Punctual as
never before from Milan Malpensa at 13.00 my plane n. 1,045 of the Delta Air
Lines Company (Operated by Alitalia) in the direction of John F. Kennedy
International Airport in New York (USA), (multi-route ticket price including
taxes from Malpensa to Santo Domingo and from Nassau to Malpensa with a
stopover in New York: Euro 628.00).
Punctual
arrival at 4.25 pm, at Terminal 1 of John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (USA).
There are 6 hours of time zone, compared to Italy.
In order to
set foot in the United
States of America, I had to complete the
quick online ESTA procedure by paying $ 14 by credit card. Entry into the
country valid for 2 years was approved by the system immediately after the end
of the online procedure which lasted about 1 hour.
The airport
consists of 8 terminals connected to each other by a free train.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Punctual as
never before, my Airplane no. 497 of the Delta Air Lines Company to the Las
Americas International Airport of Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), (price of
the multi-route ticket including taxes from Malpensa to Santo Domingo and from
Nassau to Malpensa with a stopover in New York: Euro 628, 00).
I therefore
arrive at 12.25 A.M.,
at Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic),
located about 22 km
east of the city. There are 6 hours of time zone, compared to Italy.
A visa is
not required to enter the Dominican
Republic for tourism purposes and for a
period of less than 60 days. In theory, before crossing the border it is
necessary to buy a tourist card at a cost of USD 10 to be paid in American
currency, even if I did not purchase it and I had no repercussions.
I slept in
the aforementioned cold airport.
Then
outside the Departures Hall I found a mototaxi which, at a cost of 20 USD, took
me in 45 minutes to the Bus Station Capitalcoachline in Santo Domingo 455
Boulevard 27 de Febrero, in the El Million sector.
HAITI
The Bus
from Santo Domingo of the Capitalcoachline
company to Tabarre (Haiti)
leaves every day at 8.00 and 10.00. The 10.00 am stop one hour later also in
Petion Ville. The trip takes about 6 or 7 hours. Take into account that Haiti is an hour behind the Dominican Republic.
The cost of the ticket is 40 USD, one way, 75 USD, round trip. It can also be
purchased via the internet. Furthermore, once at the counter you have to pay 30
USD and 200 Dominican Pesos as a tax for crossing the border and hand in your
passport. On the bus they offer you a sandwich, a can of juice and a half-liter
bottle of water. The Terra Bus Company also offers the same service at more or
less similar prices and timetables.
A visa is
not required to enter Haiti
for tourism purposes and for a period of up to 90 days.
The
Dominican border of Jimaní presents no difficulties. The Hostes del bus helps
you to overcome the easy paperwork. The same thing happens to that of Haiti located in Malpass, about 2 km further west, partly at
the Azuei Lake. In both cases you have to get off
the bus and go to the border counter.
Money can
be exchanged for black both in Jimaní, in the square of the confusing Dominican
border (not recommended), and after that in Haiti, as they usually get on the
bus of guys, who offer you the change of currency.
The
Capitalcoachline Bus Station is located on Blvd 15 October in part at the
American Embassy in Tabarre, a town located about 10 km northeast of the
capital Port Au Prince. There, taxis are waiting to take you anywhere. In my
case, the owner of the hotel picked me up for free.
In Haiti I slept
at Le Tresor Hotel, located about 3
km from the aforementioned bus station, in Delmas in
Delmas 75 Puits - blain 30 Ave Albert Jode prol 8. As there are no single
rooms, the cost of a double per night is 26 USD. You can pay either in USD
Dollars or in Gourde. The Hotel is very nice. There is also the bar. The area
is dark at night and therefore it is not recommended to go out on foot after
dark.
The hotel
provided me with an off-road vehicle with driver, at a price of 90 USD per day,
with which I visited Port Au Prince, Petionville, Fermathe, Kenscoff and Furcy.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The Bus
from Tabarre (Haiti) to Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) of the
Capitalcoachline company leaves every day at 8.00 and 10.00. The 10.00 am
starts an hour earlier also from Petion Ville. The trip takes about 6 or 7
hours. Take into account that Haiti
is an hour behind the Dominican
Republic. The cost of the ticket is 40 USD,
one way, 75 USD, round trip. It can also be purchased via the internet. In
addition, once at the counter you have to pay 10 USD as a tax for crossing the
Dominican border and then go to the adjacent Desk where the Haitian stamp on
exit is affixed to the passport. and finally deliver the Passport. On the bus
they offer you a sandwich, a can of juice and a half-liter bottle of water. The
Terra Bus Company also offers the same service at more or less similar prices
and timetables.
A visa is
not required to enter the Dominican
Republic for tourism purposes and for a
period of less than 60 days. In theory, before crossing the border it is
necessary to purchase a tourist card at a cost of USD 10 to be paid in American
currency.
