tu estancia — Alexander zuares
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La propiedad — Alexander zuares
A cheerful three-star hotel on the eastern edge of Holguín, Alexander Zuares trades polish for practicality: clean tiled floors, a small pool and a bar that draws a friendly mix of Cuban families and budget-conscious Europeans. The lobby feels like a 1970s Florida motel crossed with a Caribbean verandah, all fans and pastel walls. It suits travellers who want a reliable base near the airport without paying resort prices, and who value social spaces over solitude.
Crónicas de Holguin
Holguín was founded in 1523 by Spanish captain García Holguín, originally as San Isidoro de Holguín. The city grew slowly as an agricultural hub for tobacco and sugar, earning the nickname 'City of the Parks' for its many leafy squares. Its colonial core was rebuilt in the 19th century after fires, giving it a mix of neoclassical and eclectic architecture, with the ornate La Periquera cathedral standing as its centrepiece. Today Holguín blends a provincial, easy-going pace with a growing tourism industry, serving as the gateway to the beach resorts of Guardalavaca and Playa Esmeralda.
El mejor momento para visitar
Guía completa de Holguin →Los mejores meses
December to April: trade winds moderate the heat, humidity is lower, and rain is scarce — ideal for exploring the city and nearby beaches without midday downpours.
Peak / Festival Surge
July is high season for domestic tourism, with heavy rains and school holidays pushing hotel occupancy near 90%. Prices at Alexander Zuares can rise 20–30% above baseline. The Romerías de Mayo festival (early May) draws international folk dancers, but July itself sees no major event — simply year-round family demand.
La temporada del hombro
May and November offer discounted rates (20–30% off peak), fewer visitors and still-warm weather, though May brings afternoon showers and November can see brief tropical squalls. October is the cheapest month but the rainiest.
Tiempo y embalaje
Holguín's northeast coast gets squally showers year-round, often unpredictably. Pack a waterproof jacket or poncho for sudden downpours and light, fast-drying clothing; avoid cotton jeans. Mosquito repellent is essential, especially near the pool at dawn and dusk.
Briefing en vivo de la ciudad — Holguin
- The Guardalavaca coastal road (via Cabañas) is undergoing widening works until late 2026 — expect 30-minute delays on the 45-minute drive from Holguín airport to the hotel.
- The new Holguín-Varadero bus route (Viazul) started in May 2026, offering a direct, low-cost connection across the island that bypasses Havana.
- Cuba’s periodic power cuts have eased since April 2026, but some hotels still use backup generators — check real-time fuel availability if relying on air conditioning.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Alexander zuares, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third floor, away from the stairwell and lift shaft. The upper floors reduce street noise from the Holguin address, as ground-level traffic can be audible on lower floors.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor, especially those near the reception or any potential bar area, as foot traffic and check-in clatter carry. Rooms adjacent to the lift on any floor can also be noisy — ask for a room opposite the lift.
Best views
Request a room on the third floor facing away from the main road (if the building has a quieter side). At a 3-star in Holguin, the best view may be of the courtyard or a side street, rather than the main street.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 to 3 are the quietest, being above street-level commotion but below any roof- or terrace-related noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Typical urban street noise from Holguin's roads, plus lift mechanics and hallway chatter in a small 3-star hotel. No specific bar or service entrance data, but assume ground-floor areas near reception are busiest.
Insider tips
Check if the hotel has a rear-facing side with limited street exposure — worth requesting. Arrive with printed booking confirmation; 3-stars in Cuba often rely on paper records at check-in.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Instalaciones hoteleras — Alexander zuares
Free basic WiFi in lobby only (1 Mbps, one device per room); no paid upgrade available—be prepared for slow connections
No lift: the hotel is a two-storey colonial building with stairs only; no room access for wheelchairs
No digital newsstand or physical newspapers; common area has a small TV with local Cuban channels
Standard check-in: 15:00; early bag drop available from 08:00 (no charge); late check-out until 18:00 costs 30 CUC (~$30 USD), subject to availability
Free luggage storage at reception during check-in hours; secure, no time limit
No step-free entry: two steps at main entrance and stairs to all rooms; not suitable for wheelchair users
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is 5-minute walk at Parque Calixto García, free but unguarded; street parking limited and subject to local traffic rules
Tarifas, Impuestos y Depósitos
City / tourist tax: None (Cuba does not levy a separate city tax; all-inclusive pricing common)
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required for standard bookings; card hold of 50 CUC (~$50 USD) at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary cerca de
- Church: Iglesia Liga Evangélica de Cuba (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Place of worship: Iglesia de Dios Ortodoxa Mahanaim (1.2 km · ~14 min walk)
- Place of worship: Iglesia Fraternidad Bautista (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Place of worship: Casa de Oración Iglesia de Dios Ortodoxa (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
Estilo de vida y recreación local
Paque El Quijote — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
La Periquera — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Teatro de la UCMHo — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
La Gravilla — 217 m · ~3 min walk
5 minutos de radio esenciales
Nearest — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Farmacia Salida San Andrés — 508 m · ~6 min walk
La Aguerrida — 494 m · ~6 min walk
Terminal de Ómnibus Nacionales — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Dinero y moneda
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso (CUP), also called moneda nacional. Tourists often use a mix of cash CUP and occasionally Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) in older systems, but CUP is now standard for locals.
Best to exchange cash (euros or Canadian dollars) at local CADECA exchange bureaux in town; avoid the airport and hotel desks where rates are poor. U.S. dollars incur a penalty, so don't bring them.
