7 of the best road trip routes in Cuba

07.01.2024 - 11:37 / lonelyplanet.com / Santa Maria

There’s no better way to get a local perspective on life in Cuba than behind the wheel of a car.

Though Cuba’s roads – even the highways – can be in questionable condition and signage for drivers is scarce, the open road will open your heart to an island filled with wonders. 

From a one-day drive out of Havana to idyllic Viñales to the ultimate two-week grand tour of the whole island, here are seven of the best scenic road trips across Cuba.

Best road trip for quintessential Cuba
Havana–Viñales; 185km (115 miles)

There are plenty day-trip options if you’re spending some time in Havana, but if you only have a week or less on the island, this journey to Viñales is a must-do to discover the quintessential Cuba.

Secluded natural reservoirs, homegrown local food and world-class tobacco plantations await, all under three hours from the Capitolio Nacional. 

Leave in the morning, taking the A4 west and sip your first coffee at the eco-village of Las Terrazas. Go on for a few kilometers to admire the still lake at El Palmar while chatting with locals.

Back on the road, drive 18km (11 miles) west until you reach the waterfall in Soroa, then loop to the north before rejoining the A4.

When the soil gets redder and triangle-roofed, thatched houses start to appear on the roadside, take a right at the exit in Ovas – and prepare to be amazed by Viñales Valley. Stop at the Mirador del Valle for the photos of the mogote rock formations in all their splendor.

Planning tip: Save a couple of days to drive around Viñales at a slower pace, making time to hike, cycle and explore its caves. 

Best road trip for sandy beaches
Havana–Varadero; 145km (90 miles)

Havana’s favorite beaches unfold along the coastline of Habana del Este and northwestern Matanzas Province, and Varadero’s stunning 20km-long (12-mile) strip of talc-white sandy beaches are an ideal venue for a few days’ R&R. 

Just 20km east of Havana’s center, the Playas del Este – including Bacuranao, Tarará, Boca Ciega, Mégano and Santa María – offer a full day of relaxation and sunbathing.

Continue on the Via Blanca highway to enjoy lesser-visited coves at Canasí and the fittingly named Puerto Escondido (Hidden Port), where you’ll find some of the best snorkeling near Havana.

There’s greenery aplenty as you traverse the flatlands of Llanura Habana-Matanzas before reaching the bay at Matanzas and finally the Varadero peninsula. Stop to take in the view from Puente de Bacunayagua, at Cuba’s longest and highest bridge.

Best road trip for coastal scenery
Santa Clara–Cayo Santa María; 116 km (72 miles)

This road trip connects Villa Clara Province’s historical landmarks with the superb coastal scenery of the northern keys, cruising by a picturesque colonial town dating from 1515 and