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Santa Clara, Cuba 

Explore the historic city of Santa Clara, an important city during the Cuban Revolution, in the province of Villa Clara

Santa Clara, Cuba
© Marika Dortolami

Santa Clara is the capital city of the Villa Clara province in Cuba. Behind the city lies years of Cuban history as it was once considered a strategic point during the Cuban Revolution. It is also marked by the 1958 event when Che Guevara’s troops stabbed Fulgencio Batista’s government forces to death. Today, visitors can walk amongst the historic remains scattered across town and explore the several tributes dedicated to the revolutionary.

Iglesia del Carmen, Santa Clara
© Pedro

Besides being designated as one of the most important cultural centers of the country, Santa Clara is also home to the Universidad Central Marta Abreu de las Villas, the second most prestigious university in Cuba. The city’s nightlife is stroked with strong array of students making the city come alive, much like Havana. Nicknamed the “ciudad liberal” or the liberal city, visitors can always find something to keep them busy in Santa Clara. Impromptu shows and concerts are held against the classic and traditional image of this Cuban city. You can find anything from drag to heavy metal.

Despite its central location on the island and 300 km distance away from Havana, Santa Clara continues to be overlooked by tourists. However, it is because of this, that visitors can enjoy the town without the hustle of large crowds.

Santa Clara’s enormous historical, cultural, and social value has pushed authorities to advocate for the naming of its historic urban center as a National Monument.

Index:

• What can I see in Santa Clara?
• How do I get to Santa Clara?
• Santa Clara trip itinerary

What can I see in Santa Clara?

Parque Leoncio Vidal
© Colin Hepburn

Santa Clara was founded in 1698 by eighteen families who were displaced from Remedios, a city often raided by pirates off the coast. The city became a massive relocation spot for those escaping the neighboring town of Remedios. This event is commemorated in the Parque del Carmen by means of a tamarind tree and a monument.

Today, the Parque Leoncio Vidal (Leoncio Vidal Park) is the center of local activity in Santa Clara. Museums, churches, and theaters dating back several centuries surround the park. 

Tren Blindado, Santa Clara
© Douglas Peterson

The Mausoleo de Ernesto Che Guevara (Che Guevara Mausoleum) is the most visited monument in the city. The site is considered a center of national and international pilgrimage for the fans of the revolutionary. Guevara, who was of Argentinian descent, triumphed in Cuba, shed blood in Angola, and died in the Bolivian Revolution.

His remains were then transferred to the Cuban city of Santa Clara where he and his soldiers were catapulted to fame. The revolutionary’s fame was determined in 1958 when 18 young guerillas, commanded by “Che” himself, derailed a government train full of soldiers. In 1997, Fidel Castro lit an eternal flame in Guevara’s memory.  

Visitors cannot miss out on the Museo de la Toma del Tren Blindado (Taking of the Armored Train) in Santa Clara. The Battle of Santa Clara, which took place during the Cuban Revolution, is marked by two important moments: the capture of the city and the size of an armored train sent by Fulgencio Batista. Today, that train has been transformed into a museum allowing visitors the chance to explore each wagon.

How do I get to Santa Clara?

There are two available routes to reach this historic city. The first option: arriving on a flight at the Aeropuerto Abel Santamaría (Abel Santamaría Airport), which is located on the outskirts of the city; and the second, to travel in from Havana by land. The latter is more complex if visitors are not part of an organized trip as the availability of land transport is limited.

Organized trips to Santa Clara:

Santa Clara is typically a layover city for those travellers on their way to Cayo Santa María (Santa Mary Keys). Because of this, most Cuban travel packages include a visit to this revolutionary city, one that is well worth it.
However, you can also opt for a travel package that includes Santa Clara and Havana, or another tourist attraction in Cuba. 

If this catches your interest and you would like a travel package that includes the city of Santa Clara, we can provide you with a budget that satisfies your requests.

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