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Neglected by visitors who drive by on the circumvalacion — the road which bypasses the town, El Balcon del Oriente or Victoria de Las Tunas offers a lot of campesino tranquillity in this, a large cattle growing and milk-producing region. The region boasts two fauna reserves some 18 km north in the Bahia del Malagueta and sea access through Puerto Padre barely 56 km north. Local hero is a 19th century soldier, General Vicente Garcia who fought for independence in 1868 and liberated the town 8 years later. The centre was recently renovated in time to welcome a dozen works by artists participating in its Sculpture Biennal confirming Las Tunas as the Cuban capital of sculpture. Among the 70 works permanently exhibited in public places around town are the Monument to Labor, the Opposed Faces of Maniabo and Jibacoa, the Cucalambé and the Taino Column. The tunero poet Juan Cristobal Napoles y Fajardo was the father of cucalambé, (verses of onomatopoeia from nature); he mysteriously vanished in 1862. A century and a half later, his style has reappeared in what some call spin, improvised verses. In summer at El Cornito, poets of the Fiesta Cucalambé mimic rythmic rhymes folkloric. In December, its the annual country fair, quite an affair.
POPULATION 192,967 (2007) SEE Memorial a los Martires de Barbados (victims of a Cubana plane explosion in 1976, a crime committed by terrorist Luis Posada Carriles, still harbored by the USA) • Museo Provincial General Vicente Garcia (history of the region) • Memorial Mayor General Vicente Garcia • Memorial 26 de Julio • Casa Natal del Vicente Garcia Gonzalez (birthplace of the local liberator) • Casa Natal Juan Cristobal Napoles y Fajardo • Galeria de Arte • The three large parks : Vicente Garcia, Maceo and Independece park, the Plaza Martiana with its Parque Solar. PALADARES Choribí, La Bamba, La Roca, La Torre, Las Barias RESTAURANTS El Protocolo, Familia Los Patos, La Bodeguita, La Caldosa, Las Delicias, Majibacoa, Rey y Mar, Sierra Cristal, Taberna Don Juan SERVICES Cubana 4-27-02, Havanautos 4-93-28, Micar 4-44-43, Viazul 4-24-44, Radio Victoria 1050AM, 94,5FM TRANSPORTATION Bus Astro Prices in cuc Daily to Camaguey 4.50, La Habana 27, Santa Clara 15, Santiago 7.50 Bus Viazul (2xweek) Bayamo 6, Ciego de Avila 13, Holguin 6, La Habana 39, Sancti Spiritus 17, Santa Clara 22, Santiago 11 Air La Habana (4 x day) 66cuc Trains (sked link above) |
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| EXCURSIONS One of the largest protected nature areas on the island, Bahia del Malagueta (23,262 hectares of which 9,210 are underwater) includes the Cerro de Caisimú and Coto de Caza Yariguá (255 km2), flora and fauna reserves where hunting and fishing are permitted in season. About 18 km north. EVENINGS Bar Las Palmitas, Baseball : Estadio Julio Antonio Mella, Cabaret Taino, Casa de la Cultura, Cine Disco Luanda, Disco Bar La Cubana, Teatro de Guiñol |
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| WALKIN' THE TUNAS Memorial House — Mayor General Vicente García Gonzá [Vicente García no number e/ Francisco Vega y Julián Santana] • Ensemble of sculptures "Fuente de Las Antillas" [Calles Vicente García y Lucas Ortiz] • Ensemble of sculptures El Quijote [Ave. Libertad] • Headquarters of the cavalry [Vicente García e/24 de febrero y 13 de octubre] • Finca / Farm El Cornito [Carretera Central Oeste km. 9] • Fort of the Loma Hill Fort [calle 25 de diciembre no number e/ Av. Libertad y Carlos M. de Céspedes] • Fort Castillo de Salcedo [Av. Libertad] • Parque de la Independencia [Calle José de Villalta y Saavedra] • Parque Vicente García-Antigua Plaza de Armas [Vicente García angle Francisco Varona] • Plaza de la Revolución "Mayor General Vicente Gar [Av. 2 de diciembre, angle Ave 30 de Noviembre • Teatro Raúl Gómez García [calle Vicente García 267, e/Lara y Heredia] |
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| BOOK BY PHONE • From Canada and the USA : 011 53 (add phone # preceded by 31 for Las Tunas). • From Europe, Great Britain, Scandinavia and Mexico : 00 53 (add phone # preceded by 31 for Las Tunas). |
