HavanaTipsandTricks:InterestingFactsandTipsOnHavanaandCuba

-WithTrinidadBonusSectionCopyright©2016byFullCompassGuides

Allrightsreserved.Noportionofthisbookmaybereproducedorusedwithouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofthepublisher,exceptfortheuseinbriefquotations.

FullCompassPublishingwww.FullCompassGuides.comWrittenbyMarioRizzi

AboutThisGuide

Thissampleguideincludesalistoftips,factsandtrickstohelpyoubetterunderstandCubancultureanddailylifeinHavana.TheinformationpresentedinthisguidewastakenfromthebookRealHavana:ExploreCubaLikeALocalAndSaveMoney.ThisbookisavailableonAmazon.comandvariousotheronlinebookretailers,andoffersacompletedescriptionofalltheinformationpresentedbelow.

IfyouareplanningtovisitCubaandwanttotrulyexperiencethecultureoftheisland,youshouldconsiderpurchasingthecompleteRealHavanaguide.YouwillbeintroducedtotheauthenticCuba,whichisusuallyhiddenfromtheaverageforeigner.YouwillgaintheknowledgeandconfidencetoexploreCubalikealocal,notjustanothertourist.Moreover,theguideisfilledwithhundredsofmoneysavingtipsandfreeentertainmentoptions.Notonlywillyoubeimmersedintherichculture,butyouwillalsosavehundredsofdollars.

IntheCompleteRealHavanaguide,youwilllearnabout:

●AuthenticCubancuisineandaffordableHavanarestaurants.●Low-pricedmarkets,shopsandentertainmentoptions.●MapsofHavanaandthesuburbs–GetoutofthecityandEXPLORE!●Instructionsonusingcommunaltaxisparticularesandallthemajorroutes.●Contactinfoandreviewsofover30casaparticularapartmentsinVedado.●Fascinating,offbeatplaceswhicharehiddenfromforeigners.●HundredsoftipsonsavingmoneywhileinHavana.●Howtoavoidthemostcommontouristscams.

TheRealHavanaguidehasallthatinformationandmuchmore.Ithasbeendescribedbyindustryprofessionalsasbeingthe#1guidefortravelerswantingtolearnabouttheauthenticCuba.That’swhyitisabestsellerandhasbeenatrustedresourcetoover200000travellerssince2010.

Wehopeyouenjoythisfree,mini-guideaboutCuba,andifyouareinterestedinlearningmoreaboutthecompleteRealHavanaguide,checkoutthewebsitewww.BestCubaGuide.comformoreinfo.OnthewebsiteyouwillfindhundredsoffreeservicesandtipsonexploringCuba.Youcanfindandreserveyourcasaparticular(roomrental)inCubawithabsolutelynobrokeragecost,andyoucanreserveallyourtaxisandtourguideservices.

TipsonUsingThisSampleGuide

InordertoviewhundredsofphotosandvideosofCuba,aswellaslistingsandpicturesofalltheCasasParticulares(rentalapartments)whicharereviewedattheendofthisguide,simplygotothewebsitewww.BestCubaGuide.com.

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AboutFullCompassGuides

FullCompassGuidesareaimedattravelerswhowanttounderstandlocalcustomsandculturesothattheycanexperiencedestinationslikealocal.Unlikeregulartouristguides,FullCompassguidesarenotalistofattractionspopularwithtourists,andboringrestaurantandhotelreviewsthatareobsoletethemomenttheyarepublished.Withourguides,yougetsuccinct,usefulinformationabouttheculture,peopleandgeographyofyourdestinationsoyouhavethetoolsandtheconfidencetoexploreonyourown,experienceeverythingthatyourdestinationhastooffer,andsavemoney.

Ourguidesarewrittenbyexperiencedtravelerswhohaveintimateknowledgeofboththelocationandthecultureofthedestination.Theygiveyoutheexactinformationyouneedinordertomakethemostofyourtraveltime.

WithaFullCompassguide,youwillbeaknowledgeableexplorer,ratherthanjustanotherflash-happytourist.

AbouttheAuthor

Thismini-guidewaswrittenbyMarioRizzi,anawardwinningCanadianauthor.HefirstvisitedCubain2007andfellinlovewiththeisland.SincethenhehasreturneddozensoftimesandconsidersHavanatobehissecondhome.

Hehasexploredeverycorneroftheisland,fromthemajorcitiestoruralcommunities,andhasbecomeintimatelyacquaintedwithCubancultureandlifestyle.SomeofhisclosestfriendsareCuban,andtheyhaveplayedanimportantroleinhisunderstandingoftheislandandthedevelopmentofhisCubanguideseries.

Marioisanavidtravelerandhismostimportantgoalistofamiliarizehimselfwiththecultureofacountrysothathecanexploreitlikealocalwould,ratherthanasatourist.Itoftentakesagreatdealoftimeandefforttodevelopthisunderstandingandassuch,thriftinessisanimportantconsideration.

Inthismini-guide,MarioprovidessomeofthetoptipsandfactsaboutCuba.CompleteinformationaboutallthetopicsinthisminiguideareprovidedinthebookRealHavana:ExploreCubaLikeALocalAndSaveMoney.

TableofContents

TipsonUsingThisGuideGeneralCubaFacts

Education:Religion:SomeCommonCubanSlang:HomeOwnership:Property:CubanExiles:RegulationsandLaws:CubanCurrency:CurrencyAdviceExchangingMoneyElectronicBankingHowMuchMoneytoBringPotableWater:RestaurantScams:Tipping:CubanCuisine:Beef:FoodRationing:AlcoholPrices:CubanCigars:Shopping:WaitinginLine:InternetUsage:CubanPhoneCalls:ForeignCarRentals:MedicalEmergencies:Donations:

TransportationPublicTransportation:OldCars:PrivateTaxis(TaxisParticulares):StateTaxis:BikesinHavana:GoingToTheHavanaBeaches(PlayasdelEste)

AccomodationsHotels:CasasParticulares:CasaParticularApartmentsinHavana:www.BestCubaGuide.com

TopTenCubaTipList!CasaParticularGuide

GeneralCasaParticularNotesTypesofCasasParticularesPrivateRooms

IndependentRoomsIndependentApartments

DownloadRealHavana:ExploreCubaLikeALocalAndSaveMoney.TakingaTripFromHavanatoTrinidad

GettingFromHavanatoTrinidadTakingtheBusHireaTaxiFindingATaxi

ExploringtheTownofTrinidadOldTownEasternTrinidadNewTown

CasasParticularesinTrinidadGettingAround

InterestingPlacestoVisitandThingstodointheSurroundAreasTrinidadNightlife

ThankYou!

GeneralCubaFacts

Education:

InterestingFact:Aftergraduationfromuniversity,moststudentsareofferedgovernmentjobsintheirfieldofstudy.Theyareexpectedtoworkatthesejobsforatleast2years.ThisperiodiscalledServicioSocial(SocialService).Aftercompletingthistime,theyarefreetochangeprofession,workindependentlyorgobacktoschool.

InterestingFact:UniformsareahugepartofCubanlife.Allstudents,fromprimaryschooluptohighschool,mustwearspecificuniformseachday.Thefollowingisalistoftheuniformcolorcombinationsforeachlevelofeducation.

●ElementarySchool:Redbottomsandwhitetops.Years1-3wearbluescarves.Years4-6wearredscarves.

●SecondarySchool:Years7-9.Mustardyellowbottomsandwhitetops.

StudentsthenhavetheoptionofattendingeitherPre-universityortradeschool

●Pre-university:Darkbluebottomsandlightbluetops●Tradeschool:Darkbrownbottomsandlightbrowntops.

Auniversityeducationisoptionalandthereisnouniformrequirement.

Religion:

InterestingNote:OnoccasionyouwillseemenandwomenwalkingaroundCubawearingcompletelywhiteclothing.Sometimestheyareevenholdingawhitesunumbrellaorwearingawhiteheadscarf.ThesearepractitionersoftheSanteriareligionandtheyarewearingwhiteaspartoftheirinitiationprocessofbecomingSanteriapriestsorpriestesses.Theymustwearwhiteforonefullyearandlimittheircontactwithpeoplewhohavenotbeeninitiatedintothereligion.

SomeCommonCubanSlang:

Almendron:oldAmericancar

Baro:moneyBici:bicycleBici-taxi:bicycletaxiBodega:stateownedgrocerystoreBlumer:womensunderpantsBisnero:businessmanCampesino:farmerCamello:citybusCarro:carCarnet:CubanidentitycardChancletas:flip-flopsChao:goodbyeChica:girlChopin:shoppingCola:lineuporqueueCuarto:aroominahotelorhouseEspejuelos:glassesFosforera:lighterFrigi:refrigeratorGuayabera:officialCubanformalshirtJeva:womanJinetera:escortgirlJinetero:malebrokerorvendor(graymarket)Máquina:oldAmericancarPinchar:toworkPullover:T-shirtTenis:sneakers,sportsshoesYuma:Foreigner

HomeOwnership:

InterestingFact:Home-ownershipwasatenetoftherevolution.WhentheCastrogovernmentcameintopower,allprivatehomeswerenationalized,andtitlewasgivenovertothedwellingoccupants.Overnight,rentersbecamehomeowners.Landlordsultimatelylostdearlyasalmostalloftheirpropertywasreleasedtothetenants.

Property:

InterestingFact:Inthepast,ifaCubancitizenwastoleavetheislandandseekexileinaforeigncountry,suchastheUnitedStates,heorshewouldforfeitallpropertyownedinCuba.Thisproperty,includingthehomeandallitscontentswouldberepossessedbythestateandredistributedtoneedyfamilies.Thisisnolongerthecase.Citizensarenowpermittedtoretainalltheirbelongingsontheislandevenaftertheyseekexileinaforeigncountry.TheyarealsopermittedtoretaintheirCubancitizenshipandtofreelyre-enterthecountry.

CubanExiles:

InterestingFact:Contrarytopopularbelief,attemptingtoleavethecountryinordertoseekexileinaforeignnationisnotconsideredaseriousoffensebyCubanlawenforcement.ThemajorityofCubanswhoattempttoflee,andareunsuccessfulinreachingtheirdestination,aresimplyreturnedtoCubawheretheyarepermittedtocontinuelivingtheirlives,withoutanyincarcerationorpunishment.Ontheotherhand,thebrokersandspeedboatoperatorswhoattempttoprofitbytraffickingexilesandsmugglingCubanstoAmericaaretreatedmoreseverely.Theirenterpriseisseenasunscrupulousanddangeroustothelivesofallboatoccupantsandpunishmentsareharsh.

RegulationsandLaws:

InterestingFact:Inter-provincialmigrationwithinCubaisstrictlyregulated.Inorderforcitizenstomovetoanotherprovincetheymusthaveagoodreasonfordoingso,suchasforschool,workorimportantfamilycommitments.Thislawservestopreventapopulationexodusfromthepoorereasternprovincesintothericher,westernprovinces.Morespecifically,itpreventsamassmigrationtothecountry’srichestcity,Havana.ManyyoungmenandwomenfromtheeasternprovincesjointhepoliceforcepreciselyfortheopportunitytoimmigratetoHavana.ThereisverylittledesirefromHavanalocals(Habaneros)tobecomepolice,becausetherearesomanyothereconomicopportunitiesinthecity.

InterestingNote:InCuba,thetouristisking.InadisputebetweenaCubancitizenandaforeigner,policewillalmostalwaystakethesideofthetourist.Althoughthisgivesforeignersadistinctupperhandinanyargument,itisaprivilegethatshouldobviouslynotbeabused.Commonsenseshouldalwaysbeexercised,and,generally,ifsomethingisillegalinyourcountryoforigin,itisfairtoassumethatthesameactisillegalinCuba.Ifyoucommitaseriouscrime,regardlessofwhereyoucomefrom,youwillbeprosecuted.

CubanCurrency:

InterestingFact:Cubahas2officialcurrencies.TheCubanConvertiblePeso(CUC)isvaluedatparwiththeUSdollar.Itisusedtopurchasemostcapitalgoodsandimportedproducts.TheMonedaNacional(MN)isvaluedat1/25thofthevalueoftheCUC.MoststateworkersarepaidinMonedaNacionalanduseitforeverydaypurchases.TouristscanuseeithercurrencyandwillfindthatiftheyusetheMonedaNacional,theywillbeabletosavealotofmoneywhenpurchasingeverydaygoods.

InterestingFact:TheCubangovernmenthasrecentlydecidedthatitwilleliminatethedualcurrencysystem.TheyplantoeventuallymergetheCUCandtheMonedaNacionalintoasinglecommoncurrency.Atime-lineforthisunificationhasnotyetbeenestablished.Inpreparationforthismerger,manystatestores(restaurantsinparticular)havebegunacceptingpaymentfortheirofferingsineithercurrency.Theexchangeratewhichmanyoftheselocationsofferisusually1CUC=23MN.Thisisslightlyinferiortothe1:24ratechargedatstate-runexchangehouses.

CurrencyAdvice

MosttouristguidesdismisstheimportanceoftheMonedaNacionalcurrencyandrecommendthatforeignerssimplysticktousingtheCUCcurrency.Ifyouarestayingatanallinclusiveresortorplantospendallofyourtimeintouristyareas,thenthisisfine.If,ontheotherhand,youareplanningtoexploretheislandorvisitnon-touristyareas,itwillbemuchmoreeconomicaltousetheMonedaNacionalcurrencyformostofyourexpenditures.

