Eastern Cuba Highlights

Day 1 — Holguin to Bayamo

Clients will be met at Holguin airport and transferred by road to Bayamo.

Day 2 — Bayamo and on to Santo Domingo

Older than either Havana or Santiago, the small, charming, colonial town of Bayamo is somewhere that many Cubans hold dear for its revolutionary history.

In this instance however, we refer not to the Cuban Revolution of the 1950s, but rather the war of independence from Spain in the 19th century.

During this prolonged struggle, Bayamo was an insurgent stronghold and, in an act of defiance, large parts of the town were burned to the ground by its own residents.

Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, viewed by many as the father of the independence movement, was also a native of Bayamo and in stark contrast to the estate owners of Trinidad, was famous for freeing the slaves on his own plantation.

Despite this tumultuous history, Bayamo is still an attractive town to visit with plenty of graceful colonial-era architecture to admire including San Salvador cathedral, the Bayamo theatre, and Parque Cespedes.

Another, less well-known feature of the town, and a welcome one at that, is the relative lack of motor traffic – even today a significant number of Bayamo residents still get about by bike or horse.

After a leisurely breakfast, you will set off on a walking tour of town, taking in the key sites of interest. Returning to the hotel to check-out, you will then proceed by road to the picturesque foothills of the Sierra Maestre and an overnight at Santo Domingo.

Day 3 — La Plata & to Santiago via El Cobre

After breakfast, you will be collected by jeep and driven to nearby a private jeep Alto del Naranjo and the start of the approximate 3kms hike to La Plata.

Established in 1958 and hidden within the cloud forest of the Sierra Maestra in eastern Cuba, La Plata was so remote that it was never discovered by government forces.

As a site of huge national significance, little has changed at La Plata in the intervening years. The site consists of 16 simple, wooden bungalows that included living quarters (Fidel had his own bungalow), field hospital, communications centre and arms depot.

One of the buildings has been converted into a small museum detailing the short history of La Plata but, for most visitors, it is the setting and location that is the most memorable aspect of the site.

(Important Note: The trail up to La Plata is steep in parts, frequently uneven and, depending on the weather, muddy. If you are not fit and happy to fall over once or twice, it is probably best to forego this part of the itinerary)

Returning to Santo Domingo, there will be time for lunch at the hotel before you set off for Santiago, including a stop at El Cobre enroute.

Located some 20kms from Santiago in the beautiful foothills of the Sierra Maestre, El Cobre is Cuba’s most important pilgrimage site. The church was built in 1927 and houses a black Madonna which many Cubans come to venerate and ask for protection from. In 1998, the then Pope visited El Cobre, blessed the shrine and referred to the Madonna as the Queen of Cubans.

Today, the Madonna is located on the second story of the church behind a glass case. The church is open daily from 6 till 6 and entrance is free. If you are visiting during September, an annual pilgrimage takes place on the 12th of the month.

Continuing on from El Cobre, you will reach Santiago in the late afternoon.

Day 4 — Santiago

Once the island’s capital and now its second largest city, Santiago de Cuba has a very different feel to Havana which is almost 900kms away.

The city is probably the most ethnically diverse in Cuba having experienced waves of immigration over the centuries, including from nearby Haiti. This has led Santiago de Cuba to being described as more Caribbean and slightly less Latino than elsewhere on the island. It has also led to the city being home to a diverse cultural mix and rich musical heritage.

The city’s slight disconnect from the rest of the island also explains why it was here that the Cuban Revolution first gained traction. For visitors with an interest in this aspect of Cuban history, a visit to the Moncada Barracks is an absolute must, as is the City Hall from which Fidel Castro pronounced final victory.

With so much to see in the city, your near full day tour of Santiago begins right after breakfast with visits to the aforementioned Moncada Barracks, Revolution Square, Museum Diego Velazquez and the Santa Ifigenia cemetery to, hopefully, see the changing of the guard at Fidel’s grave.

You will then head out the city for the short drive to the San Pedro de la Roca fortress (aka the Morro Castle) which guards the entrance to Santiago Bay and which boasts superb views along the coast.

Lunch will follow at nearby Cayo Granma before you return to the very heart of the city, Parque Cespedes, for a final, relaxing stroll. The remainder of the day is at leisure

Day 5 — Santiago (Day trip out)

Today you will head out of Santiago for the day, returning in the late afternoon.

First up, you will head along what is now referred to as the Revolutionary Highway, to Granjita de Siboney, the farmhouse base from where Fidel Castro planned his ultimately unsuccessful attack against the aforementioned Moncada Barracks in July 1953.

Now a museum, the building retains many of its original features and personal effects from the time. Next to the farmhouse is the well in which their weapons were stashed.

In a slightly odd coincidence, there is also a nearby plaque that commemorates the landing of US forces in 1898 in support of the war of independence.

Just a short drive from Granjita de Siboney is the Gran Piedra, a vast natural rock, from the top of which (weather permitting) visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding region.

Also included on your day’s exploration, just a couple of kms from La Gran Piedra, is a visit to La Isabelica, an old mansion at the heart at one of the first coffee plantations established in eastern Cuba by Haitian emigres.

The surrounding buildings include the old slave quarters and workshops that include the original coffee-processing machinery.

