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By far the most water-oriented city on the island (puerto, punta, bahia, canal, ferry), it is the only Cuban city founded by French colonials from Bordeaux, Philadelphia and Louisiana, the city was first located at the point on the bay of Jagua, by Don Luis de Clouet as an outpost in 1829 and a city in 1880. Its huge bay, Bahia de Jagua, is a sight to behold : 88 sq km (22km wide, avge length of 13km). It reaches the open sea through a 3 km-long sinuous canal which passes by Castillo de Jagua and Pasacaballo to end before Punta Gavilan. The twice-daily tide allows fishermen to catch enough crustaceans to offer feasts (albeit illegal) in Castillo de Jagua and its small pueblo called El Perché as well as around the bay. Refuge of pirates during the 17th century, (Drake, de Sores, Bruce, Morgan, Craff), the rivers Caunao, Salado, Damují and Arimao flow to the bay, with Arimao wide enough to be called a lake and Guanaroca now a protected area. "Pearl of the South" (Perla del Sur), its prodigal son, mambo music legend, known as El Barbaro del Ritmo, Benny Moré called it simply "the town I like the most". So do a lot of visitors. Streets are easy to locate in its square plan and the historical, cultural and architectural treasures of its old town in the centre and Punta Gorda are now a National Monument as well as — since Spring 05 — a UNESCO World Heritage Site, well worth a stay.
POPULATION 168,300 RESTAURANTS Covadonga, El Amanecer (37th), El Cochinito, El Criollito Pepe (33th), El Mandarin (37th y 60), El Pollito (37th), El Resplandor (37th), La Cueva del Camaron, 1819 (37th y 56), Palacio de Valle SERVICES Aeropuerto (c/o Cubana Tel. 5868 ou 7994), Clinica 70-08, Cubacel 45-82-22, Cubana 45-13-28, Havanautos 45-1211, Transautos 2-79-82, Transtur 7892, Viazul 81-14, 57-20 EVENINGS Café Artex on Punta Gorda with great live band shows : don't miss local group Ante Misto, a must-see ! • Café Cantante Beny Moré • Casa de la Cultura Benjamin Duarte • Cinemas : Guanaroca, Luisa, Prado • Discoteca El Benny Moré • La Caribeña • Palacio de la Musica • Palacio de Turismo • Sala del centro Dramático • Teatro Tomás Terry • Teatro Guiñol • UNEAC PLAYAS The best long beach in the area (photo) is spread along the Rancho Luna hotel and resort some 20km from center by car; although not the finest sand beach (kinda grainy), it's the best you'll get nearby. TRANSPORTATION Bus Astro Camaguey (2x day 13cuc), La Habana (5x day 14), Santa Clara (2x day 3), Santiago (Daily 26), Trinidad (2x day 3) Bus Viazul La Habana (1 day/2 20), Trinidad (1/2 6) Trains La Habana (Every 2nd day from La Coubre station at 07h30, an 11-hour ride ! - Much better is — every 2nd day — the First Class #37 with reserved, reclining seats "Railbus" leaving at 18h45 arriving here at 23h45 via Matanzas) 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 reservation. Usual Cienfuegos rates are 20-25cuc per bedroom per night (2 adults max.) unless otherwise mentioned. Comments and suggestions webmaster @cubacasas.net |
 Laguna del Cura, fishermen's bay on one side of Punta Gorda © sogestour •|• Club Cienfuegos : anchor your own boat ! Best food in town, apart from your casa's home cooking © Wanda Bendik  The very end of Punta Gorda © Blair Bessette •|• Mini map of the bay © sogestour  Palacio del Valle on Punta Gorda : music and meals in a so-so atmosphere © Blair Bessette •|• Provincial Assembly and local city hall (ayuntamiento) on Parque Marti © Ricardo, picasaweb  Fishermen's docks at El Perché, below Castillo de Jagua, the antique fort in long renovation process since Summer 2008 © sogestour •|• Parque de la Punta with a tiny water access for dipping, steps from the last casas at the tip of Punta Gorda on calle 35 © sogestour  Teatro Tomas Terry, nicest in Cuba (?) entirely restored © Jorge Tutor •|• Ferry goes from city port to Castillo de Jagua (across from Pasacaballo and Milpas) and makes a stop at Cayo Carena on the way back © sogestour  Pedestrian street (called a bulevar by Cubans) leading to Parque Marti (Plaza de Armas) © Vadim, picasaweb •|• Wall size homage to the New Man and, some say, father of modern Cuba © sogestour |
