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 Established in 1514 as Santa María del Puerto del Príncipe in the centre of what is now Cuba's cattle country, long known as the town of tinajones (large earthen jars), the third largest city on the island was long isolated from the rest of the island until the railway passed through in 1903, then the Carretera Central, trans-island highway in 1931. Its local historical hero is an army general, Ignacio Agramonte who died fighting in 1873. Camaguey boasts a wide architectural heritage with some 300 hectares of buildings in good condition, and the largest contingent of Catholics in the country who pray in its numerous baroque churches. On June 8, 2008, the town center's 54 hectares were declared UNESCO World Heritage Site. Details here. The influence of its settlers from Andalucia has given Camaguey some lovely ornate small plazas surrounded by colonial mansions. The country's great contemporary poet Nicolas Guillén (1902-1989), exiled under Batista, eulogist of negritude, interbreeding and the Revolución and first president of the UNEAC is remembered on calle Hermanos Agüero in his childhood house, now a museum. Its ballet troupe of 75 dancers, Ballet Folclórico de Camagüey is the second most important in the country, having created works more than 130 times around the world since its foundation in 1968. Its theatre, music, puppet and magic venues and groups also attract spectators regularly.
POPULATION 304,500 SEE.KNOW.DO Mercado Campesino or Farmers Market (fruits, vegetables, meats, unique in Cuba) • Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria • Casa Natal de Ignacio Agromonte • Casa Natal de Nicolas Guillen • Casino Campestre (nice large park in centre) • Hospital San Juan de Dios • Iglesia de la Soledad • Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Merced • Museo Ignacio Agromonte • Plaza San Juan de Dios PALADARES El Cardenal RESTAURANTS La Campana de Toledo, Parador de Los Tres Reyes, Vicaria Principeña LIFE'S A BEACH Casas particulares can book you passage on an 8-seat Viazul minibus to La Boca (Los Cocos), a quiet spot at the entrance of the canal de Nuevitas. One can see Cayo Sabinal on the horizon. Departs at 8:30, returns at 5 p.m. Tickets 12cuc p.p. return. Otherwise, drive to Santa Lucia : there is a 12km-long playa. ••• Local agency Ecotur can handle tours to Cayo Sabinal, regional parks and responsible tourism Phone : (32) 27-4995 Ask for Francisco email ecotur @ caonao.cu SERVICES Swimming pool at the Gran Hotel (2cuc); Rent a bike at Cafeteria Las Ruinas or at Islazul, corner Maceo ; Aeropuerto 6-15-25, Cubana 9-21-56, 9-13-38 Havanautos 9-15-35, 7-20-15 Medical [24h] 95-70-06, Police 9-91-92, Radio Cadena Agramonte 910 AM, 93,5 FM, Rumbos 9-72-29, Transautos 7-24-28, Transtur 7-10-15, Turistaxi 7-12-08, Viazul TRANSPORTATION Bus for Playa Santa Lucia (3xday), Bus Astro Bayamo (Daily) 9cuc), Ciego de Avila (3xday $5), Cienfuegos (2xday 16cuc), La Habana (2xday 27cuc), Matanzas (Daily 22), Santa Clara (Daily 12cuc), Santiago (Daily 15cuc) Bus Viazul (see link above) Trains (local and national links above) |
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| EVENINGS Casa de la Trova Patricio Bellagas : on Sunday mornings, old-timers sing and dance • Baseball at Estadio Candido Gonzalez • Movie theaters : Casablanca, Encanto, Guerrero • Disco Café Fiesta • Galeria UNEAC • Trova Latina • Teatro Principal (Padre Valencia 64) • Sala Teatro Tassende (calle Popular 51) where the troupe Conjunto Dramatico does its thing • Teatro Cubano de la Magia (Cuba's magic theatre on General Gomez 364) • Teatro Guiñol de Camaguey (Puppets on Lugareño, corner San Clemente) WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED About 82 km southeast, via Santa Rosa and La Daseada, the town of Santa Cruz del Sur, (Holy Cross of the South) on the Caribbean coast, from where one may find playas Bonita 2,5km off town or Las Playuelas 8k away. Town was totally wiped out (2,000 dead) in 1932 but now thrives with fishing and land grazing and food growing. SEE THE SOUTH SEA Seafarers should be able to sail to (and travellers may like to discover) most of the totally undiscovered 36 cayos off the coast of Camaguey province from Santa Cruz del Sur. Closest cayos are Muerto, Mate Adentro, Carnero, Pinipiniche, Bergantines, Pasa Honda and Güincho; furthest away, Loma and Rabihocardo. |
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| OUR RECOMMENDATIONS V = suggested by webbies and travelers but not verified. Check in person or by phone. Children 16 and under may share parents' bedroom at no charge only if there is an additional bed available. Mention the age of your children when making the reservation. Comments and suggestions webmaster @cubacasas.net |
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| BOOK BY PHONE • From Canada and the USA : 011 53 (add phone # preceded by 32 for Camaguey). • From Europe, Great Britain, Scandinavia and Mexico : 00 53 (add phone # preceded by 32 for Camaguey). |
