Top Things to do in Santiago de Cuba Province
Top 10 Things to do in Santiago de Cuba Province, Santiago de Cuba Province
Discover the best top things to do in Santiago de Cuba Province, Cuba including La Isabelica Museum, Diego Velazquez Museum, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca, Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, La Gran Piedra (The Big Rock), Sierra Maestra, Cespedes Park, Revolution Plaza (Plaza De La Revolucion), Moncada Barracks.
Restaurants in Santiago de Cuba Province
1. La Isabelica Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By 333willg - New Orleans, United States
The Drive up into the Sierra Maestra alone is worth it. You can feel the temperature drop 10-15 as you climb up the mountain. From there you can have a view of the distance ocean. The museum is a unique surviving record of the French survivors' of the Haitian Revolution coming to Spanish Cuba.
2. Diego Velazquez Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 297 reviews
Reviewed By 227ianc - London, United Kingdom
The museum is in fact two houses joined together. At the front is the oldest house in Santiago de Cuba - some say in Cuba itself, constructed from 1516 to 1530 for the governor Diego Velazquez, with historic Mudejar-style interiors; it is then connected to a later house at the rear to create a substantial museum which displays Cuban furniture and decorative arts from the 16th century onwards, in rooms which have been sensitively restored. Definitely worth visiting both for the architecture and for the collections on display. There is also a furnace previously used to make gold ingots. from a time when the building was used as a 'House of Transactions'. The assistants are helpful in explaining things, though generally in Spanish.
3. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 284 reviews
Reviewed By Betula103 - Australia, null
Originally constructed in 1526 the cathedral has been destroyed by earthquake on four occasions, the last occasion being in 1932. It is architecturally imposing with two marble statues in the front and is also quite beautiful inside.
4. Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,038 reviews
Reviewed By Vallero - Deep River, Canada
An impressive fortress built to protect the entrance to the Santiago harbour that has been restored to its original splendour. Beyond a doubt it is a must see location when visiting the city.
5. Santa Ifigenia Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 735 reviews
This cementery houses tombs for such historic notables as José Marti and Emilio Bacardi including graves from those who fought for revolution.
Reviewed By 515acej - Chicago, United States
Both Cuban heroes are buried here. Fidel’s ashes are buried inside a large rock. Every 30 minutes there is a changing of the guard ceremony well worth watching. This is a quiet landscaped cemetery with much Cuban history.
6. La Gran Piedra (The Big Rock)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 372 reviews
Reviewed By Vallero - Deep River, Canada
The view from the top of La Gran Piedra is amazing, but more interesting is how the climate changes from tropical to pine forests as you ascend the mountain. All in all it is a beautiful location. In addition to the mountain itself there is a restored 18th century coffee plantation to visit and a spectacular botanical garden nearby. There are more than than 400 stairs from the parking area to the top of the rock. It is not a mountain climb but be prepared for a bit of exercise.
7. Sierra Maestra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By LindaA104 - Winnipeg, Canada
Anyone interested in Cuban history (and who is physically fit) should visit the Comandancia, nestled in the Sierra Maestra. Getting to La Plata presents its own challenge. This is not a well travelled area (for now) although excursions by some tour companies, via Santiago or Bayamo, are offered, as well as from the tour office in Santo Domingo. The steep roads from Santo Domingo to Parque Pico Turquino necessitate off-road vehicles, requiring pre-arrangement. There are restrictions on hours of access because of the length of the trek – arrival at Alto de Naranjo before 10:00am is crucial. Competent guides lead you through the 3km trek, with a mid-stop for orientation (and bathroom breaks) – ours, George, was a life saver. Bring water, snacks if needed, and repellant. It’s important to know your limitations here. In my group of 17 travellers of 30-to some really buff 70-year-olds, we were all challenged by the ungroomed trails. Wear reliable hiking boots or walking shoes because the terrain is gruesome: mud, clay, small rocks, huge boulders, no railings but frequent sheer drops on the side. (The air was tainted by many of my curses by the time we’d finished!) Now for the rewards. It’s hard not to be impressed by the amount of fortitude required by Castro’s rebels to exist for a few years in this difficult habitat, or by the clever strategies used to remain hidden from Batista’s forces (such as keeping buildings spread apart, and even the growing of beards to identify infiltrators). A small wooden museum shows artifacts and displays about the rebels’ campaign, but elsewhere building reproductions are amazingly primitive, including the hospital. A read of some of Ché Guevara’s diaries provide a lot of insight into living conditions during this time. As if this isn’t enough, there is also lots to see in this area besides the Comandancia. Wonderful flora and fauna abound everywhere, ..a Cuban Trogan, the national bird, perched in a tree near Fidel’s cabin while I was there – does it get more perfect than that?
8. Cespedes Park
9. Revolution Plaza (Plaza De La Revolucion)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 476 reviews
Reviewed By fredyt3 - Los Angeles, United States
If you are anywhere close to Santiago de Cuba this is a must see. It is very easy to get to and offers a great view featuring a huge statue of "the Bronze Titan" Antonio Maceo with the Sierra Maestra mountain range as a backdrop. From the plaza you can see many nationalistic signs and in my opinion, that is to be expected but it is worth recognizing because Santiago plays such an important part of Cuban history. You can walk the plaza as it is the type of venue where many people are coming/going.
10. Moncada Barracks
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 450 reviews
Reviewed By robbiefaulds
The failed attack on the Moncada barracks is considered the starting point of the revolution and as such is a must-see. Whilst half of the barracks main fortress is now a school (the whole military complex in the area has been turned over to better uses - medical facilities, education etc.) the museum section is still sizeable and covers a great deal of revolutionary history. As well as the usual military hardware, you can explore the causes of the revolution, full details of the attack (and aftermath) and the stories of those involved. If you have any interest in the Cuban revolution then a visit to the barracks is a must. Like all museums in Cuba it only costs one or two CUC to enter, plus five CUC for photos.
