Cuba cannot boast of comfortable, convenient and developed public transport, so one of the most popular means of transportation in Cuba is a taxi. Like Cuban money, taxis on the island are divided into tourist and local.
Tourist cabs are equipped with air conditioning and a radiotelephone. Payment for the trip is taken in dollars. A trip in such a taxi is safe, since the movement of the vehicle is controlled by the operator. A local taxi is cheaper, and you can catch it on the street, but the car in such a taxi is old, worn out, and no one will give a guarantee of safety.
In Cuba, you will meet retro cars that carry tourists, these cars are of various colors and brands - from American cars of the 50s of the last century to Soviet Zhiguli and Moskvich cars.
Types of taxis in Cuba
In 2008, all state-owned cab companies were united under one brand, Cubataxi, but the companies transport passengers under the old names. There are three state-owned companies operating in the taxi business in Cuba: Cubanacan, Turistaxi, and Panataxi.
The Cubanacan company provides tourists with a Mercedes car, but the cost of the trip will be rather high. A trip in Japanese small cars from the Turistaxi company is also an expensive travel option. Expensive pleasures of traveling around Cuban cities include trips in cars of the Transgaviota and Taxi OK companies.
Only in the capital of Cuba, the cheapest taxi “Panataxi” carries passengers through its streets. You can recognize him by his familiar Lada. Not every tourist can afford a ride in an old Grancar Chevrolet: you will have to pay up to 30 cookies for an hour of travel. The Cocotaxi company transports local passengers in black and yellow cars, and visitors in yellow cars.
There is also the so-called national taxi “Colectivos”. His trip price is fixed: 10 pesos. This company operates American cars, Zhiguli and Moskvich. Bicycle taxis "Bicitaxi" are not allowed to carry tourists, but it seems that no one pays attention to this ban.
A trip around the cities of the country, along the streets of big cities, can take place by bicycle taxi, or by car in the form of a capsule, or by horse-drawn cart.
What is the difference between a Cuban state taxi and a private one?
The difference between a state cab and a private one is very simple: state cabs have blue license plates, private cabs have yellow license plates. And the colors of the cars are represented in all shades of the rainbow. Colorful, bright colors are also loved among taxi drivers. The taxi sign can be attached to the glass, on the roof, or on the hood.
There are also shared taxis on the island. You can team up with your hotel guests and order station wagon buses or minibuses to travel to the sights of the country.
Special buses run in resort areas. You pay for travel on them once, and then you can get off at the stop you need, then get on a similar bus again, as many times as you like.
Local in Varadero
What are the endlessly white beaches on Varadero, when is the rainy season there, where does the history of Cuba come from and other facts have already been written on the Internet an infinite number of times.
Therefore, without dwelling on general information about Cuba and Varadero, I will immediately move on to specific questions that came to my mind when I was just planning to go to Cuba, for example: if you fly to Cuba through Havana, then how to go to Varadero on your own, what are the prices for taxis and Is it possible to pre-order a transfer from Havana to Varadero, and also if you fly to Varadero by charter, how can you go on an excursion to Havana yourself? Perhaps you also have some of the questions listed above. Here I answer!)
Moscow – Varadero: direct flights and flights via Havana.
When you plan to travel to a country on your own, in this case to Cuba, the most expensive purchases are air travel and hotel accommodation. Therefore, I approached the purchase of an air ticket to Cuba very carefully: I monitored prices from different airlines, followed promotions and discounts, signed up to send cheap tickets from aviasales.ru
, was waiting for charter flights.
As a result, I bought an air ticket to Cuba on the route Irkutsk-Moscow-Havana-Moscow-Irkutsk for only 57 thousand rubles, which by Irkutsk standards, taking into account the expensive flight to Moscow, is very cheap.
You can get to Varadero in Cuba as follows: direct flight Moscow – Varadero , and through Havana.
Direct flight Moscow-Varadero
it takes the same amount of time as a Moscow-Havana flight, but such flights do not always happen. For example, Nordwind Airlines (North Wind Airlines) has charter flights in the Moscow-Varadero direction.
You can navigate prices and availability of direct flights from Moscow to Varadero using the low price calendar:
You can get from Moscow to Varadero via Havana.
If you compare the prices for flights Moscow-Varadero and Moscow-Havana, the difference can be more than 10 thousand rubles in favor of a flight to Havana.
Flight over Varadero)
I wrote about prices for air tickets to Cuba (Moscow-Havana), as well as how to book and buy air tickets to Havana online
You will find all the information about how to find accommodation when arriving in Havana, book accommodation in Havana in advance, and about transfers from Havana airport to the city in the article
If you are not going to stay in Havana and immediately want to go to Varadero then...
How to get from Havana airport to Varadero on your own.
The distance from Havana to Varadero is 134 km.
