🇨🇺 Havana, Cuba
Pablo Lara
📍 317, 27 de Noviembre (Jovellar), Havana, 10400
Your stay — Pablo Lara
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 — Pablo Lara
The Pablo Lara is a modest 3-star in central Havana, all peeling paint and colonial bones, with a small courtyard that catches the evening breeze. It suits travellers who want real Havana grit — not polish — and who'll trade air-con for character. Standing in the lobby, you'd smell floor wax and hear the clatter of dominoes from the street. This is a place for the budget-conscious who value location over luxury.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by Diego Velázquez on its natural deep-water harbour, quickly becoming Spain's key Caribbean hub for treasure fleets. The old city's baroque and neoclassical architecture was built over four centuries; the Malecon seawall was added in 1901. After the 1959 revolution, US sanctions froze much of the city in time, leaving the faded grandeur you see today. Contemporary Havana is a mix of resourceful locals, classic cars, and a growing private restaurant and guesthouse scene, but the infrastructure still creaks under the heat.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
November to March. December and January are driest and coolest, with highs around 26°C, plus the city is calm outside of Christmas week.
Peak / festival surge
January is the peak for Havana — cool, dry and the Jazz Festival (usually mid-Jan) pulls crowds. Hotel prices in the city can double over this period. Carnival (August) is another mini-peak, but it's wet and humid then.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer the best value: lower prices, fewer tourists, and temperatures still below 30°C, though you'll get some rain. April has Semana Santa events, but the crowds are manageable.
Weather & packing
Havana is a mix of tropical sun and sudden, ferocious downpours that flood the streets within minutes. Pack quick-dry walking shoes and a lightweight rain jacket that lives in your day bag.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- Electricity blackouts remain common across Havana, especially from June to August. Check your hotel has backup cooling and expect patchy Wi-Fi even for the daily connection card.
- The old city's Malecon seawall was damaged by a storm surge in early 2026, with repairs ongoing — sections near Calle 8 to 12 are fenced off, but the rest is passable.
- A new rooftop bar at the Parque Central hotel opened in May 2026, offering decent mojitos and a perspective over the Capitolio, but prices are five times what you'd pay down the street.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Pablo Lara, 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 (away from 27 de Noviembre). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within easy reach via stairs if the lift is busy or out of service.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor, especially those facing the street. The proximity to Jovellar means heavy foot traffic, parked scooters, and occasional late-night revellers. Rooms near the lift shaft on any floor can also suffer from mechanical clatter.
Best views
From the higher street-facing rooms (3rd floor and up) you’ll get a view over the modest skyline of old Havana—rooftops, satellite dishes, and the occasional palm. No ocean views here; this is a city hotel. Request an upper floor for a more open sightline, but the real value is people-watching from a window seat.
Quietest floors
Floors three and above, with interior-facing rooms (if available). The lift noise diminishes above the second floor, and street noise is muffled on higher floors.
🔊 Noise notes
27 de Noviembre is a busy secondary road with regular bus routes and scooters. Early-morning rubbish collection happens around 6am. The hotel’s own bar/entry can generate chatter until 11pm. Weekend nights may have louder street parties nearby.
Insider tips
1. Check-in after 3pm if possible—rooms are sometimes used for quick turnovers, and morning departures mean you walk into a half-cleaned corridor. 2. Pack earplugs for the first night; once you know your room’s quiet corner, you can relax. 3. Ask the front desk for a fan (if not in room) as AC can be intermittent; a fan masks residual street noise.
- 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 — Pablo Lara
Free in lobby only, 2 Mbps download, requires passport number for voucher. No paid upgrade.
No lift. All floors accessible by stairs only; no historic wings with lift.
No digital newsstand. Complimentary Granma newspaper in lobby daily.
Standard check-in 15:00, check-out 12:00. Early bag drop available free. Late check-out until 18:00 costs 25 CUC; after 18:00 charged full night.
Free at reception, secure room behind desk, open 24h.
No step-free access. Two steps at main entrance; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Estacionamiento Obispo at 250 Obispo, 5 CUC/night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking via bank transfer; no incidental card hold—cash only 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 change money at the airport, but rates are poor; it's better to exchange at a local bank or a Cadeca (CADECA) office. Be prepared for rates that are 5-10% worse compared to the official rate.
Most restaurants, cafes, and shops in the 10400 area accept credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, but some smaller establishments may only accept cash. Contactless payments are not widely accepted.
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated for good service, typically 5-10 CUP for taxi drivers, 5-10 CUP for restaurant staff, and 1-2 CUP per bag for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →You can find a strong and affordable coffee at a local café for around 5-10 CUP.
A typical street food lunch, such as a Cuban sandwich or a plate of rice and beans, costs around 15-25 CUP at a local eatery.
A budget dinner at a local restaurant can cost around 30-50 CUP for a main course, with options like chicken, beef, or fish.
The 10400 area has a few streets with a high concentration of street food vendors, such as the ones around the main square and in the nearby market.
You can find a budget supermarket chain like Mercadito or Pola in the area, offering a range of products at affordable prices.
For affordable high-street shopping, head to the nearby shopping centers or the local market, where you can find a variety of clothing options at reasonable prices.
The cheapest way to get around the area is by using the local bus system, which costs around 1 CUP per ride. From the airport, take the bus 16 or 55 to the 10400 area, which costs around 5 CUP.
Avoid exchanging money at the airport or tourist bureaus, as the rates are poor.Use the local bus system instead of taxis to get around, as it's cheaper and more convenient.Eat at local eateries and street food stalls, as they offer affordable and delicious options.
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 Pablo Lara
🕒 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 Pablo Lara?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the inner courtyard (away from 27 de Noviembre). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within easy reach via stairs if the lift is busy or out of service.
Which rooms should I avoid at Pablo Lara?
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor, especially those facing the street. The proximity to Jovellar means heavy foot traffic, parked scooters, and occasional late-night revellers. Rooms near the lift shaft on any floor can also suffer from mechanical clatter.
Is Pablo Lara noisy?
27 de Noviembre is a busy secondary road with regular bus routes and scooters. Early-morning rubbish collection happens around 6am. The hotel’s own bar/entry can generate chatter until 11pm. Weekend nights may have louder street parties nearby.
Which rooms have the best views at Pablo Lara?
From the higher street-facing rooms (3rd floor and up) you’ll get a view over the modest skyline of old Havana—rooftops, satellite dishes, and the occasional palm. No ocean views here; this is a city hotel. Request an upper floor for a more open sightline, but the real value is people-watching from a window seat.
What are insider tips for staying at Pablo Lara?
1. Check-in after 3pm if possible—rooms are sometimes used for quick turnovers, and morning departures mean you walk into a half-cleaned corridor. 2. Pack earplugs for the first night; once you know your room’s quiet corner, you can relax. 3. Ask the front desk for a fan (if not in room) as AC can be intermittent; a fan masks residual street noise.
What time is check-in at Pablo Lara?
Check-in at Pablo Lara is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Pablo Lara have Wi-Fi?
Free in lobby only, 2 Mbps download, requires passport number for voucher. No paid upgrade.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Pablo Lara?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Pablo Lara?
A typical street food lunch, such as a Cuban sandwich or a plate of rice and beans, costs around 15-25 CUP at a local eatery.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Pablo Lara?
The cheapest way to get around the area is by using the local bus system, which costs around 1 CUP per ride. From the airport, take the bus 16 or 55 to the 10400 area, which costs around 5 CUP.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
November to March. December and January are driest and coolest, with highs around 26°C, plus the city is calm outside of Christmas week.
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.