TheCUCcurrencyisusedintouristresorts,highendhotels,fancyrestaurantsandtorentapartments.Furthermore,itisusedinlargestate-runsupermarketsandstoresandtotakecertaintypesoftaxis.Whileinsomesituations,youmustpayforyourgoodsandservicesinCUC,therearemanyotherinstanceswhereyoucanshopatlocationswhichsellidenticalproducts,atafarlowerprice,inMNcurrency.Thisguidewilltellyouaboutmanyoftheselocations.

Note:Sometimesyouwillhearthewordpesoused.LocalsusethetermtorefertobothCUCandMN.Anycurrencyamountof1canbecalledapeso.Ifthecurrencyisnotspecified,itisbesttomakecertainbeforebuyingsomething.Justaskthevendorifhemeans1pesoMN,or1pesoCUC.

ExchangingMoney

Unlikeothercurrencies,thereisnointernationalexchangemarketforCubanmoney.YouwillonlybeabletobuyandsellCubanpesosinCuba.Thereareseveralwaystoexchangeyourforeigncurrency.

CADECAs

InCuba,youcanchangemoneyinstate-operatedexchangehousescalledCADECAs.Theselocationsareusuallyclearlyindicatedonstreetsignsandcanbefoundinallcitiesandtownsandatmostairportsandhotels.TheCADECAslocatedincitiesusuallyofferbetterforeignexchangeratesthanthoseathotelsandairports.Itisadvisabletoexchangejustabitofmoneyattheairport,uponenteringthecountry.ThiswillgiveyousomepurchasingpoweruntilyoucanlocateaCADECAofferingbetterrates.

CADECAofficeswillexchangealltypesofforeigncurrency.ThemostcommoncurrenciesexchangedareEuros,BritishPoundsandCanadianandAmericandollars.YoucannotconvertallcurrenciesinCuba.Forexample,Australiandollarsarenotaccepted.Toexchangesomecurrencies,youmighthavetovisitamainCADECAofficeratherthanasatellitebranch.

Afulllistofallthecurrencieswhichareacceptedforconversionaswellastheirdailyconversionratescanbeseenathttp://www.bc.gob.cu/English/exchange_rate.asp

ForeigncurrenciesareallconvertedfirsttoCubanConvertiblePesos(CUC).IfyouwantMonedaNacional,youcanconvertyourCUCcurrencytoMNona1:24basis,aspartofaseparatetransaction.

Contrarytosomebeliefs,tellersatCADECAofficesareveryhonestwhenexchangingforeigncurrency.Scamsattheselocationsareextremelyrare.InordertoexchangeforeigncurrencyyouwillbeaskedtoprovideapieceofID,usuallyapassport,andyourinformationwillbeenteredintoacomputer.Theclerkwillcountoutyourmoney,confirmingtheamountwithyou,andthengiveyouaprintedslipindicatinghowmuchCubancurrencyyouwillreceiveback.TheclerkwillthencountouttheCubancurrencytwotimesbeforepassingittoyou.Youarefreetotakeyourtimetorecountthecurrency.Generally,clerkswillrefusealltipssoastoremaincompletelyimpartialinthetransaction.

Note:ItisbesttoconvertyourforeigncurrencytoCubancurrencyatseveralintervalsthroughoutyourtripratherthanconvertingeverythingatonce.IfyoufindyourselfwithalotofCubancurrencyattheendofyourtripandwanttoconvertitbacktoyouroriginalforeignmoneytherewillbesubstantialforeignexchangecharges.Thismighteasilyreducethevalueofyourcurrencyby5%.Furthermore,takingalargeamountofCubancurrencyoutofthecountryisnotpermitted.Afewdollarsisfine,butifCubancustomsfindsthatyouhavemanyhundredsofdollarsinCUCasyouexitthecountry,itcanbeconfiscated.

Banks

Anotherwaytoexchangeforeigncurrencyistouseabank.ThereareseverallargebankbrandsoperatinginCuba,andallarecapableofexchangingforeigncurrency.Althoughbanksmight,onoccasion,offerslightlybetterexchangeratesthanCADECAs,itshouldbenotedthatthelineupstogetintoabankareoftenverylong.Inaddition,whileabankcanexchangeyourforeigncurrencyintoCUC,theyarenotpermittedtoexchangeCUCintoMN.TheonlyplacetodothisisataCADECA.Generallythebestoptionistoavoidusingbanksunlessyouhavenootherchoice.

OtherForeigners

Oneofthecheapestwaystoconvertcurrencyistoexchangeitprivatelywithotherforeigners.ThisstrategyworksbestforthemostpopularcurrencieslikeCanadiandollars,Euros,andAmericandollars.ThebestlocationtomeetforeignerslookingtoexchangecurrencyisatanairportCADECA.YouwillusuallyencountermanyforeignerswhohavejustcompletedtheirtripinCubaandareeagertoselltheirleftoverCUC.SinceCADECAsusuallychargeanexchangefeeofatleast5%,youcanofferaslightlylowerrateandbuytheseCUCdirectlyfromtheforeigners.Youwillbothbenefitbysavingthestandardexchangefees.

ElectronicBanking

CreditCards

CreditcardusageinCubaisveryrare.Theonlyplacesthatareequippedwithcreditcardprocessingequipmentarelargetouristresorts,andhotelsinmaincities.Restaurantsandstatestoresalmostneveracceptcreditcards.

Ifyouareplanningonbringingandusingacreditcard,makeabsolutelysurethatithasnotbeenissuedfromanAmericanbankinginstitution.AllAmericanbasedcreditcardswillberefusedbecauseoftheAmericanembargoontradewithCuba.Mostothercreditcards,especiallythoseissuedfromEuropeanorCanadianbankscanbeused.

ATMs(cajerosautomaticos)arerare.Afewcanbefoundinsomehotelsandverytouristicareasinlargecities,andatmajorairports.Youshouldneverdependonthesemachines.Breakdownsarefrequentandwithdrawallimitsarelow.Insomecases,evenifyouareusingacreditcardissuedfromanon-Americaninstitution,youmaystillrequiretheassistanceofabanktellerinordertocompleteyourtransaction.

Personalchecks,traveler'schecks,andbankdraftsarealmostcompletelyunheardof.

PayPalAndOtherPaymentTransferServices

Itshouldbenotedthatduetothetradeembargo,youwillnotbeabletouseanyAmericanbasedmoneytransferserviceswhileinCuba.Iftheseservicesarewebbased,suchasPayPal,youwillbeabletoaccessthewebsites;howevertheactualpaymentwillbeblocked.ThisappliesevenifyouarepayingforsomethingwhichiscompletelyunrelatedtoCuba.SimplyattemptingtoinitiateatransferviaacomputerbasedinCubamayleadtothetemporarysuspensionofyouraccount.TheAmericangovernmentenforcesthetradeembargoveryvigilantly,especiallywhenitcomestointernationalmoneytransfers.

Note:DespitethethawingofrelationsbetweentheUSAandCubaandtheresultingincreaseinAmericantourismtotheisland,asofearly2016thetradeembargoisstillinplaceandfinancialtransactionsbetweenthetwocountriesarehighlyrestricted.AmericanbasedcreditanddebitcardswillstillnotfunctioninCubaandtheuseofserviceslikePayPalisnotpossible.Americantouristsareadvisedtobringenoughcashtolastthedurationoftheirtrip.

HowMuchMoneytoBring

Ifyouhaveprepaidyourvacationandarestayingatanallinclusivehotel,youwillnotneedmuchmoney.Youwillmostlyusecashtogivetipsortobuysmallitemsandsouvenirs.Theonlyinstancewhereyoumightneedtospendmoreisifyoudecidetotakeascenicexcursionofftheresort.Thatmightcosttheequivalentofafewhundreddollars,dependingonthespecificsof

thetrip.

Ifyouarenotstayingonaresort,yourexpenseswillobviouslybehigher.DetailedbudgetinginformationisprovidedintheRealHavanaGuidebook.Inthemostgeneralsense,Cubanregulationsstatethatforeignersmustbringenoughmoneyintothecountrytoreasonablylastthedurationoftheirstayontheisland.Thisishighlysubjective,butisusuallyunderstoodtomeanapproximatelytheequivalentof$100USDperday.Fortheaveragevisit,thiswillbemorethanadequate.Afterreadingthisguideyouwillseethatyoucaneasilylivelikeroyalty,whileonlyspendingafractionofthatamount.

PotableWater:

InterestingNote:Therehave,inthepast,beenafew,verylimited,choleraoutbreaks,usuallyaffectingnomorethanhalfadozenpeople,andalwayslocalizedintheextremelypooroutskirtsofthefareasternprovinces.Thesewereproventohavebeencausedbypoorsanitationwithincrowdedlivingquartersratherthancontaminatedwatersources.So,unlessyouanticipatesleepingonthefloorofacrowdedghettoinaremotevillagelocatedattheeasterntipoftheisland,youshouldhavenoworryatallaboutcontractingcholerawhileinCuba.

RestaurantScams:

TheRealHavanaguidelistsdozensofcommonscamswhichforeignerswillencounterinCuba.Thefollowingisasmallsampleofwhattoexpect.

CommonScam:Themenusatallstate-runrestaurantswilleitherbepricedinCUCorMN.SometimesthefoodwillbepricedinMNwhilethedrinks(especiallythealcohol)willbepricedinCUC.Thisisnormal.But,therewillneverbeonemenufortourists,pricedinCUC,andanotherforlocals,pricedinMN.Furthermore,themenuwillalwaysbetypedout,neverhandwritten.

Noteaboutscams:Farandaway,themostcommonsmallscamsoccurinrestaurantsandbarswhentouristsaredistractedandnotpayingattentiontothemenuorbill.Aslongasyoupayattentionandrealizethatyoucanalwaysdemandtospeaktotherestaurantmanagerorbossifthereisanymajordiscrepancy,youwillbefine.InCuba,thetouristisking.TheCubaneconomyiscompletelyreliantontourismandthegoalofallstate-runcompaniesistoencouragetouristenjoymentandrepeatbusiness.Ifyoueverthinkyouarebeingconnedandfeelyouhavenootheralternatives,simplythreatentocallthepoliceortheauthorities.Thiswillusuallyputaquickhalttothescam.Ifthescammereverthreatenstocallthepoliceonyou,forexample,ifyourefusetopayanobviouslyinflatedrestaurantbill,neverhaveanyfear.Evenifthepoliceweretocometoinvestigatethesituation(highlyunlikely),theywillalwaystakethesideofthetouristovertherestaurant,simplytodefusethesituationandendtheconflict.

InterestingFact:Mostscamsareperpetratedbyindividual,smalltimeconartists.Theirmain

goalistomakeafewdollarsperday,asthiswouldequatetoaveryhighsalarybyCubanstandards.LargercrimesorrobberiesareveryrareinCuba.

Tipping:

InterestingFact:Regardlessofthetypeofrestaurant,tippingisneverobligatoryorexpected.ThisgoesforanyserviceinCuba,whetheritbeforhousekeepingatahotelorarideinataxi.Thatbeingsaid,itisstillcommonforforeignerstoleavesmalltipswhentheyreceivegoodservice.Leavinga5%gratuityona10CUCmealbillwouldbeconsideredaverage.Handingthehotelbellhopaquarterfordeliveringyoursuitcasetoyourroomisalwayswellreceived.

CubanCuisine:

InterestingFact:EvenwhentheaverageCubangoestoarestauranttoeat,simpleCubancuisineisstillthemostpopularitemonthemenu.Thisisnotonlybecauseitisusuallythecheapestitem,butalsobecausemostCubanshavebecomeveryaccustomedtoeatingthesamemealsonadailybasis.Somepeople,especiallythosefromtheoldergeneration,wouldnotconsideramealcompletewithoutagenerousservingofriceandbeans,orasmallfilletof

friedpork.MostrestaurantscatertothispreferencebyalwaysincludinginexpensivetraditionalCubandishesontheirmenus,underthetitleofofertas,whichmeansspecials.Thesespecialsarealwaysconsiderablylessexpensivethanothermenuoptionsandincludeportionsofporkorchicken,aswellasrice,beansandasmallsalad.

Note:Somestatecafeteriaswilladvertisecheaphamburgers,sometimesforaslowas4pesos.Thesearenotqualityburgers,asthemeatisusuallynothingmorethanathinsliceofbreadedporkcroquette.Youarebetteroffpayingafewpesosmoreandorderingfromanestablishmentwhereyoucanactuallyseetheburgersbeingpreparedandcookedasyouwait.

Beef:

InterestingFact:Killingacowisanactualoffenseandarelativelybadone,too.Evenifthecauseofdeathisaccidentalorofnaturalcauses,itistheMinistryofTheInterior’sjobtoconductafullinvestigation.SomeCubansjokethatitisagreatercriminaloffensetokillacowthanitistokillanotherCuban.

FoodRationing:

SpecialNote:TheLibretaSystem-ThetinyrationbookhasbecomeavitalpartofCuba’sculturesinceitwasimplementedin1962.Atfirst,itwasawayfortheCubangovernmenttoshowit’scommitmenttothepopulace,byensuringthatregardlessofsocialoreconomicstatus,eachCubancitizenwouldreceiveabaseamountoffood;enoughtoensureadependablenutritionalintake.Duringthespecialperiod,thelibretatookonevenmoresignificance,asmanyCubans,facedwithdireeconomicconditions,cametorelyonthefree,staplefoodsprovidedbytherationbookastheirlargest,ifnotsole,sourceofnourishment.Duringthedeepestpartsofthespecialperiod,theaverageCuban’sdailycaloricintakedroppedtoanalltimelowandmalnutritionwasaseriousproblem.Nevertheless,thebasefoodprovidedbythelibretasystemwasenoughtopreventstarvation.Cubanscanusetheirlibretastogetmonthlyfoodrationsfromanetworkofstate-runfooddepotscalledbodegas.

