Havana is one of the few places on this planet where the hand of the ubiquitous globalization and capitalism has not reached. There are no neon signs or posters here, and skyscrapers and glass palaces replace fine examples of colonial architecture. Instead of powerful SUVs, retro cars drive through the streets and it seems that time itself has stopped to preserve the ideal beauty of this corner of the Caribbean. Despite the horror stories about the horrors of socialism and the poverty of Cuba, its capital has a well-developed infrastructure for tourism and offers excellent options for where to stay in Havana.
The two millionth anthill shakes guests unaccustomed to such a concentration of historical buildings. Long streets and promenades, entirely composed of colonial mansions and palaces of the nobility that once ruled Cuba. Refined in its simplicity, medieval cathedrals and churches with soaring spiers. Beautiful parks immersed in tropical greenery. Stunning compositions of squares, seaside promenades and narrow lanes of proletarian slums … And among all this, dozens of hotels are hidden, inviting you to spend an unforgettable vacation on Liberty Island.
Accommodation options for tourists
Despite the fact that, according to the precepts of Che Guevara, universal equality and brotherhood flourish in Cuba, the hotels here are very diverse. There are mid-range hotels for inexpensive accommodation without bourgeois frills. And there are ultra-modern, respectable luxury-level complexes from international hotel tycoons, offering heavenly holidays at fabulous prices. Hotels of chain chains are present here as well, although part of each establishment certainly belongs to the state.
The most affordable and profitable option is small private hotels called "kasa". It is the local equivalent of a guesthouse with cheap rooms and modest furnishings. Often breakfast is included in the price of accommodation, which allows you not only to save money, but also not to waste time looking for a place for a morning meal - in Havana there is always a lack of it, because there are so many interesting things to see and explore.
Unassuming "troikas" estimate their numbers at $ 50-100, which is quite acceptable.
Respectable hotels do not hesitate to demand $ 200, $ 300 and even $ 500 for their services, and this is not the limit. For your money, you will receive a truly royal apartment with antique furniture, a balcony or terrace, a swimming pool, a bar, a restaurant and other blessings of life. Tired of such attention, guests can only relax and glorify the famous Cuban hospitality.
Districts of Havana
Most of the elite hotels are expected to be located in the city center, attracting foreigners by their proximity to historical monuments and main walking places. Experienced and cunning tourists prefer to settle in the neighboring streets, staying close to sightseeing routes and not overpaying for the location.
Several areas are best suited to stay in Havana:
- Old Havana.
- Central Havana.
- Prado.
- Miramar.
- Vedado.
- Havana del Este.
Old Havana
The ultimate dream of any tourist and the heart of the city, Old Havana keeps hundreds of unique architectural monuments of all styles and trends. Having settled here, you will be transported for a while to the time of the colonialists, beautiful ladies, pirates and other symbols of the Middle Ages.
There are Mudejar mansions and palaces with Moorish motives, governors' residences and villas with courtyards. Wandering the streets of Old Havana, you can stumble upon Cathedral Square, Real Fuerza Castle, Castilio del Moro Fortress, La Cabana Fortress, Palace of the Marquis de Arcos and Automobile Museum, Palace of Captain Generals, Plaza de Armas and much more.
Of particular interest are the Casa de Afrika and Casa de Arabes, which display African and Arabian art, respectively. In addition, there are many museums, exhibitions and simply beautiful buildings in the area. To see all this, it will take more than one week, but the residents of the district have an advantage - they do not need to spend time on transport, and dozens of routes for tourist research are always at hand.
There are many hotels in the area where you can stay in Havana in excellent conditions. Even more expensive than on the periphery.
Hotels: Palacio Marques de Prado Ameno, Saratoga, Comendador, El Palacio del Marqués, Plaza, Inglaterra, Telegrafo, Raquel, Terral, Florida, Ambos Mundos, Conde de Villanueva, Mercure Sevilla, O`Farrill, Armadores de Santander, Palacio San Miguel, Los Frailes, Tejadillo, Iberostar Parque, Beltran de Santa Cruz, Park View.
Central Havana
Logical continuation of Havana Staraya and its closest neighbor. The central quarters are full of unsolved mysteries and indescribable beauty; the number of attractions here is not much less than in the old city.
