Villa Clara Province Attractions
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The province of Villa Clara is closely associated with Che Guevara. Some of the most important events of the Cuban Revolution happened in the province of Villa Clara and there are many museums and on the topic. In the capital city of Santa Clara is the tomb of Che Guevara, along with a huge monument and museum.In addition to the historical attractions Villa Clara also has some architectural and natural sites as well. The town of Remedios is known for its impressive colonial architecture and is definitely worth a stop. The province also has some beautiful beaches, particularly on some of the offshore islands.
San Juan de Remedios, Cuba
Cayo Santa Maria
If a scene of a deserted beach with crystalline white sand and warm azure water tickles your fancy, then Cayo Santa Maria is for you, at least for the time being. This island off the north coast of Cuba's Villa Clara province is changing fast. Cuba has designated Cayo Santa Maria as a tourist zone and mega resorts are being built one beside another right down the entire 11km / 6mi beach.Cayo Santa Maria is linked to the mainland by a 48 km / 30mi causeway called El Pedraplen and a toll is payable both ways. Note that Cuban citizens are not allowed on Cayo Santa Maria and will be turned back at the tollbooths.Cayo Santa Maria faces the Atlantic Ocean and the waves on the beach can be large so weak swimmers should take care. There is no shade and no palm trees on the beach, but thatch umbrellas can be rented from local vendors.
Sierra del Escambray
Spanning three provinces in south Central Cuba, and just north of Trinidad, is the Sierra del Escambray mountain range. The area is a wonderful natural area with great walking opportunities. Visitors will find rivers, waterfalls, caves, a lake, and more in the Sierra del Escambray , which averages about 700m / 2300 ft above sea level. The highest mountain in the range is Pico San Juan at 1,156m / 3,790 ft. Located within the Sierra del Escambray is the El Nicho nature reserve with a wide variety of plants and animals. The scenic Embalse Hanabanilla is a large man made reservoir with a conveniently located hotel on the shoreline, for visitors who want to spend some time in the area.
Sagua la Grande, Cuba
Situated on the river of the same name, Sagua la Grande is a sleepy town with a rich history. Life moves at a slower pace on the North Coast and this town is no exception. The visitor may be surprised to see Colonial buildings similar to those in Centro Habana crumbling as they finally succumb to the warm, moist tropical air of Cuba. That said, several major buildings in Sagua la Grande have been restored and are worth a look. They include the Railway station and the Cathedral on the main square.The most famous son of Sagua la Grande is Joaquin Albarren, whose work in endoscopy and urology has saved many lives.
