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Lodging in Cuba & Havana
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Private rooms for rent explained

The rental of rooms in private homes to lodge tourists and foreign visitors was authorized and came under state regulations in the summer of 1997. The National Institute of Dwelling (Instituto Nacional de la Vivienda) is the leading Cuban organization for registering, licensing and inspecting rental homes. Licensed homeowners are subjected to monthly inspections, and their incomes are monthly and annually taxed.

Private lodgings are available all around Cuba. The only exceptions are Varadero beach and the keys, where you need to book yourself in a hotel room for housing there.

Hostel-lodging prices vary depending on the city and the neighbourhood, or whether the hostel or house is located near the seafront or in the beach, or if there’s a pool and the rooms have an independent entrance. In Havana the minimum lodging price is usually CUC 25 per night per room, but you can find hostels or houses whose lodging prices are over CUC 150 per night. Luxurious lodgings offer the best facilities, by means of services, architecture, pools, furnishings, views, etc.

» Tips for lodging in "casa particular" in Cuba » Cuban currency, Cuban Peso explained

A Cuban idiom

“Casa particular or casas particulares” is the Cuban phrase for a home stay accommodation. The exact translation is “Private Home”. You can find Cuban private rooms for rent on the Internet through keywords such as homestay, guest house, hostels, bed & breakfast, among others, but to Cubans all these terms will mean the same: rooms to be rented in a Cuban private home or “casa particular”.

Only licensed home owners

Havana Homestay guarantees that all the properties listed in this web site are approved and licensed by the Instituto Nacional de la Vivienda (National Institute of Dwelling) to be rented to foreigners and tourists. The listed properties fully comply with all domestic regulations.

Licensed home owners must show this official stamp at their front door. Beware of offerings from non-licensed owners who will put you on the line of disregarding the law and will become a risk for you.

Lodging facilities in any “casa particular” in Cuba & Havana

Private bedrooms & bathrooms.
Air-conditioner and/or fan in the bedrooms.
Hot & cold water in bathrooms.
Towels, linen, soap, and toilet paper included.
Daily cleaning services & towels and linen changed regularly.
Free use of house common areas.
24-hour check-in & 24-hour reception.
Access to phone, refrigerator & some facilities as radio, TV, CD/DVD-player.
Luggage storage.
Additional information, help & friendly hospitality.
Home-cooked meals & laundry services offered at an additional cost.
For house with no garage, parking available for a small fee.

Lodging price

The lodging price is per room and per night, not per person, in Convertible Cuban Peso, CUC.
If the room admits lodging for more than two people simultaneously, fee applies on top of the price of the room for stay of the third or fourth person.
The price only includes accommodation.

Sharing with family or independent

Sharing-home stay lodging in Cuba is accommodating into a home and sharing common areas with the family members.
Independent-home stay is accommodating in a separate annexe, sometimes available.

Home stay accommodation benefits in Cuba

By staying at hostels, "casas particulares" or home stays you will obtain several benefits:

Direct experience with the real Cuban people. You will be able to enjoy Cuba’s main attraction, its people. Cubans are renowned for their hospitality, so hostel, casa particular or home stay accommodation is an ideal option to get the feeling of the real Cuba.
Lower lodging prices. As lodging in "casas particulares" is cheaper, you will be able to stretch your money even more.
Lower meal prices. You will also be able to enjoy an excellent Cuban cuisine at lower prices.
No advanced payments. Hotel reservations require full payment prior arrival while house owners accept payments upon arrival.
Flexibility. Checking-in & checking-out hours are flexible and could be agreed with the owner.
Reservation guaranteed. Your reservation is guaranteed in a home stay accommodation. In case of any trouble, a similar accommodation will be available for you without an extra charge.
Comfort. Home stay services are more personal and better than some hotel services.
It’s an effective way to learn Spanish. Direct contact with a Cuban family will improve or start your learning of Spanish language.