Santiago de Cuba, Cuba: travel guide
Cuba's vibrant second city and cradle of the Revolution; Afro-Caribbean music, the Moncada barracks, Castillo del Morro and the El Cobre shrine.
- Country
- Cuba
- Currency
- CUP
- Time zone
- America/Havana
- Nearest airport
- SCU
Top places to visit in Santiago de Cuba
Cuartel Moncada (Museo 26 de Julio)
Museum · about 1.3 h · entry USD 5
The barracks stormed by Fidel Castro on 26 July 1953; still bullet-pocked, now a museum of the Revolution.
Balcón de Velázquez
Viewpoint · about 0.5 h · entry USD 1
A terrace viewpoint over the Tivolí quarter and the bay, on the site of an early Spanish fort.
Museo Emilio Bacardí Moreau
Museum · about 1 h · entry USD 4
Cuba's oldest museum (1899), founded by the rum magnate; fine art, history and a mummy.
Casa de Diego Velázquez
Museum · about 0.8 h · entry USD 3
Reputedly the oldest house in Cuba (1516-30), now a colonial decorative-arts museum on Parque Céspedes.
Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca (El Morro)
Fort · about 1.5 h · entry USD 8
UNESCO clifftop fortress (1638) at the bay entrance, a masterpiece of Renaissance military design with sunset cannon ceremony.
Basílica del Cobre (Santuario de la Caridad)
Church · about 1 h
Cuba's holiest shrine, 20 km from the city, home of the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, patron of Cuba.
Parque Céspedes
Heritage · about 0.5 h
The animated central square framed by the cathedral, city hall and Hotel Casa Granda.
Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
Church · about 0.5 h · entry USD 1
Santiago's twin-towered cathedral overlooking Parque Céspedes.
Casa Natal de Antonio Maceo
Museum · about 0.5 h · entry USD 2
Birthplace-museum of the independence hero General Antonio Maceo.
Escalinata de Padre Pico
Heritage · about 0.3 h
A monumental stone stairway climbing the Tivolí quarter, a Santiago landmark.
Casa de la Trova Pepe Sánchez
Nightlife · about 1.5 h · entry USD 3
The most famous traditional-music house in Cuba, on Calle Heredia.
Things to do
- Santiago Revolution & History Tour Tour · 4 h · from USD 30 per person
- Castillo del Morro & Sunset Cannon Tour · 3 h · from USD 25 per person
- Casa de la Trova Music Night Show · 2 h · from USD 10 per person
- El Cobre Basilica Pilgrimage Tour · 4 h · from USD 30 per person
- Gran Piedra & Coffee Ruins Tour Hiking · 6 h · from USD 40 per person
Day trips and tours
- Santiago Heritage Day 8 h · from USD 60
Where to stay in Santiago de Cuba
- Centro Histórico about CUP 50 per night
Around Parque Céspedes and Calle Heredia — the Casa de la Trova, cathedral and museums at your door.
Hotels
- Hotel Casa Granda 4-star
- Casa Particular Centro (Santiago) 2-star
- Meliá Santiago de Cuba 5-star
Where to eat
- La Taberna de Dolores Cuban · about USD 14 per person
- Compay Cuban, Caribbean · about USD 15 per person
- Bar Bohemio Cuban, Tapas · about USD 10 per person
- Casa de las Tradiciones Cuban · about USD 12 per person
- Fontana di Trevi Italian, Pizza · about USD 14 per person
- El Holandés International, Cuban · about USD 14 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Shared Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Milk-for-the-baby request
Santiago streets
Someone asks you to buy powdered milk "for a baby" at a shop; the item is later returned for cash split with the vendor.
How to avoid it: A polite no is fine; give to registered charities instead if you wish to help.