Your stay — Casa de Andro
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The Property — Casa de Andro
Casa de Andro is a modest, family-run guesthouse in Centro Habana, where peeling paint meets genuine warmth. The lobby is a narrow tiled hallway with a ceiling fan, a few wooden chairs, and the smell of Cuban coffee. It suits independent travellers who want a base, not a resort, and don't mind stairs (no lift). The USP is the rooftop terrace with views over the old city.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by Spanish conquistador Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar as a key port for galleons. Its defensive walls, now gone, once enclosed what is today Habana Vieja, a UNESCO World Heritage site of baroque and neoclassical buildings. The 20th century brought American-influenced art deco and the modernist Focsa building, then decades of post-revolution neglect. Now tourism and cautious restoration shape its character, with 1950s Cadillacs still limping alongside Chinese-made buses.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
December to April: driest, coolest (20-28°C), and clearest skies for walking the Malecón and exploring Old Havana.
Peak / festival surge
January (winter sun seekers) and July (Carnival de La Habana) fill hotels; prices across Havana double or triple. July also brings intense heat (32°C+ feels like 40°C with humidity) and frequent thunderstorms.
Budget shoulder season
May and November offer rainier but still pleasant days, 50% fewer tourists, and 30-40% lower nightly rates than January.
Weather & packing
July in Havana is a sticky sauna — expect sudden tropical downpours that flood streets within minutes. Pack only lightweight, quick-dry clothes and a compact umbrella; leave jeans behind.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- Old Havana’s street lighting upgrades slow daily life: expect detours from 10pm around Obispo and Mercaderes streets through July 2026.
- New ferry from Casa Blanca terminal to Regla dock now runs every 20 minutes, easing access to the Christ of Havana statue for 10 MN per crossing.
- State-run Wi-Fi hotspots in public parks (e.g., Plaza Vieja) now extend until midnight, but speeds drop after 9pm; buy ETECSA cards at kiosks.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa de Andro, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request an upper floor room facing the interior courtyard rather than Concha street — these are quieter and more private. If available, a room on the third floor (the top) will avoid foot traffic noise from above.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing Concha — street noise from the busy road will be constant, and the lack of a lift means you'll hear everyone coming and going. Also skip any room near the stairwell (the only vertical access).
Best views
Corner rooms or any room with a side window may offer a glimpse of the neighbourhood rooftops. The main view from front rooms is Concha street — worth it only if you like watching local life.
Quietest floors
Third floor (top floor) is quietest — no one above you, and street noise fades by then. Second floor is acceptable if you're not right over the entrance.
🔊 Noise notes
Concha is a main through-road in Havana, so traffic noise (including old cars and buses) is loud from early morning until late evening. The hotel has no lift, so stairwell noise — footsteps, luggage, conversations — carries throughout the building.
Insider tips
1. Check in early afternoon to secure a top-floor room — request it explicitly when booking, as walk-ins get ground floor leftovers. 2. Bring earplugs: even with a good room, Havana's street sounds and the lack of double glazing mean you'll hear the city.
- 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 de Andro
Complimentary Wi-Fi in lobby only, approx 4 Mbps; no tiers or login code needed.
No lift; the three-storey colonial building is stairs-only throughout.
No digital or physical newspapers available; the building is a converted 1830s mansion with original terracotta tiles and wooden shutters.
Check-in 15:00–22:00 (weekday), 15:00–20:00 (Saturday/Sunday); early bag-drop available free; late check-out until 14:00 costs 35 CUC.
Free storage at front desk during your stay and up to 2 hours after check-out.
No step-free access; main entrance has two steps; interior stairs only; no wheelchair-accessible rooms.
No on-site parking; nearest public car park (Estacionamiento Prado) at Calle Prado 302, 5-minute walk, 10 CUC per night; no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; 50 CUC incidental hold on credit or cash at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Carmen (589 m · ~7 min walk)
- Place of worship: Casa de oración Gilgal (1.8 km · ~22 min walk)
- Place of worship: Casa de Ayuno y Oración, a Dios, Iglesia Gilgal (1.9 km · ~23 min walk)
- Place of worship: Iglesia Gilgal (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centro Comercial Falcón — 2.3 km · ~28 min walk
José Martí — 796 m · ~10 min walk
Anfiteatro de Alamar — 2.3 km · ~29 min walk
Parque Infantil — 443 m · ~6 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 776 m · ~10 min walk
Farmacia Villa Panamericana — 866 m · ~11 min walk
MPM Dianelis Miranda Transporte S.R.L. — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Bring euros or Canadian dollars; exchange at banks or official CADECA kiosks for best rates. Avoid airport and hotel exchanges, which give poor rates.
Cards from US banks rarely work; others work at some state-run shops and hotels but not at private businesses. Cash is essential.
Tip 10% in restaurants if not included; give small change to taxi drivers and hotel staff (50-100 CUP).
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small espresso at a local coffee stand costs around 20-40 CUP.
A sandwich or pizza at a state-run kiosk or private paladar costs 150-350 CUP.
A main dish at a simple local restaurant runs 250-500 CUP.
Street stalls near Parque Central or along Calle Obispo sell pizza, churros, and pan con lechón for 50-200 CUP.
State-run bodegas and small private shops (agro) sell basics; no large supermarkets nearby.
Little affordable clothing shopping in Concha; most buy from street stalls or market in Old Havana.
Local buses (guaguas) cost 10-20 CUP per ride; from the airport, take a shared taxi (colectivo) for about 1000-1500 CUP.
Always carry small CUP notes; eat at paladares (private homes) over tourist spots; negotiate taxi fares before getting in.
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 de Andro
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 776 m · ~10 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Villa Panamericana — 866 m · ~11 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 de Andro?
Request an upper floor room facing the interior courtyard rather than Concha street — these are quieter and more private. If available, a room on the third floor (the top) will avoid foot traffic noise from above.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa de Andro?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing Concha — street noise from the busy road will be constant, and the lack of a lift means you'll hear everyone coming and going. Also skip any room near the stairwell (the only vertical access).
Is Casa de Andro noisy?
Concha is a main through-road in Havana, so traffic noise (including old cars and buses) is loud from early morning until late evening. The hotel has no lift, so stairwell noise — footsteps, luggage, conversations — carries throughout the building.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa de Andro?
Corner rooms or any room with a side window may offer a glimpse of the neighbourhood rooftops. The main view from front rooms is Concha street — worth it only if you like watching local life.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa de Andro?
1. Check in early afternoon to secure a top-floor room — request it explicitly when booking, as walk-ins get ground floor leftovers. 2. Bring earplugs: even with a good room, Havana's street sounds and the lack of double glazing mean you'll hear the city.
What time is check-in at Casa de Andro?
Check-in at Casa de Andro is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa de Andro have Wi-Fi?
Complimentary Wi-Fi in lobby only, approx 4 Mbps; no tiers or login code needed.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa de Andro?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa de Andro?
A sandwich or pizza at a state-run kiosk or private paladar costs 150-350 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa de Andro?
Local buses (guaguas) cost 10-20 CUP per ride; from the airport, take a shared taxi (colectivo) for about 1000-1500 CUP.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
December to April: driest, coolest (20-28°C), and clearest skies for walking the Malecón and exploring Old Havana.
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.