Road Trips in Cuba

The idea of taking a road trip around Cuba used to be complicated by the fact there were so few private cars on the road. However, these days, there are some state-run car hire services that allow you to take off around the country.

Prices are generally higher than you might find in other countries, due to a lack of available vehicles, but Cuba is a great place for road trips. The network might be poorly maintained in many areas, but there is little traffic on the roads.

If you are starting in Havana, there are great road trips to be had west of the capital, along to Vinales and up to the coast at Cayo Jutias. You can then carry on along to Maria la Gorda, which has some of the finest diving in the country, and loop back through Pinar del Rio province.

Heading east out of Havana will take you along to the interesting city of Matanzas, where you can spend a day pottering around. From here, drive out to the beach resorts of Varadero.

On the other side of the island lies the second city, Santiago de Cuba. From here you can go west into the Turquino National Park and climb Pico Turquino, the highest mountain in the country, before following the coast round to Manzanillo.

East of Santiago is Guantanamo, and the spectacular coast road up to Baracoa. From here, come inland through rolling countryside and back to Santiago.