Resting in this area, you will be practically in the center of tourist life and surrounded by cultural events. In the central area are the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Capitol, the Museum of the Revolution located in the old Presidential Palace, the Grand Theater of Havana and the main walking areas of the capital - Central Park and the Malecon Embankment.
In addition to the many hotels in the center, there are many restaurants, bars, clubs and cafes, where tourists will always be offered to unforgettably brighten up their leisure time for a reasonable fee. Along with hotels, it is proposed to rent apartments and rooms for a reasonable price. Where to stay in Havana is also offered by ticket offices - the most popular places for budget travelers.
Hotels: Mercure Sevilla Havane, NH Capri La Habana, Loft Habana, Roc Presidente, Lincoln, Islazul Colina, Sercotel Caribbea, Meliá Cohiba.
Prado
This is not a full-fledged area, but a walking boulevard, but the tourist fraternity quickly singled it out into a separate geographical entity, endowing it with all the advantages of living here.
Paseo del Prado - this is the full name of the promenade, which starts at Central Park and abuts the coast. The boulevard is decorated with figured lanterns, sculptures and other elements, but the Havanese and visitors fell in love with the Prado for the unique atmosphere of the holiday that never ends in its vastness.
Like many old Havana gimmicks, its space is occupied by small houses with the imprint of the colonial era on the facades. The sights include the House of Science and the Wedding Palace.
Hotels: Santa Isabel, Hotel Plaza, Casa Yamir, Sercotel Lido, Animas 303 Havana Hotel, Palacio O'Farrill, Saratoga, Aimara's Hotel Boutique, Hotel del Tejadillo, Conde de Ricla Hostal, Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski, Beltran de Santa Cruz.
Miramar
The former Cuban ruble and, as a result, a place of accumulation of colonial palaces and mansions. It is now a respectable area where important institutions are located, including foreign embassies. And where can you stay in Havana in the houses of the aristocracy, where access was closed to mere mortals.
Miramar attracts not only by its close proximity to the central quarters, but also by its picturesque street landscapes, a special atmosphere and a rich cultural life. And how could it be otherwise, when several theaters, galleries and museums are located not far from each other. The most interesting of them are the Karl Marx Theater and the Museum of Nature and Man. And if you are not indifferent to the kingdom of Neptune, during one of the walks you can visit the National Aquarium.
And the main place of tourist delights is the Tropicana cabaret, where legendary performances take place, whose fame is thundering far beyond Cuba's borders.
Hotels: Quinta Avenida Habana, Comodoro, Chateau Miramar, MonteHabana Aparthotel, Panorama, Memories Miramar Havana, Copacabana.
Vedado
A modest sleeping area, which tourists have chosen for the cheap housing, calm atmosphere and good conditions for recreation. A very green area, there are many parks and squares, the most famous of which is John Lennon Park.
At one time, Vedado was built up actively and randomly, and therefore it is an architectural mixture of different styles. But it is all the more interesting for tourists, because villas in the colonial style with a slight Spanish tint, and mansions with obvious features of Arab motives can be located very close by. Baroque buildings and austere neoclassical buildings can also be located here.
In Vedado, you can walk along Revolution Square and visit the Columbus cemetery, which contains more than 700 thousand graves, some of which are real works of art.
Hotels: Riviera, Deauville, Nacional, Paseo Habana, Tryp Habana Libre, Lincoln, Melia Cohiba, Presidente, Victoria.
Havana del Este
This area is located far from the center, but it is a resounding success with guests from afar. After all, before us is nothing more than the beach mecca of Havana - Playa del Este. The wide, covered with white sand, the splendor of the coast, stretches for tens of kilometers into the distance, bewitching the eyes and making them freeze from an overabundance of feelings.
Initially, the area was exclusively residential, until advanced tourists realized that it was possible to combine an excursion vacation in Havana with the beaches and moved here, actively populating the coastal property. Since then, many hotels have lined up in the area, offering vacations for every taste and budget.
The best beaches of the capital are located here: El Megano, Boca Sego, Bacuranao and Santa Maria del Este. But with all the advantages, it is still a long way to get to the center - half an hour by car or bus, which is expensive and fraught with loss of time.
Hotels: Villa Los Pinos, Atlantico, Tropicoco, Villa Islazul Bacuranao.
