Page 304 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

302  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Getting Around Cuba years pay only 33 per cent of
the normal fare.
If your time is limited, one way to get around the island The aeroplanes are not
on public transport is by aeroplane, because this is the always new, the domestic
only really fast means of transport in Cuba. The network flight safety record is dubious,
of domestic flights is good and connections are made via and the service may lack frills,
but the staff are experienced
Cubana de Aviación. Trains are much cheaper, but they are and reliable.
also much slower and very unreliable. Tourist coach services,
on the other hand, are a good option. They are numerous, Ships and Ferries
comfortable and provide services to all the tourist resorts
and provincial capitals. If time is not an issue, it is
possible to travel to Isla de la
Juventud by sea rather than by
air. Departure is from the port
of Batabanó, on the southern
coast, 60 km (37 miles) from the
capital. Nowadays a catamaran
built by Damex Shipbuilding &
Engineering does the journey
in about two and a half hours.
Tickets for the catamaran can
be bought at the quay or as
part of a combination ticket at
Havana bus station. Book ahead
at all times.
In the cities of Havana, Santiago
and Cienfuegos, you can also find
waterbuses or ferries called
lanchas or lanchitas, which
Nueva Gerona national airport, Isla de la Juventud operate around their respective
bays, linking towns or providing
Booking and Check-in for that you should book very a crossing to the opposite side.
Domestic Flights
early, especially for flights in Small ferries connect the coast
There are flights from Havana to high season. Check-in is 60 north of Pinar del Río with the
Baracoa, Bayamo, Camagüey, minutes before take-off, and island of Cayo
Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo, the maximum luggage Levisa and the
Cienfuegos, Guantánamo, weight allowance is mainland out -
Holguín, Las Tunas, Manzanillo, 20 kg (44 lbs). side Santiago
Moa, Nueva Gerona, Santa Clara Domestic de Cuba with
and Santiago de Cuba. flights cost about A Cubana de Aviación plane for Cayo Granma.
It is not necessary to go in twice as much as domestic flights
person to the Cubana de trains or coaches,
Aviación airline offices to book but if you book one together Trains
a domestic flight; any travel with an international flight with Cuba has 4,881 km (3,030 miles)
agency will contact these Cubana, there is a saving of of public railway lines, serving
airlines for you and make your 25 per cent. Children under the all the provincial capitals. Over
reservation without any extra age of two travel free of charge, time, the service has severely
charge. However, bear in mind and young people under 18 deteriorated and the carriages

A lanchita, a waterbus connecting the various towns around the bay of Havana

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