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Renovated building of the former Casino Español, now Casa de Cultura on pedestrian bulevar © sogestour
•]• Restaurante Romagnolo © sogestour
OUR CASA LIST BEGINS HERE REGIONAL MAP HERE
Located in what is essentially an agriculture centre (large orange groves, pineapple, sugar cane, milk production, potatoes, tomatoes), Ciego de Avila was named after one of Diego Velazquez' (Spain's main man) henchmen Alonso de Avila who was granted a huge hacienda from which the town was founded in 1849.

Wanting to protect the area from Cuban freedom fighters, Velazquez built
fortifications and watchtowers (trochas) from its mangrove-laden coast in Moron to Jucaro and Avila's farmland. These did not prevent Manuel Suarez (1876), Antonio Maceo (1895) or Camilo Cuenfuegos in 1958 to take the town.

For over a decade, the town is site of an annual film festival dedicated to erotica in mid-February : the
Festival de cine erótico. On the UNEAC stage in September is held the local stopover of the national tour of Jovenes Trovadores (Young Trova performers).

DISTANCES (km)
Bayamo, 321
Camaguey, 110
Cayo Guillermo, 94
Ceballos (airport), 24
Chambas
Cienfuegos, 219
Holguin, 318
Jucaro, 32
La Habana, 397
Las Tunas, 129
Morón, 36
Santa Clara, 139
Santiago, 438

Orlando Garcia : Portrait of an elderly man ENLARGE
© Orlando Garcia - HT 2015 Photo Contest here

 
ciego minimap
MAPS & LINKS
Map of center - Architecture & Landscape Guide
Downtown map with details
Map of Province from South to North and Cayos
Map - Cayos Coco & Guillermo via Moron, 36k away
Viazul through here : Ruta 25 + Ruta 24 + Ruta 16
Island-wide bus connections (horariodebuses.com/)
National train sked going through here
Motor Coach train to Camaguey, daily
Weather (Weather City)
Circuits Centro - Itineraries & Top Casas
Daily exchange rates
All that's natural in Ciego de Avila
Robin Thom Photography - Ciego de Avila Gallery

All the Web particuba.net

POPULATION 139,937 (2007)

SEE.KNOW.DO
Museo Provincial Simon Reyes Hernandez
"Quite possibly the best-presented municipal museum in Cuba, this mustard-yellow building with a typical avileña porch is one convertible peso well spent. Fascinating exhibits include a scale model of La Trocha, detailed information on Afro-Cuban culture and religion, and explanations on the province's rich collection of traditional festivals.", says Lonely Planet Cuba

A short train ride evoking Memoria Viva aboard a refurbished steam train, maintained by able engineers of the Minaz (Ministry of Sugar) runs weekends leaving at 9 for a return trip to Santo Tomas, 8 km north on the road to Moron passing by the famous Trocha towers Centro Raul Martínez Museo Provincial Parque Marti (his statue and the Ayuntamiento or city hall) Teatro Principal Galeria de Arte Provincial La Trocha. Every second year (even numbered years) is held the Festival Nacional de Danza Solamente Solos

NATURAL & NEARBY
Lago La Redonda near Moron Laguna de la Leche, Cuba's biggest lake (68 square km) with pink flamingos also near Moron Jucaro and Jardines de la Reina for scuba diving.

RESTAURANTS
Los Mezquitas (Hotel E Rueda) Doce Plantas Don Pepe (a bit better, centrally-located) El Colonial Meson El Fuerte Moscù PALADARES Las Delicias Los Flamingos (best in town)

EVENINGS
Casa de la Trova (Trovadores from all over Cuba meet every September) Casa de la Cultura Casa de Fiesta Disco Amigo Cine Carmen Cine Iriondo Hotel Ciego de Avila : to be avoided, unless you come with female companion : bed bugs assured. Read more (Feb. 2015)

TRANSPORTATION
Bus Viazul Click on map below Trains (From La Habana, three trains go by here every 3 days : #3, #5, #7 see links above + Circuito Norte below) Trains MotorCoach #503 CocheMotor leaves daily at 14h05 to Camaguey;

