Your stay — La Olímpica
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The Property — La Olímpica
La Olímpica feels like a faded time capsule from the 1950s, all terrazzo floors and rattan furniture in the lobby. A three-star that trades on location — one block from the Malecon and walking distance to Old Havana — rather than luxury. Suits budget-conscious travellers who want a clean, functional base with a dash of old-Cuban character, not a resort experience.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by Spanish conquistadors and quickly became the Caribbean’s key port for treasure fleets. Its colonial core, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a dense jumble of Baroque and neoclassical buildings, many crumbling but vivid. The Malecon, the iconic seaside promenade, was built in the early 20th century and remains the city’s social spine. Today, Havana is a contradictory mix of vintage American cars, state-run shops, and a growing private restaurant and B&B scene, all underpinned by a resilient, music-filled street life.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
December to March: dry season with temperatures 20-27°C, low rainfall, and the greatest number of cultural events. Crowds are moderate to high, especially around Christmas and New Year.
Peak / festival surge
January: Epiphany (Jan 6) and the Havana Biennial draw huge crowds. Hotel prices can double. Expect packed museums and heavy traffic in Old Havana, plus the possibility of cold fronts bringing brief rain.
Budget shoulder season
April and November: weather still good (warm and mostly dry), but crowds thin and prices drop 20-30%. May and October are also good for discounts, though October has higher rainfall.
Weather & packing
Havana’s climate is tropical with distinct wet (May-Oct) and dry (Nov-Apr) seasons — July falls in the heart of the wet, so afternoon downpours are daily. Pack a lightweight rain jacket and a pair of sandals that can get wet; leave the suede shoes at home.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- New direct flights from Mexico City and Madrid have increased options, but airport taxis still charge a fixed $25 USD to central Havana — negotiate in advance.
- The city has introduced a more reliable offline map app for tourists, replacing the old paper maps that were often wrong. Download it before you arrive.
- Due to ongoing fuel shortages, some public buses on key routes (P-1, P-2) run irregularly. Walking or hiring a classic car for day trips (negotiate around $30/hour) is more reliable.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to La Olímpica, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the higher floors (above the 5th floor) for a quieter stay, as the hotel's classic design and location on a main street may result in some street noise. Considering the hotel has 7 floors, floors 6 and 7 might offer a more peaceful experience.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the lower floors (1-3) as they may be more prone to street noise, especially since the hotel is located on Figueroa, a street with moderate traffic. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance or lift may experience more noise from staff and elevator activity.
Best views
There are no specific views mentioned in the data, but rooms on higher floors (6-7) may offer a better view of the surrounding area, considering the hotel's location on a main street.
Quietest floors
6-7
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from Figueroa is a consideration, likely due to moderate traffic. Additionally, the hotel's classic design and older lift may contribute to some noise from elevator activity.
Insider tips
1. When checking in, ask about parking options, as the hotel may have a limited number of parking spots available. 2. Take advantage of the hotel's location by walking to nearby attractions, such as the Malecón seaside promenade, which is within walking distance.
- 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 — La Olímpica
Free tier with speeds up to 10 Mbps, paid tier available for CUP 20.00 per hour with speeds up to 50 Mbps; login via hotel Wi-Fi network
Serves all floors, but historic section on the top floor has stairs-only access
Complimentary digital newsstand with PressReader access, physical newspapers available in the lobby
Check-in from 15:00, early bag-drop available from 08:00, late check-out until 14:00 for CUP 50.00
Limited availability for CUP 10.00 per item per day
Step-free access, wheelchair ramp at main entrance, some rooms adapted for guests with disabilities
On-site parking available for CUP 15.00 per night, nearest public car park at Calle San Rafael 254 (CUP 10.00 per hour), no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CUP 5.00 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of CUP 100.00, incidental card hold of CUP 200.00 at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia La Milagrosa (427 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia La Milagrosa (437 m · ~5 min walk)
- Place of worship: garage (992 m · ~12 min walk)
- Place of worship: Iglesia Asambleas de Dios Puerta de Esperanza (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Piso de Venta La Comercial — 2.3 km · ~29 min walk
Las Pipas — 227 m · ~3 min walk
Museo del Cerro — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
Ballet Español de Cuba — 288 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco Metropolitano — 364 m · ~5 min walk
Juan Delgado y General Lee — 227 m · ~3 min walk
Bodega — 328 m · ~4 min walk
Oficina Central de Aguas de La Habana — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Change cash GBP/EUR/USD at CADECA exchange booths or banks (drop in rate at airport/tourist bureaux). Don't be tempted by unofficial street changers.
