Holguín, Cuba

Visit Holguín and enjoy the most impressive natural landscapes in eastern Cuba and its incredible beaches

Holguín
© Rafael Ferro

Holguín is the third largest province in Cuba, the beauty of its fields and beaches alone explain that it is the third most important tourist pole in the country. There you can enjoy other important attractions during your visit.

Since its discovery by Christopher Columbus in 1492, it has been gaining tourist interest thanks to its beautiful and natural beaches and historic monuments, which will leave you surprised by the Cuban culture. Its classic churches and interesting museums make the cities of this wonderful region an ideal tourist destination. On the other hand, apart from enjoying Cuban beaches, you can make excursions to green and natural places in the interior of the province.

All this, added to an enviable gastronomic culture, has made this a perfect region for tourism. Since you can enjoy a perfect balance between the Caribbean coast and the wild nature of the forest in the interior, you learn first-hand about the culture and traditions of Holguín and its ancestors.

Index:

What are the most interesting places to see in Holguin, Cuba?
What are the best plans to make?
When is the best time to visit?
What are the best trips to make?
What is the best way to get to Holguin?
Where to stay in Holguin
Are there organized trips to Cuba with Holguin?

What are the most interesting places to see in Holguin, Cuba?

Iglesia San José
© Tai Pan of HK

Holguín encompasses the various municipalities that comprise it, impressive natural parks, such as the Parque Natural Cristóbal Colón (Cristóbal Colón Natural Park), which, in turn, includes perfect natural enclaves for ecotourism such as the Parque Nacional Monumento Bariay (Bariay Monument National Park) and the Parque Bahía de Naranjo (Bahía de Naranjo Park).

In the capital city, also called Holguín, you will appreciate a rich architectural structure that dates back to the 19th century, such as La Periquera, Parque Calixto García (Calixto García Park), Catedral de San Isidro (San Isidoro Cathedral) or Parque Julio Grave de Peralta (Julio Grave de Peralta Park), among many other historical places in the city.

In the municipality of Gibara, you cannot miss visiting the Villa de Gibara, where its interesting colonial structure is still visible and the only manor house from the colonial era in the entire province of Holguín is preserved in good condition.

Loma de la Cruz
© Rey Cuba

Other important places are the Finca Mayabe (Mayabe Farm) or the Loma de la Cruz, both near Holguín. Also important are the areas of Birán, the birthplace of Fidel and Raúl Castro Ruz; or Banes, known as the archaeological capital of Cuba, which has impressive archaeological discoveries and natural spaces perfect for contact with nature.

For sun and beach lovers, throughout the different areas of Holguín, there is the possibility of enjoying paradisiacal beaches such as Playa Esmeralda (Esmeralda Beach), Playa Pesquero (Pesquero Beach) or Playa Guardalavaca (Guardalavaca Beach), where you can do different water activities, among many others. There is also the Reserva Ecológica Playa de Caletones (Playa de Caletones ecological reserve), in which natural saltwater pools have been created due to ancient landslides from some galleries.

The province of Holguín has an enormous cultural wealth and proof of this is the multitude of events that are held throughout the year in institutions such as the Casa de la Trova "El Guayabero" (House of the Trova) to perpetuate Cuban music; the Festival Internacional de Cine Pobre (International Festival of Cine Pobre) in Gibara, or the cultural activities that are promoted in the different municipalities.In addition, among the most outstanding festivities in Holguín, you will find the Fiesta del Carnaval (Carnival Party), which takes place the third week of August.

Enjoy one of the most beautiful historical and scenic provinces in Eastern Cuba.

What are the best plans to make in Holguín?

Holguín is a region with great natural wealth, so if there is something that you cannot miss in your visit to this beautiful region, it will be to enjoy its beaches and its Natural Parks.

Cayo Saetía, Holguín
© Cuba Travel

One of the best plans you can do on your way through Holguín will be to enjoy the beaches of Guardalavaca, Banes, Bahía de Nipe or Cayo Saetía, among others. Since they are perfect areas in which to relax for a few days thanks to its fine grains of sand, crystal clear waters and colorful coral reefs, which are not lacking on beaches such as Esmeralda Beach, Pesquero Beach or Morales Beach.

