Your stay — Casa de Marcus
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The Property — Casa de Marcus
Casa de Marcus is a three-star colonial guesthouse in Old Havana, with high ceilings, creaky wooden shutters and a tiny plunge pool on the roof. The vibe is practical and low-frills: expect a clean room, a decent breakfast of bread and fresh fruit, and a host who knows the city well but doesn't hover. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want to be walking distance from the Plaza Vieja and the Capitolio, not those seeking resort amenities.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by Spanish colonisers and grew rich as a shipping hub for gold and sugar, its harbour defended by the Morro Castle. By the 19th century it had accumulated a dense core of baroque and neoclassical buildings, later overlaid with Art Deco and the grand, crumbling apartment blocks of the 1950s. The revolution of 1959 halted development and froze the city in a state of faded glamour, which is now its main draw. Contemporary Havana is a living museum of pre-1960s architecture, mixed with a lively street culture of salsa, vintage cars and state-run markets. Its identity is stubbornly resilient: poor, proud and fiercely musical.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
February, March and April: the dry season offers sunny days in the mid-20s Celsius, low humidity, and fewer tourists than in January or July. Streets are manageable, and the city feels less oppressive.
Peak / festival surge
July is the hottest month (averaging 28°C, often hitting 32°C) and also the busiest, thanks to the July 26th Revolution celebrations and summer school holidays. Hotel prices typically rise by 20–30%. The big event is the Carnaval de La Habana, which packs the Malecón with parades and music.
Budget shoulder season
May and June are the best shoulder months for discounts: rooms drop 15–25%, humidity is building but not brutal, and the city is quieter. November is also good, with lower prices and mild temperatures before the Christmas rush.
Weather & packing
Havana has a tropical monsoon climate with a distinct rainy season from May to October; afternoon downpours are common. Pack a light rain jacket or an umbrella, and bring only clothing that dries quickly — cotton and linen are better than denim.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- The Malecón is undergoing a major renovation through 2026, with several sections closed to vehicles and pedestrians; check the official city website for current detours.
- Cubans are reporting longer queues for cash and basic groceries due to ongoing shortages; bring plenty of cash in Euros or US dollars (newer notes only) as credit cards are rarely accepted.
- The new Terminal 5 at Havana airport, handling most charter flights, is running with limited amenities — expect longer passport queues and no airside cafes.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa de Marcus, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the inner courtyard (away from Calle 21). Upper floors reduce street noise, and the courtyard side is quieter at night.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first or second floor facing Calle 21. The street carries traffic and pedestrian noise, especially in the evening, and lower floors pick up more of it.
Best views
Rooms on the third or fourth floor facing Calle 21 offer a view of the street and nearby buildings, with some city character, but trade quiet for sight. Courtyard views are limited but peaceful.
Quietest floors
Third and fourth floors, particularly rooms with windows not on the street side.
🔊 Noise notes
Calle 21 is a residential street with modest traffic and occasional groups of people. Expect some noise from passing cars, conversations, and possibly local music from bars within a block. The hotel's entrance on this street funnels street sounds to lower floors.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a fan or air conditioning unit – many 3-star Havana hotels have limitered AC, and a fan in the room makes a big difference for comfort. 2. Check in early (before 2pm) if possible; late arrivals may be given leftover noisier rooms as front desk staff tire.
