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 Mountains, rivers, beaches and caverns in the area all converge on its bay and its bridges to join in a surprising mix of culture and architecture. This is Matanzas seen from the Alturas de Yumuri © evitier, panoramio •]• •]• Right in town on its huge bahia, surfers like the constant winds sweeping this downtown beach, barely meters from the Teatro and the Palacio de Justicia; eat your heart out, L.A. ; ) © sogestour |
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Not just another colonial city, Matanzas is a great starting point to explore its surrounding natural attractions like Bellamar, Canimar, Saturnas, Yumuri. Some 20 miles east is the Peninsula de Hicacos where Varadero attracts Cuba's largest contingent of visitors. In high season some 30,000 tourists stay there every night. Many of the resort's thousands of hotel staff were born and raised in Matanzas. Known at a time as the city of bridges, city of rivers or the Venice of Cuba, Matanzas was founded in 1693 and during its heyday was the island's most important seaport. Leonardo Padura, in his biography of Jose Maria Heredia underlines the influence of the local masonic lodge during the 17th and 18th centuries and its impact on Cuban culture. Matanzas (massacres in español; alludes to the aborigines wiped out by the Spanish colonials) was, most of all, the scene of the majority of cultural and political creations during its romantic period, the second half of the 19th century : schools, reviews, theatre, publications, poetry : all the "premieres" were held here before La Habana. The city is a Cuban National Monument and, since Spring 2005, a World Heritage Site. UNESCO quote : "Situated on the Caribbean coast of southern-central Cuba at the heart of the country’s sugar cane, mango, tobacco and coffee production area, the town first developed in the neo-classical style. It later became more eclectic but retained a harmonious overall townscape." It is also a city of bridges. Twenty-one in all, of which 11 have been built since the Révolucion. Main rivers are the Yumuri, the San Juan and the quiet rio Canimar, a must to relax in its stream. Contrary to La Habana, there are almost no jineteros (buquenques) to hustle visitors.  NoteOn arrival at the Viazul bus terminal, the people offering their casas are usually NOT hustlers. They are the actual owners who will show you pictures and even their permit. Do not turn them away, Billy Ray.
POPULATION 147,289 (2007) SEE (Bold text links to photo) • The whole city, the bay and the Yumuri Valley from the Mirador de Monserrate (calle 312) • Iglesia La Ermita de Monserrate (1872) • Biblioteca Gener y Del Monte • Castillo San Severino : African Art Museum and great lookout point, avenida del Muelle, 2 cuc taxi ride from center • Museo Farmacéutico (1882), kept in its original state, wood cabinets, porcelain jars; founded by Monsieur Ernest Troilet • Museo de los Bomberos (Firemen) in th old Fire Station in Parque de los Chivos • Catedral de San Carlos Borromeo • Iglesia San Pedro Apostol (restaured, in the Versalles area) • Liceo Artistico y Literario • Los Carnavales (uninterrupted 7-day fiesta downtown, during the 2nd week of August) • Museo Histórico Provincial (Palacio del Junco) and its unique mummy of Josefa Margarita Ponce de Leon • Palacio del Gobierno (City Hall) • Parque de la Libertad • Plaza de la Vigía • Teatro Sauto • Escuela San Lorenzo • Bishopric • Palacio Ferrer PLAYAS The nicest local beaches for farnientes and picnics : • Playa Mamey, 8km away near the bridge over the Canimar • Playa El Coral at 12 km, near the cuevas (caves) on the way to the airport : coco trees, nice coral formations, scuba, meals & snacks. Get there by local 16, 17 our 20 busses in town (20 centavos MN); best bargain is to enter through Laguna de Maya reserve (lake, restaurant, boats and horse rentals) where Ecotur guides can take you to the reef (300 species of fish) for 5cuc; full paquete is 25cuc • El Tennis, 1km, rent a bicicleta acuatica (pedal boat) • La Caridad, 4km • Buey Vaca, 6 km • A day on Varadero beaches : take