The Haiti border at Malpasse, partly at Lake Azuei,
presents no difficulties. La Hostes del bus will take care of the easy
bureaucratic procedures. Same thing happens to the Dominican one located in
Jimaní, about 2 km
further east .. Only in the Dominican one you have to get off the bus and go to
the border counter.
Money can
be exchanged for black both before the Haiti border, as they usually get on the
bus of the guys, who offer you the change of currency, and in the square of the
confused Dominican border of Jimaní (not recommended),
From the
Bus Station Capitalcoachline located in Santo Domingo 455 Boulevard 27 de
Febrero, in the El Million sector, to reach the colonial area, 5 km to the west, there are
taxi drivers who offer for 10 USD to take you near Plaza Espana. By negotiating
decisively it is possible to pay up to 200 Dominican Pesos. There are also
public cars, priced at 25 pesos, which pass along Boulevard 27 de Febrero
heading towards the colonial area but it is not an easy choice to implement
especially after sunset and you have a lot of luggage with you, also because
you have to take some. 2, because you have to change.
In Santo Domingo I slept at
Island Life Backpackers' Hostel, located in Calle Isabel La Catolica # 356, in the Colonial Zone, 200 meters away. about
from Piazza di Spagna - Email: info@islandlifebackpackershostel.com
The structure
is well managed by a group of Germans. The 12 bed dorms are extremely
comfortable and clean. There is a computer to use for free with internet
connection, bar, kitchen, TV room, kitchen, courtyard, breakfast included.
The cost
per night is 15 USD. You can pay in USD Dollars or in Dominican Pesos.
The
Colonial area is safe and well guarded by the tourist police and therefore you
can walk freely without danger both day and night.
To go to
Punta Cana from Santo Domingo,
it is possible to take first class buses that depart far from the colonial area
and therefore it is an uncomfortable choice as it is necessary to reach the
departure bus station by taxi.
It is more
convenient and economical to walk from the Colonial area, crossing China Town,
to the nearby Parque Enriquillo (be careful after sunset as the area is not
safe), where second-class buses leave from the south side of the area for Punta
Cana. The frequency of the same is low and therefore the best solution is to
opt for the numerous buses to Higuey, where then it is necessary to change and
take a minibus to Punta Cana. The trip from Santo Domingo to Higuey takes approximately 2
hours. The ticket can be taken on the bus and costs 250 Dominican Pesos.
The Gua -
Guas for Bàvaro and Punta Cana leave when full from two Terminals located side
by side in Av. De la Libertad, after Calle Luperòn (reachable from the center
by a motor taxi for 100 Dominican Pesos, or storing a passage to a bus coming
from Santo Domingo). If you want to go to El Cortecito (75 Dominican Pesos, pay
before getting off) you need to get off at Verón and take another Gua - Guas
for 40 Dominican Pesos.
From the
Bàvaro Bus Station (Punta Cana), located in Friusa, near the Texaco petrol
station (reachable from El Cortecito with frequent Gua - Guas at the price of
30 Dominican Pesos), 2 km
Kilometers from El Cortecito beach, several buses depart , of the Sitrabapu
Company, for La Romana. The trip takes about 1 hour. The ticket can be taken on
the bus and costs 215 Dominican Pesos.
Alla Romana
you can go down near the Obelisk or the Parque Centrale.
To go to
the Cueva de Las Maravillas, it is first necessary to reach the Sichoem Bus
Station, located on the western outskirts of La Romana, which can be reached by
asking for a ride on one of the many Sichoem buses, which pass by Parque
Centrale.
From the
Sichoem Bus Station de La Romana, many minibuses leave every day, when full,
for San Pedro de Macorìs, which on request stop on the motorway in front of the
entrance to the Cueva de Las Maravillas. The journey lasts a short half hour.
You pay 50 Pesos before going down. From there to reach the ticket office of
the caves it is necessary to walk less than half a kilometer.
The Cueva
de Las Maravillas is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9.00 to 17.15. The cost
of the ticket is 300 Dominican Pesos, which also includes the obligatory guide.
We move in groups of about 10 people. Photographs cannot be taken inside. There
are many stairs to go down and an elevator to go up. The visit lasts about an
hour.
To go to
San Pedro de Macorìs, from the entrance to La Cueva de Las Maravillas, the
matter becomes complicated because buses and minibuses do not stop there, but
at a stop located on the highway 1
km more to the west. To reach it I asked a gentleman
with a motorcycle who worked in the caves for a ride. I paid 20 Pesos. From
there it is necessary to stop the buses coming from La Romana, which charge 30
Pesos to reach San Pedro de Macorìs. If you want, the Santo Domingo buses also pass by, which in
any case stop in San Pedro de Macorìs.
In San
Pedro de Macorìs, from a bus station located about 1 km west of the Estadio
Vargas, many minibuses leave for Santo
Domingo every day when they are full. The journey
takes an abundant hour. You pay 120 Pesos before going to the appropriate desk.
It makes several stops, the last of which is perhaps the most interesting for
tourists because it is that of the Parque Indipendencia near Calle El Conde and
therefore in the colonial area.