US-issued cards rarely work; many shops/hotels accept Visa/Mastercard from non-US banks, but cash is king for small purchases and in pesos.
Tip 10–15% in restaurants, 20–50 CUP for taxi drivers, 1–3 USD/CUP equivalent for hotel porters/cleaners.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small espresso from a local cafetería: 15–25 CUP.
A pressed sandwich (cubano) with soda or juice from a paladar lunch counter: 150–250 CUP.
Rice, beans, chicken or pork plato fuerte in a simple paladar: 300–500 CUP.
Around Parque Central and along Obispo street you'll find pizza stalls (pan con pizza) and churros carts; head to local peso markets near Calle Neptuno for alcapurrias.
Look for the 'Mercado' chain or 'Caribe' supermarkets along Avenida de la Independencia and near Plaza de la Revolución; stock your casa with basics.
The Cimarrón market (near Capitolio) sells affordable basics, and the Almacenes San José handcraft stalls have inexpensive shirts/hammocks.
The best budget move is the local 'guagua' bus (5 CUP single) along major lines; from the airport, take shared 'taxi' colectivo into town for about 10 USD.
Always ask prices in CUP (not USD) to avoid tourist markup; eat at paladares off the main squares for half the price; fill a water bottle at your casa instead of buying bottled water.
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 La Olímpica
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco Metropolitano — 364 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Juan Delgado y General Lee — 227 m · ~3 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 La Olímpica?
Request a room on the higher floors (above the 5th floor) for a quieter stay, as the hotel's classic design and location on a main street may result in some street noise. Considering the hotel has 7 floors, floors 6 and 7 might offer a more peaceful experience.
Which rooms should I avoid at La Olímpica?
Avoid rooms on the lower floors (1-3) as they may be more prone to street noise, especially since the hotel is located on Figueroa, a street with moderate traffic. Additionally, rooms near the service entrance or lift may experience more noise from staff and elevator activity.
Is La Olímpica noisy?
Street noise from Figueroa is a consideration, likely due to moderate traffic. Additionally, the hotel's classic design and older lift may contribute to some noise from elevator activity.
Which rooms have the best views at La Olímpica?
There are no specific views mentioned in the data, but rooms on higher floors (6-7) may offer a better view of the surrounding area, considering the hotel's location on a main street.
What are insider tips for staying at La Olímpica?
1. When checking in, ask about parking options, as the hotel may have a limited number of parking spots available. 2. Take advantage of the hotel's location by walking to nearby attractions, such as the Malecón seaside promenade, which is within walking distance.
What time is check-in at La Olímpica?
Check-in at La Olímpica is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does La Olímpica have Wi-Fi?
Free tier with speeds up to 10 Mbps, paid tier available for CUP 20.00 per hour with speeds up to 50 Mbps; login via hotel Wi-Fi network
Is there a city or tourist tax at La Olímpica?
CUP 5.00 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near La Olímpica?
A pressed sandwich (cubano) with soda or juice from a paladar lunch counter: 150–250 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from La Olímpica?
The best budget move is the local 'guagua' bus (5 CUP single) along major lines; from the airport, take shared 'taxi' colectivo into town for about 10 USD.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
December to March: dry season with temperatures 20-27°C, low rainfall, and the greatest number of cultural events. Crowds are moderate to high, especially around Christmas and New Year.
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.