Havana

Getting Around

Cubans rely heavily on an unreliable bus system that is cheap but overcrowded and slow, with long queues and inconsistent routes and schedules. The new modern city buses travel to anywhere in the city. Most visitors to Havana avoid the buses and rely instead on the numerous, inexpensive taxis to get around the greater part of the city.

Renting a car is not the best option as car hire is expensive, road signs are poor and numerous one-way streets make driving a real challenge. Different types of taxis cruise the streets, including tourist taxis, two-seater bicycle taxis and the iconic and not totally safe yellow scooter coconut taxis. Most tourist taxis are air conditioned, metered, well maintained and charge in convertible pesos.

There are also vintage car owners who operate as unofficial taxis, although a rate should be negotiated beforehand as passengers are likely to be overcharged. A couple of vintage cars can be hired by tourists for tours around the city too, and can be found outside main tourist attractions such as the Revolution Museum or the Capitolio. It is not generally difficult or expensive to get around in Havana, and it is a wonderful walking city when it comes to shorter distances.

Airports