Planning a Trip

Getting There

By Plane -- Only international flights now use the small Jaime González International Airport (tel. 43/55-1328; airport code CFG) located 5km (3 miles) northeast of downtown. A taxi from the airport to downtown costs CUC$6 (US$6.50/£3.25).

By Bus -- Víazul (tel. 7/881-1413 in Havana, or 43/51-8114 in Cienfuegos; www.viazul.com) has two daily buses to Cienfuegos (actually an intermediate stop on the Trinidad route) leaving Havana at 8:15am and 1pm, arriving at 12:05pm and 4:55pm, and returning at 9:25am and 4:55pm. The fare is CUC$20 (US$22/£11) each way. The trip takes 3 1/2 hours. From Cienfuegos to Trinidad, the fare is just CUC$6 (US$6.50/£3.25), and the ride around 1 1/2 hours. The bus station is at Calle 49, between Avenidas 56 and 58 (tel. 43/51-5720).

By Car -- From Havana, take the Autopista Nacional east. There are several possible turnoffs for Cienfuegos. The first and most popular is at Aguada de Pasajeros. This is marked and will bring you through the towns of Rodas and Abreus, before leading you into Cienfuegos. If you continue farther on the Autopista Nacional, your next turnoff will be at Cartagena. If you are coming from Santa Clara, you can take the turnoff at Ranchuelo, which is a straight shot into Cienfuegos. The trip should take 3 1/2 to 4 hours from Havana.

Getting Around

Taxis are readily available around Cienfuegos. Most rides will cost between CUC$1 and CUC$3 (US$1.10-US$3.25/55p-£1.60). If you can't find one, call Taxi OK (tel. 43/55-1172) or Cubacar (tel. 43/51-8454). Tourists are technically not supposed to use the common horse-drawn taxis, as they are not licensed to carry foreigners, though some drivers will let you ride but will only accept CUC$1 or CUC$2 (US$1.10-US$2.15/55p-£1.10). There are also plenty of bicycle-powered cabs around town.

Car-rental agencies in Cienfuegos include Havanautos, Calle 37 at the corner of Avenida 18, Punta Gorda (tel. 43/55-1211), and Cubacar at the Hotel Jagua (tel. 43/55-1030) and opposite the Hotel La Unión (tel. 42/55-1645).

Orientation

There are two main areas you should be concerned with in Cienfuegos: the historic center of town that contains the city's central park, Parque José Martí, and other historic buildings; and Reparto Punta Gorda, a slightly newer section that heads out on a narrow strip to the southern point of the city, where you'll find the Hotel Jagua and the Palacio del Valle. Calle 37, or Prado, is the main north-south street and runs all the way to the tip of Punta Gorda. For a long stretch, it runs along the seafront, earning it the moniker the "Malecón" (boardwalk). It is bisected by Avenida 54, an east-west street, also called the "Bulevar," which is pedestrian-only for several blocks between the Parque José Martí and Prado.

The principal tour agencies in town are Cubanacán, Av. 54 no. 2903, between Calles 29 and 31, which is extremely helpful (tel. 43/55-1680); and Havanatur, Avenida 54 between Calles 29 and 31 (tel. 43/55-1639). In addition to their main offices listed above, they are represented at or can be booked by most hotels in town.

There's a Banco Financiero Internacional at the corner of the Bulevar and Calle 29 (tel. 43/55-1625), and the Banco Popular de Ahorro, Avenidas 54 and 33, which has two ATMs; there's a CADECA branch on Avenida 56 between Calles 33 and 35 (tel. 43/55-2164). The Clínica Internacional, Calle 37 no. 202, between Avenidas 2 and 0, Punta Gorda (tel. 43/55-1622), is a small, modern facility that can handle most emergencies and medical needs, and has a 24-hour pharmacy. The post office is located at Avenida 56 between Calles 37 and 35 (tel. 43/55-1686). There's an Etecsa office at Calle 31 between the Bulevar and Avenida 56 (tel. 43/51-3046), which has Internet access.