Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba

The province of Villa Clara is a traditional sugar, cattle and mineral producer. Excellent coffee grows on its southern mountain slopes, as does one of Cuba’s important tobacco crops. Hence Santa Clara has always been an important commer cial center and today houses one of Cuba’s largest universities. A recently built causeway linking the mainland to the keys of Cayo Santa Maria has helped open the beautiful virgin beaches to tourism. This location is perfect for water aquatic lovers.

Climate

The temperature varies between 25 and 27C. Coral reefs create a barrier producing gentle waves and breezes. Sunny days and pleasant tropical climate allow the beach season to extend throughout the year.

Attractions

The city of Santa Clara holds most of the tourist attractions of the area. It is best known as the place where the dictator Batista surrendered to Che Guevara in 1958. The Ernesto Che Guevara Memorial and Museum contains bodies of Che and his troops, who died in battle in Bolivia. The Tren Blindado monument commemorates the attack on an American armoured train by Che Guevara. Visit the Decorative Arts and Provincial History museums. Take a stroll on the double sidewalks of Parque Vidal and view the Teatro La Caridad. The town square has two churches and an image of a pregnant Immaculada Concepción. Remedios, founded in 1514, is a well preserved town with large colonial houses and a church. It is famous for its parrandas (street festivals), and known for its museum, where artifacts relating to music, dancing and fireworks are on display. The Elguea spa, a bit further west on the northern coast, is noted for its mineral springs and mud baths.