The taxi
from the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo to Las Americas International Airport
in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), located about 22 km east of the city, costs
1,000 Dominican Pesos.
JAMAICA
With about
2 hours delay my plane no. 1 leaves from Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) at 12.00.
JY0624 of the Inter Caribbean Company in the direction of Providenciales
International Airport (Turks and Caicos), (price of a one-way ticket from Santo
Domingo to Kingston, with a stop in Port Au Prince (Haiti) and stopover in
Providenciales (Turks and Caicos): USD 264.32).
On the
small 16-seat plane, from Santo
Domingo to Port Au Prince there were only 4 people,
plus pilot and co-pilot and no hostess. From Port Au Prince (Haiti) to
Providenciales (Turks and Caicos), it was full.
Punctual
arrival at 2.20 pm at Providenciales
International Airport
(Turks and Caicos). There are 6 hours of time zone, compared to Italy.
A visa is
not required to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands (British Overseas
Territory) for tourism
reasons. The customs declaration form must be completed. In this airport there
is no transit area and therefore as soon as you arrive at the border area, the
passport control officer will call the attendant who will accompany you to the
security control area passing through the outside of the small airport but
without receiving the entry stamp in the passport.
Punctually
it leaves from Providenciales
International Airport
(Turks and Caicos). at 4.15 pm my plane no. JY0250 of the Inter Caribbean Company
in the direction of the Normal Manley International Airport of Kingston
(Jamaica), (one-way ticket price from Santo Domingo to Kingston, with a stop in
Port Au Prince (Haiti) and stopover in Providenciales (Turks and Caicos): USD
264.32).
I therefore
arrive at 16.55 at Normal Manley International
Airport in Kingston
(Jamaica),
located about 27 km
south-east of Downtown. There are 6 hours of time zone, compared to Italy.
A visa is
not required to enter Jamaica
for tourism purposes and for a period of up to 90 days. In theory, they might
ask you for your return ticket just as I did. The Customs Declaration Form must
be completed before going to the Passport Control Post.
Currency
exchange at the aforementioned airport is highly disadvantageous. The best
solution is to change money at one of the many banks located in New Town on
Knutsford Bulevard.
From Normal
Manley International Airport in Kingston (Jamaica), located about 27 km south-east of Downtown,
the cheapest way to get to the center of Kingston is to take bus no. 98 which
runs every half hour from Parade, the central square of Downtown to Port Royal,
passing through the aforementioned airport. The cost of the ticket is 100 J $.
You pay the driver as you get on. The journey takes about half an hour.
In Parade,
the central square
of Downtown, several
buses, collective taxis, minibuses for different parts of the city leave both
north and south, but the most numerous buses are those that go to the Tree Bus
Terminal located in Uptown, such as indicated on the front of the same. The
cost of the ticket is 100 J $. You pay the driver as you get on. From there you
can then take a minibus or collective taxi to your final destination.
For those
who come to Parade like me in the evening, the confusion of the same, not
knowing the place makes everything more difficult. In the end, I opted to take
a shared taxi which for J $ 500 took me to The Durham Hotel, located at 4
Durham Avenue in Kingston's Up Town, about 1.5 km northeast of the Bob
Marley Museum. 10 USD is charged for a bed in a tent. Very nice, with kitchen,
garden, bar. Too bad the location is a bit out of the way, even if in a quiet
area.
If you want
to go to Dowtown from there, you need to walk 300m. to Hope Road and take one of the many
minibuses (J $ 100) bound for the Tree Bus Terminal, where numerous Downtown
buses depart for Parade. The bus. n. 83 for example connects the Tree Bus
Terminal, with the Parade in Downtown, passing through Emancipation Park,
in New Kingston.
Kingston, the capital of Jamaica
is a dangerous city and it is good to know that the safe areas at least during
the day are the Parade and New Kingston.
To enter
the Bob Marley museum, located on Hope
Road, open from 9.00 onwards, you need to pay 25
USD or the equivalent in Jamaican dollars. The price includes the guided tour.
If you
intend to visit the beautiful and small Port Royal,
you need to take the bus from North Parade to Downtown of Kingston. n. 98. The
cost of the ticket is 100 J $. You pay the driver as you get on. The journey
takes approximately 45 minutes. This bus also stops at Kingston Manley
International Airport.
The very
quiet Port Royal can be easily explored on
foot. The most important attraction to visit is Fort Charles.
Entrance fee: J $ 250.
To reach
Port Antonio, a quiet town, located on the north - east coast of Jamaica, you
need to take a Minibus, which station just outside (to the north) of the Tree
Bus Terminal. It starts when it is super full. The cost of the ticket is 450 J
$. The clerk collects the money after you leave. The trip takes about 2 hours.
The minibus in question makes stops on request without any problems. It passes
x Annotto Bay, Buff Bay, Orange Bay, Hope
Bay and Snow Hill.
