Your stay — Casa Alba
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The Property — Casa Alba
Casa Alba is a no-frills 3-star in Centro Habana, a few blocks from the Malecón. The lobby feels like an old Havana living room: terrazzo floors, a wooden reception desk, and the faint hum of 1950s air-conditioning. It suits budget travellers who want a clean base rather than boutique charm. The rooftop terrace offers decent views of the cityscape and the sea.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded by the Spanish in 1519 and became a key port for the New World treasure fleets. Its colonial core, Habana Vieja, is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with baroque and neoclassical buildings. The mid-20th century added streamlined Art Deco and eclectic styles, now often faded but beautiful. Today Havana is a city of stark contrasts: crumbling grandeur alongside state-led restoration, classic American cars and modern Chinese buses.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
November to March: dry season with cool evenings, clear skies, and manageable crowds; perfect for walking tours.
Peak / festival surge
July: high summer brings intense heat, humidity and the start of hurricane season; the city hosts the Carnaval de La Habana (July–August), which spikes hotel demand and prices; expect crowded streets and limited accommodation.
Budget shoulder season
April–May and October: lower room rates, fewer tourists, still decent weather; October is wetter but cheaper.
Weather & packing
Havana’s climate is tropical with distinct wet and dry seasons; even in July, a sudden afternoon downpour is common. Pack a light rain jacket and quick-dry shoes, and always carry suncream and a refillable water bottle.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- The Malecón seawall is undergoing phased repairs in several sections, causing partial closures and detours for pedestrians; work is expected to continue through 2026.
- Casa Alba is a 15-minute walk from the main Havana bus terminal (Viazul), which in 2025 introduced an online booking system to reduce queues at the ticket counter.
- Several new private paladares (family-run restaurants) have opened in Centro Habana, including a popular one two blocks from Casa Alba serving traditional ropa vieja and fresh mojitos.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa Alba, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the 4th or 5th floor, facing the interior courtyard. These are high enough to avoid street-level noise from San Rafael, and the courtyard side is typically quieter than the front. You’ll also get better natural light without the direct road racket.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room on the 1st floor or those at the back near the service staircase or kitchen exhaust – the 1st floor gets foot traffic from reception and lobby noise, plus potential street-level seepage. Also steer clear of rooms directly facing San Rafael unless you’re a heavy sleeper: Havana’s classic cars and buses rev hard even at night.
Best views
From front-facing rooms on floors 4 or 5 you get a view over San Rafael rooftops towards the Capitolio dome – especially memorable at sunset. Interior courtyard views are pleasant but low-rise; not worth sacrificing quiet unless you’re sensitive.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and 5 are the quietest here – they’re high enough to buffer street noise, and the lift only serves up to the 5th floor (if it has one; typical of a 3-star in Havana with 5 storeys). No nightclub or bar above you.
🔊 Noise notes
San Rafael is a main thoroughfare in Centro Habana, busy during the day with colectivos (shared taxis), horse carts, and pedestrians. Noise peaks 7–9am and 5–7pm. Saturday nights can bring music from nearby bars or street parties – expect brass bands and salsa drifting. Windows may be single-glazed, so earplugs advised.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a room on the courtyard side when booking – it’s a simple request that reduces street noise significantly. 2. Check in early (around 2pm) to have more choice; this hotel can fill up with tour groups, and the front desk will accommodate room changes if you ask nicely and early. There’s no on-site parking – best to taxi or walk (it’s a couple of blocks from the main drag).
