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Buena Vista SantiagoSantiago de Cuba is Cuba's second capital and the exotic birthplace of the Cuban rumba, son, conga and salsa. If you fly into Holguin, it'll only take you a 4-hour drive to begin your Santiago trip.The city has a vivacious city centre filled with the traditional music houses known as Trovas. The world famous Cuban band, the Buena Vista Social Club, still gives impromptu performances in the city from time to time. Every night of the week Cuban bands play original son music in any given bar in the city. If you're interested we can arrange dance lessons for you from a local. As you can probably imagine, if you want to fully experience the joie de vivre this city has to offer... you should spend the night in the centre of Santiago. That's why we always book city hotels whenever possible on this part of your Cuba travel plan. If you would like to see where you could go next after your Santiago trip, have a look at our bite-sized Cuba trips or longer suggested Cuban holidays. |
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Duration |
3 days - 2 nights, daily |
Accommodation |
Double occupancy room with shower and toilet in city hotel in the city centre |
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Price |
Please see our Contact Us page for more details |
Includes |
Accommodation for 2 nights with breakfast |
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Transport |
Rental car or public bus |
Excludes |
Transport, other meals, excursions and entrance fees |
Day 1: Arrival in Santiago de CubaSantiago, Cuba's second capital, doesn't have its own international airport. The nearest airport is located in Holguin which is about 4-hours away by car. Most travellers however choose to start their Cuba tour on the other side in either Havana or Varadero and then they begin their Santiago trip by way of Camaguey.Our hotel in Santiago is located near a popular square in the historic city centre. Each hotel room has a television, a telephone and air conditioning. When entering the hotel, one of the first things you'll notice is the fascinating mosaic painted on the hotel's entrance walls. If you want to get into the Cuban swing of things, there are plenty of bars nearby where you can enjoy live Cuban music. If you plan on spending a weekend here on your Santiago trip, don't miss a visit to Casa de la Trova, where the latest and greatest bands come to perform. Any tourist who tries to dance to the Cuban beat can expect at least a few appreciative glances from the locals. |
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Day 2: SantiagoThere are no planned activities today on your Santiago trip- just in case you need to sleep in this morning after a fun, late night at a local bodega. After you've had a nice, relaxing morning you can head into the city on your own. There are several museums near your hotel as well as the Moncada barracks where Castro led his guerrilla fighters in an ill-fated attack against General Batista in 1953 and was captured.There are also a number of other interesting attractions just outside of the city you can visit on your Cuban holiday. The Ifigenia cemetery (entrance fee 5 CUC), where national hero José Marti, Cuba's first president and 'Mister Bacardi' are buried, is only a 15-minute drive from the city. On the other side of the city you'll find the Santiago Bay. You can take a ferry to Isla Granma or visit Morro Castle (entrance fee 5 CUC), a Spanish defensive fortress built high up on the rocks. You can either drive over in your rental car or you can get a taxi cab to take you there for about 30 CUC. |
| Park - or let someone drop you off - at San Juan Hill. The United States once tried to banish the Spaniards from Cuba to increase their own influence and grip on the country. San Juan Hill is the site of one of the bloodiest battles between the Spaniards and the Americans. One of the American officers, Theodor Roosevelt, returned home to the US a hero after winning the battle and even went on to become a United States president. Only a short stroll away from San Juan Hill lies the restaurant Zumzum; great food and affordable prices make this a great place to have lunch. On the way here you'll pass by an Afro-Cuban house, where you'll see how Caribbean and African influences are very much a part of the local way of life on your Santiago trip. After you're finished walking, eating and sightseeing you can return to your hotel for an evening of fun and entertainment. |
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Tip: Visit Santiago de Cuba in July for Cuba's most exuberant carnival celebration. Just let us know if you plan to travel to Cuba in July and we'll let you know when the carnival will take place. If you happen to plan your Santiago trip during carnival, you may want to add an additional night to your stay, as it is sure to be a highlight of your Cuban holiday.
Even if you're not an avid dancer, we recommend taking a salsa class on your Santiago trip. It's great fun and you'll learn from the best! If you're interested your Cuba travel specialist can arrange for you to receive a salsa lesson from a dance instructor from Santiago. Just let us know on the quote request form. After sweating to the beat of the salsa, head to one of the local bars for a tasty Cuba libre, daiquiri or mojito to reward yourself for your efforts.
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Day 3: Departure from Santiago de CubaYour Santiago trip ends after breakfast at your hotel.After this module you can travel from Santiago to the tropical Baracoa beaches of Cuba or visit Playa Pesquero Cuba if you want to end your trip with a beach getaway near Holguin airport. If your trip starts out in eastern Cuba and you would like to travel towards Havana why not try our Cuba walking tour to hike around the Sierra Maestra mountains, or do a traditional Cuba tour in Camaguey, central Cuba. |
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A sneak peek at your Santiago trip accommodation... (Click to enlarge)
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