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current street scene

By Car
The easiest way to travel around Cuba is to rent a car. The roads are reasonably in good condition with very little traffic. In fact, Cuba boasts Latin America’s most extensive system of roads. But be cautious of pedestrians, bikers, horse carts, and oxen that journey slowly even on the highways. Driving on the island is an adventure of its own, considering that countless Cuban drivers do not use their lights at night and many roads have few or no markings. Car rentals are not inexpensive, although they can be rented everywhere and even returned in a different city than where rented from.

Give me 20 liters of gas . . . Echeme veinte litros de gasolina

Please check the oil (water, brake fluid, air) . . . Favor de revisar el aceite (agua, liquido de frenos, aire)

I had a flat. Can you fix the tire? . . . Se me poncho. Puede repara la goma?

Which way to...? . . . El camino hacia...?

green bus

By Bus
The Viazul bus system is a well-organized, professional, and relaxed form of transportation in Cuba. Their schedules and prices are posted on their websites, where you can make reservations through e-mail or you can obtain a ticket at the station on the day of your journey. Buses are clean and run on time (unlike some places in Europe). Do take note that there are extreme distances between cities, via very rustic areas with not much scenery, and you may be on the road during the night. For instance, the excursion to Santiago de Cuba from Havana takes almost 15 hours by bus. Better to fly!

Please tell me what bus goes to Old Havana . . . Por favor, que guagua me lleva a la Habana Vieja

Where is the bus stop? . . . Donde esta la parada de la guagua?

country road

By Train

Since the demise of the Jamaican railway in 1992, Cuba is the only Caribbean country with a functioning railway. Tickets are simple to acquire and the journey is a peaceful and colorful way to see the countryside.

oxen in shade

 

 

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Local transportation comes in several unique varieties. It is not difficult to find a taxi, horse drawn buggy, or little motorcycle/golfcart type of vehicle to take you where you desire. The challenge lies with the driver and his partner. First, they decide if they are going your direction, and then they settle on a reasonable fare.

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taxi

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kids on bikes trailing a bus

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bike/buggy

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Viewing the historic city of Havana, with  its architectural splendor, cultural diversity, and the blue waters along the Malecon while riding a bike is glorious, invigorating, healthy, and peaceful. Rent a bike locally or bring your own to explore the island. Bicycle travel is a great way to witness Cuba’s beautiful scenery and the ocean, but it's at its best as a way to relate with the friendly and hospitable people.

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boy on bike riding street


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Taxi licenses for Cuban owners of the classic American car

Ownership of a classic American car is the pride of many Cubans, and now these individuals are being encouraged to apply for taxi licenses, setting their own prices for fares. This is the first time in nearly a decade for this opportunity, as the communist government spins to the free market to improve its sad transportation system.

New taxi licenses have not been approved since October 1999, and even though the new government buses have improved the public transportation system to a degree, it seems not to be enough. Buses and licensed taxi services are overwhelmed. This increases the number of hitchhikers, many of whom hold up peso notes offering to pay anyone who picks them up. There also is a prosperous black-market taxi business, wherein roughly anyone with a vehicle offers informal rides for a price. A small number of existing private taxis already have state licenses that allow them to charge whatever passengers are willing to pay. The new law appears to be aimed somewhat at controlling widespread competition from unlicensed people using their cars as taxis.

In the cities, the government will allow more private cabs to charge based on supply and demand, despite the fact that a state commission will institute fare limits to discourage price gouging. In the countryside, owners of cars and trucks, even motorcycle sidecars, will be encouraged to ferry passengers at state-determined prices in areas where bus service is spotty, particularly down desolate highways linking remote villages. These transport individuals will be given subsidized gasoline.

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