4 AWESOME Neighborhoods Where to Stay in Havana, Cuba + Hotels

You are about to step into one of the most desired travel destinations in the world. Get ready to travel back in time by wandering around colorful streets, having amazing mojitos, smoking a cigar in a friendly atmosphere whilst Cuban music plays in the background. You are traveling to Havana, Cuba!

Havana is the capital of Cuba and the main tourist destination in the country visited by travelers throughout the year. It is a very unique travel destination with colonial buildings, old vintage cars, stunning beaches, plus informative museums and nice art galleries telling the story of this unique country. In Havana, you will also be discovering Cuban cuisine in incredible restaurants with great nightlife and you’re bound to see that Cuban people really know how to have fun, so why not join them!

I have searched the entire internet to find out exactly where to stay in Havana for you. Being a very popular tourist destination with limited hotel options, I want to let you know that hotels might have very high demand in Havana. That’s why make sure to book your hotel or casa in advance! 

I am sure you have seen those postcards kinda photos with colorful old Chevrolet cars in front of the adorable historic buildings. It is your time to have that photo for yourself!

NOTE: Since Cuba has not undergone a significant amount of development for tourism, the quality of hotels in Havana may not be up to the same standards as other holiday destinations you are accustomed to. As long as you know what to expect, this just adds to the authentic charm which is one of the best reasons to visit the country. 

If you are in a hurry

If you need to book something asap, here are the best hotels in Havana for every budget sorted by price with a great location:

Here is a map showing where to stay in Havana with all the 4 neighborhoods I will be talking about in this post, so you can easily visualize them:

1. Old Havana / La Habana Vieja – where to stay in Havana for the first time

Old Havana / La Habana Vieja is the heart of the historic area and where you should stay in Havana if you are visiting the country for the first time. Here you will find amazing historical buildings, colorful colonial streets, museums, and historical landmarks. The whole neighborhood has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982 so you know it will be unique!

The best way to enjoy Old Havana is simply to have a walk along the beautiful streets and you will instantly feel like you are traveling back in time! If you’ve ever been to Nassau you will love Havana Old town.  Enjoy discovering nice big squares filled with Spanish-style mansions, take a lot of pictures in front of the photogenic buildings in the famous Plaza Vieja, explore colonial streets, historical churches, shops, restaurants, and museums. When you are tired enough, enjoy a good mojito in any of the cute bars of Old Havana.

In Havana, you will find many homestays called “Casas particulares” or “private homes”. Apart from that, there are also hotels, hostels, and Airbnbs. As Old Havana is the most popular tourist destination preferred by many travelers, don’t forget to make your booking in advance! 

Let’s have a look at the best places to stay in Old Havana:

Other accommodation in Old Havana / Habana Vieja

Things to do in Old Havana / Habana Vieja

2. El Vedado – The coolest Neighborhood

El Vedado is a nice residential area located 3 km (2 miles) south of Old Havana. It is a trendy area known for its modern style, vibrant nightlife. In El Vedado, you will find old buildings that are transformed into cool bars, funky clubs, restaurants, and also charming coffee shops.

El Vedado is still within walking distance of major landmarks of Havana, so you can start your day discovering the Havana streets then having a good Cuban dinner in one of the nice restaurants in the area before hitting the bars and clubs. If you are looking for a more modern area you should definitely stay in El Vedado. 

There are many great casas particulares and hotels in this neighborhood. Before talking about them I would like to remind you to make your booking as early as possible to not miss your ideal place. Here are the best places to stay in El Vedado, Havana.

Other accommodation options in El Vedado

Things to do in El Vedado

3. Miramar – a great place to stay with families

Miramar is a nice neighborhood and my answer to where to stay in Havana for families. Miramar is located in the west of the city center and being home to embassies and diplomatic meeting halls, it is also a very affluent area. Miramar is my recommendation for families because it is a very safe area and here you will be able to find many family friendly activities such as parks, beaches, theme parks, and an aquarium! In Miramar, you will also find many museums, art galleries, landmarks, shops, and good restaurants.

Nearby Miramar you will find some nice beaches but if you really want to indulge your family at an incredibly beautiful spot, I highly recommend taking a taxi 30 min east to Playas del Este. The sand is so white and the water so blue here that you might even think you are in The Bahamas!

Being an upscale area in Miramar, accommodations prices are a bit higher compared to other areas of Havana but don’t worry, here are my recommendations for all budgets.

