Getting to and around Santiago de Cuba smoothly makes the difference between a relaxed Caribbean trip and a frustrated one. Here's a practical handbook based on the most common questions our editorial team receives. ARRIVAL — AIRPORT TO HOTEL On arrival at the international airport, walk past the freelance "taxi" touts (often unlicensed, no insurance, and overpriced) and head to the official taxi stand or pre-arranged transfer counter. Most countries publish fixed-zone airport-taxi rates — confirm the rate with the driver before getting in. Many hotels offer pre-paid airport transfers (US$30-80 per car) which is the easiest option for first-time visitors. PUBLIC TRANSPORT Cuba typically operates a mix of: - Licensed taxis (white or yellow plates with a registration number) - Shared minibus / route taxi (cheap — local price 1-3 USD per ride, slow, no AC) - Buses (urban routes; rural may be limited) - Inter-island ferries (where applicable — Bahamas, Grenadines, BVI, USVI, Sint Maarten/Saint-Martin, BVI to USVI, Puerto Rico to Vieques/Culebra) RENTAL CARS Renting a car is the most flexible option for exploring beyond the main town. Driving is on the LEFT in former British colonies (Jamaica, Bahamas, Cayman, Turks & Caicos, BVI, Saint Lucia, Antigua, Barbados, St. Kitts & Nevis, Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada, Dominica, Saint Vincent) and on the RIGHT in Spanish, French and Dutch territories (Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, USVI*, Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Saint-Martin, Haiti, Saint-Barthélemy, French Antilles). *USVI: drive on the LEFT despite being US territory — a colonial holdover. Most countries require an International Driving Permit (IDP) plus your home licence. Insurance is rarely optional — buy the rental company's CDW or check that your credit card / travel insurance covers Caribbean rentals (many don't). Manual transmission cars are cheaper but rare; book automatic in advance. WALKING AND CYCLING Town centres of most Caribbean destinations are walkable. Resort areas are usually self-contained — you walk between your hotel, the beach and the resort restaurants. For longer distances cycling is increasingly popular, particularly in flatter destinations (Bonaire, Aruba, Anguilla, Anegada). INTERNAL FLIGHTS For longer-distance hops the regional Caribbean airlines provide a network: InterCaribbean (Turks & Caicos based), Cayman Airways, Bahamasair, Cubana, COPA (Panama-based), LIAT 2020 (Antigua-based), Caribbean Airlines (Trinidad-based), Air Antilles (French Caribbean), Winair (Sint Maarten-based, small-prop flights to Saba/Statia). Routes change frequently — check for current schedules. FERRIES Major scheduled ferry routes: - Bahamas: many islands connected via Bahamas Ferries - BVI ↔ USVI: West End / Road Town / Cruz Bay (multiple operators) - Saint-Martin: Marigot ↔ Anguilla (Blowing Point), Marigot ↔ Saba (seasonal) - Saint-Barthélemy: Gustavia ↔ Saint-Martin (Voyager, Great Bay Express) - Sint Maarten: Philipsburg ↔ Saba/Statia (Edge / Dawn II) - Grenadines: Saint Vincent ↔ Bequia ↔ Mustique ↔ Canouan ↔ Union Island - Puerto Rico ↔ Vieques/Culebra: Fajardo terminal - BVI: Tortola ↔ Virgin Gorda ↔ Jost Van Dyke ↔ Anegada - Cuba: limited (mostly closed to foreigners) RIDE-HAILING APPS Uber operates in some Caribbean destinations (San Juan, Puerto Rico; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Bahamas — limited; Cancún and Cozumel, Mexico — limited and disputed by local taxi unions; Cartagena, Colombia). In most other islands the local taxi unions have successfully kept ride-hailing out, and traditional taxis dominate. ROAD CONDITIONS Caribbean roads vary enormously — from US-quality highways (Cayman, Puerto Rico interstates, Cancún hotel zone) to narrow mountain switchbacks (Dominica, Saint Lucia, Saba). Allow extra time, particularly for cross-island trips with mountain crossings. This handbook is a starting point — for venue-specific transport tips, see individual entries in our accommodation and restaurant sections.