HOLGUIN [Holguin] | cubacasas.net

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Although Holguin is mostly used by tourists as a drop-off point — through its international airport — for beach resorts 55 km north-east, such as Cayo Saetia, Caletica, Esmeralda and the very popular Guardalavaca all-inclusive resorts, it should not be taken lightly (literally).

The so-called "City of Parks" is the 4th largest in population on the island and offers a lot to see : a fabulous view from its Mirador (Loma de la Cruz), a series of nice parks along the same avenue and fine nightlife and museums. The town is also a gateway toa great park, La Mensura national park with its huge pine forest between the villages of Julio A. Mella and Mayari

Travellers should stay awhile in its great casas to visit its nearby national parks and the now famous Sitio Historico de Biran (the Castro family's original farm site and home) maybe on their way to Santiago de Cuba, 155 km southeast.

In the center of town, an abandoned market has been turned into a large music centre with a hall, recording studio and bar. Oh, and it's a perfectly flat city for cyclists : ask your casa owner to find you one.

DISTANCES (km) Banes, 70 Baracoa, 245 Bayamo, 71 Biran, 75 Cacocum (railway), 17 Camaguey, 208 Cayo Saetía, 120 Ciego de Avila, 318 Estero Ciego Caletica, 53 Gibara, 33 Guantanamo, 232 Guardalavaca, 54 La Habana, 735 Las Tunas, 79 Matanzas, 673 Mayari, 88 Moa, 174 Playa Esmeralda, 60 Santiago de Cuba, 155	*Poster by Eladio Rivadulla [1923-2011]*

MAPS & LINKS

MAP - HOLGUIN CITY WITH ITS REPARTOS

MAP - HOLGUIN CITY CENTRE

MAP - GREATER HOLGUIN

HOLGUIN ROADMAP TO CAYO SEATIA

MAP - GIBARA, GUARDALAVACA, BANES

MAP - COAST PUERTO PADRE TO BANES

MAP - HOLGUIN, BIRAN, LA MENSURA

VIAZUL STOPS HERE — 16 + 24 + 25 + 26

MAP - GUARDALAVACA HOTELS & SIGHTS

ISLAND-WIDE BUS + TRAIN CONNECTIONS

TRAIN SKED — CACOCUM STATION

PROVINCIAL WEATHER - INSMET

DAILY CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES

ALL THAT'S NATURAL IN THE PROVINCE

WHAT'S ON AT CASA DE LA MUSICA

ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES AT AIRPORT

POPULATION 334,046 (2007)

SEE.KNOW.DO
Its parks • Parque Julio Grave de Peralta as called by some Holguineros : Parque de las Flores with the Catedral de San Isidoro where a rendition of John Paul II welcomes the fervent and the curious
• Parque Cespédes named after Carlos Manuel de Céspedes; locally named San José with its Iglesia de San José, the Galeria Holguin (old stuff and antiques for sale) and Museo Eduardo Garcia Feria;
• Parque Calixto García (the old Plaza de Armas with the Casa natal de Calixto Garcia and the Museo de Historia Provincial (named by some La Periquera, where there are lots of shows and activities), the Centro provincial de artes plasticas and neighbouring Biblioteca Alex Urquiola : iti is, in fact the city's Parque Central;

But wait, there's more ! :•: Fábrica de Muñecas (puppet shop) :•: Fábrica de Organos (organ makers) :•: La Loma de la Cruz (the imposing 275-meter high hill of the cross, erected in 1790 to ward off a dry spell :•: La Granjita :•: Mirador de Holguin and :•: Mirador de Mayabe :•: Museo de Ciencias Naturales :•: Museo de Historia Natural (calle Maceo 129 : huge stuffed animal collection) :•: Teatro Lírico.

PALADARS & RESTAURANTS
• Salon Restaurant 1720, calle Frexes 190 : in a large renovated colonial, one of the best in town with meat and seafood, 10-15cuc • Taberna Pancho, avenida Jorge Dimitrov, near Hotel Pernik : pork ribs, beef, sausage specialist, try the butifaras de Paneque, 4cuc and more • Dimar, calle Martires 133 : fish and seafood 4 to 20cuc • La Ternura, calle cardet 293 : cuisine criolla, 7-8cuc • Pico Cristal, calle Manduley : fish and seafood, 4cuc and more

MARKETS & SHOPS
• Two agropecuarios (veg+fruit) : calle 19 (Morales Lemus) and another on calle 3 in reparto Dagoberto Sanfield • Two boutiques of foodstuff & things : La Luz de Yara (Frexes corner Maceo) and the lovely and unavoidable La Epoca (Frexes 194).

