You
can stay at a beautiful resort, isolated in a gated environment far from
the city, or try to book an expensive hotel room in town, but what better
way to get to know the real Cuba than staying in a Cuban home? You'll
also enjoy better food for less money, and gracious hosts who keep their
casa spotless with pride.
We have had many guests from all over the world who left delighted...
Come stay with us!
We have had many guests from all over the world who left delighted...
Come stay with us!
the
Casagranda Hotel, where you can sip espresso or Mojitos and Cuba Libres on the
gracious balcony overlooking the city plaza; the Diego Velázquez House
Museum, preserved from the 1500s; the Casa Trova, a popular music hall. Also
nearby are the Bacardí Museum (yes, the best of all rums started here);
San Juan Hill, site of Teddy Roosevelt's famous charge; the impressive 1600s
Morro Castle on the cliff at the entrance to the picturesque Bay of Santiago,
recognized by UNESCO as one of the finest examples of Spanish fortifications
in the world. The old Santa Ifigenia cemetery with hundreds of ornate mausoleums
holds the remains of Cuba's bravest patriots and most prominent citizens. 
Take
a tour to the beaches and resorts on the Caribbean on either side of the bay.
To the West, drive past the rusted wrecks of the doomed Spanish fleet that tried
to escape the US Navy in 1898, to beautiful private coves every turn, with high
mountain peaks hugging the shores. A truly spectacular place. To the East, the
developed beaches at Siboney (the city's favored beach since the 1920s), to
Daiquirí (the drink was named after this beach), and past typical Cuban
scenery with Royal Palms and many varieties of mango trees drooping with fruit,
to the Baconao National Park (a world biosphere preserve) and its fascinating
dinosaur sculptures, and then the new resorts placed just so on beautiful stretches
of tropical beach.
Hiking
was a popular activity in Cuba since Colonial days. Santiago is surrounded by
a beautiful and unique ecosystem. The mountains on the north keep the area dry
much of the year, so cactus plants are not uncommon. Yet, the mountains themselves
are covered in lush tropical forests with cool streams rapidly cascading to
the warm Caribbean. There are many hiking trails in the area, developed and
with overnight camping allowed. Cuba's pristine and isolated flora and fauna
boasts unique species of trees, vines, orchids, birds, reptiles and insects,
just now being catalogued and studied. There are ecotours available that take
you over the mountains on foot. 
And
speaking of Colonial, this almost 500 year old city has all the narrow streets
and Spanish tile you will ever want to see. It is built on hills overlooking
the harbor, with some streets so steep only a staircase can serve as pavement;
it rivals San Francisco for its hilliness. Houses with thick walls and cool
inner courtyards line the narrow streets shoulder to shoulder; the scents of
delicious Cuban foods and coffee drift from open doorways; children play 'béisbol'
(baseball) in the streets, while oldsters argue over domino tables in the shady
doorways.
Besides
the beaches and hiking, there are fascinating tours and sidetrips to the countryside.
On the modern highway over the hills to the north, you enter the wide Cauto
River valley, with endless sugar plantations and old mills dotting the plains,
undulating hills covered in bright green grass punctuated by majestically tall
Royal Palms, small towns where horse-drawn carts never really went out of style.
On the other highway to the west, the Sanctuary of the Virgin of El Cobre, Cuba's
matron, glows white against the green mountains behind it; beyond are coffee
plantations hugging the steep, forested hills.
And
everywhere you go, the smiling faces of the city's 400,000 proud residents welcome
you. This city has the history and culture of Cuba woven into its fabric, being
its first capital and the birthplace of its independence movement and revolutions.
It is also known for its music, with rich African influences (the conga and
bolero are two of its best known inventions), and Spanish, English and French
roots. There is a lot of similarity to the cultures of New Orleans and Rio de
Janeiro, and the three cities dance to the same beat. In this highly educated
society, many people speak English and other languages. Cubans are known for
their warmth and outgoing personalities - when walking, you will be engaged
in conversation many times.