Whereas Havana was once a top Caribbean vacation destination, it is now something of a time capsule of the 1950s. The country re-opened its doors to tourists not long ago, but it is still largely off-limits to people with U.S. passports. Now, does that mean you cannot go if you are a U.S. citizen? Of course not. It just means you have to be a little more creative about it. So start planning your trip today by looking for a cheap hotel in Havana.
There are three distinct neighborhoods which most tourists would stay in, and you are likely to find cheap hotels in Havana in any one of them. While Old Havana is perhaps the most interesting part of the city, it can also be a little noisy if you are a light sleeper. Central Havana is likely to be a bit quieter, but there are also parts that are a little dodgy. The most peaceful neighborhood is Vedado, although it may be harder to find cheap hotels here.
The other thing to keep in mind is that when you are looking for a budget hotel, you may be subjecting yourself to questionable quality in your lodging. Be sure to inquire about things like whether there is hot water available 24 hours a day – if things like that are important to you, that is! Hotels with more reliable amenities are likely to cost a little bit more, but if they make your stay in Havana more pleasant that is probably worth it.
Some budget hotels to look into are Hotel Inglaterra (dating from 1875, one of the oldest hotels in the city, in Old Havana), Hotel Telegrafo (part of the Habaguanex hotels chain, located in Old Havana near Parque Central), La Casa de Ana (a guesthouse in Vedado with two double rooms), and Casa de Sergio and Miriam (a guesthouse in Old Havana, all rooms are air conditioned).