From San Juan de Los Remedios (1578), the eighth town built by the Spanish in Cuba, the settlers departed almost a century later in search of prosperity and to place themselves beyond the reach of corsairs and pirates, founding Santa Clara in 1689 in a valley in the centre of the island. In the end its prosperity and strategic position led to the city being declared the capital of the former province of Las Villas and, later, of Villa Clara, where the youngest Cuban destination is to be found, Las Brujas, Ensenachos and Santa Maria keys, to the north of the territory.

How to get there:

It takes no time to get to Santa Clara in the centre of the Island, along the Autopista Nacional (motorway) or the Carretera Central (central highway) from Havana (267 Km.), Cienfuegos (74 Km.), Varadero (207 Km.) and Trinidad (88 Km.). Another alternative is to arrive at Abet Santamaria International Airport, 12 kilometres from the city, which receives large capacity aircraft, or at Cayo Las Brujas airport, for small and medium-sized aircraft.

Sun and sand:

A road over the sea measuring 48.6 Km long joins the Villa Clara district of Caibarién with the Las Brujas, Ensenachos and Santa Maria keys, to the north of the province. The first is steeped in a popular legend of an impossible love affair involving another islet in the region, Borracho; the second has a permanently calm sea owing to its location; and the third is also interesting for archaeology enthusiasts. All three boast fine, white sandy beaches, a gentle slope and ultra transparent waters. Attractive surroundings for diving, fishing, water sports and boat trips along the canals that separate the keys.

City:

Santa Clara, the capital of the most central of Cubas provinces, was founded in 1689 by relations of San Juan de Los Remedios. This is one of the most important cities in the country owing to its scientific and industrial strength. It set the stage for the last battles that resulted in revolutionary triumph on 1 January 1959, Led by commander Ernesto Che” Guevara. It is also renowned for its strong culture and history.

Culture:

Some of the history and culture of Villa Clara is on display at the Provincial Museum and the Museum of Decorative Arts, whose collections reveal in chronological order the events that took place in the country, the life and work of top figures in the arts and furniture and decorative items from the 18th and 19th centuries, serving as examples of the influence in the province of the rococo, neoclassical and Cuban imperial styles.
Mausoleum to Ernesto ‘Che” Guevara. and his compatriots who fell in Bolivia: here lie the remains of the legendary Cuban- Argentine guerrilla and some of his compatriots who fell in Bolivia. On display are personal objects belonging to Che and to other combatants who participated in the war of liberation, which took place in Cuba from 1956 to 1959, and the Bolivian epic of 1967 In the way of theatre, dance, literature and music there is always something to see at the different night spots, cultural institutions and theatres in the city, among them La Caridad Theatre (built in 1885 and declared a National Monument), where the Italian tenor Enrico Caruso will be performing.

San Juan de Los Remedios was the eighth town founded in Cuba (1578). Its historical city centre, which was declared a National Monument in 1980, contains important heritage buildings that are extremely well pre served. The most valuable example of heritage in Remedios and one of the most important in the whole country is the Parroquial Mayor de Remedios 116th century). Its enormous Baroque altarpiece made from cedar and laminated in gold is considered one of the most beautiful in Latin America. Home where the famous musician Alejandro Garcia Caturla was born in Remedios (1906-1940). A revolutionary and independent composer who based his works on Afro-Caribbean rhythms.

Museum of the Parrandas Remedianas. Dedicated to this popular festival which has been held every year since 1820 and is a well-established tradition. On display are photos, models, changing rooms, street lamps and other objects used during these processions. One of the most important actions led by Che Guevara during the battle of Santa Clara was the armoured train. Parts of the convoy, one of the last resorts by the government of the period, remain in the place where the fighting took place and on display inside are photos and weapons. Famous all over the country are the traditional parrandas of Remedios and Camajuani, which are districts divided into Carmelitas and Sansarles and Chivos and Sapos, respectively. Once a year they show off with brotherly rivalry their carriages, squares, tricks and fireworks. At the end the two sides from each place declare themselves the winners.

