Tourist Attractions & Monuments Cuba

Wonder among wonders, the Nicho is one of the main jewels of the Escambray Valley. Little frequented by tourists who prefer to visit the valley from the south side, the site is most often immersed in a tranquility conducive to delight. Three waterfalls form magnificent natural pools that invite you to swim and enjoy the clarity and softness of the water. At the top of the hill, the view over the valley is breathtaking. A small corner of paradise 46 km east of Cienfuegos (vehicle required).

The Plaza de Armas, formerly the Plaza de la Iglesia (Church Square), houses the city's first parish church. In addition to being a religious symbol, it is also the site of political and military institutions. After the demolition of the church in 1776, the square took on its current dimensions. In the 19th century, the captain general gave grandiose parties there, and the nobility rode in carriages. From restoration to restoration, the square has recovered its 1841 appearance: only the statue of Ferdinand VII has been replaced by that of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes.

Integrated in the Natural Park Punta Hicacos, the Delfinario (Delphinarium) of Varadaro is a well-known tourist activity of the region, and this since 1984. Here you can see daily shows of dolphins (a dozen in all) performing all kinds of antics. The space consists of a large pool surrounded by lush vegetation. You will also have the opportunity to swim for 15 minutes with the dolphins. An activity that will delight the little ones. Rest assured, the dolphins are very well treated.

Also called Parque Céspedes, but better known as Parque Central, it is the privileged meeting place of the inhabitants who walk there or settle on the benches quietly evoking the subjects of the day in the shade of the trees strategically planted. A booth sometimes hosts rehearsal of musical groups. Just a few steps away from the Etecsa telephone center for those who don't have smartphones.

Inaugurated in 1890 on Verdi's Airs's airs, the voice of tenor Caruso will also resonate in the enclosure. Declared a national monument - it's one of the three major provincial theatres - it bears the name of a great music connoisseur in the region. Admire the beautiful circular fresco decorating the ceiling and symbolising the Seven Muses. The sites are still home to the most prestigious shows in the region. A café with the same name is beside it. Often very lively, it is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a. m. to 2 p. m. with shows in the evening from 22 p. m.

With its 70 m depth, this fresh water hole gives direct access to the deepest cave in Cuba. This geological wonder is the result of plate tectonics. It communicates with the sea through a maze of underwater caves. Bring your masks and snorkels to explore the clear waters and greet the many fish that call this place home. Once the swimming session is over, two options: a hammock break in the middle of the tropical vegetation or a second underwater session at the beach located 200 meters away.

Built in 1918 according to the canons of the Art Nouveau style, the Palacio Ferrer is an emblematic building of the main square of Cienfuegos. Today it houses the House of Culture (Museum of Arts), with its more or less open tower and spiral staircase. The famous tenor Enrico Caruso stayed there during his stay in the city. Numerous thematic exhibition rooms. Superb view of the city and its bay from the mirador.

It is the second square of the city. Its origins date back to the second half of the 16th century. It owes its name to the church and convent of St. Francis of Assisi, built at the end of that same century. Situated in front of the harbor docks, the square is an important commercial center. The crews of the royal fleet would refuel here, drop off their goods and spend some time here before continuing their journey. The facades have been freshly restored.

The Plaza de la Catedral is one of the most beautiful squares in the city, the most famous anyway. The most harmonious too. It is considered the best preserved colonial architectural complex in Latin America. The pavement is arranged in such a way as to form a cross in the center (you would have to be at a high altitude to see this clearly). Unlike the most famous squares in Europe, this one was designed on a modest, human scale. Musicians often perform in the café to the left of the cathedral. A plaque recalls the visit of Pope John Paul II to Havana in January 1998. The first documents, at the end of the 16th century, mention the square as Plaza de la Ciénaga (Marsh Square), because of the waters that, in the rainy season, turned it into a pond. In 1592, a fresh water tank was built in the Callejón del Chorro (Water Fountain Alley) to supply ships. The marsh was drained in the 17th century, and at the beginning of the 18th century the construction of some of the buildings that we see there today began. At the end of the 18th century, the former Jesuit church was consecrated as a cathedral, and the square took on its present name. In addition to the Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Habana, other notable buildings frame the square: the Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras, the Palacio del Conde de Lombillo, the Palacio del Marqués de Arcos, the Palacio de los Condes de Casa Bayona and the Wifredo Lam Contemporary Art Center.

