Cuba By car The easiest way to explore Cuba is to rent a car. The roads are fairly good and very quiet. Just beware of the many pedestrians, bikers, horse carts and even oxen that travel slowly even on the high ways. Cars can be rented everwhere. It's even possible to return the car in a different city than where you rented it. Many Cubans hitchhike as a means of getting around and locally the activity is known as hacer botella (literally 'to make a bottle' with the hand). Government vehicles are legally required to pick up hitchhikers if they have the room and town exits and major crossroads often have yellow-clad amarillo officials armed with clipboards to organize the Cubans waiting for a ride. By Air Cuba has an extensive domestic air network that services all of the regional centers and flights within the country are not very expensive. Most domestic flights are on smaller propeller aircraft and they are 25% cheaper if booked in conjunction with your international ticket. By Bus Since 1991 long-distance bus services have been wound back and nowadays getting a ticket can be difficult - an in-person advance purchase will be required as will an in-person reconfirmation two hours prior to departure. Although train travel is now much more viable there are still some important connections that are only serviced by bus. Some enterprising locals have converted large trucks (camiones) into public transport vehicles and offer trips along the popular bus runs. By Rail The demise of the Jamaican railway in 1992 means that Cuba is now the only Caribbean country with a functioning railway. Trains service all of the regional capitals and are a much more reliable and hassle-free way of getting around Cuba than the buses. Tickets are easy to get and Cuban train travel can be a relaxing and colorful way to see the country. Local transportation If you stay in a resort or a hotel in a resort area, it is easy to get a taxi, horse drawn buggy or a little motorcycle/golfcart type of vehicle to take you where you want to go. Make sure you confirm a price before accepting the ride. We found it quite easy to walk up to the main road and wait for a bus going in our direction. The driver has a partner who decides if they are going where you want to go and then decides on a reasonable fare.
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