Trip to Cienfuegos, on the southern coast of the island of Cuba. Itinerary to discover the Cuban town, famous for its elegant style.
“The city that I like” so say the words of the song by the famous artist Benny Morè, speaking of Cienfuegos, a small Cuban town which for its beauty is also known as the “Pearl of the South”. One of those small places in Cuba that enchant visitors with its elegant atmospheres in perfect French colonial style, harmonized by a genuine and cheerful Caribbean soul that makes this city unique and particular.
Casas Particulares Cienfuegos it is a seaside city overlooking the natural Bahia de Jagua, the most majestic in Cuba, famous for its rich marine ecosystem, its dream coasts and its natural landscapes of extraordinary beauty, as well as being among the most important commercial ports in the Sea of the Caribbean. Here to defend the city from pirate attacks, the Spaniards built it at the end of the 18th century Fortaleza of Our Lady of the Angels of Jagua.
The historic center of Cienfuegos is colorful and characteristic, with its narrow cobbled streets and elegant avenues, lined with colonial buildings in which the shades of green and turquoise stand out, which in 2005 acquired the status of a UNESCO world heritage site, one of 9 awards received from the Republic of Cuba.
What to see in Cienfuegos? There are many intriguing points of interest starting from Parque José Marti, the heart of the city, surrounded by buildings and monuments such as the Tomas Terry Theatre, in Spanish colonial style and considered one of the most elegant buildings in the city; there Cathedral of the Purisima Concepcion, with a neoclassical facade and two high towers; and the splendid Casa de la Cultura Benjamin Duarte, a neoclassical palace, from whose terrace you can enjoy a splendid view of the bay.
In the center of the Cienfuegos park there is the statue of the poet and national hero Jose Martí and the Arc de Triomphe dedicated to Cuban independence. In the numerous colonial-style outdoor bars overlooking the park it will be possible to drink a beer, relax listening to live music or be portrayed by a friendly street artist. On the Paseo del Prado, the main street of the city, you can relax with a walk among the local craft shops while contemplating the bronze statue dedicated to Benny More.
Moving towards the coast, in the area of Punta Gorda you can see magnificent stately villas in perfect art nouveau style built in the early twentieth century. In particular, we suggest a stop at the Palazzo de Valle, a building built in Cienfuegos in 1917 at the behest of Acisclo del Valle Blanco, a Spaniard who came to Cuba from Asturias, whose structure, a mix of Moorish and Baroque architecture, recalls a Moroccan kasbah decorated with colorful tiles and red domes.
Here a pause is in order restaurant located on the beautiful panoramic terrace to enjoy an excellent mojito while enjoying a spectacular sunset immersed in the bay of Cienfuegos. For those who want to have fun in the evening, on the Malecon seafront, there are the major clubs and discos which at weekends are filled with people eager to party dancing to the notes of Cuban music.
The coast of Cienfuegos is full of small coves, caves and coral reefs but one of its most important natural beauties is found in The niche, within the beautiful Topes de Colantes Natural Park, halfway between Cienfuegos and Trinidad. El Nicho is an astonishing waterfall of crystalline water that offers the possibility of walking along a fascinating path immersed in the tropical landscape of Cuba known as the "Kingdom of Waters", where you can swim in the fresh and clear natural pools, observe flowers and colorful birds.
Outside of Cienfuegos, about twenty kilometers from the city, is Playa Moon Ranch one of the most beautiful beaches in Cuba. A beautiful cove with fine white sand and framed by magnificent palm groves, ideal for those who want to relax in the sun, immerse themselves in the crystal clear waters to admire the intricate underwater labyrinth created by the coral reefs or have fun sailing, rowing and kayaking. Here you will find all the comforts, hotel complexes, resorts and all the services such as bars, restaurants and fully equipped beach facilities.
Not far from the Playa, you can visit the splendid La Soledad Botanical Garden, a very rich vegetable garden of cacti and palms and splendid specimens of mariposas, the national flower. Don't miss the opportunity to go on an excursion to the Guanaroca Lagoon, 12 kilometers from Cienfuegos, a fantastic body of salt water surrounded by tropical forests and a kingdom of flamingos, pelicans and tocororos, an authentic paradise in the heart of Cuba for birdwatchers.
From Cienfuegos, you can also go on an exciting half-day excursion to Saint Isabel of Las Lajas, the enchanting village in Cuba where Benny Moré was born, to visit his house, now a museum. For beach and sea lovers, the best time to visit Cienfuegos is from January to April, but if you want to savor the most genuine and partying Cuban soul, it is better to go between August and September, when the Benny Festival is celebrated Moré and the Cienfuegos Carnival.