A word of warning – at this altitude, the cool temperatures can come as something of a shock after the hot, steamy weather typical of Santiago!

Day 6 — Santiago to Baracoa via Guantanamo

Departing Santiago de Cuba after breakfast, your first stop of the day will be Mirador La Gobernadora where you can stretch your legs and peer over to the distant US Naval base of Guantánamo Bay.

After a break for lunch at a family-run paladar in the small, seaside community of Tortuguilla, you will head inland for the beginning of one of the most spectacular driving routes in Cuba, the famous La Farola. Until it was built, the only way to reach Baracoa was by sea.

Winding its way through the Sierra del Purial mountains for the next 60kms, you will leave behind the driest region in Cuba and enter its greenest and most lush – Baracoa.

Enroute, there will be a brief stop at Alto de Cotilla, the highest point on La Farola at some 600 metres (1,970 ft) above sea level. From the lookout tower, 360 degree views take in the surrounding mountains as well as both the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. If you fancy a snack, local farmers sell fresh, seasonal fruit by the side of the road.

On arrival in Baracoa, and having dropped your bags at your accommodation, you will set off on a walking tour of this historic, compact town by the sea.

Discover the old forts the city built to fend off pirate attacks, enjoy the sights at the central Parque Independencia together with views of the sunken ship at Porto Santo Bay and the iconic mount El Yunque in the distance.

Visit the Eliseo Osorio Art Gallery and discover Baracoa’s painters and sculptors, shop for handcrafts at the small pedestrian strip and enjoy an al fresco while watching the world go by. If you like live music, it is also worthwhile popping into the town’s Casa de la Trova and checking on the evening’s musical performance schedule.

Day 7 — Baracoa (Day trip out)

After a delicious breakfast at your casa particular, you will head out of town and over picturesque, rolling hills to visit Finca Las Mujeres. This women-led, family farm offers guided visits plus a tasting of organic, artisan cocoa products in the heart of Cuba’s chocolate capital. You can support these hard-working producers by purchasing some of their unique products.

Next up, you will take a rowing boat into the amazing Yumurí Canyon, gliding between its 200 metre high, green-covered cliffs. With your guide, you will learn about the agricultural history of the area, its ancient plant-based medicine and diverse flora and fauna, including the world-famous and colourful Polymita picta tree snails. There will also be an opportunity to bathe in the refreshing, natural pools of the Yumuri River, so don’t forget your swimming gear.

Next up, we recommend sampling a fresh fish or seafood dish in Baracoa’s traditional coconut milk sauce at a local, family-run paladar either by the canyon’s mouth or at El Manglito Beach.

The remainder of the afternoon will be spent relaxing at the beach before returning to town.

Day 8 — Baracoa (Day trip out)

Roughly 35km north of town lies Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, a World Natural Heritage Site recognized for its remarkably high levels of endemic flora and fauna.

You will have the option of a 3km hike discovering primary forests, colourful Cuban birds such as the Cuban Trogon, Cuban Tody, Oriente Warbler, and Cuban Pygmy-Owl, and the tiny Mount Iberia Frog, one of the smallest amphibians in the planet – it fits within a fingernail!

Alternatively, you can take an approximately 2 hour-long rowing boat-ride around Taco Bay, a biogeographical gem within the maritime area of the National Park. Your guide will row into a mangrove and as far as the mouth of this sublime karstic bay. If you are lucky, you might see some of the manatees that live in the bay’s waters.

A delicious, fresh fish or seafood lunch can be had at a family-run paladar in beautiful Maguana Beach, where white sands and teal-coloured waters will charm you for the rest of the afternoon.

Day 9 — Baracoa to Holguin via Biran

After an early breakfast, you begin the journey back west with the drive from Baracoa to Holguin via Biran.

Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra de Nipe, the otherwise unremarkable village of Biran is famous throughout Cuba for being the birthplace of Fidel, Raul, Ramon & Juanita Castro.

Their father, Angel, bought the vast 93sq km Finca Las Manacas in 1915, a clear indication of what the young Fidel & Raul gave up for their principles.

Interestingly, the estate was the first property in Cuba to be appropriated by the new government at the culmination of the Revolution, although it wasn’t until 2002 that it took on its current form as Museo Conjunto Historico de Biran.

The multiple, yellow wooden houses at the heart of the estate are where the Castro family lived. In addition to countless photos and personal family items, including their father’s car, you can also visit the schoolhouse in which Fidel studied.

In the nearby cemetery, you will also find the graves of Fidel’s father and siblings. From Biran, you will then continue to Holguin where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 10 — End of Tour

The tour now comes to an end with a number of options to follow.

1 – Depending on flight schedules, clients can be dropped off at Holguin airport for their return flight home (or even back to Santiago de Cuba airport if need be).

2 – For clients looking to extend their stay in Cuba with time at the beach, beautiful Guardalavaca is only an hour’s drive away.

3 – If you are looking to continue with your sightseeing, we can include a day trip to the nearby, picturesque, coastal town of Gibara (accommodation is also available in Gibara).

4 – It is also possible to visit the city of Camaguey, although that is a 3-hour drive so an overnight would be required.

5 – Depending on flight schedules & time, it is also possible to keep heading west from Holguin, overnighting in Camaguey and then on to the many historic & natural attractions, not to mention the beaches, of western Cuba.