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 The city holds a special place in the heart of the descendants of barbubos (the bearded ones) as it was here that the famous attack on Batista's armoured train sealed the fate of the Revolución in the last days of 1958. One can find here all of the mementos of this passage in the recent Cuban history (Monument to Martyrs, Memorial to the Che, Museum of the Tren blindado). Today, the peaceful city's stable economy with its many light industries in the area is maintaining a high job quota and gives a sense of comfort, to visitors at least. Culture is expressed seemingly more freely, away from the habitual self-censorship in places like El Mejunje, La Marquesina and El Carishow unique show venues. Carpe Diem !
POPULATION 175,000 SEE.DO.KNOW Plaza del Carmen, Parque Arcoiris, Parque Vidal (Central), Loma del Capiro, Memorial del Tren Blindado, Museo de Artes Decorativas, Museo provincial, Teatro Caridad, Mausoleo de los martires de la Revolucion, Plaza de la Revolucion, Fabrica de Tabacos Constantino Perez Carrodegua (Montecristo no 2, Partagas Grande, etc. Visits 9-11, 13h-15h, 2cuc, Spanish only spoken.) EXCURSIONS Hanabanilla Dam (Presa), 50k away. Its lakeside hotel : Swimming pool, rooms at 24-30cuc with views, excursion on lake to nearby waterfall. PALADARES Bodeguita del Centro, El Castillo, La Casona, Los Mejores Momentos, Milan RESTAURANTS 1878 (superb patio, creole cuisine), El Dorado (cheap chicken, shows at night; right by : Pizzeria Pullman in pesos), Le Boulevard (multiple choices, student hangout), Los Tainos, Sabor Latino de Alfonso y Familia (10-12cuc, full meals : excellent) SERVICES Swimming pool at Villa La Granjita, on Carretera de Maleza, towards the airport 2,5km from center. 5cuc per person including a 3cuc drink. avanautos 20-89-28, Medical 27-12-34, Transautos 20-58-95 TRANSPORTATION Viazul Bus (see link above) Trinidad daily at 11, 3hrs, 8cuc; Varadero, daily at 5:25pm, 4hrs, 11cuc; Santiago, 3 daily, 11hrs, 33cuc Trains see link above SUGGESTED CASAS 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. Most of our suggestions are located near the city's, large centre park, Parque Central, otherwise known as Parque Vidal. Comments and suggestions webmaster @cubacasas.net |
 Museo de Artes Decorativas •|• Transporte © sogestour  "Going to Santa Clara without seeing El Mejunje, is like not going at all." - See notes below.  Pedestrian boulevard •|• Marilyn del Tabaco © sogestour  Armoured train of Batista's army (Tren Blindado), after the attack led by Che Guevara on December 30 1958, which ensured the victory of the Révolucion. •|• Strip from hand-drawn Album de la Revolucion  Que sean como el Che (May they be like the Che) © sogestour •|• Teatro de la Caridad : Caruso sang there © sogestour |
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| EVENINGS • El Mejunje at 12, calle Marta Abreu, in ruins of Hotel Oriental was founded in 1984 by Ramón Silverio and it is a unique place in Cuba with its graffiti-covered facade, relaxed staff and atmosphere sometimes deep and delicious, sometimes wild and scrumptious. Get your mojo workin' at El Mejunje. Watch a 1-min. clip of a drag queen on youtube here. Weekly fare : Tuesdays, Rockoteca, rock concerts; Wednesdays, theatre; Thursdays, Trovuntivitis; Fridays, Good Luck; Saturdays, the Filinbusteros & disco; Sunday afternoons for children; evenings : music. • La Marquesina (artist and intellectual hangout) • Piano Bar El Dorado (piano and songs) • El Carishow standup comic shows at 22h, then disco : 5cuc per couple. |
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| TO MAKE A RESERVATION BY PHONE • From Canada and the USA : 011 53 (add phone # preceded by the town's area code, 42). • From Europe, Great Britain, Scandinavia and Mexico : 00 53 (add phone # preceded by the town's area code, 42). |
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| Click photos to see each casa's page and description. Map of town center here. |
See casas in sequence.