Travel from Havana to Varadero You can travel on your own by using the Viasul intercity bus. In general, it is cheaper to travel around Cuba by these buses than by taxi or shared taxi. Buses have a convenient schedule, and bus stations are located only in Havana, far from the center, and for example in Varadero, Trinidad, Santa Clara, etc. right in the city.
The fare to Varadero from Havana is 9.5 cookies (which is equal to 9.5 euros). Travel time – 3 hours.
Intercity buses from Havana to Varadero run several times a day. Bus schedule - screenshot from the official website of Viasul):
Bus schedule from Havana to Varadero (screenshot from the Viazul website page)
When planning a trip to Varadero, you should once again look at the schedule directly on the website: http://www.viazul.com/index.php
Transfer Havana-Varadero, taxi prices from Havana to Varadero.
Transfer prices from Havana to Varadero range around 150 CUC. If you catch a taxi collectively, then this cost is divided among all passengers. Approximately 25 cookies per person in a 6-seater car.
You can catch taxis and shared taxis in the central square in Havana or near the Viazul bus terminal, as well as at Havana airport.
You can order a transfer from Havana to Varadero in advance through the service Kiwi taxi
.
You can book a Havana-Varadero transfer or find out the price using this form:
Excursions to Varadero: Cayo Blanco island and swimming with dolphins.
When vacationing in Varadero, travel companies offer a variety of excursions. We liked an excursion to an island in the Atlantic Ocean - Cayo Blanco. In principle, the island will not be something outlandish for sophisticated travelers. An ordinary island, white sand, emerald water.
Cayo Blanco island, the sky was gloomy, and eventually it started raining)
The excursion lured us with the opportunity to swim with dolphins.
However, we were very disappointed with how things turned out.
And so, they take you to the island on a comfortable catamaran.
Catamaran in Marina Marlin Bay, Varadero
Drinks and snacks are included in the price of the excursion. First, as with all sea excursions in countries located near seas and oceans, the first stop is at a coral reef. Everyone is given masks and snorkels.
If you have been to the Red Sea in Egypt, then you will most likely be disappointed with snorkeling off the coast of Varadero. Compared to the flora and fauna of the Red Sea, the Atlantic Ocean (at least in this part - near Varadero) is much inferior. However, there are still colorful fish.
Next is the announced swimming with dolphins. We bought this excursion just for this pleasure.
The price for an excursion from Varadero to Cayo Blanco is 110 CUC (110 euros). If you do not swim with dolphins, the price of the excursion will be lower - 80 CUC.
On excursion brochures, photographs of this attraction look something like this:
me and a dolphin, and no one around) And if it weren’t for the life jacket, then one could say that this was a chance meeting in the ocean)
In reality, everything is much simpler - like this.
Mini-aquarium and trained dolphin)
A couple of trained dolphins swim in this mini-dolphinarium and free swimming with them is prohibited. It’s also not possible to take photographs, since there are a lot of people and everyone stands in a line with their backs to the pier. There is a professional photographer working on site who, for 10 cookies (10 euros), is ready to photograph you without other people. The trainer will give commands, the dolphin will perform (for example, lie on the palm of your hand) and the photographer will photograph how you supposedly hold the dolphin. The photographs will be ready in the evening of the same day and they will be delivered to you directly to the hotel or to the private office.
Ride a dolphin for 10 seconds (one tiny circle) - 10 cookies. Only in this case does it become possible to take photos yourself. Otherwise, you need to order a photographer.
An indescribable feeling, of course, but I didn’t have time to enjoy the process in 10 seconds)
But there is also a plus in this excursion. Lunch is included in the price and this is the only place in Cuba where we managed to eat plenty of seafood. On an excursion to Cayo Blanco, there is a buffet for lunch and you can eat until you burst.
Lunch on Cayo Blanco
The excursion to Cayo Blanca begins from the very beautiful Marlin Marina bay. We were a little envious of those who lived at the BLAU VARADERO hotel - they immediately ran from the catamaran to their rooms to relax after such an eventful journey across the expanses of the Atlantic) And we went to the center of Varadero, since we rented accommodation from the locals.
Excursion from Varadero to Havana: book your own tour of Havana.
Having arrived in Cuba on your own, you can book excursions at the offices of the CUBA TOUR company. In Varadero, the Cuba Tour office is located in a shopping center located right in the center of Varadero. This is one of the largest travel companies in Cuba. But small local travel agencies also sell excursions to Havana.
Attention! If you buy a tour to Varadero from a travel agency, it will be in either English or Spanish.
A tour of Havana with a Russian-speaking guide can be ordered from local residents:
You can go on an excursion to Havana on your own, without a travel agency. Walk along the streets of Old and New Havana or take a tour bus (omnibus), which departs every 15 minutes from the central square in Havana. The cost of such an excursion is 10 cookies per person. The bus runs to the sights of Havana. You can leave and enter during the day with one ticket. The audio guide tells about Havana in English.
