Your stay — Casa Alamar
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The Property — Casa Alamar
Casa Alamar is a restored 1940s townhouse in Vedado, with high ceilings, checkerboard tiles and a small rooftop that catches the sea breeze. It feels lived-in, not polished: the lobby has original wooden shutters and a fan that hums, and the staff treat you like a houseguest rather than a customer. Best for independent travellers who want a solid 3-star base with local character, not resort facilities.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by Diego Velázquez as a port on natural deep-water bays, quickly becoming Spain's key stop for treasure fleets. Its colonial core was fortified against pirates, and the 19th century brought neoclassical mansions and the Malecón seawall. After the 1959 revolution, the city froze in time, and today its peeling grandeur and vintage cars coexist with a vibrant arts scene and creeping restoration.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
January to March offer the driest weather, clear skies and daily highs around 26°C; crowds are moderate and accommodation still bookable.
Peak / festival surge
Peak season is late December to March, driven by winter sun-seekers and festival-goers (Havana Jazz Festival in February). Hotel prices rise 30-50% from baseline, and reservations need weeks of advance.
Budget shoulder season
April and November are the true shoulder months: cheaper rates (20-30% off peak), temperatures 27-30°C, and fewer tourists, though you might get occasional short rain showers.
Weather & packing
Havana's summer is hot and humid, with daily downpours often arriving as brief afternoon thunderstorms. Pack a compact umbrella, light long-sleeved linen shirts for sun and mosquito protection, and always carry a refillable water bottle.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- The Malecón seawall restoration continues in sections; expect some closed walkways between Calle G and Calle 18 until late 2026, but access to the road remains open.
- New direct charter flights from Bogotá and Mexico City launched in June 2026, slightly easing pressure on José Martí International, though taxis from the airport still cost around $30.
- Several state-run paladares (private restaurants) near Vedado have upgraded to accept credit cards from foreign banks – check before you go as cash is still king in most places.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa Alamar, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a top-floor room (floor 3 or higher) facing the courtyard or quieter side of the building — minimal street noise from 1C and better natural light.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the ground floor or directly overlooking 1C — higher chance of traffic and pedestrian noise, plus less privacy at street level.
Best views
Upper floors facing the interior courtyard or side street — less traffic, more authentic Havana roofline views; street-front rooms show local life but are noisier.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 to 4 (assuming a 4-storey building typical for this area) — above street hum, below potential roof activity.
🔊 Noise notes
309-21, 1C is a busy thoroughfare — expect motorcycle and car noise during day, plus occasional live music from nearby bars in Old Havana (15-20 mins walk). Courtyard rooms cut most of this.
Insider tips
1. Check in early to request a courtyard-facing room — reception can often switch if available. 2. Bring earplugs if you’re on a budget and stuck on a lower floor; the 3-star rating means basic soundproofing.
- 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 — Casa Alamar
Free basic Wi-Fi in lobby and some rooms; speed approx 2 Mbps; login via voucher from reception
Small lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; building quirks: restored 1930s townhouse with original mosaic tiles and high ceilings
Standard check-in 15:00, check-out 12:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 no charge; late check-out until 18:00 costs CUC 30
Free for day of check-in/out; longer storage negotiable, around CUC 10 per day
No step-free access; two steps at entrance and no wheelchair-accessible bathroom; lift is narrow (60cm door) so not suitable for larger chairs
No on-site parking; nearest public car park at Calle Obispo 2 blocks away, CUC 10 overnight; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no separate city tax levied; all taxes included in room rate)
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; incidental hold of CUC 50 per night in cash or card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: CAPVN (750 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
El Progreso — 431 m · ~5 min walk
Museo Gallo — 177 m · ~2 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco Metropolitano — 236 m · ~3 min walk
Brisas — 375 m · ~5 min walk
Terminal Alamar (P3-P11) — 2.2 km · ~27 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Exchange at official CADECA booths for the best rate; avoid the airport and hotels where rates are much worse.
Cards are rarely accepted outside tourist hotels; bring enough cash in EUR, USD, or GBP to exchange.
Tip 10-15% in restaurants; give small change to taxi drivers and hotel staff — a few pesos is fine.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small espresso at a local cafetería costs about 10-15 CUP.
A menú ejecutivo (set meal) of rice, beans, meat, and salad in a paladar is around 150-200 CUP.
A main course in a casual paladar runs 200-350 CUP.
Look for stalls selling churros, croquetas, or pizza slices near parks and bus stops for under 20 CUP.
Small state-run bodegas and local kiosks are everywhere; no big supermarkets in this area.
Readily available at the Almacenes Universales department store on Neptuno or street markets like Calle Obispo.
The cheapest way around is by shared coco taxi (5-10 CUP per ride) or a public bus for 1 CUP. From the airport, take a shared taxi for around 1000-1500 CUP; avoid the tourist-class private taxis.
Exchange money only at CADECA booths, not on the street or in hotels. Eat at paladares frequented by locals, not tourist menus. Walk instead of taking taxis for short distances within the area.
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 Casa Alamar
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco Metropolitano — 236 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Brisas — 375 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Casa Alamar?
Request a top-floor room (floor 3 or higher) facing the courtyard or quieter side of the building — minimal street noise from 1C and better natural light.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa Alamar?
Rooms on the ground floor or directly overlooking 1C — higher chance of traffic and pedestrian noise, plus less privacy at street level.
Is Casa Alamar noisy?
309-21, 1C is a busy thoroughfare — expect motorcycle and car noise during day, plus occasional live music from nearby bars in Old Havana (15-20 mins walk). Courtyard rooms cut most of this.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa Alamar?
Upper floors facing the interior courtyard or side street — less traffic, more authentic Havana roofline views; street-front rooms show local life but are noisier.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa Alamar?
1. Check in early to request a courtyard-facing room — reception can often switch if available. 2. Bring earplugs if you’re on a budget and stuck on a lower floor; the 3-star rating means basic soundproofing.
What time is check-in at Casa Alamar?
Check-in at Casa Alamar is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa Alamar have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi in lobby and some rooms; speed approx 2 Mbps; login via voucher from reception
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa Alamar?
None (no separate city tax levied; all taxes included in room rate)
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa Alamar?
A menú ejecutivo (set meal) of rice, beans, meat, and salad in a paladar is around 150-200 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa Alamar?
The cheapest way around is by shared coco taxi (5-10 CUP per ride) or a public bus for 1 CUP. From the airport, take a shared taxi for around 1000-1500 CUP; avoid the tourist-class private taxis.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
January to March offer the driest weather, clear skies and daily highs around 26°C; crowds are moderate and accommodation still bookable.
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.