AlcoholPrices:

InterestingFact:InCuba,thecheapestrumsometimescostslessthanbottledwater.Therearedozensofdifferentvarietiesandbrands.

InterestingFact:In1982acanofbeercost0.60pesos(MN).Thatsamecanofbeernowcosts18pesos(MN).

CubanCigars:

InterestingFact:Whilesomeofthemostpopularcigarssoldinofficialtobaccoshopscancostupto20CUCperunit,therunofthemillcigars,whichareverypopularwithlocalCubans,usuallycostonly1peso(MN)each.Theyaresoldatalmostallcafeteriasandsmallstateshops.ThemostpopularbrandnameisReloba.Youcanunderstandnowhowlucrativeitcanbetospendtheefforttore-brandandrepackagethesecheapcigars,andthensellthemtounknowingforeignersatahugemarkup.

Shopping:

InterestingFact:Inmanycases,youmustcheckyourhandbagsbeforeenteringstoresinCuba.Thisisaneasyandsafeprocess.Therewillalwaysbeaguardabolsa(bagwatcher)standlocatedbesideorinsidestatestores.Simplydeposityourbagsandaclerkwillhandyouanumberedstubasaclaimslip.Sometimesyouwillbeaskedtoleaveyournameorapieceof

ID.Thisissoyoucanretrieveyourbagevenifyouloseyourclaimstub.Thisserviceisfree,butatinytip(apesoorafewcentavos)isalwaysappreciated.

ImportantNote:Remembertobringyourownplasticorreusablebagswhenshopping.Largestatesupermarketsandgasstationswillusuallyprovideyouwithaplasticbagafteryourpurchase,butmostothersmallstoreswillnot.Sometimestherewillbeabagsellerinthefrontofsmallstoresormarketssellingplasticbags(jabas)for1peso(MN)each.

WaitinginLine:

ImportantFacts:ThelineupinCubaiscalleda“lacola.”ThereisalineupforalmosteverythinginCuba,soevenifyoudon’trememberalltherules,youwillbeeducatedintheprocessratherrapidly.Mostimportantly,somepeoplereceivespecialconsiderationandalwayshaveaguaranteedspotattheheadoftheline.Theseincludewomenqueuingupwithsmallchildren,andvisiblypregnantwomen.

InternetUsage:

InterestingFact:ForeignexpatslivinginCubaareallowedtousetheinternetfromtheirhome.Theypayamonthlyfeeofabout50CUCforthisoption.TheyarenotpermittedtotransmitthesignalviaWIFI.SharingthisinternetlinewithCubancitizensisnotpermitted,butthisruleisoftenbrokenwithoutconsequence.

CubanPhoneCalls:

InterestingFact:Duetothehighcostofcellphonerates,Cubanshavedevelopedaninnovativewaytocommunicate.Ratherthanusingcellphoneslikeregularphones,mostCubanssimplyusethemaspagers.Forexample,aCubanmightusetheirhomephonetocallafriend’scellphone.Insteadofansweringthecellphone,thefriendwilldismissthecallandthenfindacheappublicphonetocallbackfrom.Thisway,thecellphoneisneverchargedbecausethecallisneverinitialized.

ForeignCarRentals:

VERYIMPORTANT:Itcannotbestressedenough-BeextremelycarefulwhendrivinginCuba!IfyougetintoanaccidentinCuba,evenaminorone,youwillbeforcedtoremainontheislanduntilanaccidentinvestigationiscompleted.Thiscansometimestakemonths.ThisisoneofthemainreasonsforeignersarediscouragedfromrentingvehiclesinCuba.Therearedozensofstoriesoftouristswhorentedcars,hadminoraccidentsandwerethenforcedtostayinCubawhileapoliceorcourt-orderedinvestigationwasconducted.ThisprocessispartofCubanlawanditcannotbemodifiedorchanged,evenwiththeinterventionofforeignembassies.

Furthermore,itshouldbenotedthatifyouareinvolvedinaserioustrafficaccidentinCuba,whichresultsinbodilyinjuryordeath,thereisagoodchancethatyouwillfacesomejailtime.Theconceptofa“nofault”vehiclecrashisnotpracticedinCuba,andtheexcuseofacollisionbeing“accidental”willnotbeaccepted.Driveatyourownrisk.

MedicalEmergencies:

SpecialNote:Ifyougotoalocalhospitalandanticipatepayingincashforyourtreatment,alwayswithholdyourpaymentuntilyouhavereceivedtreatmentandthen,onlypaytheactualdoctor,andnotothermembersofthehospitalstaff.Doctorsandtrainedmedicalpersonnelare

usuallyveryprofessional,butthesamecannotalwaysbesaidfortheorderlies,techniciansandreceptionstaff.Ifanybodyasksyouforanupfrontpaymentjusttoseethedoctor,itislikelythattheyaretryingtoscamyou.Youshouldimmediatelydemandtospeaktothehospitaladministrator.

Donations:SpecialNote:Althoughalldonationsarewelcome,youshouldbeawarethatdonationsofsoap,shampoo,toothpasteandtoiletpaperareamongthemostcommon.Mostlocals,especiallythoseworkingwithtourists,havemorethanenoughoftheseitems.Furthermore,Cubanscanpurchasethemveryinexpensivelythemselves.

Transportation

PublicTransportation:

InterestingFact:Duringthe1990’sCubasufferedatransportationcrisis.Therewasagreatneedforpublictransportation,butthegovernmenthadlittlemoneytospendonpurchasingbuses.TheCubangovernmentsolvedtheproblembyconstructingrudimentarybusesoutofoldmachinery.Fundamentally,theyusedlargetractorrigstopullaroundpassengercarts.ThesetransportswerecalledGuaguasbecauseofthechuggingsoundtheymade.Thesearestillusedonalimitedbasisinsomeoftheeasternprovinces,buttheyaremostlyobsolete,havingbeenreplacedbymodernbuses.Smaller,antiquebuses,datingfromthe1950’sarestill

commonontheroadinmostcitiesduringoffpeakhours.ManyCubansstillusethewordGuaguawhenreferringtoanybus.

OldCars:

InterestingFact:Anymotorizedvehicle,nomattertheageortype,isconsideredaprizedpossessioninCuba.Oldvehiclesfromthe1960’sarecommonlylistedforsalefortensofthousandsofdollars.Thereasonthesevehiclesareworthsomuchisbecauseoftheincomepotentialtheycanprovideastaxis.Whiletheaveragestatejobmightpaynomorethan$30permonth,ataxidrivercanpotentiallymake$30perday,ifheownsandoperateshisownvehicle.Thiswouldequatetoabout$10000peryear,analmostunheardofsumofwealthinCuba.Allcarsarecherishedandrigorouslycaredfor,passeddownfromonegenerationtoanother,usuallysustainingthelivelihoodofseveralfamilies.

PrivateTaxis(TaxisParticulares):

ImportantNote:InCuba,thewordparticularusuallyreferstosomethingwhichisprivateorindependent.Ataxiparticularorausoparticularbus,simplymeansaprivateorindependentlyownedbusortaxi.Itissimplyawaytodistinguishthesevehiclesfromthetypical,state-ownedbusesortaxis.TaxisParticularesareconsideredcommunaltaxisandsometimesalsocalled

colectivos.Theydrivealongafixedroute,pickingupanddroppingoffpassengers,almostlikeabus.Theyareverycheaptouse,butyoumustlearnthetaxiroutesfirst.TheprocessofusingoneofthesetaxisandthedetailsofthemajorroutesisexplainedintheRealHavanaGuide.

InterestingFact:Achildcanrideinataxiparticularforfree,aslongastheyareseatedonanadult’slap.Furthermore,forsafetyreasons,childrenmustalwaysrideinthebackseatofataxiparticular,whethertheyareaccompaniedbyanadultornot.

StateTaxis:

InterestingFact:InthecityofHavana,state-operatedtaxisarecommonlyreferredtobylocalsasCincoCincotaxis,whichmeans“fivefive”taxis.TheyaregiventhisnamebecausethetelephonenumbertoreserveataxiinHavanais8555555.AsatouristIwouldnotrecommendreservingastatetaxiaheadoftime,consideringitissoeasytofindoneinalmostanylocation.

BikesinHavana:

ImportantNote:IfyouplanonusingabikeinCuba,alwaysremembertobringagoodlockwithyou,sincebikelocksarealmostimpossibletofindinCubaandtheftishigh.Evenifyouhaveagoodlock,thebestwaytobeabsolutelysurethatyourbikewillbesafeistoparkitinsecurefacility,calledaParqueo.ThroughoutHavana,whereverthereisaparkinglot,youwillnoticeattendants,dressedinstate-issued,redandwhiteuniforms,keepingwatchoverthecars,motorcyclesandbikes.Foranominalsum(halfapeso(MN)perhour)theattendantwillguardyourbike.Thesmallcostiswellworththepeaceofmind.

GoingToTheHavanaBeaches(PlayasdelEste)

ImportantNote:Ifyouareleavingthebeachlateatnight(after10pm)itcanbemoredifficulttofindataxiparticulargoingtoHavana.Inpeakbeachseason,it’susuallynotaproblem,butinthelowseason,itcansometimestakeafewtriesbeforeyousnagaride.Intheworstcasescenario,youmighthavetopaythedriverabitextra(afewCUC)toswayhisdecisioninyourfavor.

SpecialNote:SomeguidesmentionthattheHersheyTrainisanexcellentwaytogetfromHavanatothePlayasdelEste.Thisismisleading.IfyousimplywanttoexperienceatrainrideinCuba,thiscanbeafunouting,butifyourintentionsaretogotothebeacheasilyandcheaply,thiswillnotbethebestchoiceofroute.Asmentioned,ataxiparticularwilltakeyoufromHavanatoGuanabobeachinabout30minutesandcostyou50pesos(MN)(about2CUC).TheHersheytrainwillcostyouslightlyless(1.40CUC),butyouwillhavetotakeaferrytoCasablanca,andthentakethetrain,andhopethatbothoftheseservicesareoperational.Forgettingaboutalltheothercommondelays,thetrainridefromHavanatoGuanabousuallytakesover45minutes,andtheactualtrainstopislocatedinanemptyfield,severalkilometersoutsideofGuanabo.Itcaneasilytakeyouanadditionalhourtowalkallthewaytothebeach.Ifyouwantanadventure,itcanbeafuntrip.Ifyoujustwanttogettothebeach,it’sahassle,anditcantakemorethan2hours,onagoodday.

Accomodations

Hotels:

ImportantNote:Contrarytocommonmisconceptions,Cubancitizensareallowedtostayatallhotelsontheisland,providedtheyhaveavalidreservationandhavepaidthenightlyfare.ThehotelfareforaCubanisexactlythesameasthatforaforeigner.

CasasParticulares:

InterestingFact:ThroughoutCubathereisahighlydevelopedprivatehouseandroomrentalnetwork.TheseaccommodationsarecalledCasasParticulares(privatehomes).Theyoffersomeofthehighestqualityandlowestpricedaccommodationsontheisland.Moreover,sinceyouwillbestayinginsideanindependently-owneddwellingwithaCubanlandlord,youwillhaveanopportunitytolearnaboutthecultureupclose,fromthevantagepointofaregularcitizen.Mostcasasparticulareshaveawhiteandbluesignpostedoutside,indicatingthattheyareregisteredwiththegovernmentandhavealicensetolegallyrenttoforeigners.

InterestingFact:Itisusuallybesttonegotiatepricesandbookyourstaydirectlywiththecasaowner,ratherthanthroughareservationsbroker.Thebrokerwillalwayschargeafeeof5CUCpernighttomakeareservation,andthiswillinevitablybeincorporatedintoyourcasabillviaahighernightlyroomprice.IfyouhaveabasicknowledgeofSpanishyouwillbeabletolocateyourowncasainmostmajorCubancitiessimplybysearchingonlineCubanclassifiedpagessuchasRevolico.com.

InterestingFact:SomecasaparticularsinHavanaofferfreeinternettotheirguests.Thisisusuallythecasewhenthelandlordsareexpatsfromforeigncountriesandhavespecialinternetservicesinstalledfortheirpersonaluse.SomeofthesecasasparticularesarementionedintheRealHavanaguide.

CasaParticularApartmentsinHavana:

TheguideRealHavana:ExploreCubaLikeALocalAndSaveMoneyhasdetailedreviewsofover30apartmentswhichcanberentedinHavana,mostcostingonlyabout$20pernight.IfyouaregoingtoCubaandwanttolivelikealocal,youshoulddefinitelycheckoutthecompleteguideandreserveoneoftheseapartments.

InordertoviewhundredsofphotosofCuba,aswellaslistingsandpicturesofalltheCasasParticulares,simplygotothewebsitewww.BestCubaGuide.com.AsapurchaserofthecompleteRealHavanaguide,younowhaveafree,lifetimemembershiptothisfantasticresource.

