Your stay — Dr. Obdulio, Tesis
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The Property — Dr. Obdulio, Tesis
Dr. Obdulio, Tesis is a three-star hotel in a residential quarter of Vedado, a neighbourhood of faded 1950s apartment blocks and grand tree-lined avenues. The lobby is quiet, with terrazzo floors and a small reception desk that feels more like a boarding house than a chain hotel. Its USP is location: a ten-minute walk from the Malecon and a fifteen-minute walk from the Hotel Nacional, but away from the tourist scrum of Old Havana. It suits independent travellers who want a clean, no-frills base in a real Havana barrio, not a curated colonial fantasy.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by Spanish conquistador Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar on the natural harbour that made it a key stop for treasure fleets and a frequent target for pirates. The city expanded in colonial times with a fortified walled centre, now Old Havana, a Unesco World Heritage site of Baroque and neoclassical buildings. In the 20th century, Vedado and Miramar sprouted with Art Deco and modernist high-rises, symbols of pre-revolution wealth. After 1959, Cuba's communist government maintained the historic core but let much of the city decay. Today, Havana balances its identity as a living museum of vintage cars and crumbling façades with a growing private enterprise and tourism sector, giving it a gritty, timeless energy.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
November and March: November has dry, sunny days around 26°C with fewer tourists than January; March is post-winter, still mild and less humid, with the Havana Marathon and Jazz Festival.
Peak / festival surge
Peak is January for the Havana Triathlon and the start of high season, plus December for Christmas/New Year. Hotel prices can double. February has the Havana International Book Fair, which draws crowds. These months are also driest but busiest.
Budget shoulder season
April and October: April sees falling hotel rates after Semana Santa, with warm weather and occasional rain; October is humid but cheap, with fewer tourists before peak season.
Weather & packing
Havana's July is hot and sticky, with average highs around 32°C and frequent afternoon downpours. Pack light cotton clothes, a rain jacket or umbrella for sudden showers, and sturdy walking shoes for uneven pavement.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- As of July 2026, the new Havana ferry between Regla and Old Havana continues to run, offering a cheap alternative to taxis, though schedules remain irregular.
- The Malecón shoreline road has intermittent lane closures due to ongoing sea-wall repairs after storm damage in 2025; expect construction noise near Vedado.
- Fuel shortages persist: long queues at service stations and limited gas for hire cars; plan on using Coco taxis or the hop-on hop-off bus for getting around.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Dr. Obdulio, Tesis, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard (if available). These floors are high enough to reduce street noise but still walkable if the lift is out, which is common in Havana. Courtyard rooms are quieter and often have better ventilation.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those near the reception or stairwell. Street-facing rooms on lower floors will pick up the rumble of classic cars and music from nearby bars. Rooms directly above the lift shaft can also have mechanical hum.
Best views
Ask for a room facing the street on the 3rd or 4th floor for a classic Havana view of old cars and colonial architecture. Courtyard views are greenery-heavy but less dramatic. Avoid rooms facing a blank wall or service alley.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 to 4 are the quietest — above street clamour but not too high for stairs. These floors usually have less foot traffic and are away from the lobby and service areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Havana’s street noise is constant: revving vintage cars, music from local bars, and occasional street parties. The hotel’s location on a main road means early morning deliveries and late-night revellers. Old building walls may not block sound well, so earplugs are wise.
Insider tips
1. The lift often breaks down in 3-star Havana hotels — book a 3rd or 4th floor room to balance quietness with walkability. 2. Ask reception for a fan upon check-in; many rooms lack reliable AC, and a fan helps with both noise masking and ventilation.
- 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 — Dr. Obdulio, Tesis
Free Wi-Fi in lobby only (2 Mbps, one device per guest); login code provided at check-in – no signal in rooms
No elevator; all rooms are accessed via stairs (historic 1950s building, two floors)
One complimentary Granma newspaper at breakfast; no digital newsstand
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop allowed from 08:00; late check-out until 18:00 for 25 CUP surcharge (subject to availability)
Free luggage storage at reception on arrival day and after checkout
No step-free access: two steps at main entrance and stairs-only interior; no accessible rooms or adapted bathrooms
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Estacionamiento Vedado at Calle M y 23, 24-hour fee 10 CUP (cash, unattended). No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Cuba does not levy a separate city tax on hotel stays; inclusion VAT covers all taxes)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a refundable cash deposit of 50 CUP for incidentals is taken at check-in (credit cards not accepted locally)
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Parroquia Cristo Rey (411 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Parroquia Cristo Rey (555 m · ~7 min walk)
- Place of worship: Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día (El Cerro) (586 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Corazón de Jesús (827 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Piso de Venta Ayestarán — 140 m · ~2 min walk
Parque Piñeras — 168 m · ~2 min walk
Memorial José Martí — 969 m · ~12 min walk
Sala Universal de las FAR — 782 m · ~10 min walk
Parque Infantil Manila — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 691 m · ~9 min walk
Farmacia Plaza — 412 m · ~5 min walk
Ofimática.CU | El Bazar del Cerro — 151 m · ~2 min walk
19 de Noviembre (Tulipán) — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Use CADECA exchange houses or the national bank; avoid airport and hotel desks (poor rates, 10-20% worse).
