezzanine over its magnificent hall. Walk up to the intimate bar, rather chic. Ask to go to the roof and feast your ojos. Calle Monserrate, e/Progreso y Empedrado.

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Mercaderes, corner O'Reilly © sogestour •|• La Vieja y su sonrisa © sogestour

Corner of Acosta y Compostela © sogestour •|• Real Fabrica de Tabacos, Cuba's most visited cigar factory © sogestour

La ville en rose © sogestour •|• Before the flamenco © sogestour

Arguably the largest indoor arts & crafts
market in the Caribbean and Central America — Almacenes de San Jose — covers 100,000 sq ft (9,500 sq m) in a refurbished port hangar.

Located in front of Plazuela de Paula on avenida del Puerto (San Pedro, Zone 4 map here) : dozens of booths, some Internet-connected computers from Etecsa, cafés, food, rhum, beer, music et al.

Ritmo in Havana, our first handmade video. Watch it right here or see it full-screen in HD on youtube >>> there.

NOW, THERE'S AN ITINERARY!
The old part of the capital can be found in and around its numerous public places, parks, squares and gardens.
Here's a list :
::: Paseo del Prado ::: (Prado e/Neptuno y Malecón),
::: Parque Carlos J. Finlay ::: (Cuba y Amargura),
::: Plaza de Armas ::: (Tacón e/ Obispo y O'Reilly),
::: Plaza de San Francisco ::: (Oficios y Amargura),
::: Parque Rumiñahui ::: (Mercaderes y Lamparilla),
::: Parque de La India ::: (Avenida de Prado y Monte),
::: Plaza de la Catedral ::: (Empedrado y San Ignacio),
::: Plaza Vieja ::: (San Ignacio e/ Teniente Rey y Muralla),
::: Parque Arqueológico ::: (Tacón e/ Empedrado y Tejadillo),
::: Parque Alejandro de Humboldt ::: (Oficios esq. a Muralla),
::: Parque Luz y Caballero ::: (Tacón e/ Empedrado y Tejadillo),
::: Plaza del Cristo ::: (Villegas, Teniente Rey, Bernaza y Lamparilla),
::: Parque de la Fraternidad ::: (Avenida de Prado e/ Reina y Dragones),
::: Parque San Juan de Dios ::: (Cuba y Mercaderes, e/Empedrado y O'Reilly),
::: Jardín ecológico Hans Christian Andersen ::: (Mercaderes e/Empedrado y O’Reilly),
::: Jardín Madre Teresa de Calcutta ::: (del Puerto, Plaza de San Francisco de Asís),
::: Parque Memorial Hasekura Tsunenaga ::: (del Puerto e/Cuba y Peña Pobre),
::: Alameda de Paula ::: (San Pedro e/Leonor Perez (Paula) y San Isidro),
::: Parque Aracelio Iglesias ::: (Oficios, Luz, Acosta y Alameda de Paula)
::: Jardín Las Carolinas ::: (Amargura e/ Mercaderes y San Ignacio),
::: Jardín Diana de Gales ::: (Baratillo e/Carpinetti y Obra Pía),
::: Parque Central ::: (Ave. Prado, Neptuno y Zulueta),
::: Jardín Aldama ::: (Amistad e/ Reina y Estrella),
::: Parque de los Mártires ::: (Zulueta y Prado),
::: Parque Calderón ::: (Oficios y Sol),


