At first look, Cuba has a transportation community to make touring across the nation a straightforward journey, together with an in depth practice system and 900km (560 miles) of highways that hyperlink up cities all through the island.
However getting round Cuba isn’t simple. Public transport isn’t nicely designed for guests – you want to guide forward or know the intricacies of native transportation. Bumpy, potholed roads and almost nonexistent signage are the norm. Buses are the best choice for interprovincial journey whereas hopping in one of many ubiquitous basic vehicles is nice for a day tour.
These high suggestions gives you the know-how to benefit from your journey round Cuba.
Bus is one of the best ways to journey round Cuba
Connecting most locations of curiosity to vacationers, buses are the best choice for getting round Cuba. Bus journey in Cuba is mostly protected, dependable (contemplating Cuban requirements for punctuality!) and inexpensive in comparison with rental vehicles or taxis.
Víazul is the go-to bus firm for vacationers, with air-conditioned buses and intensive protection of the island’s hottest spots. On-line reserving is accessible by means of the web site, although unreliable reserving programs imply it’s higher to guide instantly on the Víazul bus stations not less than two hours earlier than the estimated time of departure. Throughout peak season (July and August, plus November to March), it’s greatest to make reservations days upfront, particularly for standard routes akin to Havana to Viñales, Havana to Varadero and Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa.
To guide bus tickets, all vacationers should current identification paperwork akin to passports. Funds are accepted solely utilizing non-US-based playing cards – vacationers can’t pay in money.
Tip for bus journey in Cuba: Pack a jacket as a result of the air con on buses tends to be chilly, and temperature controls for passengers are nonexistent.
Driving a rental automobile isn’t the simplest possibility
Renting a automobile in Cuba gives you the liberty to find the island’s high locations at your individual tempo. Nevertheless, driving in Cuba is an journey of its personal: street situations will be dangerous, signage is poor or just not there in any respect, and the street guidelines are ambiguous.
Automotive rental prices in Cuba begin at US$70 per day for a medium-sized automobile in off-season, plus additional charges together with insurance coverage and legal responsibility waiver. For those who choose up the rental automobile on the airport, there’s a further payment of US$25. You’ll need to make a refundable “assure deposit” of about US$175 that shall be returned at drop-off if you happen to had no tickets or points with the automobile. Your property license is legitimate to drive in Cuba. Many journey businesses embrace automobile rental companies if you happen to don’t need to prepare it your self.
Ideas for renting a automobile in Cuba: Google Maps and Maps.me work nicely in Cuba for navigation. For those who’re not staying at a resort or homestay with a storage, it is price asking your lodging for a parqueador (automobile keeper). This neighbor or guardian will watch your automobile for the evening for a small payment (US$5 to US$10) so that you keep away from shedding the assure deposit for petty theft of mirrors or antennas.
There are two varieties of taxi companies, however charges are comparable
Cuba has two varieties of taxis: yellow taxis (which are available plenty of automobile makes and sizes) and the basic convertibles that each vacationer takes a selfie with. Yellow cabs belong to state-own businesses or non-public drivers, however the charges are comparable. For those who’re touring in a small group, you’ll be able to guide day excursions or inter-provincial travels in an almendrón (the native identify for the outdated American vehicles due to their almond-like form). Fancier basic convertible vehicles – with AC, leathery seats and painted in vivid colours – provide rides per hour if you happen to hire it throughout the metropolis. At all times agree on a fare earlier than renting one.
In Havana, you’ll spot yellow mini-vans and minibuses (often known as ruteros and gazelas) which are utilized by locals and take cost in Cuban pesos. They function on set routes from 9am to 7pm and routes wherever within the metropolis after hours.
A rising variety of rideshare companies can be found, together with Bajanda.
Cuba may be very bike-friendly
With a historical past of fuel shortages and a low variety of vehicles per capita, Cuba has been a bike-friendly vacation spot for many years. A 1m-wide (3ft) bike lane on the fitting aspect of the street is reserved for bicycles and bikes, even on highways, although anticipate some chaotic “freedom” of motion in provincial cities exterior Havana.
Look out for poncheras (puncture restore stalls) if you want to repair a flat or air up your tires. These stalls are widespread throughout the nation, and even in small cities you’ll discover an improvised ponchera. Spare elements are scarce, however Cubans are identified to be innovators by necessity, so that you’ll hardly cease shifting if one thing will be assembled with the supplies available.
In recent times, Cuba has seen a rising variety of bike rental outfits, with Cubyke, Citykleta and Veló Cuba being the preferred.
Prepare companies in Cuba aren’t dependable or comfy
Regardless of its massive community, trains are usually not usually a great way to get round Cuba. Even locals keep away from utilizing them when an alternate technique of transportation is accessible. New Chinese language-built vehicles entered service in 2019, however the schedule remains to be unreliable, a lot of the trains are gradual and amenities appallingly missing in consolation.
Havana is the connection middle, linking to most provincial capitals of Cuba from its La Coubre station on the southwestern aspect of Habana Vieja. 4 practice routes run each fourth day in direction of Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Guantánamo and Bayamo–Manzanillo. To buy tickets, go to the window at most practice stations or ask for the Lista de Espera window for trains leaving instantly. You’ll want to point out your passport when buying tickets.
Tip for practice journey in Cuba: At all times test for an up to date record of exits instantly on the station the place you’re hopping aboard as a result of schedules are topic to alter with out discover.
Boat companies are restricted
Two main ferry shuttles function in Cuba. One runs from Habana Vieja to Casablanca and Regla in Havana, leaving each 15 to twenty minutes, and the opposite is a catamaran service connecting Surgidero de Batabanó to Nueva Gerona in Isla de la Juventud. E-book not less than a day upfront together with your passport on the Havana bus station in Avenida 26 and Zoológico, Plaza de la Revolución. Concentrate on cancelations throughout hurricane season (June to November).
In Holguín, Cayo Saetía is just reachable by boat, however to get there you’ll must guide with an official journey company.
Home flights are usually not a dependable possibility
Even earlier than the pandemic and its related financial disaster, Cuba didn’t have a dependable fleet of airplanes, the schedule of flights throughout the island was irregular, and delays have been widespread.
Native transit inside some cities consists of horse-drawn carts
Bici-taxis (tricycles with a double seat behind the motive force) are a preferred technique of transportation for getting across the downtown areas in Havana, Cienfuegos, Camagüey, Holguín and different cities. You’ll additionally spot fancy horse-drawn carts within the colonial cities of Havana, Cienfuegos, Bayamo and elsewhere. Trencito (small toy-like trains) excursions run in Havana’s and Cienfuegos’ malecons (sea drives), and in addition in Varadero and Santiago de Cuba.
Tip for native transportation in Cuba: At all times agree on a fare earlier than moving into any mode of transportation to get round domestically.
There are hop-on/hop-off vacationer buses in main cities
Many of the standard cities in Cuba have excursions that use hop-on/hop-off buses, connecting the inns with town’s essential sights. Havana, Varadero, Santiago de Cuba, Cayo Coco and Guillermo, and Cayo Santa María use double-decker open-topped buses to drive guests round.
Accessible transportation in Cuba
Cubans are useful by nature and prone to help guests, however accessible transportation in Cuba remains to be in its infancy. Curb ramps are widespread in downtown Havana however uncommon in provincial capitals. Parking areas don’t comprise areas for drivers with disabilities, and buses and taxis aren’t wheelchair accessible.
Obtain Lonely Planet’s free Accessible Travel guide.
