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Read for Pro-Tips at the end - I met Jose through mutual friends. He owns one of around 20 Private Taxi's certified for full island travel including Airport pickup. Pre-Covid, I would visit Havana a couple times a year with my Dad and friends. Jose and I became great friends. He's an incredibly professional person and driver. He speaks perfect English, Spanish (of course) and proficient in Italian. Typically, when I'm traveling to Cuba, now I simply contact him on WhatsApp and share my itinerary (well in advance), what kind of accommodations I'm looking for, what neighborhood, and I just show up at the Airport. Everything is taken care of 100%. He's with us from the time we leave our Casa to when we're ready to turn in. Jose is communicative, kind, intelligent, prompt and trustworthy. Jose will basically set things up the way you want them. Submit an itinerary with place and dates. No problem, it's handled. Want to simply call Jose when you need him during your itinerary as a Taxi Driver? No problem. Looking for Cigar tourism? No Problem, he has deep relationships from Havana to Pinar del Rio to Vinales. Looking for City hop of the course of a week or weeks? No problem. Jose can be reached via: - Jose@CubaTours.Taxi - WhatsApp at +53 5 2594032 - There is also an active Facebook Page and Website that should be easy to determine from the email address if so inclined. ProTips: 1. The best way to use Jose's services would be to fully book him to your party while you're in Cuba. He shares a price for that with you and will be agreed upon before you arrive. That price includes transportation, gas, and his time with you as your translator and concierge. Meals are not included. (see note 3 below) Frankly if you're English speaking with weak to no Spanish, Jose will take all the pressure off of the trip and you'd never not want to travel that way again - 2. Airbnb's and Casa Particualres accommodation culture - I booked an Airbnb once and he asked why I didn't ask him to book it for me. (I simply didn't know to ask) Well traveled people are used to handling their own itineraries end to end so that's what I was doing. Ultimately, the price you pay for Airbnb and the price he can negotiate with the Casa owners on your behalf directly are often as much as 40% different or as little as no difference. It's worth the ask. Send him the address and contact info for the Casa you'd like to rent, and he'll let you know in a few days. 3. Mealtime. Jose is happy to translate for you wherever you go. Mealtime is no different. He's happy to set the reservations for you, see you to your table, and help you order during the meal if you like. He will make everything as smooth as possible. Side note - If he's with you during the meal, he rarely eats, but will if you make him ;-) When he's with us, all of his meals are taken care of by our group and that's probably the best approach. He won’t drink while on duty. 4. Don't stay in Hotels. Well, you can if you want to, but it isn't the best way to experience the culture. Have Jose book a house for you (you'll have it all to yourself if that's what you want) and the owners will keep it clean, and even make breakfast for you each morning. Breakfast typically costs ~$5 per person per day. It's worth it. 5. Petty Theft - Cuba is _very_ safe. Probably the safest Caribbean parallel country I've ever been to. I've only had something stolen once while in Cuba and I've never felt threatened or unsafe even walking the streets at 2am through neighborhoods. In this case we were at the beach and our bags were outside of our field of view for a little too long. Ensure you know where your things are at all times around Havana and the beaches. Keep your passports and cash on you where possible. I use a backpack that I don't let out of my sight. Petty theft is about all you'll ever need be aware of. I've stayed at many houses, they all had safes in the rooms and just left our things be. Cubans are very honest and pride themselves on this. 6. Cigar Tourism. Habano's Tours are one of Jose's specialties. Talk to him about what you're looking for. You found a true gem in him in that regard. ..and no, we're not talking about the cooperativa BS you get in the street. Jose _is_ an expert with great contacts. You're in very good hands there. 7. Currency Exchange. Jose can arrange and assist with currency exchange for you as soon as you arrive. Don't sweat it. You can exchange in the airport if you like also. Just let him know what you need, and he'll work it out so it's drama free. I've literally handed him thousands of dollars to go exchange for me for our group for our Casa fees and he came back later, we counted it together right on the front porch of the Casa. If you're from the US, the blue banded new style 100's are the most drama free to exchange. As of 2020 your Credit Card's won’t work in Havana if you're from the US. 7. Don't be afraid to ask anything of Jose. You want bottles of water? He'll find them for you. You want that special Rum or Cigar box you can’t find. He'll drive to every place in Havana to look for it. He realizes you're on vacation and wants it to be your experience. Jose is relaxed about everything. You'll feel that way as well.…
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Date of experience: November 2019
Helpful
Responded 4 weeks ago
Hello Lexingtonian, it is a pleasure to say hello. First of all we want to thank you for publishing your experience in our profile of Taxi Drivers Cuba, we are very satisfied to hear that you enjoy the different routes of our island, we reiterate our thanks and wish you good luck.
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Hello, I am planning a trip to Havana Cuba and would like to rent a private Taxi with license ( not government Taxi ) for 2 weeks. Would like to know if Taxi are working in Havana if anyone could help me. Thank You. Gennaro Armando
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Date of experience: August 2019
Helpful
Responded Jun 27, 2020
Hello Gennaro Armando, it is a pleasure to greet you. For us it would be a pleasure to help you, we are a team of private taxi drivers with a very good reputation and we have the permits required by the Cuban government. If you can write us directly to our email (taxidriverscuba (at) Gmail (dot) com) We send you a cordial greeting and we wish you the best of luck.
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I have always been pleased with taxi drivers in Cuba. I have used them in Havana, Cienfuegos,Camaguey,Sandiego de Cuba, Banes, Cueto as well as Guardalavaca. Always ask the price before you get in or state how much you are prepared to pay. Quite often you can compare what one driver will take you for, with another driver. Some of the newer cabs are quite clean although the older ones have a gas odour and poor shocks while sitting in the back. Try to sit in the front if possible. If you tell them you are going to be one or two hours they will usually pick you up. This service I used many times visiting an area outside of Holguin The driver picked me up at three A.M. right on time at no additional charge. Wow PS I drove cabs while attending teachers college in Toronto.Pablo…
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Date of experience: October 2019
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Responded Jun 27, 2020
Hello Pablo, it is a pleasure to greet you, we are pleased to hear that you have enjoyed your vacation on our island with us, being always punctual when our clients need it is one of our first obligations, it is also good to have clients like you who like to enjoy their tours in our adorable classic cars, we send you a warm greeting and we wish you the best of luck.
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These cute little yellow cabs are the way to go. Fuel efficient ( they’re basically a Vespa scooter) as fuel is in short supply and half the price of a regular taxi. Our 2 different drivers were well spoken and informative.
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Date of experience: February 2020
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Responded Mar 24, 2020
Hello CHARLES, we hope you are very well, it is a pleasure to greet you. We are pleased to hear that you have been satisfied with our traditional yellow Coco Taxis, we reiterate our thanks and wish you the best of luck.
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We booked the taxi before we went on holiday so we could relax about the drive from Veradero to Havana Airport on our return. The taxi was the old American style, in excellent condition, arrived ahead of time and the driver was excellent. Would recommend for peace of mind.
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Date of experience: February 2020
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Responded Mar 14, 2020
Hello David, first of all, we want to thank you for your appreciative recommendations, it was a pleasure for us to have been able to make each of your transfers in our adorable classic cars, we send you a cordial greeting and we wish you the best of luck.
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