7 of the most effective highway journeys in Cuba

There’s no higher option to get a neighborhood perspective on life in Cuba than behind the wheel of a automobile.

Although Cuba’s roads – even the highways – might be in questionable situation and signage for drivers is scarce, the open highway will open your coronary heart to an island full of wonders. 

From a one-day drive out of Havana to idyllic Viñales to the final word two-week grand tour of the entire island, right here are seven of the most effective scenic highway journeys throughout Cuba.

1. On the highway by way of western Cuba

Greatest highway journey for quintessential Cuba
Havana–Viñales; 185km (115 miles)

There are a lot day-trip options for those who’re spending a while in Havana, however for those who solely have every week or much less on the island, this journey to Viñales is a must-do to discover the quintessential Cuba.

Secluded pure reservoirs, homegrown native meals and world-class tobacco plantations await, all underneath three hours from the Capitolio Nacional. 

Depart within the morning, taking the A4 west and sip your first espresso on the eco-village of Las Terrazas. Go on for a number of kilometers to admire the nonetheless lake at El Palmar whereas chatting with locals.

Again on the highway, drive 18km (11 miles) west till you attain the waterfall in Soroa, then loop to the north earlier than rejoining the A4.

When the soil will get redder and triangle-roofed, thatched homes begin to seem on the roadside, take a proper on the exit in Ovas – and put together to be amazed by Viñales Valley. Cease on the Mirador del Valle for the pictures of the mogote rock formations in all their splendor.

Planning tip: Save a few days to drive round Viñales at a slower tempo, making time to hike, cycle and discover its caves. 

2. Solar-and-sand highway journey

Greatest highway journey for sandy seashores
Havana–Varadero; 145km (90 miles)

Havana’s favorite beaches unfold alongside the shoreline of Habana del Este and northwestern Matanzas Province, and Varadero’s beautiful 20km-long (12-mile) strip of talc-white sandy seashores are a really perfect venue for a number of days’ R&R. 

Simply 20km east of Havana’s heart, the Playas del Este – together with Bacuranao, Tarará, Boca Ciega, Mégano and Santa María – provide a full day of leisure and sunbathing.

Proceed on the By way of Blanca freeway to take pleasure in lesser-visited coves at Canasí and the fittingly named Puerto Escondido (Hidden Port), the place you’ll discover a few of the greatest snorkeling close to Havana.

There’s greenery aplenty as you traverse the flatlands of Llanura Habana-Matanzas earlier than reaching the bay at Matanzas and eventually the Varadero peninsula. Cease to absorb the view from Puente de Bacunayagua, at Cuba’s longest and highest bridge.

3. Villa Clara causeway coast jaunt

Greatest highway journey for coastal surroundings
Santa Clara–Cayo Santa María; 116 km (72 miles)

This highway journey connects Villa Clara Province’s historic landmarks with the very good coastal surroundings of the northern keys, cruising by a picturesque colonial city relationship from 1515 and alongside a 48km (30-mile) causeway.

Begin at Che Guevara’s mausoleum in Santa Clara, stopping on the huge sq. guarded by a bronze statue of El Guerrillero. Subsequent, drive north to the small fishing “capital” of Caibarién – it’s onerous to overlook the large crab sculpture on the city’s entrance.

Additional north, park close to Remedios’ central sq. and benefit from the slow-paced magnificence right here – a stark distinction with the luxurious all-inclusive resorts of the keys that lie 60km (37 miles) forward.

A few of Cuba’s most spectacular beaches punctuate Cayo Las Brujas, Cayo Ensenachos and Cayo Santa María, lower than an hour from the mainland on a winding causeway.

4. Circuito Sur 

Greatest highway journey for coastal surroundings and colonial villages
Cienfuegos–Sancti Spíritus; 153km (95 miles)

This drive between Cienfuegos and Sancti Spíritus passes alongside the Circuito Sur freeway with the southern shoreline on one facet and the dense vegetation of Sierra del Escambray’s mountain vary on the opposite. Alongside the best way, you’ll go to small, practically abandoned seaside coves, verdant mountains and the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Valle de Los Ingenios.

After leaving Cienfuegos’s metropolis heart, take the Circunvalación onto the Circuito Sur and wind your manner southeast. The situation of the two-lane highway will guarantee a leisurely tempo: be careful for potholes, bicycles, mopeds and pedestrians on the tarmac.

After passing Playa El Inglés, make a pit cease at pebbled Playa Yaguanabo, which has beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea. Drive on for an additional 25km (16 miles) earlier than reaching the stuck-in-time colonial city of Trinidad.