Architecture of Old Havana
You can get from Varadero to Havana in the same way as from Havana to Varadero, in several ways:
1) by intercity bus of the Viasul company, cost – 9.5 CUC, travel time – 3 hours.
Buses run several times a day.
Schedules and prices from the Viazul website from Varadero to Havana:
Varadero-Havana
2) by taxi. Prices start from 150 CUC.
3) by taxi collectively. Price 25 CUC per person based on 6 beds.
You can catch taxis and shared taxis near the Viazul bus terminal in Varadero or on the main street of Varadero.
I wish you a wonderful holiday on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
Sincerely, Katya Bashkurova.
I would be glad if you share your impressions or your experience of vacationing in Cuba in the comments.
local population on Varadero beach, Cuba
Kiwitaxi works with professional transport companies, holding carriers to the same standards in different countries. This allows us to achieve predictable quality of service around the world.
The fastest way to travel from Varadero to Havana
The transfer is 1.5–2.5 times faster than public transport. Due to the fact that you don’t need to adjust to the schedule and don’t have to waste time on stops along the route.
Faster than a taxi on the spot by an average of 5–15 minutes, since the Kiwitaxi driver arrives at the appointed time, and you do not have to waste time searching for the right car and waiting for delivery.
A comfortable option without additional stress
The car you need will arrive. At the time of ordering on the website, you select capacity and additional parameters, for example, a child seat for the desired age.
We meet at a convenient place. At airports, drivers or Kiwitaxi greeters try to be as close to the arrivals area as possible with a sign with the client’s name on it, as far as the rules allow. In hotels we try to meet you at the reception; Varadero is no exception.
You don't need to know the language of a foreign country. Many Kiwitaxi drivers and greeters know Russian, and even more know English. As a last resort, you can communicate with a support manager who definitely knows Russian.
Serviceable cars and professional drivers. Kiwitaxi works with licensed carriers. Transfers are carried out using vehicles that have undergone maintenance and are no older than seven years. Drivers have professional licenses.
Service at an understandable price
The price is fixed at the time of order. Whatever payment option you choose, the price will not change. There may be an additional payment only if you need to travel deviating from the route or make a long stop.
Payment online. You can pay for the service by card on the website. This will allow you not to think about how to exchange money in order to take a local taxi to Varadero to Havana.
For transportation services from the port
For transportation services to the port The check-out time from the hotel will be calculated automatically.
The check-out time from the hotel will be calculated automatically.
For airport transportation services submission time Tourist waiting time is 1 hour.
For airport transportation services The transfer time must coincide with the arrival time of the plane. Tourist waiting time is 1 hour.
For transportation services from the port submission time reverse Tourist waiting time is 15 minutes.
For airport transportation services The transfer time must coincide with the arrival time of the plane. Tourist waiting time is 1 hour.
For transportation services from the railway station submission time reverse Tourist waiting time is 30 minutes.
For transportation services from the port The transfer delivery time must coincide with the disembarkation time from the ship. Tourist waiting time is 15 minutes.
For transportation services from the port The transfer delivery time must coincide with the disembarkation time from the ship. Tourist waiting time is 15 minutes.
For transportation services from the railway station submission time reverse transfer must coincide with the train arrival time. Tourist waiting time is 30 minutes.
For transportation services from the port The transfer delivery time must coincide with the disembarkation time from the ship. Tourist waiting time is 15 minutes.
For airport transportation services submission time reverse transfer must coincide with the arrival time of the plane. Tourist waiting time is 1 hour.
For transportation services from the railway station The transfer delivery time must coincide with the train arrival time. Tourist waiting time is 30 minutes.
For transportation services from the railway station The transfer delivery time must coincide with the train arrival time. Tourist waiting time is 30 minutes.
For airport transportation services submission time reverse transfer must coincide with the arrival time of the plane. Tourist waiting time is 1 hour.
For transportation services from the railway station The transfer delivery time must coincide with the train arrival time. Tourist waiting time is 30 minutes.
For transportation services from the port submission time reverse transfer must coincide with the time of disembarkation from the ship. Tourist waiting time is 15 minutes.
For airport transportation services The transfer delivery time must coincide with the departure time of the plane. The check-out time from the hotel will be calculated automatically.
For airport transportation services submission time reverse transfer must coincide with the arrival time of the plane. Tourist waiting time is 1 hour.
For transportation services to the port The transfer delivery time must coincide with the boarding time. The check-out time from the hotel will be calculated automatically.
For transportation services from the port submission time reverse transfer must coincide with the time of disembarkation from the ship. Tourist waiting time is 15 minutes.
For transportation services to the railway station The transfer delivery time must coincide with the desired arrival time at the railway station. The check-out time from the hotel will be calculated automatically.
