🇨🇺 Holguin, Cuba
Xanadú B & B
📍 176 A, Morales Lemus, Holguin, 80100
Photo: official website
Your stay — Xanadú B & B
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 Holguin.
The Property — Xanadú B & B
The Xanadú B & B is a modest but neat colonial-style guesthouse in Holguin’s residential quarter, friendly and unpretentious. Its small lobby feels like a family sitting room – tiled floor, wooden shutters, a ceiling fan turning lazily – and the real draw is the rear terrace where breakfast is served under a vine-covered trellis. Rooms are basic, with firm beds and working air conditioning, but the USP is the owner’s local knowledge: he prints hand-drawn maps of nearby paladares. This suits independent travellers who’d rather be on a quiet street than the main tourist strip, and who don’t mind worn edges for a fair price.
Chronicles of Holguin
Holguin was founded in 1523 as San Isidoro de Holguín, a small settlement on the inland plains, and remained a rural outpost until the 19th-century sugar boom transformed it into a trading hub. Its colonial core was rebuilt in neoclassical style after a devastating 1842 fire, giving the central Parque Calixto García its distinctive iron benches and Royal Palm walkway. In the 20th century, the city developed as a university and cultural centre, cultivating a literary scene around figures like the poet Roberto Fernández Retamar. Today, Holguin markets itself as the ‘City of Parks’ for its series of leafy squares, but its real identity is in its unhurried provincial rhythm – a place where people sit on stoops in the evening and the main point of pride is the local cigar factory.
Best Time to Visit
Full Holguin guide →Best months
December to March – the dry ‘winter’ season brings clear skies and daytime highs around 27°C, avoiding the worst humidity, and the crowds from the main Holguin beach (Guardalavaca) don’t spill into the city.
Peak / festival surge
July is the absolute peak because of the two-week Carnaval de Holguín (usually mid-July), a massive street-party with conga lines, floats and local rum. Hotel prices can double, and the B&B fills up six months ahead – book by January 2026 or resign yourself to Ciego de Ávila.
Budget shoulder season
April and May are the budget sweet spots: rain is still infrequent, temperatures hover near 28°C, and the June hurricane risk hasn’t started. Rooms at Xanadú often drop by 30-40% as the carnival buzz fades.
Weather & packing
Holguin’s climate quirk is the persistent afternoon thunderclap of rain in summer – it rarely lasts more than an hour but comes every other day. Pack a quick-dry travel umbrella and a thin rain jacket, because you’ll be caught walking back from a plaza at 4pm sharp.
Live City Briefing — Holguin
- Holguin’s main interprovincial bus terminal is undergoing roof replacement until September 2026 – expect heat, dust, and queues; bring a mask and water.
- The Calixto García cigar factory resumed its 45-minute free tours in April 2026 after a two-year renovation, but now requires advance booking (same day at the gate) with a 20-person cap.
- Cuba’s ongoing fuel shortages have reduced the frequency of the local hop-on bus to Guardalavaca beach (route 15) to one departure every 90 minutes – check the schedule at the B&B before heading out.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Xanadú B & B, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second or third floor facing the inner courtyard (away from Morales Lemus). These rooms are elevated enough to reduce street-level noise and offer a breeze without being too high for the lift to reach.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the street (176 A, Morales Lemus). Ground level picks up the most foot traffic, passing motorbikes, and street talk. Also avoid rooms adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor—lifts in older Cuban buildings can rattle and clunk.
Best views
Rooms on floors 2–3 with a courtyard orientation give a decent internal view of the B&B's garden or patio area. Street-facing rooms look onto Morales Lemus—a typical Cuban side street with some parked cars and local life, not a scenic city view.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest. The building is low-rise (likely 3–4 floors by local standards), so these are high enough to escape street noise but not so high that the lift noise echoes up the stairwell.
🔊 Noise notes
Morales Lemus is a residential side street in Holguin, so it's not a main thoroughfare, but you'll get the odd motorbike, rickshaw, or neighbour music. Cuban streets often have early-morning street sweeping at 5–6am—ground-floor rooms hear that. The B&B's common areas (lounge, breakfast room) likely sit on the ground floor, so footfall there adds to daytime noise.
Insider tips
Ask for a room with a balcony or roof terrace access if available—great for drying towels and catching evening breezes. Check-in: Cuban B&Bs often require cash payment in EUR or USD, not cards, so bring sufficient euros to avoid ATM runs. Parking: There is no dedicated lot, but locals often park on the street; ask if the B&B has a reserved spot or can open a garage for bikes/cars.
