However, there are different kinds of taxis found in Cuba, such as a private taxi to the shared taxi which is called a collective.
However, no matter which type of taxi you happen to catch in Cuba, they all charge the same price.
In this article, we will be discussing everything you need to know about catching taxis in Cuba and how much they will cost.
What Is A Collectivo Taxi?
Taxis are a really popular sight in Cuba, thus you will never be short on finding a taxi in Cuba. In particular, you will find taxis in tourist areas.
Usually these vehicles will be some kind of classic car from the 1950s, thus helping you differentiate between a taxi and a normal car.
Even though taxis are a really common sight, tourists are only allowed to hire a taxi that charges in CUC and not CUP.
The most cost-effective type of taxi is a collectivo taxi.
Just as the name implies, this is a shared taxi. As a result, a collectivo taxi may pick up other passengers along the way, so it won’t just be you and whoever you are with in the taxi.
A collectivo taxi will take tourists from one place to another. These taxes are usually classic cars that are iconic to Cuba, but they can come in various shapes and sizes.
However, these taxis can commonly fight between 4 and 5 people in the car, alongside room for plenty of luggage as well.
It is worth noting that you may come across the word ‘almendrones’, this is just the local name for the collectivo and shared taxis in Cuba.
How Much Will A Taxi Cost You In Cuba?
As mentioned above, you can hire a taxi that charges in CUC for the fare. This is because 1 CUC is equal to 1 US dollar, therefore it is a simple transfer which is really easy to understand.
Generally, you will find that most taxis charge a 1 CUC flat fee. This fee is then added to your fare before you even start your journey or enter the taxi.
When it comes to drive, you will find that you will be charged 1 CUC for every kilometer that you drive. Therefore, if your journey is 10 kilometers, then your fare will be a total of 11 CUC.
That is 10 CUC for the traveling and the 1 CUC flat fee that is also applied.
Although, it is worth noting that this is just a rough estimate. Some drivers will try to increase their prices so that they can receive more of a profit.
Therefore, sometimes you may need to negotiate the price that you think is fair, if they have raised their prices too much.
Sometimes if you look around, you will be able to find a taxi fare that is more reasonable in price.
Although, during particular times, you may have no choice and are forced to pay slightly more for your taxi.
For example, if you require a taxi either really late at night or early in the morning, then you could be looking to spend around 30 CUC.
Instead of the usual 20 to 25 CUC that you could during the day. Also, airport trips can cost a bit more as well, as they are busy places and everyone wants a taxi.
When it comes to airport trips in Cuba, sometimes it may be cheaper to share with someone else as there can be a flat rate for every person.
However, this depends on the demand and the route you want to take.
Where Will A Taxi Take You In Cuba?
Generally, a taxi will take you anywhere you wish to go. In fact, as long as you are prepared to pay the fares, you could hire a private taxi that will drive you all around Cuba.
However, when it comes to collectivo taxis, they will usually travel between cities or will take you to popular tourist destinations.
If you start in Havana, then a collectivo taxi will take you to the majority of other popular destinations in Cuba such as Trinidad, Vinales, Varadero and other eastern areas.
In addition to that, colectivo taxis will also take you to small and less tourist populated areas like Playa Giron.
If you want to go somewhere that is far away and a smaller area, then a collectivo taxi is generally more expensive than hiring a private taxi.
How To Book A Taxi In Cuba?
Unfortunately, you can’t just download an app in Cuba to cook a taxi. Therefore, the best way to book one is by booking a taxi through your hotel.
All you need to do is let the host of the hotel know when and where you’d like to go. Then the host will make all the relevant calls to the right people and complete the booking on your behalf.
By booking through your hotel, it is a super simple process that doesn’t charge you anything extra, either.
With that being said, your host does receive a slightly small amount of the price of your taxi, but it isn’t that much and worth it for the convenience of it as well.
By doing it this way, you will be picked up from your hotel front door. Although, you could try booking a taxi yourself by going onto the streets.
Sometimes by booking a taxi this way, you can get yourself a better deal, but this isn’t always guaranteed.
However, you can always try to negotiate prices down, yet it is important to remember that you don’t want to just get the lowest fare possible.
You want the fare of the taxi to be reasonable to both you and the driver, otherwise the driver could come out worse off and lose money.
Buses Or Taxis In Cuba?
You could always catch a bus instead of a taxi, yet the prices are around them. In fact, in some cases a bus could be slightly more expensive depending on the destination.
However, you can find buses all over Cuba going to all the same areas as taxis do.
If you want a vehicle that has receiving seats and air con, then buses are the way to go. However, it is done to personal preference.
Conclusion
You can always find a taxi in Cuba, which allows you to drive around in style in an iconic car in Cuba.
Usually, taxis in Cuba will offer you quite fair and cheap prices of 1 CUC for every kilometer of your journey. However, certain destinations or times of day can see an increase in these prices.
We hope this article has been helpful in allowing you to know how much a taxi is in Cuba.
Hello, my name is Jim Stanton and I have been living in Havana for the past three years. I originally found my way here while backpacking, fresh out of college with not many ideas on where I wanted my life to go.
Once I got here, I fell in love. The buildings, the beaches, the monuments - I was in awe. I went on a different sightseeing walk every single day and never got bored of the city, which I had found to be a common issue while traveling through other places.
It just made sense for me to stick around in Havana from then on out. I never had the urge to keep backpacking, and I certainly didn’t want to return home to Utah now that I had seen this.
So, if you’re thinking of visiting Havana, stick around and learn more about the city from my website. Who knows, maybe I’ll see you out here!