Port
Antonio is one of the safest cities in Jamaica and therefore you can walk
downtown without problems both day and night.
In Port
Antonio, I slept at the Porty Hostel, located
at 33A East Palm Avenue,
in a quiet residential area abundant 1km southeast of the transportation
center. It is a Guesthouse house well managed by the Italian Stefano. The price
of a bed in a dormitory is 19 USD, per night or the equivalent in Jamaican
dollars. Also included is free internet and use of the shared kitchen. For a
fee breakfast.
To reach
the famous Blue Lagoon, located just 7km east of Port Antonio, you need to take
one of the many Route Taxis that travel the coast between Port Antonio and Long Bay
every day. They depart from the transportation center and go to Allan Ave. The cost
of the service is J $ 100. You pay the driver before getting off. The journey
takes less than a quarter of an hour.
The Blue
Lagoon is state-owned and therefore in theory it should be free to access, even
if you are often approached by guys asking you for up to 10 USD, as happened to
me. With strong bargaining, you can get by by paying only J $ 200.
To reach
the famous Winnifred Beach, located just 13km east of Port Antonio, you
need to take one of the many Route Taxis that travel the coast between Port
Antonio and Long Bay every day. They depart from the
transportation center and go to Allan
Ave. The cost of the service is J $ 150. You pay
the driver before getting off. The journey takes less than 20 minutes. Get off
at the small village of Fairy Hill and take the dirt road on the left for about
a quarter of an hour, which first descends adjacent to elegant villas and then
through the woods to the beautiful Winnifred Beach. There are no signs
indicating the beach in question and therefore always keep to the main road
ignoring the deviations that you encounter.
To reach
the very famous and beautiful Reach Falls, located south-east of Port Antonio, it is
necessary to take one of the numerous minibuses heading to St Thomas that every day travel along the
coast between Port Antonio and Manchioneal. They depart, when full, from the
transportation center and go to Allan
Ave. The cost of the service is J $ 230. You pay
the driver before getting off. The journey takes about less than 45 minutes.
Get off at the small village
of Manchioneal and walk
uphill on an asphalted road for 3
km to the aforementioned waterfalls. It is also possible
to take a kind of taxi asking some of the characters waiting for tourists at
the crossroads. They will ask you for J $ 400 but by bargaining hard you can
pay J $ 250.
The entrance
fee to the Reach Falls is J $ 1,140 or USD 10 and it is
also possible to rent tight-fitting shoes to avoid slipping on the falls. The
guide is also included in the above price. To visit the falls it is necessary
to be in costume or in a wetsuit and make a lot of effort as you have to go up
the various pools that form the falls. To forget the idea of visiting the
falls without getting your feet wet. Impossible.
In Port
Antonio in Jamaica, from the Transportation Center located in the center, on
the seafront, near the Texaco petrol station, many minibuses leave every day,
when full, for Ocho Rios. The journey takes about an hour and a half. You pay
500 JMD before getting off the bus. It makes stops on request and ends the ride
at the Ocho Rios Transportation
Center, located on Evelyn Road.
From the Ocho Rios
Transportation Center,
located on Evelyn Road,
to reach Main Street,
which is the Mall Street
and the liveliest street in the whole City, you need to walk for a few minutes,
paying attention to when you pass the area. Ocho Rios Market, especially after
dark.
In Ocho
Rios I slept at the Reggae Hostel, located in Pier View Complex, 19 Main Street, at
a cost of 25 USD, for a bed in a mixed dormitory. Very nice and clean. A
computer with internet is available for free to customers as well as the use of
the kitchen.
After dark,
make sure you go out on your own even in downtown Ocho Rios.
From the Ocho Rios Transportation Center,
located on Evelyn Road,
several minibuses leave for Montego Bay every
day when full. To reach Falmouth
you need to take one of these. The journey takes about an hour. You pay JMD 350
before getting off the bus.
Minibas
pass from downtown Falmouth to the Montego Bay Transportation Center,
located on Barnet Street,
at the southern end of St. James
Street. The journey takes approximately 45
minutes. You pay JMD 300 before getting off the bus.
From the
Montego Bay Transportation Center, located on Barnet Street, at the southern
end of St. James Street, numerous minibuses leave for Lucea every day when
full. The journey lasts a scant hour. You pay JMD 230 before getting off the
bus.
From the Lucea Transport
Center, located near the
market and the sea at 300
meters. approximately from Sir Alexander Bustamante
Square Barnet, several Route Taxu leave for Negril every day when full. The
journey lasts a scant hour. You pay 300 JMD before going down. There are no
Minubus and Buses between Montego Bay, Lucea
and Negril.
In Negril,
you can get off at Long, Bay, or Negril
Square. To get around Negril you can take the
numerous route taxis at the price of JMD;
Montego
Bay, the 2nd largest city in Jamaica
is not too safe and it is good to know that the safe areas at least during the
day are Sam Sharpe Square
in Downtown and Gloucester Ave
in the north.
