The house - an old Spanish colonial home 'Guantanamera' has been completely restored in the old colonial style. With an eye for the details. The house has high walls and therefore ceilings (more than 5 m.), High doors and frames (more than 3 m.) With original glassware. With modern elements for your comfort: a bathroom, air conditioners, 110 and 220 v, complete kitchen (equipment), new hot water system. The interior: lounge (room) with rocking doors, doors, connection to the kitchen (hot water). Small patio with chairs. A comfortable second salon. In addition, two bedrooms (air conditioning) for 4 people and a bathroom with hot water.
The house is named after Joseite Fernandez. He was the original writer of the world famous song 'Guantanamera' , Joseite lived until his death in the street Gervasio, close to our home. A small but nice museum is located in his home.
Hostess
You will be pampered by Nairobis, our girlfriend and hostess and our family. If you wish, we will take care of everything (washing ironing, meals, transport and excursions).
The neighbourhood
The house is located in Centro Habana, the working-class area of Havana. a fifteen minute walk from Parc Central with the Capitolio. Ten minutes walk from the boulevard, the Malecon and within five minutes you are by taxi in Vedado (calle 53).
Open the doors on the street side, sit in the rocking chair, have a cold beer or a delicious Cuba libre, and look outside. Cuban (social) life runs and rolls past you. It is as if you are in a film setting with: old American cars, Russian Lada's, hawkers with vegetables, fruit, bread etc. and especially the melting pot of colorful people. 50 meters away in Salud street is an excellent restaurant (Flor de Lota ) and a pizzeria Mimosa with great pizzas. Shopping center (Carlos III) a ten-minute walk from the house. Delicious fresh fruit is available on almost every street corner. Three churches (Catholic and Protestant) within walking distance.
Transport options
The best thing about discovering Havana is on foot. You have fast contact with people and you see people practicing professions that we no longer know. Cubans don't throw anything away, all things are repaired or recycled for a new life or use.Bicitaxis are available around the corner. Our uncle Ramon takes you with his Lada to any destination in Havana. At an attractive rate per hour, per day or per kilometer. The boarding place for the scheduled service (linea) by old American oldtimer to Vedado, is in calle Neptuno. A little further in calle San Lazaro you take the scheduled service to Pac Central.
Money
Preferably bring cash from your country (preferably euros) and exchange them in Cuba for the local currency (cuc). In the street Belascoin (100 meters away from the house) is a Cadeca, a money exchange office. For 1 euro you get a little more than 1 cuc. Also buy some cup (pesos cubanos). With this you can buy cheap fruit, a cup of espresso coffee for 1 peso or a tasty (ham-cheese) pizza on the street.
Service
Services can be purchased for an additional charge (meals, drinks, washing and ironing, transport and excursions and meals). We provide breakfast and dinner at attractive rates.
A rich breakfast with delicious fresh fruit awaits you in the morning. The first morning we serve you a free breakfast, at least if you spend a minimum of three days with us. In the evening you can enjoy Criollo dishes that are a real delight. Dishes with chicken, beef, pork or fish. Enjoy without moderation in this special environment.
Protection
Are you aware, prepared and do you consider a stay in the Tropics (sun, vaccinations, hygiene). Be careful when eating on the street. The hygiene is Cuba is different than we are used to in our (Western) world. Do not take any risks, abdominal walking is no fun. Be careful when eating homemade ice cream or tap water. Our advice is to buy spring water, which is available in bottles from 0.5 liters to 5 liters. Cuba is an extremely safe country, but don't take any risks and keep your valuables safe in our house (locker). All doors are equipped with good locks and bars. Especially lean back and indulge in the intense experience of Cuba, the climate, the music and the wonderfully relaxed Cubans.
House rules
We expect our tenants to handle the property and the property in the house with care. You need permission to allow non-pre-registered guests to stay in the house. We have a good feeling that you want to comply with these rules. We work on the basis of trust. You can smoke in the open patio of the house or on the street. Smoking is not permitted in the confined spaces of the house. We ask for a deposit for renting the house. You only pay a deposit if there is damage (or loss) caused by your actions.
Bicycle rental (MTBs) Cost per day € 7.50 per bicycle. Rent per week € 45.
