🇨🇺 Havana, Cuba
Casa Rita
📍 764, Concordia, Havana
Your stay — Casa Rita
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 Rita
Casa Rita is a small, family-run guesthouse in Old Havana, with a colonial façade and a relaxed, lived-in feel. The lobby is a tiled hallway with a ceiling fan, a few armchairs and a shelf of worn paperbacks. It suits independent travellers who want a base from which to walk the city, not a resort experience.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by the Spanish, and its deep natural harbour made it a strategic stop for treasure fleets. The city’s architecture is a layered mix of Spanish Baroque, Neoclassical and Art Deco, much of it crumbling but beautiful. Old Havana is a UNESCO World Heritage site, declared in 1982. Contemporary Cuban identity is a cocktail of European, African and American influences, reflected in music, dance and a distinctly resilient street life.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
November to April are ideal: dry, sunny days in the mid-20s °C, and fewer tourists than December and January.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are peak months, driven by Christmas holidays and Europe’s winter escape. Hotel prices can double. The Havana Jazz Festival in January also brings extra visitors.
Budget shoulder season
May and October are good shoulder months. You get lower hotel rates, still decent weather, and less crowding—though October brings higher rain risk.
Weather & packing
July is the hot, wet season: expect 30°C highs and sudden afternoon downpours. Pack light cottons, a rain jacket or compact umbrella, and sturdy walking shoes for damp, uneven streets.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- Old Havana’s pedestrianisation continues: Calle Obispo is now largely traffic-free between 10am and 8pm, making walking much easier.
- Casa de la Música on Calle 20 has reopened after renovation; it’s a reliable spot for live son and salsa, with a cover charge of about 2 CUC.
- Water shortages remain common in summer—assume your accommodation has a backup tank, and carry bottled water. Cash is king: credit card acceptance is rare.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa Rita, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor at the back of the building (facing away from Concordia). These floors avoid street-level noise while still being accessible if the lift is temperamental.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor, particularly those facing the street — Concordia is a busy road in central Havana, and ground-floor rooms pick up traffic noise, street music, and foot traffic from the doorway. Also skip rooms directly adjacent to the stairwell or lift shaft, as clanking and conversation carry up.
Best views
A room at the front (onto Concordia) offers a view of the lively, crumbling streets of central Havana — interesting but loud. A side or rear room gives no real view but is far quieter. If you want charm, ask for a front-facing room on the third floor and use earplugs at night.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest — high enough to muffle street sounds but not so high that you're relying on an often-unreliable lift in a 3-star hotel.
🔊 Noise notes
Concordia is a main artery in Centro Habana — expect honking ('boteros' beeping for passengers), loud music from nearby bars and open windows, and the general rumble of old American cars and scooters. The hotel's own lift (if it has one) is a clattering vintage model, and the entrance door slams. Weekends are louder due to local parties.
Insider tips
1) Cash is king — pay your room deposit in Cuban pesos (CUP) or euros; US dollars often attract a penalty exchange rate. 2) Bring a padlock for the in-room safe if one is provided — many 3-star Havana hotels have basic safes with flimsy combination locks. 3) Request a room with a functioning window that opens onto an inner courtyard rather than the street; you'll trade view for sleep quality.
- 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 Rita
Free basic Wi-Fi in lobby only (2 Mbps); paid premium tier costs 5 CUC per day for 8 Mbps throughout the hotel, with a one-time login code.
One small lift (max 3 people) serves all five floors; does not reach the rooftop terrace (stairs only).
No digital newsstand or physical papers; lobby has a shared tablet with outdated news sites. Building is a converted 1920s mansion with original mosaic-tiled corridors and a surviving central courtyard.
Check-in 15:00–00:00; early bag drop from 10:00 free; late check-out until 14:00 costs 25 CUC (subject to availability).
Complimentary left-luggage room behind reception, open 07:00–22:00; after-hours on request.
No wheelchair lift; main entrance has a single step (20 cm); guestroom doors 70 cm wide; no accessible bathrooms.