From the
Montego Bay Transportation Center, located on Barnet Street, at the southern
end of St. James Street, I took a 500 JMD shared taxi to the Chill Mobay Guest
House, located on Lot 5a Oscar Terrace, right on the headland adjacent to the
international airport.
In Montego
Bay I slept at the Chill Mobay Guest House, located in Lot 5a Oscar Terrace,
right on the promontory adjacent to the international airport, at a cost of 25
USD, for a bed in a male dormitory. Very nice, clean and well managed by a
Finnish Girl. From there, Donald
Sangster International
Airport (located 4 km north of Downtown) can be
reached in 10 minutes on foot, first along a slippery downhill path and then
the main road.
CUBA
Punctual
leaves from Donald Sangster International
Airport in Montego Bay (Jamaica)
at 10.00 my plane no. KX621 of the Cayman Airways Company to Grand Cayman International
Airport (Cayman Islands), (one-way
ticket price from Montego Bay to Havana, with a
stopover in Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands): USD
277.00).
Punctual
arrival at 10.55 am at Grand Cayman International Airport
(Cayman Islands). There are 6 hours of time
zone, compared to Italy.
To enter
the Cayman Islands (British
Overseas Territory)
for tourism reasons, a visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days. The
customs declaration form must be completed. There is no screen at this airport
to see if your flight is on time.
To reach
the center of George Town from the airport, the capital of the Cayman Islands,
located 4 km
west, or you can take a taxi at a cost of 15 USD, or you have to go outside the
airport area and take minibus n. 4b or by walking for about 1 km towards the center,
minibus n. 2b. The cost is 2.5 USD. You pay before you get off. The remainder
is given in KYD. Anyway all minibuses head to the Terminal located in Edward Street, near
Heroes Square.
With a
5-hour delay my plane no. 1 leaves from Grand Cayman International Airport
(Cayman Islands) at 6.30 pm. KX832 of the Cayman Airways Company in the
direction of the José Marti International Airport of Havana (Cuba), (price of
one-way ticket from Montego Bay to Havana, with a stopover in Grand Cayman
(Cayman Islands): USD 277.00).
Arrival 5
hours late, at 19.30, of the José Marti International Airport of Havana (Cuba), located 25 km southwest of the center
of Havana.
There are 6 hours of time zone, compared to Italy.
To enter
Cuba, for tourism reasons, up to 30 days, it is necessary to be in possession,
before arriving in Cuba, of the tourist tarjeta and to obtain it you must
personally present yourself at the Consulate, located in Milan in Via Pirelli,
30, not far from the Central Railway Station, open from Monday to Thursday,
from 9.00 to 12.00, with passport, return flight booking, hotel or casa
particular booking for the first night. The cost of the visa is 22 €. The
tarjeta turística is released the same day.
The staff
of the Milan Consulate is extremely slow and it is always crowded and therefore
you have to take into account that you will lose an entire morning.
A much
faster method, albeit a little more expensive (25 Euros instead of 22 Euros),
is to contact a visa agency. In Milan
it is located just below the Consulate (www.cubapoint.it). Among other things,
the same agency is also open in the afternoon and on Saturdays and also issues
the visa instantly. The assistant has you fill in the Tourist Tarjeta in both
parts and hands it over to you, after paying 25 Euros and without asking you
for your air ticket or hotel reservation. By doing this you save a lot of time
by paying only 3 Euros more than what the Consulate requires.
As of May
1, 2010, all travelers, foreigners and Cubans residing abroad, upon entering
the country, must necessarily have an insurance policy that also covers any
medical expenses to be incurred on the island. The policy must be issued by
insurance entities recognized in Cuba (see list of companies
published on the website www.asistur.cu) and can in any case also be purchased
at the border at the price of 1 CUC per day, through Cuban insurance companies.
In this regard, it should be noted that the Cuban institution responsible for
assisting tourism, with particular regard to the medical-health aspect, is
ASISTUR which normally operates in a timely and efficient manner. However, it
should be noted that the speed and quality of the service provided by ASISTUR
depend on the relationship that this same entity has with the chosen insurance
company, on the type of policy underwritten and on the promptness with which
the latter guarantees the reimbursement of expenses to the entity. to support.
The Travel
Policy Sicuri.com is also accepted as the staff in charge of the stipulation
reiterated by email that the Cuban Consulate in Italy has communicated that all
insurance companies are valid for the Cuban Government, except those American.
The Safe Travel policy is underwritten by Europäische Reiseversicherung AG, a
German company with its head office in Munich.
Therefore Safe Travel policies are valid and accepted for your trip to Cuba.
At the
border of the José Marti International
Airport in Havana, I handed over the tourist tarjeta,
which was stamped and divided into 2.
A half was returned to me which must be returned before
leaving the country. Instead, I was not asked for the insurance policy, which
is mandatory by law.
