Sunday, 28 February 2016

HOW TO GET FROM HAVANA TO TRINIDAD

Viazul

Viazul is Cuba’s bus service that connects Havana with other Cuban cities across the country, including Trinidad.  The bus departs daily from Havana’s bus terminal to Trinidad, at approx. 8am and 1pm.  I have never booked a ticket in advance, neither have I tried to book a ticket online via their website, as I’m not sure if you can trust it quite yet.  

So what I tend to do is turn up at the Viazul bus terminal in Havana at least 1 hour before the bus is due to depart and buy my ticket on the day.  I find that the bus to Trinidad doesn’t usually fill up so there’s no problem in leaving it until the same day.  In fact the only time I couldn’t get a ticket was in July 2010 when I wanted to travel from Havana to Santiago de Cuba for the Festival del Fuego.  We turned up at the bus terminal 1 hour before departure to find out that it was fully booked, so even though we couldn’t travel as planned, we were able to reserve a ticket for the following day.  We didn’t have to pay for our ticket in advance, they asked us to pay on the day of travel.  But even if you do this, I would still recommend that you go to the bus terminal early as you still have to wait in the queue and claim your reserved ticket.    

On the Viazul Bus Cuba


I have asked around each time I go to Cuba to see if there are any agencies or hotels in or around the Parque Central area who sell tickets for the Viazul bus in advance, but all pointers lead back to the Viazul bus terminal.  Hence, when you get to Cuba, if you want to book a ticket in advance you need to travel to the Viazul bus terminal and reserve a ticket the day before you want to travel.  

In order to get to the Viazul bus terminal, I recommend you get a taxi as it is a 5-10 minute taxi ride from Parque Central.  Once you get to the terminal there is a cafeteria upstairs where you can buy food and drink for your journey.  During the journey to Trinidad the bus stops for 30 minutes so you can buy something to eat or use the bathroom facilities.

Transtur

Since I discovered Transtur I have stopped using the Viazul bus so much.  Transtur is a transfer service that picks passengers up from key hotels in Havana and travels to Trinidad.  It is comfortable, reliable and air-conditioned.  I prefer this service because you can reserve a ticket the day before at numerous hotels in Havana.  I usually go to the Hotel Inglaterra or Hotel Parque Central and visit the Cubatur bureau where they sell the tickets.  Also it saves me money as I don’t have to get a taxi to the Viazul bus terminal; I usually walk to the Hotel Inglaterra on the morning of my departure, which is one of the collection points.  The price of the ticket is more or less the same as the Viazul and it is usually quicker than the Viazul.  They usually only have a morning departure from Havana and the final drop off point is Parque Cespedes in the main part of Trinidad. 

The only thing I recommend is that you buy your Transtur ticket before 2pm the day before you want to travel.  The last time I wanted to buy a Transtur ticket I arrived at the Hotel Inglaterra just after 6pm and they told me that the tickets were sold out for the following day.

Transtur Cuba


Shuttle Buses

When I couldn’t get a ticket for the Transtur I telephoned my family in Trinidad and through their contacts they were able to find me a shuttle service travelling the following morning from Havana returning to Trinidad.  Not all casas have such contacts but it’s worth asking.  The transfer is a 9-10 seater air-conditioned mini-van, it’s a door to door service, so they collect you from your Casa Particular and drop you off at the Casa in Trinidad.  They usually charge a per-person rate, slightly higher than the Viazul bus fare, but it’s worth it!  It’s convenient, reliable, you don’t have to worry about getting taxis anywhere or finding your Casa when you get to Trinidad.  

 If you want to book a private taxi or a shared taxi service please email us at experiencetherealcuba@gmail.com for a quote.

Taxi

At the Viazul bus terminal I have seen taxis looking to fill up their car with passengers travelling to Trinidad.  They usually charge you the same fare as the Viazul bus, but you have to wait until there are enough passengers to fill up the taxi before you leave.

Trinidad Cuba
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Location: Cuba

100 comments:

  1. timwhitey15 September 2014 at 01:33

    Hi - how long is the Transtur trip from Havana to Trinidad? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA15 September 2014 at 15:18

      Hi, the trip is about 4 hours. Transtur pick up various passengers from different hotels in Havana and they stop for a quick refreshment break along the way.

      Delete
    2. Unknown26 December 2017 at 16:14

      This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
    3. Unknown26 December 2017 at 16:15

      What time do buses leave Trinidad for Havana?

