The city of Holguin is located in Eastern Cuba, or as Cubans call this region – Oriente. Holguin is situated 40 km off the Atlantic Ocean and is easily reachable via charter flights from Havanа and good roads (according to Cuban standards) through Bayamo and Las Tunas – the entrance to Oriente. The road from Baracoа is full of breathtaking views but is of a very poor quality – 40 km of dirt road with stones. Its condition is caused mainly by frequent hurricanes, poor maintenance, and bridges almost demolished by overflowing rivers. The road to the old capital Santiagо is in better condition – the last 40 km being a highway. The information regarding the road situation is from August 2019.
The Holguin Province hosts the coastal city of Gibara, which is said to be the first spot where Christopher Columbus sets his foot in Cuba on the 27th of October 1492 and exclaims: This is the most beautiful and the greenest land that human eyes have ever witnessed!
Holguin could be far more developed as regards tourism, but the bad infrastructure and its remoteness from Havanа hinder the process as I see it. Also, it owes its name to one of the followers of Diego Velazques – the Patron of Cuba.
Unlike other cities in Oriente, the majority of the population of Holguin consists of white people. The reason for this is the colonial period when the Criollo people /the successors of the Spanish colonizers/ chased away their Afro-American slaves.
What is there to see in Holguin?
- The indisputable winner here is the Loma de la Cruz Hill. Its altitude is 261 m and it is the symbol of Holguin and the centre of many events. The hill name literally means “the hill of the cross” and derives from the fact that there is a huge wooden cross placed there in 1790 from the monk Francisco Antonio de Alegria – the founder of the Franciscan community in the region. Nowadays, it is said that the cross guards the city against natural calamities and misfortunes. You can reach the cross by taking exactly 365 stairs and then enjoy a scenic view.
- A few kilometres from Baria Park there is an eco path called Las Guanas. It is an easy route with no dangerous plants or animals, however, it hosts 127 plant species, 14 of which are endemic, more than 20 bird species that migrate, and other diverse fauna. La Guana, for example, is an endemic tree in the region that serves as a material for cutlery making.
- The Lirico Theatre and the festival of the Ibero-American culture, which is held every two years, are also something to visit in Holguin.
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The most popular brands of Cuban beer are produced in Holguin – Cristal, and Bucanerо.
- 40 km away from Holguin you will find the most famous resort in Oriente – Guardalavacа.
Guardalavacа hosts one of the beaches in the area with green-blue waters, restaurants, cafes and accommodation – 8 hotels with three of four stars for your delightful vacation. Most of the tourists here come from Canada, arriving at the Franc Pais airport that is located near Holguin and accepts international and national flights.
The weather in Holguin
Unlike Varaderо the summer here lasts almost all year long since the cold front /frente frio/ rarely occurs in Easter Cuba. However, the city is more vulnerable to hurricanes that befall Cuba once every couple of years in August, September, and rarely in October. Find out more about the weather in Cuba here.
How to get to Holguin?
One way to get to Holguin is to fly with Cubana de Aviacion which offers daily charter flights from Havana and the other is to travel with Viazul – the Cuban transport company for foreigners.