the Viazul bus at 10h00, drops you at calle 36 in Varadero town, returns at 18h00; 12cuc return fare. RESTAURANTS • Restaurante Monserrate (views are great, food is pretty good) • Cafeteria Velasco • Café Atenas on Plaza Vigia • Café Libertad • Hotel Louvre • Paladin del Medio • Restaurante Teni in reparto Playa (we list casas there, see below) PALADARES (in pesos cubanos) • La Casona • La Yumurina • La Tarifa. EVENINGS • Best spot to make friends opened late 07 : La Vigia is facing the old fire station (bomberos) maybe because some clients could set your heart (and your pocketbook, mi amor...) on fire ! • Casa de la Cultura José White • Casa de la Cultura Bonifacio Byrne on calle 272 • El Pescadito calle 272, e/115 y 117 (shows, 5cuc for a bottle of rhum and 2 cocas) • Artex Las Palmas, corner calle 127 y 254 • Tropicana Matanzas (twin of Havana's most famous nightclub), 90-min shows at 22h30 for 35cuc. Also worth a detour • Baseball at Estadio Victoria de Giron home of the local team, Los Cocodrilos; visit the Estadio Palmar de Junco, Cuba's first baseball stadium • Bar Karaoke • Cine-Teatro Velazco • Discoteca del Campismo • Discoteca La Salsa • Ruinas del Matasiete |
 From atop La Escalinata, the bay on the horizon © Evitier on panoramio •|• At the foot of La Escalinata, sweating on the horizon © Evitier on panoramio  Parque de la Libertad. © sogestour  Map of city with casas. © Footprint Handbooks Ltd.  Regional GoogleEarth map with our details. Click to enlarge.  New Bus Tour — Matanzas to Varadero and back : 10cuc/day - CLICK FOR DETAILS •|• Corner of the Catedral © sogestour  Exhuberant youth playing for the camera (yes, we did mail them the photo) © sogestour •|• Iglesia San Pedro Apostol in Versailles © sogestour  Teatro Sauto, the city's prestigious and historical cultural landmark © sogestour •|• Across the street, the court, Palacio de Justicia © sogestour  Cruising down the Rio Canimar © Marilyn Perdomo •|• Same river, otra vista © Mimmo Fabrizzi  Bacunayagua bridge from its mirador. Click © sogestour •|• Slow choo-choo (Not! It's electric) from Havana, famous Hershey Train in Matanzas station © sogestour |
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TRANSPORTATION Viazul Bus (See schedule link above) Terminal located on Calzada de Esteban. (45) 91-64-45 Other routes : Camaguey (1/2 - Every 2nd day - 19cuc), Cardenas (2xdaily 2cuc), Jaguey Grande (3xdaily 3cuc), Jovellanos (3xdaily 2cuc), Santa Clara (daily, 8cuc), Santiago (2nd day, 31cuc), Varadero (3xdaily 10cuc). • Hershey Train, sole electric tren in Cuba To/from La Habana's Casablanca station Tel. (7) 862-4888, steps from the Habana Vieja to La Regla ferry dock. A 5-time daily 3-hour adventure (instead of the 90 min. regular train) : great for countryside and stops along the way ! A 3cuc pp ride. From Matanzas, it leaves from Estacion Hershey, calle 67 in Versalles (45) 24-7254. Stops in Canasi, Jibacoa, Hershey and Guanabo. • Regular trains Station located on calle 181 Tel. (45) 29-2409 Many arrivals and departures to/from Havana (90 mins, 3cuc). Going east, the daily rapido at 18h00 to Santa Clara (8cuc), Ciego de Avila (15cuc), Camaguey (19cuc), Las Tunas (24cuc), Cacocum/Holguin (27cuc), and Santiago (32cuc). • Airport Juan Gualberto Gomez International is 20km away and about 20km before arriving in Varadero and serves as its airport as well. (45) 61-3016 |
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EXCURSIONS Laguna de Maya reserve (lake, restaurant, boat rental, horse riding) where Ecotur guides can take you to the reef off Playa Coral (300 species of fish) for only cuc instrad of full paquete from city which sells for 25cuc. From there you can trek 2.5 km to • Cueva Saturno (cafeteria, bar, swimming) for scuba (deep well for pros) or snorkel; place is hustler heaven and maybe not really worth the detour; tel (45) 25-32-72 • Campismo Rio Canimar Take a local guagua (bus) leaving from the cathedral to the starting point at Canimar Abajo, some 8km away via Guanabana. On a yacht with meal and drink service, you cruise the rio for 12km to Canimar Arriba with musical and ecolo stopovers. Highly recommended. 