I am seeking information on the long-term rental of an
automobile in Cuba (3-4 months). To do so at what Cuban car
rental agencies charge is my least desirable option. I have
plenty of information on Cuban car rental agencies.
Alternately, I was wondering if anyone knew the legal
restrictions on a foreigner purchasing an automobile, of
the "particular" variety, and driving it around down there
without a Cuban driver. Another possibility would be
shipping an automobile there from either Canada, or Mexico,
but what of local insurance requirements? I've found a
Canadian firm that will ship a car there for about $2,200
USD each way. Does this sound about right? I have no
information on Mexico other than a rumor that it might be
possible to do it out of Tampico. Any information, or
leads, on this topic is greatly appreciated.
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Rather than spending 2200 dollars on each way to Cuba you
should buy a car in Cuba itself. You can buy a car there,
and the prices are not high because the foreigners have a
special tag: which starts with two letters HK, you can buy a
used LADA anywere from 300 dollars to a 1000 dollars. You
can get one in pretty good shape or even new in CUBALSE
agency for couple thousands. With foreign cars the prices
are still quite low. The problem is that a foreigner can
only buy and sell to a foreigner. Registration costs about
(one time transfering fee) 250 dollars, and if you have a
work contract only 36 dollars. To buy is easy, to sell is
hard. I recommend a Russian made or Japanese cars because if
they brake down it is not difficult to repare. It is hard
to get parts for american cars. Cuban insurance sucks, so
you better buy a used LADA, drive it for 4 month, it still
will cost you less than shipping a car across. Renting is
not a good idea it is too expensive and they will make you
pay for every bump on the car (they always seem to find
one, even if you have not done anything to the car). Good
luck!
I do not want to interfere but unless prooved otherwise,you
cannot buy a vehicule in Cuba UNLESS it is a collection item
that you will get out of the country.
Of course,laws changes every month in Cuba
Hi, sorry for not contributing. But I'm serious about the
above resource of buying a car. Where can I contact CUBALSE
for the above mention $300 to $1000 car? I'd like to
purchase it from another foriegn if possible. Please help.
I must take issue with the post left by Terrance.
I have lived in Cuba as a foreinger for five years. No
where is there a $300 car to be bought. In Cuba, even a
little 250cc MZ motorcycle costs about $2000-$3000, and
thats for a used one. Since foreigners cant buy cars from
Cubans directly, they must either import them or buy them
from the Cuban govt.
If a car is going to be imported, the owner must be working
for an embassy, business, or journalist organization. Im
sure there may be more instances, but these are the major
ones. Just a normal tourist cant have a car imported for
thier personal use. Now, if that tourist wishes to become a
resident of Cuba, then he can import a car for personal use.
By becoming a resident you simply turn in your passport and
the Cubans will give you a resident card. With that card,
you have all the rights as Cubans. THis means that you cant
leave the country whenever you want. You must fill out
paperwork about two weeks prior to your departure. You will
turn in your resident card and you will get your passport
back. By being a resident you can wither import a car or
buy one in Cuba. However, cars are very expensive. My
nieghbor (a Canadian) bought a car from the Cuban govt. and
it cost him $8000. It was an 1990 VW Jetta.
There is another possibility. If you have a large enough
boat, you can take your own car to Cuba. I have personally
done this. I put a small car on the back of my boat and
motored it into Marina Hemmingway. Since the car was
registered to my boat, I had no problem getting the papers
to drive it around everywhere. You get a Cuban chapa
(licence plate) and a piece of paper from Customes. Your
good to go.
Insurance is a waste, dont bother. A diesel running car is
preferred. You can buy diesel fuel cheaper and it is
everywhere on the black market.
I hope this answers your question. If you have more, leave
another post.
PACO
excellent info, just in case if you have the answer, I am a
regular traveler on the island and would like an alternative
to rental. Is there some kind of arrangement to "barrow" a
car from an expat during the trip and return it afterward?
I'm hoping to divert my expense to the people rather than to
Fidel and of course I expect to put up a reasonable
collateral in cash, depends on the cost/condition of said
vehicle.
The information from Paco confirms what I have heard from
many sources on a dozen trips to Cuba during the past three
years. I never knew if the people that I was talking with
knew what they were talking about, but everything I have
heard agrees with Paco's post.
Everyone that I talked with told me that any car that runs
fairly well, specially an old American car from the 40's or
50's, would cost at least $3,000. One Cuban offered to sell
me a beautiful, yellow 57 chevrolet convertible for $6,000.
Everyone told me that a foreigner could not take one out of
the country. I assumed they knew what they were talking
about.
The price for a new Alfa at the Fiat dealership on the
Malecon was $35,000. Car prices at the new shopping mall
next door to the Melia Cohiba Hotel were very similar. New
car prices seem to be higher in Havana than they are in the
United States.
One can buy a new Toyota Camry in Georiga for $19,000. It
would probaboy cost $10,000 more in Havana.
Paco gave a lot of information that I had never heard
before. All of it seemed excellent and very knowledgable.
Thanks for a very informative post Paco.
Many thanks to all those that helped me out on this
subject. I'd like to thank you all individually, but time
constraints won't allow it. I sincerely appreciate your
taking the time to contribute. I'll be sending my car down
through a Canadian firm out of Toronto: Fast Freight
Forwaders (416)620-1245. The round trip cost is approx.
$2,400 USD. Thanks again to one and all. Best regards,
Marco.
Hi, does anyone know if its possible to take a ferry from Mexico to Cuba. If soo, from where? price etc.
Thanks