 Spanish
Governor Diego Velázquez founded the settlement
on July 25, 1515. The province is 2382 square miles
(610 square kilometers) in size and is bounded by the
sea and the Sierra Maestra Mountains, with include Turquino
Park, the highest point (6476 fett, or 1974 meters,
above sea level) in Cuba. The international airport
is only 15 minutes by car from the center of the city.
Santiago, Cuba’s second city, have an eclectic
range of architectural styles from colonial to art deco.
The city centre is cluttered, featuring many beautiful
pastel coloured buildings in better condition than many
of those in the capital.
During the 17th century Santiago was besieged by pirates
from France and England, leading to the construction
of the Castillo del Morro, still intact and now housing
the piracy museum. Because of its location, Santiago
has been the scene of many migratory exchanges with
other countries; it was the first city in Cuba to receive
African slaves, many French fled here from the slaves’
insurrection in Haiti in the 18th century and Jamaicans
have also migrated here from the neighbouring island.
It is known as the ‘heroic city’ (Ciudad
Héroe) or ‘capital moral de la Revolución
Cubana. A spot near its center still preserves its colonial
houses and narrow streets. Padre Rico street is outstanding
for its steep steps. Here you will also find the famous
and visited Heredia street, named after the Cuban poet
of the 19th century, ending at Céspedes park.
This park is located at the center of the city and is
surrounded by important buildings as the Cathedral,
the Museo de Ambiente Histórico Cubano (Museum
of the Cuban Historical Ambience), the Palacio de Gobierno
(Government Palace) and the house where Diego Velázquez
once lived. Others interest places are Museo 26 de Julio
(Museum of July 26), Museo de la Lucha Clandestina,
Museum Emilio Bacardí and much more.
The most popular pilgrimage site in Cuba is the Santuario
Nacional a Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre
(El Cobre Sanctuary). The site is housed in a church
with dual bell towers that stands alone a top a hill
about 15 kilometers northwest of Santiago. Its arrivalto
the island is part of a legend that started at the biginnings
of the XVII century and has changed with time. Three
humble men of the town, belonging to the three ethnics
or cultures that forged the Cuban people (White, black
and mulatto), found the image of the virgin floating
in the waters of the Nipe Bay in Santiago. They took
her to mines of El Cobre (The Cooper) where they built
a hermitage for her.Every year beautiful ¨cult and
faith¨ ceremonies take place to honor hos religious
symbol so popular in Cuba The Basílica de la
Caridad del Cobre , apart from its constructive beauty,
is famous for the great number of personal objects and
treasures that have been dedvoted to the Virgin. Among
them, there is the golden medal that Ernest Hemingway
won as Nobel Prize of Literature.
Some sights East of Santiago include the Granjita Siboney,
Valle de la Prehistoria, and the Acuario de Baconao.
The first of these, Granjita Siboney, is a famous revolutionary
hideout as the other two are sure to be hits with the
kids. Baconao Park is an impressing tourist group provided
by several facilities and natural places. Located in
the Sierra Maestra, Baconao has spectacular places,
beautiful becahes like Cazonal, Daiquirí, Siboney,
Jaraguá, Verraco, Sigua and baconao. It was declared
by UNESCO Natural Reserve of the Biosphere. Here, there
is a Valley of the Prehistoria, consisting on reproductions
of prehistoric animals made of stone in almost their
natural size that are disseminated on a wide valley
surrounded by mountains, in the same places where the
legendary animals should have lived.
The smallest park in the mountain range of the Sierra
Maestra owes its name (the Big Rock) to the presence
of several stone blocks of which the biggest is 51 meters
long by 25 meters high, which favor the temperate climate
with its high humidity. Fauna includes various endemic
species of birds. Climbing La Gran Piedra and horseback
are favored activities here. From the highest point
of the park it is possible to watch the clouds drift
among the mountains in a beautiful contrast of green
and blue.
In Cuba, when you speak of hospitafity, the peaple
of Santiago de Cuba always come to to mind. Being from
Santiago de Cuba means being attentive and joyous. Music
bursts forth in the city`s streets, and averybody invents
pretexts for celebrating. Solidarity and joy are deeply
rooted in the hearts of those who live in this Caribbean
city.
POSSIBLE HOTELS
Meliá Santiago de Cuba Hotel:*****
Excellent hotel of 302 rooms, one presidential suite,
three suites and 30 junior suites. They all include
air conditioning, private bathroom, satellite TV, telephone,
radio, minibar, and safe deposit box. Thirty-four rooms
have jacuzzi. Two restaurants, grill, two cafeterias,
five bars including a piano bar, volleyball and basketball
hard court, three swimming pools including one for children,
disco, conference hall, medical services, room service,
fax service, currency exchange, childcare service, sauna,
massage, gym, solarium, hairdresser and barbershop,
boutique, shop, car rental, taxis, and tourist information
bureau.
