The Best Road Trips to Take Along Cuba’s Coast
Given the lack of cars on the island, road trips around Cuba have historically been a difficult proposition. However, a recent influx of vehicles means that you can now hire a car and set off under your own steam. Here are some of the best road trips you can take along the Cuban coast.
Carretera Sur: Trinidad, Cienfuegos, Bay of Pigs
Take a trip from the colonial wonders of Trinidad to the elegant waterside city of Cienfuegos along the Carretera Sur. Trinidad is one of the biggest tourist draws in Cuba, with plenty of museums, restaurants and bars, while Cienfuegos is slightly quieter. After checking out the two cities, drive down to the Bay of Pigs for great diving and snorkelling, as well as learning about the failed invasion by US-backed Cuban dissidents in 1961.
Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, Baracoa
Start in Cuba’s second city, Santiago, and drive through the Parque Nacional de Baconao to Guantanamo. Head down to the south coast at San Antonio del Sur and continue along to Rio Seco before heading north to the beach town of Baracoa. The scenery is spectacular, and you get a good mixture of city, mountains and beaches.
Santiago de Cuba to Manzanillo
Go west from Santiago along the coast road that skirts the spectacular cliffs of the Parque Nacional de Turquino and the Gran Parque Nacional de Sierra Maestra. The highest mountain in Cuba, Pico Turquino, is found here, and you can stop for a day to climb it before continuing your drive. Check out the sleepy port town of Manzanillo to get an idea of life in Cuba away from the tourist hotspots.
Havana, Matanzas, Varadero
Take your hire car from the Cuban capital and drive east along the coast, passing the Havana Club distillery and huge petrol refineries set against beautiful beaches. Make a stop in the intriguing town of Matanzas, with its scholarly, laid-back feel, before continuing to the jumping resort town of Varadero.
Havana, Vinales, Maria la Gorda
Drive west out of Havana and stop off at the amazing Vinales valley before visiting the keys at Cayo Ines de Soto, Cayo Jutias, and Cayos de Buenavista. Follow the road back inland and drive to the Parque Nacional de Guanahacabibes, with its incredible wildlife, before ending up at Maria la Gorda for some of the best diving in Cuba.
Baracoa, Moa, Cayo Saetia
Start in the beautiful beach town of Baracoa and head north to Moa on the coast road, stopping off in the Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt on the way. The next day explore the beaches and coves of Cayo Mambi before heading off to Playa Corinthia and Cayo Saetia.
Santa Clara, Morón, Cayo Coco
Check out Che Guevara’s mausoleum and other revolutionary sites in Santa Clara before driving to the small town of Morón. From here it’s an amazing drive down a long causeway to the idyllic beaches of Cayo Coco, where you can relax after a day on the road.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.