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Ifyourequireadditionalinformationorassistanceinmakingtravelarrangements,eitherbeforeorduringyourtravelsinCuba,youcanpostaquestionontheRealHavanaTravelForum,locatedatwww.BestCubaGuide.com/Cuba-and-Havana-Forum/

Theforumisactiveandquestionsareansweredveryquickly.

Allservicespromotedonwww.BestCubaGuide.comarecommissionfreeandqualityguaranteed.

Wehavenegotiatedexclusive,lowcostdealsfor:

CasasParticulares

Longdistancetaxis

Airporttransfers

Havanacitytours

ProfessionalHavanatourguides

Aswell,ourknowledgeablemoderatorsandforumuserscanansweralmostanyquestionaboutHavanaandCuba,andwehaveateamofexpertsinHavanaatalltimeswhocanpersonallyassistyouandensurethatyourtripgoesperfectly.

BrowsetheBestCubaGuidewebsiteformoreinformationandmakeyourtaxiorcasaparticularreservationtoday!

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TopTenCubaTipList!

1)Alwaysnegotiateprices.Asaforeignerinarelativelypoorcity,mostofthelocalmerchantswillseeyouasacashmachine.Ifyouaretakingataxi,buyingabike,browsingsouvenirsorrentingacasaparticular;wheneveryourequestapriceforaproductorservice,vendorswillimmediatelythrowoutahighnumber.Donotfeelshyaboutmakingalowcounteroffer.Youcansometimessave50%ormore.Mostimportantly,don’tworryaboutwalkingawayfromavendoriftheaskingpriceforsomethingistoohigh.Thistacticwillalmostcertainlyswaythesellertobecomemorereasonable,asmostvendorshatelosingsales.

2)Inconjunctionwithtip#1:Ifyouactlikeatourist,youwillbetreatedlikeatourist.IfyouwalkdownabusytouriststreetwearinganoveltypanamahatandCheGuevarat-shirt,speakingEnglishloudlyandcarryingalargeSLRcamera,everyjineteroinHavanawillapproachyoutostrike-upaconversation.It’snotnecessarilyabadthing,butyouwillbehoundedbymoney-seekersconstantly.Regardlessofyourcolor,nationalityorlanguage,youarefarmorelikelytoblendinasalocalifyousimplydressmodestly,similarlytohowyouwoulddressonadailybasisinyourhomecountry.

3)Besafe.Thebestwaytodothisistoexercisecautionandcommonsense.Ageneralruleisthatifyouwouldnotdosomethinginyourowncountry,thenyoushouldnotriskdoingitinCubaeither.Forforeigners,theriskofrunningintotroubleincreasesdramaticallywhenheavydrinkingisinvolved.Moderationandgoodjudgmentwillhelpyouavoidmosthasslesandensureaproblemfreetrip.

4)UseMonedaNacional.MostCubansreceivetheirsalaryinMonedaNacionalandthisisthemostcommoncurrencyused.Thereisnoreasonthatyoucannotuseitaswell.ForsomegoodsandservicesyouwillhavenochoicebuttouseCUC.ThisisespeciallythecaseinalargecitylikeHavana.Butthisshouldbetheexceptionandnottherule.IfyoumakeanefforttoonlybuythingswhicharepricedinMNyouwillsavealotofmoney.Furthermore,youwillimmerseyourselfintheCubanlifestyle,sinceyouwillbevisitingthesamestoresandshopsaslocals.

5)Treatyourselftoagood,sitdownmealeveryday.WhileyoucansurvivewellinHavanabysimplyeatingstreetfood,itisagoodideatohavesomethingslightlymorefulfillingatleastonceperday.Afullmealatarestaurantonlycostsabout4CUC,andthegenerousservingofhealthyfoodwillgiveyoutheenergythatyouneedtoexploreeveryinchHavana.Despitebeingdelicious,moststreetfoodinCubaissimplyfilledwithemptycarbohydratesandprovideslittlenutrition.

6)Appreciatetheculture.Cubaisreallydifferentfromalotofotherplacesintheworld.Youwillespeciallynoticethisifyouarefromamodern,westerncountry.InCuba,peoplehavedifferentattitudestowardsmoney,family,communityandentertainment.ObservingthelocalsandmakingafewfriendswillreallyhelpyoutounderstandtheCubanwayoflife.

7)Keepanopenmindandletgoofanypre-conceivednotionsaboutCubaorHavana.Contrarytosomeclaims,everythingisnotallaboutpolitics.TheaverageCubaniswell-informedofthebroadthemesaffectingtheircountryandtheworld.Atthesametime,theyareprobablyfarlessconcernedwiththesemattersthanyouwouldthink.Whilethemostvocalmembersofsocietywillimmediatelysharetheiropinions,thatdoesnotmeanthattheyspeakforeverybody.Ifyoutalktoavarietyofregularpeople,youaresuretogainaclearerperspective.

8)Exploreeverything.Mostguidebooksprovidelistsofhundredsofdifferenttouristattractionstovisit.Whiletheseplacescanhelpyoulearnhistoryandfacts,theygiveyoualmostnoinsightintodailylife.ThebestwaytodiscoverCubaistoleaveyourmapathomeandsimplygetlostasyouwanderaround.Cubancultureisveryopen,andyouarealmostguaranteedtomeetpeopleandseefascinatingthingsasyouwalkaround.InHavana,thisisespeciallytrue.Ifadoorisunlocked,youshouldconsiderthataninvitationtoenter.

9)Don’tgetboggeddownbysmallproblems.InCuba,inconveniencesarenormal.Buseswillbreakdown,reservationswillbechanged,lineswillbelong.Thesunwillburnyou.Theweatherwillmakeyousweatandthemosquitoeswillmakeyouitch.InHavanaparticularly,youmightevengetscammedoutofafewdollars,despiteyourbesteffortstoavoidit.Don’ttaketheseproblemspersonally;theyhappentoforeignersandlocalsalike.Don’tallowthemtosouryourtrip,oryourimageofthecountry.

10)Enjoythecheapentertainment.TherearealotsoffunthingstodoinHavana,andmostofthemareeithercompletelyfree,orcostjustanominalprice.Iftheaveragelocal,earningjust$30permonth,canfindwaystohavefun,thenyoucansurelykeepyourselfentertainedonatightbudget.Don’talwaysexpecttogosomeplacespecificandengageinaparticularactivityforamusement.InCuba,thegreatestpleasurescomefromrelaxingandinteractingwithinterestingpeople.Considerthisanopportunitytoslowdownyourlifeandenjoythemoment,ratherthansimplyjumpingfromoneplantoanother.

TakingaTripFromHavanatoTrinidad

Trinidadisasmalltown,locatedonthesouthcoastofCuba,nearthemidpointoftheisland.ItisoneoftheoldesttownsinCuba,withahistorydatingbackmorethan500years.Thetownisverywellpreserved,withmostlyoriginalarchitecture,tight,windingstreets,pavedwithcobblestones,andapicturesquesurroundingofhills,valleys,farmsandevenanearbybeach.ItisoneofthemostpopularexcursiondestinationsfortouristsvisitingHavana.

Stateorganizedbustours,usuallylastingadayortwoareofferedbymanyCubantouroperatorsandcanbepurchasedinmosthotellobbies.Officialexcursionpricesrangefromabout200CUCtoover400CUCperperson,dependingonthedurationanditineraryofthetrip.Withalittlebitofplanning,youcanorganizeyourownTrinidadexcursionforconsiderablyless.Ifyouareeagertoviewacharming,oldworldtownthathasbeenlistedasaUNESCOWorldHeritagesitesince1988,thenTrinidadistheplacetogo.

GettingFromHavanatoTrinidad

TakingtheBus

Despitebeing365kilometers(225miles)awayfromHavana,itisrelativelyeasytogettoTrinidad,evenforanovicetraveler.YoucaneasilytaketheViazulbusservice,whichoperatesdailyroutesfromHavanatoTrinidad.Ifyoubookaheadoftime,youwillhavenoproblemgettingaseat.TheViazulbusterminalinHavanaislocatedatthecornerofAvenida26andAvenidaZoologico,intheNuevoVedadoneighborhood.Youcanbookyourticketsdirectlyattheterminal,anditisadvisedtobookatleastafewdaysbeforetraveling.Anevenbetteroptionistobookandpayforyourticketsonline,atwww.Viazul.com.Onthedayoftravel,yousimplyarriveatthebusterminal30minutesbeforeyourdeparturetimetocheckyourbags(ifyouaretravelingwithluggage)andyouwillsoonbeseatedinamodern,airconditionedbus,makingyourwaytowardsyourdestination.Thebusridecosts25CUCperpersonandthetriptakesabout6hours.Thebusmakesstopsatmostmajortownsalongthewaytodropoffandtakeonnewpassengers.Thisisthemainreasonfortheextendedtripduration.OnceinTrinidad,thebusterminalisjustbesidethetowncenter,withineasywalkingdistancetomostpopularlocations.

HireaTaxi

HiringataxitogetyoufromHavanatoTrinidadismoreexpensivethantakingthebus,buttheadvantageisthatyoucansetyourowndeparturescheduleandyourtraveltimeisreducedsignificantly,withmosttaxismakingthedirecttripin4hoursorless.Yourtaxioptionsarevariedanddependonwhatkindoftripyouwanttoexperienceandhowmanyotherpassengersyouaretravelingwith.Taxisalwayschargebythecarload,soitismoreaffordabletosharetheridewith

othertouristsandsplitthefareaccordingly.Ayellow,airconditioned,moderntaxicarwillusuallymakethetripfromHavanatoTrinidadforabout160CUC.Thisisthemostconvenientoptionformostpeople.Sharedbetween4passengers,thiswouldonlybemarginallymoreexpensivethantheViazul.TherearealsooldAmericancartaxiswhichdothetripforroughlythesameprice.Thedisadvantagewiththesevehiclesisthattheyarenotairconditioned,andthewindowsareusuallyrolledallthewaydownforthedurationofthetrip,forventilation.Foralongdistancetriplikethis,itcanbecomeunpleasant.Furthermore,asthesevehiclesareold,thereisanincreasedriskofbreakdownonthehighway.Ifyouaretravelingasalargergroup,youcanalsoconsiderhiringaminibustotakeyourgrouptoTrinidad.Anairconditionedminibuscanusuallyseat10to14passengersandthetrippricerangesfrom220CUCto300CUCtotal.

FindingATaxi

ItislikelythatanytaxiyouseeinHavanawouldbewillingtoquoteyouapricetodrivetoTrinidad.Ifyouarelookingforabetterdeal,agoodplacetosearchisneartheViazulterminalinHavana(cornerofAvenida26andAvenidaZoologico,intheNuevoVedadoneighborhood).Thereareusuallydozensoftaxiswaitingoutsidethebusstationanxiousforlongdistancefares.Ifyouaretravelingalone,thesedriverswillevenhelptofindothertouriststosharetherideandthecost.

IfyouareplanningyourtriptoTrinidadaheadoftime,youcanbookyourtaxionline,atwww.BestCubaGuide.com/Taxis.Thewebsiteofferssomeofthelowestpricesavailablewithmanydifferentvehicleandtripoptions.Amodern,airconditionedtaxi,fromHavanatoTrinidad,withupto4passengers,isonly160CUC,withdoortodoorpickupanddrop-off.Inlowseasonthepriceisevenlower.

ExploringtheTownofTrinidad

OldTown

TheTrinidadtowncenteriscommonlyreferredtoastheOldTown.ItisveryeasytoidentifyandmostforeignerswhovisitTrinidadspendmostoftheirtimeinthisarea.Thestreetsarepavedinunevencobblestones.Thehousesandbuildingsarealmostallhundredsofyearsold.Thiswasthethefirstpartofthetownwhichwasconstructedwhentheareawasoriginallysettled,over500yearsago.Ithasbeenwellpreservedandovertheyearsmanyofthebuildingshavebeencarefullyrestored.TherearestrictpreservationlawsenactedbytheCubangovernmenttoensurethatanyrenovationstothebuildingswithinthisareamaintainthearchitecturalintegrityoftheoriginalstructures.Effectively,

theOldTownisagiantmuseum,andthisiswhatmakesitsuchastrongtouristdraw.TheOldTownisalsogatedofftovehicletraffic.Onlywalkingandbikingispermitted.

ThestreetsintheOldTownaretightandwinding,toaforeigneritcanseemchaotic.Despitethesmalloverallareaofthisneighborhood(lessthan500metersindiameter)itisveryeasytobecomedisorientedandlost.Thisplanwasbydesign,inordertoconfuseandimpedepirates,whichregularlyinvadedthetownthroughoutthe17thcentury.

TheOldTownisbuiltonagentlyslopinghill.Atthecenteroftown,locatednearthetopofthehill,isthePlazaMayor,thecentraltownsquare.Theplazaissurroundedbydozensofhistoricallysignificantbuildings,mostofwhichhavebeenconvertedtomuseums.Ifyouenjoyhistory,youwillfindthisanideallocationtoexplore.InfrontoftheplazaistheimposingChurchoftheHolyTrinity(IglesiaParroquialdelaSantísimaTrinidad).Totherightofthechurch(oneblocknorthoftheplaza)istheChurchandConventofSaintFrancis(IglesiayConventodeSanFrancisco).Thischurch,withitstall,brightlypaintedbelltowerisoneofTrinidad’smostrecognizablelandmarks,prominentlyfeaturedonadvertisementsandpostcards,aswellasonCuba’s25centCUCcoin.Alsointheareayouwillseeseveraloutdoorstreetfairswherelocalsellershavesetupstallssellingcrafts,linens,souvenirsandclothes.