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| SEE.KNOW.DO From a UNESCO page on the city centre : "The most representative buildings include : the Government Palace (City Hall, current office of the Provincial Assembly of the Popular Power), San Lorenzo School, the Bishopric, the Ferrer Palace, the former lyceum building, and some residential buildings. "At present, in the historic centre, there are six buildings that remain from the first half of the 19th century, and 327 buildings from the second half. There are 1188 buildings from the 20th century, most of them from the first half. There are some 300 public buildings, and the rest are mainly residential." SEE .MORE • Teatro Tomás Terry : a national monument since 1982, inaugurated in 1890 has seen the likes of Sarah Bernhardt, Enrico Caruso, Nicolas Guillen and Federico Garcia Lorca • Fortaleza de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles (or Castillo de Jagua), work of French engineer Sebastien Le Pestre • Catedral de la Purísima Concepción • Cementero Tomás Acea • Fondo de Bienes Culturales • Jardin Botánico La Soledad • Los Jardines • Museo provincial • Museo de la Clandestinidad • Museo municipal • Museo Histórico Naval • Palacio del Valle • Palacio Ferrer • Parque Marti GUIDED TOURS Through Hotel Tour desks, you can choose from the following visits : City Tour, 11cuc; Las Montañas El Nicho, 27cuc; Hacienda La Vega, 17cuc; Botanical Garden, 10cuc; Yaguanabo Arriba, 19cuc; Singer Benny Moré's haunts, 17cuc; Trinidad, 17cuc; Playa Giron and Guama, 35cuc; Varadero, 27cuc; La Habana, 33cuc; Cayo Largo by boat, 89cuc EXCURSIONS Laguna Guanaroca (12km) : flora, large shrimp farm, manatees, ducks and pink flamingos; Pasacaballo and Milpas by ferry to Castillo de Jagua; jeep ride to Cascada El Nicho (49km); scuba diving at from Rancho Luna (30 dive sites including one of a huge coral trumpet; scuba diving at Guajimico (40km, on the way to Trinidad) |
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| BOOK BY PHONE • from Canada and the USA : 011 53 (add phone # preceded by 43 for Cienfuegos). • from Europe, Great Britain, Scandinavia and Mexico : 00 53 (add phone # preceded by 43 for Cienfuegos). |
 BOOK BY EMAIL : Click on above logo to open an email message addressed to that casa in your email application. Some Spanish words here.  |
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Click pictures to open page and details.
Locate casas on Punta Gorda map here. |
See casas in sequence. Move to next casa by clicking logo. |
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MIRIAM AGUILERA y JULIA ESTHER Calle 37, # 1006, entre 10 y 12, in Punta Gorda, across the road from Club Cienfuegos. Tel. (43) 51-80-85 In their two-storey modern casa, Miriam, along with her mother Julia Esther (retired primary school teacher) and father Pino (profesor de chimia) rent two air-conditioned bedrooms each with a private bathroom. One is off the patio/dining room, the other upstairs. Excellent cuisine; one of best casas in town with great hospitality, genuine and generous hosts. |
 Click for a visit © Peter J. Tremblay |
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CASA PIÑEIRO V Jorge Piñeiro Vazquez Calle 41, 1402, entre avenida 14 y avenida 16 in Punta Gorda Tel. (43) 51-38-08 Here's a very spacious bungalow built in 1953 and owned by one of the city's most experienced casa owners (10+ years) and a famous cook. The house boasts a huge patio cum dining area and a large manicured garden. Jorge rents two well-appointed air-conditioned bedrooms with private bathrooms. |
 Click for a visit © casapineiro.com |
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ANGEL y ISABEL Calle 35, no 24, entre Zero y Litoral, at the dead-end of the Punta Gorda, past the Jagua Hotel Tel. (43) 51-15-19 The place looks like a castle but the kind couple will not look down on you. Well, they may, but only if they're up a ladder, renovating their casa, as always... Their rent two aircon and ventilated bedrooms with private bathrooms, garden overlooking the bahia. Hospitable folks and great food. Direct water access, off private dock. Bay views from backside. Rates : 25-30cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.), breakfasts 4, dinners 8cuc. |
 Click for a visit © sogestour |
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MARIA ANTONIA y NAPOLES Calle 35, No. 22 entre Zero y Litoral, Punta Gorda some 50m from Hotel Jagua. Tel. (43) 51-31-96 This older couple (with family visiting often and helping out) offers one aircon bedroom uostairs with its own private bath, a back patio opening on to the bay, with its own dock. From which you can dive in the bay's waters. The front (on calle 35) also opens to the sea from the bedroom balcony, as the Punta is an isthmus. Family atmosphere, you'll feel at home right away. |
