Your stay — Hotel Palco
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Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Palco, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Rooms on higher floors (4th and 5th floor) are recommended due to reduced street noise from Calle Galiano, which is a busy street in Havana. Additionally, these rooms tend to have better natural light and a more pleasant view of the surrounding area.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms near the lift (elevator) on lower floors (1st to 3rd floor) might be noisier due to frequent use, especially during peak hours.
Best views
East-facing rooms on the 4th and 5th floor offer a nice view of the city, while west-facing rooms might face a wall or the hotel's internal courtyard.
Quietest floors
4th and 5th floor
🔊 Noise notes
Guests may be disturbed by street noise from Calle Galiano, especially at night and early morning. The hotel's location in Havana means there may be some background noise from the city.
Insider tips
Be prepared for the hotel's service entrance being a common area for locals and guests, which can lead to some activity and noise around the hotel's rear. Request a room with a safe, as it's not a standard feature in all rooms, and it's a convenient way to store valuables.
- 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 — Hotel Palco
Free access to a single tier with speeds up to 10 Mbps, login via room key card
Elevators serve all floors, but please note that the hotel's historic building has a few stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital newsstand through PressReader, and a selection of physical newspapers available at the lobby
Check-in from 14:00, early bag-drop available from 06:00, late check-out until 12:00 (CUC 20 extra)
Limited free storage available at the front desk, extra storage CUC 5 per bag per day
Step-free access to the main entrance, wheelchair accessible rooms available upon request, but please note that the hotel's colonial architecture has some structural limitations
On-site parking available for CUC 10 per night, nearest public car park CUC 3 per hour, and free EV charging available at the rear of the hotel
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CUC 5 per person per night (CUC = Cuban Convertible Peso)
Deposit & card hold: Advance payment of 50% at booking, with the remaining 50% due upon arrival, and an incidental card hold of CUC 200
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia Corpus Christi (198 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de Santo Tomás de Villanueva y San Charbel (1.1 km · ~13 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Bautista Bethel (1.4 km · ~18 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Náutico — 781 m · ~10 min walk
Parque Náutico — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Museo Orgánico de Romerillo — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
Palacio de las Convenciones — 245 m · ~3 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 864 m · ~11 min walk
Farmacia Productos Naturales — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Terminal de guaguas de Playa 8-69-92-191-192-193-420-A91-A93-A97 — 500 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Exchange CUC at Cadeca currency exchange offices or banks, but be aware that airport rates may be poor. Caution: some places may not accept CUC, so it's best to exchange for CUP instead.
Credit cards like Mastercard and Visa are accepted in most tourist areas, but contactless payments are rare. Mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay are not widely accepted.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated (5-10 CUP for good service), especially in restaurants and bars. Hotel staff may also appreciate small tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →You can find a strong coffee for around 1-2 CUP at a local café.
A plate of rice, beans, and chicken or pork can be found for around 10-15 CUP at a street food stall.
A meal at a paladar (private restaurant) can cost around 20-30 CUP for a main course.
Street food is abundant in the Havana neighborhood, especially in the Malecón and Callejón de Loyola areas.
You can find basic groceries at local markets like Mercado Agroalimentario or at smaller shops like SP-10.
Affordable clothing can be found at markets like the local flea market or at smaller shops along Calle Obispo.
A single ride on a public bus costs 0.40 CUP, or you can buy a day pass for 5 CUP. From the airport, the best option is to take a taxi (around 25 CUC) or a bus (around 2-3 CUC) to the city center.
Try to exchange money at Cadeca offices or banks instead of at airports or tourist areas.Avoid exchanging money on the street or with unofficial vendors.Consider purchasing a local SIM card or portable Wi-Fi hotspot for data and calls.
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 Hotel Palco
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 864 m · ~11 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Productos Naturales — 1.6 km · ~20 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 Hotel Palco?
Rooms on higher floors (4th and 5th floor) are recommended due to reduced street noise from Calle Galiano, which is a busy street in Havana. Additionally, these rooms tend to have better natural light and a more pleasant view of the surrounding area.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Palco?
Rooms near the lift (elevator) on lower floors (1st to 3rd floor) might be noisier due to frequent use, especially during peak hours.
Is Hotel Palco noisy?
Guests may be disturbed by street noise from Calle Galiano, especially at night and early morning. The hotel's location in Havana means there may be some background noise from the city.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Palco?
East-facing rooms on the 4th and 5th floor offer a nice view of the city, while west-facing rooms might face a wall or the hotel's internal courtyard.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Palco?
Be prepared for the hotel's service entrance being a common area for locals and guests, which can lead to some activity and noise around the hotel's rear. Request a room with a safe, as it's not a standard feature in all rooms, and it's a convenient way to store valuables.
What time is check-in at Hotel Palco?
Check-in at Hotel Palco is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Palco have Wi-Fi?
Free access to a single tier with speeds up to 10 Mbps, login via room key card
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Palco?
CUC 5 per person per night (CUC = Cuban Convertible Peso)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Palco?
A plate of rice, beans, and chicken or pork can be found for around 10-15 CUP at a street food stall.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Palco?
A single ride on a public bus costs 0.40 CUP, or you can buy a day pass for 5 CUP. From the airport, the best option is to take a taxi (around 25 CUC) or a bus (around 2-3 CUC) to the city center.
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.