TRAVELLING AROUND CUBA

Bus:
As is written in most of guides, tourist buses offering by company known as Viazul are really reliable, fast, air conditioned and even cheap (Havana - Trinidad 25 USD, Havana - Stg. de Cuba 51 USD). Unfortunately even these vehicles sometimes gone, what was happen me on the way to Trinidad. Bus has not been able to repair, hence they provide us with new one and we've reached Trinidad 6 hours later.

Except Viazul I was using another bus company Astro. These buses hasn't been on same level as Viazul ones, but always bring me to the destination without any problems and what was the best buses hasn't been air conditioned.

About public transport in Havana can be written separate article. One example for clarify: journey from downtown to Aquapark takes me 5 hours. 3 hours waiting at bus station with other 200 people, 1 hour by bus till wheel broke down and finally 1 hour by foot.

Train:
Only one time I've tried use the train from Havana to Santiago, but that's never been forgotten experience. As per all surround recommendations I've chose train called "Coche Motoro", what cost 42 USD and to Santiago depart every second day. Journey should took 12 hours, at last has took me unfortunately 44 hours due to unrepairable train failure. It happened around 120USD outside of Havana in little city Aguacute , where all tourist, after 3 hours in stopped train, got new tickets to train back to Havana. Unfortunately that was common non tourist train where we've sat at the floor on back-packs and after guide notice about pickpockets we couldn't asleep. This emergency train got us out back in Havana in 3 a.m. and than they told us in order to go to Santiago we have to arrive at station again in 18 p.m. That's even happened and after 18 hours in substitute train we've at last arrived to Santiago.

Car:
Because I've been alone in Cuba, I didn't had enough finance for renting a car, hence I do not have with this alternative any experience at all. If you are more, best in 4, I think this is very good and popular transport option among tourists within Cuba.

Bicycle:
Definitely best choice ever for short (for someone even for long) distances. Renting bike there cost from 3 to 5 USD.

Taxi:
In certain cases I've used taxi even I didn't want because another option doesn't exist. Taxi ride within Havana for example fromViazul station beside ZOO to Capitolio in city centre costs in 2004 around 4 USD. I'm recommending to find someone to share the ride, actually this is not very big problem.

Horse:
I've used horse for trip towards waterfall close to Trinidad. Horse with guide cost 20 USD against 12 USD only for guide.

Camello:
Camello is name for truck with big trailer using as bus in public transport in Havana. Tickets costs in all cases for all routes and for all destination same 20 centavo pesos.Camello is typically very slow, always absolutely full and smells really terrible like a gas smoke. At Camello stations are two rows of passengers. First standing one is for those who are going only short distances and second sitting one for long distances. That means if you want to go long is better to wait longer for sitting inCamello. Very good experience.

Motorcycle:
I'm not 100% sure, but I think rent a motorcycle costs 21 USD per day.

WHERE TO GO

Havana:
Definitely it is worth have a look at Havana downtown, what you can go through within 2 days. Very nice is museum of Revolution,Capitolio and Malecón. Everything more about Havana you do can find in your guide.

Trinidad:
Trinidad is beautiful city from colonial times of Cuba. There is great "Casa de la Musica", which awake with approaching of the night and ends very late in morning. Outside of Trinidad I've visited waterfalls in national park "El Cubano " where is amazing clear and fresh water and even very little of visitors. Around Trinidad are more waterfalls, but as per other guys told me, the others are dirty.

Cienfuegos:
Probably cleanest and calmest city in Cuba. As far as I'm concerned I've really liked this city even sometimes during the day I was boring (consider as "relaxing"). With approaching of night situation had changed to city full of fun and entertainment.Cienfuegos can be very proud for that Malecon.

Santiago de Cuba:
In Santiago I've only one night because I didn't like it there. People there behave sometimes kind of aggressive and even one guy had tried to rob of me. Be careful there and be aware of your belongings. However there are very nice streets Aguilera and Heredia, that are close for cars during the night and all over the night is salsa dancing there.

