VILLA GEMELAS "insider's guidebook"
What to see & do in Holguin, Cuba.
Explore Cuba's Far East and will show you why there’s plenty to fall in love with in Holguin!
The third largest city, Holguin, registers on Cuba’se radar of travelers who are visiting the beautiful beaches of Guardalavaca, located about 50 kilometers north of the city. But a swing through Holguin’s pretty and clean historical center is also worth your time if you’ve made it this far east in Cuba.
•Holguin city was establish in 1523, it has a population of 346,191 . It was founded as San Isidoro de Holguín in 1545, and it is named after its founder Captain García Holguín, a Spanish military officer. Prior to 1976, Holguín was located in the province of Oriente.
*One of it most central parks the Calixto García in the downtown area.
Close by one finds the galleries
*Centro Provincial de Arte and Bayado,
*Local library,
* The club -Casa de la Trova,
*Martí cinema,
*Theatre Eddy Suñol,
the Province *Museum La Periquera,
* Science museum, and a * History museum.
• Loma de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross)
• Art Deco Buildings Near Parque Galixto Garcia
• Where to Eat in Holguin: Delicias Cubanas
• Mirador de Mayabe/Mayabe Lookout
• Nearby Beaches: Guardalavaca
• Day-Trip to Gibara
Be sure to arrive early, this place is always very popular!!
This restaurant is locally owned and operated with the highest's national & international standards! Portions are huge , great for sharing.
Start off with their -Amazing Pina Coladas or an authentic Cuban Mojito.
-Appetizers: Fresh shrimp cocktail , followed by a mixed Farm Salad.
-Mains: -La Brocheta Criolla, -Grilled Chicken, & always their fresh caught of the day is fantastic, paired with my favourite Plantain-Tostones, Rice & beans.
- Dessert : Flan , a crowds favourite.
Finish off with a Cuban espresso add a shot of Havana Club for a memorable experience!
Enjoy,
by VILLA GEMELAS M.
8 locals raden deze aan
Delicias Cubanas
GarayaldeBe sure to arrive early, this place is always very popular!!
This restaurant is locally owned and operated with the highest's national & international standards! Portions are huge , great for sharing.
Start off with their -Amazing Pina Coladas or an authentic Cuban Mojito.
-Appetizers: Fresh shrimp cocktail , followed by a mixed Farm Salad.
-Mains: -La Brocheta Criolla, -Grilled Chicken, & always their fresh caught of the day is fantastic, paired with my favourite Plantain-Tostones, Rice & beans.
- Dessert : Flan , a crowds favourite.
Finish off with a Cuban espresso add a shot of Havana Club for a memorable experience!
Enjoy,
by VILLA GEMELAS M.
-Holguin’s hillside overlook and shrine – called the Loma de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross) – is the crown jewel of the city.
You can grab a taxi or my favourite climb it's 458 steps to the top of the hill, where a bar/restaurant, perched some 850 feet above sea level, overlooks the verdant hills surrounding the city.
The hill gets its name from the wooden cross placed here in 1790 by a Franciscan friar.
There's also a mini Art gallery that features talented local artists!
Enjoy the Panoramic view of Holguin city!
By VILLA GEMELAS M.
31 locals raden deze aan
La Loma De La Cruz
-Holguin’s hillside overlook and shrine – called the Loma de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross) – is the crown jewel of the city.
You can grab a taxi or my favourite climb it's 458 steps to the top of the hill, where a bar/restaurant, perched some 850 feet above sea level, overlooks the verdant hills surrounding the city.
The hill gets its name from the wooden cross placed here in 1790 by a Franciscan friar.
There's also a mini Art gallery that features talented local artists!
Enjoy the Panoramic view of Holguin city!
By VILLA GEMELAS M.
"Mirador de Mayabe" / Mayabe Lookout
More than a century ago, Holguin City extended its area towards the Mayabe Valley, around 15 km away.
