Places of Interest - Cuba

Camaguey is the third largest city in the country and is best known for its "tinajones" (large earth pots) that served as a storage place for cool drinking water when the drought came. An old legend tells us that everyone who drinks this water will fall in love with the city and keep returning. The city has a lively center, also because of its large student population, and contains, in addition to beautiful colonial buildings, a busy shopping street and numerous restaurants, hotels and terraces that turn into small-scale open-air discotheques in the evenings. 

The history of Camaguey is one of disorientation. Founded by the Spaniards in 1514, it was moved twice, due to the Indian rebel-attacks and bad agricultural land. Fourteen years later, the city would be revived at its present location because of its good defensive and strategic location and was built so that it would be a labyrinth for pirates. It would prove in vain because in 1668 the city was attacked by an English pirate and about a decade later by French buccaners.

Camaguey - Playa Santa Lucia - Camaguey: This is a little disaster. At the office of the Campismo I had requested information about transport to Playa Santa Lucia. These said that there is a bus (I think 11 CUC only one way) but there would also be 3 trucks a day. But all between 04:00 and 05:00 in the morning. Not only me but also local people were sitting in a truck to Playa in the early morning but it didn’t go in the end. In the terminal people were saying that a truck would still go at 9:30 from port 3 (ask in the terminal) and luckily – this went. The journey takes about 2 hours (over 110 km) and costs 20 CP. I believe that a taxi with 3 or 4 people per person costs about 50 CP. To go back is also terrible; in the kwa-kwa (bus) you are refused as a tourist so it is either getting up very early and taking the truck or taking a"collectivo" (a joint taxi) - but do not pay more than 50 CP. On Sunday there is no truck (and no bus).

Camaguey - Trinidad: If you want to travel cheaply this is possible (with the truck): you will first have to take a truck to Ciego de Avilla (2 hours, 20 CP). Then switch to a truck in the direction of Sancti Spiritus (this goes in stages - 3x 5 CP pay but you can - if you are lucky - stay in the same truck) - this journey takes about 2 to 3 hours. Finally, transfer to a truck to Trinidad that costs 15 CP and this takes about 1.5 hours. Ask in the terminal in Sancti because in my case you have to wait at the other side of the station at a bus stop. Only at the first ride did I wait for a long time – the other times the truck drove away quite quickly.

"El Rapido" (Camaguey): there are plenty of restaurants and paladares to choose from but if you want a quick (good) snack you can do this in this centrally located snack restaurant. If you have enough of a pizza you can get a hotdog with mustard and ketchup.

• Name: "Hospedaje" (Camaguey)

Address: San Martin 529

Price: 15 CUC (excluding breakfast)

Content:

This is actually a casa for only Cubans and it is all a bit mysterious - people pay a lot of tax-money in Cuba if they own a casa for foreigners and can get a high fine when they rent a casa for locals to Western tourists. The room is located at the rear of the building which is pretty quiet and has only one room. It is a sex-room without windows in a large room with a separate toilet and shower (no showerhead and no hot water); the room has a large double bed, three large mirrors and a refrigerator filled with beer and cola. There is also a music box present and there are some waffles in a basket. Finally, there is a TV. If desired, the woman (owner) can make breakfast and dinner for you (the latter for 3 CUC extra).