      Delete
    4. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA17 January 2018 at 00:52

      Hi
      You can check the Viazul website for the timetables of buses from Trinidad to Havana.
      https://www.viazul.com/
      Rena

      Delete
  2. Unknown23 February 2015 at 03:55

    Very useful information, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA24 February 2015 at 13:04

      Hi James, I'm glad you found the information useful. Are you planning a trip to Cuba?

      Delete
  3. 쇼핑의달인27 February 2015 at 19:16

    hello, thank you for your wonderful explanation. i will be arrived at Havana airport 3:30pm and want to go Trinidad right away. Is there any suggest for me? Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA2 March 2015 at 13:55

      Hi
      There are no public buses departing Havana for Trinidad at that time. The only way you can travel from Havana airport to Trinidad right away is to organise a taxi. This can be expensive and it's a long journey. I recommend you stay in Havana for 1 night and then travel to Trinidad the next morning.

      Delete
    2. 쇼핑의달인4 March 2015 at 16:43

      um, I would like to take hotel bus-transtur? Do they have a night bus? I would rather taking night bus(If it is possible) since I will come back habana and stay 2 more days.. :)

      Delete
    3. Unknown8 March 2015 at 07:20

      An-nyeong, Haewon... I live in Vancouver, and have been to Cuba many times.
      I have some Korean friends who don't speak very much English (no Spanish) who are flying from Incheon to Havana. They will spend about 8 days there. I am giving them suggestions...did you meet any Korean-speaking guides there who could help them?

      Kamza Hamnida, Mick

      Delete
    4. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA9 March 2015 at 15:55

      Hi
      They do not have a night bus service from Havana to Trinidad or vice versa.
      Rena

      Delete
    5. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA10 March 2015 at 17:56

      Hi Mick
      Please email me at experiencetherealcuba@gmail.com with more detail of what your friends would need, I can help you with organising Korean speaking guides.
      Rena

      Delete
  4. Diana Stevan8 March 2015 at 20:28

    Hi, my husband and I will be staying in Havana for two weeks. We want to go to Trinidad for the day. You mentioned Transtur. Would there be any issue on getting the bus back on the same day? Or is there an expectation to stay overnight? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA9 March 2015 at 15:50

      Hi Diana
      Transtur only have morning departures, therefore the Transtur that departs from Trinidad usually departs at around 8am and there isn´t another one in the afternoon or evening. This also applies to Viazul bus departures.
      If you only want to spend a day in Trinidad then I would suggest that you go to a Cubatur bureau in one of the hotels in Havana and see if they do organized day trips to Trinidad returning the same day.
      I know that they have an overnight organized trip which usually include a visit to Santa Clara, a nights accommodation and then a visit to Trinidad, Cienfuegos and then return to Havana.
      Hope this helps
      Rena

      Delete
    2. Unknown20 February 2017 at 23:51

      Hi Diana,

      I realize this is an older comment but I was just curious if you and your husband ended up doing the day trip to Trinidad from Havana, and if so what form of transportation did you use? I am going to Havana soon and I only want to take a day trip to Trinidad I don't want to spend the night like most people seem to do and I am just trying to figure out the best method to do this.

      Delete
  5. 쇼핑의달인19 March 2015 at 00:06

    Mick! I will be arrived at Habana 23rd, March monday. I would like to meet your friends to share some information and mingling. Would you please e-mail me too? then I can talk to them..:) deborahlee0321@gmail.com Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Unknown23 April 2015 at 07:00

    Hi Rena

    I am coming to Cuba in June - travelling as a solo female. Any advice on the best places to stay etc? I am travelling from Havana to Trinidad to Santiago de cuba. All the transport you have mentioned all sound relatively safe and similar in price but any you recommend that feel safer as a solo female? Can you get a flight from Santiago de cuba to Panama or do I have to go back up to Havana?

    Billie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA28 April 2015 at 18:53

      Hi Billie
      Cuba is relatively safe, I have travelled solo many times and I´ve never had a problem. I usually stay in Casas with families, if you want me to recommend you a Casa in Havana or Trinidad send me a private email. I don´t think you can book a flight from Santiago de Cuba to Panama, you will have to go back to Havana.

      Delete
  7. Unknown30 April 2015 at 19:11

    Hi Rena,

    Would you share the name of the company that provides shuttle service between Habana and Trinidad? If you don't have the name, could you share the name of the casa owners that can direct me to the shuttle company or help me arrange it? I also need a casa in Trinidad, so this casa may work for me as well if they have availability. Gracias!

    ana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA2 May 2015 at 19:14

      Hi Ana
      Please email me at experiencetherealcuba@gmail.com if you want more details of the shuttle and casa in Trinidad.
      Thanks
      Rena

      Delete
  8. Unknown1 June 2015 at 22:42

    Hi.

