Rental Cars & Domestic Flights

Getting a rental car in Cuba is difficult and expensive. There are only two state-owned rental companies: Rex and Cubacar (both state-owned). Demand far exceeds supply.

Prices & Booking

• Cost: From 60–100 €/day for a small car (Kia Picanto or similar), without insurance. Comprehensive insurance is an additional 15–25 €/day
• Availability: In the high season (Dec–March), rental cars are often booked out weeks in advance. Be sure to book online in advance through rentalcarscuba.com or directly with Rex/Cubacar
• Deposit: 200–500 € in cash (EUR or USD), refunded upon return
• Gasoline: Only at state Cupet gas stations (often with long lines). Super: approx. 1.20 €/liter

Advantages

Maximum flexibility, reach remote beaches and villages, no waiting for buses. The Autopista (Havana–Santiago highway) is surprisingly empty.

Disadvantages

• Road conditions: Catastrophic outside the main roads — potholes, missing signage, no street lighting at night
• Roadside assistance: Virtually non-existent. Check spare tire and tools!
• Traffic rules: Creatively interpreted. Bicycles, horse-drawn carts, pedestrians, and dogs share the road
• GPS: Works offline (download maps.me), but many roads are not mapped

Domestic Flights

Cubana de Aviación flies from Havana to Santiago de Cuba (1.5 hrs, 80–120 €), Holguín, Camagüey, and other cities. The flights save a lot of time on the 900 km east-west axis but are notorious for delays and last-minute cancellations. Book with a buffer — never plan a domestic flight for the day before your return flight home.