Santa Clara

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Founded in 1689 when residents from nearby Remedios were looking for a safer place for (against) pirates. After the city was hit by a big fire, Santa Clara began to grow. The city really got its name when on 28 December 1958, 300 rebels under het leadership of Ernesto Che Guevara, captured the city and dictator "Batista" packed his bags two days later and fled the country.

Today the city there are a number of museums that tell about these events. Three years later (in 1962) the region was discredited during the Cuba Crisis - the four Russian missile launchers were built north of the city. The city itself does not have that much to offer next to a beautiful central park (square). A must for those who are interested in history but sociable animals can better go to another city.

Santa Clara - Cienfuegos: Walk to the "Omnibus  terminal" where trucks and wa-was (buses) can be found. Ask where the truck goes to Cienfuegos (often every hour) and then you sit down on a plastic chair for the number of the gate you were told.

On the hour itself the trucks often go and the name of the destination is called through the hall. You pay when you are in the truck (or just before you board the truck) - 15 pesos is the price and it takes about one and a half hours. The truck stops at the terminal (for all) in Cienfuegos.

• Name: Monumento Ernesto Che Guevara

Address: Av. The Los Desfiles

Price: free

Time: 08:00 - 18:00 every day

Content:

This large and impressive monument is just outside the city center but is easily accessible by food and everyone knows (if you can’t find it) what you mean. It consists of three parts; the first thing you notice is a kind of star on one side of the wide road (which you can probably distinguish a lot better from the sky and is most likely illuminated in the evening) - on the other side the big familiar image of Che is a large piece of concrete with inscription.

In addition, there are two or three pieces of concrete with inscriptions and carved illustrations. Under this monument, which is already worth a look, is a wonderfully museum. First you just drop off your bag at the counter next to it because you can’t take photos here. In the museum you can see rifles, photographs, uniforms and school diplomas of a young Ernesto.

His pipe, asma-pipe, diary and his beret can all be admired here. Next to the museum is the mausoleum where about 30 rebels lie, among other things, the flown ash from Bolivia from Guevara. There is also an eternal fire burning here. At the back of the museum is a cemetery with many bodies of former rebels. Do not come here in the middle of the day because it can get very hot.

• Name: Monumento a la toma del tren blindado

Address: Indepencia (just cross the bridge)

Price: 1 CUC (and 1 CUC for your camera)

Time: 08:00 - 18:00 (Saturday to lunchtime)

Content:

History is written on this spot. It was here that the 300 rebels, with the help of Che Guevara, torpedoed and attacked the blinded soldiers' train with Batista's reserve troops with Molotov cocktails. After the battle (of only 90 minutes) the Batista troops (3000 men) surrendered and two days later Batista would flee the country as Cuba was split in two by the rebels.

Today there are five trainwagons on the site next to the track. In all there are some photos and material from that time and some information about the battle. Unfortunately, that is only minimal. There are some monuments and the bulldozer is there that destroyed the rails.

Restaurant El Sol (Colon): A small but very cozy, good and cheap restaurant (menus cost between 25 and 80 Ps). It

has three floors (the second is in restoration) and is very pleasant place. A full menu and very efficient and nice staff. The food is perfect and very cheap (you can pay in Moneda National). Finally, it is open in the center and until late.

On the road between the bus station (trucks) and the Plaza Mayor is a small hole in the wall where you can get delicious and  old "guava" (3 ps) drink and a delicious pizza (7 ps). You can also buy freshly pressed pineapple juice here. It is pretty crowded and you see people sitting on the sidewalk and with a pink glass in their hands you know you are in the right place.

• Name: Hospedaje Rosalia Reyes

Address: Bonafacio Martinez 8

Price: 15 CUC (excluding breakfast)

Phone nr. : 53 42 202466

Content:

Mirta is now the hostess of this centrally located casa in a quiet street where you can sleep till late in any case. You have your own gate and behind is a small patio with some chairs. The room is spacious and clean even though it looks a bit old-fashioned and outdated.

There is AC and a small double bed. Your shower is warm after a few minutes and you get a towel for use. You can also have breakfast (3 CUC) and dinner (at least 6 CUC). Mirta keeps an eye on you but it is a very friendly older lady.

Santa Clara has a nice open park (square) but lacks some cozy terraces where you can sit as a tourist. There is a discotheque but it opens late and on the boulevard there are some small terraces that are only cozy during the day. When it is dark there is little more to do.