SERVICES
Internet Office Open daily 8h30-19h30 Centro Multiservicios de Ciego de Ávila Joaquín de Agüero e/ Honorato del Castillo y Maceo Banco BFI, calle Honorato del Castillo 14, mon-fri, 8h-15h Bandec calle Independencia 73 y Maceo Aeropuerto (33) 26-6626 Cubana, Honorato Castillo (33) 26-6627 Havanautos (33) 22-3312 Marina Cayo Coco-Guillermo (33) 30-1637 Radio Surco 1440 AM, 98,1 FM Transautos (33) 22-8013 Cubacar, (33) 30-8197 Cubataxi (33) 22-2997



Viazul busses pass through here 14 times a day to or from La Habana, Varadero, Trinidad and Santiago — Rutas 16, 24, 25 and Circuito Norte : links above and below


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Enlarge to see map with some of local buildings with architectural, cultural and historical interest.

 
The bulevar attracts pedestrians
On a strip of calle Independencia, the bulevar (pedestrian street) starts at Parque Marti and covers three blocks of shops, culture centres and museums and more shops. Since 2009, it's still growing with new buildings and a restaured hotel - Hoteles E Rueda 1920 © sogestour ] Dog watching (or barking, who knows) after pedestrians © robin thom photography

 
Parque Marti © panoramio •]• Other view of bulevar, for motion not pullution © flickr.com
Parque Marti © panoramio ] Other view of bulevar, a place for natural motion not chemical pollution since January 2009 © flickr.com

 
Catedral de San Eugenio de la Palma © dentharthurdent, flickr.com •]• Cine Carmen, site of Festival de Cine Erotico © northknight panoramio
Catedral de San Eugenio de la Palma towers over Parque Marti on calle Independencia which becomes a pedestrian-only street © dentharthurdent, flickr.com ]• Cine Carmen site of Festival de Cine Erotico © northknight panoramio

 
Hotel Sevilla © Wampy 60 panoramio •]• Edificio UEB © OliWheatley flickr
Restaurant in a train car © Robin Thom Photography ]• Edificio UEB © OliWheatley flickr

 

Some of the best decorative art items in the land can be found here at the local MAD - Museo de Artes Decorativas - such as this luxurious bygone-era bedroom. Can't miss it, it's on Maceo, corner Independencia. © orlando gonzalez

 

These two happy go lucky compañeros or parqueadores will watch over your two-wheeler as bikes are not allowed on the town's main street which is pedestrian-only © sogestour

 

"Greetings in Chamba town” Ciego de Avila province, 2014 - Courtesy Annenberg Space for Photography © orlando garcia
 

The Conectando Cuba daily Transtur bus leaves most Habana hotels from 7 to 7:40 am, arrives at 14h55 at Hotel Ciego de Avila (27€/$US, 424km) near which it then stops for lunch (included in fare) at Parador Rio Azul, then arrives at 16h55 at Hotel Camaguey (33€/$US, 545km) and gets in Holguin at Hotel Pernik at 19:55 hrs, 739km later for 44€/$US. Then leaves for Hotel Melia in Santiago de Cuba where it arrives at 21h55 (51€/$US, 881km). Click for PDF. Return trip leaves Santiago daily at 0700, leaves Holguin at 9h00, Camaguey at Noon, stops for lunch at Parador Oasis (468km from Havana), leaves Ciego at 14h55 and gets to Miramar, Vedado and Vieja hotels between 20h55 and 21h35.

Hotel Ciego de Avila, carretera a Ceballos, e/ Rotunda a Ceballos y Margarita, about 15 blocks by bicitaxi from central park José Marti on Marcial Gomez. Map.


Where the walking street begins, the polluting car stops — Parque Marti y Bulevar © sogestour •]• A beach on Cayo Coco about 100 k's away north © Sandrocan, panoramio

Catedral San Eugenio de la Palma

Casa de Cultura [Casino Español]


Museo de Historia [Comandancia]

Colegio Champagnat

Teatro Principal
DIY WALKING TOURS [MAP HERE]
Parque Marti marks the center of the city. [Google Map here.] It was built in 1877 when it was named Plaza Alfonso XII; became Jose Marti in the XXth century. Since 1925, hosts a bust in memory of the patriot. On one side of the square, the catholic church of San Eugenio de la Palma. Built in 1947, declared a cathedral in 1996. Next to the church, the yellow building is the Poder Popular (Government House), built according to eclectic-style standards and inaugurated in 1911.

