Resident staff member Juan Eduardo Castillo can also organize percussion classes. Small lexicon of the Carnival of Santiago de Cuba. Being Jineteros is a sport in Santiago de Cuba, or rather a mode of survival. If you want to visit places that many other tourists don't, check out the fascinating town of Sancti Spiritus and the island of Cayo Levisa. Stations are also plentiful in the cities. Santiago de Cuba Attractions: Planning Your Visit - DIY Travel HQ Visit the Bird of Paradise Garden, a place perfumed by the pine of the cypresses and the scent of the flowers. The Festival Internacional de Trova, in March, offers another excellent musical event, when the city rediscovers its musical roots. In the meantime, British privateer Henry Morgan ransacked and partially destroyed the town in 1662. For more great beach options in Cuba, see this article. Recommended option Bus, fly to Santiago 4h 14m Take the bus from Cerro y Boyeros to Aeropuerto The place is beautiful, but unfortunately the restaurant cant afford to do well. It now features busts of various Cuban patriots. Phone: (53 22) 69 8612, Services to yachts, boats rental, boat rides, among others. The trip to Cuba was really seamless and eye opening. Havana and the provincial capitals are linked to Santiago de Cuba by . This is in response to a remark made by Mart in one of his poems that he would like to die not like a traitor in the dark, but with his face turned towards the sun. Intermittent passenger trucks leave from the Serrano Intercommunal Bus Station (Equina Av Jess Menndez & Snchez Hechavarra; MN $ 5) near the train station to travel to Guantnamo and Bayamo throughout the day. I am planning to take an overnight train. And don't missCoppelia La Arboleda:the Santiago de Cuba location of the Cuban ice cream chain. A small chapel still contains a wooden cross carved by a 16th century Spanish artist.Look for the machine that was used to transport the powerful stone balls from the store to the cannon above. Carretera Ciudamar Km 2 It was here that the cult of the Virgin of Charity was born among black slaves and Indians. Santiago de Cuba airport is not served by public transportation but cabs are available at the exit of the terminal. There are 13 permitted reasons for travel: Family visits Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments and certain intergovernmental organizations Journalistic activities However, Santiago is relatively easy to reach from the rest of Cuba. Be aware that in the Cuban natural parks, every hiker must be accompanied by a guide. From Bonaire, direct flights are offered by Fly Always. It has casas particulares and two restaurants. This one is presided over by two monumental sets of prestigious local artists: the equestrian statue of Lieutenant General Antonio Maceo, a remarkable Cuban independentist of all contests against the Spanish colonial regime, work of the sculptor Alberto Lezcay and, accompanying the hero, 23 enormous steel machetes, work of the plastic artist Guarionex Ferrer. Over the centuries, French, Spaniards, Haitians and Chinese have settled in the capital of the Oriente. However, in the 1950s, the place became sinister and teeming with American spies and Cuban rebels. Airlines. Fly Always: seasonal flights from Bonaire (BON) and Grenada (GND). Santiago de Cuba | How to Get to Santiago | Cuba Travel Best way to get to Palermo Sicily - Rick Steves Travel Forum Havana to Santiago de Cuba - 6 ways to travel via train, bus, plane Please support us by disabling your ad blocker. The bay's entrance, cutting into high bluffs that rise from the sea, is nearly invisible offshore. Roys Terrace Innis a popular B&B/restaurant option (reserve in advance) featuring traditional Cuban fare. Large fireworks displays also mark the beginning of the carnival.The celebrations have a real community character. Santiago de Cuba: Ultimate Travel Guide - Home to Havana 8.30 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday, until 11.30 am on Saturday. One of Santiago de Cubas Absolute musts is the Casa de la Trova.For Cuban musicians it is an honour to be invited to play here, where all the greatest musicians of Cuba have performed, such as the musicians of Buena Vista Social Club.Upstairs is a large hall known as the Saln de Grandes Personas.Daytime concerts are organized downstairs for a minimal cost.Travel agencies offer evening packages that include transportation, drinks and a CD, but it is cheaper to come on your own.Evening concerts start at 10pm, but there are often daytime festivities in the downstairs living room.Please note that you are not allowed to record the music. To find out whats going on, check out the biweekly Cartelera Cultural. Bordered by a pleasant shade, the street is very busy during the day by the Santiagueros who stroll through its shops and restaurants. Dont buy your cards from street vendors, its a scam. Lodging at La Gran PiedraMost people come for the day, but you can stay at the Villa Gran Piedra, an eco-lodge with comfortable rustic cabins along the mountain ridge, and stunning views.Close to the Gran Piedra you should not miss the Jardn Ave de Paraso (Garden of Birds of Paradise; daily from 8am to 5pm). Santiago and Cuba in general have allowed the best artists in the world from surrealist oil paintings