There are some 60,000 classic American cars in Cuba. Most of them are family heirlooms that get passed through the generations.
These days, people are working hard to fix up the cars to be used as taxis and tour transportation. Because of this, you have plenty of options when it comes to Havana vintage car tours.
There are a few things you need to know before you go. Follow our guide so that you can pick the right tour and have an awesome vintage car tour during your trip to Havana.
Plan Ahead
Make your vacation stress free by booking your vintage car tour in advance! This will save you time and money. Once you’re here, you’ll want to get touring, not spend time looking for a car.
Save Money
You will also save money by not booking through your cruise ship. Your cruise ship may tell you that you have to book through them, this is simply not true. In our next section, we will talk about OFAC compliance for our American visitors.
If you don’t book through the cruise ship or with a tour company then you’ll need to find a car on the street. This will require you to negotiate with individual drivers.
Most of these drivers will want you to pay a flat fee for their service. Though you might be able to convince the driver to use the meter.
The problem with this method is you can’t be sure you are getting a good deal. You may also not agree to the driver’s rate which means you need to start over with a new driver.
Choose the Right Tour Company
When you book in advance, you can take the time to research your chosen tour company. This is important as you want to pick a quality tour company. Be sure to read the reviews of others who have visited.
The best tour services book out fast, so waiting until you get to Cuba may mean you end up with a less than stellar experience.
Look for OFAC Compliance
Look for a tour that is in compliance with the OFAC regulations. This is especially important after the November 8, 2017 changes to the Cuba Sanctions.
When you book your tour, you’ll want to check #4, which is support for the Cuban people on your paperwork. This selection means that you will be supporting the local community and locally owned businesses.
You can comply by taking a vintage car tour with a privately owned car. You can also comply by eating at locally owned restaurants, or taking a dance or cigars lesson, or going to museums.
Private
You could pay to join a large regimented tour, but then you end up following along with a large group. You end up breezing through sites you want to spend more time at and standing around waiting at others while you wait for stragglers.
Plus, who wants to tour around with a bunch of strangers?
Instead, you can book a car tour and tour the beautiful and historic city of Havana with just your group. Each vintage car can typically hold up to 4 people.
If you need two cars, you can easily book two at the same time.
Customizable
When you look at your vintage car tour options, you may find that you are only interested in certain sites. The struggle will be finding the tour that will take you to everything you want to see, and none of the stuff you aren’t interested in.
Or you could avoid all of that and just pick a tour service that lets you create your own itinerary. You could create a tour that is historical in the morning and modern in the afternoon. Or maybe you want to see all of the Hemingway sites.
Embrace the Heat
No matter what your plans are in Cuba, prepare to be warm. The coldest time of the year is January when it gets a cool 70 degrees. During the hottest summer months, it averages 81 degrees.
What to Wear
The best thing you can do is plan to wear light clothing. You want something that is going to be breathable and stay dry.
Cotton is a great choice as its natural and breathable. It works well in the humid heat. Linen is another great choice with its light weave and natural fibers.
You may also want to bring a hat. Many of the vintage cars are convertibles, which will have you in the sun. This isn’t a bad thing though, as you’ll have a complete and unobstructed view of the sites as you cruise around.
Get Out of Havana
There is more to Cuba than Havana. Sure, Havana is rich in culture, but maybe you want to see something outside of the famous city.
A vintage car tour will get you outside of the city to places like Varadero or Vinales. You’ll be able to see sites that your cruise ship may not offer tours to.
Matanzas
Another great option is taking a car tour to Matanzas. This beautiful city is about 60 miles outside of Havana.
If you are looking for traditional Cuban culture, this is the city for you. It has been home to many poets, musicians, and other creative types famous in Cuba.
It is also known as being the place where the rumba and danzon originated from.
Book Your Havana Vintage Car Tours
When planning your trip to Cuba, Havana vintage car tours are a must. While you’ll soon learn that vintage cars are all over, this doesn’t mean they all offer the same services.
By going with a reputable company, you know that you will get a quality tour experience. So be sure to do your research, read the reviews, and reserve your tour today.
Start planning your Havana vintage car tour today with these 7 ideas.