Your stay — Espada Hostal
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The Property — Espada Hostal
The Espada Hostal in Havana offers a warm and intimate atmosphere, with its colonial-style architecture and modest decor reflecting the city's rich history. Standing in the lobby, you feel the weight of tradition and simplicity, making it suitable for travellers seeking an authentic Cuban experience without the frills. This 3-star hostal is ideal for independent travellers and those on a budget who want to be close to the action in Old Havana. Its unassuming nature and lack of fancy amenities make it a great choice for those who prioritize location and cultural immersion over luxury.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by the Spanish and has since evolved into a city with a unique blend of colonial, art deco, and socialist architectural styles. The city's historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features colourful buildings, lively plazas, and a rich cultural heritage. Havana's contemporary identity is shaped by its Afro-Cuban roots, revolutionary history, and resilient people. The city is home to numerous museums, galleries, and performance venues, showcasing its vibrant music and art scenes. From the Malecon seawall to the bustling streets of Centro Habana, Havana's eclectic mix of old and new makes it a fascinating destination.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
The best months to visit Havana are December, January, and February, when the weather is dry and mild, with average temperatures ranging from 22 to 25 degrees Celsius, making it ideal for exploring the city on foot. These months offer a great balance of pleasant weather and manageable crowds, allowing visitors to enjoy the city's attractions without the chaos of peak season.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak season in Havana, with the city hosting various festivals and events, including the Havana Carnival, which drives up hotel prices and attracts large crowds. During this time, hotel rates can increase by up to 50%, and popular attractions can get very busy.
Budget shoulder season
The best budget months to visit Havana are April, May, and June, when the weather is still pleasant, but the crowds are smaller, and hotel prices are lower. These months offer a great opportunity to explore the city without breaking the bank.
Weather & packing
Havana's climate is characterized by a wet and dry season, with most of the rainfall occurring between May and October. When packing for Havana, be sure to include lightweight and breathable clothing, as well as a waterproof jacket or umbrella to prepare for sudden rain showers.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- The Havana Metro bus system has recently expanded its routes, making it easier for visitors to get around the city. The famous El Malecon seawall is currently undergoing renovations, but it's still possible to walk along the waterfront and enjoy the views. The 2026 Havana Jazz Festival is scheduled to take place in December, featuring performances by local and international musicians, and is expected to attract large crowds.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Espada Hostal, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (3rd or 4th) to minimize potential street noise from Calle Espada. The hotel serves all floors with a lift, making it easy to access rooms on higher floors.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the main door, as they may receive more foot traffic and noise from the street.
Best views
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on Calle Espada does not offer any notable views of the surrounding area, as the street is lined with buildings and the hotel is situated in a urban context.
Quietest floors
2nd-4th floors are likely to be the quietest due to their distance from the street and lift
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for some street noise, especially from the sounds of cars, vendors, and pedestrians on Calle Espada, which is a lively and busy street in the heart of Havana.
Insider tips
When arriving at the hotel, use the main door's wheelchair-accessible entry point, and take the lift to your desired floor. The staff may not always be available to assist with luggage, so it's best to plan ahead and bring a portable luggage cart. If you plan to rent a car, be aware that the nearest public car park at Calle San Rafael charges 5 CUC per night, and there is no on-site parking available at the hotel.
- 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 — Espada Hostal
free in lobby and rooms, 1 Mbps speed, login required with room number and surname
serves all floors, no stairs-only sections
complimentary digital newsstand via hotel wifi, physical papers available at reception
14:00-23:00, early bag-drop from 10:00, late check-out fee 10 CUC per hour until 18:00
available from 08:00 to 20:00, 5 CUC per bag
step-free access to lobby and ground floor rooms, wheelchair entry via main door, no structural limitations
no on-site parking, nearest public car park at Calle San Rafael, 5 CUC per night, no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10 CUC per person per night
Deposit & card hold: 20 CUC advance deposit + 20 CUC incidental card hold 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)
You can exchange currency at banks or currency exchange offices (cámaras) in Havana, but rates are often poor at the airport. Consider using an ATM to get the best rates.
Credit and debit cards are not widely accepted, but some hotels and tourist establishments accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Mobile payments are not common.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated for good service. 1-2 CUP is sufficient for taxi drivers and 5-10 CUP for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical coffee costs around 5-10 CUP at a local café or street vendor.
You can find a sandwich or light meal at a local paladar for around 10-15 CUP.
A main course at a paladar costs around 20-30 CUP.
Street food is common in the Malecón and Plaza Vieja areas.
The closest supermarket to Havana is the Mercado de San José.
You can find affordable clothing at the Mercado de San José or local markets like the one in Plaza Vieja.
A single bus ticket costs 0.40 CUP, and a day pass is not available. From the airport, take the bus (0.40 CUP) or a taxi (20-25 CUP).
Avoid exchanging money at the airport or tourist areas, as the rates are poor.Use Cuban Pesos (CUP) instead of Convertible Pesos (CUC) to get a better exchange rate.Eat at local paladares or street food stalls for affordable meals.
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 Espada Hostal
🕒 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Espada Hostal?
Request a room on a higher floor (3rd or 4th) to minimize potential street noise from Calle Espada. The hotel serves all floors with a lift, making it easy to access rooms on higher floors.
Which rooms should I avoid at Espada Hostal?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the main door, as they may receive more foot traffic and noise from the street.
Is Espada Hostal noisy?
Be prepared for some street noise, especially from the sounds of cars, vendors, and pedestrians on Calle Espada, which is a lively and busy street in the heart of Havana.
Which rooms have the best views at Espada Hostal?
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on Calle Espada does not offer any notable views of the surrounding area, as the street is lined with buildings and the hotel is situated in a urban context.
What are insider tips for staying at Espada Hostal?
When arriving at the hotel, use the main door's wheelchair-accessible entry point, and take the lift to your desired floor. The staff may not always be available to assist with luggage, so it's best to plan ahead and bring a portable luggage cart. If you plan to rent a car, be aware that the nearest public car park at Calle San Rafael charges 5 CUC per night, and there is no on-site parking available at the hotel.
What time is check-in at Espada Hostal?
Check-in at Espada Hostal is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Espada Hostal have Wi-Fi?
free in lobby and rooms, 1 Mbps speed, login required with room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Espada Hostal?
10 CUC per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Espada Hostal?
You can find a sandwich or light meal at a local paladar for around 10-15 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Espada Hostal?
A single bus ticket costs 0.40 CUP, and a day pass is not available. From the airport, take the bus (0.40 CUP) or a taxi (20-25 CUP).
When is the best time to visit Havana?
The best months to visit Havana are December, January, and February, when the weather is dry and mild, with average temperatures ranging from 22 to 25 degrees Celsius, making it ideal for exploring the city on foot. These months offer a great balance of pleasant weather and manageable crowds, allowing visitors to enjoy the city's attractions without the chaos of peak season.
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.