    We will be in Cuba July 3rd to July 12th.

    How can we get from Havana to Cayo Largo/Playa Paraiso?

    Also, is this enough time to visit, Havana, Cayo Largo, Trinidad and Santiago?

    Thank you very much!

    ReplyDelete
  9. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA5 June 2015 at 15:12

    Hi
    You need to get a flight from Havana to Cayo Largo.
    How long are you staying in Cuba?
    Thanks
    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  10. Unknown9 June 2015 at 02:53

    Hi,

    We will be there July 3rd to July 13th.

    I have also emailed you as well.

    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA10 June 2015 at 01:36

      Hi

      As far as I know the only way to get to Cayo Largo is by plane.

      10 days is not enough to visit all these place, it takes 16 hours to get by bus from Havana to Santiago, check out the bus timetables before planning your trip:

      http://www.viazul.com/

      Rena

      Delete
  11. Unknown11 June 2015 at 22:20

    Hi Rena, I am staying in ROC Presidente, can I find Cubatur bureau you mentioned in the hotel to book the Havana - Santa Clara - Trinidad - Cienfuegos - Havana tour? If no, which hotel I should go?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Unknown11 June 2015 at 22:24

    Hi Rena,
    I will be staying in ROC Presidente. Can I book the Havana - Santa Clara-Trinidad - Cienfuegos - Havana tour in the hotel? If no, then where should I go? I don't speak Spanish, am i going to have trouble making booking, and what are the things I should beware? Thank you!
    Bryan

    ReplyDelete
  13. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA18 June 2015 at 17:05

    Hi Bryan, I have never been to the ROC Presidente but if they do not have Cubatur bureau you can go to the Hotel Habana Libre which is on Calle M and within walking distance of your hotel. You can walk into the lobby and find various tour desks. Good luck. Rena

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA18 June 2015 at 17:09

      Hi Bryan
      You shouldn´t have trouble booking as the people that work at the bureaus do speak English and their tours come with English speaking guides. Just try to ask as many questions as possible to see if there are any hidden costs i.e. if meals are included etc. You tend to get half the story so by asking lots of questions you can hopefully get the full story.

      Delete
  14. Kim13 October 2015 at 17:42

    Hi Rena, We will be landing in Havana late on Sunday evening (18th October) and our plan was to get the viazul bus straight to varadero on Monday morning where we plan to stay for 5 days or so.. but I just checked on the viazul website and there are no buses until Tuesday! I checked the Transtur website but don't see anything about going to Varadero on there. Do you know if they travel to Varadero? Or do you know of any taxi companies we could book to go from Havana to Varadero early on Monday morning? We havent booked our accommodation yet (we are very disorganised). Thanks for any help, Kim & Ally:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA14 October 2015 at 22:41

    Hi Kim

    You will find that Viazul have few departure times. You can´t really say, "I want to travel at 10pm" and expect there to be buses at that time. It doesn't work that way in Cuba. You really have to plan your travel in Cuba carefully as there are limited options and timings so you have to work your plans around what is on offer.

    I don't think Transtur do travel to Varadero and in any case they don't have a website facility for you to book in advance. For example if you want to go to Trinidad, you need to book it at a hotel in Havana, they tend to depart once a day and in the morning.

    If you still need accommodation for Havana email me at experiencetherealcuba@gmail.com and I can arrange a Casa for you.

    Regards

    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  16. Margaret21 October 2015 at 21:50

    Hi Rena

    Please let me know if I can send you e mail asking for advises with details you did not like to mention on the blog

    Thanks
    Margaret

    ReplyDelete
  17. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA22 October 2015 at 16:02

    Hi Margaret

    You are welcome to email me on experiencetherealcuba@gmail.com.

    Regards

    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sergio Lage Carvalho8 December 2015 at 11:56

    Rena,

    I am going to Cuba for the first time and on my own. I am brazilian and i will stay 10 days in Cuba. I intend to visita Havana, Varadero region and then go down to Cienfuegos y Trinidad. Where do you recommend me to stay there? Is there any other places near these areas you would recommend me to visit. I would love to go the cayos, but i guess they have only resorts and it is very family oriented. I hope i can make friends with some other tourists or even cubans to visit around. I can speak good spanish and some french too. If you could suggest me a casa particular in Trinidad not so far from the sea, i would be very pleased!. Thanks:))
    Saludos
    Sergio

