Cuba /Sep 29, 2025
Parque Cespedes, or Parque Carlos Manuel de Céspedes to give it its official name, was first laid out in 1515 as the founding square of Santiago de Cuba.
The current name, Parque Cespedes, is actually relatively new, with the square having changed names multiple times – Plaza de Armas, Plaza de la Constitución and Plaza de la Reina – until it adopted its current name in honour of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, one of the heroes of Cuban independence. A bronze bust of the man can be found within the park.
Parque Cespedes is located in Santiago de Cuba, the second largest city on the island of Cuba and located in the far east, almost 900kms from the capital, Havana.
The park is located in the centre of the city and is walkable to many sites of interest and hotels.
Overlooking the park is the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, first built in 1528 and reconstructed multiple times after earthquakes and pirate attacks. For locals, its twin towers stand as a reminder of the city’s resilience through centuries of turmoil.
On the park’s northern side is the city’s town hall, the Ayuntamiento, where Fidel Castro famously declared the victory of the Cuban Revolution on January 1, 1959, addressing a jubilant crowd below.
A few steps away, the Casa de Diego Velázquez is believed to be the oldest standing house in Cuba, and reveals the wealth of the island’s first Spanish governor, who lived here in the early 1500s. The building’s ornate wooden balconies still face the square, watching over the comings and goings of modern life.
Tucked away in a corner of the Parque Cespedes, one will also find the city’s Casa de la Trova, a pan Cuban cultural centre where locals and visitors alike can enjoy a variety of cultural events, be that music or poetry.
Aside from the buildings that surround it, Parque Cespedes remains the cultural, social, political, and tourist heart of Santiago de Cuba, hosting processions, open-air concerts, religious celebrations and various other events. It is also one of the best places in Cuba to people-watch.
Amongst the historic buildings that surround Parque Cespedes is the Hotel Casa Granda, built by the Cuban Railroad Company in 1914 on the site of the former home of the Fernández de Granda family.
One of the most iconic hotels in Cuba, and made famous by Graham Greene in ‘Our Man In Havana’, there is perhaps no better people-watching spot in all of Cuba than the hotel’s outdoor terrace bar. For more far reaching, panoramic views, head up to the rooftop terrace.
Other hotels within walking distance of Parque Cespedes include Hotel San Basilio and the Imperial Hotel.
Most visitors to Cuba fly into the nation’s capital city and number one draw, Havana, almost 900kms distant from Santiago de Cuba at the other end of the island.
At the time of writing, domestic flights within Cuba are still not reliable enough for us to be able to recommend flying between the two cities. This may change of course, so please don’t hesitate to ask.
For now, the only way of combining Havana & Santiago is to travel there and back by road as part of a comprehensive tour of Cuba.
One such example would be our Cuba Revolution tour which includes 3 nights in Santiago and, of course, a visit to Parque Cespedes. Please note that this tour is provided on a private basis and the itinerary can be modified to suit clients’ individual requirements.
For those in countries with flights to either Santiago de Cuba or Holguin (2 ½ hours drive away), visiting eastern Cuba is much more straightforward.
Starting and finishing in Holguin in eastern Cuba, this suggested, week-long private tour takes in the key highlights of eastern Cuba, combining both city and countryside with the option, at the end, of extending your holiday at one of Cuba’s beautiful beaches.
This fully flexible, 14 night private tour takes in the length of the island and includes visits to many of the key destinations associated with the Cuba Revolution.
Enjoy a private Cuba tour with your own driver / guide. This 10 night itinerary takes in the highlights of western Cuba but is only a small taste of what we can offer.
La Gran Piedra is a vast, near 70,000 tonne boulder located high in the hills, a short drive east of Santiago de Cuba.
Although often referred to as the Morro Castle, the correct name of Santiago de Cuba's iconic castle is San Pedro de la Roca.
As the largest island in the Caribbean, Cuba is packed full of things to do and see including no less than 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
When making your travel arrangements, we understand just how important peace-of-mind is. Beyond The Ordinary hold both ATOL & ABTOT bonds so whether you book your flights through us, or independently, any money you pay us is 100% protected. More detailed information on Financial Protection can be found by clicking here.
Whichever of our featured countries you wish to visit, we've been there several times. So, if you're after something beyond the ordinary to Cuba, Nicaragua, Guatemala or the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, we'd love to hear from you.