Other accommodation options in Miramar

Things to do in Miramar

• Visit the second largest church in Cuba – Iglesia de Jesus de Miramar
• Spend some on the beach at Playita del Triton
• See dolphins, fish, and turtles at the Acuario Nacional
• Visit Museo Organico de Romerillo and check out beautiful artworks
• Check out nice shops of locals at Quinta Avenida
• Have a walk to famous square – Plaza de la Revolución
• Visit Fabrica de Arte Cubano – an art gallery and nightclub as well
• Go to nearby Marina Hemingway for a day and enjoy a walk by the sea
• Head to Playa de Jaimanitas and spend some time on the beach

4. Centro Habana – where to stay for those on a budget

Centro Habana is a big residential neighborhood and the city center of Havana. It is also a great location to see how locals live, work, and dine. The major landmark of Cento Habana is the sea wall named Malecon. It is a nice place to have a walk by the sea and also a gathering place for locals. 

In Centro Habana, you will be able to find many museums, popular attractions like cigar factories as well as nice local restaurants and bars. You can also check out the vibrant nightlife. As it is a bigger neighborhood you will find more accommodations options here from mid range hotels to budget hostels. That’s why if you are traveling on a budget and looking for something like a hotel with a good value of money, you will more likely find a great place in Centro Habana. 

Unfortunately there are no good luxury hotels in Centro Habana so if you are looking for a fancy place to stay, I suggest checking out the hotels in Old Havana. For any other price range, here are your best options:

Other accommodation options in Centro Habana

Things to do in Centro Habana

• Visit the iconic Partagas Cigar Factory
• Have a walk by the seaside at the Malecon like local people
• Visit authentic watchtower Torreón de San Lázaro
• Check out the colorful murals and street art at Callejon de Hamel
• Visit one of the most famous buildings, El Capitolio
• Explore the grand Palacios de los Matrimonios
• Watch an amazing performance at Gran Teatro de La Habana

BONUS: 4 Important things to know before visiting Cuba

Now that you have chosen where to stay in Cuba, it’s time to learn about some quirky aspects of the country which are essential to know before visiting. Cuba has some different rules and regulations to other nearby destinations and that’s why I would like to give some information that will be helpful for you to know before your trip.

1. Be prepared to be offline for a while
In Cuba, you won’t be able to find free Wifi in cafes. In some hotels, they offer free wifi but make sure to check with the hotel in advance if this is a necessity as a lot of accommodations do not have internet access. 

Currently, there is also internet access in some of the major areas of Havana where you can use the internet for a certain price. Here is a map that shows all WiFi spots in Havana that you can check when you need internet access during your trip.

2. Credit cards are not accepted in Cuba
In Cuba, US credit cards are not accepted and while cards from other countries can legally be accepted, they rarely work in the machines. This means you will need to have cash money. 

To make matters even more confusing, until 2021, Cuba had two currencies. One for local people (CUP) and the other for travelers (CUC). Thankfully now there is one unified currency which is the Cuban Peso (CUP). You can exchange CUP at the airport to make sure you have some cash when you arrive.  

You can also use banks and exchange offices in the city to exchange money as well. As you cannot exchange Cuban Peso outside the country, make sure to convert everything left over back to your home currency before leaving Cuba (unless you want to keep some notes as souvenirs). 

3. Knowing a few Spanish words can ease your life
Of course in hotels, you will be able to communicate in English but if you want to interact with local people it would be nice to know some basic Spanish words. In Cuba they actually have their own version of Spanish so even if you have traveled to Spain before, it’s best to try some of the local dialect. Don’t worry, Cuban people are friendly and talking to them will help you to understand their culture better and will also make your holiday more memorable. 

4. Cuba has a unique accommodation type called Casa Particular
When you are searching for hotels you will realize that there are few reviews due to lack of internet and the American embargo. However, there is another accommodation option in Cuba called “casa particular”. 

Casa particular means a private house and it is a great option for where to stay in Havana to have a local experience. You can easily find a casa wandering around tourist areas of Havana or book it in advance online. Casas are also often cheaper accommodation options compared to hotels too. 

If you are planning to go to other cities in Cuba you might not be able to find a hotel at all so staying in Casa Particular would be your only choice. When traveling between towns, ask your current casa to help you book the next one, alternatively, when you arrive at a train or bus station, you will often be swarmed by offers from locals. So why not try this unique stay experience!

Frequently asked questions about Havana

Conclusion

Now that you have an idea about the best places to stay in Havana, I hope you already found an answer to where to stay in Havana. I am pretty confident that you will have an unforgettable time in Havana so enjoy every minute of your holiday! 

In this travel guide, I covered the 5 best neighborhoods around Havana and mentioned the best hotels and Airbnbs in each area from luxury to budget. Havana, Cuba is visited by travelers all year round so, I highly recommend you to make a booking now if your travel time is approaching.

To sum up, here are the 2 best Havana hotels to stay in the nice neighborhoods where I would definitely recommend you to stay. They both have good locations for travel around the city!

I will be happy to hear your experiences about your stay in Havana so, don’t forget to leave a comment below if you have any other suggestions or questions about Havana or Cuba! I’ll be happy to answer them!

Enjoy your time in Havana, Cuba!

Eylul