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA11 December 2015 at 17:51

      Hi Sergio
      10 days is not enough to visit Havana, Varadero, Cienfuegos and Trinidad. I would recommend you stay Havana (3 nights), Cienfuegos (2 nights), Trinidad (3 nights), Havana (1 night). The Cayos are beautiful but they have all-inclusive hotels only, popular for couples and families.
      Email me at experiencetherealcuba@gmail.com so I can help you with Casas and transfers. What dates are you planning on coming to Cuba?
      Regards
      Rena

      Delete
  19. Sergio Lage Carvalho17 December 2015 at 11:38

    Rena,

    Muchas gracias por contestar me!!! :)
    I will travel from Mexico to Havana on jan 2nd, and i will stay till jan 12. I intend to visit Cienfuegos from Trinidad in a round trip same day and stay in Trinidad 3 days and 2 days only for Varadero. I planned 4 days to Havana. In Trinidad yo quire solo concur el centro historic y enjoy one afternoon in Playa Ancon. In Varadero i found a casa particular, not yet in Trinidad. I hope i can make friends during my trip not to feel very lonely as we get used to mobile and i won't have wi fi there!:( Saludos, Sergio

    ReplyDelete
  20. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA22 December 2015 at 11:05

    No problem. If you only have 3 days in Trinidad you may decide to miss out Cienfuegos, 1 day in el centro historico, 1 day on Playa Ancon and I would recommend 1 day doing a mountain trip to waterfalls. There is WIFI in Parque Cespedes in Trinidad. You will need to buy a Nauta card for 2 CUC from ETECSA! Enjoy Cuba!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Unknown3 January 2016 at 18:00

    Hi Rena, we are planning to visit Cuba Jan. 30th to Jan.3. What would you suggest to do inthat time frame?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA4 January 2016 at 00:56

      Hi
      If you only have 5 days I would recommend Havana and maybe 1 night or a day trip to Viñales.
      Rena

      Delete
  22. Unknown3 January 2016 at 21:46










    hi Rena
    we are planning a 4 or 5 day visit to cuba first week of Feb. Would like to see havana. What other cities would be best for a day or overnight trip?How long to travel from havana to trinidad?

    ReplyDelete
  23. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA4 January 2016 at 00:46

    Hi Tom
    You really need at least 2 or 3 nights in Trinidad. It is a 5-6 hour journey.
    Day trips from Havana: Viñales, Soroa, Las Terrazas.
    Email me at experiencetherealcuba@gmail.com if you need more information.
    Thanks
    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous26 February 2016 at 21:40

    Hi Rena
    Thank you for all the amazing information you are providing! I have sent you an e-mail regarding casa recommendations in Havana and Trinidad, I will soon be travelling to Cuba for the first time. Thanks again for writing this blog!

    ReplyDelete
  25. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA28 February 2016 at 14:13

    Hi
    Thank you for the compliment, I appreciate your support. I have received your email and responded to it.
    Have an amazing time in Cuba.
    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  26. Inoubliable1 March 2016 at 04:52

    Hi Rena,

    Could you please tell me how much it will cost for a private taxi from Havana to Trinidad please? Thank you very much.

    Best wishes,
    Manisha

    ReplyDelete
  27. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA2 March 2016 at 14:33

    Hi Manisha

    Please email me at experiencetherealcuba@gmail.com with the dates of your travel and the number of people travelling, so I can give you our prices.

    Regards

    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  28. Gary Meyer7 March 2016 at 22:23

    We will be in Cuba March 16-25.

    Is the 4 hour ride to Trinidad an interesting trip? Lots to see? Are there flights? No trains I gather. We will spend basically wjhat equals a full day in transit for the roundtrip.

    We are scheduled to go to both a tobacco farm in Vinales and a cigar factory in Havana. Is there enough to make both visits necessary? There is so much else we want to see and none of are smokers.

    Our return flight was booked before the Rolling Stones concert was confirmed--- darn.Do you have any idea how getting tickets will work if we can get a later flight? What about tickets for the baseball game on March 22 that Obama will attend?

    ReplyDelete
  29. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA8 March 2016 at 16:57

    Hi

    There are no flights or trains to Trinidad. The bus journey on the motorway is flat countryside but after you pass Cienfuegos the countryside gets more picturesque with the Sierra de Escambray.

    Both the cigar factory and tobacco farms are interesting, I have been and I am not a smoker, you get to see both sides of the process.

    There is no definite information about how the ticketing system will work for the Rolling Stones concert, apart from that it will be a free concert.

    Enjoy Cuba!

