I am going to Cuba for 13 days.?

Question

Do you think 13 days is enough to make a trip over 2000 km. havana - santiago santiago-havana.
I read many travelers don’t recommend this idea as 2 weeks isn’t enough to really enjoy the places. Most of time would be spent in the bus.
What is your view on this

2. As apparently the public communication isn't the strongest in Cuba I am considering renting a car.
This would give me flexibility and independence but it's quite expensive and I guess we would miss many opportunities to meet the local people.
Do you think it makes sense to rent a car? or bus communication is good enough to plan quite reasonably without worrying to much about the schedules etc

3. Booking casa particulares. Do you think it's a better idea to book casas in advance or there are enough of them to "enter from the street". I would prefer not to book in advance as it gives more flexibility.
Any suggestions?

thanks marcin

Answer 1

Do you speak spanish?
You will really need it at least some , do you have the website of the casaparticulares ? at least you will know the addresses , how they look and the phone numbers.
If you are taking taxis , ask the price before you get in or you will be slaughtered.
I rented a car , was very independent , why would rent a car would not let you really know the people and all anything about them? I thing on the contrary that being subject to bus schedules could really mess your plans.. my modest opinion.
I was there for two weeks but under way diffrent circumstances that you are going , I visited my family there and seemed to me 2 weeks was not enough time after 8 years without seing them.
seem that you may use a friendly hand over there , it would not hurt... I have a brother there in Havana City that may give you some advise in the first days there... he does speak english ... here are the casa particular websites.. good luck

Answer 2

You can drive to Santiago, It will take two days. The autopista goes less than half way, it ends before Ciego de Avila at a place called Jatibonico. From there you will have to take the carretera central. You can hook back up on an autopista close to Santiago but this will take you away from El Cobre and you may wish to go there.
Renting a car is the best way but only if you speak Spanish.
You are going to get lost sometimes and road signs are not the norm. If you need to rent a car contact this lady in Havana:- Lucy Davies, Cubania Travel, email [e-mail] . She will get you a good price.
Another piont: getting out of Havana is very conffusing and you need to find the "Ocho Via", there are no signs.
Don't book casas, as you arrive in a town quite often you will be spotted as a tourist and guided to a casa and if not just ask.

Answer 3

We have been to Cuba twice and will be going back for a third time in March. The first time we had an escorted tour for a week. We saw quit a lot of interesting places in a short period of time, but it gave us some ideas of places that we would like to go back and stay for a couple of weeks. This way you get to see the real Cuba at your own pace.

A friend of mine went to Cuba for a month, rented a car, and stayed at casa's without booking ahead. This is something I wouldn't do myself. The road maps are not acurate and road signs are next to non existant.

If this is the first time you are going to Cuba, take the escorted tour. Like us, you will find places that you would like to visit for a full two weeks on a return trip.

Answer 4

Dude, I was born in Cuba, came to America at the age of 15 and went back to Cuba after 19 years just a couple of month ago.
I can tell you for a fact that in 13 days you can see Cuba from corner to corner, however some of these commenst are right, you may need to speak some Spanish or else you would be paying twice as much for everything.
Rent a car only if you have somebody who speak the lenguage and understand the Cuban people! But yes, please go a see the Island, you dont get back here praising Castro and his soldiers, nothing good in Cuba is owe to him or his regimen.

Answer 5

My first time in Cuba was 5 weeks in Dec-Jan.

My views:

You are trying too much in 13 days.

The bus system is excellent. Take taxis locally to get to specific sights etc.

Plenty of casas. Buy a guidebook and choose location, atmosphere etc to your liking.

Answer 6

make some friends with the cuban people and see if you rent a car will they give you a tour on their day off all you have to do is buy them lunch and give them anywhere from 10 to 20 dollars they will refuse it but really insist on it ,give them the money after your tour is finished.they are very nice people and very kind .hope you have a good holiday. the people i am talking about are ones that work in the resort

Answer 7

Personally I believe your plans are a little ambitious when you are unfamiliar with the country although it would be a great adventure. The site below is very good with lots of info.