SERVICES
Wi-Fi zones using 1 cuc per hour code card : Parque Julio Grave de Peralta + Bulevar Holguin + Terminal Viazul + Los Framboyanes + Parque infantil Rubén Bravo + Parque 1ro de Enero + Parque Plaza La Central + El Quijote + Parque San José + Loma de la Cruz + Club Bariay + Hospital Lenin + Ciencias Médicas + Reparto Emilio Barcenas + Sitio Viviensas Militares + Reparto Villanueva + Patana Mayabe + Parillada Mayabe + Parque clinica Manuel Anguillo + Expo Holguin + Aeropuerto Frank Pais

• Internet office open 8h30-19h30 Daily : Centro Multiservicios on calle Martí 122, e/ Mártires y Máximo Gómez • Havanatur for all your excursion needs, calle Frexes tel 46-8091 • Banco de Credito y Comercio on Parque Cespedes, BFI on Manduley 167, Cadeca on Manduley 105 • Ahora, the local paper is published Saturdays : it is often refreshingly critical of city or province administrations • Farmacia Turno Especial is best pharmacy 8h-22h Mon-Sat • Aeropuerto Frank País 43-93-40 • Cubana city 42-57-07, airport 46-25-12, Havanautos 48-18-95 • Medical 42-53-02 • Transautos 48-10-11 • Transtur 48-10-11 • Turistaxi 42-41-87 • Local Yoga Instructor : Rubio Tel. (24) 46-81-05

TRANSPORTATION
• Bus Viazul in 2023, service has been limited; check in person or on website; local phones (24)42-1098 ext. 136; infos (24)42-1083 ext.133; pto direccion (24)47-3260 ext. 107; trafico (24)42-2002; pizarra (24) 47-3438 or (24)47-3712 • Trains (via junction at Cacocum) Camaguey 9, Ciego de Avila 13, Guayos 17, La Habana (Daily 31), Las Tunas (Daily 4), Matanzas 24, Santiago (Daily 5), Santa Clara 20.

EVENINGS
• Casa de la Musica EGREM, calle Frexes 192, corner (esquina) Libertad : concerts and music shows. Sked here, • Teatro Eddy Suñol (opera, symphony orchestra, modern dance, music groups, theater) re-opened in July 2011 after a ten-year hiatus to restore the venue from bop to tottom. • Casa de la UNEAC (Libertad 148 in Casa Moyua) is one of 14 such casas run over the past 50 years by Union Nacional de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba present here in this lovely renovated colonial casa making this (day and) nightspot one of the best on the island. Located on pedestrian street Manduley between Caballero y Marti : theater, concerts, music, lectures • Casa de la Cultura, calle Maceo 72 : concerts, mostly classical, exhibitions • Casa de la Trova, calle Maceo 74 : son, boleros and musica local • Centro cultural Mona Lisa, calle Luz Caballero 120 : local singers and groups • Cabaret Nocturno, 4km off centre on the way to Las Tunas : Tropicana-style shows, local fauna, not as touristy as Havana's; entry fee 10cuc, Tue to Sunday, shows at 22h • Cabaret la Terraza, avenida Jorge Dimitov at Hotel Pernik : if you wanna see tourists • Club Siboney, calle Manduley 185 on Calixto Garcia park : hot, by the time it closes... • Disco Cristal, calle Manduley 199 : the local youngsters just beg to enter; 5cuc for tourists • La Bolera, calle Havana facing Parque Infantil : local fauna meets for bowling, billiards and karaoke; must-see • Cinemas : Baria, Encanto, Frexes, Martí

Viazul Bus via Santa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, Las Tunas — "Terminal de Viazul" moved in December 2017 along the same "Carretera Central" but 3,5 km west of town center at "salida para Habana, Ciudad Jardín". Tel. (24) 42-6822

The long, very long staircase climbing the Loma de la Cruz is not a religious "Way of the Cross" but almost. The prize of that challenge is a lovely view of the valley; taxis and refrescos are available on top ; ) •|• La Epoca was, during the pre-revolucion era a chain of department stores © perezmontejo, panoramio.com

La Periquera is the local history museum in a colonial two-storey venue with arches and serves as a cultural venue © unk

Parque Central •|• Most streets point to the Loma (Hill) de la Cruz

The Lada and the Pink Arbol, a moment of gracia © sogestour •|• Guardalavaca (mouseover). © dtcuba.com

El guagua, la ciclista y el medico, a moment of grace facing the old bus terminal in town centre, sort of © sogestour

The highest waterfalls on the island (127 m, 416 ft) are named Gran Salto Guayabo and •|• are found in the middle of Cuba's largest pine forest — Pinares de Mayari — in national park La Mensura © radio baragua.cu - More photos here.

