Hi Lobo from Travels With Lobo

.....see the YOU TUBE VIDEO that goes with this blog:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsC2F4ifkRU

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Topic: Havana - Casas Particulares - Where to Stay in Havana? 

 See Useful links at bottom of blog:
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Think of Cuba ---- and
cigars, beautiful beaches, vintage cars, rum, baseball, dancing, music,
beautiful women and Fidel Castro may come to mind. But lately the words “Raul
Castro” and “casas particulares” are being added to the list.


 Casas particulares are
private home accommodations in Cuba similar to a bed and breakfast. It is
sometimes referred simply as CASAs or HOSTALes.

 I thought the concept was
introduced by the recent reforms of Raoul Castro but it goes back to 1977 when
the Cuban government of Fidel Castro allowed Cuban families to register their
home as a privately owned business and rent out rooms to foreigners.

Before 1977 all
accommodations were state owned and operated.

 What the economic reforms
of Raul Castro of 2012 did was to lift the limit on the number of rooms a casa
could rent out thereby greatly increasing the supply of reasonably priced accommodations.

Of course, there are
government run hotels and foreign owned resorts but they are much much more
expensive.

 The price of a casa
particular may range from $20 - $50 a night depending on location and quality.
The price of a breakfast for $3 to $5 is usually not included.

 Here is an important point:

The attraction for the casa
owners is that they are paid in CUCs the new Cuban currency that is equal to
one US Dollar. Having access to CUCs in Cuba is the pot of gold at the end of
the rainbow. Only having Cuban pesos can be a tough life for Cubans.

 How to Find a Casa
Particular

 Simply put – just Google
Search that phrase

 And go from there.

 So booking involves going
through some type of agency that you will find on the internet.

This being my first trip to
Cuba I wanted at least my first few days booked in advance. That is how I ended
up at Casa Nurmis in Havana Centro. Note that I had to keep pushing the agency
for them to get me closer to Havana Vieja. By the way, everything was done by
internet from home.

 If you don’t speak Spanish
that is probably the best way to go.

 Do you have to book your
whole trip?

 No I booked the first couple
of night’s stay and then asked the casa owner to make a reservation in the next
city. They have a network right across Cuba.

 But generally, I am not
much for advance booking at all and I took the easy way out.

I would arrive at a
destination and take my chances with the many hustlers that await at the bus
station with signs and loud shouting to get your attention to follow them to a
casa particular. Failing that,
every taxi driver is only too glad to take you to his favourite casa particular
– just insist on a central location. This was not the best method but for me it
was the simplest.

 My main criterion was
location.

 I always wanted to near the
center so I could walk back to the casa at night without pubic transportation.

 That brings me to Havana-
where is the best area to stay in? Based on my desire to near the action, my
first choice would have been find a casa particular in Havana Vieja – Old
Havana ( the most historic and to me beautiful) then Havana Centro (less
historic) and lastly Vedado. ( a more modern residential neighbourhood with a
strong commercial and entertainment component)

 Based on that the Hostal
Plaza Vieja would have been my first choice – but I was never organized enough
to make a reservation there.

Ulitmately the casa is only
a place to sleep but wait it does give you the opportunity to have contact with
the locals and they are all pleasant. It helps however if you speak some
Spanish because most home owners don’t speak much English.

 But don’t worry it will all
work out.

 If you have any questions – just e-mail me.

 Lobo 
Links:
Agencies:

How to Book:
http://www.bestcubatravelguide.com/how-to-book-a-casa-particular/
 
http://www.havanacasaparticular.com/

 This one features the Hostal Plaza Vieja right in the centre of Old Havana

 Casa Nurmis where I stayed:

http://cubatravelinghome.com/Accommodation/havana/havana-bed-and-breakfast.php?casa=2
booked through cubatravlinghome