Visitor Information
Santiago has a new Infotur desk inside the Cubatur office, Calle Lacret 701, corner of Heredia (tel. 22/66-9401), that's open daily from 8am-5pm. There's another Infotur office at the airport (tel. 22/69-2099). Most of the major tour agencies, including Cubanacán, Calle M, corner of Avenida Las Américas (tel. 22/64-1517) and Cubatur, Calle Lacret 701, corner of Heredia (tel. 22/68-6033) have offices in the airport and at several hotels in town. They all offer guided city and area tours for CUC$36 to CUC$70, excursions to El Cobre for CUC$15, La Gran Piedra for CUC$42, Baconao for CUC$61, and Tropicana for CUC$12-CUC$37. The best value tour takes you around the city, out to Cayo Granma, El Morro, and El Cobre for CUC$54.
City Layout
The historic center of the city rolls across low hills to the east of the Bahía de Santiago. The focal point of colonial Santiago is Parque Céspedes. This historic square boasts perhaps the oldest house in the Americas. Calle Heredia, which leads east from the square, is a popular street with plenty of foot traffic, and it is lined with live music venues, colonial houses and museums, and artisans selling their crafts. South of Parque Céspedes is the charming, hilly El Tivolí district and its emblematic Padre Pico steps. Heading east of Parque Céspedes is Plaza de Dolores, an attractive and shady little square that's a popular and easygoing hangout ringed by a handful of restaurants, bars, and cafes. Plaza de Marte marks the divide between old Santiago and the newer section, leading along the long and wide avenue Victoriano Garzón out toward the nicest suburbs in Santiago and districts of several hotels and casas particulares, Reparto Sueño, Reparto Vista Alegre, and Reparto Santa Bárbara.
Old and new street names (pre- and post-Revolution) are still sometimes used interchangeably in Santiago. The most common pre-Revolution street names used in the old colonial center are: Enramada (for José Antonio Saco); San Basilio (Bartolomé Masó); San Pedro (General Lacret); Santo Tomás (Félix Peña); Marina (Aguilera); and Carnicería (Pío Rosado).
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
