Discover Authentic Cuba: The Best Hotels & Travel Types for an Unforgettable Stay on the Caribbean Island!
Hotels in Cuba
Most of the hotels that exist are state-run — so there are only a few — except in the tourist centers.
If it's a 4-star hotel, you can subtract at least 1 to 2 stars by German standards. The rooms are functional and usually a bit "grubby." You also often have to make compromises regarding cleanliness or minor details like matching tiles, etc. The quality of the beds also often leaves much to be desired. That's the price of communism and the consequences of decades of embargo.
The food is decent but usually rather bland since spices are lacking. Pepper and salt (which is usually a lump) are the only seasonings we could find. The milk is typically diluted with water and the coffee rather thin. If there happens to be salad, the oil is missing. Tea is rarely available, and if so, only one variety.
Casas Particulares
Casas Particulares are private accommodations in Cuba. They typically cost between 20 and 45 CUC per room. Breakfast and dinner are also offered and usually cost extra. Unfortunately, we only stayed in a Casa Particulares once. It was really great and the price absolutely fair. The breakfast was more than generous and beautifully presented. However, the beds are even worse, and as mentioned, we only stayed in one Casa Particulares in Playa Larga. Private accommodations are usually booked on the spot and can be recognized by blue triangles on the door. This way you get in good contact with the people of Cuba and also help them financially.
As a general rule, we bring some food from home — especially when it comes to eating. In the Caribbean, we always have spices, tea bags, instant coffee (for reinforcement), and creamer (powdered milk) with us.
Road Trips in Cuba
If you're already traveling to Cuba, you should definitely do a road trip. There is so much to see that truly only exists in Cuba. Cuba still has its own unique flair with the old buildings, the classic cars, the music, Che Guevara, and the occasional UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is something you have to experience. In our opinion, avenTOURa offers the widest range of tours. They have special trips for every taste — for the active traveler with hiking, salsa classes, and cycling tours, or for the curious with plenty of historical background, for families, for city lovers, for those interested in connecting with locals, for dancers, for language enthusiasts, or for serious cyclists with daily bike tours.
There are also travel modules that you can put together individually to your liking.
A Cuba Flexi-Drive trip is also available, meaning you get a rental car and accommodation vouchers that you can redeem at selected lodgings.
If you already know what you want to do, just give them a call with no obligation, or simply browse around — you're guaranteed to find something.
Package Holidays in Cuba
Cuba is actually too beautiful to stay in just one place, especially since the lovely beaches are also located in the large tourist centers, which keep growing. Varadero is and remains the most touristy destination. On Cayo Coco, the hotels are still reasonably far apart, but even here we spotted several cranes — and what's being built isn't cozy hotels but entire hotel complexes. Apart from all-inclusive, there's nothing else to book or do here, as there are no towns near the hotels. If you want to book a package holiday, Cayo Coco or Cayo Largo (an island off the coast of Cuba) are excellent choices. Varadero also scores with diverse evening entertainment, bars, and souvenir shops.
