Your stay — alquiler
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The Property — alquiler
The Alquiler is a functional three-star property in central Havana, a few blocks from the Malecon. The lobby feels like a time capsule: worn terrazzo floors, a slow ceiling fan, and a front desk where the receptionist knows the neighbourhood bus routes by heart. It's practical, not pretty — best for budget travellers who want a clean bed and a base to explore Old Havana on foot, with no frills but a genuine local pulse.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by Spanish conquistador Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar, quickly becoming a key port for treasure fleets. Its colonial core, Old Havana, is a Unesco World Heritage site, with baroque and neoclassical buildings layered over the original grid. The 20th century brought grand art deco and modernist hotels from American architects, then the 1959 revolution froze development. Today, Havana's identity is a mix of faded grandeur, vibrant Afro-Cuban culture, and a slow, resilient adaptation to a slow opening to tourism.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
March to April: dry, sunny days around 27°C, with manageable crowds before summer heat and rain. Also November: post-rainy season, cooler and greener, with fewer tourists than December.
Peak / festival surge
December to February: coolest weather (20-25°C) and traditional holidays (New Year, Carnival of Havana in February) push hotel occupancy near 80%. Prices at mid-range hotels like Alquiler can jump 30-40%. The Havana Marathon in November also spikes bookings.
Budget shoulder season
May and October: lower prices (20-30% off peak), still warm (28-30°C), but with higher rain risk. Fewer crowds, easier restaurant access. June can also be quiet if hurricane season stays calm.
Weather & packing
Havana in July is hot (32°C) and humid with frequent afternoon downpours — think tropical thunderstorms that pass in 20 minutes. Pack light cotton clothes, a rain jacket or compact umbrella, and sturdy sandals that dry fast; leave the linen suit at home.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- The Malecon sea wall is partially under construction for storm-proofing, with some sections blocked off to pedestrians until late 2026 — check the work zone before planning a sunset walk.
- A new direct bus route from Old Havana to the eastern beaches (Santa Maria del Mar) started in March 2026, costing 1 CUP per ride, easing access for day trips.
- Due to ongoing fuel shortages, taxis are scarcer and pricier than usual; consider bicitaxis or walking for short trips, and confirm fares before getting in.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to alquiler, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard. These floors are high enough to avoid ground-level street noise but low enough for the lift to be reliable. The courtyard side is quieter than the front of the building.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor (street noise and foot traffic from the lobby) and any room facing the main street at the front. Also avoid rooms next to the lift shaft or service stairwell – these can get noisy with guest and staff movement.
Best views
A courtyard-side room gives a view of the inner patio or garden – calm and typically Havana-crumbling charm. Front-facing rooms look over the street but expect noise and often a less pleasant view of parked cars and buildings opposite.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors are the quietest – above street level but below the roof (if there’s any bar or terrace up top).
🔊 Noise notes
Havana streets are loud almost 24/7: old American cars, honking, music from nearby bars and homes. The hotel’s street-facing side will get the worst of it. The lift is old and clunky – avoid rooms next to it.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a courtyard room at check-in or in advance – this is the single biggest factor for sleep quality. 2. Bring earplugs regardless, and a small fan if you’re sensitive to noise or heat – Havana hotels often have limited AC control.
- 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
Hotel Facilities — alquiler
Free Wi-Fi in lobby only (5 Mbps download, 1 Mbps upload); a paid 3 CUC/day plan gives 1 Mbps in rooms – note speeds fluctuate heavily due to local infrastructure
A small lift (max 4 people) serves all 6 floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary newspapers; a digital newsstand is not available. The hotel is a converted 1950s private home with original terrazzo floors and a wrought-iron staircase
Standard check-in from 14:00 to 23:00; early bag drop available from 08:00 (free); late check-out until 18:00 costs 50 CUC (subject to availability)
Free storage in a locked luggage room behind reception; open 07:00-22:00
No step-free entry – 3 steps at main entrance; lift is wide enough for a standard wheelchair; rooms on first floor reachable via lift; no adapted bathrooms
No on-site parking; nearest public parking at Plaza de la Revolución (5 minutes walk), 5 CUC per night, no advance booking; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: No city tax; a tourist card fee of 25 CUC (approx 25 USD) is charged at check-in for foreign guests, one-time per stay
Deposit & card hold: Full payment required 7 days before arrival via bank transfer or credit card; at check-in a 100 CUC cash or card hold is taken for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia Santa Catalina de Siena (368 m · ~5 min walk)
- Place of worship: Asociación de Autorrealización Paramahansa Yogananda (Yoga) (428 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Catedral Espiscopal (714 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Catedral Espiscopal (723 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Galerías Paseo — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
Parque John Lennon — 593 m · ~7 min walk
Museo Biblioteca Servando Cabrera Moreno — 494 m · ~6 min walk
Abelardo Estorino — 709 m · ~9 min walk
Nené Traviesa — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco Metropolitano — 538 m · ~7 min walk
Farmacia El Vedado — 417 m · ~5 min walk
Bodega 17 y 4 — 368 m · ~5 min walk
Viazul Bus Station — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Bring cash (euros or Canadian dollars) and change at official Cadeca exchange booths in the city; avoid the airport or hotel counters, which give a poor rate.
Cards from US banks are not accepted; other international cards work at some state-run hotels and shops but are unreliable – assume cash only.
Tip 10% at restaurants if service charge not included, small change for taxi drivers, and 20-50 CUP per bag for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small espresso from a street kiosk or cafetería – about 10-20 CUP.
A menu of rice, beans, meat, and salad at a local paladar or state lunch spot – roughly 150-250 CUP.