For transportation services from the railway station submission time reverse transfer must coincide with the train arrival time. Tourist waiting time is 30 minutes.
For resort to resort transportation services It is necessary to indicate the time of delivery of the transfer to the hotel.
For airport transportation services The transfer time must coincide with the arrival time of the plane. Tourist waiting time is 1 hour.
For airport transportation services submission time reverse transfer must coincide with the departure time of the plane. The check-out time from the hotel will be calculated automatically.
For transportation services from the port The transfer delivery time must coincide with the disembarkation time from the ship. Tourist waiting time is 15 minutes.
For transportation services to the port submission time reverse The transfer must coincide with the time of boarding the ship. The check-out time from the hotel will be calculated automatically.
For transportation services from the railway station The transfer delivery time must coincide with the train arrival time. Tourist waiting time is 30 minutes.
For transportation services to the railway station submission time reverse transfer must coincide with the time of desired arrival at the railway station. The check-out time from the hotel will be calculated automatically.
They have long been one of the main attractions of Cuba. Visiting them is an important item on a traveler's bucket list. Soft white sand and crystal clear water, despite the rapid construction of beach hotels, make this resort a place where you can enjoy beautiful nature and relax from the bustle of the city.
How to get from Havana to Varadero on your own? Varadero is not so far from Havana, only 134 kilometers. This distance can be covered in a couple of hours, although there are several stops along the way.
Excursion tour
Often travelers who fly to Varadero for a few weeks want to visit Havana. If the trip is planned with an overnight stay, it is better to take an excursion. The tour operator will arrange overnight stays at the hotel and transfers to and from Havana. The excursion will also include a sightseeing tour of the capital. Prices range from 120 CUC (7,500 rubles) per person for a day trip to 2,000 CUC (12,200 rubles) for an overnight excursion. This trip can be booked in advance or requested at the hotel reception.
Solo travel
How to get from Varadero to Havana on your own? If you are planning an independent trip, you can use a taxi, regular buses, or rent a car. Such a trip will save some money and time, because the tourist himself chooses what he wants to do in the capital: sightseeing, shopping or tasting local dishes and Cuban rum.
Bus
The easiest way to get from Varadero to Havana is to take the Viazul bus. The cost of the trip is only 10 CUC (635 rubles). The bus station in Varadero is located on the corner of Calle 36. The station can be easily reached from any hotel, for example, by taxi - the cost is 3-5 CUC (150-200 rubles).
The bus is a great way to get to Havana quickly and safely. It is possible that it will be filled with other tourists wanting to see the capital. It is better to reserve your seat in advance, at least a day in advance. Reservations can be made through the official Viazul reservation system. After confirmation of payment, the tourist receives a receipt by email, which must be printed and exchanged at the bus station ticket office for bus tickets.
In Havana, the bus stops in Old Havana and then in Vedado, the historical district of the city, ending at Vedado Occidental.
Taxi
The option of taking a taxi from Varadero to Havana is more comfortable, but costs much more. The standard cost of a trip is usually about 80 CUC (5,000 rubles), but you can find a cheaper car. Taxi drivers wait for passengers near the Viazul station, sometimes there are already one or two passengers in the car. You can try to join them and split the fare for the trip.
Getting to Havana by taxi will be much faster than by bus, because there will be no stops along the way, and the driver will bring tourists to their desired destination. You can and should bargain with taxi drivers about the price of the trip, because this is part of the Cuban adventure. In Cuba they are traded everywhere, the original price can be significantly reduced. Even if a traveler does not speak Spanish, English is also widely understood here.
From the capital to the resort
From Havana you can get to Varadero using the same methods: bus and taxi. You can also rent a car. Three major car rental companies - REX, Cubacar and Havanautos - offer good cars. The price includes a daily fee for the car, an initial deposit, insurance and several additional fees (delay and damage to the vehicle). This option is only suitable for experienced drivers. After all, driving on Cuban roads is still a pleasure and is often accompanied by increased stress.
Buses from Havana to Varadero leave from the main Viazul station on 26th Avenue, right opposite the old zoo. There are four flights a day: at 6.00, 8.00, 13.00 and 17.30. All buses are modern, air conditioned and very comfortable. The journey lasts three hours. During this time, the bus makes stops where you can have a snack or do a photo shoot.
There are also buses from different bus companies, for example, "Havantour", which go to Varadero, collecting passengers at various city hotels. This travel option is also safe and cheap.
Varadero Airport
From Havana Airport you can get to Varadero by public transport - Viazul buses. Flights depart to the resort several times a day. The journey takes about an hour, the cost is approximately 400-500 rubles per person. Cuban taxi drivers ask about $40 (3,000 rubles) for their services, but you can bargain for half that price.
How to get from Varadero to Havana Airport? The easiest way is a hotel transfer; its cost is often included in the package. If you go on your own, it is better to use a bus or taxi.