Q : What should I know about the car rental insurance in Cuba ?

A : The Car Rental companies offer a single general coverage insurance policy covering all risks, legal responsibility and medical expenses, following the filing of a police report . If you do not take out an insurance policy, you will be required to leave a deposit of CUC600.00. The insurance has to be paid in Cuba at the rental office. Insurance for the economical cars is between CUC10 and CUC17 a day. For medium cars between CUC12 and CUC18 a day. As for the medium high and deluxe cars between CUC20 and CUC35 a day. This all depends on the car rental company, if you want to have the exact rate ask for it while you request for a rental car. The insurance and the guarantee has to get paid at the car rental office in Cuba.

Q : What is CUC ?

A : CUC is the official currency of Cuba. You can not pay anything in other currencies. You must change your money at the airport or the currency exchange offices.

Q : If I book the car online from a third party website, can I change it when I get to Cuba ?

A : Usually not. Be sure of the model of car you are renting because sometimes pictures are not a good description. Do a research of the car model, find out how big it is, and what are the main features.

Q : Which is the high season in Cuba ?

A : December/January/February so if you are traveling those months book your car well in advance.Also August is high season for travellers from Europe, so is a complicated month as well.

Q : Example of prices ?

A : Usually around 65 for a VW Golf , 130 for an Audi

Q : What do I have to pay for first ?

A : Cars are paid for up front. The insurance and "deposit" are paid when you pick up the car.

Q : Are the cars new or old ?

A : Usually the cars are pretty new, just as you see in the pictures.

Q : What about the roads in Cuba ?

A : The roads are not in very good shape, especially outside the highway.

Q : Is there something I have to check ?

A : Here are a few things that some kind travellers have shared with us :

Check the car , make sure the gas gauge is working, if you can , take lots of pictures of the car before signing, that the tank is full of gas, that you have the spare, very importat , that the car has air conditioning and it is working !!. They should give you a form with the details of the vehicle, be sure that every paint scrapes, etc, are marked in that form.

Look for special tools you could need when you are driving, like the rigth adapter for the locking nuts when you need to change a flat.

Check the radio to see if it is working, if it doesnt have the antenna, make sure is marked in the form, remove the antenna when you live the car unattended.

Check if the spare is properly inflated, and if all the flats are as well. If there is one that may have a slow leak as for it to be replaced, and if they use the spare, then ask for it to be replaced also.