Cuba Accomodation 'Casa Particulars' (Trinidad and Havana)
Replies: 4 - Last Post: Oct 5, 2012 1:03 AM Last Post By: johnabbotsford
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Cuba Accomodation 'Casa Particulars' (Trinidad and Havana)
When in Cuba I recommend staying in a 'Casa Particular' which is a person's house and they rent rooms. They are much cheaper than hotels and the people are so lovely. The houses are huge big old buildings set up like a bed and breakfast. It is simply an experience you can't miss.The best one we stayed in was in Trinidad (Casa Brui y Ernestina (aka Brui y Nesti)). It was the highlight of our whole trip. See Trip Advisor for the reviews. It is too new to be in the guide books yet, but it won't be long before someone twigs. It is simply in a league of it's own. That place is one of our main memories from 7months of traveling. We learned so much about the culture. Brui is amazing at checkers and took the time to teach us (it is taken rather seriously there, along with dominoes). I don't really recommend things, but Trinidad stole my heart, a travelers dream (along with this beautiful old house, full of vines and plants with a roof top to watch the sun go down and sip on cocktails). My fiance and I paid $10 each per night for a gorgeous, clean room with all the amenities; nicer than an expensive hotel. Cuba is surprisingly cheap for food and Casas -- cheaper than Panama and Mexico.
In Havana we stayed in Casa Lydia y Argelio. This was in a great location but a little noisy. Lydia is another great example of Cuban hospitality. She has a huge heart and always smiling gently. When we returned from Trinidad she hugged us and said 'welcome home' and when we left she gave us little gifts to remember Cuba by. We had left our suitcase and surfboards at her house and taken a small bag to explore Cuba easily. She was happy to take care of our stuff and accommodate us when need be.
The people are the heart of Cuba and to miss that is to miss Cuba.
(In saying that I am more referring to the house owners, rather than the hustlers working on the streets which can be a downside of Cuba but totally understandable considering the conditions they are living in).
1
Hi Talula, great that you had positive experiences in casas.Just a couple of minor things: not all casas are 'huge big old buildings set up like a bed and breakfast'. Certainly there are some beautiful Spanish colonial buildings which have become casas but casas come in all shapes and sizes. Secondly, I think we have to keep in mind that casa owners are, on the whole, a fairly privileged group of people in Cuba. they have been able to set up a business and maintain it through the down times (though of course some fail). This is not an easy thing to do and takes some capital.
As you rightly point out, people are the heart of Cuba. Casa owners are a very tiny minority, as are the touts. Neither group represents the whole, nor do they cancel each other out. Cuban culture is multi-faceted, thank all the gods.
3
Hi, talula, thx. for the info.! whats the ph# for the place u stayed in havana, cuba...is the an email? thx... JC4
#3 there's this thing called Goggle which throws uphttp://www.cuba-junky.com/havana/casa-lydia-argelio.htm
Note Cuba Junky is one of a zillion casa booking sites albeit a very good one.