EasternTrinidad

Walkingsouth-east,outofthegatedOldTown,youwillsoonbeenteringadecidedlypoorerarea.Althoughthestreetsarestillpavedwithcobblestones,youwillnoticecarsdrivingoverthemandalotfewertourists.MostofthehousesinthisareamaintainthesamearchitectureasthoseintheOldTown,butlackrestoration.

ThisneighborhoodofeasternTrinidadisagreatareatoexploreifyouwanttogetawayfromthetouristcrowdsandseehowthelocalslive.ThemostprominentattractionintheareaistheIglesiadeSantaAna,facingalargesquare(PlazaSantaAna).Thechurchisinruins,butthereisasmallmuseumandrestaurant/barnearby.Thesquarehashistoricalsignificance,astheformerlocationofalargeSpanishprison.

ThestreetsineasternTrinidadallgentlyslopeawayfromtheOldTownandtowardstheocean,which,onaclearday,canbeseeninthedistance.ThesmallporttownofCasilda,locatedabout4kilometerssouthofTrinidad,connectedbyasmallhighway,canalsobeseen.

NewTown

IfyouareenteringTrinidadbytaxiorbus,thenthefirstneighborhoodthatyouwilllikelypassthroughistheNewTown.Asthenamesuggests,thisareaiscomposedofmostlynewerbuildings,whicharenotasarchitecturallyornateasanythingintherestofthecity.IfyoudonothaveafixeddestinationinmindwhenarrivinginTrinidad,itiscommonfortaxidriverstodropyouoffattheParqueCentralCespedes.Thisisasmallplaza,locatedinfrontoftheIberostarGrandHotelTrinidad,

(oneofthemostprominenthotelsinthecity).ThisareaisgenerallyconsideredastheborderbetweentheNewTownandthebeginningoftheOldTown.

Whilethereisnotmuchofhistoricimportancelocatedinthenewerpartoftown,itcanbeagoodplacetoexploreandpeoplewatch,asthisiswherethevastmajorityoflocalsliveandspendtheirdays.StreetfoodvendorsandsmallpaladaresalsolinethemainstreetsinthisareaandpricesforfoodanddrinksareafractionofwhatyouwillpayintheOldTown.Ifonlyforthat,itiswellworthspendingsometimeinthisneighborhood.

Note:Trinidad'sstreethustlers(jineteros)arenotoriousfortheirbrazenness,persistenceandorganization.ThesituationisfarworseherethananywhereelseinCuba,includingHavana.Itishighlyadvisabletobesuspiciousofanybodyyoumeetonthestreetofferingyouassistanceoradvicerelatingtobars,restaurants,entertainmentoptionsorcasasparticulares.Theyalmostcertainlyhaveananglewheretheywillbeabletoscamabitofmoneyoutofyoubytheendoftheday.Althoughthesescamsaregenerallyharmlessandpetty,theycanbetedious,timeconsumingandoff-putting.Oneofthemostcommonscamsoccurswhentouristshavejustarrivedinthetownandaresearchingfortheirpre-bookedaccommodations.HustlerswaitattheViazulterminalandgreetunsuspectingtourists,astheyexitthebus.Theyexplain,usuallyinwellspokenEnglish,thattheyweresentbythecasaownertoescortthetouristdirectlytotheircasa.Inevitably,ifyoufollowoneofthesehustlers,youwillarriveatanentirelydifferentcasathanthatwhichyoubooked,andthehustlerwillalwaysmakeahealthycommissionfromyourmisfortune.ThehustlersaresowellversedintheirtradethattheysometimesevenscamCubantaxidriverswhomightgetlostinTrinidad'swindingstreets,convincingthedriverstodropofftouristsatthewrongcasas.Alwaysconfirmthatthecasayouarestayingin,isinfacttheactualcasathatyoumadereservationsfor.And,ifyoumeetsomebodyatthebusstationwhoclaimstobesentfromyourcasalandlord,nevertellthemyournameandcasadetailsfirst.Iftheyweregenuinelysentfromthelandlordtoescortyoutothecasa,makethemconfirmyourdetailsfirst.

CasasParticularesinTrinidad

AsTrinidadisaverypopulartouristdestination,andhasbeenformanyyears,thereisanabundanceofgoodcasasparticularesthroughoutthetown.InthehistoriccenterofTrinidadmanyoftherentalunitsarelocatedinsidehistoricmansions.Thesemansionsretainmostoftheiroldworldarchitecturaldetails,includingstonecolumns,vaultedceilings,woodenbeamsandmoldings,andexpansiveinnercourtyardsallowingnaturallightandfreshcrossbreezestoflow.Inthesemansions,whileyouhaveaprivateroomwithitsownlockingdoor,youwilloftensharethecommonareasofthehousewiththelandlordsandotherguests.

Outsideofthetowncenter,therentalpropertiestendtobenewer.Thesecasasareoftenindependentroomsorapartments,whereyoureceivethekeytothefrontdoorandcancomeandgoincompleteprivacy.

Regardlessoftheageofthecasaparticular,theyalmostalwayshaveairconditionedbedroomswithmodern,en-suitebathrooms.Furthermore,mostcasashaverooftopterraceswhichofferpicturesque

viewsofthecityandsurroundingmountains.

ThereareenoughcasasinTrinidadthatareservationisusuallynotnecessary.Youcansimplyarriveinthetown,walkaroundforafewminutesandlocateasuitableplacetostay.Therentalpropertiesareallclearlymarkedwithsignsabovetheirdoors.Evenifonelandlorddoesnothavevacancy,theywillquicklycallupfriendsandfindanearbyplaceforyoutostay.

Ifyouwanttobookaccommodationsaheadoftime,youcansearchonline.Thereisalsoagoodselectionofrentalpropertiesonthewebsitewww.BestCubaGuide.com

Note:YoumightarriveinTrinidadandwonderwhytherearesomanyelegantmansionsinsuchasmalltown,locatedratherfarfromHavana.WhiletheabundanceoftourismiscurrentlydrivingtheTrinidadeconomy,therearealsosomeveryimportanthistoricalfactorsforthehighrelativewealthintheregion.AsoneoftheearliestsettlementsinCuba,andsurroundedbyfertilefarmland,Trinidadwasthenexusfortheisland’searlysugarindustry.Yearslater,potteryandclaytilemanufacturingboostedeconomicactivity.Andinpresentday,tobaccoprocessingisamajorindustrythroughoutthearea.

GettingAround

Trinidadisarathersmalltown,lessthan2.5kms(1.5miles)wide.Theeasiestwaytogetaroundthemainareasisonfoot.Withinthehistoriccenter,nocarsarepermitted,sowalkingisthenorm.Bikesarealsoused,butgiventhatthestreetsarepavedinroundedcobblestones,bikingcanbechallenging(mostcasasparticularescanarrangebikerentalsatacostofabout3to5CUCperday).Evenwalkingonthecobblestonescangettiring,andassuch,manystreetshaveanarrowcementsidewalkalongtheside,which,despitebeingcrowded,isoftenthebestoption.

Inthenewerpartsoftown,thestreetsareasphaltandaccommodatebikesandcars.Bicycletaxisareabundantandcantakeyoufromoneendoftowntotheotherforabout3CUC.

Ifyouhaveabike,youcaneasilyuseittogettovisitsomeoftheinterestinglocationsoutsideofthemaintown(thesearelistedonthefollowingpages).Yellowtaxisarealsoplentifulandarethequickestwaytovisitplacesontheoutskirtsoftown.Therearealsosomecommunaltaxiswhichoperateroutestothelocalattractions.Whilethesearecheaperthanyellowtaxis,theycanbedifficulttolocate.Lastly,therearetourbuseswhichhaveregularroutesfromTrinidadtothesurroundings.Mostlythesearereservedforforeignerswhohavebookedexcursionpackages.Sometimesthereareextraseatsavailableataffordablefares.YoucanvisitoneofthemanytouristinformationofficeslocatedthroughoutTrinidadoraskyourcasalandlordforhelpinmakingthereservations.

Thereisalsoarestoredsteamtrainwhichoperatesinthearea.Thiswillbediscussedinthefollowingsection.

InterestingPlacestoVisitandThingstodointheSurroundAreas

Casilda-Thisisasmallporttownlocatedabout5minutesdrivingdistancesouthofTrinidad.Youcaneasilygettherebytaxi,bikeorwalking.ThetownoverlookstheBayofCasilda,whichisapopularareaforsnorkelingandagoodplacetofindanoutfitter,ifyouwanttogosportfishing.Thetownitselfismodest,althoughthereareafewrentalpropertiesandacoupleofrestaurants.CasildaisagoodplacetostayifyouwanttoexperienceTrinidadfromalesstouristyperspective,whilealsobeingclosertotheocean.

PlayaAncon-OntheothersideoftheBayofCasildaisthelovelyPlayaAnconbeach.Thebeachislocatedonalongarchipelagothatshieldsthebay.Theroadleadingtothebeach,fromCasilda,sweepsaroundthebay.Alltold,PlayaAnconisabout10minutesdrivingdistancefromTrinidad.Youwouldbeabletobikethereinabout30minutes.Thebeachissandy,wide,andabout8kms(5miles)long.Therearethreelargeresorthotelsalongthebeach,locatedataboutthemidpointofthearchipelago.Butoneithersideofthosehotels,therearevastexpansesofrelativelysecludedbeach,offeringtranquilityandseclusion.Itisveryeasytofindahidden,privateareaonPlayaAncon,andyoucouldeasilyspendadayinthesun,sandandsurfwithoutseeinganotherperson.

ValledelosIngenios-EastofTrinidadyouwillfindthesprawlingValledelosIngenios(ValleyoftheSugarMills).Originally,thisareawastheepicenterofCuba'ssugar-tradeeconomy.Currently,thelushvalleyisspottedwiththeruinsofdozensofsugarmills,abandonedsugarwarehousesandhistoriccolonialmanorsandslavedwellings.Thebestwaytoseethevalleyiswithahorsebackridingtourwhichyourcasalandlordwillbeabletoorganize.Pricesareapproximately20CUCfor5to6hourtour,coveringmostimportantsightseeinglocations.

ElMiradorRestaurant-About5kms(3miles)eastofTrinidad,alongtheCircuitoSurhighway,istheElMiradorrestaurant/bar.Theestablishmentisperchedonahillandoffers360degreeviewsoftheValledelosIngenios(ValleyoftheSugarMills).Drinksarecheapandfoodismoderatelyprices,butitiscompletelyfreetosimplywalkupthelongflightofstairstotherestaurantandenjoytheviewsofthevalleyfromtheopenterrace.ItwilldefinitelygiveyousomeperspectiveonthegrandiosityoftheareaandtheimportancethatsugarproductiononcehadforCuba'seconomy.

AntiqueTrain-Afunwaytoexperiencethevalleyistotakearideontheantiquesteamtrain.ThetraindepartsfromTrinidadandslowlymakesitswaythroughthevalley,goingthroughseveraltunnelsandoverafewironbridges,eventuallystoppingatthefamousManacaIznagaestateandthehaciendaGuachinango,whichwillbediscussedinthenextsection.Althougharideonthisantiqueengineisenjoyable,thetrainishighlyunreliable.Thetrainhasscheduleddepartureseveryday,leavingTrinidadat9:30amandreturningat2pm.Thischangesoften,duetobreakdownsandweatherevents.Roundtripticketscosts10CUCandcanbepurchaseddirectlyatthetrainstationinTrinidad,locatedattheintersectionofCalleAntonioGuiterasandGeneralLinoPerez,inthewesternendofthetown.

ManacaIznagaEstate-Continuingeast,alongtheCiruitoSurhighwayafurther10kmsfromtheElMiradorlookout,youwillfindtheManacaIznagaestate.The18thcenturyplantationwasownedbyPedroIznaga,oneoftherichestmeninCubawhomadehisfortunemostlyinslavetrafficking.Theestateiswellpreservedandoneofthemostpopularsightseeingdestinationsinthearea.ThemaindrawistheIznagaTower,whichis45meterstall.ItwasusedtooverseetheslavesintheplantationandasasymboloftheIznagafamily'spowerandwealth.Originallythetowerhadalargebellatthe

top.Thisbellisnowondisplayatthebaseofthetower.Thecosttowalkuptothetopofthetoweris1CUC.ThecolonialIznagaestatehousefacesthetowerandhasbeenconvertedintoarestaurant.Alsoontheestategroundsaresomeslavedwellingsinoriginalcondition.Mostofthesmallhousesbesidetheestatewereformerslavedwellingswhichhavesincebeenrenovatedandarecurrentlyoccupiedbytownlocals.Theantiquesteamtrainhasastopjustbesidetheestate.

HaciendaGuachinango-Thisisawellpreservedplantationranch-housewhichcurrentlyoperatesasarestaurant.Itislocatedinthevalley,about2kmsawayfromtheManacaIznagaestate.Itissurroundedbylushfarmlandandthereisasmallriver(RíoAy)thatwindsthroughthesurroundingfields.Theantiquesteamtrainstopsdirectlyinfrontofthehouseeverymorning.YoucaneasilywalktotheManacaIznagaestate,alongthetraintrack,inabout30minutes.

