En Route To Remedios & Santa Clara Cuba
Exploring the real Cuba should be at the top of everyone’s bucket list! Trust me when I say the charming colonial colours of Remedios and the lively streets of Santa Clara are something you do not want to pass up! Even if it’s only through a Remedios Santa Clara Full Day Excursion.
I know Cuba’s beaches are dreamy. I know it’s easy to spend your days sipping all-inclusive drinks, laying endlessly in your beach chair and making your rounds at the buffet, but really, there’s no better way to get to know authentic Cuba than by leaving the resort! Trust me when I say the cultural experiences in Cuba are unmatched.
We booked a Remedios Santa Clara Full Day Excursion from the Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria and we are so happy we did! Keep scrolling if you’re planning a trip to Cuba, want to know what to expect on a Remedios Santa Clara Full Day Excursion with Gaviota Tours or if you’re simply planning to visit Remedios or Santa Clara to soak in the historical places in Cuba on your own!
Stop 1: Museo De La Agroindustria Azucarera
At 7:45am the bus pulled into our hotel lobby and we hopped aboard alongside 10 other travelers who were all ready for a day of exploring. Both me and my mom were giddy with excitement to see what the day was about to bring and get a glimpse into local life!
The first stop of the day was to the expansive Museo de la Agroindustria Azucarera. If you ever wondered where and how the sugar in your mojitos came to tingle your taste buds, then this retired sugar mill will give you insight into sugar production in Cuba.
Our wonderful guide Ariel from Gaviota Tours gave us the full rundown as to how sugar shaped the country as he took us around the mill. Spain began growing sugarcane in Cuba in 1523, but it was not until the 18th century that Cuba became a prosperous colony, thanks to sugar.
By the mid-nineteenth century, Cuba became the world’s leading sugar producer, providing about a third of the world’s supply and as a result, sugar mills like these dominated the Cuban countryside. Owned by elite Spanish settlers, sugar mills ultimately became places of enslavement and subjugation.
Stop 2: All Aboard The Steam Train To Remedios
After exploring the sugar mill we hopped on a 50’s steam train heading to our next location, Remedios. As our group clambered aboard one of Cuba’s 100 steam trains, the conductor swept me away to the front of the train to help him sound the horn! And take photos of me pretending to drive the train.
I got to be pretty up close and personal with a historic steam train that was once used to haul sugarcane to and from the mill! Pretty cool if I do say so myself! I think I should take up conducting in my next life.
Stop 3: Roaming Remedios
Trust me when I say you don’t want to pass up an afternoon exploring the streets of Cuba’s 8th oldest city. This small colonial town is colourful, rich in history and over 500 years old! It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited in Cuba!
Not only is this the 8th oldest town in Cuba, its main church is the oldest in the country. Located in the central Plaza Martí, the Iglesia Parroquial Mayor de San Juan Bautista and the Iglesia del Buen Viaje churches date back to the 1600s.
But why are there two churches in one plaza you might ask? Well … a long time ago while at sea, two fishermen rescued a floating box from the water. They opened the lid to find a gorgeous statue of the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus in her arms. They packed the statue on a mule with goals of bringing her safely to their priest.
However, the mule being too tired to carry on fell to the ground near the house of a former paralyzed labourer. The statue was then left in his care. As the local people began to discover her presence they started to make her an altar near the old man’s house.
Upon their return, the fishermen discovered that their Virgin had not been registered with the priest and took her to the parish church of St John the Baptist where she was blessed and placed on the altar. Every night the church locked her inside.
The next morning the Virgin had left the church and was found back at the old man’s house. She was returned to the church that morning, but once more she left the locked church as she preferred to spend the night at the old man’s home. This happened over and over again until the townspeople decided they should accede to the wishes of their Virgin Mary and make a proper church at her preferred location.
A second church was built across the plaza on the old man’s land so she could reside there and be happy!
