Camagüey
Camagüey is a relatively modern capital of Camagüey Province and Cuba's third largest city. Although has some beautiful old churches and colonial buildings, it is not usually considered as a tourist stop. Nevertheless, it is a great city to visit if looking for the "real" Cuban experience.
- For other places with the same name, see Camaguey (disambiguation).
Understand
Adelante, is the local periodical.
Get in
- 🌍 Ignacio Agramonte Airport about 5 miles from the city center. Cubana offers scheduled service from Havana, Port-au-Prince, Toronto and Montreal. Air Transat and Sunwing also serve the Canadian market, while Neos offers direct flights from Milan. Many American carriers now fly direct from Miami.
- Camaguey 🌍 train station is near the midpoint on the Havana to Santiago train line (about 10 hours from Havana). In addition to the daily overnight train running in both directions, there is also a daytime train running to/from Havana and Santa Clara on alternate days and another daytime train arriving from Santiago de Cuba on Thursdays and Sundays and returning on Mondays and Fridays.
- Viazul provides service to Havana, Sancti Spiritus, Santa Clara, Santiago de Cuba, Trinidad, and Varadero from the 🌍 bus station. Viazul tickets are purchased from an office right in front of where the buses stop near the far end of the terminal. For a fee, it's possible to leave the baggage at the storage room.
- Carretera Central, Cuba's major highway passes through.
Get around
There are a few local buses running, but they tend to be infrequent and overcrowded. Some taxis are available, and there are many bicycle-taxis. The historical centre is small enough to walk around, but you will need at +/- 20 minutes to get there from the bus station.
See
The historic centre of Camaguey is the largest in Cuba. There are several museums, including
- 🌍 Museo Provincial Ignacio Agramonte.
- 🌍 Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Soledad.
- 🌍 Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Merced.
You can climb the tower at the Cathedral de Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria off of Plaza San Juan de Dios.
The park Casino Campestre just over the river is Cuba's largest urban park and has plenty of shade.
The local market is on the banks of the Rio Hatibonico at the south end of the historic centre.
Do
Walk around the historic centre, with its seemingly randomly oriented streets and dozens of nooks and crannies.
Buy
- 🌍 Maceo street. One of the main streets, has a surprisingly western-ish feeling with shops along.
Eat
Drink
- 🌍 Campana de Toledo.
Sleep
- 🌍 Hotel Plaza, Carretera Central Este km. 4 ½, ☎ +53 32 282413.
- 🌍 Gran Hotel Camagüey.
There are several casas particulares, private houses licensed to offer lodging services, in town.
- Casa de Delgado, Apt 71 / Level 7 - Calle Republica 216, ☎ +53 32 291284, e-mail: anabelroyler@yahoo.es. This casa is run by two doctors - Anabel and Royler. It is a private room with adjoining private bathroom inside their penthouse apartment that features an amazing view of the town. Anabel speaks fluent English and is extremely friendly and helpful. It is on the 7th level of an apartment building (it's the highest one on Calle Republica - look for the blue Casa sign) so it can be tricky to find. Calle Republica runs parallel to the Gran Hotel and it's about 100 metres down from the fork between the two roads. There is a buzzer you ring or normally a door attendant. 25 CUC.
Go next
Routes through Camagüey |
Florida ← La Vallita ← | W |
→ Guáimaro → Las Tunas |
Nuevitas ← | N |
→ Santa Cruz del Sur |