 Click for a visit © sogestour |
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VILLA ANA MARIA Dr. Ana Maria Font D'Escoubet Calle 35, no 20, entre Zero y Litoral, on Punta del Medio, at the end of Punta Gorda, past the Palacio del Valle. Tel. (43) 51-32-69 Ana Maria was born in this house, built by her doctor dad in the Forties. Her ancestors were from Marseille. She's been around, having worked at least a whole decade at the Cuban embassy in Moscow. Still faithfully reads the party's newspaper and does not seem to care if the bedrooms are not in perfect order. Direct water access, off private dock. Bay views from both sides of casa. Older people who have seen it rain. Wouldn't change a thing. |
 Click for a visit © sogestour |
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LA CASITA DE OSHUN Sra. Alejandra Lopez Calle 35, no 16, entre Zero y Litoral, on Punta del Medio, at the end of Punta Gorda, after going by the Palacio del Valle. Tel. (43) 51-94-49 In what used to be — we imagine — a typical fisherman's casa, an elderly couple aided by grown-up children rents one only bedroom with a double bed and its private bathroom and a view of the north side of the huge bahia. Access to the casa's very own unique beach on the grounds. Large patio with tables to enjoy the home cooking. Rates : 25-30cuc for bedroom (2 adults max.) |
 Click for a visit © sogestour |
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EDUARDO & ZUNILDA Calle 35, no 14, entre Zero y Litoral on part called Punta del Medio, at the end of Punta Gorda, round the corner after the Palacio del Valle. Tel. (43) 52-33-30 A post-colonial lovely wooden house with country airs is where the couple welcomes travelers to a one large-bedded air-conditioned bedroom with its own ensuite bathroom. In the back, opening to a private bay access fro lounging, eating or dipping, a lovely shaded and sunny patio, amigo. Rates : 25-30cuc for bedroom (2 adults max.) |
 Click for a visit © sogestour |
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VILLA LAS ESTANCIAS Miriam y Lic. Keyla Calle 35, no 10, entre Zero y Litoral, at the very end of Punta Gorda just before entering the Parque de la Punta. Tel. (None) The large balcony opens to the bay and to a lovely lime-colored living room. The air-conditioned bedroom is large and looks comfy cosy. Take note they live upstairs in this lovely typically-Caribbean wooden two-story chalet, as Cubans call this type of building. The people living on ground floor do not rent : it may not be obvious at first sight. Bay view, no water access. Rates : 25-35cuc for bedroom per night (2 adults max.) breakfasts 4/5cuc, dinners 10/12. |
 Click for a visit © sogestour |
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LOS DELFINES Magalis y Eduardo Calle 35, no 4, entre Zero y Litoral, at the very end of Punta Gorda in the deadend pedestrian lane left of the entry to Parque de la Punta. Tel. (43) 52-04-58 Upstairs, a large air-conditioned bedroom with two beds and a clothes cabinet as well as a well-stocked pay-as-you-drink fridge. From the room, door leads to a private terrace overlooking the south side of the bay. No water access. Rates : 30-35cuc for the bedroom per night (2 adults max.) |
 Click for a visit © sogestour |
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VILLA LAGARTO Tony y Maylin Calle 35 Apto 4B, entre Avenida Zero y Litoral, at the very end of Punta Gorda at the right end of the deadend pedestrian alley which is left of the entry to Parque de la Punta. Tel. (43) 51-99-66 The couple rents two extremely well-appointed bedrooms upstairs sharing a lovely balcony overlooking the park below as well as a nice bayside patio with great view of the bahia and the montañas. Small seawater pool. Rates : 35-45cuc for the night for each bedroom; book at least 60 days ahead. |
 Click for a visit © sogestour |
