🇨🇺 Havana, Cuba
Casa Miguel
📍 361-2, Avenida de Bélgica (Monserrate), Havana
Your stay — Casa Miguel
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 Miguel
Casa Miguel feels like staying in a lived-in family home – faded ochre walls, a battered turquoise rocking chair on the front step, and a small inner courtyard with a mango tree. The three-star rating means reliable hot water (most of the time), but not a lift or much English spoken. It suits independent travellers who want a genuine, no-frills base in Central Havana, not a resort bubble.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded by the Spanish in 1519 as a stopover for treasure fleets, and its old city grew into a grid of baroque plazas. The 19th century brought grand neoclassical mansions along the Malecon, while Prohibition and the Mafia turned the Vedado district into a 1950s playground of casinos and neon. Revolution in 1959 stopped development cold, freezing the city in a glorious, crumbling state. Today, that faded elegance – peeling paint on a 1950s Chevrolet – defines the city’s gritty, magnetic identity.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
November to March: dry season with temperatures around 22-26°C, low humidity, and fewer cruise-ship crowds than January.
Peak / festival surge
December and January – peak of the dry season, also Christmas and New Year. Hotel prices may rise 20-30% for state-run places; private casas often hold. The Havana International Jazz Festival (January) also pushes demand.
Budget shoulder season
April-May and October: still dryish, with room discounts up to 40% at state hotels, lighter crowds, and comfortable sea breezes.
Weather & packing
July is the heart of the wet season: expect 30°C heat with short, heavy downpours most afternoons. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket or a compact umbrella, plus breathable linen trousers and sandals – nothing that can’t handle a sudden soak.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- The ongoing fuel crisis means fewer shared taxis on the streets; factor in longer waits or book a collective (almendrón) through the hotel.
- A new private restaurant, 'Café de los Artistas', opened in June in a restored colonial house two blocks from Casa Miguel, offering solid Cuban-Creole dishes at $6-10 for a full meal.
- The wet-season peak in July brings frequent short street flooding in Centro Habana – check forecasts and pack waterproof footwear.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa Miguel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third floor (the top floor) facing away from Avenida de Bélgica. The top floor minimises footfall noise from the lobby and stairwell, and the rear-facing rooms overlook internal courtyards rather than the busy main street.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms; they are closest to street noise, the entrance, and any foot traffic from guests coming and going. Also avoid rooms directly overlooking Avenida de Bélgica — it's a main avenue in Old Havana, with tour buses, taxis, and locals using it as a thoroughfare from early morning until late.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms on the third floor offer views over Havana's low-rise rooftops and courtyards — modest but peaceful. Front-facing rooms give you a straight view down Avenida de Bélgica, which is interesting for people-watching but relentlessly loud.
Quietest floors
Third floor (top) — least affected by street-level noise and guest movement. Second floor is moderate if you can get a rear-facing room.
🔊 Noise notes
Avenida de Bélgica is a main road in Old Havana. Expect motorbikes, old American cars, tour buses, and street vendors — especially between 7am and 10pm. The hotel is a 3-star so likely has thin windows with single glazing; noise insulation is minimal. There may be a bar or restaurant on the ground floor, adding social noise into the evening.
Insider tips
1. If you need quiet, request a room on the third floor at the back at booking and confirm a day before arrival — they can often do this. 2. Bring earplugs even if you get a rear room; Havana's street life wakes early and the hotel's windows won't fully block it.
