Known as the Pearl of Southern Cuba, the city of Cienfuegos Cuba has one of the best-preserved urban centers in the country. The colour of its buildings, its French-style architecture and its Caribbean atmosphere have made Cienfuegos a World Cultural Heritage Site.
This small and picturesque city was founded in 1819 by a French emigrant, and has managed to win over everyone who has visited its lands. Cienfuegos is one of those cities that resists the passage of time, and with good reason; this city’s historic centre is a treasure that must be protected and preserved.
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What are the best places to see in Cienfuegos Cuba?
1. José Martí Park and Triumphal Arc
José Martí Park is a National Monument an the central area of the city, located in what was once the town’s Plaza de Armas. It is also the most important place to see in Cienfuegos, since you can find most of the city’s points of interest around this park. Crowning this park is the Triumphal Arch, an important point to stop and observe. This singular construction is unique in Cuba and is dedicated to the country’s independence of the country. Also, next to this arch is the marble statue of José Martí.
2. Purísima Concepción Cathedral
Located right in front of José Martí Park, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is one of the most symbolic images of Cienfuegos, Cuba. It is also the main Catholic building in the city, considered one of the most artistic in the country. The Cathedral was built in 1869 and is characterized by its beautiful French-style stained glass windows. This neoclassical cathedral, with whitewashed walls and red tiles, is a marvel to behold. Without a doubt, it is one of the mandatory stops in Cienfuegos, Cuba.
3. Paseo del Prado
The Paseo del Prado is located on the 37th street, and its route starts at the English River, all the way to Punta Gorda. It is the longest street in the whole country as it is almost 2 kilometres long. Considered one of the city’s most important arteries, here you can appreciate the statue of Benny Moré, one of the most representative figures of Cuban culture.
Paseo del Prado is the perfect place to stroll and enjoy the Caribbean atmosphere of Cienfuegos. In addition, the promenade is guarded by interesting stops, beautiful pastel-coloured architecture, galleries, and continuous portals that will make this walk a delightful journey and a delight for the senses.
4. Palacio de Gobierno of Cienfuegos
It is located in the centre of the city, in the surroundings of the José Martí Park. This building is part of the historical centre of the city and is one of the things you cannot miss in Cienfuegos Cuba.
The Government Palace has existed in Cienfuegos since its origins in 1819, and has had multiple functions. It has served as a presidential residence, a town hall and even a prison. It is currently the seat of the Provincial Assembly, so it is not open to visitors. However, its real charm lies in its unique façade, from its imposing dome, inspired by the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, to its front columns, which catch the eye at first glance.
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5. Ferrer Palace
The Ferrer Palace is a colonial mansion that does not go unnoticed in the city of Cienfuegos, Cuba. It dominates the José Martí Park from above, embellishing the view of everyone who passes by.
This small palace is also a creation of the Catalan José Ferrer Sires, as a personal home. Painted in light blue and white, it brightens the urban centre of this original city, giving it an undeniable elegance. It also has a lookout tower on the second floor, to see the views of the heart of Cienfuegos, Cuba.
6. Tomás Terry Theater
In the historic centre of Cienfuegos is the Tomas Terry Theatre, a national monument. This building is one of the most elegant eclectic buildings in the whole city, both inside and outside.
It is a building with Italian influences that has an auditorium of up to 950 seats. The horseshoe-shaped auditorium is decorated with Carrara marble, hand-carved parquet flooring and classicist-style frescoes on the ceiling. This theatre is certainly one of the things to see in Cienfuegos.
7. Malecón of Cienfuegos
The Malecón of Cienfuegos stretches from the Paseo Del Prado to the Punta Gorda area. It is a sea wall which has become the centre of the city’s social life. It is surrounded by colourful buildings and palm trees, creating the perfect setting to enjoy the Cuban atmosphere.
In this part of the city different traditional festivals are celebrated, such as the famous Cienfuegos carnivals. In addition, the Malecón is located towards the southwest, making it a strategic place to watch the sunset. Definitely one of the places you cannot miss in Cienfuegos, Cuba.
8. Punta Gorda
Located at the end of the Malecon in Cienfuegos, this is one of the best preserved neighbourhoods in the city. Full of old buildings, large houses, hotels and palaces in neoclassical style, which decorate the bay, it is an essential visit when in Cienfuegos.
In this area you will find buildings worth stopping at such as the Blue Palace or the Cienfuegos Club building. Also, the famous Palacio del Valle and the Hotel Jagua, both with beautiful views and an ideal location to wander around and lose yourself in these architectural treasures…
9. Palacio de Valle
Located in Punta Gorda is the beautiful Palacio de Valle de Cienfuegos. This building dates back to 1917 and is one of the most iconic buildings in Cienfuegos. Its façade has great ornamentation and a dome in the shape of a Moroccan casbah. It is believed that materials used in its construction, such as marble, bronze, alabaster, glass and ceramics, were imported from Italy, Spain and the United States.
This palace has an imposing Gothic-style entrance and a Mudejar dining room, imitating the legendary Patio de los Leones of the Alhambra. Nowadays, it houses an original restaurant with a terrace connected to the Hotel Jagua where you can enjoy impressive views.
