In December 2022, I decided to finally backpack in Cuba, flying in from Madrid on what was to be my second Christmas in a row backpacking the Caribbean. After COVID and many personal moments of clear depression and exposition of liars, it always felt like a great escape from the horrors of Europe. Plus as a greedy country counter – The Caribbean has loads of countries close to each other and so you can backpack a load of them in bulk. I still have so many Caribbean countries to visit (Cayman Islands, Bonaire, Bermuda etc.) but during my 4 trips to the Caribbean I am glad I ticked off a few. I arranged to arrive in Cuba into the capital city, Havana on a flight from Iberojet, my first time to fly with them.
I started off staying by the sea, on the famous Malecon boulevard after being picked up from the airport by Jancko in a vintage Dodge Car!
After my quirky stay in the artistic and seriously “wow factor” drenched Malecon 663, I ended up spending my last two nights in Havana in an old colonial house. This place was called Casa Amada and was run by my host Rabiel and his family. It felt like a real local housing experience, a bit of a step back in time. Here are the things I liked about my stay here.
1.Cosy and calm, quiet room
I was in a room on the first floor and I had a large double bed, an ensuite bathroom and air conditioning, a fan and a fridge.
2.Old Colonial House Charm
As you can see from the photos, this place held some charm as it is in an old colonial house. I had a balcony overlooking the courtyard, with all the rooms off it. It reminded me a touch of my time in Leon in Nicaragua! It was there that I stayed at the Casona Colonial Hostel in Leon, Nicaragua.
3.Local Family As Hosts
My host was Rabiel and his family and the accommodation has a family feel to it – I was here very quickly for two nights but there are places to relax – a nice cosy common room, a balcony overlooking the street as well as the balcony overlooking into the courtyard. It’s a local family home here.
4.Rooftop Garden
For sunset or just to relax in the afternoon, there is a calm rooftop garden to enjoy where you can read a book, sip an ice cold local beer
5.Textbook Havana Street Location
It feels like you are soaking in the reality of a Havana Street here as this hotel, Casa Amada is on a street called Lealtad in the heart of the colonial old streets of Havana, a wee walk west of the old town and city centre.
I recommend staying at Casa Amada in Havana to get a feeling of life in an old colonial house!
Here are the details for booking a room at Casa Amada in Havana, Cuba:
https://www.facebook.com/CasaAmadaHavana
http://www.casaamada.net/
Calle Lealtad nº 262 Centro Habana, Havana, Cuba
Casa Amada Centro Habana
Calle(Street) Lealtad, nº 262 altos (upstairs) entre (between) Neptuno y Concordia Centro Habana, Havanna City, Cuba. Código Postal 10200
+53 7 8623924
[email protected]
casaamada.net
Here are some videos I made during my stay at Casa Amada in Havana, Cuba: