If you are thinking of traveling to Cuba and making a route through the country, many doubts will arise about how to move around Cuba. In Cuba the transport infrastructures are not very advanced, but you have several alternatives at different prices. In this post I will tell you how to get around Cuba, with some links so you can find the best deals.
HOW TO MOVE AROUND CUBA; PRACTICAL TIPS
Taxi in Cuba
It is one of the best options to move around Cuba, over not very long distances (2-3 hours at most). It is ideal for going to towns on the outskirts or going to points of interest a little far away. Inside the cities you will not need it.
Whenever you are going to get into a taxi, check if it has a meter and if it does not, agree on a price. And if you see that the price is exorbitant, haggle a little. Do you have a foreign face? Well, from the start they will raise the price. The best option are taxis with a meter and in these the journeys can be very cheap!
Some taxis are illegal and do not have a license, they may be cheaper but apart from not being legal you can find a very run down taxi with no air conditioning.
Buses in Cuba
In Cuba there are buses, and they are buses only for locals. If you are a tourist, the only buses currently that make routes for foreigners are Viazul and Astro.
In a good option for long journeys, from Havana to Santa Clara you can find tickets for 18 euros per person and buses go to the most important cities in Cuba; Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Varadero, Santa Clara, Santiago de Cuba, among others.
It is best to go to the bus station and ask for availability and prices. Online we never managed to book it.
Some hotels offer to get bus tickets for an additional cost. It's worth it! You have to pay a little and they take care of everything.
Trains in Cuba, a good option to move around Cuba
Trains are another alternative to travel around Cuba. There are regular routes to travel around the island, although the main train is the French Train. The line of this train connects Havana with Santiago de Cuba, and frequently stops in other cities that they catch on the way.
Local flights in Cuba
The fastest way to travel within Cuba is by plane. There are several airports on the island, especially near the main tourist areas. There are two airlines that operate domestic flights within Cuba, Cuban Aviation and Aero Caribbean. If your time in Cuba is limited and you want to see a lot, this would be a good option, especially if it involves traveling a long distance from Havana to Santiago de Cuba.
Hitchhiking in Cuba
Hitchhiking in Cuba is legal and is a widespread practice, among locals and foreigners.
There are even stops where to wait. Keep in mind that you will have to pay some amount to the driver of the car and in most of the times those who stop are day laborers with their vans, so it is most likely that you will have to go in the back of the van or truck . It is very cheap to travel this way, but it is not very comfortable and forget about air conditioning.
Rent a car in Cuba
Until a few years ago, renting a car in Cuba and touring the country was not very common. There are more and more travelers who dare to take a car and travel from end to end of the island of Cuba.
On our first trip to Cuba, we traveled for only two weeks and barely visited Havana, Pinar del Rio, Varadero and Santa Clara, among a few other towns. And we did it using all kinds of transportation.
On this last trip to Cuba we dedicated 24 days to the country and decided to rent a car. It was worth it! We went where we wanted without waiting for schedules and making all the stops we wanted.
Organized tours and activities in Cuba
There are many options for tours and activities in many of the cities and areas of Cuba, it is a great option to go comfortably and also includes activities and guided tours, meals... Even if you choose to go for free with your rental car, do not hesitate to see the options of activities to complete your trip.
Sometimes, many of the excursions are cheaper than if you had to rent a car, pay for gasoline, restaurant, visit, tickets...
PLAN YOUR TRIP STEP BY STEP
I hope you enjoy your trip to Cuba a lot and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
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A hug and see you soon!
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