Founded in 1845, it is one of the oldest factories in the capital, where production has never been interrupted. Unfortunately, the premises that you will have the opportunity to visit are not the historical premises of the factory. The space is currently being renovated to become the Tobacco Museum (Calle Industria, 520), and if you go to the new, more modern site, you may not have the historical setting, but the spectacle of cigar making remains unchanged, and has for over a century and a half (the factory was founded in 1845). You'll find that the 700 employees listen to a 45-minute political speech every morning, and then have newspaper articles and chapters of a novel read to them in the afternoon. The reading to the workers dates back to the end of the 19th century, and titles of successful novels have become names of famous cigar brands, such as Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas) or Romeo y Julieta (Shakespeare). Beyond the anecdote, one will be amazed by the manual agility of the tobacco workers. Each position has its own speciality, and the work chain is well oiled! The fundamental and most impressive step in the making of a puro is the process of selecting the leaves, rolling them and cutting them. Experienced torcedores, doing this work at an insane speed, manage to roll between 120 and 150 havanas a day. Great art!

Easy access walk despite the relatively steep slopes. Immersion with happiness in the very rich flora (orchids, tree ferns, pines, eucalyptus). Perhaps you will cross the tocororo, the national bird, with its red, white and blue feathers. Once you arrive, admire the waterfall that flows for 60 meters along the rock face. It is also possible to take a swim in the natural pool beforehand. Don't forget to buy your ticket at the reception hall located 20 minutes walk upstream from the beginning of the course, under penalty of a fine!

The birth of the Parque Central dates back to the 19th century, when it was part of the great extra-muros Paseo. Located on the border between Old Havana and the Centro Habana neighborhood, it reached its current dimensions - about 1,000 square meters - after the wall was torn down in 1877. Its current appearance dates back to 1927, when it was completely remodeled, especially due to the construction of the Capitol. Today, the Central Park is part of an interesting urban complex that includes buildings of great historical and artistic value. In the center stands the statue of José Martí. Designed by Cuban sculptor José Vilalta de Saavedra, it weighs 36 tons and is 10 meters high. The 28 palms evoke the date of birth of José Martí (January 28, 1853). This white marble monument, the first one dedicated to Cuba's national hero, was inaugurated by General Máximo Gómez, Martí's comrade in struggle, on February 24, 1905, on the tenth anniversary of the beginning of the last war of independence. Nowadays, as in the past, the park is a place of meetings, often noisy and agitated: this is where baseball fans, of which there are many, meet and defend their opinions, often with such ardor that you'll probably get the impression that they're arguing... Families also come to mingle with the park's population to enjoy an ice cream while taking in the fresh air at dusk. An iconic square.

Long under renovation, this museum reopened in March 2011 and the inauguration ceremony took place in the presence of Princess Napoleon herself, as the museum is largely dedicated to Napoleon. The history of the museum is linked to that of Julio Lobo, a Cuban billionaire nicknamed the Sugar Czar, who lived in a residence in Vedado, now the headquarters of the Ministry of Culture. A great admirer of Napoleon, he was not afraid to claim that he was his reincarnation... His passion for the Emperor led him to buy objects from all over the world that belonged to him or were related to his time. You will see a death mask of the Emperor made by Dr. Antommarchi, who ended his days in the island of Cuba. After the revolution, in 1960, Julio Lobo preferred to leave Cuba. The government decided to exhibit his collection in the former residence of Ferrara, a minister under the Machado regime, and the museum was opened to the public on December 2, 1961.