    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous3 April 2016 at 16:14

    Hi, we are planning to travel to Trinidad after staying 3 nights in Havana. When we check the website of Transtur, it only gives us the option to collect us at Havana airport, not from Havana city centre. Could you please let us know if it is possible to collect us from Havana/Old Havana?

    Thanks in advance,
    Mario

    ReplyDelete
  31. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA4 April 2016 at 20:03

    Hi Mario

    When you get to Havana go to the Parque Central Hotel and book the Transtur. Tell them where you are staying and they can tell you where the nearest pick up is to you. One possibility is Hotel Santander which is on the outskirts of Havana Vieja.

    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  32. Unknown24 April 2016 at 17:54

    Do you recommend renting a car to travel between Havana, Trinidad and Cienfuegos for 2-3 days?

    ReplyDelete
  33. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA24 April 2016 at 20:05

    Hi Michelle
    If you prefer your freedom to travel when you want and stop when you want then I recommend renting a car. I would also recommend that you look into it and book it sooner rather than later. If you leave it until the last minute you may find it difficult to find a car available.
    Regards
    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  34. Unknown26 April 2016 at 03:09

    Hi, Rena. Have some questions for you. Visiting family in Cuba for the first time since I was 10 (was born in the states).

    Really want to go exploring. Arriving in Havana and thinking of leaving the next day for Trinidad for 3 nights, Camaguey 2 nights, Holguin 3 nights (where my family mainly is - some are in Havana), heading back to Havana for a day or 2 before going to Vinales for 2 nights (should it be just one?), and then Havana for 4 more nights. I wanted to stop in Cienfuegos on my way to Trinidad but it might not be worth it? Also figure Varadero is just a tourist trap.

    Seem like a good itinerary? Mainly traveling Viazul. I have the reservations up on Viazul but I haven't confirmed/paid for them. Also considering just winging it. Thoughts?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA11 May 2016 at 17:30

      Hi Mike
      Thanks for your message.
      Sounds like an amazing trip, it will be good to see family again after such a long time.
      I think you need at least 3 nights in Trinidad. You can decide from Trinidad whether you want to do a trip to Cienfuegos, it is only 1 hour away, so you can do an organised trip or hire a driver to take you.
      I wouldn’t wing it so much because it is busy here in Cuba so you may have trouble finding transport, but if you have Viazul booked then that’s great. Camaguey is lovely, if you stay 2 nights, this will only give you 1 day to explore depending on the time of travel.
      I would stay at least 2 nights in Vinales, this will give you a chance to go out early in the morning and go horseback riding.
      I woudn’t bother with Varadero, unless you want to just chill out on the beach.
      If you do want some beach time without having to go to Varadero you can pop to Playa Ancon in Trinidad and Playas del Este in Havana and maybe your family in Holguin can recommend some beaches nearby.
      Enjoy your time in Cuba.
      Rena

      Delete
  35. Unknown21 May 2016 at 01:49

    Hi there, great article thanks for sharing. We have booked for Cuba in April 2017 and we are doing 4 nights in Havana, 3 nights in Trinidad and then 3 nights in varadero. Do you know how long it will take us by bus from Havana to Trinidad and then Trinidad to Varadero. Also do the busses have toilets on them? Thanks for any help you can give.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA24 May 2016 at 14:02

      Hi
      You can find the Viazul bus timetable on their website on www.viazul.com. The trip from Havana to Trinidad is around 5 hours. The buses do have toilets but they don’t always work. In any case the bus does stop for a quick toilet / refreshment break along the way.
      Alternatively you can organise a private or shared taxi service with us.
      Regards
      Rena

      Delete
  36. morgan31 May 2016 at 01:45

    Hi Rene,
    Love this blog!!
    My friends and I are traveling to Cuba for 10 days in November from Australia. There will be 6 of us. We fly into Havana and want to work our way down to Trinidad.
    We plan on hiring a car/s to do this and stay in Casas. Is there anywhere that you would recommend to stay/ stop over along the way? We looked at Playa Larga on recommendations from a friend however the Hostal we wanted to stay in can't accommodate us.
    We also had the idea of doing a day trip out to Mariel to see the tobacco farms. Would you recommend this?
    How many days in Havana/ Trinidad would you recommend for us given we only have 10 days and would like to stop of somewhere along the way or way back?

