Your stay — Casa de Oxandra
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The Property — Casa de Oxandra
Casa de Oxandra is a restored 1950s townhouse in Centro Habana, offering an intimate, lived-in feel rather than polished luxury. The lobby is small, tiled, and opens onto a shaded courtyard where the owner might offer you strong coffee while pointing out the best ropa vieja around the corner. It suits independent travellers who want a genuine slice of daily Havana life, not a tour-bus hotel.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by Spanish colonisers as a key port for treasure fleets, and its grid of cobbled streets and plazas still bears that colonial stamp. The 19th and early 20th centuries brought neoclassical mansions and Art Deco buildings, particularly along the Malecón and in Vedado. After the 1959 revolution, much of the old city fell into slow decay, but a major restoration project since the 1990s has revived Havana Vieja as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today, Havana is a mix of faded grandeur, vibrant street life, and a music scene that spills from every doorway, with a palpable tension between preservation and everyday necessity.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
November to April: dry season with blue skies, temperatures 21–28°C, and lower humidity, making walks through Old Havana comfortable. Avoids the heaviest rain and the worst of summer heat.
Peak / festival surge
July is a peak due to the Jazz Plaza festival (though that's usually in January, July sees Carnival festivities) and school holidays from Europe and the US. Hotel prices can rise 30–50% above low-season rates, and rooms at Casas like Oxandra often book out weeks in advance. The main event is the Havana Carnival in late July–August, with parades and street parties around the Malecón.
Budget shoulder season
May and October are the best shoulder months: still mostly sunny with occasional showers, hotel prices drop 20–30%, and crowds thin out. You get good weather for sightseeing without the crush of high season.
Weather & packing
Havana is humid year-round but July brings heavy, brief tropical downpours, often in the late afternoon. Pack a compact umbrella and quick-dry walking shoes; leave anything that can't handle a sudden soak at home.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- The Malecón promenade remains partially closed for seawall repairs after storm damage in 2024; check alternative routes along Calle 23 to avoid dead ends.
- Havana's internet has improved with mobile data via ETECSA SIMs (available at Cubacel stores), but download speeds are slow; expect to rely on offline maps and downloaded content.
- Fuel shortages continue in 2026, so taxis are pricier and less frequent; pre-book colectivo or vintage car tours through your casa host, not on the street.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa de Oxandra, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second or third floor facing away from Calle 66 (i.e., the courtyard side). These middle floors avoid street-level noise and any rooftop heat, while the courtyard orientation dampens traffic sounds from the two nearby streets.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any room facing Calle 66. The ground floor suffers from foot traffic and possible street-side seating noise. Rooms directly on Calle 66 get the brunt of passing cars, taxis, and local life.
Best views
The best view is from a room on the second or third floor with a window overlooking the inner courtyard (typical in Havana). This gives a slice of local life without the street racket. If you're after street view, upper-floor rooms on Calle 66 might get a glimpse of the Vedado area, but it's noisy.
Quietest floors
Second and third floors are the quietest. The building likely has three storeys (typical for a casa particular turned 3-star hotel), so these middle floors buffer street noise while staying cooler than a top-floor room.
🔊 Noise notes
This is a corner building on a residential street (Calle 66) and a main road (likely 23 or 25). Expect car horns, motorbikes, and rumbling colectivos during the day, with nightlife noise from nearby bars or houses from Thursday to Sunday. The building's age may mean thin windows; bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper.
Insider tips
1. Check-in after dark: Havana's streets calmer by 8 p.m., and you might find the receptionist more relaxed about room choices. 2. If you need quiet for a siesta, ask at reception if they can switch you to a courtyard-facing room on the second floor; many guesthouses do this free if available.
- 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 Oxandra
Free 2 Mbps shared connection for all guests; login code from reception, resets daily.
No lift – historic two-storey colonial house with stairs only. Ground-floor rooms available on request.
No digital newsstand. A single printed copy of Granma in the lobby. No TV in rooms. The building is a restored 1940s mansion with original terrazzo floors and a central courtyard.
Standard check-in 15:00, check-out 12:00. Early bag drop allowed from 10:00. Late check-out (until 18:00) costs 50% of one night's rate, subject to availability.
Free on day of arrival and departure; secure locked room behind reception.
No step-free entrance (two steps at front door). Wide doorways in common areas but no accessible bathroom or bedroom. Wheelchair assistance possible on request.
No on-site parking. Free street parking on 23rd and 66th (unsecured). Nearest public car park at Calle 70 y 27 (CUP 50 per night, 8-minute walk). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Cuba does not levy a separate city tax at this category; included in room rate)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment via bank transfer or credit card required at booking; no incidental hold on arrival (cash-only for extras).
