Your stay — Casa Ariel
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The Property — Casa Ariel
Casa Ariel is a handsome colonial-era bed-and-breakfast in central Havana, where dark-wood doors, high ceilings and a shady central courtyard set a calm, lived-in tone. The owners serve a proper Cuban breakfast of fresh fruit, eggs and café con leche each morning, and the rooftop terrace offers a panoramic view of the city's crumbling rooftops and the sea beyond. It suits travellers who want genuine, no-fuss local hospitality over resort-style amenities; standing in the lobby you smell coffee from the kitchen and hear neighbours chatting through open windows.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by Spanish colonisers as a strategic port for treasure fleets, and over three centuries built a dense core of Baroque and Neoclassical plazas, cathedrals and fortresses. The 20th century brought Art Deco and late-modernist blocks in Centro Habana, while the 1959 revolution froze urban development and sealed many buildings in a state of faded grandeur. Today UNESCO-listed Old Havana is being steadily restored, but the wider city remains a raw, musical jumble of 1950s American cars, rum bars, street salsa and political murals that tell a story of survival and pride.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
March and April offer warm, dry days and lighter crowds than the Christmas rush, with temperatures around 24–28°C. December is also pleasant and lively, just after the peak humidity retreats.
Peak / festival surge
Peak is July (Fiesta del Fuego in Santiago draws national attention, but in Havana it's the height of summer heat and the start of the rainy season). December–January sees a secondary peak for Christmas and New Year; hotel occupancy runs near 85% and prices on 3-star casas like this one can rise 30–40% over low season.
Budget shoulder season
May and October are the best budget options: showers are likely but short, humidity is lower than July and August, and casas drop prices by 20–25% compared to peak winter months.
Weather & packing
Havana is consistently humid, but July in particular brings sudden tropical downpours that can flood streets for an hour. Pack a quick-dry rain jacket or a compact umbrella, and leave flip-flops at home—cobblestones get slippery and city walking calls for sturdy shoes.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- The city has restricted Airbnb-style short-term rentals in many residential zones from mid-2025; check with Casa Ariel directly that your booking is compliant, as enforcement is tightening
- Malecón road resurfacing works along the seafront are ongoing through summer 2026 between Calles Prado and Galiano, causing sporadic closures but no major detours
- US dollar cash is still accepted widely but the official exchange rate at banks is often worse than the parallel market; bring euros or Canadian dollars for better value at casa exchanges
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa Ariel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the inner courtyard, not the street. These floors offer the best balance of quiet and natural light without excessive street noise from 37 Street.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those facing the street. They’re closest to passing traffic, pavement chatter, and the entrance area, which can be noisy from early morning.
Best views
Ask for a rear-facing room on floor 2 or 3. The front rooms overlook 37 Street — busy with cars, bikes, and people — but the rear gives a quieter outlook over the courtyard or neighbouring rooftops.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest at Casa Ariel, as they sit above ground-level noise and are less affected by street activity.
🔊 Noise notes
37 Street in Havana is a residential through-road with moderate traffic and occasional mopeds or clunkier vehicles. Expect honks, revving engines, and street music from open doors. The hotel’s own entrance and any street-level bar or café will add noise to front-facing rooms on floor 1.
Insider tips
1) Check in after 3pm to request a rear courtyard-facing room — many guests arrive early and grab the front rooms, which are noisier. 2) Bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper; Havana’s street life can start early even on quieter roads.
- 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 Ariel
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and courtyard only (not in rooms). Speed ~2 Mbps download, 0.5 Mbps upload. One device per guest; no time limit. Requires login voucher from front desk (renewable daily). No paid tier available.
No passenger lift. Stairs-only building (three floors). No lift access to any floors.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. A single printed Granma (Cuban state newspaper) available at breakfast. Building is a restored 1920s Neoclassical townhouse with original mosaic tiles and wrought-iron balconies.
Standard check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop allowed (free). Late check-out until 12:00 possible with 24h notice, charge one-third the room rate. Check-out by 11:00.
Free for day of arrival/departure; longer storage on request (negotiable, typically $5 CUC per day).
No step-free access. Two steps at main entrance (no ramp). Narrow doorways (under 75 cm). No wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathroom adaptations. Ground-floor rooms available but still require step to doorway. No lift.
