I have not stayed in most of these, but they have been recommended:
Cuban Weather is at it's best at December and January. During the summer temperatures are 30ºC or more, and higher risk of rain. The 'coldest' months are December and January - but overall day temperatures rarely falls below 18ºC. Expect to walk around in shorts and shirt and have very pleasant days at the beach. During these months rainfall is at its minimum. The hurricane season is August-October.Havana
- Paladares - private restaurants (L)
- Sevilla
- Havana Libre: large , anonymous and full of PAHO/UN types (at least it was in 1977 - I did not like it!)
Varadero (village - NOT the tourist resort!)
- Casa Angel Maria (Casa de Mary y Angel (Varadero) - 5***** (30CUC): Street 43 #4309 / 1st. Ave. & 2nd. Ave., Varadero. OR Calle 44 entre 2da y 3ra Avenida, Varadero, Cuba. Tel: +53-45-612383 / Mobile +53-52708827. (160 reviews on TripAdvisor: #2 of 39 B&Bs in Varadero)
Holguin:
Holguin Frank Pais
Airport is 15km south of Holguin. Wikipedia here;
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| Frank Pais mural at Holquin bus station. |
- Villa La Roca: #1 of 21 Holguin B&Bs in Tripadvisor Holquin list
#1 Calle 26 no 16 altos entre carretera de Gibara y 5
- Casa Particular Oscar Guerra #2 : carretera central 10 (Corner Carretera Central and calle Buena Vista); 53 52894009
http://casacuba.hotelxinternet.com/renta-alquiler-alojamiento/casa-particular-holguin-oscar-guerra-vargas---------------------------------------------------------/11.html
https://www.facebook.com/casaoscarholguin
Art Deco Casa Particular, built 1930; 5 mins walk to Via Azul bus station; 15min city center; cyklo-taxi 1 CUC). For faster information and booking please use BOTH emails:
casaoscarholguin@gmail.com , osguerrav@nauta.cu
- Villa Flori #3: Carretera Central 10 Altos Esquina Buenavista (??)
- info@casa-villa-lois.com
Viazul Busverbindung Holguin – Havanna
10-12 hours e.g. dep. 9pm, arr. 7am $44
Alternativ besteht die Möglichkeot tagsüber mit Zwischenstopp und Übernachtung in Santa Clara (Abfahrt Holguin 9:20Uhr, Ankunft Santa Clara 17:20Uhr / nächster Tag Abfahrt Santa Clara 17:30Uhr, Ankunft Havanna 21Uhr) zu fahren.
Als dritte Option könnt Ihr auch am Tag direkt durchreisen (Abfahrt Holguín 9:20Uhr, Ankunft Havanna 21Uhr).
Die Fahrpläne Holguin – Havanna und weiteren Busverbindungen finden sich direkt hier. Die Buslinien werden sehr empfohlen. Die Büros der Busline sind hier zu finden:
Buses cost c. $3 per hour of travel.
Note: There is another long-distance bus service that caters to local Cubans. Apparently it is less reliable, slower (with more stops) and much cheaper. These buses usually leave from the same terminals as Viazul so if you are on a tight budget ask if you can get a local ticket. I have no idea if this is allowed – but worth a shot!
- Havana – Varadero $10 (3 hours)
- Varadero – Santiago de Cuba $49 (15 hours)
- Santiago de Cuba – Baracoa $15 (4 hours)
- Santiago de Cuba – Trinidad $33 (11 hours)
- Trinidad – Havana $24 (6 hours)
- Havana – Viñales $12 (3.5 hour
Tips for travelling by bus in Cuba
1. Bring warm layers. Like most buses in Latin America they get very cold, especially if you intend to sleep.
2. Many toilets in terminals are paid and do not have change. Bring lots of coins and plenty of tissues! Loo paper does not exist in the Viazul Bus network.
3. Bring all the food and water you will need for the entire journey. Most terminals have no food or drinks except for Havana (café by day, biscuits by night). If you do the trip from Baracoa – Santiago de Cuba – Trinidad for example this is a 16 hour journey with no access to food. Casa hosts are often happy to pack you a meal for the journey if you ask them and bring plenty of biscuits.
4. Your best bet is to bring plenty of high energy snacks from whatever country you are coming from. Things like nuts, dried fruit, muesli bars can’t be bought in Cuba and on long bus journeys will be a welcome meal or snack if you forget to bring one with you.
