How to Get Around Cuba: a Complete Transportation Guide

Figuring out how to get around Cuba can feel confusing, especially if it’s your first time visiting. Transportation here works a little differently than in many other countries, and knowing your options will help you avoid surprises or frustration. (We had our fair share).

From classic cars to local buses and private taxis, there are several ways to explore Cuba depending on your budget and travel style. Some methods are tourist-focused, while others are more local and adventurous.

In this guide, we’ll explain the main ways to get around Cuba, sharing practical tips so you can travel easily and confidently during your trip.

How to Get Around Cuba: a Brief Intro

Before diving into all of the ways to get around the country, let's start with the basics. We're going to first help you get to Cuba, and share a bit about what traveling around Cuba is like.

Getting to Cuba

Before learning how to get around Cuba, let's look at the options to get you there in the first place! You can either fly or sail into Cuba - flying is the much more common option, but sailing is a fun and unique way to visit!

 Flying into Cuba

Being located in the Caribbean, Cuba has direct flights from all over the Americas, several cities in Europe, and even a few others from around the world. The most popular airport is Havana, but you can also fly into Varadero or Santiago de Cuba.

Search for a flight to Cuba:

 Sailing to Cuba

There used to be cruises that went to Cuba. Unfortunately sailings were suspended back in 2019 (which was right before we were about to work on a cruise ship sailing to Cuba ).

Private vessels however are permitted to enter the country, which typically come from other Caribbean islands. The most popular ports are Havana and Varadero, and passengers are welcome but will need to have their Cuba Tourist Card ready before arrival.

Keep in mind that vessels from the US are not permitted, so if you are American and want to sail to Cuba you'll need to do it from a boat somewhere else in the Caribbean.

 Is Cuba Easy to Get Around as a Tourist?

After visiting almost 100 countries, I have to say that Cuba is one of the most unique (and kind of insane) destinations for getting around.

Locals and tourists have different ways to get around, and it's not because of price (although there are major differences), but actually because the government separates both groups. Everything from buses to tours vary greatly in price, comfort, and conditions, which we'll dive into further later.

It's honestly pretty frustrating- not because locals have more affordable transportation, but because you never feel that you can learn the local way of life. Although, hey- at least there are options for getting around as a tourist.

The Different Options for How to Get Around Cuba

Wondering how to get around Cuba once you're there? Here are the different options you can look at:

• Rent a car: This is an easy option, but pretty pricey.
• Rent a scooter: This is for shorter distances
• Take public transportation: There are government-run buses connecting major cities around the island.
• Use private transportation: You can use colectivos or private drivers.
• Take a classic car ride: These are available for a few specific routes
• Hire a guide or join a group trip: This is a fun and easy way to experience the best of the country.

How to Get Around Cuba: Options for Exploring the Country

Now that you know the basics of visiting the country, let's compare the different options for how to get around Cuba as a tourist.

Renting a Car in Cuba

When we travel, we almost ALWAYS rent a car! We love having the liberty of exploring on our own time, having flexibility in our itinerary, and having the freedom to explore hidden gems.

When we saw rental car prices and the lack of availability though, we opted not to rent a car, as it really didn't make sense for the two of us. 

If you do want to rent a car in Cuba though, you can do it via one of the two main companies on the island, CubaRentaCar and Transtur. There is limited availability with cars, so we'd recommend booking on one of these sites in advance. You can rent straight from one of the airports, or in the center of many major cities.

It is Worth it to Rent a Car in Cuba?

Renting a car in Cuba is significantly more expensive than we were anticipating. Not only are the rental prices very high, but the vehicles also aren't in great shape, and they're mostly gas guzzlers, making it truly not the most ideal option for getting around the country.

To explore the cities of Cuba you really don't need a car, so it's really only worth it if you are planning on exploring a lot of different locations, and if you are in a group to split costs.

 Is Cuba Easy to Get Around With a Car?

The good news is that if you do choose a car for getting around Cuba, you shouldn't have many issues. Most of the roads are paved and pretty straightforward when driving. Parking is only difficult within cities themselves, but when visiting places in nature it's free and not hard to find.

Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!

Renting a Scooter in Cuba

If you want to explore inside cities or take small days trips, then renting a scooter in Cuba is a more fun and affordable option than renting a car. You can easily park it in most places, dodge traffic, and not have to worry about having a clunky old car. 

Do keep in mind though that some of the streets have cobblestone or can be falling apart in certain areas, so this should be the choice for more confident drivers!

Like anything, there are pros and cons to renting a scooter in Cuba, which is why we've written a complete guide for you.