Nature:

The Guamuahya mountain range (to the centre of southern Cuba) is a place of outstanding natural beauty and stunning scenery. Rain-forest mountain vegetation, with a vast number of trees, thrives here and a hundred or so endemic species have been identified. This is a great place to observe the landscape, flora and fauna. Hill walking, hiking, trips, cycling tours, caving and horse-riding all allow people to experience and become better acquainted with the local culture.

The keys to the north of Villa Clara house 248 species of plants, while the refuge for fauna (77 844 hectares) provides shelter for coruas (a type of cormorant), pink flamingos, seagulls, coral snakes, cantiles (a variety of snake found in Cuba), dog fish (exclusive), chivirica (a variety of goat), molluscs, iguanas, the jutia rat from Cayo Fragoso and the chipojo azul (the Cuban blue chameleon of Santa Maria), both of the latter being endemic.

Active tourism:

Towards the west of Cayo Santa Maria appears a rocky seabed (cabezos) combined with a corral reef that prevents surges of heavy waves on the beaches of the keys and provides refuge for dozens of underwater species which are extremely beautiful both to look at and for underwater photography. Other water sports can be practiced in this area as well as diving, such as sailing, deep-sea fishing, surfing, speed boat racing, water-skiing, etc.
Since 1933, a mile from Cayo Frances, the San Pascual boat, has lain aground. This relic of naval engineering was launched at sea in 1919 from the shipyards of San Francisco, California, to transport honey. It holds memories of the presence in these waters of North American writer Ernest Hemingway and the Cuban painter Leopoldo Romañach. It has been converted into a floating hotel.

Lake Hanabanilta and Alacranes dam, two of the most extensive dams in the country, are ideal for catching trout.

Health:

At the end of the 19th century, a slave discovered curative properties in the waters of the Elguea, on the north-western coastline of Villa Clara. A high level of sulphur and very hot temperatures encourage the recovery of people suffering from skin, bone, brain and respiratory disorders. Programmes to combat stress improve the quality of life.

Leisure and restaurants:

There are cultural and recreational centres in the province, where visitors have the opportunity to enjoy themselves while getting to know the traditions and identity of the province.
At various establishments, restaurants and country properties, Cubanacen Palmares and Rumbos give visitors the opportunity to have a pleasant time while sampling Villa Clara’s cuisine. There are also several fast food establishments such as the Ditu, Piropo and El Repido coffee bars.

Hurricane “Gustav” in the Caribbean has left a balance of 85 dead, and a revealing fact: none of them was Cuban.

“Gustav” reached Cuba on Saturday, August 30, with sustained winds of 240 kilometers per hour, category 4 in the Saffir-Simpson scale. The province that was hit the worst was Pinar del Rio. In its path around the island, the hurricane caused 18 injuries, none serious, and destroyed partially or totally 90,000 houses. All will be rebuilt.

Tourist resorts like Cayo Largo and Las Terrazas (La Moka) remain close until further notice.

“Gustav”, a category 4 hurricane with its passage through Cuba , did not cause any victim in a poor and underdeveloped country.”Gustav”, a category 2 hurricane with its passage by the

U.S., left seven dead (for now) in the most powerful country on earth.

French immigrants from Bordeaux and Louisiana founded the colony of Fernandina de Jagua on 22 April 1819, around a beautiful, wide bay on the central southern coast of Cuba. In 1830 it changed its name to Cienfuegos in honor of the general governor of the island, José Cienfuegos. Fifty years later it was declared a city and its outstanding beauty won it the title of “The Pearl of the South”. At the end of the 19th century its prosperity made it the fourth most important city in the country. Since 1976 it has been the capital of the province of the same name and one of the cities with the greatest industrial develop ment of the archipelago.