25cuc with a group, from the Varadero bridge through the Cubamar agency. Or take a taxi particular (which can wait for you and bring you back to town) and rent a rowboat (2cuc/hour). Swimming, nature appreciation, horseback riding, small zoo, rodeo • Cuevas Santa Catalina, 12 km : unique mushroom-like formation. 6cuc. • Cuevas de Bellamar (5 km) : ranchon, meals. • Mirador of the Bacunayagua bridge : restaurant, artisan work, superb views • Rio Canimar : walk along the rio, from under the bridge to the Museo Morillo at the mouth of the river; take bus 16 or 17 from the town centre. • Rent a scooter at Hotel Canimao or through the owner of your casa : 24cuc for 24 hours; driver's permit not required; a must-do, to discover the whole area, all the way to the end of Hicacos where some spots are still virgin.  |
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| OUR SUGGESTIONS 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 webmaster @cubacasas.net |
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BOOK BY PHONE • from Canada and the USA : 011 53 (add phone # preceded by 45 for Matanzas). • from Europe, Great Britain, Scandinavia and Mexico : 00 53 (add phone # preceded by 45 for Matanzas).  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 photos to see each casa's page and description. Locate most casas on this map of the city here. |
See all casas in sequence.
 Move to next casa by clicking this logo. |
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EVELIO y ISEL Evelio Valdes Moreno and wife Isel Calle 79 (Contreras or Bonifacio Byrne) #28201, apt. 3, e/282 y 288 in ciudad center near Parque Libertad. See town map here. Tel. (45) 24-30-90 Cellular (5) 281-4966 On the second floor of a modern building dating from the 60's, a large apartment with living and dining rooms and at the end of the corridor, two air-conditioned (fridge and tv, and hi-fi) bedrooms with a shared bathroom. End room has balcony with awning. Rate : 20cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.)  Click for more photos. © sogestour |
LA VILLA SOÑADA Armando Machado Vega Calle Santa Teresa # 6701, esq. (corner) Santa Isabel in ciudad center near Parque Libertad. See town map here. Tel. (45) 24-27-61 Cellular (5) 290-2168 Located only three blocks from the city's main square, this casa colonial offers one lovely air-conditioned bedroom with private bathroom. A large terrace can be used to enjoy meals. Music and joie de vivre are always part of Armando's hospitality. Rate : 20-25cuc for the bedroom (2 adults max.).  Click to see more. © sogestour |
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CASA MARILYN Marilyn Perdomo Diaz Linea Secunda (2da) # 15102, e/ Callejòn de Desamparados y Santa Isabel, Calzada San Luis, in reparto (burrough) Pueblo Nuevo, west of centre. See town map here. Cellular (5) 278-0415 Fine casa located between town center and beach - easy transport into town centre with carriage or taxi-bicycle or on foot, (a 10-min. walk). Bikes available. She rents two quality bedrooms on second floor, adjacent private balcony, a private bathroom, fan, refrigerator. Car parking. Meals served : meat dish 8cuc, seafood 9cuc New low rates : 15-18CUC per bedroom per night (2 adults max.). |
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CASA MARTA MARIA V Dra. Marta González Méndez Calle 85 (de Medio) No. 28813, entre 292 (Manzaneda) y 294 (Zaragoza), in ciudad center near Parque Libertad. See town map here. Tel. (45) 28-28-29 Marta is a child neurologist. The large bedroom she rents is air-conditioned, has en ensuite bathroom, a commode, an armoire, mirror, fan. Meals prepared on request; secure street parking steps away. Rates : 20-25cuc (2 adults max) for bedroom per night. |
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CASA DRA PATRIA GONZÁLEZ V Calle San Gabriel No. 7904, entre Gumá y Contreras in the ciudad center near Parque René Fraga. See town map here. Tel. (45) 28-47-20 after 5 p.m. The Doctora is a stomatologist who rents an independent "efficiency unit" type apartment with an aircon bedroom private bath on a whole floor including TV, refrigerator and own equiped kitchen. Total privacy is assured. Should guests wish, Patria will arrange for cooking and serving meals. Rates : 25cuc (2 adults max) for the installation per night. |