Exhuberant youth, each with a spontaneous sonrisa © sogestour •|• Another irresistible part of the many Guardalavaca beaches 30 miles northeast of town - Our page here © unk

Holguineros enjoy Parque Calixto Garcia day or night © sogestour

The old wire telephones still work : this tourist calling Canada and these laughing chicas can attest to it. Lady at right might add that you need to be a patient caller, but then, this is — lucky travelers — Cuba ; ) © sogestour

This is the top of the Loma de la Cruz and its well-earned — if you climb it on foot — view © Mykr, flickr.com

The view from La Loma at night © unk

Very secluded beach (and not easy to get to) at Cayo Saetia is about 120 km east of here © sogestour

El Hacha de Holguin, the province's official symbol — carved from olive green peridotite stone. Found in 1860, 'tis an exceptional symbol of Cuban aboriginal culture.

EXCURSIONS
• Parque Nacional La Mensura streches on 5,340 hectares (12.3 acres) on the high plain of Nipe partly overed by the largest pine forest in Cuba (Pinares de Mayari); more than 100 species of plants, trekking and interpretation paths, the highest waterfall in the land and a research centre of the Academia de Ciencias de Cuba : one night here at Villa Pinares de Mayari (30-40cuc) is strongly suggested Tel. (24) 53-308 Get there through the town of Julio A. Mella [very long and dusty road without much to look at, except note that nearby rock faces are being crushed for what seems a large quarry which will help build a new dam Map here • Sitio Historico in Biran about 75 km southeast of Holguin where visitors can walk around the settlement and land of Fidel Castro's father where the Comandante was born; some photos here • Parque Nacional de Bariay in Fray Benito : the bay and mini beach where Cristoforo Colombo stepped foot on 28 de octubre de 1492 : reproduction of Taino village with live characters; French and English-speaking guides • Museo Aborigen Chorro de Maita (on the way to Guardalavaca) for its collection of 60 skeletons of Spaniards (1490-1540) exhumed in 1986. Community life artefacts of the Taïno era. Villages and bohios of the regional township (municipio) are witness to the strong aboriginal presence in the province : Yaguajay, Macabí, Guayacanes, Babiney and even Banes • Parque Nacional Pico Cristal established in 1930 where one may try to climb its namesake peak 1,213 meters high • Parque Cayo Saetia in the Bay of Nipe : you have to show patte blanche at the gate and pay a fee : left to resort, ahead for the faraway beach on rough (but not that rough) roads See map here.

VIAZUL TERMINAL HAS MOVED

The new bus terminal opened in December 2017, about 3 km west of town center on Carretera Central, "salida para Habana, Ciudad Jardín" ("exit for Havana, garden city") - after 40 years in a pretty awful but closer place © carlos rafael ahora.cu The Viazul sked was reduced in 2022 post-pandemic; check in person or on website; local phones (24) 42-1098 ext. 136; infos (24) 42-1083 ext.133; pto direccion (24) 47-3260 ext. 107; trafico (24) 42-2002; pizarra (24) 47-3438 or (24) 47-3712

MOVE ON YOUR OWN TIME

If the Viazul bus schedule does not concur, you may easily find a taxi particular (called almendron in some parts) as here in front of the Banco de Comercio on central park Calixto Garcia) who will graciously take you to your destination for a few bucks (a gazillion cup's) and a conversation you will start with "Hablas Ingles ?" © zarzyk, tripad visor May15

CUBA, ISLE OF WINES ?
According to Prensa Latina, 100 brands of wine are presently sold in Cuba with total annual imports amounting to 5.7 million bottles.

But Cuba also produces its own : wine producers from 32 clubs island-wide hold local contests in 8 categories [blanco, rosado, tinto, espumoso, seco, semiseco, semidulce and dulce].

Regional laureates get the right to take part in the national Festival Nacional de Vinos Artesanales. Its 27th edition was held in February 2017 in Ciego de Avila (Havana 2016, Santiago 2015).

