Matanzas is a province in western Cuba, which enjoys great popularity, due to its incredible landscapes, bays, rivers, parks, bridges and beaches. You must not miss this destination if you want to know a little more about this island. Keep in mind that it is one of the jewels of Cuba, so Matanzas is sure to captivate you.
What are the best places to see in Matanzas?
1. Libertad Square
Everything that surrounds this square is beautiful, such as its buildings, shops, hotels, the apothecary or the ice cream shop, which make this a special place. It is very quiet to walk around. In addition to this, the people you can find here are very friendly, which will make your visit totally pleasant.
You can observe the Cuban atmosphere, the children running around and having fun. You can also connect to the Internet and buy a card in the hotels that are in front of the square. In the afternoon, the birds that approach the square give you an authentic concert, thus highlighting the presence of them.
2. San Siverino Castle
This castle served as a fortress of the island in ancient times. Currently, its impressive structure is preserved, which makes it attractive to travellers. Although, iits exterior is not everything; you will find inside a museum which consists of 4 rooms in which the culture of Cuba and Afro-Cuban culture is exposed,
Not only will you be able to learn more about the culture of the island, but you will also visit different parts of the castle, and at the same time you will have an incredible view of the bay of Matanzas. A very important fact is that the entrance fee is 2 CUC and if you want to take pictures you will be charged another 2 CUC per camera.
Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter, completely free to use, easy and practical. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most by adding them to your route map.
3. Plaza de la Vigia
The Plaza de la Vigia is a historical site of the city of Matanzas. In fact, it belongs to the historical helmet and it is a must visit for foreigners, because more than beautiful it constitutes the foundational nucleus of Matanzas, the primordial point where the first access roads are delineated.
The Plaza de la Vigia is characterized by its beautiful and colorful design, which will make you enjoy a pleasant afternoon, where you can see the imposing buildings that adorn the square, plus the number of vendors that you can find, giving life and color. A must on your trip to Matanzas!
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4. Sauto Theater
Meet one of the symbols of Matanzas, the Sauto Theater. Being beautiful external and internally, it will impress you due to the decoration, which is incomparable. It has an imposing lamp in the center of the ceiling, the design and organization are to be appreciated. In addition, it is very well air-conditioned which guarantees comfort.
In case you have the opportunity to visit Matanzas, do not miss the opportunity to explore the theater and enjoy the variety of presentations.
5. Ermita de Monserrate
Churches in Cuba have a very attractive neoclassical colonial architecture; Ermita de Monserrate is no exception. It is located in the upper area of Matanzas, which makes it a balcony, since it offers a beautiful view of the city, the bay and the extensive Yumurí Valley.
In addition, it is surrounded by trees that guarantee a cool climate, which is favorable if you decide to go hiking to reach it. When you are at the Ermita de Monserrate you are allowed to ring the bell. For this and more, do not miss the opportunity to appreciate the Athens of America the pseudonym of Matanzas Cuba.
6. Concordia Bridge
The Concordia Bridge is a bridge of great antiquity built in the period of Spanish colonization. Its architecture is usually highly appreciated, it is considered a beauty both then and now; in its structure, you can appreciate two towers that accompany it at each end.
The Concordia Bridge crosses the Yumuri River, which was elaborated with the purpose of connecting the neighborhoods of Versalles and Matanzas. Do not leave this magical city without capturing the best photos of the bridge and the river.
7. Canimar River
Visiting the Canimar River is a beautiful experience. First you take a boat trip on the river that offers beautiful scenery led by the guide himself; then you can appreciate a show of the natives here. What stands out the most is the river and nature, which are truly to be admired. Take advantage of it to take the best pictures!
8. Pharmaceutical Museum
It is a small museum, but very large in terms of articles and objects of the history of the 19th century. Here, you can learn how medicines were manufactured, as well as the processes of distillation, storage and export of both natural and elaborated medicines.
They have a guide who will show you each object and tell you the history that precedes it; also, they explain the arrival of medicine to Cuba in detail. Perfect for those of us who are curious about medicine.
9. Bellamar Caves
The Bellamar Caves remind you how unexplored the subway can be. It has a story that tells the process of hard and innovative work that takes as its starting point the exploration of a new ecosystem. The acidic waters seep through the earth creating stalactites and among many things, even huge columns that grow 2 cm each year.
This is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Cuba, being one of the natural treasures of the Province of Matanzas. They are more than 300,000 years old and were discovered in 1861 in a quite casual way: by a worker of the landowner Manuel Santos Parga, who organized them in such a way that this place became a great tourist center.
