Accommodation in Non Tourist Towns
Replies: 26 - Last Post: Jan 23, 2013 8:13 AM Last Post By: BeardoUK
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As no one responded to my question above about accom between Habana and Australia, I guess there isn't any. I couldn't find anything on google or the casa/hotel sites. The en-route sizeable town of Guines seems an accom desert which I suppose proves the point. My new plan is to get the bus to Australia and start cycling from there.Maybe the overall position is best summed up by the following which I copied off 'crazyguyonabike', written a couple of days ago by a cyclist in Cuba:
"I am finding the separation of tourists and locals acomodation very frustrating. We can only legally stay in Casas approved by the government and they have set prices BUT they also only exist in tourist towns so cycling off the beaten track is severaly hindered by a lack of legal places to stay. I am having to ride pretty well trodden paths which is not what I really want to see--nevermind."
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I suggest your pose your dilemma to Rosa Jordan, known here as jpttdo? (someone please correct my misspelling) who wrote the "Bicycling Cuba" travel guide about 10 years ago. Your observation sounds like it would be a common problem that would greatly impact bicycle touring in Cuba.I am not familiar with that particular book but have read some of her other work and can attest to her validity.
I would suggest that you buy the book but just looked on Amazon and see they have one new copy for $474 and used copies go for $100.
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Yes - but casas are a business - they mainly exist in tourist towns because that is where there is the business. It is terribly economic to have a casa in a place where only one cyclist a year turns up.The carretera central actually passes through Matanzas rather than Jaguey Grande - have you considered going that way ?
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Have you looked at this - http://www.bicyclingcuba.com/map.html20
Would you consider just hopping on the Hershey train to Matanzas? You can just wheel your bike on board with you. It is both cheap and fun.23
Hi chaps, thanks very much for all your efforts.I've read plenty of blogs and most cyclists seem to miss out areas, bus through them, etc - I now realise that lack of accom is probably partly the reason for this. I guess I may be busing a bit on this trip.
I take the point about no casas where there are no tourists and agree, but it was local stuff I was looking for. Seems like this is not possible. I had hoped it might be a bit like Vietnam where although there are restrictions I stayed in lots of low key local places, however it seems it will be more like Burma!
The bus seems the easiest, but I like the idea of the Hershey train. I had thought about going (cycling) via Matanzas, but decided not to as I will hopefully be going that way on my return. Using the train adds a different dimension to that route.
Just one thing - are bikes allowed on the Hershey? My guidebook (LP) says tha they are not.