Architecturally, the residence was inspired by a Florentine Renaissance palace (Medicci Ricardi). In addition to the attractiveness of the exhibits, the museum enjoys a breathtaking view of the entire city. On the first floor, linger over the ancient engravings dating from the time of the French Revolution and Napoleon. The first and second floors contain an office, a bedroom, a dining room, a living room, all furnished with period furniture. Finally, the top floor is occupied by a library, containing all the great classics of universal literature.

The mogotes did not arise from nowhere, the cave of Santo Tomás is there to recall it. It is indeed the country's largest natural underground network. His caves and hoses span almost 45 km. Much more interesting than the Cueva del Indio, since everything remained in the natural state. Attention: the climb and descent are quite sporting because of a steep slope. Make good shoes and forget tongues.

It is possible to visit the palace-restaurant of the Hotel Jagua. A real jewel of the 19th century, it alternates and combines Byzantine, Moorish, Venetian, Gothic and Baroque styles... In short, the architect had a lot of fun.

Good plan for an aperitif. Recently restored, this small palace is the ideal place to have a drink at the end of the day. The beautiful terrace, also renovated, has a refreshment bar, and above all, it offers a superb view of the bay. For a little more atmosphere, live bands play at the end of the day and in the evening.

The Havana Club Foundation, located in the heart of Habana Vieja, offers through its museum an encounter with the history of Cuban rum from its origins. The lively museum reconstructs the life of a rum factory, from its most traditional origins: planting, harvesting, manufacturing process. Through a model, the spectator is transported to the middle of a plantation for a few moments! Tasting of old rum offered to close the visit!

The Castillo owes its name to a altarpiece of the adoration of the three kings who were once in his chapel (since disappeared), as well as to his situation on a hill (el morro), on a rocky reef giving directly to the sea. The castle of the Morro became one of Havana's symbols, due to its architecture and the presence of the lighthouse just at the entrance to the bay. It is the most powerful defensive complex that Spaniards have built in America. Since Havana was not slow to become the rallying port of the galleons loaded with gold and money from the New World, it needed to defend attacks on the privateers, pirates and other écumeurs of the seas, but also enemy nations of Spain (England in particular). The protection provided by the Castillo de la Real Fuerza (Royal Force Castle) was found to be insufficient, with Philippe II giving the city another defensive work, entrusted to the Italian architect Juan Bautista Antonelli. The fortress of the Morro, supposedly a replica of a fortress of Lisbon, began in 1589 and completed in 1630. Very damaged during the conquest of the city by the English in 1762, it was rebuilt in 1763. From 1764, his tower served as a lighthouse. It was at that time that the Morro was assisted in his defence mission on the east shore of the bay by a new nearby fortress (La Cabaña), whose first stone was laid in 1763.

Founded on June 7, 1983, this very good museum traces the history of the carnival in Santiago de Cuba, considered the most prestigious of the island. There are many musical instruments, photographs, costumes and floats. Every day at 4 pm, the group 19 de Septiembre performs typical dances, such as the tumba francesa or the rumba. The performance, which lasts about 45 minutes, takes place in the patio of the museum. The price of the show is included in the entrance ticket, but if you want to take pictures, it is 5 € per person.

The museum is organized around three eras:

Colonial Era. Originally a religious festival dedicated to Santiago Apostol, patron saint of the city, Carnival became a pagan festival in the 16th century, with the participation of slaves and the creation of cabildos and the tumba francesa. The Spanish power used it to curb revolts or the escape of slaves.

The mercantilist or neocolonial republic. The carnival served as an advertising medium for companies (Bacardi, Hatuey beer...) and politicians who subsidized it. In exchange, the dancers and musicians agree to march, covered with the slogans of the moment.

The triumph of the revolution. Fidel and his men attacked the Moncada military barracks on July 26, in the middle of Carnival. After the victory of the revolution, new slogans praising the power in place appear. A certain return to tradition is also observed. The carnival takes place the last week of July!

Built in 1713, the Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad was destroyed several times. It was rebuilt in the 19th century, with the final inauguration in 1892, and is a mixture of neoclassical and Greek styles. If the exterior of the church is remarkable, linger inside as well: the precious wooden Christ, which was originally destined for the city of Vera Cruz in Mexico, is impressive. Note also the beautiful ornate altar.