    Thank you so much
    Morgan

    ReplyDelete
  37. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA25 June 2016 at 00:21

    Hi Morgan
    I would recommend at least 3 nights in both Havana and Trinidad. Send me an email at experiencetherealcuba@gmail.com if you want help with booking Casas.
    Regards
    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  38. Unknown17 July 2016 at 14:16

    Hi Morgan ,

    Love this blog . I travel Havana 3oct -9oct
    I want Havana to Trinidad . Planning Cuba trip have question. If I have 6days only

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA17 July 2016 at 18:26

      Hi Joyce
      Please email me at experiencetherealcuba@gmail.com with your questions.
      Regards
      Rena

      Delete
  39. Unknown10 September 2016 at 12:19

    Hi
    Planning a 4 day trip to Trinidad from Havana during our 2 week stay in Jan 17. Likely to take a taxi (classic car preferably) there but will probably take the Viazul bus back to Havana. We will have suitcases (medium size) - will this be a problem on the Viazul - is there anywhere to store them?? We may decide to take rucksacks instead if that's more practical!
    Many thanks (and great blog by the way!)
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  40. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA16 September 2016 at 11:18

    Hi Julie
    It will not be a problem to take suitcases on the Viazul, they have storage for luggage on the bus.
    Any questions you can email me at experiencetherealcuba@gmail.com
    Regards
    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  41. Housesitter3 October 2016 at 05:01

    Hi Rena - enjoyed your blog. We are travelling in December for 2 weeks. Mostly we will stay in Havana but would like to do a trip to Trinidad (3 nights) and Santa Clara (1 night). Is Transtur an option for Trinidad to Santa Clara? and Santa Clara to Havana? What do you recommend?

    ReplyDelete
  42. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA3 October 2016 at 18:48

    Hi
    I am not aware of any Transtur services from Trinidad to Santa Clara and Santa Clara to Havana. You can either book the Viazul bus online or you can book a private taxi service with us. For information on our prices email me on experiencetherealcuba@gmail.com.
    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  43. Jessica Sanders15 October 2016 at 14:00

    Would possibly be able to tell me how much a Transtur ticket would cost to go to Trinidad for the day? Also, any suggestions as to how much cash to bring for a 5 night stay in Havana? I know prices/spending can obviously vary, but a rough idea would be great! Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA18 October 2016 at 15:19

    Hi Jessica
    I haven't used the Transtur recently, but last time I did travel with Transtur it was 25 CUC one way. It is not possible to go to Trinidad for the day with Transtur because departures from both places are in the morning. This means when you get to Trinidad you will not have any way of getting back to Havana unless you get a private taxi. You are right prices can vary but I would suggest about 600 CUC for a 5 night stay, this would include a Casa, meals, and a small amount of spending money. Hope this helps
    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  45. JC25 October 2016 at 01:32

    Does anyone know if you can take the Viazul from Santiago de Cuba to Santa Clara. We are flying down to Santiago de Cuba from Havana, but then heading over to Trinidad. If we can get to Santa Clara then we can get a taxi to Trinidad. There are no flights from Santiago de Cuba to Santa Clara as far as I can tell.

    ReplyDelete
  46. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA26 October 2016 at 16:05

    Hi Judith Yes you can travel from Santiago de Cuba to Santa Clara you can also travel to Trinidad. Check out their website for timetables and prices http://www.viazul.com/ You can also book tickets online.
    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  47. Unknown29 October 2016 at 08:41

    Hello , I will be Traveling to Cuba with a friend , we are planning to visit trinidad, our Casa Particular Host can find us a taxi for $140 CUC is this a fair price? Considering the distance from Havana to Trinidad?

    ReplyDelete
  48. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA30 October 2016 at 17:13

    This is slightly more than what we charge, for our prices email us at experiencetherealcuba@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Latha3 December 2016 at 00:16

    Hello, my friends and I will be visiting Cuba for the very first time and we are very excited! We have only 5 full days in Cuba not including the day we arrive and depart. Is it worth taking a day/ night to go to Trinidad? 4 hours each way is a long journey for just an afternoon and night in a city.

    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Unknown9 December 2016 at 00:04

    Hi Rena ! Thank you for the super informative blog. We are a couple and please suggest any group tours available to Vinales & Crocodile Farm in Guama from Havana. We are traveling to Cuba between 16th to 26th this month. Thanks in advance - Kiran.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA13 December 2016 at 15:14

      Hi Kiran, thanks for your positive comments. I do not know of any group tours. You should go to one of the hotels in Havana and see if they have anything to offer for your dates. We do organise a private day tour from Havana to Viñales, but we need a little more notice to organise. Enjoy Cuba! Rena

      Delete
    2. Unknown14 December 2016 at 23:46

      thank you for the reply Rena. Will check with the hotels.

