Attractions - Sol Río de Luna y Mares - Holguín Cuba - Meliá Cuba Hotels

City of Holguín

The provincial capital, also noted for being the only city in Cuba to maintain a system of ancient parks linked by two parallel streets, heart of the city's social, cultural and commercial life. Also known as the City of Parks, it hosts major events such as the Festival of Ibero-American Culture, celebrated every year at the end of October, and the Romerías de Mayo, a lively tradition beginning with a pilgrimage to the Loma de la Cruz (hill of the cross), from where the entire city can be seen.

Esmeralda Beach

Distance: 0.1 Km

Known as Playa Esmeralda, the stretch of coastline of Estero Ciego Caleticas has two magnificent beaches of almost one kilometre in length and protected by coral reefs. Its clean, warm, transparent waters are deep green in colour. It is protected by escarpments, cliffs and lush and shady vegetation. Nearby is the natural park of Bahía de Naranjo.

Cayo Naranjo

Distance: 1.2 Km

One of the three small keys located in Bahía de Naranjo, where visitors can enjoy the dolphinarium and tour the zoo-aquarium.

Cayo Saetía

Distance: 1.2 Km

At the entrance to Nipe Bay, this is the largest key in the Cuban archipelago. 65% of its 42 km² of surface area is covered in natural forests which provide a habitat in which various species of exotic animals, such as antelope, zebra and deer, roam freely. It boasts a dozen small pristine beaches.

Bahía de Naranjo Natural Park

Distance: 1.9 Km

It stretches along 32 km of coast and covers an area of 1,000 hectares. It has three small keys and an aquarium with dolphin and sea lion shows. Surrounded by lush vegetation, it also offers the option of following ecotourism paths and enjoying other outdoor activities.

Chorro de Maíta

Distance: 2.5 Km

Some 8 km south of the Guardalavaca beach is the largest burial ground to be found in the Antilles. Beside this archaeological cemetery is La Aldea Taína, a theme park with reconstructed scenes from the everyday lives of the native communities, with their hut-like dwellings, their customs and games.

Bariay National Monument Park

Distance: 17.6 Km

A group of monuments created by the Holguín sculptress Caridad Ramos recalls the landing of Admiral Christopher Columbus on Cuban soil on 28 October 1492. The group of sculptures entitled "Encuentro" (Encounter) blends enormous Greco-Roman style columns into the natural surroundings to mark the spot of the historic landing. There are also replicas of a Spanish fort and native village, as well as a museum.

City of Banes

Distance: 23.3 Km

Acknowledged as Cuba’s archaeological city. To visit its museums is to go back to the past and its old residents.

Town of Gibara

Distance: 27 Km

For a long time this was the main arrival point from the sea to the whole of the north coast of the eastern provinces, turning it into a prosperous area. This coastal town, known as the Villa Blanca (white town), still boasts today the most remarkable examples of colonial architecture in the province of Holguín. Its two most important museums are the Museum of Natural Sciences and the Colonial Museum.

Baní Indo-Cuban Museum

Distance: 47.3 Km

The most complete collection relating to Indo-Cuban culture is held in this museum in the town of Banes, known as the archaeological capital of Cuba. Among the thousands of pieces held, two are of particular interest: a solid gold icon, the first to be found in the area, and an indigenous skull with a hole in it similar to one that might be caused by the impact of a bullet.

Museum of Natural History

Distance: 47.4 Km

In the centre of the city of Holguín, this museum exhibits around 7,000 specimens of fauna native to Cuba and from other parts of the western hemisphere. Its collections of birds and molluscs are the most comprehensive in the whole country.

Swimming with dolphins

Distance: 593 Km

You can enjoy an unforgettable swim with the friendly dolphins of the Cayo Naranjo recreation park located in the middle of peaceful Bahia de Naranjo (Naranjo Bay).