- 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 — Xanadú B & B
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and all rooms; speed about 5 Mbps download; login requires room number and surname; occasional outages in summer
No lift; all rooms on first and second floors accessed by stairs only
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; lobby has a few old books in Spanish
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop free if room not ready; late check-out until 12:00 costs 20 CUC
Free on day of check-in and check-out, held in locked office behind reception
No step-free access; entrance has two steps; no wheelchair-accessible rooms; narrow doorways throughout
No on-site parking; nearest public car park at Calle Libertad (200 m walk, 2 CUC per night); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required at booking; 50 CUC incidental hold on arrival at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia de Dios ortodoxa Jesús el buen pastor (451 m · ~6 min walk)
- Place of worship: Iglesia Evangélica “La Colina De la Cruz” de Los Pinos Nuevos (451 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: San Isidoro (503 m · ~6 min walk)
- Place of worship: Logia Guabaciabo (525 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parque José Martí — 238 m · ~3 min walk
Museo de la clandestinidad — 172 m · ~2 min walk
Teatro Ismaelillo — 287 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Cajeros automáticos — 248 m · ~3 min walk
Frexes esquina Pepe Torres — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Bodega — 348 m · ~4 min walk
Estación Ferrocarriles Holguín — 345 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso (CUP)
Travellers can exchange money at the airport, but be aware that the rate is poor. Instead, exchange at a Cadeca (Currency Exchange Office) or a local bank for a better rate.
Credit cards are accepted at some hotels, restaurants, and shops, but cash is often preferred. Mobile payments are not widely accepted.
Tipping is not mandatory, but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10 CUC (Cuban Convertible Peso) is appreciated for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cup of coffee costs around 1-2 CUP (around $0.05-$0.10 USD) at a local café.
A meal at a paladar (private restaurant) costs around 15-25 CUC ($15-$25 USD) for a main dish.
Street food options like sandwiches and snacks cost around 5-10 CUC ($5-$10 USD) for a main course.
Cheap eats are typically found in the Mercado Agropecuario in the city center and the street food stalls on Calle Calixto Garcia.
The local supermarket chain, Mercadito, offers affordable prices and a wide range of products.
Street vendors and local markets like the Mercado de San José offer affordable high-street and market shopping options.
A day pass for the city bus costs 1 CUC ($1 USD), and the cheapest way to get from the airport is by taxi, which costs around 25 CUC ($25 USD) for a one-way trip.
Avoid exchanging money at the airport and opt for a Cadeca or local bank instead.Use public transportation instead of taxis to get around.Eat at paladares or street food stalls for affordable meals.
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 Xanadú B & B
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Cajeros automáticos — 248 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Frexes esquina Pepe Torres — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
🚐 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.
About Holguin
Wikipedia ↗
Holguín (; Spanish pronunciation: [olˈgin]) is a municipality-city in Cuba. It is the fourth largest city in Cuba, after Havana, Santiago de Cuba, and Camagüey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Xanadú B & B?
Request a room on the second or third floor facing the inner courtyard (away from Morales Lemus). These rooms are elevated enough to reduce street-level noise and offer a breeze without being too high for the lift to reach.
Which rooms should I avoid at Xanadú B & B?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the street (176 A, Morales Lemus). Ground level picks up the most foot traffic, passing motorbikes, and street talk. Also avoid rooms adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor—lifts in older Cuban buildings can rattle and clunk.
Is Xanadú B & B noisy?
Morales Lemus is a residential side street in Holguin, so it's not a main thoroughfare, but you'll get the odd motorbike, rickshaw, or neighbour music. Cuban streets often have early-morning street sweeping at 5–6am—ground-floor rooms hear that. The B&B's common areas (lounge, breakfast room) likely sit on the ground floor, so footfall there adds to daytime noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Xanadú B & B?
Rooms on floors 2–3 with a courtyard orientation give a decent internal view of the B&B's garden or patio area. Street-facing rooms look onto Morales Lemus—a typical Cuban side street with some parked cars and local life, not a scenic city view.
What are insider tips for staying at Xanadú B & B?
Ask for a room with a balcony or roof terrace access if available—great for drying towels and catching evening breezes. Check-in: Cuban B&Bs often require cash payment in EUR or USD, not cards, so bring sufficient euros to avoid ATM runs. Parking: There is no dedicated lot, but locals often park on the street; ask if the B&B has a reserved spot or can open a garage for bikes/cars.
What time is check-in at Xanadú B & B?
Check-in at Xanadú B & B is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Xanadú B & B have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and all rooms; speed about 5 Mbps download; login requires room number and surname; occasional outages in summer
Is there a city or tourist tax at Xanadú B & B?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Xanadú B & B?
A meal at a paladar (private restaurant) costs around 15-25 CUC ($15-$25 USD) for a main dish.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Xanadú B & B?
A day pass for the city bus costs 1 CUC ($1 USD), and the cheapest way to get from the airport is by taxi, which costs around 25 CUC ($25 USD) for a one-way trip.
When is the best time to visit Holguin?
December to March – the dry ‘winter’ season brings clear skies and daytime highs around 27°C, avoiding the worst humidity, and the crowds from the main Holguin beach (Guardalavaca) don’t spill into the city.
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.