Your stay — Prima Linita
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The Property — Prima Linita
Prima Linita is a modest 3-star in central Havana, a 1950s building with a restored terrazzo lobby and a small courtyard where ceiling fans do the heavy lifting. It feels honest and worn-in: the staff know regulars by name, and the rooftop offers a practical view of the Malecón rather than a curated panorama. Best for travellers who want a clean, central base without pretence and who value reliability over style.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by Diego Velázquez on a natural deep-water harbour that soon became the staging point for Spanish treasure fleets. Over five centuries the city layered Spanish colonial fortifications, Belle Époque plazas, and American neoclassical piles built during the 1920s sugar boom. After the 1959 revolution, much of that fabric froze in place, leaving a gritty, monumental city where vintage American cars still ply cracked avenues. Today Havana balances a resurgent tourist economy with acute infrastructure strain, and its live music and art scene remains magnetic for visitors drawn to a place that feels stubbornly itself.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
January to March: dry, sunny days in the mid-20s °C, low humidity, and the city is not yet overwhelmed by Easter or summer crowds.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are the busiest, driven by holiday travel and the Havana Jazz Festival (mid-January). Hotel occupancy hits 90%+ and prices on 3-star rooms can double; book fixed-rate casas particulares well ahead.
Budget shoulder season
May and October–November offer the best balance: rain is showery rather than relentless, flights and casas are 20–30% cheaper, and fewer cruise-ship passengers crowd Old Havana.
Weather & packing
Havana’s July is hot (28–32°C) and sticky with sudden downpours. Pack one light, fast-dry outfit plus a rain shell or small umbrella; sandals and a hat are non-negotiable because the stone pavements radiate heat until evening.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- The Malecón seawall is undergoing a slow repair programme after storm damage, with some sections fenced off; evening walks are still possible but check which blocks are open.
- A new direct bus service from José Martí Airport to Parque Central started in mid-2025, costing around 5 CUP and running every 30 minutes; taxis still jostle for custom but this cuts out the haggle.
- Several restaurants in Old Havana are trialling cash-only or limited card acceptance due to ongoing banking restrictions; bring enough euros or US dollars to convert to local convertible pesos on arrival.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Prima Linita, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on higher floors (4th and above) for reduced street noise, which can be moderate in Havana. The Prima Linita is located in the city centre, so expect some background noise from the streets. Opt for rooms facing the interior courtyard for a quieter experience.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the lower floors (1st-2nd) due to possible noise from the street and service entrance. Additionally, rooms near the lift may experience noise from the elevator's frequent use.
Best views
Rooms on higher floors (4th and above) offer a view of the city, although the views may be partially obstructed by other buildings.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise can be moderate, particularly on lower floors.
Insider tips
Consider requesting a room with a balcony for a glimpse of the city, but be prepared for potential street noise. Take advantage of the hotel's proximity to the city centre by walking to nearby attractions, such as the Plaza Vieja and the Capitolio building.
- 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 — Prima Linita
free tier, 256 kbps, login via room key card
serves all floors, no historic sections with stairs-only access
complimentary PressReader access, no physical papers
08:00 - 20:00, early bag-drop available, late check-out until 14:00 for CUC 20
available, CUC 2 per bag per night
step-free access, wheelchair entries via main entrance, no structural limitations
on-site parking available, CUC 8 per night, nearest public car park: Parque de la Fraternidad, CUC 3 per hour
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CUC 2 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: advance deposit CUC 50, incidental card hold CUC 100 at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia Bautista (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Place of worship: Iglesia Bautista “Nueva Jerusalén” Los pinos. (1.4 km · ~18 min walk)
- Place of worship: Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, Iglesia de Los Pinos (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Teatro Presidente Allende — 520 m · ~7 min walk
Parque Infantil — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
ATM — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
2da y C — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Venta de peces — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Almendares — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Exchange currency at Cadeca (CADECA) offices or with a local, as airport and tourist bureau rates are poor. Be prepared to show your passport.
Credit and debit cards are not widely accepted, but some ATMs and some high-end hotels accept Mastercard and Visa; mobile pay is not common
Round up the bill or leave 5-10 CUP for good service at restaurants and bars; 1-2 CUP for taxi drivers; 1 CUP per bag for hotel porters
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Buy a strong Cuban coffee at a corner café for 5-7 CUP (~£0.15-£0.20)
Eat at a street food stall or a local eatery for 10-15 CUP (~£0.30-£0.40) for a meal
A plate of ropa vieja or arroz con pollo at a local restaurant costs around 25-35 CUP (~£0.60-£0.80)
Try the street food in the Plaza Vieja or near the Malecón seafront for affordable and delicious options
Almacenes Universal and Mercado Agroalimentario are two common supermarkets in the area
Shop at local markets like the Rastro Market or along Calle San Rafael for affordable clothing
Buy a local bus card for 0.40 CUP (~£0.01) per ride or purchase a 10-ride ticket for 4 CUP (~£0.10); the bus from the airport to Havana costs 10 CUP (~£0.30)
Avoid exchanging money at the airport or tourist bureau for poor ratesUse local ATMs to withdraw CUP, as credit card rates are highTry to learn some basic Spanish to negotiate prices and communicate with locals
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 Prima Linita
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · ATM — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk — pharmacy · 2da y C — 1.1 km · ~14 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 Prima Linita?
Request rooms on higher floors (4th and above) for reduced street noise, which can be moderate in Havana. The Prima Linita is located in the city centre, so expect some background noise from the streets. Opt for rooms facing the interior courtyard for a quieter experience.
Which rooms should I avoid at Prima Linita?
Avoid rooms on the lower floors (1st-2nd) due to possible noise from the street and service entrance. Additionally, rooms near the lift may experience noise from the elevator's frequent use.
Is Prima Linita noisy?
Street noise can be moderate, particularly on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Prima Linita?
Rooms on higher floors (4th and above) offer a view of the city, although the views may be partially obstructed by other buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Prima Linita?
Consider requesting a room with a balcony for a glimpse of the city, but be prepared for potential street noise. Take advantage of the hotel's proximity to the city centre by walking to nearby attractions, such as the Plaza Vieja and the Capitolio building.
What time is check-in at Prima Linita?
Check-in at Prima Linita is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Prima Linita have Wi-Fi?
free tier, 256 kbps, login via room key card
Is there a city or tourist tax at Prima Linita?
CUC 2 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Prima Linita?
Eat at a street food stall or a local eatery for 10-15 CUP (~£0.30-£0.40) for a meal
What is the cheapest way to get around from Prima Linita?
Buy a local bus card for 0.40 CUP (~£0.01) per ride or purchase a 10-ride ticket for 4 CUP (~£0.10); the bus from the airport to Havana costs 10 CUP (~£0.30)
When is the best time to visit Havana?
January to March: dry, sunny days in the mid-20s °C, low humidity, and the city is not yet overwhelmed by Easter or summer crowds.
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.