Must-see's |
1. Monumento Che Guevara in Santa Clara
The obligatory stop in Santa Clara is the Monument of Ernesto Che Guevara. This huge bronze statue of Che Guevara, overlooking a vast plaza, clearly shows the esteem in which he is held and just looking at it will get you a feeling of the history. The statue was unveiled in 1987, 20 years after he was killed in Bolivia. The site of the monument is a 20 to 30 minute walk from the city center, a Che pilgrimage so to speak. It is located 2km west of Parque Vidal via Rafael Tristá on Avenida de los Desfiles, near the Víazul bus station. It's in a vast square spanning both sides of the carretera.
Address: Av. de los Desfiles, at the end of Rafael Tristá
Open: any time
Entrance: free
2. Fábrica de Tabacos Constantino Pérez Carrodegua in Santa Clara
Santa Clara has an excellent Fábrica de Tabacos. The factory occupies a full city block and produces high-quality Montecristo, Partagas, Romeo y Julieta, Punch, and Robaina cigars. You´ll learn the ins and outs of the making of the world´s favorite cigars during guided tour. The visit won´t take much longer than 20 minutes, still it is far less rushed than the tobacco tours in La Habana. Mind, tickets can only be bought at one of the three tour agencies in town. Across the street, there's a well-stocked shop, La Casa del Tabaco, Ron y Café La Veguita, Calle Maceo 176-A), with expert staff. Mind, you will be offered cigars in the streets, many of them are of dubious origin.
Address: Calle Maceo 181
Open: Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 11:00am and 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Entrance: 4.00CUC.
3. Museo de las Parrandas Remedianas in Remedios
If you can´t be in Remedios to enjoy the festivities, you will have to settle for a visit to this museum dedicated to the parrandas, the popular celebrations deeply rooted in this Villa Clara’s town. The downstairs photo gallery usually recaps the previous year's parrandas, while the upstairs rooms outline the history of this tradition, including scale models of floats, costumes, lanterns, musical instruments and all other items used in the celebrations.
Address: Máximo Gómez 71
Open: 9:00am to 6:00pm
Entrance: 1.00CUC
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