Also on the square, the
Museo de Artes decorativos, corner Marcial Gomez and Independencia with important collections of furniture, tableware, porcelain, gemstones and jewelry. Linked to this place, El Bulevar is pedestrian for three blocks, starting near Hotel Sevilla, then goes on with shops, cultural and music centers to its end where a new office complex and hotel are being built.
 

Poder Popular


Masonic lodge

Hotel Sevilla

Casa Perez, Cruz verde


Museo de Artes decorativas
Fine example of eclectic architecture, dating from 1927, the Teatro Principal is the work of Italian sculptor Giovanni Marcos and his son Giacomo. At the corner of Honorato Castillo and Maximo Gomez, the Museo de Historia in a magnificent building of the nineteenth century reshaped in the 70s: artifacts and exhibits on the history, culture and archeology of the province. Galeria de Arte Provincial Raul Martinez, calle Independencia offers four exhibit rooms with creations in contemporary art with pieces byt the Pauyet group, nationally known group of artisans; beautiful patio; cultural activities.

Hotel El Ariete


Banco CyC [Banco Nuñez]

Farmacia La Fé

Casa Balbin


Casa del agua y viviendas


Restaurante La Fonda
Formerly the headquarters of the Royal Bank of Canada until 1959, the building of Banco Comercio y Credito corner Maceo and Independencia's eclectic style was built between 1925 and 1930. Another historic building, built in 1865, El Cabildo for the personal use Ramon Cortes Pimentel, appointed prefect, was seat of the prefecture (cabildo for Cubans) for the next eight years. Restored in 1999. The wall of the history of the city lies corner Marcial Gomez and Joaquin de Agüero. This large mural represents the plan of the first 25 blocks of the city including the headquarters of the Spanish colony.

Photos by José Ramon (Junta de Andalucia) and René Silvera Toledo (Oficina del Historiador de Santiago de Cuba) from Guia de Architectura y Paisaje - Camaguey Ciego de Avila published by the city's Office of the Historiador and the Heritage conservation study centre of the Universitad de Camaguey under the direction of Lourdes Gomez Consuegra, 2009 - Full 238-page document (67 Mb) here.
JARDINES DE LA REINA
Only 500 fishermen and 1000 divers allowed per year.
The most pristine marine spot on Earth, yet untouched by oil spills, consumer pollution or overfishing.

This huge protected marine park established by Fidel in 1997 comprises 250 cayos and is frequented by scientists and (a few) water sports aficionados.


© Nicola Zingarelli
Dive report on undercurrent.org here. Avalon Facebook page here.

Avalon (back to greeting foreigners in Spring 2021) boasts a large team of highly trained instructors (CMAS/SSI/PADI) on hand with full training in first aid and CPR. All have a lifetime of experience in the ocean and are wonderful guides, instructors, and stewards of the marine park.
 
Over 80 spectacular dive sites have been discovered thus far; all are well protected from wind and marine currents making the diving very easy and accessible for everyone. Avalon & Marlin run this operation as cubandivingcenters.com.
 
Jardines de la Reina park is around the Cayo de las Doce Leguas (map here) can be reached some 60-90 km south of the town of Jucaro - Avalon  suggests flying into Cayo Coco, Santa Clara or Camaguey airports for transfer to the Jucaro marina. Speedboats leave from there at 5 a.m., taking at least 2-3 hours (up to 5) to reach one of the floating platform hotel-ships, such as the Jardines Avalon F1 (8 cabins).

The fortunate few will find huge groupers, pargos, jureles, robalos, barracudas and various species of sharks. Only "live-aboards" are offered as these diving and fishing areas are a long way off the Ciego de Avila province shores.

