Tourism and Traditions

The Cuban tourist industry, which has become a dynamic part of the national economy, underpins its strength in the island's natural wealth, property values, history and culture to complement the entertainment options.

From the west to the east, the largest Antillean geography contains in its unique provisions for rest and recreation in many different ways.

In this scenario highlights the city of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba's second largest and considered by many as the capital of the Caribbean, helped by its geographical position and its rich history.

Toward the center of the city, with an extraordinary array of museums, is located the old Plaza de Armas, the heart of the city and known as the Parque Cespedes in honor of the well known Cuban Founding Father Carlos Manuel de Cespedes.

Also near Santiago native heart is the oldest house in the archipelago, Diego Velazquez, who was also House of Trade and Casting Crown, built in blocks of quarried stone and still shows some of its original as paneled ceilings and Moorish latticework.

The city has a wide range of cuisine - both traditional and international cuisine - combined with plant facilities for the accommodation of the size of the Meliá Santiago.

On the outskirts of the city, the Great Stone - recorded as the largest in the world in the Guinness Book of Records - stands majestic and imposing, with its approximately 70 thousand tons located about one thousand 220 meters above sea level.

Available for leisure skills of a hotel where lovers of nature tourism programs enjoy hiking, mountaineering, cycling and contemplation of the flora and fauna, among other options.

Studies by experts confirmed the Sierra de la Gran Piedra and the main pole of settlement of the French emigrants in the nineteenth century, at that time kept the ruins of dozens of coffee plantations.

In that same territory Baconao Park is located, which has an aquarium which provides the knowledge of Caribbean marine life in their ponds, tunnels and everything necessary for the enjoyment of the species that live there.

Baconao facilities also include oddities like the Land Transport Museum, where they are located more than two thousand miniature vehicles along with a display of antique cars in real size.

The ancient fauna has its place in the territory of the park, especially in the so-called Valley of Prehistory, where visitors can see replicas of species produced in the time-scale stone.

Beyond it comes to the Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, patron saint of the island, where every year thousands of people come in search of hope to realize their dreams.