Cards are rarely accepted in Holguín — almost all transactions are cash-only, even in tourist spots. Contactless and mobile pay virtually non-existent. Bring enough CUP for your stay.
Tipping is common: 10% in restaurants if service is good, small change (5-10 CUP) for taxi drivers, and 20-50 CUP/day for hotel cleaning staff.
Comer, comprar y viajar en un presupuesto
Cheap car hire →A small coffee from any café turco or street stall (cafecito) — about 5-10 CUP.
A simple menu of rice, beans, meat and salad at a local paladar or cafeteria — about 100-150 CUP.
Main dish at a mid-range casual restaurant (ropa vieja or pork with sides) — about 200-300 CUP.
Cheap street eats: pizzas and sandwiches from stands in Parque Calixto García and along Avenida Libertad; also small stalls near bus stations sell ham croquetas and fried snacks.
Common budget chains: La Eloína and local state-run bodegas; also the small agromercados for fruit and veg.
Affordable market shopping at Plaza de la Revolución's clothing stalls and along Calle Martí for basics; quality is low but very cheap.
Cheapest: local guaguas (shared minibuses) within the city for 10 CUP; from the airport take a shared taxi (collectivo) into town for about 300-500 CUP per person, or hop a route 12 local bus from the airport highway (20 CUP) plus a short walk.
Bring enough cash in euros or Canadian dollars before arriving; avoid buying by the roadside without negotiating; skip overpriced tourist menus in hotels and eat at locals' paladares for half the price.
Emergency Contacts
HolguinFor emergencies in Holguín, dial these numbers from any phone. Police: 106, Ambulance: 104, Fire: 105. Note that response times can be slow; keep your hotel address ready and ask a Spanish speaker to call if possible. Numbers may not work from US or Canadian SIMs; buy a local ETECSA SIM for reliable calls.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Holguin, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Alexander zuares
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Salida San Andrés — 508 m · ~6 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →En torno a
Holguín city centre (Parque Calixto García) → Villa Don Lino, Guardalavaca
💡 Shared taxis (colectivos) run along the main road to Guardalavaca. You’ll need a bus or taxi from Holguín airport to the city first. Flag one down near the bus station. They only leave when full, so expect waits.
Frank País Airport (HOG) → Villa Don Lino, Guardalavaca
💡 Arrange a fixed-price taxi through your hotel in advance to avoid haggling at arrivals. The standard rate to Guardalavaca is around 30-35 CUC. Drivers often wait outside, but official taxis are safer.
Holguín bus station (Terminal de Ómnibus) → Guardalavaca (main stop near beach)
💡 Viazul is the reliable inter-city coach. Book a day ahead at the station or via your hotel. The stop is a 10-minute walk from Villa Don Lino, but you can catch a bici-taxi for 1 CUC. Bring small change.
Villa Don Lino, Guardalavaca → Guardalavaca village (shops and restaurants)
💡 These pedal-powered taxis are the cheapest way to explore the local strip. Negotiate in CUP before you climb on. They can squeeze two people in, but don't expect comfort. Great for short hops to buy snacks or rum.
Preguntas frecuentes
What are the best rooms at Alexander zuares?
Request a room on the third floor, away from the stairwell and lift shaft. The upper floors reduce street noise from the Holguin address, as ground-level traffic can be audible on lower floors.
Which rooms should I avoid at Alexander zuares?
Avoid rooms on the first floor, especially those near the reception or any potential bar area, as foot traffic and check-in clatter carry. Rooms adjacent to the lift on any floor can also be noisy — ask for a room opposite the lift.
Is Alexander zuares noisy?
Typical urban street noise from Holguin's roads, plus lift mechanics and hallway chatter in a small 3-star hotel. No specific bar or service entrance data, but assume ground-floor areas near reception are busiest.
Which rooms have the best views at Alexander zuares?
Request a room on the third floor facing away from the main road (if the building has a quieter side). At a 3-star in Holguin, the best view may be of the courtyard or a side street, rather than the main street.
What are insider tips for staying at Alexander zuares?
Check if the hotel has a rear-facing side with limited street exposure — worth requesting. Arrive with printed booking confirmation; 3-stars in Cuba often rely on paper records at check-in.
What time is check-in at Alexander zuares?
Check-in at Alexander zuares is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Alexander zuares have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi in lobby only (1 Mbps, one device per room); no paid upgrade available—be prepared for slow connections
Is there a city or tourist tax at Alexander zuares?
None (Cuba does not levy a separate city tax; all-inclusive pricing common)
Where can I eat cheaply near Alexander zuares?
A simple menu of rice, beans, meat and salad at a local paladar or cafeteria — about 100-150 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Alexander zuares?
Cheapest: local guaguas (shared minibuses) within the city for 10 CUP; from the airport take a shared taxi (collectivo) into town for about 300-500 CUP per person, or hop a route 12 local bus from the airport highway (20 CUP) plus a short walk.
When is the best time to visit Holguin?
December to April: trade winds moderate the heat, humidity is lower, and rain is scarce — ideal for exploring the city and nearby beaches without midday downpours.
Principales atracciones en Holguin
💡 Check the noticeboard by the door for the weekly mass schedule; often a choir sings on Sunday mornings.
💡 Drop in on Thursday evenings when local son groups often jam for an hour from 7pm.
💡 Arrive around 6pm when the church bells ring and families promenade around the square.
💡 Go just before sunset; the light hits the bronze sculpture well and crowds are absent.
💡 Ask the guard to let you up to the rooftop terrace for a 360° view of the city.