Santiago de Cuba

[[file:Santiago de Cuba banner Padre Pico steps - Looking down the Padre Pico steps|Santiago de Cuba banner Padre Pico steps - Looking down the Padre Pico steps]] MainChurchSantiago - |The church in Santaiago de Cuba's main square

Santiago de Cuba is the capital of the Santiago de Cuba province in south-eastern Cuba.

Santiago de Cuba Halal Travel Guide

Santiago is the second city of Cuba. Fidel Castro started the Cuban Revolution from here in the 1950s.

Travel to Santiago de Cuba

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Santiago de Cuba

Cubana flies in from Havana several times daily for $110 each way.

There is also a weekly Service from Montego Bay, and a twice weekly service from Kingston (Jamaica)|Kingston, Jamaica on Air Jamaica Shuttle . The Cost of a return journey is roughly US$360 (June 2012)

Sunrise airlines flies to Santiago de Cuba from Port-au-Prince some 3 times per week for about $400 (round trip) (June 2023)

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Santiago de Cuba

Overnight train service along the main line from Havana via Matanzas, Santa Clara (Cuba)|Santa Clara, and Camagüey runs 2 of every 3 days. The Tren Francés, running every 3 days with refurbished coaches from the old Paris-Amsterdam service, is Cuba's premier train, and the most reliable train in Cuba (which is not to say it is reliable). It theoretically departs Havana at 6:27 PM and arrives in Santiago the next day at 9:12 AM, stopping overnight in Santa Clara and Camagüey. The other train is a simple express with a few more stops and also runs every three days. One-way from Havana on the Tren Francés costs $73 CUC in first class (which is well worth it) and $50 CUC in second class (called especial), while especial on the other train costs $30 CUC. Note that unlike Víazul, students studying in Cuba pay in pesos. There are other services, such as a daytime train to Camagüey and Santa Clara (Cuba)|Santa Clara on Thursdays and Sundays, returning on Mondays and Fridays. Local train service to Holguin has been suspended due to poor track conditions. As elsewhere in Cuba, check in advance before planning train travel–the schedules are always in flux. And expect to arrive late, maybe by more than 10 hours, even on the Tren Francés.

Santiago's GPS 20.0308, -75.8345 train station is on the relative outskirts of town, so you'll want a taxi or bici-taxi to your accommodations.

By car

Taxi fare from/to Holguin Airport is $30CUC/person.on a shared ride.

Travel on a Bus in Santiago de Cuba

Viazul busses depart from the train station. Four daily Viazul buses run to/from Havana, three local and one express (stopping in Camagüey only). There is also a daily bus to Baracoa, another to Trinidad (Cuba)|Trinidad (which runs daytime to Santiago and overnight to Trinidad), and a daily overnight from Varadero. From Havana and the price is $51 CUC.

The local Astrobus bus station GPS 20.03823, -75.81710 is (too) relatively remote from the downtown, so you'll need a taxi to get to/from there. A fairly nice plaza right next to it can be used, if you need to spend 1/2 hour or so.

Getting to Santiago from Havana takes about 15 hours on the local bus, and 12 hours on the express overnight.

How to get around in Santiago de Cuba

GPS 20.0288|-75.8288

Most of the historical center is accessible by foot, in fact for tourists it's the only reasonable option.

To get farther away, taxis in the city will "happily" take you for a ride for the whole day, for a price. Plenty of them can be found standing between Plaza de Marte and Parque Cespédes.

What to see in Santiago de Cuba

Castillo del Morro by Glogg 4 - San Pedro de la Roca

• Parque Céspedes 20.02147, -75.82948 A kind of urban oasis, picturesque part of the city - with the cathedral Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, few museums and pubs around. Castro announced victory here in 1959 from the town hall. The place is quite noisy, as it serves as an intersection for the traffic. Additionally, be prepared for street sellers, street music and especially in the evening jineteras.

• Plaza de Marte 20.02227, -75.82183 A small park on the other side of the historical center of the city than Parque Céspedes.

• Museo Provincial "Emilio Bacardí Moreau" 20.02152, -75.82784
• Balcon de Velazquez 20.0207090, -75.8308473 A terrace with a nice view of the bay.

• San Juan Hill - GPS 20.02021, -75.79831 Mast edited: 2022-10-26. A park, originally a place of fight in the Spanish-American War. Good views, displays of various monuments and old canons, souvenirs.

Outside the city:

• San Pedro de la Roca historic castle 1 9.9685, -75.8701 - Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, easily combined with the following in a single day.

• La Gran Piedra 20.01129, -75.62710

Gran Piedra Cuba - La Gran Piedra

A big rock in the mountains, with a botanical garden nearby. Neither is particularly special, but it provides a good refreshment as it is high in the mountains. This also means that it is often covered in clouds/mist/rain, and some of the old "taxis" may have issues getting there without overheating.

• Baconao nature park.

• Valle de la Prehistoria 1 9.9450, -75.6539 - In-line with similar "attraction" in Vinales, this somewhat remote and bizarre theme park displays statues of dinosaurs, mammoths and such. A cafe in Fred Flinsone style is also present.

Best things to do in Santiago de Cuba

• Casa de la Trova 20.0210093, -75.8287447 - Non-free in the evening. A famous music club, with (probably) nightly live music, with drinks available too. You can expect it being very full, esp. of 1-day and elderly tourists.

Study in Santiago de Cuba

If you want to learn Spanish during your stay in Santiago de Cuba you can take an Intensive Spanish course from one week up to four weeks. The classes are held 4 hours per day and give you the opportunity to improve your Spanish quickly during a short time period.

