Known from

You are here:

|

|

The city of Holguin

Discover the most exciting sights in Holguín

Juan Carlos
CUBA TRAVEL SPECIALIST

Comment from your buddy

In the east of the island there is a real gem: Holguín. This charming city has a wealth of surprises to offer that are worth exploring. I love organizing trips to Holguín because every traveler is surprised and fascinated by the city.

Highlights

Sights

Named after the Cuban independence fighter Calixto García Íñiguez, Holguín has a rich history dating back to colonial times. The city is proud of its cultural diversity and has a strong influence of African, Spanish and indigenous traditions. This is reflected in the architecture, customs and cuisine. The most characteristic feature and therefore a special attraction of the city is the extensive system of parks and public squares, which have earned Holguín the nickname "City of Parks" and serve as a daily meeting place for the locals. The life of the city takes place mainly in the green spaces and allows everyone to integrate into the authentic Cuban way of life.

The most important things before your trip

The most important things before your trip

Do I need a visa to enter Cuba? Which airlines fly to Cuba? When is the best time to travel? We will of course answer all of these questions in detail so that you are well prepared and nothing stands in the way of your trip!

Cities worth seeing

More info

Discover the natural beauty of Viñales, surrounded by limestone cliffs and tobacco fields. Immerse yourself in the relaxed atmosphere of this charming village and experience authentic Cuban culture.

More info

Travel through time in Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Experience the colonial heritage, colorful cobblestone streets and warm hospitality of the locals.

More info

Cienfuegos, the "Pearl of the South", impresses with its French elegance and Caribbean charm. Explore the magnificent boulevards, historic buildings and breathtaking sea views.

Activities in Holguin

Holguín, Cuba, offers a diverse range of excursions and activities that will delight every visitor. The beaches of Playa Guardalavaca and Playa Esmeralda are among the most beautiful in the region and are ideal for sunbathing and water sports. A must-see is the historic city center of Holguín, with its charming Parque Calixto García and the famous "Loma de la Cruz" staircase, from which you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city.

The Holguín region is also rich in natural wonders, including the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park and the Bahía de Naranjo Natural Park, which offer excellent hiking opportunities and unique ecosystems. You can also visit the nearby town of Gibara, known as the "White City" of Cuba, which offers a rich cultural scene and historical sites. In Holguín you will find a harmonious blend of nature, culture and history.

Practical information

Cuban food is often described by European palates as one-sided: too many carbohydrates, too much meat and too few vegetables, salads and fruit. Spicy, sour and salty dishes are rarely found. Sweet ones are all the more common. Nevertheless, there are many restaurants, especially the so-called “paladares” (private restaurants), which often offer very tasty and rich food, but which can also cost a little more, at prices that are hardly affordable for Cubans.

In the hotels, the food is a little cheaper, but the quality varies greatly. Cubans insist on their mojito as a welcome drink. A mojito usually costs 2.10 – 5.40 euros, a beer 1 – 2.50 euros. You can get a good bottle of rum for as little as 7 euros. In our experience, drinking tap water in Cuba is safe, but safety comes first and it is better to buy bottled water. The prices for canned and bottled drinks are generally between 0.40 and 1.30 euros, in bars and restaurants the prices are between 0.90 and 2.70 euros.

When traveling to Cuba, you can exchange your currency after you arrive. Here’s what you need to know:

Where to Exchange Money:

Havana Airport: You can exchange your currency for Cuban pesos (CUP) at the airport as soon as you land. This is often the most convenient option for travelers.
Hotels and Exchange Offices: Most larger hotels and official exchange offices (CADECA) offer currency exchange services. Banks also provide this service, but you may experience long waiting times due to queues.

Our Tip:

Based on our travel experience, we recommend that travelers from the UK, France, and Italy use Visa credit cards for withdrawing cash at ATMs or from bank counters. Visa tends to work better than Mastercard in Cuba, though ATMs can still be unreliable at times.

For U.S. travelers, it’s important to note that U.S.-issued credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba, so you should bring sufficient cash in U.S. dollars (USD) or euros (EUR) and exchange it upon arrival. The import and export of Cuban pesos is prohibited, so exchange what you need in Cuba and spend it before leaving.

Important Safety Advice:
We strongly recommend not exchanging money on the street, as this can be unsafe. Always exchange your money in official places, such as at the airport, hotels, or authorized exchange offices (CADECA).

You can find the most detailed description of customs regulations on the website of the Federal Foreign Office . Here are excerpts from the most important topics so that you don’t have to search for long:

Only take things that are for your personal use or that you could do without. Excess quantities may be confiscated because they are considered unauthorized gifts.