10. Jagua Castle
Located west of the Bay of Cienfuegos, the Castillo de Jagua is a Renaissance-style castle and one of the places you must see in the city. After renovation in 2010 it currently has a small museum and a restaurant, but above all it offers unique views of the bay of Cienfuegos, Cuba. There are several passenger ferries that travel daily from the castle to Cienfuegos.
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Map of Cienfuegos
Here is our map with the places we recommend around Cienfuegos so you can organise your trip easily and quickly. You can also add important documents such as travel tickets, hotel reservations and even invite your friends to take part in the organisation of your itinerary. Using Passporter is free of charge and will help you travel in a more organised way. You can register on the website or download the app to keep everything in your pocket 🙂
Things to do around Cienfuegos Cuba
Cuba is wild, and its nature is where you can find the purest essence of this country. If you plan to stay in the city of Cienfuegos for more than a day and want to find out what else this Cuban city has to offer, you cannot miss one of the following tours. Don’t miss these unique places, and organize one of these excursions.
1. Rancho Luna Beach
Cuba is is all about the sea and beaches, and this city is no exception. Enjoy an unquestionably beautiful Caribbean beach day at Rancho Luna beach, very close to Jagua Bay, about 18 kilometers south of Cienfuegos,. The beach is also protected by a coral reef, and the coast offers an ideal setting for diving. To get to Rancho Luna you can take one of the daily buses from Cienfuegos, the ferry from Jagua or a cab from Cienfuegos for about 10 dollars or approximately 240 CUP.
2. Topes de Collantes Natural Park
The Topes de Collantes Natural Park is a natural paradise located in the Sierra del Escambray, at an altitude of 800 metres above sea level. This beautiful park has a massive natural heritage that is also protected due to its great scientific importance for botany and ecology. Topes de Collantes is home to numerous endemic species such as pine, bamboo and eucalyptus forests.
However, this great place is best known for its hiking trails, namely the Vegas Grandes trail. The Vegas Grandes Trail is the most popular trail among visitors to the region as it runs through coffee plantations for about two and a half kilometres. This trail also passes through paths surrounded by traditional houses and cliffs, but it ends at the Salto del Caburní, a spectacular waterfall where you can admire the scenery and rest after a long walk.
3. El Nicho Waterfalls
Another interesting excursion to do in Cienfuegos is to visit El Nicho, a symbol of nature. El Nicho is located within the Gran Parque Natural Topes de Collantes, a wooded park that stretches across the Sierra del Escambray mountain range in central Cuba.
There you will find a series of waterfalls and natural lagoons connected by small streams, until they flow into the Hanabanilla Lake. To get to the El Nicho waterfall you have to walk along a beautiful nature trail of just over one kilometre, known as the Kingdom of the Waters. Along this route you can discover the lush flora and fauna of the area, until you reach a large natural pool and its surroundings, perfect for a refreshing swim after your walk. The path finally goes past the waterfalls and ends at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the valley.
4. Guanaroca Lagoon
Do not miss an excursion to the Guanaroca Lagoon to birdwatch on your way through Cienfuegos. The Guanaroca Lagoon is formed by the Arimao River before flowing into the Bay of Cienfuegos. This shimmering saline lagoon is surrounded by mangroves and is a true paradise for birdwatching.
In the surroundings you will also find several trails leading to an observation platform from where you can easily spot flamingos, pelicans and tocororos. There are also lemon, pear, avocado and güira trees in the area.
5. Martín Infierno Cave
One of the things to do in Cienfuegos is to explore the Martín Infierno Cave, and discover the tallest stalagmite in the world. The Martín Infierno Cave is located in the Yaganabo Valley, about 56 kilometres from Cienfuegos through the small town of Caleta de Muñoz.
This impressive cave has what is considered the tallest stalagmite in the world. The cave is not open all year round, so it is advisable to check before setting off on your trip.
Its name comes from a traditional legend that tells that a slave called Martin escaped from a hacienda located in Trinidad, who upon being trapped entered the cave, but fell into the abyss where the stalagmite is located. At the beginning this place was called Martin’s Hell and later it became known as Martin’s Hell Cave.
Find out more about Cuba by visiting our post: Things to see and do in Cuba.
How to plan your itinerary for Cienfuegos Cuba?
Download the Passporter app and plan your trip in the most organized way and according to the days and places you want to visit in Cienfuegos Cuba.
With the app you will be able to be inspired by the experiences of other travelers. You can save information about the destinations you want to visit just by installing the Chrome extension. You can also save tickets and reservations, as well as organize your route on Google Maps. Discover the best travel option for each place. Save and publish your own photos and experiences in each of the places in your traveller profile.
However, if you have any doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Cienfuegos Cuba
– Paseo del Prado
– Ferrer Palace
– José Martí Park
– Streets of the historic center
– Palacio del Valle
– Malecon and Punta Gorda
There are several areas where you can find the perfect hotel for you, but Punta Gorda is one of the most recommended. Some of the best hotels in the city are in this area, such as the Hotel Jagua, at about 100 euros a night for 2 people.
Cienfuegos is one of Cuba’s main cities, but also one of the smallest. Because of its size, it’s easy to get around on foot. The area furthest from the centre is Punta Gorda, which is also within walking distance, but if you have mobility problems, one of the most common forms of transport is the very cheap bicycle taxi, which will take you anywhere in the city.
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