INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Although the island of Cuba is only 95 miles (150 kilometers) off the coast of Key West, Florida, the Helms-Burton Act prohibiting travel to the island from mainland United States of America makes for an interesting journey. However, don’t let this deter you – Cuba is ready and waiting for you: Travel by plane
Cuba currently has 11 international airports that are capable of accepting international flights. Most, if not all, of these flights originate from Europe, Canada, Mexico or the Bahamas. The most often used of these (in alphabetical order), depending on whether or not you are travelling on a package tour or independents, and where your flight has originated from, are as follows:
1. Camaguey;
2. Cayo Coco;
3. Cayo Guillermo;
4. Cayo Largo del Sur;
5. Ciego de Avila;
6. Cienfuegos;
7. Havana – Cuba’s principal arrival and departure point;
8. Holguin;
9. Santiago de Cuba; and
10. Varadero.
Although the cost of your flight may vary depending on whether or not you are travelling in high or lose, ordinarily flights to Cuba from Europe should be costing you in the circa. $500-$700 price range; whereas those from Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas usually run you to the $200-$300 range.
Flights to Cuba from Europe usually take around 10 to 11 hours. Flying time from Canada will take somewhere between 4 and 5 hours. If you’re flying to Cuba from any other Caribbean island, or Mexico, your flying time will be between 30 minutes and an hour and half.
Travel by sea
Due to the United States embargo on travel to Cuba, very few (if any) cruise ships have Cuba as a port of call. However, private sailing to Cuba from nearby Caribbean islands is a popular activity and so you may be able to take advantage of this mode of transport. You should note, however, that usually immigration and customs restrictions apply should you wish to stay on the island for any periods in excess of 72 hours. Further information regarding the ports of Cuba can be obtained from the state-run marina company at www.puertosol.netDOMESTIC TRAVEL
As part of its endeavors to create more revenue from its tourist industry, Cuba has significantly modernized its internal domestic travel network infrastructure over the past few years. These days tourist can easily move around the island via air, train, bus, or hire car. However, keep in mind that smoking is still permitted on public transport in Cuba, a habit that is actively taken up by the local population. Consequently, if this is going to cause you a problem, you may need to factor this in with any domestic travel plans you are considering.
By plane – “Cubana” (Cuba’s state-run airline)
Should you decided, after arriving on the island, that an aircraft is you preferred mode of transport around the island, then, with the number of airports Cuba has at its disposal, this should be easy to arrange. However, comparable to international flights into Cuba, you should keep in mind that internal domestic air travel is not cheap and is likely to run you to around $100- per flight.
By boat
Cuba’s internal boat transportation service consists of a twice-daily hydrofoil boat service to the Isla de la Joventud, leaving at 6a.m. and then again at noon, and 9a.m. and 3p.m. back, and regular ferry boats to the island leaving on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Prices for the hydrofoil are $11 and $8 for the ferry. Travelling time on the hydrofoil is 2 hours; whereas the ferry will take nearer 6 hours.
By train –“Ladis” (Cuba’s state-run train service)
A more popular, and less expensive, mode of transport around the island is the train. The “especial” is a daily train service that leaves early evening (no later than 5p.m.) and travels overnight between Havana and Santiago de Cuba. On the way the train stops at Matanzas, Santa Clara, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, Las Tunas and Cacocum (among others).
As a “sleeper” train, the especial contains special, more comfortable, carriages in which foreigners can travel. Ordinarily though, these special carriages are equally full with Cubans as with foreigners. Fares on the train depend on the length of your journey, but the full cost of train journey from one end of the track to the other is, currently, $43.
Aside from the especial, other domestic train services do function in Cuba, notably the Havana/Camaguey service, but these services are subject to cancellation from time to time. Also keep in mind that when train services do run in Cuba, they are notoriously busy!
By public bus – the “Astro” (Cuba’s state-run public bus service)
Travelling by bus is the most comprehensive way to get around the island as Cuban buses go to all locations on the island; including those that planes and trains cannot reach! As is the case with trains, most public buses in Cuba tend to leave late at night and arrive early in the morning. Bus fares on the island vary from the basic journey which should be costing you circa. $2 to the more expensive trip which should be costing you circa. $15. However, unless you have decided to travel via private coach, as opposed to public bus service, do not expect to pay more than $15 for any journey. On the other hand, a private coach (“Viazul” – Cuba’s state-run up-market bus/coach service) – journey will cost you significantly more than public transport, and if you elect to use this mode of transport you should expect to be paying a median amount of $50 per journey. By Taxi
Aside from public buses and private coaches, it is also possible to hire taxis in Cuba to transport you from one location to another. Although not a cheap as public transport, rather strangely taxi fares between major destinations do tend to be competitive when compared with the private coach companies. By hire car
Hiring a car to travel around an exotic island in the sun is always popular, and in this respect Cuba is no different to anywhere else. The road infrastructure in Cuba is good, and there is little traffic (by western standards). However, unless you’re used to third-world road conditions, extra care should be taken when driving to ensure you avoid hybrid forms of transport; such as horse-drawn carriages. Car rental in Cuba should be costing you between $50 and $75 per day, depending on your chosen make of car, and should come with insurance and unlimited mileage included. One note of caution if you do decide to travel around the island in a rental car: Cuba’s road signs are notoriously bad, so make sure you have a good road map and travel plan before you set-off on your journey. Hitchhiking
Whilst all the usual safety consideration usually associated with hitchhiking need to be considered, hitchhiking is seen as an acceptable mode of transporting yourself around the island. However, as most of your hitchhiking will take place in the countryside, if you would to use this as your preferred mode of transport, you should keep in mind that it’ll help if you can speak at least passable Spanish.