      Delete
  51. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA9 December 2016 at 01:09

    Hi Latha
    As much as I love Trinidad I think it is too difficult to do it in a day from Havana. I recommend you stay at least 2 nights to make the most of your journey, which is around 5 hours each way.
    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  52. Unknown24 December 2016 at 05:55

    Hi Rena,
    A group of me and 6 of my friends are planning to travel to Trinidad in January for 3 days. We are planning to take a private taxi and was quoted 350 CUC each way. Is that a reasonable price?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA28 December 2016 at 17:03

      Hi Jamilah
      It sounds a bit expensive to me. If you email me at experiencetherealcuba@gmail.com with your dates of travel, pick up address, drop off address and times of preferred departures, I can see if we have anything available.
      Rena

      Delete
  53. Unknown3 January 2017 at 09:44

    Hi Rena,

    Your blogpost is really great :)
    My wife and I will be visiting Cuba in April 2017 and are planning to visit Habana, trinidad and Cayo Largo in 12 days time. We have a few questions we would like to ask you if that's alright with you.

    -Is Cuba busy and difficult to find transport that time of the year?
    - We read that there is a way of travel called Connectando, is that another name for Transtur?
    -If we want to experience the beautiful Cuban landskape, is it better to take the Vizul, shared taxi, Transtur or Connectando?
    -We've heard that the best and way cheaper way (around 250 CUC/persons for 3 days) to travel to Cayo Largo is to visit a major hotel in Habana and book excursions including flight + transfer + all inclusive hotel. Would you agree with that or would you recommend something else?

    Great thanks in advance,
    Samir & Linda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA12 January 2017 at 18:13

      Hi Samir & Linda

      Please email me at experiencetherealcuba@gmail.com where I will be happy to answer your questons.

      Rena

      Delete
  54. Unknown21 February 2017 at 22:46

    Hi this blog is very informative. We are visiting Cuba in April, staying in Havana for 6 days. We would love to visit Santa Clara as well. Is this possible to do in one day? Are there any hotel tours that do this? Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  55. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA24 February 2017 at 20:41

    Hi Melanie we do not organise day trips from Havana to Santa Clara. You could hire a car + driver for the day to do as a day trip or you could go to one of the hotels in Havana to see if they offer a group tour for the day. Have a great time in Cuba.
    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  56. Susan3 April 2017 at 19:13

    Thinking of coming to Cuba for Christmas and New Year, 10 days in total, where should we go for Christmas-Havana or Trinidad?

    ReplyDelete
  57. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA4 April 2017 at 15:25

    Hi Susan
    I prefer Trinidad because it is a small town with a lively atmosphere, easy to find places to go to celebrate Christmas.
    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  58. T&B11 April 2017 at 04:18

    Hi Rena,
    We are a couple taking a trip to Cuba next week and have 6 nights to spend. We were planning on spending two nights in Havana then renting a car and driving to Trinidad and spending 3 nights there. Are there tobacco farms along the way to stop at and explore? Would you recommend a place to rent cars or scooters for the trip? Also, we wanted to maybe see Viñales for a day or maybe a night. Do you think it would be too much to squeeze in this extra side trip? So excited to see Cuba and explore!

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  59. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA12 April 2017 at 17:23

    Hi
    Sorry I don't know of any tobacco farms along the way from Havana to Trinidad and I do not have any recommendations for car hire in Cuba. I think it is a bit of a squeeze trying to see Havana, Trinidad and Vinales in 6 nights. They are long travel distances and you will spend most of your time travelling rather than enjoy the places you visit.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Karey Saeliew14 April 2017 at 00:36

    Hi! I am stopping off in Cuba for 3 days before I meet a gf in Mexico. I will be traveling alone. After doing some research, I'm quite disappointed that I didn't allow for more time to explore - this will force me to go back &^ I'd like to go before all the resorts go up. Anyhow, I'm planning on seeing Havana... but since I'm so limited in my time, what must see places do you suggest?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA15 April 2017 at 10:35

      Hi Karey
      We offer various tours which may interest you in Havana:

      1. Havana Vieja – wandering through the streets of the old town visiting the 4 most important squares
      2. Architecture – exploring the varying styles of architecture that Havana Vieja, Centro and Vedado have to offer
      3. Afro-Cuban Religions – visiting the Association of Yoruba and Callejon Hamel
      4. Community projects – visiting various community projects dotted around Havana inspired by local residents to improve the neighbourhood

      If not, the best thing to do in Havana is wander through the streets, visiting art galleries, museums and seeing where it takes you. There is also a tourist hop-on-hop-off bus which takes you to various locations, this will give you an overall view of Havana.
      Enjoy
      Rena

      Delete
  61. Anonymous14 April 2017 at 17:03

    Hello!

