Two weeks in Cuba

There are a lot of old posts, asking the same thing.....just scroll, back for 10-12 pages.....I think you will get some great answers....cheers

kyle, two weeks is enough to see one end of the island, you should base your itin on where you will be arriving, if Havana, the most recommended route is the Havana, Trinidad and Vinales/Pinar del Rio triangle.

Viazul bus is the best way to get around, you can check the routes, schedules and prices on their website, there is a link in post #4 of the FAQ, while your in the FAQ read up on accommodation, currency and things to do and see.

Kyle, if you are arriving in Varadero, you would probably want to go next to Havana (2 hours), then to Vinales (3 hours), then back to Havana for a night (3 hours return), then to Trinidad (5 hours), the back to Havana (5 hours return), then back to Varadero for your last night (especially nice if you have an afternoon or evening flight, you you can spend your final morning on the beach).

If you're flying into Havana, spend just one night there, then go to Vinales for a couple of days, then back to Havana for another night, then to Trinidad for a few days, then back to Havana. Varadero, if you want visit Cuba's most heavily touristed beach resort, you could do on a day trip from Havana, since it's only 2 hours.

Note: all these are approximate travel times on the Viazul bus, which runs once or twice a day from those places listed.

You might also want to visit the caves at Santo Tomas (20 km from Vinales). Las Terrazas and Cayo Levisa are both worth visiting--these about halfway between Havana and Vinales (2 hours from either one). But to get to them you will have to get a taxi or shuttle bus if you can find one, because the Viazul buses do not run there.
While in Trinidad, you would probably want to go hiking in the cloud forest up around Topes de Collentes, which is 20 km away. You can get a taxi or shuttle bus at Cubana, in Trindad.

How much time you want to leave for Havana depends on how much you like the city as compared to smaller towns. But for sure, it will be easier to function there if you have gotten a feel for Cuba from spending a little time in smaller towns like Vinales and Trinidad first.

PS: The Viazul bus is by far the best way to get around the western end of the island. Most of the other passengers will be independent travelers like yourself.

If you are flying into Santiago or Holguin at the eastern end of the island, the recommended itinerary would be entirely different. In two weeks, you really don't have time to do both ends.

The trains are a real Cuban experience, and the air-conditioned and relatively reliable "Tren Frances" arguably the best way to get from Havana to Santiago de Cuba, quicker and far better than a mere bus.

For info and photos on the trains, see www.seat61.com/Cuba.htm</a>