Located in the former convent of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, the museum recounts the fighting in the 1960s between the national revolutionary militia and the enemies of the revolution, who operated in the mountainous areas of the Escambray (the main theater of counter-revolutionary resistance). Photos and testimonies maintain the myth of the barbudos. On display are a marine launch and part of the U2 (U.S. spy plane) shot down by the Cuban army in 1962.

The Castillo del Morro (also called Fortaleza de San Pedro de la Roca) is the city's oldest fortress, completed in 1643, and was originally intended to defend Santiago and its bay from the English, Dutch and French pirates who plundered the entire Caribbean. Extremely well restored and perched on a hill overlooking the entrance to the bay, this defensive complex built according to the plans of the architect Antonelli, already at the origin of the Castillo del Morro in Havana, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Once there, enjoy the superb panorama. Visit also the museum focused on piracy and the naval battle that opposed, in 1898, the Spanish and American navies. Note that Theodore Roosevelt, lieutenant colonel of the first regiment of cavalry volunteers and future president of the United States (1901-1909), took part in the assault on San Juan Hill.

Every day at 5:30 p.m., or 6:30 p.m. in summer, the cannon is fired to celebrate the surrender of Spain. Finally, it is possible to have a drink or a meal on the terrace of the bar-restaurant San Pedro del Mar, near the fort. Beautiful sunsets in perspective. When you leave the castle, don't hesitate to take the road that goes down on your left to follow the coast. When you reach the sea level, the small but fantastic Playa Estrella comes into view. A visit that will give satisfaction to the lovers of pirate stories!

Las Salinas de Brito is the name of a nature reserve of more than 70,000 hectares nestled in the heart of a lagoon. Here, migratory birds and multicolored fish are the main actors of a wonderful ecosystem. If you are a fishing enthusiast, we can only recommend a visit here! You will appreciate the impressive number of bonefish, jacks and barracudas. On their side, birdwatchers will be happy to observe pink flamingos, herons, ibises and other anatidae of all kinds, provided they come early in the morning.

Parque Marti is the main square of the historic center of the city. It houses the churches of the Parroquia Mayor (16th century foundations) and Nuestra Señora del Buen Viaje (1852). The former was restored with funds from the Faya-Bonet family after the 1939 earthquake. Note the beautifully crafted altar inlaid with gold leaf, as well as the Moorish-style ceiling and the elaborate mahogany vault. This is where it all happens in Remedios. This is where you eat, have your coffee, participate (or not) in public life!

The church is in ruins, but the place has preserved real authenticity.

The name San Carlos de la Cabaña was given to it in honor of King Charles III of Spain, who ordered its construction on the hill known as La Cabaña, after having exchanged Florida for Cuba with the English. The work, begun in 1763, was carried out with great speed and was completed in 1774. The fortress is 700 meters long and occupies 10 hectares. It is said that the king was moved by it... "Give me a telescope," he is said to have ordered one day, "so that I can appreciate from Madrid this grandiose work La Cabaña is a huge balcony built on the hillside from which you can see, on one side, the city and the channel of the bay and, on the other, the sea. In 1859, 120 cannons, bronze shells and a garrison of 1,300 men, which could be reinforced up to 6,000, ensured a very dissuasive defense since it was never attacked. In the absence of feats of arms, it was therefore responsible for taking on the dirty work: it was used as a prison, and many patriots were shot there during the wars of independence. Then, under the tyrannies of Machado and Batista, it was the setting for many political crimes. In 1959, it was occupied by Che and his guerrillas. After being restored, it was opened to the public in 1986.

Ideal point of view on Havana. From the ramparts, the fortress offers a very beautiful view of Havana. It can be observed in its alignment from east to west with first La Habana Vieja, then Centro Habana, then Vedado and finally Miramar.

