Getting around | Cayo Largo, Cuba

How to get around Cayo Largo

First, please note that there is hop-on/hop-off buses and no public bus network in Cayo Largo, the Cuban bus lines Viazul and Astro do not operate there. The means of transport available to tourists are:

Taxis

They are the most convenient way to go anywhere on the island. Taxis can usually be found in front of each hotel, at the airport, and near the marina (pueblo /diving center/ turtle center). Given the limited number of taxis on the island, you may sometime have to wait a long time to get one, especially during high season. We suggest asking your hotel frontdesk to call one for you. For a transfer to the Airport, we suggest to reserve at least 24 hours in advance. Note that taxis are usually a car or minivan but some buses and mini-buses may also offer taxi service. Typical cost is 2-3 USD one-way per person to almost anywhere in Cayo Largo (pueblo, marina, turtle center, dive center, clinic, Playa Sirena, Playa Paraiso, Punta Mal Tiempo, etc.). If you have luggage it's usually 2 USD more; for example: a transfer from the airport to a hotel usually costs 6 USD for 2 people with luggage.

The Little Train (trencito)

2022, the little train is back! It runs from every hotel to the western beaches (Playa Mal Tiempo, Playa Paraiso and Playa Sirena) on a fixed schedule. Times varies depending if you are in the high or low season, ask for the timetables at the Reception or the customer service desk of your hotel.

Chartered buses (transfers and excursions)

Transtur provides transportation between the airport and the hotels for tourists who have booked a package including prepaid transfers. These same buses also transport excursionists having booked an excursion with transfers included.

Rentals

To explore Cayo Largo on your own you may rent a jeep, a scooter or an ATV (4-wheel) for a few hours or a full day.

To rent a vehicule you need to show your driver's license (from your home country) and your passport (a photocopy is usually sufficient). The International Driver's Permit is usually not mandatory, as long as they can read yours (i.e. written in an extended Roman-based alphabet). There's no gas station in Cayo Largo so all rented vehicles comes with gasoline that you have to prepay. The insurance is mandatory and usually included in the price. Method of payment is credit card, but they may require payment in cash when for example the payment machine is out of order.

Scooter (2 ruedas)
Scooter Rentals, Cayo Largo The helmets are provided and are mandatory. Pay attention and be careful when riding on sandy paths, you may encounter some potholes, loose rocks, and slippery conditions.

Typical prices (subject to change):
• 4 hour: 13-15 USD + 2 USD per additional hour
• 24 hours: 25-30 USD
(Price decreases if you rent for more than one day)

ATV (Quad / 4 ruedas)
ATV Rentals, Cayo Largo You can ride them on the main paved road and on back roads, except the one at the eastern end of the island (see warning below), and they are absolutely NOT allowed on the beach!.

Typical prices (subject to change):
• 4 hours: 27 USD
• 6 hours: 30 USD
• Full day (7am to 6pm): 35 USD
(Price decreases if you rent for more than one day)

It's almost impossible to get lost! There is very little traffic in Cayo Largo and only one main road (paved) connects the hotels to the airport and the village/marina. The few other secondary roads are sandy paths; among these the most used and best maintained is the sandy path leading to the beaches at the western end of Cayo Largo (Mal Tiempo, Paraiso and Sirena).

Warning! It is strictly forbidden to ride any type of motorized vehicle beyond a certain point on the soft-sand trail leading to the eastern part of the island (beyond the big tower antenna). You cannot miss the large sign "STOP - NO Jeep-Buggy-Scooter - FINE 100 USD" (near the landfill). It's very easy to slip or get stuck on this remote trail and very difficult to get help! Plus, this is an environmentally sensitive and protected area!