“Electrical devices may also only be imported to the extent that they are intended for personal use, not as gifts for Cuban citizens. For gifts (non-commercial imports) with a value of between 50 CUC and 250 CUC, customs duty of 100% is levied. Further information is available from the relevant Cuban diplomatic mission abroad. The import of walkie-talkies, satellite phones and GPS devices is not permitted or requires prior approval from the relevant Cuban authorities. Laptops, cameras and mobile phones with GPS function are not affected by this. The import of fresh food (e.g. fresh sausages, dairy products, vegetables, fruit) is prohibited for health reasons.”

Do not take any objects from Cuba that could be considered Cuban cultural property. This may also apply to older coins. Information on this and export permits are available from: Bienes Culturales, Calle 17 #1009, entre10 y 12, Vedado, Telephone: 839658. The permit only costs a few pesos, but saves you potential trouble when leaving the country.

“Export regulations for tobacco products

Up to twenty (20) loose cigars may be exported without having to provide proof of origin and purchase. Up to fifty (50) cigars may be exported provided that they are in their original, closed, sealed packaging with an official hologram. More than fifty (50) cigars may only be exported upon presentation of an original invoice issued by the officially authorized state stores. This invoice must include the total quantity of tobacco intended for export. In these cases too, it is essential that the cigars are in their original, closed, sealed packaging with an official hologram.

Detailed information on Cuban import and export regulations is available on the Cuban Customs website at www.aduana.co.cu.”

You can obtain further customs information on importing goods from the embassy of your destination country. Only there can legally binding information be given.

You can view the customs regulations for Germany on the German customs website at www.zoll.de or inquire by telephone.

Visa cards work best in Cuba, and in almost every Cuban city. With a Mastercard, you may have problems at the ATM, but you can definitely use them to withdraw cash at the bank counter (be careful: queues).

You can find the most detailed description of the regulations on the website of the Federal Foreign Office (https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/DE/Laenderinformationen/00-SiHi/KubaSicherheit.html). Here are the quotes on the most important topics so that you don’t have to search for long:

  • “There is an increased risk in road traffic due to the poor condition of the roads, a lack of lighting, unpredictable driving behavior and technical deficiencies (no lighting, brake failure, etc.). Cubans communicate in traffic partly through a system of hand signals that are initially incomprehensible to foreigners.
  • Drinking alcohol while driving is prohibited. Furthermore, the consumption of alcohol in the passenger compartment of a car, including for passengers, is prohibited. In addition, alcohol may not be carried in the passenger compartment of the car if consumption is obvious.
  • Accidents involving tourists that result in personal injuries can result in a travel ban lasting several weeks and possibly even pre-trial detention. If people are injured or killed, foreign drivers are sometimes given draconian prison sentences.
  • Nighttime travel across country should be avoided at all costs due to poor road conditions, unlit vehicles (such as cyclists and horse-drawn carriages), pedestrians and livestock on the road.
  • Rental cars in Cuba are often in poor technical and visual condition. When renting a rental car, you should pay close attention to the technical condition of the vehicle and document any previous damage in detail (with photos if necessary). There have been cases of tourists who were confronted with apparently unjustified claims for damages when returning the vehicle. The statutory insurance cover for rental cars offered in Cuba does not meet European standards. This is particularly true for the low amount of cover for personal injury. Taking out additional insurance in Germany should therefore be considered.”

History of Holguin

Holguín has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1545. The city developed rapidly, fueled by agriculture and the sugar industry, and became a major economic center in the 19th century. During this period, independent thinker and writer José Martí imprinted his ideals for Cuba's freedom on the city. During the Cuban struggle for independence, Holguín played a prominent role and was the site of important battles. Today, the city is a cultural center where art and literature play a significant role.

Question 1
What would you like to experience in Cuba?
The most important things before your trip

Here you will find everything you need to know before your trip

Do I need a visa to enter Cuba? Which airlines fly to Cuba? When is the best time to travel? We will of course answer all of these questions in detail so that you are well prepared and nothing stands in the way of your trip!

Entry into Cuba

The regulations for entering Cuba differ from those of many other countries. It is therefore important that you find out about them in advance and have all the necessary documents with you when you enter the country. Various travel documents, ready for Cuba

Tourist card for Cuba

As with almost all trips, the question of what you need to enter the country will arise at some point during your trip to Cuba. Here you will find a good overview of the entry requirements, as well as visa, travel and safety information for Cuba. A blank tourist card

Cuba entry: declaration of health status

You don't know how to fill out the necessary health declaration for entry into Cuba or have already tried but failed? Just follow our step-by-step instructions. A Cuba traveller retrieves his suitcase from the roof of the vintage car in Cuba

Our travel suggestions

We are travel specialists for individual trips to Cuba! From vintage car trips, family trips to diving trips, discover our travel suggestions here and ask us about your personal Cuba trip.

Starting at 1,450 € per person

16 day round trip

Starting at 980 € per person

9 day round trip

Starting at € 1,790 per person

16 day round trip

Starting at € 1,290 per person

12 day round trip

Starting at € 3,250 per person

21 day round trip