In a nutshell
- Santa Clara is the revolutionary capital of Cuba — a city with a historically fascinating past that shaped the entire country.
- The city is home to the Tren Blindado Monument and the Che Guevara Mausoleum, two of the most important attractions in Cuba.
- In this article, we share our personal tips on the best things to do in Santa Clara, Cuba — plus where to stay, eat, and how to get there.
Is Santa Clara Worth It?
It’s okay. If the city’s history weren’t so interesting, we’d say: no, not worth it. The city itself is pretty quiet and doesn’t have a whole lot going on.
But since Santa Clara played such an important role during the Revolution, you’ll find some seriously fascinating monuments here with incredible stories behind them. We learned a lot about Cuba during our time in Santa Clara.
If Cuban history doesn’t interest you that much, you can honestly skip Santa Clara on your Cuba itinerary.
Read our full Cuba vacation trip report
Why Santa Clara Matters: A Quick History
To understand why Santa Clara is so significant to Cuba, here’s a quick bit of context.
In 1958, at the height of the Revolution, a decisive battle took place here. The rebels, led by Che Guevara, captured a government armored train and then seized control of the city.
That victory was the turning point that allowed the rebels to defeat the regime and ultimately take over all of Cuba.
The Best Sights in Santa Clara
There aren’t many things to do in Santa Clara, Cuba — you can get through all the highlights in a few hours. Everything is reachable on foot.
If you’d rather not walk, grab a bicycle taxi or a regular taxi for the slightly longer distances, like the trip out to the Che Guevara Monument.
Che Guevara Monument
The Che Guevara Mausoleum is the top attraction in Santa Clara. It’s located just under two kilometers from the city center at Revolution Square.
Across from the square stands a large monument that’s already seriously impressive from the outside.
Beneath it you’ll find the mausoleum with the remains of freedom fighter Che Guevara and a museum. Definitely go inside — both are worth your time.
Tren Blindado
The Tren Blindado — armored train in English — is the second major monument in Santa Clara, commemorating the events of 1958.
Four original railcars are on display today, along with the bulldozer Che Guevara used to derail the train. Inside the railcars you’ll find an exhibition of weapons and photos from the revolutionary era.
Entry is free, and this is absolutely a must-see when visiting Santa Clara, Cuba.
Parque Vidal
Parque Vidal is the central square in Santa Clara. Most of the city’s restaurants and bars are clustered around it. That said, it’s not particularly exciting — there isn’t a whole lot to see here.
What we did love: being able to sit on a bench in peace without being approached every few minutes. That wasn’t something we experienced in many other Cuban cities.
Also read our safety tips for Cuba
Our Hidden Gem: Loma Del Capiro Viewpoint
The Loma Del Capiro viewpoint is a real under-the-radar pick in Santa Clara — most tourists don’t even know it exists. From Parque Vidal, it’s about a 30-minute walk or a short taxi ride.
The viewpoint sits on a hill surrounded by nature. It takes about ten minutes to hike up. From the top, you get a fantastic panorama over Santa Clara and the surrounding mountains — and it’s especially stunning at sunset.
Restaurant Tips for Santa Clara
Santa Clara is far less touristy than Trinidad or Varadero, which means prices here are noticeably lower.
Also read our tips on paying in Cuba
We ate at Restaurant El Sol near Parque Vidal and really enjoyed it.
For coffee, head to Café Museo Revolución, located near the Tren Blindado. Along with great coffee, they serve small snacks and cocktails too.
If you need to pick up water or something for cooking, the kiosk across from the Bodeguita del Medio Santa Clara is your best bet — it was the largest one we found in the city.
Where to Stay in Santa Clara
As in pretty much every part of Cuba, we recommend booking your accommodation through Airbnb. You’ll find plenty of Casas Particulares listed there.
To use Airbnb in Cuba, you’ll need a VPN — download it before you leave home.
The best hotel in Santa Clara is probably the Hotel Central at Parque Vidal. Despite the 4-star rating, don’t expect a lot of luxury. For a budget-friendly alternative, we’d suggest the Hostal Cordero.
How to Get to Santa Clara
Santa Clara sits right in the heart of Cuba, which makes it easy to reach from almost anywhere — from Trinidad, Varadero, Havana, and even Santiago de Cuba.
You can get there by taxi or private transfer, your own rental car, or the Viazul public bus.
If you travel by Viazul, you’ll need a taxi or horse-drawn carriage from the bus terminal into the city center.
