Driving in Cuba
 

Anyone rented a car and driven from Varadero to Havana and around Havana?<BR><BR>Would like to know how the driving was and any tips you may have.

we rented a scooter in varadero and found it very easy to get around. The roads are very good, and 4 lanes in some places. Driving is on the right side of the road, like in the US and canada. The locals were not crazy drivers like in other caribbean countries such as jamaica etc.

I did not go to Varadero but drove around the island. Is Varadero the place where the package holidaymekers go?<BR><BR>Driving in Cuba is fine apart from the lack of signposts. You really need a very good map and a lot of patience. Driving in Havana is fine too but you have to watch out for slow moving cyclists and horses and the traffic lights are very difficult to read.

Following is an exerpt from the Government of Canada Foreign Affairs Department on Travel in Cuba.....<BR><BR>Here's the link if you want the whole site.<BR><BR>http://www.voyage.gc.ca/destinations/menu_e.htm<BR><BR>DRIVING IN CUBA<BR>--------------------------------------<BR>Road travel can be hazardous. Bicycles, pedestrians, and horse-drawn carts use the middle of the road and do not readily give way to oncoming vehicles. Drive defensively at all times. Night driving is not recommended as few roads or city streets are lighted. Vehicles, bicycles, carts, etc, rarely have proper lighting. Many vehicles are old and poorly maintained. Inoperable vehicles are often left on the road until repaired. The Autopista Central (national highway), which runs the length of the island, is generally in good condition. Other roads are generally poor.<BR><BR>Car rental insurance differs from that in Canada. If you are in any way at fault in an accident, rental agencies will nullify coverage and Immigration officials will prevent you from leaving the island until damages are paid. Under Cuban law, those involved can be detained until the case is resolved in the courts. Depending on the severity of the accident, resolution can take from five months to a year.<BR><BR>An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required. The IDP is a special licence that allows travellers with a valid Canadian driver's licence to drive in over 160 countries without a specific test. The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) is the sole issuer of the IDP in Canada. Contact your local CAA office to pick up an application or have one mailed to you; you can also download the application from the CAA Web site (CAA). An IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue.<BR>---------------------------------------<BR><BR>Not withstanding what the Gov of Can. says above, I have rented a car and driven quite easliy around Cuba. Most all Cuban drivers are safe and courteous. They don't have insurance as we know it, and have to pay for any damage they cause to other vehicles if an accident happens. Also, replacement cars are very hard to come by if you total one. Therefore they generally slow down and pause before crossing intersections, even it they have what we would take to be the right-of-way. But the insurance you do pay for will ONLY pay out if it is proven that the accident is NOT your fault. But remember... you are the tourist (with lots of money) and the guy you hit is a local with no money. Who do you think the cop will believe? So if you drive, drive very defensively and you should have no problems. Just be aware of what you have at risk.<BR><BR>Steve.<BR><BR>p.s. I have been to Cuba six times and love the country and the people. Rented cars and scooters on various occasions.<BR>p.s.s. Gas is around $0.75 per litre USD, (4 litres to the gallon) at most stations (last I was there in Dec 2001, but you will be offered Market Negro, (black market) gas at normally 2 litres per dollar. Buyer beware, it was probably stolen last night from a government vehicle. Really not worth the risk for the savings.<BR>

Thanks me and Steve for both viewpoints. Although the adventure sounds good to go around freely to and around Havana while enjoying the beaches of Varadero, I think the risk is too much trouble for a mediocre driver like me.