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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

Population
269 618
Time zone
UTC−5
Language
Spanish, English
Currency
CUP

Tours to Holguin

Cuba — the Island of Freedom, washed by the Caribbean Sea, attracts travelers with its unique atmosphere and exotic charm. The country’s socialist system shapes its distinctive way of life and is reflected in the architecture of its cities.

The second most popular tourist city on the island is Holguín. People come here primarily for beach holidays by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The seaside makes the heat more bearable.

The local tropical climate is known for high humidity, so vacations in Holguín are best suited for those who tolerate heat well — typically 22–28°C — with a high level of humidity, especially during the summer and autumn, when rainfall is more frequent. The air temperature stays fairly consistent year-round.

It is during the summer that budget-friendly trips to Holguín are easiest to find. On average, the cost of a last-minute package is around 1150 USD for one week in a four-star hotel for two adults. This price is mainly due to the travel expenses to the remote resort.

However, it’s not necessary to wait for last-minute deals to plan an affordable vacation. Sometimes, it’s better to book accommodation and flights in advance to make the trip as cost-effective 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

Flights to Holguín, Cuba, are available from major European cities, including Warsaw, Barcelona, Paris, and Frankfurt. Direct flights are less common, with most routes involving layovers in Madrid, Toronto, or Cancún. Airlines operating these flights include Air Canada, Iberia, Air France, and Condor.

Ticket prices vary depending on the season and departure city. For example, flights from Budapest to Holguín start at €620, while tickets from Milan can be found for €670. From Prague, fares begin at €640 with a single stopover. The earlier you start searching for tickets, the better your chances of finding a good deal.

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

Citizens of EU countries, Canada, Japan, Switzerland and a number of other countries can obtain a Cuban tourist card (tarjeta turística). This document must be obtained in advance and allows you to stay in the country for 30 days for tourism purposes.

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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