Overview
The central heartland of Cuba transitions between the pre-Revolutionary prosperous western plantations and the cattle pastures of the poorer east. There’s loads of history here, reflected in the racial mix and architecture of the port of Cienfuegos, the so called 'Pearl of the South'. Its French founders left their mark in broad neoclassical boulevards, art deco façades and blond inhabitants but there’s also a strong Afro-Caribbean presence. This is a seafaring city with salt in the air; it was once the world’s primary sugar port. The town is often visited in tandem with a stop at the Bay of Pigs, site of the ill-fated CIA-inspired invasion of 1961.
Santa Clara, founded on agriculture and mining, gained importance when a railway was built to connect the city with Havana. This track was the scene of one of the most momentous events in Castro’s revolutionary campaign: the derailing of a train carrying government guns and soldiers. A few of the carriages are on display in what is one of this lively university city’s most important monuments, along with those at the Che Guevara mausoleum, where the celebrated revolutionary's remains are now buried. Surrounded by magnificent hills, great for hiking or birdwatching, Santa Clara is within easy reach of 500 year-old Remedios, an attractive country town full of myths and legends.
Holidays Cienfuegos, Santa Clara and Bay of Pigs
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Group - Discovery
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Parakeet: Cuba Beyond the beach
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Private Journeys
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Self-drive Cuba: Best of the west
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Private Journeys
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Self-drive Cuba: Explore the east
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Private Journeys
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Signature Cuba: The best of the highlights
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Things to do
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Accommodation
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Where to go when - our guide to Cienfuegos, Santa Clara and Bay of Pigs
The weather in Cienfuegos, Santa Clara and Bay of Pigs is wide and varied
In the heartland of Cuba is the attractive maritime city of Cienfuegos, the world’s primary sugar port. The nearby town of Santa Clara and the Bay of Pigs are rich in revolutionary history. The weather here is hot and steamy year round, with a distinct wet and dry season. Dec - May is ideal for exploring outdoors, with sunnier weather and lower humidity, while Jun - Nov offers an impressive range of local festivities and celebrations you won’t want to miss.
View our Cienfuegos, Santa Clara and Bay of Pigs weather guidePapagaio
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