TopesdeCollantes-About5kmsnorthwestofTrinidad,connectedbytheCircuitoSurhighway,isthemassiveTopesdeCollantesnaturalreserveparkwhichencompassestheEscambrayMountainrange.Withinthepark,themainattractionsarecaves,waterfalls,clearbluelakesandriversandthereisampleopportunityforhikingandtoseeindigenousplantsandwildlife.Giventheunpredictableweatherinthemountainsandthesteepslopingroads,specialvehiclesarerequiredtodrivetothehighestattractionsinthepark.Certaintaxidriverswilloffertomakethetripforanadditionalfee,butbreakdownsarecommon.Itisbesttovisitwithanorganizedexcursion.Accommodationswithinthereservearealsoavailable,atareasonablecost.

TrinidadNightlife

CasadelaMusica-Anoutdoormusicanddancevenue,locatedonasteep,slopingstreet,justoffthePlazaMayorintheOldTown.Drinksarecheapandthemusicplaysdayandnight.Therearetablesandchairsscatteredaround,andmanypeoplesimplysitonthestepsleadingupthehill.Theatmosphereisveryrelaxedandoffersagoodchancetomeetupwithlocalsandpracticeyourdancesteps.Thereisnoentrancefee.Justwalkaroundandenjoyyourself.

CasadelaTrova-LocatedoneblockeastofthePlazaMayor,thisindoormusicanddancehallhostsnightlyshowswithpopularCubanmusicalgroups.Thereisalargeoutdoorterrace,usuallyfilledwithlocalsandtourists.Theentrancefeeis1CUCforforeigners.

DiscoAyala-Locatedabout6blocksnortheastofthePlazaMayor,onasmallhill,besidetheHotelLasCuevas,justontheoutskirtsoftown.DiscoAyalaisalargenightclubbuiltinsideanaturalcave.Enjoysalsaandreggaetonasyoudancethenightawayinthiscavernoussetting.Theentrancefeeis3CUCandincludes1drink.

CasaParticularGuide

ThefollowingisalistofsomeofthebestandcheapestcasasparticularesinHavana.Theseareindependent,privatelyownedapartmentsandroomswhichcanberentedthroughoutCuba.Overthelastdecade,theyhavebecomeverypopularaccommodationoptionsforforeignersandtouristsvisitingtheisland.Notonlyarecasasparticularescheaperthanstayingatstaterunhotels,buttheyalsooffertheopportunitytoeasilyinteractwithCubanhosts,whilestillmaintainingprivacyandindependence.

AllrentalpropertiesinCubaundergostrictgovernmentinspectionsandmeethighqualitystandards.Safetyandcomfortarethemainpriority.Casasusuallyhaveairconditioningineachbedroom.Bathroomsaremostlyrenovatedandmodern.

AllthecasasparticulareslistedinthisminiguidearelocatedwithintheVedadoneighborhoodofHavana.ThisisafantasticneighborhoodforforeignersbecausetheapartmentsarewellmaintainedanddespitebeingclosetotheHavanaaction,Vedadoismuchlesstouristythanotherneighborhoods.Byrentingoneofthecasasparticularespresentedinthisguide,youwillhavetheopportunityofexperiencingHavanalifefromalocalperspective,avoidtouristtraps,andsavealotofmoneybynotrentingaroomatanoverpriced,state-runhotel.

Additionalphotosforallofthecasasparticularesmentionedinthisguide,aswellasguestcomments,reviewsandnewadditionscanbefoundonthewebsitewww.BestCubaGuide.com.

GeneralCasaParticularNotes

Inalmostallcircumstances,Cubancitizensareallowedtoaccompanyforeignersintocasasparticulares.Sincethecasaisrentedbythenight,andnotbytheperson,nosupplementalfeesarerequired.ThecasaownermightrequirethatCubanguestssignaguest-bookbeforebeingallowedentrance.Insomecases,theguestwillbeaskedtoshowidentification.Thisisstandardprotocolandisdoneasaprecaution,toreducetheriskoftheftfromthecasaandfortheforeigner’sprotection.Ifyourentacompletelyindependentcasathenthiswillnotbeanissue,asyouwillhaveyourownfrontdoorkeyandcanenterandleaveincompleteprivacy,withwhomeveryouwant.

Mostcasasalsoofferlow-priceddiningoptions.Preparedbreakfastscanoftenbehadforabout4to5CUC.Lunchanddinnerpricesareusuallyhigherandvaryaccordingtothemealselected.

Uponarrivalatacasaparticular,theownerswillaskforyourvisa.Yournameandthedetailsofyourstaywillberecordedinaregistrationbook.Yoursignaturewillalsoberequired.Thehouseownerwilltakethisinformationtobeprocessedatalocalimmigrationofficeandyourvisashouldbereturnedwithin24hours.

Ifyouarestayingatacasaparticularforanextendedperiodoftime,itisalwaysadvisabletopayininstallments(forexample,4nightsatatime).Thiswillensurethatifthereareeveranyproblemswiththecasa,youcaneasilycutyourstayshortandfindotheraccommodations.

Youareneverrequiredtopayforyourcasaparticularstayimmediatelyuponarrival.Takealookaroundthecasaandmakesureyouaresatisfiedwiththeconditionoftheunit.IfyouhavenotexchangedyourforeigncurrencyintoCubancurrency,anditisalreadylateintheevening,don’tworry.Youcanrelaxforthenightandjustpaythenextday,whenyouhavehadachancetouseamoneyexchangeservice.

Forforeigners,allcasaparticularstaysarepricedinCUCcurrency.Forthosewhoareunfamiliar,CUCisthenameoftheCuban“convertiblepeso”currencywhichisusedontheisland.TheCUCcurrencyispeggedtotheUSdollarata1for1rate.Forthepurposesofforeignersrentingapartments,youmustalwayspayinCUC.TherearecertaincasasparticulareswhichacceptpaymentinMonedaNacional(theotherCubancurrency),however,thesearereservedforCubancitizensonly.

Asaforeigner,thesewillnotbeavailabletoyou.

Almostalltouristcasasparticularesareindicatedwithablueandwhitecasaparticularsignwhichispostedonthefrontoftheapartmentorhouse.IfyoueverfindyourselfinCuba,searchingforalastminutecasaparticular,simplylookforthissignandenquirewiththelandlordifthereisvacancy.

InterestingFact:Itisusuallybesttonegotiatepricesandbookyourstaydirectlywiththecasaowner,ratherthanthroughareservationsbroker.Thebrokerwillalwayschargeafeeof5CUCpernighttomakeareservation,andthiswillinevitablybeincorporatedintoyourcasabillviaahighernightlyroomprice.IfyouhaveabasicknowledgeofSpanishyouwillbeabletolocateyourowncasainmostmajorCubancitiessimplybysearchingonlineCubanclassifiedpages.Or,justgothethiswebsiteandbookyourcasa,commissionfree.

TypesofCasasParticulares

Thereare3maintypesofcasaparticularesinCuba:Privaterooms,Independentrooms,andIndependentapartments.Theyallhavesubtledifferencesandeachwillbedescribedindetailintheirrespectivesections.

Inageneralsense,privateroomcasasareoneswhereyouaresimplyrentingaroominahousewithaCubanfamily.Yourroomisprivate,buteverythingoutsideyourroom(livingroom,diningroom,kitchen)isshared.

Independentroomcasasareslightlydifferentinthattheroomsaregenerallyremovedfromthemainhouse,thustheyofferabitmoreprivacy.Independentroomsarenotfullapartmentssincetheydon’toffertheirownkitchensoflivingrooms.Youcanthinkofthemasroom-sizedstudioapartments.Themaindoortotheseroomsusuallyleadsdirectlyoutsideorintoacourtyard.

Independentapartmentsarethemostprivateaccommodationoptions.Theyarelarge,completeapartmentswhichhavemultiplerooms.Usuallytheseapartmentsareslightlymoreexpensivethantheothercasaparticulareoptions,butaregreatforpeoplewhoneedlotsofspacebecausetheyaretravelingwithfriendsorthosewhowantcompleteprivacy.

TheCasaParticularGuide

ThefollowingisalistofsomeofthebestandcheapestcasasparticularesinHavana.TheyarealllocatedwithintheVedadoneighborhood.AllpricesareinCUCpernight.Therearenosupplementarycostsforhavingextraguestsstayintheroom.Asmentionedbefore,allrentalpropertiesinCubaundergostrictgovernmentinspectionsandmeethighqualitystandards.IhavepersonallystayedatallthepropertiesinthislistandIcanconfirmthattheyareallfantasticlocations,certaintofurtheryourexperienceinHavanabyallowingyoutolivelikealocalandsavemoney.

AllrentalpropertiesinthislistarepartoftheRealHavananetwork.Special,lowrateshavebeennegotiatedwiththelandlords.Therearenomiddlemancommissionstopayatthesecasas.Thiswillpotentiallysaveyouhundredsofdollarsinbrokeragefees.

Manymorecasalistings,aswellasphotosforallthecasaslistedinthisguide,canbefoundonthewebsitewww.BestCubaGuide.com.YouwillalsofindcasasparticularesfortheneighborhoodsofCentroHavanaandOldHavana,aswellasthecitiesofVinalesandTrinidad.

Youcanusethiswebsitetoreservethecasasparticularesdirectly,online,atnoadditionalcost.

Ifyouarecontactingthecasasparticularesbyphone,besuretomentionthatyousawtheirlistingintheRealHavanaguide,inordertogetthespeciallowpricing.

Additionally,a“Map-View”ofallthecasasparticularescanbeseenatthefollowinglink.

PrivateRooms

Thefollowingaccommodationsareforprivateroomswithinashared,enclosedhouse.Theguestshavetheuseofsomecommonareas,suchasthelivingroom,balcony/terraceandkitchenfacilities,andhaveexclusiveprivateuseoftheirownroom,whichhasalockonthedoor.Inmanycases,theguestwillalsobegivenakeytothemainentranceofthehousesoheorshecanenterandexitatwill,withouthavingtodisturbthehouseowner.Somehousesrentasingleroom,whileothersrenttwoormore.Thesecanberentedoutalltogether,forpeopletravelingingroups,orseparately,forsingletravelersandcouples.Allroomshaveawindowandairconditioner.Mostroomsalsohaveaprivatefridge,anen-suitebathroomandoffereitheraprivateorsharedtelephoneline.Inallcases,Cubanguestsarepermittedtoenter,freeofcharge.Sometimestheyareaskedtosignaguestbooktoensurethesafetyofboththelandlordandthetenant.Specificdetailsforeachcasaareprovidedbelow.

1)CasaTomasa:Twoprivateroomsforrent,eachwithfridgeandairconditioner.Verymodernandspaciousrooms(200sq.ft)locatedinsidearestoredmansion,offeringahostofmodernamenities.Eachroomhasanen-suitebathroomwhichisimmense,spanningalmost100sq.ftwithwhitemarbleandtilework.Thehousehasahuge,sun-filledterraceinfront,locatedjustinfrontofalargeparkandonly50feetawayfromLaRampa.Landlordasks35CUCpernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

2)CasaPastorita:Pastoritaisacharming,olderwomanwholiveswithhernephewinthisverylargeandsunnysecondfloorapartment.Sherentsasingleroomwhichisspaciousandhasitsownprivatebathroomadjacenttotheroom.Thesellingpointofthisapartmentisthehuge,sunlitbalcony.Furthermore,thereisanimmenseterraceontheroofspanningover1500sq.ftwhichisreservedforguestuse.SitbackandenjoysomebeersandcigarsasyouoverlookVedado.Friendsandguestsareverywelcome.Pastoritaoffersyouthekeystotheapartmentandyoucancomeandgoasyouwishthroughoutthedayandnight.Youcanalsousethekitchen.Forallintentsandpurposes,youwillexperiencecompleteindependenceinthisroom.Landlordasks25CUCpernight,or30CUCwithalargebreakfastincluded.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

3)CasaCarlosandJulio:Threelargeroomsavailable.Inadditiontotheirprivatequarters,guestshaveaccesstoafrontroom,filledwithplantsandartwork,andawell-equippedkitchen.Thisapartmentislocatedonthesecondfloorofamansionandtheownersliveonthethirdfloor.Theownersarealwaysavailabletoofferadviceortipsonexploringthecity,butmostlyyouwillhavecompleteprivacy.Allroomshaveen-suitebathroomswhicharehugeandmodern.Plantsfilltheapartmentandgiveanaturalwarmthandcharm.Landlordasks35CUCpernight,perroom.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

4)CasaNancyandEnrique:Ahuge,double-sizeroomisofferedatthebackofthemainlivingareaofthisclassicallydecorated,modernapartment.Thereisaqueenbedandasecond,singlebed,canalsobeplacedintheroom,makingitidealforgueststravelingwithchildren.Theroomalsohasaprivatebathroomandaprivatediningareaadjacenttothebedroom.Apartitionseparatestheguestareafromtherestoftheapartment.Enriquegiveshisgueststhefrontdoorkeysotheycanenterandleaveastheyplease.Althoughtheroomiswithinthemainapartment,itoffersalotofprivacy.

