How to plan a trip to Holguín?

Holguín, also known as the “City of Parks”, is characterised by its plazas and green spaces that invite you to relax, as do the beaches of Guardalavaca, which attract tourists from all over the world with their white sands and crystal-clear waters. In addition, the city has numerous historical sites such as the Loma de la Cruz, which offers breathtaking views of the landscape. But that’s not the most important thing when planning your trip to Holguín, it’s the little things we’ll tell you about below.

In this post we want to help you with all the preparations, so we’ve prepared several sections in which we’ll help you by sharing everything we’ve learned during our trips, from the necessary travel documents to the most typical dishes to enjoy during your stay, among many other tips. So if you are ready to start your trip, don’t think twice and join us in this post.

1. Prepare the documentation to travel to Holguín

To travel to Cuba, whether for tourism, study or work purposes, it is necessary to apply for a visa, but depending on where you are travelling from, you will need to apply for the Green Visa or the Pink Visa:

• Green or Blue Visa: is the standard visa that citizens from all over the world can apply for as long as they are not travelling from US airports. The visa covers a maximum stay of 90 days with the possibility of extending the stay for an additional 30 days (up to 90 days for Canadians).
• Pink Visa: This visa allows entry to Cuba from US airports regardless of the traveller’s nationality. The visa covers a maximum stay of 90 days with the possibility of extending the stay for an additional 30 days (up to 90 days for Canadians). Please note that if you make a stopover in the United States, even if it is only for a few hours, you will need to apply for the Pink Visa in addition to the ESTA. And remember that, to travel from the United States, you will also need an authorisation from the Office of Foreign Assets Control. In this post you can find out about the procedures and documentation you will need if you are travelling from the USA: What do I need to travel to Cuba from the United States?

There are several methods for obtaining a visa to travel to Cuba, which include purchasing a visa at the time you buy a plane ticket through US airlines, in person at embassies or consulates, through a travel agency, upon arrival in Cuba, or online. Each of these processes has a minimum lead time required and costs vary depending on the method chosen.

To give you an idea of prices, the online visa for Europeans costs €35, while the US visa costs around $103. In this post you can read more in detail about visas to Cuba: Travel visas to Cuba: How to obtain a visa to travel to Cuba?

We remind you that from the moment the visa is granted, it is valid for 6 months, so you can’t apply for it too far in advance if you want it to cover your entire holiday.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

2. Choose the date to plan your trip to Holguín

The best time to visit Holguín is between December and April, when the weather is drier and cooler, ideal for exploring without the oppressive heat or frequent summer rains. During these months you’ll be able to enjoy the crystal-clear beaches and natural scenery in greater comfort. However, this is also the high season, so you’re likely to find more tourists and higher prices for accommodation and services.

One of the highlights of Holguín is the Romería de Mayo, a festival that combines religious traditions with local culture and is held every May. This event offers the opportunity to experience regional music, art and cuisine in a festive atmosphere. Although travelling during this time may involve a bit more heat and definitely more people, it’s worth it for the enriching cultural experience.

3. Find out how to get to Holguín

In general, transport in Cuba is very cheap, and you’ll see that it’s quite easy to get to Holguín. Here are all the options:

• Airplane: Frank País García International Airport is the main point of entry, just 12km from Holguín, although many tourists make a stopover at Havana’s José Martí International Airport, which receives flights from more countries and with greater frequency. The main airlines operating in the country are Sunwing, Air Canada, Air Transat (from Canada), Condor (from Germany), Neos (from Italy), and American Airlines (from the US).
• Bus: If you’re already on the island, you can travel by bus with Viazul and Conectando Cuba, which offer services from several Cuban cities to Holguín. It’s a very economical option, though be aware that journeys can take several hours.
• Car: A good way to get around the country is to rent a car. You can get there by road from anywhere on the island, while enjoying Cuba’s picturesque scenery.

After arriving at Holguín airport, you can take a taxi to the city centre for a cost of around US$20-25, depending on your exact point of destination in the city. This service is fast and efficient.

As for public transport in Holguín, although it does exist, many tourists opt for taxis or car hire for convenience and flexibility. Taxis are widely available and prices are negotiable, but it’s important to agree on a fare before setting off.

4. Find accommodation that meets your expectations for enjoying Holguín

A key aspect to ensure the success of your holiday is to choose the right accommodation, and for this, our recommendation is to start looking early so that you can choose from the best options. With the Passporter App you can start comparing today through Booking, where you can also keep your bookings organised.

