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San Isidro de los Destiladeros
After lengthy excavations, the ruins of this once grand sugar mill have been made accessible to the public. Dating from the early 1830s and sophisticated for its time, the mill belongs to the pre-industrial age and functioned primarily with slave labor. After ceasing production in
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Parque Almendares
Running along the banks of the citys Río Almendares, below the bridge on Calle 23, is this welcome oasis of greenery and fresh air in the heart of chaotic Havana. The park has been undergoing a slow restoration (and cleaning up) since the mid-1990s; benches now line the river prome
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Museo las Colorados
A large monument just beyond the park gate marks the Granmas landing spot. A small museum outlines the routes taken by Castro, Guevara and the others into the Sierra Maestra, and theres a full-scale replica of the Granma , which – if youre lucky – a machete-wielding guard will let
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Casa de la Guayabera
The favored uniform of South American strongman presidents and blushing grooms at Mexican beach weddings, the guayabera shirt was purportedly invented in Sancti Spíritus by the wives of agricultural workers who sewed the trademark pockets into the garments so that their men could s
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Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás
One of Havanas oldest and most famous cigar factories, the landmark neoclassical Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás was founded in 1845 by Spaniard Jaime Partagás. Today some 400 workers toil for up to 12 hours a day rolling such famous cigars as Montecristos and Cohibas. As far as t
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Hotel Inglaterra
Havanas oldest hotel first opened its doors in 1856 on the site of a popular bar called El Louvre (the hotels alfresco bar still bears the name). Facing leafy Parque Central, the building exhibits the neoclassical design features in vogue at the time, although the interior decor is
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Plaza del Cristo & Around
Habana Viejas fifth (and most overlooked) square lies at the west end of the neighborhood, a little apart from the historical core. The presence of temporary fences suggest a lengthy City Historian makeover is underway. Its worth a look for the Parroquial del Santo Cristo del Buen
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Teatro Sauto
The defining symbol of the city according to Mexican painter (and admirer) Diego Rivera, the Teatro Sauto (1863) on Plaza de la Vigías south side is one of Cubas finest theaters and famous for its superb acoustics. The lobby is graced by marble Greek goddesses and the ceiling in th
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Valle de la Prehistoria
One of the oddest in a plethora of odd attractions in Parque Bacanao is this Cuban Jurassic Park cast in stone that serendipitously materializes beside the meandering coastal road. Giant Apatosauruses mix with concrete cavemen and women, seemingly oblivious to the fact that 57 mill
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Museo de Agroindustria Azucarero Marcelo Salado
Three kilometers past the crab statue on the Remedios road youll find one of the nations best potted histories of slave culture, the sugar industry, and pre-diesel locomotives. Theres a video of Cubas sugar industry, models of figures toiling to harvest the product and lots of orig
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Playa Ancón
Playa Ancón, a precious ribbon of white beach on Sancti Spíritus’ iridescent Caribbean shoreline, is usually touted – with good merit – to be the finest arc of sand on Cuba’s south coast.There are three all-inclusive hotels here and excellent snorkeling and diving just offshore or
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Necropolis de Camagüey
This sea of elaborate, lop-sided, bleached-white Gothic tombs makes up Cubas most underrated cemetery, secreting the resting place of Camagüey-born independence hero Ignacio Agramonte, among others. It might not quite have the clout of Havanas Cementerio Colón but isnt too far behi
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Hotel Habana Libre
This classic modernist hotel – the former Havana Hilton – was commandeered by Castros revolutionaries in 1959 just nine months after it had opened, and promptly renamed the Habana Libre. During the first few months of the Revolution, Fidel ruled the country from a luxurious suite o
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Central Patria o Muerte
Cubas sugar industry is in the process of being preserved at this huge rusting ex-sugar mill in the village of Patria 3km south of Morón. First opened in 1914, the mill and its 263-strong workforce were passed over to the Americans in 1919, and it remained in Yanqui hands until it
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Museo Casa Natal de Ignacio Agramonte
This is the birthplace of the independence hero Ignacio Agramonte (1841–73), the cattle rancher who led the Camagűey areas revolt against Spain. The house – an elegant colonial building in its own right – tells of the oft-overlooked role of Camagüey and Agramonte in the First War o
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Parque Central & Around
Diminutive Parque Central is a scenic haven from the belching buses and roaring taxis that ply their way along the Paseo de Martí (Prado). The park, long a microcosm of daily Havana life, was expanded to its present size in the late 19th century after the city walls were knocked do
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Parque Escaleras de Jaruco
This park, 6km west of Jaruco via hushed unmarked lanes, is a protected area featuring forests, caves and strangely shaped limestone cliffs. Habaneros come here for bucolic weekend breaks Thursday through Sunday, the parks only official opening days, but with a minor road bisecting
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Parque de la Ciudad
The once-scrubby wasteland between Hotel Ciego de Ávila and the city center on the northwestern edge of town is now a vast park (featuring an artificial lake, the Lago la Turbina, with boating available, childrens playgrounds and good eateries). With its off-beat attractions and am
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ExpoCuba
A visit to Parque Lenin can be combined with a trip to ExpoCuba at Calabazar on the Carretera del Rocío in Arroyo Naranjo, 3km south of Las Ruinas restaurant. Opened in 1989, this large permanent exhibition showcases Cubas economic and scientific achievements in 25 pavilions based
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Jardín Botánico de Cupaynicu
For a floral appreciation of Bayamos evergreen hinterland, head to this botanic garden about 16km outside the city off the Guisa road. Its on very few itineraries, so you can have the serene, serendipitous 104 hectares more or less to yourself. There are 74 types of palms, scores o
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