1

It is possible both by Airplaine or by ferry (speedboat).

a) The easier part from abroad is to use the CUBANA website http://www.cubana.cu/home/ - but you have to order the flight "Habana" to "Nueva Gerona" about one month before the trip.Since they use electronic tickets it is quite easy. But order also return. There are now 2 flights a day - formerly they had 3. One early in the morning the other at 5pm. Travel time is around 45 minutes. And it is an adventure since there are using old russion Antonow equippment.

b) You reserve a day before between 09:00 - 12:00 in Habana a trip by Ferry (and Bus) on the counter (small windows) outside at the entrance where all the taxis are queued. Next day at 07:00 you may get the tickets (one for the Bus and one for the Ferry) to go then. The whole trip will take about 4 hours and typically you may enter the Isla de la Juventud at 3pm.

Both trips cost about the same ~50 USD/CUC

Anyway please be aware it is Cuba and schedules and flights depend on availabilty (Kerosene) and Material (Ferry, Plane) - which is not always guaranteed. If you then are there don't complain that the Island is "boring" and not much to do.

2

I spent a long time writing a nice response--then it didn't go.
Highlights: Catch plane if you can. Go to 23 and Malecon--Cubana offices. Should be no problem a month ahead. New planes in service as of a month ago. Much more comfortable and safe. Contact Posh (D McDonald) if you want help with anything. Ask me, for his phone number. I'm at( vballf@yahoo.ca) in Canada. Good luck! Doug's help is free--no commision, he just likes showing people around, drinking rum, swapping Cuba experiences, etc. This makes 4 days much more interesting. Good luck.

3

Posh is in Gerona from Nov. to early April. Has been doing that for 12 years.

4

vbalif: thanks. I have been wracking my brain for the last day trying to remember PoshMcDoo's on line persona.

If this becomes definite, I will send money down and have a Cuban friend in Havana go down to the Cubana office and buy tickets.

5

#1 "or by ferry (speedboat" ..sure didn't look like a speedboat to me ruebe?
I have spoken to any one who has done the fery trip who would recommend anyone else doing it.
Note unfortunately those from the USA are prevented from accessing the online eticket pathway available to the rest of us.

#2 F. is it still the case that you aren't even allowed topside at any time during the whole trip?

Bob FYI 82CUC is the current return airfare.

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OOPS - please insert NEVER after "I have" in second line (and add a second "r" to "fery")!

7

John, I took the ferry from Gerona to Batabano last June after having several Cubana flights cancelled due to heavy rains. You are correct about not being able to go topside. The ferry ride itself was pleasant enough, however it is probably about a three hour process with ticketing and security at the terminal in Gerona before you get to board.

Great news about the new planes Fred, thanks.
/Ken

8

ferry - speedboat
in fact there exist 3 different types of transportationnby sea

1) la "lancha" which takes about 2:45 - which is quite fast
2) ordinary which takes about 5:00 - slower
3) ferry which takes about 10:00 - for cars and containers / not really for tourists

typical capacity
flight 60 to 80 / wheras 10 for divisa (extranjero)
ferry 300 to 500 / wheras 20 for divisa

even though i am not specially keen on the ferry solution, it is between mid december to mid january more likely that you get A seat in the boat - plane is often sold out!

9

Bob,
That should work fine. If you want Posh's Gerona phone #, just E-mail me. Currently there are numerous Canadians visiting, and will be there most of February. ( Not to imply that that is a GOOD thing)

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test

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..which was my way of saying well done Mods - win-win!