Ciego de Ávila

Parque Martí (central square) and the arcades

The heart of the city, surrounded by the characteristic covered arcades that give it its nickname.

Parque Martí is the main square of Ciego de Ávila and the heart of its urban life. It's a pleasant, tree-lined space, with its bandstand, dedicated to the national hero José Martí, around which the city's most representative buildings are concentrated: the town hall, the Teatro Principal, the church and shops. It's the meeting point of the avileños (locals), where the wifi points work and the daily pulse of the city beats. From the square run the streets that best show Ciego de Ávila's most characteristic feature: the arcades. Long covered galleries, supported by columns, run along the façades of the main streets (like Independencia street), protecting passersby from the sun and rain and giving the city an architectural hallmark unique in Cuba, which earned it the nickname 'city of arcades'. Walking under these arcades, among shops and cafeterias, is the best way to take the city's pulse. Getting there: it's the center of the city; the whole urban core is walked from here. Best time to go: at dusk and at night, when there's more atmosphere and less heat. Tips: take the chance to connect to wifi (with a Nauta card) and walk Independencia street under the arcades to see the shops and local life.

ℹ️ Distance: Center of the city (starting point of the urban core) · Best time to go: Dusk and night (more atmosphere, less heat) · Entry: Free (public square) · Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour with the arcades

Teatro Principal

An elegant theater from the early 20th century, a cultural and architectural jewel of the center.

The Teatro Principal of Ciego de Ávila is one of the most beautiful and representative buildings in the city. Of eclectic style, it was built starting in October 1924 and opened on March 2, 1927; the work, designed by the architect Francisco Rodríguez Ubals and decorated by Italian artists, was financed by the wealthy widow Ángela Hernández, and its decorations were brought from Italy. It bears witness to the economic boom the region experienced in those years, driven by sugar and pineapple. Its hall, its stalls and its decoration make it a testimony of avileño cultural life and one of the province's main stages. Facing Parque Martí, the theater still functions as a performance space, with a program of concerts, plays and cultural events. Even without a show, it's worth seeing from outside —and inside if it's open— as part of the tour of the city's historic center. Getting there: facing Parque Martí, right in the center. Best time to go: by day to appreciate the façade; at night if there's a show. Tips: check the program at the time; it combines perfectly with a walk around the square and the arcades.

ℹ️ Distance: Facing Parque Martí, in the center · Best time to go: By day for the façade; night if there's a show · Entry: Touring the area is free; performances with a cheap ticket (about 20–50 CUP for nationals; check) · Duration: 30 minutes (more if there's a show)

Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo (Jardines del Rey)

The province's beach paradises, linked to the mainland by the causeway, with white sand and resorts.

The great tourist attraction of Ciego de Ávila province are the cays of the Jardines del Rey, especially Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, on the north coast. They are cays of paradise beaches, with very fine white sand, turquoise waters, coral reefs for diving and snorkeling, mangroves and colonies of pink flamingos. Cayo Guillermo, next to Cayo Coco, was immortalized by Ernest Hemingway and is home to the famous Playa Pilar, considered one of the most beautiful in Cuba. The most characteristic thing about these cays is their access: you reach them via a long causeway, a road built over the sea that crosses the Bahía de Perros from the mainland, an engineering work as impressive as it is controversial for its environmental impact. The lodging offering is large all-inclusive resorts, ideal for resting several beach days, although they can also be visited on a day trip from the city. Getting there: via the causeway from the city of Ciego de Ávila or from Morón, by car, taxi or excursion; the international charter flights arrive at the cays' airport or the city's. Best time to go: the dry season (November to April) for the best beach weather. Tips: to enter the cays there is a checkpoint; bring your documents. If you stay at the resorts, book in advance in high season.

ℹ️ Distance: North coast, via the causeway from Ciego de Ávila or Morón (about 100 km) · Best time to go: Dry season (November to April) · Entry: Access via causeway with a checkpoint; day excursion from about US$ 40–70; resorts from US$ 120/night · Duration: From one day to several days (resort stay)

Morón and the Leche lagoon

The city of the rooster and the largest natural lagoon in Cuba, with fishing, birds and boat rides.

North of the provincial capital is Morón, the province's second city, known as 'the city of the rooster' for the famous bronze rooster statue that symbolizes it (tied to an old Cuban popular saying). It's a quiet town, with a pleasant center and a historic train station, which also functions as an alternative, closer base toward the cays of the Jardines del Rey. Very close to Morón is the Leche lagoon, the largest natural lagoon in Cuba, whose name is due to the whitish color its waters sometimes take from the lime and gypsum deposits on the bottom. It's a paradise for fishing and watching aquatic birds, where you can take boat rides. In the area is also the Redonda lagoon, another body of water surrounded by mangroves and famous for fishing and launch trips among channels. Getting there: Morón is about 35-40 km north of Ciego de Ávila, by road; the lagoons are in its surroundings. You get there by car, taxi or excursion. Best time to go: the dry season; at dawn or dusk for the best bird watching. Tips: it combines very well with the road toward the cays; the boat rides on the lagoons are usually booked on-site or via an excursion.

ℹ️ Distance: Morón about 35-40 km to the north; lagoons in its surroundings (car, taxi or excursion) · Best time to go: Dry season; dawn or dusk for the birds · Entry: Boat ride on the lagoon from about US$ 5–15 per person; guided fishing separate (verified July 2026) · Duration: Half a day to a full day

Remains of the Júcaro to Morón Trocha

Remnants of the Spanish fortified line that crossed the island, key in the wars of independence.

One of the province's most singular historical chapters is the Júcaro to Morón Trocha, a fortified military line that the Spanish army built in the 19th century to cross the island from north to south (from Morón, in the north, to Júcaro, on the south coast) and try to halt the advance of the Cuban independence troops toward the west. The trocha combined forts, towers, wire fences, electric lights and the railway, in what was one of the most ambitious defensive military works of its time in the Americas. Today remnants of some of these fortifications and towers are preserved along its former route, which are a testimony to the history of Cuba's wars of independence. For those interested in military history and the independence struggle, touring these remains —or learning their history in the provincial museums— adds a layer of depth to a visit to the region. Getting there: the remnants are distributed along the former route between Morón and Júcaro; it's best to get informed locally about which can be visited and how to reach them. Best time to go: the dry season for comfortable touring. Tips: ask at the provincial museum or with local guides about the location and condition of the accessible remains.

ℹ️ Distance: Along the former route between Morón and Júcaro (get informed locally) · Best time to go: Dry season (November to April) · Entry: Free access to the open-air remains; provincial museum with a cheap entry (about US$ 1–2) · Duration: Variable (half a day with a guide)

Simón Reyes Provincial Museum

The province's history museum, with the memory of the Trocha and pineapple growing.

The Simón Reyes Provincial Museum safeguards the history of Ciego de Ávila and its province: from the aboriginal groups and the colonial era to the wars of independence (with the mark of the Júcaro to Morón Trocha), the sugar and pineapple boom and the revolutionary period. It brings together archaeological objects, documents, weapons, photographs and pieces of avileño daily life. It's a short but useful visit to understand the reason for this young inland Cuban city and its singular development. It's in the center, near Parque Martí, and combines easily with a walk under the arcades. Getting there: in the center of the city, a few blocks from Parque Martí. Best time to go: by day, during museum hours. Tips: confirm the schedule at the time (Cuban museums usually close on Mondays); admission is very cheap.

ℹ️ Distance: Center of the city, near Parque Martí · Best time to go: By day, during museum hours · Entry: Cheap entry, about US$ 1–2 (CUP for nationals; check when you visit) · Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour