Santiago de Cuba is the capital city of Santiago de Cuba Province, in the south-eastern area of the island nation of Cuba, some 540 miles (870 km) east south-east of the Cuban capital of Havana.
Santiago is the most ethnically diverse city in Cuba, with a strong and vibrant Afro-Caribbean feel. This unique culture can best be seen in the annual Santiago carnival held in July each year. Other attractions include the many historical buildings around the central Parque Cespedes area. The elegant mansion of Diego Velazquez is now a museum of colonial Cuba, featuring many artifacts detailing the period when the island was a major part of Spain’s New World empire.
Things to See & Do
* San Pedro de la Roca
* Diego Velazquez house
* Central Parque Cespedes
* Santiago Carnival - July
General information
Cruise Season – May - October
Currency - Cuban Peso (CUP)
Language – English, Spanish
Population – 500,000 approx
Land Area – 1023.8 km²
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT minus five hours
International Country Telephone Code – +53
Port Location – The port is located on the outskirts of city of Santiago.
Travel Links – Santiago is served by Antonio Maceo Airport. Many airlines offer flights from the Caribbean and regular charter flights depart from Miami.
There is a daily overnight train to/from Havana with stops in Camagüey and Santa Clara. This service is the Tren Francés on alternate days, which is more reliable and comfortable than other Cuban trains. There is a daytime train to Camagüey and Santa Clara on Thursdays and Sundays, returning on Mondays and Fridays.
Four daily Viazul buses run to/from Havana, with some stopping in Sancti Spiritus, Camagüey, and Santa Clara. There are also daily buses to/from Baracoa, Trinidad and Varadero.