Cuban Travel Guide on Tours to SantiagoSantiago de Cuba is the capital city of Santiago de Cuba province, located in the southeastern part of Cuba, at 540 miles (869 kilometers) of Havana. This city is the second most important on the island after Havana and is located on a bay connected to the Caribbean Sea, being therefore an important port. Santiago has a few excellent beaches lined by a few hotels and resorts. As an important travel destinations, this city is included in the itinerary of almost all tours in Cuba.
Santiago was founded by the Spanish soldier Diego Velazquez in 1514, from 1522 to 1589 being the capital of the Spanish colony of Cuba.
Tourist Attractions in Santiago de CubaThis city is visited yearly by many tourists looking for a place where can be spend quite beach vacations into a relaxed holiday environment, but attracted also by numerous points of interest and Cuban landmarks.
Some of the most interesting attractions of tours in Santiago de Cuba are:
- Museo de Ambiente Historico, once the house of the viceroy and now displaying historical artifacts.
- Casa Natal de Jose Maria Heredia, the birthplace of one of Cuba's greatest poets.
- Casa Natal de Antonio Maceo, birthplace of one of the heroes of the war of independence.
- Museo del Carnaval, a museum offering an overview of the tradition of carnival in Santiago.
- Museo Emilio Bacardi, one of Cuba's first museums, founded by Emilio Bacardi and housing a valuable collection that covers the period between the "Spanish Conquest" and the "War of Independence".
- Museo del Ron, offering interesting information about the famous Cuban rum.
- Fortaleza del Morro, guarding the entrance to Bahia de Santiago, built on a rocky promontory. The fortress is located about 16 kilometers (10 miles) south of the center of Santiago and now hosts the "Museum of Piracy".
- Loma de San Juan, the place where Teddy Roosevelt defeated the Spanish troops.
- Museo "La Isabelica", displaying artifacts from the French settlement of the area.
- La Gran Piedra, an enormous rock of volcanic origin. It is 51 meters long and 25 meters wide, located on the top of a 1225 meters high mountain. From there the views of Sierra Maestra mountains are stunning and as result is recommended that this site be included in any tour of Santiago.
- Parque Bocanao, a "World Heritage Biosphere Reserve", filled with attractions such as a magnificent garden named Jardin Ave de Paraiso, dating from 1860.
- Valle de la Prehistoria, a collection of dinosaur bones and other prehistoric creature fossils.
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