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Rolando's Backpacker

San Miguel #567, 1st floor, (between Belascoain and Gervasio) - Havana, Cuba
+ reviews in all languages
anonymous, Canada - Nov 22, 2018
48%
Nice and supportive staff, but the bedbug infestation is horrible: more than 200 bites in one night! Do not use their pillows or any mattress that has not been encased in plastic
anonymous, Germany - Jun 04, 2018
96%
It is the right place to start your journey in Cuba. The Rolando´s Backpacker is connected to other hostels in Cuba, so they can arrange your accommodations. They are very helpful!
Cristina, Romania - Feb 26, 2018
94%
Great staff! Good location, 15mins from Havana Vieja.
anonymous, Canada - Jan 05, 2018
96%
Met amazing people here travelling alone. Safe, secure, good bar upstairs, breakfast is good!
Peter, Slovakia - Jan 03, 2018
90%
100 % recommended for solo backpackers who 1. are "mid budget", 2. aim to meet similar backpackers for going together to bars, and/or 3. for sharing long distance taxis to Vinales (100 CUC per car up to 5 backpackers + extra if drive also to Las Terazzas, Soroa or so, if ordered via Ronaldo's = about 5 CUC commisison each backpacker) or Trinidad (the same price or a bit higher I guess).

For low cost backpackers there are casas which cost 5 CUC per person with breakfast, or 10 CUC with both breakfast and dinner, where you can get info on how to travel without paying comissions - to Vinales as cheap as 5 CUC in an old full car, or to Santiago by only 15 CUC on a camione (extremely unfomfortable) - but these cheapest hostels are far away from Havana Vieja (a need to use transport), while Rolando's is ca. 10 mins walk.

Rolando's can have 15 backackers, i.e. it is probably the largest capacity casa in Cuba and thus largest chance to meet others. One of a few where prices are per person, and not per room - their partner casa in Vinales, Sara y Jorge, are probably the only such casa (and it can be reserved via Rolando's for no comission, the price there is also 10 CUC per person without breakfast, but still worth for solo backpackers).

Couples or groups of 3+ can get better value in traditional casas, where price is per room and can be negotiated very cheap if one knows Spanish and knows how to negotiate in Cuba :) Rolando's is good if you want to be careless, and leave to their staff taxi ordering, or for ex. obtaining Cohibas that have not passed quality control or were stolen or fakes.

Geoffrey, Ireland - Jan 01, 2018
100%
Not reviewing the property so much but the owners. I had booked to stay there but the day I arrived I didn't feel too well as was recovering from food poisoning. At that time I thought it better to not be in a dorm and as they had no free private rooms they arranged a casa close by for me to stay. I really appreciated this and even though I didn't stay at Rolando's I can still rate the location and value which were excellent.
Rebecca, England - Dec 27, 2017
100%
very welcoming and caring staff who will help you in whatever way you need; feels like joining a family, with the other occupants who are all very cool
Peter, Slovakia - Dec 21, 2017
96%
Ideal for backpackers travelling solo that want to meet other backpackers. Take into account that this is neither youth hostel nor hotel, but casa particular (až everywhere in Cuba). Free luggage storage even for weeks while on travel, and helpful staff makes this casa similar to what we are used to in smaller hostels. Just ca.5 blocks away from an ideal location, but it was fun to live near poorer people of Havana, very safe even ať night as the street is lit and quite full of people all the tíme.
anonymous, Germany - Dec 15, 2017
90%
Great place when you are travelling by yourself and want to meet other travellers. Henrique is a great host!
Kimberly, England - Dec 03, 2017
88%
BED BUG ALERT. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Rolando's. It was great for a solo traveller. I met great people to spend time and travel with. But now I have bed bugs and I'm in the UK itching all over. It's horrible. Two girls warned me that they had been bitten the night before and now I appear to have them.
Wiebke, Germany - Nov 30, 2017
100%
Everything fine and clean. Nice people and they help you with everything you need.
Andreas, Germany - Nov 26, 2017
76%
Nice hostel in a very authentic part of the city center. Recommended for single travellers.
ana, Mexico - Nov 14, 2017
22%
The staff is always angry, there was bad bugs, the didn't clean bathrooms, no hot water, its a bad neighborhood, I was robbed right outside and when I told them they said that was My fault because I had something to be robbed.
Paul, Ireland - Oct 31, 2017
100%
Location excellent,