FAVE FOOD FARES ••• Torre La Vega — Best for breakfasts or a "fast-full" lunch; Obrapia 114, e/Mercaderes y Oficios ••• El Mercurio — At the foot of Lonja del Comercio (unofficial chamber of commerce), this terraza is ideal for lunch : a fat sandwich (a tartar or a langosta for your escort) and careful attention to hushed dialogs of neighbours ... ••• La Moneda Cubana — In this rare paladar (private restaurant), one finds simplicity in culinary form : chicken, fish and pork surrounded by graffitis and visiting cards; San Ignacio 77 corner Brasil (Teniente Rey) ••• Santo Angel — On a patio overlooking Plaza Vieja, the "new Cuban cuisine" is dear but original and tasty; corner San Ignacio and Brasil (7) 861-1626 ••• La Dominica — Its facade opens onto the refurbished surface aqueduct on Mercaderes. Outside or in, we treated our taste buds to pastas and pizzas; moderately expensive; Calle O’Reilly 108, corner Mercaderes (7) 860-2918 ••• Puerto de Sagua — Affordable seafare, true habaneros; Belgica 603 ••• Al Medina — Couscous, tagine and vegetarian meals in a tasteful patio; Oficios 12, e/Obrapia et Obispo ••• Café del Oriente — Homard thermidor, smoked salmon, foie gras, "sturgeon eggs" : even platinum cards won't impress the waiters, who are dressed in smoking; Plaza San Francisco de Asis, calle Oficios 112 ••• El Patio — For the last moments of another great Vieja evening, bring the love of your life (or the temp passion ; ) here for an ultimo mojito; Plaza de la Catedral ••• Las Clavellinas — Good and affordable for 6 CUC; Compostela 554, e Sol y Muralla. ••• Tipping tips here ••• Partial list of Vieja restaurants here.

BAR NONE ••• Taberna de la Muralla — Where you can savour homemade brew marveling at the (finally in 2010, after 20 years of hard work) completely renovated Plaza Vieja (above), the masterpiece of Eusebio Leal and UNESCO; San Ignacio, corner Muralla ••• La Bodeguita del Medio — If you did not — at least — pass by here, you did not see touristy Havana and hear some of the legends about Hemingway; Empedrado 207 ••• Café Paris — Open 24 hours, sometimes loud, full of singing clients and "frens"; Obispo 202 ••• La Marina — Quiet, shaded patio, cool atmosphere; Oficios, corner Brasil ••• Dos Hermanos — We like this no frills, historical drinking spot. In the 30's, Federico Garcia Loca did too; San Pedro 304 ••• La Floridita — Like the Bodeguita, a must for first-timers : where the daiquiri was invented and where Papa got drunk. Again ; ); Obispo 557 ••• La Lluvia de Oro — This "rain of gold" is a true pick-up place for singles and swingers, 'nuf said; Obispo 316 My mojito in La Bodeguita, My daiquiri in El Floridita - Ernest Hemingway

Officially named "Catedral ortodoxa Nuestra Señora de Kazán" is the Russian Orthodox cathedral inaugurated Oct 2008 by a cardinal from Smolensk. It's located right facing the bay on avenida del Puerto — close to the rhum museum (orange wall at right) © sogestour — Photo taken from the dock of the ferry which runs across the bay to Regla (cathedral, Casablanca station) for the extraordinary — albeit slow and unreliable — Hershey train to Guanabo and Matanzas.

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. ::: Any casa particular anywhere in Cuba must have a hot water shower, otherwise it cannot have a permit to rent ::: Please share your Complaints, comments & suggestions webmaster [@]cubacasas.net

BOOK BY PHONE
• From Canada and the USA : 011 53 (add phone # preceded by La Habana's area code, 7) • From Europe, Great Britain, Scandinavia and Mexico : 00 53 (add phone # preceded by the La Habana's area code, 7) HOW TO DIAL A CUBAN PHONE NUMBER HERE ••• CELL PHONE NUMBERS on our town lists and casa pages are preceded by 05 for calls originating Havana; from anywhere else in Cuba, dial 015 + the 7 digits of the cell.

BOOK BY EMAIL :

Click on logo to open a message addressed to that casa in your email application; or right-click to copy address. Spanish vocabulary here.

Click photos to see each casa's page and description. Locate casas by zone from map.

See all casas in sequence.

Move to next casa by clicking this logo.