In 1556, King Philip II commissioned the architect Bartolomé Sánchez to build a fortress in the most appropriate place to defend the entrance to the port. Work began in 1558 and was completed in 1577. Until 1762, the fortress served as a residence for the captains general, before being occupied by the army. From 1899 to 1906, it housed the city's archives. It was again transformed into a barracks until 1938, when it temporarily returned to its archival vocation. Once restored, it became a national museum in 1977, for the celebration of its 400th anniversary!

The Castillo de la Real Fuerza is formed by a perfect square of a little more than 30 meters on each side, with a small patio in its center, in accordance with the canons of the Renaissance: everything here is regularity, order and geometric perfection. The castle is surrounded by a moat, and you enter through a wooden drawbridge... On the right as you enter, several bronze cannons from the foundries of Seville stand guard, similar in every way to those on the lawn of the Castillo del Morro in Santiago de Cuba.

Also worth seeing is the original Giraldilla, which since 2011 has been in the entrance hall near the ticket office. Today the fort also exhibits ceramics by the most important contemporary artists. There is a permanent collection of Cuban paintings: Rodríguez de la Cruz, Amelia Pelaez, Wifredo Lam, René Portocarrero, Mariano Rodríguez.

Built by order of Governor Hernando de Soto, this lookout - which is known here as the mirador or the balcón de Velazquez - offers a superb view of the bay, the city's rooftops and the surrounding mountains. In the past, the mirador was part of a larger defensive complex. If you're lucky, you'll find yourself in the middle of a tango or bolero recital as you pass by. A perfect place to relax during a walk in the city.

For less than a year, you can come and admire the detailed model of the city. A good entry on Camagüey. 

If you are not very interested in diving but have been dragged to María La Gorda by friends who are fans of it, you can still enjoy the beach while they are on their excursion. Be aware, however, that there are a lot of rocks along the beach near the hotel and the restaurant... You will have to walk about 15 minutes along the water to reach the sandy beach. Once past the diving center and after taking the stairs, you will be alone in the world, with coconut trees as your only companions!

Good news, the museum, which has been under restoration for a long time, has finally reopened! The city could not fail to honor the memory of one of its most famous natives. A museum was opened in 1973 in the house where Ignacio Agramonte (1841-1873) was born. The latter, a leader of the independence movement in the region, fought 45 battles before being shot in 1873, at the age of 32, by Spanish troops, who in reprisal burned his body.

This basilica, built in 1927 in the heart of a valley surrounded by copper mines(cobre), is in a way the counterpart of our national Lourdes in Cuba. The crowd of street vendors selling statuettes and rosaries with the image of the Virgin underlines the importance of the phenomenon. Pilgrims flock to honor the Virgin, according to the Christian rite, or the goddess of love Oshún, for the followers of the santería. A simple glance at the ex-voto room is enough to give the measure of the fervor that surrounds the patron saint of Cuba. On September 8, the day of the fiesta of the Caridad del Cobre, pilgrims from Santiago and the surrounding area leave on foot, early in the morning, to reach the place. Some climb the steps on their knees. The believers put their vows to the Virgin in transparent urns at the altar and they are usually filled to the brim. Newlyweds and their families also regularly come to the Basilica to place a bouquet of flowers in the good graces of Our Lady.

Ernest Hemingway, who lived in Havana for twenty years, even offered his Nobel Prize to the Virgin of Santiago and this official declaration can be seen under glass on a wall, not far from the altar. Pope John Paul II visited in 1998. More recently, Pope Francis came to celebrate a mass in this basilica during his official visit in September 2015.

To know everything about the rum making process, which started in Santiago in 1862 under the impulse of the Catalans and the French. Don't hesitate to ask for a guidebook, always very useful, to understand a little better the world of the Cuban national drink. The Rum Museum is located within the walls of the Taverna del Ron. The tasting is thus foreseen. A still is installed at the entrance of the house, in neoclassical style. A store is also on site. The Taverna is open every day until 9 pm (about 2 € per cocktail).

