Santiago & the Bacardi Museum
Santiago de Cuba
by coach & on foot
Cuba’s cultural capital Santiago is a frenetic and passionate city. This experience gives you the opportunity to get your bearings in this historically rich town.
Departing from the port, a short drive brings you to your first stop, El Morro Castle. The fort sits atop a 60m (200ft)-high promontory at the entrance to Santiago harbour and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The upper terrace offers breathtaking views of the western ribbon of coastline.
Next you will pass Loma de San Juan or San Juan Hill, which is a prominent part of Cuban history. Manicured grounds hold numerous American monuments, statues and cannons. This was the site of the final land battle in the American/Cuban-Spanish war in 1898.
Heading back to Santiago de Cuba, you will enjoy a short panoramic drive through the city’s Vista Alegre Quarter, one of the oldest residential areas. Along the way, you can admire the large colonial style houses and see the Moncada Barracks that were famously stormed by Fidel Castro in 1953.
Your next stop is a visit to the Emilio Bacardi Moreau Museum. Founded in 1899 and named after the rum magnate, war hero and city mayor, the museum has been housed in its current location since 1927. You can browse through exhibitions of the Bacardi family’s private artworks, collections of artefacts amassed from their travels around the world and displays depicting the country’s history from conquest and colonisation to the present day.
Your final stop will be at Parque Cespedes, located in the heart of Santiago de Cuba. Here you will have approximately one hour to explore independently. You may wish to roam some of the local streets or relax in a local restaurant and take in the hustle and bustle of daily life. Alternatively, you can admire the historical buildings surrounding the plaza, including the Santiago de Cuba Cathedral. The city’s most important church is stunning, both inside and out.
Following your fascinating city exploration, you will return to the port.
Why book with us?
Plan ahead, pay later
Pre-register for your experiences online before you sail and they’ll be added to your shipboard account, with nothing to pay until the end of your cruise (or at regular intervals on longer voyages).
Competitive prices
Enjoy great-value experiences without the worry of arranging everything independently.
Protected if plans change
If we’re unable to visit a port, you’ll receive a full refund for any affected experience. And if itinerary timings change, we’ll work with our local partners to minimise disruption.
Local expertise you can trust
Our experiences are operated by experienced, responsible local partners with the appropriate insurance and expertise.
Complete peace of mind
If your experience is delayed returning to the ship, our onboard team will be kept informed and will make the necessary arrangements.
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Our dedicated Destination Experiences team is on hand to help you choose the right experience and ensure everything runs smoothly from ship to shore and back again.
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