• Babylon Idiomas offers a wide range of affordable and high quality Spanish courses for all levels with experienced native teachers. Cultural and social activities are included in the programme. The school is located in the heart of the city in the neighborhood "Reparto Sueño" close to the Céspedes Park. New students can start on any Monday of the year.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Santiago de Cuba

• José Antonio Saco street 20.02239, -75.82759 A quite busy souvenir shopping street, esp. by Cuban standards.

Halal Restaurants in Santiago de Cuba

LechonVictoriaDeGarzon - |Santiago is a good place to try Lechón.

• Every Saturday and Sunday, a street fair full of vendors of affordable eats starts up on Avenida Victoria de Garzón. This is a good place to try local specialties, including lechón or whole roast pig, Cuban-style fried fish, Cuban-style fried Chicken, and chichurrones or fried Beef rinds. Prices are in pesos and amazingly low. Probably Santiago's cheapest eats overall.
• Paladar (private restaurant) "Salon Tropical." The best place to eat Halal in Santiago.

Mid-range

• Hotel Casa Granda 20.0213271, -75.8290333 - One of the most notable buildings, built in 1914 for Cuban Railroad Company. Drinks on the 6th floor roof top give you a spectacular view of the city at night, but also a normal restaurant is available at the 1st floor.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Santiago de Cuba, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Santiago de Cuba. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Santiago de Cuba and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Santiago de Cuba. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Santiago de Cuba. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSantiago de Cuba: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Santiago de Cuba.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Santiago de Cuba: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Santiago de Cuba, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Santiago de Cuba.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Santiago de Cuba, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Santiago de Cuba, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Santiago de Cuba and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Santiago de Cuba, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Santiago de Cuba, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Santiago de Cuba without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Santiago de Cuba is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Santiago de Cuba.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Santiago de Cuba is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Santiago de Cuba, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Santiago de Cuba Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

New in June 2015: AirBnB.com offers now peer-to-peer lodging, typically around US$35 per day. There are also many other AirBnB-like reservation websites, search for "casa particulates in XYZ".

Casas Particulares

As is generally the case with booking casas in Cuba, don't assume the email works! It's often best to make a phone call once in Cuba.

• Casa Elma & David, Rey Pelayo #6 (between Carniceria and Calvario) ☎ +53 22 62 06 56, ☎ +53 58 814996, E-mail: @ Centrally located, a few blocks away from Parque Céspedes. Extremely clean and spacious room, recently refurbished with two double beds, air-conditioning and balcony. The host Elma and her son David are honest and well-mannered. CUC 30 including breakfast (Jan 2017).

• Hostal Las Terrazas Santiago de Cuba Diego Palacios 177 Entre Mariano Corona y Padre Pico ☎ +53 22 620522 - CUC 30 Movely hostel in the heart of the old city and four blocks away form the urban oasis and the cathedral. The terraces and the roof garden are lovely, with exotic plants and an amazing view of the harbour and Sierra Maestra mountains. The food is delicious and the service is spectacular. They speak four languages: (Spanish), French, Italian and excellent English.

• Casa Colonial 'Maruchi' Hartmann 357 ☎ +53 22 22-07-67 - A lovely colonial house that feature a large open atrium that is filled with all number of tropical plants. The rooms are small and a bit dark, but quite made up for by the rest of the cada. Maruchi is a wonderful cook and also something of an animal lover, with roughly 5 animals plus a fish tank at any given time. She'll send someone to pick you up at the bus station for 3 CUC

• Sres. Odalys López Rodrígez Miguel Angel (Chichi) - Avenida Marti No. 159 Entre Rastro y San Fermín ☎ +53 22 65 72 15 - CUC 25 Casa colonial, clean casa, three room, very friendly hosts, excellent food with best coffee in Cuba, security, comfort, air condition

• Sra. Vilma de los Milagros Román Jaén | Trinidad (General Portuondo) No. 159 Entre Gallo (Diez de Octubre) y San Pio (Brig.H.Vázquez) ☎ +53 22 623315 - CUC 25 Clean Casa, only one room, very friendly hosts, English spoken, air conditioning

• Ing. Ruben Camara Pascual y Lic. Caridad Arafet Arafet Jose A. Saco No. 515 entre Reloj y San Agustin ☎ +53 22 620 305 - CUC 20Air Conditioned, Cold & Hot Water, Private Bathroom, Excellent Food, Security, and Comfort

Mid-range

• Hotel Casa Granda 201 Heredia Dating from 1914, this hotel right on the main square was a favorite of Graham Greene, who used it as a setting in his Our Man in Havana

Telecommunications in Santiago de Cuba

The local newspaper is Sierra Maestra.

• ETECSA Cnr. Hartmann and Tamayo Fleites - 2CUC for 1 hour of internet This ETECSA is the only place in Santiago where visitors can get internet. As usual, no wifi is available, and the terminals here are particularly slow.

Cope

More so than most other places in Cuba, Santiago is full of agents. The touting starts right at the bus or train station (arrange a ride to your casa or hotel in advance, if feasible), but no matter where you go you'll constantly hear calls of ¿Quieres un taxí?.

Travel Next

El Cobre, home to the holiest virgin in Cuba, is a worthwhile day trip from Santiago. The usual next stop on the Eastern Cuba tourist trail is Baracoa, though some travelers head west to Bayamo and the attractions of Granma | Granma Province instead.

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