Your stay — La Polimita
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The Property — La Polimita
La Polimita is a no-fuss three-star in central Holguin, known for its colourful tiled lobby and a small pool that offers genuine respite from July heat. Its USP is location: a 10-minute walk from San José Park and the main pedestrian street, making it a solid base for travellers who want to walk to cafés, museums and the Calixto García statue. The vibe is practical Cuban — slightly faded, friendly staff, clean rooms with air-con that actually works. It suits independent travellers and couples who prioritise budget and location over luxury.
Chronicles of Holguin
Holguin was founded in 1545 as San Isidoro de Holguín, a Spanish settlement on a low hill between two rivers, chosen for defence against pirates. Its colonial grid expanded slowly until the 19th-century sugar boom brought neoclassical public buildings and a cathedral that still define the central plaza. The city escaped much of the 1950s building frenzy, preserving a low-rise, walkable core of painted houses and balconies. Today it brands itself as City of Parks, with more than 30 green squares, and its cultural identity blends Spanish, Taíno and African roots in music, dance and a famously relaxed pace. It is not a beach town, but the jump-off point for Guardalavaca and Gibara.
Best Time to Visit
Full Holguin guide →Best months
December to April — dry season with highs around 27°C, low humidity and minimal rain. These months also avoid hurricane risk and major school holidays, so parks and restaurants feel calm.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak domestic and international tourist month because of the school break and the Fiesta de la Cultura Iberoamericana in late October (which actually draws crowds to Holguín city). Hotel prices in La Polimita can rise 20–30% in July. The main event is the July Carnival (Carnaval de Holguín) — a week of parades, rumba and street food that fills the centre.
Budget shoulder season
May and June offer smaller crowds and 15–20% discounts at La Polimita. Afternoon showers are common but short, and the heat is manageable if you plan sightseeing in the morning. November also works, just after the dry season starts.
Weather & packing
Holguín sits inland at 150m elevation, so summer afternoons can hit 33°C with high humidity, but evenings cool noticeably. Pack light cotton clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, insect repellent and a light rain jacket for sudden downpours — and a pair of closed, comfortable walking shoes for cobblestones.
Live City Briefing — Holguin
- Holguín's main bus station (Viazul stop) moved in late 2025 to a new terminal 2km west of the centre; check with La Polimita staff about shuttle or taxi arrangements for July arrivals.
- The pedestrianisation of Calle Maceo, the main shopping street, was extended in early 2026, now running from San José Park to the cathedral — better for walking but expect some ongoing paving work.
- Cuba's ongoing fuel shortages mean taxis and car rentals are pricier and less reliable than usual; book transfers at least 48 hours ahead through the hotel.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to La Polimita, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main street. Upper floors minimise street-level noise from cars and pedestrians, and the north or east side (if you can specify at check-in) will be quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any room directly above the lobby or bar area. The entrance and street-facing lower floors will catch the most foot traffic, taxis, and any evening noise from the hotel's public spaces.
Best views
A north- or east-facing room on an upper floor likely overlooks the city rooftops or a quieter side street. The address 'Holguin' suggests a central location, so expect a mix of urban views rather than scenic panoramas.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest, assuming the hotel has at least four floors and the lift isn't directly adjacent. Higher is better if the lift doesn't run all night.
🔊 Noise notes
Holguin's main streets have steady traffic during the day and occasional music from nearby bars in the evening. The hotel's own bar and lobby can be audible on lower floors until late.
Insider tips
Ask for a room away from the lift shaft and on a higher floor during check-in—this is a small 3-star, so staff can usually accommodate. If you have a rental car, park on the quieter side street rather than the main road.
- 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 Polimita
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and restaurant only (not in rooms); speed approx 2 Mbps; login password given at check-in, one device per person
No lift; property is a two-storey villa with stairs only. All rooms are on ground or first floor
No digital newsstand; a single copy of Granma (Spanish) at reception desk, first come first served. No TV in rooms
Standard check-in 15:00; early bag-drop allowed from 08:00 at reception (no fee); late check-out until 13:00 costs 25 CUC, after 13:00 full night charge
Free, secure room behind reception; no time limit
No step-free access to main entrance (two steps); no wheelchair-adapted rooms or bathrooms. Not suitable for guests with mobility issues
Free on-site parking for 6 cars (unmonitored, first-come-first-served); nearest public car park at Calle Libertad lot, 500m away, costs 5 CUC overnight; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Cuba does not levy a separate city tax on hotels; all taxes included in room rate for foreign guests)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a 50 CUC incidental hold on a card at check-in
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Exchange at CADECA exchange houses or local banks; avoid airport and hotel counters which give poor rates.
Cards are rarely accepted outside tourist hotels and some larger state stores; bring enough cash in EUR, GBP, or USD (though US dollars incur a 10% surcharge).
