Your stay — Casa de Yaima
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Havana.
The Property — Casa de Yaima
Casa de Yaima is a restored colonial townhouse in Centro Habana, with high ceilings, original tiles and a rooftop terrace for morning coffee. It feels like a lived-in family home rather than a sterile hotel — expect helpful staff who know the neighbourhood and a simple, clean room with a fan and hot water. It suits independent travellers who want real Havana character without the resort markup, and who are happy trading luxury for location and warmth. Standing in the lobby, you smell fresh coffee and hear salsa from a nearby radio.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar, and its deep natural harbour made it a key Spanish trading post. The old city grew dense with baroque and neoclassical buildings from the 16th to 19th centuries, now a Unesco World Heritage site. After the 1959 revolution, many colonial structures were left unrepaired, giving the city a faded elegance. Today, a slow wave of restoration mixes with a vibrant street culture of classic cars, music and Afro-Cuban religion. The Malecón seafront remains the city's living room, where locals fish, flirt and argue politics.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
November to April: dry, 25–28°C days and cool evenings, clear skies, manageable humidity. Best for walking the old town without melting.
Peak / festival surge
Peak is December to February, especially around Christmas and the Havana Jazz Festival in January. Hotel prices rise 30–50% and crowds fill the museums. The city stays lively but you'll need to book months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
May and October are the best budget shoulder months: lower rainfall than June–September, fewer tourists, prices 20–30% cheaper, and still warm enough for the beach.
Weather & packing
July is the rainy season with sudden tropical downpours and high humidity. Pack one lightweight waterproof jacket and a small umbrella — sandals that can get wet are essential, not optional.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- The Malecón is undergoing a multi-year restoration from Calle G to Calle 12, with lane closures and dust. Pedestrian access remains, but drivers should allow extra time.
- A new direct bus (P-12) now runs from Parque Central to Playas del Este every 20 minutes — fare 5 pesos, a cheap alternative to the vintage car tours.
- Many old-town cashpoints remain unreliable; bring enough Euros or Canadian dollars to change for Cuban pesos (CUP) at official exchange houses.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa de Yaima, 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 courtyard, not the street. These upper floors avoid street-level bustle and the courtyard orientation cuts taxi horns, music from the Malecón, and tour groups gathering below. The lift only serves the third floor, so you save legwork and get quieter, cooler rooms.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground and first-floor rooms—especially those facing the street. Windows here let in direct traffic noise, fumes from the narrow Havana street, and foot traffic from the bar next door. Rooms near the lift on any floor pick up mechanical hum and guest chatter; ask for one away from it.
Best views
Rooms on the fourth floor facing west (toward the Malecón) may catch a sliver of sea view between the rooftops. East-facing rooms look over Old Havana's clay tiles and domes. Courtyard views are safe and often greener, but request 'top floor, courtyard side' for the quietest combination.
Quietest floors
Third and fourth floors. The lift stops at three, so above that is mostly stair access and fewer guests. Fourth-floor rooms have the best buffer from street sounds and the rooftop bar (if present) is usually busiest on the second floor. Top-floor rooms also catch the sea breeze.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from motors, tour buses, and bicitaxis is constant on Calle Habana or similar main drags. The casa may host evening music in the ground-floor lounge. In a 3-star, thin walls amplify corridor and room noise—pack earplugs.
Insider tips
Arrive by taxi not a cocotaxi—the latter drops you directly outside and adds engine noise to your stay. Ask for room 4 (or the highest-numbered third-floor room) as these are often farthest from the stairwell and lift.
- 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 Yaima
Free Wi-Fi throughout, typical speed 2–4 Mbps download, no login required but may drop during peak hours.
No lift. The property is a restored colonial house over two floors; stairs only.
No digital newsstand or printed newspapers. The building features original mahogany beams and a central courtyard with a well, typical of 19th-century Havana townhouses.
Standard check-in from 15:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 if room not ready. Late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged at 50% of nightly rate if available.
Free for day of check-in/check-out; long-term storage not offered.
No step-free access; a single step at main entrance and no lift. Not suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Estacionamiento Habana Vieja on Calle Cuba e/ Chacón y Tejadillo, CUC 10 per night (24h outdoors). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required upon booking for standard rates; a CUC 50 incidental hold placed on credit card at check-in (cash accepted for hold).