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HOSTAL MANDY y OLGA Calle 35, no 4D, entre Zero y Litoral at the very end of Punta Gorda at the right of the deadend pedestrian alley which is left of the entry to Parque de la Punta. Tel. (43) 55-59-51 Owners Mandy and wife Olga live on ground floor and rent upstairs to travelers. Accessible from the outside (privacy thus assured), it features one large air-conditioned bedroom with fan, tv, fridge, a table and chairs and a balcony (table and chair there also) overlooking the Parque de la Punta. Bay view, no water access. Rates : 30-35cuc for the bedroom per night (2 adults max.) |
 Click for a visit © sogestour |
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BOOK BY PHONE • from Canada and the USA : 011 53 (add phone # preceded by 43 for Cienfuegos). • from Europe, Great Britain, Scandinavia and Mexico : 00 53 (add phone # preceded by 43 for Cienfuegos). |
BOOK BY EMAIL : Click on above logo to open an email message addressed to that casa in your email application. Spanish words here. |
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| Click pictures to open page and details. Locate casas on Centro map here. |
See most casas in sequence.
 Move to next casa by clicking logo. |
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CASA DE HECTOR y ILIA V Hector Ferrer Gatell y Ilia Espinosa Coll Avenida 54, 4314, entre 43 et 45, in town center. about 5 mins. from bus station. Tel. (43) 51-70-06 A charming couple rents one aircon bedroom and a private bathroom in their modest pink facade colonial. Two living rooms — one with tv, music and Internet. Comments from visitors : "Kindness and good humour, you'll find plenty of in here. Owners are angels and will do everything to satisfy your needs." Maria, 10.10.05 Rates : 20-25cuc for bedroom for the night (2 adults max.) |
 Click to see more comments and photos © sogestour |
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BELLA PERLA V Waldo Rodriguez del Rey y Amileidis Calle 39, no 5818, entre 58 y 60, downtown, some 100m from calle principal and 5 mins walking to Parque Marti. Tel. (43) 51-89-91 The couple rents two aicon bedrooms, each with its private bathroom, fridge, fan, and window. Terrace on roof with view of part of the city and part of the bay. According to Waldo, his esposa Amileidis prepares "fabulous breakfasts and exquisite dinners". Parking on premises. Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom per night (2 adults max.) |
 Click to see more © sogestour |
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BERTHA'S HOUSE Bertha Linares Rodriguez Calle 43 #3402, entre 34 y 36, in town center or reparto Pueblo Nuevo. Tel. (43) 51-99-26 Two large a-c rooms with private baths. One room comes with its private entrance and kitchen : like a small apartment. Bertha and her family speak English and French, as well as ... you guessed it, Spanish. Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom per night (2 adults max.); breakfast for 3 to 4 cuc and dinner for 7-10cuc. We listed this casa in Dec. 2002. Listed in Petit Futé 2007-2008 |
 Click to see more © sogestour |
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MARTHA PEÑA Calle 39, 5807, entre 58 y 60, 5 minutes by foot from train station in town center or reparto Pueblo Nuevo. Tel. (43) 51-54-77 Grand colonial from the early 1900's in the historic quarter, on a quiet street. Two large air-conditioned bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom. Open air patio, dining room. Guaranteed parking. Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom per night (2 adults max.) Listed in Petit Futé 2007-2008 |
 Click to see more © sogestour |
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LA TERRAZA Donato y Tete Avenida 58, 4706 entre 47 Y 49, 100m from busses and train in town center or reparto Pueblo Nuevo. Tel. (43) 51-68-14 Well-located bungalow with open rooms (living, dining kitchen), with two bedrooms with one independent opening on a very sunny patio. Each bedroom with its own private bathroom. Parking in house garage. We listed this casa in Dec. 2002. Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom per night (2 adults max.) |
 Click to see more © sogestour |
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CARMEN ROSA CAPIRO Calle 45, #3801, entre 38 y 40 in town center or reparto (burrough) Pueblo Nuevo. Tel. (43) 51-63-65 Comfortable bungalow. Two a-c bedrooms, private bathrooms, garage on property. " Visited an air-conditioned bedroom with its private bathroom. Garage for your rental car. We did have a copious meal for 8cuc. Owners were away in France. Their son René was in charge. In this casa, French, English, Italian and German are spoken. " Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom per night (2 adults max.) We listed this casa in Dec. 2002. Listed in Petit Futé 2007-2008 |