Certain local vinos may be purchased during Noches Holguineras or at Bodega Marpé calle San Carlos 302, corner Carralero in reparto Peralta tel. (24) 42-7839

© Gretell Hernandez Batista, holguinahora

© Xinhua/Joaquín Hernández

Cuba boasts some 714 wine makers with the best-known ailing from Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Ciego de Avila and Holguín provinces.

Best of Cuba in 2017 was a cherry-based semiseco by Orelvis Rodriguez Calderon from Bodegas Rodriguez in tiny San Blas village in the Escambray mountains at 400m altitude in the Cumanayagua township. The winery produces 200-300 12-bottle cases annually - without chemical additives.

Some 90 km East, this is the Mayari dam (Presa) © Juan Pablo Carreras ACN - More on click

EVENINGS (OR AFTERNOONS)

• Plaza de la Marqueta (above) is the newly-restored emblem of Holguin with shops, shows and restaurants a-plenty. It was known as Plaza O'Donnell when it opened in 1848, now re-opened 168 years later - in April 2016. Can't miss it : corner of Marti and Martires. photo © Lisandra Cardoso, radioangulo.cu
• Teatro Eddy Suñol (opera, symphony orchestra, modern dance, music groups, theater) re-opened in July 2011 after a ten-year hiatus to restore the venue from bop to tottom. • Casa de la UNEAC (Libertad 148 in Casa Moyua) is one of 14 such casas run over the past 50 years by Union Nacional de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba present here in this lovely renovated colonial casa making this (day and) nightspot one of the best on the island. Located on pedestrian street Manduley between Caballero & Marti : theater, concerts, music, lectures • Casa de la Cultura, calle Maceo 72 : concerts, mostly classical, exhibitions • Casa de la Trova, calle Maceo 74 : son, boleros and musica local • Centro cultural Mona Lisa, calle Luz Caballero 120 : local singers and groups • Cabaret Nocturno, 4km off centre on the way to Las Tunas : Tropicana-style shows, local fauna, not as touristy as Havana's; entry fee 10cuc, Tue to Sunday, shows at 22h • Cabaret la Terraza, avenida Jorge Dimitov at Hotel Pernik : if you wanna see tourists • Club Siboney, calle Manduley 185 on Calixto Garcia park : hot, by the time it closes... • Disco Cristal, calle Manduley 199 : the local youngsters just beg to enter; 5cuc for tourists • La Bolera, calle Havana facing Parque Infantil : local fauna meets for bowling, billiards and karaoke; must-see • Cinemas : Baria, Encanto, Frexes, Martí

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
::: Since January 2021, the CUC (Cuban Convertible) currency no longer is valid; all tourist services are payable only in foreign currency, cash or credit card. ::: Bring cash Euros or US dollar$, etc because Cuban banks and Foreign Exchange Bureaus (CADECA) will only exchange your currency (CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, JPY, MXN, USD) for the local currency - the CUP (US$1 = 24 CUP) which might be useful for local stuff; get other details here. ::: Make sure that in your first email or phone call you specify that you want to book a room in that particular casa and that you will reconfirm your booking on arrival in Cuba. ::: So as to not abandon expecting owners with empty rooms, reconfirm (or call ahead to cancel) your booking by phone as soon as you can after arriving in Cuba ::: Please write or phone a casa owner to cancel a booking. As late as it may seem, it allows them a chance to rebook. ::: Children under the age of 16 may share a bedroom with adults for free. Specify the child's age when booking. ::: At the end of the casa name, the V signals the casa was suggested by travelers or owners but not verified by us in person. If you try it and like it, write us about it. ::: Unless otherwise mentioned, the average room rates and service prices are : 25-30€/US$ per bedroom per night [up to 40€/US$+ for 4 in a room]; breakfasts 3-5€/US$, dinners 8-15€/US$. ::: Any casa particular anywhere in Cuba must have a hot water shower, otherwise it cannot have a permit to rent ::: Please share your Complaints, comments & suggestions webmaster [@]cubacasas.net

BOOK BY PHONE
• From Canada and the USA : 011 53 (add phone # preceded by the town's area code, 24) • From Europe, Great Britain, Scandinavia and Mexico : 00 53 (add phone # preceded by the town's area code, 24) HOW TO DIAL A CUBAN PHONE NUMBER HERE ••• CELL PHONE NUMBERS on our town lists and casa pages are preceded by 05 for calls originating Havana; from anywhere else in Cuba, dial 01 + the 8 digits of the cell.