 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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| OUR RECOMMENDATIONS V = not yet visited by cubacasas.net. 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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ALCIRA ACOSTA DOMINGUEZ Calle Joaquin Aguero # 28, entre H. Durañona y Gonzalo de Quesada Tel. (31) 34-7873 On a calm street, off the commercial hustle and bustle of the town centre, the casa belongs to a charming retired couple and opens on a nice patio where the room is located in the back with its own private bathroom. As they are usually full, they can suggest casas as they did to us in June 05, such as the following three including Ruben and Maricel's where we stayed or Ramon Velazquez. Meals served, parking next door at a neighbor's. |
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RUBEN y MARICEL Ruben Fornariz Sanchez y Maricel Pupo Vargas Calle Cucalambé 170b, entre Francisco Vega y Julian Santana, reparto Santo Domingo Tel. (31) 34-2102 On a very quiet street, a few short blocks from Parque Central, quiet and attentioned Maricel, spouse of Ruben gently greets visitors staying in her one and only upstairs floor reserved for rental. One gets there through the main door and by a staircase in the back by the tiny TV room. The floor amenities include a kitchen, a rooftop terrace, a private bathroom, and a large aircon bedroom with phone, chairs and reading lamps. |
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PEDRO y ELIZABETH Pedro Ibañes y Elizabeth Reyes Perez Calle Lico Cruz # 29, entre Fernando Suarez y Maximo Gomez Tel. (31) 34-8470 Señora Elizabeth Reyes Perez welcomes you in our off-centre but cosy casa on two floors. Two bedrooms each with its own bathroom; one is upstairs. Nice patio, large rooms. No meals served. |
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VILLA ROSALBA V Sra. Rosalba Guerra Cruz Enovar Ave. 2 de Diciembre # 3 e/ Frank Pais y J. Aguero, reparto (burrough) Velasquez Tel. (31) 34-9042 " This casa is very secure and well-located, with one bedroom including a private bathroom, excellent food but its best feature is the kindness of its hosts, something remarkable !!! They are ready and willing to do anything to please you! " Rates : 25cuc per day for 2 persons, 3cuc breakfasts; 5cuc lunch, 7cuc dinners Suggested by René Audet, February 2006 |
 Mouseover for facade, hold click for bedroom. © René Audet |
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MAYRA y FELIX Mayra Busto y Felix Gonzales Calle H. Durañona # 16, entre Franck Pais y Lucas Ortiz, Reparto primero. Tel. (31) 34-4205 A charming and enthusiastic couple will greet you in their homy casa where they offer one bedroom with air con, tv and fridge. Rental bike and parking available. |
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RAMON y HAYDÉE V Ramon Durañona y Haydée Vega Calle Luis Ramirez No 24 entre J. Aguero y F. Pais, Reparto Velazquez. Tel. (31) 34-7905 The couple rents two aircon bedrooms sharing one bathroom, tv set and other commodities. Meals can be served on request in the finely furnished dining room by this fine looking wood bar. 150708 |
 Click for more © sogestour |
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RAMON y ORLANDO V Ramon Velazquez y Orlando Gutiérres Calle Gonzalo de Quesada # 56, upstairs, e/ J. Aguero y N. Heredia Tél. (31) 34-3162 Ramon and his companion rent an air-conditioned bedroom with private bathroom, tv and fridge. Small living room and balcony overlooking the street. |
LA VILLA V Richard Ceballos Calle Varona # 266, entre Nicolas Heredia y Lora Tél. (31) 34-2260 or 34-3305 Large independent house, centrally-located. Large ventilated bedrooms. Private bathroom. Guaranteed parking. |
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JOSÉ y ARALDIS V José Luis Figueredo Pavon y Araldis Gutierrez Calle Frank Pais #85, entre Quesada y Duranona. Tel. (31) 34-2586 This doctor and his esposa rent, upstairs, one air-conditioned bedroom with its own private ensuite bathroom. The casa's facade is Gaudi-esque, large shady patio in back. Rates : 15-20cuc per night for bedroom (2 adults max.) |
 Facade à la Gaudi. Mouseover to see bedroom. © sogestour |
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Content & photos © sogestour Updated |
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