Traveling from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa is one of the most memorable journeys in eastern Cuba and getting there is very much part of the experience. The challenge on this route is limited transport. There’s no Viazul bus, colectivos are almost non-existent, and the shared minibus only runs a couple of times a week. That means timing matters, and this isn’t a journey you want to leave to chance. Here’s my guide on how to go from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa.
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The upside is that there are still a couple of realistic ways to make it work. One is affordable and popular, the other is faster but harder to arrange. In this guide, I’ll break down what actually works so you can plan this leg with confidence.
Baracoa feels a world away from the rest of Cuba, and that’s part of its appeal. It’s greener, wetter, and more isolated than anywhere else most travelers visit. Because transport options are limited, it’s worth planning this leg in advance and building your itinerary around the available services. Once you’re in Baracoa, you’ll want time to explore rather than rushing straight back out again.
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Where Is Baracoa?
Baracoa sits on Cuba’s far eastern coast, backed by lush mountains and surrounded by rainforest. It’s one of the oldest settlements in Cuba and feels distinctly different from cities like Santiago de Cuba or Havana. The town is accessed via La Farola, a dramatic mountain road that winds through the Sierra del Purial. This road is beautiful but slow, and weather conditions can affect travel times, which is why transport on this route is more limited than elsewhere.
My guide to Baracoa and what to do is here
How to Go from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa – Transport Options
There are only a few realistic ways to travel from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa. Some options exist in theory but are difficult to rely on in practice. Below, I’ll go through each option and explain who it’s actually suitable for.
1. Taxi from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa
Taxis on this route are rare and not always easy to find. When available, they’re expensive compared to other transport options. The drive takes around five hours or slightly more, depending on road and weather conditions. A taxi can work if you’re short on time and find a reliable driver, but it’s not something most travelers can count on. Your driver will want to know that he can get fuel in Baracoa (read my guide to fuel shortages in Cuba here), and he’ll also want to get a return fare before he gives you a price.
Expect to pay around US$50 per person one way from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa or about 200 euros for a car.
Give them as much notice as possible. The second option is to head to the Viazul Bus Terminal and find yourself a colectivo (read my guide to colectivos here ). It will be about the same price, US$50 per person. Your third option is to request a trip from daytrip.com – they don’t currently offer this route, but will put the request out to their drivers.
Ask at your casa particular if they can help you find a taxi to Baracoa, but the likelihood is that they’ll just point you to the twice weekly minibus instead.
2. Shared Transfer (Minibus) from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa
The shared minibus is the most commonly used and best overall option for this route.
This service between Santiago de Cuba and Baracoa runs twice a week, on Fridays and Sundays, departing Santiago de Cuba at 15:00 and arriving in Baracoa in the evening. In the opposite direction, the minibus leaves Baracoa at 06:00. The journey takes around five hours, and tickets cost approximately US$15.
Book tickets via Roberto Cala at Havanatur Baracoa, [email protected] The pick up points are the Hotel Casa Granda and Hotel Melía Santiago, but you will need to confirm this when you get your tickets at Cubatur, Havanatur.
Seats must be booked in advance, luggage space is limited, and services can sell out. Early starts, weather conditions, and the mountain road can all affect timings, but for most travelers this is the most practical way to reach Baracoa.
3. Colectivo from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa
Colectivos are almost non-existent on this route. It’s not a journey locals regularly make in shared taxis, and availability is extremely limited. Occasionally, something can be arranged through a casa particular, but this isn’t an option you should plan around. You can read about how colectivos work in Cuba in my guide here.
4. Train from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa
There is no practical train option for this route. Baracoa is not connected to Cuba’s rail network at all. Trains can be ruled out entirely. To read where you can use trains in Cuba my guide is here.
5. Rent a Car and Drive from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa
Driving yourself is possible, but it comes with caveats. The road over La Farola is mountainous, narrow in places, and affected by weather. Fuel availability, road conditions, and the length of the drive all need to be factored in. This option only really makes sense if you’re already on a longer eastern Cuba road trip and are comfortable driving in challenging conditions. You should read my guide to renting a car in Cuba, and also take note of the location of the gas stations for rental cars before setting off.
Going from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa – Options at a Glance
I’ve covered all the transport options for this route in detail above, but if you just want the quick answer, here’s how the fastest, easiest, cheapest, and most practical ways to get from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa compare.
The quickest way to go to Baracoa from Santiago de Cuba
A taxi is the fastest option when available, taking around five hours, but it’s rare and expensive.
The easiest way to go to Baracoa from Santiago de Cuba
A taxi is also the easiest option in theory, but availability makes it unreliable.
The cheapest way to go to Baracoa from Santiago de Cuba
The shared minibus is the cheapest and most accessible option, at around US$15. It only runs twice a week. There are details above.
The best way to go to Baracoa from Santiago de Cuba
For most travelers, the shared minibus is the best overall option, balancing cost, availability, and practicality.
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Final Thoughts: What’s the Best Way to Go from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa?
This is a route where limited infrastructure shapes your choices. While taxis exist, they’re expensive and hard to rely on. Colectivos and trains don’t work. The Viazul Bus on this route was pulled from the schedule some years ago. For most people, the shared minibus is the clear winner. Plan around its schedule, book ahead, and accept that flexibility is part of traveling to one of Cuba’s most remote and rewarding destinations.
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