Where I Rest My Head in Cuba

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You may be wondering where I lay my head when I'm traveling in Cuba. Since I prefer to stay with local families in licensed casas particulares (private room rentals), I tend to use state-run hotels only when all the casas are full or if none are available (for example, no casas particulares are allowed in Varadero and other key beach resorts).

Of course, since I travel to Cuba at least once a year, I have my favorite places. Here are my top choices for four key locales.

HAVANA

Casa de Jorge Coalla Potts (Calle I #456, e/ 21 y 23, Vedado, tel 53-7/832-9032). I consider Jorge and his wife Marisel (and daughter Jessica) my true family in Cuba. When you sleep here, you sleep in MY bed! Apart from their hospitality, Jorge and Mari's lovely condominium home has several pluses. Not least, it enjoys a fantastic location only three blocks from Coppelia ice cream store and the Hotel Habana Libre

TRINIDAD

Casa Colonial Muñoz (Calle Martí #401, esq. Santiago Escobar, tel 53-41/99-3673). My second Cuban family, Julio Muñoz and his lovely (and better) half (I can say that of a friend) have a fantastic colonial home in the heart of the colonial city. Julio is a "man about town", and the couple make fun and knowledgeable hosts. Plus you get modern bathrooms in each of the two high-ceilinged bedrooms.

HOLGUÍN

Villa Liba (Calle Maceo #46, esq. 18, Reparto El Llano, tel 53-24/42-3823). The El Llano district, immediately north of the historic downtown, has several 1950s-era homes turned casas particulares. I always head to Villa Liba, where I enjoy great conversation with erudite owner Jorge. His wife Marilena gives massage–a great bonus. Plus the patio shaded by an arbor is a great place to enjoy filling breakfasts.

SANTIAGO DE CUBA

Casa de Florinda Chaviano (Calle I #58, e/ 2nda y 2ra, tel 53-22/66-3660). The first thing I do whenever I arrive in Santiago de Cuba is make a beeline for the home of Florinda Chaviano and her hubbie Jorge. It's one of dozens of similarly modest casas in the Reparto Sueño district, about 30 minutes walk from the colonial center. I enjoy their company. Enough said! But the one bedroom is clean and has a modern bathroom, and Florinda whips up a filling breakfast, to be enjoyed alfresco.

For further information about travel in Cuba, buy Moon Cuba or Moon Spotlight Havana.

Buy a copy of Mi Moto Fidel: Motorcycling Through Castro's Cuba, or order an autographed hardback direct from the author.

Disclosure: I occasionally accept free or discounted travel when it coincides with my editorial goals. However, my opinion is never for sale. The opinions you see in Cuba & Costa Rica Journal are my unbiased reflection of the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Copyright © Christopher P. Baker