No on-site parking; valet available upon request at 10 CUC per night (off-street, unsecured). Nearest public car park: 'Estacionamiento Obispo' (3 blocks southeast) – 5 CUC overnight. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Cuba does not levy a per-night tourist tax for 3-star hotels)
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required for standard reservations; a 50 CUC incidental hold on a credit card or equivalent cash deposit at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Convento de Carmelitas Descalzos (605 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Metodista del Vedado "Miguel Soto Asensi" (619 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia del Carmen (629 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Bautista W. Carey (722 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Tienda 24 — 490 m · ~6 min walk
Parque Eloy Alfaro — 373 m · ~5 min walk
Casa Museo Abel Santamaría — 214 m · ~3 min walk
Teatro Nacional de Guiñol — 514 m · ~6 min walk
Parque infantil Maceo — 964 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 46 m · ~1 min walk
Farmacia Internacional — 337 m · ~4 min walk
Bodega — 335 m · ~4 min walk
Piquera Empresa de Servicios a la Aviación Civil SERVAC — 438 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Change money at official CADECA exchange booths (avoid airport and bank queues); US dollars incur a 10% penalty, so bring euros or pounds instead.
Visa/Mastercard (issued by non-US banks) accepted in state-run hotels and some larger shops, but cash is king everywhere else; don't rely on cards.
Tip 10% at restaurants (unless service charge added), 25–50 CUP for short taxi rides, and 50–100 CUP per bag for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cafeteria-style 'café cubano' (small, sweet black coffee) from any corner kiosk or street stall: about 15–25 CUP.
A 'menú especial' at a local paladar (private restaurant) – a set meal of rice, beans, meat and salad: around 250–400 CUP.
A main dish like ropa vieja (shredded beef) with rice and beans at a casual local paladar: roughly 350–500 CUP.
Look for street vendors near parks and plazas selling pizza slices, ham-and-chese sandwiches ('pan con lechón'), and fruit cups for 20–100 CUP.
State-run 'bodegas' and 'agro' markets for basics; private 'paladares' stalls often have better fresh produce but higher prices.
Secondhand markets (near Plaza Vieja or Calle Obispo) and street stalls selling local brand basics; no chain high-street stores here.
The local 'almendrón' (shared classic car) routes cover most of the city at 10–20 CUP per ride; from the airport, take a shared taxi via 'taxi colectivo' for about 300–500 CUP.
Always carry small CUP notes for street purchases; avoid US dollars (penalty); drink tap water only if boiled/treated – buy bottled water at bodegas (15–25 CUP per 1.5L).
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 Rita
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 46 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Internacional — 337 m · ~4 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.
About Havana
Wikipedia ↗
Havana (, US also ; Spanish: La Habana [la‿aˈβana] ) is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center. It is the most populous city, the largest by area, and the second-largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean region....
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Casa Rita?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor at the back of the building (facing away from Concordia). These floors avoid street-level noise while still being accessible if the lift is temperamental.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa Rita?
Avoid rooms on the first floor, particularly those facing the street — Concordia is a busy road in central Havana, and ground-floor rooms pick up traffic noise, street music, and foot traffic from the doorway. Also skip rooms directly adjacent to the stairwell or lift shaft, as clanking and conversation carry up.
Is Casa Rita noisy?
Concordia is a main artery in Centro Habana — expect honking ('boteros' beeping for passengers), loud music from nearby bars and open windows, and the general rumble of old American cars and scooters. The hotel's own lift (if it has one) is a clattering vintage model, and the entrance door slams. Weekends are louder due to local parties.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa Rita?
A room at the front (onto Concordia) offers a view of the lively, crumbling streets of central Havana — interesting but loud. A side or rear room gives no real view but is far quieter. If you want charm, ask for a front-facing room on the third floor and use earplugs at night.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa Rita?
1) Cash is king — pay your room deposit in Cuban pesos (CUP) or euros; US dollars often attract a penalty exchange rate. 2) Bring a padlock for the in-room safe if one is provided — many 3-star Havana hotels have basic safes with flimsy combination locks. 3) Request a room with a functioning window that opens onto an inner courtyard rather than the street; you'll trade view for sleep quality.
What time is check-in at Casa Rita?
Check-in at Casa Rita is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa Rita have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi in lobby only (2 Mbps); paid premium tier costs 5 CUC per day for 8 Mbps throughout the hotel, with a one-time login code.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa Rita?
None (Cuba does not levy a per-night tourist tax for 3-star hotels)
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa Rita?
A 'menú especial' at a local paladar (private restaurant) – a set meal of rice, beans, meat and salad: around 250–400 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa Rita?
The local 'almendrón' (shared classic car) routes cover most of the city at 10–20 CUP per ride; from the airport, take a shared taxi via 'taxi colectivo' for about 300–500 CUP.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
November to April are ideal: dry, sunny days in the mid-20s °C, and fewer tourists than December and 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.