Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos, known as the Pearl of the South, is one of the most elegant cities in Cuba, a graceful port on a beautiful bay founded by French settlers, whose influence gives it a distinctive, orderly charm. Its UNESCO historic centre is a harmonious ensemble of neoclassical architecture around the grand Parque Jose Marti, with wide boulevards, a fine theatre and, stretching along the bay, the Malecon promenade to the mansions and eclectic palaces of the Punta Gorda point.

History

The early Spanish knew the area as the Cacicazgo de Jagua, the chiefdom of the Taíno chief Jagua, and on 22 April 1819 French immigrants from Bordeaux and Louisiana led by Louis de Clouet founded the town as Fernandina de Jagua; it became a villa in 1829, renamed after the Captain General José Cienfuegos Jovellanos, and a city in 1880, and streets such as Bouyón and D'Clouet still carry French names. Though one of the last towns founded in colonial Cuba, it soon grew rich on the fertile land around it and its place on the trade routes, especially after a railway to Santa Clara was built in 1853-1860, and at the turn of the 20th century Catalan and Asturian businessmen who made fortunes here commissioned many of its best-known buildings (Wikipedia, Cienfuegos).

What you'll find

• Parque Jose Marti - the grand central square and its buildings.
• The Tomas Terry Theatre - the elegant nineteenth-century theatre.
• Punta Gorda - the bayside point of grand mansions and palaces.
• The Malecon and bay - the seaside promenade along the beautiful bay.

When to go

November to April, the dry season, for the best weather; the bayside setting is lovely in the cooler evenings. It is an easy stop between Havana and Trinidad, and pairs well with the nearby El Nicho waterfalls and the coast.

Good to know

It is more genteel and orderly than the grand decay of Havana or the cobbled charm of Trinidad, so its appeal is elegance and atmosphere rather than dramatic sights; it is often a half-day or overnight stop. As everywhere in Cuba, bring cash and patience. Its French-influenced grace and bay setting make it a pleasant, less-touristed stop.

Nearby

Trinidad, the El Nicho waterfalls and the Bay of Pigs are within reach.

Key facts