Coco taxis are slower, noisier and smaller than regular taxis. Many of the taxi drivers speak only Spanish. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. One of the leading causes of accidental death in Cuba is motor vehicle accidents, so be aware and be careful. Ironically enough, the same car rental agencies can put you in contact with a private driver with no problem. day trip to Vinales in a beautiful classic car, Check out your options for Classic Car Tours here, Casa Particulars in our ultimate guide here. Agree on a price before you get in. Things may not run like theyre supposed to, so keep a relaxed attitude and enjoy the ride. Theyre also called omnibus nacional and may go from a different bus station to the Viazul buses. It was as we headed further east that it got significantly worse. . MORE INFORMATION INOUR DISCLAIMER. Santa Clara - Where to Stay in Cuba on a Budget 3. TRIPADVISOR . And you can book classic cars as well as regular cars with them. But youll travel mostly in comfort. With so many great options just a couple of hours away, Havana is the perfect base in Cuba for day trips filled with adventure. Centro Havana - Where to Stay in Cuba for Nightlife 4. Youll find different types of taxis. https://www.havana60.com/havana-to-vinales-taxi/ Cuba has two types of taxis: yellow taxis (which come in a number of vehicle makes and sizes) and the classic convertibles that every tourist takes a selfie with. After 75 minutes of waiting and no one else wanting to go to Havana, we paid US$15 each to be driven to Havana. Cuba transportation offers differ significantly from what youre used to at home! So youll often find that pre-booking your taxis and transfers (and prepaying them before you travel) is a MUCH easier way to get around Cuba. It does not store any personal data. Viazul bus - the easy but costly option for tourists Viazul is a state-owned tourist bus company that has modern, comfortable, fast and air-conditioned buses all around Cuba. They will, however, stop at most hotels (not casa particulars) en route). We used it so much that we wrote aViazul Bus Ultimate Guide. The names that you will see for Cuban bus transportation are Viazul Bus, Astro Bus, Connectando, and Transtur Cuba Bus, and Cuban bus travel differs significantly from other countries. Viazul buses are reliable and run between all the most visited towns in Cuba, and they are very popular too, which means that during the high season they can be full. Hitchhiking is almost a form of public transport in Cuba: It is legal, free and safe. Theyll cost you the equivalent of USD$30-50 an hour. Perhaps one of the easiest and least expensive ways to get around Cuba is hitchhiking, for which the government has actually created a standardized system called "El Amarillo", after the color of the uniforms the administrators wear. Luggage is frequently stolen from train cars in Cuba. Some travellers have been temporarily stranded with a rental car. Public buses, private transfers, taxis, coco taxis, and bicycles theyre all options for getting around the urban centers of Cuba. A Cuba taxi colectivo is a shared taxi service. This vehicle is motorised, albeit with a tiny motor and can transport up to 3 people at a time. Try to agree on a price before you get in. THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS. Tourist cards for all. Vazul is the go-to bus company for travelers, with air-conditioned buses and extensive coverage of the islands most popular spots. The VPN that I use (12+ years now) and recommend is ExpressVPN this link gives you 3 months for free. 4. My wife and I are considering going to Cuba for two weeks and visiting Vinales and Trinidad is a must The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Havana on a budget: how to stretch your money in the Cuban capital, How to get around Havana, from vintage Chevys to bicycle rickshaws, Here's how to explore Havanas best neighborhoods, Everything you need to know before visiting Cuba money, medicine, and whether those cheap cigars are really worth it, Getting a visa to visit Cuba can be tricky, but it's worth it, 20 things you need to know before you travel to Havana, The best time to visit Cuba: a seasonal guide to the Caribbean's biggest island, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Book at least a day in advance with your passport at the Havana bus station in Avenida 26 and Zoolgico, Plaza de la Revolucin. Cuba will charge 65 dollars, or its equivalent in any other freely convertible currency, per PCR for tourists who wish to extend their stay on the island, reported the Gaviota website.. Not being able to get a train was disappointing, but I suspect the bus was a better option for sanity. This route is an overnight trip running every other night and has stops at Santa Clara and Camaguey. . Four train routes run every fourth day towards Santiago de Cuba, Holgun, Guantnamo and BayamoManzanillo. Lets start with transport within Cities and Towns. Prices tend to range from US $40 on the economic side to US $225 for premium service - although these prices may vary depending on the season. These buses are very slow and stop very often. Otherwise, transportation is scarce and poorly managed. , prebooking your transfers is a great way of using cards and saving that precious