Prices for food in bar very reasonable

Owners names are Leo and Enrique who were very friendly and helpful with organising my trip.

anonymous, France - Sep 11, 2017
42%
The whole room was full of bed bugs and when we told the angry looking managing woman she said it's our fault and asked us from where we came from...we just arrived and every bed was infested...she looked always mad and is really too pushy about paying for anything...

I met some girls who told me Enrique (the owner) made weird sexual jokes. He's also unreliable, i asked for a taxi at 9am, it arrived at 9.50. I asked him to call his friend in Trinidad, which he did, at the time i arrived in Trinidad...

I would recommend you the Paradise Hostel, 5 meters from it.

Have a nice trip in Cuba !

anonymous, China - Sep 07, 2017
76%
The boss lady is too concerned about money and becomes rude in some cases, such as not allowing us to eat outside food in the common area.
anonymous, Ireland - Aug 05, 2017
80%
Definitely the place to meet other backpackers in Havana (and Cuba more broadly), a great place for a solo backpacker to start their trip and meet people to continue with. Otherwise it's a pretty standard hostel, the best feature is the rooftop bar. The couple running it are ok, but not entirely trustworthy, always trying to get more money out of you. It is what it is!
Sade Danielle, USA - Jul 08, 2017
98%
Great hostel! The staff is extremely kind and helpful. Enrique is so sweet and funny, he helps you plan any trip from Havana. The location wasn't necessarily close to all the touristy sights but walking back and forth was doable. Plus, the hostel was near very cheap and good food places. Overall, this hostel was perfect to meet other travelers in Havana and continue together throughout Cuba! Highly recommend! I hope to stay here again soon :)) -Dani
Briana, USA - Jul 02, 2017
82%
Rolando's is a great place to meet other travelers in Havana- hostels are still a rarity in this country and a life saver for solo travelers. There are three rooms with 6 people in each room. The staff do not speak English, and the first woman who checked me in was quite rude and unhelpful. However, the owner (Enrique) is much more friendly and tries to speak more slowly and make sure you are having a good time. The location is secure, but not ideal. It is in the slums/residential area of central Havana. The AC is only turned on at bedtime, leaving you in the sweltering heat during the day. As with the rest of Cuba, no wifi but that is expected. Sometimes the water does not work in the bathroom. One room has no bathroom, one room (room number 3) has an incredible bathroom, and room 2 has an ok bathroom. So, it is not really fair depending on which room you get, but you can wander into the other room and use their bathroom. The doors to the individual rooms don't lock. I didn't have a problem with theft, but bring a lock with a thin locking mechanism so it will fit the lock box. Breakfast is 5 dollars, dinner about 5 dollars. Drinks are 3 dollars for mixed, 1.25 for a big water bottle. Overall, the hostel is good for Cuba but below average for your "typical" hostel.
Pauline, France - Jun 27, 2017
100%
This was a great stay! Met amazing people and all the staff are so helpful.
anonymous, Iran - Jun 21, 2017
90%
This place is probably one of the few actual hostels in Cuba. The rooms are fine for a hostel and mostly clean and the staff are nice and welcoming and help you with everything. I met a lot of people and made great friends here so from that aspect this place is unique. However I was at the room with the private bathroom and the water pressure was so low that basically you couldn't use anything. In addition the shower head was broken and you had to hold it in your hand which made no sense. Also you have to pay for every service like breakfast and etc right away which was kind of annoying and I prefer paying the total amount at the end. The location is in the center havana so it is walkable distance to old havana and vedado (about 15-20min walk) and you can get around easy. Overall good place but it can get better
