Viazul, the Cuban bus company known for its passenger transport services, has restricted its payment methods exclusively to euros and bank cards such as Visa or MasterCard. This restriction was confirmed by CiberCuba after speaking with Viazul employees on Friday. The company's official website lists prices solely in euros, excluding other currencies. When inquiries were made about payment methods through Viazul's contact number provided on Facebook, staff directed customers to the website, affirming it as the only way to book a trip.
Ticket prices vary depending on the route. For instance, traveling from Santiago de Cuba to Havana costs 60 euros, from Camagüey to the capital is 36 euros, from Varadero 15 euros, and from Holguín 50 euros. Additional fees apply if travelers wish to carry extra baggage. Each reservation allows for two pieces of luggage weighing between 23 kg to 32 kg, with a fee of 10 euros per piece. Therefore, booking a trip from Santiago to Havana with two 23 kg bags totals 80 euros (approximately 30,800 CUP at the current informal euro exchange rate).
For a "Mini" luggage weighing up to 2.5 kg, the charge rises to 15 euros per bag. This payment method, which is not new, effectively limits the ability of Cuban residents to book trips with Viazul. Despite its flaws, Viazul is perceived as providing a more reliable service than the interprovincial bus network.
A post by writer and playwright Atilio Caballero highlighted this payment restriction, pointing out that even if one possesses cash euros, tickets cannot be purchased at Viazul. "I just found out: if you want/can travel with ViAzul (because there are no other options, especially traveling with children), you can ONLY pay in Euros (not dollars, our 'second currency' now). But even if you have those Euros in cash, you still can't pay: it's only possible with Visa or MasterCard. ViAzul doesn't seem to be a Cuban bus company meant for Cubans," he wrote on Facebook.
Viazul's promotional messages continue to praise the "quality" of their buses, which remain unaffordable for most Cubans. However, online criticism has been severe, with users condemning the euro-only reservation system as a tactic to attract remittances from abroad. Cubans have also complained that the service is neither regular nor reliable, with buses often delayed or breaking down, causing travelers to miss flights or be stranded mid-journey.
Reports by CiberCuba describe an incident where passengers on a trip from Havana Airport to Camagüey were left waiting for hours for a replacement bus after the rear window shattered. As of 2020, Viazul had announced that services could only be paid for in Freely Convertible Currency (MLC) via international cards. Before the pandemic, the online system already displayed prices in U.S. dollars and accepted eight different international credit cards, but it was at least possible to purchase tickets with Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC) cash at Viazul agencies nationwide.
This earlier policy, indicative of the regime's shift towards dollarization, made an essential service less accessible to the public. Now, with the euro as the sole currency, options have become even more limited.
Understanding Viazul's Payment Restrictions
Why does Viazul only accept payment in euros?
Viazul accepts only euros as part of a broader effort to align with international currency standards and attract remittances from abroad. This strategy also reflects the regime's attempts to dollarize the Cuban economy.
Can I pay with cash euros at Viazul?
No, cash euros are not accepted. Payments must be made using Visa or MasterCard, as transactions are processed through their website.
What are the luggage fees with Viazul?
Viazul allows two pieces of luggage weighing between 23 kg to 32 kg per reservation, with each piece costing 10 euros. A "Mini" luggage weighing up to 2.5 kg costs 15 euros per bag.