Baracoa:
For me is Baracoa definitely most beautiful and best city in Cuba. If I had more time and money I've stay there much longer. Very nice friendly people, perfect night life, beautiful around and best chocolate I ever had! BecauseBaracoa little city it does not matter where you find a sleep, from every place of Baracoa it is very close to the beach and sights. Along the city is very nice black and empty beach. Everyone has tried to sent me to local rarity "Playa Blanca" what is actually normal beach with white sand. Only one thing may you consider as rarity and that this beach have actually only around 2 square metres. Tourist agencies are offering a lot of trips aroundBaracoa. I suppose that everyone is great, but I've been due to time, only on the trip to 700 metres high hill called "El Yunque". This trip been perfect and cost 16 USD. Don't forget to use repellent against mosquito!

Vinales:
Only in the city is nothing very interesting for tourist, but surroundings are beautiful. I'm recommending rent a bike and go around on them. I've visited chalky hills calledMogotes, Mural de historia and cave "Cuevo de Indio", where you pay 5 USD for 5 minutes walking through.

Cayo Levisa:
In Vinales I've payed 29 USD for trip to Levisa island (Cayo Levisa). They brought us there by small ship and we spent there about 5 hours. Sea there is very clean and everywhere are moving huge crabs. Cayo Levisa have great condition to take a rest from everyday travelling.

Varadero:
Varadera isn't Cuba. It is only very long beach with nice clean sand filled up by expensive hotels and reach tourists. It is worth to visit cave on the end of peninsula, which is full of bats and cockroaches. Unfortunately I can't remember name of this cave. I suppose that all hotels there are expensive even I've tried few of them and they cost more then my budget can provide me. Fortunately I've met one very nice Brazilian guy inBaracoa who draw me little map to cheap hotel "Torquino", which had not been on official Varadero map. Double room with satellite, terrace and kitchen at this hotel cost 18 USD. Only one "minus" is that hotel is not so close to beach but 2 blocks from them. Because Varadero is actually really long is better to rent a scooter.

FOOD

Restaurants:
My suggestion is using private restaurant called "Paladares", where you can eat a lot for accurate price. That's happen in state restaurant only few time or maybe never. In state restaurant are food very expensive and portion are so small that sometime I've needed two of them. But in every city is possible to find some exceptions.

Eating on the street:
I was afraid of it in the first few days, but in case i was hungry and i haven't big budget with me, i was forced to try it. The food weren't something special but it appeased hunger and i hadn't no problems with digestion. The only choose you have is Pizzade Quesso (Cheese pizza) witch costs 5 peso or Pizza con jamón (Ham pizza) for 7-8 peso.

Drinking:
It is difficult with drinking at Cuba, because of hot weather you need to drink lot of water, however there isn't plenty of it. Half liter of packed water cost 1USD. The first days you can pay for it, but after few days your budget will get so small so you must drink water witch is sallen on the street (gaseado) 2dcl for 1 peso. It is just water with sugar, sometime with lot of messy ice, but always cold. I buy camel bag, witch i filled with tea and i also buy water disinfection, witch i use in case that Cubans select the water from the tap as suitable for drinking. In case that Cubans say water is not for drinking i didn't drink it.

Beer:
Bucanero! I tried almost every Cuban beers, but the winner is Bucanero.

ACCOMODATION

There are only two possibilities. Casa particular or Hotel. How to find good accommodation? Because i haven't on my trip round Cuba any guide, so before every single trip I've check out in Internet coffee every address and price of the accommodations at the place I was planing to go. One night in "casa particular" cost around 20 USD, but prices are negotiable.

SAFENESS

Excepting bad experiences in Santiago de Cuba I haven't felt at risk anywhere. People were always friendly even sometimes very bothering. All belongings excepting passport I've still left on my room and never nothing got lost.