    We only have one day in Havana before travelling to Trinidad and are wondering what would be the best way to arrange a collectivo for the trip to ensure the arrangements are solidified? Also, how much should we expect to pay (max) for two people?

    ReplyDelete
  62. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA15 April 2017 at 10:27

    Hi Luke & Lauren
    You can book the shared taxi service from Havana to Trinidad with Experience the Real Cuba. I have already sent you an email with our prices.
    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  63. Unknown23 April 2017 at 01:02

    would like a shared taxi or day excursion from havana to Vinales anywhere from may 29 to may 31. any help would be appreciated. guided would be easier. Thank you in advance, Nicole

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA24 April 2017 at 17:02

      Hi Nicole
      We do not offer a shared taxi service from Havana to Viñales, you can maybe find a shared taxi service by going to the Viazul bus terminal, there are often taxis hanging around outside the bus terminal looking for people to fill cars.
      We do offer a day tour with an English speaking guide, email me at experiencetherealcuba@gmail.com for more information.
      Rena

      Delete
  64. Unknown12 June 2017 at 22:33

    Hi Rena I am travelling to Cuba in July and planning to spend time in Santa Clara. I cant decide if i should stay for 1 night or 2. Is there enough to keep me busy to stay the second night. I have read that nightlife is good there.
    thanks
    Anita

    ReplyDelete
  65. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA13 June 2017 at 17:35

    Hi Anita

    I would always recommend 2 nights in any location, as travel in Cuba is a challenge on time so if you stay 2 nights you will more than likely get 1 full day to explore Santa Clara.
    Let us know how it goes.
    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  66. Unknown18 October 2017 at 11:56

    Hi! Do u know if there is direct transtour bus from trinidad to vinales?? Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  67. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA18 October 2017 at 20:20

    Hi Maria

    No there is not a direct service, check out the following blog post.

    http://experiencetherealcuba.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/does-transtur-have-service-from.html

    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  68. Lisa8 December 2017 at 18:48

    Hi Rena,

    Thanks so much for all your information! I am planning to visit Cuba in March 2018. I’m coming from the US (traveling alone), and I will have to come and go through Havana. Can you tell me the best way to get to Santiago from there? I know it is a long way, but I really want to visit Our Lady of Caridad del Cobre! I am considering taking an overnight Viazul bus the same day that I arrive in Havana, so that I would reach Santiago the next morning. I could also fly to Santiago the same day that I get to Havana. Flying is faster, but I’ve heard that flights are often delayed by quite a long time, so I wonder if it would be better to take a very long bus ride. I would then make my way back to Havana along the coast, stopping in Trinidad or Cienfuegos (hopefully both). Can you please give me your advice?

    Thank you so much,
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  69. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA9 December 2017 at 18:35

    Hi Lisa
    To be honest it is better to fly, because it is quicker. I have done both the overnight bus and flight and we were lucky no problems or delays. It's hard to say whether you will experience delays, Cuba is unpredictable. Getting the bus back from Santiago is a good idea especially if you want to stop in Trinidad or Cienfuegos. If you want more information then check out our website or email me directly:
    https://www.experiencetherealcuba.com/
    Rena

    ReplyDelete
  70. Tina3 February 2018 at 02:47

    Hi Rena,

    I sent you an email, but I thought of also leaving a message here.

    Your blog is really helpful. I was hoping you could help me decide my itinerary.

    My husband and I are planning to go to Cuba early March. We have a pretty brutal flight going there. We leave Seattle at 12:25 AM and reach Havana at 1:35 PM with few stops along the way. So, we will be very tired when we get there. We fly out on March 10th. Considering we have good 7 days or so, do you think it will be too much to try to do Havana, Vinales and Trinidad. What would you recommend?

    Also, would you be able to recommend any casas in Havana and Trinidad? We like to be able to walk everywhere if possible. Also, horseback riding group in Vinales that you recommend?

    Thank you so much,

    Shruti

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA5 February 2018 at 15:20

      Hi Shruti
      Thanks for your message. I have received your email and have replied.
      Speak soon
      Rena

      Delete
    2. Tina8 February 2018 at 02:12

      Hi Rena, I didn't receive the email? I also checked my spam folder. Not sure where it went missing :(

      Delete
    3. EXPERIENCE THE REAL CUBA8 February 2018 at 13:56

      Hi Tina
      The internet connection in Cuba is unpredictable, so it may have not got sent. I sent an email to Shruti. Please can you send me an email to experiencetherealcuba@gmail.com so I can reply to you directly.
      Rena

      Delete

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