Provincia de Santiago de Cuba Travel Forum

What is a better trip - Havana/Cayo Largo/Cienfuegos/Trinidad or Santiago de Cuba/ is it safe to hire a car and drive around for long distances?

Can't answer your first question, but I can offer some less-than-expert opinions on the second one. I did not rent a car in Cuba but spoke with some people who did.

My opinions as they stand at the moment:

Safety: No problems with personal safety but if you are involved in an accident where someone is hurt or killed, you may be tossed into prison until the authorities decide who is at fault. This is no different than anywhere in Latin America or many other countries. The concept of being innocent until proven guilty is something we take for granted in Britain and North America, but it's not common worldwide. Lots of people rent cars and drive from one end of Cuba to the other and back. My sister and her husband did, friends of theirs did - - go ahead.

Finding your way around: There are few street signs; most guidebooks recommend that you pick up hitchhikers and let them give you directions. However, one couple told me that they were always given directions to the hitchhikers' destinations instead of to their own! So I suggest that you pick up the locals waiting for rides, ask them where THEY want to go, and then don't ask directions for yourself until you're about to drop them off!

Fuel: Availability can be a problem. Fuel up when you get the chance, don't let the tank get too low. And have some idea where the next gas station is.

You can also rent a car with driver. Some Cubans do have cars and will drive you to the next city for a fee. It's not cheap, because they are risking heavy penalties if caught operating an unlicences service. For that reason also, it's better if you don't stand out as a tourist too much. Just ask at the casa particular where you're staying. Chances are they will know someone with a car, and they will recieve a fee for delivering your business. This practice is not risky for you but it is for the driver.

Well, the answer Billjx gave is real good. And I know what we are talking about because I spend lot of days on the highways of cuba hitch hiking with my friends or just walking all around cuba with back packs and tents.

The 2 trips are good and beatifull. Trinidad is half the way to Santiago de Cuba. If U've enough time try to do the complete trip, including Topes de Collantes natural park, 17km from Trinidad, U'll not be dissapointed, specially if U like nature and waterfalls.

On my Cuba travel page, on the transportation tips there is lot of info and road maps:

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/2ca2d/9d2/9/

If U need more info, places to visit while U're driving around or any other info, feel free to email me, I'll be glad to help U....have fun!

Hi, is nice to know you are planing to visit Cuba, from all this citis, if you like the mountains and the fresh air, pleace go to Santiago de cuba,but if you are looking for a relaxing vacation go to de Cayo largo, Havana is very bussy, but is preaty too and really big, and don't be afraid of renting a car, if you are planing on moving a lot, is gonna end up shipper that way thant taking a taxi. Don't forget your travel guid, Cuba is a safe contry, people are very friendly and they will help you if you get lost, but always be carefull 'cause there are the once that don't care helping you for nothing in return, and the once that are always looking to get something from you, is always nuce to bring along some litle things to give away like hats, etc.
Hope it help you, have a nice trip.