When visiting Cuba, probably the best value and most culturally interesting accommodation option is to stay at a Casa Particular. Unlike the state run hotels, Casas Particulares are owned and operated by your hosts - Cubans in whose homes you stay. In addition to a bed for the night, your Cuban host family may also provide breakfast and dinner (charged separately to your room rate).
Prices for a twin or double room in a casa will generally be in the range of about 20-30 Convertible Pesos (the special tourist currency that tourists are obliged to use in Cuba - 1 Convertible Peso is about 0.70 Euro or $1.08). Breakfast will be about 3 Convertibles per person and dinner somewhere between 7 and 13 depending on what is on offer. Two especially excellent casas are Casa Abel in Havana and Casa Hospedaja “Jose Ricardo” in Trinidad.
Casa Abel, 111 Calle Blanco in Havana Centro is highly recommended because of the fantastic warmth and local knowledge of Abel and Aidee, a couple who are the most wonderful hosts. The contact details for Casa Abel are available on their website. It is not unusual for casas to take your booking only to inform you on arrival that your room is no longer available. If this happens don’t panic! If your room is no longer available, Abel will have find you a place in one of a number of local casas within easy walking distance. Some examples include the casas run by El Rey ("The King") and Niurka on Calle Aguila 206 (phone 0053-7-8630278) and by Junior and Maricela on Calle Aguila 168 (phone 0053-7-861-3292). Meeting Abel and Aidee is likely to be right at the top of your list of highlights from any time passed in Havana.
Casa Jose Ricardo, Antonio Maceo 382 in Trinidad (phone 0053-41-994702) provides an equally warm welcome in the beautiful home of Jose and Angela. The food here is wonderful - lovers of seafood are in for a real treat! Again highly recommended.
Finally, when selecting your casa know that it helps to have a little Spanish! Some hosts will have excellent English, others will not.