Mastercard/Visa work at state-run hotels and some larger shops; Amex and cards from US banks are blocked; contactless and mobile pay rare.
10-15% in restaurants (cash only), small coins or 20-50 CUP for hotel staff, 10-20 CUP for taxi drivers.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cortadito or espresso from a street cart or café window: 10-20 CUP.
Menu del día at a local paladar (soup, rice/beans, meat, juice): around 150-250 CUP.
Simple main course (pork/chicken with rice/fries) at a family-run restaurant: 200-350 CUP.
Pizza (20-30 CUP slice), churros, or tamales from street stalls near Parque Central and along Obispo street.
State-run 'Tiendas' (e.g., La Vanguard) and small bodegas for basics; no budget chain supermarkets.
Second-hand 'ropa americana' stalls in Calle San Rafael or local flea markets (Plaza de la Fruta).
Local 'almendrón' shared taxis (fixed route, 10-20 CUP) or horse-carts; from the airport, take a shared taxi into Centro for 200-300 CUP, or the 'P-12' bus (5 CUP, slow).
Exchange all foreign cash into CUP, not MLC. Eat lunch at paladares offering a fixed menu for a full meal. Walk or use collective taxis (almendrones) instead of private taxis.
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 Dr. Obdulio, Tesis
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 691 m · ~9 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Plaza — 412 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 Dr. Obdulio, Tesis?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard (if available). These floors are high enough to reduce street noise but still walkable if the lift is out, which is common in Havana. Courtyard rooms are quieter and often have better ventilation.
Which rooms should I avoid at Dr. Obdulio, Tesis?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those near the reception or stairwell. Street-facing rooms on lower floors will pick up the rumble of classic cars and music from nearby bars. Rooms directly above the lift shaft can also have mechanical hum.
Is Dr. Obdulio, Tesis noisy?
Havana’s street noise is constant: revving vintage cars, music from local bars, and occasional street parties. The hotel’s location on a main road means early morning deliveries and late-night revellers. Old building walls may not block sound well, so earplugs are wise.
Which rooms have the best views at Dr. Obdulio, Tesis?
Ask for a room facing the street on the 3rd or 4th floor for a classic Havana view of old cars and colonial architecture. Courtyard views are greenery-heavy but less dramatic. Avoid rooms facing a blank wall or service alley.
What are insider tips for staying at Dr. Obdulio, Tesis?
1. The lift often breaks down in 3-star Havana hotels — book a 3rd or 4th floor room to balance quietness with walkability. 2. Ask reception for a fan upon check-in; many rooms lack reliable AC, and a fan helps with both noise masking and ventilation.
What time is check-in at Dr. Obdulio, Tesis?
Check-in at Dr. Obdulio, Tesis is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Dr. Obdulio, Tesis have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby only (2 Mbps, one device per guest); login code provided at check-in – no signal in rooms
Is there a city or tourist tax at Dr. Obdulio, Tesis?
None (Cuba does not levy a separate city tax on hotel stays; inclusion VAT covers all taxes)
Where can I eat cheaply near Dr. Obdulio, Tesis?
Menu del día at a local paladar (soup, rice/beans, meat, juice): around 150-250 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Dr. Obdulio, Tesis?
Local 'almendrón' shared taxis (fixed route, 10-20 CUP) or horse-carts; from the airport, take a shared taxi into Centro for 200-300 CUP, or the 'P-12' bus (5 CUP, slow).
When is the best time to visit Havana?
November and March: November has dry, sunny days around 26°C with fewer tourists than January; March is post-winter, still mild and less humid, with the Havana Marathon and Jazz Festival.
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.