Planning a trip to Cienfuegos
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, with two locations on Calle 39 between Av. 54 and 56 (tel. 43/55-1242) and on Av. 54 no. 2903 between Calles 29 and 31 (tel. 43/55-1680); and Havanatur, Avenida 54 between Calles 29 and 31 (tel. 43/55-1639).
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. 43/51-5622). There's an Etecsa office at Calle 31 between the Bulevar and Avenida 56 (tel. 43/51-3046), which has Internet access.
Getting There
By Plane
Only international flights from Miami and Canada now use the small Jaime González International Airport (tel. 43/55-2047; airport code CFG) located 5km (3 miles) northeast of downtown. A taxi from the airport to downtown costs CUC$6.
By Bus
Víazul (tel. 7/881-1413 in Havana or 43/51-8114 in Cienfuegos at the bus station; Calle 49 between Av 56 and 58; www.viazul.com) has three daily buses to Cienfuegos (actually an intermediate stop on the Trinidad route) leaving Havana at 8:15am, 1pm, and 2:30pm, and arriving at 12:30pm, 5:10pm, and 6:50pm respectively. Buses return to Havana at 9:10am, 4:50pm, and 8:10pm. The fare is CUC$20. From Cienfuegos to Trinidad, the fare is just CUC$6, and the ride takes around 1 1/2 hours. A bus also leaves Viñales at 8am daily and arrives in Cienfuegos at 3:20pm before heading to Trinidad; on the return route from Trinidad, the bus stops at Cienfuegos at 9:40am before heading to Viñales (CUC$32). Cienfuegos is also on two other routes linking Trinidad with Varadero. The direct bus from Varadero leaves at 2:50pm and arrives in Cienfuegos at 6:10pm; the return bus departs at 10:30am, and the fare is CUC$16. The second Varadero route stops at Santa Clara. It leaves Varadero at 8:15pm and arrives in Cienfuegos at 12:50pm; the return departure is at 4:30pm. The Santa Clara-Cienfuegos leg costs CUC$6.
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 route is marked (at km 170, there is a gas station and cafe) 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 (km 230). If you are coming from Santa Clara, you can take the turnoff at Ranchuelo (km 255), which is a straight shot into Cienfuegos, passing through the attractive center of Palmira). 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. If you can't find one, call Cubataxi (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$2. There are also plenty of bicycle-powered cabs around town; the same prohibitions will apply but they will risk taking you for a few CUC$s.
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. 43/55-2014) and at the Trade Center, Av 50 between Calles 35 and 37 (tel. 43/55-2166).