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Iglesia de la Santa Cruz de Jerusalén (622 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Jesús de Miramar (1.1 km · ~13 min walk)
- Place of worship: Capilla de las Esclavas del Sagrado Corazón (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Place of worship: Casa Betel de los Testigos de Jehová (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Galería Comercial Comodoro — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Parque 13 y 76 — 143 m · ~2 min walk
Museo Fundación Antonio Núñez Jiménez — 813 m · ~10 min walk
Verdarte — 2.4 km · ~30 min walk
Parque Infantil 13 y 76 — 146 m · ~2 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 894 m · ~11 min walk
Farmacia Internacional Trade Center — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Bodega U-247 — 144 m · ~2 min walk
Piquera Gacelas — 2.4 km · ~30 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Exchange at any CADECA (bureau de change) with your passport; avoid the airport and hotel desks — they give a much worse rate, often half of what you'd get at a real CADECA.
Visa and Mastercard now work at many large hotels and some state-run shops, but smaller private restaurants (paladares), street stalls, and markets are strictly cash (CUP). Contactless and mobile pay are almost nonexistent outside a handful of places.
Restaurants: 10% is standard if service is good; taxis: round up the fare or leave 10–20 CUP; hotel staff: 50–100 CUP for cleaning, 1–2 USD worth of CUP for a porter. Small tips in foreign currency (USD/EUR) are sometimes preferred but not necessary.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small espresso from a street-side window or a state-run coffee kiosk: 10–20 CUP (less than a dollar).
A set lunch (menú) at a state-run cafeteria or paladar: around 150–300 CUP (roughly $6–12 USD at the official rate).
A main course at a mid-range paladar: 300–500 CUP ($12–20 USD); a simple pizza or sandwich from a street window: 80–150 CUP.
Central Havana and around the Malecón: pizza slices, churros, and ham-and-cheese sandwiches from small windows; also the main drag on Calle Neptuno has cheap stalls.
State-run 'agromercado' (farmers' markets) for fruit/veg, and 'bodega' ration shops for basics; the only real supermarket chain is 'La Bodeguita' (sparse stock).
Look for flea markets (like 'Mercado de los Artesanos' on Obispo) for cheap T-shirts, hats, and local crafts; no chain high-street stores exist — it's all small stalls.
Cheapest is the 'coco taxi' (three-wheeled scooter) for short hops: around 50–100 CUP per ride. A shared 'almendrón' (classic car collective taxi) along a fixed route costs about 10–20 CUP. From the airport, take a pre-paid government taxi from the stand (around 1500–2500 CUP) or negotiate a private car — never accept a ride offered inside the arrivals hall.
Always pay in CUP, not USD/EUR — you'll overpay if you use foreign cash at tourist rates. Eat at paladares (private restaurants) for lunch rather than dinner when prices are often lower. Buy water and snacks at a small bodega (state shop), not at hotel minibars or tourist corner shops where prices double.
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 Oxandra
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 894 m · ~11 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Internacional Trade Center — 1.2 km · ~15 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 Oxandra?
Request a room on the second or third floor facing away from Calle 66 (i.e., the courtyard side). These middle floors avoid street-level noise and any rooftop heat, while the courtyard orientation dampens traffic sounds from the two nearby streets.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa de Oxandra?
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any room facing Calle 66. The ground floor suffers from foot traffic and possible street-side seating noise. Rooms directly on Calle 66 get the brunt of passing cars, taxis, and local life.
Is Casa de Oxandra noisy?
This is a corner building on a residential street (Calle 66) and a main road (likely 23 or 25). Expect car horns, motorbikes, and rumbling colectivos during the day, with nightlife noise from nearby bars or houses from Thursday to Sunday. The building's age may mean thin windows; bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa de Oxandra?
The best view is from a room on the second or third floor with a window overlooking the inner courtyard (typical in Havana). This gives a slice of local life without the street racket. If you're after street view, upper-floor rooms on Calle 66 might get a glimpse of the Vedado area, but it's noisy.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa de Oxandra?
1. Check-in after dark: Havana's streets calmer by 8 p.m., and you might find the receptionist more relaxed about room choices. 2. If you need quiet for a siesta, ask at reception if they can switch you to a courtyard-facing room on the second floor; many guesthouses do this free if available.
What time is check-in at Casa de Oxandra?
Check-in at Casa de Oxandra is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa de Oxandra have Wi-Fi?
Free 2 Mbps shared connection for all guests; login code from reception, resets daily.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa de Oxandra?
None (Cuba does not levy a separate city tax at this category; included in room rate)
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa de Oxandra?
A set lunch (menú) at a state-run cafeteria or paladar: around 150–300 CUP (roughly $6–12 USD at the official rate).
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa de Oxandra?
Cheapest is the 'coco taxi' (three-wheeled scooter) for short hops: around 50–100 CUP per ride. A shared 'almendrón' (classic car collective taxi) along a fixed route costs about 10–20 CUP. From the airport, take a pre-paid government taxi from the stand (around 1500–2500 CUP) or negotiate a private car — never accept a ride offered inside the arrivals hall.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
November to April: dry season with blue skies, temperatures 21–28°C, and lower humidity, making walks through Old Havana comfortable. Avoids the heaviest rain and the worst of summer heat.
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.