10 Best Casas Particulares in Old Havana [2024 Local’s Guide]
It’s no surprise that the charming and historic area of Old Havana is at the top of many visitors’ lists when they think of where to stay in Cuba. Exploring Old Havana is one of the best things to do in Cuba, and staying in one of the area’s many casa particular guesthouses – long the most popular style of accommodation in Cuba – is the best way to experience it.
As Havana locals, we’ve explored every inch of this neighborhood and know it up and down. Read on for our top picks of the best casa particular guesthouses in this emblematic Havana neighborhood and why we think that these incredible guesthouses and boutique, locally-owned Old Havana hotels are the area’s best.
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What is a Casa Particular?
But first, what exactly is a casa particular? Check out our complete guide to casa particular accommodations in Cuba for even more details, but the short answer is that a casa particular (in Spanish, private home) is a small guesthouse, bed and breakfast, or room for rent owned by a local Cuba.
Casas particulares have long been the most popular places to stay in Cuba – long before the very similar concept of private rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo came around!
Best Casas Particulares in Old Havana
Some of the best casas particulares in Havana are found in Old Havana, yet another reason to consider staying in this most famous of the city’s neighborhoods. These are our top picks for the best casas particulares in Old Havana:
- Best Casa Particular in Old Havana: Casa Giraldilla
- Best Apartment-Style Casa Particular in Old Havana: Estancia Bohemia
- Best Affordable Casa Particular in Old Havana: La Terraza del Prado
In this patchwork neighborhood you’ll find everything from spacious private apartments to small, simple rooms for rent. Read on for all the details on these Old Havana casa particular guesthouses and our other top recommendations for the coolest, the most charming, and the cheapest places to stay in the area.
Casas Particulares in Old Havana
1. Casa Giraldilla
Best Casa Particular in Old Havana
There are so many incredible places to stay in Havana, but our top choice among the best casas particulares in Old Havana is Casa Giraldilla, one of our favorite places to recommend in the entire city. This gorgeous colonial three-bedroom bed and breakfast is a great combination of affordability, comfort, and style.
Casa Giraldilla hosts Carmen and Carlos are lovely, prepare excellent breakfast, and will bend over backward to help you have a great stay. You’ll love the balconies and beautiful upstairs patio with a fantastic view.
Reviews and Bookings: Casa Giraldilla
2. Estancia Bohemia
Best Apartment-Style Casa Particular in Old Havana
If you’re looking for an apartment-style casa particular stay in Old Havana, there are few better places to stay than Estancia Bohemia. Located just off of the Plaza Vieja, you’ll be steps away from restaurants, cafes, and so much more, with one of the best cafes in Havana right downstairs!
The light-filled apartments at Estancia Bohemia each have kitchens and living rooms, offering plenty of space for traveling with family or friends – or a longer stay in the city. Staff is helpful should you need recommendations for things to see and do in the city – but staying in the heart of it all, you’ll never get bored!
Reviews and Bookings: Estancia Bohemia
3. La Terraza del Prado
Best Affordable Casa Particular in Old Havana
Perched above one of Old Havana’s most beautiful and important pedestrian thoroughfares, the small bed and breakfast La Terraza del Prado is one of our favorite affordable options among the best casas particulares in the city. Rooms are simple and colorful, but the large common spaces are more grand, with the giant covered terrace with rocking chairs being the true star of the show.
Reviews and Bookings: La Terraza del Prado
Travel Essential
Don’t think about traveling to Cuba without a good VPN (Virtual Private Network). Using a VPN while connecting to the internet is an easy way to keep your personal information safe from hackers and trackers. We’ve used NordVPN for years and couldn’t recommend it more – it’s a must for safety online, especially in Cuba.
4. La Posada de Chacón
La Posada de Chacón is one of the most popular bed and breakfasts in Old Havana for a reason: it has the perfect combination of an ideal location and great amenities. The downstairs bar and restaurant are popular even for those who aren’t staying at the hotel, and the building is complete with a rooftop terrace perfect for evening drinks. Keep in mind that many of the rooms face the hotel’s courtyard or hallway, so in some of the rooms, natural light is limited.