- 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 Marcus
Free, 8 Mbps download (sufficient for email/social media); login code given at reception, one device per room
Small lift to 2nd floor only; third floor via stairs (historic building)
No physical papers; free access to Granma digital edition on lobby tablet
Standard 15:00-00:00; early bag-drop from 10:00 free if room ready; late checkout until 14:00 costs 25 CUC
Free for day-of arrival/departure; longer stays 5 CUC per day
No step-free entry; two steps at main entrance, no wheelchair-accessible rooms
No on-site; nearest public car park at Calle 23 & L, 10 CUC per night (unattended); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10 CUC per person per night (foreign guests only)
Deposit & card hold: 50% upfront via wire transfer; 50 CUC card hold at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Synagogue: Templo Beth Shalom (468 m · ~6 min walk)
- Synagogue: Centro Sefardí (531 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (544 m · ~7 min walk)
- Place of worship: Convento de los Dominicos (723 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Galerías Paseo — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Plaza Venezuela — 269 m · ~3 min walk
Museo de la Danza — 111 m · ~1 min walk
Ludi Teatro — 324 m · ~4 min walk
Nené Traviesa — 636 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco Metropolitano — 275 m · ~3 min walk
Dispensario Pedro Borrás — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Bodega — 638 m · ~8 min walk
Piquera Empresa de Servicios a la Aviación Civil SERVAC — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Change CAD, EUR, or USD at official CADECA exchange booths for the best rate; avoid airport or hotel exchanges due to poor rates.
Cash is king; credit/debit cards rarely work outside state-run hotels or top-end restaurants, and US-issued cards are blocked.
Tip 10% in restaurants, round up to the nearest 10-20 CUP in taxis, and give 20-50 CUP to hotel porters/housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small espresso or cortadito from a street kiosk or local cafetería costs 10-20 CUP.
A set menu (menu del día) with rice, beans, meat, and drink at a paladar or state restaurant runs 150-250 CUP.
A main course like ropa vieja or grilled chicken at a mid-range paladar is 200-350 CUP.
Pizza from street stalls (10-20 CUP) or ham-and-cheese sandwiches on medianoche bread are common cheap eats.
State-run bodegas and dollar stores (TRD 'tiendas en divisas') sell basics; La Época is a notable one in Central Havana.
Casa de la Música or local markets have affordable European imports; buy from private tiendas along Galiano.
Use the city bus (guagua) for 1 CUP per ride; from the airport take a shared taxi (colectivo) for about 50-100 CUP per person.
Eat at paladares (private restaurants) rather than state-owned ones; buy water in bulk from TRD stores; skip the tourist bicycle taxis (bicitaxis) in favour of bus or walking.
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 Marcus
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco Metropolitano — 275 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Dispensario Pedro Borrás — 1.3 km · ~16 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 Marcus?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the inner courtyard (away from Calle 21). Upper floors reduce street noise, and the courtyard side is quieter at night.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa de Marcus?
Avoid rooms on the first or second floor facing Calle 21. The street carries traffic and pedestrian noise, especially in the evening, and lower floors pick up more of it.
Is Casa de Marcus noisy?
Calle 21 is a residential street with modest traffic and occasional groups of people. Expect some noise from passing cars, conversations, and possibly local music from bars within a block. The hotel's entrance on this street funnels street sounds to lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa de Marcus?
Rooms on the third or fourth floor facing Calle 21 offer a view of the street and nearby buildings, with some city character, but trade quiet for sight. Courtyard views are limited but peaceful.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa de Marcus?
1. Ask for a fan or air conditioning unit – many 3-star Havana hotels have limitered AC, and a fan in the room makes a big difference for comfort. 2. Check in early (before 2pm) if possible; late arrivals may be given leftover noisier rooms as front desk staff tire.
What time is check-in at Casa de Marcus?
Check-in at Casa de Marcus is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa de Marcus have Wi-Fi?
Free, 8 Mbps download (sufficient for email/social media); login code given at reception, one device per room
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa de Marcus?
10 CUC per person per night (foreign guests only)
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa de Marcus?
A set menu (menu del día) with rice, beans, meat, and drink at a paladar or state restaurant runs 150-250 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa de Marcus?
Use the city bus (guagua) for 1 CUP per ride; from the airport take a shared taxi (colectivo) for about 50-100 CUP per person.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
February, March and April: the dry season offers sunny days in the mid-20s Celsius, low humidity, and fewer tourists than in January or July. Streets are manageable, and the city feels less oppressive.
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.