The province of Holguín is limited in the north by the Atlantic Ocean, in the south by the province of Santiago de Cuba, in the southeast and east by Guantánamo, in the northeast by Granma and in the west by las Tunas. It has 14 municipalities, being Holguín the capital of the province, known as “the city of the parks”.

Near one of its municipalities, Gibara, by the Puerto de Bariay, landed for the first time in Cuba, on the 27th of October of 1492, the Admiral Christopher Colombus, to initiate the process of conquest and colonization of these territories. Nowadays, in this place there is a plaque that points out this happening. Another of its villages, Banes, has the most specialized museum of the country related to our aboriginal cultures, where interesting samples of rustic skulls, working instruments, ornamental objects, necklaces and idols, carefully carved, are shown. Its most important piece of art is the “Ídolo de Oro” (the Gold Idol), 10 carats pure gold earring.

Among its tourist resorts and of historical interest, there is el Mirador de Mayabe, motel located at the top of a hill, from where you can have beautiful views; Calixto García´s birthplace, which exhibits personal objects and documents related to this outstanding mambí leader; la Loma de la Cruz, wonderful mirador from where you can have a view of the whole city, climbing a stair with 450 steps; Calixto García park, ancient Plaza de Armas and center of the villa; and San José park, which holds the Estatua del Ángel, dedicated to the patriots shot in Holguín during the wars of independence. We could also mention other historical places; such as, Calixto García Plaza (Calixto García Square), la Iglesia San José (San José Church), la Catedral de San Isidro (San Isidro Cathedral), among others. The road that takes you to Pinares de Mayarí constitutes an interesting tourist road for the beauty of the view that can be admired from its numerous miradores.

In relation with its natural resources, the province of Holguín has extensive plain areas and hilly zones, beautiful natural landscapes and the Nipe bay, the biggest and deepest of the country. In the north it has beautiful natural resources, among them, several caves, narrow passes and beautiful beaches as Guardalavaca and Playa Blanca. La Silla de Gibara (The Chair of Gibara), located in this group, is a very peculiar elevation because it resembles a saddle of gigantic proportions. The highest elevation of the province is Pico Cristal, located in the sierra of the same name.

Guardalavaca Beach, with its coralline barrier hotels, restaurants, discos, international Clinic of Medical Services and a Marina for water sports, is a great touristic destination. Here visitors can fish, dive and enjoy the so many attractions that offer this wonderful spa.

POSSIBLE HOTELS

Club Río de Luna Hotel :**** A beachside hotel, this resort has 222 rooms and eight suites. All rooms have private bath, minibar, radio, TV and telephone. The suites have a jacuzzi as well. The hotel has two restaurants, buffet, snack bar, pizzeria, four bars, a nightclub, two swimming pools, tennis court, gym, shop and other services. See Note above for additional services. The hotel operates on the “all inclusive” plan.

Río de Mares Hotel :**** This hotel has 242 air-conditioned rooms (232 standard double rooms and 10 suites) with private bathroom, terrace or balcony, international telephone service, radio, satellite TV, and closed-circuit hotel channel. Safe deposit box, laundry, and minibar. À la carte restaurant-bar “La Niña” specializing in seafood, buffet “Colón” with Cuban Creole and international cuisine, and snack bar-cafeteria “Carabela” specializing in Italian and international cuisine. Three bars, freshwater swimming pool for both adults and children, disco, day and night hosted entertainment, dance classes, live music and disco dancing, professional shows, childcare service upon request, recreation hall, hard court tennis, sports area for beach volleyball, gym, sauna, massage, motorcycle rental, horseback riding, boutique, souvenir and book shop, minimarket, hairdresser, currency exchange, parking, taxis, postal service, fax service and photocopying service, tourist information bureau, conference hall, medical services, water sports (windsurfing, catamaran, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving, water skiing), and sport fishing.