Guestscanalsousethemainkitchenandlivingquarters.NancyandEnriquerespectguestprivacy,butarealwaysavailabletogivetipsandadvicewhenrequested.Landlordasks30CUCpernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

5)CasaCecilia:Oneverylargeroomforrent,withamassiveen-suitebathroom,inanoldmansion.Notasluxuriousassomeoftheotherroomsonthislist,buttheadvantageisthatthisroomisverylarge(over250sq.ft)andthepriceisabitcheaperthansomeoftheotheroptions.Cecilialivesinaseparatepartofthemansionandgivesherguestscompleteindependenceandprivacy.Keysareprovidedsoguestscancomeandgoastheywish.Amassivelivingroomanddiningroom(over300sq.ft)arealsoreservedexclusivelyforguestuse.Ceciliaisrarelyhomeso,mostofthetime,guestswillhavethewholehousetothemselves.Thereisnoprivatefridgeinthebedroom;guestscanshareacommonfridgewithCecilia.TheapartmentislocatedjustafewminutesawayfromthecornerofAve.deLosPresidentesandLaRampa,oneofthemostpopularspotsforyoungpeopletogatherfordancing,drinkingandsocializing.Landlordasks30CUCpernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

6)CasaLeoandIvelis:Thiscasaofferstwolarge,firstfloorroomswithinahuge,modernlydecoratedmansion.AlthoughthecasaislocatedonCalle23,veryclosetoalltheaction,theroomsaresituatedatthebackofthehouseandareveryquiet.Theroomsareabout200sq.fteachandthereisalsoalarge,en-suitebathroomwhichmeasuresover100sq.ft.Theroomscanberentedtogetherorseparately.Guestsalsohaveaccesstoaprivatelivingareameasuringover300sq.ftandasharedentertainmentroomwithalarge,flatpaneltelevisionandsoundsystem.Inaddition,thereisaterraceinthefrontofthemansion.Thelandlord,Ivelis,isanEnglishprofessorinHavanawhoisalwaysavailabletoanswerquestionsorgiveadviceaboutthecity.Landlordasks30CUCpernight,perroom.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

7)CasaAlexanderandMargarita-PrivateRooms:Beaguestinthismassivecolonialmansion!Therearetwoverylarge(over250sq.ft),secondfloorroomstorent,eachwithitsownbathroomandfridge.Theroomscanberentedtogetherorseparately.Themansionhasbeencompletelyrestoredandisfilledwithartwork.Floorsarecoveredinperfectlypreserved,marbletiles.Noexpensewassparedintherestorationofthishistorichouse.Thereisalargeterracewhichisreservedexclusivelyforguests,aswellasaprivateliving

roomarea.Alexanderlivesonthefarsideofthemansion,soheoffersalotofprivacytotheguests,butisalwaysavailabletoanswerquestionsorgiveadvice.Thehouseislocatedinaquietarea,veryclosetodowntownVedadoanditisonthesunnysideofthestreet,sotheroomswillalwaysfeelbrightandairy.Guestsreceivethekeysupontheirarrivalandcancomeandgoastheyplease.Alexanderalsohasaccesstoavehicleandcanoffercitytours,taxiservicesandeconomicaltransportationtothecountrysideorotherCubanprovinces.SomeEnglishisspoken.Landlordask40CUCpernight,perroom.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

8)CasaLuis:Asecondfloorroominalarge,modernlydecoratedapartment.Theroomisrentedwiththekeys,soguestscancomeandgoincompleteindependence.Thereisalargeterraceinthefrontoftheapartment,adjacenttotheguestroom.Insidetheroom,thereisaprivatefridgeandkitchenarea.Thebedroomalsohasanen-suitebathroom.Intotal,theroommeasuresabout150sq.ftandofferseverythingtomakeyourstayinHavanacomfortable.Thelandlord,Luis,isalwaysavailabletogivetipsortoanswerquestions,butguestshavecompleteprivacywithintheirownquarters.TheroomislocatednearthecornerofCalleG(Ave.deLosPresidentes),verycloseto23.SomeEnglishisspoken.Landlordask30CUCpernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

9)CasaMaribel:Twolarge,firstfloorroomsforrentwithinarestoredcolonialmansion.Bothroomsareabout150sq.ftandareequippedwithtelevisions,airconditionersandfridges.Guestshavetheuseofasmalloutdoorterraceattherearofthebuildingandalargeyardandterraceinthefront.Maribelisacharmingolderwomanwhorespectstheprivacyofherguestsbutisalwaysavailabletoanswerquestionsorgiveadvice.Theroomsinthishousearemodernandfullyequipped,andarepricedveryaffordably,asthelandlordpreferstohavethemrentedasmuchaspossible.Makeyourreservationinadvance,toensurethattheseroomsareavailable.Landlordasksonly25CUCpernight,perroom.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

10)CasaAzul:Two,largeroomsforrentonthesecondfloorofthismansion.Theroomsarewellequippedandmodern.Eachroomhasaqueenbedwiththeoptionofaddingasinglebedforextraguestsorchildren.Roomsalsohaveprivate,en-suitebathrooms.Guestscanusethediningareaandthesunnyterrace.Thelandlordlivesinaseparatepartofthehouseandgiveshisguestscompleteprivacy.The

roomscanberentedtogetherorseparately.Thisapartmentisverycloseto23rdstreet,butitisextremelyquiet.ItisjustoneblockawayfromoneofthelargestfarmersmarketsinVedado.Landlordasks35CUCpernight,perroom.Pricesarenegotiableforstayslongerthan1week.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

11)CasaGladys:Threeroomsareforrentinthismassive,2000sq.ft,sunfilled,secondfloor,penthouseapartment.ThismodernlyfurnishedandcompletelyrenovatedapartmentoffersaluxuriousatmosphereinVedado.Theroomscanberentedseparately,orthewholeapartmentcanberentedtogether.Eachroomoffersitsownlargeandmodernbathroom.Alaundrymachineisalsoavailableforguestuse.ThemainlivingareahasagorgeouscornerbalconywhichoverlookstheintersectionofCalleDand17.Gladysisanactive,middleagedwomanwholivesaloneintheapartmentandneverinterfereswiththeguests.Sheisalmostneverhome,soyouwillbasicallyhavecompleteindependence.SomeEnglishisspoken.Landlordasks30CUCpernight,perroom.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

12)CasaYamila:Twoverylarge,secondfloorroomsforrent(200sq.fteach),withen-suitebathroomsandsharedphone.Akitchenareaiscurrentlybeinginstalledinoneroomandshouldbereadyshortly.Locatedonaquietstreetinamodernbuilding,veryclosetoalltheactionofdowntownVedado.Guestsaregiventhekeyssotheycancomeandgoastheywish.Thereisalargelivingroom(250sq.ft)locatedatthefrontoftheapartmentwhichisalsoforguestuse.Theowner,Yamila,livesinaseparateareaatthebackoftheapartment,whichisclosedofffromtherestofthelivingarea.Landlordasks30CUCpernight,perroom.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

IndependentRooms

Thesecasasparticularesareroomswhichareprivateandcompletelyindependent,withverylimitedinteractionbetweentheguestsandthelandlord.Theyarenotsimplyroomsforrentinahouse-theyhavetheirownexteriordoorandguestsaregiventhekeys,sotheycancomeandgoincompleteprivacy.TheseIndependentRoomsofferabitmoreprivacythanthePrivateRooms,listedabove.Cubanguestsarealwayspermittedtoenter,freeofcharge.

1)CasaMiriam:Twolarge,independent,firstfloorroomsforrent.Eachroomspansabout200sq.ftandismodernlydecoratedwithamplesunlight.Bothroomshaveaqueenbedaswellasasinglebed.Thismakesitgreatforfamiliestravelingtogether,orifyouplanonhavingguests.Eachroomhasitsownindependententranceandrentersareprovidedallthekeys,sotheycanenterandleaveasneeded,incompleteprivacy.Theroomscanberentedtogetherorseparately.Mealsareavailableandguestsalsohaveaccesstothesharedkitchenarea.Eachroomalsohasaccesstoalarge,privateterraceandyard.Acarportisalsoavailableforguestuse.Miriamliveswithherhusbandinanisolatedpartofthehouse.Landlordasks30CUCperroom,pernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

2)CasaElBosquecito-PrivateRoom:Alarge,private,firstfloorroom,nestledwithinthegroundsofarestored,colonialhouse.Theroomiscompletelyindependent,withitsowndoortotheoutsidewhichopensontoalargeterrace,surroundedbyalushgarden.Theroomhasalargequeenbedaswellasasmallerdoublebed.Childrenarealwayswelcome.Allkeysareprovidedsotheguestscancomeandgoastheyplease.Thisisagreat,economicalroomwhichisguaranteedtopleaseguestslookingforprivacywhilestillhavingtheoptiontointeractwithalocalCubanhost.Thelandlord,namedPello,isanoldermanwhopasseshisdaytendinghisgardenandlovestellingstoriesandsharingjokeswiththeguests.Theroomcanalsoberentedalongwithanadjoining,large,privateapartment(CasaElBosquecitoPrivateApartment),toformamassive2bedroom,4bedhouse,withkitchen,livingroom,terraceand2bathrooms.Landlordasks25CUCpernight,fortheprivateroom.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

3)CasaVivianandLuis-PrivateRoom:Thisisacompletelyprivateroomwithit’sownprivatebathroom,fridgeandtelevision.Theindependententrancetotheroomislocatedwithinasafe,innercourtyard,butyougetthekeytothefrontgatetoo,soyoucanenterandleaveasyouwant.Theroomisabout150sq.ftandislocatedveryclosetotheVedadoaction,butonaquietandsafestreet.ThisroomislocatedonthesamepremisesastheCasaVivianyLuisPrivateApartment.Ifneeded,thetwounitscanberentedtogethertoformaverylargeandcompletelyprivatehouse,withatotalof2bedroomsand2bathrooms.SomeEnglishandFrenchisspoken.Landlordasks25CUCpernight,fortheprivateroom.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

4)CasaEmma:

Theownerrentstwoseparateandcompletelyprivaterooms,locatedatthebackofthemainhouse.Eachroomisaccessiblebyitsownprivatefrontdoor,openinguptoalarge,outsidecourtyard,wellremovedfromthestreetandenclosedwithinthegroundsofthemainhouse.Inordertogettothecourtyardandrooms,youmustenterthroughthemainhouseandwalkthroughthecenterhallway.Althoughtheroomsarecompletelyprivate,andyouareprovidedyourownkeys,youmustringthedoorbellofthemainhouseandwalkthroughthehallwayinordertogettotherooms.Theowner,Emma,prefersthissetupforherownsafety,assheisasinglewoman.Ifyouareawomantravelingalone,thiscasawouldbeideal,becauseitisextremelysafewhilestillofferingcompleteprivacy.Youhaveuseofthesharedphonelocatedinthemainlivingareaofthehouse.Oneoftheprivateroomsislarge(about200sq.ft)andincludesaqueenbedaswellasadoublebedlocatedonamezzanine.Theotherroomisjustfractionallysmallerandhasnomezzaninearea.Bothroomsarecompletelymodernizedwithnewbathroomsandflatscreentelevisions.Landlordasks30CUCpernight,perroom.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

IndependentApartments

ThefollowinglistingsareforcompletelyprivateandindependentapartmentswhichcanberentedintheVedadoarea.Thesearewholeapartments,whichusuallyhaveabedroom,aprivatelivingroom,diningroom,kitchen,bathroomandbalconyorterrace.Allapartmentsincludeanairconditionerandafridge.Mostalsoincludedakitchenandaprivateorsharedtelephoneline.Inallcases,Cubanguestsarepermittedtoenter,freeofcharge.Sometimestheyareaskedtosignaguestbooktoensurethesafetyofboththelandlordandthetenant.Detailsarelistedinthewrite-upsprovidedbelow.

1)CasaVivianandLuis-IndependentApartment:Offeringacompletelyindependent,firstfloorapartment,withonebedroom,asmallyard,driveway,terrace,kitchen,bathroom,andlivingarea.Yougetthekeyandfreeuseofthewholeapartment.Locatedonanextremelyquietstreetwithinwalkingdistancetoeverything.Youalsohaveaprivatephoneintheapartment.Ifyouneedtworooms,thisapartmentcanberentedtogetherwithCasaVivianandLuisPrivateRoom,givingyouaccesstoanotherseparatebedroomwithitsownprivatebathroom.Landlordasks30CUCpernight,forthemainapartment.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

2)CasaIrina:

Ahuge,privateapartment(1000sq.ft)locatedinanart-decostyleapartmentbuilding.Themodern,twobedroomapartmentislocatedonthe4thfloor(penthouse)withbeautifulviewsofVedadofromeveryroom.Bothbedroomsarelarge,andhavetheirownprivatebalconies.Theapartmentiscompletelyindependent.Bedroomscanberentedtogether,orseparately.Yougetyourownkeystothefrontdoorandyoucancomeandgoasyouplease.Theowner,Irina,livesinanotherapartmentinthebuildingandsheisveryhelpfulifyouneedanything,butshegivesherguestscompleteindependence.Theapartmentislocatedonthe4thfloor,anditisawalkup(noelevator).It’snotadifficultwalk,butifyoudon’tlikestairs,thenitmightbeanissue.SomeEnglishandRussianisspoken.Landlordasks35CUCperroom,pernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