 Click logo to move to next casa. |
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FLORIDA CENTER Angel Rodriguez Martinez Calle Maestra Nicolasa (Candelaria) # 56, entre Colon y Maceo, 200 meters from Parque Vidal. Tel. (42) 20-81-61 Angel is an industrial engineer who rents two aircon bedrooms, each with their own private bathroom in one of the most remarkable casas on the island, built in 1872. A large flowery patio, small farm animals and orchids garnish the casa, decorated with an impressive collection of fine colonial antiques. The cuisine is absolutely fabulous and the hospitality equal to none. Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.) |
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FAMILIA SARMIENTO Carlos Manuel Sarmiento Calle Lorda 61 apto 1 e/Independencia y Martí. In the town centre, one block from Parque Vidal. Tel. (42) 20-35-10 cellular (015) 283-4721  Two air-conditioned bedrooms, each with its own stylized wood bedboards, TV, VHS video, DVD and stereo unit, fridge and private renovated bathrooms in American-type comfort. The living quarters include a large room divided into a relaxing area with sofa, a dining area opening on to a compact patio with its parasol. Amenities are in good taste with a family touch. Rates : 20cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.) |
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ERNESTO y EVA Ernesto Garcia Cuellar y Eva Serrano Remedios Calle J. B. Zayas No. 253-A, entre Berenguer y P. Tuduri, couple o'blocks from Parque Vidal. Tel. (42) 20-40-76 Most recently renovated, the whole upper floor with private key access is rented as an independent apartment with one or two bedrooms, each with all-new private bathrooms. Nice enclosed sunny patio, kitchen with living room and balcony in front. Or rent just one bedroom, private bathroom with entrance from owner's quarters downstairs. Ernesto and Eva are charming and hospitable. Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.) |
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OLGA RIVERA GOMEZ Evangelista Yanes #20, e/Maximo Gomez y Carolina Rodriguez facing the iglesia on Plaza del Carmen. Tel. (42) 21-17-11 TCalm and seductive 19th century colonial, nicely restaured. From a small liviing room in front, access to the two air-conditioned bedrooms, each with private bathroom. Shaded patio is lovely and site of great breakfasts 3cuc and dinners, 7cuc. Natural bird music. Take the sun and a cold drink in the roof ranchon with nice views of the plaza and its iglesia : sabroso. English spoken. Rates : 25cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.) |
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ZAIDA BARRETO GARCÍA Calle Berenguer no. 11 entre Maceo y Carolina Rodriguez, one block from Plaza del Carmen. Tel. (42) 29-48-44 Zaida rents one aircon bedroom with its own private bathroom in a small colonial casa, across from Olga exactly on the other side of the block. The grand sala on entrance is nicely furnished. Patio is great for enjoying breakfasts and dinners. Rates : 28cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.) including breakfast served on the nice small patio |
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HOSTAL D'CORDERO Orlando Cordero Rodriguez Calle Buenviaje (Rolando Pardo) no. 16, entre Parque Vidal y Maceo Tél. (42) 20-64-56 Modern-facade house very well-located one block from main street. Private patio upstairs. Nice couple : two quite large aircon bedrooms upstairs with minibar and tv, each with private bath. Shaded terrace and dining room on ground floor. Listed in GeoGuide 2006 and Petit Futé 2007-08 Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom(2 adults max.) |
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HOSTAL CASA MERCY Ing. Omelio Moreno Calle E. Machado (San Cristobal) # 4, entre Colon y Cuba, about 100m from Parque Vidal. Tel. (42) 21-69-41 Upstairs, two double-bedded rooms with independent bathrooms and fridge. Private mini cocina and terraza on bedroom floor. Patio on ground floor. English and French spoken. Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.) |
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HOSTAL EL PATIO Pedro & Lourdes Calle Maceo no. 102 entre Gloria y Musica Tel. (42) 20-70-54 One air-conditioned and ventilated bedroom with own private bathroom opening on a sunny and comfy patio of this lovely colonial. Nice dining and living rooms. Pedro, the owner is an orthopedic surgeon who also speaks English. Listed in GeoGuide 2006. Rates : 20-25cuc for bedroom (2 adults max.) |
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ISIDRO y MARTA Calle Maestra Nicolasa (Candelaria) # 74, entre Colon y Maceo, some 200m from Parque Vidal. Tél. (42) 20-38-13 Two aircon bedrooms each with private bathroom along a sunny passageway. Meal service. Zen-like amenities. Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.) |
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CONSUELO RAMOS RODRIGUEZ Independencia 265 (Este), Apto. 1 on ground floor, e/Union (Pedro Estévez) y San Isidro Tel. (42) 20-20-64 or 20-29-44 The facade may seem impersonal but inside, is a well furnished and decorated house. A small terrace, an indoor patio, a dining room. Two air-conditioned bedrooms with private baths. Meals served. Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.) |
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LUCY y RAMSÉS Calle Placido no. 54 entre Independencia and Marti, only 20m from pedestrian Boulevard. Tel. (42) 22-56-86 Angel Rodriguez from Florida Center (who showed us most of the casas around Parque Vidal) claims the casa is art deco. See by yourself. The young couple rents a ventilated (non a/c) bedroom with a private bathroom. Mini patio. Rates : 20-25cuc for the bedroom (2 adults max.) |
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FAMILIA VALDÉS-PÉREZ Roberto y Teresita Calle Berenguer no. 106, entre Maceo y Luis Estévez, behind the Constantino Perez Carrodegua cigar factory at Maceo 182. Tel. (42) 20-36-57 This sympatico retired couple rent, up some indoor stairs, an large aircon bedroom (double and single beds) with private bathroom and its own small, sunny, flowery patio and an all-sun terrace up on the roof. Roberto and Teresita are generous people who have much respect for the peace and tranquility of their guests. Rates : 20-25cuc for bedroom (2 adults max.) |
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HECTOR MARTINEZ Calle Buenviaje (Rolando Pardo) No. 8 entre Parque Vidal y Maceo, 50m from Parque Vidal Tél. (42) 21-74-63 Quiet, flowery and large patio with muchas plantas, nice for reading or meditating with only one but quite large bedroom for rent, air-conditioned with private bathroom, fridge and table. Nicely decorated living room with antique rocking chairs. Meals served. GeoGuide 2006 Rates : 20-25cuc per bedroom (2 adults max.) |
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HOSTAL ADELAIDA Rolando Sacerio Díaz Calle Maceo # 355-A, e/ Nazareno y Síndico, 3 blocks from Parque Central. Tel. (42) 29-36-78 or (42) 20-67-25 One of the first casas to rent in town — in 1998, it boasts the usual hall, living and dining rooms and a terrace. The couple — a retired mechanical engineer and Adelaida a practicing pediatrician rents one air-conditioned bedroom with its private bathroom. Meals served. 20-25cuc for bedroom (2 adults max.) |
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HOSTAL LA TERRAZA Calle 1ra del Sandino No.172, entre Via del Papa y San Cristobal. Tel (42) 21-83-85 Cellular (5) 283-8796 Local host is named Ihosvel and he rents two aircon bedrooms, each with private bathroom, some 500 meters from town center. Meals served on nicely furnished terrace between Cuban music and ornemental plants. Rates : 20cuc per night per bedroo (2 adults max.), desayunos 3 cuc, dinners 7-10 cuc. |
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