| "My experience with camping in Cuba is that it’s easy to wild-camp almost anywhere outside the cities. I spent 3 months riding the whole island and found excellent camp spots on beaches, in mango groves, in grapefruit groves, in farm fields, next to rivers, and in forests. Cuba was like one big campground! Actual campgrounds are few and far between and usually a bit run down." Gareth on travellingtwo.com 27.01.13 |
| "The best accommodation for cyclists in Cuba is camping – the whole country is like one big camp ground. I’ve camped in forests, next to rivers, in farmer’s fields, on deserted beaches, in mango plantations, grapefruit and orange groves, and behind people’s houses. It’s free, it’s fun, and there’s always somewhere to pitch a tent. But be sure to study the ground before you peg down because the ants are a bit of a nuisance in some areas. elpedalero.com |
CAMPISMOS
Campismos in Cuba are often perceived as camping areas but in fact, they don't have much in common with European, Canadian or US counterparts. There is usually no camping with tents in campismos (as a last resort, one could always show up with tent and sleeping bag), as guests are shown to bare cabinas conceived for vacationing Cubans who bring their own basic equipment. Classified by rate of comfort, sites are categorized from 1 to 5, 1 being best. Villas (chalets) are also part of campismos (go figure...) and are classified with stars, like hotels elsewhere.
Cuban campismos celebrated in 2006 their 25th anniversary and their numbers reach today some 80 sites located in 60 municipalities which have greeted altogether over 25 millions visitors since their creation in 1981.
The total lodging capacity of campismos is about 20,000 beds, the vast majority reserved for Cubans. In fact, out of the 80 sites, barely 10 campismos welcome foreigners. In Cuba, one can pick up a copy of the Campismo catalog, a full-colour brochure.
| Campismos accomodating tourists |
Municipality |
Province |
Tel. |
Notes |
Cat. |
| Campismo Dos Hermanas Link |
Viñales |
Pinar del Rio |
(8) 79-3223 |
Road of Moncada at km 3 |
2
|
| Villa Aguas Claras Photo |
Pinar del Rio |
Pinar del Rio |
(82) 77-8425 |
On Viñales road, at km 7 $30US/night |
**
|
| Campismo Escaleras de Jaruco |
35 km from Jaruco |
La Habana |
(64) 32665
|
In Escaleras de Jaruco Park |
3
|
| Los Cocos (Best in Cuba) Photo |
Santa Cruz del Norte |
La Habana |
(692) 85231 |
Pool, 90 cabanas, Playa Jibacoa |
1
|
| Campismo Ganuza Link |
Corralillo |
Villa Clara |
(42) 68-0205 |
Playa Ganuza |
2
|
| Rio Seibabo |
Manicaragua |
Villa Clara |
(42) 49832
|
Near Condado de Güinia de Miranda |
2
|
| Campismo Las Coloradas |
Niquero |
Granma |
LD-0004
|
28 bungalows by the sea |
3
|
| Campismo Rio La Mula |
Guamá |
Santiago de Cuba |
(22) 62-6262
|
Climb all the way up Pico Turquino ! |
4
|
| Campismo Caletón Blanco, 22 cabanas |
Il Frente, Guama |
Santiago de Cuba |
(22) 62-5797
|
Mayarí Arriba, Poblado Loma Blanca |
2
|
| Villa Guajamico Link |
Cumanayagua |
Cienfuegos |
(42) 54-0947 |
Between Trinidad & Cienfuegos |
***
|
|
|
|
|
CARAVANING
Tourists who can afford it can rent a motorized camper vehicle for caravaning (aircon, gas kitchen, fridge, etc for 175$cad to 200$cad or $160US per day on a weekly package,shared by up to 4 adults; unlimited mileage) and can park their gas-guzzlers (80-liter capacity, 600km autonomy) like the Mercedes Benz type C or the Ford Brig in some 20 sites : actual campismos or lots near hotels and/or beach resorts. Description of vehicles here
|
| Sites accomodating caravans |
Municipality |
Province |
Tel. |
Notes |
| Campismo Dos Hermanas |
Viñales |
Pinar del Rio |
(8) 79-3223 |
Good spot for valley touring |
| Complejo Turístico Las Terrazas |
Sierra del Rosario |
Pinar del Rio |
|
Good spot for valley touring |
| Hotel Villas Campismo Escaleras de Jaruco |
Jaruco |
La Habana |
(64) 32665
|
Close to the capital - 35km away |
| Villa El Abra |
Jibacoa |
La Habana |
|
Close to the capital - 35km away |
| Parque Josone |
Varadero |
Matanzas |
|
In the touristiest spot in Cuba |
| Hotel Horizontes Playa Larga |
Zapata |
Matanzas |
|
Great scuba diving area |
| Hotel Horizontes Playa Giron |
Zapata |
Matanzas |
|
Scuba dive in Caleton nearby |
| Campismo Ganuza Link |
Corralillo |
Villa Clara |
|
|
| Marina de Trinidad |
Ancon |
Sancti Spíritus |
|
Photo |
| Villa Guajimico Link |
Cumanayagua |
Cienfuegos |
(42) 54-0947 |
Description here. Photo |
| Marina Cienfuegos |
Cienfuegos |
Cienfuegos |
|
Photo |
| Finca María Dolores Photo |
Trinidad |
Cienfuegos |
|
Close to town entrance |
| Campismo Planta Cantú 32 ch, 8 casas |
Banao à 5km |
Sancti Spíritus |
|
Between Banao and Sancti Spiritus |
| Hotel Ciego de Avila |
Ciego de Avila |
Ciego de Avila |
|
|
| Hotel Horizontes Camaguey |
Camaguey |
Camaguey |
|
|
| Hotel Villa Club Caracol |
Santa Lucia |
Camaguey |
|
Good spot for a great beach location |
| Club Amigos Guardalavaca |
Guardalavaca |
Holguin |
|
ditto |
| Villa Bayamo |
Bayamo |
Granma |
(23) 42-3102 |
comazul(at)teleda.get.tur.cu |
| Villa Las Coloradas |
Niquero |
Granma |
LD-0004
|
28 bungalows by the sea |
| Campismo Rio La Mula |
Guamá |
Santiago de Cuba |
(22) 26262
|
On seaside road to Santiago |
| Campismo Caletón Blanco |
Il Frente, Guama |
Santiago de Cuba |
|
|
| Hotel Versalles |
|
Santiago de Cuba |
|
|
|