Meliá Río de Oro Hotel:***** Built on the coastline in 1998, five kilometers (3.1 miles) from Guardalavaca and 72 kilometers (44.7 miles) from Holguín airport, this hotel has 292 air-conditioned junior suites with two queen-size beds or one king-size bed, telephone service, safe deposit box, fully-equipped bathroom, living room, remote control satellite TV, on-line music, and balcony or terrace. It also has six 90 square meter suites with king-size bed, living room, wide terrace, two fully equipped bathrooms (one with jacuzzi). Two 370 square meter Garden Village with king-size bed, living room, toilet articles, and fully-equipped bathroom with jacuzzi, swimming pool and private sauna, and lookout platform with breakfast service in the garden. Catering and facilities for the physically disabled are offered. Buffet restaurant, snack bar, two bar-restaurants in the beach, 24-hours-a-day lobby bar, hut, fun pub, karaoke, nighttime hosted entertainment and live music, beach bar, a large swimming pool for both adults and children, currency exchange, childcare service, club for children and miniclub, conference and formal dining rooms, hairdresser, boutique, souvenir and book shop, gym, fitness center with massage, sauna, jacuzzi and acupuncture, parking, medical services, three tennis hard courts, game room with billiards and table tennis, water sports (windsurfing, sailing, water skiing, sport fishing, aquatic bikes), multipurpose sports track, beach volleyball hard court, horseback riding, and bike and motorcycle rental. It is also possible to practice troll fishing in Marina Gaviota. “Sea Lovers” Diving School offers resort and advanced certified courses. Special programs are offered for weddings, honeymoon trips and incentive trips.

Hacienda Cayo Saetía:**** Located on the north coast of Holguín province, at the entrance of the Bay of Nipe the grounds of this hacienda cover 42 square kilometers. The cabins have double rooms with air conditioning, international telephone service via operator, TV, refrigerator, and radio. Restaurant “Villa Vigía” specializing in international cuisine and typical local food, bar, cafeteria, shop, hosted entertainment, ecological tourism activities, horseback riding, swimming with dolphins, safari jeep rental, parking, and room service. Car rental, tourist information bureau and facilities for practicing water sports are offered in the area.

Hotel Las Brisas and Bungalows:**** Located along the shore one kilometer (0.62 miles) from the main area of Guardalavaca beach, this hotel has air-conditioned rooms with telephone, satellite TV and closed-circuit hotel channel, radio, private bathroom with tub, safe deposit box, and terraces overlooking the sea. Rooms can be easily accessed by the physically disabled. The suites all have a minibar. Buffet “La Turquesa”, restaurant “La Trattoria” specializing in Italian cuisine, grill “Islas Mujeres”, bars “El Tejado”, “El Capuchino”, and “Islas Mujeres”, freshwater swimming pool for both adults and children, hosted entertainment, activities for children, disco, hard court tennis and volleyball, water sports (windsurfing, catamaran, scuba diving), game room, bike rental, car rental, medical services, unisex beauty parlor, fax service, currency exchange, laundry, international telephone service, shop, postal service, conference room for clients, and tourist information bureau. Operates on the “all inclusive” plan.

Atlantic Bungalows:*** Located on Guardalavaca beach a few meters from the sea and close to several hotels and villas, this property is 62 kilometers (38.5 miles) from the local airport. The hotel has 233 rooms and one suite - all overlooking the sea and the gardens. They all include air conditioning, satellite TV and closed-circuit hotel channel, radio, safe deposit box, and bathroom with shower. Buffet specializing in international cuisine, à la carte restaurant specializing in seafood, cafeteria, lobby bar, swimming pool “Acuabar”, tourist information bureau, freshwater swimming pool for both adults and children, scuba diving preparation area, hosted entertainment, water sports, game room, billiards, gym, bike rental, car rental, medical services, fax service, safe deposit boxes, currency exchange, laundry, international telephone service, shop, room service, postal service, and facilities for lodging for the physically disabled.

Hotel Pernik:*** Located in the central area of the City of Holguín where many social and cultural activities take place. The hotel has 202 air-conditioned rooms with private bathroom, terrace, international telephone service, radio, satellite TV, and video. À la carte restaurant “Sofía” specializing in international cuisine, grill “Pernik”, snack bar, cafeteria, disco, game hard courts, swimming pool, game room, conference halls, postal service, medical services, currency exchange, safe deposit box, art gallery, parking, and car rental.

Villa Pinares de Mayarí:*** This villa is 26 kilometers (16.1 miles) from Holguín and is surrounded by lush vegetation. The rooms have air conditioning, private bathroom, telephone, TV, and minibar. À la carte restaurant, bar, medical services, shop, parking, currency exchange, hard court tennis, and facilities for practicing equestrian sports.

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