Holguín offers everything from modern hotels to cosy private homes that provide a real immersion into Cuban culture. Here are some of the best places to stay in Holguín:

• Centre of Holguín: this is the heart of the city, ideal for getting around on foot. It offers both budget hotels and more luxurious options.
• Guardalavaca: known for its beautiful beaches and all-inclusive resorts, it’s more expensive but perfect for a luxury beach experience.
• Pesquero Beach: is an exclusive area with high-end resorts, more expensive but ideal for those seeking tranquillity and premium services.

5. Where and what to eat in Holguín?

The gastronomy of Holguín is a rich and varied reflection of the region’s cultural amalgam. The local cuisine uses indigenous ingredients such as yucca, corn and sweet potato, which are combined in recipes that bring with them aboriginal, Hispanic, Caribbean, Arab and Chinese influences, offering a unique flavour that characterises the region’s dishes.

These are the dishes that we liked the most and that we recommend you try:

1. Rice with corn: a simple but tasty dish that combines two of the most fundamental ingredients of the local cuisine.
2. Jaibita rellena gibareña: a delicate dish that uses crab meat combined with white fish and spices, stuffing its own shell.
3. Corn bread: reflects the importance of corn in the local diet, being a common side dish in many meals.
4. Masas de cerdo frito Tacamara: Marinated and fried pork chunks, a speciality of the region.
5. Sopón holguinero: a rich and nutritious broth with a combination of meats and vegetables, typical of Holguin’s cuisine.

As for drinks, local beer and Cuban rums are essential on any Holguín table. An interesting curiosity is the preference for coffee, which is served almost as a ritual after every meal, strong and sweetened, as is the tradition throughout Cuba.

6. Choose the activities you want to do in Holguín

To fully explore Holguín and its surroundings it is recommended to spend three to five days. This time will allow you to immerse yourself in the city’s rich history and culture and enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the region. Here are the must-do’s that you can’t miss:

1. Calixto García Park: the nerve centre of Holguín, surrounded by shops and cafés, ideal for feeling the local pulse.
2. The Cathedral of San Isidoro: with its neoclassical design, it is a religious and architectural icon in the city.
3. Casa Consistorial La Periquera: a former department store converted into a museum, with a striking red façade.
4. Calixto García Birthplace Museum: a colonial house that celebrates the life of Cuban general Calixto García.
5. Plaza de La Marqueta: a space with food options and evening entertainment.
6. Bodeguita del Medio: famous for its mojitos, this is a great place to sample Cuban nightlife.
7. Loma de la Cruz: offers panoramic views of Holguín, accessible on foot or by car.
8. Salto del Guayabo: spectacular waterfalls surrounded by rich vegetation, perfect for a refreshing swim.
9. Bio Parque Rocazul: ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking and horseback riding.
10. El Chorro de Maíta Museum: ideal for delving into Cuba’s aboriginal history through exhibitions and recreations.

7. Organise a trip with friends to Holguín

If you are thinking about organising a trip with friends, we encourage you to read this post where we tell you all its pros and cons and help you to deal with possible conflicts that may arise during your holiday: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.

We also recommend using the free Passporter App to organise your itinerary together and take everyone’s preferences into account. The key to avoiding conflicts is to plan ahead and discuss everyone’s expectations.

8. Tips for planning a trip to Holguín

• To travel to Cuba it is necessary to apply for a visa that can be processed online: Travel visas to Cuba: How to obtain a visa to travel to Cuba?
• Remember that if you are travelling from the United States you will need to apply for a different visa and request a travel authorisation: What do I need to travel to Cuba from the United States?
• The currency used in Cuba is the Cuban peso.
• Although Spanish is the predominant language, English is also widely understood.
• It is advisable to bring a first aid kit with essential medicines, due to possible shortages in pharmacies.
• Remember that credit and debit cards issued by US banks are not accepted in Cuba; therefore, it is necessary to carry cash for exchange into local currency.
• Be covered for medical emergencies with mandatory travel insurance.
• To avoid health problems, drink only bottled water and avoid ice.
• Sun protection is a must, along with clothing suitable for the heat that also protects you from sun exposure, and staying well hydrated is vital.
• Keep your travel documents accessible at all times.

9. How to prepare what to see on your trip to Holguín

Download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you want to visit each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums.
• Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app so you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documents.
• Make any changes you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your experience on how to plan your trip to Holguín.

If you have any doubts about how to create your itinerary, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary on Passporter.

10. Frequently asked questions about a trip to Holguín