Santiago de Cuba September 2012

Santiago de Cuba

Day I

We drove from Holguin to Santiago. It was about 4 hours long. As soon as you enter Santiago you notice the sharp increase in temperature as Santiago is the hottest part of Cuba. To find our casa particular we chose one randomly where we saw the Arrendador Divisa sign. The house was beautiful inside with several rooms and an oriental garden.


The rooms were very spacious with a large fridge, fan, air conditioning, two double beds and a large bathroom. A key is given for your room and the room was 25CUC/$25/£15 per night. This would be perfect for groups as this room would comfortably house 4 people.

Gran Piedro View
After we settled in we took the car and drove to the Gran Piedro which is a 8 mile drive up a winding mountainous uphill road. After about 25 minutes of driving you will be able to see magnificent views. It's like nothing I've ever seen before as you are so high up, the mountains are beautiful and you can see the difference in clouds with regards to colour. 

Gran Piedro View
A little further on you will see a small hotel, Gran Piedro Hotel. I can't comment on the hotel rooms as we didn't stay in the hotel but we did have dinner at the restaurant. It's a remote area so you may find you are the only customers in the restaurant as we were.

Gran Piedro Sunset
The menu is usual to Cuba but exceptionally cheap. The menu included fish, pork,  3.50CUC/$3.50/£2.20, rice 1-2CUC/$1-2/£0.60-1.25 and side salad for 1CUC/$1/£0.60. For a main meal, dessert and a drink your meal should not cost more than 10CUC/$10/£6 per person. The staff are nice and friendly and it offers a beautiful view so I would recommend the Gran Piedro and dine there again.

It is also possible to walk up to the top of the Gran Piedro (Big rock) where there are magnificent views of the city and other nearby islands. It's a 1km walk upstairs and costs 2CUC/$2/£1.25. 

Day II
Today we walked from our casa particular to Fidel Castro's old school before the revolution and a prison after the revolution where Castro and Raul were imprisoned. The school is huge with a fortress surrounding it with several entrances but one main public entrance. It's 2CUC/$2/£1.25 per person and a further 5-10CUC/$5-10/£3-6 for the use of your camera.

Castro's previous school and then prison
The museum is small but interesting, not a must see but if you get a chance you may as well visit it. 
Castro's previous school and then prison
Later that day we went to Playa Siboney, I wouldn't recommend this beach as the sand is grey with several stones, pebbles and rocks in the sand and in the water. The sea is litter filled and quite small. There are not many sun loungers but there are some people selling chilled coconut water, ackee and other fruits. There is also a bar and shaded sitting area. This beach is about 18 miles from the city centre of Santiago.

Day III
Today we went to El Morro which was a previous fortress. There are some souvenir stores, restaurants and vendors selling gifts. The fortress is quite something, you are given a brief talk regarding the history of the fortress then able to explore the rooms yourself.

View from El Morro
In addition to the other rooms you can walk down the 201 steps to see different views of the sea and neighbouring islands. On your way back to up you can go to the highest point of the fortress for the best views. I would recommend visiting the fortress in the morning as half of the exploring is outdoors and it gets hotter as the day goes on. 

View from El Morro
Entry is 4CUC/$4/£2.50 and 5CUC/$5/£3 for the use of your camera. There was an english speaker when we visited but I don't know if this is a regular occurrence. 

View from El Morro
Casa Particulars
Casa particulars are rooms in Cuban locals houses which they rent to tourists. Casas can be identified by the blue Arrendador Divisa sign. The red Arrendador Divisa sign is solely accomodation for locals as they only take moneda national. 

Casas can be booked in advance or booked on the day. Our rooms were never more than 25CUC/$25/£15 per night but this could be seasonal. Always check the rooms, prices, if meals are included or not before agreeing to stay.

Arrendador Divisa Sign
I stayed in casas in Holguin, Trinidad and Santiago. One thing I disliked regarding the casas as I wasn't always given a key for my room and you are rarely given a key for the front door meaning you have to disturb your hosts whenever you return.

In some places there are common areas and usually air conditioning, fridge, bathroom and fans in your room as standard. Casa particulars are perfect if you are on a budget but if you require higher standards a hotel would be more suited. 

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