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HOSTAL ALMA / HOSTAL AZUL V Mayra Rodriguez Vera / Joel y Ailin Calle 83 (Milanes) # 29008 (upstairs), entre Santa Teresita (209) y Zaragosa (292), behind Parque Libertad. See town map here. Tel. (45) 24-78-10 An 1850 colonial which features two a/c bedrooms each with its own ensuite original bath, fridge and radio. One with a double, the other with a single and a double. Excellent meals. Next door, is Mayra's son's casa Hostal Azul. Click at right for more. Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom per night (2 adults max). |
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UBALDO B. RODRIGUEZ RIVAS Calle Manzano (calle 77) No. 29006, e/ Santa Teresa (calle 290) y Zaragoza (calle 292), in ciudad center near Parque Libertad. See town map here. Tel. (45) 24-25-54 An independent aircon bedroom (a double bed or matrimonio) with fridge, table and a private inside bathroom. This space is located away from the building with its own private access. |
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HOSTAL VANESA V Sra Susana Candales Calle del Médio 29820, e/América y dos de Mayo. See town map here. Tel (45) 24-37-63 " A large colonial owned by two sisters. Very nice patio. I rented the bedroom upstairs with its double bed, washbasin, sofa, TV, aircon, fridge, private bathroom and a small private terrace. " Next door on same floor, a suite (for a family), with aircon, fridge, bathroom, a double bed and an adjacent smaller room with two single beds and aircon. Only two bedrooms can be rented per night. Meals served on request. " Reference : Jean-Claude Roland 21.03.05 |
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MARGARITA ROMERO BRITO y ROBERTO CHAVEZ LLERENA V Calle 79 (Contreras or Bonifacio Byrne) #27608, entre 276 y 278 in ciudad center near Parque Libertad. See town map here. Tel. (45) 24-25-77 One of the large casas of the city, dating from the 19th century. Two ventilated bedrooms (a triple, a double), shared bath; superb interior patio. Rates : 20cuc for the bedroom (2 adults max). |
" I suggest this casa to eat well and sleep comfortably : hosts are great ! Ceilings are more than 20 feet high ! Breakfasts 3 cuc, meals 6 (meat), 8-10 for fish or seafood. Enclosed garage for your rental car or across the street where owner can wash it for 1 or 2cuc. Bon voyage. " From Olivier Menendez on terresdumonde, Feb. 2005 |
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VILLA ENCANTO V Victor y Gloria Calzada Esteban 27618, entre San Ambrocio y San Vicente, in reparto (burrough) Pueblo Nuevo, west of centre near the Viazul bus terminal. See town map here. Tel. (45) 20-11-35 cell (5) 291-6661 A nice comfortable casa, some 10 mins. from town centre. Independent entrance, living room, equiped kitchen, two air-conditioned bedrooms, one shared bathroom, two terraces. The couple offers free car rides to tourist spots in town and can prepare dinners for 7cuc, breakfasts for 3.Reference : 260907 Rates 20-25cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.) |
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BOOK BY PHONE • from Canada and the USA : 011 53 (add phone # preceded by 45 for Matanzas). • from Europe, Great Britain, Scandinavia and Mexico : 00 53 (add phone # preceded by 45 for Matanzas). 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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 Overlooking the bay, on the way to the river cruise on rio Canimar, the caves at Bellamar, the airport and the peninsula de Hicacos (Varadero, 19 miles east), the following casas are away from the town center in the repartos (burroughs) Garcia, Playa and Peñas Altas. From their balconies, they offer views of the majestic bahia de Matanzas and are close to local beaches Playa El Mamey and Playa Buey Vaca. Restaurante Teni, seaside, on the corner of calles 129 and 224 is open 10am-11:30pm and offers great criolla Cuban cuisine all included for 5cuc. |