to wood carvings.The citys painters are particularly giftedImportant: If you buy a work of art, dont forget to buy an 8 Cuc export permit from the artist. Between beaches, mountains, monuments, hikes, Santiago de Cuba will have something to delight you for days. The interior, restored in the mid-1990s, has an air of faded grandeur and it is pleasant to have a drink on the roof terrace at sunset. Santiago de Cuba to Guantnamo Bay - 2 ways to travel via - Rome2rio Train travel in Cuba | 2023 train times, fares, tickets - The Man in 10 SANTIAGO DE CUBA ACTIVITIES YOU CANNOT MISS - Travels with Talek Cubana is currently the only airline flying non-stop from Southern America to Santiago de Cuba. In front of the cathedral, there is a plaque commemorating the visit of Paul II here during his trip to Cuba in 1998. The Parque Cspedes is dominated by its cathedral with two towers. Horse carts also run along the avenue to the cemetery for 1 Cuban peso MN. An adjacent house is filled with antiques designed to convey the French and English decorative message and architectural influences such as the radial stained glass window above the courtyard doors at the end of the 19th century. It can be very tiring after a few days to be seen only on a wallet on paste, but with a little humour it goes very well. You can also try to book a collective cab at your casa particular. Rising to the east is the Colegio Jesuita Dolores, a former Jesuit college where Fidel Castro was educatedand is now a conservatory. 18 Stunning Places to Visit in Cuba - Adventurous Kate Maquinas not operate between larger cities only, they also connect most of the smaller towns. Synthesis of the identity of the Cuban population, it became the space that Africans found to express their religious faith, their customs and to add the dominant note of the drum. Address: Avenida Garzn between Calle 1ra. During the festivities, costumed processions parade through the streets of the city to the rhythm of the conga. However the city is hilly, so get ready to pour a few drops of sweat. You will find some of the best dancers in the city and even in the country. The literal carnival fire, this celebration in early July includes a ceremony where the devil is burned to the joy of the huge crowds on the Malecn. just find the truck parked in front going in your direction. Shows for children are presented at 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in this theatre located near General Portuondo, opposite the Iglesia de Santo Toms. Free courses are offered to the Cuban people. Enjoy a Creole lunch with drink included. The early morning hours are the best time for photography. If you want to discover the real Santiago, head towards Avenida Victoria de Garzn. Antonio Maceo International Airport; Travel designer offering once-in-a-lifetime trips for discerning travelers seeking authentic experiences around the world. A tribute to one of the great musicians of Santiago de Cuba, Miguel Matamoros, begins at the end of October with dances, lectures, concerts and workshops. Below you can find a list of all cities and countries that have direct flights to Santiago de Cuba, ordered by popularity. There are roughly 86 flights arriving at Santiago de Cuba every month (or 21 flights each week), from a total of 10 airports worldwide. Cuba Travel information American Airlines Bundle and save Save money when you bundle your flight + hotel. What's the easiest way to travel around Cuba? Parque Histrico El Morrois a massive castle sitting atop the headland and dates from 1664. Plaza de Marte. Getting There and Around. It is the oldest and most famous carnival of the Caribbean. To prepare your hike, you can get information from the local agency Ecotur in Santiago de Cuba. When they are not on tour, it is possible to attend rehearsals.They present a show most Saturday nights at the Las Americas Hotel. Note that the Autopista Nacional peters out in the middle of nowhere in Sancti Spritus province. Catch the top stories of the day on ANC's 'Top Story' (4 July 2023) Vazulhas modern, air-conditioned buses that run from Santiago to Havana; trips cost 51 Cuc per person in each direction. Cuba is obsessed with model cities and Santiago, with this incredibly detailed model, is no exception.Interesting historical and architectural information is presented on illustrated wall panels and you can climb up a mezzanine gallery to get a real overview. Recommended Train Take the train from Santiago de Cuba to Cacocum Take the train from Cacocum to Guantanamo 6h 8m $1 Bus Always with the attention of a specialized guide. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Filter your deals Choose cabin class, free Wi-Fi and more. For example, the possibility to fly with a different airline or alliance, or finding a cheaper airfare. The oldest rum distillery in Cuba, the former Bacard family business, today produces Caney, Santiago and Varadero brand rums.The shop has a bar, live music and free samples.Unfortunately, there are no factory tours.Address: Av. Plaza Doloresis a delightful little plaza with wrought-iron benches beneath shade trees. The Sicilian hinterland | Visit Sicily official page Pro Tip:You can also get to the airport by taking bus 212, which leaves from Avenida de los Libertadores, in front of the Hospital de Maternidad.Bus 213 also goes to the airport from the same stop, but first visit Punta Gorda. Santiago de Cuba | Places to Visit in Santiago | Cuba Travel Other noteworthy buildings lining the square include the Teatro Jos Mara Heredia and the National Bus Station. Santiago de Cuba is located in the Oriente, in the southeast of the island. There is 1 airport in Santiago de Cuba: Antonio Maceo International Airport (SCU). Santiago de Cuba - Wikipedia Train Havana to Santiago - Cuba Forum - Tripadvisor Located in the Vista Alegre district, the Zunzun is housed in a period bourgeois house. In reality, it is doubtful that Roosevelt even rode his horse to Santiago, when the supposedly helpless Spanish garrison ten times more numerous managed to hold more than 6,000 American soldiers for 24 hours. But, your best bet is to consult Noticias de Cantiago de Cuba for the weekly cultural calendar (cartelera cultural). So, are you ready to vibrate to the rhythm of the conga? Possibility of eating very good lobster there. Cheap Flights to Santiago de Cuba - Expedia.com His driving on the trip to Trinidad was excellent and nav", "Cuba was amazing! Founded in 1514 as the second city in Cuba, the hill city fuses French-Haitian with African and Spanish influences. Cannons and impressive memorials celebrate the event. Today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it contains a piracy museum, and a live-cannon is primed and fired at sunset by soldiers in Mamb (Independence Army) uniforms. North American travelers can fly from Canada and the USA to Holgun, a scenic four-hour drive from Santiago de Cuba. Address: Av. NearbyGranjita Siboneythe farmhouse from which Fidel and his cohorts set out to attack Moncadais a museum. Created in 1868 to house the victims of the War of Independence and a simultaneous epidemic of yellow fever, Santa Ifigenia counts among its more than 8,000 tombs many great historical figures, including the mausoleum of Jos Mart and the final resting place of Fidel Castro. Right away she ", Traveled to Cuba as a couple in November, 2018, "Eiser was our guide and he was excellent in his knowledge of Cuba and his awareness of our needs. From Port-au-Prince, direct flights are offered by Sunrise Airways. Walking up and down the street is a spectacle in its own right.Take the time to stroll around, taste an ice cream, watch a game of dominoes, have a coffee in Marylin, or a local pizza, served ecologically on a piece of recycled cardboard. This grand dame looms over Parque Cspedes and at press time was being renovated by Spanish hotel group Iberostar, promising deluxe standards. Overlooking Parque Cspedes, the terrace caf of Casa Granda, must be one of the best places to watch people in Cuba. You can also visit theMuseo del Ron, asmall museum regaling the story of the production of rum. The Bacard family fled the island after the Revolution.In total, the factory produces nine million litres of rum a year, 70% of which is exported.There are currently no tours of the factory, but the Barrita de Ron Havana Club, a tourist bar attached to the factory, offers rum sales and tastings. The national bus station is 3 km northeast of the city center. Panoramic trip along the road to Baconao. If cigars are your passion, this small factory uses the traditional method to roll some of the best in the region. The top historic center spot is St Pauli for fresh, creative dishes; Rumba Caf for comfort food and refreshing drinks; and off-center El Palenquito for delicious BBQ food. For these destinations, dont bother with the ticket office. The citys main square,Parque Cspedes, is found here. He has biked all Guatemala, trekked alone across the Triglav in Slovenia, travelled through all the Amazon by boat. This magnificent restaurant in one of the oldest houses is ideally located one block away from Parc Cspedes.You can eat indoors in the large dining room, or on the balcony overlooking the Casa de la Trova.The food is typically Cuban, and the service is friendly. You like sports?Direction: Estadio Guillermn Moncada baseball stadium, home town stadium of the Santiago Orientales team. "I am very impressed with the service. Cuba's rail network runs the length of the island linking the main cities and towns and it's an interesting way to get around, especially if you want to travel with Cubans the way Cubans do, not in a tourist bus. Many of the citys most venerable buildings stand in the square, many of which were repaired and renovated in 2013-14, in part to mark the 55th anniversary of the Revolution. Nov 2022. Occasional films in English. Cubana: year-round flights from Havana (HAV). Hello, The city was plundered by French forces in 1553, and by English forces in 1603. Trucks also run between the center and the upmarket Vista Alegre district. This balcony offers a magnificent view of the port and the tiled roofs of the Tivoli district. In the 16th century it was the official residence of the first governor of the island, and founder of Santiago: Diego Velzquez. These heterogeneous cultures have gradually been assimilated into the local culture.It is therefore also this cultural mix that makes the Carnival of Santiago de Cuba a unique celebration today. Prices are a few pesos and the best time to board is early in the morning.