Hotels in Holguín, Cuba

Holguín is practically an eternal summer. The average temperatures vary between 26 and 30 degrees C. and there are only two seasons: the rainy season (May through October) and the dry one (November through April). Sugar cane and its derivative products constitute the main course of the major industry, aside from the nickel and traditional products exportation, such as some cigars, the cedar fruits and the products from fishing. In the local cuisine Spanish, French, African, Chinese and Arab influences may be noticed.

Holguín is one of the eastern provinces of Cuba and where mountain chains and green flatlands coexist in harmony. Holguín is also rich in mineral fields, to such an extent that nickel constitutes the major resource.

The capital having the same name Holguín (with its 300 thousand inhabitants), is a city of parks and besides its historical centre, rigurously colonial, is an urbanistically modern and functional city.

The province is likewise famous because it was there that Christopher Columbus arrived for the first time ever in Cuba (Gulf of Bariay) on October 28, 1492 and where (it's said) he stated the famous phrase "the most beautiful land that human eyes have ever seen". At that time, the area was inhabited by Taino indians, an indigenous people from America, named Cubanacán.

The province is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and by Las Tunas, Guantánamo, Granma and Santiago de Cuba provinces. It contains mountain clusters (Sagua Group, Maniabon Group, the Nipe Range and the Cristal Range), as well as flat areas. It's damped by some rivers, such as the Nope, the Tacajo, the Gíbara, the Mayarí, the Sagua and Moa (this latter is partially underground). The most remarkable beaches are: Cayo Saetia, Cayo Bariay, Cayo Narajo, Cayo Mambí, Estero de la Piedra, Estero Ciego, Puerto Rico, and, above all, Guardalavaca Beach.

In the flatland areas sugar cane is particularly exploited, which is transformed thanks to modern refineries, even though, as we have already said, nickel is the most important item, so much so that Cuba owns the 10% of the world total amount.

The city of Holguín was founded in 1523 by the Spanish conqueror García de Holguín, who named it as San Isidoro de Holguín. Only after the Cuban Revolution the urban downtown has known a decisive urban development. The city therefore is modern, but at the same time it keeps certain traits from the Spanish architecture, particularly in the squares of the historical centre.

Urbanistically, the city includes two major parallel avenues that join three squares in which we find the major buildings housing the monuments and the museums.

The overviews of the viewing terrace Mirador de Mayabe and the Mirador de La Cruz are charming. The Mirador de Mayabe is located on the eastern outskirts ofHolguín from which we can admire the panoramic view of the city and that of the Mayabe Valley, which has lush forests with royal palm trees and crops of tropical fruits. The Mirador de La Cruz, is located on the western outskirts, where back in May 1790 a cross was planted which is honored every year with several commemorations. Also striking is the Calixto García Park, a downtown square that still has colonial buildings. It shapes up a park that is lined by major avenues and in its center there rises the statue of general Calixto García, a hero of the independence wars of Cuba.

Among the museums we may mention: the Provincial Historical Museum, that is on 198 Street, built during the 19th century in keeping with a neoclassical style having also a beautiful Moorish patio. There are preserved the Hatch of Holguín, a stone ritual hatch which has carved in stone, a human figure which has become the symbol of the city. The origins of this object go back over a thosand years ago by the Taino indians. Or the Natural History Museum, that is located on 129 Maceo Street. It's dedicated to the scientist De La Torre and it keeps about 7000 specimen of Caribbean flora and fauna. Or also, the Museum of Calixto García's Birthplace, located on 456 Miró Street. This house is transformed into a museum exhibiting documents and witnesses about the famous general.

Worthy of being mentioned is also the Casa de la Trova, located on Maceo Street. A venue of local "trobadores" from the province who organize musical congresses.

Mayarí: City founded in 1757, the second oldest of the province, 100 kilometers away from the city of Holguín. Colonial historical centre, and the Farallones de Seboruco, an important archeological site placed in a cave that goes all the way back to the times of the indigenous Taíno people.

Bariay Beach: it's in the north 50 kilometers away from the city of Holguín. Very near the most famous beach of Guardalavaca, this place has equal popularity, because it was on this beach that, back in 1492, Christopher Columbus landed in Cuba for the first time. This event has been immortalized by a monument to the Genovese explorer and built on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of his arrival. Nearby, we likewise, find an interesting reconstruction of a Taino town, which is nothing but an outdoors museum, a living witness of the pre-Columbian culture ofCuba.

Guardalavaca Beach: it's in the north, 50 kilometers away from the city of Holguín. it's one of the best of Cuba, with four km of whitest sand and small bays surrounded by vegetation. In that place, there are also several important sites for submarine diving.

Don Lino Beach: it's also in the north 50 km away from the city of Holguín. Near Guardalavaca, Don Lino is a small beach which is very attractive and not very crowded by tourism.