Фотогалерея ‒ Holguin, Cuba

Guide to Holguin

Virtual tour in Holguin

Holguín Province is the second most popular resort region in Cuba after Varadero. It boasts 40 kilometers of coastline with 41 sandy beaches, including top-rated ones like Guardalavaca, Playa Esmeraldai, and Playa Pesquero. The clear sea and coral reefs off the coast make it a haven for water sports enthusiasts, offering activities like diving and snorkeling. Instructors are available at most beaches to teach or improve your skills. Nearby Olgin features waterfalls, caves, springs, mud baths, and several nature reserves for ecotourism enthusiasts. For panoramic city views, head to the top of Loma de la Cruz hill, which offers not only a scenic experience but also a workout with its 458-step staircase. Families with children should plan a visit to Bahia de Naranjo Natural Park, where you'll find an aquarium and a dolphinarium for swimming with the resident dolphins. If you visit Holguin in May, you can partake in a traditional fair, and in October, there's a vibrant Latin American culture festival – a colorful and spectacular event!

Tips for tourists

Cuba uses two monetary units in parallel: the Cuban peso (for residents) and the convertible Cuban peso (for foreign tourists).
Foreign currency must be exchanged for pesos. When accepting dollars, banks charge up to 20% of the amount for their services, euros can be exchanged without a fee.
If you decide to travel to other Cuban cities by public transportation, choose Viazul's comfortable tour buses.
Population
269 618
Time zone
UTC−5
Language
Spanish, English
Currency
CUP

Tours to Holguin

Fans of the Soviet legacy are eager to take tours to Cuba, the Island of Liberty, which is washed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea. Even after the Soviet Union ceased to exist and Cuba lost its support, the socialist system remained in place.

This affects not only the architectural features of the country's cities but also the way of life, organized in the best Soviet traditions. Therefore, trips to Cuba are gladly purchased by those who appreciate the spirit of the former greatness of the USSR.

The second most important tourist city on the island is the city of Holguin. Tours here are primarily bought for beach vacations along the shores of the Caribbean Sea, especially since the coast is more bearable in terms of heat.

The local tropical climate is characterized by high humidity, so it's recommended to purchase vouchers for a vacation in Holguin for those who can easily tolerate temperatures ranging from 22°C to 28°C with a high level of humidity, especially during the summer-autumn period, when the most rainfall occurs. The air temperature remains fairly consistent throughout the year.

During the summer, you can find cheap tours to Holguin. On average, the price of a hot offer will be around 1150 USD for a week's stay in a four-star hotel for two adults. This cost is influenced by the distance of the resort from Ukraine and the Russian Federation, which requires a significant investment for the flight.

However, you don't have to wait for last-minute deals to organize an affordable trip. Sometimes it's worth choosing accommodations and flights in advance to make the trip as budget-friendly as possible.

Interesting places in Holguin

If you want to explore all of Holguin's attractions, you can cover them in a day or two by planning a route for your walks. For those who prefer guided tours, it's advisable to get in touch with one of the tour companies offering excursions in and around Holguin. When it comes to shopping in Holguin, it mostly involves buying souvenirs for family and friends, such as Cuban rum and cigars. As for nightlife, it may not be the resort's strongest point and is unlikely to impress avid partygoers.

Sights

Travel budget

Flight ticket prices

Direct flights from European cities to Havana do not exist yet. If you arrive at Havana airport, you can get to Holguin by domestic flight or ground transportation. From Paris to Havana with one connection you will be taken by KLM, Air France, and other airlines, flights with two connections are available from Iberia and other companies. The cheapest round-trip tickets cost about 850 USD, the journey will take from 13 to 36 hours. Air France, Aeroflot, and other carriers fly from Madrid to Havana, and round-trip tickets can be purchased for 600 USD.

The best hotels in Holguin

The resort is among the elite, so there are practically no hotels of 1*-3* level here. Many hotels work on the all-inclusive system, among respectable public Paradisus Rio de Oro and Sol Rio de Luna y Mares are popular. If you set a goal, you can find inexpensive accommodation - for example, a double standard room in a hotel without meals for 35-40 USD per day. Locals rent out apartments, bungalows and villas that can be rented directly or through a real estate agency.

The cost of vacation

Holguin is considered a relatively expensive resort by Cuban standards. It mainly attracts well-off travelers, and the city is also popular with honeymooners. If you're on a budget, keep in mind that in the resort regions of the country, two official currencies are in use (one for locals and one for foreigners), and prices for the same items or services can differ significantly between the two currencies. It's advisable to carry more cash than you might think you need, as cards are not widely accepted in Cuba.

The budget for a trip to Holguin
Visa 60 USD Flight from 1700 USD
Accommodation from 35 USD per day Average check in a restaurant from 15 CUC (15 USD)
Transportation fare From 5 CUC (5 USD) Excursion from 60 CUC (60 USD)
Total: About 2635 USD for a week for two people, including two meals a day and at least one excursion per day.

Holguin: tips for tourists

To make your vacation at Holguin Resort hassle-free, explore the information in this section. Traveling is easy and fun with tripmydream!

Visa to Holguin

Consular fee - 30 USD.

The airport in Holguin

Frank Pais International Holguin Airport is located 13 km from the city, which receives mainly domestic flights. Most tourists arrive at Cuba's main airport, which is close to Havana (Olguin is more than 800 km away).

Transfer to Holguin from the airport

The quickest way to get to Holguin for those arriving at Havana airport is by air. Domestic flights are operated by Cubana and AeroCaribbean and take around 1.5 hours. By bus, you'll spend 10-11 hours.

Car rental

You can rent a car at Havana or Holguin airports, or at almost any major hotel. The price usually includes insurance in case of theft or accident, but it's worth checking before signing the contract to avoid any misunderstandings.

Transport

The resort's public transportation system is practically undeveloped, so tourists prefer to travel by cab or rented car. The official services are dominated by modern, air-conditioned executive cars.

Safety

The resort is quiet and serious crimes are rare. But there are plenty of pickpockets, due to the difficult economic situation in the country. To avoid falling victim to them, leave valuables in your hotel room and don't carry large sums of money.

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