Mirador de Mayabe is located in a charming natural setting with great views of the royal palm valley around, that has really no match.
Later on, the valley was used for recreation purposes: restaurants, playing areas and a big pool were built. And in 1974, a comfortable hotel amidst the natural environment was added.
This place has become famous due to the story of a small donkey called Pancho which used to enter the restaurant every day at dusk to drink the beer left overs at the bar.
This story was used as a marketing strategy for the restaurant and the brand of beer Mayabe. When the first donkey Pancho died, his son and grandson took the place. So, one of the best attractions of the place is still, offering beer to the donkey in his stall.
In this unique space you will be able to enjoy facilities as its swimming pool, solarium, restaurant and bar, which will make your stay an unforgettable experience at a very affordable price.
Enjoy,
by: VILLA GEMELAS M.
Mayabe
"Mirador de Mayabe" / Mayabe Lookout
More than a century ago, Holguin City extended its area towards the Mayabe Valley, around 15 km away.
Mirador de Mayabe is located in a charming natural setting with great views of the royal palm valley around, that has really no match.
Later on, the valley was used for recreation purposes: restaurants, playing areas and a big pool were built. And in 1974, a comfortable hotel amidst the natural environment was added.
This place has become famous due to the story of a small donkey called Pancho which used to enter the restaurant every day at dusk to drink the beer left overs at the bar.
This story was used as a marketing strategy for the restaurant and the brand of beer Mayabe. When the first donkey Pancho died, his son and grandson took the place. So, one of the best attractions of the place is still, offering beer to the donkey in his stall.
In this unique space you will be able to enjoy facilities as its swimming pool, solarium, restaurant and bar, which will make your stay an unforgettable experience at a very affordable price.
Enjoy,
by: VILLA GEMELAS M.
Just under an hour’s drive from Holguin, you’ll reach the spectacular beaches of Guardalavaca, where a smattering of all-inclusive hotels lines the white sands.
Rent a Hobie cat or pedal boat to explore the turquoise seas, or join the locals picnicking on the sand with bottles of Havana Club rum, and Reggaetón music at the ready.
Enjoy their Artisans Market, with beautiful hand crafted souvenirs and Cuban fashion!
46 locals raden deze aan
Guardalavaca
Just under an hour’s drive from Holguin, you’ll reach the spectacular beaches of Guardalavaca, where a smattering of all-inclusive hotels lines the white sands.
Rent a Hobie cat or pedal boat to explore the turquoise seas, or join the locals picnicking on the sand with bottles of Havana Club rum, and Reggaetón music at the ready.
Enjoy their Artisans Market, with beautiful hand crafted souvenirs and Cuban fashion!
•Day-Trip to Gibara
Another worthy day trip from Holguin takes you about an hour northeast of the city along rutted roads to the colonial town of Gibara.
*Gibara was declared a National Monument in 2002; additionally, since 2003, the International Festival of Poor Cinema, where films are presented in a number different categories, has been held in this small coastal city. "The White Villa" in Gibara, although small, is said to possess a peculiar charm, exhibiting an architectural patrimony reflecting almost two centuries of history, as well as its people's cultural roots.
•Christopher Columbus made landfall here in 1492 and loved the town so much he stayed for 12 days.
The 19th century was Gibara’s golden age, and you can still see some of the original homes from that era around town.
*Take a walk through the small parks and historic center, or join a local guide to explore the area’s famous caves.
Then, head to the outskirts of town to La Cueva Taina, a fabulous family-run seafood restaurant in a farm-like setting, where the mojitos are strong and the Mesa Gibareña (set menu) includes a spread of Stuffed land Crabs, whole Snapper, Grilled shrimp, Tostones, and more.
Enjoy,
by: VILLA GEMELAS M.
17 locals raden deze aan
Gibara
•Day-Trip to Gibara
Another worthy day trip from Holguin takes you about an hour northeast of the city along rutted roads to the colonial town of Gibara.
