Your stay — Casa de Dania
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The Property — Casa de Dania
Casa de Dania is a modest family-run guesthouse in central Havana, operating from a restored colonial house with high ceilings, original tiles and a small rooftop terrace. The vibe is unpretentious and homely, more a base for independent travellers than a resort. It suits budget-conscious visitors who want genuine local interaction rather than hotel-chain amenities. Standing in the lobby, you smell coffee from the kitchen and hear street life through the half-open shutters.
Chronicles of Havana
Founded in 1519 as San Cristóbal de La Habana, Havana grew into Spain's key Caribbean port, defended by massive fortifications like El Morro and La Cabaña. The old city's grid of plazas, baroque churches and neoclassical buildings reflects four centuries of colonial rule, then early 20th-century US influence. After the 1959 revolution, many buildings fell into disrepair, and tourism only re-emerged in the 1990s. Today, Havana is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a lived-in, weathered charm – peeling pastel façades, vintage American cars, and a vibrant Afro-Cuban music scene. Its cultural identity balances revolutionary nostalgia with a growing private sector of paladares and guesthouses like Casa de Dania.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
November to April – dry season with lower humidity, daytime highs around 26-28°C, and clearer skies. These months avoid the worst of the summer heat and the rain, making walking the city pleasant.
Peak / festival surge
January, February and March are peak tourist months. The Havana Jazz Festival in January draws international crowds. Hotel prices can increase 20-40% above low-season rates. Christmas and New Year also spike demand.
Budget shoulder season
May and October offer good value. May is still warm (30°C) but before the rainy season peak; October can have short, heavy showers but the city is quieter and prices drop significantly.
Weather & packing
Havana is subtropical, so July is hot (31°C+ feels like 38°C with humidity) and sees afternoon thunderstorms. Pack only light cotton clothing, a rain poncho for sudden downpours, and comfortable walking shoes – no heels on uneven cobblestones.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- The Malecón is undergoing staggered restoration works along its 8km stretch, causing intermittent lane closures; check local updates if you plan to drive or cycle.
- Several new paladares have opened in Centro Habana since 2025, including a well-reviewed Basque-inspired tapas spot on Calle Neptuno.
- Summer 2026 sees the return of the Havana Biennial art event (mid-July), which may bring extra visitors and some street closures in Old Havana.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa de Dania, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third floor, preferably at the rear of the building. It's high enough to cut street noise from Calle 60 but still low enough for stairs to be manageable — there's no lift mentioned. The rear side faces quieter residential patios.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms: they'll catch foot traffic from the entrance, street noise from Calle 60, and any kitchen or lobby clatter. Rooms at the front of the first or second floor will also suffer from street noise.
Best views
Modest at best — views from upper floors look over neighbouring rooftops and patios, typical for central Havana. No sea or landmark vista from Calle 60.
Quietest floors
Third floor, particularly rear-facing rooms.
🔊 Noise notes
Calle 60 is a residential street but carries traffic — motos, old American cars, buses — from early morning until late evening. No bar or club noise noted nearby, but street chatter and vehicle horns are likely. The lack of a lift means stairwell noise travels.
Insider tips
Check in after 3pm to avoid queue build-up at this 3-star's small reception. If you're mobility-averse, request a ground-floor room despite noise — stairs can be steep and dark at night.
- 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 Dania
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and courtyard only; speed adequate for messaging/email (approx 5 Mbps); one unique login per room, reconnects hourly.
No lift – building is a colonial-era two-storey casa; all rooms accessible via stairs only.
Complimentary printed Granma daily in lobby; no digital newsstand. Building is a restored 18th-century merchant's house with original exposed stone walls.
Standard check-in from 15:00; early bag-drop allowed from 08:00; late check-out until 14:00 for CUC 25 (subject to availability).
Complimentary for guests after check-out; luggage room locked with CCTV.
No step-free access – two steps at main entrance and stairs throughout; no wheelchair-accessible rooms.
No on-site parking; nearest public car park at Plaza Vieja (walking 5 mins) costs CUC 8 per night; no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; CUC 50 incidental hold at check-in (cash only, no cards accepted).
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia Adventista Del Séptimo Día (438 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia (481 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Metodista de Marianao (707 m · ~9 min walk)
- Place of worship: Lugar de descanso Eterno Pompilio (745 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
KODIGO — 289 m · ~4 min walk
Parque José Martí — 839 m · ~10 min walk
Museo Nacional de la Campaña de Alfabetización — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Verdarte — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 613 m · ~8 min walk
El Crucero — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
Nestle Nesqui — 477 m · ~6 min walk
Piquera Gacelas — 976 m · ~12 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Change at official exchange houses (CADECA) or from trusted locals; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux where rates are poor.
Cards are rarely accepted outside tourist hotels; bring plenty of cash in CUP or euros/pounds to exchange.
Tip 10% in restaurants if no service charge added; small change for taxis; 1–2 CUP per bag for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small black coffee (cafecito) from a street stall or local café costs about 10–20 CUP.
A set lunch (menu) at a paladar or state restaurant costs around 150–300 CUP.
A main course at a mid-range paladar costs about 300–500 CUP.
Cheap eats are common along the Malecón and near the Capitolio, especially for pizza, churros, and ham croquettes.
State-run bodegas and small private shops (trifinios) are typical; larger supermarkets are scarce in this area.
The Almacenes San José craft market has some clothing stalls; otherwise head to the city centre for second-hand markets.
The cheapest way around is by shared taxi (colectivo) at about 20 CUP per ride; from the airport, take the 10 CUP bus to the city centre.
Always carry small denominations; eat at paladares off the tourist strip; negotiate prices in markets and with taxis.
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 Dania
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 613 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · El Crucero — 1.9 km · ~23 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 Dania?
Request a room on the third floor, preferably at the rear of the building. It's high enough to cut street noise from Calle 60 but still low enough for stairs to be manageable — there's no lift mentioned. The rear side faces quieter residential patios.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa de Dania?
Avoid ground-floor rooms: they'll catch foot traffic from the entrance, street noise from Calle 60, and any kitchen or lobby clatter. Rooms at the front of the first or second floor will also suffer from street noise.
Is Casa de Dania noisy?
Calle 60 is a residential street but carries traffic — motos, old American cars, buses — from early morning until late evening. No bar or club noise noted nearby, but street chatter and vehicle horns are likely. The lack of a lift means stairwell noise travels.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa de Dania?
Modest at best — views from upper floors look over neighbouring rooftops and patios, typical for central Havana. No sea or landmark vista from Calle 60.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa de Dania?
Check in after 3pm to avoid queue build-up at this 3-star's small reception. If you're mobility-averse, request a ground-floor room despite noise — stairs can be steep and dark at night.
What time is check-in at Casa de Dania?
Check-in at Casa de Dania is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa de Dania have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and courtyard only; speed adequate for messaging/email (approx 5 Mbps); one unique login per room, reconnects hourly.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa de Dania?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa de Dania?
A set lunch (menu) at a paladar or state restaurant costs around 150–300 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa de Dania?
The cheapest way around is by shared taxi (colectivo) at about 20 CUP per ride; from the airport, take the 10 CUP bus to the city centre.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
November to April – dry season with lower humidity, daytime highs around 26-28°C, and clearer skies. These months avoid the worst of the summer heat and the rain, making walking the city pleasant.
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.