Planning a trip to Camaguey
There's a new Infotur office on Plaza de los Trabajadores at Ignacio Agramonte 448 (tel. 32-25/6794); there's also an Infotur office at the airport.
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 8:30am 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 6:30pm. 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. 32/28-8604) and Islazul (tel. 32/29-2550) were both moving their offices to unspecified locations at press time, but are currently located next to the church on Plaza de los Trabjadores. 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; you can also tour local artists' studios (CUC$5). It also offers city tours, and courses in dance, singing, and ceramics.
Getting There
By Plane
You can fly from Havana to Camagüey on Aerocaribbean (tel. 32/29-1338) four times a week for CUC$89; there are also international charter flights from Canada. Flights arrive at Aeropuerto Internacional Ignacio Agramonte, Carretera Central Nuevitas Km 8 (tel. 32/26-1010; airport code CMW), 9km (6 miles) west of the city. A local bus runs from the airport to Parque Casino and back, but a taxi is probably your best bet. A taxi from the airport to the city is CUC$6.50.
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 9:30am, 3:15pm, 6:15pm and 10pm, and the ride takes about 9 hours; the fare is CUC$33. From Santiago, departures are at 9am, 3:15pm, 6:15pm, 7:30pm and 10pm, and the ride to Camagüey takes about 7 1/2 hours; the fare is CUC$18. From Trinidad, the bus leaves at 7:40pm and arrives at 12:15am; the fare is CUC$15. From Varadero, the bus leaves at 9:25pm, arriving at 5am (CUC$25).
The main bus terminal for long-distance buses, the Terminal de Omnibuses (tel. 32/27-1668) is located 2km (1 1/4 miles) southeast of the city, at Carretera Central 180 at the corner of Calle Perú. Taxis/bicitaxis charge CUC$4 from the terminal to the city center. 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).
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 bicitaxis 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. A taxi to Playa Santa Lucía is CUC$60.
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. 32/28-7067); the latter is in the Hotel Plaza and in Parque Casino. There are also company offices in the airport. Rates are about CUC$45 to CUC$85 per day for a standard four-door car.