One of the most recommended ways on how to make your trip through Holguín would be to rent a car in any of the cities you visit, and from there, move freely to the destinations that interest you the most. Another way to get to know the region, and if you're looking for adventure, is through hiking. Since the province is full of routes such as the Salto del Guayabo (Guyabano Jump) in the Sierra de Nipe, or the Boca de Sama (Sama’s Mouth) in the Guardalavaca area or the rental of bicycles, cycling has evolved a lot in the region, you can enjoy it from worthy stages for the most trained, even quiet and beautiful walks to do with the family in an enviable natural environment, both on the coast and inland.

Horseback riding lovers, or whoever wants to start it, will have the opportunity to get to know Holguín through horseback riding. In them, you can enjoy its natural landscape in a traditional and extremely respectful way with the environment.

When is the best time to visit in Holguín?

Holguín is a province that is worth visiting at any time of the year, although one of the best dates to visit the city of Holguín is during May, the date on which the famous Romerías of this month take place. From May 2 to 8, the streets of Holguín are filled with life and music.

On the other hand, from October 24 to 30, the Fiesta de la Cultura Iberoamericana (Ibero-American Culture Festival) is celebrated, in which around 162 artists from different countries gather throughout the province and artistic events of social animation take place for the entire community. Likewise, once a year, in each large town in Holguín the Semanas de la cultura (Culture Weeks) are celebrated, which are based on a program of artistic activities for the entire community. On the other hand, one of the events worth experiencing is the Festival Internacional de Cine Pobre (International Cine Pobre Festival), which is a world-renowned event within the alternative cinema circuit.

If, instead, what you are looking for are music festivals, throughout the province the Aquafest Festival takes place mainly, from July 17 to 19, which is an electronic music festival based on the fusion of Cuban and Caribbean rhythms that is found in the city of Holguín. The Stereo G Festival in Gibara takes place between August 3 and 5, where you can find the best electronic music artists in the country. The Metal HG Festival is from November 7 to 9 in Holguín, where you will enjoy the best rock bands in Cuba, as well as a large number of cultural activities to do. And finally, from February 2 to 5 in Holguín, the Holjazz Festival takes place, a festival dedicated to jazz and its followers which has the largest Cuban representatives of this genre.

What are the best trips to make in Holguin?

Holguín has been improving its tourist capacities in recent years. During your visit to this wonderful region you will have a wide range of excursions from which to choose which will leave you most amazed. You can both sail with a catamaran through totally crystalline waters, as well as enjoy the incredible experience of swimming with dolphins, after having learned about the traditional life of the inhabitants of the region or delight in the incredible nature of the area.

Some of the excursions from Holguín that you cannot miss are:

Ocean Paradise: In it you will enjoy navigating the Holguin coast, doing underwater activities such as snorkeling, while you enjoy an open bar and lunch. In turn, the excursion includes the service of expert guides who can further enrich the experience with their explanations and advice.

Country Sea Tour: On this excursion you will travel by Jeep to the traditional house of a farmer where you will enjoy the famous Café Pilón and seasonal fruits. You will be able to observe different birds and poultry, while you learn about the traditional extraction of guarapo, the juice of sugar cane. In addition, after a great horse ride, you will visit the Gibara tobacco factory, before enjoying lunch at the El Faro restaurant, ending the 9-hour excursion with a beautiful boat ride.

Paradise Island: You will enjoy a beautiful catamaran ride through Nipe Bay, which has entertainment on board, souvenirs, the possibility of snorkeling and a lunch in Cayo Saetía, where you will have free time. Afterwards, you will enjoy a Jeep route and the possibility of taking a horse ride, which is not included. The excursion has a guide service.

Boat Adventure: After a transfer to Boca de Saná, you will have the possibility to go along the coast with some speed boats, while you have a varied offer of fruits typical of the region and a high quality guide service.

