Your stay — Casa de Babe
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The Property — Casa de Babe
Casa de Babe is a straightforward mid-century guesthouse in central Havana, with tiled floors, high ceilings, and a small courtyard where breakfast is served. It lacks frills but feels genuinely lived-in — the sort of place where the owner might chat with you over coffee. Best for independent travellers who want a clean, affordable base in Vedado without resort-style gloss.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by Spanish conquistadors and grew into a key colonial port, its old town a grid of baroque and Neoclassical buildings. The 20th century brought grand boulevards and art deco towers, then revolution froze much of the architecture in place. Today the city is a layered mix of crumbling elegance, vintage American cars, and a resilient cultural scene shaped by music, dance and a pragmatism that visitors often romanticise.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
March and April have warm, dry afternoons and fewer cruise-ship crowds than January–February. December is also excellent: balmy evenings, lower humidity, and Christmas decorations in Old Havana.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak month partly because of the Carnaval de La Habana (late July–early August), which brings parades and street parties. Hotels in Vedado often raise rates by 20–30% in the second half of July, and many sell out two months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
May and October are true shoulder months: still hot but with short rain showers, bigger discounts (30–40% off peak rates in private casas), and far fewer tourists. Late November also works well after hurricane season tails off.
Weather & packing
Havana in July is intensely humid and often over 30°C, but sudden downpours are common late afternoons. Pack: a light cotton jacket or umbrella for showers, and sandals that can handle puddles.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- From July 2026, the Vía Blanca tunnel toll for cars remains at 25 CUP (about £0.80), but the city is trialling a cashless payment system at the entrance — carry small notes as a backup.
- The new Havana–Varadero express bus route (using Chinese-made Yutong coaches) launched in March 2026, reducing the trip to about 90 minutes. Tickets are sold at the Villa Torre bus station near Parque Central.
- Restoration work on the Capitolio’s side dome is scheduled to continue through July 2026, so look out for scaffolding on the building’s south face.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa de Babe, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request an upper-floor room at the rear of the building, away from the street. The top floor (likely 3rd or 4th) has less foot traffic noise and better cross-ventilation.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or facing the street, especially near the main entrance, as street noise from traffic, revellers, and early-morning deliveries is common in central Havana.
Best views
Front-facing rooms overlooking the street may offer a slice of Havana life (cobbles, old cars, colonial façades) but expect noise. Rear rooms give quieter interior courtyard views.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and above (if it's a walk-up) tend to be quieter. Ask for a room on the top floor, away from the lift shaft if one exists.
🔊 Noise notes
Havana's streets are lively – expect music, taxi horns, and chatter late into the night, especially on weekends. Old buildings have thin walls; internal noise from neighbours and plumbing is also possible.
Insider tips
1) Request a room with a fan or AC in advance – many older buildings rely on natural airflow and nights can be hot. 2) Bring earplugs – even quiet rooms can get street noise if the windows are single-glazed. 3) Check if the hotel has a secure car park; if not, use a licensed parking garage nearby.
- 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 Babe
Free Wi-Fi available in common areas only; speed sufficient for email and messaging, not streaming
No lift; two-storey colonial building with stairs only (no historic wings)
Complimentary Granma newspaper in lobby daily; no digital newsstand
Standard check-in 15:00–22:00; early bag drop allowed from 08:00; late check-out until 13:00 for 15 CUC, subject to availability
Free for day of arrival/departure; secure luggage room near reception
No step-free access; steep entrance step and narrow internal staircases; not wheelchair accessible
No on-site parking; nearest public car park at Plaza Vieja (500 m, 10 CUC per night); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a refundable damage deposit of 50 CUC taken in cash or card hold on arrival
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
Exchange at banks or official CADECA exchange houses; avoid airport and hotel rates which are poor.
Cards (Visa/MC) are not widely accepted in most shops; bring enough cash in CUP. Contactless/mobile pay is rare.
10-15% in restaurants if no service charge; 10-20 CUP for taxis; a few pesos for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small espresso or cortado at a local café kiosk: around 10-15 CUP.
A set lunch of rice, beans, meat and salad at a paladar: roughly 100-150 CUP.
A main dish at a casual paladar: 150-250 CUP.
Street stalls near parks or busy corners sell pizzas, churros and sandwiches: good for quick bites.
No chain supermarkets; small bodegas (COPMAR) stock basics and some fresh produce.
Local markets (e.g. at Plaza de Armas) sell affordable t-shirts, hats and crafts; no high-street chains.
Coco taxis or shared collective taxis (alquileres) cost 10-20 CUP per ride; from the airport take a shared taxi or Viazul bus for ~20 CUP.
1. Always use CUP not foreign currency to avoid markups. 2. Eat at paladares away from tourist squares for lower prices. 3. Bargain at street markets but respectfully.
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 Babe
🕒 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 Babe?
Request an upper-floor room at the rear of the building, away from the street. The top floor (likely 3rd or 4th) has less foot traffic noise and better cross-ventilation.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa de Babe?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or facing the street, especially near the main entrance, as street noise from traffic, revellers, and early-morning deliveries is common in central Havana.
Is Casa de Babe noisy?
Havana's streets are lively – expect music, taxi horns, and chatter late into the night, especially on weekends. Old buildings have thin walls; internal noise from neighbours and plumbing is also possible.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa de Babe?
Front-facing rooms overlooking the street may offer a slice of Havana life (cobbles, old cars, colonial façades) but expect noise. Rear rooms give quieter interior courtyard views.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa de Babe?
1) Request a room with a fan or AC in advance – many older buildings rely on natural airflow and nights can be hot. 2) Bring earplugs – even quiet rooms can get street noise if the windows are single-glazed. 3) Check if the hotel has a secure car park; if not, use a licensed parking garage nearby.
What time is check-in at Casa de Babe?
Check-in at Casa de Babe is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa de Babe have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi available in common areas only; speed sufficient for email and messaging, not streaming
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa de Babe?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa de Babe?
A set lunch of rice, beans, meat and salad at a paladar: roughly 100-150 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa de Babe?
Coco taxis or shared collective taxis (alquileres) cost 10-20 CUP per ride; from the airport take a shared taxi or Viazul bus for ~20 CUP.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
March and April have warm, dry afternoons and fewer cruise-ship crowds than January–February. December is also excellent: balmy evenings, lower humidity, and Christmas decorations in 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.