3)CasaSilvia:Completelyprivate,onebedroom,firstfloorapartment,perfectforguestsseekingcompleteindependence.Youhaveyourownyard,terrace,livingroom,kitchen,bathroomandlargebedroom.Youaregiventhekeysandyoucanenterandexitasyouwish.Thestreetisquietandthelargeterraceinfrontiscompletelyenclosedwithornate,wroughtirongrills.Thisapartmentisperfectforfamilieswithyoungchildrenastheywillbeabletoplaysafelyontheterraceorintheyardarea.Anextratwinsizedbedcanalsobeaddedinthebedroom,forfree.Whiletheapartmentitselfdoesnotofferluxury,itisperfectlycleanandremarkablylarge(over600sq.ft).Theownerlivesinaseparateapartmentatthebackofthebuilding.Note:Thehotwatertendstorunoutbylateeveningandthebathroomisnotmodern,althoughperfectlyfunctional.Overall,whenconsideringtheprice,size,privacy,location,comfort,andlargeterrace,IbelievethistobeoneofthehiddengemsofVedado’scasaparticularmarket.Landlordasks30CUCpernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

4)CasaGustavo:Acompletelyindependent,secondfloor,onebedroomapartment,juststepstotheUniversityofHavana,anddirectlyadjacenttotheBiologyDepartment.Theapartmentisabout400sq.ft,offeringalargelivingroomwithakitchen,andanequallylargebedroom,withen-suitebathroom.Youaregiventhekeystotheapartmentandcancomeandgoincompleteprivacy.Itislocatedabout2minuteswalkingdistancetotheHabanaLibrehotel,whichoffersinternetaccessandWIFI.Intermsofprivacyandlocation,thisapartmenthasitall.Despitebeingclosetoalltheaction,thissunnyandairyapartmentissurprisingquiet.Thereisaprivatephoneintheapartment,aswellasatelevisionandmodernairconditioner.Asanaddedbonus,thereisasmallcafeonthegroundfloorofthebuilding,serving

wonderfulsandwichesduringtheday.SomeEnglishisspoken.Landlordasks30CUCpernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

5)CasaEnrique:Acompletelyindependent,1bedroom,secondfloorapartmentwithanimmense,privatebalcony.Theapartmenthasalarge,openlivingroom,anequallylargediningroom,andabedroomatthebackwithamodernen-suitebathroom.Theapartmentalsohasawellequippedkitchen.Atelevisionandsharedphoneisprovided.Thetotalareaoftheapartmentisabout700sq.ft,andthebalconyis150sq.ft.Guestsaregiventhekeysandcancomeandgoastheywish.Thelandlord,Enrique,livesinanadjacentapartmentandgiveshisguestscompleteprivacy.SomeEnglishisspoken.Landlordasks40CUCpernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

6)CasaBorisAndNora:Acompletelyprivateapartmentlocatedonthesecondfloorofarenovatedmansion.Theapartmenthasamassiveprivateterrace,spanningover1000sq.ft,overlookingtheVedadoneighborhood.Theapartmentitselfconsistsofalargebedroomwithalarge,en-suitebathroom,aswellasalivingroom(totalsize400sq.ft.)Thereisalsoakitchen,locatedbesidetheapartment,whichopensoutontotheterrace.Despitebeingacompletelyindependentapartment,thelandlord,Nora,prefersnottogiveoutthekeystothemainfrontgateofthehouse.Shewillopenthedoorforyoueachtimeyouenterthemansion,evenifitislateatnight.Shehasnoproblemdoingit.Thereisasharedphonelineintheunit.Ifneeded,thereisalsoanotherprivatebedroom(150sq.ft)locatedonthesecondfloorwhichcanberentedinconjunctionwiththemainapartment.Alsonotethatthereisasmallcafeoperatingthroughoutthedayatthehouse’smainentrance,socheapfoodisalwaysavailableandduringthedayyoucanusethecafeareatowalkinandoutofthepropertywithouthavingtoringthedoorbell.SomeEnglishisspoken.Landlordasks30CUCpernight,perroom.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

7)CasaMara:Acompletelyindependent,secondfloorapartment,intheheartofVedado.Youhaveyourownfrontdoor,withyourownsetofkeys.Aspiralstaircaseleadsyoutoalargeandelegantlydecorated,onebedroomapartment,locatedwithineasywalkingdistancetoalltheVedadoattractions.Theapartmentisnewandextremelyclean.Itspansatotalofapproximately300sq.ft.Theseisalotofcompetitiontorentthisapartment,soguestsshouldmakereservationswellinadvanceoftheirtrip.SomeEnglishandFrenchisspoken.Landlordasks35CUCpernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

8)CasaIvelis:Amassive,thirdfloor(penthouse)apartmentoverlookingthewholeVedadoneighborhood,withalargefrontbalconyfacingsouthandwindowsineveryroomofthehouse.Theapartmenthasover1200sq.ftoflivingarea.Itiscompletelyindependentandprivate.Thelandlordlivesontheothersideoftownandhasalmostnointeractionwiththeguests.Therearetwobedroomstorentinthisapartment.Ifyouarerentingonlyonebedroom,Iveliswillnotrentouttheotherroomtoadifferentguest.Thisensuresthatyoualwayshavecompleteprivacy,regardlessifyoutakebothroomsoronlyone.Ifyourentjustoneroom,youwillhavecompleteuseofthewholeapartmentforthedurationofyourstay.Theapartmenthasawellequippedkitchen,alargebathroomandasmallerpowderroom.Thelivingroomisequippedwithaprivatephone,television,modernsofas,andapiano.Privacy,luxuryandelegance,thisapartmenthasitall.Landlordasks40CUCperroom,or60CUCforbothrooms,pernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

9)CasaMaximo:Twolarge,completelyindependent,groundfloorapartments.Thefirstapartmenthasamassive,enclosed,privatelivingareawithtonsofnaturallightandseveralmodernrockingchairsandbenches.Attheback,thereisalargebedroom,agoodsizedbathroomandakitchenarea.Thesecondapartmentislocatedwithinthemainhouseandincludesalargeprivateloungespace(150sq.ft)plusacompletelyindependentbedroomwithen-suitebathroom.Youcanrenttheroomsseparatelyorrentbothunitstogether.Themajorsellingpointforthiscasaisthehuge,semi-enclosed,atriumlivingspacewhichgivesyoualltheprivacyandindependenceofalivingroom,whilestillprovidingthesunlightandfreshairofanoutdoorterrace.Thelandlord,Maximo,alsohasamoderncarandofferscitytours,taxiservices,andeconomicaltransportationtothecountrysideorotherCubanprovinces.SomeEnglishisspoken.Landlordasks35CUCpernight,perroom.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

10)CasaAlexanderyMargarita-IndependentApartment:Acompletelyprivateandindependent,twostoreyapartment,locatedinamajesticandbreathtakingmansion.Thisapartmentusedtobethecoachhousewherethechauffeurofthemansionlived.Ithasbeencompletelyrenovatedandmodernized.Onthefirstfloorthereisalargelivingareawithafridge,sofasanddiningtable.Upstairsthereisamodernbedroomwithen-suitebathroom.Theentireapartmentisabout350sq.ftandiscompletelyindependentfromthemainmansion.Theguestsgettheirownkeysandcancomeandgointotalprivacy.Thereisalsoa

largedrivewaywhichtheguestscanuseasanoutdoorspaceortoparkavehicle.Thelandlord,Alexander,alsohasaccesstoavehicleandcanoffercitytours,taxiservicesandeconomicaltransportationtothecountrysideorotherCubanprovinces.SomeEnglishisspoken.Landlordasks35CUCpernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

11)CasaElBosquecito-IndependentApartment:Acharming,1bedroom,independent,firstfloorapartmentwhichhasalargelivingroom,kitchenandbedroom,aswellasagatedyardandterrace.Thebedroomhasaqueenbedandadoublebed.Totalapartmentsizeisabout400sq.ft,notincludingtheprivateoutdoorspace.Thecasahasayardwhichissurroundedbyshrubsandsmalltrees-itisaquietandsafelocation,justminutestoalltheaction.Thelandlord,namedPello,isanoldermanwhopasseshisdaytendingtothegardenandlovestellingstoriesandsharingjokeswiththeguests.Allkeysareprovidedsotheguestscancomeandgoastheyplease.Thisisagreateconomicalcasawhichisguaranteedtopleaseguestslookingforprivacyandindependence,whilestillhavingtheoptiontointeractwithalocalCubanhost.Theapartmentcanalsoberentedwithasecond,independentbedroom,whichisabout150sq.ft.Landlordasks30CUCpernightfortheapartment.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

12)CasaTaniaMendezCalas:Alarge,1bedroomapartment,locatedonthesecondfloorofamodernbuilding.Veryclosetotheaction,yetstilllocatedonaveryquietstreet.Thebedroomhas2queenbeds,soitisagreatoptionforcouplestravelingwithchildren.Theapartmenthasafulllivingroom,kitchenandlarge,glass-enclosedbalcony.Thebedroomhasanen-suitebathroom.Intotal,thelivingareaisabout500sq.ft.Theapartmentiscompletelyindependent.Guestshaveallthekeysandcancomeandgoastheywish.Thelandlord,Tania,livesjustdownthestreetandisalwaysavailabletoanswerquestionsorgiveadvice.SomeEnglishisspoken.Landlordasks35CUCpernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

13)CasaLiubayAlejandro:Thisisaverylargeapartmentlocatedonthesecondfloorofahuge,colonialmansion.TheapartmentisveryquietandfacesoneofthelargestparksinHavana.Ithastwohugebedrooms,measuringover300sq.fteach,eachwiththeirownprivateterraces.Thetotalapartmentsizeiswellover1000sq.ft.Thereisanindependententrancelocatedonthesideofthemansion,soguestscancomeandgoincompleteprivacy.Thetotalterracespaceisabout800sq.ft.ThisisdefinitelyoneofthelargestcasasparticularesinVedado.Theroomsintheapartmentcanbe

rentedseparatelyortogether.LandlordspeakssomeEnglishandFrench.Landlordasks35CUCperroom,pernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

14)CasaElvira:Asecondfloorapartment,locatedonaquietstreet,only5minuteswalkingtoalltheactionofLaRampa.Theapartmentconsistsofalargebedroomwithaqueensizedbed,aswellasasmallerbedforchildrenorguests.Thereisalsoanen-suitebathroom.Guestsaregiventheirownsetofkeys.Thetotalsizeisabout200sq.ft.FromtheapartmentstepsyouhaveagreatviewofthePlazadelaRevolución.ThelandlordspeaksEnglishandabitofFrench.Landlordasks30CUCpernight,andlongertermstayscanbenegotiated.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

15)CasaJulioCesar:Totallyindependentapartmentonthethirdfloorofahugemansion.Theapartmenthas2bedroomswhichcanberentedtogetherorseparately.Totalapartmentsizeisabout800sq.ft.Itincludesalongterrace,alargeopenconceptlivingroomanddiningroomandawellequipped,modernkitchen.Roomsarelargeandhaveairconditioning,televisionsandafridge.Locatedonaquietstreetwithlittletrafficornoise,butonlyoneblocktoLaRampa.Averymodernlookingapartmentforafantasticprice.SomeEnglishandFrenchisspoken.Landlordasksonly35CUCpernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

16)CasaEstelaNavarro:Thisapartmentislocatedonthesecondfloorofarestoredcolonialmansion.Ithasitsownentranceandiscompletelyindependentfromthemainhouse.Theguestsreceivethekeysandtheycancomeandgoincompleteprivacy.Theapartmentisabout350sq.ftandincludesalargebedroomwithatelevisionandfridge.Thereisalivingroom/diningroomandasmallkitchen.Theapartmenthasitsownphoneline.ThebestpartaboutthiscasaisthemassiveterraceoverlookingAve.Paseo,withaviewofthePlazadelaRevolución.Theterracemeasuresover1000sq.ft.Thereisalsoanoutdoorlaundryareabesidetheterrace.Thiscasareallyhasitall.ThelandlordspeakssomeEnglish,French,ItalianandRussian.Landlordasks40CUCpernight,butthepriceisnegotiableforstaysover1week.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

17)CasaMyrna:Anapartmentofabout400sq.ft,withonelargeclosedbedroom,aswellasalivingarea,bathroomandkitchen.Inthefront,thereisaprivateterraceandagatedyard

area.Forallpracticalpurposes,thisunitiscompletelyindependentandguestsareprovidethekeyssothattheycanenterandexitatwill.Thelandlord,Myrna,livesinacompletelyseparatepartofthehouse,locatedattherearofthebuilding.Duetothelayoutoftheunit,theguestsshareacommonfrontdoorwiththelandlord.ThisapartmentisnewontherentalmarketandoffersadegreeofeleganceandcharmwhichisrareinHavana.Thelocationiscentralwhilestillbeingveryprivateandquiet.Landlordasksonly30CUCpernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

18)CasaMaryandArmando:Verywelllocated,secondfloorapartmentwithlivingroom,kitchen,bar,onebedroomanden-suitebathroom.Thisplaceismodernlydecoratedandveryprivate.Thereisalsoalargeterraceonthefirstfloor.Theapartmentislocatedonthesecondfloorofthemainhouseandhasitsownindependentstaircase.Itisrentedwiththekeys,soyoucancomeandgoincompleteprivacy.Armandoalsohasafantastic,oldAmericancarthatheusesforgivingcitytours.Thiscanbearrangedseparatelyifdesired.TheapartmentisveryquietandlocatedjustafewblocksfromtheHabanaLibrehotel.SomeEnglishisspoken.Landlordasks30CUCpernight.Clickhereforpictures,ortobookthiscasaonline.

ClosingNotes:IfyoueverfindyourselfinHavanawithoutacasareservation,Isuggestcallinganyofthecasasparticularesonthislist.Thelandlordswillalwayshelpyoutofindaccommodations,eveniftheythemselvesdonothaveavacancy.

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