Tip 10-15% in restaurants; small change for hotel staff (e.g. 20–50 CUP); taxi drivers don't expect tips but rounding up is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small coffee at a state-run cafeteria costs around 10-20 CUP.
A full meal at a paladar (private restaurant) or cafeteria: 150-300 CUP.
Main course at a mid-range paladar: 250-500 CUP.
Look for stalls near Plaza de la Revolución or around the bus station; typical items: pizzas, ham sandwiches, tamales.
State-run stores (called 'bodegas' or 'mercados') for basics; few private minimarkets sell imported goods at higher prices.
Head to the market around Calle Manduley or the Almacenes cultural centre for second-hand and locally made clothes.
Collectivo shared taxis (bicitaxis/triciclos) for short hops: 10-20 CUP; the budget way from the airport is a shared taxi or bus to the Viazul station, about 50-100 CUP.
1) Use CUP for everything locals use (state cafeterias, bicitaxis, markets); 2) Always change money at CADECA, not on the street or at hotels; 3) Eat at paladares off the main tourist strip for better value.
Emergency Contacts
HolguinFor emergencies in Holguín, dial these numbers from any phone. Police: 106, Ambulance: 104, Fire: 105. Note that response times can be slow; keep your hotel address ready and ask a Spanish speaker to call if possible. Numbers may not work from US or Canadian SIMs; buy a local ETECSA SIM for reliable calls.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Holguin, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at La Polimita
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Holguín city centre (Parque Calixto García) → Villa Don Lino, Guardalavaca
💡 Shared taxis (colectivos) run along the main road to Guardalavaca. You’ll need a bus or taxi from Holguín airport to the city first. Flag one down near the bus station. They only leave when full, so expect waits.
Frank País Airport (HOG) → Villa Don Lino, Guardalavaca
💡 Arrange a fixed-price taxi through your hotel in advance to avoid haggling at arrivals. The standard rate to Guardalavaca is around 30-35 CUC. Drivers often wait outside, but official taxis are safer.
Holguín bus station (Terminal de Ómnibus) → Guardalavaca (main stop near beach)
💡 Viazul is the reliable inter-city coach. Book a day ahead at the station or via your hotel. The stop is a 10-minute walk from Villa Don Lino, but you can catch a bici-taxi for 1 CUC. Bring small change.
Villa Don Lino, Guardalavaca → Guardalavaca village (shops and restaurants)
💡 These pedal-powered taxis are the cheapest way to explore the local strip. Negotiate in CUP before you climb on. They can squeeze two people in, but don't expect comfort. Great for short hops to buy snacks or rum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at La Polimita?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main street. Upper floors minimise street-level noise from cars and pedestrians, and the north or east side (if you can specify at check-in) will be quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at La Polimita?
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any room directly above the lobby or bar area. The entrance and street-facing lower floors will catch the most foot traffic, taxis, and any evening noise from the hotel's public spaces.
Is La Polimita noisy?
Holguin's main streets have steady traffic during the day and occasional music from nearby bars in the evening. The hotel's own bar and lobby can be audible on lower floors until late.
Which rooms have the best views at La Polimita?
A north- or east-facing room on an upper floor likely overlooks the city rooftops or a quieter side street. The address 'Holguin' suggests a central location, so expect a mix of urban views rather than scenic panoramas.
What are insider tips for staying at La Polimita?
Ask for a room away from the lift shaft and on a higher floor during check-in—this is a small 3-star, so staff can usually accommodate. If you have a rental car, park on the quieter side street rather than the main road.
What time is check-in at La Polimita?
Check-in at La Polimita is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does La Polimita have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and restaurant only (not in rooms); speed approx 2 Mbps; login password given at check-in, one device per person
Is there a city or tourist tax at La Polimita?
None (Cuba does not levy a separate city tax on hotels; all taxes included in room rate for foreign guests)
Where can I eat cheaply near La Polimita?
A full meal at a paladar (private restaurant) or cafeteria: 150-300 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from La Polimita?
Collectivo shared taxis (bicitaxis/triciclos) for short hops: 10-20 CUP; the budget way from the airport is a shared taxi or bus to the Viazul station, about 50-100 CUP.
When is the best time to visit Holguin?
December to April — dry season with highs around 27°C, low humidity and minimal rain. These months also avoid hurricane risk and major school holidays, so parks and restaurants feel calm.
Top Attractions in Holguin
💡 Check the noticeboard by the door for the weekly mass schedule; often a choir sings on Sunday mornings.
💡 Drop in on Thursday evenings when local son groups often jam for an hour from 7pm.
💡 Arrive around 6pm when the church bells ring and families promenade around the square.
💡 Go just before sunset; the light hits the bronze sculpture well and crowds are absent.
💡 Ask the guard to let you up to the rooftop terrace for a 360° view of the city.