How to get there

The 256 kilometres separating Cienfuegos and Havana can be covered by car along the national motorway and the Aguada de Pasajeros road. Jaime Gonzalez airport receives medium and small cargo international flights while Puertosol, the yachting harbour company, on the Bahia de Jagua, opens its doors to pleasure boats.

Sun and sand:

As with all cities by the sea, Cienfuegos has always had very close ties with its coastline. Two of the places that contribute most to this bond, in addition to the bay, are Rancho Luna and Inglés beaches. The first offers a semicircle of fine sand and peaceful waters, while the second is one of the best places for swimming in the sea and practicing water sports. Near both beaches, the well-inhabited corral formations make SCUBA diving an attractive proposition.

City:

So beautiful that it is considered the jewel of Cuban architecture of the 19th century, Cienfuegos stands out for the perfect layout of its streets and the refinement and elegance of the buildings in the Historical Centre, which was declared a National Monument.

With an important collection of historical and cultural treasures, this part of the city contains some of its most outstanding buildings, such as the Casa del Fundador, Nuestra Señora de La Purisima Concepción Cathedral, the Tomás Terry Theatre and the Palacio Ferrer, as well as José Marti Park, wherein stands the only Arc de Triomf in Cuba.

Visitors won’t have far to walk to find the Paseo deL Prado, the longest avenue in the country, the Palaclo de Valle, the Naval and Provincial History Museum, the Cementerio de Reina and the Fronton Jai Alai. Situated a little further from the centre are the Fortaleza Nuestra Señora de los Angeles de Jagua, the setting for the popular legend of the blue lady, the Cementerio Tomás Acea, where there is a replica of the Parthenon, and the Botanic Gardens, the second largest on the island.

Culture:

“The city I Like best” is precisely how Cienfuegos was defined by one of the famous representatives of this land and national culture, Bartolomé Maximiliano More, known to Cubans simply as Beny More or the Bárbaro del Ritmo (literally the Beat Barbarian). In honour of the great son performer, the festival that is named after him is held every year in Santa Isabel de Las Lajas However, the refinement of the people of Cienfuegos also stands out in their culture, in particular the plastic arts, the art and music, in which the name of the Aragón orchestra (which is over half a century old) and a solid movement of trios are well known,

Nature:

Cienfuegos has the second largest botanic garden in Cuba and one of the richest in the continent of America. It was founded at the turn of the 20th century under the auspices of Harvard University (USA). Approximately 10% of the province’s surface area of 4177.2 Km.2 is taken up with the Cordillera de Guamuhaya, which is brimming over with indigenous flora and fauna, springs, waterfalls, caves, pot holes, natural vantage-points and valleys between the mountains, where exciting adventures, country life and various mountain sports are there to await you. It would be unforgiv able to leave without visiting places such as El Nicho, the Valle de Yaguanabo, the Cueva de Martin Infierno (NationaL Monument) and the Pico San Juan.

An abundance of migratory ducks, rabiche and aliblancas pigeons, quails, Guinea fowl, pheasants and yaguasines make up the fauna of Yariguá.

Active tourism:

At 30 diving points near the coast it is possible to see grottoes, sunken ships, underwater valleys and reefs, inhabited by multicoloured fish, gorgonians, molluscs, turtles, crustaceans, sponges and sea snails. But the wonderful thing about the seabed here is Notre Dame, the largest column reef in America (4 metres), so called owing to its structure similar to that of the Paris cathedral.

The exceptional conditions of Bahia de Cienfuegos, well sheltered and covering an area of 88 Km have made it into an ideal place not only for commerce, but also for boat trips around the Carenas, Loco, Alcatraz and Ocampo keys and Perché fishing village, as well as fishing, regattas, kayak, wind-surfing, sailing and other water sports. It was declared the sailing capital of Cuba and each year the city holds one stage of the formula T-1 speedboat Grand Prix.

