We recommended renting a car only if you anticipate exploring the suburbs or if you intend touring beyond Havana. It grants ease, freedom, and control (there are no restrictions on where you can go). plus you can cover a lot of turf without the time delays of public transport.

Cubans standard of driving is, in general, admirable (certain taxi drivers excepted), although in recent years Cubans with newer cars have begun to drive faster and more aggressively than a few years ago. In Havana, there are not bottlenecks. Havana is probably the only Latin American city without rush-hour traffic.

Traffic police do an efficient job. Traffic signage is very good, and most of the traffics lights work and are even obeyed. Havana's streets show deterioration, but in general, the roads are superior to, or at least no worse, than those of most other Carribean or Latin American cities.

If you intend to explore Cuba far and wide, be sure to obtain a copy of Guia de Carreteras, a complete atlas in booklet form for drivers. It can be purchase in Cuba from tour desk and souvenir outlets.

To drive in Cuba, you must be 21 years or older and hold either an International Drivers' License (IDL) or a valid national driver's license. You must also have at least one year's driving experience. Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road. The speed limits is 100 Kph (62 mph) on freeways, 90 Kph (56 mph) on highways, 60 Kph (37 mph) on rural roads, 50 Kph (31 mph) on urban roads, and 40 Kph (25 mph) in children's zones. Speed limits are vigorously enforced by an efficient highway patrol. If you receive a traffic fine, it will be deducted from the deposit for your rental (there's a space for fines provided on the rental car papers)

Most tourist hotels have a car rental bureau on site, but the main car rental agencies also have main office. Demand sometimes exceeds supply, so you may need to hunt around, particularly for the smaller models or a 4WD jeep. You can also rent a car at the airport upon arrival.

Don't accept a car without thoroughly inspecting it, including a test drive, Insist on this, because some Cuban car rental agencies fail to budget for adequate maintenance and let their cars go to ruin quickly.

Rates: Expect to pay about US $45 - 100 per day plus insurance, depending on the size of the vehicle. You will normally be required to pay a deposit to US $200-500. Most companies offer a choice of Type A insurance (with a deductible of US $250) or Type B (fully comprehensive , except car radio and one tire). If you plan on doing considerable mileage, take the unlimited mileage option. The companies accept payment by Visa, MasterCard, Eurocard, Banamex, Camet and JBC, as well as in cash and traveler's checks.

Main Car Rental Companies:

Cubacar
Website:http://www.cubacar.cubanacan.cu/english/default1.htm
Email:cubacar@cbcan.cyt.cu
Operation Center: Ave 5ta y 84. Miramar . Phone: (537) 24 2718,  (537) 24 2104.
Fax: (537) 33-0760. Available 24 hours a day, every day.
Agencies:

Agency	Contact
Jose Marti Airport	Phone: (53 7)-33-5546
Comodoro Hotel	Phone: (53 7)-24-1706
Cohiba Hotel	Phone: (53 7)-33-4661
Marina Hemingway	Phone: (53 7)-24-1707
Chateau Hotel	Phone: (53 7)-24-0760
Bellocaribe Hotel	Phone: (53 7)-33-6032
La Pradera Hotel	Phone: (53 7)-33-7467
Tarará Residential	Phone: (53 7)-97-1696
Crucero Hotel	Phone: (53 7)-33-0284
Melia Habana Hotel	Phone: (53 7)-24-3236
Parque Central Hotel	Phone: (53 7)-66-6507
Vedado Hotel	Phone: (53 7)-53-5506

 

Havanautos
Website:http://www.havanautos.cu
Email:havautos@imagenes.get.cma.net,reshautos@cimex.com
Operation Center: Ave 5ta y 84. Miramar.
Phone: (537) 24 2718,  (537) 24 2104.  Fax: (537) 33-0760.
Available 24 hours a day, every day.
Agencies:

Agency	Contact
Jose Marti Airport	Phone: (53 7) 33-5197 Terminal 3               (53 7) 33-5215 Terminal 2
National Hotel	Phone: (53 7) 33-3192
Sevilla Hotel	Phone: (53 7) 33-8956
Riviera Hotel	Phone: (53 7) 33-3577
Habana Libre Tryp Hotel	Phone: (53 7) 33-3484
Neptuno/Triton Hotel	Phone: (53 7) 24-1181
Servi Cupet 11 y Malecon	Phone: (53 7) 33-4691
Calle 500. Guanabo	Phone: (53 7) 96-2694
Tropicoco Hotel	Phone: (53 7) 97-1535
Villa Panamericana	Phone: (53 7) 95-1037

 

Via Rent a Car
Website: http://www.gaviota.cubaweb.cu/espannol/rentcar/index.php
Email:dtor_av@gaviota.gav.tur.cu
Operation Center: Ave del Puerto. Edificio La Marina. 3er piso. Habana Vieja.
Phone: (537)  66 6777.  Fax: (537) 33-2780/33-1879.
Agencies:

Agency	Contact
Jose Marti Airport	Phone: (53 7)-33-5155
El Bosque Hotel	Phone: (53 7)-24-3429 Ext. 611

 

Panautos
Website:http://www.cuba.cu/turismo/panatrans/panautos.htm
Operation Center: Calle Linea y Malecon. Vedado
Phone: (537) 55-3255.  Fax: (537) 55-5657
Agencies:

Agency	Contact
Jose Marti Airport	Phone: (53 7)-33-0306
Ave. Zoologico y 26. Nuevo Vedado	Phone: (53 7) 66-6226