Then I
handed the Customs declaration to the clerk, who let me pass without checking
my hand luggage, the only one in my possession.
Two
currencies circulate in Cuba,
the Cuban peso (CUP), also known as the national currency, and the Cuban
convertible peso (CUC), which is equivalent to the US dollar. The ratio between
the CUC and the CUP, for natural persons, is 1 to 24. Most goods and services
can however be purchased exclusively in convertible pesos.
Circulation
of US dollars (USD) in cash is not permitted. If exchanged in the bank, they
suffer a further increase of 10% in addition to bank charges for exchange
transactions.
However,
the CUC is the so-called tourist currency as with this currency services are
purchased at prices similar to those in Europe
and you cannot pay for buses, cheap restaurants, ect.
It is
therefore advisable to have both coins and understand with a little intuition
which coin to use. It's not that trivial.
In the
Departures Hall it is possible to exchange money, not US dollars and it is
possible to have only Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC). The exchange rate is very
disadvantageous: 1 Euro = 1.04 CUC.
I took a
taxi to reach the uncomfortable Viazul Bus Station, located on the corner of
Calle 26 and Zoologico, 3 km
southwest of Revolution Square. I shared it with 2 other Swiss tourists. In the
end he asked us for 40 CUC, but I, in agreement with my traveling companions,
paid 10 CUC. The journey took about 40 minutes.
Getting
around Cuba
is not as easy as in other countries. Transport is not as efficient and
frequent and there are many limitations for tourists and so I opted to travel
with the most reliable and expensive bus company in Cuba, Viazul, which even allows you
to book the ticket via the Internet, but only up to one week before the trip.
However, once you have printed the ticket you still have to go, one hour before
departure, to the Viazul Desk of the Bus Station, to check in online, which
allows you to print the actual ticket which you will then deliver to the driver
first to get on the bus. Viazul Buses usually have a bathroom in tow, but they
don't offer you food or water. Sometimes they break and arrive late at their
destination.
To reach Santiago de Cuba from Havana (about 800 km journey), there are 3
Viazul buses a day that depart at 6.30, 15.00 and 00.30 and arrive after about
15 hours and 30 '. The bus stops at various intermediate destinations, almost
all of which are touristic. The cost of the ticket is 51 CUC.
The Viazul
Bus Station is located together with the railway station 2 km north of the historic
center, which can be reached by paying 4 CUC for a taxi or 20 CUP for a motor
taxi. To reach the Castle of La Roca del Moro, declared a World Heritage Site
by Unesco and located on top of a promontory 60 meters high, at the
entrance to the port of Santiago de Cuba, 10 km southwest of the city, I hired a taxi
that for 12 CUC, took me to the aforementioned castle, waited for me for an
hour to allow me to visit it and finally brought me back to the historic center
of Santiago de Cuba.
The
entrance to the Castle of La Roca del Moro, declared a World Heritage Site by
Unesco, costs 4 CUC. The castle is open every day from 8.00 to 19.30.
The
historic center of Santiago de Cuba
appears safe even in the evening and can be easily explored on foot.
To reach
Camagüey from Santiago de Cuba, there are 3
Viazul buses a day that depart at 6.30, 16.00 and 00.30 in the direction of Havana and which also
stop in Camagüey after about 6 hours. The cost of the ticket is 18 CUC.
The Viazul
Bus Station, the Alvaro Barba Bus Station, of Camagüey, is located 3 km south-east of the
historic center, which can be reached by paying 3 or 4 CUC for a taxi or 0.20
CUP for the bus you take. on the main road and drops you off at the Casino Campestre
on the eastern edge of the historic center. Remember that on local buses, CUCs
are not accepted, only CUPs and that it is not possible to have change. You put
the coin in the special box as you go up.
The
historic center of Camagüey, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, appears
safe only during the day and can be easily explored on foot. After sunset, pay
close attention.
To reach
Santa Clara from Camagüey, there are 3 Viazul buses a day that depart at 6.30,
14.25 and 23.45 in
the direction of Havana and which also stop in Santa Clara after about 5 hours
and 30 '. The cost of the ticket is 15 CUC.
The
Terminal de Omnibus Nacionales of Santa
Clara, where the Viazul buses also depart and arrive,
is located 500 meters
away. north of the monument to Che, on the Carretera Centrale, 2.5 km west of Parque Vidal,
which can be reached by paying 2 or 3 CUC for a taxi or 0.20 CUP for the bus
that takes you on the main road and leaves you right at Parque Vidal. Remember
that on local buses, CUCs are not accepted, only CUPs and that it is not
possible to have change. You put the coin in the special box as you go up.
To sleep in
Santa Clara on
a budget it is possible to stay in one of the particular houses, located around
Parque Vidal, at a minimum cost of 20 CUC, for a double without breakfast.
The
historic center of Santa Clara
appears safe even in the evening and can be easily explored on foot.
