Cuba's classic cars..and other ways to get around

In the 1940’s and 50’s the automakers in the United States shipped the next years models to Cuba to have them tested prior to building the cars on the full production line. Since Castro’s Revolution in 1959 there has been an embargo on all US products entering Cuba. This policy has resulted in an image of Cuba being “Stuck in the Fifty’s”, not only with cars and other goods, but in the general look and feel of the country. There is new tourist and mass transit buses from China, and the odd newer Mitsubishi, Honda, or Kia cars on the roads, which belong to diplomats and high ranking government officials. A fair amount of the Russian built Lada’s, which arrived in Cuba prior to the 2001 Russian exit, are still being driven too. These boxy, tinny vehicles look barely roadworthy.

True to the images of Cuba being “stuck in the fifty’s” the American car sightings are not disappointing. Some of the classic cars look like they just rolled of the assembly lines and others look like they have been around for the 50 years since Castro’s Revolution. In Cuba, necessity definitely is the mother of invention when it comes to car maintenance. With the lack of availability of quality, affordable replacement parts, locals have taken to jury-rigging their rides with whatever bits they can muster- ancient Russian diesel engines, tatty Kia bits, baling wire, used cigar wrappers, anything. Auto body work on some cars takes place in front yards, and looks like it is being done with a hammer and a little filler. Many of the cars may have newer Japanese or Russian engines, but the bodies are pure retro. There is definitely a pride in ownership to these cars as they are polished to perfection and driven proudly as personal cars or taxis. A few cars have been customized and have terrific paint jobs. Unfortunately, if the embargo from the US is ever lifted, I think that Cuba will lose some of its charm, because the Americans will come in and gut Cuba of its classic cars.






The main divided highway that runs a little over 1200 Kilometers down the center of Cuba, from Pinar Del Rio to Guantanamo, has many overpasses which designate main intersections. At these locations government employees dressed totally in yellow or blue work to ensure that all of the many government vehicles that travel on these major routes are full with commuters. It is the responsibility of any government employee, and most of the 11.2 million people of Cuba work for the government in some capacity, to stop and check with these colorfully dressed monitors to make sure that the people waiting for a ride are accommodated.


Other people stand on the highway near main intersections every day, fanning out pesos in order to entice drivers to pick them up. One of the most common ways to travel on the local roads is either riding horseback, or in buggies or wagons pulled by a team of horses. There are very few tractors or big machinery except in the large sugar cane fields. Most of the small agriculture operators of tobacco farms or rice fields still used oxen, horses, or in a few cases small tractors.


Last but not least is Cuba’s answer to the Auto-rickshaws, Tri-shaws, and Tuk Tuks …. The CoCo Taxi. This yellow transportation creation based on a motor cycle, is a 3 person vehicle, one driver up front and 2 passengers seated in the rear, however based on past travel experiences I know you can squeeze 3 in the back. The person in the middle gets a bonus square butt effect after the ride due to the ridges in the 2 outside seats. Ouch… and from Peg and I - thanks Denise!