| Getting
Around -> |
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Havana
has a great transportation system that it really eliminates the
need to have a rental car.
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ON FOOT: |
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Unlike
most tourist destinations where you have to travel long distances
between interesting sites, the entire city of Havana is like walking
into a museum. On foot is really the best way to absorb all that
Cuba has to offer.
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BUS: |
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| Tourist
Bus - The Vaivén Bus Turístico, which began
service in 1998, makes the rounds of Havana on a continual basis between
Club Habana and Mariel Hemingway in the west and Parque Morro-Cabaña
in the east. Four separate buses operate 9am-940pm every 40-50 minutes
and stop at 23 key bus stop locations along the way. A US$4 ticket
is good all day for as many stops and times as you wish to board.
Each bus has a guide. Maps can be picked up at the headquarters in
Casa Matriz. Ask if there have been any changes made to schedule.
This is a cheap and fantastic way to get around the town. |
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 Camel
Bus - camellos, as they are known by locals, are modified
flat beds to transport 220 people at a time, but at times have more
than 300. The government created these behemoths during the early
1990's in answer to the gas shortages. Fares are supercheap and considering
the crowds a ride on Japanese subway system is a cakewalk. |
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TAXI: |
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| Havana
has a great taxi system serving both the tourist trade and the local
population. You must take into consideration that if you use a tourist
taxi four or five times a day, it comes close to that of renting a
car, especially if you're traveling between Miramar and Habana Vieja. |
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 Dollar
Taxis - Licensed to carry tourist they are operated by
state run organizations, all of which charge in dollars. The cheapest
is Panataxi (7) 55-5555, which provides efficient radio-dispached
taxi service using new Peugeots. A ride from the Habana Libre in
Vedado to Habana Vieja will cost about US$4. These taxis are used
by both tourists and locals.
Tourist
taxis use modern Japanese and European sedans. You can usually find
them with ease around the tourist hotels, but can also be dispatched
by radio. Prices vary according the size of the car and are slightly
more expensive than Panataxi cabs. Taxis are metered and strictly
controlled. Expect to pay about US$5 from Habana Vieja to La Rampa,
and US$10 to Miramar. Expect to pay 20% more for nighttime Nighttime
fares.
- Habanataxi
(7) 41-9600
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Taxi-OK (7) 24-1446
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Taxi Transtur (7) 33-5539.
Taxi
companies offer special long distance and hourly rates. Also, traveling
with three or more people makes it more economical. Most taxi drivers
will not try to rip you off, but you still need to be cautious.
Always make sure that they have the meter on. You might be able
to strike up a deal with the driver who will stop the meter after
a stated period and you pay him a greater amount, but still less
than what it would have been had he had that meter running the entire
time. It does help considerably if you speak Spanish.
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| Peso
Taxis - These taxis are for the locals and until recently
have been banned from carrying tourists. They are Russian built Ladas
that are painted black and yellow. Drivers may require tourists to
pay in dollars, in which case you should negotiate the fare, which
is usually half the price of a tourist taxi. |
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 Gypsy
Cabs - These are illegal freelance taxis that hover around
the Parque Central. Fares are negotiable and it's also possible to
rent a car and driver for the whole day for around US$30. |
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 Ciclotaxis
- These
things are everywhere. They are like the Chinese rickshaw's of Havana.
If you want a very casual and cheap way of touring around the city
this is the way to go. Habana Vieja to Vedado is US$3, or you can
rent them by the hour for US$5. |
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 Cocotaxis
- motorized
yellow eggs on wheels. Most depart from the Hotel Inglaterra on Parque
Central and they charge US$5 per hour for three people, albeit very
tight. |
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