To reach Cienfuegos from Santa Clara,
I took the 11.25 am Viazul bus in the direction of Trinidad which also stops in
Cienfuegos
after 1 hour and 30 '. The cost of the ticket is 6 CUC.
The
Cienfuegos Bus Station, where the Viazul Buses also depart and arrive, is
located at the intersection of Calle 49 and Av 56, about 1.5 km east of Parque Josè
Marti, which can therefore be reached on foot.
To sleep in
Cienfuegos on a
low budget, it is possible to stay in one of the particular houses, located all
over the historic center, at a minimum cost of 20 CUC, for a double without
breakfast.
The
historic center of Cienfuegos
appears safe even in the evening and can be easily explored on foot.
If, on the
other hand, from Cienfuegos
you want to reach Punta Gorda, you can take Bus n. 1 that passes in Calle 37,
with the frequency of about every hour, or on a kind of Rickshaw at a cost of 2
CUC.
To reach
Varadero from Cienfuegos, there are 3 Viazul buses a day that depart at 9.15,
10.00 and 17.45 in
the direction of Havana and which also stop in Varadero after about 4 hours and
30 '. The cost of the ticket is 16 CUC.
The Terminal
de Omnibus of Varadero, where the Viazul Buses also depart and arrive, is
located in Varadero Est, at the intersection of Calle 36 and Autopista Sur, 1 km abundantly southwest of
the Parque Central, which can therefore be reached on foot .
Varadero is
the most touristic and exclusive area in all of Cuba, where there are fabulous
beaches, shopping centers, luxury hotels and resorts and where therefore
finding cheap accommodation is not so easy but with a little commitment you can
also find it in 30 CUC.
Varadero
looks safe even in the evening.
To reach Matanzas from Varadero, there are 3 Viazul buses a day
that depart at 12.00, 16.00 and 19.35 in the direction of Havana
and which also stop in Matanzas
after about 1 hour. The cost of the ticket is 6 CUC.
The
Matanzas National Bus Station, where the Viazul Buses also depart and arrive,
is located on Calle 131, at the intersection with Calle 272, an abundant 1 km south of Plaza de la
Vigia, which can therefore be reached on foot.
To sleep in
Matanzas, spending
little, it is possible to stay in one of the particular houses, located in the
historic center, at a minimum cost of 20 CUC, for a double without breakfast.
The
historic center of Matanzas
appears safe at least during the day and can be easily explored on foot.
To reach Havana from Matanzas,
there are 3 Viazul buses a day that depart at 1.10pm, 5.10pm and 8.45pm from
Varadero. The trip takes about 2 hours. The cost of the ticket is 7 CUC.
Keep in
mind that this bus ends its journey to Havana at
the inconvenient Viazul Bus Station, located on the corner of Calle 26 and
Zoologico, 3 km
southwest of Revolution Square, but also stops first in Habana Vieja on Calle Cuba , where
Rickshaws and Taxis await you offering disproportionate prices to take you to the
Hotel. In the end, being 11.00 pm, I agreed to be taken by rickshaw for the
price of 4 CUC to Hostal Peregrino in Calle Industria, after a ruthless
bargaining. Had it been day I would have gone on foot, since it was less than 1 km away.
Hostal
Peregrino gave me a double room in a particular house without breakfast for the
price of 20 CUC.
Habana
Vieja, you can easily go around on foot and appear safe both day and night.
To reach
the José Marti International Airport of Havana (Cuba), located 25 km south-west of the
center of Havana, spending only 1 CUP, you need to take Bus no. 12, which
leaves every half hour on the road west of the Parque de la Fraternidad, in the
direction of Santiago de Las Vegas, along AV Simon Bolivar, Av Salvador
Allende, Av de Carlos de Made Cespedes and Av Boyeros. From here it will be
necessary to walk over 1 km
to reach Terminal 2 and 2 km
to reach Terminal 3. For Terminal 1, instead get off at the next stop. Ask the
driver when to get off as if you don't know the area it's not all that
intuitive.
BAHAMAS
With 1 hour
delay my plane no. 2 leaves from Terminal 2 of José Marti International Airport
in Havana (Cuba) at 2.15pm. UP212 of the
Bahamas Air Company to Lynden Pindling International
Airport in New Providence (Bahamas),
(one-way ticket price: USD 183.00).
Arrival at
3.15 pm, at Lynden Pindling International
Airport in New Providence (Bahamas), located 16 km west of Downtown
Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas.
There are 6 hours of time zone, compared to Italy.
To enter
the Bahamas
for tourism purposes, a visa is not required for up to 90 days of stay. The
customs declaration form must be completed. Keep in mind that baggage checks
are very thorough. They make you open all your bags.
Note that
the Bahamian dollar ("B $"; ISO 4217 code "BSD") has been
the national currency of Bahamas
since 1966. It is usually denoted by the dollar sign $ or alternatively with B
$ to distinguish it from other currencies that they are called dollar. It is
divided into 100 cents. The Bahamian dollar is pegged to the US dollar at a
one-to-one rate, so you can use the US dollar to pay for anything, but beware
that the rest is given to you in Bahamian Dollars.
