Planning a Trip

Getting There

By Plane -- You can fly from Havana and Santiago de Cuba to Camagüey on Cubana; there are also international charter flights from Canada and Great Britain. Flights arrive at Aeropuerto Internacional Ignacio Agramonte, Carretera Central Nuevitas Km 8 (tel. 32/26-1862 or 32/26-1525; airport code CMW), 9km (6 miles) west of the city. A local bus runs from the airport to Parque Finlay and back, but a taxi is probably your best bet.

By Bus -- Víazul (tel. 7/881-1413 in Havana, or 32/27-1668 in Camagüey; www.viazul.com) travels daily to Camagüey on the Trinidad-Santiago de Cuba and Havana-Santiago de Cuba lines. From Havana, the bus departs at 9:30am, 3pm, and 10pm, arriving at 6:05pm, 11:55pm, and 6:15am, respectively (CUC$36); from Santiago, departure times are 9am, 3:15pm, and 10pm, arriving at 4:35pm, 10:55pm, and 3:30am (CUC$20); and from Trinidad the bus leaves at 8am and arrives at 1:20pm (CUC$16).

The main bus terminal for long-distance buses, the Terminal de Omnibuses (tel. 32/27-3463) is located 2km (1 1/4 miles) southeast of the city, at Carretera Central 180 at the corner of Calle Perú. For buses to locations within Camagüey province, there is a separate Terminal Municipal, several blocks north of the old center, near the intersection of Padre Olalla and Avenida Carlos J. Finlay (just north of the railway station).

By Train -- Camagüey is on the main Havana-Santiago de Cuba railway line, with nearly a half-dozen daily trains originating in Havana and Santiago de Cuba. Train schedules change frequently, and depending on the season, many trains don't operate on a daily basis; verify the current schedule by calling tel. 7/862-1920 or 7/861-4259, though it's often better to go in person to the train station and purchase tickets at least a day in advance. Trains arrive in Camagüey from Morón, Santa Clara, and Ciego de Avila as well. The large and busy local train station (tel. 32/29-2633) is on Avenida Carlos J. Finlay, across from the Hotel Plaza.

Getting Around

The labyrinthine layout of Camagüey's old town is extremely complicated, though it is pretty compact. The best way to get to know the historic center is by foot. In fact, in and around Camagüey, you will mostly depend on leg power, though taxis may be necessary to get back and forth between a couple of the hotels.

By Taxi -- Taxis are plentiful around town, and a few are usually stationed in front of any hotel. Alternatively, you can call Cubataxi (tel. 32/28-1247) Transtur (tel. 32/28-2413), or Turistaxi (tel. 32/27-1208) for local and long-distance hire. Horse-drawn carriages and bicycle-powered rickshaws also function as taxis around the historic center.

By Train -- Not a traditional train, but a trencito -- a green and yellow tractor with cars and operated by Cubanacán -- runs from Hotel Camagüey on Carretera Central to downtown Camagüey, bypassing the major arteries and major attractions of the historic center. Tickets (CUC$2) can be purchased at any tour agency at any hotel.

By Car -- A car isn't necessary if you are planning to stay put in Camagüey, but if you're looking to go beyond the city, the major car-rental companies are Havanautos (tel. 32/29-1535) and Transtur (tel. 32/27-1015), both of which have offices in most of the major hotels in town. Rates are about CUC$50 to CUC$80 per day for a standard four-door car.

Orientation

You'll find a Banco Financiero Internacional (tel. 32/29-4846) at Independencia 221, at Plaza de Maceo. It's open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm. There is a CADECA (tel. 32/29-5220) at República 353. The above are two of the most centrally located branches, but you'll find several other banks and money exchange houses around the city.

If you need medical attention, Policlínica Centro is located at República 211, at the corner of Reforma (tel. 32/29-7810).

An Etecsa telephone and Internet kiosk is on Calle Independencia at Ignacio Agramonte, across from La Merced church and the Islazul office; it's open daily from 9am to 9pm. The main branch of Correos is at Ignacio Agramonte 461; it's open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm.

Most of the major Cuban tour agencies operate several tour desks around Camagüey, and at all the major hotels. Islazul operates a booth with tourist information, maps, and Internet service at Ignacio Agramonte 448, on Plaza de los Trabajadores (tel. 32/29-2550). Cubanacán has offices at the Galería Colonial, Ignacio Agramonte 406 (tel. 32/29-4905), as well as at the Hotel Colón, Gran Hotel, and Hotel Camagüey. Havanatur, Calle Monteagudo between Cuba and Carretera Central (tel. 32/28-1564), is well equipped to arrange all sorts of excursions, local guides, and tour programs.