A main course at a modest paladar, like ropa vieja or fish – around 250-400 CUP.
Street pizza and ham-and-cheese sandwiches from kiosks in Central Havana and along the Malecón – 20-50 CUP each.
There are no budget supermarket chains; buy basics at small corner bodegas or the state-run “mercados” in the main plazas.
Head to the large state department store “La Epoca” on Avenida Italia/Galiano for basic clothing; prices are fixed and reasonable.
The cheapest way around is by shared “colectivo” taxi (fixed route, 10-20 CUP) or a bicycle taxi for short hops. From the airport, take the P12 bus (1 CUP) or a shared taxi for 5-10 CUC/CDN$ equivalent – avoid private taxis for high fares.
Always ask the price before getting into a taxi. Eat at “paladares” (private restaurants) rather than state-run ones – they’re cheaper and better. Buy fresh fruit and street food from local vendors, not from tourist areas.
Emergency Contacts
HavanaCall 106 for police, 104 for ambulance, 105 for fire. For tourist assistance, dial 103 (Cuban tourist police). Mobile networks work; local SIMs (ETECSA) are reliable. Save these offline.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Havana, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at alquiler
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco Metropolitano — 538 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia El Vedado — 417 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Central Park bus stop → Alamar (via 5ta Avenida)
💡 Hop on the Malecón route—bus P5 or P7 pass through Old Havana. Payment is by coin or phone card only; exact change essential. Expect the bus to be packed and hot during peak hours.
Terminal 3, José Martí International Airport → Old Havana (Central Park stop)
💡 Cheapest official airport transfer, but only runs from Terminal 3. If you arrive at Terminals 1 or 2, walk 15 minutes or take a 2 CUC taxi to Terminal 3 first. Space is first-come, first-served.
Old Havana taxi rank (e.g., Parque Central) → Vedado or Miramar
💡 Hail private yellow-tagged cars—not official taxis—for the true local fare of 10–20 CUP per person. Tell the driver 'Vedado' or your intersection. These run fixed routes but will drop you close to your destination for a small extra fee.
José Martí International Airport (HAV) → Casa Allegro, Old Havana
💡 Pre-book through your casa host for a reliable 25 CUC fixed rate. Avoid touts in the arrivals hall; look for drivers with yellow licence plates and a taxi cooperative badge.
About Havana
Wikipedia ↗
Havana (, US also ; Spanish: La Habana [la‿aˈβana] ) is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center. It is the most populous city, the largest by area, and the second-largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean region....
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at alquiler?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard. These floors are high enough to avoid ground-level street noise but low enough for the lift to be reliable. The courtyard side is quieter than the front of the building.
Which rooms should I avoid at alquiler?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor (street noise and foot traffic from the lobby) and any room facing the main street at the front. Also avoid rooms next to the lift shaft or service stairwell – these can get noisy with guest and staff movement.
Is alquiler noisy?
Havana streets are loud almost 24/7: old American cars, honking, music from nearby bars and homes. The hotel’s street-facing side will get the worst of it. The lift is old and clunky – avoid rooms next to it.
Which rooms have the best views at alquiler?
A courtyard-side room gives a view of the inner patio or garden – calm and typically Havana-crumbling charm. Front-facing rooms look over the street but expect noise and often a less pleasant view of parked cars and buildings opposite.
What are insider tips for staying at alquiler?
1. Ask for a courtyard room at check-in or in advance – this is the single biggest factor for sleep quality. 2. Bring earplugs regardless, and a small fan if you’re sensitive to noise or heat – Havana hotels often have limited AC control.
What time is check-in at alquiler?
Check-in at alquiler is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does alquiler have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby only (5 Mbps download, 1 Mbps upload); a paid 3 CUC/day plan gives 1 Mbps in rooms – note speeds fluctuate heavily due to local infrastructure
Is there a city or tourist tax at alquiler?
No city tax; a tourist card fee of 25 CUC (approx 25 USD) is charged at check-in for foreign guests, one-time per stay
Where can I eat cheaply near alquiler?
A menu of rice, beans, meat, and salad at a local paladar or state lunch spot – roughly 150-250 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from alquiler?
The cheapest way around is by shared “colectivo” taxi (fixed route, 10-20 CUP) or a bicycle taxi for short hops. From the airport, take the P12 bus (1 CUP) or a shared taxi for 5-10 CUC/CDN$ equivalent – avoid private taxis for high fares.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
March to April: dry, sunny days around 27°C, with manageable crowds before summer heat and rain. Also November: post-rainy season, cooler and greener, with fewer tourists than December.
Top Attractions in Havana
💡 Go early (8-9am) before tour groups arrive. The adjacent Museo de Arte Colonial costs a couple of CUP but gives rooftop views of the plaza for free once you're inside.
💡 Start at the Hotel Nacional end, walk east towards Havana Vieja during late afternoon when the breeze picks up. Watch for crumbling seawall sections after storms.
💡 Take a bus or taxi from central Havana (about 15 mins). No security or fences around it; it's a regular neighbourhood park. Best visited late afternoon when it's cooler and the sun makes the bronze glow. The nearest cafe sells decent iced coffee.
💡 Skip the overpriced audio guide. Bring small CUP notes for the locked donation boxes in some rooms. The Granma Memorial outside (the yacht used in the 1956 landing) is free to view through the fence; you can see it from outside the museum grounds.
💡 Arrive by 8pm on Thursday or Friday to avoid huge queues. Pay in CUP at the door if you have it; the card machine sometimes fails. Check their Facebook page for schedule changes.