Planning a Trip

Getting There

By Plane -- You can fly from Havana to Camagüey on Cubana daily except Tuesday and Saturday for CUC$94 (US$102/£51); there are also international charter flights from Canada. Flights arrive at Aeropuerto Internacional Ignacio Agramonte, Carretera Central Nuevitas Km 8 (tel. 32/26-1889 or 32/26-7276; 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 32/27-0396 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 8:40am, 9:30am, 3pm, and 10pm, arriving at 5pm, 6:05pm, 11:55pm, and 6:05am, respectively; the fare is CUC$33 (US$36/£18). From Santiago, departure times are 9am, 3pm, and 10pm, arriving at 4:35pm, 10:45pm, and 3:20am; the fare is CUC$18 (US$19/£9.70). From Trinidad, the bus leaves at 8am and arrives at 1:15pm and the fare is CUC$15 (US$16/£8.10).

The main bus terminal for long-distance buses, the Terminal de Omnibuses (tel. 32/27-2601) 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 (tel. 32/28-1525), 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. 7/861-8540, 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 on 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 -- There are a few taxis around town. Call Cubataxi (tel. 32/28-1247) for local and long-distance hire. Bicycle-powered rickshaws also function as taxis around the historic center and are ubiquitous.

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. 32/27-2239) and Cubacar (tel. 32/272439); the latter is in the Hotel Plaza and in Parque Casino. There are also company offices in the airport. Rates are about CUC$55 to CUC$80 (US$59-US$86/£30-£43) 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 3pm. There is a CADECA (tel. 32/29-5220) at República 353, open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm and Sunday from 8am to 1pm. The above branches are two of the most centrally located ones, but you'll find several other banks and money exchange houses around the city.

If you need medical attention, Servicios Médicos Internacionales is located at Ignacio Agramonte 449, opposite the church of La Merced (tel. 32/33-6370).

An Etecsa Telepunto telephone and Internet center is on Calle República 453; it's open daily from 8:30am to 7:30pm. The main branch of Correos is at Ignacio Agramonte 461; it's open Monday through Saturday from 7:30am to 8pm.

Most of the major Cuban tour agencies operate several tour desks around Camagüey, and at all the major hotels. Cubatur operates at Ignacio Agramonte 421 (tel. 32/25-4785). Havanatur (tel. 32/28-1564) and Islazul (tel. 32/27-2018) were both moving their offices to unspecified locations at presstime. Cultural promoter Paradiso at Ignacio Agramonte 413 (tel. 32/28-6059; esme@sccm.artex.cu) can arrange trips to see ballet rehearsals and a ballet shoe factory for CUC$5 (US$5.40/£2.70), and a tour of local artists' studios. It also offers city tours, and courses in dance, singing, design, and ceramics. Trips to the beach also seem to be cheaper with Paradiso at CUC$40 (US$43/£22), including transport and a day pass at one of the hotels.