Knowing in advance the particularities of transportation in Cuba and the options you have to move to the places of interest, will save you a lot of time and money.
If you like walking and you are staying in a central location in Havana there will be different tourist sites that you can reach on foot, but at one time or another you will have to travel by some means of transportation, so I invite you to read to the end, wewill tell you all about it!
As a first characteristic, Havana has a transportation network totally different from the rest of the provinces of Cuba, let’s see it in detail.
Means of transportation in Havana
Havana is surely the province with the most transportation options, but at the same time, it is the one with the largest population and the most transportation, so moving from one place to another can be a chaos if you are not well informed.
Public Transportation
Public transportation is the most used variant by the capital’s inhabitants as it is the most economically accessible, but it is generally not the most pleasant option for tourists.
There are 17 routes that connect the different municipalities with metrobuses (articulated buses of the Chinese company Yutong); and that are recognized among the population as “the P“, because this letter and the number that accompanies it identifies the route they follow. For example, the P11 makes the route from Vedado (one of the most central areas of the Capital) to Bacuranao (where the first beach of the east is located). These articulated buses have a larger capacity; they run quite long routes; they do not have air conditioning and cost 2 Cuban pesos.
In turn, there are medium-sized buses that run similar or complementary routes to the P buses, identified by the letter A followed by a number or simply by a number without any letter, identifying the route they run. There are currently
Both “los P” and the buses are popularly called by Cubans as “guaguas”, so if you are near a bus stop you will hear phrases like: “¿Ya pasó la guagua?” or “¡por ahí viene la guagua! The stops, which are scattered throughout the city, are easily identified and have a sign with the guaguas that pass through that point.
Occasionally a little more comfortable buses pass through the stops, which do the same route as some P, at a cost of 5 Cuban pesos. These are usually less crowded, but are not common on all routes.
The existence of municipalities with large territorial extensions, mostly not interconnected by direct roads; the great mobility of people from dormitory towns to the city center; the limited availability of buses and the fact that it is the most economical option for Cubans to travel; mean that public transportation has many deficiencies in the Capital.
Cabs
There are three main types:
- State cabs: Identifiable by their yellow and black color, they are aimed at tourists. They are the most expensive, do not use a taximeter, and it is recommended to agree on the price beforehand. They stay in hotel and tourist areas.
- Private cabs by routes (“Almendrones”): These are classic cars that make a fixed route at an economical price. Shared with other passengers, they are the most used option by Cubans. It is necessary to know the route and to let them know to get off.
- Direct cabs (private): The most used option by tourists. They take you directly to your destination without further stops. The price is negotiable and varies according to the comfort of the car. They are the best option for families or for safety at night.
Safety and comfort considerations: Most cabs do not have rear seat belts and do not have baby seats. Small children usually ride on an adult’s lap.
Private Taxi Services (Offered to tourists)
A wide range of services are offered with reliable drivers and modern or classic vehicles, including baby seat options:
- Transfer: Transfer from a point of origin to a destination.
- Chauffeur-driven rental: Transportation available by the hour within a city.
- Transfer + rental with driver: Includes tourist stops during a transfer.
- Transfer + rental with driver and detour: To visit places off the main route.
- Excursions only transportation: Round trip in the same day (up to 12h/500km).
- Arrangements: Rental for more than 3 days to tour several provinces.
Other means of transportation
There are other means of transportation generally used by tourists for short distances or simply to enjoy them for being exotic and different.
In this group we find the classic luxury cars, coco-taxi, bicitaxi, horse-drawn carriages, the tourist bus and others less known such as La lanchita de Regla and the ciclobús .
Cuba is a walking museum of classic luxury cars from the 30s, 40s or 50s. More than half a century after their heyday, those Cadillacs, Chevrolets or Pontiacs restored to perfection and with vibrant colors make Havana a unique place. Convertibles are preferred by tourists to enjoy the breeze all along the Havana Malecon, while contemplating one of the most wonderful sunsets in the world. Get to know what we offer you with “Nostalgicar” and live this wonderful experience.
The National Hotel, the Central Park, the squares of Old Havana, the Morro Cabaña or the Capitol are some of the places where you can find them. The rate is negotiated according to the route you want to take and generally this type of transport is not used by tourists as a means of mobility, but to enjoy the car itself, take some pictures and return to the same starting point. It is very common to see several old luxury cars in caravans along the boardwalk or tourist areas. If you are traveling in a group or with several friends and family members, a ride like this is a spectacle, so you will always see it included in our travel programs.
