Located in eastern Cuba, this active city of one million residents draws visitors to its annual carnival celebration, local music scene, and nearby beaches.
Holguín, Cuba's fourth-largest city, sits in the eastern region of the country. Walk through Plaza Calixto García to see street musicians perform, climb the 465 steps to Loma de la Cruz for city views, or spend a day at Guardalavaca Beach swimming in the calm waters. The city's museums tell stories of pre-Columbian settlements, while nearby Cayo Saetía island has zebras and antelopes roaming its grounds.
Exploring Central Holguín
Plaza Calixto García forms the heart of downtown, where locals gather on benches under shade trees. You'll hear live Cuban music from Casa de la Trova throughout the day. Inside the 19th-century Province Museum La Periquera, rooms display pre-Columbian pottery, tools from colonial-era sugar plantations, and documents from Cuba's independence movements.
Viewpoints and City Landmarks
The 465 steps to Loma de la Cruz lead to a white cross placed in 1790. From the top, you can see the entire city's grid layout and the surrounding mountains. At Mirador de Mayabe, a hilltop restaurant 8 kilometers from the city center, you can eat traditional Cuban dishes while looking over the Mayabe Valley.
Beaches Near Holguín
Guardalavaca Beach stretches for 1.5 kilometers, with palm trees lining the white sand. The coral reef creates a natural barrier, making the water calm for swimming. Snorkelers can follow marked underwater trails to see tropical fish. Five kilometers east, Playa Esmeralda curves around a protected bay with similar calm conditions for swimming.
Local Culture and Festivals
The Romerías de Mayo festival brings music and art to the streets in early May. Musicians perform on street corners and in parks across the city. Throughout the year, you can hear traditional organ concerts in local venues. The Bucanero Brewery produces Cuba's three main beers - Bucanero, Cristal, and Mayabe - and allows visitors to see the brewing process.
Getting Around and Transportation
Frank País Airport connects to Havana and operates international flights to Canada and Europe. You can walk between most central attractions. For trips to the beaches or surrounding areas, find taxis at hotels or main squares.
Day Trips from Holguín
The town of Gibara, 31 kilometers north, maintains its 18th-century street grid with buildings from its time as a Spanish trading port. At El Chorro de Maita archaeological site, you can walk through a burial ground where archaeologists found 108 indigenous remains, and see a reconstruction of a Taíno village. On Cayo Saetía island, beaches line the northern coast, while inland areas contain imported African animals including zebras and antelopes.
