Housing

CASA Cuba is a full immersion program. Therefore all students will be in a homestay with diverse types of experienced and charming Cuban families that have hosted international students for years. Breakfast and Dinner will be provided at your homestay, lunch is on your own. Laundry will be taken care of by your family. Homestays are all within walking distance to the CASA Center in Havana. You will have your independent bathroom, a/c and a safety box for money and valuables.
You will receive a questionnaire by the CASA Program for the housing process. Some families have one room for international students, some have more than one. The Casa de las Americas Residencia is a larger unit with four guest rooms.

Residence Casa de las Américas

The Casa de las Américas Residence is located in a beautiful pink art deco building, in front of the Habanero boardwalk. It offers its students a two-story penthouse suite with four double occupancy, with four balconies, one of them with a 360-degree view of all of Havana. The rooms are comfortable, comfortable and air-conditioned. The Residence has a central location next to different restaurants that offer different food and drink options. In this building there are also other family houses where other CASA Program students stay. We are all one big family.
Roberto is the administrator of the Residence. He has been working with the Program for more than 10 years. He enjoys cooking and exchanging with the students, along with Dianelis (general assistant) and Yoandra (who is in charge of preparing the food). His teamwork makes this space a beautiful place where everyone enjoys and feels like a family.

Contact: Roberto Tier

Student Testimony
I love living in the residence, we are cared for like family members at all times! Furthermore, it has been a unique opportunity to speak Spanish directly with Cubans in everyday situations, enjoy local food, and share and hear from real experiences about what it means to be Cuban today.
Alice Inácio Oliveira
Dartmouth College
Fall 2023

Anolan House

My name is Anolan, I am a psychologist, my husband's name is Marcos and he has a truck that transports people between Matanzas, another province of Cuba, near Varadero and Havana. My daughter Lauren finished pre-university and is preparing to enter University. She is very happy and loves having students come because they become her little sisters. We have been working with the program for many years and we feel grateful because this exchange has allowed the family to grow, here we are eager to receive them to share our daily life as a family, to talk, study, talk about history, dance...
Our house has a beautiful view of the sea and right next to the Galerías de Paseo supermarket, near the Cohiba Hotel and the Riviera, there are also restaurants and theaters in the surrounding area, it is a very pleasant and quiet area.

Contact: Anolan Calzadilla Bermúdez

Student Testimony
I love my stay at Anolan's house, I feel welcome and comfortable. The family is very friendly and Anolan is very attentive. Their food is delicious and also very healthy. I feel very lucky to live in this beautiful house.
Daniella Elaine Kaufman-Sedano
Swarthmore College. Fall 2023.

Casa Maru – Flaqui

We are the Maru-Flaqui family and our pet “tina”, a wonderful, affectionate and very playful dog, who we share with you during your stay in our country and our home.
Our house is located in an area with easy access to the main arteries of the city, facilitating movement and transfer to different locations, very close to the Casa de las Américas, theaters, cinemas and with a view of the Havana boardwalk, where you can contemplate beautiful sunsets. There are also multiple restaurants, cafes, shopping centers, banking agencies and places for leisure and recreation. The experiences with students have been very pleasant, always with respect and affection. These experiences have taught us to tap dance, play the ukulele, and play the percussion box. We exchange literature, music and movies. We have gone to the theater, concerts, visited museums, etc.
We have participated in the project since 2017, which has allowed us to meet students of different nationalities and get closer to different cultures, food customs, etc.

Contacts: María Isabel García Aida Isabel Serantes

Student Testimony
What a joy it has been to live in Maru – Flaqui's house! They are both so sweet to me sharing their home. They take care of me a lot. Maru makes sure I find out about the events and things of interest happening in the city, Flaqui and I talk about art and things particular to Cuba when we walk the dog (the wonderful Tina!). The food couldn't be better, I appreciate all the trouble they take to prepare it. I am very happy to have been matched with this family, we fit perfectly!!!

Madigan Ann King
Brown University
Fall 2023

Anna House

Casa Anna is a Cuban family where you can live with 3 generations. Nina, mother of Ana, the attentive Russian grandmother who teaches us how to live in Cuba and learn new things. Ana's husband Laffita always available. Gabriela, daughter of Ana, an 18-year-old student. Anna the super Cuban adoptive mother. We have two pets: Bambi, our dog and star of the house, Cotti, a barking parrot, and little birds.
Our house has a portal, garden, 7 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, patio, kitchens, parlors and hall. We are a simple family, we like to laugh all the time, music, activities, tasty and varied meals. We are eagerly waiting to share with you, teach you our culture, customs, songs, dances, history and traditions.

Contact: Anna Antonievna AguilarAguilar

Student Testimony
It is a pleasure to live at Anna's house. The whole family is very friendly. The food is delicious and the location is very useful for walking to the gallery or the University of Havana. I have been able to have many conversations with each of the family, and I have learned a lot about Cuban life and culture, from them and outside of my classes. They are a great help for any problem a student has.
Laurence Samuel Fine
Wesleyan University
Fall 2023

Lupe House

Casa Lupe is not just a place to stay, but a home where you can enjoy the warmth of a family and experience authentic Cuban life. Our house is located very close to the House of the Americas. It has a large living room, two kitchens and three bedrooms with beautiful views of the city and the sea. The terrace is undoubtedly a magical place. Together with my son Alex and my husband Molina, we have been part of the project since 2017. I maintain communication and friendship with students from previous groups, and when they return to visit, we meet to remember the moments we lived together.
It fills us with joy that you are part of our extended family. My husband likes to walk and enjoy the beach, while my son is passionate about computers, nature and diving, among many other things. For my part, I love reading, cooking and I am fascinated by plants. I also enjoy theater and good music.

Contact: Lupe Pérez Soriano

Student Testimony
For me, being at Lupe's house means more than a place to sleep. She welcomed us with love and charisma and she always has something funny or informative to share. I really see Lupe's house as a home where I feel comfortable and happy. When I first arrived, I was feeling a little shy, but Lupe is so friendly that it was very easy to talk to her.
William Henry Leighton
Wesleyan University
Fall 2023

María Elena-Lázaro House

Our house has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, ocean views and a large dining room where the student can enjoy the areas, sharing with the family, the different moments available. We will always be ready to support you in whatever you need.

We have had other students who have remained as family and we maintain contact with them.
We hope you have a nice stay and that you can enjoy our company and that of our friends who visit us frequently and to whom you can ask questions of interest.

Mary and Lázaro's apartment is located on the 8th floor of a building next to the Malecón, this apartment has the best view of the sea, including the room where you are going to live and your own bathroom.

Mary and Lázaro are grandparents, she is retired while Lázaro continues working at an economic magazine. They had and still have very interesting lives.
Lázaro was ambassador of Panama, Congo and Niguería, because they live in so many places they have many experiences abroad and are part of a great international community.

Mary was a Spanish teacher and part of an agricultural association. They are very well connected and that is why they each have guests in the house. After living with them I have met many people because they have a lot of friends.
Mary and Lázaro are usually at home, resting or socializing.

Mary is a very kind, sociable and affectionate person with a great personality. She will take care of you as if you were her grandson. Cooks super well too!

Lázaro is more “Chill” and with Mary; He is very passionate about history, he is always reading some article or book. He is very nice and kind, and he loves the mamey shake.

It was a nice experience that I'm sure you will enjoy!

Kenneth Luke Daici
Brown University
Spring 2024