Road conditions for cycling to Cayo Jutias (Cuba)

This message is for folks who’ve been to Cayo Jutias in the past year, especially this past winter. I’d love to hear about the road conditions on the way there. Are the last few kilometers to the beach still in terrible shape, full of potholes?

Same question about the road through La Sabana toward Santa Lucia—was it still in rough condition?

How’s the road to Minas de Matahambre and Pons?

And what about the route from Santa Lucia to Mantua and then Sandino?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Georges, I went to Cayo Jutias in early February, by "collectivo" from Viñales. I can confirm the road is tough, especially the last few kilometers when you reach the peninsula—my vertebrae took a real beating! ... so by bike ... no sé!

😉Georges)

Hey, the message I sent you in PM about the bike trip will be postponed until next year. For the two people I told you about.

Mick

Thanks for the info. I did it by bike last year and saw that the last few kilometers are still in rough shape, full of potholes. Did you get there via Pons and Minas de Matahambre or by the coastal road (CN)? How was the road? I have friends planning to cycle the west of Havana next winter by bike, and I’d love to give them fresh updates on road conditions.

A section of the road a few kilometers before Santa Lucia on the CN last year.

Hoping the situation everyone is experiencing right now will be resolved by then.

😎Georges)

I’ll pass him the message—he knows Cuba a little worse than you and me, you see, I’ve already canceled 3 trips.

Hasta Luego

AMIGO 😏

In August, the road was rough in some sections. I’d say that’s normal for a secondary road in Cuba—you know the country well.

In a rental car, you quickly adopt the tactic for getting through these stretches: slow down, pick the least bad section (even if it’s on the left—no problem, no oncoming cars). It becomes a bit of a game. That said, you’ve got to be more cautious on the sections that *look* good, because you might suddenly hit ten meters of missing pavement or potholes. So even if the road seems fine, don’t drive too fast.

On a bike—well, my experience is limited to smooth French roads, so I imagine these sections would be tough.

In a taxi, if it’s an old American car, a Lada, or a mid-condition vehicle, the shocks are often shot, so you might arrive with your back feeling like it’s been through a blender. The driver usually just laughs off the bumps.

Here’s an update on the road conditions along the coastal route between Havana and Santa Lucia heading toward Cayo Jutias. I cycled this route in February 2023. From Havana to Mariel, the road is nicely paved but gets a bit bumpy as you approach and enter Mariel. The road is smooth until Quiebrahacha, but very rough at the exit. A large portion of the road between Cabañas and Bahia Honda was terrible—full of cracks, broken asphalt, and potholes. At times, I had to ride on the left lane. The good conditions only lasted for short stretches, so don’t get too excited. The happiness doesn’t last long!

Between Bahia Honda and La Mulata, the road conditions were the same. The road was terrible after La Mulata. About 40 km past Bahia Honda, the road improved for a few kilometers before becoming very bumpy again until La Palma. After that, the road was great until Entronque La Palma, the intersection leading either to Viñales or Santa Lucia. From the intersection, the road had been repaved, but it was still quite rough—like they ran out of asphalt.

Special mention for the road leading to Puerto Esperanza. In my opinion, this was the worst section of road in the country. It was nothing but potholes, forcing you to zigzag to find a way through.

The road to Santa Lucia was in very poor condition, with lots of sand, all the way to La Sabana. It’s easy to see why the *collectivos* from Viñales now take the route through Pons and Minas de Matahambre to reach Cayo Jutias. The road to Cayo Jutias was partially paved, but the last section was pretty rough.