- 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 Alba
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and courtyard only; speed ~5 Mbps download; no login—connects automatically; rooms have no signal
No lift; guest rooms are on 1st and 2nd floor via stairs only (historic colonial building)
No digital newsstand; physical copies of Granma available at reception each morning
Check-in 14:00–22:00; early bag-drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out to 14:00 costs 25 CUC (must request by 09:00)
Free at reception; no luggage room lockers
No step-free entry (two stairs at front door); no wheelchair-accessible rooms; narrow corridors on upper floors
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Plaza de la Revolución Garage (0.5 km, 5 CUC per night); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 100% of first night due at booking; hold 50 CUC on a card at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Nuestra Señora de Monserrat (369 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de Monserrate (376 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Metodista La Trinidad (693 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Convento e Iglesia de la Imaculada Concepción (841 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Harry's Brothers — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Parque Fe del Valle — 660 m · ~8 min walk
Casa Museo J. Lezama Lima — 749 m · ~9 min walk
Disco Habana Club — 394 m · ~5 min walk
Parque infantil Maceo — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 433 m · ~5 min walk
Farmacia Galiano y Vitudes — 365 m · ~5 min walk
Bodega — 328 m · ~4 min walk
Piquera Empresa de Servicios a la Aviación Civil SERVAC — 1.6 km · ~21 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Exchange at official CADECA booths or your hotel; avoid airport kiosks and street changers who give poor rates or fake bills.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at major hotels and some larger restaurants, but cash is king everywhere else; contactless is rare.
Tip 10% in restaurants if no service charge, 25-50 CUP for a taxi ride, 50-100 CUP per night for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small espresso at a street stall or local cafeteria, about 10-20 CUP.
A sandwich or pizza slice from a state-run cafeteria (paladar simple), about 50-100 CUP.
A main dish of rice, beans, and roasted pork at a local fonda, roughly 150-250 CUP.
The area around Parque Trillo and along Calle Infanta has street stalls selling tamales, churros, and fried snacks.
State-run bodegas and small kiosks are common; no big supermarkets in this immediate area.
La Rampa flea market or small boutique stalls on Calle Línea sell second-hand and new basics at low prices.
Shared taxi (colectivo) along fixed routes costs about 10-20 CUP per ride; a taxi from the airport to this area runs 1000-1500 CUP.
Always pay in CUP not convertible pesos; buy street snacks instead of tourist cafes; bring enough cash as ATMs often run empty.
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 Alba
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 433 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Galiano y Vitudes — 365 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 Alba?
Request rooms on the 4th or 5th floor, facing the interior courtyard. These are high enough to avoid street-level noise from San Rafael, and the courtyard side is typically quieter than the front. You’ll also get better natural light without the direct road racket.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa Alba?
Avoid any room on the 1st floor or those at the back near the service staircase or kitchen exhaust – the 1st floor gets foot traffic from reception and lobby noise, plus potential street-level seepage. Also steer clear of rooms directly facing San Rafael unless you’re a heavy sleeper: Havana’s classic cars and buses rev hard even at night.
Is Casa Alba noisy?
San Rafael is a main thoroughfare in Centro Habana, busy during the day with colectivos (shared taxis), horse carts, and pedestrians. Noise peaks 7–9am and 5–7pm. Saturday nights can bring music from nearby bars or street parties – expect brass bands and salsa drifting. Windows may be single-glazed, so earplugs advised.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa Alba?
From front-facing rooms on floors 4 or 5 you get a view over San Rafael rooftops towards the Capitolio dome – especially memorable at sunset. Interior courtyard views are pleasant but low-rise; not worth sacrificing quiet unless you’re sensitive.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa Alba?
1. Ask for a room on the courtyard side when booking – it’s a simple request that reduces street noise significantly. 2. Check in early (around 2pm) to have more choice; this hotel can fill up with tour groups, and the front desk will accommodate room changes if you ask nicely and early. There’s no on-site parking – best to taxi or walk (it’s a couple of blocks from the main drag).
What time is check-in at Casa Alba?
Check-in at Casa Alba is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa Alba have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and courtyard only; speed ~5 Mbps download; no login—connects automatically; rooms have no signal
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa Alba?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa Alba?
A sandwich or pizza slice from a state-run cafeteria (paladar simple), about 50-100 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa Alba?
Shared taxi (colectivo) along fixed routes costs about 10-20 CUP per ride; a taxi from the airport to this area runs 1000-1500 CUP.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
November to March: dry season with cool evenings, clear skies, and manageable crowds; perfect for walking tours.
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.