World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Havana  - Road
Road

The road network throughout Cuba is not extensive, but given the lack of vehicles on the road is more than adequate. Local roads, designated by two or three numbers, tend to be in a bad state of repair, often little more than tracks, and are unnamed. Traffic drives on the right and road signs are similar to those used in Europe. The speed limit in towns is 50kph (31mph), 90kph (55mph) on main roads and 100kph (62mph) on the highway. Speeding offences and minor infringements at intersections are liable to on-the-spot fines. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.08% and offenders will be fined heavily. A national driving licence is the only documentation needed to hire a car. It should be noted that there is no automobile association in Cuba, and although car hire companies generally have an emergency number for breakdowns, motorists often have to rely on locals for assistance. It is advisable to plan routes carefully, checking the location of petrol stations and always ensuring the vehicle is topped up with fuel, as petrol stations may not have any.

Emergency breakdown service:
None.

Routes to the city:
A virtually deserted highway, the autopista, runs from Pinar del Rio in the west through Havana to Ciego de Avila. An older road, the Carretera Central runs the length of the island. An excellent road, the Via Blanca, links Havana with the main beach resort of Varadero.

Driving times to Havana:
from Varadero - 2 hours 30 minutes; from Pinar del Rio - 2 hours 45 minutes; from Trinidad - 4 hours 45 minutes; from Santa Clara - 6 hours.

Coach services:
Long-distance buses are operated by the state company Asociaciones de Transportes por Omnibus (Astro; tel: (7) 792 456). The bus network is extensive and is the most popular method of travel. Buses are almost always full but seats are usually found for US Dollar-paying visitors. Buses depart from the Terminal de Omnibus Interprovinciales, Avenida Independencia 101 y Ayestaran, and tickets are bought from the Venta de Boletinos located there. Facilities include snack bars and shops. An alternative service aimed at visitors more than locals is operated by Viazul (tel: (7) 811 413). Air-conditioned buses operate on a limited number of routes from Havana to Varadero, Vinales, Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba. The Viazul terminal is out of town, at Avenido 26 y Zoologico, and tickets can be purchased there in US Dollars.



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