CHEZ NOUS
Upstairs, choice of three bedrooms, one on rooftop
Calle Brazil 115 (Teniente Rey), e/ Cuba y San Ignacio, only steps from Plaza Vieja in Zone 3
Tel. (7) 862-6287

LA CASONA DE OBRAPIA
Four modern a/c bedrooms in renovated colonial
Calle Obrapia 405 up one floor, entre Aguacate y Compostela, one block south of pedestrian Obispo in Zone 5. Tél. (7) 862-8285

L'AUBERGE DE RAQUEL
Upstairs colonial, choice of three bedrooms
Calle Cristo 12 e/Teniente Rey (Brasil) y Muralla, steps from Plaza del Cristo. Next door to casas Ricci and Carrasco in Zone 5 Tél. (7) 867-5026

RAMON y MARITZA
Ground floor colonial, choice of 3 bedrooms
Calle Luz 115, e/ San Ignacio e Inquisidor, three blocks from Plaza Vieja in Zone 4 Tel. (7) 862-3303

ROBERTO y ZORAIDA
1715 colonial with 3 a/c bedrooms, ground floor
Calle Lamparilla 324, e/Aguacate y Compostela, steps from the Floridita and four blocks from Capitolio in Zone 6 cell 05-283-6412 tél. (7) 864-4914

DOS LEONES
Compact, modern, four a/c bedrooms, ensuites
Calle Merced No. 14, e/Oficios y San Ignacio, two blocks from the bay near Plazuela de Paula and Almacenes de San Jose handicraft & art market in Zone 4 Tél. (7) 860-3987

CASA JUANITA
Upstairs colonial with two bedrooms, ensuites
Calle Cristo 14 e/Teniente Rey (Brasil) y Muralla, steps from Plaza del Cristo. Next door to casas Carrasco and Raquel in Zone 5 Cell (5) 245-8498

CASA HABANA
Upstairs modern 10 a/c bedrooms, rooftop dining
Calle Habana 209, e/Empedrado y Tejadillo, three blocks from Museo de la Revolucion, steps from little-known Parque San Juan de Dios in Zone 2 Tel. (7) 861-0253 cell 05-291-8202

HABANA LOURDES
Aircon bedroom, private bath, art nouveau casa
Calle Teniente Rey (Brasil) #361 e/ Aguacate y Villegas behind Convento Santa Teresa in Zone 5 Tel. (7) 867-9329

ELIZABETH y SAUL
Upstairs colonial with 4 bedrooms - 2 on 3rd + roof
Calle Cristo 16, e/ Teniente Rey (Brasil) y Murailla, steps from Plaza del Cristo. Next door to casas Ricci and Raquel in Zone 5 Tel. (7) 866-2106

PABLO y LYDIA
Upstairs two-bedroom colonial, ensuite baths
Calle Compostela 532, e/Brasil (Teniente Rey) y Muralla near Plaza Vieja in Zone 3 Tel. (7) 861-2111 or 861-2226

PABLO y NORMA
Upstairs 3-bedrooms, ensuites, roof terrace and bar
Calle San Ignacio 654, e/ Jesus Maria y Merced one block from Plazuela de Paula in Zone 4 Tel. (7) 863-1279 cell 05-270-7215

CASA VITRALES
Modern colonial upstairs with two a/c bedrooms
Calle Habana 106, e/Cuarteles y Chacon, two blocks from Museo de la Revolucion in Zone 1 Tel. (7) 866-2607 cell 05-264-7673

LUIS BATISTA BETANCOURT
True 1717 colonial - four ground floor a/c bedrooms
Calle Amargura 255, e/Habana y Compostela, near Plaza del Cristo in Zone 5 Tél. (7) 863-0622

LAMPARILLA
Lovely one-bedroom apart with kitchen and living
Calle Lamparilla 420 Apto 27 (5th floor, with elevator), entre Bernaza y Villegas, steps from Floridita and 4 blocks from Capitolio in Zone 6 Tel. (7) 862-8285

CUBA 611
One building, five owners, 12 bedrooms
Calle Cuba 611, apts. # 1, 2, 4, 5 and roof, e/ Luz y Santa Clara, facing Convento Santa Clara, two blocks from Plaza Vieja in Zone 3


Gerardo	Olga	Noemis	Manolo	Casa Cuba

MARTHA e ISRAEL
Upstairs colonial, two aircon bedrooms, ensuites
Calle Brazil (Teniente Rey) 115, e/Cuba y San Ignacio, steps from Plaza Vieja in Zone 3 Immediate neighbour of casa Chez Nous Tel. (7) 862-0948