Another means that you will see in many photos of tourists are the famous coco-taxis, peculiar and attractive for its coconut shape. Basically they are yellow coconut-shaped vehicles. Their prices are almost equivalent to those of cabs and just like the classic cars, many of them give tours around the city. They are usually found in Old Havana, near the historic squares and tourist attractions.
Alternative Means of Transportation in Havana
Bicitaxis: Ideal for short distances and narrow streets of Old Havana. They are adapted tricycles with roofs, operated by private individuals. They offer a unique cultural experience with music and conversation with the driver. Economical and ecological, they are widely used by locals and tourists.
Horse-drawn Carriages: Spanish colonial style, located in tourist areas. The price is negotiated with the driver before the tour, some include guide service. Mainly used for sightseeing tours and events.
Havana Bus Tour: Double-decker tourist bus (red/blue) with three routes:
- T1: Modern Zone to Old Havana (9am-6pm)
- T2: West Zone (Marina Hemingway to Miramar) (9am-5pm)
- T3: Old Havana to eastern beaches, passing Morro-Cabaña (9am-6pm)
Maximum cost 10 USD per day, with unlimited hop-on hop-off. Stops every 30 minutes.
Ferri (“Lanchita de Regla”): Inexpensive crossing across the bay every 30-45 minutes. Widely used by locals and to visit the Christ of Havana.
Bicycle rentals and Ciclobús: Popular option for touring the city. The Ciclobus allows transporting bicycles through the bay tunnel (forbidden for cyclists), with specific schedules and stops.
Rental cars
Renting a car is a preferred option for tourists, especially for visiting eastern provinces. There are two main companies:
- Transtur S.A (Cubacar, Havanautos and Rex brands)
- Rent a Car Vía (Grupo de Turismo Gaviota S.A)
Important recommendations:
- Demand is extremely high
- It is essential to book in advance through a secure agency.
- Vehicles are categorized by type (economy, mid-size, luxury, jeeps, minivans).
- The allocation is by category, not by specific model.
- They have offices throughout the country, 24h assistance and roadside technical service.
Tourist buses for transfers and excursions
Transtur and Gaviota offer:
- Fleet of buses of different sizes
- Airport-hotel transfers and excursion services
- Air-conditioned buses with guide and driver
- They are contracted through travel agencies
- Scheduled hotel pick-up
Viazul (National Bus Company):
- More economical interprovincial services
- Does not include hotel pick-up (must go to terminals).
- No specialized guide service
- Widely used by both tourists and Cubans
Means of transportation in the rest of the provinces
Both rental cars with offices throughout the country, tourist buses with transfer and excursion services in all provinces, as well as different types of cabs, are feasible to move in the rest of the provinces.
As for public transportation, there is not as much movement as in Havana, but there are bus routes to connect the provincial capitals with the adjacent towns. As in the capital, they are not advisable for tourists, as they are quite crowded, pass much less frequently and do not connect the points of greatest tourist interest.
Horse-drawn carriages, “carretas” or “carricoches” are a fairly frequent alternative in provincial towns. These make fixed routes picking up personnel at the train and bus stations or in the center of the cities. The price in local currency is usually between 1 CUP to 5 CUP.
As in Havana, in some cities such as Trinidad, there are also excursions on horseback or in more comfortable horse-drawn carriages.
The Bus Tour also exists in cities of other provinces, especially those that are tourist centers: Viñales, Varadero, Guamá, Guardalavaca, Baracoa, among others.
Some cities, such as Cienfuegos, Gibara, Isla de la Juventud and Santiago de Cuba, offer transportation on ferries that charge in local currency.
Trucks are quite common both for interprovincial routes and for crossings between different towns. They are a fast and cheap way to travel. Each town has a stop for provincial and municipal trips, generally with a very relaxed schedule. You have to get in line or “queue” at the stop corresponding to the desired destination. The trip has a stipulated price according to the route and is paid in cash when boarding. They are hot, uncomfortable and unsafe, especially for long trips, and sometimes the terminal staff tells foreigners that they cannot use this service.
Trains are another means of transportation that connects the capitals of the Cuban provinces. It is a safe and economical means of transportation, but they are very slow. You can spend many hours or even days traveling, so it is not very popular among tourists, who want to make the best use of their time. Payment is in cash and you must show a valid passport. It is recommended to bring snacks or food and water for the whole journey, there are trains that lack cafeterias. All the information regarding the trip can be found on the boards at the train station and it is highly recommended that you arrive in advance in case you need to clarify anything at the window, besides the schedules are very variable.
The Hershey train is the only electric train in Cuba and it is a feasible way to travel between Havana and Matanzas, as well as domestic flights. In this section you will find all the relevant information on this subject.