Health:

Anyone suffering from skin disorders, arthritis and circulatory problems may find the perfect remedy in the mineral and medicinal waters of Ciego Montero, 23 kilometres from Cienfuegos. From these springs rise one of the finest table waters that are most in demand on the national market.

The tourist authorities in the province are keen to encourage the congress and incentive trip industry and there fore, as well as creating the necessary conditions for holding such important events as the Fiesta de Los Amigos del Mar (Friends of the Sea Festival), they recently set up the Cuba Conventions Bureau secretary’s office for the island.

Leisure and restaurants

Caribesur Complex: restaurant, café, pool table, mini-golf, swimming pool, piano bar, grill, natural swimming pool, shops and berths for boats, with local culture also making a major appearance.

The Afro-Cuban Night in Palmira includes a visit to the museum and a cabildo (an ethnic gathering) to get to know the impressive Yoruba Pantheon and to witness a ritual ceremony of the Regla de Osha.

The Guanaroca Cabaret and the Club Beny More, one at the Jagua hotel and the other at the boulevard, are places to enjoy good Cuban music and dance till you drop.
Regularly making an appearance at the Tomás Terry Theatre are concert players, theatrical and dance groups, comedians and performers from right around the province and the country.

In this city by the sea the most popular restaurants specialize in seafood and fish dishes, such as La Cueva del Camarón, Casa Caribeña, Palacio de Valle and Covadonga. There are also restaurants serving international, Italian and Creole cuisine. Among the finest are Cubanacán Palniares, Pizza Nova, Pollo Ditu Rumbos, Piropo and El Rapido.

Cayo Largo del Sur is a true paradise for those who are looking for secluded beaches, fine white sand and transparent waters, ideal for diving and practicing water sports. Its size (37.5 square kilometres) makes it the second largest island in the Canarreos archipelago, one of the four groups of isles that surround the island of Cuba. It is located in the south-western part of the Cuban archipelago, at a distance of 177 km from Havana, 170 km from Varadero and 140 km from Nueva Gerona, the capital of Isla de Ia Juventud special district, for merely the refuge of pirates and corsairs and then known as Treasure Island. Thanks to its natural characteristics and the existence of a modern and functional hotel infrastructure that is continually being improved, Cayo Largo del Sur is also an ideal location for wedding trips and honeymoons.

How to get there:

Airline companies from Europe and America and domestic airlines fly directly to Vito Acuña international airport, in Cayo Largo del Sur. It is also possible to arrive by sea, at Puertosol marina, which operates as a free port. In Punta Frances, Isla de Ia Juventud, there are also facilities available for mooring pleasure cruisers.

Sun and sand:

Playa Sirena, (with sand which, thanks to its particular composition, fails to heat up even under the most intense rays of the sun), Lindamar, Tortuga, Playa Blanca, Los Cocos and Paraiso, six magnificent Caribbean beaches, each endowed with its own natural surroundings and which together cover an area of 24 km, ensure thorough enjoyment of the attractions and delights of Cayo Largo del Sur. On the neighboring island of Isla de Ia Juventud, Bibijagua beach, with its exotic black sand, offers a different kind of appeal.

City:

Discovering the delights of Isla del Tesoro (Treasure Island), a setting alleged ly recreated by Scottish writer Robert L.Stevenson in his homonymous novel, is a good reason for traveling to Isla de Ia Juventud and getting to know the historical centre of the city. This includes the Workshop of Applied Arts; the Model Prison, a place where Fidel Castro and his fellow assailants from the Cuartel Moncada (Moncada Barracks) were incarcerated (1953); and the Finca ElAbra museum, the temporary residence of Cuban national hero José Marti (1870). A visit to the island is also worthwhile to get to know a musical genre that is specific to this part of Cuba: El Sucu-Sucu.