 How to Get Around Cuba with Public Transportation

Cuba is pretty limited when it comes to public transportation. There is only one company that offers buses for tourists, and they connect only big cities. Tourists aren't allowed to use public buses from city to city, nor can they use the buses within cities to get from one area to another.

The official government-run bus company is Viazul, which has routes that go once or twice a day from each destination. Prices are in euros, and tickets can be purchased online (with a credit card that is not from the US), or from the bus stations themselves.

Viazul buses are essentially the most basic form of a coach bus. They're slow, and make unnecessary stops. They're not awful by any means, but certainly much more expensive than they should be.

 How to Get Around Cuba with Private Transportation

The most popular option for getting around Cuba for tourists is private transportation. Taxis are readily available at the airport and around cities. You'll have to negotiate a price and have cash (mostly USD actually). 

It's not the most ideal, but it's still pretty affordable and a fast way to get from point A to point B. If you're more than 2 people hiring a driver can actually be cheaper than going with Viazul.

Is There Uber in Cuba?

Uber does not operate in Cuba. Also something to remember about the internet in Cuba is that many apps are actually blocked entirely while you're there!

How to Get Around Cuba in Style - Classic Car Rides

When people think of Cuba, they often imagine tons of colorful, classic cars riding around. Well, the locals don't typically drive the ones you're imagining, and they actually have been saved entirely for the tourism industry.

Riding in a classic car is one of the top things to do in Havana, and is a unique (although very touristy) way to see the city in a fun way. There are also classic car rides available to other cities like Trinidad, Varadero, and Cienfuegos, so if you want to stay in Havana but visit other cities, then this is a cool option for getting around.

 Getting Around Cuba by Tour

If you're looking for the easiest way to experience Cuba, then you can sign up for organized group tours or you can hire your own personal guide. There are guides that you can find online, or you can simply find a driver upon arrival to hire for bringing you around.

 Short Distance Travel in Cuba

Now that you know how to get around Cuba itself, let's take a deeper dive into getting around each individual location.

 How to Get Around Cuba's Cities

Most of the cities in Cuba are really walkable, but if you need to get from one side of the city to another or you need to take a day trip, then you can either hire a taxi or a tuk tuk which you'll find simply driving around or in the main plazas waiting. Payments are in cash, and you'll have to negotiate.

Colectivos (shared buses) are also available in some cities like Havana, and are the one source of transportation that tourists can take like locals. They can be hard to find though, so you'll have to ask around.

We took one for the Cuban Art Factory in Havana, and although it was the one time we used one, we're sure there are plenty more you can find in the bigger cities.

How to Get Around Cuba: Tips & Final Thoughts

There are quite a few options for how to get around Cuba, from the budget-friendly colectivos to crusing around in style in one of the classic cars. The good news is that there are options for all travel types, and you can also do a mix of transportation options depending on your itinerary.

For the centers of Cuban cities, we recommend putting on some comfy shoes and getting your steps in, as it truly is the best way to explore the streets of places like Havana and Trinidad.

If you're a solo traveler or with just one other person and looking for something easy and fun, we'd recommend renting a scooter in Cuba. Going with a group and looking to ride in style? Then hiring a guide or going in a classic car is the way to go.

Here are some final tips for getting around Cuba:

What's Next?

Now that you know how to get around Cuba, you'll probably want to learn more about visiting the country! Here are some of our other guides we recommend to help you better plan your visit to this Caribbean island:

 Can Americans Travel to Cuba? A Full Explanation of How You Can Visit if You're from the US

 How to Get to Havana: Your Complete Guide for Traveling to Cuba's Capital

 10 Best Places to Visit in Cuba for an Unforgettable Trip

 Is There Wifi in Cuba in 2024? The Ultimate Guide for Internet in Cuba

 Ultimate Havana Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Eat, & Explore

 What to Eat in Cuba: A Guide to Local Flavors

 The Top Restaurants in Havana: Complete Food Guide for Cuba's Capital

 Scooters in Cuba: Everything You Need to Know Before Renting

...and more coming each week!

So are you ready to travel around Cuba? We hope this guide has helped you navigate your way around the country and that it's left you more at ease for your travels.

Want to learn more about traveling in Cuba? We have a ton of other Cuba Travel Guides, as well as new ones coming each week! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so that you can get updates on our most recent content, as well as special discounts on our shop.

Ready to start planning an awesome trip around Cuba? Well, we're here to help save you both time and money on your trip, so that you can fully enjoy your visit. Want more info? Take a look at some of the travel planning packages we offer, or email us today to learn more!

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