Travel Holguin to Baracoa – Cuba – Debbie's Carribean Reviews Forums

puzzled 2015-06-30 22:21:42 UTC #1

Hi there

Apart from taking the bus from Holguin via Santiago de Cuba, is there any other way to go from Holguin to Baracoa?  The only reason for me to avoid that route is because I am going back that way and it seems a shame to do the same thing twice.

In truth, I am the world’s worst driver, so would rather not try to hire a car and drive it.

I am grateful for any thoughts or tips you might be able to share.

x

Admin 2015-07-01 00:08:21 UTC #2

Hello @puzzled welcome to Debbie’s Caribbean resort review forum. Unfortunately only other option is to hire taxi / private car to Baracoa from Holguin. Road is not so nice. There is big part of the road made of gravel/ stones and some potholes so car has to drive slow. I went many times and if I am in Holguin I would go that way to Baracoa. Santiago Baracoa is better road but one part of the road are big mountains and some people do not like mountains.

annhig 2015-07-25 16:07:55 UTC #3

I too am interested in how to get from Baracoa to Holguin without going back to Santiago di Cuba.

We are considering renting a car and driving from Santiago back to Havana [going to fly from Havana to Santiago] and would like to go from Santiago to Baracoa to Holguin, but I have read that the first part of the road between Baraco and Moa is pretty bad.

Any ideas?

Admin 2015-07-25 20:11:31 UTC #4

So from Santiago to Baracoa you can take viazul bus for 15 CUC I believe. After from Baracoa to Holguin I would suggest that you take private taxi. Road is bad like you heard as you can’t speed from Baracoa to Moa but its manageable. Many potholes but I went many times … Any more questions please ask.

bellagio1 2015-07-25 20:28:29 UTC #5

Completely agree. The road from Baracoa to Moa is awful. It’s virtually walking pace for much of the way.

farren 2017-01-18 15:50:05 UTC #6

Hi, I was wondering roughly how much a private taxi from Guardalavaca to Baracoa would be? Is this something I can arrange from my hotel/casa?

Spunky 2017-01-18 17:13:20 UTC #7

Welcome to Debbie’s, Farren. You are in the right spot for info about Baracoa so sit back and expect some expert advice.

Admin 2017-01-18 17:30:19 UTC #8

Hello @farren welcome to Debbie’s travel forum. Yes you can definitely arrange with casa owners or drivers around hotel for private driver to take you to Baracoa. Government yellow taxi should be around 170 CUC and you can even arrange that they come from Baracoa and pick you up phone number is 21-643-737 Agencia de Taxi … here is photo how that taxi looks like its Kia:

Or you can rent private taxi “particular” for less money around 130 CUC (it all depends how do you negotiate the price) and car can look like this or could be older car:

We have a few threads about Baracao here if you wish to read more Everything you want to know about Baracoa

And feel free to ask any questions you might have

farren 2017-01-20 15:14:29 UTC #9

Thank you so much! That is perfect.

I did have a couple more questions about Cuba in general, not sure if this is the right forum but here goes. We plan on backpacking for a few weeks and were just wondering about booking buses and casas. Is this something we can do the day before and be alright or do we have to book several days in advance. We are just worried about a lack of internet to look up and book things but we also want flexibility so we don’t want to have everything booked before we get there?

Also we are concerned over ATMs and banks. Most forums on other sites say to bring all the money you will need with you, since we are there for almost a month we don’t feel comfortable having that much cash on us at all times. Do most major cities have ATM or banks we can withdraw money. I have a Canadian visa debit card as well as a Visa credit card.

Thank you so much in advance!

Farren

Admin 2017-01-20 16:18:33 UTC #10

farren:

Is this something we can do the day before and be alright or do we have to book several days in advance.

I would suggest that you definitely book your bus transportation ahead of time. Its easy to organize your trip and book / buy your tickets online on Viazul website. I saw many disappointed travelers in Santiago de Cuba as they were not able to hop on the bus 2 years ago. They did not have tickets. We got ours on Viazul website ahead of time. If you do not speak Spanish just select English on top right corner on Viazul website.

Casas can be nice and not so nice regarding how it looks etc I would arrange as well casas ahead of time. If you do not you will be able once you arrive with a bus to particular city / town in Cuba to talk with people who have casas available for rent at the moment. There is usually plenty amount of people who sell casa accommodations. Only problem is you might go with them but you do not like that casa and than you need to look for another one. Carrying your luggage bags around town on hot day is not fun.

ATMs depending on the town and city might not accept your Visa card. Debit cards are not accepted in Cuba! The best place to go and pull money from your Visa card is CADECA (Casas de Cambio) where you can exchange money or take money from your Visa card. You will need passport as well your Visa Card to do this. Every bigger town have CADECA. Sometimes you do need to wait in line to get served. I personaly never have too much cash with me … just enough for a few days and once I need more I pull from my Visa card at CADECA.

If you have more general questions about Cuba you can post it on our Cuba Forum so everyone can see and help out

beansntoast 2017-01-21 13:21:20 UTC #11

farren, Canadian debit cards with the visa logo do work in Cuban ATMs. (4 digit pin code required) ATMs are generally in the cities only and fewer than most are used to. They have specific denominations dispensed and a max number of bills per transaction. But you can do multiple transactions. If you see 2 side by each, check what denomination is being dispensed first.