Spend time right here strolling its cobbled streets and visiting its Nineteenth-century mansions by day, and dancing to salsa beats after darkish. 

Again on the highway, proceed to the seaside strip at Peninsula Ancón earlier than heading to Sancti Spíritus, considered one of Cuba’s first colonial villages (based 1514). On the best way, cease within the Valle de Los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills) to witness its ruins of dozens of Nineteenth-century sugar mills and quarters for enslaved folks.

5. A drive on the wild facet

Greatest highway journey for wildlife watching 
Havana–Playa Girón; 215km (134 miles)

This highway journey winds by way of the core and alongside the pristine shoreline of the majestic Ciénaga de Zapata, the Caribbean’s largest wetlands. Departing from Havana, take the Autopista Nacional (A1) for an hour and a half earlier than taking a proper at Entronque de Jagüey Grande.

Stretch your legs on the guests’ heart in Boca de Guamá, the place little ones will take pleasure in a go to to the crocodile farm, the hummingbird feeding mission or a ship journey to Laguna del Tesoro. Proceed south and also you’ll encounter a cenote, snorkeling sites, bird-watching trails and seaside villages that serve up a few of the greatest seafood in Cuba.

Planning tip: The cities of Playa Larga and Playa Girón make nice bases for exploring the world or diving within the wonderful websites simply offshore. Casas particulares (personal homestays) are your greatest guess for lodging right here. 

6. Easternmost Cuba discovery

Greatest highway journey for various landscapes
Santiago de Cuba–Baracoa; 226km (140 miles)

Probably the most easterly area of Cuba presents quintessential landscapes of rugged mountains, zigzagging roads and epic shoreline. La Farola, which traverses Guantánamo’s part of the Sierra Maestra for 40km (25 miles), is considered one of Cuba’s signature driving routes – but it surely’s not for the fainthearted. Anticipate slender curves and precipitous inclines.

From Santiago de Cuba, observe the Autopista Nacional (A1) north for about 12km (7 miles) after which take the primary proper flip for the Carretera Central towards Guantánamo metropolis.

After a fast glimpse of the Cuban facet of Guantánamo – with its small buying boulevard and dusty Parque Martí – proceed southeast for a visit alongside the southern coast. Anticipate a cacti-dotted semi-desert area with ocean-sprayed rocky terraces, stone seashores and intermittent riverside oases.

Simply 16km (10 miles) after Imías, flip left towards the zigzagging La Farola highway. This drive takes in lush forests and impossibly winding curves as much as Baracoa. This city – relationship to 1505 and the primary Spanish settlement on Cuba – was reduce off from the remainder of Cuba till La Farola was constructed within the Sixties.

Due to wealthy native traditions, scenic vistas and endemic wildlife, a go to to Baracoa feels practically like a visit to a distinct nation.

7. The total west-to-east route 

Greatest highway journey for a Cuba grand tour
Havana–Baracoa; 1094km (680 miles)

This grand tour crosses nearly all of Cuba in a single, epic highway journey, beginning in Havana’s hectic streets and ending at Baracoa on the island’s easternmost tip. Permit loads of time to cease in provincial capitals for a style of native life in these beloved cities.

You may drive by way of the flatlands of Occidente (western Cuba to Villa Clara) to the mountainous landscapes of Oriente (jap Cuba from Camagüey onward). Important stops embody French-inspired Cienfuegos, historic Trinidad, cultural Santa Clara, maze-like Camagüey and picturesque Bayamo.

Alongside the best way, you’ll enter the humid and scorching area of Santiago and Guantánamo, with its mountainous Sierra Maestra and landmarks related to the well-known Nineteen Fifties guerrillas.

Planning tip: In every place, take time to speak with Cubans; at a minimal, asking for instructions will likely be a necessity as signage is sort of nonexistent on most roads. The extra you work together with locals, the extra you’ll uncover the quirky corners and secluded pure wonders that make up the center of Cuba.

Suggestions for driving in Cuba

Roads in Cuba are normally in poor situation, with many potholes and few highway indicators. Anticipate a sluggish tempo on any highway journey. Cuba is arguably higher explored with a guide-driver in an effort to concentrate on the surroundings as an alternative of the highway itself.

When renting a automobile, ensure to e book forward; moreover, it is strongly recommended to pay a “guardian” – referred to as parqueador – to look at the automobile at night time. As road lights are scarce in all places, together with main cities, depend on avoiding the highway after darkish.

Cuba’s ubiquitous traditional American automobiles function as taxis, and these can solely be rented with drivers included – normally for rides inside metropolis limits, although sometimes for intercity transfers. Many drivers provide day journeys from Havana.