anonymous, England - May 24, 2017
82%
Good hostel. But far from main sites but that wasn't really an issue.
Christopher, Canada - May 10, 2017
96%
Rolando's is one of the few hostels in central Havana and I'm sure it's one of the best as well. The location is well within walking distance of most major tourist sites and it is great value. Simple, cheap, and a good place to meet other travelers, especially if you are solo. I don't normally leave reviews for the countless hostels in which I've stayed but the staff at Rolando's is amazing and they deserve every good review they get. Despite arriving late at night, I received a warm welcome and given that wifi is inconvenient in Cuba, I found that their knowledge, advice, and recommendations were very helpful. Liu was like a second mother and gave me a free Spanish lesson when I wanted to review medical vocabulary. Enrique was a fountain of positive energy, and I enjoyed talking and practicing Spanish with Landi and Nancy.
Ligia , Brazil - May 03, 2017
96%
Had a great time there. Location is good, easy to walk to most of places and staff we really nice! Recomend it!
Torunn , Norway - May 01, 2017
100%
I loved it at Rolando's! The staff is very helpful, there are lots of backpackers (even though I went in April which is low-season), and they have a lovely rooftop bar where everyone meets. Old Havana, Centro Havana and Malecon are all within walking distance.
Ella, England - Apr 16, 2017
94%
Enrique was very welcoming and helpful, helping us to organise our trip, taxis etc. The accommodation is good and you can get breakfast in the morning. It is well located for old Havana and the Malecon. We really enjoyed our stay at Rolando's and would recommend it to everyone! From Eleanor, Annabel and Rebecca.
Elysa, USA - Apr 06, 2017
100%
Rolando's was a great experience. The owner's were extremely nice and helpful! Great food and ambience. The breakfast/dinners were good and reasonably priced. Also, the rooftop bar was a fun place to hangout during downtime and meet other travelers. I definitely recommend this hostel for big or small groups!
Alison, England - Apr 03, 2017
100%
A great place to stay with delightful owners whatever age you are.
anonymous, Germany - Mar 31, 2017
98%
I really recommend these hostal, cause everything was very good organized. They are very very friendly and also very helpful. One friend from me had her birthday there and the team organized a litte birthdaytorte and a drink. That was amazing. Thanks for the great time ;)
Liudas, USA - Mar 12, 2017
100%
terrific hostel where you are bound to meet many exciting new people
Amy, Australia - Mar 01, 2017
100%
Lovely people / accommodation. Great location! Cute rooftop bar.
Maciej, Poland - Feb 23, 2017
100%
Just great.
anonymous, Switzerland - Feb 21, 2017
92%
We had a good time at rolandos backpacker!
Niko, Finland - Feb 16, 2017
98%
This is a real hostel with the most amazing host Enrique and Liu giving you all the advice and love you need when coming to this wonderful city! Dorms are nice and the staff great, shower OK.. you can have breakfast and dinner with drinks at the rooftop terrace bar; breakfast a bit pricey for the content but dinner and cocktails by Landi are well worth the money
Patrik, Czech Republic - Feb 12, 2017
92%
My stay at Rolandos was very pleasant. Great place to meet other travelers and socialize. When I left I found out that I left jacket, sweater in one of the lockers. After a communication with Rolando, all my stuff found and taken care of so I could get it back on my return to Havana. I cannot give this hostel anything else then recommendation.

Patrik

George, Australia - Feb 06, 2017
100%
The best service I have ever experienced at a hostel.

Amazing staff who go above and beyond making sure that you have the best trip possible.

This includes arranging accommodation and transport to different cities in Cuba, and organising your travel around the country.

The hostel also offers great dinners for $US4 with several different options on the menu.