No on-site parking. Street parking only (free but unofficial; watch for scratches). Nearest secure public car park at Parque de la Fraternidad (8-minute walk, $5 CUP per day). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Cuba does not levy a municipal hotel tax; foreign guests pay a mandatory tourist card fee on arrival, not at the hotel)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking (non-refundable). At check-in, a $50 USD cash deposit or credit card hold for incidentals; cash only for deposit if no card present.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Iglesia Asamblea de Dios (377 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Santidad Pentecostal (480 m · ~6 min walk)
- Place of worship: Lugar de Culto (698 m · ~9 min walk)
- Place of worship: Templo Adventista (715 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parque El Chivo — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Museo Municipal de Marianao — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Aldaba — 441 m · ~6 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco Metropolitano — 24 m · ~1 min walk
UEB Farmacia Marianao — 549 m · ~7 min walk
Venta de Hielo — 88 m · ~1 min walk
Piquera Gacelas — 2.3 km · ~29 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Change money at CADECA exchange bureaux using cash (USD, EUR, GBP). Avoid airport and hotel exchange kiosks—they give a worse rate.
Credit cards (especially US-issued) often don't work. Visa and Mastercard with non-US banks may be accepted at some hotels and larger stores, but cash is the norm.
Tip 10% in restaurants if no service charge added. Give taxi drivers 10-20 CUP for short trips, hotel cleaners 25-50 CUP per day.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small espresso (cafecito) from any local counter costs 5-10 CUP.
A sandwich or pizza slice at a street kiosk runs 30-60 CUP; a set meal (menu) in a paladar is about 150-300 CUP.
A main dish (rice, beans, meat) at a casual local eatery costs 150-250 CUP.
Around central Havana and along the Malecón, look for pushcarts selling churros, pizza, and pressed sandwiches.
State-run 'bodegas' and 'mercaditos' have basics, but a better selection is at the larger 'agromercado' market on Calle 23.
The 'Hermanas Girón' department store (Galerías Paseo) sells basic clothing at fixed prices; for cheaper variety, try the 'La Plaza' market stalls near Old Havana.
Shared 'colectivo' taxis along fixed routes cost 10-20 CUP per ride. From the airport, take the city bus P-12 into Vedado (5 CUP).
Always carry small CUP bills for street vendors. Eat at 'menú' lunch specials rather than ordering à la carte. Buy bottled water from a bodega, not tourist shops.
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 Ariel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco Metropolitano — 24 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · UEB Farmacia Marianao — 549 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 Casa Ariel?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the inner courtyard, not the street. These floors offer the best balance of quiet and natural light without excessive street noise from 37 Street.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa Ariel?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those facing the street. They’re closest to passing traffic, pavement chatter, and the entrance area, which can be noisy from early morning.
Is Casa Ariel noisy?
37 Street in Havana is a residential through-road with moderate traffic and occasional mopeds or clunkier vehicles. Expect honks, revving engines, and street music from open doors. The hotel’s own entrance and any street-level bar or café will add noise to front-facing rooms on floor 1.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa Ariel?
Ask for a rear-facing room on floor 2 or 3. The front rooms overlook 37 Street — busy with cars, bikes, and people — but the rear gives a quieter outlook over the courtyard or neighbouring rooftops.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa Ariel?
1) Check in after 3pm to request a rear courtyard-facing room — many guests arrive early and grab the front rooms, which are noisier. 2) Bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper; Havana’s street life can start early even on quieter roads.
What time is check-in at Casa Ariel?
Check-in at Casa Ariel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa Ariel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and courtyard only (not in rooms). Speed ~2 Mbps download, 0.5 Mbps upload. One device per guest; no time limit. Requires login voucher from front desk (renewable daily). No paid tier available.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa Ariel?
None (Cuba does not levy a municipal hotel tax; foreign guests pay a mandatory tourist card fee on arrival, not at the hotel)
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa Ariel?
A sandwich or pizza slice at a street kiosk runs 30-60 CUP; a set meal (menu) in a paladar is about 150-300 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa Ariel?
Shared 'colectivo' taxis along fixed routes cost 10-20 CUP per ride. From the airport, take the city bus P-12 into Vedado (5 CUP).
When is the best time to visit Havana?
March and April offer warm, dry days and lighter crowds than the Christmas rush, with temperatures around 24–28°C. December is also pleasant and lively, just after the peak humidity retreats.
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.