10. Saturno Cave
Saturno Cave is located not far from the hotel zone of Matanzas. You can get there by cab or on a tour offered directly at your hotel. The tour generally includes the cave and snorkeling through the coral reef, which is a must when visiting the cave.
It is a small place, but very surprising. And if you are lucky enough to find it empty, you can even swim comfortably and enjoy the beauty of this cave in its maximum splendor.
Undoubtedly, an excellent option to visit and enjoy the Cuban landscape, full of a quiet atmosphere, which makes it an ideal place to get to know Cuban nature and one of the most beautiful caves on the island.
11. Cafetal La Dionisia
Cafetal La Dionisia is a small theme park ideal for the adventurous travellers, where they show you several species of animals such as a crocodiles, which you can feed. Besides seeing different animals, you can eat a snack and drink one of the best coffees in Cuba.
On the other hand, they explain the history of this place, you can do a horseback ride on and then visit the big tree, which you must go around three times to make your wishes come true. Simply an entertaining place to spend a couple of hours.
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.
Beaches in Matanzas Cuba
You cannot talk about a Cuban city without talking about the beaches. Everybody knows that Caribbean wonders start from the sea and the beaches that bathe in it; for this reason, we will show you the best beaches to see in Matanzas.
1. Coral Varadero Beach
Snorkeling at the coral beach and admiring the magnificent, varied and above all intact corals is something very difficult to enjoy nowadays. This place is as accessible as it is quiet. The waters here are blue and crystalline, and the biodiversity you find in them is simply magnificent.
2. Buey Vaca Beach
It is located on the outskirts of Matanzas, almost reaching Varadero, which makes it a beach quite far from the center of the city, but it can be enjoyed in all its splendor despite the time it will take to get there.
It is a beach totally recommended for those who like to go to quieter places, since this beach is not as visited as others, being thus the perfect place to be able to enjoy a good bath without agglomerations.
Hotels in Matanzas Cuba
After exploring this amazing coastal city, you’ll want to find somewhere to stay. That is why below you will find the main hostels and hotels preferred by travelers to guarantee you comfort and good service.
1. Casa Manzaneda
This residential home will offer you a friendly and helpful family; this house has colonial style, restored, with original grilles and bricks. The rooms are spacious, comfortable and clean, and the food is delicious.
It is located in the center of the city; lodging in this cozy home is very economical!
2. Hotel Louvre
If you are looking for a larger place to rest, you will love this hotel. It has a good location, since it is located in front of the liberty park. Therefore, you will have a wonderful view from the balconies or the large windows that adorn this hotel. According to its structure, it is two-story, spacious, with bar and restaurant included; the design is colonial, with some antique objects that match the design. The staff is helpful, friendly and respectful.
Things to do in Matanzas Cuba in 1 day
- Libertad Square
- La Vigia Square
- Sauto Theater
- Cafetal La Dionisia
- Pharmaceutical Museum
Things to do in Matanzas Cuba in 2 days
- Concordia Bridge
- Canimar River
- Bellamar Cave
- Buey Vaca Beach
- San Severino Castle
- Saturno Cave
- Coral Varadero Beach
How to plan your itinerary of the places to see in Matanzas 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 Matanzas Cuba.
With the app you will be able to:
- Get ideas from the experiences of other travellers.
- Keep the information you need about the places you want to see.
- Store the tickets and reservations of those places or events you want to attend.
- Prepare your route on Google Maps, being able to choose the place you want as your starting point.
- Discover the best method of transport to visit the places on your list.
- Post photos of your trip as you visit places and share your profile with other travellers so they can learn about your experiences.
If you want to know more about how to use the Passporter app, read on in our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Matanza Cuba
Matanzas is located in the north of Cuba, bathed in the waters of the Matanzas Bay and limited by different cities such as Mena to the west, Guanaba to the south and finally Camar
Matanzas has the sophisticated means of transportation you would expect from a country like Cuba. Private cabs or buses are the most common means of transportation to move around the interior of this city; although, so far it seems the most common of any other city, Matanzas offers you the possibility to move around by means of antique cars; a real experience for any lover of classic cars.
To get to Matanzas, you can use the common means of transportation, which is the bus. Since Matanzas is not very far from the capitals like Havana, it is a good option if you want to go for something more economical and see the scenery along the way. If you are looking for speed and efficiency, you can always access Matanzas through the international airport “Juan Gualberto Gomez”.
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