Cienfuegos Destination Guide
La Perla del Sur or The Pearl of the South, Cienfuegos was founded in 1819. The city has remarkable beauty that is deeply intertwined with the French families who were responsible for establishing it. It is a quaint and charming city that is home to 150,000 people. This city is one of Cuba’s most architecturally interesting cities, with a collection of French-influenced neoclassical buildings. These buildings were factor that helped the entire city become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, dedicated as the best existing example of 19th Century Spanish implementation of urban planning. The locals boast that it is impossible to get lost in Cienfuegos since the city is a perfect grid of streets and avenues. It is located on the southern coast of Cuba about 155miles (250km) from Havana. Cienfuegos is a very nautical city, as it is the third largest port in Cuba. Stop in one of the pharmacies, markets, or local ration stores to learn more about Cuba’s ration program and dual currency system. After exploring the wide seaside boulevards, sparkling bay, the many sights and sounds of downtown, you will understand why the Cubans call Cienfuegos La Perla de Sur.
Places to See
Parque Jose Marti – The former Plaza de Armas, Parque Jose Marti, is located at the heart of the city. The park is easy to find as there is a large pedestrian boulevard that connects the park to Paseo del Prado. In the large park you will find Archo de Triunfi, a 1902 statue of Jose Marti, a gazebo, fountains, and many areas for sitting and enjoying the shade. One portion of the park is a Wi-Fi area, which is easy to spot as there will be many people gathered in the area using their phones or computers. Surrounding the park are beautiful colonial buildings including the Government Building, College San Lorenzo, the Ferrer Palace, and Tomas Terry Theater.
Ferrer Palace – Located just off of Parque Jose Marti, the elaborate Palacio Ferrer mansion with its cupolas and balconies was built in 1917. It is currently undergoing a reconstruction, but it is open to the public while it is being restored. For 1-2 CUC you can climb up through the building to the spiral staircase tower. The very top of the tower has room for one person to stand. It is worth the wait for a great panoramic photo of the city.
Tomas Terry Theater – Finished in 1889 to honor Venezuelan industrialist Tomas Terry. This theater seats 950 and is influenced from French and Italian architects. It is embellished with Carrara marble, hand-carved Cuban hardwoods, and whimsical ceiling frescoes.
Cienfeugos Yacht Club – You can find the Cienfeugos Club along the malecón, a bay-front pedestrian area with bars and restaurants. This is a walkable street from the city center or you can take a horse taxi to view the beautifully restored large homes. The malecón is a great place to explore at night as the bars attract many people to this part of the city.
Palicio Azul – The Blue Palace is a restored palace that is now a hotel. It is a grand building and the hotel is usually very busy. It only has six rooms so if you are interested in staying here book early.
Castillo de Jagua – This fortress is south of the city of Cienfuegos, located near the entrance to the Cienfuegos bay. The bay around Cienfuegos was a popular stopping and re-supply stop for pirates, so Castillo de Jagua was built to protect Cienfuegos. Today you can explore the fortress by taking a ferry from the city to the fort. The ferry costs 1 CUC and the price to enter the Castillo is 1 CUC per person.
Juraqua Nuclear Power Plant – Cuba’s unfinished nuclear power plant can be seen from Castillo de Jagua. In 1976, Cuba and the Soviet Union signed a deal to build a nuclear power plant in Juraqua. It had a target operational date in 1993, but a few years before the reactor’s completion the USSR collapsed. The funding from the Soviets ended and the Russian technicians went home, Cuba was forced to suspend construction of the power plant. Since then the power plant project has officially been abandoned and you can still see the huge domed concrete structure.
Botanical Gardens – The gardens date back to 1899 and have more than 1,500 plant species. You can take a guided tour of the gardens to learn more about the Caribbean flora. A taxi from the city to the gardens will cost about 20CUC, but the driver will wait for you and drive you back to the city. Entrance to the gardens costs 2.50 CUC per person.
Check out our Havana Destination Guide and Santiago de Cuba Destination Guide for other Cuban cities to explore. Visit our Traveling to Cuba – What you Need to Know Guide for important tips on traveling to Cuba!