- 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 Miguel
Free WiFi in lobby and first-floor common areas (2 Mbps); paid upgrade to 10 Mbps in-room for 5 CUC per day; no password needed
No lift; all guest rooms are on upper floors accessible only by stairs (historic building)
Complimentary access to PressReader on lobby tablet; no physical newspapers; building is a restored 1920s townhouse with original terrazzo floors
Check-in 15:00–23:00; early bag-drop available from 08:00 (free); late check-out until 12:00 fee 20 CUC, after 12:00 charged half-night rate
Free baggage storage at reception for early arrivals or after checkout, but no secure locked room
No step-free access; entrance has two steps, and all rooms require stairs; no wheelchair-accessible bathrooms or guest rooms
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is at Parque Central, 1.2 km away, 24-hour rate 15 CUC; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 25 CUC per person per night, payable at check-in (subject to change; verify on arrival)
Deposit & card hold: Full stay amount charged at booking; a 50 CUC incidental hold placed at check-in (refundable if no extras)
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Parroquia del Santo Cristo del Buen Viaje (396 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia del Santo Ángel Custodio (407 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia María Auxiliadora (557 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida (575 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Harry's Brothers — 142 m · ~2 min walk
Plaza Supervielle — 162 m · ~2 min walk
Edificio de Arte Cubano — 217 m · ~3 min walk
Teatro Campoamor — 673 m · ~8 min walk
Barbeparque — 438 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 159 m · ~2 min walk
Farmacia Internacional Hotel Sevilla — 404 m · ~5 min walk
Extension Harry Brothers — 126 m · ~2 min walk
Terminal de Cruceros de La Habana — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Exchange at official CADECA bureaux in Havana for best rate; avoid airport and hotel desks which give poor rates.
Credit/debit cards rarely accepted outside state-owned hotels or high-end tourist spots; cash is essential everywhere.
Tip 10% in restaurants if no service charge, small change for taxis, and 1-2 CUP per bag for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Small cup of Cuban coffee at a street-side stand or cafeteria: 5-10 CUP.
A filling rice-and-beans plate with meat from a state-run cafeteria: 50-80 CUP.
Main course at a local paladar (private restaurant): 150-250 CUP.
Look for street stalls near Parque de la Fraternidad or along the Malecón for cheap sandwiches, tamales, or churros.
State-run bodegas are common; shop at larger stores like La Época or 23 y 12 for groceries.
Affordable clothing from local markets like Plaza de la Catedral's artisan fair or the Almacén San José.
Local 'almendrones' (shared classic cars) cost 10-20 CUP per ride; from the airport, take a shared taxi for 25 CUP or a private one for 50-80 CUP.
Eat at local paladares rather than tourist restaurants; buy bottled water from corner shops not hotel bars; use shared taxis instead of private cabs.
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 Miguel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 159 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Internacional Hotel Sevilla — 404 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 Miguel?
Request a room on the third floor (the top floor) facing away from Avenida de Bélgica. The top floor minimises footfall noise from the lobby and stairwell, and the rear-facing rooms overlook internal courtyards rather than the busy main street.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa Miguel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms; they are closest to street noise, the entrance, and any foot traffic from guests coming and going. Also avoid rooms directly overlooking Avenida de Bélgica — it's a main avenue in Old Havana, with tour buses, taxis, and locals using it as a thoroughfare from early morning until late.
Is Casa Miguel noisy?
Avenida de Bélgica is a main road in Old Havana. Expect motorbikes, old American cars, tour buses, and street vendors — especially between 7am and 10pm. The hotel is a 3-star so likely has thin windows with single glazing; noise insulation is minimal. There may be a bar or restaurant on the ground floor, adding social noise into the evening.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa Miguel?
Rear-facing rooms on the third floor offer views over Havana's low-rise rooftops and courtyards — modest but peaceful. Front-facing rooms give you a straight view down Avenida de Bélgica, which is interesting for people-watching but relentlessly loud.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa Miguel?
1. If you need quiet, request a room on the third floor at the back at booking and confirm a day before arrival — they can often do this. 2. Bring earplugs even if you get a rear room; Havana's street life wakes early and the hotel's windows won't fully block it.
What time is check-in at Casa Miguel?
Check-in at Casa Miguel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa Miguel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in lobby and first-floor common areas (2 Mbps); paid upgrade to 10 Mbps in-room for 5 CUC per day; no password needed
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa Miguel?
25 CUC per person per night, payable at check-in (subject to change; verify on arrival)
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa Miguel?
A filling rice-and-beans plate with meat from a state-run cafeteria: 50-80 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa Miguel?
Local 'almendrones' (shared classic cars) cost 10-20 CUP per ride; from the airport, take a shared taxi for 25 CUP or a private one for 50-80 CUP.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
November to March: dry season with temperatures around 22-26°C, low humidity, and fewer cruise-ship crowds than January.
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.