Old Havana’s narrow streets are best explored on foot. However, the distances between the main areas of Vedado, Miramar and Old Havana warrant a taxi journey. One of the frustrations of daily life for Cubans is the lack of efficient public transport; venturing on a public bus (called guaguas, or camel-shaped camellos) in Havana is more of an adventure than a means of getting around. Tourists usually stick to taxis, of which there are various kinds, including bright yellow, coconut-shaped cocotaxis and bicycle taxis (bicitaxis).

Havana’s main railway station is the Estación Central de Ferrocarriles (Calle Arsenal y Egido, La Habana Vieja, +5378612959), from where there are daily departures to all major towns in the country (and vice versa).

One of the most reliable ways of getting around Cuba is by bus, with the tourist-oriented bus company Víazul (Avenida 26, esquina Zoológico, Nuevo Vedado, +537811413, +537811108, www.viazul.com).

[top]