Located on the south-central region of the Island and with a unique tourism product, whose main elements are its enormous nautical potential and its rich historical and cultural traditions, the province of Cienfuegos is today a must-see place for most of the visitors who tour the country.
Without a doubt, its main attraction is the capital city itself, identically named and unique settlement founded by French settlers who came from Burdeos, Philadelphia and Louisiana. According to history, the colony of La Fernandina de Jagua owes its birth, on April 22 of 1819, to Don Louis D’Clouet; it became a Villa in 1829 and a City in 1880.
Cienfuegos is widely known as the Pearl of the South or the beautiful city of the sea; and even one its most illustrious children, the greatest sonero Benny Moré, used to proudly call it “the city that I like the most”.
In all cases, the nicknames are very loyal to the beauty of a city that was finally settled on the shores of the peaceful Bay of Jagua and which is very appealing to the visitors because of the perfect straightness of the streets and also for the impressive accumulation of historic cultural and architectural values that can be seen in its historic center, recently declared National Heritage.
Originally, the urban center continued its development according to with the colonial construction style, which used to ramify from the Plaza de Armas (Parade Square), currently known as José Martí square, around which the first 25 blocks were built, as well as the most important government, religious and domestic buildings.
HOTELS
Villa Guajimico:*** Located in the central region of Cuba 42 kilometers away from Cienfuegos and 40 km away from Trinidad, with 51 air-conditioned bungalows with private bath built in traditional Cuban style and scattered prettily around a secluded cove with its own small beach and harbor. An international diving center. Scuba diving, snorkeling, trekking. Facilities include a full-service buffet restaurant, bar, tourist information bureau, safe deposit boxes, satellite telecommunications, shop, game room, beach volleyball, catamarans, saltwater swimming pool overlooking the sea, and medical services 24 hours a day.
Jagua Hotel:*** This hotel is set on Cienfuegos Bay and is only three kilometers (1.8 miles) from the historical center of the city. It has 145 rooms (135 double and 10 triple rooms) with balcony, private bath, radio, telephone with international service, and satellite TV. Currency exchange, room service, two restaurants, snack bar, bar, cabaret, disco, shop, medical center, beauty parlor, swimming pool, ping-pong, billiards, childcare service, hosted entertainment, parking, car rental, taxis, central safe deposit box, postal service, fax service, laundry, and tourist information bureau. This hotel has its own dock from which it is possible to go yachting in the bay.
Rancho Luna Hotel:** Located in Rancho Luna beach 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) from the city, and one hour from Trinidad, this hotel has 225 air-conditioned rooms with private bath and refrigerator. Twelve rooms have TV. Safe deposit box, currency exchange, swimming pool, two restaurants, two grills, cafeteria, five bars, formal dining room, medical service, shop, car and motorcycle rental, taxis, parking, and tourist information bureau. Floating restaurant named “Lindamar”. Excursions can be made in the bay.
Faro Luna Hotel:*** Located on Rancho Luna beach a few meters from the shore and 18 kilometers (11.2 miles) from the city of Cienfuegos. This hotel has 40 air-conditioned rooms with telephone, balconies overlooking the sea or the gardens, satellite TV, radio, private bath with shower or tub. It has conditions for lodging the physically disabled. À la carte restaurant specializing in international and Cuban Creole cuisine, two bars, saltwater swimming pool for both adults and children, hosted entertainment, water sports (scuba diving, aquatic bicycles, catamaran), game room, car rental, medical service, fax service, currency exchange, laundry, telephone with international service, shop, room service, postal service, and tourist information bureau. Operates on the EP, CP, MAP, and AP plans.