Not rare, they say that lucky fishing fans catch (and release) the 20 or so species found in the archipelago — all in a few days. Advance bookings required, usually 10 months. The closest international airport is Cayo Coco off the northern coast. One has to cross the whole width of the island going by Moron, Ciego de Avila and the old sugar mill in the town of Venezuela.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
::: Since January 2021, the CUC (Cuban Convertible) currency no longer is valid; all tourist services are payable only in foreign currency, cash or credit card. ::: Bring cash Euros or US dollar$, etc because Cuban banks and Foreign Exchange Bureaus (CADECA) will only exchange your currency (CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, JPY, MXN, USD) for the local currency - the CUP (US$1 = 24 CUP) which might be useful for local stuff; get other details here. ::: Make sure that in your first email or phone call you specify that you want to book a room in that particular casa and that you will reconfirm your booking on arrival in Cuba::: So as to not abandon expecting owners with empty rooms, reconfirm (or call ahead to cancel) your booking by phone as soon as you can after arriving in Cuba ::: Please write or phone a casa owner to cancel a booking. As late as it may seem, it allows them a chance to rebook. ::: Children under the age of 16 may share a bedroom with adults for free. Specify the child's age when booking. ::: At the end of the casa name, the V signals the casa was suggested by travelers or owners but not verified by us in person. If you try it and like it, write us about it. ::: Unless otherwise mentioned, the average room rates and service prices are : 25-30
€/US$ per bedroom per night [up to 40€/US$+ for 4 in a room]; breakfasts 3-5€/US$, dinners 8-15€/US$. ::: Any casa particular anywhere in Cuba must have a hot water shower, otherwise it cannot have a permit to rent ::: Please share your Complaints, comments & suggestions webmaster [@]cubacasas.net

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BOOK BY PHONE
• From Canada and the USA : 011 53 (add phone # preceded by 33 for Ciego de Avila) • From Europe, Great Britain, Scandinavia and Mexico : 00 53 (add phone # preceded by 33 for Ciego de Avila) HOW TO DIAL A CUBAN PHONE NUMBER HERE CELL PHONE NUMBERS on our town lists and casa pages are preceded by 05 for calls originating Havana; from anywhere else in Cuba, dial 01 + the 8 digits of the cell.

BOOK BY EMAIL : Click on logo to open a message addressed to that casa in your email application; or right-click to copy address. Spanish vocabulary here.

VILLA JABON CANDADO
Two aircon bedrooms, ensuite baths, terrace
Calle Chicho Valdes (Carretera Central) # 51, corner Abraham Delgado, two blocks from Parque Marti, downtown. Tel. (33) 22-5854

VILLA JABON CANDADO
 

SERGIO y AYLIN V
One aircon bedroom, ensuite, patio
Calle Republica No. 265, entre Soto y Quinta, some 9 blocks from Parque Marti in reparto Diaz Pardo. Tel. (33) 22-3764

DANILO & ALVA V
One aircon bedroom, ensuite bathroom
Calle Cuba No. 266, entre Soto y Quinta, 6 blocks from Parque Marti in reparto Diaz Pardo. Tel (33) 22-2180, cel 58 16 37 57

DANILO & ALVA

 
CANDIDA V
Two aircon bedrooms, ensuite baths, terrace
Calle Joaquin Aguero 156 e/Marti y Pasaje Quesada, town centre, 4 blocks from Parque Marti and one from Parque de los Martires. Tel (33) 20-5296


 
MARI y GUSTAVO V
Tw ac bedrooms, ensuites
Calle Eduardo Marmol #25, e/ Abraham Delgado y Marcial Gomez, 4 blocks north of Parque Marti. Tel (33) 20-2323 cel 58 31 11 28

YELINE y LINO V
One ac bedroom, ensuite, mini lounge, pool
Calle Chicho Valdés 156, e/ José Marti y O. Hernandez, parque de los Martires. Tel (33) 22-3467, cel. 54 06 49 84


 
RECOMMENDED BY PAPERBACK GUIDES
Footprint Handbooks (FH), Lonely Planet (LP), Moon Handbooks (MH), Rough Guides (RG), Stefan-Loose (SL) and web site Trip Advisor (TA)
::: FH
: Yolanda La China, Iris Marrero Cano, Villa Jabon Condado ::: LP : Villa Jabon Condado, Maria Luisa Muñoz Alvarez ::: MH : Aleida Castro, Casa de Dr. Alberto de Armas, Villa O'Mari ::: RG : Casa Aleida, Villa Jabon Condado ::: SL : Maria Luisa Muñoz Alvarez, Yolanda Bed & Breakfast, Martha Corvea Martinez ::: TA : Villa Jabon Condado, Yolanda Bed & Breakfast, Casa Mari 21.02.18

 


 

content & photos © sogestour

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Updated 08.06.2021