Can anyone please help!! We are trying to plan our holiday in cuba but cannot find out from anyone how easy it is to get a taxi in cuba and how much it is likely to cost!
We are looking to go from Havana to Vinales, then from Vinales to Playa Maria La Gorda. Any idea how much this will cost??? and how easy it will be to organise???
Finaly is there an official taxi we should get and are they clearly distiguishable from dodgey taxis?
Thanks |
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Hi Kelly:
It is not hard to get a taxi in Cuba. The prices go from USD 0.49 per kilometer (economic category taxis, normally white russian Ladas) to 0.86 per kilometer (luxury category ones, normally Mercedes Benz).
There are some different options for going to Vinales from Havana. We can arrange a transfer for you (private by taxi or collective by bus). The other option is taking a VIAZUL bus (http://www.viazul.com/asp/reserva/Default.aspx). Then for getting from Vinales to Playa Maria La Gorda you can also make a reservation of a transfer or you can arrange a transfer directly at the hotel (there is a bus that goes every day from Vinales to Maria La Gorda). The costs depend on the kind of transfer. If you want us to organize those transfers for you just let us know all details and we will be very happy to do it for you.
There are official taxis. There are different companies like Panataxis, Taxis OK, Fenix etc. You will recognize them easily.
Kind regards,
Victor |
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I spent a Month in Havana last year. What I found out was the simple fact that all metered taxis are regulated by the Government, Dept. of Tourism. These people want tourists to return to Cuba. The rates are set by the State. I have tried making deals with drivers, e.g. "How much from the Airport to Hotel Nacional?" I would get a price and then ask a couple more drivers for their rate for the same trip. After about one week, I decided to simply tell the driver my destination and use the metre. You guessed it..........I ended up paying less including a tip.
p.s. they do not like to use the metre. |
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Kelly...
Your aprox. travel is is 920km's..
La Habana - Vinales - Playa Maria La Gorda - La Habana
So figure $450.00 CUC plus tip.
And it is very easy to get a taxi.
Another option is to rent a car.
However, the mention of ViaZul, is a great one.
3.5 hour ride... $13.00 CUC each... La Habana - Vinales
If you plan on staying at a Casa, and using the ViaZul, find one in the, Nuevo Veddao area of La Habana. This is right where the ViaZul Terminal is, and it's close to the Airport. Also, if your a Zoo visitor, the La Habana Zooilogical ( sp??) is right across the street from the terminal.
Have a great trip..
Hope this helps
Torojohn
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Hi Kelly, we are doing the same trip (in April'08) and have booked the Viazul bus from Havana to Vinales. Have read the bus is quite reliable, and it cost less than CUC$13 for a single trip.
There's also a daily transfer from Vinales to Maria La Gorda, leaving at 0700, arr 0930, single is CUC$15/return CUC$25. Return is daily at 1700, arr Vinales 1900.
This can be booked at Transtur in Vinales or Havanatur in Pinar. (info from Lonely Planet)
Check out the Viazul website - there is english translation and you can book online.
A good website for local taxis etc is Cuba Junky.
Apparently you can get a car from M.la Gorda - Havana for CUC$120 from Havanautos, but the price may depend on how many are travelling.
Have a great trip.
Mandy
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