BOOK BY EMAIL :
Click on logo to open a message addressed to that casa in your email application; or right-click to copy address. Spanish vocabulary here.

Click photos to see each casa's page and description. Locate most casas on this map.

See most casas in sequence.

Move to next casa by clicking this logo.

MIRIAM
One indep. apart w/kitchen + one ac bedroom
Ave. de los Libertadores (calle Marti) 22, e/ Roosevelt and Cables, reparto Peralta. Tel. (24) 42-7425 whatsapp +5353406168

BIG HOUSE
One indep. apart + one large ac br, patio
Calle Frexes 338, e/ Carbó y Carretera Central, 150m from the old Viazul terminal, behind Parque de los Tiempos and Parque Don Quijote. Tel. (24) 47-1211 whatsapp +5358226288 Leo

LA PALMA V
Two aircon bedrooms, private bathrooms
Calle Maceo No. 52A entre 16 y 18 in reparto Zayas, near the Loma de la Cruz. Cell 52239205 whatsapp +5352067866

OSCAR GUERRA V
Upstairs, two ac bedrooms, ensuites
Carretera Central 10 Altos (upstairs), esquina (corner) Buenavista, west of centre in reparto Santiesteban near the old bus terminal. Tel. (24) 46-2238 whatsapp +5352894009

COLONIAL CARMEN V
Two ac bedrooms, ensuites, patio
Calle Peralejo 78, entre Miro y Morales Lemus, between José Marti and las Flores parks. whatsapp +5353586929

VILLA LIBA V
Two ac br's, ensuites, patio, swimming pool
Calle Maceo 46, esquina (corner of) 18, three blocks north of Parque Calixto Garcia Tél. (24) 42-38-23 whatsapp +5352896931

RODOLFO V
Four aircon bedrooms, ensuite bathrooms
Calle Luz Caballero # 71A e/ Morales Lemus y Narciso Lopez in center, one block from Parque Calixto Garcia. Tél. (24) 42-70-16 whatsapp +5352067338

TROPICAL V
Two ac br, priv entry, terrace, garage, wifi
Calle Peralta 61, e/ Peralejo y Coliseo, Parque Primero de Enero in reparto Peralta. Tel. (24) 472357 whatsapp +5352937518

HOSTAL IDEAL
Upstairs, six ac br's, ensuites, art gallery
Calle Libertad 139, e/ Arias y Agramonte, on Parque San José. whatsapp +5358398607 or whatsapp +5353568168

RECOMMENDED BY PAPERBACK GUIDES
Footprint Handbooks (FH), Frommer's Guide (FG), GéoGuide (GG), Lonely Planet (LP), Le Routard (LR), Moon Handbooks (MH), National Geographic (NG), Petit Futé (PF), Rough Guide (RG), Stefan-Loose (SL) and web site Trip Advisor (TA)
::: FH : Don Santiago, La Palma, Miriam Grave de Peralta Bermudez, Sara Suarez y Daviv Lamber, Villa Adelaida, Villa Liba ::: FG : Villa Liba ::: GG : Don Santiago, Villa Flori, Yelly Bloom, Villa Liba ::: LP : La Palma Casa Enrique, Villa Liba, Villa Janeth ::: LR : Villa Elisa, Mirador Brisas del Atlantico, Matha Gonzalez Morejon ::: MH : Villa Liba, Hospedaje La Palma, Casa de Rosa, Casa de Don Santiago ::: NG : Don Santiago, Isabel Sera Galves, Villa Liba ::: PF : Isabel Sera Galvez, Juan y Sonia, Magali Ochoa, Villa Azul ::: RG : Ana Berta Carbadillo, Barbara Merino Nieves, Isabel Sra Galves, Yodalis Trasobares, Yennys Osorio Leyva, Villa Liba ::: SL : Dora y Rafael, Teresita Hidalgo Bajuelo, Villa Elisa, Yodalis Trasobares Ojeda, Villa Parque, Villa Liba, Hospedaje La Palma, Villa Flori ::: TA : Refugio de Reyes, Villa La Roca, Oscar Guerra, Carmen, Villa Liba, Flori, Cat on the Moon, Ely, El Balcon, Gina y Francis, La Palma, Linale, La Casona, Villa Lucia, Lois 21.02.18

Updated 20.01.2024