Nature:

The excellent standard of preservation of the natural environment in Cayo Largo del Sur, which makes it appear as virgin a spot as it was at the outset, is demonstrated by the fact that each year hundreds of turtles come to its fine sands to lay their eggs, leaving behind them a memorable spectacle. On Isla de Ia Juventud, nature tourism enthusiasts can take a trip to see Jungla de Jones, an age-old wood; or discover Los Indios Ecological Reserve and Cayos de San Felipe fauna reserve.

Active tourism:

Both Cayo Largo del Sur and Isla de Ia Juventud have international diving centres and offer fantastic conditions for enjoying this activity in areas such as Punta Frances, Playa Sirena and Los Batlenatos keys, which are also ideal locations for underwater photography. The presence of coral formations right next to the coast also makes it possible to go snorkeling. Fishing can be carried out in the area around near by Cayo Piedra, Cayeria Los Majáes, Cayos Alcatraces and Cayos Pedraza. Trips on a yacht or catamaran are recommended to Cayo Iguana, a small, natural, Caribbean Jurassic Park; Cayo Rico, Cayo Los Pájaros, Cayo Rosario, Cayo Cantiles and Cayo Sigua. Those keen on speleology tourism have a fantastic opportunity awaiting them:
to visit the caves of Punta del Este, on Isla de Ia Juventud. These were declared a National Monument thanks to the historical value of the cave paintings found on the walls, with such a unique style that they are considered the most important in the Antilles.

Leisure and restaurants

The majority of the selection of restaurants and leisure opportunities can be found at the hotels themselves or at the Plaza del Pirata.

Within Cuba, Santiago has attained a culture very much of its own, a rich culture that accurately expresses the character of the territory, its mixture of races and traditions, more varied than in any other part of the island, a condition that has contributed through times to the emergence of prototypes of the national folklore, as all artistic manifestations are performed here.

Santiago de Cuba boasts classics like Esteban Salas, considered the Father of the Cuban Music, intellectual Pablo Laf argue, who was married to Carlos Marx’s daughter, and Pedro Santacilia, who was married to a closed relative of Mexican patriot Benito Juárez, poet lose Maria Heredia, the pioneer of Romanticism in the continent, Emilio Bacardi, Santiago de Cuba’s first mayor and the founder of the first museum-library in Cuba.

Santiago also became the home of important personalities that one way or another became attracted to the city, like the Henriquez family, from Santo Domingo, and French immigrants and their black slaves, who arrived here at the end of the 8 century. These are but a few of the many reasons why Santiago rightly deserves the name of Cultural Capital of the Caribbean.

The foundations for most of the cultural movements that later would become popular in the Caribbean can be traced to Santiago de Cuba, in areas like music, poetry, painting, sculpture and handicrafts.

The Contradanza was developed, and the Cuban son was born here, as was the bolero, the coral songs, and the so-called Santiago traditional Trova (song movement), which combines French violins, Afro-Caribbean traditions, and Cuban country music.

It has institutions devoted to consolidating cultural manifestations in a systematic way, like Casa del Caribe (Caribbean House), the African Cultural Center, the “Antonio Bravo Correoso” Cultural Athenaeum, the Antonio Maceo Research enter, and Casa de La Musica (House of Music).

Santiago is responsible for much of the country’s music development, as confirmed by many international arts festivals, like those of choir, Caribbean music, Terracotta (a visual arts expression) as well as the naive arts encounter at Mella municipality, the Matamoro Son Festival, and the national ‘Pepe Sanchez” Trova and Charanga (at Palma municipality) festivals.

Expressions of the cultural development at Cuba’s most Caribbean city are its fourteen museums, twenty-one archives, eight libraries, nine 6 mm and eighteen 35 mm cinema halls, in addition to the Orfeón Santiago, the Coro Madrigalista, the Ballet Company, and the Arts School. Other cultural institutions include two exhibition halls, an amphitheater, ten cultural houses, nine theater halls, two concert halls, several folkloric dance troops and cultural community associations, and the “Antonio Maceo” Revolution Square.