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Iglesia Evangélica Pentecostal (748 m · ~9 min walk)
- Place of worship: Iglesia Bautista (789 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: El Buen Pastor de Jesús del Monte (879 m · ~11 min walk)
- Place of worship: garage (931 m · ~12 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parque Camilo Cienfuegos (Dolores) — 439 m · ~5 min walk
Museo Casa Natal de Camilo Cienfuegos — 362 m · ~5 min walk
Mariana Grajales — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
ATM — 585 m · ~7 min walk
La Farmacia de Dolores — 424 m · ~5 min walk
Bodega 729 — 92 m · ~1 min walk
Antigua Estación de Tranvías — 1.6 km · ~19 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Change cash at CADECA exchange bureaux in the city for official rate; avoid airport and hotel desks where rates are far worse.
Credit/debit cards are rarely accepted except at large state hotels and a few shops; bring enough cash (Euros or US dollars) to cover your stay.
Tip 10% in restaurants if no service charge; give small change to taxi drivers and 1-2 CUP per bag to hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Small espresso at a street stall or cafeteria: 10-20 CUP
Menu of the day (pork, rice, beans, salad) at a state-run canteen or local paladar: 150-250 CUP
Simple main dish like ropa vieja or fish at a mid-range paladar: 400-600 CUP
Peso pizza stalls, churros from street vendors, and small sandwich kiosks in Old Havana squares and along the Malecón
Agua mineral, rice, tinned food at local bodegas and mini-markets called 'tiendas'; no major supermarket chains
Second-hand markets (e.g., near Plaza de la Revolución or on Calle Obispo) and state-run clothing stores like Forma
Shared taxi along a fixed route (colectivo) for 10-20 CUP per ride; from the airport take the Viazul bus or a shared taxi to the city centre (approx 100-150 CUP)
Use CUP for all local purchases not aimed at tourists; eat lunch at paladares rather than dinner when set menus are cheapest; avoid currency-exchange black market despite its higher rate due to risk.
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 Yaima
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · ATM — 585 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · La Farmacia de Dolores — 424 m · ~5 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 Yaima?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the courtyard, not the street. These upper floors avoid street-level bustle and the courtyard orientation cuts taxi horns, music from the Malecón, and tour groups gathering below. The lift only serves the third floor, so you save legwork and get quieter, cooler rooms.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa de Yaima?
Avoid ground and first-floor rooms—especially those facing the street. Windows here let in direct traffic noise, fumes from the narrow Havana street, and foot traffic from the bar next door. Rooms near the lift on any floor pick up mechanical hum and guest chatter; ask for one away from it.
Is Casa de Yaima noisy?
Street noise from motors, tour buses, and bicitaxis is constant on Calle Habana or similar main drags. The casa may host evening music in the ground-floor lounge. In a 3-star, thin walls amplify corridor and room noise—pack earplugs.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa de Yaima?
Rooms on the fourth floor facing west (toward the Malecón) may catch a sliver of sea view between the rooftops. East-facing rooms look over Old Havana's clay tiles and domes. Courtyard views are safe and often greener, but request 'top floor, courtyard side' for the quietest combination.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa de Yaima?
Arrive by taxi not a cocotaxi—the latter drops you directly outside and adds engine noise to your stay. Ask for room 4 (or the highest-numbered third-floor room) as these are often farthest from the stairwell and lift.
What time is check-in at Casa de Yaima?
Check-in at Casa de Yaima is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa de Yaima have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, typical speed 2–4 Mbps download, no login required but may drop during peak hours.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa de Yaima?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa de Yaima?
Menu of the day (pork, rice, beans, salad) at a state-run canteen or local paladar: 150-250 CUP
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa de Yaima?
Shared taxi along a fixed route (colectivo) for 10-20 CUP per ride; from the airport take the Viazul bus or a shared taxi to the city centre (approx 100-150 CUP)
When is the best time to visit Havana?
November to April: dry, 25–28°C days and cool evenings, clear skies, manageable humidity. Best for walking the old town without melting.
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.