*Gibara was declared a National Monument in 2002; additionally, since 2003, the International Festival of Poor Cinema, where films are presented in a number different categories, has been held in this small coastal city. "The White Villa" in Gibara, although small, is said to possess a peculiar charm, exhibiting an architectural patrimony reflecting almost two centuries of history, as well as its people's cultural roots.
•Christopher Columbus made landfall here in 1492 and loved the town so much he stayed for 12 days.
The 19th century was Gibara’s golden age, and you can still see some of the original homes from that era around town.
*Take a walk through the small parks and historic center, or join a local guide to explore the area’s famous caves.
Then, head to the outskirts of town to La Cueva Taina, a fabulous family-run seafood restaurant in a farm-like setting, where the mojitos are strong and the Mesa Gibareña (set menu) includes a spread of Stuffed land Crabs, whole Snapper, Grilled shrimp, Tostones, and more.
Enjoy,
by: VILLA GEMELAS M.
• El Chorro de Maíta is an early colonial archaeological site near Guardalavaca, Cuba.
The site dates from the early 16th century and consists of an excavated indigenous settlement and cemetery, including dozens of well-preserved human remains.
Recent scholarship suggests that indigenous peoples were living here many decades after Columbus' arrival.
Across from the site is a museum and a reconstructed indigenous village that features life-sized models of native dwellings.
Enjoy,
by: VILLA GEMELAS M.
10 locals raden deze aan
Museo El Chorro de Maíta
• El Chorro de Maíta is an early colonial archaeological site near Guardalavaca, Cuba.
The site dates from the early 16th century and consists of an excavated indigenous settlement and cemetery, including dozens of well-preserved human remains.
Recent scholarship suggests that indigenous peoples were living here many decades after Columbus' arrival.
Across from the site is a museum and a reconstructed indigenous village that features life-sized models of native dwellings.
Enjoy,
by: VILLA GEMELAS M.
Beautiful Natural Park, opened in 2005, is compound by an exquisite flora and fauna you will discover, it is an ideal place to do different activities, from hiking and trekking to wildlife navigation or diving.
The area of the Sendero Rocazul Path is made of blue rocks with more than 70 million years old, known as serpentinites and, among other attractions, exhibits archeological representations of the former Cuban inhabitants.
The Ensenada El Manantial Cove is another of the key places in the biopark. It is an ideal place to practice different aquatic activities such as snorkel and sailing. Here there are also organized tours to el manantial, to the Pájaros Cay, natural sanctuary of the marine birds; and the trip known as Snorkel: An Underwater Story, where you will explore the absorbing seabeds.
The Sendero Loma El Templo Hill Path, which takes its name from the most important elevation of the area, Loma del Templo Hill, is made by precious wood trees, medicinal plants, animals such as the hutia, birds and reptiles.
From here you will see the beauty of the landscape described by Columbus on his diaries.
Enjoy,
by: VILLA GEMELAS M.
Bio park Rocazul
Beautiful Natural Park, opened in 2005, is compound by an exquisite flora and fauna you will discover, it is an ideal place to do different activities, from hiking and trekking to wildlife navigation or diving.
The area of the Sendero Rocazul Path is made of blue rocks with more than 70 million years old, known as serpentinites and, among other attractions, exhibits archeological representations of the former Cuban inhabitants.
The Ensenada El Manantial Cove is another of the key places in the biopark. It is an ideal place to practice different aquatic activities such as snorkel and sailing. Here there are also organized tours to el manantial, to the Pájaros Cay, natural sanctuary of the marine birds; and the trip known as Snorkel: An Underwater Story, where you will explore the absorbing seabeds.
The Sendero Loma El Templo Hill Path, which takes its name from the most important elevation of the area, Loma del Templo Hill, is made by precious wood trees, medicinal plants, animals such as the hutia, birds and reptiles.
From here you will see the beauty of the landscape described by Columbus on his diaries.
Enjoy,
by: VILLA GEMELAS M.