Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca
Spanish fortress on a cliff at the harbour entrance, built to defend the city from pirates. Its terraces and gun batteries give strong views along the coast, and it is a World Heritage site.
Santiago de Cuba
In the east, this hub has revolutionary history, a seaside fortress called El Morro and strong Afro-Caribbean music traditions.
Attractive locations
Santiago de Cuba Cathedral
Cathedral on the main square, Parque Céspedes, with a pale façade and twin towers. The square around it is lively with music, and visitors can go inside when it is open.
Basilica of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre
Hilltop church outside the city that honours Cuba's patron saint. Pilgrims travel here from across the island, and visitors should dress and behave respectfully during services.
Emilio Bacardí Moreau Municipal Museum
Cuba's oldest museum, founded in the 19th century. Its collection ranges from archaeology and history to art, and it sits close to the historic city centre.
Gran Piedra
Giant boulder on a mountaintop east of the city, reached by a long stone stairway. From the top, clear days bring views over forested hills and out to the Caribbean.
Santa Ifigenia Cemetery
Historic cemetery holding the tomb of national hero José Martí in a stone mausoleum, along with the resting place of Fidel Castro and other well-known figures. A guard-changing ceremony is held at the Martí tomb.
Moncada Barracks
Former army barracks whose failed attack in 1953 marked the start of the revolutionary movement. The yellow building is now a school, with a museum and preserved bullet marks on part of its walls.
Airports
Antonio Maceo International Airport SCU
It is about 5 km in a straight line from Santiago de Cuba.
Frank Pais International Airport HOG
It is about 99 km in a straight line from Santiago de Cuba.
Carlos Manuel de Cespedes Airport BYM
It is about 93 km in a straight line from Santiago de Cuba.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan24.6 °C13 mm
- Feb25.0 °C11 mm
- Mar25.7 °C13 mm
- Apr26.8 °C27 mm
- May27.4 °C54 mm
- Jun28.0 °C53 mm
- Jul28.4 °C33 mm
- Aug28.6 °C39 mm
- Sep28.4 °C53 mm
- Oct27.1 °C98 mm
- Nov26.0 °C44 mm
- Dec25.3 °C19 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Mar. Wettest months: May, Jun, Sep, Oct.
Festivals and events
festival
Santiago Carnival
No carnival in Cuba is better known.
Who can help
Emergency
Reported numbers: police 106, ambulance 104, fire 105 - confirm with your hotel or casa host.
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Cuba
Helps with: The UN migration agency in Cuba. Its work covers migration data, border management support, emergency response after disasters, and help for vulnerable migrants such as assisted voluntary return and family reunification.
Who qualifies: Vulnerable migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Cuba, and national authorities. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +53 7 204 1512
Email: [email protected]
Address: Calle 18 entre 1ra y 3ra, Playa, La Habana, Cuba
local government
Police emergency number 106
Helps with: Reaches the police in Cuba. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 106
local government
Ambulance emergency number 104
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service in Cuba. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 104
local government
Fire emergency number 105
Helps with: Reaches the fire service in Cuba. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 105