Cayo Santa Maria

Cayo Santa Maria lies at the western end of the Archipielago de Sabana–Camagüey, 25 km west of Cayo Guillermo. Between 1989 and 1996, a massive 48km causeway called 'El Pedraplen' was constructed across the Bahia Buena Vista from the port of Caibarien at a cost of 100 million pesos. Included in the design were 45 bridges to allow an exchange of tidal waters, an improvement over the earlier Cayo Coco causeway. Paving was completed in 1999, just as Las Brujas Airport was being built on Cayo Las Brujas, 45km nothwest of Caibarien.

The picturesque Santa Maria and Cayo Las Brujas and 11km of beautiful white sand beaches which run along its northern shore, shelving into a coruscating lagoon with a coral reef beyond. The focus of much recent hotel development this is the place to find some of the most luxurious accommodations in Cuba.

This tiny town (pop 18,000), 45km northeast of Santa Clara is one of the most beautiful little towns in Cuba, full of Spanish colonial charm. It is in a good state of preservation, with a graceful symmetry and charisma. The entire city was justifiably declared a national monument in 1979.

Remedios was founded in 1514 when a land grant was given to a conquistador named Vasco Porcallo de Figueroa. A city hall was not built, however, and supposedly for that reason the town was never acknowledged as one of the first seven cities, despite its antiquity.

Much of the pleasure today is to be had in roaming the back streets in late afternoon and early evening, when the low sun glows richly against the pastel walls and the church bells ring through town, tolling the hour.

The centre is marked by the Plaza Marti and, as with all Spanish cities, the streets span out from the Plaza with well thought out symmetry. The Plaza Marti is similar in style to the Plaza Mayor in Trinidad.

Other interesting things to see are The Museum of the Remedion Parrandas and The Church of San Juan Batista de Remedios.

Santa Clara (pop 175,000), 300km east of Havana is the provincial capital of Villa Clara Province. Straddling the Carretera Central and within 5 minutes of the Autopista, it is strategically located at the center of Cuba. The city was established within the confluence of the Rios Belico and Cubanicay in 1689, when residents of Remedios grew tired of constant pirate raids, pulled up stakes, and moved inland. Much later it functioned as a plum in Cuba's war of independence, and again during the battle to topple Batista. As Minister of Industry, Che Guevera developed a soft spot for the city. Today Santa Clara is an important industrial town.

This provincial capital is well worth visiting, beyond the suburbs you'll find a buzzing place with streets lively with people going about their daily lives, and the city benefits from having a large student population. The centre seems well looked after and relatively litter–free. A startling sight to anyone arriving from Havana.

There are some interesting museums worth taking in and the small brick red–tiled houses lend themselves to an atmosphere of calm and discretion. For most people the area Parque Vidal is the most eventful place in the city, as well as being the geographical heart of the city, it is also its social centre and there is usually some sort of entertainment going on at weekends. A monument marks the spot where revolutionary hero Leoncio Vidal was killed, and benches line the promenades that cross and circle the park.

The Elguea Thermal Center, about km northwest of Corralillo and 135km northwest of Santa Clara, is supplied by hyperthermal (up to 50C) springs containing bromine, sodium, radium and sulphur. The waters are good for treating rheumatism, skin ailments, and respiratory problems. It was swimming pools, a marching tank, mud bath, gym, solarium, massage rooms, and more although facilities are a little basic for western standards.

The picturesque Santa Maria and Cayo Las Brujas and 11km of beautiful white sand beaches which run along its northern shore, shelving into a coruscating lagoon with a coral reef beyond. The focus of much recent hotel development this is the place to find some of the most luxurious accommodations in Cuba.