Located 5 km west of the city in the direction of Cienfuegos after a bridge, the access to the trail extends on 7 km. Then, two small kilometers await you to join the site of the Parque Natural El Cubano. The most motivated will take a swim at the foot of the waterfall (30-45 min walk from the park entrance) even if the water is quite cold. Try to get there early in the morning: the site is populated by early birds. Remember to have euros with you to enter.

Built in 1808, the former palace of Nicolás de la Cruz y Brunet, owner of cane plantations ennobled by the king of Spain, is one of the beautiful testimonies of the colonial architecture of the island. It has been beautifully restored. One of the floors has been transformed into a museum, with collections of jewelry, furniture, porcelain and silverware that belonged to the Spanish nobility. You will also see the paintings of Esteban Chartrand, a French-Cuban painter of the 19th century.

It is certainly one of the best options on the south coast for beach.

Begun in 1833, on the site of the first church founded in 1819, the Catedral de la Purísima Concepción was not completed until 1869. Characteristic of the neoclassical style of the time and notable for its stained glass windows imported from France - considered the most beautiful on the island - the cathedral, rather sober, is perfectly integrated with the other national monuments of the José Marti square. Note that the colored stained glass windows represent the twelve apostles.

Commissioned by Fidel Castro to the Cuban artist Leovigildo González, the paintings that cover the wall on 80 m high and 120 wide represent the biogeological evolution of the area. Ammonite (cephalopod mollusc), plesiosaurus (large marine reptile), megalocnus rodens (mammal of the ice age) and finally Homos sapiens follow one another. Although spectacular, the whole is far from being exciting and it is not really a prehistoric fresco, so that largely decreases its interest... On the other hand, the way to reach it is pleasant.

The first monks who settled in Havana, in the middle of the 16th century, were Franciscans. Started around 1580 and completed with the century, the church and the convent are destroyed by a violent storm at the end of the XVII century. The complex that you can admire today was built between 1719 and 1738. We recommend that you climb to the top of the bell tower, even if it is a bit steep, to admire a splendid panoramic view of old Havana.

The attack by Che and his men on 30 December 1958 of the armoured train (el tren blindado) will prove decisive in the course of the war. However, the guerrilla units, clearly, will succeed in derailing the rail convoy loaded with regular arms and troops to Santiago de Cuba. Using a bulldozer, barbudos will quickly take the ascendant. Inside the cars you will see the testimonies of the assault and some photos.

Inaugurated in April 1976, for the 15th anniversary of the victory of the Castro troops, the museum retraces the Bay of Pigs affair. The attempted US invasion turned into a fiasco after three days of intense fighting. The artillery of the regular forces will indeed defeat the attackers with the support of the last two fighter planes of the Air Force, one of which still sits at the entrance. A very enlightening film is shown at the end of the visit.

Caridad and Carmen were the two most famous sisters in the city thanks to the botanical garden they had made in their home. Sadly, Caridad passed away in 2009 and her sister a few years later. Nowadays, a young man is visiting the garden. But don't miss this garden. You will learn about the history of the many fruit trees and the beautiful orchids and other local flowers that line their landscape. Tasting of fruits from the casa during the visit.

To be done after the caverna of Santo Tomás to refresh yourself, because it is nice inside and the visit of the cave does not require any physical effort compared to that of Santo Tomás...

This cave, rediscovered in 1920 by a local peasant, was home to Indians before the arrival of the Spanish. Electrified in 1952, it was opened to tourism in 1960, when an expansion project was being studied. Waterways offer as many corridors to explore. The hose is accessible by foot for nearly 500 m, before embarking on a small motorboat, which goes into the underground river (the San Vicente river). However, the visit is a little quick, given the beauty of the site. At the exit, you may see Tomas, a (huge) 10-year-old buffalo swimming in the river; he has been tamed and his master rides him, it's really unusual... But the buffalo is increasingly rare.