cash. For all its tropical charms, Havana isnt the worlds most straightforward city. Cuba is the largest country in the Caribbean, so travel time between destinations can take a while - but fortunately, Viazul buses have a mandatory 20-minute stop every 2 hours for snacks or bathroom breaks. We have researched on the Internet and we already have an idea of how much we are going to spend and the truth is that it does not seem so expensive, in terms of accommodation and food, but what does seem expensive is transportation We have found out and the bus from Havana to Vinales costs only $ 10 USD but the tour lasts about 4 hours which is a long time, on the other hand, collective taxis mmmhhh we have seen videos on youtube and they really seem very uncomfortable. There are public bus services in cities and towns within Cuba. Transportation costs in Cuba. As of January 1, 2022, Cuba simplified its arrival process with a new online form called D'Viajeros that registers travelers' immigration and health information. In the process, refined fuels vied with sugar to be Cuba's top export. You can fill out the form digitally up to 72 hours before your arrival in Cuba. Public buses ( guaguas) are crowded and operate on unreliable schedules. Already in Cuba? We use and recommend Civitatis for transfers (both shared and private) from the airport, and also between cities. And things change. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. There are different options on getting between the cities in Cuba and we write about the options, giving you our recommendations, but also what we think is the best way. Keep in mind that although you are buying your ticket online, you will still have to check in at the official booth to exchange your digital ticket for a physical one. Download an offline map before arriving in Cuba to help you navigate the streets. There are a small number of ferry services in Cuba that serve two archipelagos around the coast of the main island, with routes from Cienfuegos and Trinidad serving the Canarreos Islands and the Juventud Islands off the north coast of Cuba. Check out pre-booking and get some awesome cars to travel in here. Internal flights are expensive and unless you book PRIOR to your arrival, then youll need to go to a travel agency to book a flight. These will usually be cars that will run between two towns, and will then take you to a particular place such as a hotel or hostel in your destination. Also, if you choose to hitchhike on your own, without the help of El Amarillo you will likely pay a premium price to whoever picks you up and you do so at your own risk. From beaches to mountains to historic cities and more, these road trips around Cuba offer access to the best of this enchanting island. Knowing the dangers of actually getting behind the wheel in Cuba, it's not surprising that many tourists choose to use taxisto get around instead. Choices will reduce and the quality and maintenance of the vehicles also reduce as you move further away from Havana. You need to consider the time between destinations. A private taxi is the most common form of transport for visitors and travelers to Cuba when it comes to getting around Cuban cities. Make sure to get insurance coveragebefore you leave for Cuba. Some travelers have reported saying that when they turn up to the local bus depot, locals pretend the buses aren't running, forcing travelers to catch the more expensive option. By telling us your country of residence we are able to provide you with the most relevant travel insurance information. Stand on the route in the direction you want to go. In November 2021 theyve made some fabulous updates, including adding airport transfers!! The cost is very low at US $0.50 per ride. This in reality means that Cuba bus company Viazul and the Viazul Bus Network. Thank you, Hi Stephen, the best place for to most current internal (and external) flights for Cuba is ESCASA the Cuban Government owned company that owns and operates 22 airports in Cuba, its the best place for figuring out the flight schedules. although there is usually information on their telegram channel here. This network is usually used only by tourists (its priced out of the market for most Cubans). Cuba is safe to visit. Most of the popular cities in Cuba have tours that use hop-on/hop-off buses, connecting the hotels with the citys main sights. Heres our guides to getting around Cuba. Download Lonely Planet's free Accessible Travel guide. This article will cover the specifics of travelling to Cuba from Canada, what to expect, and the insider tips you should follow. If you have tried to get aViazul Busand there are no seats available, then there will be taxis outside the bus station, trying to get enough people together to go to your destination. And of the paved roads, a grand total of ONLY 915 kilometers (568 miles) are expressways. The firm that operates most of the routes used by locals in Cuba, and the widest network of long-distance routes is Astro, and its prices are a fair amount cheaper than Viazul. We paid US$180 for an 11-hour day, for four people, including the service of the driver and guide to Vinales and back from Old Havana. The traditional technique of sticking your thumb out can also be used, although on some longer drives locals will usually expect a small contribution of up to fifty pesos towards the journey. Sarah's an avid reader and traveller and loves exploring the culture of Cuba through food, drinks, hiking trails and hidden corners. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. 3. To find out what makes the city tick, visit at least three of the neighborhoods on our list. Required fields are marked *. Our guide on. But getting around Cuba isn't easy. Check out pre-booking and get some awesome cars to travel in here. Bumpy, potholed roads and nearly nonexistent signage are the norm. Additionally, food and drink are not typically served so plan accordingly. Get to know Havana by diving into its neighborhoods. Especially in Havana, youll find taxis everywhere. Cubas Best is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Also, if you are staying at a hotel, surely a staff member knows a guy that knows a guy who happens to be a private taxi. During peak season (July and August, plus November to March), its best to make reservations days in advance, especially for popular routes such as Havana to Viales, Havana to Varadero and Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa. This is a very gimmicky way to get around, but fun nonetheless. With bench seats in the front, fitting six of us in the car was easy. For example, flights from Havana to Santiago de Cuba can be affordable, ranging from US $135 one way or US $270 return. Heres our guide to Cubas visa requirements. Protecting tourists is the police's number one priority in touristed areas. Get a price and pay online for Cuba transfers here. In Holgun, Cayo Saeta is only reachable by boat, but to get there, youll need to book with an official travel agency. The type of transport that youll want to use in Cuba will depend on the locations that you want to go to, your budget, and the amount of time you have to spend in Cuba. Car rental costs in Cuba start at US$70 per day for a medium-sized car in low season, plus extra fees, including insurance and liability waiver. Finding flights that fly directly from whereever you are in the world toCuba without the help of an expert can be tricky, but it's not impossible. Here's everything you need to know before you go. Good post! We cover buses, transfers, classic cars and even discuss the train. (note that classic doesnt necessarily mean in good condition, it just means old). Travelers from 18 countries ( see the list here) can travel to Cuba without a visa. ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR EXPLORING CUBA INDEPENDENTLYThese are the resources and booking sites that we use when traveling to Cuba.Travel and Health Insurance are mandatory for entry to Cuba. To understand how this may impact cover under your policy, please go to our FAQs and select your country of residence. Two major ferry shuttles operate in Cuba. Ready to dive in? The second thing that you should understand about Cuban transport is that the distances are almost irrelevant. Since leaving the corporate world in 2014 Sarah has gone with the flow - and that works really well in Cuba. With 150+ adventure activities covered and 24/7 emergency assistance. If you are making bookings via a trusted travel agent who is experienced in picking the best direct flights, theycan help find a flight with thesimplest route to get you to Havana. You most likely wont get to where you want to go in the timeframe that you want, but hey, this is Cuba. Cuba - Cuba - Sugar Exports, Trading Partners, Tourism, and Labour Laws: Sugar historically has been the country's main export. This is one of the most popular day trips from Havana, but if youre planning on heading to Vinales from Havana, then weve covered all your options here. The best source of information on internal flights, and flights in general in Cuba is ECASA the Cuban Government-owned company that owns and operates 22 airports in Cuba, its the best place for figuring out the flight schedules. For example, a 20-minute trip from the Jose Mart Airport in Havana to the capital city can cost US $30 or more. Being from Calgary, I would have to make my departure from Toronto, but want to avoid the return to Canada via Toronto and do a direct from Varadero to Calgary. We used and recommend Civitatis you can check prices and book Cuban transportation here. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. By telling us your country of residence we are able to provide you with the most relevant travel insurance information. Prices for these taxis start at US$2 or about US$20 for an hour-long city tour. Finally, you need to consider that prices in Cuba for tourists are generally higher. According to . Old Havana - Where to Stay in Cuba for a First Visit 2. Keep in mind that while a few trains offer first-class options, none of them provide sleeper cars. See 31 C.F.R 515.560 and OFAC's Frequently Asked Questions. Now, if you decide to rent out a Casa Particular (homestay) or hostel, your patrons can arrange a personal urban taxi in Cuba, which charges around US $15 to US $20. See all Alerts and Messages Emergency Assistance U.S. Citizens with emergencies, please call +53 7 839 4100 Outside of Office Hours, contact: +53 7 839 4100, dial 1 for English, then 0 to speak to an operator

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