MARTA y TULA
Ground floor colonial two aircon bedrooms, ensuites
Calle Lamparilla 406, e/Villegas y Bernaza, steps from Plaza del Cristo del Buen Viaje and two blocks from Capitolio in Zone 5 Tél. (7) 866-2022 cell 333-9799

JOSÉ ENRIQUE CABRERA
One (large) bedroom apart with kitchen and living
Calle O'Reilly 505, Apto 22, upstairs, entre Bernanza y Villegas, near Floridita in Zone 6 Tel. (7) 867-1497, cell (05) 268-6648

BARBARA HERRERA
Modest small colonial with choice of 2 bedrooms
Calle Peña Pobre 60, upstairs, e/Habana y Aguilar, very close to Malecon in Zone 1 Tél. (7) 864-2214

DALIA GROSS RODRIGUEZ
Up two floors, two basic bedrooms, shared bathroom
Calle Habana 209 upstairs, e/ Tejadillo y Empedrado, two blocks from Parque San Juan de Dios and same from Museo de la Revolucion in Zone 1 Tel. (7) 867-3994 cell 05-266-4299

BELKIS y JEIVER
Upstairs two-bedroom colonial, ensuites
Calle Cristo 16 primer piso, e/Teniente Rey (Brasil) y Muralla, Plaza del Cristo del Buen Viaje in Zone 5 Tél. (7) 861-1378 cell 05-273-9466

MARIBEL CABALLERO FLORES
5 bedrooms, 4 baths, 3 terraces, 2 salons, 3 floors
Calle Villegas 210, e/Obispo y Obrapia, three blocks from Parque Central in Zone 5. Tél. (7) 862-3548 cell 05-281-1786

DANIA CASTILLO LOPEZ
Upstairs, two aircon bedrooms, ensuites
Calle Obrapia 460, apto. 5, e/Villegas y Aguacate, four blocks from the Capitolio in Zone 5. Tél. (7) 861-0915

MARLY ECHEMENDIA ECHEMENDIA
Upstairs colonial three aircon bedrooms, ensuites
Calle Muralla 455, e/Villegas y Bernaza, one block from Plaza del Cristo del Buen Viaje in Zone 5 Tél. (7) 860-2707

SERGIO y MIRIAM
Upstairs colonial, two aircon bedrooms, ensuites
Calle Luz 109 (apto 5), e/Inquisidor y San Ignacio, two blocks from the Port in Zone 4 . Tel. (7) 860-8192

HOSTAL LEONEL
Two floors up, one aircon bedroom, ensuite
Calle O´Reilly 362, 2do piso, apartamento 3, entre Habana y Compostela, close to Santa Teresa church in Zone 2 . Tel. (7) 860-0191

CONVENTO DE SANTA CLARA
Quad & double bedrooms, ensuites + dormitory
Calle Cuba 610, entre Sol y Luz, right by the convent & museum and two blocks from Plaza Vieja in Zone 3 Tel. (7) 861-3335

RESIDENCIA ACADEMICA CONVENTO DE SANTA CLARA

CONVENTO SANTA BRIGIDA
Mini-hotel run by nuns; quads & doubles, ensuites
Calle Oficios # 204, entre Teniente Rey y Muralla between the port and Plaza Vieja. Located in Zone 3 Tel. (7) 866-4315

CASA MAURA V
Two ac bedrooms each with ensuite; up one floor
Calle Refugio 104, entre Morro y Prado, 100 m from Museo de la Revolucion; 50 meters from Prado in la Zone 1. Tel (7) 864-3923 cell (5) 332-1417

VILLA PARAISO V
One ac bedroom, ensuite + one indep. apartment
Calle Habana n° 906 altos (upstairs), e/ Leonor Pérez y Merced, between the Iglesia de la Merced and the natal house of José Marti in Zone 4 . Tél. (7) 860-1788 cell (5) 241 0802

DOÑA CRISTINA V
Three aircon bedrooms, two bathrooms
Calle Luz # 109, 2do piso, apto 9 entre Inquisidor y San Ignacio three blocks from Plaza Vieja in Zone 5 . Tél. (7) 867-6373 cell (5) 273-6864

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.

Updated 28.01.2013

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