Good plan. If you leave the cave at the end of the day, you will find Cubans outside who will propose you to eat in their particular casa. Ask for "el Matancero", a local from Matanzas as his nickname suggests, who will take you to dinner in his casa where he and his wife prepare absolutely delicious fresh water crayfish. The singer Raúl Paz, originally from the region, is a regular and personally recommended the famous "Matancero" to us. No address, no phone, but "el Matancero" is known as the white wolf. Enjoy your meal!

Except for the main rooms dedicated to exhibitions, this palace has not changed much since the last heirs of the Sánchez-Iznaga family left in 1982. During the visit, you will get acquainted with samples of the architectural development of Trinidad. You will also see the Italian porcelain toilet in the interior patio and the American shower of 1912, heated with gas. The urns in the patio (19th century) are from Malaga.

In an old neoclassical palace, probably built between 1806 and 1817, you can discover works of art related to the life of the most famous great man in American history: Simón Bolívar. An art gallery with numerous pieces donated by Venezuelan artists completes the ensemble. In the 19th century, the house was owned by Santiago B. Burnham. The central patio, full of green plants and multicolored birds, is very welcoming.

This Franciscan hermitage, whose full name is Iglesia Parroquial del Santo Cristo del Buen Viaje (Parish Church of the Holy Christ of the Good Journey), was built in 1640 and was recognized as an auxiliary parish at the end of the 17th century. In 1775, the temple, the main chapel and the side chapels were rebuilt. The present baroque façade was added at that time. The church is recognizable by its two towers, its beautiful stained glass windows and its tiled roof.

This magnificent residence, the oldest in the plaza, is also known as the Casa de don Luis Chacón, the military governor who had it built in the very early 18th century. Don Luis Chacón was entrusted three times with the office of military governor of Cuba, an honor and above all a responsibility that was almost never in the hands of criollos, those descendants of Spaniards born in Cuba, whom the crown preferred to be pure Spaniards... The Casa-Bayona palace has one of the most harmonious facades of Cuban colonial architecture. Its red marble floor, its ceilings of precious wood seem to have been destined to higher functions than those that were assigned to it. It was the headquarters of the Chamber of Notaries until 1933, and later became the editorial office of the newspaper La Discusión. It was during this time of republic that it was named Casa-Bayona, to honor the memory of the former noble family to which it never belonged..

Museo de Arte Colonial. After the Cuban revolution and the restoration of the place, the palace became a Museum of Colonial Art. Seven marvelous exhibition halls give a glimpse of the luxury that surrounded the wealthiest classes of the colonial era: precious wood furniture, sumptuous dishes, Sevres vases, Murano crystals, silverware... We should also mention some typical Cuban furniture, such as the taburete, an upholstered chair with a narrow back.

This museum has been repainted in a bright white and blue for the city's bicentennial in 2019.

Built between 1891 and 1893, the building originally housed the Spanish casino. Today, it is primarily dedicated to the decorative arts and preserves archaeological samples from the pre-Columbian era. On Saturdays and Sundays, the place comes alive with concerts of traditional Cuban music. The program can be requested at the reception desk. Every first Saturday of the month, a peña (popular cultural gathering) is held at the museum.

The museum traces the archaeological history of Cuba, from the pre-Columbian period to the Spanish conquest and colonization. Its former owners, Don Juan Andrés Padrón and his family, hosted the famous Alexander von Humboldt in 1801 during his visit to Trinidad. Hernán Cortés is also said to have stayed here before leaving for Mexico in the 16th century. Guamuhaya is the word used by the aborigines to designate the mountain range surrounding Trinidad.

Nature lovers will not make the journey for nothing. This immense rock of 51 m length and 25 m height, is suspended in balance at 1 234 m above the sea level. It is the third largest rock in the world. After climbing the 130 steps staircase, you will have access to the natural viewpoint with an exceptional panorama on the bay of Santiago. On a clear day, the Jamaican and Haitian coasts stand out on the horizon. The botanists will appreciate the very rich flora (ferns and orchids). Catering and accommodation on site.

A grey sand beach moderately beautiful but nevertheless packed in summer and Sunday. Almost deserted the rest of the time. Fishermen offer their daily catches (especially lobster).