Zachary, USA - Dec 24, 2016
100%
Amazing hostel, I decided to stay in Havana for a few more days and they were booked full so they found me a hostel to stay at down the street!
anonymous, England - Dec 02, 2016
94%
Quite a sociable hostel which in itself is a rarity on Cuba. Nice roof top bar a nice view. Showers aren't always hot and beds not the comfiest but would def. recommend to others.
Dumisani, England - Nov 28, 2016
100%
Ten minutes walk to havanna old town. Enrique the manager is a nice guy. Very helpful and really friendly. There is a small bar in the terrace with drinks so that nice. I didn't like the breakfast and/or the food in this place however. I would defo stay here again. ITs really good value..
Sasha, Denmark - Nov 26, 2016
96%
I'm sure it's the best place to stay in Havana if you are looking for that hostel feeling! The terrace bar is nice and cosy, staff is incredibly nice and helpful! Would stay there again any time
Ellen, Scotland - Oct 24, 2016
100%
Great hostel friendly staff
Cain, Australia - Oct 21, 2016
52%
Where is Rolando?

I read all these reviews on how they have helped in the past and show you around etc, I asked several times where places where and not only do they look at you like you are not welcome, they don't provide very good hospitality, do yourself a favour and stay at a homestay, the girls that were in my dorm were paranoid because they kept coming in and checking on us, and when check out comes, well they are more then happy to let you go without a goodbye or any help what so ever

anonymous, USA - Oct 18, 2016
86%
Rolando's is a really excellent space for the solo traveler looking to find others to sync up with.

The best amenity by far is there bar area, where most guest will hang out in so is a great place to meet others. The rooms were fine, standard hostel fare. Comes with AC that turns on at night. I'd suggest getting the rooms with bathrooms versus the one with the shared bathroom as that became kind of a pain later on.

Staff is friendly and helpful, although sometimes they do enter rooms unannounced.

anonymous, Poland - Sep 26, 2016
100%
Best place to stay in Havana!
Rina, England - Sep 17, 2016
94%
Great hostel for when you weary get off the plane, in centro Havana so far away from Havan old town but walkable in 20 minutes.
anonymous, Australia - Sep 15, 2016
92%
A nice hostel in a good location. The staff were great, although their was a little bit of a language barrier. The rooms, as well as food and drinks, were very good and reasonably priced. Overall, a good hostel that I would stay at again.
Sally, Australia - Sep 12, 2016
38%
Good place if you are solo. Be prepared for your door not to be locked and staff just barge in and out at any hour, they even use your toilet. No idea of privacy whats so ever. Rooms are so hot and no aircon until 8pm. Only 1 small fan in each big dorm room. We were a group of 5 girls and he put 4 of us in one 6 bed dorm with one other guy and one of our girls on her own in a 6 bed dorm with all boys even though we had a spare bed. They didnt really no who was were and had empty rooms so could've given us one of them. He didnt allow the friend to move, was weird. Lots of travellers in hostel so can meet people eaily. A 30 min walk from old town so pretty far out from the main sights. I wouldnt stay here again.
Sam, USA - Sep 11, 2016
60%
I stayed three days at Rolando's, and then left for a few days to check out Vinales. Before leaving I booked and paid for two more nights for when I returned to Havana (or so I thought). When I got back to Rolando's they said they didn't have space for me and were going to send me somewhere down the road. I asked how there was no space when I had already been written in their reservation book and had paid in full. I was told that I didn't have an "official" reservation (aka I didn't book it online). I believe very much in the principle of things and the staff here unfortunately will play games and not be fully honest with you. Just be upfront when someone is making a reservation. If you have space say yes, if you don't say no - don't play games. I make reservations at a place because I want to stay there, not somewhere else down the road. I requested my money back and moved to the hostel next door. I'm very disappointed in the way my stay at Rolando's ended, because up until that point I had enjoyed my stay and the staff had been super friendly and great.
Rodrigo, Brazil - Sep 10, 2016
96%
I spent four nights and it was adorable, the place is perfect to meet others travellers to have some beer or share a transport for some other place. The room was all time clean, it is the same for the bathroom, spacious, bed was confortable, air was always turned on in a nice temperature. Breakfast good enough as the meals in the night. Enrique and the others give them best for your stay. There is Cadeca close and in a good position to get Malecon and Habana Vieja.
Daniel, Australia - Sep 05, 2016
100%
Great hostel. Extremely helpful staff, they will help you organise anything and if they don't have room they will help you find a place to stay.

Very friendly

Highly recommend!

If you have the chance book in advance because they are very popular.