Hotel San Juan:** Located in the most
heavily forested area of the historic city of Santiago
de Cuba in western Cuba. Consists of pleasant cottages
surrounded by gardens and a rugged landscape, which
lends it a uniquely attractive and romantic appearance.
The hotel has 110 air-conditioned rooms with satellite
TV, telephone, radio, and safe deposit box. Fifteen
rooms also come with a minibar. Facilities include two
restaurants, cafeteria, snack bar, bars in the lobby
and on the terrace, swimming pool for children and adults,
nightclub, medical service, boutique, 24-hours-a-day
currency exchange service, room service, taxis, tourism
office, massage service, and car rental. The hotels
can also cater for weddings as well as other social
activities.
Casa Granda Hotel:**** Located in
the historical center of Santiago de Cuba facing the
Parque Céspedes park, the former Plaza de Armas
square. Most of the cultural activities of the city
are held in this area. Only seven kilometers (4.3 miles)
from “Antonio Maceo” International Airport,
this hotel has 58 air-conditioned rooms (55 double and
three suites) with private bathroom, hairdryer, minibar,
safe deposit box, telephone, and satellite TV. Specialty
restaurant, bar, cafeteria, snack bar-mirador, cafeteria-bar-terrace,
room service, multipurpose sports facilities, live music
shows, boutique, hosted entertainment, currency exchange,
laundry, tourist information bureau, old and modern
car rental, taxis, multipurpose hall, art gallery, and
airplane ticket sale.
Hotel Los Galeones:**** Located at
the top of a mountain raising 60 meters above the sea
level, on the south coast of Cuba’s eastern region.
This hotel has 32 air-conditioned standard double rooms
with satellite TV, telephone, fully equipped bathroom,
safe deposit box, and hairdryer. À la carte restaurant,
two bars, room service, game room, nighttime and daytime
hosted entertainment, gym, sauna, and massage. Water
sports are available at the Sierra Maestra hotel (transportation
service included). Operates on the “all inclusive”
plan.
Los Corales Carisol Hotel:**** Fifty
meters from the beach, close to the mountains, and surrounded
by the lush vegetation of Parque Baconao park, this
beautiful hotel offers 264 rooms, 46 of them junior
suites. They all include air conditioning, terraces
overlooking the hotel gardens, telephone, satellite
TV, safe deposit box, private bathroom with shower,
and minibar if requested. Specialty buffet restaurant,
cafeterias “Coral Parrillada” and “Beach”,
four bars, freshwater swimming pool for both adults
and children, scuba diving preparation area, hosted
entertainment, activities for children, disco, two tennis
hard courts with lighting, beach volleyball area, water
sports (windsurfing, catamaran), equestrian sports,
game room, bike rental, car rental, medical services,
fax service, currency exchange, handicraft sale, laundry,
international telephone service, shop, postal service,
and tourist information bureau.
Sierra Mar Club Resort:*** Located
on a beautiful mountain terrace on the south coast of
Cuba’s eastern region. On a four-kilometer beach,
this resort has 200 air-conditioned rooms overlooking
the sea and the gardens, with satellite TV, telephone,
radio and private bathroom. Two restaurants, lobby bar,
aqua bar, piano bar, water sports (windsurfing, kayak),
scuba diving resort courses, hard court tennis, game
rooms (table tennis, billiards), day and night hosted
entertainment, swimming pool for both adults and children,
club for children, gym, massage, sauna, tourist information
bureau, medical services, beauty parlor, fax service,
currency exchange, laundry, shop, postal service, car
and motorcycle rental, and taxis. Operates on the “all
inclusive” plan.
Bucanero Hotel:*** Operates on the
“all inclusive” plan. This hotel has 200
air-conditioned rooms with private bathroom, satellite
TV, telephone, radio, and minibar. The rooms have a
terrace or balcony overlooking the mountains or the
sea. There is a buffet restaurant and national alcoholic
beverages to enjoy. Non-motorized water sports can be
practiced. A daily program of hosted entertainment and
nighttime activities is offered.
Las Américas Hotel:*** Located
in the central avenue Las Américas, this hotel
has air-conditioned rooms with private bathroom, satellite
TV, video, telephone, and radio. Two restaurants, two
bars, disco, room service, nighttime entertainment,
swimming pool, medical services, shop, currency exchange,
parking, car rental, and taxis.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ANY OF THESE HOTELS PLEASE
CONTACT US HERE
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