Getting the right Accommodation in Cuba

While traveling to a place, accommodation needs to be considered carefully. A comfortable stay will make the experience of the new place more magical. However, one should be aware that choosing a place to stay when in Cuba is not always a straightforward proposition. It should be kept in mind that hotels in Cuba are comparatively more expensive than other places in the region. If one is looking for a bargain then private accommodation, hostels, private houses, and casa particular are options that can be looked into. In fact, some of these alternative options offer more value for money.

One option open for tourists is to make Havana their base during the vacation in Cuba. Tourists can get proper accommodation here based on the kind of budget they can afford for accommodation purposes. However, the best bet is, no doubt, a “casa particular”. The facilities in this kind of accommodation are better, one gets to sample home-cooked meals and it is easier on the pocket.

Cuba offers a range of hotels and resorts for all tourists. The choice ranges from budget hotels to high-end ones. So, whether visitors are on a business trip or a pleasure trip, the choice of accommodation can be made from a number of hotels and resorts available to them. Tourists can also choose between a central location and a place in a thinly populated neighborhood. The best way to go about choosing the right accommodation is by going through hotels according to their location or star rating.

Cuba offers a unique option to travelers in the form of "private houses". This concept first made its appearance in 1997 and today is a preferred staying option for most tourists visiting this country. A tourist gets to imbibe the local customs and culture by staying with a family. Host families who practice this always keep a room ready for visitors. Standards are high, as they are required to follow the Cuban government guidelines on hygiene, quality, and security.

Staying in a ‘casa particular’, as this is called, is reasonable and a more personal alternative to a hotel room. In fact, one can easily stay in a private room in an old and beautiful colonial building with air conditioning and private bathroom for just $25. Such accommodations are available everywhere, whether at the centre of the city, near the sea or off the beaten track. Another advantage of going in for this type of accommodation is that hosts often recommend the visitors on things that are not usually advertised on tourist guides. This makes the entire experience totally awesome. For a taste of the real Cuba, this is the best option to choose.

Casa particular  =  Bed and breakfast

Tourists should remember that while checking in at a Casa Particular, the passport has to be provided to the owner. Tourists will also be asked to sign on a special receipt book (with yellow pages). Therefore, it is important to go prepared, as the only accepted form of payment at such places is through cash. Credit cards and travelers’ cheques are not accepted here, as most families do not have the means to accept these. Be sure to carry the required cash in the local currency.

For visitors on a tight budget, hostels are a good option. Rooms for hostels can be booked online. Staying in this type of accommodation can be an experience in itself, as one gets to meets people from different parts of the world. Most hostels have lucrative discounts to tempt visitors into selecting them. However, bathrooms have to be shared in many hostels with the exception of a few high quality hostels. These hostels also have internet access, a mini-bar, and room service.