Stop 4: Cuban Cigar Factory
On the outskirts of Remedios we visited a Habano cigar factory to learn how world-famous Cuban cigars are handmade. Taking a tour of a local cigar factory is one of the coolest and most interesting things to do in Cuba, not to mention one of the most unique! No photos or videos are permitted inside the cigar factory, but that shouldn’t stop you from heading in!
It was fascinating to watch how each person rolled a variety of cigars, doing their best to pump out quality time after time after time! Our guide also told us that it’s a minimum of 8 months in an internship position to learn the proper techniques and art of rolling! Wow!
Stop 5: Strolling Around Santa Clara
Santa Clara, the capital city of the province of Villa Clara, is a must-see stop on your way through the region of central Cuba. Founded in 1689, it later was a very prominent spot in the fight for independence, during the Ten Years’ War and the Cuban Revolution.
For better context, in December 1958 the Battle of Santa Clara was fought and the provincial capital was taken militarily by commander Ernesto Che Guevara. Not surprisingly, for all its history of war and guerrilla warfare, this city is known by the nickname Ciudad Liberal, the Free City.
If you look closely at the top of the huge green hotel, Hotel Santa Clara Libre, in Santa Clara’s main square you’re able to see bullet holes from Che Guevara’s revolutionaries who used it as a strategic observation point.
We had a beautiful buffet lunch in the basement of Hotel Santa Clara Libre, where its speak-easy vibes took you back to a prohibition era. It was fantastic! And so was the food!
After lunch we explored Santa Clara in all its glory. Sipping mojitos at Hotel Central, strolling the colourful streets and shopping at the market place we could have easily spent the day roaming around this charming city.
Stop 6: Che Guevara’s Mausoleum
One of our last stops of the day was at the Che Guevara Mausoleum. Overlooking the city, a soaring bronze statue of Che Guevara bears witness to the status of Santa Clara as the City of Che. The statue itself was made of keys given by locals to represent freedom.
Santa Clara was the site of the last conflict of the Cuban Revolution, as Fulgencio Batista’s final attempt to retain power was disrupted by Che Guevara’s forces, who derailed an armored train carrying ammunition, heavy weapons and 300 soldiers.
The memorial contains the remains of Che Guevara as well as 29 other guerrillas who died with him in Bolivia. Next to the memorial is a small museum you will also visit which includes Guevara’s rifle, medical certificates, field binoculars and photos of the revolutionary smoking cigars and playing golf!
Stop 7: Back in Remedios For A Canchanchara
On our journey back to the hotel we stopped back in Remedios to do some cigar shopping, rum buying and Canchanchara drinking! Your trip to Central Cuba wouldn’t be complete without trying this infamous drink!
Combining rum, lime and honey, the Canchanchara is the oldest known cocktail in Cuba, predating the classic Daiquiri. And let me tell you Taberna Los 7 Juanes does it best!
Saying Goodbye To A Wonderful Day Exploring Authentic Cuba
One of the best tour experiences I’ve had here in Cuba was this full day Remedios to Santa Clara excursion with Ariel from Gaviota Tours. Ariel was beyond knowledgeable, funny and gracious in letting us ask him any and all of our questions! It was truly a pleasure to have him as our guide and show us around. He certainly let us explore the real Cuba and I absolutely loved that!
Know Before You Go: Tour, Price & Schedule
Excursion: Full Day Santa Clara to Remedios Tour
Price: $75.00 USD per person
Departure Time (1st hotel): 7:30 am
Return Time: 5:30 pm
Inclusions: Local tour guide (Spanish, English, French & more), transportation in air-conditioned bus, buffet lunch and one complementary Cuba Libre, entrance to all attractions.
Anything you’d add to what to expect on a Remedios Santa Clara Full Day Excursion Tour in Villa Clara, Cuba? Let me know below!
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If you have any questions or just want to see some more travel content find me on Instagram at @agirl.enroute! I’m always happy to chat!
