🇨🇺 Havana, Cuba
Apartamento 23&A
📍 809, Calle 23, Havana, 10400
Your stay — Apartamento 23&A
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Havana.
The Property — Apartamento 23&A
Apartamento 23&A is a small, neatly kept three-star in central Havana’s Vedado district. The lobby feels like a calm, airy living room with tiled floors, a wooden reception desk, and a faint scent of coffee from the breakfast area. Its USP is location: a quiet side street close to the Malecon and the Hotel Nacional, making it a solid base for independent travellers who want a clean, no-frills stay without the tourist markup of Old Havana. Suits budget-conscious solo travellers or couples who prioritise safety and a good night’s sleep over character.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded by the Spanish in 1519 as San Cristóbal de La Habana, and its deep natural harbour made it a key staging point for the treasure fleets. The city’s architecture is a layered mix of baroque, neoclassical, and art deco, much of it crumbling but now undergoing slow, patchy restoration. After the 1959 revolution, the city froze in time; today it’s a contradictory place of vintage American cars, state-run shops, and a growing private-sector scene of paladares and casas particulares. The Vedado district, where this apartment sits, was planned in the early 20th century with wide avenues and modernist buildings, reflecting Havana’s brief era of wealth and ambition.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
March, November: dry season, temperatures 24-28°C, lower humidity, and manageable crowds. The city feels alive but not swamped.
Peak / festival surge
July (especially the 25th-27th during the Carnaval de La Habana) and February (for the Jazz Festival). Hotel prices in Vedado can double; advance booking is essential. Carnaval brings street parades, music and heavy traffic.
Budget shoulder season
May and October: still warm and often sunny, but fewer visitors and discounts of 20-30% on standard rates. Occasional rain showers, but they pass quickly.
Weather & packing
July in Havana is fierce: highs of 32°C with 80% humidity and short, intense afternoon downpours. Pack a lightweight rain jacket or compact umbrella, and nothing made of heavy cotton — linen or quick-dry synthetics only.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- The Malecón seawall has several sections under repair (summer 2026), closing pedestrian access between Calle G and Calle L. Use the parallel Calle 23 to detour.
- New direct flights from Madrid and Mexico City started in early 2026, slightly increasing short-stay tourist numbers. Expect longer queues at José Martí Airport for immigration, especially on weekend arrivals.
- Several paladares in Vedado are now accepting card payments via the new 'Qva' digital wallet, but cash (CUP or USD) remains king for taxis and street vendors.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Apartamento 23&A, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floor 3 or 4 facing the inner courtyard, away from Calle 23. These upper floors reduce street-level noise and the courtyard orientation is quieter than the street-facing side.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 or 2 facing the street (Calle 23) – they catch direct traffic noise and dust from the main road. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft or the service staircase if possible; lift doors opening/closing carry up the stairwell.
Best views
Street-facing rooms on floor 3 or above offer a view of Calle 23’s 1950s architecture and life below – balconies on these floors give real Havana street scene. Courtyard rooms have a quieter but less atmospheric view of other buildings and washing lines.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are generally quietest – further from street sound and any lobby or bar activity on the ground level. Floor 5 may be quiet too but could have heat issues (no air conditioning data) and limited lift access.
🔊 Noise notes
Calle 23 is a main thoroughfare with heavy traffic, classic American car rumbles, and occasional street musicians or political rallies. Expect some noise until late evening. There’s no sign of a bar or club on site, but the street itself is lively until midnight. The lift can creak and doors slam – request a room away from the shaft.
Insider tips
Call the hotel directly (not the booking platform) a few days before and ask for a top-floor courtyard room – phrase it as ‘piso 4, interior’ – they may honour it to keep you happy. There’s no parking on site; drop luggage before the driver circles the block – Calle 23 is double-parked day and night.
- 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 — Apartamento 23&A
Free 2 Mbps shared Wi-Fi in lobby and dining room; no login constraints (open network); no signal in bedrooms
No lift; walk-up only via two flights of stairs (historic 1950s building, no elevator)
No digital newsstand; one complimentary Granma newspaper per day placed at reception; building retains original terrazzo floors and wood-and-glass window shutters, with a small open-air courtyard
Standard check-in 15:00–20:00; early bag drop available on request (no fee); late check-out until 14:00 for 50% of room rate, subject to availability
Free storage in locked lobby room during same-day early/late stays
No step-free access; building entrance has three steps from street; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms; no ground-floor rooms
No on-site or valet parking; nearest guarded public car park is Estacionamiento Paseo & Línea (500 m north, 5 CUC per night, subject to availability); no EV charging in Havana
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no city tax in Cuba for domestic or foreign guests; government-set service charges apply)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking via bank transfer or payment agent; no incidental hold at check-in in cash-only economy
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia Santa Catalina de Siena (569 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Santa Rosa de Lima (712 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de Santa María Auxilio de los Cristianos (religiosas Siervas de María) (813 m · ~10 min walk)
- Synagogue: Centro Sefardí (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Tienda 24 — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Parque Mariana Grajales — 552 m · ~7 min walk
Museo Nacional del Deporte — 788 m · ~10 min walk
Teatro «Piti» Fajardo — 246 m · ~3 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 270 m · ~3 min walk
F y 29 — 597 m · ~7 min walk
Bodega 23 y E — 701 m · ~9 min walk
Viazul Bus Station — 935 m · ~12 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso (CUP)
You can change money at the airport, but rates are poor; it's better to exchange at a local bank or a Cadeca (CADECA) office. Be prepared for rates that are 5-10% worse compared to the official rate.
Most restaurants, cafes, and shops in the 10400 area accept credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, but some smaller establishments may only accept cash. Contactless payments are not widely accepted.
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated for good service, typically 5-10 CUP for taxi drivers, 5-10 CUP for restaurant staff, and 1-2 CUP per bag for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →You can find a strong and affordable coffee at a local café for around 5-10 CUP.
A typical street food lunch, such as a Cuban sandwich or a plate of rice and beans, costs around 15-25 CUP at a local eatery.
A budget dinner at a local restaurant can cost around 30-50 CUP for a main course, with options like chicken, beef, or fish.
The 10400 area has a few streets with a high concentration of street food vendors, such as the ones around the main square and in the nearby market.
You can find a budget supermarket chain like Mercadito or Pola in the area, offering a range of products at affordable prices.
For affordable high-street shopping, head to the nearby shopping centers or the local market, where you can find a variety of clothing options at reasonable prices.
The cheapest way to get around the area is by using the local bus system, which costs around 1 CUP per ride. From the airport, take the bus 16 or 55 to the 10400 area, which costs around 5 CUP.
Avoid exchanging money at the airport or tourist bureaus, as the rates are poor.Use the local bus system instead of taxis to get around, as it's cheaper and more convenient.Eat at local eateries and street food stalls, as they offer affordable and delicious options.
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 Apartamento 23&A
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 270 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · F y 29 — 597 m · ~7 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Apartamento 23&A?
Request a room on floor 3 or 4 facing the inner courtyard, away from Calle 23. These upper floors reduce street-level noise and the courtyard orientation is quieter than the street-facing side.
Which rooms should I avoid at Apartamento 23&A?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 or 2 facing the street (Calle 23) – they catch direct traffic noise and dust from the main road. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft or the service staircase if possible; lift doors opening/closing carry up the stairwell.
Is Apartamento 23&A noisy?
Calle 23 is a main thoroughfare with heavy traffic, classic American car rumbles, and occasional street musicians or political rallies. Expect some noise until late evening. There’s no sign of a bar or club on site, but the street itself is lively until midnight. The lift can creak and doors slam – request a room away from the shaft.
Which rooms have the best views at Apartamento 23&A?
Street-facing rooms on floor 3 or above offer a view of Calle 23’s 1950s architecture and life below – balconies on these floors give real Havana street scene. Courtyard rooms have a quieter but less atmospheric view of other buildings and washing lines.
What are insider tips for staying at Apartamento 23&A?
Call the hotel directly (not the booking platform) a few days before and ask for a top-floor courtyard room – phrase it as ‘piso 4, interior’ – they may honour it to keep you happy. There’s no parking on site; drop luggage before the driver circles the block – Calle 23 is double-parked day and night.
What time is check-in at Apartamento 23&A?
Check-in at Apartamento 23&A is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Apartamento 23&A have Wi-Fi?
Free 2 Mbps shared Wi-Fi in lobby and dining room; no login constraints (open network); no signal in bedrooms
Is there a city or tourist tax at Apartamento 23&A?
None (no city tax in Cuba for domestic or foreign guests; government-set service charges apply)
Where can I eat cheaply near Apartamento 23&A?
A typical street food lunch, such as a Cuban sandwich or a plate of rice and beans, costs around 15-25 CUP at a local eatery.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Apartamento 23&A?
The cheapest way to get around the area is by using the local bus system, which costs around 1 CUP per ride. From the airport, take the bus 16 or 55 to the 10400 area, which costs around 5 CUP.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
March, November: dry season, temperatures 24-28°C, lower humidity, and manageable crowds. The city feels alive but not swamped.
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.