The
cheapest way to get to Downtown Nassau from Lynden Pindling International
Airport in New Providence (Bahamas), located 10 miles west, is to exit
the Arrivals Hall, turn left and walk on the road that runs towards north -
east and that leads outside the airport area. You arrive after 500 meters. abundant at
a roundabout on John F. Kennedy
Street. Not far away you can see a Shell petrol
station. Keep in mind that from that roundabout, minibus no. 12b, which at a
price of 2.5 USD, will take you in about 40 minutes to Downtown Nassau and
precisely to W Bay Street, in front of Mc Donald's, where buses no. 10 headed
to Cable Beach. Wave your hand to stop the Minibus. You pay the driver before
getting off.
As we know,
Nassau costs a lot of money and the cheapest hotel in the city is the Orchard
Garden Hotel, located on Village Road, about 4 km east of Downtown. The
cost of a bed in a dormitory is 35 USD per night including breakfast which can
be served from 8.00 to 10.00 and including use of the swimming pool. The Hotel
is made up of many small houses. In itself it is not bad even if the location
is not particularly advantageous and the cleanliness of the rooms is certainly
not sufficient make it a less frequented accommodation for travelers. However,
the Hotel can be reached from the Bay
Street stop 200 meters. east from
the intersection with East Street
in Downtown, taking minibus no. 11 or 19 which stops on Village Road right in front of the
Orchard Garden Hotel entrance. The aforementioned buses run every day from 6.00
to 19.00. The journey takes 10 minutes from Dwntown to the Hotel and 25 minutes
from the Hotel to Doewntown as the minibuses in question make a loop. Wave your
hand to stop the Minibus. You pay the driver 1.25 USD before getting off.
Although
thousands of tourists disembarking from cruise ships visit Nassau,
the capital of the Bahamas
every day, it is not too safe a city. During the day you can walk freely almost
anywhere, possibly avoiding the Over the Hill area, where murders are
commonplace. After sunset, however, it is necessary to be very careful a little
everywhere.
For those
who need to find a computer to surf the internet, keep in mind that in Downtown
Nassau, on the corner of Cumberiand
Street and King Street, there is an internet point
managed by the City, open every day from 6.00 to 19.00 which allows unlimited
free use of computers with internet.
Paradise Island is the island of
entertainment and luxury adjacent to Nassau.
Here everything costs forever, but with a little luck you can visit it without
paying a dollar. It is connected to the port of Nassau with scheduled ferries at
a cost of 4 USD, one way or 8 USD round trip, but it can also be reached on
foot using the 2 bridges over 1
km long that connect it with the mainland . To begin
with, you can visit the Village full of shops, then enter the Atlantic
by visiting the Casino. Cross it all the way and exit right onto the gardens,
with a beautiful view of the lagoon. Turn left and walk along the paths until
you find a flight of stairs that descends into the aquarium. I also visit the
aquarium, return to the gardens and go to the water park. Take a look and then
continue to the Cay delfin where you can admire the dolphins playing with the
bathers. All this can be done for free. If, on the other hand, you want to use
swimming pools, slides, play with Dolphins, ect., You have to pay an ocean of
dollars.
In New Providence, cycling is not recommended because the
traffic is heavy, the streets are narrow and dangerous and because there is no
cycling culture and motorists do not respect them that much. But if you really
care as much as I do, keep in mind that the only place to rent a bicycle is the
Cycles Unlimited shop, located in Nassau
at Mackey Street
n. 53. The minimum cost of renting a bicycle is USD 26.88. The tour of the
island is about 70 km.
Punctual as
never before leaves Nassau at 12.39 my plane no. 497 of the Delta Air Lines
Company in the direction of John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York
(USA), (price of the multi-route ticket including taxes from Malpensa to Santo
Domingo and from Nassau to Malpensa with a stopover in New York: Euro 628, 00).
Arrival on
time at 3.47 pm, at Terminal 2 of John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (USA).
There are 6 hours of time zone, compared to Italy.
In order to
set foot in the United
States of America, I had to complete the
quick online ESTA procedure by paying $ 14 by credit card. Entry into the
country valid for 2 years was approved by the system immediately after the end
of the online procedure which lasted about 1 hour.
The airport
consists of 8 terminals connected to each other by a free train.
Punctual as
never before from Terminal 2 of John F. Kennedy International Airport in New
York (USA) at 19.00 my plane no. 372 of the Delta Air Lines Company in the
direction of Malpensa International Airport, (multi-route ticket price
including taxes from Malpensa to Santo Domingo and from Nassau to Malpensa with
a stopover in New York: Euro 628.00).
Therefore,
I arrive at 8.25 A.M.,
at Malpensa International Airport.
My complete travel report
with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:
http://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2017/07/viaggio-ad-haiti-repubblica-dominicana.html