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Santiago De Cuba Vacations

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Our Opinion of Santiago De Cuba

Cuba's second largest city, Santiago de Cuba, is the most Caribbean of the island's cities since it was greatly influenced by immigration and trade from other Caribbean islands. The influences range from African, Spanish and the French West Indies.

It is proud of its revolutionary heroes, beautiful squares and vibrant musical tradition. And it is known particularly for its carnival.

The magnificent landscape of the city is surrounded by impressive Sierra Maestra and links it to the sea. Santiago is a city of hills so bring good walking shoes.

More Santiago De Cuba Vacation Information

Historically Santiago de Cuba has long been the second most important city on the island after Havana, and still remains the second largest. It is on a bay connected to the Caribbean Sea and is an important sea port. In 2004 the city of Santiago de Cuba had a population of about 494,337 people.

Santiago De Cuba Hotels

All hotels in Santiago De Cuba

Brisas Los Galeones

Brisas Sierra Mar

Club Amigo Carisol Los Corales

Club Bucanero

Costa Morena

Melia Santiago de Cuba

Santiago De Cuba Destination Reviews

Been to this destination?

Rating:

"I was in Santiago de Cuba for a week (Feb 16-23).
I took a flight and was determined to view the "real Cuba" not the tourist Cuba!
I stayed in Casa Particulairs. I highly recommend this. The people's houses are new and nice, usually you are given a private entrance. They also have many connections and are fluent in Spanish, so they can help arrange things for you.
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It is advisable not to give money to anyone who begs. They will not leave you alone. Also: News spreads quickly, and the next few days you will be hassled by more people than you know how to handle!

The city on the outskirts is not very beautiful, but taking the trek into downtown is highly advisable.
There are many courtyards downtown, near the bay. One in particular has a very large yellow cathedral (The name escapes me), and the architecture is magnificent. Across from the cathedral is a hotel, If you take the elevator all the way to the top there is a terrace that overlooks the entire city, the mountains and the bay. The view is breathtaking. This was my favorite place in Santiago.

Cubans here generally speak enough English to get by. I am still learning Spanish, and cannot fully function yet. The majority of people I encountered were very open to my hand signals, or understood enough English, if all my attempts at Spanish failed.

There is a restaurant called "Las Palmeras" near the University. The food is great and the price is decent. You get to sit outside on a patio to eat (I found patios were hard to find). If there is an "X" on the menu board it means they DO have the menu item!

I was warned not to try the street food, but couldn't resist the urge! I had street pizza and ice cream. Both were delicious and a good deal. The ice cream is probably the best I have ever had, it looked extremely "sketchy" but it was delicious! If you find these stands you are lucky! They are highly unpredictable!

There are street parties on Saturday and Sunday night. They are safer then they seem, I was a female alone and I waded through the crowd all the way to the stage area. I had a great time, and made some new Cuban friends.

When the heat of Santiago gets the best of you, head out to the beach! You can take a bus or a cab, either is fine (although, avoid the buses if you are cluster phobic!). The beach is beautiful, with much coral, trees for shade, the waves are large enough to body surf, and there is a sunken dock to snorkel to!

All in all, Santiago is a beautiful city! Many said it was one of the worst in Cuba, but I have travelled around the country, and Santiago is definitely one of my favorite cities!

"
Reviewer: amymac313
Date: Feb. 26, 2009

Rating:

"Beautiful lush tropical setting on a hill overlooking the sea."
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Jan. 04, 2009

Rating:

"The resort is in a beautiful mountain views and It has everything from sport activities to relaxing walks....but to and my girl f.. did not matter a lot actually because "THE BAR WAS OPEN 24/7""
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Jun. 28, 2008

Rating:

"Location is fabulous!"
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Mar. 11, 2008

Rating:

"The mountains and the sea are breath taking. The gardens at the resort are tended to at all times. The resort is extremely well taken care of. The city of Santiago de Cuba is very nice as well the people in cuba. They city is very clean, and the people are very nice to all there tourist. It is very safe place to travel."
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Jan. 19, 2008

Things to know about Santiago De Cuba Vacations

Activities & Sports

The coastal beaches have all the services and water sports, like kayaking or sailing and windsurfing, ready to use.

Great scuba diving and snorkeling with extremely well-preserved coral reefs and crystal clear waters. The Sigua, Daiquiri, Bucanero and Sierra Mar diving areas are part of the 73 regional dive sites.

The Marina Punta Gorda has excellent docking facilities and offers sailing tours. From here you can rent a boat for a wonderful fishing expedition in fresh waters.

Go on a horseback ride on the mountain paths.

Dining & Nightlife
Tropicana Santiago is a grand cabaret devoted mostly to Cuban-Caribbean rhythms. But it also features other fine artistic performances and excellent cuisine and beverages. Another one to try is the San Pedro del Mar Cabaret.

There are countless bars and discotheques to party the night away. Some mentions include the Club Tropical, Club la Iris (with karaoke) and Club 3000.

Traditional and cultural performances abound as well at the Casa de la Tradiciones Populares, Casa de la Trova and Cafe-concert Niagara to name a few.

Restaurants offering traditional fare include El Morro, Casa Granda, Santiago 1900 and Casa de Don Antonio. This is a great city to try out a Cuban paladar, a private (non state) restaurant that is usually family run. A safe one to try is the Paladar Salon Tropical that offers often chickpea stew, pork cordon bleu, shish kabobs, liver, and barbecued chicken.

Shopping
Cuban cigars, rum and coffee are the most popular souvenirs, followed by wood handicraft and congas. Cuban music recordings are a must as well.

Santiago de Cuba claims to have some of the best rum in all the Caribbean.

Flying time from:
Toronto: Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes.
Montreal: Approximately 4 hours.

Languages: Spanish, English widely spoken in tourist areas.
Currency: CUC (Cuban Convertible Peso); CAD dollars easily exchanged but subject to 8% conversion fee (10% for US dollars and 11.24% for credit card charges). US-issued credit cards and travellers cheques are not accepted in Cuba.
Climate: Santiago has a tropical hot climate that is moderated by trade winds. The rainy season runs from May through October.
Electricity: 110V or 220V (converters required) depending on hotel.

Documents
Canadian citizens require a valid passport to enter Cuba. All other nationalities please consult a vacation specialist or the Cuban Consulate at (416)234-8181 or the Cuban Tourist Board at (416) 362-0700.

Cuba tourist cards are supplied & validated with vacation packages. Some restrictions apply to tourists 18 years & under, when travelling without parents.

Note: Some hotels require credit card imprint upon check-in for any incidental charges. Hotel check-in is typically between 3pm and 4pm. If your flight arrives early, it is a good idea to pack essential items in your carry-on luggage (i.e. bathing suit, suntan lotion, medications, etc.), so you do not miss any valuable vacation time.

IMPORTANT:Each travelling passenger is responsible to pay a local departure tax in Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC). This fee is payable in cash at the airport in destination prior to boarding your flight, in the amount of CUC$25 (subject to change).