Reviews and Bookings: La Posada de Chacón
5. Casa Teniente Rey 16
Casa Teniente Rey 16 is one of those lovely, colonial homes that will constantly remind you you’re definitely in Havana, Cuba. In addition to having colonial charm, the hosts of this small bed and breakfast are lovely, and they prepare a great breakfast and coffee. Located just around the corner from the Plaza Vieja, it is just steps from everything you’d want to do in Havana.
Reviews and Bookings: Casa Teniente Rey 16
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6. Mayari Havana
Located in the best part of Old Havana, Mayari Havana is the type of casa particular Old Havana is known for, with balconies for morning coffee overlooking the streets, sky-high ceilings, and simple but inviting decor. If you’re looking for a two-bedroom apartment option in Havana, this is definitely the place!
Mayari Havana is made infinitely better by host Maria Teresa, who goes above and beyond for her guests.
Reviews and Bookings: Mayari Havana
What to Pack for Cuba
Check out our Ultimate Cuba Packing List to help you pack for your trip – we’re sharing exactly what to bring to Cuba and what we never travel without.
7. Marivelas 29
Located just steps away from Havana’s cathedral, Marivelas 29 is right in the middle of the action of Old Havana. This one-bedroom private apartment is a fantastic option if you’re looking for space but want more privacy than you’d get in a guesthouse. Adorable and cozy with a great kitchen and large, modern bathroom, this private apartment also has a super accessible and helpful host (who you’ll love).
Reviews and Bookings: Marivelas 29
8. REV Boutique
The modern, renovated REV Boutique in the heart of Old Havana is one of the best places to stay in Old Havana – hands down! REV Boutique, in many ways, feels like a boutique hotel rather than a casa particular. The bar and lounge with terrace space, 24-hour front desk service, and on-site spa services are popular amenities you won’t normally find at this price point and in a casa particular.
Reviews and Bookings: REV Boutique
More Casas Particulares in Cuba
9. Casa Pedro-Maria
Casa Pedro-Maria is a six-room bed and breakfast with a cool bar and lounge in the lobby, long a popular spot with guests whether they’re staying the night or just here for a drink.
The terrace at Casa Pedro-Maria is absolutely a highlight of the property; overlooking the Museo de la Revolución, it’s gorgeous at any time of day and will make you feel like a local with the coolest seat in town. The building is a mix of restored, modern spaces and historic ones, so each room here feels totally different from the next.
Reviews and Bookings: Casa Pedro-Maria
Travel Insurance
Cuba requires that all travelers have proof of a comprehensive travel insurance policy in order to enter the country. Check out our guide to travel insurance for Cuba for more details. We recommend these brands for Cuba travel insurance:
- Visitors Coverage: Coverage for Cuba travel available to citizens of all countries, though not currently available to residents of New York and Maryland in the United States.
- Insubuy: Coverage for Cuba travel available to citizens of all countries and states of the United States.
10. Hostal Los Villanueva
Old Havana’s five-room Hostal Los Villanueva won’t win any style points, but for travelers looking for comfort, cleanliness, affordability, and genuine hospitality, it’s a fantastic choice. There are a variety of room layouts to choose from here, which accommodate all types of travelers. This casa particular’s gorgeous terrace has seating, a bar, and sweeping views over the city.
Reviews and Bookings: Hostal Los Villanueva
Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual travel writer, editor, content marketer, and the founder of the digital travel publications Home to Havana and Explorers Away. She is a serial expat and traveler, having visited 40+ countries and counting. Carley has written for publications like Travel + Leisure, MSN, Associated Press, Weather Channel, Wealth of Geeks, and more. Find her front row at a Bad Bunny concert, befriending street cats, and taste-testing every pizza in Havana.