Cienfuegos (founded by a group of French settlers in 1819), is one of the most beautiful cities in Cuba. It has an enveloping sense of tranquility, a large number of mansions with cupolas, several public squares and -the legacy of its French founders- perfectly drawn streets and well-preserved neoclassical architecture. In addition, there are interesting frame structures on Gorda Point (Punta Gorda). The Bay of Cienfuegos, which is one of the most magnificent bays in the country, is nearly 35 square miles (90 square km) in size and is dotted with pitoreque cays. We recommend a boat ride around the bay, where you can sometimes see dolphins leaping from the water. It is the venue for annual motorboat races and regattas, and cruise ships put in here , as well. There is a marina (at 22 18'N latitude, 80 28'W longitude-for radio communication, turn to HF 7462 or VHF 16) with a modern recreation room; aquabikes; yachts; catamarans; and equipment for snorkling, scuba diving and water skiing. Founded in 1901, Cienfuegos's Botanical garden is one of the oldest in the Americas. Its 90 hectares contain over 2000 species of plants, most of them exotic, including a collection of palm trees which is considered one of the ten best in the world. Valle Palace, near Jagua Hotel, at the very end of Punta Gorda (which gives you a fabulous view), is a mixture of the Mudejar, Gotic-Roman, Arabian and Indian styles. It has a fancy restaurant.

The city has two cemeteries: reina (founded in 1839), the only one in Cuba that has vertical burial vaults (it also has some beautiful statues), and Tomas Acea, the first garden cemetery in Cuba, which is also noted for its beautiful decorations and sculpture. At a mile and a quarter (almost 2 km) long, Prado Avenue is the longest street in Cuba; it is flanked by beautiful buildings. Cienfuegos also has several museums (including one on a naval history and the Nuestra Senora de los Angeles de Jagua Polyvalent Museum, which is housed in a fortress dating from the 18th century); the Terry Theater, which is one of the three oldest theaters in Cuba that are still being used; and Villuendas and Marti Parks (the only arch of triumph in Cuba is in the latter). The city has several good hotels and restaurants offering all kind of food (with the accent on seafood), bars, cabarets, discoteques and other places providing evening entertainment. Attractions near the city include the Ciego Montero Spa (with excellent medicinal mineral water and accomodations); Martin Infierno Cave (which contains the largest stalagmite in the Americas, around 220 feet, or 67 meters high) and Cuba-Magyar Cave (which is 1542 feet, or 470 meters deep), both of them in the Escambray Mountains; and El Nicho area of the Escambray, which has several waterfalls between 65 and 115 feet (between 20 and 35 meters) high. When visiting any of these waterfalls, treat yourself to a dip in their crystal-clear pools.

Cienfuegos 's coast is famous for its seabed. There are two scuba-diving centers in addition to the one at Rancho Luna Beach: the Faro Luna Scuba-Diving Center, next to the 3-star hotel of the same name, on the road to Rancho Luna, and the Guajimo Scuba Diving Center, at the 3-star villa of the same name, on the road to Trinidad. The offshore area has over 50 diving sites, many species of coral and fish, caves impressive underwater walls, sunken ships and coral formations such as "Notre Dame", which looks like the towers of that Parisian cathedral and is nearly 11 feet (6 meters) high. Stick around, and you'll see turtles, Barracudas (Spyreana barracuda), enormous Jewfish (Epinephelus itajara), Spotted Eagle Rays (Aetobatus narinari) and impressive but harmless Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus).

Castillo de Jagua

Near the entrance to Bahía de Cienfuegos, first visited by Christopher Columbus, is the Castillo de Jagua, a fortress erected (1740-1745) for protection against Caribbean pirates. A nice fishermen's village around the fortress to visit. From Cienfuegos you can go to the fortress by the ferry. It leaves at the corner of 23 and 46. The trips cost for tourists fifty USD cents. There's also a posibility to leave from the Marina Puertosol (Punta Gorda - Street 35 between 10 and 11) but this service is only for tourists and you will pay a lot more!

Jardin Botanico Soledad

A botanical garden owned by Instituto de Egocolica y Sistematic This Botanical Garden is another good offer of the province. In its 97 hectares -seven of which cover a nature reserved forest area- visitors will find more than two thousand plant species comprising 670 varieties and 125 families.

Guajimico

To the south of the central region of Cuba, in the highway that unites the cities of Cienfuegos and Trinidad, a paradise of name aborigine rises: “Villa Guajimico.” With more than fifty cabins whose architecture is integrated organically to the gentle and natural environment, “Villa Guajimico” it is an ideal destination for those who prefer to combine the coast tourism and sea, with the practice of the diving and the hiking. Many are the attractions that you will find in “Villa Guajimico”, the most attractive will surely be the initiation and diving practice in an area that reserves you a surprising landscape. This picturesque village also has always the warm and professional treatment of those that only want for you, the pleasant memory of some wonderful days.

Yaguanabo

Laguna de Guanaroca-Yaguanabo-El Nicho is a natural reserve covering six thousand hectares. One of its main attractions is a highly endemic flora with 65 thousand plant species. It is, in addition, a nesting site for flamingoes and other waterfowl. Cienfuegos features archeological sites where indigenous vestiges can be found as well as other sites where corsairs and pirates took refuge.

Hanabanilla

River inside of the Escambray Mountains. The source of the river Hanabanilla is located in a marvellous landscape of the Sierra Escambray. You have a nice view to the ... of the Hanabanilla and also the province of Santa Clara. You can also take a bath under the waterfalls of Hanabanilla. El Nicho is up to now not touristic so you can find only one restaurant with horrible prices. Because of that it's better to carry food and drinks by yourself. This place is really worth to do a trip although it's rather dificult going there. By public transport it's not posible to do the trip in one day. When you go by taxi you will have to pay a lot - this only works when there are four paying people in the cab. So I think the best way to go is to rent a "moto". The rent will cost you about 25 CUC a day. You can rent them at the hotel "La Jagua". But be aware, also the street isn´t in the best condition. So, if none of these posibilites was one for you, the last (for me) but the easiest one... Go organized. This will cost you about 30 USD with transport, guide and meal.

Racho Luna Beach

This beautiful beach is near both the city of Cienfuegos-one of the loveliest in the country-and Trinidad, which has been declared a part of the world heritage. The beach has good hotels, ecotourism programs, and scuba diving and other water sports, offering you a fulfilling and relaxing stay.

Location and How to Get There

Rancho Luna beach is 11 miles (18 km) by road from the city of Cienfuegos (capital of the province of the same name). The city has an international airport-the third largest of the country-and is linked to the rest of the country by a system of modern roads. Cienfuegos is in the south-central part of the island of Cuba, 159 miles (241 km) from Matanzas and just 53 miles (85 km) from Trinidad.

What to Do

Activities include sunbathing, swimming, scuba diving, snorkling and other water sports; minature golf; tennis; beach volleyball; tours along the attractive coast; excursions to nearby natural attractions, the city of Cienfuegos (international water sports competitions are held in its bay on a regular basis) and a nearby dolphin center (with dolphin and sea lion shows). In the evenings, entertainment put on excellent shows.