 BOOK BY EMAIL : Click on logo to open a message addressed to that casa in your email application; or right-click to copy address showing at bottom of browser window. Spanish vocabulary here.  |
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| Click on our street map with street names here. Consult our vocabulary for inspiration here. |
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MIRIAM GUERRA DE LA CRUZ V Calle Joaquin de Aguero 525, entre 25 de Julio y Perucho Figueredo in reparto (burrough) La Vigia. Tel. (32) 28-21-20 Cell (5) 270-3252 In her luminous and naturally-ventilated casa, Miriam rents two aircon bedrooms each with private bathroom, minibar, tv, telephone. Other amenities include a reading room, an exercise room, a room for smokers and a garage and an international phone line and laundry service. Free pickup from bus or train stations. Rates : 20-25cuc for bedroom (2 adults max.) |
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MANOLO BANEGAS MISA Calle Independencia # 251 (upstairs), 'tween Hermanos Agüero y General Gómes, corner of Plaza Maceo, near the Banco Financiero and Cafeteria Las Ruinas. Tel. (32) 29-4606. Not to be confused with Casa Manolo on Santa Rita 18. Almost a local heritage site with its colonial-era furnishings and lamps, here's a typical albeit very large Camaguey upscale home. o Two a-c bedrooms to choose from the three on the floor, each with balcony overlooking the Plaza. o Two shared bathrooms. o Phone, laundry service, TV, video. o Meals served : Breakfast 3cuc, dinner 7. o Monitored parking nearby. Rate : 20-25cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.). |
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SRAS. ALBA FERRAZ y GISET LOPEZ PELAEZ Calle Popular (Ramon Guerrero) 106, e/Lopez Recio y San Esteban, two blocks from Plaza de los Trabajadores, one block from the Cadeca and three from the Gran Hotel. Tel. (32) 28-3030 Colonial built in 1906, run by a lovely family, featuring two large aircon bedrooms with private bathrooms. In a rare and remarkable arrangement, the dining room, kitchen, a large living room and the bedrooms surround a large patio with sol y plantas. Terrace on roof. Rates 20-25cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.). |
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HOSPEDAJE COLONIAL LOS VITRALES V Enma J. Barreto García y Rafael Requejo Calle Avellaneda 3, e/General Gomez y Marti, town center near Parque Marti. Tel. (32) 29-58-66 Owner Rafael is an architect and he renovated this colonial casa, once a convent, with high ceilings, marble floors, venitian mosaics, etc. Both bedrooms (each with double and single bed) are air-conditioned each with a private bathroom. Large living room, original coal-fired kitchen, nice patio, parking for three cars. Rafael's mama can prepare meals at affordable prices. Rates 20-25cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.). |
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CASA LOS HELECHOS V Maria Isolina Cisneros Díaz Calle República No. 68, entre Pobres y Luaces Tél. (32) 29-48-68 Cell (5) 231-1897 What Maria calls "The Ferns" or helechos is a casa colonial opening to a long corridor colored with greenery. For rent, one large two-bed room with its private bathroom. Endearing is Maria's company and generosity. She exudes a family hospitality, loves to look after visitors' children. The house is great for spaces where one can enjoy quiet reading. Rates : 20-25cuc for bedroom per night (2 adults max.). |
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ELSA HENRRI Calle San Fernando # 62, entre Tio Perico y Triana, some 200 meters from Plaza de la Juventud, in the heart of town. Tel (32) 29-8104 In the middle of the church-laden part of town, this superb colonial house with its decorative wrought-iron windows and an interior patio-garden offers a haven of calm quiet and beauty. Meals available. o Two air-conditioned bedrooms o Phone o Guaranteed parking. |
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DELFIN y ELENA V Delfín M. Gerbales Bandes y Elena Calle E.J. Varona (San Ramon Norte) # 171, entre Santa Rita y San Esteban, in town center a few meters from Museo Ignacio Agromonte. Tel (32) 29-72-62 Modern quiet, comfortable, clean house. Delfin likes a good conversation and will enjoy reminiscing about the legends of her city the indoor patio and garden. o Two a-c rooms o Telephone, laundry service o Guaranteed parking. |
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CASA BLANCA Francisco Claro Navarro y Blanca Navarro Castro Calle E.J. Varona (formerly San Ramón Norte) # 201, entre Heredia y Santa Rita. Tel (32) 29-3542 One can admire beautiful woodwork covering the walls of this charming colonial-era building, about 300 meters from Museo Ignacio Agromonte. o Air conditioned rooms o Shared hot water bathroom. o Phone o Guaranteed parking, official and secure. |
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