World City Guide

Getting There By Road

The road network throughout Cuba is not extensive and is not particularly well maintained, however, given the lack of vehicles on the road it is adequate. Local roads, designated by two or three numbers, tend to be in a bad state of repair, often little more than unnamed tracks. Traffic drives on the right and road signs are similar to those used in Europe. The speed limit in towns is 50kph (31mph), 90kph (55mph) on main roads and 100kph (62mph) on the highway. Speeding offences and minor infringements at intersections are liable to on-the-spot fines. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.08% and offenders will be fined heavily.

It should be noted that there is no automobile association in Cuba and, although car hire companies generally have an emergency number for breakdowns, motorists often have to rely on locals for assistance. It is advisable to plan routes carefully, checking the location of petrol stations and always ensuring the vehicle is topped up with fuel, as petrol stations may have run out.

Emergency breakdown service: None.

Routes to the city: The Carretera Central is the one main road in Cuba. It is fairly old but it runs the length of the island from La Fé on the western tip of the island via Havana and then Santa Clara down to Guantánamo in the east. Trinidad is reached by branching off this road before Santa Clara. A virtually deserted highway, the Autopista, runs from Pinar del Rio in the west through Havana and Santa Clara but only as far as Ciego de Avila in the east. A better maintained road, the Via Blanca, links Havana with the main beach resort of Varadero.

Driving times to Havana: From Varadero – 2 hours 30 minutes; from Pinar del Rio – 2 hours 45 minutes; from Trinidad – 5 hours; from Santa Clara – 6 hours; from Ciego de Avila – 12 hours 30 minutes.

Coach services: Long-distance buses are operated by the state company Asociaciones de Transportes por Omnibus (Astro; tel: (7) 703 397). The bus network is extensive and is the most popular method of travel. Buses are almost always full but seats are usually found for US Dollar-paying visitors. Buses depart from the Terminal de Omnibus Interprovinciales, between Avenida Independencia 101 and Calle Ayestaran, and tickets are bought from the Venta de Boletinos located there. Facilities include snack bars and shops. An alternative service aimed at visitors more than locals is operated by Viazul (tel: (7) 811 413 or 815 652 or 811 108; e-mail: viazul@transnet.cu; website: www.viazul.cu). Air-conditioned buses operate on most major routes from Havana to Varadero, Viñales, Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba. The Viazul terminal is out of town, between Avenida 26 and Calle Zoologico, and tickets can be purchased from their office or at tourist desks in hotels. Payment is in US Dollars.