Holguin awaits: its aquarium, adventures, oceanfront and more!
Holguin Province is Cuba's
fourth largest. Holguin City lies 760km/495 miles southeast of Havana and
has about 300,000 residents. The city has a long cultural tradition which
includes lyrical theatre, symphonic orchestra, modern ballet and thriving
visual arts.
To the west of Holguin is a
vantage point, Loma de la Cruz, which offers wonderful views over the city and
across the province. This is the best
known place in the city and perhaps the most representative. On May 3rd 1790,
the Fray Francisco Antonio de Alegría placed a wooden cross at the very top of
the hill. For years it was the site of pilgrimages and more recently it has
been the site for the Romerías de Mayo,
a popular festival that brings together tradition and modernity. You can
get to the top by car, but the best way is to climb up the 458 steps from the
base.
To the southeast of the
city there is a second elevation called Mayabe Lookout (Mirador de Mayabe).
The view of the city is not as close as the one from the Hill of the Cross but
it is a wonderful place to enjoy a quiet and romantic day. At the top there
is a motel with some wooden cabins, a restaurant, several private open cabins
from where you can order lunch, dinner or snacks and different kinds of drinks.
But the main attraction is a donkey called Pancho who loves to drink beer. You
will find him at the Bar El Burro (Donkey Bar).
The average daytime
temperatures from May to September range from 30 to 32°C. From October to April
there are highs of 24 to 29°C.
The rainy season is between
May and October where you can expect to see rain about 10 days per month.
Tourists should also be aware that Holguin can be affected by tropical
depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes during the Atlantic hurricane
season, which runs from June 1 to November 30.
The average monthly
temperatures are:
|
°C |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Day |
28 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
32 |
32 |
33 |
32 |
31 |
29 |
28 |
|
Night |
18 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
23 |
22 |
22 |
21 |
19 |
If you
have a love for shopping then Holguin is for you as there are many shops and
retail outlets.
Holguin is also home to the Guardelavaca Market where you can buy an amazing range
of holiday souvenirs. You will find more than 20 shops in this market selling
items such as acrylic or oil paintings, handmade jewellery, wooden crafts, lace
and other gift items.
Holguin
has some of the best pubs and
bars in Cuba providing free nightly entertainment. Azul, Brisas Del Valle and
Casa de la Trova are the best places in town to listen to boleros, trova or
local music – ideal to experience tradition, culture and authenticity.
Other venues include:
Excursions from Holguin cater
for every taste and preference. Some places close to Holguin, which over the
years have become famous excursion spots are:
·
Guardelavaca Beach
·
Emerald Beach
·
Pinares De Mayari
·
Cayo Saetia
·
Snorkelling excursions
