Traveling from Belgium

Day 2 is too much to do for one day in Havana. Castillo de la Real Fuerza is going to take some time to enjoy. You didn't even mention Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (The Governor's Palace) I didn't know how far reaching Cuba's worldwide presence was until I went here. $3 for entry when I was there. Be sure to tip the ladies in these museums and don't step on the Persian rugs. Dominca is at the North-west corner of the Palace. Enjoy dinner there and the music. Museo del Ron Havana Club should be done on the next afternoon. You'll want to sit there and enjoy and I'd suggest doing this on Day 3. As noted, you're doing way too much. It looks like you're doing a race. I'd cut out a bit and spend a couple more days in Havana.

As I often say - I think that itinerary a perfect way to get to know the Cuban highways but not so good to know the places between.

You plan to do Las Terrazas, Soroa and all that in Vinales in a day ?

You arrive in Cayo Coco one afternoon and leave again the following morning ? Why bother ?

In the end how are you travelling - self-driving ?

Where did you get those travel times ? They look pretty close to the ones google maps gives - which assume travelling at top speed with no traffic and no stops, and doesn't allow for getting lost and back-tracking. When travelling cross country, there will always be traffic slowing you.

As Bob has said on another thread:

I always say that Cuba is a place to be experienced and not just seen. And that experience builds on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th day you stay in the same place

Cuba is a big country so there is no other way to drive a bit.. There are four things I want to do:
- Havana
- Vinales
- Trinidad
- Varadero

And all of them are a lot of km's apart. We are renting a car by the way. We can't spend a month in Cuba, I don't think many people can. So this is a realistic itinerary if you ask me.

I have checked Las Terrazas/Soroa and for me they seem more like a place to enjoy the scenary and not so much to do something there. In Vinales we're doing the tour which everyone recommends if you only have little time to spend.

Cayo Coco: It's only beaches. So why would we need more than one day? Varadero has more beautifull beaches so. We just wanted to drive over the roads to Cayo Coco and it would be a to big ride if we went directly to Varadero afterwards.

Google Maps yes. To be honest. I don't know the roads but I don't expect a thousand cars blocking all roads (nor have I read something like this). So why would times be a problem?

Day 2 is too much to do for one day in Havana. Castillo de la Real Fuerza is going to take some time to enjoy. You didn't even mention Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (The Governor's Palace) I didn't know how far reaching Cuba's worldwide presence was until I went here. $3 for entry when I was there. Be sure to tip the ladies in these museums and don't step on the Persian rugs. Dominca is at the North-west corner of the Palace. Enjoy dinner there and the music. Museo del Ron Havana Club should be done on the next afternoon. You'll want to sit there and enjoy and I'd suggest doing this on Day 3. As noted, you're doing way too much. It looks like you're doing a race. I'd cut out a bit and spend a couple more days in Havana.

All things for Havana need to be spread out over day 2 or 3. So not everything will be done on day 2.

I will look up the Governer's Palace. Thank you.

We are two days and a half in Havana. That seems enough. A lot of people said that.

We are two days and a half in Havana. That seems enough. A lot of people said that.

Everyone is different. I have spent over 100 days in Havana and still have new experiences awaiting me there.

Those who say a few days in Havana are enough are those who never figured out how big and how diverse Havana really is. It is comprised of 15 municipalities. Most only saw the two smallest and thought that was all there was.

B - four places in two weeks is reasonable - but you are staying in seven different places.

As I say, that is a great itinerary if you want to become an expert on Cuban highways. But don't pretend that you got to know Cuba that way.

Cayo Coco - you don't have a day there - you are adding probably six or eight hours extra driving for a couple of hours on the beach there.

Most Cuban highways are two lanes - one each direction. If you get stuck behind a tractor, a bus and a lorry, you will find it very hard to pass.

I have driven thousands of kilometres in Cuba, and I tell you, it is not possible to travel at the speeds which google maps shows.

And as Bob says, 2½ days is not enough for Havana. Who says it is ? I see lots of first timers spending a week in Havana and saying that is not enough.

On the other hand, I would go crazy with three full days in Varadero ! (As you say - it is just a beach !)

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