Visit to the Dolphinarium: This excursion will take you to Bahía Naranjo, in which accompanied by a guide service, you will navigate, since it is the only way to get to the Dolphinarium where you can enjoy shows with dolphins and sea lions, among other activities. This excursion lasts approximately 3 hours.

Swimming with dolphins: As you arrive at the Naranjo Bay Aquarium, you will be able to access a series of shows with dolphins and sea lions. After that, you can enjoy the incredible experience of bathing with dolphins for 20 minutes, before ending this spectacular 4-hour excursion.

Jeep Grand Safari: This excursion consists of a journey through Alcaná to Pinares de Mayarí. The first stop is at a farmer's house where you can taste natural fruits, guarapos and take an idyllic ox cart ride. The next stop in Batey Birán, in which you will take a tour of the typical houses of the town, such as the school, the warehouses and the cockpit fence among others, learning at every step about the traditions of these populations. Continuing with the journey, and after a stop to photograph the spectacular natural landscape, you will arrive at the famous Nipe Bay and continue your journey to Salto del Guayabo, where you will have lunch and the possibility of taking a bath in some natural pools . The excursion lasts approximately 9 hours.

4x4 Challenge: This 7-hour excursion consists of a trip to Marlin, in Boca de Samá, to drive by speedboat, followed by a Jeep Safari, in which you will wade through a river and experience driving through the Cuban countryside. After enjoying some tropical fruits and in Bariay, you will ride through the place where Christopher Columbus landed and end a perfect day with an aboriginal show accompanied by lunch.

Crucero del Sol: With a duration of 7 hours, you will be transferred to Marina, where you will board a catamaran that will sail to the coral reef where you can snorkel. After a lunch of lobster or shrimp, you can take a sunbath and a 20-minute swim with a dolphin, accompanied by a specialized guide.

Cayo Saetía by Catamaran: After a transfer to Antilla, you will sail by catamaran to Cayo Saetía, where you will enjoy snorkeling on a beautiful seabed. After lunch and a Jeep tour around the island, you will have the option to enjoy horseback riding before returning to Antilla on the catamaran.

What is the best way to get to Holguin?

The ideal way to get to Holguín is by taking a direct flight to Havana, and with a small stopover, arriving at the Frank País García airport, just 12 km from the center of the city of Holguín. Another option would be to fly to the Santiago de Cuba airport, which also has international flights. There is also the possibility of hiring a guided tour throughout Cuba, so that, after enjoying the rest of the island, you arrive in Holguín and begin your visit to this beautiful region. Although if you are looking to visit this area of eastern Cuba directly, you can hire direct private transfers to your destination or with the stops that may interest you.

Are there organized trips to Cuba with Holguin?

In Holguín you will have a wide variety of accommodations in which to sleep, although the ideal way to connect with the local population and learn about the traditions of this region is by renting private houses, which are not scarce in the region. They will offer an experience that you will not be able to forget, since you will live with cozy Cuban families from whom you will be able to learn about their culture and traditions, while you get to know how they live their day to day. Except in Guardalavaca, you will have no problem renting this type of accommodation. On the other hand, if you are looking to stay in hotels and enjoy first-rate service, you can always choose from a wide variety of offers in different areas of Holguín.

In Holguín, renting a private house is a very interesting option, since it is the best way to experience the local culture and traditions, but you will always have the option of choosing between different hostels such as Refugio de Reyes Hostel or La Casona Hostel, both In the city center.

In the city of Banes, it is advisable to rent a private house, since it does not have a large hotel offer, and so you can experience the hospitality of its people and learn more about the culture of this beautiful city while learning about the life of its local population.

In Gibara, you can enjoy great service at a good price in front of the sea at the Buena Vista Hostel. Another quite attractive option is the Los Hermanos Hostel, which preserves a colonial style that will leave you in love with its charm, or the Cubanacan Hotel.

If what you are looking for is a retreat in the rural area of Birán, do not hesitate to stop by Villa Pinares de Mayarí, a resort in the middle of one of the largest pine forests in the country, where you can enjoy restaurants, sports courts and a small lake in which to take a bath in the middle of nature.

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