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OSCAR y ANA V Oscar Diaz y Ana Rufin Calzada General Betancourt (Calle 129) # 21604, entre Doblada (216) and Bajada (218) on the bayside boulevard — facing Caleta minishop — in burrough (reparto) Playa, which leads to Varadero 19 miles east. Tel. (45) 28-56-03 Oscar and Ana are doctors who rent the whole ground floor of their lovely light blue casa facing the fabulous bay : one aircon bedroom with a double bed and an ensuite bathroom; living, dining and kitchen can be enjoyed by the guests. Rates : 25cuc for bedroom per night (2 adults max). Oscar Diaz 12.12.09 |
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VILLA ANA BEATRIZ V Ana Lilia Triana Abad Calle 129 (General Betancourt) 21603 e/216 (Doblada) y 218 (Bajada), in burrough (reparto) Playa on the way to the airport - Located across the road from Oscar y Ana. Tel (45) 26-15-76 Nice casa located overlooking the water. Possibility of swimming close by. |
Two bedrooms, one with kitchenette. Direct bus to Varadero passes right in front. Friendly and hospitable family. Rates : 25cuc per bedroom per night (2 adults max). Refered by Heike Sch., Berlin |
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NOEL DOBANGANES y MARIA HELENA MARTINEZ V Calle 129 (General Betancourt) 20615 entre 206 y 208 in burrough (reparto) Playa, 50 m from the bay, near the Servi Cupet. Tel: (45) 26-14-46 Apartment with privacy in back of Noel's bungalow with independent access by way of the garden. |
Air conditioning in bedroom, dining room, fridge. Quiet in the evening, nice sunsets. Hospitable couple who can prepare meals. The bus route nearby goes to Varadero in 25 minutes. |
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VILLA MONTELIMAR V Manuel Zamora & Isma Mendez Calle 129 (General Betancourt) 21808, entre calle 218 (Doblada) and calle 220 (Plumero) in burrough (reparto) Playa. About 1 km from Bellamar, 2 km from historical centre and 30km from Varadero. Tel. (45) 26-25-48 Large a/c bedroom with private bath; independent access through the garden. "The service there is excellent; Senora Isma is truly kind and speaks English pretty well. I spent 5 nights. Well-located place on the beach side, towards Varadero and near the bus station. Superb garden; attentioned hosts." Source : Martine Desroches, sept. 2004 |
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MARIA JESUS PASTRANA V Calle Pilar # 23010, e/ 3rd (Tercera). and 4th (Quarta), and overlooking the bahia in burrough (reparto) Playa. Tel. (45) 26-21-28 Modern house adjacent to the Tenne beach. The room has air conditioning, private bathroom, refrigerator and TV. |
Maria is a retired dental surgeon. Rates : 20cuc for room (2 adults max.) Also available : breakfast, meals and parking. Suggested by Juan José Brizuela 260308 |
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CASA VISTAMAR V Calle 129 (General Betancourt) 14224, e/143 y 144, burrough (reparto) Reynol Garcia Tel. (45) 26 13 64 or (45) 26 23 37 "I spent three glorious weeks there and I have only fond memories : Private entrance to the 2nd floor where two a/c bedrooms each with a double bed and their own private bathrooms. "Kitchenette with table and chairs. Terrace opening on to the bay. Very clean and secure. Excellent meals prepared on request." |
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VILLA OCTAVIO V Roberto Lopez Diaz y Rebeca Calle 194, número 12501 entre calle 125 (Santa Rita) y 129 (General Betancourt) in burrough burrough (reparto) Peñas Altas, Playa Matanzas. Tel. (45) 26-24-33 or cell (5) 268-3295 Located above and overlooking the bay, about 400 m from the La Salsa discoteca, ont the way to the beaches at Varadero. The couple rents two air-conditioned bedrooms each with its own private bathroom. Balcony, terrace, meals served. Rates : 25cuc per bedroom (2 adults max). Roberto Lopez 01.06.09 |
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Content & photos © sogestour Updated |
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