Transport in Santiago de Cuba
There are many ways to arrive to Santiago, the most comfortable and fastest is flying. Traveling from La Havana to Santiago by plane costs $100 approximately and there are several airlines which do this route like “Cubana de Aviación” (this airline fly 3 times per day from Havana to Santiago) or “AeroCaribbean”. The trip lasts almost two hours. But also it is possible to fly directly from some European countries to Santiago airport (“Antonio Maceo International Airport”) mainly in summer and also there several flights from Santo Domingo as well as some charter flights.
Another way is by car, but there are many options like bus, taxi, rent a car or traveling by trucks. If you decides to travel by bus, the “Viazul” bus is a good option, the buses are very comfortable since they have air-conditioned. The trip lasts 16 hours approximately and it costs $51. Nevertheless usually this service is used only by tourists and privileged Cubans, the local people do the trip by “Astro” which is a company of buses cheaper than “Viazul” (it costs just $4) or by truck that is still cheaper but also more dangerous and uncomfortable. The buses “Viazul” leave from Havana to Santiago three times per day at 09:30, 15:00 and 18:15 and arrive at 01:35, 06:50 and 07:15 respectively.
Rent a car in Cuba cost around $15 per day, the advantage of this option is that you can go everywhere. But you must bring the car back the day that you said because you must pay a charge double for each day past the return date of the contract.
The train is other way, by train the trip lasts around 14 hours. It costs between $30.50 and $50; it depend if you travel in special class or first class. It is cheaper than “Viazul” buses; besides, the wagons have air-conditioned. You usually have to pay with American dollars in the stations of "FerroCuba" the company that manages the trains in Cuba.
The Santiago de Cuba city is not very large, and then you can go almost anywhere walking. Only there are two places which are far away and they are the” Morro Castle” and the beach. You can arrive to these places by truck, but it is very hard and packet thought also very cheaper (it costs only 1 Cuban peso). Anotherr way is to take a taxi which bring you to the castle for $8 including return with the driver waiting for you there until for two hours. To the beach by taxi costs between $16 and $20, it depends if you know how make business, the tariff includes return.
There are two options more, which are rent a car (around $15 per day ) or rent a bike(around $2 per day). Both have very reasonable prices and they allow you to move more freely.
Back to:
Spanish in Cuba
Spanish in Latin America
Spanish courses
| 
Send to a friend
