Enter custom title (optional)
This topic is locked
Last reply was
54

Hi

Have a two week trip coming up on May 8 and hoping someone can fill in a few gaps and offer some thoughts.

We have only first two nights accommodation booked (in old Havana) and will spend at least a couple more nights in Havana at the end. So, we (two of us) are flexible for the rest of the time and will book Casas as we go. We'd like to take the morning Hershey train to Matanzas (anyone done this recently - is the train running OK/current timetable?, can we just pitch up in Casablanca via ferry from Havana and buy train tickets on the day?) and spend a night or two there but I haven't been able to establish if there are any transport options (other than private taxi) from Matanzas without backtracking to Havana or going through Varadero? Ideally we'd like to get to Sancti Spiritus, then on to Trinidad, Cienfuegos, Vinales then back to Havana. Any suggestions? Rough idea of cost of private taxi from Matanzas to Sancti? We will definitely get to Vinales and Trinidad but we also want to try to visit at least a couple of the less-touristed places (that's why we are thinking Sancti S and Cienfuegos) but any other suggestions that are viable in two weeks? Also thought about doing a side trip from Trinidad for a night or two and wonder if anyone has any experience of La Boca? Is there an alternative side trip (with overnight) that we could do from Vinales towards the coast? Open to any general suggestions on how we can improve this rough itinerary. We are into music, just hanging out, cycling, walking, trying not to rush around too much but to get a feel for the places we are staying) Not too worried about ticking off sights/museums. We are not beachy types but wouldn't mind a day or two on the coast somewhere (hence La Boca).

Thanks in advance

Report
1

We got on train at Casablanca in March. Were only intending to go to Guanabo. Other tourists got on intending to go to Matanzas. Only after 20 or so minutes did anyone bother to tell them that the train would be finishing well short of Matanzas. Asking whether you need to or can pre-book tickets on this train tells me you will bein for a few surprises when you actually see it.
If you read the FAQ's you will see a link to a private taxi cost calculator.


The shortest flight takes half a day door to door
Cuban resorts are God's Waiting Rooms
Any trip of less than a month is not worth getting out of bed for
Anybody relying on a single source of funds whilst travelling is an idiot
*Millions of Americans have visited Cuba already, but everyone arriving this week is under the illusion that he or she is the first one to discover Cuba and the last one to see it before it is no longer an independent country*
Don Tomas
Report
2

https://www.seat61.com/Cuba.htm


Fidel Castro :
"Christ chose the fishermen, because he was a communist,"
"When we fulfill our promise of good government I will cut my beard."
Report
3
In response to #1

........................ Other tourists got on intending to go to Matanzas. Only after 20 or so minutes did anyone bother to tell them that the train would be finishing well short of Matanzas. .....................

I have no idea what the current situation is. But I have ridden this train when there was an impassable break in the track just a bit east of Hershey. Both the train coming from Casablanca and the train coming from Matanzas stopped just short of the break. Then the all passengers got off their trains, walked around the broken tracks and boarded the other train which then backed up to their original starting point which was the new passengers desired destination. Typical Cuban unconventional but practical solution.


Independently verify anything important that a stranger tells you on the internet, even this advice.
Report
4
In response to #3

That's hilarious...

Cheers,
Terry

Report
5
In response to #1

So, in answer to my question I take it you just turn up at Casablanca station and hope for the best?
Thanks all for replies.

Report
6

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.

Pro tip
Lonely Planet
trusted partner