 Click to see more © sogestour |
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BERTA y CORTES V Avenida 60, # 4719, entre 47 y 49 in town center. Tel. (43) 51-32-60 "This retired couple will take pleasure in making you discover the Cuban way of life and its culinary treasures. They rent one independent air-conditioned bedroom upstairs. It is quiet as it overlooks an inner court in the back of the casa and has its own bathroom and a small private terrace." Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom per night (2 adults max.) Source : elba bruno, terresdumonde, March 2006 |
 Mouseover for bedroom; hold click for couple. © elba bruno |
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ADALBERTO y MAYRA V Calle 23 No. 5004, entre 50 y 52, some 200m from downtown and Parque Jose Marti. Tel. (43) 52-51-09 The couple rents one air-conditioned bedroom with its private independant bathroom. Clientèle can enjoy the family's cuisine on the nice covered terrace populated by nice ornemental plants. Owners are nice and hospitable and their casa is ideal for guests seeking calm and tranquility. Rates : 20-25cuc for the bedroom (2 adults max.), 3cuc for breakfasts and 7-10cuc per person for dinner. |
 Click for more © sogestour |
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JESUS FONTE V Calle 35, 4402-A entre 44 y 46 in town center or reparto Pueblo Nuevo. Tel. (43) 51-76-28 " A couple made during the Revolucion, the 70's, will greet you. Jesus is a fervent disciple of the system and will let you know. • Two air-conditioned bedrooms with full bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen, fridge, stove and gas cooking. |
"Jesus' wife prepares excellent meals. There's a little local produce market 100m from the house where you can buy rice, black beans and all, payable in pesos cubanos (moneda nacional). If you don't feel like cooking, la señora de Jesus will prepare whatever your appetite wishes." Suggested by Benoit from Canada 02.02.04 Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom per night (2 adults max.) |
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VILLA SERENA Aleixis Marin and sister Arai Carretera Pasacaballo, in Milpas. At the end of the road, passed the Rancho Luna Hotel and the lighthouse with Los Colorados in front. Passed the large hotel (presently used as a R&R center for Operacion Milagro). Can't miss it, it's at the end of the Pasacaballo road where maybe 50 people live. Tel. (43) 54-80-39 Aleixis and Arai rent two air-conditioned bedrooms with one bathroom. All three meals can be served (imagine all the sea delights) on the balcony, terrace under the large tree or the parasol by the water. Solitude guaranteed, impeccable vistas of the huge bahia at your feet. Rates : 25cuc per night per bedroom (2 adults max.) |
 Click for more. Mouseover for map © sogestour |
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FINCA LOS COLORADOS V Jorge Piñeiro Carretera Rancho Luna-Pasacaballo #18, about 100 meters passed Faro (lighthouse) Luna. Tel. (43) 51-38-08 jorge(at)casapineiro.com "This place is more like a tiny inn than an ordinary casa particular. Jorge speaks English very well. There are guestrooms in the house and also in a charming villa next door. Dining is either indoors or on a terrace under trellises overlooking the sea. The food is excellent, possibly the best of any casa we have visited." Walter Smith, bicyclingcuba.com, 2003 Jorge also runs his own casa particular in town, on Punta Gorda. |
Mouseover: Google map of bay and location.  Frontage of Finca on road © sogestour |
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CASA MAYOR V Daisy Lugones y Antonio Calle 87 #1808, entre 18 y 20, off center in reparto Tulipan : 25 blocks from center but in a quiet area, one block from the church (Iglesia) de Tulipan Tel. (43) 51-33-06 Casa Mayor is an impressive colonial. Antonio has a doctorate in natural therapies. He and wife Daisy rent two romantically-decorated aircon bedrooms, living room, terrace, garden. Secured parking on lot. Internet, safety boxes, laundry. All three meals are available. Private car parking. Rate : 20cuc per room per night including breakfast. |
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