What makes a casa particular different to a hostel or hotel? 

Hotels and even hostels in Cuba are almost all state-owned and operated, often coming with a hefty price tag that doesn’t match the quality on offer. Heyo Travel’s Premium and family trips in Cuba only include stays at hotels that have been carefully handpicked for their historical and cultural significance or little luxuries (hello rooftop pool!).  

A casa is different to a hostel or hotel in that it is a privately-owned residence. Casa hosts pay the government for the privilege of renting their spare rooms, but they keep the entire profits earned from your stay. So, if you opt for a casa experience, you can rest assured that your money is going directly to a Cuban family. 

The best part about casa stays are the families you get to know. In most cases, your hosts will be eager to share information about your location and local activities, usually over a meal or bebida. I learned so much in just a few days, purely through the kindness of Cuban families who were willing to slog through my broken Spanish to share with me. 

What are the facilities like? 

Cuban casas are all unique and often packed with latino character. Some are brightly painted, others have framed photos adorning the walls, but all offer something that a generic resort cannot: an authentic glimpse into Cuban culture. 

The casas Heyo Travel uses fall into one of three categories: standard, comfortable or premium – and they always aim to book the best casas available within each category. That said, regardless of where you stay, power cuts and breaks in hot water are sometimes unavoidable, as in any developing country.