Cuba Travel Destinations - Cienfuegos, The Pearl of the South

Once Fernandina de Jagua, Cienfuegos was awardedthe lions and the arbors, built in 1922.
the title of "city" in 1880, and in July 2005, its HistoricNear the historic center, you'll find the boulevard, with
Center became a World Heritage Site, an award ofsmall businesses, libraries, banks, companies' offices,
international acknowledgement rewarding theand a Casa del Habano (House of Habano Cuban
splendor, preservation and particular architecture ofcigar) of first class. La Unión Hotel, small, but cozy, is
an area stretching for 70 blocks. Among these blocksone of the architectural beauties renovated a few
was the one serving as starting point for theyears ago as part of the effort to preserve its
foundation of the village by French colonists on Aprilpatrimonial value. A walk along the Paseo del Prado,
22nd, 1819. This was the only Cuban city establishedthe longest in the Island, will help you assess the
by representatives of the gala nation.history of Cienfuegos' architecture, and a visit to the
Cienfuegos has also been known as the Pearl of thetwo cemeteries, La Reina and the monumental
South, and others have called it la Ciudad de lasTomás de Acea, must not be skipped.
Cúpulas (the City of Domes), for the amount ofThe bay of Cienfuegos, stretching for 88 km2, is
buildings whose towers end in domes. Theperfect for fishing in all seasons. Lately, its calm
architecture of the city is one of its charms and itwaters have been the location of many important
can be admired in the very José Martí Park,contests of motorboating and international regattas.
former Plaza de Armas, where a rosette indicatesPalacio de Vale and Jagua Hotel in Punta Gorda, at
the exact place over which the blocks of the citythe end of the bay, are the most visited and
started to rise.attractive spots for maritime tourism. Very close to
Perfectly preserved buildings define the environmentthis place, the Cienfuegos Club offers numerous
of the Martí Park. Among them we can findnautical options.
Tomás Terry Theater, where figures of internationalThe nearby Guamuhaya Mountains is an ideal place
prestige have performed their art such as the Italianfor hiking, taking baths in natural pools, waterfalls, and
Enrico Carucco, Sara Bernhardt, and the Mexicanrivers, and visiting Soledad Botanical Garden, one of
movie star Jorge Negrete. There is also the Colegiothe biggest in Latin America, just 20 km from the
San Lorenzo, former School of Arts and Jobs; thecity, featuring important collections of cactus and
Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción,palms (more than 300 types) Cienfuegos is a
with its stunning stained glasses; the Palacio decosmopolitan and very lively city; boleros, ballads,
Gobierno; and the Casa del Fundador (The Founder'strova and son do not stop playing at night. One of
House), residence of Luis D' Clouet, founder of thethe cleanest cities in Cuba and with people so kind
village. The Arc of the Republic enriches theand welcoming, the Pearl of the South, Cienfuegos, is
environment, the only of its type in Cuba, along withan excellent option to stay for a few days during
a bunch of marvelous sculptures such as those ofyour Cuba vacation.